A/N - Guess what everybody? I'm pretty close to finishing writing this story. Now the only problem is getting in typed and posted ASAP. Never fear! The weekend is here! I should have plenty of timed to satisfy your craving for the next few chapters of ACM. O...and guess what??? Two new reviews!

ting- Here's the surprise! When I wrote this I felt like I was writing a sort of 'chick-flick' chapter....but I couldn't resist. I don't know about you...but it would be my dream to see...well..you just have to read it ;)

barcode-babe-210- *sigh* Alec...wow...that's all I can say. He's just...wow...Did I mention that the idea for this story came about in a dream? Of course..it was me and not Sam..but still..all of this happened in my dream, except for the very end when my mom decided that I'd slept too late. =)

Well, here it is everybody! *drumroll please* CHAPTER 5!

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A Changed Man

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The short walk from Crashed to Alec's place seemed like an eternity. They walked close together, but neither said a word. Sam pulled Alec's jacket tighter around her. It wasn't cold out, but she felt as if somehow it could be a shield against this awkward silence. Had she done something wrong? Maybe Original Cindy had been wrong about him having feelings for her.

They reached his door and he unlocked it silently. As she walked in, Sam hit the switch to light the pitch black room. She let out a gasp as her breath was swept away. In a large vase were a dozen of perfectly arranged roses. They were the result of Alec's "errands".

"They're for you. Go ahead...look at the card." He smiled, not nearly as nervous as he had been before.

Sam didn't know what to say. Like the pancakes, flowers were rare in Terminal City. Her hand was shaking as she reached for the card in the center of the boquet. She opened it to reveal only two words.

"Welcome home?" Sam looked puzzled."What's this mean?"

"It means...Sam...I want you to stay with me...here. I know Max probably has you another place to stay...but I want you here." He paused. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. "The truth is, I can't stand the thought of not having you here...every morning...every night. I know you may have just got here, but Sam...I've fallen for you. I know you're the one for me. I'm in love with you Sam." There. He'd said it. It was out. Now he just had to wait for a response. He'd just jumped head first into a pool of uncertainty. He hoped she felt the same for him. If not, he'd just ruined a great thing.

A million thoughts raced through Sam's mind, but it was what she did next that truly told Alec how she felt. She came closer to him, close enough that he could feel her breath on his skin. Her hand carressed the back of his neck around his barcode. Slowly, she pulled him closer to her until the warmth of his lips met hers. In that instant she knew she truly loved him.

The next morning she awoke in his enticing arms. Alec was still asleep so she dare not stir. Instead, she lay there smiling and replaying the previous night over in her head. Her arms and legs were entangled in his. That night she'd let herself do something she'd never done before...surrender to true love.

Alec began to wake. His eyes opened and he smiled that perfect smile. Leaning over, he gave her a kiss.

"Hey sleepyhead." Sam smiled. "Want some pancakes?"

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Transgenics of all sorts hurriedly packed themselves into the makeshift meeting hall. Max had called the meeting that morning and now she was standing infront of a wooden podium one of the other X-5's had managed to construct. Minutes ago she'd been holding Logan's gloved hand, but now it was time to get down to business. She was the leader. She had to take charge.

Alec and Sam filed in in the back of the small, dimly-lit room. Everyone was standing, which made Max hard to see until Joshua gave her a milk crate to use as a stepstool.

"Alright people, listen up!" Max yelled to get their attention. It obviously worked, as the room was dead quiet. "We've got a situation. Our cash for food and supplies is low. My contact on the outside has already put together a hefty amounty so we can get our skittles and beer." The contact in question had been Bling. He'd been helping them from the outside for the past few weeks after a call from Logan. "Now the problem is this...I can't exactly go walking around freely after going hover drone surfing on the news. I need a volunteer who's willing to cross the perimeter and pick up the dough from our outsider. Any takers?"

There was a moment of silence that was interrupted by, "I'll do it." Everyone turned to see who'd said it. Sam stood with one arm raised. "No ones seen me. I know exactly when the Sector Police stop their watch. I can be out and back in no time."

Alec stood in disbelief. No way in hell was she going out there alone. "I'm going with her," he said turning to Max.

Max was just as surprised as Sam. Alec continued,"She said it herself when she got here that going out there is like just asking to get shot. What if something goes wrong? Atleast I can be there to prevent it from happening."

"Alright," Max said reluctantly. "Meeting's over everyone! Alec, can I have a word with you?"

Alec trudged off to join her. Sam was in disbelief. She wasn't sure what to think. Alec knew she could handle this by herself, but then again, he was looking out for her. No one had ever done that for her.



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"What the hell was that out there?" Max asked.

"I'm not letting her go alone Maxie."

"She's not a kid. She can handle it herself."

Alec started to get angry."Look Max, I lost Rachel. I am not going to lose Sam! Now what time do we meet this guy?"

Max was a little shocked at his outburst, but she couldn't argue with him. "You already know him. You remember Bling?"

"Yea. I've had him run a few errands on the outside for me." Of course, Bling had been the one to pick up the roses and get them across the perimeter.

"South Market. Tonight at midnight. You're lucky he scored us two sector passes."

"Thanks for understanding Maxie." He smiled.

"Just do me a favor," she said, "you two be careful!"

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A/N - oooo suspense suspense! What will happen next? Find out in chapter six...=)