Spoilers: This is the third in my series of stories. The first
was Shattered Trusts and Whispered Confessions. The second,
which I only just finished, is Remembering to Forget. This
series is set after Hello Goodbye but does reveal spoilers from
the rest of the season, as I incorporate it into the story.
Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine except for some minors. The ideas are pretty much mine though but I just want to say thanks to those who have reviewed my previous works, it keeps me writing!
Authors Note: If you really want to understand this story and enjoy it, then be sure to read the original parts one and two.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER NINE:
Seattle; Crash; September 17th 2022
2200 hours
"It just feels like I never see him anymore OC."
Max sat back and sipped her coffee, shuddering at the disgustingness of it, but gulping it down nevertheless.
"Boo, it's just a sacrifice that you have to make. Your boy is doing something so amazing. And he has been given the opportunity to lead all the Manticoreans in rebuilding their lives - better lives."
"I know. You're right, of course you are. I just miss him is all. I mean yeah I see him every now and then at work, but almost every night he goes out till breakfast, when he comes home and we get to spend say an hour of what only a guy would call 'quality time'."
"I take it that's where he is today, Terminal City."
"Yeah. Well I think. I know him and Biggs pulled some huge job last night and fenced everything to Alec's regular customer, so they've got more money to help out, which is really good. I mean he is doing such a great job, I'm so proud of him."
"You're just jealous."
"Don't say it like that Cindy!"
"I didn't mean anything by it boo, your boy is just absent too much. Why don't you just go lend him a hand. You haven't even been by there since this time last week."
Max made a sulky face at her, pouring in more sugar into her cup,
"He hasn't asked me to."
"Since when has that ever stopped you?"
"Because, he asked Biggs."
"Biggs is his best friend."
"I'm his girlfriend."
"That's different girly girl. You have to fess up what you're feeling to him otherwise he'll never know and you'll still be miserable. A look, which does nothing to compliment you."
Cindy received a miserable attempt at a glare and she reached over, touching Max's hand,
"You know all I want is your skinny ass happy. Go to him girl, your giving Original Cindy a headache."
* * * * *
Seattle; Terminal City; September 18th 2022
1200 hours
Alec and Biggs didn't even look up as Max entered the buzzing designated headquarters of TC. She frowned, tapping her feet impatiently, gaining only Mole's attention,
"Oh hey Max."
"Hey."
Finally they registered she was there and nodded, grunting a greeting, before bending back over the documents in front of them. Now she was mad. Mole started walking off and she followed, desperate to contribute to what was happening and then be noticed by her supposed boyfriend,
"Got this for you guys."
She handed him a metal briefcase riddled with bullet holes as Alec came walking quietly behind them. She pretended not to notice,
"Ever notice how drug dealers have no sense of humour when it comes to money?"
Mole ignored the fake sentiments and took firm grasp of the case, as she continued,
"That ought to keep us in Skittles and beer for a couple of weeks."
"Good. Cause we got a lot of new people round here."
He gestured and Max looked around at the swarming mass of transgenics, almost double the size of last week. Alec was handed some papers and continued to walk behind them, apparently engrossed in what he was shown.
"It's turning into Grand Central Station around here. Now we're gonna need gas for the generator, iodine tablets ASAP, blankets, bedrolls, Sterno for stoves, we're gonna need food, we're gonna need weapons, bullets, ammo, guns, grenades, anything we can scrounge. Oh, I'm gonna need more cigars."
Max smiled at his attempt at creating humour out of the pitiful situation,
"Hey, there are only so many hours in the night."
She glanced at Alec as she continued speaking, fuming on the inside that he wasn't paying attention,
"Don't wig...it will happen. It will just take more than 24 hours."
They dropped off the briefcase to an anomaly with a rifle and Mole nodded at him, before they made their way back to headquarters. Inside, most had gone, leaving only Dix, Biggs, Luke and Joshua. Luke looked up in a friendly greeting from behind his computer, his eyes warm and crinkled,
"Hey Max. I think I have nearly got these runes of yours deciphered. That's the easy part though. Alec's seem to be a different language all together. That will take some time. See, yours are only ancient Minoan. Not quite as puzzling, but still a head scratcher."
"Good work. Keep me updated when you know what's what."
"Will do."
He mock saluted and she gave a half smile, eying Alec on her left,
*Screw it.*
She moved over to him and gave him a hug from behind,
"Hi."
"Hey yourself. Just give me a minute."
He turned away, talking in a hushed tone to Biggs about some delivery. He nodded at Alec, picking up a handful of papers,
"I can handle that. Be back in about an hour. I'll bring the pizza! (chuckle) See ya later gents. Bye Max."
"Watch your back!"
"Yes sir..."
Biggs spoke dryly at Alec, his eyebrows comically raised and his arms crossed in a relaxed position,
"Later."
"Yeah, yeah, get out of here!"
He left and Alec turned back to Max, his eyes sparkling with recognition,
"Sorry...things have been crazy."
"It's okay. You got some time for your girlfriend?"
"Oh crap, is she here? Hide, otherwise she'll know I haven't been faithful!"
He laughed, pulling her into a bear hug,
"Hmm...I've missed this. You should come down here more often."
"Yeah I have too. I've missed you Alec. Feels like you're never around these days. Like I never get to talk to you anymore."
"I see you every morning before work."
"I hardly call that stimulating conversation."
"Oh, I see...you don't find it stimulating?"
He laughed again, squeezing her tighter. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck,
"So, can I help around here?"
"You know what Maxie, I think we're pretty set. There isn't much to do. I mean, you already got that money for us, that's plenty hey."
"I thought you weren't paying attention."
"With you in the room I don't pay attention to anything but you."
"Oh the smooth talker."
"Won you over didn't I?"
"Mmm...I guess you did."
Max looked over at Joshua, who was as usual stuck behind an easel,
"What's he doing?"
"Amazingly enough, not another Annie painting. I think he's come to realise that she cant be a part of his life. Go have a look."
She peeled herself out of Alec's comforting hold and walked over to Joshua, peering around past his arm,
"Hey big fella, whatcha doin'?"
"It's a flag. It's our flag."
Max eyes memorised it, taking in every detail. The white stripe at the top, the red centre, the black bottom. The white dove in the centre with its wings spread, the barcode underneath. Luke and Dix looked up as Joshua spoke, ready to comment,
"Yeah, 'cause we're gonna need a flag when our transhuman drill team is marching down Fifth Avenue in the St. Paddy's Day Parade."
"Let's not forget halftime at those Seahawks games."
Max looked at them angrily, annoyed that they were being so cynical of Joshua,
"Hey, cut it out."
Joshua looked at her, eager to explain his expressive art,
"This is you, me, even them. It's all of us. (Pointed to the black stripe) This is where we came from--where they tried to keep us."
"In the dark."
"Secret. (Pointed to the red stripe) This is where we are now, because our blood is being spilled. (Pointed to the white stripe) This is where we want to go."
"Into the light."
"Right."
Alec looked up affectionately at them,
"It's beautiful, isn't it Max?"
"Yeah."
Joshua dabbed another stroke of paint,
"Doesn't matter if beautiful. Just have to deliver the message. Help us be free in the light."
Max sighed, hugging him gently,
"I promise you, you will one day be in the light."
"Joshua tired of hiding, tired of the dark."
Alec stepped towards them, his hand reassuringly on the big guy's back,
"We all are."
* * * * *
To be continued...
Author's Note:
Okay, I just have to comment, Australian summer TV SUCKS! There is nothing good on really, except like once a week where they show Will and Grace and then Scrubs. Everything else is finished and for a media junkie as myself, I have opted to spend a few hundred dollars on CDs and DVDs. Now I am broke. Aren't I the cleverest cookie in the batch? Well anyways, I found a site, that cool Eyes Only site and it had the transcripts to all the episodes. So hence the quoting and merging of the actual series with my little fantasy world. Keep the reviews coming and I'll keep on writing. The more I get, the more motivated I become to write. He he don't you just love my hinting!
Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine except for some minors. The ideas are pretty much mine though but I just want to say thanks to those who have reviewed my previous works, it keeps me writing!
Authors Note: If you really want to understand this story and enjoy it, then be sure to read the original parts one and two.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER NINE:
Seattle; Crash; September 17th 2022
2200 hours
"It just feels like I never see him anymore OC."
Max sat back and sipped her coffee, shuddering at the disgustingness of it, but gulping it down nevertheless.
"Boo, it's just a sacrifice that you have to make. Your boy is doing something so amazing. And he has been given the opportunity to lead all the Manticoreans in rebuilding their lives - better lives."
"I know. You're right, of course you are. I just miss him is all. I mean yeah I see him every now and then at work, but almost every night he goes out till breakfast, when he comes home and we get to spend say an hour of what only a guy would call 'quality time'."
"I take it that's where he is today, Terminal City."
"Yeah. Well I think. I know him and Biggs pulled some huge job last night and fenced everything to Alec's regular customer, so they've got more money to help out, which is really good. I mean he is doing such a great job, I'm so proud of him."
"You're just jealous."
"Don't say it like that Cindy!"
"I didn't mean anything by it boo, your boy is just absent too much. Why don't you just go lend him a hand. You haven't even been by there since this time last week."
Max made a sulky face at her, pouring in more sugar into her cup,
"He hasn't asked me to."
"Since when has that ever stopped you?"
"Because, he asked Biggs."
"Biggs is his best friend."
"I'm his girlfriend."
"That's different girly girl. You have to fess up what you're feeling to him otherwise he'll never know and you'll still be miserable. A look, which does nothing to compliment you."
Cindy received a miserable attempt at a glare and she reached over, touching Max's hand,
"You know all I want is your skinny ass happy. Go to him girl, your giving Original Cindy a headache."
* * * * *
Seattle; Terminal City; September 18th 2022
1200 hours
Alec and Biggs didn't even look up as Max entered the buzzing designated headquarters of TC. She frowned, tapping her feet impatiently, gaining only Mole's attention,
"Oh hey Max."
"Hey."
Finally they registered she was there and nodded, grunting a greeting, before bending back over the documents in front of them. Now she was mad. Mole started walking off and she followed, desperate to contribute to what was happening and then be noticed by her supposed boyfriend,
"Got this for you guys."
She handed him a metal briefcase riddled with bullet holes as Alec came walking quietly behind them. She pretended not to notice,
"Ever notice how drug dealers have no sense of humour when it comes to money?"
Mole ignored the fake sentiments and took firm grasp of the case, as she continued,
"That ought to keep us in Skittles and beer for a couple of weeks."
"Good. Cause we got a lot of new people round here."
He gestured and Max looked around at the swarming mass of transgenics, almost double the size of last week. Alec was handed some papers and continued to walk behind them, apparently engrossed in what he was shown.
"It's turning into Grand Central Station around here. Now we're gonna need gas for the generator, iodine tablets ASAP, blankets, bedrolls, Sterno for stoves, we're gonna need food, we're gonna need weapons, bullets, ammo, guns, grenades, anything we can scrounge. Oh, I'm gonna need more cigars."
Max smiled at his attempt at creating humour out of the pitiful situation,
"Hey, there are only so many hours in the night."
She glanced at Alec as she continued speaking, fuming on the inside that he wasn't paying attention,
"Don't wig...it will happen. It will just take more than 24 hours."
They dropped off the briefcase to an anomaly with a rifle and Mole nodded at him, before they made their way back to headquarters. Inside, most had gone, leaving only Dix, Biggs, Luke and Joshua. Luke looked up in a friendly greeting from behind his computer, his eyes warm and crinkled,
"Hey Max. I think I have nearly got these runes of yours deciphered. That's the easy part though. Alec's seem to be a different language all together. That will take some time. See, yours are only ancient Minoan. Not quite as puzzling, but still a head scratcher."
"Good work. Keep me updated when you know what's what."
"Will do."
He mock saluted and she gave a half smile, eying Alec on her left,
*Screw it.*
She moved over to him and gave him a hug from behind,
"Hi."
"Hey yourself. Just give me a minute."
He turned away, talking in a hushed tone to Biggs about some delivery. He nodded at Alec, picking up a handful of papers,
"I can handle that. Be back in about an hour. I'll bring the pizza! (chuckle) See ya later gents. Bye Max."
"Watch your back!"
"Yes sir..."
Biggs spoke dryly at Alec, his eyebrows comically raised and his arms crossed in a relaxed position,
"Later."
"Yeah, yeah, get out of here!"
He left and Alec turned back to Max, his eyes sparkling with recognition,
"Sorry...things have been crazy."
"It's okay. You got some time for your girlfriend?"
"Oh crap, is she here? Hide, otherwise she'll know I haven't been faithful!"
He laughed, pulling her into a bear hug,
"Hmm...I've missed this. You should come down here more often."
"Yeah I have too. I've missed you Alec. Feels like you're never around these days. Like I never get to talk to you anymore."
"I see you every morning before work."
"I hardly call that stimulating conversation."
"Oh, I see...you don't find it stimulating?"
He laughed again, squeezing her tighter. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck,
"So, can I help around here?"
"You know what Maxie, I think we're pretty set. There isn't much to do. I mean, you already got that money for us, that's plenty hey."
"I thought you weren't paying attention."
"With you in the room I don't pay attention to anything but you."
"Oh the smooth talker."
"Won you over didn't I?"
"Mmm...I guess you did."
Max looked over at Joshua, who was as usual stuck behind an easel,
"What's he doing?"
"Amazingly enough, not another Annie painting. I think he's come to realise that she cant be a part of his life. Go have a look."
She peeled herself out of Alec's comforting hold and walked over to Joshua, peering around past his arm,
"Hey big fella, whatcha doin'?"
"It's a flag. It's our flag."
Max eyes memorised it, taking in every detail. The white stripe at the top, the red centre, the black bottom. The white dove in the centre with its wings spread, the barcode underneath. Luke and Dix looked up as Joshua spoke, ready to comment,
"Yeah, 'cause we're gonna need a flag when our transhuman drill team is marching down Fifth Avenue in the St. Paddy's Day Parade."
"Let's not forget halftime at those Seahawks games."
Max looked at them angrily, annoyed that they were being so cynical of Joshua,
"Hey, cut it out."
Joshua looked at her, eager to explain his expressive art,
"This is you, me, even them. It's all of us. (Pointed to the black stripe) This is where we came from--where they tried to keep us."
"In the dark."
"Secret. (Pointed to the red stripe) This is where we are now, because our blood is being spilled. (Pointed to the white stripe) This is where we want to go."
"Into the light."
"Right."
Alec looked up affectionately at them,
"It's beautiful, isn't it Max?"
"Yeah."
Joshua dabbed another stroke of paint,
"Doesn't matter if beautiful. Just have to deliver the message. Help us be free in the light."
Max sighed, hugging him gently,
"I promise you, you will one day be in the light."
"Joshua tired of hiding, tired of the dark."
Alec stepped towards them, his hand reassuringly on the big guy's back,
"We all are."
* * * * *
To be continued...
Author's Note:
Okay, I just have to comment, Australian summer TV SUCKS! There is nothing good on really, except like once a week where they show Will and Grace and then Scrubs. Everything else is finished and for a media junkie as myself, I have opted to spend a few hundred dollars on CDs and DVDs. Now I am broke. Aren't I the cleverest cookie in the batch? Well anyways, I found a site, that cool Eyes Only site and it had the transcripts to all the episodes. So hence the quoting and merging of the actual series with my little fantasy world. Keep the reviews coming and I'll keep on writing. The more I get, the more motivated I become to write. He he don't you just love my hinting!