Title: The Laws of Attraction

Author: human28

Spoilers: Post-Freak Nation.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Max and Alec are obliged to share an apartment. Although both claim that they are not attracted to one another, will they be after sharing the same living space?

A/N: Glad you guys enjoyed that last chapter! Here's another one. Woot!

The Laws of Attraction

Chapter Nine: Of Envy and Truths

The transgenics, even in the midst of all the chaos that continues to erupt all around them, would always find ample time to unwind. So it wasn't much of a shock to find the bar crowded that night. Pre-pulse house music blared from the speakers, and the lights were dimmed low for added effect. (As if that made any difference with those who could see in the dark.) Most of the tables were occupied, so the two X5s had no choice but to sit at the bar.

"You see her yet man?" James asked in between sips of his beer.

"Since I walked in," was Alec's short reply.

"Why didn't you tell me?" James asked, thoroughly miffed.

"Because you'd start gawking like an idiot and she'll know that we're…following her."

"More like stalking her," James said with a roll of his eyes. He continued to search the bar for the temperamental brunette, trying to appear as casual as possible. Alec would slit his throat if Max found out that they had indeed followed her. Five seconds later, he found his target. She was sitting near the back, laughing hysterically at something that her companion was saying. James' eyesight zeroed in onto her 'date', and released a small chuckle when he saw who it was. "770? Chase? He's the last person that I would've expected."

Alec snorted. "Damn straight. He's too – good for her."

"Quite the contrary to your fuck-authority persona?" James said, cocking an eyebrow.

"He's boring."

James barely sustained a laugh. "Dissing the enemy, now aren't we?"

"Merely stating the facts."

"I remember him back at Manticore," James said thoughtfully. "Was rather good at Hand-to-Hand. And a brilliant Medic."

"Tell me James, which side are you on?" Alec asked with a murderous glare.

"Why yours of course," James said cheerfully, amusement written all over his voice. "Don't tell me you feel threatened by Chase?"

Another glare. "Of course not." Downing the last of his scotch, Alec stood up. "I'll even prove it to you."

James nearly choked on his drink. "Are you kidding me? Max will kill you."

But Alec was already halfway across the bar.

Being around Chase was rather refreshing. He made her feel awfully at ease and totally relaxed. They talked about anything and everything in between. From Manticore, to alcohol, to politics. She had laughed more in that single hour that they had spent together than she could have had in a normal day. Chase also seemed to have perfected the capability to make her blush for more than a few times. He was simply teeming with charm, and he had that smile. It was killer.

"So have you had any boyfriends?" Chase inquired interestedly.

Max scrunched up her face. "I had one serious boyfriend. It didn't work out so well."

"May I ask why?"

She had no idea why she was telling him this, but the words rolled out of her tongue so easily. It was almost as if she were talking to a long-time friend. No holds barred. "He was an ordinary." She spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "He wanted me to be ordinary." She shrugged half-heartedly, meeting his gaze. "I can't do that. I just…can't."

Respecting her privacy, Chase deliberately changed the topic. "Want to know why I asked you out?" he asked, with a half-smile.

"Dare I ask?"

"As you probably know, I've only been here for a few weeks." Chase replied. "And during those few weeks, I have overheard countless stories about you. Some bad. Some good." His blue eyes were sparkling, betraying his amusement at her obvious discomfort upon hearing people gossiping about her.

"X5-452. The 09-er. The last person they would've expected to rise to the top, and lead a nation." His blue gaze was locked on hers, and they showed nothing but genuine sincerity. "Yet she far exceeded beyond their expectations. She was great. A true leader." He shrugged, his eyes nothing but earnest.

"She was a bit hot-tempered, almost always kept to herself, had a tough head and an even tougher façade…I guess I just needed to find out if all this was true. Call it curiosity, I call it an overwhelming interest. After all, not everyone can destroy Manticore and grant everyone their rightful freedom. And not everyone can lead a nation." He flashed her another one of his charming grins. "You really are something special Max."

Despite herself, Max blushed, and her lips twitched into a smile. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't need to. Everything that I said? Its who you are Max, and don't change. Don't ever change for anyone. Be yourself, and be fucking damned proud of it." His voice was dead-on serious, and Max found herself agreeing, memories traveling back to a bitter past, a bitter childhood. People ordering her around, expecting her to be someone she wasn't, wanting her to be someone else.

He raised his glass to her. "A toast."

"To my exceptional leadership skills?" she suggested laughingly, quirking an eyebrow.

"How about to your exceptional beauty?"

Another blush.

Chase grinned. "A toast to a new friendship. May it be long and everlasting."

Max smiled. "Cheers!"

He watched them smile at each other like blissful idiots, and he felt that uncomfortable sensation in the pit of his stomach, sparking his anger. If Danielle had been present, she would've told Alec that that 'uncomfortable sensation' was none other than absolute jealousy. Squaring his shoulders defiantly, and hazel-green eyes filled with determination, he slowly approached their table.

"Mind if I join in?" he drawled, the second he was within earshot. Two heads turned to look at him, one with surprise, another with annoyance. Chase, being the ever perfect gentleman, pulled up a chair for Alec and invited him to sit down. Plastering a completely fake smile on his face, he did as told and tried to act nonchalant. "So, what's up?"

"That's it?" Max asked incredulously. "You came here to ask 'what's up?'"

"Just wanted to see how you were doing." He said innocently. "Why, am I interrupting?"

"Not at all!" Chase said cheerfully.

"If you're looking to score free beer Alec, you're not getting any." Max hissed, her brown eyes flickering warningly. "I suggest you leave."

Alec decided to take matters into his own hands. He wasn't going to let Max humiliate him in front of this…this...guy. He smirked at her. "Actually, I came here to take you home."

"Home?" Max practically screeched. "Why would I need you to take me home?"

Alec shrugged. "I couldn't let you be swept away by another man, now could I?" He said, repeating Danielle's exact same words. Wait. Did I just say that? He wondered as Max fell silent. I did not just say that. He thought horrified. He just blatantly confessed his feelings to her right then and there. What the hell is wrong with me? James' voice began echoing in his head. 'You are so whipped, bro.'

"I meant, I couldn't let you sleep with other men when you're sleeping with me." He covered up quickly, although knowing that it was already way too late. Max was staring at him in complete silence, her brown eyes unreadable.

Oh great. I am in deeper shit than I imagined.

Chase was watching the whole ordeal with something akin to mirth. The second he had stood in front of Max's apartment door that night, he had overheard the distinct male voice that could only belong to Alec. There had been whisperings of the two of them sleeping together, and Chase had finally received confirmation from the man himself.

Chase couldn't help but feel a tad bit amused that Alec was actually threatened by him. By no means did he want to engage himself in a relationship with Max. Friendship, yes. But other than that, Chase couldn't even imagine. He was truthful about what he had said to Max earlier, his interest in her personality and his desire to know a little bit more about their 'queen'. He had nothing but sheer respect and admiration for her.

Besides, even if he did have a romantic interest in Max, it was common knowledge to the whole of TC that she was off-limits. The minute she had moved in with Alec, that sort of clarified things for more than a few X5 males in the city. Even if there was nothing going on with them in the first place. Moving in with someone…it just signified something…ownership? Hmm. Not quite. A tight relationship? More or less. Half of the population in TC who were living together were either best friends, family, or…mates.

Were Max and Alec best friends? Believable. Family? That would be incest! Mates? That question is, as of now, unanswerable.

Well, everyone with eyes could see the electricity that ran between X5s 452 and 494 every time they crossed paths with each other. Some said it was unresolved sexual tension (um, don't think so, seeing as their sleeping with each other), some said animal magnetism (possibly), some said it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship (well now, that sounds poetic.)

Chase however, could see clearly that they were two peas in a pod. Perfect for one another. Chaos would ensue if they ended up with different partners. Scratch that, that was never going to happen. He would kiss Mole if that would ever happen.

"I thought we were non-exclusive," Max said, interrupting his train of thought. He knew he should leave the two alone, but he had no idea if Max wanted him to leave her alone with Alec. And vicious Max was someone that he didn't quite admire. He had seen her temper explode every once in a while at the Command Center and it was not a pretty sight.

"Well yes, but…"

"But what?"

Alec glanced at him hesitantly, while Max waited impatiently for his answer. Chase could see the confusion in her eyes, as well as utter astonishment. She had been caught off-guard at Alec's first answer, and it showed. I think this is my cue. Chase thought. He stood up, kissed Max on the cheek (ignoring Alec's fiery glare), and excused himself. "I think the two of you need to be alone. Thanks Max, had a great night." He flashed them one last smile, but not before leaning towards and Alec and speaking words for his ears only. "You've got nothing to worry about Alec. She's all yours."

He left them, a curious Max staring after him, and a slightly happier Alec.

A/N: Do review, I beg you.