Chapter 4 - Unfair
He caught up with her outside his room and he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside shutting the door behind them firmly. He then turned to face her, his face a mask of concern.
"Max, what you said in there.its not true there is always hope and." Alec tried to give her hope but Max turned to him, her eyes looking so dull that the words faded from his lips.
"Me and Logan will never be together, its hopeless," Max said meaning every word and Alec sighed.
"No its not," Alec tried to convince her otherwise but Max smiled ruefully for once noticing how clear Alec's eyes were. She had never seen them before.
"It is, look at us Alec, we can touch and you won't die," Max said reaching out to take his hands and Alec bit his lower lip.
"Max." he pleaded with her. He didn't want her to loose hope, it had been the only thing keeping her going. He couldn't let her loose it.
"I could touch your face and you would be fine," Max said and startling Alec she reached up and ever so gently touched his cheek. Never had a woman touched him so gently, not even Rachel. Alec felt himself immediately long for Max the way that he always did when he felt her near him.
"Max don't." Alec begged. To have her touch him like that was bringing a fire inside his body and he knew of only one way the fire could be stopped and he knew Max would never consider it.
"I could kiss you and you would live another day," Max said softly now bringing Alec to her and their lips met in a single kiss that fuelled Alec with such desire he moaned unconsciously. The taste of her lips enticed him to want more. God he wanted her. He always had.
"Don't start what you can't finish Max, not with me," Alec choked out in a tight voice and Max pulled away to stare honestly into his eyes.
"I can finish it with you Alec, only with you," Max told him surely and with such honesty that she struck Alec with her sincerity. Alec quickly moved in to kiss the lips that he had longed for and the night that followed was more than Alec or even Max had ever dreamed of.
Alec awoke to see a head nestled into his bare chest and he smiled indulgently. The sensation of being able to see such a thing was new to him as he had never stayed till morning with any other woman. But with Max. With Max he knew he would stay forever, if she only asked. It was a few minutes before dawn and Alec was struck by how beautiful Max looked cuddled into his arms, the sunlight reflecting on her hair. Alec was torn between being a coward and leaving her to wake on her own or waiting the situation out. After a quick argument with himself waiting won out and he lay there contentedly smiling down at Max's peaceful expression. She looks so sweet and innocent, you'd never guess she was a devil when she's awake, Alec thought to himself with a silent chuckle and he felt Max stir in his arms.
"I heard that," she mumbled sleepily and Alec was shocked. He could have sworn he hadn't said that little comment out loud; but she heard him, so he must have.
"The sun is rising Maxie, it's a new day," Alec said nudging her gently and Max looked down a little embarrassed as she realised she was naked underneath the blanket. Feeling all self conscious she hurried to put some distance between the two of them and Alec rolled his eyes at her predictable behaviour.
"Come on Max, its not like I haven't seen it all," Alec taunted Max affectionately looking down at himself and was somewhat relieved to find he still had his boxers on and he smiled innocently at Max.
"If its all the same to you." Max said sweetly a little unsure of how to handle the situation especially with Alec grinning at her. Max grinned back at Alec before unceremoniously ripping the blanket off him and wrapping it around herself.
"Fair go, I was using that," he said indignantly and Max giggled as the uncomfortable air eased.
Suddenly neither knew what to say. Last night they had crossed the boundaries of friendship and there was no turning back. Would I want to turn back? Max wondered to herself recalling the welcome feel of Alec's warm hands on her body.
"What happens now, oh fearless leader?" Alec asked Max who looked away from his searching eyes uncertainly. Alec knew what he wanted. He had wanted Max all along but if she felt last night was a mistake then he knew he would abide by her decision. It was all up to her.
"I don't know what happens," Max said shrugging her shoulders and when Alec looed disappointed at her answer Max struggled to explain her feelings but she wasn't really any good at that kind of thing as she rambled, "I just want everything to be simple, can we not decide anything? Can't we just let it be?"
Alec considered her request and thinking it a valid one nodded his consent.
"Okay lets let it be," Alec agreed and Max stood up bundling her clothes to her chest before flashing Alec a wide grin as she left his room. Alec sat there immobile after she had left. Now he was more confused about their relationship than he had been before. She obviously didn't consider him a brother, last night was a firm indication of that, a lover.perhaps, a boyfriend.that was Alec's ultimate goal. But how could he ever hope to measure up to rich boy, superman Logan? The man who had so obviously been the love of Max's life. I told him norms and trans don't mix, he should marry Asha and leave Max alone, Alec thought to himself already feeling possessive of Max then he laughed at himself. He couldn't believe he had gotten himself all worked up over a girl. But what a girl she was.
Alec stood in front of his cracked mirror inspecting his torso frowning. On his lower stomach and on his arms and shoulders faint runes were beginning to appear. Did this mean he was like Max? Would he be able to do everything Lydecker said Max would be able to do? I don't really give a shit what that arsehole says anyway, Alec thought darkly turning from the mirror ignoring the runes. Alec got dressed slowly taking his time then he made his way to the conference room inside Terminal City. They had planned a meeting for this morning and it was nearly time for the meeting to start. When he entered Terminal City he was greeted by Dix who laughed appreciatively.
"I know that walk," Dix laughed again and Max looked up from where she sat going over the provisions list with Joshua to favour Alec with a secretive smile and Alec smiled back cockily.
"Something wrong with the way I walk Dix?" Alec questioned Dix, a challenge evident in his voice and as expected Dix rose to the challenge eagerly.
"Sure that's your, 'I jut got laid walk'," Dix spluttered with laughter and a few transgenics who overheard laughed while Alec looked justly embarrassed.
Max had an alarmed look on her face but when she realised none suspected her she calmed down.
"You're just jealous you don't get to walk around like this as often as I do," Alec replied and Dix whistled his defeat as Alec took a victory walk around the room.
"The boy's on fire today, must've been a good night," Dix said a silly expression on his face and Alec smiled remembering.
"It sure was," he assured Dix but his eyes flicked over to Max and under her firm gaze he saw a blush rise to her neck and cheeks.
"Business time," she entreated everyone and they all sat down just as Lydecker and Sandeman walked into the room standing at the door smiling contentedly.
"What are they doing here?" someone demanded and Alec folded his arms under his chest.
"I have an announcement, this morning I went to see Sandeman and I have decided to go with and let them train me, and before any of you protest," Max said holding up her hands as Alec opened his mouth to contest her decision and she added quickly, "And I wanted to remind you all that this is my choice, my decision, not yours, and I hope that you all trust me enough to make the right decision for our people."
"You're leaving us?" Dix asked as thought he couldn't believe it and he wasn't the only one. Max looked over at Dix and bowed her head.
"Not all alone, I have decided to appoint Alec as your new C.O. and Lydecker is going to detail all the transgenics he can to help you while I am away, I shouldn't be gone that long, I'll be back before you know it," Max tried to reassure the group of people who had become the family she had been searching for those ten years ago. They all looked so upset, all of them except for Alec who looked furious with her.
"I can't believe you're going to go with them Max, I." Gem reached over to wrench Alec back into his seat and the long sleeved shirt he was wearing rode up displaying the runes on his stomach that had turned dark. Everyone stared, none so more than Max, and Alec shrugged his shirt to cover them and sat down folding his arms across his chest. Sandeman and Lydecker exchanged glances and Sandeman nodded as though seeing the runes confirmed something. Max looked like something had connected in her head and she smiled fondly at Alec. Now everything made sense to her.
"Could everyone give us a minute?" Max asked softly and everyone left the room while Alec sat in his chair refusing to look at Max. Gem stopped at the door to turn back to Max and Alec before closing the door behind her leaving the two alone.
"In the dream I had yesterday I saw you and me Alec, I saw we would be together the way we were last night and that you would be the father of my child, the child Lydecker and Sandeman spoke of yesterday, its written on your runes just as it is written on mine," Max said lovingly and Alec looked into her clear brown eyes and saw pure honesty shining in their depths. For once Max wasn't holding anything back.
"Then why are you leaving me Max?" Alec asked sorrowfully and Max walked over to take his head into her hands as she bent her head and kissed his forehead.
"I want to be able to protect our child, my runes tell me my destiny is to look after our child, your runes say your destiny is to lead the way for him," Max explained the secret that she had been hiding since the day before when she saw the runes hazily in the dark yesterday. Alec didn't know what to say and Max hugged him to her and Alec wrapped his arms around her small form.
"This is so unfair, just when we found each other you have to go and leave, does nothing go right for us?" Alec murmured into her neck and Mac didn't say a word, she only hugged him tighter, because she felt the exact same way.
That same afternoon Max stood at the gates of Terminal City. Behind the gates stood her dearest friends and Max was determined not to cry, telling herself she would see them all again. She knew inside that she would see them all again.
"Don't forget us!" Dix yelled out to her and Max couldn't help but laugh.
"As if I could," she said to herself softly and Gem stepped beside Dix.
"And bring us back something from the outside world, nothing cheap mind you," Gem called out her parting remark and Max gave her a little salute that Gem returned.
"Bye little fella, come back soon," Joshua called out waving to her and Max waved back tears pricking at her eyelids that she brushed away quickly. Bye big fella, look after Alec for me, Max bethought to Joshua who seemed shocked and Max had the feeling that he had gotten her message because he grinned and gave her the thumbs up. Max's gaze wandered to where Alec stood his face impassive showing no emotion. Oh Alec, I could have loved you if destiny had given us a chance, Max thought as their eyes locked. Alec then turned away so that he didn't have to watch her leave and even as she watched Gem walked over to him and took his hand in a comforting way. Alec said something to her and then walked into Terminal City without looking back and Gem raced after him worriedly. Under Lydecker's directions Max got into the waiting car and as it drove away - she never looked back.
He caught up with her outside his room and he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside shutting the door behind them firmly. He then turned to face her, his face a mask of concern.
"Max, what you said in there.its not true there is always hope and." Alec tried to give her hope but Max turned to him, her eyes looking so dull that the words faded from his lips.
"Me and Logan will never be together, its hopeless," Max said meaning every word and Alec sighed.
"No its not," Alec tried to convince her otherwise but Max smiled ruefully for once noticing how clear Alec's eyes were. She had never seen them before.
"It is, look at us Alec, we can touch and you won't die," Max said reaching out to take his hands and Alec bit his lower lip.
"Max." he pleaded with her. He didn't want her to loose hope, it had been the only thing keeping her going. He couldn't let her loose it.
"I could touch your face and you would be fine," Max said and startling Alec she reached up and ever so gently touched his cheek. Never had a woman touched him so gently, not even Rachel. Alec felt himself immediately long for Max the way that he always did when he felt her near him.
"Max don't." Alec begged. To have her touch him like that was bringing a fire inside his body and he knew of only one way the fire could be stopped and he knew Max would never consider it.
"I could kiss you and you would live another day," Max said softly now bringing Alec to her and their lips met in a single kiss that fuelled Alec with such desire he moaned unconsciously. The taste of her lips enticed him to want more. God he wanted her. He always had.
"Don't start what you can't finish Max, not with me," Alec choked out in a tight voice and Max pulled away to stare honestly into his eyes.
"I can finish it with you Alec, only with you," Max told him surely and with such honesty that she struck Alec with her sincerity. Alec quickly moved in to kiss the lips that he had longed for and the night that followed was more than Alec or even Max had ever dreamed of.
Alec awoke to see a head nestled into his bare chest and he smiled indulgently. The sensation of being able to see such a thing was new to him as he had never stayed till morning with any other woman. But with Max. With Max he knew he would stay forever, if she only asked. It was a few minutes before dawn and Alec was struck by how beautiful Max looked cuddled into his arms, the sunlight reflecting on her hair. Alec was torn between being a coward and leaving her to wake on her own or waiting the situation out. After a quick argument with himself waiting won out and he lay there contentedly smiling down at Max's peaceful expression. She looks so sweet and innocent, you'd never guess she was a devil when she's awake, Alec thought to himself with a silent chuckle and he felt Max stir in his arms.
"I heard that," she mumbled sleepily and Alec was shocked. He could have sworn he hadn't said that little comment out loud; but she heard him, so he must have.
"The sun is rising Maxie, it's a new day," Alec said nudging her gently and Max looked down a little embarrassed as she realised she was naked underneath the blanket. Feeling all self conscious she hurried to put some distance between the two of them and Alec rolled his eyes at her predictable behaviour.
"Come on Max, its not like I haven't seen it all," Alec taunted Max affectionately looking down at himself and was somewhat relieved to find he still had his boxers on and he smiled innocently at Max.
"If its all the same to you." Max said sweetly a little unsure of how to handle the situation especially with Alec grinning at her. Max grinned back at Alec before unceremoniously ripping the blanket off him and wrapping it around herself.
"Fair go, I was using that," he said indignantly and Max giggled as the uncomfortable air eased.
Suddenly neither knew what to say. Last night they had crossed the boundaries of friendship and there was no turning back. Would I want to turn back? Max wondered to herself recalling the welcome feel of Alec's warm hands on her body.
"What happens now, oh fearless leader?" Alec asked Max who looked away from his searching eyes uncertainly. Alec knew what he wanted. He had wanted Max all along but if she felt last night was a mistake then he knew he would abide by her decision. It was all up to her.
"I don't know what happens," Max said shrugging her shoulders and when Alec looed disappointed at her answer Max struggled to explain her feelings but she wasn't really any good at that kind of thing as she rambled, "I just want everything to be simple, can we not decide anything? Can't we just let it be?"
Alec considered her request and thinking it a valid one nodded his consent.
"Okay lets let it be," Alec agreed and Max stood up bundling her clothes to her chest before flashing Alec a wide grin as she left his room. Alec sat there immobile after she had left. Now he was more confused about their relationship than he had been before. She obviously didn't consider him a brother, last night was a firm indication of that, a lover.perhaps, a boyfriend.that was Alec's ultimate goal. But how could he ever hope to measure up to rich boy, superman Logan? The man who had so obviously been the love of Max's life. I told him norms and trans don't mix, he should marry Asha and leave Max alone, Alec thought to himself already feeling possessive of Max then he laughed at himself. He couldn't believe he had gotten himself all worked up over a girl. But what a girl she was.
Alec stood in front of his cracked mirror inspecting his torso frowning. On his lower stomach and on his arms and shoulders faint runes were beginning to appear. Did this mean he was like Max? Would he be able to do everything Lydecker said Max would be able to do? I don't really give a shit what that arsehole says anyway, Alec thought darkly turning from the mirror ignoring the runes. Alec got dressed slowly taking his time then he made his way to the conference room inside Terminal City. They had planned a meeting for this morning and it was nearly time for the meeting to start. When he entered Terminal City he was greeted by Dix who laughed appreciatively.
"I know that walk," Dix laughed again and Max looked up from where she sat going over the provisions list with Joshua to favour Alec with a secretive smile and Alec smiled back cockily.
"Something wrong with the way I walk Dix?" Alec questioned Dix, a challenge evident in his voice and as expected Dix rose to the challenge eagerly.
"Sure that's your, 'I jut got laid walk'," Dix spluttered with laughter and a few transgenics who overheard laughed while Alec looked justly embarrassed.
Max had an alarmed look on her face but when she realised none suspected her she calmed down.
"You're just jealous you don't get to walk around like this as often as I do," Alec replied and Dix whistled his defeat as Alec took a victory walk around the room.
"The boy's on fire today, must've been a good night," Dix said a silly expression on his face and Alec smiled remembering.
"It sure was," he assured Dix but his eyes flicked over to Max and under her firm gaze he saw a blush rise to her neck and cheeks.
"Business time," she entreated everyone and they all sat down just as Lydecker and Sandeman walked into the room standing at the door smiling contentedly.
"What are they doing here?" someone demanded and Alec folded his arms under his chest.
"I have an announcement, this morning I went to see Sandeman and I have decided to go with and let them train me, and before any of you protest," Max said holding up her hands as Alec opened his mouth to contest her decision and she added quickly, "And I wanted to remind you all that this is my choice, my decision, not yours, and I hope that you all trust me enough to make the right decision for our people."
"You're leaving us?" Dix asked as thought he couldn't believe it and he wasn't the only one. Max looked over at Dix and bowed her head.
"Not all alone, I have decided to appoint Alec as your new C.O. and Lydecker is going to detail all the transgenics he can to help you while I am away, I shouldn't be gone that long, I'll be back before you know it," Max tried to reassure the group of people who had become the family she had been searching for those ten years ago. They all looked so upset, all of them except for Alec who looked furious with her.
"I can't believe you're going to go with them Max, I." Gem reached over to wrench Alec back into his seat and the long sleeved shirt he was wearing rode up displaying the runes on his stomach that had turned dark. Everyone stared, none so more than Max, and Alec shrugged his shirt to cover them and sat down folding his arms across his chest. Sandeman and Lydecker exchanged glances and Sandeman nodded as though seeing the runes confirmed something. Max looked like something had connected in her head and she smiled fondly at Alec. Now everything made sense to her.
"Could everyone give us a minute?" Max asked softly and everyone left the room while Alec sat in his chair refusing to look at Max. Gem stopped at the door to turn back to Max and Alec before closing the door behind her leaving the two alone.
"In the dream I had yesterday I saw you and me Alec, I saw we would be together the way we were last night and that you would be the father of my child, the child Lydecker and Sandeman spoke of yesterday, its written on your runes just as it is written on mine," Max said lovingly and Alec looked into her clear brown eyes and saw pure honesty shining in their depths. For once Max wasn't holding anything back.
"Then why are you leaving me Max?" Alec asked sorrowfully and Max walked over to take his head into her hands as she bent her head and kissed his forehead.
"I want to be able to protect our child, my runes tell me my destiny is to look after our child, your runes say your destiny is to lead the way for him," Max explained the secret that she had been hiding since the day before when she saw the runes hazily in the dark yesterday. Alec didn't know what to say and Max hugged him to her and Alec wrapped his arms around her small form.
"This is so unfair, just when we found each other you have to go and leave, does nothing go right for us?" Alec murmured into her neck and Mac didn't say a word, she only hugged him tighter, because she felt the exact same way.
That same afternoon Max stood at the gates of Terminal City. Behind the gates stood her dearest friends and Max was determined not to cry, telling herself she would see them all again. She knew inside that she would see them all again.
"Don't forget us!" Dix yelled out to her and Max couldn't help but laugh.
"As if I could," she said to herself softly and Gem stepped beside Dix.
"And bring us back something from the outside world, nothing cheap mind you," Gem called out her parting remark and Max gave her a little salute that Gem returned.
"Bye little fella, come back soon," Joshua called out waving to her and Max waved back tears pricking at her eyelids that she brushed away quickly. Bye big fella, look after Alec for me, Max bethought to Joshua who seemed shocked and Max had the feeling that he had gotten her message because he grinned and gave her the thumbs up. Max's gaze wandered to where Alec stood his face impassive showing no emotion. Oh Alec, I could have loved you if destiny had given us a chance, Max thought as their eyes locked. Alec then turned away so that he didn't have to watch her leave and even as she watched Gem walked over to him and took his hand in a comforting way. Alec said something to her and then walked into Terminal City without looking back and Gem raced after him worriedly. Under Lydecker's directions Max got into the waiting car and as it drove away - she never looked back.
