Title: anything and everything

Author: sue

Rating: PG

Show: DA

Genre: Angst/Romance/Adventure

Type: WiP

Summary: under the chaos of a failed mission, somehow Logan had managed to do the impossible- infect Max with the virus. Now, it's up to Alec to stop her from taking an unplanned journey across the tunnel with the bright lights. And he won't stop at nothing to make sure of that..

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heather, thanks for betaing this chapter! ;)

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Chapter 2. Denied Attractions.

Crash, a few hours before.

It was packed, as usual. Music was blaring and beer was flowing. Under all that chaos, it was a perfect place to hang out with your buddies, or let loose some steam or even to wash away your sorrow. Multipurpose all right.

The thick crowd moved and from where he was standing Alec suddenly caught sight of Max. She was sitting in one of the back tables, almost hidden from view by the moving crowd. But right then, he had the perfect view of her. A slight smile appeared as he saw her laughing with Original Cindy. Then the crowd shifted and she was gone. Alec turned his attention back to the game but the hint of a smile still lingered upon his lips and in his green eyes.

*

That night Max didn't really feel up for socializing. That's why she chose this table back here. The setting made one feel as if you're almost hidden from the world, but… not quite. But that was fine with her. She leaned back in her chair, relaxed and happy for once. She had decided not to burden her mind with any depressing thoughts tonight. She needed the rest. So, no missions for tonight, she thought to herself. She smiled as Cindy happily began talking about her new honey. After awhile she let the soothing sound of Cindy's voice wash over her, along with the sense of calmness. She hadn't felt this good in a very long time. Her eyes strayed to the pool table and saw Sketchy groaning in frustration as he missed his shot. She grinned in amusement as she saw who was playing against Sketchy. Right, Alec of course. Her brown eyes flicked towards him. He was walking around the pool table, contemplating his next move. Her dark eyes glinted with something akin to admiration as she saw the graceful way he moved, so much power in every stride. And he doesn't even realized what he had, she silently thought as he stopped moving and playfully slapped Sketchy on his back and said something that resulted in unbelieving stare by his opponent, oblivious to the lovesick glances thrown his way by more than half the female populace. Or maybe, she smirked, he knew exactly what he had, what he's capable of, but he's so used to all this extravagant attention. Yeah, that must be it.

But she can't stop herself from admiring the way his dark jeans hugged his long lean legs. Or the way his black leather jacket molded his broad muscular shoulder. Or even the cheeky glint in his beautiful hazel eyes as he made his choice and how his soft full lips quirked in his usual cocky grin as the last three balls knocked each other and disappeared, leaving a solitary white behind. She smiled as she saw the way his fingers ran through his dark blond hair as Sketchy almost pulled out his hair, frustrated at being beaten again by Alec. Her smile was frozen in place as suddenly she felt like someone had doused cold and freezing water all over her. What did she just do? When did she start thinking about Alec in that way? Something hit her and she bit back a groan. No, it can't possibly be true. But wait, something isn't quite right. Although it was crowded tonight, she didn't feel warm or overheated for that matter. In fact, it was quite cool here. She scanned the crowd, looking at each male thoroughly, but she didn't have the urge to jump anyone. That's weird; she frowned, if I'm not in heat, what did just happen?

That thought went unanswered as suddenly her beeper started beeping. She glanced at the number and immediately stood up.

'It's Logan,' she answered Cindy's questioning look and headed towards the payphone, a bit relieved to let the matter drop for a while.

*

Original Cindy stared at her retreating back, a frown marring her smooth forehead. Did I just detect mild resignation? Then slowly she smiled.

'Well, well… looks like my boo finally starting to open her eyes,' she chuckled softly, pleased with herself. She had caught the lingering glances Max had thrown Alec's way when she thought that Cindy wasn't looking, like a few minutes ago. She continued to smile as she waited for Max. If her power of deduction was as sharp as ever, there's going to be a long talk ahead.

*

At the payphone, Max waited for Logan to pick up his phone. After this, she thought, I have to talk to Original Cindy. A very long talk.

'Hey Logan, what's up?' she said into the receiver after she heard his voice.

'Max, I need you to come over,' he said distractedly, like he was busy doing something else while talking to her.

Max felt her brows inched upward at that. She could almost hear the clatter of his keyboard in the background.

'No can do, Logan,' she said as she remembered her earlier resolution, 'I'm kinda… busy tonight.'

'Come on Max. You know it's important or I wouldn't call you,' Logan stopped typing for a minute, hoping he could talk her through.

Max frantically tried to find something to dissuade Logan when she saw Alec, laughing with Sketchy. All her recent thoughts came rushing back and as usual she took the easy way out. She ran.

'Sure Logan. I'll be right there,' she hang up the phone and with a sigh turned and made her way towards Original Cindy.

*

Alec was humming softly to himself as he took the last shot. It was too easy, it was almost pathetic. As the last ball disappeared he turned and looked at Sketchy, who immediately challenged him to yet another game, certain that this time he would definitely win. Alec slowly shook his head as he grinned at his friend. Well, he challenged me, Alec thought with a grin.

'Whatever you say, buddy,' he said with a cocky grin. His eyes sought out Max and he saw that she was relaxing in her chair, smiling and laughing with O.C. Alec felt himself smiling when he saw that she's enjoying herself. She didn't seem to be doing that much lately, he mused. Every time he saw her, she either looked tense or stressed out. Tonight was a nice change. His green eyes brighten with pleasure as she threw back her head and laughed. A very nice change indeed.

'Hey man, let's get started,' urged Sketchy, determined to win back his next paycheck.

Alec turned from delighted Max to impatient Sketchy. 'Ah well, time to win some money,' he shrugged and started the game.

Halfway through the game he noticed that Max was gone. Must've been at the bar, he thought and continued playing.

A couple of games later Sketchy finally decided that it was impossible to beat Alec, so he headed towards the bar. Alec grinned in amusement as he saw his friend walked dejectedly towards his drinks. Maybe I ought to buy him a couple of drinks, he thought devilishly, after all it used to be his money. With that thought in mind, Alec went to have a few drinks with his friend.

An hour or so later, his instinct shouted that something was wrong. Very, very wrong. Quickly he scanned the packed room. Nothing's out of the ordinary. No White, no Familiars, not even the Steelheads. Not totally satisfied, he let his sharp eyes roamed the room again, slowly this time. His instinct was never wrong. But he came out empty, again. His heart stopped beating for a second as he thought of something. Again, his eyes swept the room, only this time instead of looking for the enemy, he was looking Max because somehow he knew that she was in trouble. Hoping desperately that he was wrong, he left a very drunk Sketchy and quickly made his way towards Max and O.C.'s table.

His heart sank deeper when he saw that Original Cindy was alone, slowly sipping her beer, smiling at a voluptuous brunette across the room.

'Cindy, do you know where Max is?' he asked trying hard to hide his fear behind his usual grin, but his tormented eyes gave him away.

But the usually sharp Cindy missed this. After all, she was preoccupied.

'Max? She's at Logan I think. He paged a couple of hours ago, what's wrong?' she turned towards him, but he had gone. Original Cindy didn't have time to ponder upon this fascinating piece of news as the brunette slid into the opposite chair and smiled invitingly.

*

The fast ride to Logan's place didn't help to clear his head, or cool his blood for that matter. Although he hated the thought of Max alone with Logan, but at this very moment he fervently wished that she were with him. If not, he refused to think any further.

He bounded up the stairs, too impatient to wait for the elevator. After knocking loudly and getting no answer, he picked the lock and a very empty room greeted him. Alec's heart thudded painfully as he blurred from one room to another, hoping against hope to find her somewhere, anywhere… But his hope was smashed to pieces as he stood alone in Logan's apartment. Max was not here… and neither was Logan.

to be continued..

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