Recicup: your kneeling prayer worked! I finally found after months of asking for a beta finally dug and found one willing to help me out. Now I hope that the updates will be steady. lol!

Siriuslover7: yeah I know with the v-day thing, sorry bout that. I was trying to keep up with my time line and I tend to forget when time of the year I'm making it. The book will make another appearance, they will just be getting really busy with different things. As for repeat events, I have so many different angles I'm trying to get out I'm probably missing repeat things, sorry bout that. If you see again, please tell me what I've repeated so I can write it down and NOT do it again. And yeah she went to Logan's place before but her find wasn't on Seth. I went back to double check. Dix I believe would be working on decrypting the disks for a bit of time. As for her hormones, yeah she's gotta keep her bitchy thing flowing but she's having that mood swing thing going in different directions. She will literally be flying off the hand one minute and sweet and caring the next. A contradiction if you will. I hope that helps.

Pinkbeachlulu: thank you for being my beta reader!

Season 4 ep. 7

Briefly looking around I made sure I had no eyes on me as I zoomed my vision all around, even going as far as craning my neck over my shoulder to be sure. Walking up the steps I rapped my knuckles on the door, "Not interested in anything your selling! Go away!" a voice not to recognizable range out. "It's Max!" I shot back. Getting mildly irritated they weren't told of my coming here. The door opened only for the occupant inside to pull me in.

Reacting on instinct I grabbed the offending hand, twisted it around the persons back, then pulled the collar bone length brown locks back by my fist and snipped close to the now identified as a woman's ear, "Relax it's me Max. If it was someone else there'd either be a friggin' mob of dicks ready to take you out or a tact team ready to take us all in." this was ironically something similar to how I rescued Zack that one time. Speaking of…I released her form.

She turned around to reveal herself. The eyes told all…the ones that were my partner when we escaped Manticore that fateful night. I softened my expression, "Jondy?" I questioned, hoping she'd remember me. She looked at me the same way, "Maxie?" but her question was followed by a hug as she took me by surprise yet again, "Oh sorry bout that." She said as she released me.

I took a good look at her, tight brown turtleneck sweater, dark denims, dark brown heeled boots. I noticed her or A, black leather jacket thrown over a chair next to us. Seeing her face was more rounded out I responded, "Get a lot of sales men up in here?" she smiled after a second, "Yeah actually. It's been hard the past few months up around here. Can't keep low when the main streets to get in here are blocked off." I nodded. Turning around I looked around.

She walked in front of me, "Don't mind the place, we don't plan on staying here long. It was just so we could help Zack re-assimilate with the world." I looked to her back as she was now facing and walking towards the kitchen, "Not going so well?" I asked. She stopped, "Zack keeps asking where everyone else is. I told him of a few but there are others that I don't know of." She had a pain in her voice.

I wish I didn't have to be the one to tell her, "Which ones?" I barely got out. She turned to look at me, "Brin, Tinga, Ben. I know where Zane is. We connected a few years back despite what Zack was trying to accomplish, then Krit and Syl used the contact number to get a hold of me when they found Zack. They thought he could be better off else where." I could see her smile. "Not working out the best way though. It's hard to understand our world, even us…. at times." I admitted.

Where we came from was obvious, the reason for our creation was thought to have been obvious till the whole Sandman bit came into play. Now we weren't so sure anymore. A protector for the human race…like anyone wouldn't think it came out of a sci-fi movie. I scoffed at it. "Brin is MIA, she was within blasting distance when we Syl, Krit, Zack and I took out the DNA lab." I started off. She looked up, I saw her expression at the possibility at another fallen sibling.

"There's still a chance she's alive. As for Tinga and Ben…their…" how do I tell my sister that I just got re-united with in a most bizarre – well bizarre for norms way – way that two of our siblings since being on the outside are gone? Dead? "I'll explain them later, lets see what the…what needs to be done." I almost said 'damaged' but bit my lip for a moment to avoid that. Talking about death could wait. For now I wanted to work with the living.

Walking into the kitchen with Jondy I saw Zack again. Eating a sandwich. I smiled at him doing something so…normal. "Zack this is Max." Jondy introduced. He looked to me, and dropped his sandwich. "Zack." I smiled out, hoping he'd remember me. He seemed to process the thought, "You were a part of my unit." He stated…its already starting out the same as before…maybe not fully though. "Yeah. But we may have a new unit now." a much BIGGER unit.

He looked up, "When do we move out?" he questioned. Maybe that was a bit too much to tell him… "We have to check you up first. Make sure your heads fine." He looked offended, "My head is fine. This area isn't safe anymore we need to move." He was just as stubborn as always. I placed my hand over his own, "Look Zack I know you don't remember a lot but some memories from Manticore aren't going to be what's going to sustain you on the outside." He needs to remember what's been going on.

He calmed down…a tiny bit, "What do I need to know?" he was treating his condition like a mission parameter that he needed to learn for an op, it was getting on my fucking nerves already, "This isn't a mission Zack. There are NO more missions." I stated firmly but effectively. I looked up to Jondy to notice she had a defeated expression, "We told him about Manticore, but he still believes there should be that structured order." There was a trace of annoyance in her voice as she spoke.

"There should be." He protested looking back to her, "Structure is needed to keep things stable." I cut in, "Yes on some levels. But the place were going to if you can work with everyone there, already has its own structure and rules in place. We're not in Manticore anymore and we don't need nor want its structure. We're doing fine." I let reassurance filter through my voice and face as I spoke.

Zack look perturbed, "So I can only go if I can play nice and keep my mouth shut?" he snaps at me. "NO!" I snapped back, "You can voice your opinion that much I don't mind, I encourage it, BUT we do have a system there, where we ALL voice our opinions. I don't need nor want anybody trying to dictate what needs to be done. If I or Al - my SIC fails miserably or can't do the job to par it's a unanimous decision to do a take over." Just like a business with a CEO and VP.

He seemed to mull it over for a few minutes, I was just glade he didn't call attention to my near 'Alec' slip. He still has a tone to his next words, "So if I don't agree with an action I should voice it with you in private?" for a split second his eyes wavered from my own, "If your persistent about it yes, otherwise having another view point in the meeting room is useful." I was trying to delegate this not make it worse.

I had already had one instance with Alec I didn't want nor need another one with my brother of all people. "I'll try to delegate myself, but in the mean time this isn't the place for any of us." I did agree with him there, "Let me call a few people okay?" I stated, though it may have come off sounding as more of a question than anything. Flipping my cell out I called Alec, "Hey how's it going with brother Zack?" he inquired. I look back at him, "Not perfect but he's willing to compromise."

He seems to mull it over, "Alright but here are the first week conditions for him." he has other conditions? I wanted to protest but memories of how his mind acted out last time prevented that from happening. "Like what?" I asked. "Like he'll be introduced to people little by little. Don't want to over whelm him." okay I agree with him there. Didn't need Zack to freak out cause he was surrounded in unfamiliar territory, "Secondly, he needs to know TC's parameters, as in rules of the place." Again I agreed.

"Third but not lastly, when he meets Joshua, Dix, Luke and Mole he can't have his 'monster in the basement' issue. They aren't that and he needs to understand that before he comes in here." That was a most definite. I didn't want Joshua to get insulted and hurt by Zack's callous words. "Got it. See you there in two hours." Hearing his rough 'see you soon' I hung up.

"So I presume that's a go?" Zack said rubbing his head. I nodded, "You both are welcome in TC. But I will forewarn you both right now, and this is a sensitive subject." I see two sets of eyes meeting my own. Alec had been right, Zack may still end up seeing them as the monsters in the basement but Joshua and the others are no monsters, "We work along side the transhumans." Zack's eyes widened briefly before struggling in confusion over my words.

"You mean the nomilies in the basement?" he asks incredulously, "Yes. They're very helpful and some of our best friends. You'll be meeting Joshua today. He's a great friend and a gentle guy. His hygiene and eating habits are questionable but he's a good guy." my gaze hits theirs as they look back and forth to each other. Zack's comment has me on edge, "We'll see about that." Two steps forward and I'm looming over him much as I did with Alec a few months ago.

"Now you listen to me and I'm only saying this once. Joshua's a good person, with a big heart, I don't want anything negative about who or what he is coming from your mouth!" Joshua was like my older, slightly in need of care brother. Zack is opposite and I don't want them clashing. "So little Maxie decided to grow a set." He commented with a sneer in his tone.

His expression he used to sweep my body, making it look like a sneer as well but I knew that look now. Alec looked at me with it, when I was in heat Daniel looked at me with it, the lust in his eyes was NOT going to happen. "Make no mistake I've always had a set, now are you two with me or not?" I asked looking up at Jondy who had stayed mostly silent during this whole debate.

"I'm good. Just give me a bed to sleep on and a hot shower and I'm good to go." A smile breached my face as did hers, "Let's get this bitch over with then." he flat toned out, standing up, sandwich forgotten, he grabbed his jacket as did Jondy and we all headed back to TC the way I came in. once inside they looked around at the new surroundings, "This place is huge." Commented Jondy. "It's workable considering where it is." Never a kind word with him these days.

"Come on let me show you to your room." a hand stopped my progress. I looked back to see Zack's hand on my shoulder as it slid down my arm to halt my progress. I also noticed a few X5's looking on. An un-known male was touching a pregnant female – a mated pregnant female at that…but he didn't know that. He did notice the looks he was getting for touching me. "He's my brother!" I shouted in explanation. The looks subtly went away, "What was that about?" Jondy asked.

"I'll explain once were at your new digs." Nearly ten minutes later we approached the door to the little apartment Alec had picked out. I hadn't seen him yet but his little text along the way back here to tell me what new area had been set up had been nice. "I guess the welcomes are in order here. Kitchen slash bar, living room…I guess, and through there is the bedrooms and bathroom." Amazing how you could turn extra space into another room simply by adding dry wall in place.

"This is nice. Where's your place Maxie?" Jondy asked, looking out the window and all around. The furniture wasn't the best but, hey you do what you can with second hand shit and we did. "It's not the four seasons but it's a roof with food, privacy, jobs, and…an armory." Zack perked his head out from the bedroom with that said, "Might not be so bad." He commented.

"It'll be great. Now we can catch up on all that we've missed out on." she was so excited to catch up that I got caught up in the enthusiasm, "Yeah we can make a night of it or something." I agreed. A subtle cough at the doorway and I could hear Zack's stance tightening up and Jondy looked like she was seeing a good old friend again…a brother even. Once that thought hit I knew it. Alec. I just knew it. I turned around to see the expression across his face. Fuck.

"Ben…?" Jondy asked and before I could stop her she rushed to give him a hug. Alec was caught off guard by it and barely managed to be polite as far as resisting her hug, "Not Ben, Alec. 494." He corrected, dashing her hopes away. She looked hurt now, "494?" she asked. It was like seeing an illusion of your favored toy, only in her case she was seeing her brother, the one she used to hang out with and instead was someone else. I felt bad for her.

"Yeah. Alec." He repeated. She backed off feeling foolish, "Sorry I thought you w-" he put a stop to her embarrassing apology, "No need. I get it a lot with Maxie's sibs. Just as long as you know I'm not your brother Ben in any way, we're cool." He was playing nice today with the aspect of it. Probably cause this sibs first response was to hug and not to be negative towards him. "So you're a twin?' she asked intrigued. He smiled, seeing a common ground with her.

"Genetic twin." He responded. She nodded her head in acceptance. Finally! I have one sibling who doesn't hate him for who he looks like! Then a shift in Zack's direction changed that thought, "Zack, Alec, Alec, Zack." I introduced. Alec nodded his head towards him in a 'hello' motion. Zack was still as stone and within seconds Alec became the same way. Right up until I sighed and said, "Let it go both of you." Their gazes shifted to me for a second before going back to each other.

"It won't do anything but create conflict. There's enough outside the gates you want to add more inside them as well?" they both agreed to keep it together till things were more low keyed but still the tension was there. After a few minutes of thrown glares Alec returned to his cocky demeanor, "So now that 'brother Zack' is back and a new sister what jobs you gonna give them? Just nothing in HQ yet, we don't want anything new till they get used to the ropes." he asked.

I looked back to them. "Zack is hard headed but looks built for strength, have him start one of the remodeling projects and Jondy…I'll have to see, dunno what her strengths are yet." He accepted it before giving me a quick kiss to the lips. As he walked out the door I saw Jondy looked directly at his ass. I didn't even realize I was growling till Jondy looked over at me, "Something in my throat." I covered. I was not jealous! My sister was just looking that's all!

But no one can look at him like that but me! Yeah tell that to over half the female population here. I surmised my logic was correct. Alec was still looked at like a sex god while I was still looked at by half the females as unworthy. Sometimes being a 'niner' sucked, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. "So he's hot." Yep she definitely didn't see Ben in Alec…not at all. "Yup he sure is." And he's all mine to…I thought to myself.

"Is he seeing anyone?" she asks bluntly a little too bluntly. I had to bit my lip to prevent a snarl from coming out. "Yeah he is." I turn to her, "Me." I can be blunt to. She widened her eyes in shock, "Is it a perman-" I look to her again, "We're mated so yeah." I nearly snipped out at her with a smile on my face. She looked on confused. I forgot…we skipped 'mating 101' back at Manticore. "Let me give you a quick lesson in 'mating 101'." I tried to make it sound as light in some areas as possible.

In the end I think she wasn't too thrilled with the notion. The look of 'eww' on her face during some parts were enough, "What's wrong with that? It's like a marriage for transgenics and transhumans." Sort of… "How do you divorce?" she asked. I was stumped on that part, "I dunno, a relinquishment. Death." I guessed. She looked on shocked, "And you willingly did this with Alec?" at least she didn't seem to hate him, at least not a lot.

"Very." I smiled in memory of our first heat together, well only so far. Once I get pregnant I noticed that my heat had been due last week…gonna have to ask Gem to be sure on my theory… "I'm shocked. Our little Maxie is the first of our group to get mated." Great is this a big sis happy thing or what? Before I could explore the thought further Mole called. Pulling out my celli answered, "Yeah?" "We need an extra few hands down in the gym area. Two males are fighting." What? "Why?!"

I brushed off my sibs as I left out yelling out a 'be back soon' to avoid angering them. I rushed over to the area motioning for two more X5's to drop what they were doing and follow me. Seeing that it was important they came without hesitation, dropping their none perishable load in a heartbeat. "Some female didn't check herself in the heat department that you and Cece set up a while back. Thought she had another day, she was wrong. F-" I heard the line go dead.

Damn it this isn't happening. We have enough going on without a female forgetting to check in. Running there I saw the scene playing out, three X5's vying for affection of an X5 female, whilst being held back by two X5 females herself. Going in I saw Mole rubbing a nasty bruise on his head. "You okay?" I inquired, "Benefits of not being effected by an X anything in heat. All I get is beat up whenever I try to inject her with this." He held out the syringe, not having seen it before he explains.

"It's what they use to inject females with back at Manticore just in case they couldn't be taken away before the heat hit. Couple of our guys cooked it up for emergencies." I wasn't going to even bother condemning what I thought was a brilliant idea. Manticore or not I had a near seven year hating stint with my heats so anything that would tame the fire and fighting was a good thing in my book…well anything that didn't hurt them, "On it." I got out.

Blurring through the fighting X5's, I managed to make it through due to me not smelling like an obvious male in heat. They didn't bother with females it seemed. Else wise they would have also have been fighting the two females as well. Making it to the girl I injected her in the arm. She screamed out from the minor pain before I had several highly trained X5 eyes on me. I noticed they edged towards me till something in the air, her dissipating pheromones, finally started to weaken their effect on them.

All of them regained more of their senses and stumbled away, no longer having the raging need to mate. Turning back to the female she was breathing heavily, more than likely from controlling herself, "Thank…you." She gasped out as the other girls took her to the heat area Cece had been in before. Turning back to the guys I shouted out, "Next time a female forgets, get your asses out of the area!" one came forward, "Couldn't, the pheromones were to strong by the time she walked in."

She must have really… "I think she didn't notice that she was so far along her heat cause she'd been using all her energy and mental stamina to work on the projects. It must have completely slipped her mind and once she got into a room full of-" I cut him off, "Yeah I got it." To bad we didn't have a 'heat sonar' system. It would be nice to avoid this kind of thing. "As you were." I called out, not as loud or as wrath sounding. I looked back to Mole, "Feel any pain?" I asked.

He looked up and grunted a little but retorted, "It's going away, just a bruise. Alec's not going to be to keen that you got in the middle, literally speaking, of a 'mate fight'. You know how is with you." That got me thinking, "Is it like that with all mated males? The way Alec acts? Like that stint a little while ago when we discussing possible shooters?" he sighed, "We all have our reasons for the way we act. If you want the truth, ask him, it's not my place." I nodded understanding.

However unfortunate I ended up becoming to busy to ask him about food let alone how he was feeling, making me feel like a bitch that I hadn't asked. On the odd plus note, I ended up putting a few transgenics on Gambles staff as protection details and as regular assistants who just needed a job that didn't require a firearm. It was part of our business arrangement anyways. Working on some paper work in my office I noticed that for once I had it all done. After a brief mental victory I finally realized I had time.

Time to go find that mate of mine…taking a nice long jaunt down to where he was at I had to take a moment to admire his physic in the dusty area. With everyone wearing standard masks for the dust and build up with the place it looked more of a hazard zone than anything. I swept my eyes over him as I saw him saw some wood. Remembering that we'd planned to turn this into a small school the wood was probably to ensure stability for the new walls.

Seeing his chest press against the grey of his shirt while his jeans seem to be molded to his thighs and calves…his muscles were bulging out and all I wanted to do was yelp at everyone to get out while I took him up against the wall. But like a cold bucket of water on of his fan club members swayed her non-prego ass into the dusty area like she owned it. I tried to calm myself down but her next move did me in.

"It's so hot." She complained, before taking a layer of her shirts off to reveal a skin tight, nothing left to the imagination cami. It was two sizes to small and…annoyingly it was, it was doing its job of capturing attention…all but Alec's. I mentally and physically smiled at the control factor. She pouted in response to a failed effort. I took two steps forward when I saw him turning around, board in hand when it slipped his grip – suspiciously when he saw her.

She seemed to be pleased by it, "Oh so the great and mighty Alec can be swayed?" he laughed it off, "Very funny, Becky right?" she lost part of her smile, "Bridget, actually." He shrugged his shoulders, "Got a lot going on here Bridget, if you want some work to do then we need to get that dry wall in here for the support beams we're making. You can help Dix unload. Little computer geeks taking a short break so he won't over do it." I nodded glad that everyone was taking time when they could.

Can't work every second of everyday. "I was actually hoping to help you out. Since Max seems to be busy with Gamble lately." He stopped short a little bit, "If you're trying to pull a fast one on me then forget it." There was a tinge of laughter to his voice, "Cause even in Manticore I was wheelin' and dealin', the con of cons, and you know something about con men?" he asked her.

She shook her head no, "Never try to con a con man." He walked around her with the board. It would have been too sweet to see him 'accidentally' hit her with it but he was better than that, "Sounds like something Biggs used to say." She spoke out loud. A few people around them stopped. He turned around, "He did. What about it?" his tone held an edge to it…don't broach it any further…that's what the tone clearly started. "Just that you seem to be falling back into old patterns."

I was confused…what old patterns? "Drop it." Was all he said. She went from seductive to malevolence in a few seconds. "Oh I get it, little fat Max, don't know yet." While I was angered by the fat comment…I wasn't that big yet…I was more perturbed by the fact that I didn't in fact get it. What's it? "Max isn't a part of what happened back then. Now leave it and Biggs' memory alone." He nearly snapped it out at her.

I smiled whatever seductive plans she had when down the drain when she brought Biggs' up. Walking inside the area, making my presence known I called out, "Hey Alec! Take the afternoon off you've been working since…" I looked at my cell, "Six a.m., you need to eat." He nodded, though I think it more due to being glad to get away from Bridget the bitch, "Thanks." He remarked when we were leaving the area.

"Hey I can tell how hard you all are working, early morning hours, late nights, not a lot of people in the cafeteria these days. The cooks have a second part time job now." I joked out. Smiling he asked, "What they're subbing elsewhere?" I chuckled back, "No they're helping with growing plants in the basement." To that note he looked over to me in surprise, "It was an idea off one of the X6's who has a real green thumb. Said she could make plants grown in the basement with the right lighting."

I was shocked as much as he was. I thought the plan to be stupid at first, growing greens in a basement with the wrong lighting…its why I didn't say anything that way if it failed which the failure ratio was high…then no one would be the wiser, but sure enough… "I was as shocked as you are. But he pulled it off. 'Nother few weeks and we'll have fresh produce. No need to get second rate anything in that department once we've got these new places opened up." he smiled at the notion.

I just made sure we had security down there once the produce was fresh and read to go. I didn't want a transgenic or transhuman going nuts over fresh fruit and veggies. We needed it for everyone. Besides once our places were opened to more of the public…the ones that were further off TC grounds the more people could come in and want the freshness at reasonable prices. The unfortunate side effect was they might get greedy and demand what they can't have.

Seattle has enough food riots, I didn't want one in TC of all places. "Good idea. Give them something to do." Alec mentioned taking me from my thoughts. I looked to see we were a block from our building, "Alec." He looked over, "I want to ask you…about Biggs'." His head fell a little, "You over heard?" he asked, "Not in so many words but I was looking to you to ask you bout him anyways." he deserved the truth as did I. "In our place and I'll tell you everything." I nodded.

I felt the need to race back to our place but every time I gained on him he pulled me right back into a slower pace, "Would you slow down. I don't want you to over exert yourself." I shot him a look, "Do you know what could happen if you over exert or put to much stress on yourself?" I opened my mouth only to shut it again realizing I didn't have an answer.

"What?" I barked irrationally. The tone spoke of me knowing it was irrational to be upset so he knew not to take me seriously. "You could send yourself into early labor or…" I blanched, "I'm not far enough along for that." he replied, "Or you could miscarry. I DON'T want that to happen." We stopped as he took me lovingly in his arms. The feel of him and his masculine comfort pacified my anxiety…I didn't even know I was anxious, "You and our child are too important to me."

It was his next mumbled words that took me by surprise, "I can't loose either of you two." I clutched him closer to me, "Never." Pulling him still closer I raised my head up slowly to avoid hitting his head with my own, "You'll never loose us." I put his hand on my stomach, it had a little bump to it now but it was still fairly small, "We aren't going anywhere." He smiled, took my hand and walked me back to our place.

Remembering the mate fight and that one of his workers would be out for a few days I knew I was going to have to clue him in, "Oh ah one of your workers won't be working for the next few days." He looked down to me, "Oh?" he asked, "She's in heat." I nearly laughed, "I even had to break into a mate fight to help her out." His body went still, "You broke up a mate fight?"

I looked up, having not seen the big deal, "Yeah. All I did was blur in between all the guys and inject her with the stuff Mole had been trying to inject her with." I stated bluntly, he didn't seem to like it. "Are you nuts? Any one of them could have-" I shook my head, "No one would have hurt another pregnant female in that room. It's like putting a pregnant woman in a room full of convicts in a prison." He looked stunned.

"They wouldn't do ANYTHING that would upset or harm the baby within her womb. It's still a sacred part of life to them. Besides doing anything harmful would result in a greater punishment that they wouldn't want to deal with." He looked stunned at the bizarre explanation. "Where…how…" I turned around to walk, "How does that even relate to this?!" he blanched.

I turned back around, "Point is I made sure I was fast and swift to take care of it, but if it makes you feel any better than I won't get involved again." I stated near bored. He walked up the two feet that I walked, "If there is another one which I hope there isn't, I don't care who calls you. You call someone else that is female that can inject her. I don't want you near it again. Clear?" I went to nod and ignore it but he grabbed my arm firmly but effectively.

"Please Max?" he seemed really worried, "Males that are in a mating fight don't always look to or listen to reason. Just like convicts." He rolled his eyes as if the reference I made was ridiculous. "I don't want you involved. Again!" I nodded in agreement before walking up both back to our apartment. Arm thrown over my shoulder he pulled me into the safety of his body.

Once inside I started to make up coffee and green tea…coffee for him, green tea for me, not that easy to come by these days. Sitting on the couch I folded my feet beneath me as he settled in. I didn't speak, this was his story to tell, not mine to dig out of him, "He was my SIC back at Manticore." he finally started two minutes later. He had a whimsical expression on his face, "Made me proud to have him under me. I even had recommended him for leading his own squad. Never took."

He took a sip, "We met after the '09 break. They had taken those that were twinned and placed them all in new units to prevent old habits from coming back. To break whatever bonds we'd made. Didn't want anyone to get attached again, he was the only one who didn't look at me as a head case." I frowned at the word, "Everyone was given the impression that the niner twins had a head problem." He looked at me, "Took us all years in our own ways to work up from it."

I don't under- "They thought you guys would develop the same psychosis and want to escape." He nodded…bitterly, "For the next five years I worked my ass off hard in my unit to prove that I wasn't like my twin. I gained the respect of my fellow co-hertz…over time that is. Its hard to trust when its drilled into your head the very first year after you guys left that you were nothing but 'traitors', 'rats, 'snake', 'plague', 'deserter', coward'…" I was stunned.

I hadn't known all of what they called us…told them to think about us. Only that everyone pretty much got designated to hate us. "Oh god…" no wonder half the populace still hates me, that type of mental training takes years to dissipate. Everyone was still young enough, their personalities weren't fully developed, its makes so much more sense now. I wish I knew about this sooner.

"God had nothing to do with it." He said capturing my attention again. I went to touch him, to ground him to where we were, so as not to get completely lost where his head was. "For five years I gained respect, loyalty, even a little freedom out on missions." He laughed a little, "Everytime we had a half hour of free time on the outside I had to get some type of fast food. Didn't matter I just wanted that burst of flavor Manticore didn't have." No wonder people praise him.

He was good so he could enjoy the outside world. "Biggs' was there for me. Every mission we did together I felt like I had someone there who I could trust with my life, not just as a soldier but as a friend, and dare I think it back then, a brother." I could see the water forming within his hazel, green depths, but said nothing, "He never once strayed me down a bad path. When we took on a job in Kazakhstan, he introduced me to Lola." Again he smiled.

"She was a prostitute of the area, she was also my first time." I was stunned yet not stunned…I had though that Rachel had been his first time. "We had fun with her before returning to base. He was always there for me. Just as I was there when he lost…" he stopped to collect himself. Putting his coffee mug down he clenched his hands together, "When I lost him his mate." My eyes went shockingly wide. Wait…they had mates back in Manticore?

I suddenly felt…ill…did…he…have…a mate….back there to? Sensing my tense body he looked to me. My range of emotions must have been all telling, "I didn't have anyone, but he did." I tried to prevent the extreme amount of relief flood through me this wasn't about me. "What…" I didn't finish, "They mated when she went into heat. They were so happy together, but Manticore, the personnel figured it out. Biggs' had been antsy on leaving her when he left for a mission one time." I nodded.

He took his cup, but he couldn't sip only put it back down, "Asked me to take care of her till he got back. His three day trip turned into a near three month trip when the information that was provided hadn't been sound. We all knew something didn't sound right but we couldn't ask without reprimand." I was stunned, Manticore made a mistake with intel? Doesn't sound right…

"They didn't want the mission to be a waste so they had Biggs's stay there to re-gather the intel and finish the mission. That went fine it was what happened back inside that was his undoing." He sighed, "I tried to be there for her, but less than two weeks after he left she started to get sick." He looked over to me, anger crossed his face, "Transgenics don't get sick." I automatically responded he only nodded… "She was…" he finished, "She was pregnant, with Biggs' kid." What did they…?

"They already knew who the father was, seeing their interactions had been proof enough, and they didn't need one of their most active soldiers out for the next eight and a half months just to carry out a fetus, currently the size of a pea, to term so they made sure she wouldn't have to." He looked over to me. The haunted look in his eyes…what did they do to her?

"The doctor's protested at first, from what I'd heard. I had been hoping they would let the pregnancy stick. She already had five newly assigned missions that were starting up in two months." All I wanted to ask was what they did to her, but I held my tongue, "The doc's weren't able to win the argument over. Instead Renfro decided that if they wanted the child so badly to test on they could have it. Just not fully developed." I was horrified. He took a sip.

"She was stressed tested in the worse ways for the next two weeks. I couldn't help her they kept shoving me away. I couldn't risk diverting any more attention to myself without raising suspicion or getting psy-ops again. I failed my friend, my brother. She lost the baby within a month. They made her run extra laps, around the base, everything she did was doubled up." she didn't even have a chance.

"Her body had been over stressed and with them not giving her the proper nutrients to eat or drink, it was a muted effort to try and help. She lost the baby and her soul." I looked to him, "They put her through re-indoctrination. When Biggs' got back she had no memory of him. He was so heart broken by it. Tried to get her to remember, that's when they gave me just a warning 'try it again, you'll get the same treatment'." Just like you did…a few times over…

A tear fell, "He tried again…you remember when I told you they had ways of making us not care?" he asked looking to me, tears begging to fall. Anger within their deep depths, "Yeah…" I nearly croaked out, "They made him never care about her again. On another mission, five months later, she died. Took on enemy fire to protect her unit." He nearly laughed, "He couldn't figure out why he felt the need to cry when they brought her body back." but you knew…

"So I told him everything. Took a while for him to wipe the training to forget out of his head but he finally remembered her. The negative side effect was that in remembering all the good he remembered seeing her body bag, and that wasn't even the worst part." I frowned…what could be worse? "I told him I failed him in protecting her, that she was pregnant with his child." His head fell into his hands.

"He didn't talk to me for six months after that. Processed it all. Then he came up to me one day, punched me so hard in the face he nearly broke my jaw. He nodded, I knew then that he was back. He learned his lesson of messing with Manticore but never forgot what they took from him. He said he forgave me cause in the end it wasn't completely my fault and he had to see that for himself." I nodded.

"In the end the crap that we went through made us strong when it came to Manticore, we did our best but that was it. Biggs' and I were pretty much a team of our own after that – hell he even helped me through my ordeal with Rachel. Helped me work through it after they'd put me through psy-ops. Told me no matter what they tell you, make you do to forget, never forget." wow I never knew…Biggs' was a really good guy…I wish I had gotten to know him better.

A week hadn't been enough…"Put her in a safe place in the back of your mind he told me, where they can't find her, where mind bogglers like Mia couldn't find her." They feared people like Mia…? I guess it makes a sort of sense, to avoid getting close to someone who could mess with your head to make you not remember or give up valuable information on someone.

"So her memory can live on even if she can't he said." I smiled at Biggs' words even now. "I stored her away so I could protect her memory, even if I couldn't protect her when she needed me the most, same thing Biggs' did with his mate when he remembered her again." I touched his hand in comfort, "They know you know." He looked to me in confusion at my words.

"Biggs' and Rachel. Even though their not here now they know that you did everything you could to protect, considering the circumstances you each were involved in." I neglected to leave out the part where I had watched over Alec as he wept over Rachel's prone form in the bed. She looked so innocent and fragile, course the fact of what happened to her made that possible. Alec had had problems telling me how it went down but he finally cracked.

Now Biggs'…like a lightening bolt it hit me… "That's why…" I mumbled out, he glanced at me, "Its why your so over protective of me. You don't want me to have a miscarriage." For a moment I felt angered that he would think me capable of not taking care of myself, but considering my past when it comes to healthy choices whether it be physical or emotional I don't have the best pickings.

"I don't want to loose either of you." He remarked abandoning his mug of coffee and pulling me into his side. With one arm curled around my backside, the other holding my right arm as mine held his left, I snuggled my head under his chin, and listen to his heart beat as I looped my legs over his lap. We were content like that for a while, the past emotions preventing any sexual desires from forming…at the moment.

"I'll do whatever I have to, to make sure this baby is born healthy, I promise." I lifted my head just enough under his own to make sure he knew I was serious. He shifted, holding me closer, "The next meeting with Carr well see bout anything extra needed to do. Cause I don't know about you but I don't know a hell of a lot about the life cycle of a second generation, military grade science experiment." Despite the description I smiled, "Yeah I guess were both really shooting in the dark."

"At least we have Gem and Carr in our corner. Which reminds me I wonder if Carr has heard of anything with regards to Logan." he stiffened, "Like it or not Logan may still be a potential threat, as much as I loathe to admit it, he's not in his right mind with the transfusions in his system." he relaxed then tensed for a whole new reason, "How heightened is he?" thinking on it I…honestly… "I don't know. We don't know of the long term effects of prolonged use."

Honestly! It's not like we thought of this when Logan first started to use my blood. Sides as far as we saw it, he would use just enough to get back on his legs, not keep using my blood for life. "I'll call in the morning, I doubt Logan's been to visit or call him though, I don't see Logan contacting him these days unless he was desperate. Especially knowing Carr's in good standing with us." Alec nodded.

I felt the movements over my head. "I wonder if we could get into his old contacts see if he's been visiting around." Was it really that important? "While I do mean to call Carr is it really a necessity to find Logan? Yeah he maybe nuttier than a cracker barrel but that doesn't mean he'll seek me out just to screw with me." I didn't see Logan capable of doing that. "There's a lot of things a man's willing to do to get back the one he loves." I looked up at him this time.

He met my eyes, "The man loves you, maybe not in a sweet, romantic way now but he does. I bet you ten to one you're still invading his thoughts daily. Wondering how he could get you back, wishing you were with him instead. He himself may not be a threat but the power in people he knows could be." I pondered this thought, "Max…" I shifted my eyes to him.

"If he is thinking the way we think he is then maybe….MAYBE, it is possible that he had something to do with the hit that day." I was shocked, "YOU defended him! What'd you do switch teams?!" he gave me a look for that one before responding, "NO! But I am considering Joshua's words with what WE know about him. I'm not saying it's a happy scenario but it is VAGUE possible. Just consider it as I have." I nodded if only to shut him up about it.

This was one of those see it to believe it types of things, "So…ahh…Jondy thinks your 'hot'." I smiled out, my right hand doing quick quotations for effect, "Oh another fan girl, oh however will I deal with it." He mocked it out holding a hand to his head, "I told her we're together. Didn't get a chance to tell her I was pregnant though, but oddly enough I ended up giving her a swift lecture in 'mating 101'."

He looked to me in confusion, "She was asking about you I told her it was serious that we were mated." He nodded in understand. "What did 'brother Zack' say?" he grunted lightly, "Not much. I think he's just processing it all still. He's got a lot to take in these days. The unit that he vowed to protect and watch over is now helping him out, while he regains his memories and doesn't attempt to harm anyone in the process." Cause quite frankly I'm not in the mood to deal with 'Terminator Zack' again.

That Cybernetic implant crap and metal gear he had on him was more steel head than even Manticore to know of experimentation is one thing but to see it living in your own brother after he's had his memories ripped from him…twice now…its daunting to deal with. I can only imagine what a struggle he must be going through to remember and to maintain his own identity as a soldier, a brother and a protector. So much… "We'll have to keep him out of HQ anything till were sure he's okay." I tell him.

I don't need him telling our people what to do. After realizing to the extreme here on how much Manticore made everyone hate us niners, having one, Zack no less with his over bearing, 'no exception to the rules' personality would be the best way to piss off Mole, Joshua and a whole lot more transhumans and transgenics. People are now comfortable around here, we don't need Manticore in here any more than necessary. And to take extent, "Lets go to bed, I'm tired."

I get up and pull him along with me, "But…" he protested, "But what? I can feel it in you to, now come on so we can catch the winks we can. Won't be able to when the baby comes." I tease. His smile widens, not even the thought of loosing his precious sleep over the whine of a baby – his four month in the womb old baby – is enough to deter the loving smile from his face. "She'll be beautiful, like her mom." He comments. I smile, "Alec…" my face reddens slightly.

I hardly ever reddened but Alec, every now and then just has his simple moments, but then his face fell, "Oh hell…" I frowned, "What's wrong?" he looked up in mild panic, "Just think of all the boys I'll have to beat down to keep them away from her…" I laughed, whole-heartedly laughed at that. Alec caught me as I fell into him laughing so hard. After a minute he finally asked, "What's so damned funny?" I responded through gasps, "You're going to make an EXCELLENT daddy!"

He didn't know how threatening young men from his still - in – the - womb daughter was considered a compliment, but he took it for what it was and beamed in pride, "And what if it's a boy?" I though about his question, "No big deal. No son of ours will have to worry bout himself, just like no daughter of ours will either. We'll both make sure their safe, body, mind, heart and soul." his Cheshire grin came out fast as he looked me up and down, "'They' huh?"

Oh boy… "Just how many were you planning on having?" playing into it, I tapped a finger against my lips. "Whatever the occasion calls for I guess." Something I heard on TV years ago…Alec's eyes widened, "Max…?" for a second he looked worried before his grin returned full force on his face. He took me in his arms lovingly…feels so good to have him here…

"I'm gonna fill you up over and over again." I got heated up by his words and by the no nonsense look on his face. It made me wonder how many kids HE wanted, "Oh yeah?" I barely challenged, "Yeah…as many times as we want…" I couldn't help but feel swayed by his words, "But for right now you're right." I tilted my head at his words, "We do need sleep while we can get it."

I nearly fell over from shock as he took me to bed and not for sex, much to my dismay…but despite the lack of sex…which for us is unusual, or usual lately, depending on how you look at it, however…I couldn't remove my shit eating grin from my face. I touched my stomach as his arm moved over, touching his hand to my stomach over my own. In five more months we were going to have a baby, a living breathing infant to take care of and raise by ourselves.

It was scary and exciting all at the same time. But no matter what we had already been through, no matter what lay ahead of us I already knew I couldn't imagine sharing this experience with anyone but him. I looked back at his face as he now rested his head partially on my shoulder and partially on the pillow…I love you Alec…now and forever…