Disclaimer : Not mine
Summary : When Sketchy brings in a dangerous package, Jam Pony is put under quarantine stuff happens : living together is not that easy, White is on the prowl…
Rating : PG-13
Pairing : Hint : I may as well admit it, I'm a M/A shipper forever

A/N : LAtR AU - Inspired by Pai's challenge at NWP, but doesn't fit exactly the criteria - Enjoy!

A/N#2 : Thank you, Joëlle, Heather and Susan! And a huge thanks to all who reviewed. You made my day.
Glitterina: you got the lucky number, dude! And these are natural questions you ask, of course you're not sick! But at least one of them will be … later. Haha
Lynn: thank you for your praise. I try not to take more than two weeks to update, and I keep writing. You can always find the story one chapter ahead at the Embassy at NWP, but it's in french.
jg: I love it that you like Max and Alec interaction and their characterization. This is the most difficult part to create or rather re-create. Thank you for your comments and your quotes.
ting: well, Biggs's reaction is in this chapter, which I really had fun writing. Hope you'll enjoy it.
confused: sorry, if I got you this way. But I guess you'll find more questions than answers in this new chapter. So, here are a few hints: does Helena act as a potential ally or enemy? Even if she doesn't use the standard Familiar's greeting, does it mean she can't work for them? Does it look like Alec trusts her or falls for her tricks?
ringo-gurl07: Glad you liked it. Some M/A to come pretty soon, I promise.
jenzabell: Thank you for your review and your suggestions. I love it that you're intrigued. There are no answers in this chapter coz' it was written a while ago. My deal was: the reader won't know what Alec is up to as long as Max doesn't know (coz' you're right, Biggs knows), and what Helena is up to as long as Alec doesn't know. But I may change my mind (I already admitted this was a M/A story, although I intended originally to have people hesitating between M/A and M/B). Sorry about OC's "ya"s. I don't have any idea as how to write her slang. English is already so difficult.

Quarantined – Chapter 7

By Mirella

Friday evening

His day was suddenly getting a lot brighter. The morning's fiasco went to oblivion. There were good news. Ames White was jubilating.


Helena's fingers were drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. Her bad mood was reaching its peak. She felt like she had been doing nothing more than waiting all day. Like now, at the checkpoints and earlier, the whole afternoon in fact, for Alec's delivery.

That was bugging her. What could have possibly gone wrong? She already replayed their discussions over and over again in her head, but that didn't help her figure out why he hadn't complied, or at least, called.


"So what you're telling me, Otto, is since the X-series run an average body temperature about three degrees higher than a human being, all we have to do is…"

"To scan the crowd with this thermal imager with a grading set at a hundred, and it will pick out the transgenics."

"Very good. Requisition as many of these as you can and get them in the field immediately. Otto, my friend, you've earned your pay this week."

*And my weekend as well.* Otto added for his own benefit.

Any thought of the weekend was beside White's point. Both his sacred mission and his private quest for his son were running his life.


Sketchy didn't let out anything concerning Alec's involvement in the ABC Corp matter to the CDC, but his curiosity had been sparked. His investigation photojournalist's gut couldn't stand up to such a drill, he now wanted to find out what his so-called friends were hiding from him.

Biggs already called Terminal City. Alec couldn't postpone his phone call to Helena anymore, but Sketchy had suddenly turned totally impervious to the privacy concept. In fact, it was exactly as if he was sneaking around, without any successful attempt at discretion. Of course, his mark had been trained to spot any surveillance. Poor Sketch.

Alec didn't want to press the matter in any way, indebted to him as he was today. He would have to do with it. He speed-dialed Helena's number, oblivious to the commotion in Normal's back office.

"You won't manage to talk me into this. My back needs a good mattress. I'm taking this couch." Normal was trying to sound final.

"Ya're not exactly what one gal could call a gentleman."

"As if you were ladies. No way you're gonna make me feel guilty. You girls can be comfortable enough sleeping in the lounge."


Biggs and Max came out of Normal's office laughing as do partners-in-crime. Biggs looked appraisingly at the couches in the lounge and whistled.

"I wouldn't mind sleeping here."

Max punched him playfully in the shoulder and replied. "Too bad, there's not enough room for three people, especially if one of those is a guy."

"A love nest is never too tiny." Biggs said sententiously.

"Jam Pony isn't exactly a honeymoon hotel." Max snorted as she ditched two sleeping bags unceremoniously onto an armchair.

Biggs raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don't tell me you wouldn't be pleased if one of us sneaked in your couch tonight." *That was a little close to a direct inquiry, Alec could find fault with that.*

Max looked at Biggs's smirk and got it wrong. *How come all these male adult X5 are all so cocky and self-centered?* She cocked her head to a side and smiled. "Well, one of you," she paused, "might get a surprise." *A bad one, Biggs, may I add.*

Biggs scratched the back of his neck. This wasn't a direct confirmation. He sneaked a glance at Alec who was talking in his phone out of hear distance – well, not out of Sketchy's who was lacing his military gumboots with a catlike patience.

Max followed his gaze and her frown was back. "Who's he talking to? Helena?"

Biggs saw her reaction and assessed it as jealousy. That was definitely a hint, and it made sense. The last thing he wanted was to be caught in the crossfire, he lied. "I don't know."

"I don't believe you." Max pouted.

Biggs caught her gaze and held it. "Look, Max, don't you think you can trust him? You should. He knows what he's doing."

"If you say so." Max shrugged and sat on the couch.

Biggs flopped down on a chair facing her. "Do you think we should watch guard tonight?"

"Well, we're not exactly expecting an assault."

"No, but we're not in a secured place either."

"I don't care. Besides, I don't need that much sleep." Seeing Biggs's questioning eyes, Max added. "Shark DNA. I'll wake up before two."

"That settles it. First Alec," Biggs grinned, "and then you."


"Take care, Alec, really. I want to see you as soon as possible. Fit and up, of course." With this last touch, a direct innuendo, Helena hung up.

She let out a content sigh. She'd played it wonderfully, hiding her real concern, expressing a whole range of emotions, successively worry, a little bit of anger, then understanding, full force worry, relief and of course impatience to be reunited with him again. The last part wasn't that faked. She needed him.

She didn't want to live an average life. The higher the expected profit, the higher the necessary risks! And too bad for the collateral damage. Alec was wrong when he feared for her job. She was risking her life in that matte, but not only hers, his as well, among others. Only difference, their deaths wouldn't be contracted, only hers. She initiated another call.

"Helena. No delivery today. He just called me. … You know as well as I do there are contingencies, even more when you're playing with fire. This time, it's the CDC. … I don't want them digging into this any more than you do. Can you make sure they don't find anything else but what ABC Corp is entitled to deal with? … I will control the situation here and I'll make sure you get what you want. … I can reschedule it for Monday, that is, if the CDC doesn't find anything. … I won't disappoint you."

Well, that was settled. Not really ethical, but she could live with it as she always had. She was now sure the CDC wouldn't even know they had been so close to put their hands on something so juicy, something so powerful. But she also knew it was something possibly very lethal. Anyway this wouldn't be her problem.

A sexy smile came to her lips as she thought of something that she could do to motivate her troops.


Alec pocketed his cell phone, a smile back on his lips. He had made sure Sketchy heard everything was fine, and the complete description of TND, an unstable dioxin by-product, pretty harmless unless a heavy exposure. He noticed him retreating in the shadows and Max and OC busy in the lounge. As much as he wanted to remain on avoiding mode, they deserved to be somehow reassured. He slumped down on the couch and earned a smack to the back of his head, courtesy of OC'. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Max folding her arms.

"What was that for?" He asked OC, wincing playfully. "Looks like you've been contaminated too. Can't keep your hands away from this gorgeous body of mine anymore, can you, Cindy?"

"That for sittin' on my bed without bein' invited, Boo." OC sat beside him.

"Oh, I wanted to be sure you were comfortable. And," he stopped and looked at OC straight in the eyes, "I wanted to be sure you were alright. There's really nothing to worry about. This was TND and it's harmless in such a small amount. "

"Are you sure?" Max interjected. "Who were you calling? Helena?"

Alec turned his head and looked up at her without any of the warmth he directed to Cindy a few moments earlier. "Yes."

Max's scowl was even deeper than usual, if possible. "Yes, you're sure or yes, you were calling Helena?"

"Yes to both questions, Max." came Alec's sharp answer.

*God, he's even more annoying when he's monosyllabic than when he's chatting uselessly with no end.* "And you trust her?"

"Not exactly."

Max sighed in frustration and Alec sighed in response. OC rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow.

Alec started to speak slowly. "I've been trained not to trust anyone. But my intel confirms there was nothing to be afraid of in this package. A legal one, may I add. ABC Corp has its standards. And it sure doesn't involve dangerous manipulations by ordinary messengers." *How ironic.* He got up.

OC almost shivered at his first words. She didn't know what it felt like to be always on her guard, to distrust the people you get close to, but it sure made one lonely. The boy needed more than coldness and anger. He wasn't unconcerned by the other's feelings, as proved his successful attempt in soothing her fears. He deserved to get some human warmth, and right now, OC was his only conscious option. She got up as well.

Alec almost jumped in surprise when he felt OC's hand on his jaw, pulling him toward her. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on his cheek.

"Thank ya, Boo."

Alec hugged her tightly in return and whispered. "Good night, Cindy." He left, followed by Max's startled gaze.

"What was that about?" Max asked.

OC sighed. She had a long road ahead. Max was more stubborn than usual when it came down to Alec. She choose the short cut. "Oh, Boo, give him a break! Listen carefully, and remember ya'll have plenty of time to think about that later this night! First, this boy is my friend and he's decent," she put her hand on her friend's mouth, "second, ya, Boo, are both blind an' jealous." OC realized while speaking that the matter needed to be pressed further, but she concluded with a smile. "And what if ya use those wonderful powers of yurs to borrow us some pillows or cushions?"

Max jerked her head free out of her friend's grasp. Both friends shared a forced look which ended in a mutual mute agreement. Max nodded and smiled with a playful light back in her eyes.

"Okay, OC, I'll do that; and meanwhile, add Biggs to your concerns. I think he was chatting me up just now!"

OC smiled. She liked this Max much better.


Alec, feeling weirdly lighthearted, joined Biggs who was unrolling two sleeping bags.

"Courtesy of the CDC, as the delicious food rations were." Biggs recalled his dinner plans. He looked up at Alec. "Did you call Helena?"

Alec nodded "Yeah. We just hung up."

"And?"

"Can you just think of one woman who could resist my charm?"

"Well, yes, in fact I do." Biggs had been thinking about Max, but it looked like she didn't belong in the resistance anymore. "Take OC, for instance. But, back to Helena, what did she say?"

"As expected. There's nothing dangerous about this cooler or its content. And, she almost apologized for having called me this morning with this hint of urgency. Everything is fine this way. But that doesn't mean we're cleared for good. The CDC will be taking blood samples tomorrow."

"Why not today? That kind of surprised me."

"Well, their pharmaceutical warehouse has been raided, and they're short of needles." Alec shrugged. "And since they won't ask anything from another service… they just delay their mission. Post-pulse America works this way." Alec looked with disgust at the sleeping bag on the floor. "Doesn't look really comfortable. Besides, it reminds me of our training drills."

"Except for being inside, in a heated and dry place. But don't worry, you're gonna sleep in a 5 star room, compared to this." Biggs grinned. "And I didn't even mention the company. Keeping you warm under the blankets. May I add, Max didn't object!"

Alec raised a questioning eyebrow. Had they drifted into a twilight zone? "Max, blankets and me in the same sentence?"

"Yes and no." Biggs started to laugh uncontrollably. "Depends on what you have in mind."

"Which means?" Alec's nostrils flared as Normal crossed the room, waving invitingly in their direction. "What's up with Normal? He smells like he drowned in Cologne."

"Your friend Normal, who also happens to be our boss, has felt in charge of the sleeping arrangements." Biggs paused theatrically. "Figure you're sharing his couch in his back office."

"And, of course, you're finding this funny." Alec commented. "Well it's not exactly as if I was a damsel without any self protecting skills." He added as an afterthought.

"Perhaps she would be safer. Are you sure your male virtue can be intact after a night with Normal? Coz' Max told me about some of his dreams. The ones about gladiators."

*Well, Max's sense of humor seems to be developing pretty quickly with Biggs around.* And worse, at his own expense. As if he cared.

"The gladiators dream? I remember Normal almost drooling about them." Sketchy had caught Biggs's last sentence.

"Hey, what did I tell you?" Biggs said. "You need a bodyguard. Literally. Or someone like myself. Always ready."

"Always ready." Alec repeated the sentence, smiling. That used to be a private joke between them.

"Well, ready to do anything for his friend's well being. Ready to spend a night with Normal."

"In a comfortable couch instead of on the floor." Sketchy added, taking part of the game. "You know what, Alec, I'd be willing enough to sacrifice myself on this case. Since it's yours."

"And once more, you'd be saving me?" Alec put a hand on his heart, and his eyes were twinkling maddeningly. "Sketch, not only would I be owing you my liberty but also my masculinity today. I'll never be able to pay you back the way you deserve." And, in a more serious tone. "Honestly, Sketch, I owe you for earlier. Thank you."

Sketchy dismissed Alec's thanks with a casual hand gesture. "Well, you'll have to get me a date with any woman I choose."

Alec nodded.

"But you know, they didn't even bother me. Better, they let me take some photographs." Sketchy added. "And about Normal, I don't think he'd accept to share his tiny couch with anyone but you."

"Well, one must take the rough with the smooth. I'll find myself a blanket and settle myself here with you guys."

*This way it's gonna be easier for me to know what you're up to.* Sketchy added to himself. But sleep overcame him as soon as he lay down.

Meanwhile, Normal was wondering about this gang spirit which suddenly seemed to possess his golden boy. Well, he'd be more comfortable alone on the couch.


Since he had been assigned the first watch, Alec was laying on the floor eyes wide open, wrapped in his itching blanket when he felt his phone buzzing against his hip. His cat's eyes made it easy to read the incoming number as Helena's. He frowned and took the call.

"Helena, is anything wrong?"

Yes, Alec. Her voice was deep and husky. We had a date, you remember?

"Of course. But I'm kind of locked here." Alec whispered.

That's why I had something else in mind. She let out a little and sexy laugh. Close your eyes and relax. I'm all yours.

Alec obliged briefly. He could hear a slow seductive song in her background, an old movie's. He could almost hum rhythmically 'Baby, take off your dress'. He smiled in understanding. He opened his eyes to sit up slowly and leaned against the wall. He could keep his concentration under any circumstances; he had been trained that way and Alec sure didn't want to be caught off guard tonight.

What do you want me to do?

"Where are you?" Alec decided to play along while keeping alert.

On my balcony. I'm looking at the city lights.

"I want you to come back inside. In your living room." Alec drawled. "I want you to close the curtains, to light candles and to switch off the lights."

At your pleasure.

Alec went on with the game. "I want you to help yourself a glass of this delicious scotch of yours."

On the rocks? She asked in a throaty voice.

"Whatever, baby. As long as you save a few ice cubes." It was getting hot, indeed.

I can't wait to know what you're up to.

Alec almost sighed. This was a true holy punishment. *A real strip tease would have been really fine.* "Helena, now I want you to tell me what you are wearing."

Which guy would have refused to get into the fantasy?

A/N#3: You don't miss the following sequence, do you? Coz' I preferred to stick to the plot this time. Oh, the music was Joe Cocker's famous "You can leave your hat on".

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