Disclaimer: I own dark angel but it's supposed to be a secret. Being
sarcastic sadly enough.
Time Frame: I kinda sorta forgot about this. But a reviewer reminded me so thanks. I'll tell you now it's a little past Hello, Goodbye. Also I made it so that Max and Alec already hang out in Terminal City and Josh lives there already.
A/N It's not that I'm a total wench and ignored your lovely reviews its that I couldn't read any of them until now. But in reality I am a total wench lol =p I was going to update yesterday but I couldn't login sorry.
Chapter Five: Crashing Down
"Yeah we did, hooray for us." Max said with her eyes still closed trying to go back to sleep.
After a few moments Alec started talking again. "It's a sh—"
Max cut him off. "Alec listen to me. For once in my life I'm tired. I want to sleep. So please for the love of God—Shut up!"
Alec frowned and poked her on the shoulder. Her eyes flew open and sparks of anger and irritation was prevalent there. "Good now that I have your attention I will finish what I was going to say." He began in a sweet voice, which made Max want to hit him more. "It's a shame that you can't have babies because you'd make a great mom."
The anger dissipated from her eyes and a slight smile graced her face. "Thanks Alec."
"Not to mention a hot mom." He moved his arms to cover his head but there was no attack made. He looked cautiously through his semi-shield. He looked at her like she had grown horns. Then she whipped her hand out and punched him in the stomach. At his 'Oomph' she smiled in triumph and victory. "You hit me over a compliment?"
She shrugged one shoulder with a smile still on her face. "What can I say nobody ever taught me manners as a kid." He grinned at the joke that wouldn't make sense unless you knew about Manticore or even worse, lived there. Alec's eyes drooped and he relaxed into the comfort the bed held. Max also drifted off.
It wasn't long before Max was awake but she couldn't get up without waking her two companions so she laid there memorizing every inch of the two's profiles. She was about to reach across the bed to take a wisp of hair away from Alec's eyes when she heard something. She listened intently on the sound. It reminded her of the sound when she picks locks.
She gently tapped Alec on the shoulder and put a finger to her lips. He was suddenly awake and alert. He slipped out of the warm bed and walked to the bedroom door. He silently opened it a crack and turned to signal to her. Max nodded and carefully picked the sleeping infant up. She crept to a corner of his the room and gently laid her next the wall and sat herself in front of Amelia, guarding her. Let's hope the three guys are ordinaries Max thought as Alec ducked into the other room. A man swooped through the window on the far side of the bed.
Max stayed where she was so as not to leave the baby unprotected. He raised some sort of gun at her before she had time to react another man came through the window closest her. She kicked his legs out from under him and on the way down caught his nose with her elbow. His head smacked loudly against the wood floors. Max felt a sting on her neck. She blinked heavily and felt what was there. It was a little dart. She ripped it off and when the shooter advanced on her she stood quickly to deliver a roundhouse kick to the head. She felt another sting in her shoulder. Then one on her leg and abdomen. She looked out the window and saw two men taking aim again.
Before she could do anything about this Max slumped to the floor as unconsciousness claimed her.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Alec groggily awoke and tried to remember why his apartment was torn up and he was on the floor. Then it came back to him and he jumped to his feet. Alec ran to the bedroom in search of Amelia and Max. He pushed the door open and was met by a cold breeze coming through the two broken windows. Max lay on the ground unmoving and Alec feared she might be dead. He walked shakily over to her.
Her pulse was strong which was a good thing. Now all he needed to do was wake her up. "Maxie." He said loudly. When her eyes opened slightly then squinted shut from the light he started talking to her. "What happened? Where is Amelia?" He was close to panicking inside.
"I was um protecting her like you said to do. I had taken down two guys when they advanced on us, but then I didn't notice the two across the street. So they shot me three times with the darts. I'm sorry Alec I'm so sorry." She started crying and kept saying that to him.
Alec swallowed past the lump in his throat. "It's not your fault Maxie. But we have to do something. Same thing happened to me pretty much. Three guys came in but one stayed back I didn't really think too much about it though. I was just trying to protect you two. He shot me with the darts and I just woke up."
Max staggered to her feet like a drunken woman. "Who do you think did this? I'm thinking of a color." She said dryly. He nodded briskly and she followed him out of the room. "We should go and see if Logan has noticed any military crap going down."
"Do you want to call him or go over there?" Alec said with jealousy lacing his words. Max noticed but decided to ignore it. She was too worried and stressed.
"Let's go to TC and call from there." Max said with a stony expression. Alec figured it was to keep from crying. She just kept it inside—basic Manticore tactic. He sighed and followed her out of his house and to the street.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
HQ was busy and buzzing with excitement as usual. Max walked over to a more quite corner and called Logan.
"Logan it's me Max. I need a favor..." She began.
* "What is it Max? Is everything ok?" *
Alec watched her from across the room where he was waiting for Luke and Dix to give him some information on if there was anything strange. Her masked face was impressive but he had been around Max far too long to fall for that. He looked in her eyes and the brown depths held so much emotion he had to turn away before he gave into the sorrow that kept biting at his heart.
"Not exactly. I need you to look at anything out of the ordinary for the past few days, possibly weeks. Mainly with military but anything would do."
* "You know I'll do what I can. I'll call you if I find anything. Everything will be fine." After a second three words were uttered to her, "Just be careful." *
"Always." She hung up and put the cell phone in her pocket. Joshua came over and hugged her tightly. Alec made his way over to them.
"We've got two leads. We'll hit each one at the same time. I'll command one—"
Max cut him off, "And I'll command the other. When are we moving out?" She left no room for discussion; though even if she had left an opening she would've ended up getting her way.
He squinted his eyes slightly at her and groaned in frustration. "Midnight. I'm sending Josh with you and four other X5's." Max nodded in agreement. "It should take your team an hour tops. Mine it will take about three hours. It's kind of out of the way. An hour out of Seattle about." Her eyes flashed with worry but she beat it down and nodded again. She turned to the clock. Two hours till go time.
"I'm gonna go suit up. Have my team meet in the first conference room and we'll go over the plan." She walked away before anyone said anything else. Joshua followed her though and grabbed her shoulder. "Joshua go with little fella'?"
Max might have wanted to smile but her frown weighed it down so that it was a mix of a pout and a grimace. "I don't think so big fella' I'm just gonna go change and I'd rather you not come." Joshua whimpered and Max almost growled at him for being so naive but bit her cheek. "I'm not comfortable with any man or dog-man watching me change, okay?" She said delicately, which Alec knew was just so she didn't lash out at him or attack him in a more physical way.
"Joshua go with Max that's the plan. Friends." He smiled understanding himself.
Max breathed very deeply and Alec chuckled. "I know we're friends. But you're male. You don't see me letting Alec in when I change." Gesturing to him.
"I wouldn't object Maxie." He raised his eyebrows at her. She shot him a cold look and threw in a glare for good measure. She turned and started walking away her back rigid with contained anger and anxiety. Joshua lumbered after her but she just kept walking.
She entered her room she kept in Terminal City and found her catsuit. She entered the small bedroom area and shut the door on the anomaly's face. It took her no time at all and she exited the room. Joshua fell in step behind her. "Max and Alec getting' busy now?"
She sighed; in what she wanted to say was frustration. "Nope."
"Max and Alec—"
"I just said no." Max seemed to meet the limit of patience she had.
Joshua didn't quit though. "Meant to be mates. Alec chose Max." He said matter-a-fact like.
Max's eyes pulled together in thought. "What do you mean he 'chose' me?"
Joshua spoke slowly like maybe she hadn't understood. "Alec and Max together. Alec and little fella' told other people, other transgenics, that you're mates."
Max rolled her eyes. "I definitely did not say that. And I don't think Alec would either Josh." Before he replied they got to the room and she walked in grateful she didn't have to talk about it any longer.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Let the game begin Max thought as her team had arrived at the rendezvous point. A voice over her comm came through, "All units in position and ready to go."
"Copy. Count to five minutes and that's when we make our move." Max told them completely focused. At the end of the time they headed down to the old warehouse. From the looks of it, it was pretty small. Two teams of two and two teams of one made their way to all sides of the building. "On three. One. Two. Three!" All teams stealthily got in either through doors or windows.
They all landed nimbly and rushed to any shadows they could find. From her place behind a crate she could see five big men making an exchange of some kind. "Looks like money." She whispered into the comm. "Don't kill just stop some other way. Now." All teams ran in from their tactical advantage spot and moved in on the burly men. Max grabbed the one that seemed to be the most important around the neck and pushed him into the ground. "What's the dealio here?" She asked in the coldest and angriest voice she could muster.
"A guns deal fool." He yelled. Max hit him across the face.
"Do you know White?" She asked in an eerily calm voice.
"Yeah it's the opposite of black. Get off me you evil hag!" In reply her fist connected with his nose. He yelped as his nose broke. "Fine, fine you psycho. I don't know him. I'm doin' deals with Tacoma Bleed right now. I don't know no stinkin' white." He took a breath and Max was going to leave him there but he just couldn't shut his mouth. "You're one a them pathetic mutant freaks. Man I'll be cheerin' the day we stick all a y'all in the ground."
All the team stood watching their leader and this exchange. "Yeah well you won't get to see that or tell Bleed I said 'word'." He looked up in confusion and fright and she just smiled evilly at him. A cracking sound was heard before she got up and started to walk away from the sight. After searching the building for anything weird she returned to find that they had all of the gangsta's inventory and money. She nodded and pick up some of the loot before heading outside.
Once in the car no one said anything as they rode back. They all wanted to know one thing but only Joshua was innocent enough to ask. "Max you killed. Little fella' said 'don't kill' but you did." He said accusingly. "You were mean when you killed him. You were Manticore."
The rest of the unit gawked with their mouths open, all except Max and Joshua. "So I'm Manticore now." She used the same tone, very calm. Yeah maybe I am losing my mind she thought.
The air was tense now. "No Max. But you hurt him."
"I didn't attack unprovoked. And to be frank he deserved a much slower death than the one I gave him." Max said quietly no longer holding coldness in her voice.
"Joshua is sorry Max." His gaze fell down to his feet. A small hand was placed on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry too big fella' I shouldn't have done that." The rest of the trip was silent.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Alec's team had moved in about ten minutes ago. Numerous guards were spotted and taken out before they got into the building. Once inside all they found was cutting edge technology but no baby or White. Once all enemies were down they searched the building and loaded anything that could be useful into the two vans they brought.
"Good job everybody. Let's get some grub then get back to base." Alec said and got into the van.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Max was enveloped in Joshua's embrace sitting on a sofa in one of the break rooms. She was trying to relax and quit missing and thinking about her little girl that she had only known for about two weeks but it wasn't working; so she decided maybe talking would help.
"Hey Joshua do trannies ya know mate for life?"
Joshua shook his head. "Only if they both say they mates."
"Then why don't they just get married?" Max asked part curious and part because she couldn't stand thinking any longer.
Joshua waited a second before speaking. "Animals don't get married little fella."
"We aren't animals Joshua." She stated.
"Joshua animal. Mole animal. Max and Alec animals too, just have more human in your cocktail." He said trying to make Max understand. "Upstairs people don't like animals getting married, don't allow it. So we do it ourselves."
Max frowned slightly. "So no marriage then. Why did you say I told people me and Alec are together—mates whatever."
"Always together. And talking and touching. Alec watch Max and Max watches Alec. Both get jealous about each other. Max and Alec meant to be. Mates, gettin' busy."
Max cocked her head to one side. "How do I tell him if ah I ever decide to settle down and 'mate for life'?"
"Tell him you're his." He said smiling.
She heard the sound of faint footsteps and stood up from the old couch. After a minute or so the doors opened and Alec walked in looking defeated and Max's heart sank.
She approached him. "Let's just go home Alec. By tomorrow we'll have more leads hopefully." Max said quietly. He nodded and they headed into the cold and misty night.
Alec's cell phone chirped. He answered it at his leisure. "Hello?"
* "494." The cold voice was irreplaceable. *
"What did you do with her!?" Alec stopped walking suddenly and Max strained so she could hear both sides of the conversation.
* "Nothing really just used her as a trap. We found where you live but you're to good to be caught by normal people and the familiars don't care about you. I need you to be vulnerable." *
Max and Alec shared a glance but listened when White started talking again. * "You'd be surprised how easy it is to find a young slut who just had a kid. So move mommy out of the picture and we placed the baby on your regular route you take on Thursday to get home. It was clever to use a different route each day but...Not clever enough. Once you were involved with her I made my move 494." White said in a mocking tone and Max didn't have to try very hard to imagine the smirk on his face. *
"What do you want?" Alec's voice was strained from so much hatred he held back.
* "My son. I'm sick of you and that irritating 452 taking him away and polluting him with that garbage you freaks put in his mind. The familiars are no part of it. This is personal. I want 452 there at the exchange. Its in two weeks from today at noon let's say. Warehouse number 8 on the water front." *
The line went dead and Max pulled the phone out of his grasp so that he wouldn't break it. "He's gonna play a hat trick with me at the exchange. But we'll think of something." She dialed Logan on the phone and waited for him to answer. "Hey Logan where is Ray White?"
* "I don't know. It's better that way until White forgets about him. I only get updates once a week. I got one two days ago and they were catching a flight some where's that day. So it'll be another five days. What's going on Max?" *
"I'll fill you in when we get there five days from now. Call the second you get it. Later." She hung up the phone and handed it to him.
"I take it you heard." She said losing any gruffness that her voice usually carries.
"Yeah Maxie I heard. Five days." He started off again on their journey toward his apartment. Silence over took them and nothing was said all the way home. He opened his front door and pushed the couch on its right side. "My bedroom is probably freezing." Alec said as he walked toward it.
"We were made for that though." Max said as she shook the blanket of any glass. She walked to the other room and found two more blankets. "How did you get Manticore blankets?" She asked as she covered the windows the best that she could.
Alec smiled sadly. "I stole 'em before I left. Turns out they are useful for something."
Max grabbed some clothes and left the room to change. When she came back in Alec had done the same thing. She sat on the bed and hugged her knees to her chest reminding Alec that Max wasn't really invincible. And it made him want to laugh and cry at how many of her hidden mannerisms were like a child's. He came and sat beside her not hugging her because he didn't know if she wanted that.
She started crying so he hugged her to his side. "Don't cry Maxie. We're gonna get her back. Don't worry we will." He let a few tears fall silently down his cheeks. She kept crying lightly.
"I miss her Alec. I do, I love her. I want to hold her and talk to her. And take showers with her." Alec smiled slightly but sobered quickly enough.
"I love her too. It'll all be fine." Her salty tears wet his shirt as he kept rubbing her back and reassuring her. "Have you ever heard that song Max? It came out around the start of the 21 century." Max was going to yell at him for worrying about a song when there were bigger things right now in both their lives. "He talks about this girl and she's really sad all the time and she cries a river and drowns the whole world and how she looked sad in photographs." Alec paused.
"Yeah I've heard it Alec."
"Well you've got to stop crying because I absolutely love you when you smile." He told her with a small smile on his face.
Max pushed down the feeling of happiness and covered with sarcasm. "Partial love. You only love me when I smile."
Alec looked her straight in the eye. "No Max I've never stopped loving you." Tears stung the corner of his eyes and her face was streaked with them. He brushed away some of the tears.
Max reached up and grabbed his hand. "Alec I want you to be my mate. And I want you to be mine and only mine." She said seriously.
"I already was Maxie." He leaned over and kissed her softly. She returned it in full and then gave a little more back.
Yeah maybe not the best decision of my life Max thought if things are going to come crashing down on us I mine as well get something out of it.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
A/N Okay how much fun was that? Not a lot in the end considering its three in the morning and I have to get up early. But enough about me. The next chapter will be up Monday and if I get to it and don't procrastinate it'll be on Saturday or Sunday. Oh a longer chapter. I rock and I'm humble enough to admit it ; ) That's actually for me taking so long but think whatever you want.
dokushoka79- Thanks. I like Max this way. Cuz we all know she's a bad word sometimes but I think she's nice overall.
FridayAngel- I think I'll bring OC back in the next chapter. And since this is from the 3rd chapter I put Josh in the fourth one. I just couldn't read the frickin' reviews to answer you.
Jade-K- I used to think it was great being right. But I'm just too good cuz I would always get it right. It's tough and boring being this great ; ) Since you reviewed for the fourth chapter too I'll just comment on both now if it's all right. Actually it doesn't matter because I'm doing it anyway. Yeah Max has it tough and it's good to have the element of surprise on my side. Alec is comic relief that and I love his wit.
Agentamelia86- Yeah you're right I am an amazing author and sister. Thanks Emma =) It's actually pretty easy for me to get into the characters. Maybe because I don't ever plan ahead its always what I feel like doing which I guess works for me. Dear little sister? ...Gag me. JK and I couldn't agree with you more. I'm in too, two, to much of a rush. There I put all three there so I won't get it wrong =p
Fayth3- Dang right you had to review again. For the fun of it I'll count how many times I reviewed for the Left Behind series. Nah but thanks really. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. The story isn't over yet. Don't underestimate me; ) I've always wanted to say that.
m/a fan- I try and make it a little sweet, sad, and funny at once. It's a fun combination if you ask me. And who doesn't love Alec? I know I do 'and I'll have words with anyone who says differently'. That's a quote from a movie. If anyone can guess which one it's from at the end of chapter six they'll get the seventh chapter earlier. That's fun! Well for me it is. I love movies or quoting them.
acb- Is it my name? Does it say 'commitment issues' without me knowing? LOL I'll admit I'm partially insane. Thanks I try. Talent is just natural to me along with clumsiness, stupidity, and ADD. No I'm not sure about the last one, but I do have my suspicions. I usually hate when characters talk about crap we know. So I tried as best I could to have more of it casual instead of dramatic. I hate drama most of the time. Sorry this was long but I its 4 reviews all rolled into one.
stacey- Quick enough for Max and Alec? I thank you very much. I read every M/A story too and I agree mine is one of the best. =) Not really but I like to pretend to be arrogant and cocky it amuses me a great deal. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Time Frame: I kinda sorta forgot about this. But a reviewer reminded me so thanks. I'll tell you now it's a little past Hello, Goodbye. Also I made it so that Max and Alec already hang out in Terminal City and Josh lives there already.
A/N It's not that I'm a total wench and ignored your lovely reviews its that I couldn't read any of them until now. But in reality I am a total wench lol =p I was going to update yesterday but I couldn't login sorry.
Chapter Five: Crashing Down
"Yeah we did, hooray for us." Max said with her eyes still closed trying to go back to sleep.
After a few moments Alec started talking again. "It's a sh—"
Max cut him off. "Alec listen to me. For once in my life I'm tired. I want to sleep. So please for the love of God—Shut up!"
Alec frowned and poked her on the shoulder. Her eyes flew open and sparks of anger and irritation was prevalent there. "Good now that I have your attention I will finish what I was going to say." He began in a sweet voice, which made Max want to hit him more. "It's a shame that you can't have babies because you'd make a great mom."
The anger dissipated from her eyes and a slight smile graced her face. "Thanks Alec."
"Not to mention a hot mom." He moved his arms to cover his head but there was no attack made. He looked cautiously through his semi-shield. He looked at her like she had grown horns. Then she whipped her hand out and punched him in the stomach. At his 'Oomph' she smiled in triumph and victory. "You hit me over a compliment?"
She shrugged one shoulder with a smile still on her face. "What can I say nobody ever taught me manners as a kid." He grinned at the joke that wouldn't make sense unless you knew about Manticore or even worse, lived there. Alec's eyes drooped and he relaxed into the comfort the bed held. Max also drifted off.
It wasn't long before Max was awake but she couldn't get up without waking her two companions so she laid there memorizing every inch of the two's profiles. She was about to reach across the bed to take a wisp of hair away from Alec's eyes when she heard something. She listened intently on the sound. It reminded her of the sound when she picks locks.
She gently tapped Alec on the shoulder and put a finger to her lips. He was suddenly awake and alert. He slipped out of the warm bed and walked to the bedroom door. He silently opened it a crack and turned to signal to her. Max nodded and carefully picked the sleeping infant up. She crept to a corner of his the room and gently laid her next the wall and sat herself in front of Amelia, guarding her. Let's hope the three guys are ordinaries Max thought as Alec ducked into the other room. A man swooped through the window on the far side of the bed.
Max stayed where she was so as not to leave the baby unprotected. He raised some sort of gun at her before she had time to react another man came through the window closest her. She kicked his legs out from under him and on the way down caught his nose with her elbow. His head smacked loudly against the wood floors. Max felt a sting on her neck. She blinked heavily and felt what was there. It was a little dart. She ripped it off and when the shooter advanced on her she stood quickly to deliver a roundhouse kick to the head. She felt another sting in her shoulder. Then one on her leg and abdomen. She looked out the window and saw two men taking aim again.
Before she could do anything about this Max slumped to the floor as unconsciousness claimed her.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Alec groggily awoke and tried to remember why his apartment was torn up and he was on the floor. Then it came back to him and he jumped to his feet. Alec ran to the bedroom in search of Amelia and Max. He pushed the door open and was met by a cold breeze coming through the two broken windows. Max lay on the ground unmoving and Alec feared she might be dead. He walked shakily over to her.
Her pulse was strong which was a good thing. Now all he needed to do was wake her up. "Maxie." He said loudly. When her eyes opened slightly then squinted shut from the light he started talking to her. "What happened? Where is Amelia?" He was close to panicking inside.
"I was um protecting her like you said to do. I had taken down two guys when they advanced on us, but then I didn't notice the two across the street. So they shot me three times with the darts. I'm sorry Alec I'm so sorry." She started crying and kept saying that to him.
Alec swallowed past the lump in his throat. "It's not your fault Maxie. But we have to do something. Same thing happened to me pretty much. Three guys came in but one stayed back I didn't really think too much about it though. I was just trying to protect you two. He shot me with the darts and I just woke up."
Max staggered to her feet like a drunken woman. "Who do you think did this? I'm thinking of a color." She said dryly. He nodded briskly and she followed him out of the room. "We should go and see if Logan has noticed any military crap going down."
"Do you want to call him or go over there?" Alec said with jealousy lacing his words. Max noticed but decided to ignore it. She was too worried and stressed.
"Let's go to TC and call from there." Max said with a stony expression. Alec figured it was to keep from crying. She just kept it inside—basic Manticore tactic. He sighed and followed her out of his house and to the street.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
HQ was busy and buzzing with excitement as usual. Max walked over to a more quite corner and called Logan.
"Logan it's me Max. I need a favor..." She began.
* "What is it Max? Is everything ok?" *
Alec watched her from across the room where he was waiting for Luke and Dix to give him some information on if there was anything strange. Her masked face was impressive but he had been around Max far too long to fall for that. He looked in her eyes and the brown depths held so much emotion he had to turn away before he gave into the sorrow that kept biting at his heart.
"Not exactly. I need you to look at anything out of the ordinary for the past few days, possibly weeks. Mainly with military but anything would do."
* "You know I'll do what I can. I'll call you if I find anything. Everything will be fine." After a second three words were uttered to her, "Just be careful." *
"Always." She hung up and put the cell phone in her pocket. Joshua came over and hugged her tightly. Alec made his way over to them.
"We've got two leads. We'll hit each one at the same time. I'll command one—"
Max cut him off, "And I'll command the other. When are we moving out?" She left no room for discussion; though even if she had left an opening she would've ended up getting her way.
He squinted his eyes slightly at her and groaned in frustration. "Midnight. I'm sending Josh with you and four other X5's." Max nodded in agreement. "It should take your team an hour tops. Mine it will take about three hours. It's kind of out of the way. An hour out of Seattle about." Her eyes flashed with worry but she beat it down and nodded again. She turned to the clock. Two hours till go time.
"I'm gonna go suit up. Have my team meet in the first conference room and we'll go over the plan." She walked away before anyone said anything else. Joshua followed her though and grabbed her shoulder. "Joshua go with little fella'?"
Max might have wanted to smile but her frown weighed it down so that it was a mix of a pout and a grimace. "I don't think so big fella' I'm just gonna go change and I'd rather you not come." Joshua whimpered and Max almost growled at him for being so naive but bit her cheek. "I'm not comfortable with any man or dog-man watching me change, okay?" She said delicately, which Alec knew was just so she didn't lash out at him or attack him in a more physical way.
"Joshua go with Max that's the plan. Friends." He smiled understanding himself.
Max breathed very deeply and Alec chuckled. "I know we're friends. But you're male. You don't see me letting Alec in when I change." Gesturing to him.
"I wouldn't object Maxie." He raised his eyebrows at her. She shot him a cold look and threw in a glare for good measure. She turned and started walking away her back rigid with contained anger and anxiety. Joshua lumbered after her but she just kept walking.
She entered her room she kept in Terminal City and found her catsuit. She entered the small bedroom area and shut the door on the anomaly's face. It took her no time at all and she exited the room. Joshua fell in step behind her. "Max and Alec getting' busy now?"
She sighed; in what she wanted to say was frustration. "Nope."
"Max and Alec—"
"I just said no." Max seemed to meet the limit of patience she had.
Joshua didn't quit though. "Meant to be mates. Alec chose Max." He said matter-a-fact like.
Max's eyes pulled together in thought. "What do you mean he 'chose' me?"
Joshua spoke slowly like maybe she hadn't understood. "Alec and Max together. Alec and little fella' told other people, other transgenics, that you're mates."
Max rolled her eyes. "I definitely did not say that. And I don't think Alec would either Josh." Before he replied they got to the room and she walked in grateful she didn't have to talk about it any longer.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Let the game begin Max thought as her team had arrived at the rendezvous point. A voice over her comm came through, "All units in position and ready to go."
"Copy. Count to five minutes and that's when we make our move." Max told them completely focused. At the end of the time they headed down to the old warehouse. From the looks of it, it was pretty small. Two teams of two and two teams of one made their way to all sides of the building. "On three. One. Two. Three!" All teams stealthily got in either through doors or windows.
They all landed nimbly and rushed to any shadows they could find. From her place behind a crate she could see five big men making an exchange of some kind. "Looks like money." She whispered into the comm. "Don't kill just stop some other way. Now." All teams ran in from their tactical advantage spot and moved in on the burly men. Max grabbed the one that seemed to be the most important around the neck and pushed him into the ground. "What's the dealio here?" She asked in the coldest and angriest voice she could muster.
"A guns deal fool." He yelled. Max hit him across the face.
"Do you know White?" She asked in an eerily calm voice.
"Yeah it's the opposite of black. Get off me you evil hag!" In reply her fist connected with his nose. He yelped as his nose broke. "Fine, fine you psycho. I don't know him. I'm doin' deals with Tacoma Bleed right now. I don't know no stinkin' white." He took a breath and Max was going to leave him there but he just couldn't shut his mouth. "You're one a them pathetic mutant freaks. Man I'll be cheerin' the day we stick all a y'all in the ground."
All the team stood watching their leader and this exchange. "Yeah well you won't get to see that or tell Bleed I said 'word'." He looked up in confusion and fright and she just smiled evilly at him. A cracking sound was heard before she got up and started to walk away from the sight. After searching the building for anything weird she returned to find that they had all of the gangsta's inventory and money. She nodded and pick up some of the loot before heading outside.
Once in the car no one said anything as they rode back. They all wanted to know one thing but only Joshua was innocent enough to ask. "Max you killed. Little fella' said 'don't kill' but you did." He said accusingly. "You were mean when you killed him. You were Manticore."
The rest of the unit gawked with their mouths open, all except Max and Joshua. "So I'm Manticore now." She used the same tone, very calm. Yeah maybe I am losing my mind she thought.
The air was tense now. "No Max. But you hurt him."
"I didn't attack unprovoked. And to be frank he deserved a much slower death than the one I gave him." Max said quietly no longer holding coldness in her voice.
"Joshua is sorry Max." His gaze fell down to his feet. A small hand was placed on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry too big fella' I shouldn't have done that." The rest of the trip was silent.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Alec's team had moved in about ten minutes ago. Numerous guards were spotted and taken out before they got into the building. Once inside all they found was cutting edge technology but no baby or White. Once all enemies were down they searched the building and loaded anything that could be useful into the two vans they brought.
"Good job everybody. Let's get some grub then get back to base." Alec said and got into the van.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Max was enveloped in Joshua's embrace sitting on a sofa in one of the break rooms. She was trying to relax and quit missing and thinking about her little girl that she had only known for about two weeks but it wasn't working; so she decided maybe talking would help.
"Hey Joshua do trannies ya know mate for life?"
Joshua shook his head. "Only if they both say they mates."
"Then why don't they just get married?" Max asked part curious and part because she couldn't stand thinking any longer.
Joshua waited a second before speaking. "Animals don't get married little fella."
"We aren't animals Joshua." She stated.
"Joshua animal. Mole animal. Max and Alec animals too, just have more human in your cocktail." He said trying to make Max understand. "Upstairs people don't like animals getting married, don't allow it. So we do it ourselves."
Max frowned slightly. "So no marriage then. Why did you say I told people me and Alec are together—mates whatever."
"Always together. And talking and touching. Alec watch Max and Max watches Alec. Both get jealous about each other. Max and Alec meant to be. Mates, gettin' busy."
Max cocked her head to one side. "How do I tell him if ah I ever decide to settle down and 'mate for life'?"
"Tell him you're his." He said smiling.
She heard the sound of faint footsteps and stood up from the old couch. After a minute or so the doors opened and Alec walked in looking defeated and Max's heart sank.
She approached him. "Let's just go home Alec. By tomorrow we'll have more leads hopefully." Max said quietly. He nodded and they headed into the cold and misty night.
Alec's cell phone chirped. He answered it at his leisure. "Hello?"
* "494." The cold voice was irreplaceable. *
"What did you do with her!?" Alec stopped walking suddenly and Max strained so she could hear both sides of the conversation.
* "Nothing really just used her as a trap. We found where you live but you're to good to be caught by normal people and the familiars don't care about you. I need you to be vulnerable." *
Max and Alec shared a glance but listened when White started talking again. * "You'd be surprised how easy it is to find a young slut who just had a kid. So move mommy out of the picture and we placed the baby on your regular route you take on Thursday to get home. It was clever to use a different route each day but...Not clever enough. Once you were involved with her I made my move 494." White said in a mocking tone and Max didn't have to try very hard to imagine the smirk on his face. *
"What do you want?" Alec's voice was strained from so much hatred he held back.
* "My son. I'm sick of you and that irritating 452 taking him away and polluting him with that garbage you freaks put in his mind. The familiars are no part of it. This is personal. I want 452 there at the exchange. Its in two weeks from today at noon let's say. Warehouse number 8 on the water front." *
The line went dead and Max pulled the phone out of his grasp so that he wouldn't break it. "He's gonna play a hat trick with me at the exchange. But we'll think of something." She dialed Logan on the phone and waited for him to answer. "Hey Logan where is Ray White?"
* "I don't know. It's better that way until White forgets about him. I only get updates once a week. I got one two days ago and they were catching a flight some where's that day. So it'll be another five days. What's going on Max?" *
"I'll fill you in when we get there five days from now. Call the second you get it. Later." She hung up the phone and handed it to him.
"I take it you heard." She said losing any gruffness that her voice usually carries.
"Yeah Maxie I heard. Five days." He started off again on their journey toward his apartment. Silence over took them and nothing was said all the way home. He opened his front door and pushed the couch on its right side. "My bedroom is probably freezing." Alec said as he walked toward it.
"We were made for that though." Max said as she shook the blanket of any glass. She walked to the other room and found two more blankets. "How did you get Manticore blankets?" She asked as she covered the windows the best that she could.
Alec smiled sadly. "I stole 'em before I left. Turns out they are useful for something."
Max grabbed some clothes and left the room to change. When she came back in Alec had done the same thing. She sat on the bed and hugged her knees to her chest reminding Alec that Max wasn't really invincible. And it made him want to laugh and cry at how many of her hidden mannerisms were like a child's. He came and sat beside her not hugging her because he didn't know if she wanted that.
She started crying so he hugged her to his side. "Don't cry Maxie. We're gonna get her back. Don't worry we will." He let a few tears fall silently down his cheeks. She kept crying lightly.
"I miss her Alec. I do, I love her. I want to hold her and talk to her. And take showers with her." Alec smiled slightly but sobered quickly enough.
"I love her too. It'll all be fine." Her salty tears wet his shirt as he kept rubbing her back and reassuring her. "Have you ever heard that song Max? It came out around the start of the 21 century." Max was going to yell at him for worrying about a song when there were bigger things right now in both their lives. "He talks about this girl and she's really sad all the time and she cries a river and drowns the whole world and how she looked sad in photographs." Alec paused.
"Yeah I've heard it Alec."
"Well you've got to stop crying because I absolutely love you when you smile." He told her with a small smile on his face.
Max pushed down the feeling of happiness and covered with sarcasm. "Partial love. You only love me when I smile."
Alec looked her straight in the eye. "No Max I've never stopped loving you." Tears stung the corner of his eyes and her face was streaked with them. He brushed away some of the tears.
Max reached up and grabbed his hand. "Alec I want you to be my mate. And I want you to be mine and only mine." She said seriously.
"I already was Maxie." He leaned over and kissed her softly. She returned it in full and then gave a little more back.
Yeah maybe not the best decision of my life Max thought if things are going to come crashing down on us I mine as well get something out of it.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
A/N Okay how much fun was that? Not a lot in the end considering its three in the morning and I have to get up early. But enough about me. The next chapter will be up Monday and if I get to it and don't procrastinate it'll be on Saturday or Sunday. Oh a longer chapter. I rock and I'm humble enough to admit it ; ) That's actually for me taking so long but think whatever you want.
dokushoka79- Thanks. I like Max this way. Cuz we all know she's a bad word sometimes but I think she's nice overall.
FridayAngel- I think I'll bring OC back in the next chapter. And since this is from the 3rd chapter I put Josh in the fourth one. I just couldn't read the frickin' reviews to answer you.
Jade-K- I used to think it was great being right. But I'm just too good cuz I would always get it right. It's tough and boring being this great ; ) Since you reviewed for the fourth chapter too I'll just comment on both now if it's all right. Actually it doesn't matter because I'm doing it anyway. Yeah Max has it tough and it's good to have the element of surprise on my side. Alec is comic relief that and I love his wit.
Agentamelia86- Yeah you're right I am an amazing author and sister. Thanks Emma =) It's actually pretty easy for me to get into the characters. Maybe because I don't ever plan ahead its always what I feel like doing which I guess works for me. Dear little sister? ...Gag me. JK and I couldn't agree with you more. I'm in too, two, to much of a rush. There I put all three there so I won't get it wrong =p
Fayth3- Dang right you had to review again. For the fun of it I'll count how many times I reviewed for the Left Behind series. Nah but thanks really. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. The story isn't over yet. Don't underestimate me; ) I've always wanted to say that.
m/a fan- I try and make it a little sweet, sad, and funny at once. It's a fun combination if you ask me. And who doesn't love Alec? I know I do 'and I'll have words with anyone who says differently'. That's a quote from a movie. If anyone can guess which one it's from at the end of chapter six they'll get the seventh chapter earlier. That's fun! Well for me it is. I love movies or quoting them.
acb- Is it my name? Does it say 'commitment issues' without me knowing? LOL I'll admit I'm partially insane. Thanks I try. Talent is just natural to me along with clumsiness, stupidity, and ADD. No I'm not sure about the last one, but I do have my suspicions. I usually hate when characters talk about crap we know. So I tried as best I could to have more of it casual instead of dramatic. I hate drama most of the time. Sorry this was long but I its 4 reviews all rolled into one.
stacey- Quick enough for Max and Alec? I thank you very much. I read every M/A story too and I agree mine is one of the best. =) Not really but I like to pretend to be arrogant and cocky it amuses me a great deal. Thanks for reading and reviewing.