Chapter Three
Jam Pony…
"Come on, get the last of the boxes on the truck." Max said hurriedly.
"Quiet, guys." Normal cautioned. "Vigilantes." He added, nodding toward the street.
"Great." Cindy said.
"I'm on it." Sketchy called and left the building. "Yo, bloods, what's up?" Sketchy said, approaching the vigilante men.
"Hunting us some transgenic freaks." One man said. "You seen any."
"No." Sketchy said. "Haven't seen a single one since the debacle here a few months ago."
"They take you hostage?" The man asked.
"Yup." Sketchy said. "Hostage… but they didn't kill me."
"Duh." The man said.
"Yea." Sketchy replied. "Well, I'd better get back to work."
"That's it?" Alec said, as Sketchy entered the building.
"Yea." Sketchy said. "Two of them, one rifle each. Told 'em I hadn't seen any transgenics."
"We're done anyway." Max said. "Everyone ready to go?"
"We're good." Alec said, closing the truck's back door.
"You sure you're going to be able to get back into Terminal City?" Cindy asked.
"Don't worry." Max said. "We have a diversion planned."
"You guys need anything else?" Normal asked.
"Actually." Max said, "you remember that guy Sam that worked here a while ago?"
"You mean, brother Zack?" Cindy questioned.
"Yea." Max said. "I need someone to go get him. His memory isn't back, I just thought maybe if…"
"You thought it would be easier if we went." Normal interrupted.
"Me too." Alec said. "That way if we run into any problems, we're covered."
"We just can't risk sending a transgenic group out there." Max said.
"We'll leave tomorrow." Cindy said. "You gonna meet us here lover-boy?"
Alec grinned. "If I can mange to get out of bed in the morning."
Terminal City…
"You sure you're okay with going to get Zack?" Max asked. "I can send someone else."
"No. It should be me." Alec said. "Maybe I can jog his memory on the way back."
"I don't want you to go." Max said, selfishly.
"I'll be back." Alec smiled and kissed her. "Besides… absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or something like that."
"Hmm." Max beamed, "I know something else that makes the heart grow fonder."
"No time." Alec said, packing a small overnight bag.
"There's always time." Max said, shimmying up beside him. "There's always time for you. And for me." She purred, sliding her hands under his shirt.
"Max." Alec laughed. "I have to meet Cindy and Sketchy in fifteen minutes."
"We have time!" Max half shouted, tearing his shirt from his body.
"Damn, Max." Alec sighed. "I'm not a machine."
"You're my machine." Max smiled.
"True." Alec said, tossing Max on to the bed.
Jam Pony…
"Where the heck is that boy?" Normal asked.
"Probably saying a long goodbye to Max." Cindy replied. "He'll be here."
"I'm here." Alec said, approaching from behind.
"You're late." Normal snapped.
"Hey, only a few minutes." Alec smiled.
"Okay. Officially, you're doing a large delivery for Jam Pony." Normal said. "I got secured sector passes. They'll probably check the truck's contents. I put some packages in the back and there's a manifest in the front seat." Normal explained. "Good luck."
"Thanks man." Alec said, bumping Normal's fist.
"Yea, yea." Normal frowned. "Go. And make sure you return my employees and my truck."
"We will." Cindy said, climbing in the front seat. "We'll miss you Normal."
"Don't lie." Normal laughed.
"Thanks for the car, Dad." Sketchy smirked, earning a smack in the head from Normal.
"Thanks." Alec said, joining Cindy in the front of the truck.
Logan's Penthouse…
"Still haven't spoken to her?" Asha inquired.
"Briefly." Logan huffily replied. "She doesn't want to talk."
"What happened?" Asha prodded. "I mean really. It's been months now, Logan. You need to talk about it."
"I don't know." Logan said. "I was trying to help her. I was trying to get her to leave Terminal City, come back here with me. I could have given her a new identity, everything she needed."
"So, what happened?" Asha urged.
"I don't know." Logan huffed again. "I really don't know. I told her everything, everything she needed to do. I was willing to fight beside her. I was willing to fight with her."
"Like you were one of them." Asha expounded.
"Yes." Logan replied.
"But, you're not." Asha said flatly.
"No. But he is." Logan said snidely.
"He?" Asha questioned.
"Alec." Logan said. "Max told me a while ago that she and Alec were together."
"No." Asha said surprised. "Alec told me he couldn't get close to anyone, that he lost the one person he let get close. He wouldn't… not with her. Not when he had the chance to…"
"To be with you?" Logan questioned. "I don't think he thinks that way. It's whatever is available to him at the time he wants it. And obviously, Max was available and wanted."
The Farm…
"Adam!" Mary called, "You have visitors."
"Visitors?" Adam questioned and walked to the front of the house. "Hello."
"Hey man." Sketchy said, thrusting his hand out. "How you been?"
"Fine." Adam answered suspiciously.
"So, listen Zack…" Alec began.
"Adam." Adam said.
"Huh. No, actually, your name is Zack. And I need you to come with us to Seattle." Alec said. "It's important."
"This is about the tattoo on the back of my neck isn't it?" Adam asked. "You think I'm one of them."
"No, I know you're one of us." Alec said, turning and showing Zack his own barcode. "I know it's a lot to digest. But we're going to help you."
"And if I don't believe you?" Adam asked.
"Then I hope you come to your senses and meet with us before White finds you out here and kills you." Alec said matter of factly.
"The dreams are real." Adam said.
"What dreams?" Alec asked.
"The dreams. Manticore, the fire, being trapped in a sealed room." Adam said. "I thought it was just too much late night TV."
"It's not. You're a transgenic… actually we prefer genetically empowered. But that's besides the point." Alec said. "We need you. You need us. We'll find a way to restore your memory."
"Okay." Adam said. "But don't try anything funny."
Jam Pony…
"Miss us?" Cindy spouted as she and Sketchy walked through the door.
"Hardly." Normal scoured. "You reprobates."
"He missed us." Sketchy said smiling.
"He loves us." Cindy laughed.
"He's going to fire you if you don't get to work." Normal said. "Now Bip!"
"Blah, blah, blah." Cindy said, seeing Normal's smile. "You love being a part of this."
"Bip!" Normal said, handing Sketchy a package.
Terminal City…
"How is he?" Max asked, watching Zack look around the main room of the warehouse.
"Skeptical." Alec replied. "Said he's been having dreams about being in the fire at Manticore. Said he had a dream that he and three others started the fire. I explained that it was two different occasions. He says he remembers you."
"He's my brother." Max said.
"Sure." Alec said. "Besides, who could forget that smile!"
Max beamed and kissed Alec lightly. "I better go talk to him."
"Max?" Zack asked at her approach. "You're Max."
"Yes." Max said. "I am. I'm Max and you're Zack."
"Max." Zack said again, hugging her close to him. "I remember."
"How much do you remember?" Max asked.
"I remember leaving Manticore when we were little. Being alone those first few nights." Zack said. "I remember you… giving myself up for you… going back to Manticore. You came for me. You rescued me."
"Yes." Max said.
"I remember leading you… and Syl and Krit to destroy the genetics lab." Zack said. "And I remember getting caught. You were dead."
"You saved me." Max said.
"I remember." Zack said flatly. "And him?"
"Him who?" Max asked, puzzled. "Alec?"
"Logan." Zack said with hatred in his voice.
"Over, done and gone." Max said.
"How, why, when?" Zack asked quickly.
"Maybe you should rest." Max said.
"No." Zack demanded. "Tell me."
Max sat down on the ground. "It's a long story."
"I have time." Zack said, sitting next to her.
"I'll spare you the details about the Manticore created virus that kept us from being able to touch. And I'll spare you the tragic near death experiences because of the virus."
"Go on." Zack encouraged.
"I tried everything to break up with him. Finally telling him that Alec and I were dating." Max said.
"Alec?" Zack questioned. "Ben?"
"They're twins. Or clones. Or whatever." Max said. "But that's not the point… yet. Logan was drunk, he got in my way, wouldn't let me leave. I tried to ignore it. I had been fighting with Alec. He thought that Logan wasn't safe for me."
"I told you that." Zack smiled.
"I know." Max returned the smile. "And I didn't want to hear it from Alec either. But Logan wouldn't let me leave when I wanted to. He grabbed me. Joshua saved him. But I decided that was the last straw. I couldn't be near him anymore."
"So you told him there was someone else?" Zack asked.
"In a way." Max replied. "I didn't deny it. Anyway, later, we were working together. Logan helped us escape and get back to Terminal City. While he was here, it was like he thought he should be in charge. Everything I said, everything I did was countered by Logan. He had some kind of critique for it. He made me feel inferior."
"So, you sent him away?" Zack asked.
"Not exactly." Max began. "I started letting it get to me, but I wasn't saying or doing anything about it. I confided in Alec. He and I became really close. Logan already thought we were together, so it wasn't like we were trying to hide it. Alec kind of took it into his own hands one night. We were putting together a supply run, Logan was trying to lead it. Half of the transgenics here were ready to kick his ass. Alec finally lost it, told Logan off. I told Logan to go."
"And he did?" Zack asked.
"No." Max sighed. "He didn't. He started yelling at me, telling me that I wasn't qualified to lead these people. Told me I didn't know what I was doing. He grabbed me and pulled me close to him. Good thing I was in long sleeves. One wrong move and I would have killed him. I told him to go. That I didn't want anything to do with him."
"And now?" Zack pushed.
"We barely speak." Max said. "And I really can't remember what I ever saw in him. He was mean and controlling and cruel. He treated you like shit. He treated Alec like shit. I never noticed until he was here with us."
"And now?" Zack pushed again.
"And now what?" Max questioned back. "I'm happy with out him. Alec makes me happy. Keeps me happy."
"You love him." Zack said surprised.
"It's weird." Max said, looking over to where Alec sat watching the nightly news with Mole. "He looks so much like Ben, but he's not Ben. He's not my brother. I think I am in love with him."
"He makes you happy." Zack said flatly.
"More than you know." Max replied with a smile.
Jam Pony…
"Come on, get the last of the boxes on the truck." Max said hurriedly.
"Quiet, guys." Normal cautioned. "Vigilantes." He added, nodding toward the street.
"Great." Cindy said.
"I'm on it." Sketchy called and left the building. "Yo, bloods, what's up?" Sketchy said, approaching the vigilante men.
"Hunting us some transgenic freaks." One man said. "You seen any."
"No." Sketchy said. "Haven't seen a single one since the debacle here a few months ago."
"They take you hostage?" The man asked.
"Yup." Sketchy said. "Hostage… but they didn't kill me."
"Duh." The man said.
"Yea." Sketchy replied. "Well, I'd better get back to work."
"That's it?" Alec said, as Sketchy entered the building.
"Yea." Sketchy said. "Two of them, one rifle each. Told 'em I hadn't seen any transgenics."
"We're done anyway." Max said. "Everyone ready to go?"
"We're good." Alec said, closing the truck's back door.
"You sure you're going to be able to get back into Terminal City?" Cindy asked.
"Don't worry." Max said. "We have a diversion planned."
"You guys need anything else?" Normal asked.
"Actually." Max said, "you remember that guy Sam that worked here a while ago?"
"You mean, brother Zack?" Cindy questioned.
"Yea." Max said. "I need someone to go get him. His memory isn't back, I just thought maybe if…"
"You thought it would be easier if we went." Normal interrupted.
"Me too." Alec said. "That way if we run into any problems, we're covered."
"We just can't risk sending a transgenic group out there." Max said.
"We'll leave tomorrow." Cindy said. "You gonna meet us here lover-boy?"
Alec grinned. "If I can mange to get out of bed in the morning."
Terminal City…
"You sure you're okay with going to get Zack?" Max asked. "I can send someone else."
"No. It should be me." Alec said. "Maybe I can jog his memory on the way back."
"I don't want you to go." Max said, selfishly.
"I'll be back." Alec smiled and kissed her. "Besides… absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or something like that."
"Hmm." Max beamed, "I know something else that makes the heart grow fonder."
"No time." Alec said, packing a small overnight bag.
"There's always time." Max said, shimmying up beside him. "There's always time for you. And for me." She purred, sliding her hands under his shirt.
"Max." Alec laughed. "I have to meet Cindy and Sketchy in fifteen minutes."
"We have time!" Max half shouted, tearing his shirt from his body.
"Damn, Max." Alec sighed. "I'm not a machine."
"You're my machine." Max smiled.
"True." Alec said, tossing Max on to the bed.
Jam Pony…
"Where the heck is that boy?" Normal asked.
"Probably saying a long goodbye to Max." Cindy replied. "He'll be here."
"I'm here." Alec said, approaching from behind.
"You're late." Normal snapped.
"Hey, only a few minutes." Alec smiled.
"Okay. Officially, you're doing a large delivery for Jam Pony." Normal said. "I got secured sector passes. They'll probably check the truck's contents. I put some packages in the back and there's a manifest in the front seat." Normal explained. "Good luck."
"Thanks man." Alec said, bumping Normal's fist.
"Yea, yea." Normal frowned. "Go. And make sure you return my employees and my truck."
"We will." Cindy said, climbing in the front seat. "We'll miss you Normal."
"Don't lie." Normal laughed.
"Thanks for the car, Dad." Sketchy smirked, earning a smack in the head from Normal.
"Thanks." Alec said, joining Cindy in the front of the truck.
Logan's Penthouse…
"Still haven't spoken to her?" Asha inquired.
"Briefly." Logan huffily replied. "She doesn't want to talk."
"What happened?" Asha prodded. "I mean really. It's been months now, Logan. You need to talk about it."
"I don't know." Logan said. "I was trying to help her. I was trying to get her to leave Terminal City, come back here with me. I could have given her a new identity, everything she needed."
"So, what happened?" Asha urged.
"I don't know." Logan huffed again. "I really don't know. I told her everything, everything she needed to do. I was willing to fight beside her. I was willing to fight with her."
"Like you were one of them." Asha expounded.
"Yes." Logan replied.
"But, you're not." Asha said flatly.
"No. But he is." Logan said snidely.
"He?" Asha questioned.
"Alec." Logan said. "Max told me a while ago that she and Alec were together."
"No." Asha said surprised. "Alec told me he couldn't get close to anyone, that he lost the one person he let get close. He wouldn't… not with her. Not when he had the chance to…"
"To be with you?" Logan questioned. "I don't think he thinks that way. It's whatever is available to him at the time he wants it. And obviously, Max was available and wanted."
The Farm…
"Adam!" Mary called, "You have visitors."
"Visitors?" Adam questioned and walked to the front of the house. "Hello."
"Hey man." Sketchy said, thrusting his hand out. "How you been?"
"Fine." Adam answered suspiciously.
"So, listen Zack…" Alec began.
"Adam." Adam said.
"Huh. No, actually, your name is Zack. And I need you to come with us to Seattle." Alec said. "It's important."
"This is about the tattoo on the back of my neck isn't it?" Adam asked. "You think I'm one of them."
"No, I know you're one of us." Alec said, turning and showing Zack his own barcode. "I know it's a lot to digest. But we're going to help you."
"And if I don't believe you?" Adam asked.
"Then I hope you come to your senses and meet with us before White finds you out here and kills you." Alec said matter of factly.
"The dreams are real." Adam said.
"What dreams?" Alec asked.
"The dreams. Manticore, the fire, being trapped in a sealed room." Adam said. "I thought it was just too much late night TV."
"It's not. You're a transgenic… actually we prefer genetically empowered. But that's besides the point." Alec said. "We need you. You need us. We'll find a way to restore your memory."
"Okay." Adam said. "But don't try anything funny."
Jam Pony…
"Miss us?" Cindy spouted as she and Sketchy walked through the door.
"Hardly." Normal scoured. "You reprobates."
"He missed us." Sketchy said smiling.
"He loves us." Cindy laughed.
"He's going to fire you if you don't get to work." Normal said. "Now Bip!"
"Blah, blah, blah." Cindy said, seeing Normal's smile. "You love being a part of this."
"Bip!" Normal said, handing Sketchy a package.
Terminal City…
"How is he?" Max asked, watching Zack look around the main room of the warehouse.
"Skeptical." Alec replied. "Said he's been having dreams about being in the fire at Manticore. Said he had a dream that he and three others started the fire. I explained that it was two different occasions. He says he remembers you."
"He's my brother." Max said.
"Sure." Alec said. "Besides, who could forget that smile!"
Max beamed and kissed Alec lightly. "I better go talk to him."
"Max?" Zack asked at her approach. "You're Max."
"Yes." Max said. "I am. I'm Max and you're Zack."
"Max." Zack said again, hugging her close to him. "I remember."
"How much do you remember?" Max asked.
"I remember leaving Manticore when we were little. Being alone those first few nights." Zack said. "I remember you… giving myself up for you… going back to Manticore. You came for me. You rescued me."
"Yes." Max said.
"I remember leading you… and Syl and Krit to destroy the genetics lab." Zack said. "And I remember getting caught. You were dead."
"You saved me." Max said.
"I remember." Zack said flatly. "And him?"
"Him who?" Max asked, puzzled. "Alec?"
"Logan." Zack said with hatred in his voice.
"Over, done and gone." Max said.
"How, why, when?" Zack asked quickly.
"Maybe you should rest." Max said.
"No." Zack demanded. "Tell me."
Max sat down on the ground. "It's a long story."
"I have time." Zack said, sitting next to her.
"I'll spare you the details about the Manticore created virus that kept us from being able to touch. And I'll spare you the tragic near death experiences because of the virus."
"Go on." Zack encouraged.
"I tried everything to break up with him. Finally telling him that Alec and I were dating." Max said.
"Alec?" Zack questioned. "Ben?"
"They're twins. Or clones. Or whatever." Max said. "But that's not the point… yet. Logan was drunk, he got in my way, wouldn't let me leave. I tried to ignore it. I had been fighting with Alec. He thought that Logan wasn't safe for me."
"I told you that." Zack smiled.
"I know." Max returned the smile. "And I didn't want to hear it from Alec either. But Logan wouldn't let me leave when I wanted to. He grabbed me. Joshua saved him. But I decided that was the last straw. I couldn't be near him anymore."
"So you told him there was someone else?" Zack asked.
"In a way." Max replied. "I didn't deny it. Anyway, later, we were working together. Logan helped us escape and get back to Terminal City. While he was here, it was like he thought he should be in charge. Everything I said, everything I did was countered by Logan. He had some kind of critique for it. He made me feel inferior."
"So, you sent him away?" Zack asked.
"Not exactly." Max began. "I started letting it get to me, but I wasn't saying or doing anything about it. I confided in Alec. He and I became really close. Logan already thought we were together, so it wasn't like we were trying to hide it. Alec kind of took it into his own hands one night. We were putting together a supply run, Logan was trying to lead it. Half of the transgenics here were ready to kick his ass. Alec finally lost it, told Logan off. I told Logan to go."
"And he did?" Zack asked.
"No." Max sighed. "He didn't. He started yelling at me, telling me that I wasn't qualified to lead these people. Told me I didn't know what I was doing. He grabbed me and pulled me close to him. Good thing I was in long sleeves. One wrong move and I would have killed him. I told him to go. That I didn't want anything to do with him."
"And now?" Zack pushed.
"We barely speak." Max said. "And I really can't remember what I ever saw in him. He was mean and controlling and cruel. He treated you like shit. He treated Alec like shit. I never noticed until he was here with us."
"And now?" Zack pushed again.
"And now what?" Max questioned back. "I'm happy with out him. Alec makes me happy. Keeps me happy."
"You love him." Zack said surprised.
"It's weird." Max said, looking over to where Alec sat watching the nightly news with Mole. "He looks so much like Ben, but he's not Ben. He's not my brother. I think I am in love with him."
"He makes you happy." Zack said flatly.
"More than you know." Max replied with a smile.