Onto Seattle
Max awoke to the smell of smoke. As trained, she instantly went on alert. She was unsure of where she was or how she got there. She reviewed her surroundings, mostly rocky, sparse trees and bushes, and a fire. She quickly rose and stealthily worked her way to the fire pit being tended by...
"So you decided to wake up. Are you hungry? I caught a rabbit and it's almost done. You look cold. I also was able to get some clothing and shoes for you. They are not the leather that you look so good in, but I figured you would be more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt than in the tank top and panties that you have on. Of course, I wouldn't mind if you didn't change... Max, what's wrong?"
She caught herself looking at him. He was definitely X5, but she couldn't quite place him. His language patterns were so familiar toward her. "Who is Max?"
Alec looked at her stance and decided he had better ease her mind before she decided he was a threat. He raised his hands and put down the stick he was using to stoke the fire, to prove he was not a threat. "You are Max. Do you remember me?"
"My designation is X5-452, you are X5 also."
"X5-891, but my 'name' is Alec. Your 'name' is Max."
"You seem familiar. Where are we?"
"We are just outside Manticore property. Here, let me show you something." Alec noticed she relaxed a bit when he mentioned their proximity to Manticore. He led her to the crest of the ridge. From there they were able to overlook the Manticore property. Although the flames had since been extinguished, there was still buildings smoldering and smoke continued to billow from the rubble. Alec watched Max as she reviewed the destruction of Manticore.
"Manticore has been attacked. What are our orders?"
"Manticore was attacked and defeated. There are no more orders. We will no longer take any orders."
"There are always orders, standing orders in case of this situation, we should..."
Alec took hold of her shoulders and she faced him. "There are no more orders. We are the attackers, not the attackees. The transgenics lead the attack. We decided we would not take any more orders. Max, you started this revolution over a year ago."
"I started...?"
"Max, when you were 10, you and 11 other X-5's escaped. About 11 years later, you were recaptured and reoriented. Six months ago, you escaped again. You were recaptured because they kidnapped your friend as a lure. You returned to help her. When I found you, during our attack, you were undergoing reorientation again. They would have killed you if the electricity had not gone off. Max, you are free. There is no more Manticore."
"Manticore is not just a place, the director and her bosses are still out there, and they will want to bring us back."
"The director is dead. I didn't see it, but it looked as if you killed her. Her bosses are politicians. They will probably deny anything ever happened here, or say they were unaware. You know, plausible deniability."
"Manticore is gone. We can go and do anything!" Max relaxes as the feeling of freedom sinks in. "Where... how do we know where to go?"
"Well, every time you returned, you talked about Seattle, you could start there."
"It might help me to remember by going somewhere I have been. Where will you go?"
"I would like to go... with you... if that's OK."
"I don't need to be babysat, you don't have to stay with me."
"No... I know... I want to be with you. I have wanted this for a long time. Max... you have wanted it too." Then saying to himself, 'OK Alec. That may be stretching it a bit, but I love her and I know if I can keep Logan out of the picture, she will learn to love me too. We could have a great life together. Out there!'
Both are quiet, watching the smoldering buildings. Max breaks the silence, "OK then, lets go!"
Hold on, I have dinner here, remember. You may have just awaken but it will be better to travel during the day and sunset is in an hour. We can plan our route and timing is not critical... the trip is long. So, let's not rush into it. Let's at least eat first."
"You're right! Anyway, the rabbit smells good!"
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Cindy paced the apartment. 'Should I or not?' She had been in Seattle over three weeks. She had heard about the 'Military Retirement Facility's destruction in Wyoming. She halfway expected Max to show up at her doorway a few days after she herself got back. But it's been over three weeks and there was no sign of Max, or Cindy's 'tail.' She knew she had been followed into Seattle, but she soon became aware that he had left. Cindy was ready to go to Oregon. She didn't like being alone. She had told herself she would leave this morning, and she was ready. Max had told her to wait at least a month. 'Should I or not? Yes. I am ready; Max probably went right to Oregon anyway. There would be no risk after the destruction of Manticore, would there?' Cindy picked up her backpack, looked around the room and left. She took the Ninja and sped out of town.
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Alec sat on the ridge overlooking the first sector checkpoint that would lead into Seattle. Max was out snooping around to get a feel of the land, falling back on her Manticore training. Alec sat, talking to himself, 'Alec, we could have gone anywhere, why did you lead her to Seattle? Once there, she will remember Logan and she will again leave you.' Alec had felt closer to Max than ever before. Their travels together had been relaxed and friendly. She hadn't remembered much, but he felt the familiarity in Seattle would change all that, especially if they run into 'Logan.' 'Would she remember him? Would she want to be with him? Of course she would, Alec. She loves him; she always has and always will. Why would she want to be with me over him... he's... he's...'
"Hey there soldier, are you sleeping or what?"
"No, No... just watching the guard. Did you come up with a plan?"
"Sure, if we scale this end of the ridge, we can jump over to the tree, shimmy down and we are inside. How about that?"
"Good plan, these guys down there don't look like they are too active. Even if they see us, they can't catch us, and they probably won't even try."
"OK, are you ready? Let's go."
Together they made their way to the ridge. Alec led and Max followed. They inched their way over the ridge, slowly making their way to the tree. Alec jumped first, into the high branches of the tree. His footing was solid, but the tree waved with the increased weight and velocity of his jump. When Alec reinforced his footing, he signaled to Max. Max jumped, but was unable to secure the proper footing. She slipped a few branches, clinging to Alec's legs and holding his extended hand. This caused leaves, branches and some fruit to drop. Suddenly, an at-lunch guard resting under the tree looked up. Max and Alec remained still, only Alec's footing kept them from falling.
"What's going on up there?... Stupid squirrels! Everyday you upset my lunch break. Go play somewhere else!"
Alec and Max remained still while watching the guard pick up his lunch and return to duty. Slowly, Max lowered herself to find sure footing. Then she lowered herself to the ground. Once there, she lay in the high grass and signaled for Alec to descend. Slowly he inched down from the uppermost limbs of the tree. About halfway there, when trying to find his next footing, the branch he held snapped. Alec fell quickly to the ground, on top of Max, who was watching the roaming of the off duty guard. As quick as possible, Alec hid in the grass with Max, his arms around her, muting her astonishment. The guard stopped and turned. Max and Alec clung to each other hoping the length of the grass hid them. They watched the guard's movements, ready to spring up as soon as necessary. "Dam squirrels." Yelled the guard. Max and Alec watched him turn and return to the guard station.
As soon as the guard was no longer a threat, Max and Alec rose and started to run, not stopping until they were well past the checkpoint. They ran into an old barn to make sure they were not spotted as they rested. Max stopped and looked at Alec, "What the hell did you think you were doing back there? You were supposed to know where the guards were! Did you want to get caught?"
"Yeah right. He was sleeping under the tree 'you' picked to jump into. I was watching the guards at the station."
"Don't lay this on me..."
Alec looked at Max as she yelled at him. Her eyes were flashing, vibrant brown. Her muscles tense, her lips... 'Only one way to calm those lips,' he thought. Alec stepped closer to her and grasped the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. A needful kiss that was long overdue in Alec's opinion.
Max, stunned at first by his actions, jerked hard against his hold on her. Their lips parted and their eyes locked. "We were made for each other, Max. Don't you feel the connection?" He leaned in, again taking her lips with his. This time the kiss was soft and gentle. Max melted into his embrace and returned the kiss. This time Alec moved away. Alec led her to a stall of hay and they both sat.
Alec broke the extended silence. "Max, I am not going to rush you. We have been together a long time. Manticore did make us to be together... to be partners. But there is something more. I have loved you for a long time. I don't expect you to remember everything all at once, but I hope you will eventually remember the feelings you had for me." Alec continued to stroke her arms and her face while he talked. Keeping eye contact the whole time.
"I do feel something for you, Alec. When you kissed me, it felt... good."
"I won't rush you Max, I don't want to scare you away. You need to tell me when you are ready."
Max reached out to touch his cheek. The beard that grew, from lack of shaving during their journey, was soft. Her touch brought heat to the surface of his skin. "There is so much I need to remember about us, about me. I don't know how long it will take. Alec, we have been together twenty days now. What I do know, you are kind and giving and a protector. From what you told me, it sounds like you risked your life to pull me out of that lab. There is nothing you can do that would scare me away."
"But Max..."
Max did not allow him to voice his rebuttal. She raised herself onto her knees and straddled his legs. Her hands held his head and her mouth covered his.
Alec quickly joined with Max's movements. His arms wrapped around her and his hands moved down her back and caressed her buttocks, pulling her closer. Alec moved his tongue to part her lips and he entered her mouth. Max, spurred into action, parried her tongue with his. She wrapped her legs around his waist so she was sitting in his lap. Alex moved his hand up her waist to rest on her breasts. 'Perfect breasts.' He thought. 'They fit into my hands just so.' He lifted and removed her shirt. He took the first breast into his mouth and started to play with the already hardened nipples. Max moaned at this action. Her head lolled backwards and Alec laid her on her back. He knelt between her parted legs and continued to play with both breasts.
Max's hands moved to remove Alec's shirt. Her hands touched each muscle, making them contract.
"Max," Alec looked directly into her deep brown eyes. "Max, if you are going to ask me to stop... now is the time. I don't know if I can stop if we go any further."
"Don't stop Alec." This was all the encouragement he needed. The remaining clothes were easily removed.
'She is beautiful, her body is soft and curvy and responsive.' Alec thought as hands and tongue explored every inch of her exquisite body. She moans as his hands move from her breast to her abdomen, to her thighs and between her legs. "Let me in Max... spread your legs for me." Alec said lustily.
Max complied with the order. His hands began to explore. She moaned deeper as he found the spot that would bring her to ecstasy. His fingers went further into her soft, warm depths. She was already wet and waiting for his insertion. He bent over to taste the sweet wetness. As his tongue explored, dipped and tickled her, Max suddenly felt trapped. Unable to reconcile this feeling to the man mounting her, she allowed the actions to continue. 'This man is caring and loving, he won't hurt me. He would not have started if I had not allowed it.'
Alec moved atop Max. His eyes looked directly into her. As he hovered over her, Max looked at his expression and saw what she thought was triumph and power.
Alec looked at her and hesitated. Her expression was not what he expected. She looked reticent and a bit fearful. He had given her a chance. He would not stop now. He thrust into her.
Max responded to his thrusts and movements, hoping this would quicken the course of his actions. Alec took her movements to be evidence of her agreement to their coupling. His thrusts became fervent and powerful. His hands held Max in place so he would experience the greatest pleasure.
Max looked at him. His actions were fierce and instinctive. She tried to move to increase her pleasure, but his hands clamped over her shoulders. His weight and force clamped her into place. His strength in this feral state precluded any resistance from her. She closed her eyes. With his climax she felt its stickiness inside and out. The volume of fluid filled her and seeped out, yet Alec's muscles continued to contract. Eventually he collapsed on top of Max, and lay seemingly unconscious.
Max lay underneath him for quite some time. So much of this experience seemed familiar, but she could not 'see' the actual memory. She did know the feelings of being trapped and claimed, and having to acquiesce to a man's power. She reached into her memory. 'Were these feelings connected to Alec?' Somehow she doubted, 'but maybe. Maybe this is normal 'mating' at Manticore. Alec allowed me to choose to start this coupling and even gave me an out in the middle. He obviously cares for me. He...'
Alec suddenly inhaled. Max broke out of her reverie to focus on the man on top of her. "Are you OK? Or do I need to start CPR?" Alec opened his eyes and pushed himself off.
"Did I crush you? And please don't start CPR. Your lips on mine would start this over again and I am definitely not ready for that. Are you OK? You look almost sad."
"No, not sad, just reflective. Lying with you, afterwards, I thought I remembered something, but then it was gone."
"You remembered me?"
"No... I mean only feelings, could have been you... or us... I don't know."
"We could talk about it, if you want. I don't think I will be able to move much, for a while."
Max looked at him; he was lounging in delightful numbness. This could not be the man that produced the memory, the feeling. But was she ready to talk about it? She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "As much as I would like to talk right now, I need to find a body of water. Between the hike, the tree, the hay and you, I am probably the dirtiest girl ever. I will be back."
Max rose and felt Alec's eyes on her body. Before she left the barn, he called to her, "Max. You may be the dirtiest, but you are the most sexy and beautiful woman I have ever known."
They exchanged smiles and Max left the barn. --------------------------------------------------------------
Cindy stopped in the driveway and stepped off the bike. 'I followed the directions perfectly.' She rolled up the driveway to an old cabin that looked like it hadn't seen any activity for years. 'Maybe I turned east instead of west, or went through 2 lights instead of 3 or...'
She felt the barrel of the gun held at her back and she froze. "Keep your hands where I can see them and take off the helmet." She followed the order and slowly turned.
"Its me Logan, Max got me out."
They stared at each other, and then embraced. "Cindy, I wasn't sure... I saw the bike, but... I am so glad you are safe, and made it here safe."
"Calm down Logan. Did Max make it here yet?"
"She's out? You know she's out?"
"No, I don't know, but Manticore was destroyed. She has to be out... or..."
"Cindy, come on in, tell me what you know and I will do the same. Anyway, Zachary will be awake for feeding soon. You need to meet him."
Logan led her into the cabin. There was a distinct change from the shabby outside to the immaculately clean interior. "Been a little bit bored Logan? Or did you hire a cleaning service?"
"Well, yeah, I guess, bored would be the answer. But, the place has to be clean for whenever Zachary decides to stay awake between feedings."
"OK, OK, just pulling your leg there. It looks great. And babies do sleep a lot."
They both sat on opposite ends of the couch. "Well, at least I understand the 'parents joke' now. You know the one, 'All they do is eat, sleep and p..."
"Yeah, Yeah. I get it. How's he doing?"
"I guess I expected a little less sleep, since he takes after Max so much. Cindy he is beautiful, dark skin and eyes. When you hold him... its hard to explain. If he is upset, you can feel it, it's raw energy that builds up in your gut. Then... when he is happy, it's like the feeling you get when the skies open up blue after a long rainstorm. He is definitely Manticore."
"Does he have a barcode?"
"Yeah, he does. Max was hoping he wouldn't, but it showed up about two days after she left. Max will be able to read it, but maybe I will take him to the grocery store next time I go, so I know his designation."
"Yeah, that's funny."
"Cindy, tell me what you know about Manticore."
Cindy and Logan talked. She gave him as much information as possible. "...They took her into custody as I was being chauffeured out of there. There were at least three guns pointed at her. She didn't look stunned at all, they took her away."
"What kind of guns?"
"The kind that kill you if you get too close!"
"Yes, automatic, semi, hand gun, shot gun? What size? A lot of bullets or would they have to reload a lot?"
"Logan, I don't know. They were automatic, but I don't know semi or not. They had cartridges for bullets and I did not think to ask how many bullets per cartridge. But does this matter? Manticore has been destroyed."
"Yes, I heard on the radio. And I have searched the web for information and found none. I went to my hover drone files for pictures and also found none. There is a big cover up going on here. And if Max got out..."
"What do you mean IF? Max got out. She caused it. She got me out, not harmed, not followed. She made that place blow up. She will be here, when she feels it is safe."
Zachary cries in the background.
"Well, there he is now. May I introduce you to Master Zachary Cale?"
"I would be honored." They walk into Logan's bedroom.
"Hey there Zachary. This is your Aunt Cindy. Now you will be able to keep her awake at night as well as me." Zachary smiled and giggled. Logan hands her the baby.
"Oh, Logan he is beautiful. He is perfect." A feeling of warmth surrounds her and her knees go week. Seeing this, Logan quickly takes the baby from her.
"You better start by sitting with him, until you are used to his emotions." While Cindy sat in the rocker, Logan changed Zachary and handed him back to her. I will be right back with the bottle.
Cindy and Logan sat with Zachary, talking, while the baby fed. They talked about Manticore and their future. They agreed to stay in hiding for a year, not knowing if Manticore management was still operational, or looking for the baby. Although not verbally mentioned, each hoped Max would return to them soon. Each held secret doubts about that possibility. Both understood their responsibility to the babe, Zachary and accepted their foster parenthood. Each knew they could count on the other to get through this next year.
Max awoke to the smell of smoke. As trained, she instantly went on alert. She was unsure of where she was or how she got there. She reviewed her surroundings, mostly rocky, sparse trees and bushes, and a fire. She quickly rose and stealthily worked her way to the fire pit being tended by...
"So you decided to wake up. Are you hungry? I caught a rabbit and it's almost done. You look cold. I also was able to get some clothing and shoes for you. They are not the leather that you look so good in, but I figured you would be more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt than in the tank top and panties that you have on. Of course, I wouldn't mind if you didn't change... Max, what's wrong?"
She caught herself looking at him. He was definitely X5, but she couldn't quite place him. His language patterns were so familiar toward her. "Who is Max?"
Alec looked at her stance and decided he had better ease her mind before she decided he was a threat. He raised his hands and put down the stick he was using to stoke the fire, to prove he was not a threat. "You are Max. Do you remember me?"
"My designation is X5-452, you are X5 also."
"X5-891, but my 'name' is Alec. Your 'name' is Max."
"You seem familiar. Where are we?"
"We are just outside Manticore property. Here, let me show you something." Alec noticed she relaxed a bit when he mentioned their proximity to Manticore. He led her to the crest of the ridge. From there they were able to overlook the Manticore property. Although the flames had since been extinguished, there was still buildings smoldering and smoke continued to billow from the rubble. Alec watched Max as she reviewed the destruction of Manticore.
"Manticore has been attacked. What are our orders?"
"Manticore was attacked and defeated. There are no more orders. We will no longer take any orders."
"There are always orders, standing orders in case of this situation, we should..."
Alec took hold of her shoulders and she faced him. "There are no more orders. We are the attackers, not the attackees. The transgenics lead the attack. We decided we would not take any more orders. Max, you started this revolution over a year ago."
"I started...?"
"Max, when you were 10, you and 11 other X-5's escaped. About 11 years later, you were recaptured and reoriented. Six months ago, you escaped again. You were recaptured because they kidnapped your friend as a lure. You returned to help her. When I found you, during our attack, you were undergoing reorientation again. They would have killed you if the electricity had not gone off. Max, you are free. There is no more Manticore."
"Manticore is not just a place, the director and her bosses are still out there, and they will want to bring us back."
"The director is dead. I didn't see it, but it looked as if you killed her. Her bosses are politicians. They will probably deny anything ever happened here, or say they were unaware. You know, plausible deniability."
"Manticore is gone. We can go and do anything!" Max relaxes as the feeling of freedom sinks in. "Where... how do we know where to go?"
"Well, every time you returned, you talked about Seattle, you could start there."
"It might help me to remember by going somewhere I have been. Where will you go?"
"I would like to go... with you... if that's OK."
"I don't need to be babysat, you don't have to stay with me."
"No... I know... I want to be with you. I have wanted this for a long time. Max... you have wanted it too." Then saying to himself, 'OK Alec. That may be stretching it a bit, but I love her and I know if I can keep Logan out of the picture, she will learn to love me too. We could have a great life together. Out there!'
Both are quiet, watching the smoldering buildings. Max breaks the silence, "OK then, lets go!"
Hold on, I have dinner here, remember. You may have just awaken but it will be better to travel during the day and sunset is in an hour. We can plan our route and timing is not critical... the trip is long. So, let's not rush into it. Let's at least eat first."
"You're right! Anyway, the rabbit smells good!"
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Cindy paced the apartment. 'Should I or not?' She had been in Seattle over three weeks. She had heard about the 'Military Retirement Facility's destruction in Wyoming. She halfway expected Max to show up at her doorway a few days after she herself got back. But it's been over three weeks and there was no sign of Max, or Cindy's 'tail.' She knew she had been followed into Seattle, but she soon became aware that he had left. Cindy was ready to go to Oregon. She didn't like being alone. She had told herself she would leave this morning, and she was ready. Max had told her to wait at least a month. 'Should I or not? Yes. I am ready; Max probably went right to Oregon anyway. There would be no risk after the destruction of Manticore, would there?' Cindy picked up her backpack, looked around the room and left. She took the Ninja and sped out of town.
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Alec sat on the ridge overlooking the first sector checkpoint that would lead into Seattle. Max was out snooping around to get a feel of the land, falling back on her Manticore training. Alec sat, talking to himself, 'Alec, we could have gone anywhere, why did you lead her to Seattle? Once there, she will remember Logan and she will again leave you.' Alec had felt closer to Max than ever before. Their travels together had been relaxed and friendly. She hadn't remembered much, but he felt the familiarity in Seattle would change all that, especially if they run into 'Logan.' 'Would she remember him? Would she want to be with him? Of course she would, Alec. She loves him; she always has and always will. Why would she want to be with me over him... he's... he's...'
"Hey there soldier, are you sleeping or what?"
"No, No... just watching the guard. Did you come up with a plan?"
"Sure, if we scale this end of the ridge, we can jump over to the tree, shimmy down and we are inside. How about that?"
"Good plan, these guys down there don't look like they are too active. Even if they see us, they can't catch us, and they probably won't even try."
"OK, are you ready? Let's go."
Together they made their way to the ridge. Alec led and Max followed. They inched their way over the ridge, slowly making their way to the tree. Alec jumped first, into the high branches of the tree. His footing was solid, but the tree waved with the increased weight and velocity of his jump. When Alec reinforced his footing, he signaled to Max. Max jumped, but was unable to secure the proper footing. She slipped a few branches, clinging to Alec's legs and holding his extended hand. This caused leaves, branches and some fruit to drop. Suddenly, an at-lunch guard resting under the tree looked up. Max and Alec remained still, only Alec's footing kept them from falling.
"What's going on up there?... Stupid squirrels! Everyday you upset my lunch break. Go play somewhere else!"
Alec and Max remained still while watching the guard pick up his lunch and return to duty. Slowly, Max lowered herself to find sure footing. Then she lowered herself to the ground. Once there, she lay in the high grass and signaled for Alec to descend. Slowly he inched down from the uppermost limbs of the tree. About halfway there, when trying to find his next footing, the branch he held snapped. Alec fell quickly to the ground, on top of Max, who was watching the roaming of the off duty guard. As quick as possible, Alec hid in the grass with Max, his arms around her, muting her astonishment. The guard stopped and turned. Max and Alec clung to each other hoping the length of the grass hid them. They watched the guard's movements, ready to spring up as soon as necessary. "Dam squirrels." Yelled the guard. Max and Alec watched him turn and return to the guard station.
As soon as the guard was no longer a threat, Max and Alec rose and started to run, not stopping until they were well past the checkpoint. They ran into an old barn to make sure they were not spotted as they rested. Max stopped and looked at Alec, "What the hell did you think you were doing back there? You were supposed to know where the guards were! Did you want to get caught?"
"Yeah right. He was sleeping under the tree 'you' picked to jump into. I was watching the guards at the station."
"Don't lay this on me..."
Alec looked at Max as she yelled at him. Her eyes were flashing, vibrant brown. Her muscles tense, her lips... 'Only one way to calm those lips,' he thought. Alec stepped closer to her and grasped the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. A needful kiss that was long overdue in Alec's opinion.
Max, stunned at first by his actions, jerked hard against his hold on her. Their lips parted and their eyes locked. "We were made for each other, Max. Don't you feel the connection?" He leaned in, again taking her lips with his. This time the kiss was soft and gentle. Max melted into his embrace and returned the kiss. This time Alec moved away. Alec led her to a stall of hay and they both sat.
Alec broke the extended silence. "Max, I am not going to rush you. We have been together a long time. Manticore did make us to be together... to be partners. But there is something more. I have loved you for a long time. I don't expect you to remember everything all at once, but I hope you will eventually remember the feelings you had for me." Alec continued to stroke her arms and her face while he talked. Keeping eye contact the whole time.
"I do feel something for you, Alec. When you kissed me, it felt... good."
"I won't rush you Max, I don't want to scare you away. You need to tell me when you are ready."
Max reached out to touch his cheek. The beard that grew, from lack of shaving during their journey, was soft. Her touch brought heat to the surface of his skin. "There is so much I need to remember about us, about me. I don't know how long it will take. Alec, we have been together twenty days now. What I do know, you are kind and giving and a protector. From what you told me, it sounds like you risked your life to pull me out of that lab. There is nothing you can do that would scare me away."
"But Max..."
Max did not allow him to voice his rebuttal. She raised herself onto her knees and straddled his legs. Her hands held his head and her mouth covered his.
Alec quickly joined with Max's movements. His arms wrapped around her and his hands moved down her back and caressed her buttocks, pulling her closer. Alec moved his tongue to part her lips and he entered her mouth. Max, spurred into action, parried her tongue with his. She wrapped her legs around his waist so she was sitting in his lap. Alex moved his hand up her waist to rest on her breasts. 'Perfect breasts.' He thought. 'They fit into my hands just so.' He lifted and removed her shirt. He took the first breast into his mouth and started to play with the already hardened nipples. Max moaned at this action. Her head lolled backwards and Alec laid her on her back. He knelt between her parted legs and continued to play with both breasts.
Max's hands moved to remove Alec's shirt. Her hands touched each muscle, making them contract.
"Max," Alec looked directly into her deep brown eyes. "Max, if you are going to ask me to stop... now is the time. I don't know if I can stop if we go any further."
"Don't stop Alec." This was all the encouragement he needed. The remaining clothes were easily removed.
'She is beautiful, her body is soft and curvy and responsive.' Alec thought as hands and tongue explored every inch of her exquisite body. She moans as his hands move from her breast to her abdomen, to her thighs and between her legs. "Let me in Max... spread your legs for me." Alec said lustily.
Max complied with the order. His hands began to explore. She moaned deeper as he found the spot that would bring her to ecstasy. His fingers went further into her soft, warm depths. She was already wet and waiting for his insertion. He bent over to taste the sweet wetness. As his tongue explored, dipped and tickled her, Max suddenly felt trapped. Unable to reconcile this feeling to the man mounting her, she allowed the actions to continue. 'This man is caring and loving, he won't hurt me. He would not have started if I had not allowed it.'
Alec moved atop Max. His eyes looked directly into her. As he hovered over her, Max looked at his expression and saw what she thought was triumph and power.
Alec looked at her and hesitated. Her expression was not what he expected. She looked reticent and a bit fearful. He had given her a chance. He would not stop now. He thrust into her.
Max responded to his thrusts and movements, hoping this would quicken the course of his actions. Alec took her movements to be evidence of her agreement to their coupling. His thrusts became fervent and powerful. His hands held Max in place so he would experience the greatest pleasure.
Max looked at him. His actions were fierce and instinctive. She tried to move to increase her pleasure, but his hands clamped over her shoulders. His weight and force clamped her into place. His strength in this feral state precluded any resistance from her. She closed her eyes. With his climax she felt its stickiness inside and out. The volume of fluid filled her and seeped out, yet Alec's muscles continued to contract. Eventually he collapsed on top of Max, and lay seemingly unconscious.
Max lay underneath him for quite some time. So much of this experience seemed familiar, but she could not 'see' the actual memory. She did know the feelings of being trapped and claimed, and having to acquiesce to a man's power. She reached into her memory. 'Were these feelings connected to Alec?' Somehow she doubted, 'but maybe. Maybe this is normal 'mating' at Manticore. Alec allowed me to choose to start this coupling and even gave me an out in the middle. He obviously cares for me. He...'
Alec suddenly inhaled. Max broke out of her reverie to focus on the man on top of her. "Are you OK? Or do I need to start CPR?" Alec opened his eyes and pushed himself off.
"Did I crush you? And please don't start CPR. Your lips on mine would start this over again and I am definitely not ready for that. Are you OK? You look almost sad."
"No, not sad, just reflective. Lying with you, afterwards, I thought I remembered something, but then it was gone."
"You remembered me?"
"No... I mean only feelings, could have been you... or us... I don't know."
"We could talk about it, if you want. I don't think I will be able to move much, for a while."
Max looked at him; he was lounging in delightful numbness. This could not be the man that produced the memory, the feeling. But was she ready to talk about it? She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "As much as I would like to talk right now, I need to find a body of water. Between the hike, the tree, the hay and you, I am probably the dirtiest girl ever. I will be back."
Max rose and felt Alec's eyes on her body. Before she left the barn, he called to her, "Max. You may be the dirtiest, but you are the most sexy and beautiful woman I have ever known."
They exchanged smiles and Max left the barn. --------------------------------------------------------------
Cindy stopped in the driveway and stepped off the bike. 'I followed the directions perfectly.' She rolled up the driveway to an old cabin that looked like it hadn't seen any activity for years. 'Maybe I turned east instead of west, or went through 2 lights instead of 3 or...'
She felt the barrel of the gun held at her back and she froze. "Keep your hands where I can see them and take off the helmet." She followed the order and slowly turned.
"Its me Logan, Max got me out."
They stared at each other, and then embraced. "Cindy, I wasn't sure... I saw the bike, but... I am so glad you are safe, and made it here safe."
"Calm down Logan. Did Max make it here yet?"
"She's out? You know she's out?"
"No, I don't know, but Manticore was destroyed. She has to be out... or..."
"Cindy, come on in, tell me what you know and I will do the same. Anyway, Zachary will be awake for feeding soon. You need to meet him."
Logan led her into the cabin. There was a distinct change from the shabby outside to the immaculately clean interior. "Been a little bit bored Logan? Or did you hire a cleaning service?"
"Well, yeah, I guess, bored would be the answer. But, the place has to be clean for whenever Zachary decides to stay awake between feedings."
"OK, OK, just pulling your leg there. It looks great. And babies do sleep a lot."
They both sat on opposite ends of the couch. "Well, at least I understand the 'parents joke' now. You know the one, 'All they do is eat, sleep and p..."
"Yeah, Yeah. I get it. How's he doing?"
"I guess I expected a little less sleep, since he takes after Max so much. Cindy he is beautiful, dark skin and eyes. When you hold him... its hard to explain. If he is upset, you can feel it, it's raw energy that builds up in your gut. Then... when he is happy, it's like the feeling you get when the skies open up blue after a long rainstorm. He is definitely Manticore."
"Does he have a barcode?"
"Yeah, he does. Max was hoping he wouldn't, but it showed up about two days after she left. Max will be able to read it, but maybe I will take him to the grocery store next time I go, so I know his designation."
"Yeah, that's funny."
"Cindy, tell me what you know about Manticore."
Cindy and Logan talked. She gave him as much information as possible. "...They took her into custody as I was being chauffeured out of there. There were at least three guns pointed at her. She didn't look stunned at all, they took her away."
"What kind of guns?"
"The kind that kill you if you get too close!"
"Yes, automatic, semi, hand gun, shot gun? What size? A lot of bullets or would they have to reload a lot?"
"Logan, I don't know. They were automatic, but I don't know semi or not. They had cartridges for bullets and I did not think to ask how many bullets per cartridge. But does this matter? Manticore has been destroyed."
"Yes, I heard on the radio. And I have searched the web for information and found none. I went to my hover drone files for pictures and also found none. There is a big cover up going on here. And if Max got out..."
"What do you mean IF? Max got out. She caused it. She got me out, not harmed, not followed. She made that place blow up. She will be here, when she feels it is safe."
Zachary cries in the background.
"Well, there he is now. May I introduce you to Master Zachary Cale?"
"I would be honored." They walk into Logan's bedroom.
"Hey there Zachary. This is your Aunt Cindy. Now you will be able to keep her awake at night as well as me." Zachary smiled and giggled. Logan hands her the baby.
"Oh, Logan he is beautiful. He is perfect." A feeling of warmth surrounds her and her knees go week. Seeing this, Logan quickly takes the baby from her.
"You better start by sitting with him, until you are used to his emotions." While Cindy sat in the rocker, Logan changed Zachary and handed him back to her. I will be right back with the bottle.
Cindy and Logan sat with Zachary, talking, while the baby fed. They talked about Manticore and their future. They agreed to stay in hiding for a year, not knowing if Manticore management was still operational, or looking for the baby. Although not verbally mentioned, each hoped Max would return to them soon. Each held secret doubts about that possibility. Both understood their responsibility to the babe, Zachary and accepted their foster parenthood. Each knew they could count on the other to get through this next year.