Chapter 11: Set Fire To The Third Bar_ Snow Patrol ft Martha Wainwright

Author: MishaV946 / 946MishaV

Rating: K+ just to make sure…

Summary: The day has finally come for Alec when all his turmoil will be put to rest...

Spoilers: Way after FN

Disclaimer: *half a pout*

Status: WIP

A/N: The lyrics of the song are written in Italics.

A/N: Okay okay, I know I dragged it, but it's finally here. There is a reason why it took so long…hope I didn't bore anyone with the other chapters *sad pout*

A/N: The words in bold are written from Alec's side, the timing of the situation is set in the same time as Max's…

Chapter 11: Set Fire To The Third Bar_ Snow Patrol ft Martha Wainwright

2 November 2013…

'I find the map and draw a straight line
Over rivers, farms, and state lines…'

A set of trembling fingers squished several t-shirts into a duffle bag along with a pair of shoes and a pair of jeans.

"Are you all set?"

"Yes." She smiled warmly.

"Be safe my child."

'The distance from 'A' to where you'd be
It's only finger-lengths that I see…'

It was nerve wrecking, exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. This day had finally come. Alec wriggled in his seat…again. Tapping his foot in the moving car, he bit away his already short nail into uneven rawness.

'This is nerve wrecking, so close yet so far. Or is it so far yet so close?'

'Oh who the hell cares, you're going to see her.'

'I'm going to see Max. Holly shit.'

I touch the place where I'd find your face
My fingers in creases of distant dark places

"Are we there yet?" he asked anxiously looking at the residential areas around him.

"Alec, if you ask me that one more time I swear I'm going to make you walk there."

'I hang my coat up in the first bar…'

"Consider this my last mission mum." Max said, pulling the strings of her bag into a tight knot matching the feeling within her stomach, "I should get going in a few. Dad on his way? And Shaross?"

'There is no peace that I've found so far…'

"Your dad called, said he and your brother is going to be a bit late. Give or take 30 minutes." Brian replied, leaning against the frame of the bedroom door watching her twiddle her fingers nervously.

'The laughter penetrates my silence
As drunken men find flaws in science…'

"If it gets me there any faster I'll take my chances." He muttered irritably.

"I heard that. Look we'll be there in 30 minutes." She reasoned.

"I hate traffic. Why does it have to happen on this particular day!" he yelled in exasperation.

Kyla chucked at Alec's child-like impatience, "it's like this every day. Just think of something else. Don't worry I will get you there…ohh check that white Kawasaki out!" she pointed to her left.

'Their words mostly noises
Ghosts with just voices…'

Worrying her lips between her teeth, "I was never really there for him was I?" looking at her mum's questioning eyes; "I wasn't really a big sister to Shaross was I?"

"Honey, he wouldn't trade you for anyone else. He loves you."

'Your words in my memory
Are like music to me…'

Nodding her head, "um, let's go through the protocols. If there's a compromise of any sort, remember code R5A2M4. This house is shaped in a U shape formation so please run as fast as you can, make you get to my cupboard and press the emergency button it will take you straight underground. The bomb shelter has food and running water and medication should you need it. Also there are bunk beds so make sure you check the cabinet for extra covers and cushions, also…"

"Honey," her mum grabbed both her hands in hers, "You're going to be fine and you ARE going to come back." Her mum said firmly.

"I know, but please don't try to be a heroine, saves yourselves first." Desperation evident in her voice.

"We know what we need to do. You just focus on the task at hand."

'I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground…'

"White…Oh My GOD White!"

"Yes it's white…"

'White found her.' Will's voice echoed in his mind, sending a nasty feeling coursing through his veins.

"No, Ames White. He's here isn't he? Will said that that he found her. I remember now, shit why did I forget." His mind betrayed him.

"Alec, relax. Deep breaths." She coaxed, rubbing his right shoulder with her left hand, "Ames White is in custody and Max is safe. You are going to see her, remember?" she bit back her guilt having to tell a white lie about Whites custody.

'I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms…'

"You're right. I'm just…"

"Anxious."

'After I have travelled so far
We'd set the fire to the third bar…'

"Yeah," he let out an unsteady breath, "what if she doesn't want me? Or…or what if she's changed to the point that I don't recognize her anymore? What if…"

"You love Max, right?"

'We'd share each other like an island
Until exhausted, close our eyelids…'

"Yes."

"And you would do whatever it takes to get her back, right?"

"No I just wanted to have a warping time experience,"

A death glare

"Sorry, I mean yes I will do what ever it takes."

"That's all that matters. Now," she reached behind her seat to pull out an object, and then handed it to Alec, "put this on."

'And dreaming, pick up from
The last place we left off…'

"I just keep getting this weird sense that something is about to happen."

"Like what?" Brian asked, curiously.

"I don't know if it's a good feeling or bad one, I just know that something is about to happen." She paused, "Probably gas."

'Your soft skin is weeping
A joy you can't keep in…'

"Alec. We're almost there." Kyla smiled warmly until she glanced at Alec. His watery eyes and nervous yet excited appearance tore open her heart with giddiness. It was the moment that they were all waiting for.

"Now remember what you need to do, play it cool."

'I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground…'

They stood in her bedroom, talking and packing at the same time. Brian stood next to her mum, helping her fold the towels. The doorbell rang, no one moved, it rang again and still no one moved.

"Fine I'll answer it." Max hissed, huffing towards the main door.

Growling in frustration she yelled, "False alarm, no one's there!"

Brian and Mrs K shared a disappointing scowl, before they made their way towards the lounge area.

Max was about to return back to her bedroom when she had noticed the reel of paper on the pavement. Unlocking the burglar gate, she stumbled slightly as a wave of tingling senses spiked up her joints from toe to neck. The energy emanating from her surroundings baffled her.

'And I, I pray that something picks me up
and sets me down in your warm arms…'

'Where they under attack? Can't be, this feeling is way too familiar. It's like…no I need to stop fooling myself.' She mentally berated herself.

"Stupid newspaper boy never throws the damn paper beyond the gate, always outside." She mumbled, frustrated.

'I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground…'

Her senses tingled more, heart racing, palms sweating, ears blocking out sounds and stomach performing acrobatic moves. Attentively she unlocked the gate. Her right foot crossed the threshold of the arched gate, then the other. Bending down to pick up the newspaper she caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure in the corner of her eye.

Straightening up, she held her fist ready to punch the guy.

"Can I help you?" she asked harshly, cold even as she took in his attire. The figure seemed well built-a man perhaps wearing a scarf around his face covering his hair and chin and nose. All that she could see were his eyes…

'and I, I pray that something picks me up…'

'His eyes…'

'They look so familiar…'

'No…it can't be….'

'and sets me down in your warm arms…'

Swallowing a huge lump of hot burning tears, she mumbled, "Alec?"

The end of chapter 10

A/N: I know…evil :) but don't worry the next chapter will be coming up soon…