Summary: Alec tells Max's siblings what happened.
Pairing: M/A (duh!). If you haven't got that after reading three chapters and a prologue, then I dunno what to do with ya.
Rating: PG-13. I wanna be reader-friendly and let's face it, lots of fans of this show are under 17.
Disclaimer: I don't think Cameron & Eglee still own it after the show's cancelled. But yeah, while the show was on its peak, those two owned it (could've done better with it though, if you asked me). Ok, for the past two posts, I've used the disclaimer to express my anti-logan propaganda (like 'anti-war propaganda', get it? Ahh, hell, ignore me, it's 1.30 in da morning). So I'm not gonna do it again. Just gotta say four words: Logan, Normal, mud-wrestling, thong. Imagine the possibilities! Hehe, sorry. Nah, I actually don't mine Logan, if the guy could stay away from Max (do u know how some people can bring out the best in each other when they're together? Well, Max & Logan are completely NOT like that. Logan brings out the weepy, weak, depressing, wallowing in her own tragedy Max; while Max brings out the obsessive, clingy, superhero-complex Logan. They're best apart, I tell ya). Anyway, this is getting long, I've decided to put Log-boy in the story though his scenes are gonna be Max-free and I promise I won't bash his character.
A/N: Once again, thanks for the review, though I'm a bit disappointed with the numbers (this is a hint for more reviews!). I'm so happy that people supported my decision to not have them together. Don't worry, I've got great plans for them! Anyway, here's the chapter you've all been waiting for (or not): Syl and Krit appear!!! Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Shuddering over Krit
Three days later and Max still isn't back yet. Several citizens of TC, particularly Syl, Krit, and Joshua, are really worried about her.
When Alec told Syl and Krit that Max went into heat, he was a bit scared that Krit will beat the crap out of him. After all, the only brother of Max's that he ever met was Zack, and he wasn't exactly 'friendly' to any guy who'd potentially be banging his baby sister. Most people would've seen it as a protective big brother thing, but Alec thought that it was more of the Brother Zack-having-the-hots-for-our-little-Maxie thing. Max denied it of course, but who knows what she really thought. After all, Alec had recently heard straight from her very swollen and very soft mouth (courtesy of those damn pheromones!) that sex with her brothers could be kinda "kinky".
Shuddering off the thought of Max getting down and dirty with Krit, Alec turned to the pair of sibs, preparing for a knuckle on the face.
Instead, he was faced with two slightly curious pairs of eyes, staring silently at him, neither showing any signs of homicidal rage on their faces. Huh, so far so good.
"What? What's with all the staring?"
"It's just that… um, we'd just like to know… you see, it's a bit confusing… uh, you tell him, Krit."
"Alec, why the hell are you here with us and not, uh, for lack of a better word, screwing away my sister?"
"Krit!" Syl hit her brother upside the head. It might give migraines to an ordinary, but Krit only felt a tingle. "The politically-correct term is 'copulating like bunnies'."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Krit turned toward the Alec. "Seriously man, why aren't you…" he looked at Syl and made the quotation marks with his fingers, "…'copulating like bunnies'…" Syl smiled approvingly, "…with our dear baby sister?"
Alec looked at them like they'd both gone crazy. Well, these two were sure different from Zack. Alec hadn't really got a chance to get to know them. In the past two weeks, he'd been busy with planning tonight's heist and coordinating supplies with Mole. So far though, he'd found out that Syl and Krit had been laying low in Idaho after they took part in Operation Burning Down Manticore's Genetics Lab with Max and Zack. They decided to come to TC when they found out that their presumed-dead little sister Maxie was now leading her own nation in Seattle. Alec still remembered the first time he met them. Both Syl and Krit thought that Manticore had somehow revived Ben. They started hugging and kissing him before abruptly snapping back into combat mode when they remembered Ben's homicidal tendencies. After some very insightful explaining from Max ("This is Alec, Ben's twin"), both of them sort of looked dumbfounded for a second, then Krit awkwardly punched him on the arm, saying "nice to meet you", while Syl mumbled a sorry for eagerly hugging and kissing him (which Alec didn't mind, really, because Syl was a stunner).
After that, Syl and Krit were dragged around by Max, helping her with tasks she didn't really trust any other transgenics with (Max has this whole trust issue going on. But, hey, who could blame her, considering the eleven years she spent with Lydecker breathing down her neck). Whenever Alec spotted the three of them hanging out at the Barcode, Max kind of gave a look that told him to scram. Alec got the feeling that Max didn't want him 'corrupting' her siblings with his happy-go-lucky-sociopath ways. From what he's just seen though, Alec felt like he might not need to.
"Say what? Did you just ask me why I'm not banging your baby sister?"
Krit and Syl had this look on their faces that said 'duh!'
"Well, yeah, 'cause her heat should've driven you crazy…"
"Pheromones and all... you shouldn't have been able to resist her!"
You have no idea. Even now I can still imagine her in my arms. The way her soft, but toned, body moulded against mine… The feel of her hot hands caressing my barcode and through my hair… The softness of her lips as we consume each other with our kiss… The way she tastes as our tongues… Oh God.
Alec felt like his body temperature just went up several degrees. He swallowed, "I didn't. I mean, I couldn't resist her at first. You wouldn't believe what happened in the air duct. She started…"
"Wo, wo, wo, wo, uh, we don't need details. This is our baby sister we're talking about," Krit covered Syl's ears with his hands. Syl looked at him irritatingly and shrugged his hands away. She signalled for Alec to continue. Krit just chuckled.
"Well, we did some… 'stuff', but before we could…"
"Copulate?" Syl suggested.
"…Yeah, uh, 'copulate', Max remembered that Mole was probably waiting for us to get back."
"Yeah, well, a cigar-smoking green-skinned lizard transgenic would naturally ruin any perfectly 'heated' moment."
"Shut up, Krit. Stop interrupting Alec! Max was just being the responsible leader that she was. It's amazing, though, that she could still remember anything, let alone her responsibilities, during heat!"
"Where do you think she got that?"
"What, her great memory skills?"
"Yeah, because none of the X5s have such a great memory! No, her leadership sense, genius."
"Don't be smart with me. I don't know. Zack? He was always so bossy and all 'listen to my orders, soldier!'" Syl tried to do a very poor impersonation of Zack.
"Well, he was our CO. But you should talk, Syl!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, come on. 'Seattle's that way, dumb-ass!' and 'Why the hell are you so slow, Kriiit!'" Krit did a very whiny version of Syl.
"I do not sound like that!"
"Yeah, you do…"
As the two X5s got caught up in their own argument, Alec could only look at them with amazement. They just sounded so… close. Like real siblings. I guess in a way, they are. Max had told him that Syl and Krit were the only ones of her siblings who stayed together after the escape. Zack didn't approve it at first, but when he saw that how each was so dependent on the other, he concluded that it would be strategically favourable that Syl and Krit remained together. Alec wondered if he and Max would ever be that comfortable with each other. Max! Hey, as he recalled, both of them were listening to his story!
Alec loudly cleared his throat, "Anyway, as I was saying… Max remembered we had to head back to TC. And then I remembered that TC's filled with other X5s. Now, I don't know if you'd been around dozens of male X5s when a female's in heat, but let me just tell you, it ain't pretty; claws coming out and the whole 'I can give her the best sex' banter just flies all over the place."
The two feuding X5s snapped back to focus. Syl nodded and Krit looked deep in thought. "Huh. If Max came back here, I'd probably want to 'copulate' with her too, wouldn't I?"
The three took a moment to shudder in the wrongness of that image.
" 'would've been a funny story to tell Zack, though. Just imagine it. 'Hey Zack, guess who'd just 'copulate' with Max during her last heat!' That'll be a way to get his memory back."
"Yeah, and he'll beat the crap out of you once he does. That'll be great to watch." Syl looked very much uncomfortable with the idea. "Ok, so TC's out of the question. Why not do it outside? You were already there anyway…"
"Well, I kind of realised that I didn't want to do this with Max…"
"Ah, a blonde man, I take it. I've heard about your 'escapades', Alec. I personally would have to agree with you there, buddy, but usually, you're not very picky when heat's involved."
"Stop interrupting him, Krit! He's getting to the good part!"
"But why else would he not go with Max? Was it the way she looked? Did you not think she was hot enough? Though you'd probably hump a lamppost, if it's giving out X5's pheromones..."
"Don't be stupid, of course that's not it. But we're never gonna know, if you don't shut up!"
Before Krit could reply – which might bring another round of bickering – Alec spoke up, "No, of course I found her very attractive. And in terms of personal preference, you know, blondes, brunettes, redheads, I'd say bring 'em all. As long as a woman's got a mouth skilful enough to…"
Alec and Krit's shared snigger was muted when Syl gave both of them a very stern look.
"Right. Uh, as I was saying, Maxie was looking very appealing and very willing and all, but then, it just kind of hit me. She'll hate me if we did this. So I peeled her off of me."
Syl and Krit just stood dumbstruck for a while. They didn't know how to react to that one.
"So let me get this straight, you said no to her because you actually like her??"
"Well, not like her, like her. I just kind of think of her as family."
"What, like she's your sister?"
"No, more like a very bitchy sister-in-law."
"Alec, I hate to break this to you, but Max isn't your sister. Ben was her brother, but that's only 'cause he grew up with her. And I really doubt that even he would resist her if she went in heat with him..." which received a nod from Krit. "You, on the other hand, are perfectly free to 'bang' her." Syl made quotation marks with her hands.
"I know. It'd just be wrong if I took advantage of her like that. I know that we were both affected, but she would've never gone for it if we weren't."
Once again, Alec was met with silence. He was just about to say something totally smart-allecky to break the mood, when Syl spoke up. "Well, then I'm glad that you were there with her." She squeezed one of his shoulders.
"Yeah, Alec, you've got my mark." Krit nodded at him.
Alec felt like now was time for a smart-alleck comment. "So you guys really don't mind if I get it on with Max?"
"Oh I don't know. I'm still her brother, you know. So 'if you ever hurt her, I'll kiss your ass!!'" this time Krit managed to do a perfect impression of Zack.
And that was it. Now, three days later, Max still hasn't shown up. Syl is starting to worry and is telling Dix to set up an untraceable line to call OC.
Krit thinks that Max might've met an ordinary on her way and – due to a potential lack of satisfaction that comes with ordinaries – is still scouring the street for another mate. He keeps shooting looks at Alec that seems to say, "You know, if you'd done it with her, her heat would've been over in a day and Syl wouldn't be driving everyone crazy with her concern." Alec just shrugs at him.
He's actually enjoying Krit's company. Ever since he got out of Manticore, Alec had never had a fellow male X5 that he could bond with (Well, actually, he hadn't been bonding with many other X5s ever since he screwed up. After the Berrisford mission, Alec was separated from his unit and spent most of his time either in psy-ops or solitary confinement). Biggs was from his old unit who he caught up with after the escape. But of course, any kind of bonding was cut short when Biggs got lynched by the mob. In a way, Krit reminds him of Biggs. He has this juvenile attitude that Alec can definitely relate to. And he seems to share Alec's light-hearted humor. Huh, Max must've inherited her bitchiness from the other side of the family.
Syl, similarly, doesn't seem to possess Max's penchant to snipe at most people, in general, and him, in particular. She is a bit bossy but at least she appreciates Alec's sense of humor. And it doesn't hurt that she's pretty hot. Haha, take that Max! Seriously though, Syl's pretty cool. I'm just wondering if anything's going on between her and Krit, since neither of them is so opposed to the idea of 'incestuous' sex. Except for Max and Krit, that is. Alec shudders again. Why is THAT so weird??
Alec glances at Syl and Krit. The three of them are currently in Max's office, huddled over a map of TC, trying to come up with living quarters arrangement that will minimise electricity and water. Ok, they look comfortable enough. No sexual tension there. Maybe they are just really brother and sister... Or MAYBE, they have no sexual tension 'cause they're comfortable enough to have sex and not have the tension. Interesting… Max would've probably said something like, "Spare me from your sick thoughts, Alec", if he told her.
Just then Max walks in the door. HQ immediately fell silent. Mole aptly remarks through a mouthful of cigar, "Look what the cat dragged in."
Max looks very uncomfortable with everyone knowing what just went on with her. She avoids everyone's eyes and walks quickly toward Syl and Krit.
Krit yells out to everyone before shutting the door of Max's office, "Ok, show's over, people. Get back to work. Nothing to see here…"
Max hears Dix and Luke saying it's good to have her back, but she just nods at them.
Syl immediately hugs her, "Are you ok, Maxie? What happened? Did you get in trouble? Did you reach your friend's place ok?"
Max looks at Syl. She looks so worried. Syl has always looked out for her every time Zack or Tinga weren't there. One time, back at Manticore, Max got the seizures while her unit was split up for a routine training through the woods. Neither Zack nor Tinga were with her, but Syl reacted immediately by holding her still and giving her the Tryptophan that Zane had managed to smuggle out of the infirmary. Max smiles at that recollection.
She then turns toward big brother. Despite his cheery face, Krit looks equally concerned. Krit has always been able to make her smile. Even though he's older, he's never overbearing like Zack or charismatic like Ben. Sometimes, Max even feels like she's the big sister. She remembers one time when she was five, Krit had fallen during a routine march and cut his left shin. She had to hug him to prevent him from crying (it was never allowed at Manticore, with the penalty of solitary discipline) while Brin bandaged the wound.
Looking at him now, Max feels really thankful to have her family there with her. She doesn't know how she managed to survive all those years without them. Zack should've never separated us. We would've survived together. Ben wouldn't have started killing, Brin would've never been captured, and Tinga wouldn't have died. And Zack… well, he wouldn't have to give his heart for me. But I guess he did what he thought was best for our survival…
Max's eyes then caught Alec's. He's standing a bit behind her siblings, clearly uncomfortable at seeing her for the first time since their last – rather passionate – parting. Oh God, what we did, what I said, what we *almost* did. I can't believe I was all over ALEC like that. What the hell was I thinking?
Her more rational part answers. You were in heat, honey. Don't beat yourself up. You couldn't control yourself as much as he couldn't.
But he could, though. He resisted me. Oh God, if he hadn't, we would have…
Why? Why could he control himself and I couldn't?!?
Alec, meanwhile, looks awkwardly at Max. So far, she's done nothing but smiled timidly at her siblings. Her eyes lock with his for a second before she turns away. She looks really confused. Please say something, Max!
Alec has expected a barrage of shouting directed his way as soon as Max comes back: 'Why the hell did you let anything happen?!? Why didn't you stop it sooner?!? I'm so going to kick your ass, Alec!!!'. If she'd yelled at him, Alec would've been fine. It would've been typical Max; something's wrong, blame Alec. He can deal with that. Now, though, her silence just unnerves him. He's about to say something to deliberately rattle her when she suddenly looks up.
"Yeah, I'm fine. 'crashed at OC's then went back here. No hitch," she answers Syl's earlier question. Then she suddenly stands up, awkwardly avoiding everyone's gazes, particularly Alec's, and mutters, "Uh, I'm gonna bounce. Gotta see Joshua, tell him I'm back. He must be really worried." She walks quickly toward the door.
"You sure you're ok, Maxie?" Krit calls out to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll hook up with you later," she says before shutting the door behind her.
The three remaining transgenics look at each other.
"You think I should go after her?" Alec asks.
"No, leave her alone. She needs to think things through." Krit goes back to the map.
"I'll talk to her later," Syl puts in before joining Krit.
"You? Why do you get to talk to her?" Krit looks up at her.
"Well, I am her sister. And what Max needs right now is a little heart-to-heart with her amazingly insightful big sister."
"'Insightful'? Yeah, right…"
"Shut up, don't underestimate me. There are some things a girl can only share with her sister. I mean, what can you say, Krit, 'Max, heat is bad, but you can't help it, so might as well enjoy it'?
"Well, maybe not in those words…" Krit says quietly.
"No, what she needs is someone who's gone through the same thing." Syl turns to Alec, who's looking really caught up in his own thoughts, "Don't worry, I'll get you back in her good, err, tolerant side in no time."
Alec just mumbles a "thanks" and lets Syl drag him back to their map. God I hope she's right... Funny, I never thought I'd actually miss Max's overused ass-kicking threats.
A/N: Ok, what do you think of Syl and Krit? I have a confession to make. The only DA ep that I haven't seen is 'Jesus brought a Casserole'. So I actually have never seen Syl or Krit (except in Ashantai's website at – check it out, btw, it's great. I got lots of info from that) and have even no more idea what they're like (but, as I read in the abovementioned site, their lines didn't tell anything about their characters anyway). Therefore, I've taken great liberty in creating their characters. One anonymous reviewer thought that they'd be more of a thrill-seeker and mischievous, and I gotta say that I agree. Hence my Syl and Krit. Tell me what you think 'k?
I'm also thinking of bringing back some of Max's siblings – I just adore them. Who do ya think it should be and why? Also what should I do with White? Suggestions are very much welcome coz I've only gotten to the middle of the next chapter.