The meaning of the runes

By Sinful Starlet

Disclaimer: everybody! "Not mine, never will be, wish it was, etc etc"!

Rating: PG-13 / R - I'll warn in advance of any rating changes

Summary: Alternate take on events around and following 'Love Amongst the Runes' - certain aspects of the storylines around that time really bugged me! Basically Max discovers the runes, but they aren't quite as unique as she thought. What do they mean and what will that revelation mean to her and the ones she loves?

Author's note: Right - chapter two. So Max needs someone to take some pictures of her runes - who's she gonna call? Basically this chapter is me fixing a moment from the TV series that just really didn't work for me. Be warned - rant ahead. At the beginning of 'Freak Nation', Max needs pictures of her runes taking so she goes to Logan?!!! The same Logan she's just supposedly 'broken up' with? The same Logan who has to wear like four layers of gloves and douse his hands in bleach afterwards, just so he's able to touch her? I'm not saying in the context of the show, it would make any more sense for her to go to Alec (esp. if you're an M/L shipper) but hey - this isn't the show, it's my story and this is the way I would have done that scene. Anyway, thank you if you actually bothered to read all that, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! *SS*

2

Alec picked up the camera and followed her over to her bed, squashing the deluge of highly inappropriate thoughts that were flooding his mind at that moment. However much certain parts of him wanted to take advantage of the situation, he wouldn't do it, he couldn't, not with her. So he just sat down on the corner of the bed, shrugging out of his jacket and picking up the camera again as she stopped in front of him. "Ready when you are", he said, his voice sounding less casual than he would have liked.

Max struggled internally for a moment, but eventually conquered her inhibitions and started unbuttoning her shirt again. She had to look down though as she let it slide off her shoulders, not able to look him in the eye just then. It was probably just as well, because the reaction on Alec's face was probably not what she was looking for right now. "Right", Alec said eventually, getting her attention, "well I can see why you didn't want to do this at the command centre anyway!"

He considered it something of an achievement to have said anything at that moment, let alone saying something that actually made her smile. Taking off her shirt, she was now clad only in very low cut jeans and a black bra. Forcing himself to remember why he was there, he stopped taking in the honey silk of her skin and looked at the runes. He was surprised at how many of the groupings there were, he counted seventeen just across her torso and arms. He reached for the camera and stood up, walking closer to her. Max flinched a little as his fingers touched her skin, and he hesitated for a second.

"It's fine", Max said, lying through her teeth, "cold hands, that's all". Alec rolled his eyes and propped the camera under his arm while he rubbed his hands together for a second. "Better?", he asked a moment later as he rested his left hand back on her shoulder. "Mm-hm", Max managed, erring on the non-committal, of course his hands hadn't been cold at all, it had just been a while since any male had been this close to her, and the fact that it was Alec that was here with her was complicating the situation even further.

She suppressed a sigh as his fingers traced over her stomach, moving the top of her jeans a little to get a better view of a particular group of runes, but she recovered quickly as she felt his touch disappear. "That uh, seems to be the lot", Alec said, cursing inwardly as he realised how different his voice was sounding and hoping Max didn't pick up on it. "Not quite", Max said, smiling nervously again as she turned around. This time it was Alec that had to suppress a sigh. Being around Max like this was nothing if not distracting and he figured the sooner he got out of there, the better.

Nevertheless, Max felt the gentle pressure of his hands on her skin again as he started on the new groupings, moving slowly and methodically from one to the next. He almost groaned when he came to a realisation though. "Uh Max?", he said, trying his best to keep his voice level. "Yeah?", she said, turning her head over her shoulder to try and look at him. "I really don't want you to think that this is a line, but your uh, your straps are in the way of some of the runes".

Max breathed deeply before she answered, she had been expecting this, but it didn't make the moment any less uncomfortable. "Hold on a second", she said, turning round and moving past him to lie down on her stomach on the bed. "Go ahead", she said once she was settled. Again, it was probably just as well Max couldn't see Alec's face at that moment, but he took a deep breath and sat down beside her, reaching to unfasten her bra. He stopped instantly though as he heard her laugh softly, "What?" "I was just thinking", she said, turning her face to look at him for a second, "if Normal could see us now…"

"Hmm", Alec said, sharing the joke, "let's not go down that road shall we?" She rolled her eyes and turned her head away again, taking a deep breath herself as she crossed her arms under her to hold the front of her bra to her chest. He waited until she was settled then reached for the central clasp again, slowly opening it and easing the straps out of the way. Max lay there, more than a little nervous given their positions at that moment, but she had to admit that she was surprised at the way Alec was reacting to all this. He was so gentle with her, his fingers ghosting over her skin, eliciting responses she was determined not to rationalise at that point in time.

She only came back to reality when she felt him lifting the straps back onto her shoulders and fastening the clasp again, and she felt the bed move as he stood up. "All done", he said, smiling a little nervously, there was nothing of the smart-Alec smirk here, and handing her her shirt. "Thanks", she said, smiling back and sitting up cross-legged on the bed while she buttoned her shirt up again. "Any more?", Alec asked, "Or should I get these over to Logan on the vid link?"

It was said before he realised what he was saying, but they both reacted immediately, Logan's name bringing reality a little too close for comfort. "Uh there's some more on my ankles", Max said, rolling up the legs of her jeans a little so he could see them, and avoiding his gaze as she said, "and maybe I should deal with Logan". "Sure", Alec said quickly, mentally slapping himself for bringing up the guy's name while he was in the middle of something dangerously close to a 'moment' with Max. He captured the last of the runes on her ankles and feet and then handed her the camera.

"I better get going", he said, picking up his jacket and pulling it on, "I'll cover for you with Normal - take as long as you need with…y'know". "Thanks", Max said again, standing up as he moved towards the door and going over to open it for him. "Hey and Alec?", she said, just as he was about to go, "Really, thanks for this - I appreciate it". "No problem", Alec said, managing something like a sincere expression, "you know me Max - I always got your back…", he hesitated for a moment, just long enough for her to misinterpret before the trademark smirk made it's appearance, "…and your front, and your feet and--".

"Hey!", she said, cutting him off and punching him in the arm. "Couldn't resist", Alec said, laughing, "and ow, by the way!" "Suck it up soldier!", Max joked back, laughing a little herself, "I'll catch up with you later ok?" Alec nodded, smiling once more as he made his way down the corridor outside her room, towards the stairs down to street level. He chanced a look back just before he turned the corner, but Max had already closed the door. Well, it had certainly been an interesting morning!

Okay, I know that was kinda short, but it just seemed like a good place to stop for the time being! Hope ya liked it anyway *SS*