So I have been on a Dark Angel kick lately. I would categorize this as Max-centric piece, unfortunately Logan is in it, but then they are talking about Alec, so all is well ;) Set sometime post series end.
I own nothing and mean no harm. Please enjoy and review.
"I can handle him."
"Please Max, take someone with you."
Frowning, Max stared at Logan. Where was all of this coming from? Logan had never doubted her talents before and certainly never when it came to Alec.
"I'm fine. I don't need help with Alec."
Logan sighed, and her irritation turned in that instant into the anger that only Alec seemed to draw from her; a mix somewhere between righteousness and indignation. Yes, Alec knew the quickest path, but Logan rarely, never, stirred that in her.
"Max," she knew that voice. He was about to say something she really didn't want to hear. "You don't want to hear this. I know that, but I don't want you to get hurt."
"Why would I get hurt? Again it's Alec. And again I can handle him," confused, irritated, she crossed her arms. Somewhere along the line she had missed something.
"Max, let's be serious here. Egos and pride aside. You honestly don't stand a chance against Alec."
Jaw dropping, it took her several heart beats to fully absorb what he was implying, "What!?" How many times had she beat Alec?
"Ten years, Max. He had ten extra years of Manticore. He's an X-5 Alpha Male. His file," she saw Logan shudder and some of her ire faded, he was genuinely emoting something for Alec.
"Max the things he endured. The lessons he learned. He could have taken you down in so many ways, so many times."
Stunned she closed her eyes, trying to put his words, his implications in order.
"So you think he's been holding back. Taking dives. Letting me win." Her voice had grown as her frustration peaked.
Despite the flinch, Logan held her gaze, "Yes."
Spinning away from him she struggled to control her breathing. Pain and anger and just absolute befuddlement. Where the fuck was this coming from?
"And before you go and think I'm just being paranoid. Or unfair to Alec. It isn't just me."
Paling, she turned back around.
"What? Who?"
Sighing, God he did do that a lot, Logan explained how Joshua had said something that Mole and Dix had run with and Gem had clarified.
A nightmare. Half her command center thought this. "Why?"
She wasn't sure what the question was. Why had no one said anything? Why did Logan believe it? Why, oh why would Alec allow it? Logan in the meantime had mad up his own mind as to the particulars of her question.
"You and Alec," Logan shrugged as if that said it all, "Who knows why he does half the things he does. This though, this is different Max."
Knowing yes, but not understanding, she nodded.
"He has his reasons. Alec isn't my favorite person," understate much, "but he has a reason."
Something told her that Logan more than a vague idea as to Alec's reasoning, but she didn't have it in her to ask right now.
"He's on edge Max, he needs you," her eyes widened, "but," and there it was; back to the beginning.
"If things go wrong and Alec crosses the line you don't think, no, you know, I wouldn't be able to face the X5 across from me," she finished for him. Putting the words out there was so hard, so very, very hard.
The silence said so much more than a half-hearted attempt to sooth her ego. No, this was serious. Logan was serious.
"Dammit."
Turning she strode out of her office, not bothering to say good-bye. She had to find Alec. Find him and bring him home.
"Mole you're with me."
She had an X5 to track and retrieve, and then, then she would ask her friend, her Alec, about a certain set of reasons.