Title: into the wild
Author: sue
Rating: PG13
Show: DA
Pairing: M/A
Genre: Romance/Adventure
Type: WiP
Summary: Max and the others failed in their mission to blow up the DNA lab and in the process she was recaptured. After months of being submitted to the torturous Psy-ops she was sent to a new unit and her CO was this drop dead gorgeous - *methinks!* X5494. The unit was then sent on their first mission, a retrieval ops in a jungle. Then, the story started to enfold..
***
A/N- Hi! Actually I was having some difficulty while writing this chapter. what you may ask? Then the answer would be plain laziness lol Yup, I was being lazy :P And also the fact that I just had a minor surgery done to my hand a couple of days ago so for the last few days I've had some problems in typing. Last night while in chat, Maia started asking, very very nicely (because my dear Maia is a sweetheart) about the next chapter. So, with that sudden burst of inspiration ;) I started working today and surprise, surprise, I finished a chapter in less than a day.
For those who doubted that miracles do happen, start believing in them. Yes, now would be a good time to do so. If I can do this, then so can you.
Again, Maia helped me in making this a better chapter, so hon, I love you lots :D
***
Chapter ten.
Fury.
Anger.
The twin emotions were cruising through his veins, together and intertwined as one. The dual feelings were wrapped around each other, pushing the remaining one to the surface of his boiling temper. He shuddered as both of them came too close to the shell of the sensations he had been feeling.
Something he had never permitted to happen.
Not once in his entire lifetime.
The jaw hardened when he recalled what had taken place mere hours ago. He still couldn't believe she had taken off like that. But on the other hand, why shouldn't he expect something like that from her? She listed running away as her number one solution for practically every trouble that came her way.
Too demanding a childhood?, runs off into the night.
Even if it was freezing like hell outside.
Too unsure of herself when a guy kisses her?, runs off before you can talk it through.
And I still can't believe she did that! Goddammit! What was she thinking?
Who knows what had been going through that complicated mind of hers. He grounded his teeth in frustration, that fiery girl was more skittish than a newborn foal.
What the? Now she got him thinking like a damn farmer! He growled, marching quickly ahead before wincing. He had walked too fast for his wounded body's liking. Foal? Skittish? Where did that come from?
He lifted his tensed hand and ran his stiff fingers through his hair, frowning heavily as his feet trudged automatically towards his destination. Alec sighed, whoever said that women and men came from two different planets got it down pat and perfectly.
For the life of him, he couldn't figure out that one female in particular and that irked him.
Absolutely.
Definitely.
But why was he feeling all warm and tingly whenever he thought about the desperate way they had clung to each other when they were kissing?
How do I answer that? he thought with a frown. Hey! Why should I have to answer it in the first place? It wasn't like he was a contestant in some game show.
God, he ran his hand over his face, I've started to ramble.
That's what I've been reduced to. I'm a romantic, rambling freak now.
He stopped still, closing his eyes in a desperate attempt to calm his temper. Slowly, he took a number of deep breaths, filling his thirsty lungs with fresh air.
Okay, I'm fine now, he said to himself, nodding slightly.
'Hey 494, got a second?'
'What do you think I am? The information counter?' he snapped instantly without really seeing who it was.
'Whoa, easy does it!' 511 took an unconscious step behind, looking warily at his CO.
Alec groaned, pushing the heel of his hand to his eyes, 'Sorry about that ol' buddy. I don't know what come over me.'
His SIC raised a dark brow, 'I suggest you refrain from using that particular phrase in this base. You know how they don't particularly like it if we're all on buddy-like terms.'
'Again, slip of tongue,' he answered simply, looking around with wary eyes, 'I've got too much on my mind right now.'
'What's up? I've never seen you this.. confused before,' 511 asked quietly, falling in step beside him. 'It's not about the mission right? As far as I know, it was a complete success.'
'No, no, it's not about the mission,' he answered under his breath, 'and no, I don't want to talk about it, so quit asking.'
'452?' the other man asked with a knowing gleam in his eyes.
'Dammit, what are you? Psy-ops?' he asked with a barely hidden glare. 'Am I that obvious? And for you information, no, this is not about 452,' he lied blatantly, looking at 511 straight in the eye.
'Yeah right, buddy,' the dark haired man grinned, 'cause what you just said wasn't contradictory at all. Come on, spill.'
'I have no idea what you're talking about,' Alec mumbled, walking briskly away from his smirking friend.
'Right,' 511 continued to smile with amusement, 'and I'm the King of England.'
***
That.. that.. that good for nothing.. Alec! she huffed angrily, marching back into her cell. I've definitely picked up the most appropriate name for that guy. How could he do that to me? How could he even think of doing that to me?
She flopped onto her waiting bed before scooting towards the cold brick wall, wrapping her arms around her raised knees. Max perched her chin on her knees, her face was plastered with a heavy sulk when suddenly her earlier memories started to appear.
She shivered, recalling the way she had melted into his embrace, the way she had grabbed hold of him with no thought of letting go. The way their lips had met and fused together.
The exciting way his skillful hands had roamed all over her body, stroking the embers of desire in her into a full blown fire.
The way his hard body had felt under her sensitive fingers.
That's it! Stop doing this to yourself!
Max groaned and buried her face in her shaking hands.
What the hell is happening to me?
Slowly, she leaned her head against the wall, looking with unseeing eyes at the still dark ceiling.
Could she keep blaming everything on him? Would that be the right thing to do?
No, of course not, she sighed, but it sure would be the easiest thing to do. Max straightened her legs, sliding them slowly over the harsh blanket.
'Run, that's what you're good at. When it gets to tough for you to handle, you run. Back then and even now, aren't you a little tired of the repeated response?'
Max gritted her teeth, how dare he said that to me?
Of all the subjects to use, he had chosen that particular one. Did he have to rub it in her face like that?
She almost jumped when a male voice sounded, 'Ready for breakfast 452.'
'I'm coming,' she mumbled, getting up from her bed. She ran one hand through her hair before tossing the ends over one shoulder. Her slim shoulders stiffened when the door was opened and she walked out of her cell, still as confused as she had been when she marched in, but now no one would be able to guess it. She had hidden her tumultuous thoughts successfully away from prying eyes.
'Hey, glad to see you made it!'
Max turned at the sound of the cheery voice and unconsciously a smile hovered over her sullen face. 'I feel so flattered you have so much faith in me,' she replied, a small grin on her lips.
'I know, I know,' 751 nodded, a cheeky gleam in her light eyes, 'I would feel horrible if you failed to haul your ass back in here, after I sent you off into the wild, horrible world out there.'
Despite everything Max choked off a burst of laughter, if only she knew what her plan was.
She turned and sneaked a glance at the girl who was walking beside her, noting the happy expression on her face, 'Can I ask you something?'
'Yeah sure,' 751 said immediately, 'but if it is about who do I think is the best looking guy here, I don't have an answer to that.'
This time Max laughed, but she suppressed the display of emotion instantly. 'Really? But I thought you would have an answer, seeing how much time you've spend pondering on that subject.'
'Well, if you really want to know, let me see first,' 751 bit her lower lips, her face were crinkled as she thought it over. '634 is not that bad looking,' Max grinned as she recalled the tall blonde guy, 'and oh, add 494 too. He's just too damn yummy for his own good,' 751's light gray eyes gleamed brightly and she missed the scowl that appeared on the girl next to her.
'What about his SIC?' Max put in quickly, hoping to change the subject.
'511?' 751 shuddered slightly, 'nah, not him. He gets on my nerve. I have no idea what's wrong with that guy. It's like he always tries his hardest to make me mad or something.'
Glad to see I'm not alone in this sort of thing, Max thought silently to herself.
'276, 871, 386, 165,' 751 sighed, 'all of them are ones that make my heart go all fluttery. And that, my friend is just the tip of the iceberg, the list is endless you know,' she finished with a big grin.
'How on earth did you stay like this?' Max asked with an amused smile, 'I thought Manticore would have wiped this all off years ago.'
'Beats me,' she shrugged, 'but let me ask you one thing, if they didn't know I have these.. flaws, they wouldn't have to put it to right, am I correct?'
'As usual,' Max nodded, shooting the girl a knowing look.
'Watch where you're going,' someone snapped in her ears and Max turned to see the speaker.
'You should listen to yourself sometimes, 620,' the red headed 751 interrupted, 'and watch where you're going.'
'Am I talking to you?' the tall willowy blonde girl turned her icy blue eyes and 751 narrowed hers, 'So back off Carrot Top.'
751's fair skin flushed to a deep red and Max had to grab her friend's hand, effectively preventing the fiery redhead from launching herself onto the bristling blond. 'I suggest you back off blondie,' Max said with a calmness that completely belied the fury that was leaping in her dark eyes, 'you're sadly outnumbered here.'
'Do you expect me to listen to a former escapee?' she said disdainfully, glancing at Max with unhidden scorn, 'Then you're sadly out of your mind.'
'Just because you never jumped the fence makes you better than the rest of the world?' 751's temper got the better of her and she hissed angrily.
'Yeah, that's one way to put it,' 620 fluffed her fair hair, looking smug.
'God, are we even living in the same planet?' came the instant reply, 'How self absorbed can you get? But with the ass kissing you've done in your lifetime, I think that kinda evens the scale. You and the escapees aren't so different after all.'
'What the hell are you talking about?' the haughty look left instantly, leaving the heavily veiled fear in its place.
'You heard me,' the redhead replied unresponsively, staring with unblinking eyes.
Max who had been quiet for the last few minutes decided her cue to start speaking had arrived, 'What are you waiting for? Retreat while you still can, that's what they thought us right?'
620 was silent for a few more seconds, looking at the hostile faces that were staring at her, 'You'll be seeing me around,' she said before flipping her hair and marching off.
'I don't doubt that. Ugh, I hate that girl,' 751 said furiously, glaring at the said girl's disappearing back. 'Whenever she's around, there's bound to be trouble.'
Max agreed silently, remembering their history with the cold hearted blonde.
'Come on, I'm hungry,' 751 tugged at Max's hand, the recent outburst was pushed from her memory, forcing Max successfully back into reality.
Together, they walked into the crowded mess hall, shoving through the packed crowds. After they each got themselves a tray, they turned and strode towards the nearest empty table, sliding onto the waiting seats with a sigh.
'God, I'm starved,' 751 announced and started to dig into her meal with a gusto.
Max just shook her head in wonder before she started eating, slowly and without interest in what she was putting into her mouth. A few seconds later she stiffened when she caught sight of the nearest arrival.
Unknowingly, she shifted a little in her seat, a desperate attempt to hide from the CO she had just jilted after kissing him like there was no tomorrow. But even in her preoccupation, she realized that he didn't seem to be bothered by her presence as she was by his. He was talking to his SIC, nodding as the latter said something before replying in a low tone.
And for some reason, that annoyed her.
Very, very much indeed.
Here she was, out of her mind thinking about what had happened, and it seemed he wasn't even bothered by it.
Typically male, she huffed, narrowing her eyes at him.
Her neck prickled uncomfortably as he neared her table, and her back stiffened in response. She forced her trembling hand to continue shoving food into her mouth as from the corner of her eyes she tracked his progress and her heart beat uncomfortably in anticipation.
Her hand stilled when he sailed past her, nodding once when 751 called out, 'Sir!' before marching ahead.
Completely and totally ignoring her.
Max whipped her head, glaring at his retreating back. 'You just wait Alec, just you wait,' she mumbled under her breath, her jaw was clenched in anger and a dose of humiliation.
751 frowned after she witnessed the uncharacteristic behaviour of the girl sitting right in front of her. 'What was that all about?' she asked without preamble.
Max turned and looked at the waiting girl, 'What?'
'Did I sense some animosity just now?'
'I beg your pardon?' Max asked quickly, unwilling to discuss what had just happened.
'What's up with you and our delectable CO?'
'Nothing,' she said instantly.
'Then, for someone you don't really care about, you sure use a lot of energy to act like he pisses you off or something,' 751 replied straight-faced, glancing at the watchful guards.
'You're right, he's not worth it,' Max agreed immediately but she kept sneaking glances from the corner of her eyes.
Alec had taken a seat a few tables away, sitting with his dark haired SIC. Max continued to watch as they talked slowly among themselves. Her eyes narrowed when she realized that the guard seemed to be paying more attention to the duo than the rest of the soldiers put together.
'Why are the guards doing that?' she didn't even realize she had asked the question out loud.
'Doing what?'
She motioned her head towards the two men, 'Them. Why are they under heavy guards?'
751 repressed the urge to roll her eyes. 452 could be so dense sometimes.
'For one, Manticore is afraid what their finest would do if for some reason they were left unguarded. Two, they don't want their prized possession to get some unwanted thoughts in those genetically engineered minds. That would prove to be unwise, given past histories,' she said bluntly and Max almost grinned. Almost but not quite.
'I didn't know Al.. I mean 494 was among the top ranking officers,' Max asked with a frown.
This time 751 didn't bother to hide her reaction, she rolled her eyes before smiling amusedly, 'Do you think the Director would let just any officers be the CO for this mission? He's the crème de la crème, the best soldier Manticore has ever had and also the most difficult they've had to cope with.'
Max's eyebrow rose a few inches, 'You have to be kidding. Him?'
But before 751 could elaborate on that particular subject, she was sidetracked by another arrival. After glancing to see that she had no guard's attention on herself, she waved him their way, gesturing for him to join them.
634 smiled, his short fair hair seemed to enhance his dark eyes. After he sat besides 751, someone stopped by their table, 'Hey, is that seat taken?'
Max lifted her head and saw 238, the last member for their retrieval op mission. 'All yours,' she said without hesitation.
'Thanks,' the girl answered, pushing her long fair hair away before starting to eat.
751 had started an animated conversation with 634, while 238 was engrossed in her meal and Max found her attention started to wander towards the far table. The object of her scrutiny was saying something while the other man was listening intently, nodding once in a while. Again, she saw the way the numerous guards were hovering by their elbows and she shuddered, how could he ignore their irritating presence, pretend that they weren't there?
A frown flitted over her closed face; I guess he's had much practice, that's why he didn't have too much trouble ignoring me earlier. So deep in her own thought, she barely heard the voice that was calling her designation.
'452, hey 452! Are you still here?'
'Max, my name is Max,' she answered without thinking, tearing her gaze from her CO to focus on the other member of her unit. Her heart dropped to her feet when she saw the calculated look on each one of the faces that were looking at her. She also saw the wariness and unasked question that were plastered all over the three faces.
Why do I have the feeling that the shit has hit the fan? she thought with resignation. Damn.
To be continued...