Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. You have no idea how much the feedback means to me. It really puts a smile on my face.



December 31… New Year's Eve

Alec's POV

Like a few days ago, I woke up with Max snuggled to my side. I prayed that things would turn out differently compared than before, considering the change I felt in our relationship. Last night was the biggest sign that things were getting better between us. Dinner went by smoothly with Max showing up on time looking like a goddess. She'd actually enjoyed the ballet that I chose - that shocked me the most. And the train ride was perfect. It was like we were meant to be together or something.

Oh my god. 'Alec, what the fuck is wrong with you?' On some level, I understood what was going on. I was falling in love with one of the biggest bitches on earth - Max Guevara. Ok... so she isn't the biggest bitch. At one time, if anyone has told me that Max was a nice sweet girl whom I'd fall in love with, I'd say that they were nuts, out of their minds! But now, I can see that I'm wrong. She's exactly the kind I would fall in love with, strong, sassy, and sweet. 'Damn it! Didn't you learn anything last time?' I berated myself. 'As if Rachel wasn't enough heartbreak.' I sighed inwardly.

Things did indeed turn out differently. Instead of screaming and trying her best to get away from me, Max snuggled more closely to me, seeking me out. It felt so good, so right. 'Alec' I thought, 'don't go there'.

"Morning," she said softly.

"Morning," I replied, resisting the urge to pull her closer to me. Even at six in the morning, I still thought that Max was the most beautiful person.

"We have to go soon, don't we?" she asked sadly.

"Yup. But it's a short ride, besides, it's not like we're going back to Seattle. We still have a few more days vacation," I said encouragingly.

"Right," she sighed.

We both quickly got dressed and cleaned up. Since we'd gotten in so late last night, we didn't have time to pack. So, we blurred around the room, quickly packing our belongings. Before long, we were done and ready to go.



Our bus ride back was really smooth, not just physically, but emotionally between the two of us. We talked a little about Max's past; but I avoided mine. I really wasn't ready for Max to find out anymore about me. It just wasn't time, yet. However, a third of the way into the trip, we both fell asleep. By the time we woke up again, we'd arrived at Whistler. I could only hope the magic of the first couple of days would hold through until the end of the trip.



"Welcome back to Whistler everyone," said Lily. "I hope everyone had a good time in Vancouver. Today is New Year's Eve, which means, we have the annual semi-formal tonight."

Everyone applauded and cheered.

"So, our agenda today involves twin mud baths, some pampering and alone time apart from your significant other, and then the party. Any questions?" Lily paused. "If there's none, why don't we get started? Please follow your separate guides, and they'll inform you of what to do next."

"Twin mud baths?" I queried to Max. "Sounds interesting."

"Uh huh," she replied.

I was surprised she didn't hit me or anything remotely like that. She seemed a little distracted. I wondered what was wrong.



Max seemed less shy compared to last time; although, she still had her back to me when she got into the pool of mud to join me. Still, she looked rather unfocused.

"Max, is everything alright?" I asked concerned.

"It's nothing," she replied distracted.

"Max, tell me. Please. I thought we'd gotten to a point where we could talk," I said, sounding a little hurt that she was still hiding stuff from me.

"I've just been thinking about last night, that's all."

"What about it?" I asked, testing the waters.

"What it all means. Where do we stand now?"

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "There's still so much to sort out."

"I guess you're right."

"Max," I said as I took her hand in mine. "I don't want it to end. I want to see where this all leads."

"I know," she said as she looked into my eyes. "But I need some time."

"I know," I replied.

"Thanks."

We remained silent for the rest of the time. There really was nothing to talk about. On some level, I knew that I needed some time to decide on what's going to happen next.



After the twin mud baths, we each had some time alone. She needed more pampering than I did, so I went out in search of a place to think. And to find the thing that I needed most at a time like this.

"Where can I find a piano?" I asked the concierge.

"There's one in the ballroom, Mr. McDowell," he replied. "I can open it up for you if you like."

"Yes, that'd be great. Thank you." I quickly looked around, making sure that no one, especially Max had overheard. So far, the staff hadn't addressed me as 'Mr. McDowell', in line with what I'd requested, and I wanted to keep it that way for a little while longer. I didn't want Max to know that I had connections to the resort just yet.

"This way then."

"Thank you Jeremy." I nodded.

I was led to the ballroom where a Steinway Grand Piano was sitting. It was a beautiful sight. It was a classic black grand perfectly restored to its original grandeur. It'd been so long since I'd had a chance to play. Between TC and JP, it's been so hectic. Thank god for this vacation. If not for Max, I probably wouldn't even be here. I was so enthralled with the piano; I didn't even notice Jeremy leaving to give me my privacy.

I swiftly walked up to it, pulled out the bench, and sat down. I ran my fingers along the keys, starting with scales then chords. After a short warm up, I started playing some songs. Traditional stuff such as Bach and Beethoven; they always seemed to clear my head better than anything else.

Where did I stand with Max? I could tell that something was there. Nothing had been the same since our talk about Ben. But with this, things changed even more. We were much more comfortable with each other. We'd even gotten to a point where we stopped hiding stuff and instead, we tried to talk about it. Granted, there were some subjects that were clearly avoided, others were not.

With each passing minute I spent with her, I found myself even more captivated by her. There was just something there. It's nothing like how it was with Rachel, but the feelings were just as strong. In that one second, I realized that I was in love with Max. I wasn't falling in love, but I was actually in love, with her. I sighed. This was going to be a problem.

Max was still technically with Logan. So where do I come in? Was I just another fling for her? Or was there more? Would she give up Logan for me? There were so many questions going on in my head. Did she love me back? Or was this a one-sided relationship? Was I even ready to love again? I didn't have one single answer to any of the questions. The only person who had the answers was Max.

I continued sitting there playing some more. I played variations of traditional songs, and even getting into more contemporary songs. After Rachel I never performed in public again. I knew that I probably never would. I'd only play for the person I love. I wonder…



Max's POV

As I was being pampered and readied for the party, I thought about the past few days. Things had changed greatly between Alec and I. Things were much more comfortable. But where did we stand now? I knew my feelings for him were growing, to such a point where everyone else seemed to fade away. But then where did Logan fit into all this? I once thought that he was the one I was meant to be with. What if I was wrong? What if he wasn't the one? Was I ready to step away? Was I ready to forge into the unknown?

I knew I shouldn't say that like it was a bad thing, but that's how it felt sometime. The unknown was scary. I was young and stupid when I left Manticore. The unknown was just another adventure. But now, I was more cautious. I didn't want to get hurt. Yet the unknown could bring so much good.

I was happy when I was with Alec. Everything about him made things seem so much better. Maybe I should give it a try. What could it hurt? It wasn't like I had a life with Logan anymore. It wasn't just the virus. It's like we're of two separate worlds. We are of two separate worlds. I wasn't human, what he wanted. I was genetically engineered. I was an X-series. I couldn't change that, anymore than Logan could change the fact that he was human.

I realized what I needed to do. I knew who I wanted to be with, what I wanted to do. For once in my life, everything finally seemed clear.

"Excuse me," I said to one of the staff members. "Could you please give a message to my date for me?"

"Sure ma'am. What would you like me to tell him?"

"Would you please tell him I'd like to talk to him before the party?"

"No problem. And, the name of this gentleman…"

"Alec McDowell."

"Ok then," the staff said hesitantly. "I'll be sure he gets your message."

"Thank you," I replied as I tipped the nice guy.



Alec's POV

Max had asked to meet me before the party, so here I was, waiting for her in the lobby area. There was so much I wanted to say to her, but I knew that she should be the one to make the first move.

Then I saw her walk in, gracefully, dressed in a silver halter top and a pair of fitted black pants. She looked amazing.

"Hi," I said as I walked up to greet her.

"Hi," she said. "So how was your day?"

"Good." I knew she was trying to avoid this as long as possible despite needing to talk. I felt the same way, along the same lines. I didn't want what we had to end. "I found a piano to play. It was nice, relaxing."

"That's good. You like playing, don't you?"

"Yup," I replied casually, trying to lighten the mood. "It was the only good thing Manticore ever gave me."

"It's nice that you got something out of it all," she said gently. "Would you play for me sometime?"

"We'll see," I said evasively.

"So, um, did you get the message?"

"Yup. You wanted to talk about something?"

"Yeah…"

"Why don't we sit down?" I suggested gesturing to the chairs.

"Sure."

"So, um, what did you want to talk about?" I asked hesitantly. I was scared. What if… So many 'what ifs' were in my head.

"I know I said I needed time to think. Well, I've thought about everything."

"And?"

"I, um, I'd like to give us a shot," she said softly.

I blinked at her. "Us?" I echoed. This was so not what I had expected. Granted this was what I'd prayed for, but I never thought Max would want an 'us' too.

"Yeah, us… unless you don't feel that way," she said.

"No, no, no. It's nothing like that. It's just I never thought there would ever be an 'us'," I replied hurriedly.

"Huh?" Max looked at me blankly.

"Max," I said as I took her hand. "I've had feelings for you ever since I met you. I just didn't know what they were. And when I did figure it out, I thought I'd ruined our chance of even being friends… when I made you lose the cure." I looked at our joined hands instead of at her. "I'd lost hope that anything could ever happen between us."

"Oh Alec," she said as she forced me to look into her eyes.

"Then when the memories of Rachel returned, I thought I couldn't ever love again," I trembled. "I still don't know that I can, but I'd like to try… with you."

"I'd like to try too. I don't know anything about love, but, I want to explore this, with you," she said as she gripped my hand and smiled.

"Ok," I said as I smiled back. "It seems the party has started without us," I gestured to the noise coming from the ballroom. Let's go." I pulled her up from the chair with me and dragged her to the party. Life was good. Things were looking up. I know that we hadn't talked about Logan, but I trusted her to handle it.

Max's POV

After the talk, I let him drag me into the party. Belatedly, I realized how good Alec looked tonight dressed in a simple pressed white dress-shirt and a pair of slacks. It made him look stylish yet somewhat dangerous, perfectly describing him. I had realized that we hadn't talked about Logan. I didn't know how to bring up the subject. I really wanted to deal with it alone, so that Alec and I could make a fresh start. Mentally, I reminded myself that I had to talk to Logan as soon as I got back to Seattle. For now, I just wanted to enjoy the rest of the trip with Alec.

When we entered the ballroom, I noticed that everyone parted for us. It was strange; it was as if Alec had some sort of status here unknown to me. The ballroom itself was decorated beautifully. There was a giant Christmas tree sitting in one corner, perfectly trimmed. Tinsel, streamers, balloons and all sorts of other decorations were put up, and mistletoe was in every arch and doorway. I felt like I'd stepped back into the twentieth century again. I'd felt that way ever since we got here. It was as though someone was trying to preserve an elegant past that was now lost to people like me in Seattle.

As the party progressed, I noticed that the servers tried their best to serve him as much as possible. Many guests nodded to him or tried to capture his attention, but he didn't pay them any heed. Instead, he spent the evening dancing and talking to me. Many women, single women, looked at me venomously with much jealousy. I knew why. I'd always known. Alec is a guy that attracts hordes and hordes of women because, well, he looked like a god. I could understand their jealousy. But intuition told me that there was something else to it. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

Alec's POV

The night turned out better than I could've imagined. We'd decided that we would explore our feelings to see where it would take us. After that, we danced the night away in the ballroom.

I noticed that many tried to get my attention, and that the servers were at my beck and call, should I choose to call upon them. I could tell that Max had noticed too. Should I tell her? There's still so much that we hadn't talked about. In time though, we will. I just hoped the staff remembered to keep their mouths shut. I sighed inwardly.

Staff were starting to hand out champagne as I glanced at the grandfather clock and noticed it was almost midnight. Just the countdown left.

"Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention please? As the manager of Delta Whistler, I'd like to thank you all for joining us this holiday season. It's been a truly special one since our new owner took over. Most of the returning patrons have noticed the difference and I'm glad to say that everyone seems to like it. In the past, we've always had our annual New Year's Eve party, and I'm glad that the new owner kept with tradition. I also know that he's among us in the crowd today but prefers to remain nameless." Everyone looked around. "Nonetheless, I would like to propose a toast, to the new owner. Hear, hear."

"Hear, hear," everyone echoed.

Out of the corner of my eye while draining my chute, I could see Max scanning the crowd trying to pinpoint the owner. I chuckled inside. It was just like her to try to find out who the rich guy is.

Knocking me out of my musings, I could hear people counting down to the New Year. Lights were being dimmed and sparklers were being handed out.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!" everyone screamed.

Every couple was kissing. I turned to Max, pulled her into my arms, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. I knew it wasn't the right time for anything more than that, but I felt that to start off the year and our budding relationship, it was only right.

To be Continued...



So, how was it?? Read, REVIEW!