"Good to see ya back, boo. Now Original Cindy wants all the details, ya hear? No leaving out anything." Cindy said with a smile, looking over to her boo. Max was finally back from her Eyes Only mission, and OC was determined to know what had her friend lookin' like the joy got all sucked outta her.

"I think I'll tell you at home, girl. Right now, I'm ready for a drink." Max sighed, leaning over to locate the bartender. The loud music of Crash vibrated through her ears, and she couldn't help but wear a melancholy smile at the familiarity of it all. She was finally back to her normal life without the glitz, the glamour, the money and the love. She had returned to work and her best friend, but her mind was still on replay, rewinding and reliving that morning over and over again.

She had woken up a few hours after the explosion and had been disoriented for a few minutes. Then people began to crowd around her, asking about her wellbeing and checking if she was hurt. The maids, the bodyguards and the cooks had all been worried and had called the hospital. The three workers that had arrived at the house asked about her condition and were shocked to find no broken bones. They insisted she come with them to keep an eye on her while they lifted her still unconscious 'father' into the van. For two days she had waited, watching different nurses come in and out, feeding her occasionally and reviewing her files. Finally she had the opportunity to ask for Dr. Carr, who made the questions go away. Max was still waiting on Mr. Berrisford to recover, looking at her beeper once and a while, hoping for good news.

"Ladies, can I offer either of you an adult beverage?" Sketchy slurred, clumsily breaking Max out of her thoughts. She was about to express her interests in such a drink when she smelled the poor guy's breath.

"No. And you might want to slow down yourself, wigga, cause you faded." Cindy commented, also aware of the stench of alcohol radiating off of the boy.

"So who's over there with Herbal?" Max asked, curious about the stranger. Was that yet another thing she had she missed while she was off on… business?

"That's Snuffy. He just got out of lock up. Him and Herbal used to be cellmates." Cindy filled in the blanks.

"Herbal did time?"

"He did a couple years in Avenol for slinging the herb. Miscarriage of justice." Sketchy added through his drunken haze.

"All respect to my soldiers on the wrong side of the wall." Max said, becoming gloomy. The walls of jail and otherwise… Through her thoughts, she missed some of Herbal's introductions.

"….needing some employment just now. So you think maybe we can convince Normal to… help a brotha out?" Original Cindy nodded, and Max mirrored the movement.

"You know we will."

"Hey guys, check it!" Sketchy called, holding up his lighter. He took a drink, turned to the side and blew huge flames.

The bright flames shimmered in her eyes, their heat grasping for flesh to take as prisoner. She narrowly escaped the explosion, the sound still ringing in her ears. She twisted, protecting the older man from the devilish hands of death that could tear through a life and rip it to shreds. The pair landed on the grass, Max looking back at the red hot waves that gently rocked the car like a wicked lullaby. Gently, she let her eyes close but kept all senses on the vehicle that had erupted in fire.

"Max? Max, did ya see that? I could do it again…" Sketchy said eagerly, already reaching for the previously stashed lighter. Max seemed to snap back to reality at this, snatching the celebrated device from his fingers. Clutching it tightly, she threw the offending plastic piece against the concrete floor, sealing its fate as her foot crushed it from above.

"Max! I had just bought that!" But Sketch's pleas barely registered into the conscience of the genetically enhanced female before him. All she had in reply was a sharp smack upside the head before heading towards the door.

"Okay, boo, I'll see you at home…" Original Cindy called meekly, wondering what could have possibly triggered that kind of response from her home girl.


Alec stood at attention. His eyes were front, his shoulders straight and his face was free of emotions. But inside there was turmoil. Is Rachel okay? Why had there been no screaming, and no hatred in her eyes? Had she understood? Did she forgive me? They ran through his head like a broken record. It was what he thought about during training. It was what he thought about in the barracks. It was what he had thought about when they questioned him after the mission. They let him go, thinking he had just been continuing the façade when he yelled her name. They let him go, thinking that he properly answered to all their interrogation tactics. In truth, he was simply ignoring them. However, that is what one is taught to do in interrogation. So here he was, back from playing a part in the game of real life. But now he was only playing the good little soldier by keeping up his blinded act. The part he had played in Rachel's life, and the things he had felt, he knew that those were real. But now the poor soldier was confused about how his two realities fit together.

"494! Did you hear me?" The trainer stepped forward, challenging the X5.

"Sir, yes sir!" Alec's expression stayed bland. The trainer looked almost unconvinced.

"Then why aren't you at the mats like the rest of your unit?" The petite trainer was about a head shorter than that of the handsome X5, being far less intimidating than he had hoped.

Alec let himself crack and destroy his sharp, emotionless mold. He turned his head, looking the trainer straight in the eye and showing the smudge of warmth that was left. "Sorry sir," he mumbled before blurring off towards the training area.

The fashionably late blond alpha male sat down next to X5-588. "494," nudged the superhuman next to him, "the trainer called for you to spar." Nodding, Alec stood, approaching the mat. He vaguely recalled the trainer giving the 'go' and getting into position when his eyes focused on a head of wavy brown hair.

"Rachel?" Alec whispered to himself, the depths of his hazel orbs glazing over into oblivion.

A hand flew out in the direction of his face, knocking him hard off the ground. The sound of the fist connecting with his jaw echoed in his head, but only one through went flying through his mind. Is that really her?

The crowd behind him gasped, shocked at their CO from going down on the first hit. It was totally unlike him to let his guard down, ever for a second…

He blinked, opening his eyes and finally registering pain. He got to his feet, glancing at his stunned opponent before letting his eyes roam to where the brunette in question stood. When she finally turned, he found neither familiar grace in her features nor fire in her eyes. He found nothing at all, except pain. Biting pain in his jaw and a burning pain – in his heart.


A/N: Okay, okay, I haven't been writing. But there's two chapters for your reading pleasure. Now, I won't promise anything, but I'm thinking there just might be more updates coming soon... (perhaps reviewing would get your emotions out?)