A/N Thanks for all the reviews. I fixed the not allowed to review
anonymously. Sorry again. Anyway this is the fourth part as I'M SURE you've
already noticed but I felt like telling you anyway. I probably wont always
update this fast but my muse seems to love me these days and I'm gonna take
full advantage. Enjoy it while you can. Disclaimer see first chapter.
Part 4
Alec tossed and turned on the couch. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable or cold. He wasn't even sure why he couldn't sleep all he knew was that it had to do with Max. He'd never seen her sleep especially after the Jam pony hostage situation and he began to wonder if she'd slept at all after that. Even for her was that possible? Now lying there a few rooms away, knowing that she slept was like putting chocolate in front of a fat man and telling him not to eat it. Alec smiled at his comparison.
Deciding that it was beyond his control he stood wrapping the blanket round his body shielding it against the chilly air. He wore only his boxers underneath and as his feet padded noiselessly across the hardwood floors and up the stairs shivers ran up his spine.
When he reached the door though all his courage seemed to desert him and he was just about ready to go back when an almost whimper trapped him where he was. His feet were glued to the ground as he strained to hear for another noise to come from the room. On a life of their own his hands moved as one gripped the sheet around him to a point of turning white and the other reached out for the doorknob wavering in uncertainty. Cursing in his mind he shook the thoughts out of his mind, he was a soldier for god's sake! He shouldn't even know the meaning of uncertainty.
Closing the door behind him he slipped towards an old wicker chair sticking to the shadows hoping to remain unnoticed. He didn't dare sit in the chair in fear that the smallest noise might wake her and in that moment that was the last thing he wanted to do. He leaned in the corner the darkness engulfing him, obscuring his face. His eyes followed the grain lines on the wooden boards leading him to the foot of the bed. They clambered up and onto the maroon comforter and swiftly glided across a square of moonlight.
She was sound asleep, curled up the covers reaching high under her chin. Her back was turned away from the window and in consequence from him but he could see her perfectly. The silver light lit her face, but no light could ever hope of showing her true beauty. He was surprised at the thoughts that seemed to go through his mind. He'd always thought she was hot but never had he phrased anything in such a way. He was a lot of things but he'd never seen himself as a poet.
But in that moment it was as if anything and everything was possible. He watched her turn slightly further away from the light and he watched the shadows shroud her face a little more. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face at the irony of a full moon portraying everything Max and he was with far more success than any words or man ever would.
Max had always been cast in the light and she had always tried to hide from it. At any cost she hid afraid of what might happen should she ever truly find out what she really was. Not in the sense of what DNA she was. Maybe wording it better would be whom she truly was, to find out and uncover to herself and the rest of the world the woman she had become. Alec on the other hand wasn't in the light shielding himself from everything. He wasn't even sure if he had been born within it and then it had been taken away. All he really knew was that he desperately wanted to be welcomed in it once again but at knowing that to do so he'd need to let go of his defenses. He was too scared of what he'd find should he ever take the plunge.
So caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see her wake, awoken from his intense gaze. She watched the emotions dance across his face as he realized she no longer was asleep. He was a soldier, trained to show no emotion, to keep his weaknesses to himself if he couldn't get rid of them for good. But more than once it had been proven that even the most tormented soul or most loyal subject Manticore had, it always had a heart. A heart that carried emotions that had been locked away inside it since before it could feel. Locking them away only causes them to spill out in a rush for every heart reaches their fill. For they might be soldiers but they were humans too and no man or woman can keep everything inside until their very last breath.
Her face softened and she stood, walking towards him with the grace of a panther. He watched her carefully as she softly padded over until she stood in front of him. With actions speaking louder than voices ever could. He suppressed the cry that bubbled up his throat swallowing it back down as her hand reached out taking his in hers and pulling him into the light and he shredded his blanket. She led him to the bed and shuffled under the covers gesturing for him to follow suit.
With the awe of a child he obeyed and watched as she rested her head onto his shoulder and his arms voluntarily flew around her in an embrace. The last thing he remembered before he fell asleep was the way she felt inside his arms and the small smile that had tugged at her lips. He had shed his armor in that instant and he'd taken the plunge where there was no going back. He just hoped she'd be there to catch him at the end.
******
Max's world slowly came to focus as her eyes fluttered open and met the softened features of Alec's sleeping face. She tensed for a second feeling disoriented but as her memory flushed back she let a small smile cross her face. He'd seemed so deep in thought last night when she'd awoken to find him staring at her. He'd had such intensity in his eyes then, a million emotions flying across his face. So she'd taken his hand and she'd led him to her bed. Out of the darkness and into the light. She'd watched him shed his blanket and she smiled at the metaphorical sense of the memory.
Alec had let go and he'd lowered his defenses allowing himself to be seen. And she had seen him. Different than before, in a whole new light and she finally realized that he did care no matter what he said or did, he did have a heart behind that devil-may-care smirk only he could pull off.
She watched in fascination at him looking for all the world like a little boy the night before Christmas and wondered if he'd ever return her feelings even though she wasn't sure herself what they were. She cocked an eyebrow at him as he yawned and his eyes fluttered open revealing the hazel orbs. There was something different in his eyes. Something she'd seen before but for the life of her she couldn't place it. Deciding that she'd stared too long she looked away and got out of bed.
He watched her as she gathered her new clothes and placed the old ones in the bag. She shook her head at his smile as she disappeared into the bathroom closing the door behind her. They'd seemed to find a sort of truce for now and Alec was determined not to break it or push it too far. They were friends and though she may not return his feelings he was happy with what he got.
By the time Max had taken a shower and came out again fully dressed Alec was lacing up his boots and she sent a silent curse at having missed him getting dressed.
Not saying a word they silently walked down stairs and into the kitchen. No one was up yet and they didn't want to wake anyone it was barely six. Alec sat down in a chair as Max looked through the cupboards searching for coffee. Finding it she lifted it up triumphant and showed Alec who rolled his eyes at the gesture but in truth he couldn't stop the small chuckle at her child-like fun.
Neither spoke a word as Max placed the two cups down and smelled hers with excitement. She hadn't had real coffee in a while and she could barely wait. She lifted the steaming cup to her mouth and let the hot liquid rush down her throat warming her inside out.
It was Alec who broke the silence but with a question Max had definitely not been expecting, "So what are we? Friends? Partners? Siblings? What exactly?"
Max looked at him confused and set her mug back down, "You're not my brother Alec. I don't want you to be. We're friends. who love getting under each other's skin now and then."
They smiled at her definition and Alec nodded his head accepting. He was glad she didn't see him as a brother and he admitted to himself that it was a big relief.
Rook decided to walk in at that moment and he grinned at the two X5's, "Lot's to do so little time."
Max watched him in curiosity as he took out the milk from the fridge and downed it straight from the carton. Scrunching it up in a ball he tossed it over his shoulder landing it with exact precision inside the wastebasket. He crouched under the sink and took out a box of chocolate biscuits that had been hidden from view before sitting down in the last chair and began eating them.
"No matter what DNA, you're all still guys," Max laughed. He just smiled and offered them a biscuit each before he popped the last one in his mouth.
******
Zane stood on the back of his truck, Kadu' beside him, the crates on the ground in front of him. The transgenics; X-series, anomalies, psy-ops and special-ops alike all stood behind the crates. Joshua, Mole, Dix and Luke leaned against the vehicle and everyone waited for him to speak.
"I hope you've all had a good night's rest, for those of you who sleep. My designation back at Manticore was X5-205 but I'd rather you called me Zane. As you know Max has left us for a short while to find Sandeman that some of you may know as father. In her absence I'm filling in for my baby sis. She will return in a matter of days, three at the most. We're aren't going to try anything until she is back but on the other hand there is no point for us to sit here and twiddle our thumbs. We have to start our own community, organize or we don't stand a chance by ourselves, since theirs for now won't accept us. We range from lizard men to teenagers to pregnant women. Let's clean this place up and make it livable. Now I need you guys to move in the different directions that I tell you so that I can assign different jobs that I'm sure will be at least a little to your liking. As I get to know you, you will get a more specific task but for now this is how it will go."
"Ok first of all I need you to divide into two. On my right I need Adults as in X5's up and on the other side anyone below the age of around seventeen," The two groups divided with seemingly little fuss and Zane paused a moment waiting for everybody to once again stand still.
"Okay now the X6's and anyone their age stay where you are and the even younger ones, eight and below, move again to my right. Okay now adults. You guys have to divide yourself in these different groups. To the extreme left I need mechanics and telecommunications experts, repair, that sort of thing. Next to them I want psy-ops, then the third group the field medics or anyone who excelled in biology, chemistry. Weapons connoisseurs on the other side. Anyone left I need the rest of ya for something else. Choose the group you are most suited for," Again the transgenics divided, "Okay now listen up. There's gonna be a buddy system aiight. It sounds gay I know but should someone get in trouble for whatever reason the other can get help so pair up people. This'll have to do until we get comms."
This time they didn't move and Zane sighed and rolled his eyes, "It can be guy/guy, girl/girl or guy/girl just pick someone."
******
Within a matter of minutes everyone was in the kitchen organizing his or her breakfast; that is all except Spartacus.
"Okay guys let's pack everything up and as soon as Sandy gets here and we have introductions we can get out of here," Jondy said clapping her hands together.
"Wait sis is Sandy short for . Sandeman?" Max asked suddenly remembering why she was even down here.
"Bingo now come on there's heaps of stuff to load into the truck! Actually on second thought, go wake Cus and you can join us as soon as she's up," Jondy said leading everyone outside.
Max made her way to Spartacus's room guilt plaguing her mind. She'd completely forgotten why she was here in the first place, she'd slacked off. She shook the feelings away after all it'd seemed that Spartacus had planned all of this. She pushed the door open to find her getting dressed while trying to speak on the phone on the same time. She nodded her head at Max nearly falling as she slipped on some jeans.
Max sat on the bed watching her bounce around trying to get dressed in a hurry and she couldn't help but smile.
"Hello? Finally took you long enough to answer the phone."
Max could hear both sides of the conversation and she did so without remorse.
"One of these days that mouth of yours is gonna get you in a whole heap of trouble little lady." Said a distinctly warm male voice.
"So are you getting your old self here or not? Jon is already loading the truck and Wes is putting the final touches on our ticket there."
"I'm coming, I'm about 20 miles away."
"Coo. Listen you know those shots you gave Kadu' and me'? What would happen if I gave them to Napoleon?"
"You're not thinking on bringing him are you? I know you love that animal but where would he stay Spartacus?"
"Jondy said there's nuff room to put oats and hay plus there's a small park inside Terminal City with grass and I can manage at finding him food, please, pleeeeaaaase?"
"I don't even know why I try I've never been able to say no to you."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you I love ya Sandy."
"Yeah yeah I'm sure. Wait for me to pack the lab all right missy. I'll do it. and listen. how is she?"
"She's great. Knock out. Dark hair, doe eyes, tanned.smooth skin," Spartacus teased looking straight at Max as she tied her shoes, "She's right here wit me and apparently she has heaps to talk to you about."
"Does. does she hate me?"
"I don't know I haven't asked her by the way you do know she can hear you? Oh by the way you wont believe who she brought along?"
"I know she can hear me, I made her that way. Who'd she bring?"
"Alec. 494."
"I guess some things are just supposed to happen. I'll be there in a bit until then don't be a smart ass and go help."
"Sure pop!"
"You never change."
"And you love me just the way I am."
*****
Don't you just love where I keep cutting off. just joking, no more dagger looks. please review and make me happy.
Part 4
Alec tossed and turned on the couch. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable or cold. He wasn't even sure why he couldn't sleep all he knew was that it had to do with Max. He'd never seen her sleep especially after the Jam pony hostage situation and he began to wonder if she'd slept at all after that. Even for her was that possible? Now lying there a few rooms away, knowing that she slept was like putting chocolate in front of a fat man and telling him not to eat it. Alec smiled at his comparison.
Deciding that it was beyond his control he stood wrapping the blanket round his body shielding it against the chilly air. He wore only his boxers underneath and as his feet padded noiselessly across the hardwood floors and up the stairs shivers ran up his spine.
When he reached the door though all his courage seemed to desert him and he was just about ready to go back when an almost whimper trapped him where he was. His feet were glued to the ground as he strained to hear for another noise to come from the room. On a life of their own his hands moved as one gripped the sheet around him to a point of turning white and the other reached out for the doorknob wavering in uncertainty. Cursing in his mind he shook the thoughts out of his mind, he was a soldier for god's sake! He shouldn't even know the meaning of uncertainty.
Closing the door behind him he slipped towards an old wicker chair sticking to the shadows hoping to remain unnoticed. He didn't dare sit in the chair in fear that the smallest noise might wake her and in that moment that was the last thing he wanted to do. He leaned in the corner the darkness engulfing him, obscuring his face. His eyes followed the grain lines on the wooden boards leading him to the foot of the bed. They clambered up and onto the maroon comforter and swiftly glided across a square of moonlight.
She was sound asleep, curled up the covers reaching high under her chin. Her back was turned away from the window and in consequence from him but he could see her perfectly. The silver light lit her face, but no light could ever hope of showing her true beauty. He was surprised at the thoughts that seemed to go through his mind. He'd always thought she was hot but never had he phrased anything in such a way. He was a lot of things but he'd never seen himself as a poet.
But in that moment it was as if anything and everything was possible. He watched her turn slightly further away from the light and he watched the shadows shroud her face a little more. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face at the irony of a full moon portraying everything Max and he was with far more success than any words or man ever would.
Max had always been cast in the light and she had always tried to hide from it. At any cost she hid afraid of what might happen should she ever truly find out what she really was. Not in the sense of what DNA she was. Maybe wording it better would be whom she truly was, to find out and uncover to herself and the rest of the world the woman she had become. Alec on the other hand wasn't in the light shielding himself from everything. He wasn't even sure if he had been born within it and then it had been taken away. All he really knew was that he desperately wanted to be welcomed in it once again but at knowing that to do so he'd need to let go of his defenses. He was too scared of what he'd find should he ever take the plunge.
So caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see her wake, awoken from his intense gaze. She watched the emotions dance across his face as he realized she no longer was asleep. He was a soldier, trained to show no emotion, to keep his weaknesses to himself if he couldn't get rid of them for good. But more than once it had been proven that even the most tormented soul or most loyal subject Manticore had, it always had a heart. A heart that carried emotions that had been locked away inside it since before it could feel. Locking them away only causes them to spill out in a rush for every heart reaches their fill. For they might be soldiers but they were humans too and no man or woman can keep everything inside until their very last breath.
Her face softened and she stood, walking towards him with the grace of a panther. He watched her carefully as she softly padded over until she stood in front of him. With actions speaking louder than voices ever could. He suppressed the cry that bubbled up his throat swallowing it back down as her hand reached out taking his in hers and pulling him into the light and he shredded his blanket. She led him to the bed and shuffled under the covers gesturing for him to follow suit.
With the awe of a child he obeyed and watched as she rested her head onto his shoulder and his arms voluntarily flew around her in an embrace. The last thing he remembered before he fell asleep was the way she felt inside his arms and the small smile that had tugged at her lips. He had shed his armor in that instant and he'd taken the plunge where there was no going back. He just hoped she'd be there to catch him at the end.
******
Max's world slowly came to focus as her eyes fluttered open and met the softened features of Alec's sleeping face. She tensed for a second feeling disoriented but as her memory flushed back she let a small smile cross her face. He'd seemed so deep in thought last night when she'd awoken to find him staring at her. He'd had such intensity in his eyes then, a million emotions flying across his face. So she'd taken his hand and she'd led him to her bed. Out of the darkness and into the light. She'd watched him shed his blanket and she smiled at the metaphorical sense of the memory.
Alec had let go and he'd lowered his defenses allowing himself to be seen. And she had seen him. Different than before, in a whole new light and she finally realized that he did care no matter what he said or did, he did have a heart behind that devil-may-care smirk only he could pull off.
She watched in fascination at him looking for all the world like a little boy the night before Christmas and wondered if he'd ever return her feelings even though she wasn't sure herself what they were. She cocked an eyebrow at him as he yawned and his eyes fluttered open revealing the hazel orbs. There was something different in his eyes. Something she'd seen before but for the life of her she couldn't place it. Deciding that she'd stared too long she looked away and got out of bed.
He watched her as she gathered her new clothes and placed the old ones in the bag. She shook her head at his smile as she disappeared into the bathroom closing the door behind her. They'd seemed to find a sort of truce for now and Alec was determined not to break it or push it too far. They were friends and though she may not return his feelings he was happy with what he got.
By the time Max had taken a shower and came out again fully dressed Alec was lacing up his boots and she sent a silent curse at having missed him getting dressed.
Not saying a word they silently walked down stairs and into the kitchen. No one was up yet and they didn't want to wake anyone it was barely six. Alec sat down in a chair as Max looked through the cupboards searching for coffee. Finding it she lifted it up triumphant and showed Alec who rolled his eyes at the gesture but in truth he couldn't stop the small chuckle at her child-like fun.
Neither spoke a word as Max placed the two cups down and smelled hers with excitement. She hadn't had real coffee in a while and she could barely wait. She lifted the steaming cup to her mouth and let the hot liquid rush down her throat warming her inside out.
It was Alec who broke the silence but with a question Max had definitely not been expecting, "So what are we? Friends? Partners? Siblings? What exactly?"
Max looked at him confused and set her mug back down, "You're not my brother Alec. I don't want you to be. We're friends. who love getting under each other's skin now and then."
They smiled at her definition and Alec nodded his head accepting. He was glad she didn't see him as a brother and he admitted to himself that it was a big relief.
Rook decided to walk in at that moment and he grinned at the two X5's, "Lot's to do so little time."
Max watched him in curiosity as he took out the milk from the fridge and downed it straight from the carton. Scrunching it up in a ball he tossed it over his shoulder landing it with exact precision inside the wastebasket. He crouched under the sink and took out a box of chocolate biscuits that had been hidden from view before sitting down in the last chair and began eating them.
"No matter what DNA, you're all still guys," Max laughed. He just smiled and offered them a biscuit each before he popped the last one in his mouth.
******
Zane stood on the back of his truck, Kadu' beside him, the crates on the ground in front of him. The transgenics; X-series, anomalies, psy-ops and special-ops alike all stood behind the crates. Joshua, Mole, Dix and Luke leaned against the vehicle and everyone waited for him to speak.
"I hope you've all had a good night's rest, for those of you who sleep. My designation back at Manticore was X5-205 but I'd rather you called me Zane. As you know Max has left us for a short while to find Sandeman that some of you may know as father. In her absence I'm filling in for my baby sis. She will return in a matter of days, three at the most. We're aren't going to try anything until she is back but on the other hand there is no point for us to sit here and twiddle our thumbs. We have to start our own community, organize or we don't stand a chance by ourselves, since theirs for now won't accept us. We range from lizard men to teenagers to pregnant women. Let's clean this place up and make it livable. Now I need you guys to move in the different directions that I tell you so that I can assign different jobs that I'm sure will be at least a little to your liking. As I get to know you, you will get a more specific task but for now this is how it will go."
"Ok first of all I need you to divide into two. On my right I need Adults as in X5's up and on the other side anyone below the age of around seventeen," The two groups divided with seemingly little fuss and Zane paused a moment waiting for everybody to once again stand still.
"Okay now the X6's and anyone their age stay where you are and the even younger ones, eight and below, move again to my right. Okay now adults. You guys have to divide yourself in these different groups. To the extreme left I need mechanics and telecommunications experts, repair, that sort of thing. Next to them I want psy-ops, then the third group the field medics or anyone who excelled in biology, chemistry. Weapons connoisseurs on the other side. Anyone left I need the rest of ya for something else. Choose the group you are most suited for," Again the transgenics divided, "Okay now listen up. There's gonna be a buddy system aiight. It sounds gay I know but should someone get in trouble for whatever reason the other can get help so pair up people. This'll have to do until we get comms."
This time they didn't move and Zane sighed and rolled his eyes, "It can be guy/guy, girl/girl or guy/girl just pick someone."
******
Within a matter of minutes everyone was in the kitchen organizing his or her breakfast; that is all except Spartacus.
"Okay guys let's pack everything up and as soon as Sandy gets here and we have introductions we can get out of here," Jondy said clapping her hands together.
"Wait sis is Sandy short for . Sandeman?" Max asked suddenly remembering why she was even down here.
"Bingo now come on there's heaps of stuff to load into the truck! Actually on second thought, go wake Cus and you can join us as soon as she's up," Jondy said leading everyone outside.
Max made her way to Spartacus's room guilt plaguing her mind. She'd completely forgotten why she was here in the first place, she'd slacked off. She shook the feelings away after all it'd seemed that Spartacus had planned all of this. She pushed the door open to find her getting dressed while trying to speak on the phone on the same time. She nodded her head at Max nearly falling as she slipped on some jeans.
Max sat on the bed watching her bounce around trying to get dressed in a hurry and she couldn't help but smile.
"Hello? Finally took you long enough to answer the phone."
Max could hear both sides of the conversation and she did so without remorse.
"One of these days that mouth of yours is gonna get you in a whole heap of trouble little lady." Said a distinctly warm male voice.
"So are you getting your old self here or not? Jon is already loading the truck and Wes is putting the final touches on our ticket there."
"I'm coming, I'm about 20 miles away."
"Coo. Listen you know those shots you gave Kadu' and me'? What would happen if I gave them to Napoleon?"
"You're not thinking on bringing him are you? I know you love that animal but where would he stay Spartacus?"
"Jondy said there's nuff room to put oats and hay plus there's a small park inside Terminal City with grass and I can manage at finding him food, please, pleeeeaaaase?"
"I don't even know why I try I've never been able to say no to you."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you I love ya Sandy."
"Yeah yeah I'm sure. Wait for me to pack the lab all right missy. I'll do it. and listen. how is she?"
"She's great. Knock out. Dark hair, doe eyes, tanned.smooth skin," Spartacus teased looking straight at Max as she tied her shoes, "She's right here wit me and apparently she has heaps to talk to you about."
"Does. does she hate me?"
"I don't know I haven't asked her by the way you do know she can hear you? Oh by the way you wont believe who she brought along?"
"I know she can hear me, I made her that way. Who'd she bring?"
"Alec. 494."
"I guess some things are just supposed to happen. I'll be there in a bit until then don't be a smart ass and go help."
"Sure pop!"
"You never change."
"And you love me just the way I am."
*****
Don't you just love where I keep cutting off. just joking, no more dagger looks. please review and make me happy.