spoilers: Fugheddaboutit, or however you spell it.

note: Wow, what a great response, I wasn't expecting but you guys are the greatest! :) So of course, a long and probably boring author's note that makes no sense, but I have to acknowledge because you rock. :) Shannon - I don't know what to say but your welcome! As everyone or most saw in Berrisford Agenda, they gave him depth ;) Deb - Thank you, *blush* I always think Max is really harsh but if the characterisation fits… Tallera - :laughs: If it is a song, I've never hurt of it, I'm glad bout the portrayal, cause I struggle a lot sometimes :look: I wrote that… :covers face in shame: Forgive me… teehee. Hobbes19 - :present new chapter on silver platter: I haven't quite explained about Alec, but theres a vague hint in there somewhere, maybe… Lyla - :beams: Thank you! Mlife2020 - :sprinkles more suspense on icing: There, you'll have to wait and see, thank you so much, I was worried! Chic - I will ;) All Mighty Terrestrial - Jealous :blink: Of Logan? :falls apart laughing: I don't know, I haven't decided, but probably not, wait… ahhhh… I have ideas :nods wisely to self: InkaCajo - I had to get my shovel in, Max gets on my nerves on the Alec sense, sniffle, she's so mean… riight.. I'll shoosh now, and last but never least :D MoonGrlonearth - :laugh: Heerre!

Disclaimer: Own nothing

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Buses and Trains

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Rainy Days

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The rain began to pour as Alec stalked down the street, all the while mentally berating himself, Max had her transgenic freaks of the week to worry about. On a very vague note he wondered if had shown up on time and decided it hadn't, she wasn't blowing off work or her friends either. She was so annoyingly nosy, she didn't need to know where he'd gone and been, she also didn't have to care so goddamn much.

Alec, you're going to give yourself a brain hernia

"Shut up." He muttered sullenly, a stray cat turned to blink it's glowing eyes at him curiously, he scowled at it but it didn't leap away hissing at him, it just hopped on a shelf which was under shelter and began grooming.

"Self righteous feline." He scowled to himself this time, then he realised he was standing in pouring rain ragging on a cat but not about the cat at the same time. Right. Time to end this. Time to go back to his place and crash, all by himself, the prospect didn't sound so great but it was his only option. So, trying not to remember the fight too much, he hurried in the direction of his appartment.

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"Hey boo, what's up?" Original Cindy slid into the seat opposite Max and helped herself to some of the comfort she brought, a pitcher of beer, she raised the pitcher to Max questioningly and her girl shook her head.

"Is that a maybe?"

"No," Max sighed heavily and looked at Original Cindy, who was just taking a sip, "Am I a good

friend?" She asked softly and her companion almost spit out her beer but managed to swallow before she lost some of her dignity.

"Girl, you been listening to that boy?"

"No! I'm just asking, am I?"

"Max. Look to me and listen." Cindy said pointing at her face and Max obliged looking up at her instead of staring at her fidgeting fingers as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Now, I'm only gonna say this once so listen so you can stop doubting yourself, you are the homegirl, you've always been there for me and I'm tryin' to do the same for you kay?"

"Not lately, I haven't" Max sighed referring to being there for her and Original Cindy rolled her eyes exasperated.

"You know what? Who cares? You care, Max. And that is worth anything, I'm so glad you came back from the dead. I don't have to defend your locker like some deranged cavewoman." Max laughed and Cindy joined in pleased at the sound of it.

"So what'd he do now?"

"Who?" Max asked still thinking about her friends comforting words,

"You know who, Alec." Cindy didn't want to drain the semi-happiness from Max's eyes but the girl had to purge this stuff once in a while, it wasn't healthy to keep it all inside.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I want to hear about it, now tell me. You're going to explode one of these days."

"Yeah, and kick his ass."

"You've already done that." Cindy referred to that fight and Max cringed,

"That fight was a long time coming, but.. I blamed him for things that weren't even his fault..." She trailed off her mind zooming back to that fight mindless of the dubious look Original Cindy was shooting her.

Flashback

"That's for the virus."

Punch

"That's for trying to kill Joshua."

Punch

Punch

"And that's for getting paint all over my research papers"

Punch

"That's for making Joshua deliver your packages."

Kick

Punch

"That's for losing my baseball... And this...kick...is for whatever stupid thing you do next!"

End Flashback

"You saying he didn't deserve that ass kicking?" Original Cindy looked suprised as her eyebrows shot towards her forehead.

"Of course not. He totally deserved it" Max snorted to herself, what was she thinking? This was Alec she was thinking about, he had so totally deserved it. And he was being more himself than usual, apart from the fact he'd taken off without warning for a couple of months hadn't helped.

"That's my girl."

"Yeah, I better..."

"Sit your ass down Max! You've got to spend some more time with me."

"I'm-"

"No apologies. Drink and spill."

"The drink?"

"Max."

"Ok, ok." Max held up her hands in defeat and watching the beer pouring slowly into her glass, Cindy set the pitcher down and sipped her own, Max was grateful for the liquid as it slid down her parched throat. "We had a fight."

"I'm not seeing how this is new Max," Original Cindy raised an eyebrow skeptically and Max sighed, realising she was right, it was just another fight. So what if she was usually so pissed off after it that she couldn't stand the sight of him for at least two days afterwards, now she just felt a quiet resignation that settled heavily in the pit of her stomach.

"So how about lunch tomorrow? Just you and me? We haven't for a while." Max proposed and Original Cindy raised her glass.

"I'll drink to that."

"Cheers" They clinked glasses and Max forced the fight back to the recesses of her dark and troubled mind. There it would stay.

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When she got into Jam Pony relatively on time Normal gaped at her, so did Sketchy and Original Cindy for that matter, a couple of employees applauded and Max rolled her eyes, "Pay up!" Cindy smirked and Sketchy slapped a couple of bills into her outstretched and waiting hand.

"What? You guys betting on me without me actually knowing now?" Max asked good naturedly and leant on the counter to look at Normal, who still had his mouth slightly open and was looking at her in shock.

"Where's my packages Normal? Bip, bip, bip." She tossed his words at him and he blinked rapidly, still not being able to comprehend that she was actually on time, or close to it. He handed her a package and she held out her hand.

"Normal?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have a pen please?"

"Sure, here ya go." He murmured and she strolled over to Sketchy and Original Cindy who cheered silently as soon as Normal went out, muttering something about air, needing air.

"My girl got game!" Cindy said pride in her voice as Max and herself bumped fists, Sketchy did the same laughing.

"I have never seen him so shocked. Except for when you flashed him." Sketchy said leaning on the lockers and snickering at the mere thought of it,

"Sketchy, you seen Alec?" Max asked curiously not seeing him anyway, Cindy's words came back to her from last night... "You care, Max. And that is worth anything..."

"Nope."

"Hmmm--" Max decided to give Normal a heart attack so they could have the rest of the week off and collected her bike, jumped on it and pedalled out, due to the hacking behind her she thought she was well on her way to achieving the objective. Oh yeah.

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R E V I E W

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