Chapter 7: L.O.V.E.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in the show or the show itself.
Pairing: MA eventually
Rating: Mature for language
A/N: Many thanks again to those who sent in their reviews and added this story in their list, I really appreciate them. My muse is bouncing around the place I swear! She's so happy! And I'm so sorry for the errors, I know how distracting they can be, believe me. English really isn't my first language and I really am trying hard to proofread everything before I post them. If there is anyone out there who is willing to help wittle poor 'ol me out I'm so going to appreciate it. Any takers? Anybody? -Shrugs- Oh well.
It was as if luck was on her side, Max had found a vacancy at some hotel near where Alec worked. This made it easy for her to keep close watch on the place. Of course she could just march in there and ask when they would be back but somehow that really was not an option for her. For one, she did not want Alec to know she was there, not yet anyway. That and she really had not come up with a plan on how to make her presence known once he did return. In fact, she was downright clueless as to what to do, not mention that thinking about it was nerve wrecking. It made her sleepless and her shark DNA was not much of a help either. Max had come to a conclusion that uneasy nerves plus shark DNA equaled a recipe for sleepless nights. And on top of all that, it was not like the people who worked there would give out information especially when it came to the agents. It wasn't like this was just some ordinary office like many people thought it was. And she was not going to be the one who would blow up their cover. Besides, it wasn't like she was going to be able to use the authorization letter she had with her that came from the Chief twice. She did not want to look suspicious, not that they had anything to be suspicious about.
Stepping out of the coffee shop, Max took a sip from the styrofoam cup and walked down the street. She had her hoodie up although she was sure there was no need for it. She had purposely dyed her hair back to its original black color and kept it straight, like she used to when she had first met Alec. She also decided to forgo the sophisticated look and went back to looking like her old self, before she was an Ambassador, when she was just plain Max Guevara, a Jam Pony messenger who was trying to live a normal life, among other things. This way, she was not easily recognized if anyone could recognize her at all. Oddly enough it worked. No one did made any attempt to connect her in being the Ambassador herself. There were a couple you-seem-familiar comments but as long as recognition went no one was successful. So far.
She was just about cross the street back to her hotel when a black SUV pulled over across the street. Max stopped and creased her brows slightly. Her heart raced inside her chest. The doors opened and men with familiar faces got out.
Carlos got out from the back seat followed by Jake, then Flinch. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as her eyes focused on the passenger door of the vehicle as it opened. She could have sworn her heart stopped when he stepped out. He was donned in black cargo pants, boots, and black leather jacket and he sported a sunglass that made him look so damn sexy. Ugh. Now was really not the right time to be thinking that. They were back. No. Make that, he was back. The conversation they were having as they moved over towards the back of the vehicle vaguely came to her as she concentrated on Alec's every movement. The way he caught the backpack as Carlos tossed it to him. The way he easily slung it over his shoulder and moved to walk towards the front of the building. Max exhaled softly. The moment of truth was now here. Forcibly, she tore her eyes away from them. She paused for a moment before she finally took a step forward and proceeded to walk back to her apartment. She needed to get ready. Okay, more like she needed to look pretty before she faced him. Wait. Pretty? Knowing Alec, it would most likely take a whole lot than black jeans and leather jacket to make his jaw drop. Oh crap. Max could not believe that she was willing and actually going to go all girly on him. Alec McDowell of all people. In all honesty, she never in her life imagined that this day would come. She never really expected for things to turn out like this. White picket fences and mini Logans running around the yard. That was what she planned. A damn secure and safe future with Logan. So to speak. And now, that planned future was so vague she could not even make herself imagine it let alone think about it. Alec. That was all she could focus on. He was all she could think about for the past weeks and now that she was finally going to face him. God. Nerve wrecking could never begin to describe what she felt at that moment.
Max Guevara could only hope.
Ten tops, three dresses, two skirts and four pants later, Max finally settled for a simple yet elegant black slacks and a simple dark blue blouse which accentuated her curves. It was silly even for her. She never really fussed about what she was going to wear when it was Logan. But then again, she knew Logan felt the same. Alec was another story. He was… complicated, for lack of more appropriate terms. Even though Alec made inappropriate remarks at her, he never really gave any indication that he liked her more than a friend. Well except for that night before he left her the second time. The kiss was so intense, so overwhelming that it gave her a small glimpse of what Alec could possibly feel for her. But she did not want to assume. She did not want to misinterpret what he did. And if he did fell something, she wanted to hear it. She needed to hear it.
When she stepped inside the office, all the guys stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her. Tony Callahan creased his brows at her sudden appearance. Normally, no one without proper authorization could step into this part of the building. He stood from his desk and greeted her halfway. "I don't really know how you got in but this is as far as you go Ambassador."
Max had to stop at her tracks and loft her brow. If she did not know any better, she would have said something back that could be considered bitchy and tactless. She did know better.
Offering Alec's commanding officer, she pulled out the letter from her purse and handed it to him. "I'm really sorry. The Chief did not have time to call and inform your people about my visit but he did give me that. He knew how strict your people could be." There. That ought to shut the older man up.
Callahan nodded and handed the letter back to her. "I'm sorry for that rather rude greeting earlier. We don't really receive visitors in here. Anyway, what can we do for you?"
"Actually… I came here to talk to Alec."
Callahan knitted his brows and turned to look at Carlos who had taken a step forward upon hearing Alec's name. Carlos offered her a smile and his hand for her to shake.
"I'm Carlos Enriquez. It's really great to finally meet you."
Max smiled back and shook his hand firmly.
"Max Guevara. It's great to finally meet you too. Alec told me wonderful things about you and the rest of the guys."
Nodding, Carlos finally pulled his hand back and stuffed it inside his pant pocket. "You said you came here to talk to Alec. Unfortunately, he is not here. He left about thirty minutes ago."
Fate was toying with her she had come to a conclusion, but she refused to let it win. There was no way she would let fate dampen her spirit. "Do you know where I can find him?"
"His apartment. Hold on." Carlos replied before he moved over to his desk, grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled Alec's apartment address on it. When he was done, he walked over to where she was and handed it to her.
"Thanks…"
"No problem."
She nodded towards them before she took a step back and turned to walk towards the door. All the guys watched as she stepped out.
"I hope they work things out…" Carlos said softly before he moved back to his desk.
"So she's the reason why Ace was pretty much acting not so much of himself the past weeks?" Callahan stated rather than asked. Carlos simply nodded in response.
"Well, she better not break the kid's heart this time. We all know the kid deserves to be happy too."
Carlos turned his head towards Callahan. "Well what do you know… Chief does have a soft spot for happy endings…" The rest of the guys chuckled softly.
Callahan shook his head before he smirked. "Get your asses back to work before I fire them…"
Carlos half smiled before settling back to the report he was doing. He had to agree with Callahan though, he prayed that the other transgenic would really not break Alec's heart, he had been through a lot and he deserved to finally be happy. She was here, that was good sign right? Oh he really hoped so.
Only time would tell.
Apartment number five. Max lifted up the paper once again to check the address that was written on it and the apartment number. She brought the paper back down and stared at the number on the door. Five. She placed the paper inside her purse again before she took a step forward and lifted up her hand to knock. Her knuckles were about to hit the door but she stopped herself from knocking. God, she was so nervous her palms almost began to sweat. Almost. She closed her eyes and exhaled softly. No. She was not going to pass this up. She was not going to back out. She was going to knock and talk to Alec. Nodding, she finally opened her eyes and knocked on the door. When she finally heard the chain being undone and the lock clicking open, her heart raced inside her chest so fast that it was almost hard to breathe. Now was not the right time to panic. Now was not the right time to…
"Can I help you?"
Max finally focused her eyes on the person before her. She looked familiar. Oddly familiar. Then it hit her. Brianna. She blinked and managed to offer the girl a smile. "Oh uh… this is Alec McDowell's apartment right?"
"Yes it is…"
"Sweetie who is it?" Alec asked as he moved towards the door, when he finally got a good look, his eyes widened in surprise. "Maxie?"
Brianna raised her brows as she looked over at Alec and then at the young lady before her. A smile lifted up the corners of her lips. "As in Max Guevara? The Max Guevara?" she asked obvious that she was excited about this unexpected visit. She took a step back and fully opened the door for the other transgenic.
"Come on in."
Max did not know what to think about this whole Brianna-being-there-and-Alec-calling-her-sweetie situation. She was still a little bit out of it when the obviously drop dead gorgeous girl ushered her inside. No wonder Alec had fallen for this one. She could very much pass as a model. No. Make that she looked like a model, a Victoria's Secret model of some sort.
Alec stood there somewhat frozen for a moment. For one thing, he did not know what to do really. It took him a few seconds before it finally registered to him that Brianna had already ushered Max in and was now letting her sit on the couch. Exhaling softly, he moved to close the door of his apartment and followed the two ladies into his living room. What the hell did she want now?
Brianna sat on the adjacent chair near the couch, a big smile was plastered on her face. Alec moved to sit down on the armrest of the chair Brianna sat on. Max eyed the contact between Alec's body with Brianna's, the action was, needless to say, intimate. Too intimate at least for her. Too much if Alec and Brianna were just friends. Maybe she was putting too much thought into this, on them. Yeah that was it. Max managed to smile back at Brianna before she forced herself to look at Alec. Brianna sat there as she waited for Alec to say something or do some kind of formal introduction. When he did not say anything, she nudged Alec's leg which prompted the other transgenic to clear his throat.
"Uhh, Brianna this is Max. Max this is Brianna."
"It is really nice to finally meet you. Alec told me so much about you. I heard about you and Logan getting engaged congratulations."
Max gave her a small unsure smile. "Thanks. Nice to uhh finally meet you too." Funny. Alec hadn't mentioned her until he had been assigned to protect her. And she had to ask about it. It almost made her smirk. No wait. More like scoff. If this girl was really that important to Alec, then why did he fail to mention her before?
Why was she here? Had something happened? He did not want to get his hopes up, not until her got his answer. "So Max, what brings you here? You and Logan takin' a short vacation or somethin'? This state is hardly a vacation spot though…"
He felt another nudge from Brianna. She glared up at him when he looked down at her, a reminder that he was somehow being rude or somewhere along those lines. Brianna turned her attention back at Max and threw her a small smile.
"Sorry about that. You know how he can be most of the time…"
Max huffed at the remark before she shook her head. "It's okay. Even if we haven't really seen each other for years, I think I'm still used to it." Okay, well that was not the answer to his question but at least that bought her time to come up with something. Or anything for that matter. If it was just Alec, she could just come out and say it, but Brianna being there posed a problem. For one, she could be too late. A lot could happen in a few weeks. Maybe when he got back, both of them decided to give their relationship another shot. Alec did call her sweetie earlier and them freely touching each other did not help either. In fact, it only confirmed her suspicion. Or was it assumption?
Silence filled the room as they all sat quietly. Both Alec and Brianna waited for Max to tell them the main reason why she was there and when Max realized this, she blinked and cleared her throat.
"I, uhh, me and Logan got those plane tickets you sent. You know… for the umm honeymoon."
Alec lofted an eyebrow upon hearing what she said. So she came all the way here for that? What? To thank him or something? She should have just called then. She had no trouble finding where he was, Alec was sure she wouldn't have a problem getting his phone number.
"Yeah… it's the least I could do."
"And you really think that sending us that would be enough? You really think that you not attending the ceremony is not a big deal?"
"Max… already told you that…"
"That's bullshit Alec. It maybe not be a big deal to you but it is to me. Or you simply just don't care? Is that it?"
Brianna looked back and forth at Alec and Max. Suddenly she felt that she was caught in the middle of crossfire and she had no way out. Brianna placed a hand on top of Alec's leg to remind the male transgenic that they were not alone, that she was still there. Alec looked down at Brianna's hand before lifting up his gaze to meet hers. She silently begged him not to start anything, not with Max. She came all the way here for a perfectly good reason, at least to Brianna it was to get Alec to take some time off and attend his bestfriend's upcoming wedding. Alec exhaled softly and pushed himself off the armrest. "I'm goin' to fix everyone drinks. I'll be back."
He made his silent retreat towards the kitchen. So what? It wasn't enough for her that she had already broken his heart that she had to come here to do more damage? Alec gritted his teeth as he held on to the edge of the counter to steady himself. He closed his eyes and willed himself to calm down. No. He refused to be affected by this. By her. Exhaling loudly, he moved to grab three glasses from his cabinet and began to prepare beverage for them. Ugh. He needed stronger stuff than this, lemonade would definitely not cut it.
Brianna tore her eyes away from the kitchen door and looked back at Max. "I can talk to him if you want…"
Max lifted up her gaze and met those of the ordinary that was seated adjacent to her, she offered her a small smile. "Thanks. Maybe if you can knock some sense into him that would be a great help…" Wait what? Did she really say that? In the first place, there was no wedding to begin with. Dammit. This was harder than she thought. How in the world was she going to explain to Alec that there was really no wedding? How in the world was she going to explain to him that she had in fact broke things off with Logan? What reason could she possibly tell him as to why the break up happened? Dammit! Why was this so hard when all she had to do was be honest? Alec had said so himself, he was not going to allow an ordinary to snag him and apparently, he was still waiting for an X5 to sweep him off his feet. All she had to do was be that X5. Easy enough right? Oh yeah, it was, if she wasn't scared out of her wits. Yes. The prospect of throwing herself at Alec scared her. That, and the possibility of being rejected by the man who now owned her heart. If only Alec knew.
"So you're here alone?"
Max blinked at the question and forced herself to focus on the ordinary that she was in competition with. Not that she had accepted that fact whole heartedly nor had she confirmed as to who this girl really was in Alec's life.
"Uhh yeah. Logan had some other things to take off that was why he couldn't come. I hope I didn't come in a bad time or anything."
Brianna shook her head. "Oh don't worry about it. You better stay for dinner though, I promised Alec I'd make him real food tonight. It'll give you time to play catch up with him."
Dinner? With her? With them? And what? Watch as her and Alec make lovey-dovey gestures to each other? No thanks. "Oh… umm, I'd really love to but I already made plans. I just didn't come here for… Alec. I mean, I do have some other business to attend to. Maybe some other time?" She was so tempted to use the word pleasure but it wasn't really appropriate now was it? Alec and her hardly ever done anything that moved beyond kissing. Hell kissing even had proven itself to be a not so easy task. At least for them it wasn't.
Brianna pouted lightly. "Oh okay. Well, some other time then." She threw a very charming smile at Max's direction. Max forced herself to smile back. Again, another reason why Alec had his eyes on this one. Her smile can lighten up the whole room.
Alec exhaled softly before pushing the kitchen door open with three glasses of lemonade placed on top of a tray on hand. Time to put his game face on. He made his way back to the living room and stopped near the center table. Bending forward, he placed the tray down and then moved to sit back on the armrest of the chair where Brianna occupied. He refused to let Max win on this one. He refused to let her, allow her, to affect him like this.
"Listen… I'm sorry about earlier. I just came back from work and it's been crazy. To say the least. Tell you what, I'll talk to Tony and I'll arrange for at least a week off during your wedding, that way I have more time to help out. You know last minute preparations and all that."
Max was in the middle of reaching for her glass as Alec spoke. She didn't really expect him to have a change of heart that easily. Too easily. Apparently, she was wrong. She forced another smile on her lips. "That was fast… What made you change your mind?"
Alec shrugged. "I realized I was being selfish and I honestly don't want to be Maxie. I mean it is your wedding day. It's the most important day of your life among other things. I should be there." He smiled before placing a hand over Brianna's shoulder. Of course Max vaguely saw the reaction the ordinary did because she was more focused on what Alec did. His hand on her shoulder. Ouch. They really were more than friends she had come to a conclusion. Suddenly, she found it hard to breathe. She had to get out. Now. She just could not sit there and watch them. It hurt too much.
She took a small sip from the glass before placing it back down on the center table. "Listen, uhh… I'm kind of running a little late on this next meeting I need to be at. Thanks for the drink and for considering Alec. I really appreciate it." With that said, she stood up quickly.
Alec creased his brows at the sudden change of behavior. When she stood up, he did as well and so did Brianna.
"Is everything okay? You look a little pale…" he couldn't help but ask worriedly.
Max nodded and gave him a small smile before moving towards the door. "Yeah I'm fine. I'll call you though okay? So we can talk about you know… wedding stuff before I go back to Seattle."
Alec nodded and moved to walk towards the door as well. "Yeah sure. I have three days off so you can call me whenever you have time."
She nodded in response and waited for Alec to open the door for her. "Thanks again. And it was nice meeting you Brianna." Giving the other girl one last look and a nod, Max finally turned towards the door and stepped out. It didn't even take a full ten seconds when she heard the closing of the door. Pausing, she turned to look. Alec hadn't even followed her outside. Her heart sank deeper. She was losing him. Slowly but surely. Gritting her teeth, she turned to face the hallway before her and willed the tears to go away. Sniffing, she quickly walked towards the main lobby and hurried out of the building. She needed to breathe. Needed to… Oh God. She needed Alec now more than ever. If only he knew…
Alec gritted his teeth when he closed the door. He closed his eyes as he willed his heart to stop racing inside his chest. He felt like it was going to explode any second if he didn't calm himself down. His body tensed up a bit when he felt a hand over his shoulder. He hadn't even sensed Brianna as she came up behind him.
"Hey… you alright?"
Alec opened his eyes, forced a smile on his lips and turned to face her. "I'm always alright…" he replied before letting go of the door handle and pushed past her. However, her hand on his forearm forced him to stop.
"You're beginning to be an awful liar you know that? Now tell me what's wrong. Did something happen between you and Max?"
He sighed heavily. "You know I'm beginning to hate the fact that I can't hide anything from you now…"
"And that's bad because?"
Alec turned to look at her with a cocked eyebrow. "You're pushin' your luck you know that right?"
"Alec, stall all you want I'm not going anywhere. Now spill."
Alec pressed his lips before he sighed softly once again. He turned to walk towards the couch and sat down. Brianna followed after him and sat next to him. "Right before I left… I heard her Anna. She said she loved me. She didn't know I heard her. I would have gone back and told her how I really felt, but she's still with Logan. I couldn't… I don't want to be the bad guy Anna."
Oh no. Brianna creased her brows, lifted up her hand and began to rub Alec's back soothingly. Even before Alec came to realize how he really felt about the certain transgenic, she already knew. Call it woman's intuition. He always talked about her. Always sent her gifts. Always kept a close tab on her every movement. Alec knew every meeting. Every news, good and bad. That was why Brianna felt the need to ask more from him, because somehow, she wanted him to forget about Max. Somehow, she knew Max Guevara was taking this great man for granted and Alec did not deserve to be treated like that, whether it was unintentional or not. Unfortunately, her attempt was futile. Max Guevara won. If only the other girl knew.
"That's why you don't want to go to her wedding. Because it would hurt too much."
Alec nodded. "That whole if you love someone let 'em go gig is supposed to make you feel free right? Feel better? Well I feel like shit Anna. I can't imagine myself standing there, posing as Logan's best man and pretend that I'm fuckin' happy for them when I'm seriously not. Call me selfish but that's how I feel, that's how I'm goin' to feel when they finally take their vows."
Sighing softly, Brianna circled her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. "Just tell her Alec. Tell her how you really feel. At least she would know. If she can't see how much of a great catch you are then too bad for her, because she is seriously going to miss half of her life. Trust me. I know."
Alec made a face at that and pulled back. "You know tryin' to get me back ain't gonna work…" Brianna smiled at him. "Why'd you have to be so damn picky?"
"I'm not picky. Ain't my fault that I fell for her. It wasn't like I planned on it…"
She shook her head. "If I were you I'd stop sulking. Tell her how you feel. If she really meant what you heard her say then she'll come around."
It was Alec's turn to shake his head. "No. Already told you how it was when me and Max were younger. I'm not goin' down the same route. If she really meant what she said, then she's gonna have to be the one to make the first move. Already told myself not to do anything unless I get a clear green light from her. And that's that. If she doesn't then it's not meant to be."
Brianna lofted an eyebrow. "Is that fate talking?"
Alec huffed. "Shut up…"
"Feel better?"
"A little…"
"Good. Listen, I'm not going to push you into doing anything when it comes to Max. Whatever happens, don't forget I'm here for you okay?"
Alec nodded at that and smiled back at her. "Thanks…"
"You're welcome hon…"
"All this chick flick moment is makin' me hungry you know…"
Brianna rolled her eyes before she shook his head and stood up. "That was really smooth Alec. Really smooth…"
Alec chuckled softly as he moved to grab the TV remote. "You know I love you right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just not the way I want you to…"
"Anna…"
"I'm just messing…" Came her reply in a somewhat sing song fashion before she disappeared into the kitchen. Alec shook his head before he turned his attention back towards the TV. A soft sigh escaped his lips. Max turning up at his doorstep was the last thing he imagined happening. And quite frankly, he didn't really know what to think of it or what to make of it. She could have just called and argued with him on the phone. Gritting his teeth, he tried to pry his attention away from her being on the same state as him and focus instead on which show to watch. He needed to get her out of his mind. He needed… Oh God. He needed Max now more than ever, if only she would do something about it.
But, he doubted that.
Max exhaled loudly, irritated by the fact that no matter how hard she tried, she could not for the life of her, concentrate on the TV show she was watching. Pressing her lips, she lifted up her hand and looked at her wristwatch. Nine thirty. It was only nine thirty. Ugh. This was going to be one freaking long night. Pushing the off button, she then tossed the remote on the space next to her on the couch and stared at the black screen. She could really use a walk. A rather long walk. Turning her head towards her jacket, she chewed the inside of her cheek as she contemplated whether or not to really do it. In the end, she ended up pushing herself off the couch, grabbing her jacket and headed out the door.
She let her feet lead her down the street until she found herself around the corner near Alec's building. She didn't know why she stood there waiting. It wasn't like she was going to accomplish anything by hanging out there. Max shook her head.
"This is crazy…" she muttered softly to herself and prepared to turn around and walk away when she saw Brianna and Alec walk out the main door. Her heart stopped and she held her breath. They were talking about something, but she didn't exactly paid attention to what was being said. All she could focus on was Alec's hands on the sides of Brianna's arms. Obviously he was gently rubbing them to keep her warm. They both smiled and for the briefest moment they paused then their lips brushed against each other.
I heard he sealed it with a kiss
He gently kissed her cherry lips
I found that so hard to believe
Because his kiss belonged to me
She gasped and started to breathe heavily. The pain inside her chest was so unbearable it was literally making it hard for her to breathe. Stumbling a few steps back, Max then turned around and started to walk away fast. Tears fell freely down her cheeks. And then she ran. Ran as fast as she could. She needed all the proof she needed. She had lost Alec. He had unknowingly torn her heart apart.
How could an angel break my heart?
Why didn't he catch my falling star?
I wish I didn't wish so hard
Maybe I wished our love apart
How could an angel break my heart?
- How Could An Angel Break My Heart? by Toni Braxton
Brianna laughed softly as they stepped out of the main door. It almost felt like Alec was feeling and acting like his old self again. But she didn't buy it. She knew Alec. She knew how he can be. Game face and all. She just wished she could more for him.
"Remember, call me okay? I'll be expecting that from you."
Alec smirked and lifted up his hands to rub the sides of her arms gently. "Yes mom… I'll call. Now git, before your taxi decides you're takin' too long."
Brianna smiled at him. Alec responded by smiling back at her. They took a moment to look at each other then Brianna leaned in and placed a soft quick peck on his lips.
"You better rethink that small habit of yours. Chris might take it the wrong way."
"Oh pish posh. I always give pecks to my closest guy friends. If he can't take the heat then he better stay out of the kitchen."
Alec had to laugh softly at that. "Does that even apply?"
Brianna rolled her eyes. She took a step back as she took Alec's hand in hers and pulled her with him until she was in front of the backseat door of the taxi. Lifting up her free hand, she cupped Alec's cheek and smiled softly.
"I really hope everything works out for you and Max."
"Thanks. I hope so too. But I wouldn't hold my breath. Just to be on the safe side."
Brianna huffed softly before leaning in again and this time placed a soft lingering kiss to his cheek. "Take care Alec." she whispered in his ear before she finally pulled back and turned towards the cab. Alec moved to open the door for her and closed it shut when she got inside. He waved at her as the cab pulled out the curb. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he stuffed his hands inside his pockets.
Yeah. He wouldn't hold his breath. Actually, he shouldn't really expect anything. Not from Max Guevara. Not when it involved their future together. If that idea was even applicable to think of to begin with. Turning around, Alec stepped inside the main door once again. This was going to be one long night. At least for him. Or so he thought.