Short Summary: Transgenics and transhumans are now free, thanks to the valiant efforts of an unusual team made up of transgenics, transhumans and ordinaries. They are now living a life they should be living. Or so it seems. Max Guevara had become the Ambassador of both the transgenic and transhuman race. The virus was cured and now she's with Logan. Alec McDowell now works for the government, putting his transgenic skills to good use. Neither had seen each other for years. Four years to be exact. What would happen if they crossed paths again?
Disclaimer: I don't own DA or any of the original characters.
Pairing: ML / MA
Rating: Mature (language)
Prologue: Four years ago…
Alec stared down the city lights below. It had been years he'd been back up at the Space Needle. From up there, it almost felt like nothing has changed. Almost. But down below, one could almost smell it. They were free. Quote unquote. Still, people look at them funny, like any moment one would snap and come running, screaming bloody murder and hacking anybody in sight senseless. Alec had to scoff out loud at the thought. Some people don't really know any better.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"If that were true I'd be richer. Or well at least have more money…"
Max rolled her eyes at the quick witty come back. She stopped at the edge of the Needle and stood beside him. "So have you at least looked at folder they gave you?" He pressed his lips at that and looked down at his feet, a half smile lifting the corner of his mouth. "Yeah I did. It's the usual. Covert ops. Kick ass pay. Special missions. Kick ass pay. But this time ain't goin' solo. I'd be part of a team. Not that far from what I'm doin' now. And did I mention the pay was kick ass?"
Max shook her head at that while a small smile played over her lips. Typical Alec reaction, one would really think that money did make his world go round. "How long did they give you before they come for their answer?"
"24 hours."
"Huh. Well at least you have 12 more hours to go to come up with a good excuse to turn them down…"
Alec creased his brows slightly at that, cleared his throat and lifted his hand up to scratch the back of his ear. Max quickly turned to look at him. "You're going?" Alec exhaled softly and turned to look at Max. "Max, we're free. Well sort of. And I'm pretty much sure you're already sick and tired of my endless yapping and the shit I've been puttin' you through. 'Sides, it's not like you'd be alone when I go. The gang still has your back. And I gotta do this Maxie. Gotta make somethin' out of myself."
Max slowly turned her body to face him. "Whoever said you didn't make something out of yourself Alec? I know our friendship isn't the best of kind but I've seen what you have done. For me. For all those transgenics and transhumans alike. Those X6 look up to you, do you even know that?" He smiled at that. Taking a silent deep breath, he turned his body to face her as well. He moved to take both her hands in his own.
"I want to do this Maxie. Prove to those bastards that people like us, we're not just some monsters they created. Think of it this way, if ever you need government back up, you can just call me and I'll hook you up."
Max pursed her lips and smiled at that. It was her turn to exhale softly. "So this is goodbye huh? Well not totally…"
"'Fraid so…"
"When?"
"Tonight. They're goin' to pick me up at my apartment. Already talked to Biggs and Joshua. They'll move in tomorrow. And already dropped by at Crash and told the rest of the gang the news…"
His pager beeped. Alec had to grit his teeth at that. Damn, these people don't waste anytime do they? Max creased her brows as she looked down at their hands. Through the years, Alec had proven himself a damn good friend. And even if she didn't want to admit it, he had become one of her best friends. Tears began to sting her eyes and before she knew it, a lone tear slipped and dropped on top of Alec's hand. Alec moved one of his hands and placed it under her chin and made her look at him.
"Hey… this isn't really goodbye you know. I'll still bug you. I'll send you postcards. I'll call. You won't even feel that I'm in a whole 'nother state."
Max sniffed and laughed softly. She whipped her tears away. "I can't believe I'm going to say this… but I'll miss you." Alec smiled at that. "I'm goin' to miss you too. Even those smacks on my head." Max rolled her eyes at him at that. If this was any other given circumstance, she would have obliged, but she couldn't bring herself to hit him, not this time. Laughing softly, Alec moved to pull her to him and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly. He closed his eyes, breathed in deep and took in her scent, committing it to memory. For a moment both stood still, unmoving.
Max felt a little twinge tug at her heart. She didn't know what it was, but it was there, she just couldn't make anything out of it. She breathed in deep. The smell of his leather jacket mixed with his musky scent and a hint of scotch filled her senses, it only made her held him tighter. Alec couldn't help but smile again. Pulling his head back, he placed a soft lingering kiss on her forehead. Then they finally let each other go.
"I'll see you around Maxie…" She nodded.
"Take care Alec."
She watched him disappear as he walked out of the Space Needle. That was the last time she saw him.
Chapter 1: Fate Takes The Wheel
Present day…
"Boo, I swear you get girlier as you get older…"
"I do not get girlier…"
"Mmhmm… keep tellin' yourself that Sugar…"
Max exhaled loudly and raked her fingers through her brunette with blonde streaks colored hair. It actually gave her a good look. A very sophisticated one. Original Cindy moved over to the box that was placed near the office door and bent down to pick it up. She placed it over on top of the office table and sorted through it. One box caught her attention. Picking it up, she checked it. It was addressed to Max but no return address. She smirked.
"Well Sugar, got somethin' that'll start your day right." she said before stretching out her arm and handing the package to Max. In an instant, her eyes sparkled as she grabbed the package and ripped the outer wrapper. It revealed a small box and a note attached on top of it. Opening the small envelope, she pulled out the note and began to read out loud.
Maxie,
Here's a little something from my trip to Paris. I'm not really sure if you're going to wear it though. Hey maybe you can wear it on your wedding day. Yes, I heard about the good news, congratulations to you and Logan! Wish I could be there with you guys to celebrate. Miss you.
XOXO,
Alec
OC had to raise her brow and half smirk at that. She had no idea why neither could see it when the rest of them could, and of course they counted Logan out. No one really talked about it especially not in front of Logan and Max. She just shook her head as she watched Max open the box that revealed a white gold necklace and on the center of it, a lone sparkling diamond. Max gasped.
"Oh my God… Cindy…"
She reluctantly took the necklace out and held it up for her and OC to see.
"Well I'll be damned…"
Max stared at it for a moment. "Help me put it on…" she finally said as she handed the necklace to OC before gathering her hair and pulling it up. OC secured the necklace around her neck and took a step back. Max turned around and gingerly touched the diamond that sat silently on the base of her throat. Lifting up her gaze, she looked up at OC asking silently if it looked good on her.
"Looks good… although I should be mad at Alec for not sendin' me one."
Max laughed softly at that. "Well you could tell him that, if only we know a way to keep in touch with him…" OC didn't miss the tone in her voice. The longing. Max really had no clue. "Well if I did have a way to contact him I wouldn't even try. I mean you're the one who's special to him not me." Max had to raise her brow at that. "Excuse me?" Original Cindy rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "I'm just kiddin' Boo. Anyways, I gotta go check on those schedules you have for today. But seriously, looks good on you. Alec sure got taste." To avoid further interrogation, OC headed out the door.
Max watched as her best friend walked out of the door. She was special to Alec? Right. Huffing, she shook her head and fingered the necklace once again. Smiling, she let it go and started to work on her computer. OC was right though, Alec's gift was a great way to start her day.
Later that day...
Nothing was out of the ordinary. Her day had been pretty much a routine, until of course come dinnertime. She had just finished having dinner with some politicians she was trying to convince to take on the bill that favored the transhuman race, something about having equal rights with ordinaries. The transgenics didn't have any problems with blending in since well, they all looked like ordinaries. The only thing that could tell someone they were transgenics, were the barcodes on the back of their neck.
"You think they would take on the bill?" Mole asked as him, Biggs and Scott escorted Max and OC back to the SUV. Max smiled at that. "I have a good feeling they would." she replied to him. She really did have a good feeling about it. As they crossed the street, Biggs slowed down and creased his brows. "What is it?" Mole asked to which Biggs replied with a raised hand signaling the transhuman to keep quiet. Frantically, he cased the surroundings, but before he could pinpoint where the cocking of the gun originated from, a shot rang out. Joshua howled in pain. When the transhuman had sensed that something was about to happen, he had moved behind Max. And it was just in time too, the bullet hit his shoulder.
"Get down!" Mole shouted and ushered Max, Joshua and OC to the other side of a nearby vehicle. Scott and Biggs scrambled to other nearby vehicles and drew out their weapons. They began looking for the shooter, casing their surroundings thoroughly. Another shot echoed through the air and they all flinched, luckily no one was hit.
Max turned to Joshua. "Joshua lemme see…" The big guy whimpered before he moved to show Max his wound. She exhaled loudly. "We need to get him out of here." she said as she turned to Mole. Mole nodded in understanding, he whistled and signaled the two X5s to get rid of the shooter. Another shot was fired. Scott was able to see where the shot came from and fired back. Biggs followed not a second after open firing at the assailant. From afar, sirens could be heard…
Max glanced at Joshua who was trying to answer the questions of the paramedic who was trying to tend to his wounds. "We suggest that you lay low for a while Ms. Guevara. That or maybe think about hiring more security, we are sure that wouldn't be a problem with you since you know…" Max turned her attention back to the police officer she was talking to. She fought the urge to roll her eyes at him. "Are we done here? I'd really like to go now…" The man nodded. "We'll call you if there are any leads." She nodded in response. Right. She was going to find out who tried to kill her tonight the moment she steps back at TC. She wasn't going to sit down and wait around for any reports. Not when she knew she can do this with some help of course.
Max walked over to the ambulance and smiled at Joshua. "Hey big fella, all set to go?" Joshua nodded and hopped down. The paramedic creased his brows. "Aren't you going to let us take him to the hospital?" Max shook her head. "Not outside Terminal City I won't. And I'm pretty much sure my friend would be safer if our own kind treated him. No offense." The paramedic only shrugged and closed the door of the ambulance and headed towards the passenger side. Max turned to look at Joshua and snaked her arm around his good arm.
"Let's get you home…"
Alec creased his brows as he studied the details of the mission his team was going to take on next. The other guys were goofing around their lounge area trying to catch something good on TV. It hadn't been a minute or two when he noticed that they all got quiet. Lifting his head up, he turned to look at them and saw them all glued to the TV. Curiosity got the best of him so he stood up and made his way to their lounge. He creased his brows as he looked at the TV. There he saw the picture of Max on the upper right corner of the screen.
The police have still yet to find a lead on who was behind the shooting. As of now, the transgenic and transhuman Ambassador is advised to keep a low profile while the authorities try to solve this case….
"Max…" her name leaving his lips in a soft whisper. Alec gritted his teeth and pulled his gaze away from the TV. Turning to look towards his colleagues, he found them all looking at him. His CO took a step forward. "That dog friend of yours…"
"Joshua" he said quickly before his CO could finish. Tony Callahan nodded. "He got shot protecting Guevara. Nothing serious though. At least that's what they said on the news."
Alec clenched his jaw more and balled his hands into a fist. Callahan exhaled loudly. "McDowell, you're shipping out tomorrow. You can't let what you heard on the news get to you. She's safe…" Alec quickly lifted up his gaze and eyed his CO. "With all due respect sir, she's one of mine. And someone just tried to take her out and you're askin' me to not care… sounds very much like Manticore to me. You don't want me to look at you guys like that. Trust me."
Callahan exhaled loudly. "I didn't ask you to not care kid. I'm asking you to get your head in the game."
"Enrique can take my place."
"Alec…"
"I can't go on this mission Sir. Not when I have my mind some place else."
Callahan closed his eyes and lifted up his hand to rub his temple. This was beginning to give him a headache. The kid was exceptional yes. But when his stubbornness rears its ugly head, that's when he gets really annoying. Disobeying direct orders had always been the kid's flaw. Then again, he hadn't failed any mission yet. In fact, disobeying meant he had come up with another way to completing his mission successfully. Callahan opened his mouth to say something when his cellphone rang. He moved to get his phone out from his pocket and answered it.
"Callahan. Sir… yes sir, we just saw it on the news. Yes sir… tomorrow. Sir? Yes sir. Right away sir."
Alec pursed his lips when Callahan's phone rang. He looked down on the ground for a moment when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Carlos Enrique offered him a small smile. This older guy had been on his case since day one. He didn't believed in the kid. Yes, back then when Alec first joined they, all thought he was just a kid hence the nickname. Too young to be in the covert ops team. Alec had proven himself though and that trait Carlos found impressive. He had been Alec's older brother and best friend since. "It's gonna be alright niño… I'm sure she's going to be okay." Alec couldn't help but just nod in response. That was all he could do anyways. They both looked back at Callahan when he exhaled loudly. The CO turned his attention back to Alec.
"Well kid, looks like you're going to get your wish. That's the Chief. The President called him personally to assign someone to protect the Ambassador, said she's a good friend of her daughter. Chief picked you. Looks like your going solo on this one…"
Alec couldn't help but show the wide smile that lifted up the corners of his mouth. "I have no problems with that sir…" Callahan shook his head before he huffed. "Go. And be careful okay? We need you back here in one piece." Alec nodded at that. With that he left.
Nothing much had changed. Although there were a few stores that weren't there before, but generally, everything was the same. Pursing his lips, he stopped at the large front gate of Terminal City. Well this one had definitely improved greatly. The large iron gates made him look up giving him a chance to spot the security camera. He half smirked. Looking back down, he turned his attention to the speaker box on the side, but before he could lift up his hand and press the button, the gates opened.
"Huh…" he muttered. He stepped inside and was greeted by a bunch of X6s ranging from mid to late teens.
"Alec…"
Creasing his brows, he turned to look at the owner of the voice. He tilted his head. "Dalton?" The blonde nodded and smiled widely. "You came back." Alec was almost disappointed at that. "Just until this whole someone tryin' to kill Max blows over. Speaking of which…"
"She's in her office. You still remember where it is right?"
Alec eyed the blonde teen. Dalton chuckled softly. "I couldn't resist, sorry. And don't worry, I didn't tell her that you're here."
"Thanks kid." Looking over at the X6s again, he nodded at them before finally proceeding to head inside the building he once called home. Well, it was still home to him. Somehow.
Max Guevara's Office...
"Aliana, I told you, I don't need anyone protecting me. I have a bunch of transgenics and transhumans watching my back as it is…"
"You really are stubborn Max. And you don't have any choice. I already told my dad and he did something about it. An agent is already on his way there as we speak. I heard he's the best they got."
"Lia, unless this agent is a transgenic he's not going to be able to keep up with Biggs and Scott, much less with me."
"Will you stop being unreasonable? This is for your own good!"
"Read my lips, I. Don't. Need. Another. Bod…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the door opened which made her look up. She froze, and then blinked. Boots. Dark blue jeans. Black shirt under that brown leather jacket. His hair was shorter spiky almost. His skin had turn into this golden tan color and he was sporting a slight scruff. He looked older, much more like a man than a boy.
"Max? Are you still there? What's wrong?"
"Lia, I'll have to call you back…" with that said, she placed the receiver down and stood up. Never did once she tore it from the man before her who was now standing on her doorway. Slowly, she walked around her desk, as if in trance or something.
There she was, sitting on her desk talking to someone. Logan? Eh, it didn't matter. She had cut her hair a bit shorter and apparently had it dyed. Brunette with blonde highlights. Made her that much more beautiful, older, more of a woman than the girl she used to be. Alec half smirked as he dropped the duffle bag beside him.
"Hey Maxie…"
Smiling widely, she finally moved to run towards him. She heard him let out a soft grunt as she threw her body at him giving him a big bear hug. Alec instantly wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. He inhaled deeply taking in her scent. Nothing had changed, except maybe that slight scent of vanilla and mint. Max buried her head on his chest and took a deep breath. The musky smell of his leather jacket mixed with his own natural scent filled her senses. For a long moment, they stood there, silent, unmoving, taking in each others presence.
Max was the one who pulled back but never letting her arms drop from his waist. "What are you doing here? You should have called and let us know. I could have sent someone to pick you up or something…" He laughed softly. "Well I wasn't planning on anything until I heard the news…" Max exhaled softly at that and finally pulled away from him, she folded her arms across her chest. "I didn't want them to plaster it all over the news but I couldn't do anything about it. Now it's that much harder in getting a lead. Logan's working his ass off in trying to find out as much as he can. But you didn't have to come all the way here, I'm fine. I'll be fine."
"Ouch…"
"I didn't mean it that way… I mean, I'm glad that you're here. I really am. But if you were on a mission or something…"
"I was goin' to. Then my CO had a call from the Chief, he was forced to pull me out…"
"Wait… you're the agent they sent to protect me?"
"'Fraid so… not that you needed more protection or anything…"
Max glared at him and pulled one arm out from her chest and slapped the side of his arm playfully. Alec laughed softly. Same old Maxie. Still armed with that quick hand of hers. Alec had not changed. Not one bit. Still up with those quicky witty come backs. And his voice. Had it always been that deep? She didn't think it was. It was much more deeper now, more seductive, more sexy. Wait. What? Max blinked, cleared her throat and placed one hand on her hip, the other gestured towards his hair. "You cut your hair… not to mention that little scruff you got goin'…"
Alec raked his hand through his hair and laughed softly. "Yeah… well chicks dig it…" Max rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You haven't changed Alec… still the tomcat huh?" That last thing coming out as a statement rather than a question.
"Hey, I still go by my rules. Not lettin' any ordinaries snag me. I'm still lookin' for that X5 to sweep me off my feet. Hell I can even go with an X6…"
"Oh my God. You're disgusting, you know that? An X6? Alec most of them are in their late teens…"
"So? I'm not goin' to go after those that are still underage…"
"Like I said… disgusting…"
Alec laughed softly. "And I'm just kidding. You really should learn how to relax. Tell me Maxie, have you been gettin' any lately? You're too uptight…" Her hand shot out again and smacked him on the side of his arm again. "You haven't been in here for ten minutes and you're already making me regret that I said I was happy to see you..."
He had to smile at that. He creased his brows when he saw a small glint on her neck, it was from the diamond on her necklace. The necklace he had bought and given to her. "You're wearin' it..." Max raised her brows and tilted her head down as if she could really see it. Instead, she lifted up her hand and fingered the necklace, a smile was upon her lips. "Of course... what did you expect me to do? Keep it inside the box and place it under a viewing glass or something?"
Alec shrugged at that. "I just... what did Logan say? I hope he doesn't mind..."
"He's a bit surprised but he didn't say anything. I mean why would it bother him? You've always been sending me gifts. Although this one by far is the most expensive not to mention crazy."
"Don't tell me you had it tested..."
"Hey, I had to make sure I was wearing the real thing..."
Alec rolled his eyes at that and shook his head. Max turned her attention to his duffle bag, she creased his brows. "Do you already have a place to stay?" He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I can get a place easily. 'Sides, this isn't somethin' permanent. I mean..."
"You're in mission. I get it Alec." She offered him a small smile. So this was what she had been reduced to in his life, his mission. Somehow she felt hurt. He wss there because protecting her was his mission. He wasn't there for anything else. Not for any other reason. She exhaled loudly. "Well I think we shouldn't waste anytime, I'm sure a lot of people wants to see you again, so come on..." she said before moving past him. He followed her quickly.
"Let's start with dog boy. Haven't seen the big fella in ages."
"He's going to be really glad to see you Alec. "
"Feeling's mutual Maxie..."
Maxie. No one had ever dared called her that except him. And she didn't think she'd miss hearing that nickname. She would enjoy hearing it as much as she could, she knew that it wouldn't last long. Alec wouldn't stay long. Unfortunately...
A/N: Likey? I know I'm not supposed to create another new story but I can't help it. This idea has been bugging me so I had to write it down and put it here. shrugs This doesn't mean I'm going to slack on the other story. No way. So what do you all think? Come on people! Swat the muse for free!