"Nothing's Worse Than Cold Casserole"
by: iluvaqt@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: as per part 1.
iluvaqt's Notes: Many thanks to, Natters. You confirmed my initial idea, I hope you enjoyed the results. Sorry guys, had to bump up the rating, I wasn't thinking far enough ahead. Things are going to get a little more graphic than I first anticipated. Please review.


Part 6

Zack stood at attention, eyes front and emotional armour securely in place. Nothing but icy indifference could be read in his body language. He wouldn't allow this woman, the satisfaction of what seeing Max in the window, was doing to him inside.

"You want me to give her the treatment. I want something in return. Ask yourself, are you willing to work for me, or are you going to continue to resist. Think about it, we could strike a deal."

"You like making deals don't you." Zack said warily. Ordinarily, he didn't strike deals at all. It was his way or no way, but these weren't normal circumstances. "What do you want?"

"I want Colonel Lydecker in my office, alive preferably, but not mandatory. You've got 24 hours, or else she'll be dead."

Zack had a sinking feeling that whether he brought in Lydecker or not, they'd all be dead. That or some worse fate, it really was a deal with the devil.

"Oh and by the way, X5-599. I'm sending a watcher, just so you know you can't try anything stupid."

Renfro left him standing alone, looking through the window. Max was still rapidly aging and from where he stood, he could see the shallow gasps of her mouth. He had to find Lydecker, he was her only chance now.

Reaching for the door handle, he was surprised to find that it wasn't locked. He walked slowly and quietly to her bedside. Taking her hand gently, he rub his thumb over the back of her hand. "I'll find him, Maxie. I promise this'll all work out."

"Zack..." Sam struggled to put words together, desperate to reach him. "Plea...se, wa...it..."

"I'll be back, you won't even remember me leaving." He shushed her with a kiss on the forehead, his lips lingering. He wanted to kiss her, the way a man would kiss a woman. But he had no idea if he should. There was no denying how much he wanted her, but he still wasn't sure she wanted him. Lifting his head, he brushed the damp hair from her forehead. "You better fight, Max. I'm counting on you." With one last gentle squeeze of her hand, he left the room.

~*~*~*~

"I'm sorry I've got nothing new for you, son. I've been trying to get a hold of a few of my old contacts. No leads yet. I'll be in touch." Lydecker placed the handset on the desk and studied the painting across the room thoughtfully. The painter had the most peculiar use of color, mixing dark shades with fluorescent streaks, meshed together in an abstract piece. Not surprising if you considered it's creator. She was a hybrid, undeniably unique and he wouldn't have her any other way. She was more stubborn than an ox, had a temper worse than his, her eyes flashed knives when she was angry and she could be lethal to anyone who stood in her way. But she was his, and he couldn't be prouder.

Getting out of his chair, he walked to the window and pulled back the blinds. It was getting dark outside and soon, Nell would be scratching at the door. He'd have to let her in or she'd keep him up all night. He opened the door a fraction, the rollers making the distinct noise that Nell could hear from metres away. It was an invitation. However, Nell never came. Lydecker stood a moment longer, before calling, "Nell." Still the Staffishire didn't appear.

Thump

Zack grinned a satisfied smile as Lydecker slumped to the floor. Dragging him away from the door, he closed it. The dog wouldn't be coming, he'd given it about a five pounds worth of beef hide. It should keep him busy for a while. Turning back to the unconscious body on the floor, he got to work.

It had taken him far too long to find his former hunter. He'd give the guy credit, when he didn't want to be found, he did a superb job of disappearing. Zack had contemplated contacting Syl to find out if she could reach the Colonel. But thought against it, he couldn't take the risk. He still hadn't figured out who his watcher was. To call Syl, could mean exposure for her. He didn't need to look out for anyone else but Max. He'd spent over a week tracking Lydecker down. He prayed that somehow she was still alive. He'd considered asking the director for more time, but thought that would prove weakness. He'd get results, he'd just have to believe that somehow, Max was still alive.

"Good job, X5-599. The director was skeptical, but I knew you'd come through. X5-452, is still alive, barely. They've been maintaining her lifeline with anti-aging serum."

The voice sent chills down his spine. He'd not heard that voice in over eight months. The last time being a bloody showdown, leaving him bruised and broken for days. "What big brother, forgotten who you are? What we are? Need a little reminding?" He turned around to look at the man behind him. "Ben?" he asked, surprised. There was something different about the face that greeted him, something coldly professional and completely calculated.

"Not, Ben," Lydecker muttered. "X5-494. He's a twin."

Zack ignored Lydecker, who was drowsily coming to. He continued to stare at his brother's twin in disbelief. "How many more?"

"A whole unit. Some didn't survive the alterations though..."

"No more seizures," Lydecker interrupted again.

Zack turned on him, "It's funny how our mission went sideways. You were the first to disappear, what'd you do, tick them off? Why didn't you keep..." He stopped short, noticing that the X5 was watching the exchange most intently. As much as he'd like Logan out of the picture for good, Max'd never forgive him. The less Manticore knew about Mr Logan Cale and his alter ego, the better. "You won't believe the satisfaction I'm gonna have when I hand you over to her." He roughly jerked on the bonds holding Lydecker in the chair. "Get up."

Alec was about help secure their prisoner for transport, when he heard the sound of a vehicle outside. He signaled to Zack to get Lydecker out of sight, and went to check it out.

~*~*~*~

Demeter came in the back door and dropped her duffle on the floor. She leaned on the bench and was about to loosen her boots, when she realized why she felt something was off. Usually, the second she walked through the door, Nell would be all over her. The pup was nowhere in sight. She put her foot down and listened. The house was too quiet. Deck was usually home at this hour, or he'd call if he was going to be out. Something was up. It was too late to go out to her Jeep for her gun. Slowly, she reached down and pulled out her army knife. It was six-inch blade with a molded rubber grip. She kept it strapped to her calf, always.

Making her way through the kitchen and down the short passage, she heard a creaking noise and stopped. Halfway down the hall, she could see a man in the corridor mirror. His back was to the archway, and he was pointing a gun at her father's head. Without waiting another second, she slipped her knife back into it's sheath and flew at him. The impact sent them both sprawling and the gun was knocked from his grasp, skittering across the floor.

"Dem!" Lydecker yelled.

She was about to pull out her knife when she was roughly lifted right off her feet and shoved against the wall. Struggling in a chokehold, she kicked at the man holding her up.

"Put her down, she has nothing to do with us," Lydecker reasoned.

"I'd say," Alec sneered, "from the way she moved, she's got everything to do with us." Lowering Demeter to the ground, he took some ties out of his pants and secured her wrists behind her back.

Lydecker pulled against his restraints. Finally managing to get one hand free, he kicked at the back of Zack's knee and pushed down hard on a sensitive pressure point in the X5's shoulder. Bonds untangled, he reached with his other hand for the gun he kept ready, close to his chest.

Alec, momentarily distracted, gave Dem a chance to roll out of reach. Leaning down, she pulled her knife out and cut herself loose. Jumping up, she got a better handle on her weapon and circled her opponent.

"Dem, wait. Soldiers, think about your objective here. Zack, I refuse to believe that Renfro could turn you. What is it that you want?"

Alec sent Zack a death glare. His answer could spell the end of X5-452, or whom he thought was X5-452. "One phone call." Alec reminded him.

Zack ignored the X5, that stood near the doorway. It was three to one. They could take him easily. Heck, it looked like the girl already had him under control. "Renfro's going to kill Max, unless, I bring you back."

Lydecker was silent for a moment, then looked at Zack with steely eyes. "What makes you think she won't have already done it?"

"It's a chance I'm willing to take, she's gonna make it."

Dem had collected Zack's gun and had it trained on Alec's chest. Using his ties, she'd bound his wrists and ankles and had him sitting in an armchair. "I say, we shoot 'em both and be done with it." She gave Alec a winning smile. He gave her a sarcastic grin back.

"Time's a wastin'," Alec quipped.

"Shut up," Zack shouted.

"Call in." Lydecker ordered. Picking up the handset from his desk and walking towards, Alec. When Alec didn't co-operate, Dem shot him in the right arm. The bullet cut through the tissue and muscle, the sickening crack of shattered bone, resounded in their ears.

"You heard him," she said calmly.

Alec groaned and winced slightly. Lydecker hit the speed dial for him and held the handset to his mouth.

"Ma'am, X5-494 checking in."

"This is Renfro, report."

Dem pushed the tip of the gun to his temple, threateningly. Alec never faltered, "We have the target in custody, heading back to base now."

"Well done. I'll be waiting."

"Nice job, soldier. Let's move out." Deck hoisted the bloodied and restrained Alec, out of the chair. The group headed for the back door, Lydecker leading and Demeter bringing up the rear. It looked like the beginning of a long night ahead.