A/N: Votes say M/A, so that it is =)

**

"None of your business." Max snapped.

Alec recoiled like he'd been slapped. "Fine, fine. Just trying to help."

Max ignored the last statement, as she was busy pouring herself yet another glass of beer. She gulped it down at record pace, and faster than Sketchy ever could. Sketchy, on the other hand, had gotten much better results. X's couldn't get drunk. No matter how much Max drank, or how fast, she would always be just fine, which categorized itself as another reason why Max was miserable.

Alec watched, amazed, as Max downed three glasses of beer in 5 minutes. He had some idea why she was doing this to herself, she had said something to him about never seeing Logan again earlier, but she wasn't this upset, so beyond that, he had no idea the reason behind the drink. Max never drank to forget something, no matter how bad it was, as far as Alec could remember.

Max got up to get herself another pitcher of beer. Alec caught her arm.

"What are you doing?" Max asked, annoyed. She tried to tug her arm free, but he held on.

"I think, the question is, what are YOU doing?" His grip tightened.

"Quenching my thirst. Now let me go." She growled.

"You're trying to get drunk Max, and it's not going to work. You know that." He argued, getting up to show his true height and authority, which didn't faze Max in the slightest.

"I'm not trying to do anything." Max's voice was low, and shaking with the anger that she was carefully holding up.

Alec held on. "Come on. I'm taking you home before this situation gets worse." He jerked his head in the direction of the exit.

"There won't be a situation if you let go of my arm, NOW." She hissed, and pulled hard again. No luck.

"Promise you'll come?" Alec's voice was pleading now, hoping that she's listen to him, before he'd resort to drastic measures. He pulled on her arm towards the exit for extra emphasis on his point.

Max sighed. It might not hurt to listen to him every once and a while. He wasn't always a screw-up, was he? Against all her better judgement, she nodded.

Alec smiled and let go of her arm, exposing a red patch on her arm, which showed how hard he had been holding on. He waved to OC and Sketchy, who were still playing pool, before grabbing her by the shoulders and started to push her in the direction of the exit. "See? Listening to me helps every once and a while." He whispered in her ear, as he began to push Max up the stairs, ignoring all the jealous looks from other females as he led her out.

**

Star watched from her little corner as Max stood up to leave the table. She smiled happily, hoping that maybe when Max left, she'd have a chance to get to know Alec a little better. Her smile was wiped off her face as Alec grabbed her arm, and they appeared to have a little chat.

Jealousy clouded Star's mind as she watched Max nod, and Alec lead her away. She didn't even want to think about what they were going to do, but she had to follow.

**

Max stepped into her apartment, and allowed Alec to come in too before closing the door behind him. She immediately sat down on the couch, feeling miserable. Alec sat down beside her.

"Hey, " he said softly, leaning back into the couch, "are you okay?"

Max gave him the same answer that she'd given him when she told him about Ben. "I'm fine,"

She couldn't explain why, but it made her feel better to be telling someone about him. Not just someone. Alec. It made her feel better telling someone who could relate to all her problems, and could understand. Logan understood too, but in a different way, of someone who had never really been through all the hurt.

"So you'll be okay on your own, right?" Alec asked her. He wanted to know for sure that she was okay, and if he was lucky, she might open up to him, like she did a few nights before. He liked it every once and a while when she treated him like a decent person. The winding her up and joking was mostly just a mask, to hide his true feelings for her. Feelings he'd never admit to anyone, even himself. It was still really funny to see her mad though. . ..

Max nodded. "Yea, I guess so."

Alec grinned, his mask back in place. "So is it about you and Logan?" It was worth a little bit of nosing.

Max nodded again.

"Well, I guess I'll be going now." He stood up and prepared to leave.

"Alec.." Max said quietly. Alec stopped and turned. Max continued. "Thanks. For bringing me back here."

Alec grinned. "No problem, Maxie. Helpin' a friend. 'Night." He turned around and walked out of the apartment, leaving Max alone with her guilty thoughts.

**

Star's smiled as she watched, from the rooftop, Alec leave Max's building, this time to go home for sure. She made sure he never noticed the shadow that was following him.

**

Alec walked into Jam Pony late the next day, and was immediately greeted by Star, who ran up to meet him.

"Hey," She smiled, and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Um..hi" he mumbled, not really wanting to talk to her. She made him uneasy.

"So.you doing anything tonight?" Star asked. She wasn't planning on killing him, though. Only to maybe get to know him better. She'd finish him after she got to know him to tell her everything.

Max walked by, just about to leave for an emergency pick up. Alec took the chance.

"Max!" He nearly screamed, and rushed after her, leaving Star standing alone.

Stars face darkened as she assessed the competition for Alec. Max would have to go.. .. ..

**

A/N: Okay. I know this isn't the greatest chapter, but promise to give you a good one next posting. Half term break is here, so expect loads of them. Just to let you know, Star doesn't know what Alec and Max are. Review please, and I might post something tomorrow. =)