Chapter 4 - Enter Max
Max and Original Cindy had met up as planned and decided to kick it at Crash for a while. As they went down the steps that led into the bar, she was still telling OC about the mission and Alec's startling revelation.
"But Biggs??? You sure Alec wasn't tripping boo?" Original Cindy enquired.
"I wish. It's not like I don't have enough to deal with already," she said with a sour expression.
"Oh yes," said Original Cindy in fake sympathy. "Two fine transgenic boys at your beck and call, both with looks to die for. Poor little you. Sugar, I'm just about the only girl in here who wouldn't gladly take you on for a chance at one of that pair. Well, except maybe for that honey over there" she added, with a flirtatious smile at the redhead over by the pool table who responded with a smile and a finger wave.
"Alec's not at my beck and call," Max said sullenly. "He just enjoys torturing me. He's sick like that. Did I tell you what he said when we were on the mission earlier...?"
"Yes, you did, Max and speak of the devils, there's your boys," OC said, gesturing towards the bar and cutting her off. As Original Cindy knew from experience, when Max got started on the favourite subject of Alec and his many faults, she could be talking for quite a time. Max turned and saw the two male X5s engrossed deep in conversation. "Later, girl" OC said, moving off towards the pool tables where Sketchy was trying to pick up the girl who had waved at Cindy earlier.
Max swallowed, walked over and stopped in front of Alec and Biggs "Hi guys."
Biggs was bent over in an undignified paroxysm of coughs and Alec was maniacally whacking him on the back. Biggs gave her a weak wave and Alec cried "Hey Maxie! What's up, what's happening, what's going on?"
Max looked at him quizzically and said "What's your damage?"
Alec took a hold of himself and picking up his drink muttered "Nothing."
Max looked at Biggs whose face still looked dangerously flushed and said "You ok?"
Biggs looked over Max's head in disgust at Alec, who was frantically mouthing "Just say yes, say yes". An evil idea came into his head and he responded to Max in a soulful voice "I guess I'm alright, considering...it means a lot that you're concerned about me, Max".
He watched in pleasure as Alec dropped his head on the bar in despair. Max, who had barely heard Biggs' response, looked at Alec and shook her head in disbelief *He just gets weirder and weirder* she thought to herself. She signalled the barkeep for a beer.
While Max was getting her drink, Sketchy's voice was heard from the other side of the bar "Alec, my man!! Come here for a minute. I've a little bet goin' on here with these guys that I need you to settle for me."
Alec closed his eyes. There was no way he was leaving Biggs and Max alone. A faint hope entered his head - maybe if he ignored Sketch he'd just go away? He'd never spent much time considering the possibility of the existence of a higher being, but he sent a quick prayer up on the off chance.
Just then Biggs said in a helpful tone of voice "Alec, I think maybe Sketchy wants to talk to you. Better go see what he wants, huh? Could be important."
Alec directed a withering glare at the person he was rapidly starting to consider a former friend and backed away "Gee thanks Biggs, mustn't have heard him. Well, don't you two talk about anything important when I'm gone," Alec said putting heavy emphasis on the 'anything.' He thought bitterly to himself *If there is a God, he sure as hell isn't on my side. Go figure.*
Biggs and Max were left alone at the bar. Somewhere along the way Biggs had actually started to enjoy this little comedy of errors. He supposed that since he was along for the ride, he might as well have a little fun.
Max broke the pause with "So Biggs, thanks for helping us out on that mission."
"No problem. Anything for you, Max," said Biggs, trying to figure out how someone suffering from the pangs of unrequited love would appear. He tried for a look of dog-like devotion and decided when Max's face grew slightly alarmed that it was probably a bit over the top.
Max tried not to panic. She was so not good at this stuff. It would be so much easier if she could live up to her reputation as a bitch and just say 'Look pal, not gonna happen, ok? Let's move on.' But this was not only another transgenic, Biggs was also Alec's friend and for some reason she wasn't prepared to analyse, Max felt reluctant to injure someone Alec cared about. Max cleared her throat and tried again "You know Biggs you've become a valuable member of the team around here." Biggs looked flattered and smiled at her encouragingly. "And that's how I think of you. A member of the team. One of a large number of other soldiers fighting the transgenic cause". She paused to see how he was taking this. He looked ok. So she felt safe enough to go on "And in time, a friend."
*Hmm, rejection has never been this fun before. Though it better not be the start of a trend* thought Biggs. "A friend?" he artfully interjected a little tremble into his voice. "Is that all I am to you Max?" He cleared his throat and bent his head for extra effect. Glancing up again, he caught a look of doubt on Max's face. *Oops. Maybe I went a little too far?* he thought.
"Biggs?" Max said with growing misgivings. "Biggs? What were you and Alec talking about when I came over here?"
*Oh crap* "Uh..sports?" Biggs tried. He look of mistrust grew and he could see the stormclouds of temper beginning to gather. "You know Alec and his cage wrestling," he blurted out as he tried to salvage the situation.
Max's brows snapped together "Don't tell me he's thinking about going back in the ring! White would pick him up in a second! If that idiot is even considering."
"No, no," interrupted Biggs, trying to calm her down. "He was just reminiscing. Remembering his glory days. That kind of thing."
"Oh. Right." Max said uncertainly. What had she been talking about? Oh yeah. "So Biggs, you and me, we're cool, right?"
"Cool?"
"Yeah you know, what we were talking about. Us being fellow soldiers, friends if you want."
Biggs gladly took the opportunity to end the little farce. He had new respect for Alec, a dialogue with Max was kind of like juggling knives - naked. Kind of exhilarating but oh so dangerous. He let his shoulders slump and said in a flattened tone "I understand. I would really like to be your friend Max."
"Good!" Max gave him a absent minded punch to the shoulder and started to turn away, adding "Oh, could you tell Original Cindy that I headed home. I'm pretty beat. And Logan needs me to plant a bug on Ciccona tomorrow - turns out what we swiped tonight wasn't enough."
Biggs frowned "Be careful Max, I've had dealings with Francisco Ciccona in the past and he's not a guy you want to mess with if you can help it."
"You've had dealings with Ciccona?" asked Max curiously.
"Yeah, well, don't want to get into the details. Suffice to say I spent the last year of Manticore under deep cover as the newest member of the LA mob." He laughed uncomfortably "Guess they thought I looked Italian enough to pull it off, huh?" He met Max's still inquisitive gaze and said seriously "Just watch your back. It's pretty well known that Ciccona has had a couple of his girls whacked because they heard or saw too much." And with that, he picked up what was left of his beer and walked away leaving Max to look after him thoughtfully.
Biggs sauntered over to the table where Alec was still refereeing between OC and Sketchy over the redhead. Alec took advantage of the pair's preoccupation with their argument to demand frantically of Biggs "Well what happened???"
"Whatever do you mean?" Biggs enquired innocently.
"You know damn well what I mean! Give, before I beat the shit out of you."
"But Alec, public place - revealing our true identities - remember?" Biggs began to relent. Teasing 494 did seem a little cruel. Kinda like kicking a puppy. But then again, he mused, I am part cat so I actually don't like puppies. So he continued "Yeah well we had an interesting talk" and he paused to take a drink.
Alec said through gritted teeth "And?"
"Well, we've decided to settle down and raise a couple of second generation X5s, we're hoping they'll get their dad's good looks and their mother's.." Biggs' sentence broke off as he realised Alec was on the verge of actual violence. "Its fine." he quickly reassured. "Might have been overdoing it slightly at one point but she basically thinks I'm on the way to recovery from my brief and unrequited crush on her."
Alec heaved a sigh of relief. "Well thank goodness that little drama's over with" he smiled. "Now things can get back to normal around here." Grabbing the nearly empty pitcher of beer, he interrupted OC and Sketchy "Come on Sketch, we'll have a game of pool to determine who gets to buy the drinks next, ok?" Seeing the hesitation on the face of the other Jam Pony messenger, he wheedled "Come on...I have this really good feeling that your luck is about to change."
The ever gullible Sketchy said excitedly "Really?? OK you're on" and followed Alec over to the pool table.
Left alone with Original Cindy, Biggs turned his warmest most sincere smile on her and said "So, alone at last."
OC rolled her eyes and said "Don't even go there, boo. We went over this the other night, remember? Sure, you're pretty and all but unless you got two X chromosomes I just ain't interested, got it?"
Biggs shrugged "Can't blame a guy for trying, right?"
"Hmmm." OC said. She eyed the dark-haired transgenic appraisingly "So whats all this I hear about you having a thing for my girl?"
Biggs smiled into his glass "Dunno. What have you heard?"
"How you been moping around here, throwing tantrums cause you so into her. Gotta say I'm surprised. Woulda thought it of Alec, the heat them two got between them, but you. Guess I just never pegged you as the pining sort. Like Original Cindy always says, wonders will never cease." She watched Biggs over the rim of her glass, waiting for him to take the bait.
"Tantrums? Pining? Not exactly." Biggs said, his pride injured. He looked at OC. "You know how Alec gets - he might have exaggerated a little" he explained.
Biggs looked down at the back of his hand where OC's fingers had begun drawing intricate patterns. Her eyes opened wide "Really?"
Biggs began to feel a little warm. He leaned towards Original Cindy, secretly congratulating himself when she didn't pull away and slap his face. Progress. "A lot actually. Can't say as I've ever thought of Max in that way at all. I'm completely and totally available." He looked into the eyes of the beautiful girl sitting beside him and murmured "How about we take this conversation somewhere a little more private?"
OC laughed and patted his cheek fondly "Now, didn't Original Cindy just get through telling you she isn't into what you got?" She got up and pulled on her jacket. "Don't feel bad, sugar, you're right, I don't blame you for trying." And still laughing softly, she made her way out of the bar.
Biggs sat trying to figure out what had just happened. Had he just been played? It certainly felt a little like he had. While he was still lost in thought, Alec arrived back at the table and stretched out in the chair opposite him. "Sketchy's at the bar getting us another pitcher. This may not come as a surprise, but he lost the game," he smirked. "So what were you and OC talking about?"
Biggs eyed his friend sheepishly "I'm not positive but I think I might have given the game away."
Alec sat forward, his smile disappearing "What?"
"I couldn't help it! She, like, dragged, it out of me. That girl has skills. She might be Psi-ops. Have you checked her for a barcode?" As Alec's mouth remained open and his eyes fixed on his face in horror, Biggs attempted to rationalise the situation "Anyway, its not like shes going to tell on you to Max, is it? She likes you, right?"
"Lesson number one for life outside Manticore, you dumbass! Girls talk to each other!!" Alec yelled. "Do you honestly think Max isn't going to hear every single detail as soon as she gets home?"
Biggs sighed. "Calm down. I've got a way you can make it up to her. I don't know if you've heard but Logan's got her tangling with some pretty ugly guys tomorrow night."
"Yeah, Ciccona and Martinez again. Shes supposed to get close enough to plant a bug, and stop them from world domination or something," said Alec, his attention caught.
"Well, take it from me, Ciccona is seriously bad news. He's smart enough to tip to the fact she's not all she seems and mean enough that I wouldn't want a girl I liked within ten miles of him." He let that sink in a minute before adding "And just think if you do end up saving her ass for once, she couldn't possibly get mad at you could she?"
"Its plain to see you haven't known Max for long" Alec grumbled. "But I take your point about Ciccona. So what's the plan?"
Max and Original Cindy had met up as planned and decided to kick it at Crash for a while. As they went down the steps that led into the bar, she was still telling OC about the mission and Alec's startling revelation.
"But Biggs??? You sure Alec wasn't tripping boo?" Original Cindy enquired.
"I wish. It's not like I don't have enough to deal with already," she said with a sour expression.
"Oh yes," said Original Cindy in fake sympathy. "Two fine transgenic boys at your beck and call, both with looks to die for. Poor little you. Sugar, I'm just about the only girl in here who wouldn't gladly take you on for a chance at one of that pair. Well, except maybe for that honey over there" she added, with a flirtatious smile at the redhead over by the pool table who responded with a smile and a finger wave.
"Alec's not at my beck and call," Max said sullenly. "He just enjoys torturing me. He's sick like that. Did I tell you what he said when we were on the mission earlier...?"
"Yes, you did, Max and speak of the devils, there's your boys," OC said, gesturing towards the bar and cutting her off. As Original Cindy knew from experience, when Max got started on the favourite subject of Alec and his many faults, she could be talking for quite a time. Max turned and saw the two male X5s engrossed deep in conversation. "Later, girl" OC said, moving off towards the pool tables where Sketchy was trying to pick up the girl who had waved at Cindy earlier.
Max swallowed, walked over and stopped in front of Alec and Biggs "Hi guys."
Biggs was bent over in an undignified paroxysm of coughs and Alec was maniacally whacking him on the back. Biggs gave her a weak wave and Alec cried "Hey Maxie! What's up, what's happening, what's going on?"
Max looked at him quizzically and said "What's your damage?"
Alec took a hold of himself and picking up his drink muttered "Nothing."
Max looked at Biggs whose face still looked dangerously flushed and said "You ok?"
Biggs looked over Max's head in disgust at Alec, who was frantically mouthing "Just say yes, say yes". An evil idea came into his head and he responded to Max in a soulful voice "I guess I'm alright, considering...it means a lot that you're concerned about me, Max".
He watched in pleasure as Alec dropped his head on the bar in despair. Max, who had barely heard Biggs' response, looked at Alec and shook her head in disbelief *He just gets weirder and weirder* she thought to herself. She signalled the barkeep for a beer.
While Max was getting her drink, Sketchy's voice was heard from the other side of the bar "Alec, my man!! Come here for a minute. I've a little bet goin' on here with these guys that I need you to settle for me."
Alec closed his eyes. There was no way he was leaving Biggs and Max alone. A faint hope entered his head - maybe if he ignored Sketch he'd just go away? He'd never spent much time considering the possibility of the existence of a higher being, but he sent a quick prayer up on the off chance.
Just then Biggs said in a helpful tone of voice "Alec, I think maybe Sketchy wants to talk to you. Better go see what he wants, huh? Could be important."
Alec directed a withering glare at the person he was rapidly starting to consider a former friend and backed away "Gee thanks Biggs, mustn't have heard him. Well, don't you two talk about anything important when I'm gone," Alec said putting heavy emphasis on the 'anything.' He thought bitterly to himself *If there is a God, he sure as hell isn't on my side. Go figure.*
Biggs and Max were left alone at the bar. Somewhere along the way Biggs had actually started to enjoy this little comedy of errors. He supposed that since he was along for the ride, he might as well have a little fun.
Max broke the pause with "So Biggs, thanks for helping us out on that mission."
"No problem. Anything for you, Max," said Biggs, trying to figure out how someone suffering from the pangs of unrequited love would appear. He tried for a look of dog-like devotion and decided when Max's face grew slightly alarmed that it was probably a bit over the top.
Max tried not to panic. She was so not good at this stuff. It would be so much easier if she could live up to her reputation as a bitch and just say 'Look pal, not gonna happen, ok? Let's move on.' But this was not only another transgenic, Biggs was also Alec's friend and for some reason she wasn't prepared to analyse, Max felt reluctant to injure someone Alec cared about. Max cleared her throat and tried again "You know Biggs you've become a valuable member of the team around here." Biggs looked flattered and smiled at her encouragingly. "And that's how I think of you. A member of the team. One of a large number of other soldiers fighting the transgenic cause". She paused to see how he was taking this. He looked ok. So she felt safe enough to go on "And in time, a friend."
*Hmm, rejection has never been this fun before. Though it better not be the start of a trend* thought Biggs. "A friend?" he artfully interjected a little tremble into his voice. "Is that all I am to you Max?" He cleared his throat and bent his head for extra effect. Glancing up again, he caught a look of doubt on Max's face. *Oops. Maybe I went a little too far?* he thought.
"Biggs?" Max said with growing misgivings. "Biggs? What were you and Alec talking about when I came over here?"
*Oh crap* "Uh..sports?" Biggs tried. He look of mistrust grew and he could see the stormclouds of temper beginning to gather. "You know Alec and his cage wrestling," he blurted out as he tried to salvage the situation.
Max's brows snapped together "Don't tell me he's thinking about going back in the ring! White would pick him up in a second! If that idiot is even considering."
"No, no," interrupted Biggs, trying to calm her down. "He was just reminiscing. Remembering his glory days. That kind of thing."
"Oh. Right." Max said uncertainly. What had she been talking about? Oh yeah. "So Biggs, you and me, we're cool, right?"
"Cool?"
"Yeah you know, what we were talking about. Us being fellow soldiers, friends if you want."
Biggs gladly took the opportunity to end the little farce. He had new respect for Alec, a dialogue with Max was kind of like juggling knives - naked. Kind of exhilarating but oh so dangerous. He let his shoulders slump and said in a flattened tone "I understand. I would really like to be your friend Max."
"Good!" Max gave him a absent minded punch to the shoulder and started to turn away, adding "Oh, could you tell Original Cindy that I headed home. I'm pretty beat. And Logan needs me to plant a bug on Ciccona tomorrow - turns out what we swiped tonight wasn't enough."
Biggs frowned "Be careful Max, I've had dealings with Francisco Ciccona in the past and he's not a guy you want to mess with if you can help it."
"You've had dealings with Ciccona?" asked Max curiously.
"Yeah, well, don't want to get into the details. Suffice to say I spent the last year of Manticore under deep cover as the newest member of the LA mob." He laughed uncomfortably "Guess they thought I looked Italian enough to pull it off, huh?" He met Max's still inquisitive gaze and said seriously "Just watch your back. It's pretty well known that Ciccona has had a couple of his girls whacked because they heard or saw too much." And with that, he picked up what was left of his beer and walked away leaving Max to look after him thoughtfully.
Biggs sauntered over to the table where Alec was still refereeing between OC and Sketchy over the redhead. Alec took advantage of the pair's preoccupation with their argument to demand frantically of Biggs "Well what happened???"
"Whatever do you mean?" Biggs enquired innocently.
"You know damn well what I mean! Give, before I beat the shit out of you."
"But Alec, public place - revealing our true identities - remember?" Biggs began to relent. Teasing 494 did seem a little cruel. Kinda like kicking a puppy. But then again, he mused, I am part cat so I actually don't like puppies. So he continued "Yeah well we had an interesting talk" and he paused to take a drink.
Alec said through gritted teeth "And?"
"Well, we've decided to settle down and raise a couple of second generation X5s, we're hoping they'll get their dad's good looks and their mother's.." Biggs' sentence broke off as he realised Alec was on the verge of actual violence. "Its fine." he quickly reassured. "Might have been overdoing it slightly at one point but she basically thinks I'm on the way to recovery from my brief and unrequited crush on her."
Alec heaved a sigh of relief. "Well thank goodness that little drama's over with" he smiled. "Now things can get back to normal around here." Grabbing the nearly empty pitcher of beer, he interrupted OC and Sketchy "Come on Sketch, we'll have a game of pool to determine who gets to buy the drinks next, ok?" Seeing the hesitation on the face of the other Jam Pony messenger, he wheedled "Come on...I have this really good feeling that your luck is about to change."
The ever gullible Sketchy said excitedly "Really?? OK you're on" and followed Alec over to the pool table.
Left alone with Original Cindy, Biggs turned his warmest most sincere smile on her and said "So, alone at last."
OC rolled her eyes and said "Don't even go there, boo. We went over this the other night, remember? Sure, you're pretty and all but unless you got two X chromosomes I just ain't interested, got it?"
Biggs shrugged "Can't blame a guy for trying, right?"
"Hmmm." OC said. She eyed the dark-haired transgenic appraisingly "So whats all this I hear about you having a thing for my girl?"
Biggs smiled into his glass "Dunno. What have you heard?"
"How you been moping around here, throwing tantrums cause you so into her. Gotta say I'm surprised. Woulda thought it of Alec, the heat them two got between them, but you. Guess I just never pegged you as the pining sort. Like Original Cindy always says, wonders will never cease." She watched Biggs over the rim of her glass, waiting for him to take the bait.
"Tantrums? Pining? Not exactly." Biggs said, his pride injured. He looked at OC. "You know how Alec gets - he might have exaggerated a little" he explained.
Biggs looked down at the back of his hand where OC's fingers had begun drawing intricate patterns. Her eyes opened wide "Really?"
Biggs began to feel a little warm. He leaned towards Original Cindy, secretly congratulating himself when she didn't pull away and slap his face. Progress. "A lot actually. Can't say as I've ever thought of Max in that way at all. I'm completely and totally available." He looked into the eyes of the beautiful girl sitting beside him and murmured "How about we take this conversation somewhere a little more private?"
OC laughed and patted his cheek fondly "Now, didn't Original Cindy just get through telling you she isn't into what you got?" She got up and pulled on her jacket. "Don't feel bad, sugar, you're right, I don't blame you for trying." And still laughing softly, she made her way out of the bar.
Biggs sat trying to figure out what had just happened. Had he just been played? It certainly felt a little like he had. While he was still lost in thought, Alec arrived back at the table and stretched out in the chair opposite him. "Sketchy's at the bar getting us another pitcher. This may not come as a surprise, but he lost the game," he smirked. "So what were you and OC talking about?"
Biggs eyed his friend sheepishly "I'm not positive but I think I might have given the game away."
Alec sat forward, his smile disappearing "What?"
"I couldn't help it! She, like, dragged, it out of me. That girl has skills. She might be Psi-ops. Have you checked her for a barcode?" As Alec's mouth remained open and his eyes fixed on his face in horror, Biggs attempted to rationalise the situation "Anyway, its not like shes going to tell on you to Max, is it? She likes you, right?"
"Lesson number one for life outside Manticore, you dumbass! Girls talk to each other!!" Alec yelled. "Do you honestly think Max isn't going to hear every single detail as soon as she gets home?"
Biggs sighed. "Calm down. I've got a way you can make it up to her. I don't know if you've heard but Logan's got her tangling with some pretty ugly guys tomorrow night."
"Yeah, Ciccona and Martinez again. Shes supposed to get close enough to plant a bug, and stop them from world domination or something," said Alec, his attention caught.
"Well, take it from me, Ciccona is seriously bad news. He's smart enough to tip to the fact she's not all she seems and mean enough that I wouldn't want a girl I liked within ten miles of him." He let that sink in a minute before adding "And just think if you do end up saving her ass for once, she couldn't possibly get mad at you could she?"
"Its plain to see you haven't known Max for long" Alec grumbled. "But I take your point about Ciccona. So what's the plan?"