Author: Synthera
Story: The Pair
Chapter 21: Home again
Disclaimer: I am so mad with JC and Fox right now I don't have the heart to disclaim it.
~!~!~!~
Alec crept into the room where Lexa was sleeping. For a moment he stood watching her sleep. A calm expression came over her face and he wondered what she was dreaming about. Sitting down on the bed next to her he kissed her cheek and shook her gently. She woke blinking her eyes and looking around.
"What time is it?" she asked yawning
"Around six. Logan just called he's on his was so we have about an hour. I thought you would like to get changed."
She stretched and nodded. She got up and went to the corner where bag was laying. When they had come in from the rain she had changed into pjs that had sheep and stars all over them but she couldn't wear those home. She rifled through the bag and came up with her black drawstring pants and a green shirt that she didn't know who's it was.
"Where did this come from?" she asked him.
When Alec saw her holding his shirt he looked surprised. "Me actually. I guess I put it in your bag. Sorry."
"It's okay. I like it, it's really soft." She held it out to him with one hand while looking through the bag with the other.
Alec stepped to her. "What are you looking for?"
"A shirt."
"What's wrong with the one you have in your hand?"
"It's yours."
"Wear it. You said it's soft, I want you to be comfortable." She looked up into his eyes, they held an emotion she couldn't quite place. "Besides, I kinda like the idea of you wearing my shirt."
Lexa could feel the blush heating her face. "Okay."
He gave her a smile full of satisfaction. "I'll let you change." He left the room. Lexa pulled on the clothes. She lifted Alec's shirt to her nose. She could still smell him. Underneath the cologne that the detergent was unable to get out she could smell him. She felt some sense of satisfaction herself.
~!~!~!
Lexa tried to lift the bag from the bed to take to the car that Logan had outside. They had decided to leave Alec's car here until the weekend to be safe. He would have to rely on others to get where he wanted to go until then. She put the strap on her shoulder and lifted again. Just like the last time her ribs protested and she decided to ask someone else to get it.
She walked outside where everyone was loading the car. She leaned against a post and watched them for a moment. Vin was quietly handing the bags to Max who was stacking them neatly in the rear hatch. Alec was getting the remainder of his stuff from his car. He looked up and saw her watching him and smiled.
~!~!
He had been leaning inside the car trying to find the keys to his apartment. AHA! There they were under the seat. He straightened up and saw Lexa looking at him. She was leaning against the post with a smile on her face. His shirt was a big on her but she looked comfortable. He felt a feeling of fierce possessiveness. A smug smile spread slowly across his face when he realized that he was feeling that way because of a simple shirt. She was wearing something of his.
He walked to her slowly taking her in. "Where is your bag?" he asked.
"Still on the bed. It's too heavy to lift with my ribs still hurting like this. They sure did a number on them."
"Stay there and I'll get it for you then we can get on the road okay?"
"Okay."
He went inside and returned shortly with the bag. Throwing it in the back with the others he closed the hatch. "All set."
They piled into the car. Logan ended up sitting in the front with Vin. Max couldn't get too close and Lexa wanted to sit with Alec. Time passed slowly and finally Lexa decided to break the silence.
"SO tell me what have you guys been up too since you got out. Tell me stories."
"Well, Alec. Did you tell her about the great Monty Cora?" Max teased.
"Uh no Max."
"You mean you didn't tell Vin here about your days as a great prize fighter?" she gasped then laughed.
"And I suppose you're going to tell them right?" Alec said with a smirk and rolled his eyes.
"Do you think that I would pass up a chance to make you look good Alec?" Max asked her face the picture of innocence. Without waiting for a reply she turned sideways in her seat so she could look at both Lexa and Vin.
"You see, after Manticore burned down, Alec here decided to use his enhanced skills and training to make some easy money. Calling himself Monty Cora he entered the prize fights in one of the sleazy sectors of town. When others were lying low, this genius called as much attention to himself as he could. White found his ass and tried to blackmail him. But that's another story. One that I like much more happened just recently. Monty Cora got beat by a girl. BAD. Huh Alec?" she said with a grin.
"Hey! You kicked me where no one should ever go. Even in a dirty fight. You cheated."
"All right already!" Logan interjected as he saw Max and Alec getting riled up.
"Sorry." Max apologized.
Alec didn't say a word. The silence returned for the rest of the trip. Lexa fell asleep against Alec's shoulder and he put his arm around her. They pulled up to hers and Vin's building. Alec got out of the car and woke her up. Pushing her hair aside he said "Morning sunshine. This is your stop."
Blinking rapidly she yawned. "Thanks Logan for the ride. And thank you Max and Alec for saving my ass."
"No problem little sister."
Lexa smiled at that. She got out of the car and Alec pulled her into a hug. "I'll call you tonight." He said in a low voice. He kissed her cheek and said in her ear. "One day at a time."
She nodded her head and looked at Vin who held their bags. "Ready?"
"Yep."
Alec got in the car and it pulled away from the curb. Vin and Lexa headed for the elevator. Finding it down they had to take the stairs to their apartment.
"You know you never thanked me for saving you."
"I know."
"Aren't you going to?"
"Nope. It's expected of you. It's your job." She smiled wide.
"Ungrateful wretch."
"You know you love me."
"Next time your carrying your own damn bag." He grumbled.
"Think of it as me contributing to you getting bigger muscles."
They opened the door. Lexa opened her arms wide. "Home sweet home."
~!~!~
The phone rang. "Hello?" Vin answered.
"Yeah, is my girl there?" Original Cindy demanded.
"Why, hello to you to."
"Sorry boo. Just wanted to check up on her."
"No problem she's in her room. Give me a second."
Vin banged on the door. "Lex! Phone for you."
With a big smile she rushed to the phone. "Yes?"
"Hey boo. Max just told me you got home. How ya doin'?"
"Hey OC. I'm doing good. Been better but good."
"Glad to hear. Normal said to take tomorrow off."
"Oh my god! Work! What did you tell him?"
"Just that you were attacked by a group of guys outside Crash and they beat you bad they put you in the hospital. If he asks you were in a coma for the first few days and Alec and Max were looking for you. I told him the hospital couldn't find any ID on you until they showed up and found you."
"Thanks OC."
"I got your back girl. Just happy you alright." She replied. "And since you have tomorrow off you will be able to rest so you can come to Crash tomorrow night. And Original Cindy won't take no for an answer."
Lexa laughed and said "Okay, Okay, We'll be there."
"Good. Original Cindy would hate to have to put the smack down on your ass you bein' hurt already."
"Night Original Cindy."
"Night girl."
Lexa hung up the phone and went back into her room. She picked up the brush from her bed and resumed untangling her wet hair. She was already in her pjs and had been about to go to sleep. She wanted to wait up for Alec's call but it was almost ten and she was sleepy and still healing.
She went to her stereo and turned it on. Picking out a CD that had only classical music on it she put it in and pushed play. She selected For Elise from the play program and lay back on her bed.
'I hope that Alec calls. I know he said he would but he could be busy or forget. Men.' She pulled back her covers and crawled into bed. She lay there for moment luxuriating in the soft jersey sheets covering her bed. The candles she lit flickered and the music played softly in the background. She couldn't feel more at peace.
Then Vin banged on the door abruptly ending said peace.
"What the hell do you want?" she practically growled.
"Fine, if you are going to be that way then maybe I won't tell you that Alec's on the phone."
Lexa practically flew from bed and stubbed her toe in her rush to get the phone. Cursing furiously she picked up the cordless. Alec laughed at the colorful phrases leaving her mouth.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked.
"Damn! Nothing." She said walking back to her room. She didn't see Vin smiling as she left.
"Didn't sound like nothing."
"Well, it was."
"Okay." Alec drawled.
"What's up?" Lexa asked flopping down on her bed.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing." Alec said "I told you I would call."
"I know but for most men, I will call you means in a few days."
"I'm not most men."
"I know."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment.
"What are you listening to?" Alec asked.
"For Elise. It's one of my favorite songs to listen to while I try to sleep. What are you doing?"
"Just laying on my couch. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks to you guys I am now."
"If you need to talk about anything, you know, about what happened. I'm here."
"I'm fine Alec." Lexa said defensively.
"Just wanted you to know."
"Thanks."
"So, just wanted to tell you goodnight Lexa. Sleep good." Alec said.
"Thank you. You too."
"Will do."
"And Alec?" she said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I thought of you while I was in there." She quickly hung up.
Alec said to his dial tone, "I don't do anything but think of you lately."
~!~!~!
The next day while everyone was at work Lexa went to Logan's apartment. She knocked briefly the entered to find him sitting at his computer.
"Hey." She said.
"Hey, well I guess you aren't pure Manticore."
"What?" she asked puzzled.
"You knocked, didn't come through the skylight or pick the lock on my door." He answered.
"Ah, Max and Alec huh?"
"And Zack, and Syl and Krit."
"So my brothers and sisters are unconventional. You gotta give 'em points for style right?" she said with a grin.
"Guess so." Logan replied. "What can I do for you?"
"Actually I was going to ask to borrow your computer for a bit."
"Do you mind me asking why?"
"I need to find the guard that helped me get out. I think he may be in trouble."
"How?"
"Well, one of the X5s saw him help me and knew that he was nice to me. I am afraid he might have told someone."
"Wouldn't the X5 have told by now?" Logan asked.
"He won't be talking ever again." Lexa said with a fierce expression on her face.
Logan wisely didn't ask why.
"Hey Logan buddy. I have a favor-" Lexa turned to see Alec and Max walk in.
"What's up?" Max asked.
"I was asking Logan for a favor myself. What are you guys up to?"
"We're on lunch. Alec has a favor to ask and well, I'm looking for leftover handouts." Max replied with a smile at Logan.
"There is some leftover spaghetti and meatballs in the fridge." Logan told her with a smile of his own like he had been expecting her.
Lexa turned to Alec. "What's your favor?"
"Uh, it can wait. What are you doing?"
"If Logan will let me you can watch and find out." She turned to Logan. He moved back from the computer and gestured to the chair nearby. "Go ahead."
She pulled the chair to the computer. She pulled up Manticore's interface.
"That is impossible to crack. I have been working for weeks on it." Logan protested.
"Watch and learn Logan." She said. Taking a deep breath and letting it out Lexa started typing furiously. In mere moments she was past the codes and firewalls.
Logan and Alec looked on in amazement.
"Can you get any files they have on us?" Alec asked.
"Nope. The only thing I can access from here is personnel files. They keep the files on soldiers under high security. I don't want to risk setting off any alarms."
She located the address for Joel Cintron and quickly wrote it down. "Thanks Logan."
She exited the system while the two men just kept looking at her.
"What?"
"How did you do that?" Logan asked.
"I was the intelligence part of the operation. You could say that Vin got the muscles, Alec got the charm and I got the brains." She said with a smile.
"So you think I'm charming?" Alec said with a cocky grin. Lexa just rolled her eyes.
She borrowed some writing supplies from Logan and wrote a letter to Joel. When she was done she looked it over.
Joel,
I wanted to thank you for helping me. That one act changed the way I thought about most of the guards there. Until I met you I thought they were sadistic and enjoyed the way we were treated. As you now know 924 is dead. You should also know he knew you helped me. Anyone he might have talked to that night should meet with an unfortunate accident as soon as possible if you know what I mean. Take care of yourself.
Lexa
'Short and to the point' Lexa thought to herself. She stamped the envelope and went to lick it. She found Alec watching her. Keeping her eyes locked with his she licked it slowly. Then sealing it she stood up and said she was going to leave. Thanking Logan she left with Alec's footsteps right behind her.
**TBC
Story: The Pair
Chapter 21: Home again
Disclaimer: I am so mad with JC and Fox right now I don't have the heart to disclaim it.
~!~!~!~
Alec crept into the room where Lexa was sleeping. For a moment he stood watching her sleep. A calm expression came over her face and he wondered what she was dreaming about. Sitting down on the bed next to her he kissed her cheek and shook her gently. She woke blinking her eyes and looking around.
"What time is it?" she asked yawning
"Around six. Logan just called he's on his was so we have about an hour. I thought you would like to get changed."
She stretched and nodded. She got up and went to the corner where bag was laying. When they had come in from the rain she had changed into pjs that had sheep and stars all over them but she couldn't wear those home. She rifled through the bag and came up with her black drawstring pants and a green shirt that she didn't know who's it was.
"Where did this come from?" she asked him.
When Alec saw her holding his shirt he looked surprised. "Me actually. I guess I put it in your bag. Sorry."
"It's okay. I like it, it's really soft." She held it out to him with one hand while looking through the bag with the other.
Alec stepped to her. "What are you looking for?"
"A shirt."
"What's wrong with the one you have in your hand?"
"It's yours."
"Wear it. You said it's soft, I want you to be comfortable." She looked up into his eyes, they held an emotion she couldn't quite place. "Besides, I kinda like the idea of you wearing my shirt."
Lexa could feel the blush heating her face. "Okay."
He gave her a smile full of satisfaction. "I'll let you change." He left the room. Lexa pulled on the clothes. She lifted Alec's shirt to her nose. She could still smell him. Underneath the cologne that the detergent was unable to get out she could smell him. She felt some sense of satisfaction herself.
~!~!~!
Lexa tried to lift the bag from the bed to take to the car that Logan had outside. They had decided to leave Alec's car here until the weekend to be safe. He would have to rely on others to get where he wanted to go until then. She put the strap on her shoulder and lifted again. Just like the last time her ribs protested and she decided to ask someone else to get it.
She walked outside where everyone was loading the car. She leaned against a post and watched them for a moment. Vin was quietly handing the bags to Max who was stacking them neatly in the rear hatch. Alec was getting the remainder of his stuff from his car. He looked up and saw her watching him and smiled.
~!~!
He had been leaning inside the car trying to find the keys to his apartment. AHA! There they were under the seat. He straightened up and saw Lexa looking at him. She was leaning against the post with a smile on her face. His shirt was a big on her but she looked comfortable. He felt a feeling of fierce possessiveness. A smug smile spread slowly across his face when he realized that he was feeling that way because of a simple shirt. She was wearing something of his.
He walked to her slowly taking her in. "Where is your bag?" he asked.
"Still on the bed. It's too heavy to lift with my ribs still hurting like this. They sure did a number on them."
"Stay there and I'll get it for you then we can get on the road okay?"
"Okay."
He went inside and returned shortly with the bag. Throwing it in the back with the others he closed the hatch. "All set."
They piled into the car. Logan ended up sitting in the front with Vin. Max couldn't get too close and Lexa wanted to sit with Alec. Time passed slowly and finally Lexa decided to break the silence.
"SO tell me what have you guys been up too since you got out. Tell me stories."
"Well, Alec. Did you tell her about the great Monty Cora?" Max teased.
"Uh no Max."
"You mean you didn't tell Vin here about your days as a great prize fighter?" she gasped then laughed.
"And I suppose you're going to tell them right?" Alec said with a smirk and rolled his eyes.
"Do you think that I would pass up a chance to make you look good Alec?" Max asked her face the picture of innocence. Without waiting for a reply she turned sideways in her seat so she could look at both Lexa and Vin.
"You see, after Manticore burned down, Alec here decided to use his enhanced skills and training to make some easy money. Calling himself Monty Cora he entered the prize fights in one of the sleazy sectors of town. When others were lying low, this genius called as much attention to himself as he could. White found his ass and tried to blackmail him. But that's another story. One that I like much more happened just recently. Monty Cora got beat by a girl. BAD. Huh Alec?" she said with a grin.
"Hey! You kicked me where no one should ever go. Even in a dirty fight. You cheated."
"All right already!" Logan interjected as he saw Max and Alec getting riled up.
"Sorry." Max apologized.
Alec didn't say a word. The silence returned for the rest of the trip. Lexa fell asleep against Alec's shoulder and he put his arm around her. They pulled up to hers and Vin's building. Alec got out of the car and woke her up. Pushing her hair aside he said "Morning sunshine. This is your stop."
Blinking rapidly she yawned. "Thanks Logan for the ride. And thank you Max and Alec for saving my ass."
"No problem little sister."
Lexa smiled at that. She got out of the car and Alec pulled her into a hug. "I'll call you tonight." He said in a low voice. He kissed her cheek and said in her ear. "One day at a time."
She nodded her head and looked at Vin who held their bags. "Ready?"
"Yep."
Alec got in the car and it pulled away from the curb. Vin and Lexa headed for the elevator. Finding it down they had to take the stairs to their apartment.
"You know you never thanked me for saving you."
"I know."
"Aren't you going to?"
"Nope. It's expected of you. It's your job." She smiled wide.
"Ungrateful wretch."
"You know you love me."
"Next time your carrying your own damn bag." He grumbled.
"Think of it as me contributing to you getting bigger muscles."
They opened the door. Lexa opened her arms wide. "Home sweet home."
~!~!~
The phone rang. "Hello?" Vin answered.
"Yeah, is my girl there?" Original Cindy demanded.
"Why, hello to you to."
"Sorry boo. Just wanted to check up on her."
"No problem she's in her room. Give me a second."
Vin banged on the door. "Lex! Phone for you."
With a big smile she rushed to the phone. "Yes?"
"Hey boo. Max just told me you got home. How ya doin'?"
"Hey OC. I'm doing good. Been better but good."
"Glad to hear. Normal said to take tomorrow off."
"Oh my god! Work! What did you tell him?"
"Just that you were attacked by a group of guys outside Crash and they beat you bad they put you in the hospital. If he asks you were in a coma for the first few days and Alec and Max were looking for you. I told him the hospital couldn't find any ID on you until they showed up and found you."
"Thanks OC."
"I got your back girl. Just happy you alright." She replied. "And since you have tomorrow off you will be able to rest so you can come to Crash tomorrow night. And Original Cindy won't take no for an answer."
Lexa laughed and said "Okay, Okay, We'll be there."
"Good. Original Cindy would hate to have to put the smack down on your ass you bein' hurt already."
"Night Original Cindy."
"Night girl."
Lexa hung up the phone and went back into her room. She picked up the brush from her bed and resumed untangling her wet hair. She was already in her pjs and had been about to go to sleep. She wanted to wait up for Alec's call but it was almost ten and she was sleepy and still healing.
She went to her stereo and turned it on. Picking out a CD that had only classical music on it she put it in and pushed play. She selected For Elise from the play program and lay back on her bed.
'I hope that Alec calls. I know he said he would but he could be busy or forget. Men.' She pulled back her covers and crawled into bed. She lay there for moment luxuriating in the soft jersey sheets covering her bed. The candles she lit flickered and the music played softly in the background. She couldn't feel more at peace.
Then Vin banged on the door abruptly ending said peace.
"What the hell do you want?" she practically growled.
"Fine, if you are going to be that way then maybe I won't tell you that Alec's on the phone."
Lexa practically flew from bed and stubbed her toe in her rush to get the phone. Cursing furiously she picked up the cordless. Alec laughed at the colorful phrases leaving her mouth.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked.
"Damn! Nothing." She said walking back to her room. She didn't see Vin smiling as she left.
"Didn't sound like nothing."
"Well, it was."
"Okay." Alec drawled.
"What's up?" Lexa asked flopping down on her bed.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing." Alec said "I told you I would call."
"I know but for most men, I will call you means in a few days."
"I'm not most men."
"I know."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment.
"What are you listening to?" Alec asked.
"For Elise. It's one of my favorite songs to listen to while I try to sleep. What are you doing?"
"Just laying on my couch. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks to you guys I am now."
"If you need to talk about anything, you know, about what happened. I'm here."
"I'm fine Alec." Lexa said defensively.
"Just wanted you to know."
"Thanks."
"So, just wanted to tell you goodnight Lexa. Sleep good." Alec said.
"Thank you. You too."
"Will do."
"And Alec?" she said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I thought of you while I was in there." She quickly hung up.
Alec said to his dial tone, "I don't do anything but think of you lately."
~!~!~!
The next day while everyone was at work Lexa went to Logan's apartment. She knocked briefly the entered to find him sitting at his computer.
"Hey." She said.
"Hey, well I guess you aren't pure Manticore."
"What?" she asked puzzled.
"You knocked, didn't come through the skylight or pick the lock on my door." He answered.
"Ah, Max and Alec huh?"
"And Zack, and Syl and Krit."
"So my brothers and sisters are unconventional. You gotta give 'em points for style right?" she said with a grin.
"Guess so." Logan replied. "What can I do for you?"
"Actually I was going to ask to borrow your computer for a bit."
"Do you mind me asking why?"
"I need to find the guard that helped me get out. I think he may be in trouble."
"How?"
"Well, one of the X5s saw him help me and knew that he was nice to me. I am afraid he might have told someone."
"Wouldn't the X5 have told by now?" Logan asked.
"He won't be talking ever again." Lexa said with a fierce expression on her face.
Logan wisely didn't ask why.
"Hey Logan buddy. I have a favor-" Lexa turned to see Alec and Max walk in.
"What's up?" Max asked.
"I was asking Logan for a favor myself. What are you guys up to?"
"We're on lunch. Alec has a favor to ask and well, I'm looking for leftover handouts." Max replied with a smile at Logan.
"There is some leftover spaghetti and meatballs in the fridge." Logan told her with a smile of his own like he had been expecting her.
Lexa turned to Alec. "What's your favor?"
"Uh, it can wait. What are you doing?"
"If Logan will let me you can watch and find out." She turned to Logan. He moved back from the computer and gestured to the chair nearby. "Go ahead."
She pulled the chair to the computer. She pulled up Manticore's interface.
"That is impossible to crack. I have been working for weeks on it." Logan protested.
"Watch and learn Logan." She said. Taking a deep breath and letting it out Lexa started typing furiously. In mere moments she was past the codes and firewalls.
Logan and Alec looked on in amazement.
"Can you get any files they have on us?" Alec asked.
"Nope. The only thing I can access from here is personnel files. They keep the files on soldiers under high security. I don't want to risk setting off any alarms."
She located the address for Joel Cintron and quickly wrote it down. "Thanks Logan."
She exited the system while the two men just kept looking at her.
"What?"
"How did you do that?" Logan asked.
"I was the intelligence part of the operation. You could say that Vin got the muscles, Alec got the charm and I got the brains." She said with a smile.
"So you think I'm charming?" Alec said with a cocky grin. Lexa just rolled her eyes.
She borrowed some writing supplies from Logan and wrote a letter to Joel. When she was done she looked it over.
Joel,
I wanted to thank you for helping me. That one act changed the way I thought about most of the guards there. Until I met you I thought they were sadistic and enjoyed the way we were treated. As you now know 924 is dead. You should also know he knew you helped me. Anyone he might have talked to that night should meet with an unfortunate accident as soon as possible if you know what I mean. Take care of yourself.
Lexa
'Short and to the point' Lexa thought to herself. She stamped the envelope and went to lick it. She found Alec watching her. Keeping her eyes locked with his she licked it slowly. Then sealing it she stood up and said she was going to leave. Thanking Logan she left with Alec's footsteps right behind her.
**TBC