Acknowledgements: I'd like to thank Infie, alecsangel, NL and everyone in chat on Dec 8 for all their help. I couldn't have started or finished the story without them. And a thank you to my betas: Arwendle, and Infie (again).
The next morning…
Alec's POV
"Ahhh…"
I was shocked out of my slumber as I heard her scream.
"What?"
"I thought I told you to stay on your side," she said pissed.
"I did, you were the one that cuddled up to me."
"Cuddled? Cuddled? Are you out of your mind? I would never."
"Right. I suppose I dragged you over to my side of the bed, kicking and screaming in your sleep!"
"Whatever," she said as she got up and sulked into the bathroom to get ready for the day.
"Max, remember we have a schedule, so don't hog the bathroom," I called after her.
"Fine," she yelled as she slammed the bathroom door.
This is going to be a long, long day.
Due to that little morning incident, we had breakfast separately. After that, we met up with the rest of the people that had a schedule like us.
When I got to the lobby, I noticed that everyone was paired off. I guess this was meant to be a couple's retreat or something. I quickly took account of everyone and noticed Max standing to the side in casual jeans and a red sweater. I went and stood behind her, not caring if she liked it or not.
"Ok everyone, my name is Lily. I will be your host for the next several days. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask." She paused. "There's something planned for everyday so we'll meet here every morning at 9. Anytime after 6PM is your own time except for New Year's Eve, since there'll be a party that evening for everyone. Ok?" She paused again. "For our first day, each couple will get a relaxing massage before lunch. And afterward, we'll hit the slopes. So if everyone can get into their pairs, I'll hand you your massage room numbers, and then we'll be off."
I felt that Max had wanted to say something but she didn't when she noticed no one else had objections to the coed settings.
After getting the assigned room number, everyone followed Lily down to the spa area. We entered our room and noticed two massage tables were set up and there were two therapists waiting for us. Of course, it was a guy and a girl.
"My name is Evan and this is Susan, we'll be your massage therapists for this session. If you'll both please step into the change room, you'll find robes prepared for you."
When I was done, I simply walked out of the change room with my robe on. As I reached my table, I quickly shed off my robe and got on the massage table.
"My, aren't you a cute one?" said Susan.
"Why thank you," I replied.
"So what's your name sweetheart?"
"Alec."
"Cute."
The three of us looked at the time and noticed that Max was still in her change room.
"Maxie, are you going to come out or not? We can't start without you."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," her voice muffled because of the confinement.
Finally she walked out of the change room with her robe on.
"Hurry up, we don't have all day," I chided.
I tried to catch her eye as she walked up to us, but she wouldn't look up. Instead, she turned her back to me when shedding her robe and getting on the table. I smiled. So, she's shy. Who would've thought?
She turned to look at me afterwards and noticed the wicked smile I had on my face.
"Alec, what on earth are you smiling about?"
"Oh nothing."
"Better be nothing," she grumbled.
"Well, since everyone is present, we'll start now," said Evan. "And lady, you look like you need this; you're so tense and all."
After Lunch…
After a nice relaxing massage, and a fabulously catered luncheon, Max and I headed for the slopes again.
"Come on Max, hurry up," I said just as I buttoned up my ski jacket.
"Sheesh, what is your hurry? It's not like you haven't skied already," she said sounding rather annoyed as she finished pulling on her metallic red ski suit. Damn she looks hot; even with the extra fluff the ski suit did nothing to hide her good looks. I groaned inwardly, how am I going to get through this day?
"The hurry is I want to get on while there's still powder."
"What?"
"Powder Max, powder. Good snow. Get it?"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. You know, you could always go ahead without me."
"No way! I wanna teach you the greatness of skiing, so that I can have a partner. It's no fun skiing by myself." I pouted with puppy dog eyes.
"Ok, ok. Man, I thought with all he Manticore training you had, you would have no problem being by yourself."
I wasn't sure how I should answer that. Should I tell her that the reason I wanted her company was because I never had good, fun company before? And that at Manticore, it was encouraged that we kept to ourselves every since '09? And that the best thing about being out in the world was the great freedom of company that I had?
"Geeze, Max. Is it too much to ask for you to try something?"
I was shocked that I didn't get a response from her. I would've expected something whether it be verbal or physical.
"Never mind, let's just hit the slopes. With our learning ability, you should be able to ski the double black diamonds by the end of the day."
"No way!"
"Yes way! Now come on."
On the Slopes…
"Max, have you ever skied before?" I asked as I looked at her standing on top of what I considered the easiest slope, which in all reality were the intermediate slopes. She was nervous, and shaking.
"No. Did there look to be an opportunity, ever?"
An hour later…
After a grueling hour teaching Max how to ski, we finally hit the harder slopes even finishing one of the black diamond runs. Of course, there was no way she was going on the double black diamonds yet. I may want her company, but dead company means no company.
"Max, where are you going?" As I noticed she was heading towards one of the double black diamond slopes.
"Max, Max?" I realized that she didn't, or couldn't hear me. Just great. She's going to get herself killed and she won't even know it.
I quickly sped up a little hoping to catch her before things got worse. Just as she was about to head down the hill, I finally caught up to her.
"Max," I said as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?"
She turned to me and smiled, "Having fun." And then she took off like a rocket. Perfect, now I have to go after her, I thought as I muttered curses under by great, just so she'll be alive. Who does this girl think she is, Superman?
"Hey! Wait for me!" I called after her.
Janice's POV
As I finished my run on a black diamond slope, I noticed people gathering near the edge of the bottom of one of the double blacks. What was going on?
I looked up and saw them, Max and Alec, skiing down in perfect unity. I couldn't help but be stunned silent by their grace, and how well they matched each other. It was like everything was perfectly planned out ahead of time. But everyone knows that it's impossible to do that especially skiing.
For them, when one was one the left, the other was on the right; when Max was in front, Alec was right behind her, like a shadow; the perfect partner. How I envy her. And what learning abilities she must have. Only yesterday, I saw her testing out the slopes, and now she's with him.
Suddenly I noticed a change in pace. A third of the way down the slope I saw a Max speeding up as if to dare Alec to go after her. A race.
She got the head start, and Alec was right on her tail. They were matched head to head, knees bending, trying to get the maximum speed without killing themselves. Their actions got faster, tighter, cleaner with smooth maneuvers from side to side. Sometimes he would lead, and others she would. There were times that I thought they'd crash into each other being so close side by side, or just crossing over after the maneuvers. It was a breathtaking sight to see two such talented athletes competing. In the end, Alec won.
Max's POV
We both finished at just about the same time with him reaching the bottom two seconds before me.
"Whooo, nice run Max," he said a little breathless but full of excitement while taking off his skis.
My eyes wouldn't leave his lips, and the aftershocks of the thrill were still racing around my veins.
"Thanks," I said breathlessly myself. I mean, what else could I say? I followed in suit and took my skis off as well.
"Max, even though that was an awesome run, don't ever scare me like that again! You could've been killed. You'd never done a run like that before. Hell, an hour ago, you could hardly ski."
I laughed, the adrenaline rush more than making up for the annoyance in his tone.
His lips twitched in response, and a moment later he laughed, too.
It was all I could do to not jump him then and there. What the hell was I thinking?
"What does it matter Alec? You know perfectly well I can do those kinds of runs. We are, of course, enhanced, remember?"
He eyed my body with an appreciative leer. "I've noticed," he said.
Belatedly, I noticed that there was a crowd and they were applauding. For what? Our run?
"Man you guys were awesome," I heard someone say.
"Where'd you learn to ski like that?" Another asked.
A million questions were being bombarded at us, and for once, both Alec and I had nothing to say. We'll it's only a shock that Alec had nothing to say.
I could hear others whispering to each other trying to figure out who we were.
Suddenly, I got really uncomfortable. Alec, as if sensing what I was feeling, picked up our skis, took my hand and led me away from the crowd.
"Alec, where are we going?" I asked since it didn't look like we were making another run just yet.
"Let's get something to drink," he said. "I don't know about you, but I could use something hot."
When we got to the cafeteria, Alec suggested that I grab us seats while he went and got the drinks.
"Hi, I'm Jason," he said as he walked up to me. "I saw you skiing the double black diamond. You're really good."
"Thanks," I replied. He's cute, I thought. Not like Alec, but cute. What the hell? Now I'm comparing guys to Alec. What is wrong with me?
"So who's the guy you're with?"
"Oh, Alec? He's just a friend."
Alec's POV
After I'd gotten the drinks, I scanned for Max. Where was she? I'd told her to get us seats... Oh wait, there she is, I thought as I saw her standing there talking to some smarmy guy. Actually, it was more like flirting with the guy. For some reason, it made me really uneasy to see her with him, like I was jealous or something. But that's not possible right? I mean, it's Max. But damn it, if that guy's hand goes any further up her thigh he's going to wish that he was dead.
I quickly stalked over to where they were.
"Maxie, here's your drink," I said as I handed it to her while glaring down the competition. Damn. Did I just think competition?
"Thanks. What is it?"
"Hot chocolate with whipped cream," I replied curtly, still glaring.
"Ok."
"Want to introduce me to your friend?"
"Oh, right. Alec, this is Jason. Jason, Alec."
"Hi," I said, baring my teeth at him in what could have passed for a smile as I resisted the urge to possessively put my arm around Max's shoulder.
"Uh…" Jason just stared up at me, not blinking, somewhat like a stunned rabbit. "Um, I guess I'm going to go now. I'm ah, late meeting up with my friends. See you around Max, uh… bye" Jason said hurriedly as he scurried away.
Max promptly punched me. "What did you do that for?" she exclaimed as she sat down to enjoy her drink.
"What?" I asked with feigned innocence.
"Why did you scare him away?" Max sounded as if her patience being strained.
"Exactly what do you mean, Maxie?" I chided. "It's not like I told him to go." At least, not in words. Inwardly, I smirked.
"Yeah, whatever," she said dismissing the subject. Thank god.
The hot chocolate was wonderful, and after we finished our drinks, we headed back to the slopes for a couple more runs.
Just before heading out I said, "Max, maybe we should take it easy, we probably shouldn't be attracting so much attention to ourselves."
"What? This coming from the guy that attracted hordes of women when skiing down the double black diamond yesterday?" She faked a concerned look. "Oh my god! Alec, are you sick?" She touched my forehead checking for a temperature.
"Max, no. I'm not sick. I'm just saying maybe we should be careful." I shook her hand off.
"Alec, don't stress about it. This is Canada, for crying out loud. No one's going to know a thing. So just enjoy the vacation ok?"
Several runs later… 6:30PM
"Ok, that's it. No more runs for today," said a very pooped Max.
"Aww Maxie, tired already?" I stretched tired muscles.
"You're not?" she asked skeptically.
"Well, only a little," I admitted.
Then I heard this noise, more precisely, Max' stomach rumbling.
"Hungry Max?"
"Duh!"
"Ok, ok, let's go back and get cleaned up. I saw a Chinese restaurant in the Village. Wanna check it out?"
"Sure, why not?"
After a quick clean up, we hit the restaurant.
To be Continued...
