Title: Bound and Broken
Author: Sweet Obsession/Firesong
Summary: Alec and Max are finally together but what does the future have in store for them now? What type of obstacles can their relationship endure? Mysteries surround Max's DNA makeup now it's a race against time to find the answers they so desperately need.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel or any of the characters.
A/N: This is a sequel to Swap Meet. The story of Swap Meet began about mid episode of Love among the runes and I have integrated this new story to fit the episode and continue from there. You will notice several instances that are exactly like the episode but I have basically filled in the blanks to fit the storyline. I honestly think there were way too many unanswered questions in these last two episodes and of course with the cancellation of the show there was somewhat closure but not enough for my satisfaction. Enjoy!
( I do make strong references to Swap Meet, therefore I strongly recommend reading it first.)
Chapter 1: Beginnings
"Adara mos rekali, konoss rehu jek." He repeated the line chanted for the Katara ceremony as he watched the unfolding of a much awaited event. This was the beginning of their end and he would make sure this time that nothing would stand in his way. Not only for him but for every one of his brethren who anticipated the coming.
"Agent White." A voice called out in the darkness taking him out of his thoughts.
He glanced momentarily behind him to acknowledge that he had heard the person behind him but his eyes returned quickly to the sky. "It's beautiful, isn't it?
Otto Gottleib looked up at the sky with a bit of fascination. "Hmmm. Yes, sir." He really didn't understand any of it but he had to take a moment to enjoy its splendor. Of course he had more pressing issues at hand and wanted to give the reason for disturbing his superior in his so called moment of peacefulness. "I just wanted to remind you, you've got an 8:00 with the chief of police to discuss jurisdictional issues." Why he even bothered reminding him he didn't know. He prided himself in being a good agent and even though the tasks seemed menial at times he still did them.
Ames White smirked and closed his eyes. Of course he wouldn't have forgotten but Otto insisted on reminding him of everything. He exhaled, a cloud of mist forming from his warm breath hitting the cold air surrounding him. "Right." The simple fact that he needed to ask for permission or even inform any type of authority grated on his nerves; a continuous pissing contest for control of territory. He was superior, the simple fact that he even had to pretend to be like any of them was demeaning to him and everything he knew. "Is it just me, or was this job more fun when we were covert, hunting transgenics all on our own?"
Otto had never really found much fun in it. He was simply there to take care of a threat and if that entailed capturing transgenics that were a danger to society then so be it. As much as he tried to share in his superior's enthusiasm he faked it more than anything for appearances sake. He gave a small grin as he listened to White's boasting but then his face dropped he really didn't want to put himself in this position it disgusted him. "It's getting late, sir. You should probably knock off." Deep down his words had more than one meaning. He just wished White would for once just stop.
Giving him a look of nonchalance on his comment White turned back to the sky. "What, and miss the show?" He paused at the sky. "It only happens once a year." He informed him smartly.
"Really?" Like I care. Otto thought to himself. What was his fascination with the stars anyway? The agent before him made it his past time to hunt down freaks for pleasure he couldn't even begin to understand why he was interested in this. "Didn't know you were into astronomy."
Ames almost rolled his eyes at the man standing behind him, he truly only put up with him because there wasn't anyone else. They were all inferior and this was the best they had provided. "There's a fair number of things you don't know about me, Otto." He said derisively.
Otto could only give an abrupt laugh. Again like I care. "Good night, sir."
"Good night." And he continued watching the heavens his thoughts going back to 452 and what he would do with her once he got a hold of her. I will have you 452, if it's the last thing I do.
A soft cool breeze drifted lazily to the top of the Space Needle where Alec held Max in his arms in silent awe watching the strange display of shooting stars. It had been slightly disconcerting at first but they eventually stopped questioning the odd show of constellations and snuggled into each other and simply marveled at it. An hour into in Alec felt the slow and steady pace of Max's breathing and knew she had drifted off to sleep. He knew she didn't get much of it as it was and after the long not to mention stressful day they both had, he let her rest. He stopped watching the shooting stars and watched her instead. Moving her hair lightly he allowed his eyes to travel to every line and contour of her face. He loved the dark color of her skin, the delicate set of her eyebrows and if her eyes had been open he would forever stare in the depth of brown in them. He adored the fullness of her soft pink lips and ached to kiss them again. He smiled at the softened cooled expression from sleep in contrast to the usual fire that made her so breathtaking in anger; finally marveling with the fact that she was right there in his arm.
Gently rubbing her hand he brought it closer to kiss her wrist and stopped in astonishment. There was a small symbol on her skin and right before his eyes more of them were slowly appearing and he inhaled sharply with shock. He didn't know what it meant but his skin began to crawl with trepidation. Examining it thoroughly and without meaning to he sat up to get a better look and she moaned in her sleep. This is sooo not good. His eyes widened with worry and he tried to find saliva in his suddenly dry mouth.
He was torn between the decision to either tell her now or wait until she woke herself. Deciding to wait for a moment he set her hand back down slowly and looked back up to the sky as if searching the darkness for an answer. He tried to think of possible reasons why this would happen to Max and what it was but he came up empty. It was common to have a bar code appear on the back of their necks they all had them it was embedded in their DNA but he had never seen anything like this. He gently rubbed her arm with his hand and the more he thought about it, the more worried he became. Biting his lip he whispered her name. "Max…" He moved a little and she stirred. "C'mon Maxie..."
Max had been in a deep sleep when she heard him say her name and woke slowly. His hands were moving along her arms and she raised herself up slightly. "What's wrong?" She could have sworn there was a hint of uneasiness to his voice.
Alec had no idea how to tell her without her panicking. It wasn't happening to him and he was already there he knew without a doubt she was going to freak out. "Look I don't know how to tell you this…" He started but instead of saying anything else he lifted her hand and turned it so she could look at the inside of her wrist.
Max breathed slowly and her eyes widened in alarm at what she saw. A rune formed and she stopped moving in fear. The only sound was the pounding in her ears and she turned slowly to look at Alec.
He could feel her tense in his arms and his other arm tightened around her waist. When she turned to look at him he tried to erase any fear from his facial expression so she wouldn't see how anxious he was and frantically tried to break the tension with a joke. "Your bar code's not enough, you're getting tattoos now?"
She turned back and lifted her arm to look again. "Oh my God." She whispered in awe.
He was hoping she'd have a better idea what they were than he did. "What the hell are they?"
She swallowed and finally moved out of his arms "I don't know." She raised herself and looked down at him. "Alec?" She said his name desperately as if he would have an answer and he raised himself from the platform to stand in front of her.
He could see the panic clear across her face and reached out for her hands. "Just don't panic ok?" He tried to soothe her.
She moved away abruptly and stared back at his impassive face. "How am I not supposed to panic?" She couldn't understand how he could just look at her and be so cool about the whole thing. "I'm turning into a living, breathing Etch-A-Sketch!" She looked back to her arm and there were rows of runes now all lined up neatly and she had no idea what it meant.
"Don't freak out okay." He put his hands out in front of him and tried to take a hold of her but she pulled back again.
"Don't freak out? How could I not! Look!" She showed him her arm again and pulled at the sleeves of his gray sweater. "Oh my God." To her horror there were more across her arms and she unzipped the collar and there were more on her neck.
"Okay you're putting an Etch-A-Sketch to shame." He blurted out as his eyes got rounder.
"You think?" She shot back and then brought her arm closer to her face. "Why aren't they stopping?" She said as they continuously formed.
"Look I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for it, we'll figure it out okay?"
"Reasonable explanation?" She countered shrilly. "Alec?" She said his name again in disbelief at what he had just said. "How could you be so calm?!" She finally questioned angrily. It was easier to be angry than frightened.
He hadn't wanted to appear callous he had simply tried to remain composed for her benefit. "Max panicking isn't going to do us any good I'm trying to keep a level head here." His voice was seriously flat. He didn't want to admit that it scared the shit out of him too.
She remained quiet for a few moments searching his eyes for a sign of emotion but there were none. Come to think of it, it was probably a good thing too because if he were panicking like she was she wouldn't be able to handle it. Cindy was right, he is my rock. "I'm sorry…I'm just…Alec…I'm scared."
"I know, let's just go home. I promise we'll figure it out. First thing in the morning okay?" He approached her and held her in his arms. A few moments after he took her hand and started walking back towards the exit and she followed him.
Walking back to his apartment Max barely said a word to him and he kept giving her sidelong glances to make sure she was alright. He really didn't know what to say to her because he was just as confused and concerned as she was. When they got back to his apartment she took off her shoes and headed for the couch. Alec walked to his bedroom to change and came back out a few moments later wearing black sweat pants and a blue t-shirt. When he walked back into the living room he noticed she had curled up on his couch. "You know I just realized we didn't eat today and I'm starving." He said to her hoping to make her think of something else other than those strange symbols. Only Max never said anything she simply sat there. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda from the fridge. "Max?"
Max couldn't stop thinking about what this meant. Her thoughts kept going back to what Renfro had said. "You're the one we've been looking for." What had she meant? "Find Sandeman." She had always kept it in the back of her mind but hadn't found out anything other than what Joshua had told her. Now she knew she would have to if she would get answers to this new mysterious complication in her life. She vaguely heard Alec talking to her because she was too preoccupied with her tumultuous thoughts.
Setting his unopened can of soda on the counter he walked over to the couch and kneeled in front of her. His hand reached out and held hers. "Max…do you want to go see if we can find out anything now?" He offered softly knowing it would be the only way she'd get some peace of mind. It wasn't only for her but for him, he knew he'd breathe easier knowing.
Her sad brown eyes watched his and she finally answered him. "Please."
"Come on." He said as he pulled her from the couch. "I think I have an idea where to start." Heading back towards his room he changed again and walked back out wearing jeans, a similar gray sweater to the one she was wearing over top his blue t-shirt complete with his gray leather jacket.
It never ceased to amaze her how comfortable he always appeared not to mention gorgeous. What amused her was that he barely even had to try, he looked good in anything. "Ready?" He asked as he watched her staring at him. "What?"
She really didn't need to do much just slip her shoes on. "Yeah." She shook her head at his second question. "Just always wondered where you get all your clothes or find time to shop, for a soldier you seem to be pretty fashionable."
At that he smiled with a playful wiggle of his eyebrows. "You're just jealous you can't wear my clothes anymore." She tugged on the shirt she had borrowed that morning.
"Well that's different, you miss being in my body I know it." He winked at her.
"Yeah especially now." She said acerbically. "I would like to see how you would react to suddenly sprouting some weird alphabet." With those words he opened the door and they walked out.
It was a half hour later that Alec passed through the fence of Terminal City his breath making clouds of white mist in the cool air. "You know they should just call it Transgenic Central instead of Terminal City; they'd still get to call it TC but it would be more fitting; you know a play on words." He pondered out loud with a grin trying to cut the silence between him and Max. She had barely said a word since leaving and when he had tried to hold her hand she had vaguely noticed him without really noticing the action.
"Yeah." She quietly agreed with him and when she didn't rebuke his incessant rambling with a snarky remark he knew she was shutting him out.
Examining the area he could see the scattered littering of papers accompanied with the odd object that would roll away with the wind. The dirt and stains on the street were so profuse he wrinkled his nose in disgust, the buildings were so dilapidated carrying the same amount of grime it was a miracle some of them were still standing and suddenly he was happy for his small apartment it wasn't extravagant but at least it was his and it was clean. Being a well trained soldier he would have bedded down pretty much anywhere he needed to out of necessity but he didn't wish this place on anyone. A thought struck him and he frowned. "Maxie…could you imagine living here?"
"Yeah." She agreed again and this time he tsked his tongue. Giving up trying to talk to her he stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued in silence.
No matter how hard she tried to pay attention to him she couldn't. Too many things were just playing over and over in her head. She thought of White and his breeding cult, Renfro with her mysterious admission and then these new strange symbols. She couldn't help feeling like they were all linked somehow. Just that previous week she had given Joshua his medallion and when Dix had noticed it had said something strange. "It's sort of a caduceus. You know, the wand carried by Hermes…messenger of the gods." And Joshua had turned to her. "Messenger like you." She had smiled because of the fact that she was a Jam Pony Messenger but now that she thought about it she was now a carrier of one. She didn't want to be a messenger especially now. Was that what these symbols were? A message? Would it be too much to ask for a moment of peace in her life? She knew she would never get normal but did it always have to be one bad guy after the other, or something mysterious surrounding her genetic makeup?
All she wanted was to be able to sit down with Alec for the night and just do anything; she didn't care what it was as long as she could be alone with him and not have anything to worry about. That thought made her remember that he was right there with her and she had been ignoring him. Glancing sideways at him she could now see that his posture was rigid and she noticed his jaw muscle stand out as he bit down. She stopped and touched his arm. "Alec." He stopped and turned to look at her carefully hiding his emotion. Again the jaw flexed and she sighed; he was trying to remain silent. "I'm …I'm not ignoring you. I… Just have too much on my mind right now."
His eyes reflected what little light there was, she could see they were sad with worry and he spoke to her. "Max..." He took his hands out of his pockets and played with them. "This affects me too you know. I mean all of a sudden my girl magically starts sprouting these weird symbols on her skin." He motioned to her arms. "I tried acting cool about it because I didn't want you to panic anymore than you needed to. You have enough to worry about but you know this freaks me out as much as it does you." He finally admitted to her his fear and she could see him swallow.
Of course he was worried but she had been so busy with her own fear she didn't stop to think of what this could mean for him too. What affected her now affected him. "I know…I'm sorry." Apologizing she approached him, raising herself slightly she kissed him. "Actually if you hadn't been here with me I would really be freaking out right now."
Raising his eyebrow he smirked. "You mean it gets worse?" He joked and she slapped his arm.
"Really gotta change that sign." He whispered to himself and it was her turn to raise her eyebrow questioningly and he waved it away. "Never mind."
When they walked into the building that housed most of the transhumans they stopped as one looking through the small room. Max was surprised to see it was actually pretty busy for this time of night. To their left on a raised platform were a series of TV's set up in a haphazard fashion surrounding a few computers with several monitors. Most of them were playing important news broadcasts and anything that may alert them to anything out of the ordinary or something pertaining to transgenics.
To their right there was a small gathering of a few X5's accompanied by Mole and Joshua. They seemed to be standing around a map discussing plans and maneuvers. Mole was adorned with his usual shotgun slung over his shoulder and his awful smelling stogy. Joshua was aptly paying attention trying not to miss a thing and nodded his head every few seconds.
Dix had been keeping constant vigil on the screens before him and without turning around to the newcomers called out. "Hi guys." He had seen them long before they entered the building thanks to the cameras set up around the perimeter to prevent un-welcomed guests in TC.
Max looked at Alec with a raised eyebrow in question and he just shrugged. "He's been doing that." He said casually and he finally turned around to face them. His pale misshapen hairless head reflected the light and he nodded his one good eye examining them.
Max had always been scared of what she was told as a small child were 'Nomlies. Being around Joshua had helped but now in the presence of actual genetic anomalies that were badly deformed her fear had struck anew but she wouldn't let it show. She gave him a smile and nodded at him.
Alec having spent more time in the basement than most of the transgenic he knew was more at ease with the entire concept and spoke up first. "Hey Dix what's happening?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary." He informed them and then pointed to his computer. "Check this out Alec." He motioned for him to approach and Max stayed behind assessing the people around her.
A dark haired X5 appeared to be occupied with his motorcycle not too far from her and didn't pay much attention to anyone else. When he raised his head she recognized him as Biggs and he finally noticed her. He gave her a warm smile and she returned it. He had just appeared about a week and a half ago and was now the newest employee at Jam Pony. She hadn't really gotten to know him that much yet but from what Alec had told her they used to be unit mates back at Manticore. So obviously him and Alec were close friends and seemed to share the same sense of humor. Just what he needed someone to encourage his antics.
Max walked up the steps to join Alec paying attention to the exchange of words again. "Can I borrow your computer for a bit?" She stopped abruptly at his question but didn't say anything. She had never in the entire time that she had known Alec seen him approach let alone look at a computer. He had simply been content sitting back in the shadows letting Logan do his thing.
Dix got up out of his chair. "Sure Alec, just keep an eye out will you. I'm going to take a little break, oh and let me know what you think about it."
"You got it Pal." He slapped his shoulder and Dix walked off without looking back. Pulling the chair out Alec sat in it and Max dropped the look of surprise and stood next to him. "Okay at the chance of sounding ignorant. Do I dare ask what you think you're doing?"
"Maxie you have so little faith in me." He said with a smile. "You think Logan's the only one who can work a computer?"
Relaxing beside him she sat and watched him with interest. "I never…" She left unfinished her words as his fingers flew quickly over the keyboard and a few windows appeared.
Alec had never really told her about his extensive computer knowledge and some of the things he was capable of doing because with Logan around he simply didn't have to. "Exactly Max, you've never asked. Besides I don't really go for the geeky, nerdy look, it kinda cramps my style." He gave her a mischievous grin and she shook her head at him her surprise replaced with interest.
Now that those symbols had appeared on her body he wasn't about to sit back and wait for something to fall into his lap this was too important so he took matters into his own hands. Not for the first time he quietly thanked Manticore for what they continuously drilled into his head in a successful attempt to create the perfect soldier. Well they had succeeded in one aspect. He knew exactly what he was doing as for the attitude no one would ever be able to change that.
With nimble fingers he continued typing and Max quietly thanked her enhanced observational skills for being able to keep up; the windows were popping up so fast filling up with series of letters and numbers. She didn't think a regular person would have been able to follow. The look of interest she had given him finally turned to awe. She could work a computer herself if the need arose but not to that extent.
Joshua had noticed the presence of his two closest friends and approached controls. Out of nowhere he called out excitedly. "Little fella!" His shout managed to startle Max making her turn around. He was so happy to see her that if he would have had a tail he would have been wagging it. As he approached he noticed Alec at the computer. "And medium fella."
He took Max up in a tight hug lifting her off the ground and she smiled in genuine pleasure. Out of everyone in the room the two X5s before him were his favorite for obvious reasons. Max was the one that helped him escape Manticore but she was also the first to have accepted him and he loved her kind nature towards him. Alec he liked for entirely different reasons he was his buddy, together the two of them had fun and there truly was never a dull moment when Alec was around.
"Hey big fella." Max said when he set her to the ground and she tried to catch her breath. She was like a little sister to him and even though she thought it was her duty to protect him he felt like it was his to protect her.
Approaching the blond X5 with his arms wide open he stopped when Alec quickly put out his hands in refusal. "Thanks Pal but I'll pass." He shot him a bright smile which he returned. That was the thing with Alec no matter what happened all Joshua really had to do was take a look at his smile and be near his easy going manner and he was caught up with his good humor.
Dropping his arms, his white teeth stood out of his wide mouth in a grin. "So good to see you two together, finally." Joshua had no idea they truly were together he simply meant at the same time but Max shared a smile with Alec. It had been a few days since he had seen them last which had been around the misfortunate heat incident.
"It's good to see you too Joshua." Max smiled remembering how he had given who he thought was Alec, company. Truly it had been a change to have him be there for her instead of the other way around like it usually was.
"You both okay?" They nodded as one and Alec went back to the monitor leaving Max to catch up with him. "Just give me a few minutes okay." His fingers continuously worked over the keys and Max withdrew her attention to her shaggy haired friend.
"I'm having a bit of a crisis." She admitted and Joshua's smile slipped slightly at her words. Concern marred his face and he examined her for the cause of the crisis. "What wrong with Max?" He managed to ask but before she said anything there was a small bleep from the computer.
"Hello, anybody there?" Logan's voice came through and Alec stopped what he was doing and made the connection allowing his image to appear on screen. "Hey Logan, what's up?" Alec's voice was monotone. He didn't hate Logan but he wasn't partial to him either he just really put up with him with a differential attitude. Especially after that morning they'd both come to a silent agreement but that didn't mean he had to like the guy.
Max stopped talking to Joshua as she heard his voice and got closer to Alec.
"Hey Alec." Logan finally said. It hadn't been that long ago when they were all sitting in his living room waiting for the results to the absence of the virus and now they were facing each other again. She rested her hand on Alec's shoulder giving it a squeeze and he moved the chair to give her a better view.
"Hey." She said as she looked back to the monitor.
"Max." Logan said in genuine surprise but his expression changed quickly. "What's going on?"
"I'm actually having a bit of a problem…" She said slowly.
Alec quirked his eyebrow at that and move closer to the screen. "She's sugarcoating it Logan, it's more like a big problem." Getting up from his chair he grabbed the camera off the top of the monitor and directed it at her wrist. "Check these out, they just popped up." He said and Max pulled up her sleeve to give him a better picture.
Logan looked at the screen and said the only thing he could think of at that moment. "Huh." He started to bite his lip in thought.
Max's voice came through the speaker of the monitor with a ring of irritation in it. "'Huh' as in 'Strange but I know exactly what it is huh?' Or 'Huh? What the hell is going on?'" Her eyes tightened as she looked at Alec who was holding the small camera with a serious expression.
Logan got a bit closer to his monitor. "Closer to the second one." He paused with a thought and then asked. "So they just popped up? You didn't do anything…come into contact with anyone, drink anything?"
Max immediately looked at Alec with his questions. Come into contact with anyone…Oh God yes. She almost smiled at that but didn't. She knew that wasn't it, at least she hoped it wasn't that would be more than scary. Drink anything? What the hell is he thinking? She had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at Logan. "Yeah, I drank a bottle of something that said 'tattoos from within.'" She looked at the camera and gave Logan a smirk that made Alec proud. "Was that wrong?"
Keeping a straight face Alec mentally laughed and looked back to the monitor where Logan sat staring back at them.
Logan could feel her impatience through the screen at his questions. "Hey, take it easy."
Keeping her eyes on the camera she finally dropped the sarcastic attitude. "Sorry. It's just freaking me out." She dropped her arm and watched Logan.
Feeling a sense of familiarity he spoke up again. "They look a little like the symbol on Joshua's medallion." Max stopped at his words in thought. They do. Logan's soft spoken voice got her attention again. "Maybe they're like your bar code. Some sort of genetically encoded imprint…designed to appear on your skin at a given time."
"What for and why now?" She asked with a frown.
"I don't know." He finally admitted at a loss. "Maybe it's a message." He tried again.
My thoughts exactly. "From who?" Her first thought went back to Renfro and what she had said only she didn't want to let herself lean on that it scared her too much.
Joshua finally spoke up after listening to the entire conversation. "Father." It was like he knew without a doubt with the certainty in his voice and he confirmed her unspoken suspicion.
Max finally turned to look at him and Joshua looked back at Alec as that information settled for both of them. Alec was the first to recover. "Well whatever it is we'll find out soon enough."
"I'll keep my eyes open, do some research and see if I can find out anything. I'll let you get back to what you were doing." He said softly as if expecting her to object but she simply nodded with. "Thanks Logan."
With those words he severed the connection and Alec set the camera back on the monitor. He went back to the computer and Max looked at Joshua. "Do they look familiar to you?" She asked almost pleadingly hoping he would give her the answer she was looking for.
He shook his head and his face turned sad from not being able to provide her with an answer. Alec came around and clapped his back lightly. "Its okay Josh don't worry about it."
Max watched Alec walk back down the stairs away from them and looked back to the computer. It was set the same way it had been with no indication of him even working on it. "So that's it?" She questioned with curiosity and a bit of expectation. "What did you do?"
Joshua looked at both of them remaining quiet like he usually did simply observing their behavior. Something seemed off between them he just couldn't put his finger on it. The only difference he could make offhand was the fact that they smelled differently, they smelled alike. Almost as if their scent was combined and made a new one.
Alec gave her a sly grin. "Max, now we just wait."
Don't panic. He knows what he's doing... Does he? She couldn't help feeling a bit of skepticism at his words. "Wait for what?"
He waived her over and she followed him down the stairs. "I created a nifty little program. No one will even know it's there; it's quietly working in the background. It will find any information we need that comes relatively close to these symbols." He explained and her eyes widened slightly. "I didn't know you could do that."
"Well I'm not one to blow my own horn." At those words she guffawed. "Uh huh."
"Okay well I can't do anything about the looks baby." He winked but the amused expression changed to one she hadn't seen very often. The one she had only seen when things were of deep significance and of serious consequence; Manticore and his past. "This… I don't really share unless I have to."
She didn't say anything else to that and just nodded in agreement. He was right it wasn't something she usually boasted about either. When you were used to doing something you were taught since childhood it became second nature not something out of the ordinary or something to brag about. Especially when those skills could save your life and keeping them secret was key. Alec was watching her and took her hand bringing her closer. "Just give it a bit of time ok? Have I ever let you down?" He asked and then as he saw her open her mouth to answer he pulled her in and kissed her. "Don't answer that."
Joshua had been watching them and he practically jumped off his chair when they kissed. "Oh! Oh! Max and Alec getting busy?!" He blurted out his face broke into a huge grin and he barked in his excitement.
Alec and Max both jumped when he barked and looked up at Joshua stunned. Everyone else around them stopped what they were doing and stared at the couple.
There was another small bark and Joshua laughed followed by Alec who just couldn't help himself getting caught up in the gentle giant's excitement. He looked back at Max whose eyes had grown bigger and he saw her swallow as she looked around them to the people staring.
Alec gave her a look as if saying 'Should I tell him or should you?' and she finally relented. If she let Alec do it he'd probably just blurt out something along the lines of. "Yeah Pal we've been busy and she's enjoying it." Just to poke fun at it and his friend's innocence, then she'd have to slap him for good measure. "Uhm big fella. Alec and I…we're…" She was looking for the right words and being subject to everyone's attention didn't help any. Alec was actually surprised she got that far considering her usual detachment when it came to relationships. Like everyone else he waited for her next words but they never came.
Joshua saved her when he practically ran down the steps to take them both in a hug. "So happy for Max and Alec. Joshua could tell something different." He admitted proudly letting them go. Pointing to his nose in indication he looked down with a glint of joy in his eyes. "Max and Alec smell special." Was the only way he could explain the slight dissimilarity in their usual scent.
At that Max averted her eyes with a small groan thinking he was referring to sex but Alec spoke up, curious as always. "What do you mean special?"
He raised his head as if sniffing them and cocked his head to the side in thought. "No more Max and Alec." He pointed to each individually and then put his hands together. "Something new."
"Really." He replied slowly in thought. So they smelled different maybe he smelled love like he could smell fear? Alec just shrugged his shoulder at that he had a heightened perception of smell but nothing like their canine friend's ability so he had to trust what he had said. He hadn't really noticed anything different between them just the fact that he could now sense her whenever she was near him. That was something he had never experienced before, no matter how much it was ingrained in him to sense someone before they crept up on him, with Max it was different.
Dix walked back into the room and looked at the trio and gave a shy smile. "Thanks Dix." Alec said and he nodded his head and took up his place back at the computer. "Did you get to do what you wanted?" He asked and Alec grinned. "Yeah."
The monocular clad transhuman smiled at Alec. "You X5s and your skills. I know my way around a computer, I've read and learned a lot but some of the things you come up with still amazes me. Just tell me the processor isn't going to explode in my face and I'll be happy."
Alec laughed at that. "No bud, you won't even know it's there. I'll come back to check on it tomorrow."
"Okay then." He finally nodded and went back to the monitors.
Alec looked from Joshua to Max. "You ready to go?"
Max nodded her head and gave Joshua a hug only able to reach his waist. "I'll see you later big guy."
Alec gave him a smile as he walked past him. "See you tomorrow."
Joshua's smile had grown to permanency. "Bye…" And then he had to add it again almost as if he didn't believe it himself. "Max and Alec getting busy." At those words Dix turned around with a comical expression on his face his mouth hanging open.
Alec shook his head with a smirk and Max's eyes widened with his words and Dix's expression. Walking out of TC it was a few minutes before they passed the gate and were back out on the streets of Seattle.
"You know he's really obsessed with you getting some." Alec pointed out with a chuckle and Max rolled her eyes at him. "I'm just saying." He held his hands out in surrender.
"Yeah well by this time tomorrow everyone in TC will know." She said in regret.
Alec stopped in his tracks at her tone of voice. "Is that a bad thing?" he frowned and she stopped turning around to face him.
"No…" She said meekly. "It's just that…" She didn't think she could put up with the same reaction over and over again. She didn't like to have her life made public for everyone to know. Logan still talked with some people in TC and they all knew about the issue with the virus. How was she supposed to explain that it was no longer there? That the real reason she was with Alec had nothing to do with the fact that she couldn't be with Logan. How could she possibly tell Alec this without him feeling or getting the wrong picture?
He could see she was stalling. "It's just what Max?" He could practically see her come up with answers but one after the other discarded them simply staring at him. He got tired of waiting for an answer and he provided her with one. "Are you ashamed to be with me?" He said quietly.
"No." She said quickly and her eyes softened at what could possibly be going through his head. "God, no. Of course not."
He was instantly relieved and relaxed. "Well that's good to know. What is it then?"
"I just, I don't want it to be this big deal. You know? OOohhh Max and Alec are together wonder what happened to Logan?" She finally blurted out her hands moving with her words. "Is it so wrong to want to keep it on the down low?" She asked quietly.
He pressed his lips together making the dimples in the corner of his mouth appear which meant he wasn't impressed. "First it is a big deal, at least for me. Second, there's nothing wrong with keeping it low key but you don't have to make it sound like it's so outrageous to let them know. Last if I could do it myself I would tell them all if I could." His facial expression then softened and he reached for her hair moving a lock behind her ear. "I want them all to know you're my girl."
That low voice accompanied with a simple touch from him sent her skin on fire. She leaned into his hand as it moved to her cheek. "I do to."
He could almost hear her hesitation. "But?" He offered for her and dropped his hand leaving her feeling cold where he'd just touched her.
She swallowed. "I just don't want them to think…" She couldn't even finish the thought. She didn't want them to think she couldn't make up her mind that she was with Alec out of pretense. She had to remind herself that she wasn't going to lie to him anymore.
"Who cares what they think?" He said softly pulling her in to give her a kiss but she moved away. "I care! I don't want them to think we're together because…"
Sighing he watched her expectantly; he was getting tired of her incomplete thoughts. "Because of what? He panned out. If she says something about Logan again I'm going to snap.
"Just forget it." She finally sighed seeing the expression on his face. He really wasn't making it any easier on her. "I don't want to fight about this Alec."
"Who says we're fighting? Last I checked this was called talking." His green eyes were now intensely gauging her next words.
"Well you keep thinking there's this big conspiracy when all I want is to keep you to myself, is that so bad?"
He knew that wasn't the reason and again he bit down to contain a retort. He didn't want to fight either. "Why do you always have to make things so complicated Max? It's simple we're together end of story. I for one couldn't care less what kind of story goes around because I know the truth and that's all that matters."
"I'm not making everything complicated. I just couldn't stand it if…"
Alec cut her off before she headed where he thought. "Whatever Max. If it bothers you so much then we'll just keep it a big secret okay? Starting now." He said levelly waving his hand as if pushing it aside and walked away from her.
"Alec!" She called after him but he just kept walking. She looked up to the sky for some type of help and briefly noticed there were still shooting stars. She just wanted to scream at them out of frustration. When she looked back he hadn't stopped walking she just blew out some air. "That's not what I meant." She said quietly and when he didn't turn again she called out. "Fine!" Angrily she walked in the opposite direction.
If you're reading please review :) it encourages me to write and that way you'll get your chapters faster :) Thanks!
