Tough Love

Pairing: M/A

Rating: M – for language.

Summary: After Max recklessly endangers her life – again – Alec steps in as her self-appointed guardian, becoming commanding, authoritative and unpredictable…

Disclaimer: I would like to disclaim that I own nothing, although I am willing to sell my body to Jensen for anything he is willing to trade me for it.

Declaring Guardianship

As the afternoon progressed, and the period of time since he had last seen her lengthened, the urge to see for himself that she was alright intensified… until Alec couldn't fight it anymore.

"Right, I'm done for the day," he broadcast to the room as he finished writing a note for Max outlining what they'd accomplished that day.

"Yeah, and let's hope dominatrix Barbie decides to grace us with her presence tomorrow," Mole said, unable to refrain from taking another jab at Max as he sat in the corner cleaning a gun.

"Am I not a satisfactory replacement?" Alec asked teasingly, assuming a wounded look so disarmingly intense it would put a puppy to shame. "Are you dissatisfied with my work?"

Mole couldn't help but chuckle at his antics. "Are you kidding! I wish you'd run this place everyday, pal. I just don't like Her Highness taking unannounced personal days when the rest of us are stuck here. Not when all this is her doing," he said as he looked around T.C., referring to Max's big 'fight not flight' speech that had altered their lives forever just a few months ago.

"Yeah, well I bet Max is back tomorrow busting everyone's balls as usual," Alec commented as he stood and stretched lithely. "I'll see ya tomorrow. I got somewhere I gotta be."

"You got a hot lady friend waiting on you?" Luke asked, slightly in awe of Alec's reputation with women.

"Something like that," Alec said dryly, smiling at the irony. "If something comes up get me on my cell," he threw over his shoulder as he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and strode out the door, a swagger in his stride.

Alec was relieved to finally be out the door for the day and on his way to check on Max. While he was more than perfectly capable of handling things in her absence, he would be relived when she returned to take the reins back again. Although he had been designed for a command position and received extensive training and practice, he had never felt completely comfortable with the station – he figured it just wasn't congruent with his personality. Besides, that was Max's thing, and she was good at it. He was more than happy to play a lesser role in the background and let her do the hero thing she seemed to get off on so much.

On the way to Max's Alec stopped off at the Mess Hall to pick up some more milk, as well as a couple of apples and some bread. He had noticed lately how thin and gaunt Max was looking, and how infrequently she would pause during the day to eat anything. From now on he was going to make sure that changed. Besides, he really wasn't into that anorexic look on a woman - he was a man who appreciated smooth lines and full curves.

"What's with all the milk? You hiding a baby some place?" enquired Morris, the transhuman whom Max had put in charge of running the kitchen, such as it was.

"Nope," Alec replied with a naughty grin as he gathered his supplies, "picnic in bed."

oOoOoOoOo

Max was reluctantly pulled from sleep by a soft knock at her front door, and someone opening and closing it behind them. She ran a hand over her face and pulled herself up into a semi-upright position; recognising exactly whose footfalls she could hear approaching her room.

"How are you feeling?' Alec asked as he appeared in her bedroom doorway, his eyes instantly taking in her dishevelled appearance, and he was glad to see that she had finally gotten some rest.

"Better," she said, her voice betraying the fact that she'd been asleep only moments before. Alec had to hide a smile as he took in her tousled appearance, he had to admit that she looked really cute with bed hair.

"I brought you some stuff," he said as he leaned casually up against her bedroom doorway, his arms folded across his broad chest and his eyes calmly assessing her. Max took the opportunity to run her eyes over him, taking in the way his dark t-shirt clung to his sculptured chest and biceps, and the way his jeans highlighted his muscular thighs as he held her door up, one ankle crossed casually in front of the other. The man just exuded sexual confidence.

"Ah, thanks," she replied, tearing her eyes away from him as she got to her feet cautiously, testing her strength.

"Do you want me to make you anything?" Alec asked whilst taking the opportunity to scrutinise her more closely, his eyes reflecting his disquiet at her unsteady progress.

"Nah, I need a shower."

Alec recognised a dismissing tone when he heard one - after all he'd been on the receiving end of more than a few from Max - but he chose not to heed it. Instead he watched as she carefully picked her way across the room towards him, but made no attempt to get out of her way.

Max came to a stop right in front of Alec when she realised he wasn't making any move to let her pass. As she looked up into his eyes she encountered an expression and countenance she was unfamiliar with, and couldn't read. There was something dark and unrestrained swimming in their depths. Max suddenly became hyper aware of the meagre inches that separated her from his broad chest, and the way in which his presence filled her small room, shrinking it till it was just them. She could feel his body heat emanating from him, smell the faint scent that she only ever associated with him, and the rhythmic caress of his warm breath on her neck.

As he peered down at her Alec decided that she definitely looked better than she had this morning - not that she ever looked bad he mused silently. However, he didn't miss the subtle way she tried to compensate for her sore and stiff muscles as she got to her feet, or the weariness that was still evident in the lines of her face.

He remained for a moment staring down at her silently, his tall frame barring her exit. Then slowly in one fluid movement he took a step back, providing a narrow passageway. Max quickly squeezed passed him and headed for the safety of the bathroom without looking back, but she could feel his gaze upon her as she retreated, and she swore she felt it linger on her ass entirely too long.

oOoOoOoOo

As she emerged from the bathroom some time later Max secretly hoped that Alec had tired of waiting and had left. It wasn't that she was ungrateful for what he had done - he'd possibly saved her life - not that she'd ever be admitting that out loud. And sure, she considered him a friend - of sorts - but he was the last person with whom she wanted to discuss what had happened. She felt acutely embarrassed about what she had allowed to transpire, and more embarrassed that it had been Alec that had found her in that state. For some reason that she couldn't explain she couldn't bare the thought of Alec seeing her flaws.

But what had really disturbed her was the penetrating way he had looked at her only moments ago. She sensed a change in him, almost like someone had flicked a switch and this was no longer her 'smart' Alec. He was somehow darker, more foreboding. Her instincts were warning her in no uncertain terms that this Alec was dangerous. She imagined that this was what it felt like when an animal's instinct alerted it to the presence of a predator. She couldn't put her finger on it… but something had shifted. Something was off…

"I made you a cup of tea," Alec informed her calmly when he noticed her enter the room. "Sugar?"

"Ah, yeah…thanks." Max stopped to watch him warily as he busied himself in the kitchen. She was surprised to notice how comfortable and competent he appeared as he moved around her small kitchen – almost like he had always belonged there.

When Alec had finished adding her sugar he walked around the counter with the two cups in his large hands and ushered her towards the couch. He waited while she obediently sank into the cushions, and deftly handed her a mug. He then positioned himself opposite her in an old armchair, appraising her silently from over the rim of his mug. He wanted to give her the opportunity to begin this conversation.

For the second time that day Max felt the room shrink, and once again Alec's unwavering gaze was making her intently uncomfortable. She could feel it on her skin, everywhere it wandered, like hot fingertips dancing over her skin; till the only thing she was aware of was him. She drew her legs up underneath herself self-consciously and tried unsuccessfully to concentrate on a stain on the carpet, while she blew distractedly on her tea. She could feel his heated gaze on her skin as he took in her every feature.

As he sat and studied her, Alec became aware for the first time of his ability to make Max uncomfortable. He could see that she was unable to sit still, fidgeting constantly, and she pointedly refused to look at him. He acknowledged that Max had always been defensive and distant, even with those closest to her - it was just how she was - but this was something different. Max was unsettled, and he was the cause of it. Alec smiled inwardly at that knowledge. After what she had just put him through she deserved to suffer a little.

"So, are you going to explain?" His calm deep voice shattering the silence.

Max's eyes flew up to meet his. Her surprise at him having spoken was plainly evident on her face; his silence having fooled her into thinking she might just get away with not discussing anything. "Nothing to explain," she shrugged nonchalantly, lifting her chin defiantly.

Alec's silence reverberated around the room, his unwaveringly dark gaze clearly communicating his disagreement with her statement. "I think there is," he replied simply. "Like why I found you unconscious on your bathroom floor?"

"It was just a turn. I'm fine now," she said defensively as she shrugged one shoulder, not able to make herself look him in the eye as she said this, instead finding something fascinating over his right shoulder.

For the life of him Alec could not fathom her stupidity. He had noticed her health flagging the past couple of weeks as she worked herself into the ground. He knew her well enough to know that Max would never willingly allow anyone to witness her weakness, so if he was able to recognise the signs of her exhaustion then she definitely had. It was common knowledge that those X-5's that suffered seizures did so most when under intense pressure and stress, something he knew Max was aware of.

"Now that's not entirely true, is it Max?" Alec challenged, his eyes narrowing slightly as they bore into her, his entire countenance becoming predatory.

"Of course it is," she snapped, her cheeks beginning to colour; whether from embarrassment or anger he wasn't sure. "I passed out before I could take my meds. It snuck up on me, that's all. It won't happen again."

"Has anyone ever told you you're a lousy liar, Max?" Alec replied coolly, a hint of humour in his voice which was not reflected in his cold eyes.

Max stared at him in wide-eyed shock. Who was this person? Because this certainly wasn't the cocky, heedless Alec she knew. The Alec now sitting opposite cooling assessing her was baiting her, manipulating her. He exuded authority; and she felt exposed under that penetrating hazel gaze, like he could see right through her untruths and read her thoughts.

Alec had to suppress a smile at the priceless look of shock and confusion flashing across Max's face. He read with amusement the uncertainty that flashed behind her eyes, and recognised the fact that she was at a loss as how best to react to his unusual behaviour. She reminded him of a skittish filly, apprehensive and wary when faced with an unknown entity; she couldn't discern whether he was friend or foe. Alec smiled inwardly at the intensity of the reactions he was eliciting from her. For the first time ever he felt as though Max was taking him seriously - and he liked the feeling.

He was beginning to question why he had never taken this tact with her before. Why had he never challenged her, or made her listen to him? He had looked on helplessly for months now, watching her abuse herself and allowing her to disregard his concern, and now look what it had come to. It had taken the act of her almost killing herself through neglect for him to decide that things were going to change.

"I know you haven't been well for the last couple of days Max, so don't bother feeding me anymore crap."

"I … ah --"

"What were you thinking!? Or do you genuinely not care whether you live or die?" he growled at her, deadly serious, and clearly furious.

Max flinched at his insinuation. "Don't be ridiculous!"

"Come on Max, your actions aren't exactly those of a woman who cherishes life. For Christ's sake, you might as well have gone bungee jumping with dental floss!" Alec yelled; he was quickly losing the battle to control his fury, and he had to work hard to keep his hands off her neck. "You know as well as I do how badly this could have ended."

"Stop being so melodramatic, it was nothing like that," she bit back savagely.

"No?" Alec demanded as he raised an eyebrow, pinning her with a gaze that was so intense Max had trouble not looking away.

"No. And I don't wanna talk about this anymore," she snapped jumping off the couch and turning her back on him, attempting to flee.

In a flash Alec was on his feet, his hand gripping her arm savagely, spinning her around and roughly hauling her against his hard chest.

"Tough!" he snarled at her.

They were standing toe to toe, Max having to bend her neck back at an awkward angle to look him in the eye. They were standing so close that they were breathing the same air, and she could feel the hard planes of his chest burning into hers through her clothes, and caught his subtle masculine scent as he leaned down to get in her face.

"Alec, let go of me," she gulped, looking nervously down to where his hand bit into her arm, before shifting wide eyes up to meet his determined gaze. Although he had an unbreakable hold on her he wasn't causing her any pain; and it wasn't the fear that he was going to that drove her need to put some distance between them. She was most fearful of the affect his searching eyes were causing - clouding her thoughts, making her flustered, and the treacherous way her body was reacting to his proximity. Her whole being was concentrated on the man in front of her - and it scared her.

"You're not going anywhere. Not until we resolve this," he said in a low commanding tone that she had never heard him use before, but which demanded her attention and respect no matter how hard she fought it.

"There is nothing to resolve. This is none of you're business!" she hissed back defiantly, struggling to collect her thoughts and regain control of both the conversation and her body's reactions.

Alec laughed harshly, without humour. "That's where you're wrong Max. If you manage to kill yourself who do you think will have to pick up the pieces, huh? Who do you think will be left to guide your subjects and protect them against the world? That's what you don't seem to understand Max," he said shaking his head sadly at her. "T.C. is like an arch in one of those old gothic churches. We're just a bunch of rocks. There's no cement, no mortar – just you. You're our keystone Max. That little odd-shaped stone right at the top that single-handedly holds all the others together; and if it's removed the rest of the arch collapses. You are what holds us together," he said as he stared intently into her eyes, his concern and fear clearly visible for her to see.

Max just stood there gaping at him for a minute, held in a suspended state by the intensity of his eyes and his close proximity. It was almost like the air had been sucked out of her. Like the closer she got to him, the more of her he absorbed.

"I'm not going to let you do it to them. I'm not going to let you do it to yourself," Alec continued, his tone and eyes softening. He leaned in even closer, his warm breath tickling her ear, "I'm going to be keeping my eye on you, Max. Don't make us have to have another little chat," he said ominously, before releasing her arm and turning to stride out her front door without a backward glance.

A/N: Let me know what you think.