AN: So finally here is H! I am so sorry for the delay my only excuse is that I have a mentally exhausting job that sometimes just drains me. I must admit I kind of skimped on the ending a little bit (bow head in shame). With a little hope 'I' will be up soon. Thank you so much to every one who reviewed. You made my little heart flutter.
Disclaimer: If I did I'd make them smut!!
HERO
He was killed right in front of her. She was too late to save him.
"Joshua!" She screamed as she ran to him.
"No, no, no!" Max fell to her knees before him. She gently lifted his head to cradle in her lap. She didn't cry, sometimes she didn't think she was capable anymore. Joshua was her best friend and now he lay lifeless in her arms. She couldn't save him.
Alec watched Max drop to her knees before Joshua and a bellow of rage ignited from him. Alec spotted Ames White standing in a sea of fallen familiar's. He was the only one of his kind left standing and he was still unable to accept to defeat. He had raised his gun and fired several shots into Joshua's back. Alec would make him pay with his life.
White threw his empty gun down and took a battle stance as Alec stalked towards him. Alec stopped five feet in front of White fist clenched at his side.
"494." White spit out.
"White." Alec said with equal distaste.
The two men equal in strength launched at their opponent. The force of the impact pushed them both back and off their feet. They both men quickly flipped back to their feet unaffected by the harsh contact. White directed a harsh kick to the center of Alec's chest laughing as the taller man stumbled.
White seemed to want to play. Alec had no intention of going round and round with the man. He didn't need to display his strength to White. Alec was better.
White threw a series of kicks and punches but he was no match for the beast Alec had become when Joshua was felled. Alec blurred and pulled a knife out of his boot. With one well aimed kick to White's head he was able to startle the older man. Alec had him trapped face down on the grown in seconds the knife pressed against his throat.
"You don't have the balls." White provoked.
"Don't mistake me for Max." Alec growled savagely. "She may have let you live, I would have let Joshua kill you. Now I'm going to do it for him."
With those words he slit White's throat. Alec felt no remorse as he watched the life drain out of his enemy. He stabbed the knife tainted with White's blood into the blood soaked ground. His only thought was to get to Max.
Max felt strong arms grab her and she was lifted away from Joshua. Her first instinct was to fight until she realized it was Alec. He lifted her protectively against him and Max pressed her face into his neck. She felt Alec nod to someone and then he carried her off the battle field.
They won a war that has raged for over half a decade. The prices they paid just didn't seem worth it. Losing Joshua was not worth it. Max was supposed to be a savior. Yet she hadn't been able t save Joshua.
The joke was on them, she was no hero.
Max barely remembered the ride back to Terminal City so she was surprised when she and Alec were standing outside his apartment. Alec unlocked the door and pulled her in after him.
Max stood in the middle of the room watching Alec as he moved restlessly around the living area. He was covered in blood and Max was sure only a small amount was his own. She wasn't surprised over the years Alec had become somewhat of an enforcer and he was brutal and beautiful in battle. He commanded TC with an iron first. He wasn't cruel but he demanded a lot from his peers and in return he demanded the same of his self. Alec was no longer the care free boy she had first meant. He was now a man who was a force t be reckoned with. Max on the other hand was a little more lenient as long as she wasn't pissed off, even Alec avoided her then.
"You're covered in blood" Max commented.
"You should see yourself. You can have the shower first." He smirked.
At his offer Max gave a grateful nod of acceptance. She hated that they were so calm, when she knew they were both screaming inside. The harsh results of years of fighting, Max wondered if they were becoming sociopaths. She closed the bathroom door quietly behind her and quickly jumped in the shower, she couldn't wait to feel clean.
The scalding water washed away the filth and blood of what would hopefully be the final battle she fought. Max had sinking feeling that would not be the case. As the water ran down the drain it suddenly felt like her control went with it and she finally broke. She fell to her knees hands pressed against the tiles for support, hers cries of grief were almost screams as she let everything out.
Alec with his heightened senses heard Max's sobs over the rush of water. Normally he just tuned the sounds out, but he was concerned for her so he paid careful attention as she moved around the bathroom. Alec removed his soiled clothing and washed the best he could in the kitchen sink while he waited for the shower. He was impatient to get rid of the stench of death that seemed to hover around him, but he would let Max take as long as she needed. For Alec she always came first.
He could still hear Max as he softly moved around his apartment. The sound of her grief was heartbreaking. He wanted so badly to help her through her pain, to protect her always. That was a joke if he ever heard one. He was no hero.
Max finally left the bathroom hair still wet and wrapped in one of Alec's towels. Her eyes were slightly red, the only sign of her tears. Alec walked past her and into the bathroom to shower. No talking until clean, it was an unspoken rule between them. Max went to Alec's bedroom and put on a pair of his sweats and one of his t-shirts. She had her own drawer in his dresser as she was here more often then not. His clothes were just more comfy and they smelled like him. His scent was a comfort for her.
She curled up on the couch to wait for Alec. He was out in five minutes. Max would usually joke that he never took the time to enjoy his shower. In typical male fashion he would roll his eyes and tell her he had no idea what she was talking about. Life was not meant to be spent in the shower. Or with that trademark eyebrow waggle, he would make a totally inappropriate suggestion of what she could do to help him enjoy his showers more.
They sat together on the worn couch in silence, neither one knowing what to say. Finally Alec stood and held a hand out to her. She looked up at him with relief and placed her small hand in his large one, and he led her to his bedroom. Alec pulled back the covers and gestured for Max to get in. he followed her pulling the blanket over them. Without a second thought Alec pulled her tight against him and Max gratefully wrapped around him.
Max's began to tremble as he held her and Alec felt a sting in his own eyes.
"I' m so sorry Max." He whispered into her hair, and Max just gripped him tighter.
"I miss him too." He pressed a wet cheek against hers.
They eventually drifted into a fitful sleep. Not only because of the events of the day, but also because they were not used to sleeping together. Alec (no matter what his night time activities may consist of) always preferred to sleep alone. Max, well lets face it, is a little bit of a prude.
They were awakened by a loud knocking on Alec's door. Alec reluctantly got up to answer the knock. Max's sister Syl was behind the knock and Alec swung the door wide open to let the blonde transgenic in the apartment.
"How is she? Syl demanded, never one to waste time on pleasantries. She has always reminded Alec of Max.
"Better, but still not great…" Alec trailed off, not quite sure how to explain.
Syl nodded in understanding. "Sorry to wake you but the Bureau of Transgenic Affairs is on the phone. They are insisting they speak with you and Max and they refuse to hang up."
"Really?" Alec raised an eyebrow.
"Said they would wait as long as it takes."
"Fine. We'll be there in fifteen."
Syl was closing the door softly behind her as Alec made his way back to his bedroom. Max was getting dressed when Alec walked in. She handed him a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to change into. He relayed Syl's message as he changed into the snug jeans and grey shirt.
Exactly fifteen minutes later they walked into command. The video phone was set up and Max could see Director Macklin on the screen. The Bureau of Transgenic Affairs was established over a year ago when transgenic citizenship was declared. Max was on the BTA along with Alec as liaisons and they both had many dealings with Director Macklin in the past.
"Alec, Max." Macklin greeted in his no nonsense tone.
"Macklin. What's up?" Max asked.
Macklin smiled at her casual words. "The tests we ran on your DNA came back."
"And?"
"There's nothing. Your DNA is amazing, but it had no effect on plague 326. That being the case, the Familiars may succeed after all. The plague is spreading." Macklin informed them regretfully.
"Before he died Sandman told me I was the Savior. We have to be missing something."
"There was one thing we found that was very interesting." Macklin revealed giving Alec a thoughtful look.
"What." Alec asked.
"As you know when 326 hit we tested your DNA as well. You are perfect compliment to Max."
"Well, well." Alec said
"There may be something there. Our scientist our still researching. I know this has been hard on you both, we appreciate the commitment you've shown to our country."
"Just keep us informed." Max said. The screen blanked out signaling the end of the call.
"I can't believe I got dragged out of bed for that." Alec complained.
"You don't sleep." Max reminded him.
"I was making an exception." Alec griped.
"Whatever." Max rolled her eyes.
Joshua's absence was felt by everyone in TC. They held a memorial service in remembrance of the gentle giant. They did not burry their kind, they cremated the dead to ensure the bodies would not be desecrated or experimented on. Max and Alec planted white roses in his honor since there wasn't a grave site. Joshua wanted his ashes spread along the winds so that way a little piece of him could travel to all the places he never go to experience. This was something that would be for just the three of them. Max and Alec with Joshua's ashes climbed atop the Space Needle and the finally set their friend free for real.
"Goodbye Big Fella." Max whispered.
"We'll miss you Josh." Alec's voice was just as quiet.
TC eventually returned to some normalcy. With out the threat of White they were able to breathe a little easier, but the threat of 326 still weighed heavy on Alec and Max's minds. Max moved all her stuff into Alec's apartment because she was always there anyways. Alec was tired of having to pick stuff up for her and she was forever wearing his clothes. She still wore his clothes though. With Alec's help Max began to feel like her again. They ran their freaky little nation side by side.
Alec was standing on a raised platform, legs apart, arms crossed and eyebrow raised as he watched her shouting out orders the people around her. God she was bossy.
Max felt his gaze on her and she looked up at him with a smile. I love him, she thought. The part that freaked her out was that she wasn't freaked out. Maybe it was because she knew he loved her too.
She walked over to the platform and held her hand out to him. Alec jumped down and took her offered hand. They stared at each other with so much heat and emotion that no words were necessary. They made love that night with a passion that should have forged them into one body and one soul.
The weirdness they both expected after their relationship evolved never came. Things just seemed to fall right into place. Alec still got a rise out of her easier than anyone. She couldn't believe how quickly she could go from wanting to throttle him to wanting to jump his bones. There was a sweetly sensual side that Alec only shared with her. Loving Alec was the easiest thing she has ever done.
Eight months after the defeat of White and cronies The Bureau of Transgenic Affairs contacted them for a second time. A cure for Plague 326 was announced along with the news that it had nothing to do with Max. The American populace was cured and it suddenly seemed like a bad dream. It was a cause for celebration, but Max and Alec being the soldiers they were bred to be never lowered their guard. The BTA was supposedly on the side of the transgenic, but past disappointments made them untrustworthy.
Two months later Alec was informed by a contact on the inside that the BTA was dirty. According to his source Plague 326 was never released by the familiars but by the BTA itself. The target was the trangenics all along.
Max could feel the anger coming off Alec in waves as he stalked into command. Max caught his eye and Alec jerked his head towards his office and Max reluctantly followed him. The last time she remembered that look on his face was when he killed White.
"What's up?" Max asked nonchalantly scared that the wrong words or tone may set him off.
Alec took a deep breath and tried to calm his rage. He didn't want to lash out at Max, even though he knew she would understand.
"The BTA is dirty Max." He started softly.
"Excuse me?" She questioned eyes narrowing.
"They launched 326, and it was targeted towards us all along."
Alec didn't need to explain who he meant by us, Max was perfectly clear.
"So you're telling me that the plague that killed thousands was never released by the Familiars? That the Government was trying to take us out, after declaring all Transgenics true and legal Americans?"
"Yes to the first part. The second part is not so clear." He threaded his fingers through his shorn hair.
"Well, get on it Alec." Max demanded, forgetting her decision to tread carefully with him.
Alec scowled. "From what my contact could determine the US government has no idea of what is going on behind the doors of the BTA. It appears that they acted on their own."
"It just doesn't make sense. Macklin seemed like a big supporter of the Transgenic plight." Max usually could tell things about a person and Macklin had always seemed genuinely good.
"Macklin has been dead for months Max. Jace Jones is the current director, but he was always behind the scene. I am almost one hundred percent sure he was behind this from the beginning."
"He's made the biggest mistake of his life messing with me and mine." Max growled.
Alec laughed. "That's my girl. So I take you want to hear my plan to bring him down?"
"Absolutely. And then I'll show you how I'm gonna kick his ass. Pay close attention you might learn something." She joked.
"I love that my pregnant girlfriend is more of a badass than I am." Alec grabbed her around the waist pulling her to him.
"Whatever." She said against his mouth as he pressed his lips to hers. Max pulled away and walked out of the office.
"Hey!" Alec whined at the shortened kiss.
Max just laughed. "Come on cry baby. Time to be a super soldier."
Alec, Max and Mole spent the next seventy-two hours strategizing. Max wanted to go out in the field but Alec flat out refused. When she started to argue he reminded her that their unborn child came first. He needed to know they were safe. Max was put in charge of logistics and vacating TC until the BTA was brought down Transgenic's were going to ground. Mole was of course in charge of ammunition. Alec was taking point on the mission and he was making sure that any info the BTA had on the Transgenic's was destroyed.
On the first night Max and Alec gave the notification that all TC residents were to go to ground, and the migration was completed so seamlessly no one would have a clue that TC had become a ghost town in a matter of hours.
On the second night Alec and Mole breached the perimeters of the BTA along with several X series. Jace Jones inner sanctum was heavily guarded but they were no match for the amped up soldiers. Two minutes had them inside. They made short work of destroying anything the BTA ever had on the Transgenics and the facility that housed the organization.
Max was sitting in command when a special news bulletin was announced on the large flat screen TV Alec had insisted on.
"In breaking new the Bureau of Transgenic Affairs was destroyed yesterday the cause of an unknown explosion there were no casualties and there is no evidence of fowl play." The screen flashed the smoking remains of the BTA headquarters.
"In related news we have just received this shocking footage." The newscaster could not hide her amusement at her statement.
Jace Jones appeared on the screen. He was tied up to an office chair in nothing but tube socks and briefs.
"In other revealing news." The newscaster punned. "There were several files discovered at Director Jones residence detailing Jones ordering the release of the deadly plague known as 326 on the American peoples. More to come on this later…"
Max turned off the TV with a smile on her face. Alec just had to get the last laugh, some hero he was.
The end
