by: iluvaqt@hotmail.com
Summary: Sequel to All Fairytales End. When you've been to hell and back, real friends are there to help you pick up the pieces. M/L, A/(a familiar face), Tash/ (remains to be seen)
Spoilers/Timeframe: AU/The Berrisford Agenda. Must have read the prequels. Although, who am I to give directions, you could enjoy this as a solo fic? Who knows?
Rating: PG-13 (adult themes, some violence)
iluvaqt's Notes: I can't believe I'm back! I love writing so much, I missed it terribly. Rec. time is very limited these days, but I promise to put my best efforts in. Feedback is highly appreciated and if you leave an e-mail address, you might hear from me. ;)
Chapter 1: Starting Over
"Come on, boo. You gotta spill. You been moping around for days now and Original Cindy feels her own blues comin' on with the long faces rubbing off. I thought, with your boy back, you'd be all goofy in love?" Original Cindy sat down on the sofa, next to Max and put her arm around her shoulders. "So tell me, what's goin' on in that lil head of yours?"
Max forced a smile, she knew she should be happy, Logan was doing great and Alec had recovered enough to move back to his old place. It was surprising it was still unoccupied, considering the time that the apartment had been owner-less for. It had been two months since that dreadful night. And things seemed to have returned to normal. Or as normal as they could get, considering how abnormal she was.
"You know what? I think a nice hot breakfast will fix you right up." Original Cindy gave Max a comforting squeeze before jumping of the sofa.
"Sounds great," she replied, turning to look out the window. Outside the morning sunshine lit the dull, dirty street below. The city hadn't changed all that much, same people, same street stalls, same old workplace. She a half smirk played on her lips, Normal had been the same as always.
"What's the story this time?" Normal asked, a frown creasing his forehead. A twitch in the corner of his mouth gave away a hint of humor. Original Cindy had told her all about how bitchy he'd been when Tash, Alec and herself had all up and disappeared, simultaneously. Although he'd never admitted it, Original Cindy had concluded that he knew he'd lost three of his best employees.
"We had a family emergency, believe me. After that lot's through with you, you could end have your ass immobilized for a year. Alec came real close to pushin' up daisies and Tash is still recovering from a projectile through the leg."
"Right. Well, send my regards to Alec and you missy, can have your job back. But you're on permanent probation."
She smiled again and toyed with the cushion cover, before looking over at OC cooking away at the gas top. "Do you think there's anything that's unforgivable?"
Original Cindy stopped and met her eyes in surprise. "Where'd that come from?"
Max averted her eyes for a moment, contemplating what had actually made her voice her thoughts. "I don't know, it's just that...a lot has happened since we left Seattle and I'm not sure we could ever go back."
"You mean, you and Logan," Original Cindy corrected, dishing steaming porridge into bowls and coming to sit by Max again. She passed her friend a bowl and then curled up on the lounge. "Boo, if you really love each other, there ain't nothin' too big to handle, and I know that boy loves you."
It brought an embarrassed flush to her cheeks and Max bit her lip, "I know he does. And I know I feel...if I had've lost him...I."
"Suga', you don't have to tell me. I hear ya."
They both ate in silence, before Max got up and took her bowl to the sink. "I'm gonna shower and I'll catch you at work. Thanks for breakfast, boo."
"No problem," Original Cindy called after her.
Max climbed out of the shower, her stomach churning. She swallowed purposefully and wrapped her robe around her damp, shivering body and pulled the ties tight around her waist. Hands gripping the basin, her reflection stared back at her from the mirror. Brown eyes had purplish tinges under them, her naturally tanned skin looked pale and pasty, her lips usually smooth and rosy, were gray pink and dry. She closed her eyes tiredly and her stomach lurched again. Momentarily catching the look of horror in the cloudy mirror, she had less than a pace to dive, before she had her head in the toilet.
She spent the next ten minutes bent over the bowl and every time she tried to look up, the room started spinning. Her head was clammy with a sheen of sweat and she leaned against the wall, keeping her eyes closed. Her tummy, now empty, only groaned hungrily, but there was no way in hell she was putting anything in it till she figured out just what had made her hork for four minutes straight.
Getting up slowly, she let her equilibrium adjust before letting go of the wall. She could honestly say, that she'd never felt better about having an empty stomach. In fact, she couldn't even recall the last time she'd been sick enough to actually regurgitate. Which meant that something was seriously wrong with her.
Picking up the phone, she fell back onto the bed slowly and waited for the message service. A few minutes later, the phone rang.
"You beeped?" Original Cindy's voice quipped.
"Yeah, listen something's come up, stall Normal. I'll be by later."
"Ah huh, bootie call."
"Whatever. Later, boo," Max replied, a laugh in her voice.
"Later."
Setting the phone on the bed covers, she reached up and wiped her forehead. The dampness was gone, only the sticky tackiness remained. She could use another shower. Standing up, she felt fine. No dizziness, a light hollow feeling in her stomach but no more rumbles or groans. Weird. Maybe it was the onset of a heat cycle? Although, that kind of warning would be a first.
Showering quickly, she got dressed and grabbed her gear, jetting off to work. Ten minutes later, she was riding into Jam Pony.
"Hey," Original Cindy called, "I thought you got called up?"
"Yeah, false alarm. Listen, I wanted to stop by Alec's today. Do you think we could switch?"
"Max, you know how much I hate Sector 12. That place is busier than China Town on New Year Eve." At Max's pleading look, she relented. "Okay, but it's gonna cost you big, boo. You owe me."
"Crash, tonight." Max grinned and went to collect her packages from Normal.
Max stood in the hall of level 2, 145 Mercer Street, and knocked on apartment 5.
"It's open."
Turning the handle, she stepped inside. The place hadn't changed much. Small television set in one corner, old radio, a bedroom sectioned off from the main room, and a red door that led to the bathroom. Alec was at the kitchen bench, chef's knife in hand, slicing mangoes. They looked inviting, but something of a dead stench in the air was turning her off eating anything. "What's that smell?"
"The burner and I had a disagreement. I wouldn't open the bathroom door if I were you, I haven't had a chance to get rid of the evidence yet."
Curiosity being her foremost weakness, Max tried the knob.
Alec hearing the slightest creak, looked up in alarm. "Max, don't!"
Instantly, she was hit with the heavy smell of burnt fat and meat. A cloud of gray smoke circled the ceiling, and when the waft of brunt blood hit her senses, her empty stomach suddenly found something to curdle.
Taking a gulp of fresh air, Alec charged in after her. Slamming the bathroom door shut behind him, he switched on the fan and opened the small bathroom window.
Max was bent over the toilet, emptying what sounded like all of her insides. Later, she slid, very ungracefully off the rim and sat leaning against the wall.
"Are you, okay?" Alec queried, "I know it was bad, but you really don't look so good."
"Just my luck, you had a dead cow in your bathroom."
"Hey, I told you to stay out of here," Alec smirked, "like you ever listen."
Max punched him in his good side. Alec winced and laughed some more. His shoulder was fully healed, as was his gut wound. Nothing but faint scars to show for his bravery, or as Max would like to put it, stupidity.
"So what did I do to earn a visit?"
"Nothing. Just thought I'd check in and say hi. I was in the area..."
"Sure you were. Admit it, Maxie. You missed me." He grinned at her and offered her a hand up.
Max got to her feet, feeling a little better but the stale smell in the room still made her queasy. "I need out of here."
"Good idea." Alec agreed. Hastily ushering her out of the room, before further sickness had a chance to wash over her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Fine. I don't know what you're gonna have to do, but that place reeks, Alec."
"Won't matter, I'm trading out," he said, walking back to the kitchen. "Want some?" He offered her a side of fruit.
"No thanks," Max grimaced, feeling her stomach again. "What do you mean trading out? Where you going?"
"I'm going back to the cabin. I called Gerry, he's holding my job and I don't know...I kinda liked it out there. Fresh air, open fields, great lake..." He stopped himself from adding, great memories, well kind of. At least in his mind anyway. Even if it was just for a moment, he felt that Max was his. Sighing to himself, he dropped the knife in the sink. He turned to find Max sitting on the sofa looking lost.
"If you go back, I'll probably end up in Seattle on my own," she said.
Alec was about to mention that she'd have Logan, but something about her expression said that she wouldn't appreciate that comment. "You'll have OC, Tash and the old gang. I know Sketchy's singing praises over having you back." Alec laughed.
"You're right. It's stupid. Besides, Minnesota's not that far anyway..." Max gave him a sad smile, before getting to her feet. "I gotta bounce, got two runs to finish up and then it's Crash for me."
"I might see you there."
"Yeah."
"And Max." Alec called, just as she reached the front door. "It was great to see you."
"Yeah. You too."