Chapter Three
Alec stayed silent as they rode through the streets of Seattle on her bike. He didn't know where they were going and he really didn't care. He just wanted to know that she was OK and for her to know that she could talk to him, if she felt like it. He held on tight as they rode towards the south end. He concluded that they were headed for his and Joshua's house, good, he thought. She should be with us tonight, not by herself.
They arrived at the house around eleven o'clock. Joshua would still be up; he was playing monopoly with Original Cindy. They waited up since they knew Max and Alec would return soon after the mission. Max and Alec pulled up in front of the house. They got off the bike and started up the steps, then Max stopped.
"Maybe I should just leave. I don't think I'll be very good company tonight." Max said sadly
"No, I want you here. Joshua wants you here. Please, don't go. Stay with me? Besides, I need to kick your ass at monopoly again!" Alec said playfully. Max smiled at his attempts to cheer her up a bit.
They entered the house and found OC and Joshua playing monopoly and laughing. It was a sweet sound to Max's ears, especially now. She smiled a bit and sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall nearby. Alec followed and they realized that they were being stared at from Original Cindy and Joshua. Max looked at Alec and he knew what she was trying to convey to him. **I don't feel up to explaining it, but if you would like to explain it.*** and so he did. Cindy and Joshua just stared at him after he had finished.
"I really didn't think Logan would succumb so easily or give up. I guess I was wrong." Original Cindy said in disbelief. "Well, to hell with him. Nobody disses my Boo! If he can't wait or try then it's better you found out now and not later."
"He doesn't deserve her. He just gave in to his hormones and he doesn't even have the excuse of a heat cycle. Damn. He has nerve. Asks us to do his dirty work to save S1W's ass and they are making out while we are being shot at!" Alec said with conviction. "Well, as far as I'm concerned Timmy and Gobbles the wonder turkey, deserve each other. Actually, Asha may get the short end of the deal. If he cheated once, he'll probably do it again."
"Doesn't matter now. He made his choice, so now I have to live with it. It's Ok. I don't really blame him." Max said, but not too convincingly
"I do!" Alec said
"Me too" Joshua said in support. "Don't be sad. We'll take care of you". Max smiled at her friend. Somehow, that made Max feel a little better knowing they were there for her.
The friends sat awhile and talked, even though Max didn't really participate, she just liked the feeling of her friends near. And for some reason, having Alec near really comforted her. They all decided that they would watch a little TV. Alec had acquired one from the last "job" he did. They turned it on and started to surf the channels. The only station they could get was a special on The Era of Dancing. They sat there and watched the different styles of dance being performed. They all made fun of the clothing and such and basically had a good time at the dance participants' expense. The next couple was a pair of Salsa dancers and they started off great as they ripped up the dance floor. They all watched this couple silently, they were that good. And the dance oozed of sexuality. When it was over, Cindy spoke.
"Hey Boo, want to go home or do you want to stay longer?" Original Cindy asked her friend.
"I'm not tired. I'm gonna stay, at least for a while before they kick me out" Max was attempting to sound playful, but it wasn't quite working. Alecs' heart ached for her.
"Hey, why don't you go take my room Cindy? I'll stay up and bunk down here. We can all go to work together tomorrow." Alec offered
"OK, sounds good. Goodnight Boo" Cindy said as she gave her friend a big hug before heading up stairs.
"Max, Joshua and Father still the plan. Logan not invited!" Joshua said, showing support for his friend. Max smiled at him and he returned it. He rolled over and started to almost immediately snore.
Alec smiled too. He couldn't help it. She was quite for a while and then Alec spoke.
"He messed up not you. If this is what he decided, then he should have let you know. It's not your fault and don't use the excuse of I gave him the virus. You saved his life! You went through torture for months for him and never revealed his identity. You deserve someone that will love you and stick by you and that's not him. He is being selfish." Alec told her
"But maybe it is my fault." Max started
"No, It's not! Instead of telling you, he wanted to have it both ways. How long has this even been going on? Damn it Max, don't you dare blame yourself. It's not your fault and you did everything you could to protect him and stay with him, even at the great expense of your family at times. You're too good for him and he doesn't deserve to be in your company, as far as I'm concerned." Alec stated. Max found surprising comfort and interest at his statement.
"I guess. Wait. That's a good point. I wonder how long this has been going on? He should have told me!" Max said as she began to find a little of her flavor back. " I guess I just don't want to believe it, but I have to. But I know this, I refuse to wallow in self-pity or regret over this. I did all I could to keep him safe and happy, but I guess it wasn't enough. Well, to hell with it. I'm a free woman!" Max said and smiled. Even though she still was a little sad, how could she not be? Alec put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. Then he felt something wet. He looked at his hand and saw blood.
"Shit, you got hit! Why didn't you say something!" Alec said and the concern for her was very apparent in his voice. Max liked it.
"Oh yeah, I forget about that." Max returned and smiled sheepishly
"Forgot?" Alec got a grin from that. "We have some gauze and a knife. I'll be back" he said in his best Arnold Swarzenegger imitation as he stood and took off his shirt, revealing only a wife beater tank top beneath. He went and got the supplies. When he returned, Max stood and removed her cat suit vest, and then her long sleeved shirt. Now, only wearing a little black tank top and skintight cat suit pants, he could hardly take his eyes off her she was so beautiful. That Logan was surely an idiot of great magnitude, he thought. She looked up and caught his stare. She looked at him and had to admire the beautiful sight before her. Alec stood there in a tank that showed off all his assets. His big muscular arms and chest were perfectly shown. Damn, he looked good. His blue eyes boor into her brown. They both looked at each other and took comfort that they seemed to be feeling the same thing and the admiration that shown in their eyes, was for each other. He gently walked up to her and took her arm. Her left shoulder had been hit. It took a chunk out of her, but it could have been a lot worse. Alec examined the wound and decided that it already was clotting and didn't need to be cauterized. He cleaned the wound and patched her up. She looked at him with thanks. Not just for the patch up, but everything.
"Thanks" Max said "and I don't mean for just this." She said looking at the wound.
"No problem, anytime" he said and you could tell he meant it. "Max, I know that you probably don't need this now but, I have to admit that I'm glad Logan fucked up, I really am." Alec confessed. Max looked at him with confusion. "Not that I'm happy that he hurt you, far from it. I'd like to kick his ass for it actually. What I mean is, huh, that maybe, if huh." Alec started to lose his words. Max caught on to what he was trying to say.
"Hey, we have never tip toed around any subject or topic, don't start now." she said. She looked at him and decided to go easy on him and besides, she was feeling the same way and not in the mood to tease. Not tonight anyway. "You're glad Logan is gone huh?" Max smiled at him. That eased him up enough to continue.
"Think that since he's gone, there might be a place for me in your life? And I don't mean like a brother." Alec asked sheepishly. Max looked at him ***He's nervous. That's soooooo cute! *** She thought. This might be good. We are alike in many ways and have the same background. He can really understand what I go through and think. Why should I just go without or suffer because of Logan choosing Asha? I won't, I can't. Besides, Why should I? Alec is kind and he cares, I know this. And besides, damn that man is fine! Why shouldn't I partake?
"Humm, very well could be." Max said with a grin on her face. That did it. That's what made him do it and he did. He slowly leaned over and kissed her. Light at first, then when Max didn't pull away or fight he deepened the kiss and was surprised to find that Max did the same and with as much conviction as him. Max nipped gently at his lower lip with her teeth, teasing as Alec pushed his tongue to her mouth, asking for entrance. She complied and their tongues entangled as they kissed and embraced in a show of passion, as they tried to swallow each other. They stayed in that clench for a while enjoying the kiss and their hands gently stroking each other's back, shoulders and face. They finally broke apart and looked at each other and smiled.
"Whoa!" Alec said after he caught his breath, looking at Max with lust filled eyes.
"You got that right!" Max replied in delight. That was nice and no regrets shown in both of their eyes. They sat down and lean up against the wall again, but this time Alec pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder. This felt so right, for both of them. This wasn't emotion running amuck. Comfort from someone that understands me, cares for me and wants me, how could that be wrong? They stayed like this as they drifted off to sleep, even if it was only a couple of hours, for Max anyway.
Alec stayed silent as they rode through the streets of Seattle on her bike. He didn't know where they were going and he really didn't care. He just wanted to know that she was OK and for her to know that she could talk to him, if she felt like it. He held on tight as they rode towards the south end. He concluded that they were headed for his and Joshua's house, good, he thought. She should be with us tonight, not by herself.
They arrived at the house around eleven o'clock. Joshua would still be up; he was playing monopoly with Original Cindy. They waited up since they knew Max and Alec would return soon after the mission. Max and Alec pulled up in front of the house. They got off the bike and started up the steps, then Max stopped.
"Maybe I should just leave. I don't think I'll be very good company tonight." Max said sadly
"No, I want you here. Joshua wants you here. Please, don't go. Stay with me? Besides, I need to kick your ass at monopoly again!" Alec said playfully. Max smiled at his attempts to cheer her up a bit.
They entered the house and found OC and Joshua playing monopoly and laughing. It was a sweet sound to Max's ears, especially now. She smiled a bit and sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall nearby. Alec followed and they realized that they were being stared at from Original Cindy and Joshua. Max looked at Alec and he knew what she was trying to convey to him. **I don't feel up to explaining it, but if you would like to explain it.*** and so he did. Cindy and Joshua just stared at him after he had finished.
"I really didn't think Logan would succumb so easily or give up. I guess I was wrong." Original Cindy said in disbelief. "Well, to hell with him. Nobody disses my Boo! If he can't wait or try then it's better you found out now and not later."
"He doesn't deserve her. He just gave in to his hormones and he doesn't even have the excuse of a heat cycle. Damn. He has nerve. Asks us to do his dirty work to save S1W's ass and they are making out while we are being shot at!" Alec said with conviction. "Well, as far as I'm concerned Timmy and Gobbles the wonder turkey, deserve each other. Actually, Asha may get the short end of the deal. If he cheated once, he'll probably do it again."
"Doesn't matter now. He made his choice, so now I have to live with it. It's Ok. I don't really blame him." Max said, but not too convincingly
"I do!" Alec said
"Me too" Joshua said in support. "Don't be sad. We'll take care of you". Max smiled at her friend. Somehow, that made Max feel a little better knowing they were there for her.
The friends sat awhile and talked, even though Max didn't really participate, she just liked the feeling of her friends near. And for some reason, having Alec near really comforted her. They all decided that they would watch a little TV. Alec had acquired one from the last "job" he did. They turned it on and started to surf the channels. The only station they could get was a special on The Era of Dancing. They sat there and watched the different styles of dance being performed. They all made fun of the clothing and such and basically had a good time at the dance participants' expense. The next couple was a pair of Salsa dancers and they started off great as they ripped up the dance floor. They all watched this couple silently, they were that good. And the dance oozed of sexuality. When it was over, Cindy spoke.
"Hey Boo, want to go home or do you want to stay longer?" Original Cindy asked her friend.
"I'm not tired. I'm gonna stay, at least for a while before they kick me out" Max was attempting to sound playful, but it wasn't quite working. Alecs' heart ached for her.
"Hey, why don't you go take my room Cindy? I'll stay up and bunk down here. We can all go to work together tomorrow." Alec offered
"OK, sounds good. Goodnight Boo" Cindy said as she gave her friend a big hug before heading up stairs.
"Max, Joshua and Father still the plan. Logan not invited!" Joshua said, showing support for his friend. Max smiled at him and he returned it. He rolled over and started to almost immediately snore.
Alec smiled too. He couldn't help it. She was quite for a while and then Alec spoke.
"He messed up not you. If this is what he decided, then he should have let you know. It's not your fault and don't use the excuse of I gave him the virus. You saved his life! You went through torture for months for him and never revealed his identity. You deserve someone that will love you and stick by you and that's not him. He is being selfish." Alec told her
"But maybe it is my fault." Max started
"No, It's not! Instead of telling you, he wanted to have it both ways. How long has this even been going on? Damn it Max, don't you dare blame yourself. It's not your fault and you did everything you could to protect him and stay with him, even at the great expense of your family at times. You're too good for him and he doesn't deserve to be in your company, as far as I'm concerned." Alec stated. Max found surprising comfort and interest at his statement.
"I guess. Wait. That's a good point. I wonder how long this has been going on? He should have told me!" Max said as she began to find a little of her flavor back. " I guess I just don't want to believe it, but I have to. But I know this, I refuse to wallow in self-pity or regret over this. I did all I could to keep him safe and happy, but I guess it wasn't enough. Well, to hell with it. I'm a free woman!" Max said and smiled. Even though she still was a little sad, how could she not be? Alec put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. Then he felt something wet. He looked at his hand and saw blood.
"Shit, you got hit! Why didn't you say something!" Alec said and the concern for her was very apparent in his voice. Max liked it.
"Oh yeah, I forget about that." Max returned and smiled sheepishly
"Forgot?" Alec got a grin from that. "We have some gauze and a knife. I'll be back" he said in his best Arnold Swarzenegger imitation as he stood and took off his shirt, revealing only a wife beater tank top beneath. He went and got the supplies. When he returned, Max stood and removed her cat suit vest, and then her long sleeved shirt. Now, only wearing a little black tank top and skintight cat suit pants, he could hardly take his eyes off her she was so beautiful. That Logan was surely an idiot of great magnitude, he thought. She looked up and caught his stare. She looked at him and had to admire the beautiful sight before her. Alec stood there in a tank that showed off all his assets. His big muscular arms and chest were perfectly shown. Damn, he looked good. His blue eyes boor into her brown. They both looked at each other and took comfort that they seemed to be feeling the same thing and the admiration that shown in their eyes, was for each other. He gently walked up to her and took her arm. Her left shoulder had been hit. It took a chunk out of her, but it could have been a lot worse. Alec examined the wound and decided that it already was clotting and didn't need to be cauterized. He cleaned the wound and patched her up. She looked at him with thanks. Not just for the patch up, but everything.
"Thanks" Max said "and I don't mean for just this." She said looking at the wound.
"No problem, anytime" he said and you could tell he meant it. "Max, I know that you probably don't need this now but, I have to admit that I'm glad Logan fucked up, I really am." Alec confessed. Max looked at him with confusion. "Not that I'm happy that he hurt you, far from it. I'd like to kick his ass for it actually. What I mean is, huh, that maybe, if huh." Alec started to lose his words. Max caught on to what he was trying to say.
"Hey, we have never tip toed around any subject or topic, don't start now." she said. She looked at him and decided to go easy on him and besides, she was feeling the same way and not in the mood to tease. Not tonight anyway. "You're glad Logan is gone huh?" Max smiled at him. That eased him up enough to continue.
"Think that since he's gone, there might be a place for me in your life? And I don't mean like a brother." Alec asked sheepishly. Max looked at him ***He's nervous. That's soooooo cute! *** She thought. This might be good. We are alike in many ways and have the same background. He can really understand what I go through and think. Why should I just go without or suffer because of Logan choosing Asha? I won't, I can't. Besides, Why should I? Alec is kind and he cares, I know this. And besides, damn that man is fine! Why shouldn't I partake?
"Humm, very well could be." Max said with a grin on her face. That did it. That's what made him do it and he did. He slowly leaned over and kissed her. Light at first, then when Max didn't pull away or fight he deepened the kiss and was surprised to find that Max did the same and with as much conviction as him. Max nipped gently at his lower lip with her teeth, teasing as Alec pushed his tongue to her mouth, asking for entrance. She complied and their tongues entangled as they kissed and embraced in a show of passion, as they tried to swallow each other. They stayed in that clench for a while enjoying the kiss and their hands gently stroking each other's back, shoulders and face. They finally broke apart and looked at each other and smiled.
"Whoa!" Alec said after he caught his breath, looking at Max with lust filled eyes.
"You got that right!" Max replied in delight. That was nice and no regrets shown in both of their eyes. They sat down and lean up against the wall again, but this time Alec pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder. This felt so right, for both of them. This wasn't emotion running amuck. Comfort from someone that understands me, cares for me and wants me, how could that be wrong? They stayed like this as they drifted off to sleep, even if it was only a couple of hours, for Max anyway.