Legacy: Part I
Note: I'd like to thank KhaliG for betaing the story. You're such a dear.
Note 2: This story is in an AU where FN happened, but Cece didn't die.
Alec's POV
I never thought I'd ever be back in Seattle after all that had happened in the last ten years. But today, I was back. According to Zack, she'd asked for me. Something was wrong, I could feel it. And although not much detail was given, I knew that this time, I couldn't refuse her. This time, I had to come home.
As I was riding through the streets of Seattle, I found myself thinking that not much has changed. But I knew it had. Time changes everything. My first stop was Terminal City. Even today, I knew that was where all the transgenics still gather. When I left all those years ago, I made sure that there were competent people holding down the fort. But my successor had to be a leader. So I went in search for Zack, praying that he had gotten his memory back. For some reason, my prayers were answered. I had found him, in Las Vegas of all places, and asked him to take over for me. I told him, in the briefest terms that I could no longer be there. Of course, I didn't tell him why. That would probably just mean the death of me. Thankfully, he agreed. And today, he is still the unquestioned leader of the Transgenic Society.
When I finally walked into Terminal City, all the memories came back. Seattle was always bittersweet for me, mainly because of Max.
Flashback
"This is all your fault," Max screamed at me for screwing up another heist that prevented her from getting the cure.
I didn't understand why she still wanted the cure. She wasn't even with him anymore. But she wasn't with me either, which was what I had hoped for. But obviously, she still had feelings for that 'human', even if she denied it day in and day out.
"Alec, this was my last chance," she said desperately. "How could you do this to me?"
I wanted to apologize to her, but nothing came out of my mouth. Reason was the mess up wasn't my fault. It was 'his' fault. He had given her the faulty recon. I had actually checked things out after she had told me about the mission and I knew. I had tried to convince her that what he said was wrong. But of course, she always took his side.
"Max, I…" I trailed on. I didn't know what to say. I knew that it would not be a good idea to say 'I told you so'.
"Alec, I don't know if I can forgive you for this. The doctor's dead. He was my only hope. I think it'd be best if you leave Seattle".
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was turning her back on me just because the mission went sideways. And now she wanted me to leave the only home that I had ever known. I didn't know what to say. So instead, I said nothing and walked away.
End of Flashback
That night I decided to do as Max said, and leave. It was obvious that I wasn't wanted. Before that heist, I had actually thought that our relationship was getting better. She'd finally accepted that there was something more than friendship between us, and things were moving along. But then suddenly, everything went wrong, and I had left Seattle.
What shocked me after that was the fact that she came after me. I had heard from Original Cindy that Max went after me, but had no luck trying to find me. That of course was natural. I didn't want to be found, so I hid my tracks and made sure no one could find me, unless I wanted to be found. I was told that Max said what she'd done was a mistake and that she didn't mean it. But I couldn't handle that. When would she mean it? I didn't know when or where. I couldn't forgive her for what she had said.
Five years after that Zack told me that his baby sister was married, to Logan. I was shocked, stunned. After her little show of coming after me, she goes and marries Logan. I was upset. So I went back to Seattle. I wanted her to be mine, even after everything. In the five years, I grew a little and forgave her because I understood that what she had said was in the heat of the moment, and not rational.
Flashback
She'd found me, on a small town on the outskirts of Seattle. I could smell her. She was in heat, and she had been for sometime. It was her natural instincts that brought her to me. That night became the best night of my life.
The next morning, we talked.
"Max, come with me," I persuaded. I wanted her to return to LA with me. I had a modest business there, and I wanted her by my side.
"And what? Leave Seattle?" she questioned in disbelief.
"Please Max."
"You want me to leave Logan and runaway with you?"
"Max, you still want to be with Logan?" I asked in incredulity. I couldn't believe that after our night together she still wanted to stay with him.
"Alec, you know, we could just keep doing this."
At first, I didn't understand what she meant. But then it hit me that she wanted to have an affair with me, instead of 'being' with me. I was hurt that she'd think I would accept that.
"No, I either have you or I don't. All or nothing."
She didn't say anything. I already knew the answer. It was always Logan when push comes to shove. So I quickly dressed and left for LA.
End of Flashback
Later, Zack told me that Max and left Logan. He didn't give me a reason; just that she had done so. He asked me to return to TC. I couldn't do it. I was still too hurt by everything. I said maybe in time I would, but not then.
Now I was back, because I was needed once again. I didn't know why. But I knew, based on instinct that I should be here. It was time.
I had just talked to Zack. He told me that Max was dying. The last fight she had with White put her in critical condition. She never should've been fighting he told me. She hadn't recovered from an earlier battle. But still, she fought, and now she was going to leave us. She had told Zack that she wanted to see me once last time. And that's why he deemed it an emergency and asked me to hurry back. He never could refuse his baby sis. And I could say that at one time, I was like that to. I could never say 'no' to her. He told me that the others have already been to say good bye to Max. I was the last one. He gave us the personal time that was needed.
I slowly walked into her room at the top of HQ. She always did like heights. I'll never understand that. I saw her small body lying on the bed. She looked so pale. All sorts of machines were hooked into her to monitor her. Cece signaled me; letting me know that she'd be outside if I needed her. I sat down in the chair next to her bed, and held her hand.
I still couldn't believe the invincible Max was fading right before my eyes. I'd never thought that she'd leave me, us. In the ten years, we, the X-5 series had not aged one bit. I had always thought that I could still return to her because she'd be alive. But now, she was dying. My sweetheart was dying.
"Max, can you hear me? It's Alec. I'm here," I said to her. I didn't even know if she could hear me. But I tried desperately to reach her. I didn't want to lose her, not yet. I hadn't even had a chance with her. We still had such a long life ahead of us. How could this be happening?
Slowly, I could feel her hand grip mine. I looked up and noticed her awake and staring back into my eyes.
"Alec, you're here," she says quietly.
She'd lost so much of her strength. On some level, I was sure that it hurt of her even to be speaking to me.
"Max, I'm so sorry," I said. "I never should've left, and then maybe none of this would've happened." I felt incredibly guilty for her current situation. If only.
"Alec, you have nothing to be sorry for. If anything I'm the one that's sorry."
I felt like crying. From the way she was speaking to me, I knew that it was almost time. I didn't want to lose her again.
"Max, please don't leave me," I begged. "Please, fight."
"Alec, I know you don't want me to go. But it's time. I'm so tired. I'll see you again, I promise."
Slowly I leaned down and gave her a kiss. Then I felt her spirit slowly leave. And as I pulled away, I looked into her eyes. She smiled. And then she closed her eyes, and it was over.
I leaned over her body and cried some more. I knew that I should go tell the others, but I didn't have the strength. When the others walked in and found me as such, they knew, and they cried too. Even Zack, the ever stoic brother shed some tears. Then he turned around and left. There were things to be done, he said. I knew what it meant, but still, I didn't want to believe.
TBC…
