Not My Brother, Chapter 3
A/N: As though it wasn't beyond obvious at this point, yes, I am continuing this story.
If asked later, they would say they didn't know, but in reality, they hadn't even considered another option.
When the news came in, they were on the phone to Lydecker.
Within the hour, they were on their way back to Manticore.
The mission was done and they were going home.
Max and Ben didn't say much on the way back, sitting across from each other in the back of a helicopter.
Ben's eyes were hot on her and Max grinned to herself, her own eyes exploring him as his did her. She could still feel his hands against her and couldn't help wondering what Lydecker would say if two of his soldiers jumped each other in the middle of a helicopter flight.
Unfortunately, the best case scenario would be assuming she was in heat and locking her away for a few days. Max made a face.
***
Ben lifted an eyebrow at the range of emotions flying across Max's face without warning. She caught his eye and smiled, shrugging.
He'd never really seen her do that before. Any of them, actually. Max was happy.
Beaming stupidly back at her, Ben had to fight the urge to laugh.
No wonder psy-ops was worried about him getting laid. He'd never felt so giddy in his life. But it wouldn't be the same with anyone else, Ben was sure of it. They'd been close as children, hadn't seen each other in years and now, as adults, they were together. Even in the time he'd been back, she'd infiltrated his mind.
There had to be a way to be with her at Manticore. Waiting for their next away mission would be torturous. Just seeing her every day without being able to touch her was liable to kill him.
Dread pooled in his stomach as he watched her, the danger of what they'd started suddenly hitting him. If they didn't act natural, who knows what would happen?
Pushing aside his paranoia, Ben let himself relax into the memories of their time together. They'd have more, he'd make sure of it. But now wasn't the time to worry about that, he thought, winking at Max.
She blushed and bit her lip, her eyes running over him.
Fire lept from her eyes, scalding him with temptation. It had already been too long since they'd been together, 46 minutes, 18 seconds. Even now, his body reacted to the memories with her only feet away from him. Knowing she wanted it too made it worse than before.
"ETA ten minutes," the pilot yelled back to them.
Ben shook himself. Mission. Duty. Discipline. They'd have debrief, supper and then go back to their bunks.
Alone.
It was amazing how hellish that sounded after just one night of her in his arms.
***
The debrief was pretty straightforward, despite Max's nervousness. They avoided eye contact almost by mutual agreement and she was relieved.
"You sent the information to the press?" Lydecker asked.
"Yes, sir," Max told him.
"And the money was wired to the mayor's account."
"That's correct, sir," Ben told him.
"So it will look like they can solve the government corruption with a new election," Lydecker nodded.
"Did you run into problems?"
"Just one, sir, I took care of it."
Max looked over at Ben. What had he taken care of?
"Explain, 493."
"There were orders to upload 452's picture, indicating a certain file. I went into the computer and changed the file, using Jonas Cale's picture instead."
"Your first job is to protect your unit. Good job, 493."
"Thank you, sir."
"Everything seems in order, I'll expect your reports in the morning."
"Yes, sir!" they both answered.
"Dismissed."
***
"Get laid?" Zane asked with a grin, sitting next to Ben and Krit in the mess hall.
"WHAT?" Ben asked, shocked at the question.
"CVU, Ben, did you have sexual--"
"I know what it means!" Ben cut him off and Zane grinned.
Krit sat down across from them, "Hey, Ben, how was the mission?"
Ben shrugged, "Fine."
"So tell us about her," Zane smiled.
"Who?" Krit asked.
"Ben got laid, but won't give details."
"Why not?" Krit wanted to know.
"Zane's full of it," Ben rolled his eyes.
"You just got cleared, you were away for two weeks...if you didn't, there's something wrong with you."
"Just not smooth enough," Ben grinned.
"How smooth do you have to be to pick up a hooker?" Krit asked.
"You picked up a hooker?" Ben asked, trying to deflect the conversation.
Krit snorted, "Smooth as silk, here, baby, why waste the money?"
"Promise them the best ten minutes of their life?" Jhondy asked, joining the conversation.
Zane laughed and Krit rolled his eyes.
"Like you even know what you're talking about," Krit challenged her.
"Oh, I know plenty about premature-"
"Hey guys," Max slid her tray next to Krit.
"Maxie," Zane grinned, "Just in time."
"Really," she smiled, "For what?"
"Jhondy was just bullshitting about getting laid and Ben, here, was about to tell us about the girl he bagged on your mission."
"Was he?" Max arched her eyebrow, her eyes meeting Ben's.
"Nothing to tell. Sorry, Maxie," he shrugged.
"You were finally cleared, but you just stayed in your room to watch porn?" Zane obviously didn't buy it.
Max's eyes flickered from Zane to Ben and the flash of devilment in her eye made Ben nervous. "You DID seem inordinately happy for some odd reason," she grinned.
Zane grinned in triumph, "And as we are well aware, that can only mean you had sex, so tell us."
"And hurry, I leave soon," Krit told him.
"Where are you going?" Max asked.
"Hit," Krit shrugged, "Should be back in a couple days."
"I'm sure Ben can survive without your snoring," Jhondy smiled.
***
The wheels in her mind were already spinning.
Krit and Ben were roommates. With him gone...
Max smiled, her eyes moving to Ben's.
He licked his lips, his gaze running over her and quickly back to his food.
"So hurry up with the story, Ben," Krit said impatiently.
Males were so obsessed with sex, Max thought in annoyance. Not that she could get her mind off it either, but still, that was about Ben, not just anyone. What if Ben was like Krit and Zane?
Max frowned, but shook her head. Ben loved her, it didn't matter that Krit and Zane were perverts.
"Nothing to tell," Ben insisted.
"What's your deal? It's not like she'll know you told us," Zane rolled his eyes, "And it's not like you'll ever see her again, anyway. Wait...it was a GIRL, right?"
"Of course!" Ben snapped, his eyes widening in horror as Zane chortled gleefully.
Max surpressed her smile at Ben's reaction. Not telling would be strange. Ben was a born storyteller. Would Zane pick up on what happened?
Suddenly panicked, Max blurted, "Was she hot?"
Ben exhaled slowly, his eyes meeting hers for a second before looking around at his rapt audience. "Gorgeous."
Max grinned and Krit motioned for more detail.
"Welcome back, Maxie," Zack entered the conversation, sitting next to her.
"Thanks," she smiled, hugging him.
***
Ben had seen Max and Zack hug before. Max was huggy. So it shouldn't bother him, but it did. Because no matter how much Max hugged people, Zack didn't. It was as though he were making a specific claim on Max.
Knowledge of Max's love was nice, but it didn't stop the rage that fired through his blood.
He tried to tell himself she thought of Zack as a brother but the idea was less than comforting.
"Ben, focus," Krit got his attention, "Gorgeous girl, the sex? Details?"
Ben clung to the distraction as Max, thankfully, let go of Zack.
"Picked her up at a bar, took her for a little walk in the starlight."
"Just to get her back to the hotel, right?" Zane asked.
Max rolled her eyes.
"So how was it?" Jhondy asked.
Ben smiled, but didn't answer.
"Come on," Krit whined, "At least tell us what she looked like."
"Blonde hair, brown eyes and the best rack ever," Ben smiled.
"Better than Maxie's?" Zane wanted to know.
"Zane!" Max gasped as Ben elbowed him, hard.
"Ow, what?" Zane smiled, winking at Max, "I just wondering."
"Don't compare some tramp to Max," Zack glared at him.
Ben swallowed hard at the smile Max bestowed upon her knight in fucking armor.
"She wasn't a tramp," Ben defended, unable to stop himself from challenging Zack on some level. "She's a lovely young woman and I'm sure Max would like her."
"I'm sure I would, Ben," she turned her smile to him and he relaxed.
"You didn't meet her?" Krit asked, turning to Max, "But you were out there too."
"Like he is going to bring along family," Jhondy rolled her eyes.
Krit considered that and nodded. "I'll see you guys later," he got up from the table.
***
"How was the mission?" Eva asked when Max walked into their room.
"Not too bad, everything went well," Max smiled. "Ben got laid," she threw in as an afterthought, it would be weird if she didn't say anything.
Eva grinned, "About time, poor boy."
"Apparently she had the 'best rack ever,'" Max grinned.
"Poor deluded child," Eva shook her head and yawned. "Sorry I can't stay up later, we trained hard today."
"Oh, no problem," Max assured her with a smile.
***
Ben tossed in his bed for the fifty zillionth time.
He couldn't believe he hadn't considered what it would be like back here. It hadn't even been a full day back and he already wanted to pound his CO within an inch of his life.
There was a click at his door and he froze.
"Ben?" Max's voice floated to him and he sprang from bed.
"How'd you get in here?" he asked, pulling her against him in a kiss, starving in his need for her.
"Have my ways," she murmured against his lips.
He forced himself to calm down, nuzzling her face and pulling away. "This is going to be hard," he told her.
"I know," she nodded, melting into his chest.
Part of him wanted to pick her up in his arms and move to the bed. Krit would only be gone for a day and they were missing valuable time.
"Just hold me, Ben," she whispered, and all thought of time vanished.
He did pick her up and carry her to the bed, but when he settled in next to her, he pulled her on top of him, pulling up the covers as they snuggled into each other.
A/N: As though it wasn't beyond obvious at this point, yes, I am continuing this story.
If asked later, they would say they didn't know, but in reality, they hadn't even considered another option.
When the news came in, they were on the phone to Lydecker.
Within the hour, they were on their way back to Manticore.
The mission was done and they were going home.
Max and Ben didn't say much on the way back, sitting across from each other in the back of a helicopter.
Ben's eyes were hot on her and Max grinned to herself, her own eyes exploring him as his did her. She could still feel his hands against her and couldn't help wondering what Lydecker would say if two of his soldiers jumped each other in the middle of a helicopter flight.
Unfortunately, the best case scenario would be assuming she was in heat and locking her away for a few days. Max made a face.
***
Ben lifted an eyebrow at the range of emotions flying across Max's face without warning. She caught his eye and smiled, shrugging.
He'd never really seen her do that before. Any of them, actually. Max was happy.
Beaming stupidly back at her, Ben had to fight the urge to laugh.
No wonder psy-ops was worried about him getting laid. He'd never felt so giddy in his life. But it wouldn't be the same with anyone else, Ben was sure of it. They'd been close as children, hadn't seen each other in years and now, as adults, they were together. Even in the time he'd been back, she'd infiltrated his mind.
There had to be a way to be with her at Manticore. Waiting for their next away mission would be torturous. Just seeing her every day without being able to touch her was liable to kill him.
Dread pooled in his stomach as he watched her, the danger of what they'd started suddenly hitting him. If they didn't act natural, who knows what would happen?
Pushing aside his paranoia, Ben let himself relax into the memories of their time together. They'd have more, he'd make sure of it. But now wasn't the time to worry about that, he thought, winking at Max.
She blushed and bit her lip, her eyes running over him.
Fire lept from her eyes, scalding him with temptation. It had already been too long since they'd been together, 46 minutes, 18 seconds. Even now, his body reacted to the memories with her only feet away from him. Knowing she wanted it too made it worse than before.
"ETA ten minutes," the pilot yelled back to them.
Ben shook himself. Mission. Duty. Discipline. They'd have debrief, supper and then go back to their bunks.
Alone.
It was amazing how hellish that sounded after just one night of her in his arms.
***
The debrief was pretty straightforward, despite Max's nervousness. They avoided eye contact almost by mutual agreement and she was relieved.
"You sent the information to the press?" Lydecker asked.
"Yes, sir," Max told him.
"And the money was wired to the mayor's account."
"That's correct, sir," Ben told him.
"So it will look like they can solve the government corruption with a new election," Lydecker nodded.
"Did you run into problems?"
"Just one, sir, I took care of it."
Max looked over at Ben. What had he taken care of?
"Explain, 493."
"There were orders to upload 452's picture, indicating a certain file. I went into the computer and changed the file, using Jonas Cale's picture instead."
"Your first job is to protect your unit. Good job, 493."
"Thank you, sir."
"Everything seems in order, I'll expect your reports in the morning."
"Yes, sir!" they both answered.
"Dismissed."
***
"Get laid?" Zane asked with a grin, sitting next to Ben and Krit in the mess hall.
"WHAT?" Ben asked, shocked at the question.
"CVU, Ben, did you have sexual--"
"I know what it means!" Ben cut him off and Zane grinned.
Krit sat down across from them, "Hey, Ben, how was the mission?"
Ben shrugged, "Fine."
"So tell us about her," Zane smiled.
"Who?" Krit asked.
"Ben got laid, but won't give details."
"Why not?" Krit wanted to know.
"Zane's full of it," Ben rolled his eyes.
"You just got cleared, you were away for two weeks...if you didn't, there's something wrong with you."
"Just not smooth enough," Ben grinned.
"How smooth do you have to be to pick up a hooker?" Krit asked.
"You picked up a hooker?" Ben asked, trying to deflect the conversation.
Krit snorted, "Smooth as silk, here, baby, why waste the money?"
"Promise them the best ten minutes of their life?" Jhondy asked, joining the conversation.
Zane laughed and Krit rolled his eyes.
"Like you even know what you're talking about," Krit challenged her.
"Oh, I know plenty about premature-"
"Hey guys," Max slid her tray next to Krit.
"Maxie," Zane grinned, "Just in time."
"Really," she smiled, "For what?"
"Jhondy was just bullshitting about getting laid and Ben, here, was about to tell us about the girl he bagged on your mission."
"Was he?" Max arched her eyebrow, her eyes meeting Ben's.
"Nothing to tell. Sorry, Maxie," he shrugged.
"You were finally cleared, but you just stayed in your room to watch porn?" Zane obviously didn't buy it.
Max's eyes flickered from Zane to Ben and the flash of devilment in her eye made Ben nervous. "You DID seem inordinately happy for some odd reason," she grinned.
Zane grinned in triumph, "And as we are well aware, that can only mean you had sex, so tell us."
"And hurry, I leave soon," Krit told him.
"Where are you going?" Max asked.
"Hit," Krit shrugged, "Should be back in a couple days."
"I'm sure Ben can survive without your snoring," Jhondy smiled.
***
The wheels in her mind were already spinning.
Krit and Ben were roommates. With him gone...
Max smiled, her eyes moving to Ben's.
He licked his lips, his gaze running over her and quickly back to his food.
"So hurry up with the story, Ben," Krit said impatiently.
Males were so obsessed with sex, Max thought in annoyance. Not that she could get her mind off it either, but still, that was about Ben, not just anyone. What if Ben was like Krit and Zane?
Max frowned, but shook her head. Ben loved her, it didn't matter that Krit and Zane were perverts.
"Nothing to tell," Ben insisted.
"What's your deal? It's not like she'll know you told us," Zane rolled his eyes, "And it's not like you'll ever see her again, anyway. Wait...it was a GIRL, right?"
"Of course!" Ben snapped, his eyes widening in horror as Zane chortled gleefully.
Max surpressed her smile at Ben's reaction. Not telling would be strange. Ben was a born storyteller. Would Zane pick up on what happened?
Suddenly panicked, Max blurted, "Was she hot?"
Ben exhaled slowly, his eyes meeting hers for a second before looking around at his rapt audience. "Gorgeous."
Max grinned and Krit motioned for more detail.
"Welcome back, Maxie," Zack entered the conversation, sitting next to her.
"Thanks," she smiled, hugging him.
***
Ben had seen Max and Zack hug before. Max was huggy. So it shouldn't bother him, but it did. Because no matter how much Max hugged people, Zack didn't. It was as though he were making a specific claim on Max.
Knowledge of Max's love was nice, but it didn't stop the rage that fired through his blood.
He tried to tell himself she thought of Zack as a brother but the idea was less than comforting.
"Ben, focus," Krit got his attention, "Gorgeous girl, the sex? Details?"
Ben clung to the distraction as Max, thankfully, let go of Zack.
"Picked her up at a bar, took her for a little walk in the starlight."
"Just to get her back to the hotel, right?" Zane asked.
Max rolled her eyes.
"So how was it?" Jhondy asked.
Ben smiled, but didn't answer.
"Come on," Krit whined, "At least tell us what she looked like."
"Blonde hair, brown eyes and the best rack ever," Ben smiled.
"Better than Maxie's?" Zane wanted to know.
"Zane!" Max gasped as Ben elbowed him, hard.
"Ow, what?" Zane smiled, winking at Max, "I just wondering."
"Don't compare some tramp to Max," Zack glared at him.
Ben swallowed hard at the smile Max bestowed upon her knight in fucking armor.
"She wasn't a tramp," Ben defended, unable to stop himself from challenging Zack on some level. "She's a lovely young woman and I'm sure Max would like her."
"I'm sure I would, Ben," she turned her smile to him and he relaxed.
"You didn't meet her?" Krit asked, turning to Max, "But you were out there too."
"Like he is going to bring along family," Jhondy rolled her eyes.
Krit considered that and nodded. "I'll see you guys later," he got up from the table.
***
"How was the mission?" Eva asked when Max walked into their room.
"Not too bad, everything went well," Max smiled. "Ben got laid," she threw in as an afterthought, it would be weird if she didn't say anything.
Eva grinned, "About time, poor boy."
"Apparently she had the 'best rack ever,'" Max grinned.
"Poor deluded child," Eva shook her head and yawned. "Sorry I can't stay up later, we trained hard today."
"Oh, no problem," Max assured her with a smile.
***
Ben tossed in his bed for the fifty zillionth time.
He couldn't believe he hadn't considered what it would be like back here. It hadn't even been a full day back and he already wanted to pound his CO within an inch of his life.
There was a click at his door and he froze.
"Ben?" Max's voice floated to him and he sprang from bed.
"How'd you get in here?" he asked, pulling her against him in a kiss, starving in his need for her.
"Have my ways," she murmured against his lips.
He forced himself to calm down, nuzzling her face and pulling away. "This is going to be hard," he told her.
"I know," she nodded, melting into his chest.
Part of him wanted to pick her up in his arms and move to the bed. Krit would only be gone for a day and they were missing valuable time.
"Just hold me, Ben," she whispered, and all thought of time vanished.
He did pick her up and carry her to the bed, but when he settled in next to her, he pulled her on top of him, pulling up the covers as they snuggled into each other.
