I know it took me some time to post this, but on my defense, I've been VERY busy! Anyway, I think the whole begging you guys to review on the previews chapter did not really work… I only got 3 of them… So, I've decided that I don't give a shit. And I'll be posting the story for ONLY THOSE THREE PEOPLE! Well, hope you like it…

Chapter 10

It was 12.15 pm. Cindy had not come yet. And Max had finally stopped throwing up and fallen asleep.

Alec watched her sleep from the door-frame of her bedroom, her rhythmic breathing hypnotizing him. He was worried; worried about Max and this mysterious sickness she had, and worried about Logan. He had gone God knows where, or maybe that was what the people who destroyed Logan's place wanted him to think.

Cindy opened the door from her apartment and Alec moved himself to the living-room.

'Alec?' she said, a little taken aback by the boy's presence on her apartment.

'Hey, OC.'

'Whatcha doing here, boy?'

'I just stopped by to check on Max.'

'Aha,' she said, raising her eyebrow, like she always did when she was suspicious about something. Cindy saw the wet dishes in the sink while she left the groceries in the kitchen counter, and the smell of chicken in the entire place gave him away. 'So, how's my girl?'

'She's... ok. She finally managed to fell asleep.'

'Did she eat something?' Cindy asked him, already knowing what happened. Obviously, Alec had not found a thing in their apartment, so, as such a gentleman as he was, he went over the store and bought a nice chicken for the sick girl... He's such a sucker for Max!

'Yeah... I managed to make her something. But she threw it up ten minutes later,' he answered. He felt a bit awkward about what he had done for Max, especially when he said it out loud. Had he really done that? For a girl? For Max, of all girls? Was he turning into a goody two-shoes like Logan!

Cindy walked over Max's room as Alec talked; then, she went back to the kitchen and started putting the groceries in the fridge.

Alec sat on the bench and he made a decision. He was about to tell Cindy what he had found at Logan's place, when his phone rang.

'Alec here,' said the X5.

'Hey, Alec. It's Logan.'

'Logan! Where are you! You ok!' said Alec, his preoccupation reaching the surface.

'Yeah, I'm fine. I'm outside Seattle, with some friends,' Logan answered.

Even though he was never going to admit it, Alec was happy to hear Logan was ok. He, then, stood up and went over the living room, so he would be able to talk to Logan without OC hearing.

'What the hell happen to your pent-house?' Alec asked, almost in a whisper.

'White happened. I was doing an Eyes Only broad cast and somehow he picked up my trail. Anyway, I managed to get out before he got there.'

For some reason, Alec felt some tension coming from Logan; but he attributed that to what had happened to the older man and his home. Though, he could not have been more wrong.

'So, you're ok?'

'Yeap, I'm fine.'

'Ok, good. Now... I've got to talk to you ´bout Max.'

'Look Alec,' Logan interrupted him, 'she already told me, so I don't need your explanation.'

'Max talked to you? When?' Alec asked Logan. When had Max talked to Logan? Maybe when he left to get the groceries? But she did not mention anything. 'What did she say to you?'

'Well, she pretty much said it all. You and her are together now and, I guess, I'm ok with that. It just took me by surprise. I mean, I never gave up on us. But I guess that with everything that's been happening in the world she might need someone like her, someone who understands her, who feels like she feels.'

Alec was not really sure he was understanding the words coming out of Logan's mouth. Was he dating Max and had not noticed it! He was frowning so hard and his eyes were so wide open from the confusion and shock that Cindy actually worried for the boy.

'Alec? You ok, boo?' she asked. Alec waved his hand to her, saying he was fine.

When Logan was done with his little Boy Scout speech, all Alec managed to say was: 'What!'

'What? Isn't it truth?' said Logan, a glimpse of hope in his voice.

'Look Logan, this is not ´bout... that. Max's sick. Really sick. And I don't know what to do. I don't want to go to your scientist guy again, because after all, that's where White got us; and I'm not sure whether I should take her to Dr. Carr or not.'

'She's sick? What are the symptoms?'

'Well, she doesn't have any fever, but she's been throwing up since last night. And she seems pretty tired. She sleeps whenever she's not throwing up.'

'Uhm, maybe is a side effect of the cure. Maybe her organism is getting rid of the virus. I'll check on it.'

'Ok.'

'Is that all?' asked Logan.

Alec was not sure what to do. Should he tell the older guy that what Max had said was a lie, or should he wait to talk to Max about this, a conversation from which, he knew, nothing good was going to come out.

'Yeah,' said Alec at the end, 'that's all. Just call if you find anything.'

Both men hung up the phones.

Alec looked at OC who was staring at him.

'I'm gonna check on Josh over Terminal City and I'll came afterwards. Max said she was gonna swing by TC today get some stuff from one of the guys, so… Maybe I should go.'

'Ok, but don't ya have to get back to Jam Pony?'

'No, it's alright. Normal gave me the day off.'

'You lucky white boy! Cindy said under her breath. 'So, what did Logan say?'

'He'll check on it,' he answered, succeeding in hiding his sarcasm.

'That's all?' said OC with one of her faces. She knew Logan has said something else; something that had upset Alec.

'Yeap,' he simply answered.

'Ok,' she said understanding that the boy was not going to tell her jack. 'Then I'll see ya after work, k?'

'Yeah, I'll be here,' he said, heading towards the door.

'K, see ya,' told Cindy, watching the guy putting on his leather jacket and getting his bike as he moved through the door. He's such a sucker for the girl! she thought again.

AT TERMINAL CITY

'Hey Josh!' said Alec as he entered the Head Quarters of the transgenic community.

'Alec, how are you?' said Joshua, putting an arm around Alec.

'I'm fine, buddy. Max is the one who's not feeling too good.'

'Why, what happened to Little Fella?'

'Well, she's been a little sick. But she'll be fine. Don't worry,' he lied to the Dog-man. Alec was pretty worried about the whole thing, and he did not want Joshua to worry about Max; at least, no yet.

From behind Alec and Joshua, a handsome American Italian young man approached the transgenics.

'494,' said the man with a playful voice.

Alec turned around to find an old friend.

'511!'

They gave each other a big hug. It seamed to Joshua that both men had a long history together; a long friend-ship that had started in Manticore.

'How are you?' said 511, leaving their manly hug.

'Great! You know, surviving... It's Alec now, by the way.'

'Biggs,' the man said.

'So, what are you doing in Seattle?' asked Alec. 'I never thought I would see you here.'

'Well, like every other X series here, I heard Seattle is now transgenic Central, and… I don't know. I was starting to feel a bit lonely,' said Biggs, winking at Alec. 494 only smiled. 'So, how come you ended up here? No offence, but you're the last person I expected to find here; well, other than me.'

'Well,' said Alec, thinking how he had ended up there. 'I owed someone a favor. And then I just...' he said, not sure exactly how to define what had happened to him.

Why had he stayed? It was something he would have never done. He had planned on going to Canada, getting as far away from Manticore and the US Government as possible. But one thing led to another and he never managed to do that. A tinny voice in the back of his head said: Max, and at that moment he wished he would be able to beat the crap out of himself. Max was one of the few people he truly respected and admire in this world, though he would never admit that out loud, but he hated what that woman was doing to him.

'So,' said Alec, 'did you find a place to crash yet?'

Biggs sighed. 'No, Terminal City it's pretty much my home right now. I'm still trying to figure out what to do next. A job, I suppose. The whole "American Dream". I mean, I can't keep on pick pocketing people… I can't even afford a tv!'

Alec laughed. 'Hey, I work on a bike messenger place. I think I can score you a job over there.'

'Really?'

'Yeah, the boss loves me. And you can crash at my place. It's big, has a TV and an extra room.'

'Are you honestly sure ´bout this? Because you had me at "TV".'

Alec laughed again, 'Yeah, man, of course. I could never leave an old friend in the cold streets of Seattle.'

'Cool, man.'

Joshua, who was still standing next to them, cleared his throat, hoping Alec would introduce him to his friend.

'Oh, hey,' said Alec looking at Joshua, 'this is my old friend Biggs. Biggs,' he said now looking at the handsome X5, 'this is my man, Josh.'

They shook hands. Biggs still looked like he had not gotten used to Transhumans, but he saw how close Alec and the dog-man were, so he made a little effort not to show his awkwardness.

'Nice meeting you, Josh.'

'Me too,' said the big fella with a big smile.

'Hey, Alec!' said Dix from far up the control section of HQ.

'Hey, Dix. What's up?'

'Max coming?' the little man asked.

'No, she's not. Why?'

'Well, Mole has something for her. She said she would pick it up today.'

'Oh, ok. I'll give it to her.'

'Perfect. I think Mole's outside.'

'Ok, I'll go find him,' he said to Dix, and then he turned to Biggs, 'I'm gonna find Mole and then I'll take you to your new home, k?' He then turned to the dog-man, 'Josh, I'll see you later, ok? Take care.'

'Tell Max to get better.'

'I will, big fella.'

Alec saw Mole right away, and approached him. Mole was talking to some Transhumans.

'Hey Mole. Dix told me you've got something for Max.'

'Hey Alec. Yeah, I've got a supply list,' said the lizard-guy with his cigar on his mouth, taking a piece of paper from his jacket's pocket. 'Why?'

A supply list. Wow, she's really into this. Something hit Alec at that moment. She was really taking care of these guys. And, again, she was dragging him into the mess. Though, maybe, he did not mind so much anymore.

'Max's not coming. I'll give it to her,' Alec answered.

Alec took it and read it silently, but then he looked up from the piece of paper and gave Mole a look.

'Cigars?' he said.

'What?' asked Mole with an innocent look on his face.

'You think cigars are more important than food, or medical kits!'

Alec could not believe it. Mole had written: 1. Cigars; 2. Food; 3. Medical supplies; 4. Sheets; 5. Fuel; 6. Clothes...

'Well, since Manticore went down, I can't live without them.'

'You know those things will kill you, right?'

'Yeah. But, what the hell! Outside there are millions of people who want to see me dead. At least cigars give me some placer while they do it.'

Alec shrugged and smiled. 'What ever, I'll see what we can do about this. Later.'

After leaving Mole, Alec left Terminal City with Biggs.

They arrived at Alec's place and he showed Biggs the extra room, and then the rest of the apartment, which was not that big but it would do, and the TV.

'Ok, I gotta go now. Got some things to do. You get comfortable and... welcome to your new home.'

'Thanks, man,' said Biggs as he put down a small bag, 'Want me to prepare dinner or something?'

'You know how to cook?' asked Alec, trying not to sound like Max when she showed her surprise at the knowledge that he could, actually, cook.

'Not really,' said the other man with a sly smile.

Alec smiled. 'That's ok, I'll bring something. Chinese's ok?'

'Sure.'

'Ok, see ya later.'

20 minutes later Alec was in Max's place again. Cindy had not left yet, though she was getting ready to do it.

'Hey, boo,' greeted OC.

'Hey,' said the boy, leaving his bike by the door. 'How's Max?'

'Actually, she's much better now. She's up and kicking.'

'Where's she?'

'She's taking a shower.'

'Ok,' said Alec.

'How's Doggy-Dog?' Cindy asked as she put on her jacket.

'He's ok. You're leaving already?'

'Yeah. Lunch break's over. Bye Boo!' she yelled at Max.

'Bye OC!' they heard from the bathroom.

The minute Cindy left the apartment, the girls´ phone rang. Alec was not sure if he should pick it up, but Max was in the bathroom and OC had just left, and it might be an important call, so... he answered.

'Hello.'

'Alec?' said a surprised Logan from the other side of the line.

Since Max had broken up with him, claming she was with Alec, Logan had been wishing or, better say, hoping that he would not have to cross paths with Alec since he was the reason why he and Max had ended their relation-ship. But that seamed just impossible lately. He had also been hoping or, better say, wishing that Max had only said she was with the X5 to protect him, but Alec had swept all his doubts away. Alec had been with Max last night when she got sick (doing God knows what...) and every time he called either Max or Alec, the other one was there too (doing God knows what...).

'How's Max?' said the older man quickly before Alec could notice his initial surprise when he heard the X5 on Max's phone. But of course Alec had noted it.

'I think she's better. She's up now.'

'Ok, good. I talked to Dr. Walt. The scientist who found the cure for the virus. Anyway, he told me exactly what I told you it might be. Her body system is just getting rid of the virus, but she'll be completely fine by tomorrow.'

'Great,' said Alec, relieved. Then an uncomfortable silence fell between both men. Tension could have been cut with a knife.

'Well, tell Max I said hi,' said Logan, cutting the awkward silence.

'Sure. I'll tell her,' said Alec.

That being said, both of them hung up.

Right then, he heard Max talking.

'Hey, you're back,' she said, as she left the bathroom already dressed on her tight brown jeans and a black tank top.

'Yeah,' he said a bit awkwardly. Ok, ask her NOW what the hell is going on!

'Hey, now that I finally, definitely, stopped throwing up, I'm kinda hungry. Is there anything left of your chicken soup? asked Max, opening the fridge.

'What? Uhm... I don't know.'

Max thought there was something bugging Alec.

'You ok?' she asked.

He seemed to consider this. Then he said: 'Max, we gotta talk.'

EDIT: Thank you Lakergirl08 for bringing to my attention that Biggs assignation is 511. I wasn't aware of that!