A/N: You know how I teased that how Logan got the cure was the best part? Well I wanted to work that in, but I have enough drama as it is. If you really want to know…well…let's just say White was missing from the second capture scenario for a reason. Logan isn't a bad person, though… let me make that clear. I can explain it in a review reply if anyone wants – let me know. I'm not particularly happy with this chapter, but I can't give anything else. Sorry…I just wanted to finish this.
&
Her slim hand reached out, searching. Shaking as it made its path.
His palm was turned upward, inviting. Sweating as it waited. It hung in the air unmoving and enticing, like the finishing line of a long race, and that's exactly what it was – the end. (AN: No, not the end-end…keep reading, I'm not done. Jeez.)
Seconds later, their fingertips met in an electric touch. The soft brush of hers against his lingered heatedly, and as she moved her hand over his – spreading the contact – left a cool trail on his hand.
They waited patiently for a very long two minutes, with her hand still hovering over his, keeping a light feather touch constant.
When the time was up, and it was clear all hell wouldn't break loose any time soon, a series of relieved sighs escaped the lips of every person in the room.
Cured. They were cured.
Her hand retreated slowly, while his burned to get closer.
"Max…" he whispered, capturing her gaze.
She didn't speak, just held his stare, looking too nonchalant for such an event.
He tried again. "Max…we're cured."
"I noticed," she whispered back.
Her gaze was penetrating, and he eventually had to escape it. His blue eyes frantically scanned the room. There were too many people here, he noted. He needed Max alone, so they could work through this together, and from the looks of it, have a much-needed talk.
He cleared his throat expectantly.
Only one transgenic got the message apparently. "We should go," the X5 announced. The room was empty within seconds.
Logan sighed, lifted a palm to his face comfortingly, and took a few steps back. Max appreciated the space, and silently thanked him.
"Ma-"
"Lo-"
They both stopped. He smiled softly and gestured for her to continue.
Max complied, and didn't waste anytime getting to the point. "I can't do this."
He refrained another sigh and backed up some more, putting as much distance between them as the room would allow. "I knew that was coming."
"Good. I'd be worried if you didn't," she admitted coldly.
"But, Max-"
She intercepted, "No, Logan, where have you been these past few weeks? When my life was endangered, not once, but twice. When I lost two of my best X6's in a retrieval mission...a retrieval mission for me. You disappeared."
"You know where I was!" he countered, indicating the space between them with a wave of his hand.
"Yeah, you were so wrapped up in getting this cure you didn't know I was captured by White," she stated angrily. "You were so wrapped up in getting this cure because you thought it could cure our relationship, fill the holes that had formed between us. You were so wrapped up that you didn't realise what we had become. And this is not just about the cure, Logan, this wasn't going to work."
He rolled his eyes tiredly. "Of course it wasn't."
"Don't give me that!" she cried. "Tell me you didn't notice what was happening to our relationship," she added in, challenging.
"I did…'course I did, but it was safe to assume that lack of physicality does that to a relationship."
"A relationship doesn't have to be based on physicality. Ours never was before," she retorted.
"Our relationship was only at its peak for a few simple hours, before you were recaptured by Manticore," Logan said.
She shook her head. "And maybe that was the best of it."
"It was," he agreed.
"No, I mean, the best of it…ever. The best we'll get," she added softer.
He looked around the room, emotions lingering between extreme tiredness, impatience and an odd nonchalance. "Only if you want it to be."
"Don't, Logan."
Logan's lips were pressed into a tight line. "Well?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He let out a short bark of laughter. "Is this just a game to you?"
"What?" she marvelled, retracing steps mentally.
"C'mon, Max, I loved you."
"I did too," she gave back quietly.
His head shook again. "No, remember when I said we had short hours? Your feelings hadn't developed then, I know that. And then you went to Manticore…" he trailed off, visibly shuddering. "You met him," he sneered. "The perfect match, right? Breeding partners? Two of a kind..."
Max's eyes were suddenly glassy, sobs threatening to escape.
"It's him, isn't it?"
She instantly tossed her head from side to side. "No. Accept that our-"
"Our relationship was breaking down? I know… but, Max…Max, it's still him."
She looked away.
"It's him," he repeated, reduced to a whisper.
--
Sniffing and sobbing, Max hurriedly walked from one side of the Command Centre to the other, intent on her familiar, cosy office. Curious onlookers stared as she made her way, some making comments and offering help, but she ducked her head, ignored them, and charged on.
Under his breath, Alec just had to mutter, "Serves her right."
Slightly cruel, yes, but he had reason. She'd been playing both Logan and himself. Then again, he was acting cruel to anything and anyone, simply because Logan had found the wonderful solution to all the world's problems – the cure.
He kept his distance from her, not daring to follow her into her office. She'd probably loathe his presence anyway. He figured that considering the recent debacles their avoiding game had ceased, but he still had to drag it out longer.
Seeking a distraction, a new project to keep his mind off the magnificent cure and whatever was going on with Max, Alec found something he'd been intending to do anyway. "Biggs!" he shouted across the room.
Biggs stopped in his tracks and whirled around to face the direction he'd heard his best friend calling from. His eyebrows rose, hand gesturing impatiently that Alec was too far away, and he had better things to do.
Alec smirked and jogged over to meet the tall brown-haired X5.
"I know things have been hectic lately, but I've been meaning to talk to you…about Danny and Key," Alec consoled, trying to be a good friend without sounding like some soft woman.
Biggs chortled. "Do I look like I have time to sit and chat?" he questioned jokingly. "We got a trip to the fruit market to plan!" he added in with mock-delight.
Alec shook his head, breathing out low laughs. "I'm serious…" he reasoned, attempting to crack Biggs' classic Manticore façade.
Biggs gave a small smile before sucking in a sharp breath. He exhaled uneasily and seemed to pause in thought before speaking. "I'll be fine," he assured, voice taking on a lower, more serious tone.
Alec knew Biggs would probably prefer to leave it at that, and he didn't want to stir up anything by continuing his pestering. "If you say so," he allowed, before continuing, "What about my problems?"
"You mean with the lady?" Biggs smirked, knowing they were both on the same page.
"Sort of…" Alec admitted uncomfortably with a frown.
Biggs backed away, holding up his hands full of papers. "Business to do, man," he explained, still smirking.
"Hey! I need to talk to you!" Alec shouted, tagging along after him.
Biggs continued moving backwards before almost running into a small transhuman. He flipped around to face the right away and picked up his pace. "Talk to Kat. You know she likes X5 romance dramas," he threw over his shoulder.
The blonde stopped, his glare following Biggs, burning imaginary holes into his back.
Eventually, when Biggs was out of sight, Alec sighed and turned around. He had business to do as well.
He started in the direction of his office, keeping his gaze away from his co-leader's room that was adjacent. However, before he could reach the door, a voice stopped him.
"Alec?"
He turned around to face a petite brunette. "Kat…" he greeted uneasily.
"Biggs said you wanted to talk?" she informed, though her voice rose higher at the end, making it more of a question. She was beaming, seemingly happy to help anyone, but sensed Alec's discomfort.
"That was quick," he commented under his breath. He sighed yet again. "Fine," he gave in. Opening the door to his office, he held it for her and motioned for her to enter.
She continued her beaming, and bounced happily inside. "What can I do for you?" she offered, making herself comfortable on his couch.
Deciding against muttering anything else, he sat in his desk chair and gazed intently at the little woman lazing on his favourite couch. "Who said there's a problem?" He grinned cheekily, purposely snaking her in.
He was disappointed at her lack of response. He'd been expecting a witty comeback to be thrown at him, not a blank expression – bar the raised eyebrows that sat above inquisitive green eyes. Then he realised his mistake. Wrong brunette.
Kat was shy. Very insecure, despite her stunning features. It actually made her less attractive in Alec's eyes. He mentally hit himself, knowing he'd have to cease all comparisons between Kat and…the other one.
Alec cleared his throat awkwardly as he looked down. When he met her eyes again, he was smiling comfortingly. "Sorry…you're right. I have a problem." A big, big problem.
Kat lit up again. "Well?" she urged.
"You see-"
"You and Max?" she cut in, questioning.
He lifted one eyebrow curiously, and she giggled in shame. As he listened to her musical laugh, he remembered that he wasn't just talking to Kat, Biggs' girlfriend; he was talking to Kat, Manticore breeding expert.
"Got insights?" he asked, hopefulness bleeding through his nervous laugh.
"I always do!" she chirped.
He didn't know if now he should push a question or walk over and shake her for these supposed amazing insights. She beat him to the punch luckily, picking up on a random train of thought, and carrying him along with her.
"I think…I think I can detail a little more of these children you and Max might have," she admitted.
He didn't react, which she took as a sign that she could continue.
"Beauty, beauty beyond imagination. Extremely dominant is intelligence, and a strong sense of morality. Charisma, and definitely an alpha, grace, determination, dutiful. All around, we see a perfect child. There is no questioning it.
"Even Manticore was stunned. Some pairs had clashing animal DNA, causing a dominance of unwanted traits. Many weren't obedient enough, which of course was a necessity when building a soldier. Some had personalities that were spot-on, but weren't exactly 'beautiful', and Manticore didn't stand for this either. Some were also unable to work well in groups, and there weren't many true leaders.
"However, the child of 452 and 494, could not be faulted. He, or she, could blend into any situation, steal any show, allure any onlooker. Immediately Manticore knew that if there were one couple that have to see copulate it was you two. Needless to say, they are probably still huffing and puffing that they didn't get to see this birth." By the end, Kat was faraway, the ghost of a smile across her face.
Alec smiled too, sharing her wistful mood.
"I see it all. Stunning green eyes. Soft, tanned skin. Shapely curves. Brown hair, which might pass for many other shades in the light. Perfect, blushing cheeks. Puckered pink lips, not too thin, nor too full. Slender hands, capable of anything and everything. And the smile. A smile that could make any poor fool's knees buckle, brighten the heaviest of hearts, and cause any proud parent's heart to soar.
"They're beautiful," she whispered. "And for what it's worth, with or without your amazing children, you and Max are perfect. Sure the genes are a match, but after everything you've both experienced, which Manticore can't program, your lives intertwine and collide in many areas, causing a real explosion. A good explosion, that is."
He chuckled. "So what do I do?" he asked.
--
Max threw her head forward into a pair of open palms. Elbows resting on her over-cluttered desk, she leaned forward in her chair, feeling very distressed.
Her fingertips dug into the base of her head as they held it up. Her hair, a mess of soft mahogany locks, formed a curtain around her arms, keeping her shielded from the troubling world surrounding her.
She sniffed, and then breathed a sigh, which broke and shook as she released it. She was then overtaken a mass of sobs that squeezed her eyelids together, made her hiss in pain, her body convulse, and her lungs feel like they were weren't receiving enough oxygen.
It took a long while to pull herself together. Just as she thought she'd calmed down, a new round would start. Finally, she felt empty, like her body has no more to give.
Her eyes were puffy, and still slightly glassy. Cheeks usually only vaguely reddened were now sore and completely flushed. The bones in her neck protested whenever she made the smallest movement, and her palms were covered in a sheen of sweat, possibly from the strength it took to keep them clenched for so long as she tried to get herself under control.
She fell back into her chair, and ran a hand through her hair. She couldn't hide in here forever, no matter how much she wanted to.
It was her office after all. It had her name plastered across the front, and she selected every piece of furniture or decoration within.
Max shook her head, warning all the voices in her head that were screaming all different protests that she was going to fight this. No more tears.
She looked over at her clock, and cursed under her breath upon seeing the time. Did she really spend that much time crying hopelessly in here?
She walked over to the door, glancing at her name plaque before exiting her office and steering herself in the direction of the Command Centre. She shouldn't've been surprised to find it was nearly empty.
"Hey Luke, have you seen Josh?" Max called to the small transhuman watching the security cameras.
"Yeah, last time I saw him he was with a group of X7's," Luke replied, pointing a finger to his left.
She nodded her thanks, and went to find her favourite dogman.
When she found him, he was conversing with a group of young transgenics, as Luke has said. Max noticed the relationship forming before her eyes.
The usually quiet, reserved and disciplined children were now laughing at the silly jokes Joshua told them, and not just any laugh, they were on the floor belly laughing.
The transhuman was beaming proudly, happy to entertain, to be wanted and loved. Then he recognised a familiar scent–his Little Fella.
"Max," he greeted, giving her a small smile and a view of his big teeth.
"Hey big Fella. Think you could spare a few minutes for a quick chat with me?" she asked sweetly.
He excused himself from the conversation with the X7's, and strode over to meet the X5.
"Max been busy," he stated matter-of-factly.
She pursed her lips guiltily, and looked up at him with a pair of big, apologising eyes.
He chuckled a breathy laugh, and shook his head, sending his long locks flying.
"I'm sorry, Josh. There's just been…so much going on."
"Max doesn't have to be sorry," he said simply.
"No, I do," she protested. "I need you anyway."
He grinned again. "Max have Alec."
She stiffened.
"Little Fella alright?" he asked. "Medium Fella make Little Fella embarrassed?"
This time, Max laughed. "Slightly," she admitted.
"Max and Alec get busy?"
"No, Josh!" she cried. "Never."
He smiled knowingly.
"OK, almost…" she confessed, frowning.
"Max love Alec?"
"I don't know," she answered honestly.
"Alec love Max?"
No reply.
"Joshua think so. Think Max and Alec can't see. But Alec knows what heart wants. Alec had heart broken, and doesn't want again. And Max too scared. Scared Alec break Max's heart."
"No," she said softly. "I do trust him."
"Max and Alec belong together."
"How do you know?"
"Because Father knows best," he replied, grinning widely. "And Father put Max and Alec together."
She looked away in deep thought, pondering her next move.
--
A few days later, Freak Nation was officially formed. A beautiful flag symbolising everything TC was about was raised, along with the hopes of every citizen.
Well, really they'd already established themselves as a nation. They knew they were staying put. They weren't running or hiding anymore, and this flag, the naming of their 'nation', was just an official ceremony, of sorts.
The Committee thought it might be nice to bring in some enthusiasm after the recent tragedy with the X6's, and they succeeded.
"Home," Joshua stated to Max, who was on one side of him.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" she chimed in.
He nodded, and then turned and gave her a big bear hug.
She squeezed him tight, breathing in his surprisingly sweet scent. "Thanks, Josh," she whispered.
"Little Fella needed push," he explained, nodding his head toward a certain blonde male who was looking over at them from the other side of the rooftop.
She smiled at him, watching him walk away, before turning back to Alec. As soon as their eyes met, her grin softened.
"Sorry," she mouthed, because there were still a lot of people around.
Now he was smiling, and this smile was different. Max suddenly felt all gooey inside.
Like a blindfold removed, she realised where her heart really was.
She smiled back, a promise.
A promise of the future that lied ahead.
A future with tanned skin and big green eyes.
A/N again: And that's it.
Screwy, huh?
Sorry, I like Once and Again better. Go read that.
Thanks for the reviews and support. I appreciate the reviews.
FINITO.