Title: "In A Room Without A Door"
Author: Dusty
Rating: R (actually, it's probably only a PG-13, but I'm playing it safe)
Summary: Max has to make a choice. Alec POV
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own any of these lovely characters. James Cameron can try to sue me if he wants, but unless he likes The Mr. T Experience, epic fantasy books, or dirty kitty litter, he's not going to get anything.
Feedback: It gives me a happy!

Author's Note: I thought I got all this out of my system, but apparently I was wrong. Hm. If this isn't as good as the last two chapters, please tell me so I won't completely fuck up this story line. Also, this is another Alec POV, since Max was such a bitch to me the last time I tried to write for her.

A/N, act II: If anyone cares, I went back and changed the song quote at the beginning of the first chapter. I've decided to make them all Ani DiFranco-themed. The old one didn't fit, anyway. I'm not even sure why I chose it. Insomnia makes you do the wacky, I guess.

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"They're gonna be mad at us
They're gonna be mad at me and you
They're gonna be mad at us
And all the things we wanna do"

--Ani DiFranco, "Shameless"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Right now I'm sprawled out across my bed, staring at the ceiling and listening to the water run in the shower. She left the bed ten minutes ago. I have to remind myself to breathe. What is it about her? I've known her less than a year and she's turned my life upside down three times already. Turned my life upside down twice in less than a week, in fact.

The first time she did it with a single keystroke. Pushed the "enter" key on Logan's computer and put an end to everything I'd ever known. I had thought my life would be missions and orders and maneuvers. I was wrong. Standing on that hill, watching Manticore burn, I was filled with indignation. And a little admiration. I had to remind myself to breathe.

But I went on without missing a beat. I got myself a car, cash, and companionship in less than a day. Planned to spend my immediate future getting the feel of life on the outside and scraping some money together. I didn't think much about her, until she showed up again. Max came crashing back into my life with a scowl and a wounded X6, and if I was being completely honest with myself, I'd admit I was somewhat pleased.

Right now I hear the water cut off and the shower curtain draw back. I stare at the ceiling in silence until she slips back through the door. She leans down to collect her boots from the floor where we discarded them last night, her wet hair falling to obscure her face. She turns to leave, but pauses by the door and looks back at me. Neither of us speak. There's nothing to say. She made her choice and we both know it.

The second time she did it with a kiss. Pressed her lips to mine and put an end to everything I thought I'd known about her. I had thought she would never be more than my ally and coworker and friend. I was wrong. Standing in this room, with her in my arms, I was filled with confusion. And a lot of admiration. I had to remind myself to breathe.

But I went on without missing a beat. I returned Original Cindy's knowing smirk with one of my own at Jam Pony the next day. Planned to spend my immediate future with Max and let everyone know she's off limits now as subtly as possible. I thought about tacking up an announcement on the employee message board at work, but somehow I doubted she'd appreciate that. I didn't think about much besides her, until he showed up again. Logan came back into my life at Crash, wandering through the door with his exoskeleton and Asha. He said he had something to show Max, and she should stop by later, and if I was being completely honest with myself, I'd admit I was somewhat less than pleased.

But I found it hard to stay in that sort of mood for long, especially when we're zooming down the mostly deserted streets of Seattle, headed back to my apartment. Back to my apartment after we swing by Logan's, that is. I let one of my hands stray from her hips, to trace designs on the inside of her thigh. I couldn't help smirking into her hair as our speed suddenly increased from Breakneck to Just-About-To-Break-The-Sound-Barrier, and in no time we were at Fogle Towers.

Right now I hear her close the front door behind her. I stare at the ceiling in silence until I can't hear her footsteps in the hall anymore. Then I make myself get up. After all, I still have to go to work.

There were no clues on the elevator ride up to the penthouse. No signs when we walked in without knocking that she was going to turn both my and Logan's worlds upside down. Though from the look on Logan's face, I was not expected. Or welcome. Like I care. But all that was forgotten when he revealed what he wanted to show her. The cure. He had the cure for the virus that kept them from touching.

This time she did it with a look. Flicked her eyes to mine and put an end to everything we thought we'd known about her. We had thought he was her first choice. And the one she was meant to be with. And the one she would be with if she could. We were wrong. Standing in that penthouse, Logan watching us both, I was filled with disbelief. And a little bit of relief. Remember to breathe, Logan.

But I went on without missing a beat. I helped inject her with the cure, then took her back to my place for a little celebrating. I plan to spend my immediate future at work, and if I was being completely honest with myself, I'd admit I am somewhat pleased. After all, my girlfriend's there.


End.

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