know I said I'd be updating on the weekends, so consider this a special treat! This person has been following and offering suggestions, so, to xTHECONNORx, this is for you!

Background-this is a future AU, where Max has become a leading expert in robotics and cybernetics and Alix has become an extreme sports star. And the plot…well, just read it and see…

Many years have passed since those halcyon days in Mademoiselle Bustier's class. And the 15 students in that class have forged their own paths. And our story focuses on two of these former students…

It was another long day for Max Kante- he spent the day reviewing his latest prototypes…and as a result, his primary lab was covered with sketches. Many of those sketches had a big 'REJECT' in red- and it seemed as though he'd never get his project off the drawing floor-never mind in front of investors. And no investors meant he'd never get funding to make his vision a reality.

But never mind that-he'd spent way too much time in the lab. He decided to head home for a few days of rest and inspiration. Maybe some time away from the lab would spark something…anything…

And while most of his contemporaries were into scientific endeavors all the time, Max found he had a guilty pleasure. He enjoyed watching extreme sports. But the only time he really cued in was when top star Alix Kubdel-his former classmate-was performing. According to her bio, she had won several competitions in the US and around the world. And he'd also hate to admit-but he had a little crush on the sports star. Maybe it was a celebrity crush…maybe it was lingering feelings from high-school days…

The next morning, Max woke up and headed to get some coffee to start the first of his days away from the lab. But as he sat down, the story grabbed his attention-Extreme Sports Star Critically Injured.

Max watched with attention-but that attention soon turned to horror as the story revealed the identity of the injured star-Alix, who had taken a bad fall during a practice. His phone rung a few moments later. He answered, "Dr. Kante…yes, I heard…how bad…I see…thanks, Kim."

From what he had heard, Max learned that Alix suffered from a lower spinal injury. And although she would survive-walking would be nearly impossible…never mind being an extreme sports star. He sat back down and started to think. Hey! Here's inspiration…helping Alix walk again!

But that would wait for tomorrow…after all, he wanted to enjoy one day for himself…

But the next morning, Max was back in his lab. He examined all of his blueprints, looking to see if there was something he missed. And once again, minuted slipped into hours…and hours into days…and then…

"I have it! I think this will be what can help Alix!" Max exclaimed.

It was two days later when Max located where Alix lived-and discovered she spent the off-season back in Paris. And it was where she wanted to go after her accident. Max headed up to her flat and knocked on the door. He heard, "Just a minute!"

At the sound of the greeting, Max smiled-Even after all of this time, I can still recognize her voice. The door opened to reveal Alix, sitting in a chair. She said, "Can I help you?"

Max said, "Wow…after all of this time, you don't recognize me?"

Alix said, "Should I?"

Max said, "Alix-it's me, Max…we shared Mademoiselle Bustier's class."

Alix gasped then said, "Oh! Come in, Max. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you."

As they sat, Max said, "It's because of the glasses…I wear contacts now…"

Alix said, "Well, I guess that's not all that changed…all of our classmates checked in on me…even that snooty Chloe."

Max then said, "Alix…I'm so sorry…"

"For what? You have nothing to be sorry about…" Alix replied.

Max then said, "But everything you've worked towards…it's gone…"

"…I know."

Max was shocked at that simple admission. "The docs say it would be a small miracle if I ever walked again…and competing is completely off the table for me…I'm just trying to decide what to do with my new life." Alix said.

Max said, "Well…I don't want to get your hopes up…but I could quite possibly have that miracle."

"No…that's a joke, right?" Alix said, not wanting to believe or create false hope.

"Alix…when have I ever been not serious? I have been developing robotic prototypes for the last few years…and though nothing I have done has gotten of the drawing room floor, they do show some promise…" Max said.

"So you want me to place my faith into some 'drawings'?" Alix asked.

Max said, "I know it isn't much…but if there is a chance you could walk…you should take it…" Max said.

Alix said, "Give me some time to think on it."

Max replied, "All right. That's fair…and it is your life."

It was a new day, and Max was sitting in his lab, looking over his blueprints and drawings. However, a phone ringing caught his attention. He picked up and said, "Dr. Kante?"

The voice on the other end said, "Max? I mean, Dr. Kante…I thought it over…"

Max said, "Alix?"

"Yes. I'll give it a shot…if it can help me at least walk…" Alix said.

Max said, "Alright-tomorrow, Ill bring you to my lab and we can begin."

The next day, Max and Alix were in a private area of the lab. Max said, "Here is where we test new inventions and applications."

Alix said, "OK…so how do we get started?"

Max said, "Alright…here is the first set of prosthetics…"

Hours had passed-and none of Max's initial offerings showed any promise. Alix could only use them for a few feet of walking before the device would give out. After another failed attempt, Max said "I'm sorry nothing is working."

Alix-now sitting in her chair-rolled up to him and said, "Don't be sorry. You're sacrificing your time and devices to help me walk…and you have no real motivation or incentive to do so."

"Someone told me I could become wealthy…but I just want to improve the world…" Max replied.

Alix said, "Hey…how about we take a little break? Get a snack or something?"

Max replied, "Sure. There's a café not too far from here."

Once at the café, Max and Alix began talking about high-school days. Alix asked, "Man, you're a successful robotics engineer…and I can't believe there's no 'Ms. Kante.'"

Max coughed, then replied, "Well, first thing-I'm really busy. Secondly…you remember me from school. The reputation of a 'nerd' has been hard for me to shake off. I tried dating…and every woman said the same thing…'Oh, you're a nice guy, but…'"

Alix nodded, and replied, "Well, you are a nice guy, Max."

Max then said, "But it's not meant as a compliment. It's meant to let me down….and what about you? A world famous sports star should have plenty of admirers…"

Alix said, "Admirers, maybe…but some of these guys don't know the difference between admiration and stalking…"

After their break, Max took Alix back to her apartment while he resumed working on his prosthetics. And he was there, working through the night…

But nothing he seemed to do made any difference…when Alix wore the prosthetics, she would still only get a few minutes use…

…until one day, he saw Alix wearing part of two separate prosthetics. He looked at the energy flow of what she had and…and was shocked. He said, "Hmm…interesting."

Alix replied, "What?"

Max said, "The devices…they are generating a different output…it appears that the two pieces you are wearing are utilizing an energy flow I hadn't noticed…"

Alix said, "Great!...now how about you say that for those of us not fluent in robotics?"

"Alix…what I mean is that the energy the devices use is less that the energy needed to charge them for functioning…in fact, this configuration can be utilized with an 8-hour charge and will give you 22 hours of use!" Max said

"Really? You mean…I'll be able to walk again?" Alix said.

Max replied, "In essence, yes! Once I reconfigure these connections, you'll have your prosthetics!"

And two days later…Max and Alix were back in the testing area of the lab. Alix was in her chair-already with the prosthetics on. Max said, "Alright, Alix, stand."

Alix did as Max asked, standing up out of the wheelchair. Max then walked several feet away-so that now he was on the other side of the room. He said, "Here is the test. Walk towards me."

Alix did-and while it was a bit of a challenge, she eventually reached Max. And now, overcome with emotion, she took Max in an embrace. She said, "Thanks, Max. You gave me my life back."

Max said, "Well, yes and no. You can walk, that is true. But your career…"

Alix pulled back so that she was looking into Max's face. "Max…before you and I reunited, I assumed I'd be stuck in a chair for the rest of my life. Forget the sports…just walking is a major victory. And your prosthetics are a success…" she said.

She then leaned in again and in a move that surprised them both-she lightly kissed Max's cheek. She then said, "Now what do you say we take my new legs out for a spin?"

Max replied, "Sure…" As Alix continued to walk around, Max lightly touched his cheek where she kissed him. Hmm…maybe it's not too late…and maybe I found the right one…

And that's where I shall being this story to a close! And like always, comments and critique are always welcome!