A/N: You know what? I'm giving up on finding the ending point. I have a basic idea now of where this story is going, and what was 7 now is on part 10/17. At best. And that'll probably end up with a sequel. Maybe. If I'm not old or dead by then. I mean, this was supposed to be SHORT. But have you ever heard of 'cooperative muses'? No? Neither have I.

Disclaimer: Time to repost this. Not mine, never was, never will be. Know how you can be sure? Cause otherwise every shot of Alec would be shirtless.  It's all Fox, Cameron, Eglee, and everybody else. If you want names go watch the credits.

:: Warning: This chapter was written mostly at 10:30 pm while procrastinating studying for a history and algebra test the next day. Al insanity can be blamed on my teachers, not me. Well, okay, so it is me, but they are the people at fault for now. I don't feel like dealing with it. ::

Max sat at the kitchen table with Tasha and Colie on either side, Kim having gone off on an errand and Sam talking to Logan about some journalism thing in great detail. Max grinned as she watched them, poking Tasha and pointing to them. Tasha grinned back, but suddenly laughed. Max blinked and looked at her, wondering what that was. She grinned and picked up her napkin waving it in the air.

"Max, hon, go check a mirror."

Max put down her fork and walked over to the bathroom, seeing a smudge of tomato sauced right above her left eyebrow. She cracked up as she washed it off and came back in. "How did I do that?"

A man appeared in the doorway and a deep voice behind her answered. "I don't know, Maxie," it said as strong arms slid around her waist. Max gasped and turned around, pulling the owner of the voice's face to hers in a quick kiss. "Well, hello to you to." He whispered against her lips. She grinned.

"Shut up." She whispered back and captured his lips again for a much longer kiss.

Someone behind them coughed. "Alec, nice to see you, but enough PDA please. I'm gonna be sick." Tasha requested.

Max laughed softly and pulled away. Alec placed one last kiss on the top of her head and turned to face the rest of them.

"Hey, Tasha, Cole, Sam." He said, addressing each of them in turn. Then, his deep voice laughing, he added "Logan! How nice to see you! What are you doing here?"

Logan laughed. "Alec, the fact I'm here has already been blamed on you."

"It's a bad thing?" he asked innocently. Max wrapped his arms around her tighter, basking in the feel of safeness and rightness that he brought out.

"No, it's not a bad thing. Not at all."

Alec smiled. "Glad to hear it."

Max suddenly pulled away, "Alec." She began.

"Yeah Max?"

"Don't you need to unpack?"

Alec nodded. "Yeah. I need to unpack."

Max grinned at his seductively. "I'll help you unpack."

Alec grinned back boldly. "I could use the help."

Sam laughed, watching them. "You two, go."

As Max and Alec walked off he slipped his arm around her waist. Nicole grinned and turned to Logan.

"We won't see them for a while." She said seriously, right before bursting into giggles.

***

Max grinned as Alec put down his bag, walking over to her. He lowered his head to hers. "You gonna help me unpack now?"

Max stood on her toes and kissed him lightly. "You sure that's what you want me to help with?"

Alec smirked. "Temping as that offer is, I need to unpack."

Max pulled away, disappointed. "Alec…" she whined.

He grinned and tossed her a duffel bag. "Unpack this." He said as he hoisted the larger suitcase onto the bed.

Max sighed as she dumped the contents onto the king sized bed. She began to sort things out… toothbrush, comb, shampoo, pen, journal, address book, jewelry box… she paused and picked it up.

"Alec," she began teasingly, "is this for me?"

Alec grinned and took it from her. He sat on the bed, pulling her to him. "That it is, Maxie."

Max smiled in anticipation. "Ooh, I love jewelry."

Alec smiled opened the box, and Max froze. One word rang out in the air, high pitched, indignant and brimming with shock.

"WHAT?"

Alec bit his bottom lip, nervous. He repeated his request. "Marry me, Max."

A/N: Short, I know. I'm going away for the weekend, which is when I get most of my time to write, so it'll be a bit until I update. Review, and I might be persuaded to bring my mom's laptop with me and work on the 6 hr car trip. Sorry 'bout the cliffy… wait, no I'm not. Oh well.