Chapter 2: One Step Forward Two Steps back

Pairing: slight ML / MA (eventually, hopefully)

Disclaimer: I don't own DA or any of the original characters there.

Rating: Mature for language and sexual content.


Max spotted Logan talking to some of the transgenics lounging about the main grounds of Terminal City. Alec was right. She should just come out and tell Logan what was going on. He deserved to know the truth. And the truth of the matter was, she loved him. He was still the one who owned her heart. And that wasn't going to change. At least she thought so.

"I'd give anything to have a hotdog sandwich right now. A big fat juicy hotdog with pickles on top smothered with mustard and ketchup…" an X6 randomly blurted out. Logan could see the frustrations in their eyes as well as their voice. "This reminds me of being inside Manticore…" another X6 said out loud. The transgenics who were there at the time turned to look at the X6. They all agreed silently.

Logan shifted on his foot and cleared his throat. "But at least somehow no one's going to do anything to you. No experiments. No punishments if you make mistakes. And when you have a problem you can actually tell your leader or CO or whatever you want to call it. And she'd actually help you out." Logan smiled at them.

Kitty creased her brows at that. A transhuman who earned the nickname thanks to Alec. She was a cross breed between a human and a cat. A lioness to be specific. "She?" she asked. "You mean Max?" she added. Logan nodded at that. The transhuman rolled her eyes. She couldn't help it. "No offense but who voted her leader? She's an O niner. She doesn't even know half of the stuff Manticore can do to you. If you ask me I'd give my vote to 494. You all see him as this trouble making X5. You should have seen him inside Manticore. If there's anyone I should be answering to, it's him. Not her." That last part she said she nodded towards Max who was heading their way. Some of the X6 nodded. Logan simply sighed. They were entitled to their own opinion. And he can't just make them changed their mind.

"Hey…" Max greeted with a smile as she approached the small group. Logan greeted back softly. This was bound to be an awkward moment. He had a feeling. And it didn't help when everyone got quiet all of a sudden. Noticing that, Max creased her brows.

"Everything okay here? Everyone settled?"

Kitty opened her mouth but one X6 quickly moved to clap his hand over her mouth. "Everything is fine. 494 made sure we got everything we need… Ma'am."

Max raised her brows at that. But instead of saying anything, she nodded slowly at that. "Call him Alec. From now on, everyone gets a name. No more calling each by their designation. First things first, we'd have to think of a name for everyone. And don't address me as ma'am. We're not in Manticore anymore." She offered them a smile.

"She's right. And I think you all can forgo the salutations. We're all going to be treated the same here. As equal individuals and most importantly as a person." Logan offered to add. Turning to look at each other they smiled. Of course they failed to see Kitty's reaction as well as those of the X6. They didn't approve of this. Her being their leader and the fact that she was toying with this ordinary. In their opinion, a transgenic was to be with his or in this case, her own kind. But no one had the courage to point that out to her.

"We need to talk..." Max said taking the opportunity given to her. Logan nodded in response. The transhuman looking at them couldn't take it any longer. If she looked any further at the display, she was going to hurl. She stood up. "I don't know about all of you... but I'm not going to stay watch while they act like they belong together. No offence Max, but I'm not taking any orders from him or you for that matter. While you're standing there making oogly eyes with him, I'm sure 494 is on his way taking care of things for you. I don't even get why he's answering to your orders. He's obviously got more experience on leadership than you are." With that said, she walked away. Without a beat, the X6s followed her.

A sigh escaped from Max. Lifting up her hand, she raked her fingers through her hair. She can't very much please everybody now can she? No. Of course not all of the transgenics or tranhumans share Kitty's opinion. Or at least that was what she wanted to believe. She hoped that none of the transgenics who was helping her out was talking behind her back. Even she had to admit that Alec had more Manticore training on this kind of stuff than her. Of course she wasn't going to say that outloud, let alone say it in front of Alec. She wasn't going to add more into his already inflated ego.

Logan reached up a hand, a gloved one for that matter and rubbed Max's upper arm. The action caused her to flinch instinctively. Logan creased his brows at that. "Sorry, bad habit..." Max said to him when she realized what she had done. She offered him a small smile. "Max, don't let that get to you. She's entitled to her opinion yes but you can't let that bring you down." Max nodded. "I know. I just hope that those who don't really believe in me see that I'm doing everything I can to help out." Logan moved to close the big distance between them. They were now barely an inch apart.

Dammit. Him touching her like this made her wish he could really touch her. Those latex gloves made her itch. And she longed for human touch. His touch. How she wanted to kiss him. Hold him. Just be with him. Stupid virus. She already had the cure but thanks to Alec, she lost it. Alec. Why does his name always come up?

"Hey... did you hear what I said?" Logan asked pulling her out of her daze. Max blinked and focused on Logan. She forced a meek smile. "I'm sorry what was it?" Logan shook his head and smiled out of amusement. "What were going to talk to me about?"

"Oh... that..." Max replied back. Was she really going to give this a shot? Her and Logan. Was she going to pretend nothing was wrong when there was? And what happens if they had another accident? Where the hell were they going to get help? They had still yet to establish everything even the medical bay. She couldn't risk it. She didn't want Logan ending up dead just because she couldn't control her feelings. Just because she wanted badly just to be with him. A heavy sigh spilled from her lips.

"Logan I... I can't do this... We can't do this. I'm still with Alec. And I choose to stay with him. I... belong to my own kind... I'm sorry." She didn't turn to look at him. After saying what she didn't mean, she turned around and walked away. She never saw the pain in his eyes as he watched her.

There wasn't anything he could do. At least that was what he thought. "I love you Max. Nothing and no one can ever change that. I just hope he makes you happy..." he told her softly. He was sure she heard it. Exhaling softly, he turned around and walked on the opposite direction. He was willing to let her go. Her happiness was more important to him more than anything else.

Later that night...

"You did what?!" Alec asked as he stalked forward trying to catch Max's gaze. He tilted his head to make another attempt. No use. Max stared on the floor. He lifted up his hand and rubbed his forehead in slight annoyance. He made a soft mewling sound with indicated annoyance. Finally Max blinked and lifted up her gaze to look at him.

"Alec, I can't just risk it! What if I accidentally touched him again? It's not like we can just waltz out of here and take him to the hospital! This is final Alec. No turning back. It's over. As far as this relationship is concerned it's over with me and Logan."

"Yeah and now you're stuck with me. No offense Max but this really ain't too plum for me. I have a girlfrined but I'm not gettin' any. Seriously Max, I can't do this. This aint gonna work and yes you can call me selfish and whatever. Bust my chops I don't care. I'm not gonna do this. No way." Turning around, Alec made his way towards the door.

Max rolled her eyes and quickly placed herself between him and doorway. "Will you stop thinking for yourself and help me out this once? It's only fair Alec. You owe me. For all those times I saved your sorry ass. You. Owe. Me."

Pressing his lips, he placed his hands over his hips. Great. Now he's being ungreatful? Closing his eyes, he exhaled loudly. "You do realize you're goin' to owe me big time for this right?" Max lofted her brow at that and gave him an are you kidding me look. "Oh no Alec. I'm not going to owe you. Consider this an even score." She raised her brows at that, a smirk threatening to leave her lips as she folded her arms across her chest.

Alec groaned at that. Lifting up his hand, he scratched the back of his head and made a face. It only made Max smile. She took a step forward. "Hey, think of it this way, you can add acting in your talents. Not that you don't have the talent already..." With that said, she unfolded her arms, lifted up a hand and lightly tapped Alec's cheek. She gave him a cheeky smile before twirling around and opening the door. She walked out.

He closed his eyes. Great. Just. Great. Hearing the soft click of the door Alec plopped himself down on the nearest couch. Dust flew everywhere as he did so making him cough slightly. "This is so not happening..." he muttered softly. He might as well cross out hooking up with hot female transgenics off his to do list. Thanks to Max. Max. Why does her need always come first? It didn't matter if it spoiled his plans. Max can come running to him anytime she wanted and he'd drop what he was doing to just help her out. Even when she clearly treated him badly he still chose her need over his. What was wrong with that picture? He didn't have any clue whatsoever.

Biggs turned to look at Joshua. They were on their way to show the list of supplies and equipments they managed to get when they were stopped by Alec's raised voice. Of course curiosity getting the best of him, he stuck around even when Joshua urged him that they just return later. Biggs brushed him off, shushed him and listened to the conversation inside the room. Thank his maker for transgenic hearing. When Max walked out of the door, Biggs pulled Joshua on the corner with him so that she wouldn't see them. When he was sure Max didn't notice them, he turned to look at Joshua. "I don't know about you big guy but I think it's time that those two got some intervention..."

Joshua looked at him confused. "Intervention?"

Biggs nodded. "Come on... We have work to do..."