Vin dialed Alec's number and put the phone to his ear. Holding it wedged between his shoulder and ear he browsed through his closet trying to find something to wear. Alec picked up on the third ring.
"Yeah?" he sounded only half awake.
"Hey man, it's Vin."
"What's up buddy?"
"Well, our adorable Lexa took the car to Max's and I am supposed to meet her at Crash in a couple of hours, leaving me effectively stranded. I was wondering if you could pick me up before you go?"
"Sure thing. Give me about forty minutes." Alec said.
"Thanks."
Alec hung up without replying. He headed into the his bathroom to take a quick shower and get dressed.
~!~!~
Forty-five minutes later
Vin sat on the couch watching TV when he heard Alec knock. He clicked off the TV and shouted. "Just a sec."
He grabbed his wallet and keys of the counter and opened the door. "Ready to go?" He asked then stopped mid stride. Alec's face mirrored his expression: Shock.
Standing on the other side of the doorway, Alec wore a red shirt and black pants along with black boots. It was the same outfit Vin was wearing.
"Right. I'll go change." Vin turned and walked into his room. He threw on a black shirt with red and white dragons on it. Walking back out to where Alec was standing he said "That's happened a few times with Lexa before. She used to say that we were riding the same brain waves."
"All I have to say is weird." Alec commented. They turned and left the apartment.
~!~!~!
Once they were in the car Vin turned to Alec and
said "There is something I wanted to talk to you about."
Alec smirked. "I think you should go for her. If anyone can take her it's you."
Vin's face took on a confused expression. "Huh?"
"Max. I think you should go for her."
"It wasn't about Max. But do remind me that's a conversation that I want to come back to."
Alec frowned. "Then what did you want to talk about?"
"Lexa."
"What about her?"
"You know how X5 females have heat cycles?" Alec nodded. "Well, Lexa was due to have one a couple of days ago and so far nothing has happened."
Alec jerked the wheel to the right sharply and pulled it to a complete stop. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. When he finally spoke, his voice was tightly controlled. "What do you think it means?"
Vin shrugged. "I don't know. It could mean many things. The trauma she went through when she was in there could affect her cycle. Or something could be medically wrong." He hesitated. "I don't think she could be pregnant."
Alec exhaled. "I hope not. I'm not sure if she could handle it if she was."
It was Vin's turn to nod. "I don't think she realizes it yet. I took down the calendar."
"If she goes into heat let me know okay? I need to
know to stay away."
Vin was once again confused.
"I just want the first time to be something special.
Not something done in the haze of her heat."
Vin nodded.
The sat staring in front of them for a moment. Then Alec recovered and turned to Vin "What are doing sitting here? We have some girls waiting for us with beer on the table by now. What more can we ask for?"
Vin grinned. "Let's move out."
Alec pulled onto the road again and they came to the checkpoint. While they were waiting to get through Vin turned to Alec once more and asked "You really think I should go for her?"
Alec smiled. He knew it.
~!~!~!
They walked into the bar and saw Original Cindy and Max sitting at their usual table with Sketchy. Alec took a seat near Original Cindy while Vin sat in the vacant seat next to Max leaving the seat in between them. Alec casually scanned the bar for Lexa. Max leaned across the table and said. "She's in the ladies'."
Lexa choose that moment to walk out. Sketchy was the first to see her. He started laughing. "You guys look like all dressed from the same closet."
Alec turned to her as she slid into the seat next to him. This time the shock wasn't all together unpleasant. Lexa looked to Vin and said. "Damn brain waves." This caused the three of them to laugh.
"Whatever." Original Cindy said breaking the laughter. "Original Cindy needs a beer." She reached across the table to pick up the pitcher sitting in front of Alec. She began to pour the rounds. When she came to Lexa she realized they were short a glass. "Damn Boo. We're short one."
Lexa stood. "No problem. I'll go get another."
Alec grabbed her wrist. "You can share mine." Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the look in Alec's eyes. She slid back down into her seat and this time the length of her thigh pressed against his.
Their closeness was a fact not gone unnoticed by Vin.
After two beers Sketchy stood and declared. "I challenge
you Alec to a game of pool."
"Now fool, you know you can't beat him." Original
Cindy said rolling her eyes.
"I feel lucky today."
Alec stood and motioned to the table. "Then by all means." He gave Lexa a kiss on the cheek. "Won't take a minute."
She blushed as they left the table.
"Boy do you have it bad girl." Max said.
"Oh really?" She said arching her eyebrows evilly.
Max quickly stopped teasing her. OC went to pour herself another beer and found both pitchers empty. "Well, damn."
Lexa picked up the second pitcher and said. "I'll go with you girl." They made their way to the bar and as they waited for the bartender to refill the pitchers they scanned the crowd. OC picked out girl after girl mentioning their good characteristics. After a few moments she had Lexa laughing hard. "OC you sound like Vin when he seems to forget I'm a female."
"And speaking of Mr. Tall Dark and Quiet, he's got a thing for our girl Max doesn't he?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"Well, I think Boo is digging on him too." Original Cindy said as they observed the two talking.
"But there is that whole thing with Logan.."
"Don't forget Asha." Original Cindy added.
"Yeah. I think something happened while we were gone."
"We'll just have to wait it out suga."
"Yeah."
They started walking back to the table as Alec and Sketchy came back from their game. They had just sat down as a girl came up behind Alec. It took one look for Lexa to recognize her as the girl from the night she had been taken. She tried to remember the girl's name. 'Anna? Allie? Angie? Yeah, Angie.' she thought to herself.
Original Cindy had caught what was going on also and looked at Lexa trying to gauge her reaction. The girl was leaning over Alec, sliding her hand down his arms, draping herself across his back. Lexa's face went through a myriad of expression. The last was a feral, almost predatory expression. "I'm fine OC." she said when she felt Original Cindy's gaze.
She handed the pitcher she was holding to her.
"Girl.."
"Don't worry OC. I'm not going to hurt her. Much." she said and put a smile on her face. The smile was not friendly.
She stalked towards the table more than walked. Her walk betrayed her for the predator that she was. She moved with a grace that more than one woman envied. She had a mission.
Alec saw her approach and for a moment her panicked. His first worry was that she would take off again. Then he saw the look in her eyes and it made him shiver. The look was all want and it was directed at him. He had been sitting sideways in his chair and she walked into the space between his legs. She slid her hands up his arms and dislodged the other girl's hands.
She put her arms around his neck and gave him a through kiss. She grabbed the hair at the back of his head and pulled away slightly. She nuzzled his neck and bit lightly. "You win?" she asked.
"Y-yes." he said stuttering slightly. Max laughed at the stunned expression on his face. Then Lexa looked past Alec's face at the girl as if just noticing she was still standing there. "You must be one of Alec's "acquaintances." she said
Alec blinked and said "Lexa this is Angie." The other girl looked at Lexa as if sizing her up.
"Alec and I met after one of his fights. He had some, aggression, to work off." She said cattily.
She could get as catty as she wanted to as far as Lexa was concerned. She could play the game and win. "MMmm. Thanks for helping him out. I'm sure he appreciated it. You don't need to concern yourself with him now." She took Alec's hand. "I'm MORE than able to help with his, aggression."
Angie departed in a huff.
"Well, Boo. Original Cindy can certainly say that wasn't what she expected."
Lexa turned to OC. "You expected me to hit her?" OC nodded.
"I save that for the ring."
Sketchy perked up at that. "Ring? As in chick fight?"
Vin groaned. "Don't get her started."
Lexa turned to Vin with an indignant expression. "I'll have you know that I have been undefeated!"
"You used to fight for money?" Max asked.
"Yep."
"Only until I found out and dragged her ass out." Vin said.
"You and Alec really are made for each other." Max commented laughing.
"Ugh. Cheap joke." Alec groaned.
"Yeah, couldn't you have come up with something better?" Vin said nudging her.
"Sorry."
~!~!~!~
After they had finished the two pitchers of beer Original Cindy stood up. "Let's go get our dance on." Then she pulled a protesting Vin towards the door.
"Lexa give me the keys and I will go home."
"Nope. You go dancing with us." She said shaking her head.
"Alec?" He asked hopefully.
"Sorry buddy. She scares me."
"And there is no way Max will let you drive her baby. So you go."
"Don't want to. You know I don't like to dance."
"But you do it so well."
"I thought this is why you have girlfriends for now." He looked at the said girlfriends. "I was so happy when she met you two."
"Vin honey, face it. You go with us." She gestured to Max with her eyes.
Vin sighed. "Can I at least ride with you Max? I don't want to have to watch them make eyes at each other." She nodded.
Lexa handed the keys to her car to OC. "Here Cindy. You can drive Sketchy so he doesn't try to drive himself." She nodded.
As they were leaving they ran into Logan and Asha who were laughing as they walked in. They looked guilty once they saw the group.
"Hey guys. What's up?" Logan asked.
Lexa looked to Max who's face held a hurt expression until it was quickly covered by the blank mask they had all perfected at Manticore.
"We're heading to the club. Thought we would get some dancing in. You know, hang a little." Max answered.
"And what were you guys up to Logan?" Lexa asked.
"Asha and I were going to discuss some business." He flicked his eyes towards Sketchy.
"Ah, too bad." She looked at Asha, she wouldn't meet Lexa's eyes.
"Let's go." Max said. Logan looked a little hurt by her abruptness. They left and headed to the club.
***
To be continued.