Title: The Laws of Attraction

Author: human28

Spoilers: Post-Freak Nation.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Max and Alec are obliged to share an apartment. Although both claim that they are not attracted to one another, will they be after sharing the same living space?

A/N: I was really going to make this the last chapter, but then decided against it. I'm having way too much fun writing this story! Lol. Sorry for the late update, by the way. Been kinda busy lately.

The Laws of Attraction

Chapter Eleven: Of Confessions and Faith

…

It was half past dead in the morning, and the entirety of Terminal City was eerily silent. The only things visible and wide awake were the sentries as they trudged soundlessly around the perimeter fences, their figures nothing but shadows in the night. Max couldn't bring herself to go back to the apartment. She just wasn't ready to face him yet. For once in her life, she was actually grateful for her shark DNA.

The cool breeze brushed past her, making her skin tingle. Slipping her hands into her jacket pockets, she continued her walk around TC. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the relatively large puddle in front of her. With a strangled cry, she tried to regain her balance as she fell. She would've landed face first on the wet pavement if it weren't for the rather strong grip on her arm that had materialized out of nowhere. It allowed her to step to the right, away from the puddle, and let her catch her breath for a few moments.

"So much for feline grace," she murmured with much disdain, glaring daggers at the offending puddle. With an exasperated sigh, she turned to thank her savior. However, when her eyes met startling hazel-green ones, she found herself at a complete loss for words. Finally, she blurted out. "Alec, what are you doing here?" She knew it was lame, after everything that had happened earlier, but as the time and place registered in her brain, she realized that it was actually a rather logical question.

He shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them.

"I need to tell you something Alec," Max began reluctantly. Might as well get this over with.

There was an unreadable expression on his face, making it impossible for her to know what he was thinking. She heard James' voice whisper in her ear. 'take the chance to get past all of that and actually try breaking down those walls.' If only it were that easy. "Thanks for helping me out." She said instead, her voice coming out small.

Alec nodded absently. "No problem."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Don't be a coward Max. She scolded herself. You're supposed to be a fucking leader! Well, give her a genocide or face her off with White. She could handle that. But this?

She found herself searching Alec's face, for something that she was currently feeling within her. Unfortunately, all she could find was a soldier's mask of indifference. Break down those walls. She ordered herself. Break them down. It became a mantra within that split of a second. As of now, she had a choice. Either she kept her feelings to herself and run away, or spill out her heart and fight like hell to keep him.

"Alec," she said again, a note of urgency in her voice. For once, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. A brief flash of hurt…and hope. Or perhaps she was just imagining things. "I don't think I need to say much." She murmured softly.

"I'm sorry…for everything." She could feel her face becoming damp, but she took no heed of it. "From the very beginning…"

"When you thought I was Ben. When you would look at me each time with that wishful longing in your eyes." Pain flashed across his face, but as quickly as it came, it vanished to be replaced by another one of his blank smiles, and he shrugged. "Past's past, right? Why don't we just forget about it?"

Break down those walls.

"Alec," she said almost pleadingly. "I do confess. I did wish that Ben were still alive." Her voice cracked. "But not once had I ever wished that you weren't." she willed herself to continue. "The only reason I made you my personal punching bag? Because I knew deep down that you were the only one who could take it. All my fucked-up remarks, my unbearable temper…" She smiled half-heartedly. "I've made a lot of mistakes Alec. And a hell of a lot more regrets. But I can't change the past. What I can change…is the future." She was breathing heavily now, her heart beating a thousand times more than the normal rate. "I'm sorry if I have ever hurt you, Alec. This place -- " she gestured wildly around her. "This place would be nothing without you."

She could feel a sob rising in her throat, but she held it in. Be strong. She commanded herself as she willed herself to say the line that she had been waiting to say for a rather long time now. "I would be nothing without you."

She actually felt lighter now, having released the heaviness that had been gathering within her for the past few months. There was only one reason why she denied her true feelings for Alec and that was fear. Fear of losing him. Just like she lost her family. Like she had lost Ben But she had made her choice. She was going to fight like hell to keep him.

…

Alec just stood there for a moment, his body rigid with shock. And then the torment just…disappeared, and all the tension in his body dissipated. He gazed at her vulnerable form, her beautiful features marred with the continuous flow of her tears. She looked up at him, her normally brown eyes almost black in the dimness of the night. They were laced with fear…and hope.

"Come here," he said softly, taking her into his arms and embracing her for all it was worth. She was trembling as she buried her face into his jacket, seeking all the comfort in the world. Alec rested his chin on top of her head, hands rubbing her back soothingly, calming her. "I'm sorry too Maxie." He said, closing his eyes and relishing their current state of closeness. It was a kind of closeness that was more intimate than any other form. Maybe because it was derived from a particularly strong emotion.

"I'm just scared," her muffled voice whimpered. "I don't want to lose you."

That hits a little too close to home. He thought, a bit startled. Apparently he and Max were similar in more ways than he could imagine. "I'm scared too, Max." he admitted. "Ever since Rachel…" he trailed off, not wanting to delve into past pains and risk opening old wounds. "You're not going to lose me." He said firmly, with much more confidence than he felt. In a world where transgenics were wanted dead, it was futile making promises like that. But then, promises were always meant to be broken.

He kissed her forehead, hugging her tight. "I'll never leave you, Maxie."

But when the need comes, I would die for you.

…

They found themselves making love to one another in the warmth of their apartment until the break of dawn. They were surrounded by nothing but silence, broken only every now and then as they expressed their bliss, and as they slowly drifted off to a dreamless sleep, the soft whisperings of 'i-love-yous' could be heard in the midst of all the quiet.

…

Sitting atop the roof of the Command Center and watching the stars blink and gradually fade away, Max smiled peacefully. The previous night had began a nightmare and ended a dream. Faith really does get you far. She thought wistfully. Footsteps sounded lightly behind her. She didn't need to turn around to see who it was. She already knew.

"Well now, this scene looks rather familiar." A distinctively deep voice said good-naturedly. She could feel her own lips twitch in amusement. She continued to gaze at the beautiful night sky, waiting patiently as he sat down beside her, his long legs dangling on the edge of the rooftop. He too focused his gaze up above. "No meteor shower tonight." He said with some disappointment.

"Those are rare occurrences James," she said with a light chuckle. "Happens only once in a blue moon." A comfortable silence proceeded her statement. They just sat there for a moment, enjoying the cool breeze and each other's company. "I have a lot to thank you for James."

She could feel him grin beside her. "Don't worry, I've got my wish list all planned out. So far I'm only at number 34."

Max bit her lip to keep from laughing. "James!" she whined. "Can you not be serious for one single second?"

"I'm sorry, its just that staring at all the stars is making me a tad bit dizzy."

Max glanced at him, bemused. "Do you really just come up here to stare at the stars?"

"Isn't that what you come up here for?"

"I come up here for solitude." She replied with a quirked eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, that too."

Remembering a certain redhead, she added. "Danielle comes up here too, you know."

"Yeah, yeah. She practices her yoga." James said airily, waving his hand in dismissal. "Trust me, I know every single one of her…positions."

Max's face scrunched up. "Alright, we are so not going there."

James laughed. "Okay, turning serious now." He announced, when his laughter finally subsided. He turned to her, his silver-gray eyes sparkling. "I'm guessing everything's good now…" he trailed off, then added with a knowing smile. "All because of a little faith right?" Funny how she had been reminiscing about that minutes before his arrival.

Max nodded slowly, feeling a smile creep up her face. "All because of a little faith." She agreed. However, at the 'i-knew-it' look on his face, she further continued. "Not to mention tears, sweat, and a hell of a lot of courage." She stared at the dark sky. "Its crazy, what people do for love."

"But it was all worth it, right?" he asked quietly.

She smiled softly. "Yeah. Anything for the man who makes my heart beat faster, makes me smile like there's no tomorrow, understands me like no one else does and takes my breath away."

James openly stared at her. "Did you just quote me?"

She looked at him, eyebrows raised in a 'what-do-you-think?' expression. Amusement was written all over her face. "I hate to admit, but you my dear friend, are actually filled with some words of wisdom."

"And finally! Someone acknowledges my gift!" He said pumping his fists into the air triumphantly.

Max burst out laughing.

James graced her with a tender look, one that reminded her vaguely of her brothers, and how they used to be so overprotective with her. It was a bittersweet memory. "Its great to see you finally happy Max. God knows you both deserve it."

"Thanks James," Max said sincerely.

He grinned at her and slung an arm around her shoulder. "Speaking of Alec, we'd better head down. He'd rip me to pieces if he finds me here alone with you."

"Like he'd actually feel threatened by you." She said laughingly.

"Oh come on, he felt threatened by Chase." He said, sounding mildly insulted, but took it all in stride.

"Chase was hot."

"Yeah well, I'm hotter. And a hell of a lot more charming."

"But you're taken." She pointed out.

"Good point."

As the stars blinked and gradually faded away, the two friends continued on downstairs, their laughter resonating in the stillness of the night.

…