- Chapter 20 -

Previously:

When she awoke, a familiar face greeted her. "Welcome home, big sister," Brin said as she stepped aside.

A bleach-blonde woman with piercing blue eyes and an equally chilling smile approached the metal slab and peered down at Tinga.

"We're so glad to have you back, 656. So, very, very glad."

Confusing Revelations

2020, 30 miles north of Seattle, Washington - Manticore Facility

The two soldiers jumped apart at the sound of metal doors clanking open down the hallway. The echo of synchronized marching brought Alec's and Max's bodies ramrod straight, shoulders braced. They stood facing the doors of their cells, not quite knowing what to expect. At the last moment, and for a reason he couldn't quite understand or have time to analyze, Alec stretched his arm through the bars separating him from Max and gave her hand a quick squeeze. She looked up at him in surprise, acknowledging his confused looked and returning it with one of her own before facing front again as her cell door swung open. Alec removed his hand quicker than the Ordinaries could see. Physical interaction of any kind other than for training purposes was frowned upon and he had no desire to stay in isolation any longer than was absolutely necessary.

Lydecker stepped into the cell. Without wasting a glance on the soldiers that had accompanied him, he waved to them in dismissal. "That will be all."

Max stood and stared at Lydecker. Once the footsteps had faded he began to speak.

"We're moving the timetable up. You're being reintegrated tomorrow. I've had you reassigned to a new unit; I think you already know your C.O.," he added, nodding at Alec.

"What, him?" she asked, in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Lydecker frowned. "Is there a problem, Max? 494's is the best unit here at Manticore."

Alec smiled to himself at the compliment. He knew his unit was the best - he pushed them to be. The better they were, the less they suffered; and that was the only way it could be under his command. As Lydecker's words set in, he frowned. Why are they throwing an '09er in my unit? No one will trust her, he thought to himself. Except me, he added silently, surprised at the strength of his feelings.

Her reaction was irrational. She had no reason to believe he wouldn't be a good C.O. But there was something about him she didn't quite trust - and to Max, trust was paramount.

Max studied the older man. Lydecker had always been imposing; she'd been in awe of him as a child and then frightened of him, of his authority. He'd gone from father figure to murderer in the space of a few seconds - the picture vivid and the memory painful as the image of Lydecker shooting Eva flashed in her mind's eye.

Something about his posture gave him away. Lydecker was no longer formidable in her eyes. Despicable, disgusting and loathsome, maybe, but not formidable. Yet as he stood before her, she could see worry crease his brow, his fingers flexing in a display of nerves Max never thought to see on him. Lydecker seemed to be losing control and was quite obviously not dealing.

She stepped closer, her nose inches from his. "What is this, Deck, more mind games? What the hell do you want from me?"

Alec watched from the other cell as Max got in Lydecker's face. He stood his ground, features blank as he faced the slender girl. Alec knew instinctively that there was something about the relationship between Lydecker and Max that was off-kilter. Something about it that reeked of the weird; out of place and abnormal to Manticore.

Lydecker emitted a small, hollow laugh. "Will I get away with giving you the Cliff's notes version?"

Alec struggled to understand the display. Lydecker was allowing Max to talk back to him - a superior officer. Not only that, but he was interacting with her as if she were an Ordinary, a friend even. Alec had heard the rumors - that Unit 5 had been extremely close and that Lydecker had acted more like a parent than an officer with them. But they had always performed above and beyond what was expected, and so, apparently, Manticore had let it slide.

Lydecker sat down on Max's cot. He looked up at her expectantly, but she snorted and shook her head. "Making yourself at home, Dad? Get the hell off my bed." Lydecker stood up abruptly and began pacing. "Spill," she spat at him.

Lydecker took a deep breath. "Elizabeth is on to Tinga. She's closing in on the rest of your unit."

Alec's eyes widened. He was hearing what was meant to be a private conversation, or so he thought. Who the hell is Tinga?

The statement hit Max like a bullet, her small frame jerked as if she'd taken a physical blow. Her heart beat wildly, breathing increasing just enough so that Alec could tell the difference; an Ordinary wouldn't catch the change in rhythm. Alec could see the news hurt her and he was loathe to see her pain. Turning piercing eyes to the older man, he watched as Lydecker came to a stop facing Max.

"We need to warn the others, Maxie," Deck said softly, reaching out to touch her arm.

Max flinched at the use of the nickname that brought back memories of her lost siblings, and without thinking she backhanded him across the face, leaving a jagged cut on his cheek from nose to ear. "Don't you ever call me that, you bastard."

Deck grabbed her wrist. His eyes narrowed and he spoke in a tightly controlled voice. "Fine. I'll leave off the precious nickname Zack - it was Zack, wasn't it? - gave you. I came here because I thought you would want to help your siblings. Excuse me for thinking you cared."

He glanced at Alec from the corner of his eye before continuing. "You need to be more careful, 452. I'm putting myself on the line for you here. Don't push me the wrong way."

Lydecker released her arm and stepped back. "I may be a bastard, but I do care about my kids, Max. We'll continue this conversation later."

He paused after exiting the cell. "494."

Alec raised his head to the doorway and saluted his superior officer. "Yes, Sir?"

"You'll be rejoining your unit in the morning. Accompany 452 to my office after Mess Hall."

He slammed the cell door shut and walked away, leaving two confused soldiers to stare after him.

Max fell back against the cold metal bars. She slid to the floor and began to cry quietly.

Alec walked over to their shared wall and reached out to grip the bars separating him from Max. Crouching next to her, he pulled himself closer, his hand touching hers lightly, sending shivers down his spine. He shook his head to clear it and bent to whisper in her ear.

"You okay?" She raised her eyes to meet his sad ones, shocked at the concern showing on the face of a Manticore soldier. "We're out of here tomorrow. Everything'll be alright."

She braced her shoulders and set her lips in a thin, tight line before grunting in reply. "Ngrhmph."

"Articulate much?" he chuckled, nudging her slightly in the side. His fingers tingled from the contact and he saw her jump slightly in reaction to his touch.

"Don't touch me," she spat at him.

"What the hell is your problem? I was just being friendly." he frowned, suddenly angry. What the hell was wrong with her today?

"Get lost," was the muffled reply coming from her head, now resting between her knees.

Alec was uncomfortable. He could tell she was suffering. It showed in the defeated slope of her shoulders and the sadness in her voice. They'd taken her for more testing earlier that morning as was evident by the bruising on her otherwise perfect skin.

"Are you in pain? I managed to smuggle in some painkillers. If you need them..." his words trailed off as she shook her head and raised it to look at him.

Max found her voice. "Alec, what are you in for?"

Alec looked away for a moment and laughed hollowly. "The brass get a kick out of punishing me for things I can't control."

Feeling somewhat guilty for her outburst before, Max reached out and put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry." She shivered suddenly, the feel of his skin setting fire to her fingertips.

Alec licked his lips. Her touch had sent him reeling. His brow furrowed in confusion and he turned back to look Max in the eyes. "You're not in heat, are you?" he asked in a low, uneven voice, then kicked himself mentally for opening his mouth. Of course she wasn't in heat! He would have smelt it.

"No! And why the hell would I tell you anyway?" she hissed through clenched teeth, head rearing in indignation at his intrusive question.

"Look, forget I said anything," he muttered, turned quickly so she wouldn't catch the blush that colored his face. He was thinking about her too much. But he couldn't help himself. She was magnetic. He'd known her all of what, six days? But when he'd brushed his hand against hers it had been like an electric shock that set his body on fire and his mind had gone numb.

Max knew she wasn't in heat. But it didn't change the reaction she'd had when he'd touched her. Or the effect his husky voice had on her body. She blushed hotly when he caught her heated gaze raking over him.

He reached out tentatively and ran a finger down her cheek. She was stunned by the unexpected caress and shivered slightly.

"You feel it too, don't you?" he whispered, slightly awed and very, very confused.

TBC