Here's the next chapter then, and thanx for all your kind words.


Chapter 7

Max had hit a dead end. She sighed and rested her hands on her hips thinking. She noticed that her shoulder wasn't as stiff, but it still hurt. Well she could deal with a little pain.

She rolled her head trying to loosen up stiff neck muscles. She was hot, there were steam pipes running along above her head and they were throwing out a lot of heat.

She had tried following them at first but they disappeared into the wall at the end. The only thing she could do now was turn back and see if White had found a way out. If he had she wouldn't have long before he came back with a team.

She had found a few gaps in the wall but none big enough to climb through. She turned with a sigh and started back, she so didn't want to run into White's smug face, well run a fist into it maybe, but otherwise she would rather avoid him, like the plague.

There were rats everywhere, they had no problem coming and going through the holes in the wall. Given the condition of the place there had to be a hole somewhere big enough for a human to fit through.

Rats liked tunnels, they liked sewers, if she could get through the wall maybe whatever was on the other side would lead to the sewer system. It would be worth a shot, but first she had to find a way through.

She had to be careful where she stood what with all the debris from the ceiling and walls all over the place, and it was dark, it was a wonder she hadn't fallen and knocked herself out, again. After all she reminded her self, it had been her who had taken out the floor beneath them. At the time it seemed like a good idea. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.

By now her friends would have noticed her absence, but would they think anything of it or just assume that she'd bailed. She had a habit of doing that when she needed some space.

Logan would worry, but would Logan know? Would Cindy or Alec even think it is was worth telling him? Max was after all very independent, she often did things and went places without telling anyone where she was going or what she was doing. Maybe being so independent wasn't such a good thing.

Worrying about it now would do no good. They would either be out looking for her or they wouldn't, it didn't change her circumstances right now either way.

She was stuck underground with her least favourite person. It's not like her day could get any worse.

Ames was headed back the way he came. If he remembered correctly there was a large gap in the area they had landed in, it hadn't seemed to lead anywhere at the time but thinking back maybe it did. It may be the way through he was looking for.

Of course if 452 had already found a way out she would be long gone by now. They had been down here hours now. He'd pretty much had enough, he wanted out of here, he wanted 452 locked up nice and safe in a cell, and he desperately wanted a shower, the heat coming off the pipes was intense. He had loosened his tie considerably and was carrying his jacket but it didn't seem to be helping much.

He could withstand more heat than a human could but he was still uncomfortable.

Ames heard footsteps up ahead, back in the area they had landed in. He moved slower, deliberately making no noise as he walked. A human couldn't have heard him but as he was well aware of what 452 was he wasn't taking any chances. If he could surprise and grab her without a fight then maybe he could salvage something out of this after all.

452 had her back to him, she was across the room looking at the wall, she had obviously come to the same conclusions he had.

Considering the rubble there really wasn't a lot of cover, there was no way he could sneak up on her, so he went for the more direct approach.

(Note: I hope to have chapter 8 up as well soon, maybe Thursday if I get some time.)