Ch. 15:
"You can see him now," said Louise to Max and me as we waited outside the infirmary. The female lizard led us to Alec's bed, where two thick pillows propped up my brother. His lips looked parched as we walked up to him.
"Hey Bobbie. Max," he greeted as Louise handed him a glass of milk. "Hope I didn't give you too much of a scare." He swallowed a bit of the milk before setting it down at the table next to his bed.
I shrugged. "No. I'm X5. Remember? Seizures are a sad fact of life." Alec gave me a little smile as he looked at his bed-sheet. He picked at the threads as he cleared his throat.
"Well, thanks for everything, Bobbie," he said.
"No problem," I said. "What are friends for?"
"Alec, I hope you're okay," said Max, stepping up to my brother so that their fingers touched. She bent down on his bed as she continued, "I'm glad you're all right."
"I'm always all right," said Alec. His face turned serious. "You heard about the ambush?"
Max nodded. "Yes. Luke filled me in when I got here. God, Alec, what are we going to do?"
"We have to ration out the tryptophan supply we do have. We can't have what happened to Mole's son happen to the X-series," Alec bit his lip in thought. "Max, do you really want to go to Washington this week?"
"Of course," said Max with an irritated frown on her face. "The anti- transgenic bill's being discussed in the Senate and I need to make our needs known. Why?"
Alec shrugged, "It's just that I think there's stuff going on here that needs your immediate attention. Like the familiars."
"Familiars?" Max snorted in disgust. "They're just causing trouble now that White's out of the picture. We can kick their asses."
"I don't see that happening anytime soon," said Alec. "They ambushed our recon team and they ambushed us at the piers last week. I think they're up to something."
"Okay, if they're up to something," Max began grudgingly, "then what do you think we ought to do about it?"
"Well, we could start beefing up security around here. Get some more X5s out in the field. Right now, all we've got protecting us are X6s since some of the X5s are still in heat." Alec furrowed his brow thinking deeply. He turned to me. "Bobbie, I hate to put more work on your shoulders."
I folded my arms, "Alec, what do you want me to do?"
"Talk to Rita on Oak Street."
"Rita?!" I repeated.
"Who's Rita?" Max asked. Alec and I ignored her.
"Yes, Rita," said Alec, his eyes staring straight at me.
"Why her?" I asked. "Why me? I can't stand her and God knows, she can't stand me."
Alec sighed, "Look, any other time, I would ask Gem to do this, but I heard she's in heat, so I need you to ask Rita if she could spare some of her males to work at the security checkpoints." I crinkled my nose in disgust at the thought of having to talk to Rita.
"Alec, do I have to?" I asked, wincing at the little whine in my voice.
"Bobbie."
"Fine. Fine," I muttered. "I'll talk to the bitch. I better get paid for this."
"Good and you will. Ask Dix about that," said Alec. He returned his gaze to Max. "Max, I know you want to go to Washington, but like I said, we could really use some help and I think that if you joined Bobbie with her tryptophan survey, it would help with your relationship with the transgenics around here."
"I'm fine with the transgenics around here," said Max, getting up and walking over to a large curtained window. Keeping her eyes focused on the glass panes, Max continued, "You don't think they're okay with me?"
Alec and I glanced at each other. Clearing his throat, Alec replied, "No, no. I think you're okay with them. It's just that-you're not known to them. They know of you, but they don't know you."
"But they know I'm their leader, right?"
"Yeah, they do," said Alec. "If you just held off your trip to Washington to maybe this weekend and go door to door with the survey, it'll give your people a chance to really see you. Connect the name with the face."
"Well," Max crossed her arms as she turned around to face Alec and myself. "I could use some time to work out what I want to say to the Senators."
"Right," said Alec. "Take the time to write out your speech, you know, gather your thoughts and when you leave, you'll have all of Terminal City supporting you."
Max smiled at my brother. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Great!" said Alec, a broad smile crossing his face. "Now, that that's done. How's your tryptophan supply?"
Max shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean, Max," Alec's voice was serious. "How many bottles do you have left?"
Max shifted uncomfortably as she replied, "One."
Alec frowned at her as she hastily amended, "It's okay. I haven't had too many seizures since I broke out of Manticore. I think they're pretty much cured."
"I can't deal with an 'I think'," Alec snapped. "I need a definite yes or no response. Do you have seizures or not?"
Max looked hesitant before she firmly answered, "I do."
"Good," said Alec leaning back in his bed. "I'm giving you my bottle." Max and I looked at him with wide eyes.
"What the hell?!" I sputtered. "You only have."
"Bobbie," Alec warned, "Not now." Max glanced between the two of us. I tightened my lips in disapproval as I folded my arms across my chest.
Looking at Max, Alec said, "Max, there's only half a bottle left, so that should tide you over until the next shipment arrives." Max started to speak, but Alec held up a hand.
"No arguments," he said with a grin. "Besides, I can't have the leader of the Seattle transgenics dropping to the Senate floor, seizing in the middle of defending our right to live here." Max looked up at Alec in surprise.
"Alec, I don't know what to say," Max said. "That is so amazing! Thank you." She leaned over to hug him tightly. I saw Alec put his arms around her, his nose pressed against her hair, breathing in her scent. They broke away from each other, still maintaining eye contact.
"No problem," Alec said with a smile. "I think Josh has more updates on the trans-human/X-Series situation. I think the deal with Benny is pretty much done, but it can't hurt to talk to the guy, just so things are running smoothly."
"Right," said Max, her dark brown eyes shining at Alec. Getting up, she gave his hand a firm squeeze. "Thank you." As soon as she left the infirmary, I glared at Alec. He picked up the glass of milk he had set down on the night table a few minutes earlier.
Slowly he drank as I yelled, "What the hell was that?!"
"What was what?" he asked with innocent eyes.
"You know what," I snapped, hands on hips. "What was with giving Max your last bottle of tryptophan? You just had a goddamned seizure!"
"Bobbie, Max needs it more than I do," Alec looked at me with calm, steady eyes. "She can't seize in Congress."
"Well, neither can you," I said. "Alec, don't you remember when we were little? Five of us died back in Manticore because of seizures. Five! You were damn close to being the sixth if I hadn't forced you to tell me where the nurses kept the pills."
"Bobbie, it wasn't that bad," said Alec. "This was the only one I've had this month. This year even." I looked at Alec, but he looked away. I kept my mouth shut in trying to contradict that statement.
Finally, I said, "All right. If you're going to give your only bottle to Max, then I'm giving my bottle to you."
"Bobbie."
"Don't," I snapped. "I'm not letting you die because you gave little miss 452 your only means of surviving a seizure. I'm giving you my bottle. End of story." I glared at my brother, daring him to defy me. Alec gave me a small grin.
"All right, Bobbie," he said, grasping my hand. "I accept."
"Damn right, you're accepting," I said, getting up and continuing to glare at him. "I've seen some guys do stupid things in the name of love, but you take the cake."
Alec bent his head, embarrassed, "Thanks, Bobbie. You're the best. Next training session: I win."
"You're on," I said with a smile. We shook hands and Alec pulled me into a warm hug.
"I see our patient's back," said Louise from behind us. The female lizard walked up to Alec's bed and grasped his wrist. Holding up a watch, she murmured under her breath as she checked my brother's pulse. Once she was done with that, she pulled out a thermometer and put it in Alec's mouth.
A few minutes later, she pronounced, "One hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit, Alec. You're good to go." Throwing off the bed-sheets, Alec jumped out of bed and stretched.
"That was a good rest," he said. "I should do it more often."
"Hopefully not after a seizure," said Louise with a warm smile. She handed Alec a clipboard. "Sign the release forms here and put it to Connie at the front desk."
Just as she turned to leave, Alec asked, "Hey Louise? Could you do me a favor?"
Louise stopped in mid-stride to turn around and face us. "What is it?"
Alec looked at her with hooded eyes. "Could you give me an inventory of how many tryptophan bottles you have in your emergency stock? We're running low on the stuff for the X5s in TC and I don't want a heavy shortage before the next shipment comes in."
Louise nodded. "Of course. I'll have Connie look into it and we'll give you an estimate by tonight." Alec smiled broadly at Mole's wife. "Thanks, Louise. I appreciate it."
"Anything for you, Alec," she said. "Just come by for dinner this weekend. I'm making gumbo and it's entirely too much for Mole or Jim."
"You're sure Mole won't mind?" Alec asked with a raised eyebrow. "He wasn't too happy to see me the last time we met." Louise looked embarrassed as she bent her head down to the ground. Taking a deep breath, she looked at my brother with warm brown eyes.
"Alec, Mole isn't angry at you," said the female lizard. "He's just confused and angry right now. It has absolutely nothing to do with you." Alec bent his head as he fiddled with the clipboard in his hands.
"If you say so," he muttered.
"Of course I say so," said Louise with a gentle smile. Alec smiled back.
"Okay, then," said Alec. "So, how is Jim?"
Louise beamed as she replied, "Oh, fine. Just fine. Jim's finally crawling and I think he's getting to be a regular chameleon. He gets it from my side of the family. He doesn't have the sickness, so Mole and I are happy." Louise's bright face darkened for a moment, as did Alec's. My brother was the first to speak.
"That's great," said Alec. "I'll definitely swing by this weekend if I'm not too busy."
"Please do," said Louise. "Jim loves having you over." The pager attached to Louise's hip rang and she picked it up and glanced at it.
Heaving a sigh, she said, "Well, I must leave. Dr. Carr wants me to return a phone call regarding a patient."
"Bye Louise," said Alec as the female lizard left the room. Swiftly, Alec filled out the release forms and handed them over to Connie at the front desk. I glanced at my watch and it read four in the afternoon.
"Alec, you want something to eat? Bree's over by the mess hall and if I'm right, she should be hired right about now."
"You got Bree a job?" Alec asked incredulously. He stepped in front of me, forcing me to stare at him. Shaking his head in irritation, Alec asked, "Bobbie, what the hell did you do that for? Benny hates having another cook in his territory and it doesn't help that I'm going to be accused of nepotism the next time he sees me."
I held up my hands in protest, "Hey, you said Bree needed a job last night. I just did the math."
"Bobbie, I'm having a hard enough time with Benny as it is."
"I know," I replied, "But you don't have to jump all over me because of it!"
"Yes, I do!" Alec scolded. "Don't you don't understand! Do you know how hard it was for me to force Benny to hire more trans-humans? The man doesn't even like them for God's sake! You putting Bree in his place makes him feel like he's not in control and I can't afford that."
"Alec," I tried to keep my voice calm, "I probably should have cleared this with you first."
"Damn right you should have," Alec muttered, while glaring at me. I glared back.
"However," I began, "Bree's a good cook. You've got my word on that."
"I know."
Feeling a bit better, I pressed on, "That said; Benny could use a good cook at his place. Bree could use a job where she doesn't feel used and everyone in TC won't feel like they have to sign their last will and testament before they eat at the mess hall."
"True," said Alec. "I just wish you had come to me and told me about this. It would have made things go a lot smoother."
I took a deep breath. He was right. I should have checked with him. I could feel my throat choke on what I had to say next.
"I know and I'm sorry," I said, swallowing hard. "Forgive me?" I looked up at Alec who smiled at me.
"You're family," said Alec. "That goes without saying."
I gave my brother a smile and hugged him tightly. "Thanks."
"Anytime," he replied, while hugging me back. We stepped away from each other, glad that everything seemed to go back to being normal. We walked some more in silence.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I asked, "You realize what you just did?"
"What did I do?" asked Alec. I stopped walking to face my brother.
"You just gave me an order. Told me what to do. You did the same thing with Max earlier."
"No, I didn't," said Alec. "I've never given Max an order. With you over Bree, that's different."
I crossed my arms. "How?"
"How?" Alec repeated. "I'll tell you how. Benny's an X-series and I've worked with him in getting him to hire more trans-human waitresses. It's Council stuff, Bobbie."
I shook my head. "No. It's leader stuff." Alec groaned.
"Bobbie, come on, you're not going to bring that up again." Alec started to walk again and I ran to catch up with him.
"Alec, I have to bring it up," I said, moving quickly. "It's gotten to the point where there's going to be a coup right here in TC and you're smack- dab in the center of it."
"Bobbie, it's just Mole and his militant friends," said Alec with a shrug. "It doesn't mean anything."
"You know, I would believe you, except Dix told me the same thing and I've been seeing this for two years now," I looked at Alec who glanced away. "Don't look away from me. Please, don't." Alec glanced back at me.
I put my hands to my hips. "It's not your fault. People are drawn to you. They feel secure with you around and God knows when you give an order, people feel like they have to obey." Alec blanched as I held up a hand.
"Look, the transgenics around here look up to you. You know that and I know that. You inspire loyalty and that's a hallmark of a great leader."
"I'm not a leader!" Alec protested. "Max is! Why don't people get this?!"
"You may not have a choice!" I snapped. "If you don't step up to the plate right now, Terminal City is going to fall apart!"
"You don't know that."
I shook my head. "Alec, you have to do something. Either you tell Mole once and for all that you will not lead TC or you take a stand and become the leader I know you're capable of being. What's it going to be?"
"I don't know," said Alec, his voice uncertain. "I just don't want to think about that."
At that, I rolled my eyes. "Well, you and Max finally have something in common. You both don't want to face up to the truth."
"Hey!" Alec exclaimed, "I face up to the truth."
"Yes," I said, "Except when it comes to you and your future. You act like a leader, but you don't want the job or you're afraid to take the job."
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Good," I said. "Then you're going to tell Mole you want to be the leader?"
Alec bent his head as he kicked a pebble. "Bobbie, I don't know. I can't take the role away from Max."
I shrugged, not really caring. "Not if there's an election. How did she get to be the leader anyway?"
Alec shrugged as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Shaking his head, he replied, "I don't know. It just happened. Maybe when the siege happened. Max stood up to the police and said she was tired of running and the newspapers pegged her as the leader after that." Alec paused for moment, his mind going back to three years before. "Max just kind of fell into the leader position and we went along with it. I mean, she knew more than us, right? She's been out in the world longer than we have and we figured, she'd be a good leader."
"That makes sense," I said reluctantly. "Still doesn't change the facts, though. People want a change. People want you. Trans-humans and X-Series." I gave a little laugh. "It's funny, on this issue, the X's and the freaks finally agree on something."
"I guess crisis truly does bring people together," said Alec.
"That it does," I replied, picking up several pebbles and rolling them in my palm. "You know, I'll always support you. Whatever you decide, whether you want to be the leader or take on the role of vice president, I'll always have your back."
"Thanks."
"No problem," I said as we walked past the doors of TC's central building. Alec walked ahead of me, his longer legs giving him greater distance. "So, mess hall?"
"Mess hall," Alec answered. "What do you think Bree will make?"
"I hope she makes an apple pie," I said licking my lips at the thought of warm apple pie. "I saw a couple of apple boxes from last week's supply run and I hope the mess hall got some in their rations."
"Apple pie sounds good," said Alec. "I'm pretty hungry, but pumpkin pie's got to be my favorite. I know it's a little early to be thinking of that, but if the market's good I think I know where we can score some--," Alec stopped walking with a start, causing me to crash into his back.
"Hey!" I yelled, stumbling backwards. "What did you do that for?"
"What the." Alec stopped to stare at Logan who was standing in front of Max next to the catwalk. They were arguing in loud voices while the transgenics watched the fireworks. "I thought I told that son of a bitch to stay out!" Alec and I walked towards the battling couple.
"Logan, please go," said Max, her face hard and determined. "It's not safe for you to be here."
"Max, what about this ambush thing?" Logan asked, stepping close to the X5. "You need my help, admit it."
Max looked at Logan imploringly. "Logan, please. You have to leave. Alec and I can handle the ambush."
Logan's face reddened as he started to reach out for Max who was starting to turn away from him. The older man grasped Max's arm tightly as she spun around facing him angrily.
"Logan, what the hell are you doing?" she asked, wrenching her wrist away from her ex-boyfriend. Logan loomed over Max whose back had stiffened defensively.
"Don't you walk away from me!" he hissed as he started to reach out for Max's hand again. Alec growled as he blurred between them.
Grabbing Logan's wrist and squeezing it, Alec asked, "What the hell are you doing here, Logan? I thought my words yesterday were pretty clear. You're out of here."
"Alec!" Max cried as my brother grasped her ex-boyfriend's wrist.
"Isn't that up to Max?" Logan asked, his blue eyes staring hard at Max. She glanced away from the two men before her and looked at the stony faces of the transgenics watching the argument. Logan continued, "She's the leader here. Not you." He smirked in satisfaction, but winced as my brother squeezed his wrist to the breaking point. Max turned her gaze from the transgenics, back to Logan. Her dark eyes were wide as she struggled to breathe calmly.
"Alec said for you to leave, Logan," said Max, her voice soft, yet strong. "I-I I want you to leave." Logan stared at Max, flabbergasted.
"What?" he asked incredulously. "Max, listen to yourself! You don't know what you're saying! This is Alec! He's Manticore! Everything you and I have fought against, remember?"
Max closed her eyes as Logan continued his verbal assault, "Max, please tell me you remember? That night we took down Manticore? I was by your side. Protecting you, loving you and when you got captured, I cherished your memory. Where was Alec?" He glanced at my brother, who continued to grasp his wrist, which was starting to seep blood.
Ignoring this, Logan sneered, "Oh, that's right. Out on a mission. Killing someone. You're really going to let a sociopath help you make the choice between him or me?"
"Son of a bitch!" one of the trans-humans hissed in the background. I could see my brother's eyes turn into a brilliant shade of green.
"Logan!" Max cried, stepping forward. She looked at the older man with stricken eyes, "How can you say that? Alec's been nothing but a friend to you and me over the years. If it weren't for him, TC wouldn't be in half the shape it is today." The transgenics in the background murmured in approval.
"Max," Logan began, but Max held up a hand.
"Logan, please go," she said. "If you're not willing to leave, then Alec is going to have to do it. I see you around here again or taking more blood from a transgenic, I will personally revive the virus and kiss you on the mouth myself."
She kept her face calm and cool as she continued, "Don't come here ever again. Not until you go into rehab and turn your life around. Until then, stay out."
"What?" Logan sputtered as Max turned on her heel and walked away.
"Now, that's what I call taking matters into your own hands," said Mole, giving Max's retreating back a smile of approval. All eyes turned to Logan and Alec once Max disappeared from sight.
"Logan," my brother hissed. "I'm going to make you cry." With that, Alec twisted Logan's arm around and pushed him out of Terminal City. Walking past the chain-link fence, Alec threw Logan to the ground. Logan began to get up, but Alec stepped on the man's bleeding wrist.
Giving a little yelp, Logan squinted up at Alec who said, "Logan, remember what I said about killing you? Here's the first step." With one swift move, Alec pressed his boot against Logan's wrist and the older man's wrist bone snapped, causing him to scream in anguish.
"There will be many more if you don't do as I say and stay the hell out of TC." Alec gave Logan a twisted smile. "Not bad for a 'happy go lucky sociopath', huh?" Logan glared at Alec.
"Don't think for one minute that I don't know," he spat, his good hand wrapped tenderly around his broken wrist. "Don't think I don't know what you've been doing for the last three years. Lusting. Desiring. Wanting to get your filthy mutant hands on my Max." At that, Alec's eyes narrowed. He started to move forward, one foot raised to smash Logan's other hand, but he stopped. Logan looked up at Alec's foot, which was raised just above his head.
The older man smirked again as he hissed, "You can't do it, can you? You're a freak! You can't even eliminate your enemy, isn't that how you said it back at Manticore?" I could hear Alec's heart beating fast and his breath sounds were quick and harsh. My brother's eyes closed as he struggled to will his heart rate to slow down.
"Kill him!" whispered a transgenic.
"Kill him," said another.
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"KILL him!" On and on the chant went until it rose to a deafening roar. I could see sweat pouring down Logan's face as he stared at the transgenics who hated him. He glared at Alec who swallowed hard as the chant screamed, "KILL HIM!!!" Alec whipped around to face the bloodthirsty crowd of X- series and trans-humans.
"Shut up!" he ordered and the chant died instantly. He turned to face Logan. Alec took a step back and closed his eyes for a moment. Logan started to get up, but Alec moved forward and backhanded the man back to the ground. A trickle of blood emanated from Logan's split lip. My brother stepped back again, breathing heavily.
He said, "Logan, I won't do it, man. I won't give you that satisfaction." Alec pivoted on his heel, the crowd of transgenics parting for him.
As he walked past Luke, Alec ordered, "Tell Louise to call Dr. Carr. Tell the doc to send an ambulance to TC for Logan."
"Okay, Alec," said Luke in a soft voice. Alec stopped walking in mid-stride and turned around. His brilliant green eyes shone as he said, "Anybody sees that man come anywhere near the fence or on our grounds, shoot him."
"What about Max?" asked an X6.
Alec looked at the young soldier coldly. "You leave that to me."
The X6 seemingly shrank into herself as she answered, "Yes, sir." Alec nodded in approval and continued his trek back into TC's main building. Taking one last look at Logan, who was huddled on the ground, I turned away from the broken man and followed my brother, the leader.
"You can see him now," said Louise to Max and me as we waited outside the infirmary. The female lizard led us to Alec's bed, where two thick pillows propped up my brother. His lips looked parched as we walked up to him.
"Hey Bobbie. Max," he greeted as Louise handed him a glass of milk. "Hope I didn't give you too much of a scare." He swallowed a bit of the milk before setting it down at the table next to his bed.
I shrugged. "No. I'm X5. Remember? Seizures are a sad fact of life." Alec gave me a little smile as he looked at his bed-sheet. He picked at the threads as he cleared his throat.
"Well, thanks for everything, Bobbie," he said.
"No problem," I said. "What are friends for?"
"Alec, I hope you're okay," said Max, stepping up to my brother so that their fingers touched. She bent down on his bed as she continued, "I'm glad you're all right."
"I'm always all right," said Alec. His face turned serious. "You heard about the ambush?"
Max nodded. "Yes. Luke filled me in when I got here. God, Alec, what are we going to do?"
"We have to ration out the tryptophan supply we do have. We can't have what happened to Mole's son happen to the X-series," Alec bit his lip in thought. "Max, do you really want to go to Washington this week?"
"Of course," said Max with an irritated frown on her face. "The anti- transgenic bill's being discussed in the Senate and I need to make our needs known. Why?"
Alec shrugged, "It's just that I think there's stuff going on here that needs your immediate attention. Like the familiars."
"Familiars?" Max snorted in disgust. "They're just causing trouble now that White's out of the picture. We can kick their asses."
"I don't see that happening anytime soon," said Alec. "They ambushed our recon team and they ambushed us at the piers last week. I think they're up to something."
"Okay, if they're up to something," Max began grudgingly, "then what do you think we ought to do about it?"
"Well, we could start beefing up security around here. Get some more X5s out in the field. Right now, all we've got protecting us are X6s since some of the X5s are still in heat." Alec furrowed his brow thinking deeply. He turned to me. "Bobbie, I hate to put more work on your shoulders."
I folded my arms, "Alec, what do you want me to do?"
"Talk to Rita on Oak Street."
"Rita?!" I repeated.
"Who's Rita?" Max asked. Alec and I ignored her.
"Yes, Rita," said Alec, his eyes staring straight at me.
"Why her?" I asked. "Why me? I can't stand her and God knows, she can't stand me."
Alec sighed, "Look, any other time, I would ask Gem to do this, but I heard she's in heat, so I need you to ask Rita if she could spare some of her males to work at the security checkpoints." I crinkled my nose in disgust at the thought of having to talk to Rita.
"Alec, do I have to?" I asked, wincing at the little whine in my voice.
"Bobbie."
"Fine. Fine," I muttered. "I'll talk to the bitch. I better get paid for this."
"Good and you will. Ask Dix about that," said Alec. He returned his gaze to Max. "Max, I know you want to go to Washington, but like I said, we could really use some help and I think that if you joined Bobbie with her tryptophan survey, it would help with your relationship with the transgenics around here."
"I'm fine with the transgenics around here," said Max, getting up and walking over to a large curtained window. Keeping her eyes focused on the glass panes, Max continued, "You don't think they're okay with me?"
Alec and I glanced at each other. Clearing his throat, Alec replied, "No, no. I think you're okay with them. It's just that-you're not known to them. They know of you, but they don't know you."
"But they know I'm their leader, right?"
"Yeah, they do," said Alec. "If you just held off your trip to Washington to maybe this weekend and go door to door with the survey, it'll give your people a chance to really see you. Connect the name with the face."
"Well," Max crossed her arms as she turned around to face Alec and myself. "I could use some time to work out what I want to say to the Senators."
"Right," said Alec. "Take the time to write out your speech, you know, gather your thoughts and when you leave, you'll have all of Terminal City supporting you."
Max smiled at my brother. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Great!" said Alec, a broad smile crossing his face. "Now, that that's done. How's your tryptophan supply?"
Max shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean, Max," Alec's voice was serious. "How many bottles do you have left?"
Max shifted uncomfortably as she replied, "One."
Alec frowned at her as she hastily amended, "It's okay. I haven't had too many seizures since I broke out of Manticore. I think they're pretty much cured."
"I can't deal with an 'I think'," Alec snapped. "I need a definite yes or no response. Do you have seizures or not?"
Max looked hesitant before she firmly answered, "I do."
"Good," said Alec leaning back in his bed. "I'm giving you my bottle." Max and I looked at him with wide eyes.
"What the hell?!" I sputtered. "You only have."
"Bobbie," Alec warned, "Not now." Max glanced between the two of us. I tightened my lips in disapproval as I folded my arms across my chest.
Looking at Max, Alec said, "Max, there's only half a bottle left, so that should tide you over until the next shipment arrives." Max started to speak, but Alec held up a hand.
"No arguments," he said with a grin. "Besides, I can't have the leader of the Seattle transgenics dropping to the Senate floor, seizing in the middle of defending our right to live here." Max looked up at Alec in surprise.
"Alec, I don't know what to say," Max said. "That is so amazing! Thank you." She leaned over to hug him tightly. I saw Alec put his arms around her, his nose pressed against her hair, breathing in her scent. They broke away from each other, still maintaining eye contact.
"No problem," Alec said with a smile. "I think Josh has more updates on the trans-human/X-Series situation. I think the deal with Benny is pretty much done, but it can't hurt to talk to the guy, just so things are running smoothly."
"Right," said Max, her dark brown eyes shining at Alec. Getting up, she gave his hand a firm squeeze. "Thank you." As soon as she left the infirmary, I glared at Alec. He picked up the glass of milk he had set down on the night table a few minutes earlier.
Slowly he drank as I yelled, "What the hell was that?!"
"What was what?" he asked with innocent eyes.
"You know what," I snapped, hands on hips. "What was with giving Max your last bottle of tryptophan? You just had a goddamned seizure!"
"Bobbie, Max needs it more than I do," Alec looked at me with calm, steady eyes. "She can't seize in Congress."
"Well, neither can you," I said. "Alec, don't you remember when we were little? Five of us died back in Manticore because of seizures. Five! You were damn close to being the sixth if I hadn't forced you to tell me where the nurses kept the pills."
"Bobbie, it wasn't that bad," said Alec. "This was the only one I've had this month. This year even." I looked at Alec, but he looked away. I kept my mouth shut in trying to contradict that statement.
Finally, I said, "All right. If you're going to give your only bottle to Max, then I'm giving my bottle to you."
"Bobbie."
"Don't," I snapped. "I'm not letting you die because you gave little miss 452 your only means of surviving a seizure. I'm giving you my bottle. End of story." I glared at my brother, daring him to defy me. Alec gave me a small grin.
"All right, Bobbie," he said, grasping my hand. "I accept."
"Damn right, you're accepting," I said, getting up and continuing to glare at him. "I've seen some guys do stupid things in the name of love, but you take the cake."
Alec bent his head, embarrassed, "Thanks, Bobbie. You're the best. Next training session: I win."
"You're on," I said with a smile. We shook hands and Alec pulled me into a warm hug.
"I see our patient's back," said Louise from behind us. The female lizard walked up to Alec's bed and grasped his wrist. Holding up a watch, she murmured under her breath as she checked my brother's pulse. Once she was done with that, she pulled out a thermometer and put it in Alec's mouth.
A few minutes later, she pronounced, "One hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit, Alec. You're good to go." Throwing off the bed-sheets, Alec jumped out of bed and stretched.
"That was a good rest," he said. "I should do it more often."
"Hopefully not after a seizure," said Louise with a warm smile. She handed Alec a clipboard. "Sign the release forms here and put it to Connie at the front desk."
Just as she turned to leave, Alec asked, "Hey Louise? Could you do me a favor?"
Louise stopped in mid-stride to turn around and face us. "What is it?"
Alec looked at her with hooded eyes. "Could you give me an inventory of how many tryptophan bottles you have in your emergency stock? We're running low on the stuff for the X5s in TC and I don't want a heavy shortage before the next shipment comes in."
Louise nodded. "Of course. I'll have Connie look into it and we'll give you an estimate by tonight." Alec smiled broadly at Mole's wife. "Thanks, Louise. I appreciate it."
"Anything for you, Alec," she said. "Just come by for dinner this weekend. I'm making gumbo and it's entirely too much for Mole or Jim."
"You're sure Mole won't mind?" Alec asked with a raised eyebrow. "He wasn't too happy to see me the last time we met." Louise looked embarrassed as she bent her head down to the ground. Taking a deep breath, she looked at my brother with warm brown eyes.
"Alec, Mole isn't angry at you," said the female lizard. "He's just confused and angry right now. It has absolutely nothing to do with you." Alec bent his head as he fiddled with the clipboard in his hands.
"If you say so," he muttered.
"Of course I say so," said Louise with a gentle smile. Alec smiled back.
"Okay, then," said Alec. "So, how is Jim?"
Louise beamed as she replied, "Oh, fine. Just fine. Jim's finally crawling and I think he's getting to be a regular chameleon. He gets it from my side of the family. He doesn't have the sickness, so Mole and I are happy." Louise's bright face darkened for a moment, as did Alec's. My brother was the first to speak.
"That's great," said Alec. "I'll definitely swing by this weekend if I'm not too busy."
"Please do," said Louise. "Jim loves having you over." The pager attached to Louise's hip rang and she picked it up and glanced at it.
Heaving a sigh, she said, "Well, I must leave. Dr. Carr wants me to return a phone call regarding a patient."
"Bye Louise," said Alec as the female lizard left the room. Swiftly, Alec filled out the release forms and handed them over to Connie at the front desk. I glanced at my watch and it read four in the afternoon.
"Alec, you want something to eat? Bree's over by the mess hall and if I'm right, she should be hired right about now."
"You got Bree a job?" Alec asked incredulously. He stepped in front of me, forcing me to stare at him. Shaking his head in irritation, Alec asked, "Bobbie, what the hell did you do that for? Benny hates having another cook in his territory and it doesn't help that I'm going to be accused of nepotism the next time he sees me."
I held up my hands in protest, "Hey, you said Bree needed a job last night. I just did the math."
"Bobbie, I'm having a hard enough time with Benny as it is."
"I know," I replied, "But you don't have to jump all over me because of it!"
"Yes, I do!" Alec scolded. "Don't you don't understand! Do you know how hard it was for me to force Benny to hire more trans-humans? The man doesn't even like them for God's sake! You putting Bree in his place makes him feel like he's not in control and I can't afford that."
"Alec," I tried to keep my voice calm, "I probably should have cleared this with you first."
"Damn right you should have," Alec muttered, while glaring at me. I glared back.
"However," I began, "Bree's a good cook. You've got my word on that."
"I know."
Feeling a bit better, I pressed on, "That said; Benny could use a good cook at his place. Bree could use a job where she doesn't feel used and everyone in TC won't feel like they have to sign their last will and testament before they eat at the mess hall."
"True," said Alec. "I just wish you had come to me and told me about this. It would have made things go a lot smoother."
I took a deep breath. He was right. I should have checked with him. I could feel my throat choke on what I had to say next.
"I know and I'm sorry," I said, swallowing hard. "Forgive me?" I looked up at Alec who smiled at me.
"You're family," said Alec. "That goes without saying."
I gave my brother a smile and hugged him tightly. "Thanks."
"Anytime," he replied, while hugging me back. We stepped away from each other, glad that everything seemed to go back to being normal. We walked some more in silence.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I asked, "You realize what you just did?"
"What did I do?" asked Alec. I stopped walking to face my brother.
"You just gave me an order. Told me what to do. You did the same thing with Max earlier."
"No, I didn't," said Alec. "I've never given Max an order. With you over Bree, that's different."
I crossed my arms. "How?"
"How?" Alec repeated. "I'll tell you how. Benny's an X-series and I've worked with him in getting him to hire more trans-human waitresses. It's Council stuff, Bobbie."
I shook my head. "No. It's leader stuff." Alec groaned.
"Bobbie, come on, you're not going to bring that up again." Alec started to walk again and I ran to catch up with him.
"Alec, I have to bring it up," I said, moving quickly. "It's gotten to the point where there's going to be a coup right here in TC and you're smack- dab in the center of it."
"Bobbie, it's just Mole and his militant friends," said Alec with a shrug. "It doesn't mean anything."
"You know, I would believe you, except Dix told me the same thing and I've been seeing this for two years now," I looked at Alec who glanced away. "Don't look away from me. Please, don't." Alec glanced back at me.
I put my hands to my hips. "It's not your fault. People are drawn to you. They feel secure with you around and God knows when you give an order, people feel like they have to obey." Alec blanched as I held up a hand.
"Look, the transgenics around here look up to you. You know that and I know that. You inspire loyalty and that's a hallmark of a great leader."
"I'm not a leader!" Alec protested. "Max is! Why don't people get this?!"
"You may not have a choice!" I snapped. "If you don't step up to the plate right now, Terminal City is going to fall apart!"
"You don't know that."
I shook my head. "Alec, you have to do something. Either you tell Mole once and for all that you will not lead TC or you take a stand and become the leader I know you're capable of being. What's it going to be?"
"I don't know," said Alec, his voice uncertain. "I just don't want to think about that."
At that, I rolled my eyes. "Well, you and Max finally have something in common. You both don't want to face up to the truth."
"Hey!" Alec exclaimed, "I face up to the truth."
"Yes," I said, "Except when it comes to you and your future. You act like a leader, but you don't want the job or you're afraid to take the job."
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Good," I said. "Then you're going to tell Mole you want to be the leader?"
Alec bent his head as he kicked a pebble. "Bobbie, I don't know. I can't take the role away from Max."
I shrugged, not really caring. "Not if there's an election. How did she get to be the leader anyway?"
Alec shrugged as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Shaking his head, he replied, "I don't know. It just happened. Maybe when the siege happened. Max stood up to the police and said she was tired of running and the newspapers pegged her as the leader after that." Alec paused for moment, his mind going back to three years before. "Max just kind of fell into the leader position and we went along with it. I mean, she knew more than us, right? She's been out in the world longer than we have and we figured, she'd be a good leader."
"That makes sense," I said reluctantly. "Still doesn't change the facts, though. People want a change. People want you. Trans-humans and X-Series." I gave a little laugh. "It's funny, on this issue, the X's and the freaks finally agree on something."
"I guess crisis truly does bring people together," said Alec.
"That it does," I replied, picking up several pebbles and rolling them in my palm. "You know, I'll always support you. Whatever you decide, whether you want to be the leader or take on the role of vice president, I'll always have your back."
"Thanks."
"No problem," I said as we walked past the doors of TC's central building. Alec walked ahead of me, his longer legs giving him greater distance. "So, mess hall?"
"Mess hall," Alec answered. "What do you think Bree will make?"
"I hope she makes an apple pie," I said licking my lips at the thought of warm apple pie. "I saw a couple of apple boxes from last week's supply run and I hope the mess hall got some in their rations."
"Apple pie sounds good," said Alec. "I'm pretty hungry, but pumpkin pie's got to be my favorite. I know it's a little early to be thinking of that, but if the market's good I think I know where we can score some--," Alec stopped walking with a start, causing me to crash into his back.
"Hey!" I yelled, stumbling backwards. "What did you do that for?"
"What the." Alec stopped to stare at Logan who was standing in front of Max next to the catwalk. They were arguing in loud voices while the transgenics watched the fireworks. "I thought I told that son of a bitch to stay out!" Alec and I walked towards the battling couple.
"Logan, please go," said Max, her face hard and determined. "It's not safe for you to be here."
"Max, what about this ambush thing?" Logan asked, stepping close to the X5. "You need my help, admit it."
Max looked at Logan imploringly. "Logan, please. You have to leave. Alec and I can handle the ambush."
Logan's face reddened as he started to reach out for Max who was starting to turn away from him. The older man grasped Max's arm tightly as she spun around facing him angrily.
"Logan, what the hell are you doing?" she asked, wrenching her wrist away from her ex-boyfriend. Logan loomed over Max whose back had stiffened defensively.
"Don't you walk away from me!" he hissed as he started to reach out for Max's hand again. Alec growled as he blurred between them.
Grabbing Logan's wrist and squeezing it, Alec asked, "What the hell are you doing here, Logan? I thought my words yesterday were pretty clear. You're out of here."
"Alec!" Max cried as my brother grasped her ex-boyfriend's wrist.
"Isn't that up to Max?" Logan asked, his blue eyes staring hard at Max. She glanced away from the two men before her and looked at the stony faces of the transgenics watching the argument. Logan continued, "She's the leader here. Not you." He smirked in satisfaction, but winced as my brother squeezed his wrist to the breaking point. Max turned her gaze from the transgenics, back to Logan. Her dark eyes were wide as she struggled to breathe calmly.
"Alec said for you to leave, Logan," said Max, her voice soft, yet strong. "I-I I want you to leave." Logan stared at Max, flabbergasted.
"What?" he asked incredulously. "Max, listen to yourself! You don't know what you're saying! This is Alec! He's Manticore! Everything you and I have fought against, remember?"
Max closed her eyes as Logan continued his verbal assault, "Max, please tell me you remember? That night we took down Manticore? I was by your side. Protecting you, loving you and when you got captured, I cherished your memory. Where was Alec?" He glanced at my brother, who continued to grasp his wrist, which was starting to seep blood.
Ignoring this, Logan sneered, "Oh, that's right. Out on a mission. Killing someone. You're really going to let a sociopath help you make the choice between him or me?"
"Son of a bitch!" one of the trans-humans hissed in the background. I could see my brother's eyes turn into a brilliant shade of green.
"Logan!" Max cried, stepping forward. She looked at the older man with stricken eyes, "How can you say that? Alec's been nothing but a friend to you and me over the years. If it weren't for him, TC wouldn't be in half the shape it is today." The transgenics in the background murmured in approval.
"Max," Logan began, but Max held up a hand.
"Logan, please go," she said. "If you're not willing to leave, then Alec is going to have to do it. I see you around here again or taking more blood from a transgenic, I will personally revive the virus and kiss you on the mouth myself."
She kept her face calm and cool as she continued, "Don't come here ever again. Not until you go into rehab and turn your life around. Until then, stay out."
"What?" Logan sputtered as Max turned on her heel and walked away.
"Now, that's what I call taking matters into your own hands," said Mole, giving Max's retreating back a smile of approval. All eyes turned to Logan and Alec once Max disappeared from sight.
"Logan," my brother hissed. "I'm going to make you cry." With that, Alec twisted Logan's arm around and pushed him out of Terminal City. Walking past the chain-link fence, Alec threw Logan to the ground. Logan began to get up, but Alec stepped on the man's bleeding wrist.
Giving a little yelp, Logan squinted up at Alec who said, "Logan, remember what I said about killing you? Here's the first step." With one swift move, Alec pressed his boot against Logan's wrist and the older man's wrist bone snapped, causing him to scream in anguish.
"There will be many more if you don't do as I say and stay the hell out of TC." Alec gave Logan a twisted smile. "Not bad for a 'happy go lucky sociopath', huh?" Logan glared at Alec.
"Don't think for one minute that I don't know," he spat, his good hand wrapped tenderly around his broken wrist. "Don't think I don't know what you've been doing for the last three years. Lusting. Desiring. Wanting to get your filthy mutant hands on my Max." At that, Alec's eyes narrowed. He started to move forward, one foot raised to smash Logan's other hand, but he stopped. Logan looked up at Alec's foot, which was raised just above his head.
The older man smirked again as he hissed, "You can't do it, can you? You're a freak! You can't even eliminate your enemy, isn't that how you said it back at Manticore?" I could hear Alec's heart beating fast and his breath sounds were quick and harsh. My brother's eyes closed as he struggled to will his heart rate to slow down.
"Kill him!" whispered a transgenic.
"Kill him," said another.
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"KILL him!" On and on the chant went until it rose to a deafening roar. I could see sweat pouring down Logan's face as he stared at the transgenics who hated him. He glared at Alec who swallowed hard as the chant screamed, "KILL HIM!!!" Alec whipped around to face the bloodthirsty crowd of X- series and trans-humans.
"Shut up!" he ordered and the chant died instantly. He turned to face Logan. Alec took a step back and closed his eyes for a moment. Logan started to get up, but Alec moved forward and backhanded the man back to the ground. A trickle of blood emanated from Logan's split lip. My brother stepped back again, breathing heavily.
He said, "Logan, I won't do it, man. I won't give you that satisfaction." Alec pivoted on his heel, the crowd of transgenics parting for him.
As he walked past Luke, Alec ordered, "Tell Louise to call Dr. Carr. Tell the doc to send an ambulance to TC for Logan."
"Okay, Alec," said Luke in a soft voice. Alec stopped walking in mid-stride and turned around. His brilliant green eyes shone as he said, "Anybody sees that man come anywhere near the fence or on our grounds, shoot him."
"What about Max?" asked an X6.
Alec looked at the young soldier coldly. "You leave that to me."
The X6 seemingly shrank into herself as she answered, "Yes, sir." Alec nodded in approval and continued his trek back into TC's main building. Taking one last look at Logan, who was huddled on the ground, I turned away from the broken man and followed my brother, the leader.