Lucy
Chapter Twelve
Redeemer
Max really did not have time for this. They needed to get out of Terminal City, not battle another misguided transgenic in front of the crowd. The commotion would draw attention to the five of them and thwart any attempt to get Lucy out into safety. Max had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't be able to ask Rissa nicely to step aside and she would with a grin. The whole scenario was lovely, but Max had no delusions about it. She knew Alec would back her up and that Biggs would stay with Lucy. Maybe Biggs would be able to slip past them. If Max engaged the opposing transgenic, it would distract Rissa enough to get the others safely out. Under normal circumstances, Max would use hand signals and clicks to convey her message to Alec and Biggs. Unfortunately, in this case, the opposite side would know what she was instructing. A minor set back since they were battling their kind. Max glanced back at the boys, and hoped that her look was enough. She was fairly in tune with the two X5's. They'd spent a lot of time together over the last few months and Max felt that Alec understood her pretty well. Even though she fought the idea of Alec understanding what she felt and thought, he did. And Biggs understood Alec. So by the chain of understanding, they'd be able to defeat Rissa and get Lucy out of T.C. Alec nodded imperceptibly, setting up in fighting stance. Biggs tightened his grip on Lucy, making sure he would be able to protect her from where he was. Max straightened her back, stiffening in preparation for a much larger battle than she wanted to face. Rissa Alienne's face was twisted in anger now, glad to finally face the woman who burned down her home. Manticore had been a good place to be. She'd known her place there. She was an excellent soldier, an even better spy. Most people didn't pay attention to her, though, but in a way, she demanded respect. She'd always received it. A lot of transgenics respected her as well. She was well known amongst her unit and she'd worked her way up into Second-In-Command. She'd sincerely enjoyed that position and she and her commander were away on a mission when X5-452 had been captured. The capture had been well known around the transgenic world, to have an '09 escapee was an impressive feat. 452 had managed to escape and she blew up their home. How could she have done that? Some transgenics said it was to give them all a chance at a normal life. Life was good at Manticore. How would 452 know the difference? She hadn't ever been at Manticore when it mattered. It outraged Rissa to no end and then she found out the transgenics had named her some kind of savior. Well, news flash. X5-452 was nowhere near being a redeemer. Rissa was going to fix the entire mess. It was her job to. She was delighted to see Max fall into fighting position.
"So, we're not going to chat about this? I thought that's what you liked to do, 452. Talk about everything."
"Where did you get that impression?"
And with that, Max attacked. She punched Rissa under the chin with her elbow. Rissa flew back and flipped mid-air, whipping her legs around to hit Max in the jaw. Max glared at her opponent, before running at her full force. The two collided, a strange show of power surging through the air. Alec stayed back, realizing that this was Max's fight. Biggs was waiting impatiently for Max to guide Rissa away from the opening. Max ducked under Rissa's leg and brought her leg up into a drop kick. Rissa yelled out, but didn't stop. Max ran over to the side of the garage and Biggs took the opportunity to drive off with Lucy in front of him. Alec made sure Rissa made no move towards the two, but she seemed completely occupied with Max. That was when he knew Max would win. If Rissa had to put that much concentration in one little fight with Max Guevera, she would definitely lose. Max twisted Rissa's arm behind her back, almost far enough to break it. She pushed Rissa down and put her knee directly in the center of her back. She looked over at Alec. "I think we have our first prisoner. Unfortunately, it's one of ours."
Alec grabbed Rissa up, disgusted. He pushed her on down the hall, unsure of what he was supposed to do with her. He guessed they would have to make one of the rooms a temporary holding cell.
Max was in their apartment, feeling lonely. Lucy was gone. Biggs was gone. And Alec was nowhere to be found. Maybe he was giving Rissa some pointers on how to beat her. She stretched out on the couch, trying to decide what she was supposed to do next. Go see Lucy? Attack the Familiars? Attack the National Guard? Talk to Detective Clemente? Call Logan? Well, no. There would be no calling Logan. At the moment, she felt like she could sleep for a week. She rarely got tired, but when she did, she was exhausted. They'd have to make another run with suppliers. Tryptophan was low. Again. There was just a never-ending circle of problems for her. It seemed like a few days ago, they'd met with Alec's 'trustworthy' suppliers. They were back where they'd started. She groaned in frustration and turned on her side. It was then that Alec entered the apartment. "Hey, Maxie. Rissa Alienne's all boxed up and packaged neatly. I don't think she'll get out any time soon. Our first prisoner in our first jail. I've got some guards on her; so don't worry about her escaping. You know, you did some pretty good fighting out there."
"I guess." Max curled into a ball, clutching their one pillow on the couch. Alec tilted his head, watching her closely. "You all right?"
"Yeah. I'm always all right."
There was that phrase that seemed to always pop up between the two of them. Alec smirked lightly before going to the couch. He lifted her head up and settled in underneath it. He started to stroke her long brown hair, closing his eyes. Max didn't try to move away from him, she didn't even seem too repulsed. Alec waited for her to elaborate on her comment. "I hope Biggs and Lucy are okay."
"I'm sure they are. Biggs is one of the best transgenics I've ever known and he cares for Lucy. And no one should try to get between the transgenic and the one he loves."
"How would you know that?"
Alec winked at her, deciding that would evade the question and let him keep the family jewels.
"Alec, I'm serious."
"I've just seen dedication between transgenics, okay?" Did she seem hopeful? Her eyes were bright and milky chocolate, her long black lashes framing her eyes perfectly.
"Dedication?"
"Yeah."
Max didn't know what she wanted him to say. That he loved her? Maybe. Maybe not. Did she want to tell him that she loved him? Naw. Even if it was true, she didn't want to tell him that. It was possibly they didn't need the words, not yet. Alec leaned down slowly, tilting Max's head up toward him. He covered her mouth with his, savoring the kiss. It may be his only chance to kiss her. Max didn't pull away. She didn't even seem put off by the kiss. When they pulled apart, they were both gasping for air. Surprisingly, Max didn't punch him. She didn't even want to. She cuddled into Alec, closing her eyes. She would go find Lucy and Biggs tomorrow. But for now, she would sleep. Alec shut his eyes, a small smile dancing on his lips. This day might not have sucked as bad as he'd thought.