Chapter 10: New York_ Snow Patrol
Author: MishaV946 / 946MishaV
Rating: T-mild language and mild adult content-just to be safe.
Summary: Alec learns a thing or two about Max. Max learns the reasons for her mission-to bring down the Conclave and Familiars.
Spoilers: Way after FN
Disclaimer: *pout*
Status: WIP
A/N: The lyric of the song is written in italic…only one line at the end…
A/N: Thoughts are in 'italic'
Chapter 10: New York_ Snow Patrol
Max and Brian walked into the apartment building which host as the safe 'house'. People bustled in an out of the reception area. Minding their own business, they walked directly to the reception desk.
"Hey Max, got some messages for you." the clerk said avoiding any suspicion towards Max and Brian. He smiled at them.
"Thanks James." Reaching out for the paper, she read the contents.
"What does it say?" Brian leaned forward as if he was whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
Max showed him the piece of paper with seductive smile.
"Thanks James." They simultaneously gestured, as they held each other's hand and scurried towards the elevators.
They walked into the far end of the lobby area that housed a secured elevator. Scanning her surroundings to make sure that they were indeed alone, they entered the elevator. The electric sensors picked up their movement immediately, small fluorescent down lights beamed upon them as did the screen on the right side of the elevator. Max scanned her retina and placed her hands on the security pad.
"Welcome Max." the electronic program greeted.
"Thank you Tara." She greeted back.
"You don't think it's weird to have this in a public place?" Brian pointed out.
"Nope that's why it has a permanent out of order sign on it," she said nonchalantly, "besides I kinda enjoy the whole 'I Robot' feel." She added with a smile.
Shaking his head, he bit his lower lip from smiling too much, "Which floor?"
"Duh 15"
In the meantime…
"Okay this way guys." Kyla gestured towards the main entrance.
"It's an apartment." OC stated the obvious.
"Yip. I'll explain it to you when we get up."
They entered the building feeling tired, dirty and most importantly hungry. However, Alec seemed somewhat distracted by his thoughts.
'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something important….damn it, it's something to do with Max.'
'Or is it someone?'
'Shit why can't I remember? This never happens…correction this shouldn't happen.'
"Hey James, bye James." Kyla greeted as she walked pass the reception desk trailing the visitors in question behind her.
"No wait….oh crap." The words dying on James's lips as he watched the groups retreating backs.
Bending slightly he nervously looked at the monitor, and then sighed in relief.
"Err, guys we need to get into the elevator." Kyla chuckled slightly as the group strolled slowly, eyes curiously wondering around them.
"Yeah, it's quite a design huh?" Kyla laughed.
"Yeah…architect musta got paid some dough from alla this." OC said, mesmerized by the enormous intricacy of the architecture.
"Oh she did."
"She?" Joshua interrupted.
Kyla turned towards them, a proud smile forming on her face, "Max was the core architect of this building. She designed it from basement to roof top."
If the situation wasn't as serious as this, Kyla would've taken a snap shot of their comical looks- wide eyes and gaped open jaws.
"Are we thinking of the same Max here?" Biggs asked.
"Yip. Max learned the need to create safe houses everywhere, she was kinda obsessed in some way and so one way of doing that was too build them from scratch."
"I'm not sure how to respond to that."
"She's still Max, just a little different."
"Yeah My Max an architect," Alec blurted out lamely. He stole a glance at Kyla, wishing he had been more discreet about that comment when he noticed a hint of hurt in her eyes by the emphasis on the word 'my' but was quickly altered to a small warm smile. Neither of them noticed Cece and Biggs shake their heads in disapproval.
Turning back to the control panel next to the doors, Kyla pressed the button to the designated floor. OC glowered at Alec who in turn shrugged his shoulders lightly.
"So where's this safe…apartment?" Biggs broke the awkward silence that deafened them.
"Floor 15"
On floor 15, moments before Kyla's presence…
Brian and Max briskly walked towards the room. Taking a deep breath, Max halted in her steps, turning towards a questioning Brian.
"Thank you for covering me back at the airport." She gestured with a soft tone unable to look at him in the eye. Their previously tense conversation still left a raw open wound between them.
Sighing deeply Brian glanced at the closed door then at her, "Truth is; I didn't want Papa K and Mama K to worry about their little girl siding with the…not like that enemy from Austrialia today." he said honestly without a hint of acidity or anger.
A small smile grew on her lips before she turned serious, "it's weird having a family. Parents per se. I never really had to live up to the expectation of being a good daughter for anyone let alone parents. Manticore wasn't really big on that, the whole family bonding thing. We were soldiers and the expectations of being perfect soldiers were there or be killed."
"Max, you're lucky enough to experience a bit of normalcy. But your parents don't expect anything from you. They just want you safe. Which is a good thing; there are a lot of broken families out there and the worse ones are the ones who are bred and born in the same family. Believe me when I say this, you mean a whole lot more to them than you realize."
"Because of Mi?"
"Well that too. Mi was a pillar of strength for everyone. She was the type of person people looked up to. I think they see you as a daughter of their own because of those qualities that you and her share."
"You miss her?"
"I do. But I got you now."
"Arg," Max rolled her eyes, unable to prevent the grin that formed on her face, "I better get in before Ames decides to kill himself from boredom."
Her senses tingled as she read the room number 152, stealing a quick glance at the elevators she shook her head clear and reached out for the door knob twisting it open, she entered the room flowed by Brian. As he took one step forward, Brian heard the elevator ting. Rushing into the room, he quickly stepped behind the door keeping it ajar. Holding his breath, he peeped through the slit hoping there wouldn't be any nasty surprises. His heart beating faster and faster as the numerous numbers of footsteps got closer. His mouth agape slightly, his eyes locked ahead, lips drying further as his panting increased waiting to catch a glimpse of the inevitable.
"So you guys will be housed in room 150 until I can get the other rooms sorted out. So it might be a little cramped for two or three days but I can assure you that it will be ready in a few days."
Exhaling a deep breath, Brian gripped the pane of the door feeling slightly light headed. 'Damn it Kyla…wait why is she here?'
Closing the door behind him, Brian caught up with Max. He abruptly stopped in his track, all wits shocked out of him by her hospitality towards Ames White.
"Hey Brian, coffee?" she asked, holding up an empty coffee mug.
"Err, no," he stumbled attempting to clear his dry throat, "I'll be right back, need to get some stuff from the car." He explained unhurriedly.
"Ok." She nodded then returned her attention to the paper in front of her.
As soon as Brian's presence lingered no more, Ames White and Max continued their conversation.
"So you're saying that we should attack at the heart?"
"Yes, that means going to Grand Folks, USA."
"Where it all started. Don't I feel like I'm living in the memento of things," she paused, "But what's there?"
"It's the main burial site. The one in Seattle was a small one. Besides, the mayor's house is located 20 km away from the site."
"That's just creepy." She stated, shuddering at the thought, "What's so special about the site?"
"It's the foundation of our very being. It's our history, our teachings. The ceremonial snakes are kept there for the main initiations that are held there. Prevent that from happening..."
"Prevent them from expanding…"
"Yes."
"Perfect and might I add gross. Well we need to take them down in clusters. Starting with pawns first, that should lead us to the king. Wait is there one?"
"Yes, but very few meaning Only the priestesses and the priests are allowed to see him."
"Who is this high and almighty thou art?"
"Matthias Sandamen."
"Matthias as in the Gift of God and Sandamen as in Herman Rene Sandamen's ..." she gestured with her hand for Ames White to complete.
"Brother."
"Wow, this is going to be a happy family reunion. Don't I feel privileged" She smiled sarcastically before sipping her coffee.
"Yeah well don't keep your hopes up; they might kill you on the spot."
"Awe, I'm touched at your concern." She battered her eyelashes dramatically before rolling her eyes.
Ames ignored her pointedly, for a couple of seconds "Max?"
"Yeah?" she looked up at Ames, taken aback by the sincerity in his eyes.
"Thanks for doing this."
Max looked quizzically into her cup, rotating it at every angle hoping to find something inside, "I know I didn't spike the coffee. So what have you been smoking on the quiet?"
A death glare
"Now that I'm more use to." Emphasising her statement with wide doe eyes, "Don't go all soft on me, Ames. We're still enemies… tomorrow, but today I'm helping you take down the Familiars and Conclave."
"Well, if it makes you feel better; you're still my enemy today."
"Touché" holding her mug up as they both grinned at the irony of the situation.
If someone had mentioned to either of them the day before that they would be drinking coffee together conversing on how to bring down the Conclave and Familiars…you'd better have had good running shoes.
"I got to jet. You know you can't leave right?"
"I know." He said as his hand went directly to the nap of his neck, "I find it quite ironic." Giving her a dubious look.
"Yeah, me too. Except that the micro explosive embedded at the base of your cerebellum is programmed to the alarm. You can't leave this room unless you want to add more texture to the wallpaper."
Grabbing her things, Max walked towards the door leaving Ames White behind. She entered into the quiet corridor, her senses tingled once more. However this time, the feeling within her spiked up her heart beat. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts and feeling she dragged her heavy feet towards the elevators. Disappointed at the way her body was behaving.
'It's like back then when I knew Alec was around'
The elevator doors shut closed, enclosing her senses into nothing else but a feeling of emptiness.
Brian…
Brian left the apartment with a nervous feeling. Why had Kyla come to the safe apartment? Was she in trouble? What about all those voices and shuffling feet? Worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, he attentively approached the dark cherry wooden door. He knocked three times, then twice then four times. A code given to them by Max's constant nagging on security precautions.
"Yes?" Kyla carefully opened the door. A laughing smile formed on her face taking in the familiar face; "Brian?" she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug.
"Kyla what are you doing here?"
"Am on a mission, got the gang here."
"Here? Is…is…um Alec here?" Brian stammered unable to sound out Alec's name.
"Yeah, why?" looking at him sceptically.
"Max is back, we ran into Ames White. Long story short; she's not in any danger…for now. I'm keeping an eye on her, but I could use your help with something." A smile forming on his face as he looked at Kyla's questioning furrowed eyes.
They stood in the corridor, conversing in hush voices.
"Consider it done." Kyla smiled.
Room 150
Kyla walked back into the quiet apartment, shocked to see the sleeping forms on the floor, the chair and the couch. All sound asleep except for one.
Winking at him, she nudged her head towards the bedroom.
"Get ready."
"Why?"
Kyla couldn't help but smirk, "I'm taking you to see Max."
And the fire that is starting to go out
End of Chapter 10
A/N: Verdict? Good? Bad?