Well, here we go, just cranking out the stories! This one's for all of you following my Max-n-Alix stories, so here's a new addition to the 'Geek and the Speed Freak'! This features an appearance from Le Chien Kim, or just Kim…and they are just a little older…but still up to the same things as when they were younger…so without further ado, the newest chapter!

As they had gotten older, Kim found himself wanting nothing more than to beat Alix at a bet in anything…it didn't matter what the dare was-be it a food challenge or physical activity…Alix always managed to come out on top.

And Kim had made it a New Year's resolution to top Alix in a dare. And to do this…he enlisted the one person closest to both him and Alix-Max, their old classmate. At first, Max enjoyed watching Alix trounce Kim dare after dare…but soon, it became tiresome with Kim trying new dares.

And one day, Kim approached Max and said, "Come on, buddy! I can't keep getting trounced by your girlfriend!"

Max said, "The first correction to your statement is that Alix is not my girlfriend. While it is true that she is a girl and that we are friends, that doesn't make her my girlfriend. Secondly, the issue with the dares lies with you, Kim. Simply acknowledge that Alix is better than you and move on. There is nothing to be ashamed of."

Kim then said, "Sure…like I'm gonna ever admit she's better…just like you won't admit she's your girlfriend. Max…you guys spend a lot of time together…do you eat meals together?"

Max said, "We might share a repast on occasion."

Kim said, "That's a yes…has she spent the night at your place?"

"The circumstances that required Alix to repose in my home were completely out of my control, Kim!" Max replied.

"Well, the signs sure point to her being your girlfriend." Kim then said.

Max exhaled…it wouldn't help anything to deny his feelings for Alix…so Max simply retorted, "And if she is? What business of it is yours?"

"Ah! I knew it!" Kim said.

"Never mind that. I have a way you can win a dare with Alix." Max said.

"Won't she be mad at you if she finds out?" Kim asked.

Max said, "Let me deal with the ramifications of that action. Now, here is the dare."

After Max explained it, Kim had to admit it was a good dare. And he'd finally have one over the pink-haired speedster. So the day of the dare arrived. Max, Alix and Kim all trooped to the racetrack. Alix said, "So, Kim's got another dare? After I've smoked you the last 12 times, you still want more?"

"Hah! This time, I'm gonna be the winner!" Kim said.

"Kim…remember, your probability of winning this dare sits at 50 percent. So you do stand a chance of victory…with an equal probability of defeat." Max stated.

"Alright, you two! What am I to do?" Alix replied.

Max stated, "Kim feels that he is faster in water than you are on land. So, you are going to run a distance and Kim is going to swim that same distance. The winner will be the athlete with the best time."

Alix said, "Alright, I'm ready!"

Max said, "I will time you. When I say start, you will run 50 yards and I will time you."

"Got it, got it!" Alix said. She knelt in a runner's starting position.

"Ready…set…go!" Max shouted. And Alix shot off down the track. She ran the required distance and as she passed the mark, Max stopped the time. He said, "Got it! Your time is 5.89 seconds-rather respectable, Alix."

Alix smiled, and stuck her tongue at Kim, saying, "Beat that, meat head!"

Kim said, "I will! To the pool!"

They all trooped to the pool and waited for Kim to change. He came to the pool and took his position on the small platform. Max said, "Kim…the same rules apply to you. When I call 'Go!', swim across the pool. Since it's 50 yards, you only have to swim to the end. Ready?"

Kim nodded, confidence on his face. Max took out his watch and said, "Ready…set…go!" And at that, Kim leapt into the pool and swam as fast and as hard as his muscles could push him. It seemed like an eternity, but he reached the end of the pool. Max looked at his watch and exhaled. Meanwhile, Kim had climbed out and was walking back towards Max and Alix.

"Well…what's the time?" Kim said.

"Kim…your time is…5.79 seconds." Max said.

Alix was stunned…Kim had actually beaten her in a dare. And as she tried to make sense of that, Kim said, "I did it! I knew you'd come up with a dare that I could win."

Alix heard that, and said, "What? You mean this dare didn't hatch from your tiny brain? Max, what's he talking about?"

Max said, "Look…Alix…I was so tired of these silly dares…and every time Kim lost, he wanted to beat you more and more…and it was a coin flip if he'd win…I didn't think he could do it…he won fairly…"

Alix was now in Max's face. She said, "You call setting up this dare that would have favored Kim 'fair'?"

Max said, "Alix…please…"

Alix replied, "I don't want to hear any more…" She turned and left, walking quickly so that Max wouldn't see her wiping her eyes. Kim then came up to Max and said, "Wow…she's a sore loser…didn't even congratulate me."

Max, nearly at the end of his emotional rope, said, "What makes you think she wanted to congratulate you? All I wanted was to put an end to these dumb dares between you two…but no, you had to have one win! So-congratulations, Kim! You won…and I lost!"

The next few days were a sortie of phone tag-Kim tried to call Max to apologize for getting him involved, as well as Alix for not leaving well enough alone. Max tried calling Alix to apologize for his part in Kim's scheme…and Alix just wanted to be left alone.

After a week…Max got a chance to talk with Kim. Kim seemed repentant for his part-he was upset that he pushed the dares too far. And Max couldn't hold a grudge against one of his oldest friends. So they had quickly patched things up.

Meanwhile, Alix continued to delete all calls and messages from Max and Kim. And one day, she heard a knock on the door. It was insistent…and aggravating. She stood up and went to the door. She saw it was Max.

"Max…I don't want to talk to you!" Alix said.

"Alix…please hear me out." Max said.

She sighed as she leaned against the door. She could only remain angry for so long…so she opened the door. Max came in…and he was in the company of Kim.

Max said, "I believe Kim has something to say."

Kim coughed, and said, "Alix…I'm sorry…I should have just accepted that you were better than me. And I shouldn't have gotten Max involved."

Alix looked at Kim, and then punched him in the arm. "Alright, sap. You may be a meat head…but you're still the only meat head that could keep up with me." Alix said.

"So...we're good?" Kim said.

"Sure. Now take off before I change my mind!" Alix said, her voice full of humor and mischief.

Kim got up and headed to the door. But he turned to Max and said, "You're going to be alright?"

"I think I will. See you later, Kim." Max said.

"Later, dude!" Kim said.

Now it was Alix and Max. Max released a breath he didn't even know he was holding…but before he could speak, Alix had taken him in an embrace. She was sobbing and saying, "Oh, Max…I'm sorry…"

Max was confused at this…and when he found his voice, he said, "I thought I was the one who should be apologizing…"

Alix replied, "You aren't off the hook, mister…but I shouldn't have gotten angry with you. I had no idea of the toll these dares were taking on you. If I had known…I would have turned down Kim's dares…"

Max said, "Alix…you enjoy doing those dares…you enjoyed beating Kim dare after dare…"

Alix then said, "You're right…I did enjoy those dares…and enjoyed beating him each time…"

Max said, "I shouldn't have gotten involved…I just wanted the dares to be over and figured if he had one win…he'd be content…"

"Well, it was a genius idea to time us racing in different elements…and I can't believe he won legitimately…" Alix said.

Max held Alix-and wondered as she shivered. He said, "What's that?"

"I just think it's funny he needed your help to beat me in a dare!" Alix said.

"So…am I forgiven?" Max said.

"Well…no." Alix replied.

Max's face fell…until Alix said, "I'll consider allowing absolution of this transgression if you would provide me with evening provisions at a local establishment, following by the enjoyment of percussive sounds and lights accompanied by refreshing beverages."

"Wow…you really are talking my language, Alix!" Max said. "So would the evening that falls on the day of Saturn be most appropriate?" he asked.
Alix gave Max a light kiss-then said, "That would be most appropriate."

Wow-two stories in one day! So if you enjoyed this chapter, please comment!

I also wanted to add that although I have only been on Ao3 for a little over a year, I am so thrilled that I have 1 story with over 1000 views, and 4 closing in! I am also 10 views away from 10,000! And while I am indeed a great writer, I am nothing without you who read and follow and comment! You guys have always been the best, and here's hoping for more great stories!