(This was written as a challenge to have a story with the line "Have you ever heard of multiple personality?"... Just seemed like something Alec would say. lol!)

"Have you ever heard of multiple personality?"

At Alec's sarcastic tone, Max raised a brow while quickly combing her hair, glad to see she finally provoked something out of Alec that wiped the self-satisfied smirk off his face. "So, what are you saying?"

Alec rolled his eyes, "What does it sound like Max? You're hot one minute and cold the next. You give off more mixed signals than a friggin' cell phone tower!"

They were in Max's apartment. Original Cindy had already left for work, and Max knew she needed to be there too, or else Normal would can her ass.

Alec needed to be at work as well, but being Normal's "Golden Boy" had its perks, one of which being he could show up when he wanted and still get paid for the whole day. Max was still working on getting ready for work while Alec hadn't bothered yet, and was still wearing only his boxer shorts. And nothing else, which kept Max even more on edge.

He should really put some damn clothes on!

The ease in which Alec lived his life set off a sea of resentment within her as well. Alec was out amongst the masses for one year and everything just gets handed to him on a silver platter without him breaking a sweat. Including her heat-induced, pheromone-driven body, and he was only too glad to oblige with that. She, on the other hand had to fight tooth and nail for everything she ever got. And be the one to suffer heat-induced-day-after-guilt.

Well to be honest, instead of the usual guilt this time, she just felt anger when she woke up this morning. And she wasted no time taking it out on her bed partner as soon as he woke up. Alec knew better. He had no excuse. He's been around X-5 females in heat before and he took advantage of her weakened condition!

So she felt no qualms as she sarcastically remarked, "I don't get why you're so upset Alec. You got exactly what you wanted. I'm the one that should be pissed!"

"What do you mean what I wanted?"

"Me in bed with you. You've been hinting at that for the last year. Like that time we were looking for Zack and you made the comment,...", Max lowered her voice in parody of his, rubbing her hands together, "Please tell me you're gonna get naked." Then she was back to her own voice as she said, "Or my personal favorite, 'We are supposed to copulate every night until you get pregnant.' What a way to set the mood huh?"

Alec put on his best hurt puppy expression and placed a hand over his heart, his tone was serious, "Maxie... that hurts. Do you really think I'm that shallow? You may not wanna hear it, but I didn't want it to be like this with us. Where the only time we have sex is because of heat.."

She slammed her comb on the bar, "Yes, Alec, I do consider you shallow. And while we're at it, that hurt expression gets you nowhere with me. That over-inflated ego of yours needs deflating once in a while. Get over it!"

"Ok, see? This is what I'm talking about. Today you're 'The Bitch'." Alec used air quotes over the last two words. "You're tossing around verbal attacks like candy. Last night, it was purring sex kitten... my own personal favorite, I might add. And last week it was partner-in-crime when we hijacked those munitions from British Eddy's gang. What will it be next week? Best friends again? Or back to fuck buddies for the next heat cycle? Or the daily threats to kick my ass?"

"I was in heat!" Max exclaimed, arms akimbo, like that should explain everything.

Alec had had enough. He stalked across the room to stand over her, eyes narrowed dangerously, "Come off it Max. You're just mad at me because I didn't play the part of the gentleman. That maybe I should have said, 'Nice offer but no thank you'." He shook his head slowly, "Sorry Maxie, but heat pheromones effect me as much as you. If I would have turned you down, you would have found someone else. And frankly, the alpha male in me wouldn't let that happen. I think you caught a glimpse of that last night with that bozo that kept trying to steal you away for a dance back at Crash!" Alec smirked then, remembering how he knocked the guy out with a pool cue, "He's gonna have one hell of a headache today!"

Max stepped away from his nearness, walking around him to get to her leather jacket. Alec noted her voice was slightly shaky, showing him she wasn't completely immune to him, no matter what she pretended this morning.

"It's not like we were completely powerless Alec. You still made the decision."

"And let me remind you. It's not like I was in it by myself Max! I seem to recall you were an active participant in everything we did last night. You made the choice too. So cease and desist with this hurt little girl act, alright? Man up and admit it. It might have been heat induced but you enjoyed every minute of it! Don't deny it! 'Cuz I sure as hell won't!"

He stalked off to the bathroom, in his ire, to shower and get ready for work, leaving Max to wonder if she really was overreacting.

When she woke up this morning, she laid all the blame at Alec's doorstep. But she could admit it to herself. It was a choice.

And she chose him.

And he didn't really deserve her anger. Manticore is who turned her into a freak show, not Alec. He's just as much a "freak" as she is.

She grabbed her pack and her bicycle. She had a lot to think about today.