Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Dark Angel characters or plot. All the
new characters are mine though!
Pairing: MA eventually, CA friendship
At the main courtyard there was a massive crowd gathered. Everyone was standing there talking between themselves but this accumulated to be really loud. Max got on the raised area but no one seemed to notice. She tried her hardest to get everyone's attention but people seemed not to hear or see her.
"Why aren't they listening? Didn't you tell them this was important?" hissed Max at Alec.
"Maxie, you just don't know how to carry an audience." Said Alec submissively, "This is what you do." And with that he got onto the raised area when a sudden silence hit them. All the transgenics were waiting patiently for him to explain why they were there. "Thank you all for coming. I know it's a bit early but we needed a decision quickly." Said Alec greeting everyone with a stunning smile. All the transgenics nodded in understanding. Max just rolled her eyes.
"Come on you have to be near the platform." Said the X8 leading Hazel to the area.
"The reason Max and myself have called you here is to settle a disagreement between ourselves that include the X7s and X8s in our care. We all know that when manticore burned down, the X7s and X8s were left with an incomplete sense of fighting and understanding on issues such as medicine. So I propose that we teach them the basics on field med., and fighting nothing more. Max has also made a good point saying that it will be like we are creating our own manticore but I don't believe that's what's going to happen. The person teaching them everything will be Hazel, to those of you who don't her now would have probably heard of her as X5 594." Alec said pointing at Hazel who in turn waved shyly at the crowd who nodded at her, "I'll let her explain how she is going to run the course."
As soon as Alec said that, Hazel looked at him with wide eyes. She had no idea what she was going to say. But everyone was waiting for her to go onto the platform to explain. As she walked past Alec, he whispered so that only she could here, "You are my own and my own can talk their way out of every situation." Hazel nodded to herself feeling slightly more confident with ideas already running through her head.
"Hi. Well, I'm Hazel. And the training will begin with the basic defensive and offensive moves. Then I will do field med. and building up the defence against reacting to really bad injuries. I will then carry on to teach them about simple weaponry, nothing big as I don't really want them to become dependant on warfare. I will teach them to then learn how to strategically fight, so that maybe sometimes they won't even need to harm their opponent too much. I just want to say that, it won't be anything like manticore. It will be far more relaxed, with everyone working together as a team instead of in competition with each other. The lessons won't be as long as they were, and there'll be regular breaks where the kids can relax and have some fun. Most of us never got to live out a childhood, but I want them to have one. I want them, like I'm sure you all do as well, to be happy. I will make sure that they are having fun and are being normal kids, well as normal as any of us can be. But they really do need to learn how to look after themselves with everything that's going on. I mean if we're all quiet now and listen, we would be able to hear all the hate shouts and chants that are being said day in day out. Right now we're safe, but we don't know for how long it's going to be like this, and I just want to make sure that they can handle whatever will come. And I also want to say that if we do start these classes, not only the X7s and X8s need come. Anyone who feels they need to brush up on their skills can come. You can see first hand how it's going to be. If you have any worries or complaints you can always tell me and I'll try my best to rectify them. Well, I guess that's all I wanted to say. Thank you." And after finishing her speech Hazel went off the platform and walked back to Cindy. She passed Alec again on his way onto the raised area. He just smiled at her, pride emanating from his eyes.
"Max do you have anything to say?" asked Alec as he was on the platform again. She shook her head 'no', not knowing what to say.
"Okay then, Mole are you going to run the vote?" asked Alec to his green friend who nodded in return.
"Okay Transgenics. We're going to decide this with a simple raise of hands. So, those who are in favour of these training classes, could you all lift your arms into the air?" he asked.
He looked at another anomaly who was counting the number of arms rapidly. "All of them are for." Said the blue transgenic. "But I don't know about the X7s."
"Hazel can you ask the X7s what they feel about this?" asked Alec who had overheard the anomaly. Hazel nodded and turned to the X7s who had gathered together.
Everyone watched as they silently conversed, the only communication visible was the nodding. "They agree." Said Hazel simply.
Alec nodded but Max cut in, "How do we know you're telling the truth?"
Hazel rolled her eyes in frustration when Joshua answered, "I heard her. They did agree."
Hazel looked appreciatively at the dog man while Max sighed in defeat, "Fine."
"Okay then, everyone seems to agree with the training classes which will begin tomorrow at ten o'clock." Said Mole to the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming." Added Alec as everyone turned to leave.
The X7s were still left. They were looking at Hazel determinedly. "What are they still doing?" asked Logan as he came up to where Alec and Max were watching.
"She must be telling them what Mole said?" replied Max looking with wonder.
Alec looked at her stunned. She was finally beginning to trust his friend. "Yeah, it takes longer to converse at that pitch." Contributed Alec.
They all saw the X7s nod their heads in unison and turn to leave. "I just told them that the classes started tomorrow and what sort of stuff we'll be doing. They didn't get all of the information before." Said Hazel defensively as she saw Max staring at her.
"I know. That's what I figured." Replied Max before walking back to HQ.
Hazel looked at Alec in shock who in turn laughed. He then came and put an arm around her and said, "You did great today. I know you don't like speaking in front of loads of people, and I did kinda put you on the spot."
"Kinda? You tell me in the early hours of the morning that if everyone voted for fighting then I would be the teaching it. So I didn't think about any of it. And then I find this kid dragging me onto stage so that I can talk about my lesson plans." Said Hazel with mock anger.
"You still did great. Now, I was wondering if we can do some training. Like proper sparring." He asked as they reached HQ.
"Full on?" she asked eagerly.
"Yep, completely full on." He said sensing her fervour.
"You know I'm not gonna turn that down. Where and when?" she said grinning crazily.
"I tell you later. I'll have to sort it out first." He replied smiling as well.
Hazel just nodded. She then caught sight of Cindy so went up to her but not before saying to Alec over her shoulder, "See ya at lunch."
"Will do." He answered whilst studying a layout plan.
Max had heard everything the two transgenics had been saying to each other on their way back to HQ. As much as she hated to admit it, she was becoming just a little jealous.
"So Alec. How are you today?" she asked the handsome X5 conversationally.
"I'm fine. How 'bout you?" he asked as he stood by a few open building plans.
"Yeah I'm good. What's up with you and the new girl?" she asked trying to sound nonchalant.
"Oh do you mean my screwed up friend." Said Alec sarcastically, whilst Max made a face to the reference of the earlier incident, "Her name's Hazel and what do you mean by what's up with us?"
"No, I mean you're pretty close." Said Max who was trying very hard to sound as though she didn't care but was failing miserably.
"Yeah, we're close. She knows me really well. Even now, she can read me like a book. And you know me, I don't give away anything." Said Alec wonderingly.
"Oh right...Well, do you want to have some lunch later?" She asked almost shyly.
"Well, I'm having it with Hazel, Cindy and Sketch. But you're welcome to join us." Replied Alec who was looking at Max like she had two heads. It had been a while since Max had a civil conversation with him, which made him curious why she was suddenly making such an effort now.
"Oh no, it's.it's okay. What about after? Mole said something about you taking a few hours out to relax." Asked Max leaning toward him slightly.
"Yeah, I'm gonna do some sparring with Hazel. I'm a bit rusty and fighting with Hazel will most definitely get me into shape. And I'll probably spend some quality time with Cindy and Sketch." Said Alec looking at Max closely. Her face seemed to fall slightly at what he said, "You know I'm not trying to steal Cindy away from you right?" he asked thinking that that was what was worrying her.
"Huh? No, yes I know that you wouldn't do that. I know why OC's spending more time with you already. We're cool. It's okay." Said Max quickly waving off his comment.
"So why are you looking down?" asked Alec looking at her concerned.
'Lord, he has beautiful eyes.' She thought as she melted under his gaze but quickly caught herself.
"I'm fine Alec." She said looking over his shoulder at where Hazel and Cindy were laughing together.
"If you're sure." Countered Alec as he turned to Hazel.
"Hey, Hazel, how 'bout we meet up at two o 'clock? Eastside roofs?" called Alec from across the room.
"It's where we were reunited, Alec. Why would I not?" asked Hazel with a mock dreamy sigh.
"That's exactly what I thought. Plus wide open spaces are always good." Replied Alec grinning.
"Always. Especially with us." Carried on Hazel mimicking his smile.
"Especially." Said Alec nodding his head in agreement.
"Aaah. Aren't you two cute?" said Mole sarcastically.
"Don't worry Mole. I know I'll never be able to take Alec away from you." Replied Hazel who started laughing when she saw Alec blow Mole a kiss, who quickly grunted in displeasure.
"You two have gotta stop." Said OC smiling at there little converse.
"Cindy, you should come and watch us. It'll be really cool. You can see us doing one of the only good things manticore gave us. Whaddya say?" asked Hazel.
"We'll see, sugah." Replied Cindy, she then turned to Alec and said, "Baby boo, we gonna eat or what? 'Cos I am starved." Hollered Cindy to her good looking friend across the room.
"You should probably get Sketchy. I'll meet you at the cafeteria in ten." Replied Alec and then carried on making the heist arrangements with Mole.
"Is dat boy still sleepin'? C'mon girl, we'll wake his lazy ass and the get us some food." Said Cindy taking Hazel's hand and pulling her through the exit of HQ.
And with that both females made their way to the apartment leaving a downcast Max with the ever boring Logan.
"So Max, what do you want to do? Everything's going fine here. You can come away for a while right?" said Logan coming close to her, but she quickly moved away. Logan and Max still couldn't touch each other but Max didn't seem to mind anymore, which concerned her.
"Well, I just wanted a bit of alone time you know?" replied Max. She saw Logan's face drop as he walked out of HQ but she felt relieved.
'Urgh. Why am I feeling like this?' she thought to herself.
Alec saw Max standing by herself looking lost so he went up to her and said, "Are you sure you don't wanna join us at lunch?"
Max saw Alec smiling a reassuring smile at her so she said, "Yeah, okay." Whilst smiling back. They then made their way out to the Cafeteria, not noticing who saw them. Logan still hadn't made his way back to his and Max's apartment when he saw his beloved with a rather fine-looking looking X5. It was then he realised that it was Alec.
'I thought she wanted to be alone. I hate Alec.' Thought Logan as he went back to the apartment to work out a way he could keep Max.
It took Cindy and Hazel a good fifteen minutes to wake up Sketchy from slumber land. "Boy, you have slept for ten hours straight. That's enough. Get your ass of that couch and move it to the cafeteria. We're gonna eat with Alec. C'mon." shouted Cindy at Sketchy who fell to the floor in a heaped mess at the shrill voice.
"Okay, okay. Lemme get my bearings first. Good morning Hazel." Sketchy replied perking up after see Hazel.
"You mean afternoon, fool. Get up." Said Cindy throwing a pillow at her friend whilst Hazel looked on at the two smiling.
"C'mon, honey. He's ready now. We should get going." Said Cindy to Hazel who in turn looked at Sketchy who was still fighting with the blankets.
The three entered the cafeteria a few minutes later and were greeted by seeing Max sitting opposite to Alec at the table they had been sitting at the day before. They didn't seem to be talking but Hazel still hesitated.
"C'mon, sugah. It'll be okay." Said OC whilst gently pulling the reluctant transgenic towards the table.
"Hey guys." Opened Sketchy smiling widely.
"Hey Sketchy. I haven't spoken to you in ages." Replied Max as she indicated for him to sit down. Hazel and Cindy took the seats on either side of Alec with Hazel opposite Sketchy.
"Well, our food supplies are kind of limited and it's Josh's turn to cook today so there's only macaroni and cheese. Sorry 'bout that." Said Alec but everyone else waved off his apology saying it was fine, "Okay then. I'll go and get it."
Both Hazel and Max said at the same time, "I'll help." Max glared at the younger X5 as Hazel looked at Alec for him to ask one of them.
"C'mon Hazel. You can help." Said Alec indicating his friend to follow.
Max carried on glaring at the beautiful X5 but sat back down without saying anything.
Alec could see his friend clenching and unclenching her fists as she walked with him to the counter but didn't say anything. She then breathed out slowly and turned to Alec giving him a beautiful smile. Alec smiled back.
"Can't wait 'till we spar. It'll be great. I can get some of my emotions out and you can let some of that pent up frustration out." Said Hazel calmly. Alec looked at her strangely not understanding what she meant but didn't push the subject.
"Five macaronis and cheese, please Josh." Asked Alec.
"Coming right up Medium fella." Replied Joshua who quickly went back into the make shift kitchen whilst chuckling to himself, "Cheese please. Haha. It rhymes.
"Thank you, Hazel." He said slowly turning to Hazel whilst leaning against the counter.
"For what?" asked Hazel confused.
"For not turning this situation awkward for me." Replied Alec smiling at her slightly.
"Don't worry, Tomcat. I meant what I said before. I won't go for her but if she tries anything." said Hazel playfully.
"If she's stupid enough to try something then you have my permission to retaliate." Her stunning friend replied, "And since when do you call me, Tomcat?"
"I don't know. You remind me of a tomcat." Said Hazel shrugging her shoulders.
"How?" he asked curious.
"You're cheeky and charming but still elegant. Like a tomcat." She replied as if she were telling him something that was common knowledge.
"When did you make this astute observation?" asked Alec leaning forward slightly.
"At HQ, when you were talking to the Queen of Sheba over there. Cindy was telling me a bit of background on you both, and from her stories I found those qualities about you stood out. Like a jaguar. But tomcat sounds better as a nickname than jaguar. Ooh we could call you jag, if you want." said Hazel grinning.
"I like Tomcat." Said Alec cringing at the 'jag'.
"Good. Anywayz, it reminded me of how we used to call you tomcat back at manticore."
"When?" asked Alec slightly shocked.
"We didn't call you it when we spoke to you. When we spoke about you we called you tomcat." Replied the pretty X5.
"I didn't know you talked about me so much." Replied Alec cockily.
"Shut up, Tomcat." Said Hazel whilst pushing him light-heartedly.
"I like Tomcat." Said Alec as he tested it out himself.
"Good thing too, 'cos I wasn't gonna change it." Countered Hazel whilst walking confidently even though balancing three plates.
The two transgenics handed the meals out and everyone started eating. There was an awful silence with no one knowing what to say.
"Sooo..are you guys gonna come and watch us fight?" asked Alec trying to fill the hush.
"Yeah. It is gonna be one massive session. You really gotta see it." Added Hazel aiming her voice to Cindy and Sketchy.
"I heard you were one of the best at manticore." Said Cindy conversationally when Max snorted.
"Who'd you hear that from Cindy?" asked Alec ignoring Max and watching Hazel through his peripheral vision.
"Loads of people. After that speech Hazel made. A few of the guys were saying how Hazel was a notorious fighter, with you, baby boo, being the only person who could beat her." Answered Cindy when Max snorted again.
Hazel was beginning to glare at her food as if it was insulting her family. Alec gave Max a look which said 'leave it alone' but Max didn't seem to get it as she said, "I could beat Alec easily enough." The amusement in her voice was mocking him.
Hazel's fists were now clenched as well. Alec knew Hazel got angry easily anyway, but with her dislike towards Max, her fury seemed to be coming to full force in double the time. Suddenly, Alec saw Hazel breathe out a long breath as she unclenched her hands. She then looked at Max neutrally and said coolly, "Maybe you should come and watch us as well. Maybe even show some of those winning moves."
"I might just do that." Replied Max subtly sneering at Hazel. 'I'll show her.' Thought Max.
Alec knew this was a bad idea but the two female transgenics were strong willed and he knew he wouldn't be able to change their minds about it, so he took some comfort from the fact that Cindy and Sketchy were both going to be there as well.
Another silence ensued. This time Max was the one to break as she sighed loudly before saying quietly, "I only did it because they were using us to do bad things."
She could tell none of them understood what she meant so she carried on and said, "I couldn't leave manticore standing. It was doing really bad things. They were using us all."
Everyone was shocked to silence when Cindy whispered to Alec, "Tell me she did not just say that."
"If there is a God, I pray she didn't." replied Alec just as quietly. Both turned to see how Hazel was taking what her fellow transgenic had said.
Hazel had closed her eyes but her body language seemed to be that of a leopard. She was softly rubbing her hands as she leaned back slightly. She seemed to be subtly stretching. She then opened her eyes slowly, her face showing no emotion, maybe except complete equanimity, just like a big cat is whilst stalking its prey waiting to leap for the kill. "I'm feeling kinda tired, Alec." Hazel said turning to her friend, "Come and get me to train." When Alec had nodded in response she got up and left the cafeteria.
"You know what?" said Cindy getting up as well, "I'm gonna take a catnap too. I didn't get no sleep last night. See yous later boos." She looked at Sketchy to get him to follow which he did swiftly.
"I better get back to HQ. Prep the heist team. Maybe I'll see you later." And with that, Alec was also gone leaving Max slumped in her chair.
"Well, you sure know how to clear a table." She mumbled to herself whilst playing with her food.
Pairing: MA eventually, CA friendship
At the main courtyard there was a massive crowd gathered. Everyone was standing there talking between themselves but this accumulated to be really loud. Max got on the raised area but no one seemed to notice. She tried her hardest to get everyone's attention but people seemed not to hear or see her.
"Why aren't they listening? Didn't you tell them this was important?" hissed Max at Alec.
"Maxie, you just don't know how to carry an audience." Said Alec submissively, "This is what you do." And with that he got onto the raised area when a sudden silence hit them. All the transgenics were waiting patiently for him to explain why they were there. "Thank you all for coming. I know it's a bit early but we needed a decision quickly." Said Alec greeting everyone with a stunning smile. All the transgenics nodded in understanding. Max just rolled her eyes.
"Come on you have to be near the platform." Said the X8 leading Hazel to the area.
"The reason Max and myself have called you here is to settle a disagreement between ourselves that include the X7s and X8s in our care. We all know that when manticore burned down, the X7s and X8s were left with an incomplete sense of fighting and understanding on issues such as medicine. So I propose that we teach them the basics on field med., and fighting nothing more. Max has also made a good point saying that it will be like we are creating our own manticore but I don't believe that's what's going to happen. The person teaching them everything will be Hazel, to those of you who don't her now would have probably heard of her as X5 594." Alec said pointing at Hazel who in turn waved shyly at the crowd who nodded at her, "I'll let her explain how she is going to run the course."
As soon as Alec said that, Hazel looked at him with wide eyes. She had no idea what she was going to say. But everyone was waiting for her to go onto the platform to explain. As she walked past Alec, he whispered so that only she could here, "You are my own and my own can talk their way out of every situation." Hazel nodded to herself feeling slightly more confident with ideas already running through her head.
"Hi. Well, I'm Hazel. And the training will begin with the basic defensive and offensive moves. Then I will do field med. and building up the defence against reacting to really bad injuries. I will then carry on to teach them about simple weaponry, nothing big as I don't really want them to become dependant on warfare. I will teach them to then learn how to strategically fight, so that maybe sometimes they won't even need to harm their opponent too much. I just want to say that, it won't be anything like manticore. It will be far more relaxed, with everyone working together as a team instead of in competition with each other. The lessons won't be as long as they were, and there'll be regular breaks where the kids can relax and have some fun. Most of us never got to live out a childhood, but I want them to have one. I want them, like I'm sure you all do as well, to be happy. I will make sure that they are having fun and are being normal kids, well as normal as any of us can be. But they really do need to learn how to look after themselves with everything that's going on. I mean if we're all quiet now and listen, we would be able to hear all the hate shouts and chants that are being said day in day out. Right now we're safe, but we don't know for how long it's going to be like this, and I just want to make sure that they can handle whatever will come. And I also want to say that if we do start these classes, not only the X7s and X8s need come. Anyone who feels they need to brush up on their skills can come. You can see first hand how it's going to be. If you have any worries or complaints you can always tell me and I'll try my best to rectify them. Well, I guess that's all I wanted to say. Thank you." And after finishing her speech Hazel went off the platform and walked back to Cindy. She passed Alec again on his way onto the raised area. He just smiled at her, pride emanating from his eyes.
"Max do you have anything to say?" asked Alec as he was on the platform again. She shook her head 'no', not knowing what to say.
"Okay then, Mole are you going to run the vote?" asked Alec to his green friend who nodded in return.
"Okay Transgenics. We're going to decide this with a simple raise of hands. So, those who are in favour of these training classes, could you all lift your arms into the air?" he asked.
He looked at another anomaly who was counting the number of arms rapidly. "All of them are for." Said the blue transgenic. "But I don't know about the X7s."
"Hazel can you ask the X7s what they feel about this?" asked Alec who had overheard the anomaly. Hazel nodded and turned to the X7s who had gathered together.
Everyone watched as they silently conversed, the only communication visible was the nodding. "They agree." Said Hazel simply.
Alec nodded but Max cut in, "How do we know you're telling the truth?"
Hazel rolled her eyes in frustration when Joshua answered, "I heard her. They did agree."
Hazel looked appreciatively at the dog man while Max sighed in defeat, "Fine."
"Okay then, everyone seems to agree with the training classes which will begin tomorrow at ten o'clock." Said Mole to the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming." Added Alec as everyone turned to leave.
The X7s were still left. They were looking at Hazel determinedly. "What are they still doing?" asked Logan as he came up to where Alec and Max were watching.
"She must be telling them what Mole said?" replied Max looking with wonder.
Alec looked at her stunned. She was finally beginning to trust his friend. "Yeah, it takes longer to converse at that pitch." Contributed Alec.
They all saw the X7s nod their heads in unison and turn to leave. "I just told them that the classes started tomorrow and what sort of stuff we'll be doing. They didn't get all of the information before." Said Hazel defensively as she saw Max staring at her.
"I know. That's what I figured." Replied Max before walking back to HQ.
Hazel looked at Alec in shock who in turn laughed. He then came and put an arm around her and said, "You did great today. I know you don't like speaking in front of loads of people, and I did kinda put you on the spot."
"Kinda? You tell me in the early hours of the morning that if everyone voted for fighting then I would be the teaching it. So I didn't think about any of it. And then I find this kid dragging me onto stage so that I can talk about my lesson plans." Said Hazel with mock anger.
"You still did great. Now, I was wondering if we can do some training. Like proper sparring." He asked as they reached HQ.
"Full on?" she asked eagerly.
"Yep, completely full on." He said sensing her fervour.
"You know I'm not gonna turn that down. Where and when?" she said grinning crazily.
"I tell you later. I'll have to sort it out first." He replied smiling as well.
Hazel just nodded. She then caught sight of Cindy so went up to her but not before saying to Alec over her shoulder, "See ya at lunch."
"Will do." He answered whilst studying a layout plan.
Max had heard everything the two transgenics had been saying to each other on their way back to HQ. As much as she hated to admit it, she was becoming just a little jealous.
"So Alec. How are you today?" she asked the handsome X5 conversationally.
"I'm fine. How 'bout you?" he asked as he stood by a few open building plans.
"Yeah I'm good. What's up with you and the new girl?" she asked trying to sound nonchalant.
"Oh do you mean my screwed up friend." Said Alec sarcastically, whilst Max made a face to the reference of the earlier incident, "Her name's Hazel and what do you mean by what's up with us?"
"No, I mean you're pretty close." Said Max who was trying very hard to sound as though she didn't care but was failing miserably.
"Yeah, we're close. She knows me really well. Even now, she can read me like a book. And you know me, I don't give away anything." Said Alec wonderingly.
"Oh right...Well, do you want to have some lunch later?" She asked almost shyly.
"Well, I'm having it with Hazel, Cindy and Sketch. But you're welcome to join us." Replied Alec who was looking at Max like she had two heads. It had been a while since Max had a civil conversation with him, which made him curious why she was suddenly making such an effort now.
"Oh no, it's.it's okay. What about after? Mole said something about you taking a few hours out to relax." Asked Max leaning toward him slightly.
"Yeah, I'm gonna do some sparring with Hazel. I'm a bit rusty and fighting with Hazel will most definitely get me into shape. And I'll probably spend some quality time with Cindy and Sketch." Said Alec looking at Max closely. Her face seemed to fall slightly at what he said, "You know I'm not trying to steal Cindy away from you right?" he asked thinking that that was what was worrying her.
"Huh? No, yes I know that you wouldn't do that. I know why OC's spending more time with you already. We're cool. It's okay." Said Max quickly waving off his comment.
"So why are you looking down?" asked Alec looking at her concerned.
'Lord, he has beautiful eyes.' She thought as she melted under his gaze but quickly caught herself.
"I'm fine Alec." She said looking over his shoulder at where Hazel and Cindy were laughing together.
"If you're sure." Countered Alec as he turned to Hazel.
"Hey, Hazel, how 'bout we meet up at two o 'clock? Eastside roofs?" called Alec from across the room.
"It's where we were reunited, Alec. Why would I not?" asked Hazel with a mock dreamy sigh.
"That's exactly what I thought. Plus wide open spaces are always good." Replied Alec grinning.
"Always. Especially with us." Carried on Hazel mimicking his smile.
"Especially." Said Alec nodding his head in agreement.
"Aaah. Aren't you two cute?" said Mole sarcastically.
"Don't worry Mole. I know I'll never be able to take Alec away from you." Replied Hazel who started laughing when she saw Alec blow Mole a kiss, who quickly grunted in displeasure.
"You two have gotta stop." Said OC smiling at there little converse.
"Cindy, you should come and watch us. It'll be really cool. You can see us doing one of the only good things manticore gave us. Whaddya say?" asked Hazel.
"We'll see, sugah." Replied Cindy, she then turned to Alec and said, "Baby boo, we gonna eat or what? 'Cos I am starved." Hollered Cindy to her good looking friend across the room.
"You should probably get Sketchy. I'll meet you at the cafeteria in ten." Replied Alec and then carried on making the heist arrangements with Mole.
"Is dat boy still sleepin'? C'mon girl, we'll wake his lazy ass and the get us some food." Said Cindy taking Hazel's hand and pulling her through the exit of HQ.
And with that both females made their way to the apartment leaving a downcast Max with the ever boring Logan.
"So Max, what do you want to do? Everything's going fine here. You can come away for a while right?" said Logan coming close to her, but she quickly moved away. Logan and Max still couldn't touch each other but Max didn't seem to mind anymore, which concerned her.
"Well, I just wanted a bit of alone time you know?" replied Max. She saw Logan's face drop as he walked out of HQ but she felt relieved.
'Urgh. Why am I feeling like this?' she thought to herself.
Alec saw Max standing by herself looking lost so he went up to her and said, "Are you sure you don't wanna join us at lunch?"
Max saw Alec smiling a reassuring smile at her so she said, "Yeah, okay." Whilst smiling back. They then made their way out to the Cafeteria, not noticing who saw them. Logan still hadn't made his way back to his and Max's apartment when he saw his beloved with a rather fine-looking looking X5. It was then he realised that it was Alec.
'I thought she wanted to be alone. I hate Alec.' Thought Logan as he went back to the apartment to work out a way he could keep Max.
It took Cindy and Hazel a good fifteen minutes to wake up Sketchy from slumber land. "Boy, you have slept for ten hours straight. That's enough. Get your ass of that couch and move it to the cafeteria. We're gonna eat with Alec. C'mon." shouted Cindy at Sketchy who fell to the floor in a heaped mess at the shrill voice.
"Okay, okay. Lemme get my bearings first. Good morning Hazel." Sketchy replied perking up after see Hazel.
"You mean afternoon, fool. Get up." Said Cindy throwing a pillow at her friend whilst Hazel looked on at the two smiling.
"C'mon, honey. He's ready now. We should get going." Said Cindy to Hazel who in turn looked at Sketchy who was still fighting with the blankets.
The three entered the cafeteria a few minutes later and were greeted by seeing Max sitting opposite to Alec at the table they had been sitting at the day before. They didn't seem to be talking but Hazel still hesitated.
"C'mon, sugah. It'll be okay." Said OC whilst gently pulling the reluctant transgenic towards the table.
"Hey guys." Opened Sketchy smiling widely.
"Hey Sketchy. I haven't spoken to you in ages." Replied Max as she indicated for him to sit down. Hazel and Cindy took the seats on either side of Alec with Hazel opposite Sketchy.
"Well, our food supplies are kind of limited and it's Josh's turn to cook today so there's only macaroni and cheese. Sorry 'bout that." Said Alec but everyone else waved off his apology saying it was fine, "Okay then. I'll go and get it."
Both Hazel and Max said at the same time, "I'll help." Max glared at the younger X5 as Hazel looked at Alec for him to ask one of them.
"C'mon Hazel. You can help." Said Alec indicating his friend to follow.
Max carried on glaring at the beautiful X5 but sat back down without saying anything.
Alec could see his friend clenching and unclenching her fists as she walked with him to the counter but didn't say anything. She then breathed out slowly and turned to Alec giving him a beautiful smile. Alec smiled back.
"Can't wait 'till we spar. It'll be great. I can get some of my emotions out and you can let some of that pent up frustration out." Said Hazel calmly. Alec looked at her strangely not understanding what she meant but didn't push the subject.
"Five macaronis and cheese, please Josh." Asked Alec.
"Coming right up Medium fella." Replied Joshua who quickly went back into the make shift kitchen whilst chuckling to himself, "Cheese please. Haha. It rhymes.
"Thank you, Hazel." He said slowly turning to Hazel whilst leaning against the counter.
"For what?" asked Hazel confused.
"For not turning this situation awkward for me." Replied Alec smiling at her slightly.
"Don't worry, Tomcat. I meant what I said before. I won't go for her but if she tries anything." said Hazel playfully.
"If she's stupid enough to try something then you have my permission to retaliate." Her stunning friend replied, "And since when do you call me, Tomcat?"
"I don't know. You remind me of a tomcat." Said Hazel shrugging her shoulders.
"How?" he asked curious.
"You're cheeky and charming but still elegant. Like a tomcat." She replied as if she were telling him something that was common knowledge.
"When did you make this astute observation?" asked Alec leaning forward slightly.
"At HQ, when you were talking to the Queen of Sheba over there. Cindy was telling me a bit of background on you both, and from her stories I found those qualities about you stood out. Like a jaguar. But tomcat sounds better as a nickname than jaguar. Ooh we could call you jag, if you want." said Hazel grinning.
"I like Tomcat." Said Alec cringing at the 'jag'.
"Good. Anywayz, it reminded me of how we used to call you tomcat back at manticore."
"When?" asked Alec slightly shocked.
"We didn't call you it when we spoke to you. When we spoke about you we called you tomcat." Replied the pretty X5.
"I didn't know you talked about me so much." Replied Alec cockily.
"Shut up, Tomcat." Said Hazel whilst pushing him light-heartedly.
"I like Tomcat." Said Alec as he tested it out himself.
"Good thing too, 'cos I wasn't gonna change it." Countered Hazel whilst walking confidently even though balancing three plates.
The two transgenics handed the meals out and everyone started eating. There was an awful silence with no one knowing what to say.
"Sooo..are you guys gonna come and watch us fight?" asked Alec trying to fill the hush.
"Yeah. It is gonna be one massive session. You really gotta see it." Added Hazel aiming her voice to Cindy and Sketchy.
"I heard you were one of the best at manticore." Said Cindy conversationally when Max snorted.
"Who'd you hear that from Cindy?" asked Alec ignoring Max and watching Hazel through his peripheral vision.
"Loads of people. After that speech Hazel made. A few of the guys were saying how Hazel was a notorious fighter, with you, baby boo, being the only person who could beat her." Answered Cindy when Max snorted again.
Hazel was beginning to glare at her food as if it was insulting her family. Alec gave Max a look which said 'leave it alone' but Max didn't seem to get it as she said, "I could beat Alec easily enough." The amusement in her voice was mocking him.
Hazel's fists were now clenched as well. Alec knew Hazel got angry easily anyway, but with her dislike towards Max, her fury seemed to be coming to full force in double the time. Suddenly, Alec saw Hazel breathe out a long breath as she unclenched her hands. She then looked at Max neutrally and said coolly, "Maybe you should come and watch us as well. Maybe even show some of those winning moves."
"I might just do that." Replied Max subtly sneering at Hazel. 'I'll show her.' Thought Max.
Alec knew this was a bad idea but the two female transgenics were strong willed and he knew he wouldn't be able to change their minds about it, so he took some comfort from the fact that Cindy and Sketchy were both going to be there as well.
Another silence ensued. This time Max was the one to break as she sighed loudly before saying quietly, "I only did it because they were using us to do bad things."
She could tell none of them understood what she meant so she carried on and said, "I couldn't leave manticore standing. It was doing really bad things. They were using us all."
Everyone was shocked to silence when Cindy whispered to Alec, "Tell me she did not just say that."
"If there is a God, I pray she didn't." replied Alec just as quietly. Both turned to see how Hazel was taking what her fellow transgenic had said.
Hazel had closed her eyes but her body language seemed to be that of a leopard. She was softly rubbing her hands as she leaned back slightly. She seemed to be subtly stretching. She then opened her eyes slowly, her face showing no emotion, maybe except complete equanimity, just like a big cat is whilst stalking its prey waiting to leap for the kill. "I'm feeling kinda tired, Alec." Hazel said turning to her friend, "Come and get me to train." When Alec had nodded in response she got up and left the cafeteria.
"You know what?" said Cindy getting up as well, "I'm gonna take a catnap too. I didn't get no sleep last night. See yous later boos." She looked at Sketchy to get him to follow which he did swiftly.
"I better get back to HQ. Prep the heist team. Maybe I'll see you later." And with that, Alec was also gone leaving Max slumped in her chair.
"Well, you sure know how to clear a table." She mumbled to herself whilst playing with her food.