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: Thanks for the reviews guys. I love you all!

The Laws of Attraction

Chapter Ten: Of Meteor Showers and Love

…

"But what Alec?" she repeated. The fire in her eyes had died somewhat, decreasing to a smaller flame that was tinged with curiosity. For once, the chatty and loquacious Alec found himself utterly speechless. No words would come out of his mouth, and he could feel a slight panic rise up within him. Fucking emotions, they screw everything up. He cursed to himself.

"But I would prefer it if we were exclusive," he finally blurted out. "We sleep only with each other. Besides, I don't want to catch something that you may have acquired from your other…boyfriends." He had no idea why he said that. After all, Chase had told him that he had nothing to worry about. But it was as if an inner part of him wanted claim over Max. And he just wanted to make it crystal clear that he didn't want her fucking another guy besides him.

Max's apparent shock quickly dissolved and transformed into full-fledged fury. "I am notlike you Alec. I do not sleep with every guy that I meet. I actually have dignity." She snapped, eyes raging.

She had obviously taken his statement the wrong way. However, upon hearing her heated reply, Alec forgot all about what he had just said to her. All he could think about was the blatant insult that she had thrown right into his face. His voice lowering to a dangerous tone, he angrily hissed at her. "For your information Maxie. I don't sleep with every girl I meet. I admit that I used to do that, but that was a lifetime ago. I'm not that guy anymore Max. Believe it or not, I've changed." He abruptly stood up, took several steps away from the table before stopping dead in his tracks. His head turned halfway, gracing her with one last statement.

"Maybe I just wanted you all for myself, Max. You can call me selfish. But I can't stand seeing you with another guy."

And with that, he vanished into the crowd of people, disappearing from her line of sight and leaving her with much to ponder about.

…

Sitting atop the roof of the Command Center and watching the stars blink and gradually fade away, Max brooded. She was a jumble of emotions, and even the silence of the night couldn't help her from disentangling herself from the intricate web she had just woven. Alec's parting words kept echoing in her head, plaguing her thoughts, giving her very little to think about. His angry and hurt visage kept popping into her brain, and she couldn't help but feel guilty. She knew she had gone too far, but as usual, her temper had gotten the best of her.

Gazing at the beautiful night sky, she found herself remembering…moments she had spent with Alec. Their friendly banter, the heists they pulled, their late-night drives, the way they led TC that was just so right. She never admitted it, even to herself, but now there was just no denying it. They fit so perfectly together. They were a team, partners-in-crime. And ever since she can remember, he always had her back.

But what did all that mean?

"Penny for your thoughts." A deep voice murmured behind her.

And she thought that the roof was one place that no one would find her. Her sweet escape had been intruded. The offending person seated himself beside her and looked up at the dark night sky. "There was supposed to be a meteor shower tonight." He said. "Guess it was a false alarm."

"Can I ask you something James?" she asked, despite herself. His silvery gaze turned to look at her questioningly. "How did you know that Danielle was the one?"

James shrugged his shoulders elegantly, eyes glittering underneath the soft glow of the moonlight. "Simple. She struck me right," he pointed at his chest. "Here." At her confusion, he elaborated. "She makes my heart beat faster, makes me smile like there's no tomorrow, understands me like no one else does. You may think I'm crazy, falling for someone so quickly." With total sincerity in his voice, he added quietly. "But I'm crazy about her Max. She takes my breath away. So much that sometimes I feel like suffocating."

They sat in companionable silence for the next few minutes, just looking up at the stars and wishing their lives away.

"Alec's a great guy Max," James suddenly spoke, his gaze never leaving the sky. She said nothing, allowing him to continue. "He may seem to be a cocky, egotistical jerk sometimes, but if you take the chance to get past all of that and actually try breaking down those walls, you'll find yourself very much surprised." He stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his clothes. He held out his hand to her, she took it gratefully, allowing herself to be pulled up. "Give him a second chance Max. I think he deserves that."

Max sighed. "You should be telling him that." At James' blank expression, she explained. "I kind of crossed the line. Said some pretty awful things."

"Talk to him then. You do live in one apartment." He suggested, wrapping an arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner, offering all the comfort in the world.

"I doubt it will be that easy," Max said with a small wince. How did everything get so complicated all of a sudden? First they were friends. Then they were friends with benefits. And now their bordering on something possibly more. It was fucked up. She voiced out her thoughts. "This friends with benefits thing? It sucks. Big time."

"Hey it all depends on how you look at it," James said with a grin. "Look how well Danielle and I turned out to be."

"I guess we can always have a little faith." Max said with another wistful sigh. Truth be told, she missed Alec. Missed how they could just bicker for days and still end up being friends afterwards. Missed how he would flirt incessantly with her. (Actually, he still did that.) She blamed FWB for everything.

Wait, was she actually admitting to herself? Apparently so.

She was falling for Alec. Big time.

As if on cue, the entire night sky became illuminated. Balls of fire began shooting and falling at random places, igniting the darkness. It was a sight to behold. Both transgenics had stopped in their tracks to watch the dreamlike scene unfold before them.

"Well now, there goes my meteor shower." James mused happily. He clapped Max on the back. "It's all about faith, Max. All about faith."

…

Alec found himself wandering the outskirts of Terminal City in the middle of the night. He couldn't go back to the apartment for dread that Max might be there. He couldn't face her, not in his current state. Had long since admitted to himself that he was head over heels in love with Max. There was no use denying that anymore. It wasn't just mere physical attraction, or animal magnetism, or any of that bullshit. This was love. He could feel it in his soul.

Which was probably why he was acting like a tormented soul, walking in the night, miserable and alone. His eyes caught sight of the faded white building that was Med Bay. The lights were on within, and he could picture out his buddy lying on one of the cots immersed in deep slumber. Having nothing else to do, and in dire need of a distraction, he headed towards the building.

Pushing open the doors, he was half-afraid to see Max standing there, hands on her hips demanding why he was following her. Fortunately, she wasn't. However there was one other person inside Med Bay. He was currently standing with his back to him, bending over Joshua's sleeping form, talking to him a low voice.

Alec approached the bed. "Hey."

The man spun around and smiled hesitantly. "Alec, what are you doing here?"

"Just dropped by to say hello to my good old buddy here," Alec grinned as Joshua's big blue eyes flickered open. He flashed Alec a fanged smile, pleasure written on his face.

"Middle Fella!" Joshua exclaimed jubilantly. "Joshua misses you."

"Same here, Big Fella." Alec said with a small smile. "How are you holding up?"

"Dr. Chase says I'll be better in no time," Joshua replied, grinning at Chase who was currently dressed in a white lab coat and had a clipboard in his hand. Alec had to acknowledge the fact that Chase was a damned good Medic.

"Well Joshua needs to sleep now," the dog-man declared, settling himself more comfortably on the bed and was soon snoring lightly. The two X5s left him, moving over the main part of Med Bay.

"Hey, I just wanted to apologize for earlier." Alec said sheepishly, running a hand through his hair.

Chase waved it off. "No need. I understand." He said with a grin. "So, you got the girl?"

Alec grimaced. "Not quite. Kind of went into an argument after you left."

Chase cringed. "Max and her hot temper, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Well I'm sure you'll figure out."

"I hope so." Alec said, more to convince himself than in reply to Chase. "I really hope so."

…

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