Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, just an idea for the story, but trust me you can't get anything from that! Leave me to live in fiction :)

Summary: Set after "The Berrisford Agenda". Alec said goodbye to hit first love and that changed him forever. Can he open his heart to someone else? Or will it stay closed forever? What will Max think about him from now on? He is a changed man now... A/M

Chapter one – I'm always alright

"I'm always all right" – Alec said, his famous smirk playing on his face. Than he just turned around and left leaving Max standing.

She didn't know what to think. There she was thinking no one could surprise her, that she can read everyone. But there was something about Alec she couldn't put her finger on. He changed. He was no longer that smart alec she knew. But she still didn't know the entire truth. She knew that he loved that girl, Rachel, but she needed to know more. Why her? She wanted to help him adjust to the real world, and that means being able to confide to someone. "If I'm gonna work with him I need to know that he won't bail on me" – she thought.

"Come on Missy, remove that pensive look from your face, and go to work! Bip!" – Normal shouted, and that got Maxes attention.

"OK, Normal, no need to shout! See I'm going! Walking through that door, going to work. Just chill for crying sake! You know that's not good for you. - Max said to Normal trying to ease up the situation, but Normal didn't seem very understanding.

"GO!!! – He shouted! – Everyone! Just go! Bip! Oh, God, it's hard to be the manager! – He sighed and went to his desk.

Max was riding her bike to her next destination, but her mind was concentrated on everything except work. That was the benefit being the transgenic. She could think at several things at the same time. The streets were especially calm today. Like no one seems to notice anything. Everyone was minding their own business. Except Max. Her mind was racing. "I need to know what happened in that house. I know Alec was on a mission that went bad for everyone. But, why? He was a soldier. He was trained to keep his feelings to himself. Shit, he was not supposed to have feelings! Or did he? Come on, Max, you know he did. And strong, that is. What triggered them? OK, since Logan has no job for me, I will have to keep myself busy. I'll do some investigation on my own. " – She thought.

She decided that she needed to hurry so Normal wouldn't flip out on her again. So she rode her bike even faster reaching her destination, leaving the package, and left for her next destination, Berrisfords mansion.

She looked at that great house, trying to decide should she go in. She listed pros and cons in her head. "OK, cons: it's not my business, maybe there's nothing there, Alec will find out somehow, and will hate me for not keeping my own business. Pros: I will find out the truth, I will understand what happened, I will understand Alec... - With that thought something clicked inside her. Why would she want to understand him? Hell, she didn't even understand herself sometimes! "But we're the same." Realizing that she stood there for 5 minutes, than decided to go in. "Well, I already rode all the way here, why not come in?". She got off her bike and headed in. Since there was no one around, she slipped inside the house easily. She headed for the top floor, but stopped in front of the big painting representing Berrisford family, including Rachel. She was just a little girl there, but still very pretty. She seemed to have happy childhood there. Max thought about her own childhood, and how that can be painted with only dark colors. She headed to the top floor; easily finding what used to be Rachel's room. She went inside, closing the door behind her. "We don't need anyone showing up." – She thought.

The room was just what she expected. White walls, big bed with lots of cushions, dresser with many pretty bottles. She smelled one of them and smiled. "I wish I could afford something like that for myself." It was really a nice smell. She was putting it back when she heard some footsteps. Than, the bottle accidentally slipped through her fingers, and dropped on the floor. She froze. But it seemed, no one had heard her.

"Shit, how can I be so clumsy!" – she mumbled. She knelled to the floor to pick up the bottle. She was happy to see that it didn't spill much, but didn't seem to notice that some of the perfume remained on her. She put the bottle down and headed for the bed. She couldn't resist lying on it. It felt so soft; she could almost fell asleep. Since, that wouldn't be the smartest idea, she got up, and headed for Rachel's desk. She still didn't know what she was looking for, but that her eyes fall on something she could tell it was important. There was a little journal in front of her. It had a little lock on it, but only for decoration. Max just stood there with this little treasure in her hands, not knowing what she should do. Sure, she stole before, but it was never something like this. But, her firm grasp on the little book, and determined look in her eyes showed that she won't stop investigating. She hid the journal underneath her leather jacket and headed for exit. Leaving, she couldn't help but notice the big piano in the middle of the living room. She remembered hearing Alec play and shivered. "It all took place here. This is the room his feelings appeared. This is the room he fell in love..." She sighed and headed toward the door. Since no one was around she quickly got to her bike and headed to Jam Pony. She needed to hide the journal in her locker, since she still had to work.

When she got there, Alec was talking to Sketchy about some girls he met on his last delivery.

"I'm telling you, man, both were throwing themselves at me. But, since I'm a very good friend, I will let you come along on my date tonight."

"OK, but you better not stand me out. I mean, last time you took me on a date with you, you left with both of the girls, and the only company I had was a very boring bartender. – Sketchy said. – "Oh, hey, Max! Where were you? Normal has been has been asking about you for the last 20 minutes. And, you just missed Alec's story on two beautiful blonds he met."

"Oh, gee, I'm so sorry to miss that, but I get the feeling this won't be the last time Alec will tell this story. – She looked at him not realizing he was looking her funny. – "What? You won't recapitulate your story for me?" - She smiled at him.

His smirk was gone and he was just staring at her. "What the hell...?" – He thought. His mind was racing as he absorbed the smell. "God, if I didn't know any better, I would swore she smells like Rachel. Exactly like Rachel..."

Well, there it is, my first chapter! I hope you liked it. Next chapter is coming soon, because I already written it, but I will update it in a day. I hope you will send me your reviews, and suggestions. Thanks!