Title: Project R (11)

Title: Project R (11)

Author: Yih

Written: June 13, 2001

Dedication: To all my reviewers, you're fantastic!

Disclaimer: All rights are Eglee and Cameron.

Visit my website at http://tamishii.fws1.com

Part 11

"How do you feel?" asked Zach, glancing with honest concern at his newly found baby sister. He had fight to keep his mind on the fact that she was what the X-5 group had been to him, family, not romantic inclinations. It was hard to keep that thought in mind when she was just like an exotic rose he had found in a field of sunflowers. She was new but distinctly familiar; he was comfortable to be around her.

"I'm fine," she answered with a smile. She wondered how old he was, were they the same age? From all that he had told her, and from all that she had gathered that must be the case since they came from the same group. But from reading between the lines, it seemed that Zach had been the first born in the group, the natural born leader. And he was certainly a good one, she thought personally.

"I know it's not easy," he said, a bit unsure of himself. That was definitely a first for him. He always had to know what to do and when to do it, he was the leader and all responsibilities fell on his shoulders. But somehow, he had a feeling Max was different, this new sister of his wasn't like the others. There was something different about her though not in a bad way. Maybe it was because she had grown up thinking and believing she was normal. Somehow it gave her a fearless constitution.

"Of course it isn't," she responded, her smile not wavering. "I find out that I'm a genetically enhanced human and lose everything I've ever known in one day. Yeah, I do think that it's tough. But I know I'll see my parents again. I know I'll see my friends again. It's just a matter of time and preparation. You're the only one I can turn to with my special abilities; the only one who can teach me what I need to know that you've known since the day you were born."

"The rest of in the group did have an advantage over you, honing our special skills. But from what I've observed, you're faster, you're more agile, and you're definitely one of us. And the fact is," he looked decided ill at ease, "your pheromones are distinctively feline. You have enhanced sight and hearing."

"What do you mean about distinctively feline?" inquired Max sharply, staring at Zach with keen eyes like an observant cat.

"The animal DNA in you. We all have it, it's what makes us natural killers. We've got the predator instinct, not the prey. We were made to kill, and we were made to be the best at it. There will be a few days once or twice a year when you'll get into heat and well it will drive you crazy for the other sex. I'm surprised you haven't been through it yet?" he murmured with a questioning tone.

"Like want to jump a guy's bones?"

He nodded, gulping at her choice of words. "Something like that or so what Jhondy and Brin have told me."

"I've been through that. I just thought my hormones were crazy," Max replied nonchalant. "I thought Logan would die with embarassment when I started kissing him like I had but a minute left to live. Luckily, it was one of the few days his fiance, Alice wasn't attached to his side. I'm glad he didn't respond, it cooled me down considerably."

Zach was wondering how that guy she mentioned could not help but respond! He had tried very hard not to notice what a remarkably gorgeous woman his 'little' sister was. He shouldn't be attracted to her in that way, it was wrong. But his consciousness argued that it wasn't wrong. Despite the fact that Manticore X-5's were his family, he hadn't seen her until now and reality was she didn't feel like his sister. And also, genetically they were as different as could be, except for the feline DNA they shared.

"Though, it only happened once. I think I was a late boomer," Max finished, grinning with amusement at her memories. She was a bit disappointed that Logan hadn't responded, but she couldn't really blame him, her experience with kissing had been at the very bare minimum. She had dated a few guys, but never really steadily. She had had two boyfriends, which hadn't been a very bad number. Though none of the relationships were much to speak of.

"It doesn't show," he replied before he thought about his words. While the words were true, Max didn't look the least bit like a girl that had just matured, he hadn't meant to say that. He didn't need a relationship of that sorts sparking up when he needed something purely professional. And then he couldn't believe he told her that: "I mean it, you're beautiful."

It did help that she blushed a light pink that was so cute he almost wanted to groan. He had to keep this temptation merely that. He would not indulge himself, that was clear. And if he was thinking right, the boy she had kissed while she was under heat must have some meaning to her. Why else would she have felt cold when he didn't respond to her physical touch? He personally thought that whoever the 'he' was, that he was a moron. But to her, he must have been someone special.

"You said we'd start training today," Max reminded him, tossing him the car keys.

"We will," Zach answered, still absorbed into his thoughts.

He wouldn't mind bringing Max back to Seattle as soon as possible if only to see the person that had made his 'little sister' cool off in the middle of a heat. He must be something very special, Zach thought, for her to feel such a dejection when he rejected her touch. And he must also be a very big fool, fiance or no fiance. He remembered to commit the boy's name to memory.

Yes, the name was Larry. Or was it Lyle?

Author's Note: The continuation of this story depends on reader response since I've got other projects that I'm definitely more interested in. As a matter of fact… I need to work on Sweet Love and Indecision right now. Chow! Ja ne!