A/N: Alright so I'm not getting the amount of reviews that I'd like, but I appreciate all the ones I've been getting. Thanks to those who reviewed to last chapter 452max, MythStar Black Dragon, ZoiAstrea, brie07, MANDI, MAfan, src13 and ACE. thanks!!

A/N 2: Also, I don't have the next chapter written so the more reviews I get the faster the chapter will be uploaded 

Chapter Seven: Was it Real?

The next morning Max woke to find herself in her own bed, but she had no idea how she'd gotten there.

When she rose from the bed she noticed her jacket had been thrown haphazardly across the chair and her boots were at the edge of her bed. Alec, of course. I must have fallen asleep on him and he brought me home.

When she walked out into the kitchen she saw what appeared to be Alec trying to make waffles with an old fashion waffle maker.

Without thinking she walked through the kitchen and tapped him on the shoulder.

Alec was jarred out of his thoughts and jumped at the small tap.

"Good morning beautiful," Alec said while winking profusely at her.

Max just smiled, "Good morning yourself, what are you doing?" She said motioning towards the machine.

"I was attempting to make you some delicious chocolate chip waffles if I could ever get the batter right." Alec said hanging his head shamefully at not completing his task.

Max smiled at him before pouring the batter into the waffle iron. "There, now they will be delicious."

Alec frowned, "But the batter is wrong. I forgot an ingredient."

"Then they will be delicious chocolate chip waffles by Alec. Doesn't matter how they taste, they'll be delicious because you made them for me." She said walking over to the cupboards to pull out the plates and silverware.

Alec stood there, shocked at Max's apparent happiness and was jarred out of his thoughts by the waffle iron clicking. Shaking his head he walked over and took the waffle out and proceeded to add batter for his own waffle.

He placed the chocolate chip waffle on the plate and went in search of butter. Max had this covered though, before he could find it he could hear her chewing viciously.

"Max, don't you need butter—" Alec said while turning around.

Max smiled with a mouthful of food, "Got it. Alec these are delicious!"

Alec laughed and turned around grabbing his own waffle out. He sat across from Max and buttered his waffle, then he cautiously took a first bite. Wow! Not bad actually. Maybe she was telling the truth.

Max finished her waffle right about the same time as he did, "Alec, I meant what I said they are delicious. Thanks for making me breakfast."



Alec simply smiled and grabbed her plate, walking towards the sink to wash them.

"Alec, can I ask you a question?"

Alec turned half-around from the sink, "Yeah, what's up?"

"Look don't take this the wrong way, but why are you being so nice to me?"

When silence was the only thing that answered her, Max grabbed his arm and turned him around. She stared at him questionably.

"Look Max—you've saved my ass so many times and I never appreciated it. I do now, and I'm just glad that we can be friends."

"Yeah, me too." She said smiling and dropping her arm to her side.

After they had both showered separately and had fought over which bike to take to work, they were now on their way to Headquarters on Alec's bike.

When they arrived and Max swung her leg over to get off, she saw him in her office window. At the sight of him she faltered.

"Alec…" Max said in a small voice.

Alec was unaware of what was going on as he was removing his sunglasses, but then he looked at Max and saw her face. "Max, what's wrong." He asked before following her sight to her office window. Of course. That bastard just couldn't leave her alone. Logan. What are you doing here man?

Max never answered she just stood, planted to the spot. So Alec took the liberty, "Max, what do you want me to do. I'll do it and you know it."

Max's face lifted to look into Alec's eyes. Alec knew he was in deep waters here, standing this close to Max when she was mad was downright dangerous. But he took his chances anyways.

Max thought before she answered, "Act like nothing's wrong. We're happy. He's not in the picture anymore and its time he realizes it."

Alec, surprised by her response, simply shook his head and grabbed her hand pulling her off the seat of the bike. Putting a smile on he added, "Alright then beautiful. We have work to do."

Max couldn't help but smile as they walked into Headquarters hand-in-hand. Her smile didn't falter this time when she saw Logan standing at her office door.

Logan had seen them outside, and from Max's reaction she had seen him as well. Then he'd watched them walk through Headquarters hand-in-hand. They looked stunningly perfect together, when Alec frowned, Max smiled at him. They looked comfortable around each other.

When they finally reached Max's office Logan had spoke up.

"Hey you…" Logan started off.

Max's smile turned to a frown before she spoke, "What are you doing here Logan? I thought I made it clear. I'm with Alec now."



"Max, can I talk to you alone?" Logan added.

"Look Logan, if you have something to say, you can say it in front of Alec."

Logan's face twitched in anger, "Fine. Max how can you love him." He said jerking his thumb at Alec. "He's a screw-up, you said it yourself. What did I do so wrong?"

"Logan…just leave." Max said and looked at the man that was humbled in front of her. But she still held strongly onto Alec's hand.

"You know what Max, I hope you are happy." Logan said as he brushed past her.

Alec let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Max are you okay."

Max's unfocused eyes snapped to attention, "What? Yeah I'm fine. Can you come in for a few before you go do your work?"

Alec smiled at her, "Of course."

Alec sat at his desk that afternoon, trying desperately to concentrate on all the paperwork he needed to fill out. But she kept consuming his thoughts. He could feel her hand in his, her voice from that morning, her smell of vanilla, and he couldn't shake them.

Frustrated he shoved back from the desk and paced around the room. God, she'd never get it would she. I'd do anything for her, but she'll always still love Logan. He raked his hands through his hair and sat back down. Forcing himself to concentrate.

Max had realized that she needed to talk to Logan the minute she had told him to leave. After Alec had left her office she'd decided to go in search of Logan. He wasn't home yet, so she waited.

The door creaked as it opened and the blonde-haired man looked disheveled, but at the sight of her his face lit up.

"Max…what are you doing here?"

"Look, Logan I didn't want to leave things how they were. But I just wanted you to know I'm not mad."

Logan looked at her with confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Logan, please don't make me say it." Max said with a tight expression. But Logan simply stared at her.

"You slept with Asha." Max said. It took a few minutes to register in Logan's mind what Max had said.

"Max?" Logan finally said hesitantly.

"Logan I'm not mad. I understand how you feel." Max was interrupted with the shrill ring of her cell phone. "Hold on, I have to take this." So Max walked out to the front porch and opened the phone.

"Go for Max."

"Hey you, where'd you go?" Alec's voiced filled the phone, and Max's faced relaxed.



"I had something I needed to take care of. Why, were you looking for me?" she added mischievously.

"Well, I thought you might like to grab lunch, but since your busy I might as well ask for a rain check."

"How about dinner tonight?" Max said smiling.

Alec was taken back by Max's invitation, "Yeah, that sounds great. Where you want to go?"

"Surprise me."

When Max walked back into Logan's house she could tell something was wrong. He was staring at her.

"Max…I love you. We can work through this, I promise." Logan spoke softly, reaching out to caress her hand but she pulled it back.

"Logan, I don't love you anymore. I'm sorry."

And with those final words she was gone.

Logan sat down at his computer desk and stared at the wall blankly. He didn't know if he was doing the right thing, but he knew one thing. That he couldn't live without her, and if she was happy with Alec then there was no purpose for him.

With his gloves on his hand, he slowly withdrew the hairbrush from the interior pocket of his jacket and set it on the desk.

He slowly removed his gloves and placed his head in his hands. He started crying, but he knew he had to do this. So he reached out and placed both of his hands on the brush.