disclaimer- i dont own these characters

a/n: this is kind of short, so I posted 2 again. It was supposed to be one chapter, but it seemed too long and like 2 different moods, so here it is:

ps. I do read my reviews, however few there are, and anyway, to answer a possible question/concern, all the guys do have a thing for Max, but to simplify the matter, Zack is gone (presumably to find Ben), Ben is missing, Logan- well, after the next ch that will be clear. we know who this leaves! I'm giving away nothing, this is announced an MA fic.

Chapter 28: Back to Normal?

Max was actually relieved for once to be at JamPony. She at least knew what to expect here, there wouldn't be any surprises.

She approached Normal, who in turn, grabbed a stack of packages and said, "No lip, Missy! I don't care why you weren't here yesterday, save the story, just-"

Max grabbed the stack without argument, "Yea, yea,Bip bip! Hot run! Whatever, I'm on it."

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Max came back sooner than she'd expected. Eh, no need to let Normal know I'm back, she thought. After all, he might start to expect this type of work, which really, wasn't going to happen probably ever from Max.

She stretched out and relaxed, taking a moment to enjoy the sun.

Max was considering heading out to get a quick bite to eat, when she was almost knocked over by one of JamPony's runners going extremely fast on a bike. "Hey!" she called, brushing her shoulders clean of the fresh dirt that had been flown at her, "Watch it!"

Her lips parted and her eyes glared as she noticed who it was. "What are you doing here?"

Alec smiled, ever the smart ass, "Well, Maxie, I work here. I thought you did, too. Geez, they never mentioned taking long breaks outside in the job description."

Max shook her head, "No way. You aren't being serious. Normal hired you?"

Alec beamed, "I didn't even have to interview! He knows a good candidate when he sees one!"

Max snorted, "Whatever. Normal wouldn't know a good candidate if it bit him in the ass. The fact that you were hired is proof of that."

Alec frowned jokingly, "Aww, Maxie. That hurts." He paused, "You know, I was going to mention you as a reference, but Normal doesn't seem too fond of you! I wonder why, with your amazing personality and politeness!"

Max rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Pretty Boy." She laughed inwardly. She felt slightly awkward suddenly, realizing he was actually growing on her. While the initial sight of him didn't settle well with her (She definitely didn't want any reminders of last night), he had something about him. She couldn't place it, but she had taken a liking to Alec, though she would never admit it to him.

"So what, are you stalking me, now?" Max teased him, "What's a girl gotta do to escape you!"

Alec laughed, "I guess I deserve that. After I found your boyfriend and took your phone and-"

"Tried to rob my…," Max finished, though not really sure what to call Logan's relationship to her these days.

Alec smiled sincerely it seeemed, " Actually, I was taking your suggestion, you know, of getting a job. This seemed as good a place as any."

Max stared into his eyes as he spoke to her, not liking the attraction she was feeling towards him. She didn't like discussing or thinking about her relationship with Logan, or having a joking conversation with Alec. Wasn't this the guy who she'd just kicked out of her apartment? The same one who'd been stealing from innocent people behind her back? And he still hadn't really answered anyone's questions as to why he stayed around.

"You know, I'm suddenly not feeling too hot," Max lied, trying to avoid his gaze. She reasoned that it must be true, why else would she want to be around him?

Alec recognized the lie, but tried not to show it, "Well, you should stop by my apartment later if you're feeling better. Give me some tips on this place."

Max wanted to tell him he'd be fine, punch his shoulder lightly, but she couldn't bring herself to just be normal with him. She found herself reasoning that she ought to be mad at him, she'd told him to go away, and here he was, following her to work.

"Yea, right. Maybe I'll come visit you when you stop participating in illegal activities," Max replied.

Alec stopped smiling suddenly. Max almost felt bad. Why was he upset? She had said far worse to him before without such an effect.

Max was surprised that it was Alec who left the conversation. "Well, I better get back to work, or started I guess. It's my first day, I don't want to screw up yet."

Max stared at him as he walked away. There was something of a sadness in the way that he walked. She wanted to call after him, try and fix things, but instead she just stood there. She realized just how empty she felt when Alec wasn't there. What if he really had listened, and she had never seen him again? She suddenly couldn't believe she had tried to throw him out of her life last night.

Max's thoughts were interrupted by the familiar vibrating of her pager. She knew who it was, but she looked anyway. She felt a sadness come over her. She hadn't been on the level with him at all. She'd told him she would stop the thief, but she'd never filled him in on anything.