A/N: And we now switch over the Max's POV since we all want to know what went through her head that crazy night. Don't worry, it's still going to be M/A, in case you get a bit worried. I've said too much, must shut up.
Getaway to Cuba
By Strife's LMNT
Chapter 4
That morning on the beach had been one of the hardest moments in my life. Alec and I had just been through a whirlwind of a weekend and we both knew it had to end sometime. As we sat on the cold sand and stared out at the harbour coming to life, I had the courage to say that words that I had never said to anyone before that moment. I realized that I had hurt Alec by wanting to stay in Cuba and I didn't want our relationship to be some week-end fling. A pointless escapade in the night.
"Alec."
"What?!"
"I love you."
With those words I felt a huge pressure lift away from my chest and I let out a relieved sigh. Somewhere in the back of my conscience I could hear Original Cindy and Sketch screaming, "I told you!" And I swore I could see Alec screaming the same thing right along with them.
"I love you too, Max."
I suddenly gasped. I was not expecting that! Seriously, I wasn't. OK, maybe I was, but not right away. I know Alec cared for me in his own weird way. He had stood behind me, even as a stood beside Logan. My heart skipped a beat, my stomach began to flutter, my jaw dropped and I was speechless. All the normal symptoms of a love sick puppy.
We looked at each other for the first time since escaping from the jail. He wasn't joking! We grabbed each other with such emotion and began to kiss with a passion I had only read about. Neither of us knew when the next opportunity for this would come along, and we both took advantage of the situation. We forgot about Manticore, we left behind all the emotional baggage that would come along with this, we cleared our minds and just let it flow.
After our impromptu make out session in the sand, we sat for about an hour in complete silence, until Alec got up with a sigh and headed for his motel. I so wanted to go with him, to fly back to Seattle and show Logan who I really loved. But I also knew that I needed time for myself, time away from all the shit in Seattle. After taking a few steps, Alec turned back and looked at me with those eyes and smirked. He didn't need to say anything more. Alec would be waiting for me in Seattle. He wouldn't fool around with those other girls, he couldn't do that to me.
Lying in the sun gave me time to think about everything that's happened in my life. I escaped from Manticore, found a new home, made friends, got a decent job, brought down Manticore, unravelled several government cover-ups and began a transgenic revolution in Terminal City. Couldn't forget the fact that I had fallen in love with my genetically modified soul mate. Not bad, not bad at all. Besides all the heartache, broken bones and bruises, my life's been great so far.
But where did this sudden urge to love someone come from? Was it a natural occurrence, or was this programmed somehow? It wasn't like the physical needs I felt when in heat, but more emotional. Was this some kind of transgenic biological clock? Did Manticore screw with my DNA so that I would fall in love with Alec? If Ben was still alive, would I have fallen in love with him? They were twins after all. But this felt so real. If this was planned somehow, they did their work well.
I got up and went to search for someplace to hang out until I could make sense of the situation. Luckily for me, the beach was lined with little cafes where everyone could come and enjoy a drink. After ordering, I took a seat in an over-sized wicker chair that faced the ocean. I don't know how much time passed but when I looked around me no one remained from when I first entered the café. Just as I was about to get up, a bunch of local guys walked in talking excitedly in lively Spanish. I ignored them on my way out until I accidentally bumped into someone. More like I walked into his chest. His well-defined, muscular chest.
Feeling embarrassed, I tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. But that body was still in the way. Looking up, I found myself staring into two green valleys. Those gilded green eyes had me memorized for what seemed like eternity.
"Excuse me, seniorita, I'm so sorry."
"That's OK. I wasn't watching where I was going."
Forgetting that I was in Cuba, my first instinct was to speak in English.
"You are a visitor? Well then, welcome to Cuba."
His English was quite good and I'm sure he thought something was wrong when I didn't answer him.
"I…umm…uh.."
I couldn't remember the last time I had been so speechless. But this face in front of me had my entire body focused on it. Those green eyes, the defined cheekbones, the slight peach fuzz around his mouth, the lips that curved into a slight smile, almost a smirk. It was just like running into the Latin-lover, tanned, raven – haired version of… Alec!
"Are you alright, seniorita?"
"I'm fine. I'm just in a bit of a rush. I need to find a place to stay while I'm on…a personal retreat."
I had no idea as to what made me open up to a complete stranger. Maybe because he seemed so familiar.
"Seniorita, you and I are both in luck. I own a villa not too far from here and I'm looking for people to rent out my rooms. I'm not a very picky land lord and I'm sure you'll find my place very – how do you say? – suitable for your fine taste."
"Really? But are you sure I can afford it? It seems too good to be true."
"I'm sure we can work something out. Do you cook?"
"Not at all. But I'm pretty good at fixing things."
"Perfect. We can go there right now actually. My name is Andres Montalban."
"Max Guevara."
With a polite handshake, we were off in a taxi cab up the beach into a more residential area. The houses were small but their elegance and rustic look more than made up for their size. We slowed in front of a mid-size, white villa with a plaster façade, red clay roof tiles and black wrought iron gates. The typical island house.
Time passed and I realized I had been at Casa Montalban for almost two weeks. My other house mates were also young vacationers with a few local artists mixed in. I paid my rent using my savings and by cleaning up some parts of the garden. When not at the beach or in town, I stayed "home" and conversed with my house mates and land lord.
Speaking of my land lord, he and I have become quite the pair. Not forgetting about Alec, Andres and I would often stay up late and talk in the garden with a bottle of tequila and his guitar. The way he talked, the way he conducted himself in the house, it reminded me of those old Pre-Pulse movies. The kind where the gentleman would charm his woman with romantic talk and sweet music. None of the crude, sexual talk that often filled our society today. It made me realize how immature and colloquial my friends and I were back in Seattle. I wanted to be a woman around him, not just a girl. The first time he kissed me, I swore I saw fireworks and flamenco dancers.
Turns out that Andres was a member of a large, prominent family in Cuba and he, being the supposed black sheep, turned away from the family fortune and decided to make it on his own. Sounds familiar, right? His family was made up of well-known lawyers who, in the past, have been involved with a lot of important cases involving the government. Andres had a disagreement with his father and uncles about a certain case and he moved out the same night, taking his savings, buying this house and setting up his own practice. All of this info I got from the talkative Maria Antonia, a tenant at the house for as long as anyone could remember.
The nights I usually spent alone in my room or in the tropical garden that I had helped to create. Turns out that I had quite a green thumb. Too bad there aren't any gardens in Seattle. I know what you're thinking, Max, the transgenic leader of the revolution against Manticore, the motorcycle riding, leather wearing thief now spends her time obsessing over her garden.
I began to reflect a lot and I realized that I never seem to learn from the mistakes I make in love. I don't know for sure, but I think I'm using Andres as a temporary fix until I see Alec again. They are so alike it's weird. Same quirks, same likes and dislikes. Except Andres was a sweeter, gentler version. This obviously dispelling my thoughts of another Manticore cloning project.
It always came down to Alec. Even when he was annoying the heck out of me I wanted him. I wanted him because he didn't seem to want me. I went for him because he was a challenge and when he turned me away the first time over a year ago, I wanted him even more. He made me cry for the first time since…well, a long time, and I loved him for that.
But now, he loves me back, I don't know what to do with myself. I don't like things being handed to me on a silver platter, especially love. I like to work for things, to feel that I earned it. I liked being hurt emotionally, it gives me an excuse to be such a bitch. To tell you the truth, with Alec love and hate are the same thing. When I hated Alec, I felt that I loved him but now that he loves me, I hate him for it. Damn emotions.
Tell me lies, slap me on the face, just…
Improvise, do something really clever,
That'll make me hate your name forever
You might swear, you'd never touch a lady
Well, let me say, you're not too far from maybe
Every day you find new ways to hurt me.
But I can't help it if I'm just a fool
Always having my heart set on you
'Till the time you start changing the rules
I'll keep chasing the soles of your shoes
Ahh, fool.
God resigned from hearing my old story
Every night, I'm paying hell for glory
I'm embarrassed but I'm much more sorry.
All this pain, begins to feel like pleasure
With my tears, you'd make the sea a desert
Salt my wounds and I'll keep saying thank you.
But I can't help it if I'm just a fool
Always having my heart set on you
'Till the time you start changing the rules
I'll keep chasing the soles of your shoes
Ahh, fool.
"Fool" – Shakira
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to put up this chapter. I started writing the first few chapters and they came so easily to me. Once I finished this chapter, I had to rethink my whole game plan and decide where to go with this story so that it isn't just another smash-and-grab fanfic.
There's still another chapter after this one that I already have written up, but depending on reviewer-response, I may have to alter it a bit, or at least the chapter that comes after it. It may take a bit of time before anymore chapters are up 'cause of school and sports, but that'll just give you more time to read all the other great fanfics out there. Remember: Read and REVIEW!!!