Chapter 4: Wake Up Call
Disclaimer: I do not own DA or any of the original characters from the said show.
Pairing: ML / MA
Rating: Mature for language
A/N: Thanks to those who sent in their reviews. Ahhhh my muse is happy hehehe. Soooo, from my muse to you, here's the next chapter. Okay, you have to excuse me for using the name "CJ" for Alec's alias, and if you guys don't have a clue on the name, watch reruns of Dawson's Creek hehehehe. I can't help it! At least I didn't use Winchester as his last name, but I was soo tempted of course I had to think of another last name that had Jensen connection. Anyone want to guess? The first person who gets it right gets a cookie! Enjoy!
Sector 8, Envio Hotel, Room 43
Name: Gray, Charles Jacob "CJ"
Codename: Ace
Position: Covert Operative Agent 2
Team: Alpha
Trainings: Special Operations, Hand to hand combat…
He exhaled softly as he leaned forward and creased his brows as he studied the profile before him. According to his files, he's the best. And the trainings he went under, impressive. It was best not to under estimate the agent slash bodyguard of the transgenic slash transhuman Ambassador. Michael Bunton scoffed as he looked at the picture of "CJ" once again. The said agent was still too young and in his opinion, the boy had still had a lot to learn, too bad he wasn't going to live long enough to fully maximize his potential. That made the man smirk before moving to check his journal. The day after tomorrow, she had a scheduled conference. Max Guevara was going to deliver a speech. Michael picked up a surveillance photo of hers and stroked her face with his thumb.
"You know you're pretty for a freak… too bad you got on Perry's bad side…"
Placing the photo back down, Bunton moved to grab a part of his sniper rifle and continued cleaning it.
Terminal City, Max's Office, 1:33 pm
Three days had passed since that night but Alec hadn't said anything about it, nor did he showed any indication that he acknowledged the fact that she had made a move on him. For lack of better terms. The worst part of it was, it was clearly haunting her. Both the fact that she had attempted something on Alec of all people when she wasn't even in heat and the fact that he hadn't said anything or done anything about it for that matter. Needless to say, this whole thing frustrated her.
"Yes, thank you. I appreciate you calling me. Ms. Guevara would be arriving an hour before the conference begins. Yes, she'll be with her own securities but I'm expecting your team on strict implementation of security, I don't have to reiterate the seriousness of the situation do I? Good. Yes. Thank you."
Max blinked when Alec stepped inside her office probably talking to the head of security of the said conference that was going to be held a couple of days from now. She sighed softly. With the way Alec had been acting, she had been feeling more and more like his mission, that she was only a job to him and nothing more than that. Silently, she watched him as he flipped his phone close.
"That was the head of security. He assured me tight security day after tomorrow. Aside from Biggs and Scott, Mole and Andy are joining in." he said before moving to sit down on the chair that was found in front of her desk.
Max offered him a small smile as she nodded. She should just say something about that night. He hadn't said or done anything and neither had she. Everytime that she was presented with that opportunity to open up, she chickened out. Yes. Max Guevara folded when it came to confronting Alec regarding that particular night.
"You okay? You seem… I don't know. Out of it. Trouble in paradise?"
"No. No trouble. I'm okay. I'm just…"
Alec raised his brows and waited for her to continue. Clearly, something was bothering her. Max exhaled loudly as she stood up from her chair behind the desk, walked around it and sat on the edge as she faced Alec.
"Alec… about that night…"
Alec quickly raised a hand to stop her from talking and shook his head. "No Max. You don't have to explain and you don't need to apologize. Nothin' happened. Whatever happens or rather not happens with you and Logan, that's between you and him and I'd pretty much appreciate it if you don't drag me into it. Again. Playin' your so-called boyfriend now that I can allow but actually be your... dildo? That's out of the question. Like I said… I'm not gonna be the bad guy."
Her eyes widened at his choice of words. Or word rather. She felt the burning feeling crawl from her neck up to her cheeks then to her ears and for a moment, she felt like she was sitting there completely naked for him to ridicule. Max felt the strong urge of the need to cover herself up, so she lifted her arms and folded it across her chest. What was she supposed to do now? Tell him that she couldn't get him out of her head ever since that night? That her thoughts of him weren't exactly friendly? That she didn't see him like the way she used to?
He was expecting her to blow up on him after what he said but when she didn't, it actually made him worry. What the hell was going on with her and Logan? And more importantly, why did she feel the need to drag him into it again? Was that all he was to him? The bad guy? Had he proven himself otherwise countless of times already? Pressing his lips, he stood up and took a step forward minimizing the gap between him and her and placed a hand on the side of her arm. Max flinched at the contact. Alec creased his brows and pulled his hand back.
"Get out Alec."
"Maxie…"
"It's Max."
"Okay. Fine. Max."
"Get out…"
"Come on Max…"
"Get. Out."
Max glared at him. Sighing dejectedly, Alec took a step back. "I'll leave you alone." he told her softly before turning and walking out of the office.
As soon as she heard the soft click of the door, Max closed her eyes and breathed out heavily, she unfolded her arms from her chest and found that her hands were shaking. How could just one person evoke so much emotion from her? The bigger question was, when did it became Alec when not too long ago, it was Logan who did that to her? She opened her eyes once again, and raked her fingers through her hair. Frustration doesn't even begin to describe what she was feeling at that moment.
"Max, what is it?"
"We were in the woods. He was hurt. Manticore was closing in on us. He didn't want to go back there."
"Reindoctrination. Or worse."
"I killed him. He asked me to, so I did. And then I ran. I saved myself. And I just left his body there for them to take away."
"Max, I'm sorry."
-----
"Hey, Max. Thought I'd find you here."
"I come here to be alone."
"Yeah, I know, but considering everything that went down today, I figured we could both use a friend right now."
"Sit down."
"So, you got any deep thoughts you want to share? Any, uh, profound realizations about life?"
"Yeah. Love sucks."
-----
"I'm sorry. I had to."
"Are you kidding?"
"This virus thing isn't going anywhere, and I can't afford any more accidents."
"Why do you have to drag me into it?"
"I had to push him away."
"Yeah, so blame Alec, 'cause he's just the kind of jerk that'd steal another guy's girl."
"Please don't."
"Max, whatever's going on with you and Logan has nothing to do with me, okay? I'm not going to be the bad guy."
End of Flashback
Max exhaled loudly at the memories. Time and time again even back then when she couldn't see it, when she didn't want to acknowledge it, Alec had been pretty much a friend to her. He seemed to be always there for her, even when he didn't agreed to the idea, the thing was she didn't see it. And just when she was starting to open up to him, to really give him a chance, he decided to leave. Dammit. Maybe that was why she felt that hurt when he told her he was going to take the job. That still did not explain why she can't get him out of her head lately. She sighed as she turned to shift her body onto the bed, her back was now facing Logan. Ugh. Even when she was trying to sleep he was still the one she was thinking of. Alec. Why does his name always come up? This question had come up in her mind more than once yet she still had not found the answer she so desperately wanted and needed.
i've been spending some time
thinking i'd be alright
don't know if i could
really make it tonight
She closed her eyes and tried to find sleep but her mind seemed to have a mind of its own as it made her focus her transgenic hearing on the other room that wasn't that far away from hers and Logan. His breathing was even, his heartbeat slower than usual. Alec was asleep. Sighing once again, she opened her eyes. He wasn't even thinking about her, so then why was she wasting her time and energy thinking about him? Groaning softly out of frustration, she pushed the covers back and got out of bed. She turned to look at Logan to make sure he was still asleep before she walked out of the room. Midstride, she stopped as she passed by the guest room door. For a minute or two, she just stood there, thinking. Of him. She wasn't in heat or anything, that much she knew. So why then did she found herself being pulled by this man? Why was he affecting her like this so much that it hurts? And the fact that her efforts had not been reciprocated... Dammit! She had known for a long time that she was immuned to Alec's charms, not that he was trying to use it on her or anything. So then why... Ugh! Pressing her lips, she tore her eyes away from the closed door and proceeded to walk into the kitchen. Maybe a mug of hot milk can help her find sleep. It never failed.
lie awake in the dark
come down then i start
thinking about you
is almost breaking my heart
Conference Day, Backstage, 8:45 am
"Biggs will be on your left side and I'll be on your right. We'll be right behind you don't worry."
"I'm not worried Alec. I'm just a little nervous. This is my last chance to convince those politicians out there to support this bill and I don't want to disappoint people. Our people.
Max felt his hands on her shoulders and gave them a soft gentle squeeze. She closed her eyes at the contact, his hot breath on her ear sent tingles down her spine. "You already have their vote Maxie. Stop worryin'. Now I believe that's your name that was just called, get there and work that charm of yours..."
"So not helping..."
Max heard him chuckle softly as he ushered her on stage. Now was not the time to be thinking about Alec's hot breath on her ear or how his aftershave cologne gave his musky scent a slight hint of mint. She didn't know when he had started but that slight scruff look he had going on made him look more sexier, not that she thought Alec was sexy back then. Ugh. Okay now she was just utterly confused. She blinked when she heard Alec cleared his throat. Finally remembering where she was and what she should be focusing on, she exhaled softly and then started her speech.
Alec vaguely heard her when she started to speak. His eyes cased the placed inch by inch, his ears trained on other sounds other than her voice. It was hard yes but he wasn't there to be mesmerized by her. His instinct told him that he was here. Watching. Waiting. Max was standing in the middle of the stage, an easy target. A clear shot. Even though she was flanked by himself and Biggs, Bunton has his shot. The tricky thing was trying to catch him just in time. He gritted his teeth as he found himself becoming impatient. Ten minutes into her speech, he heard it, the cocking of the gun. Squinting his eyes, he scanned the rooftops of the buildings across the stage and found the shooter. It took all his might not to smirk or anything that resembled it. He didn't want to give himself away. Timing. Timing was everything.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion the moment Alec heard the clicking of the trigger then a shot rang out, careful that he didn't use his blurring ability, he lunged forward and pushed Max out of the way. Max heard as the shot rang out, then there was screaming then she felt herself being pushed aside. She knew it was Alec because she heard him grunt. As they hit the floor, Biggs, Scott, Mole and Andy started shooting at the direction where the shot was fired. In the first few shots, she flinched before moving to turn around and looked behind her. Blood. She could smell blood but not her own.
No.
Alec.
Terminal City, Medbay, 10:00 am
"You stupid idiot! They sent you here to protect me not get killed! What in the world were you thinking? Oh wait. You were not thinking! Trust me you said. Do everything I say you said. God Alec! I'm done listening to you. From now on I call the shots! Do you hear me?!"
Biggs, Mole, Scott and Andy looked at each other. Max was in bright red color from anger and all they could do was keep their silence. They didn't need to feel the wrath of Max Guevara's anger as they can see it first hand. Alec pressed his lips and creased his brows as he watched the female transgenic bellow her heart out out of anger at him. Turning to look at the medic that was cleaning his wound and nodded at him signaling him to step out of the room for a while. Nodding back in understanding, the medic stood up and silently step out of the room.
"Guys..."
They didn't need to be told twice, the other two transgenics and transhumans followed the medic outside. When he heard the soft click of the door, he turned to look at Max. "Are you done havin' a bitch fit?" Max creased her brows at that. She gritted her teeth before huffing air out and folding her arms across her chest. Alec sighed softly and shook his head.
"First off, it's just a flesh wound Max. Bullet just barely grazed the side of my arm, I'm not gonna die from it. Second, that was the idea. I'm sure Bunton is grinning from ear to ear learning the your precious agent is in out of commission for the moment. I'm sure he's disappointed that he didn't get to kill you but at least he knows you are an easy target now, even with transgenics following you. And he failed twice at trying to shoot you down, he's gonna change his tactic. Now all we have to do is make sure that he chooses the tactic very much favorable to us."
"And that would be?"
"Kidnapping you."
"Alec..."
"I'll be there Maxie. When he does take you, I'll make sure he wouldn't have a choice but take both of us."
"He knows I'm a transgenic Alec he wouldn't risk it..."
"Leave it up to me Max. Like I said, he's going to choose the tactic most favorable to us..."
Max exhaled loudly. Just like that, her anger dissipated not to mention that she was listening to his plans. Again. Turning her eyes on the wound that was on his arm, she pressed her lips and walked over to where he was perched. Grabbing a fresh cotton, she poured disinfectant on it before gently dabbing it on his wound. Alec creased his brows as he watched her silently. He hated making her flare up like that but he didn't want to risk failing on the plan by telling her. The less people knew about it the better. That and he was sure she would not even agree to go through with it. Needless to say, it was a rather stupid plan. Mole had said so without even hesitating. Of course Alec didn't bother listening to him. Now if it was Max... that was another story.
He blinked when he felt her cover the wound with a clean gauge and taped it in place. "There... all patched up..." Smiling she pulled her hands back and lifted up her gaze to meet his own. Their gazes locked. Max felt her heart race inside her chest and for a moment, she found it hard to breathe. It didn't help when Alec licked his lips. Before she even realized what she was doing. she moved to lean forward. Warning bells went off in his head when he saw her move but he didn't made any attempt to tear his eyes away from her gaze and before it even registered to him, he tilted his head to the side and met her halfway. Tentatively, their lips brushed against each other. Both pulled back and looked at each other. Alec moved to lift his hand up and snaked it around her neck before their lips crashed against each other. The kiss now more desperate. Hungry even.
Max moved from his side to his front and situated herself in between his legs without even breaking their contact. A soft groan tore from the back of his throat which in turn sent delicious shivers down her spine. Moving her hands, she found the hem of his shirt and slid her fingers underneath it. Another groan tore from his throat at the contact and that made her smile against his lips.
Logan. She was engaged to Logan Cale. Fuck. Groaning yet again, Alec tore his lips away from hers as he moved his hands to hold her on the sides of her arms. Max protested and was about to lean in again when Alec stopped her. She creased her brows as she stared at him. A questioning look on her face. He only said one word that seemed to wake her up. And it felt as though he had dumped a bucket of ice cold water on her.
"Logan."
Gritting his teeth, he gently pushed her away from him before he stepped down from the medbay bed. Alec pushed past her and grabbed his jacket from the rack. Reaching for the handle, he paused before turning it. "I'm sorry..." With that said, he finally turned the handle and stepped out of the room.
Max felt her knees buckle from underneath, she had to hold on to the cot as she steadied herself. What was wrong with her?
"Mmm. Max, we don't belong with 'em. Okay? We're a danger to them. When are you gonna finally see that?"
"Me and Logan are none of your business."
"Why don't you just open your eyes and..."
"You're just..."
" Hey, guys, what's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah. Right. Nothing."
And just like that she got her answer. She was finally seeing what she couldn't see before, what Alec was tying to show her. Tell her even. The thing was, she felt that she was realizing things a bit too late. Alec wasn't even interested anymore. How could she be so damn blind?
you're turning me on
you turn me around
you turn my whole world
upside down
- Upside Down 6cyclemind
"Medium fella okay?"
"Oh hey big guy. Yeah medium fella's okay. How you doin? How's the wound?"
"Joshua okay. Wound already gone. Something is wrong. You can tell me."
Alec exhaled softly as he plopped right down on the couch at TC's lounge, Joshua sat next to him and waited. Where to start? "Josh... how is Max and Logan? I mean are they okay? Do they fight?"
Joshua gruffed softly at that. "Joshua don't see them fight, not in here anyway. Little fella doesn't say anything but I think things are not the same. It's not the way they used to be. Little fella just does not see it."
"Why do you think that is?"
Joshua turned to face Alec, another soft gruff left his lips. "Little fella cares about Alec. When Alec left, Little fella got so sad not even Logan could cheer her up. Everytime she gets postcard from Alec, she's happy. No yelling. She doesn't get mad for days. When Alec doesn't send anything, Little fella get so mad sometimes she wouldn't even talk to Joshua."
Alec creased his brows at that. What? But why? Exhaling softly, he tore his eyes away from Joshua and looked down at his hands. "I care about her too Josh. A whole lot. But she's with Logan. She's engaged to Logan. I'm not goin' to be the reason for their split. 'Sides, my job isn't here, after this whole thing I'm goin' back..."
Joshua growled softly at that. "Alec is needed here. Little fella needs Alec here. Little fella is sad without Alec."
Alec pressed his lips and turned to look at Joshua. Moving his hand and gently tapped Joshua's shoulder. "Max is goin' to be okay Josh. She doesn't need me here. You'll all be fine without me. You have been for four years already, why stop now?" Offering him a small smile, Alec stood up and made his way out of the lounge.
Joshua exhaled loudly. He tried. It was up to Alec and Max now to realize what all of them could see. They needed each other. They wanted each other. He just hoped that both transgenics would realize it before it was too late.
