A/N- What a surprise, here's the next chap. I'm sure you're all tired of my apologies on the last few chapters (which has started to become a worrisome habit, me apologizing on practically every chapter) so I think I'll just skip that particular part this time around. What can I say? The combination of mounting school stuffs, unusable laptop and almost zero online time contribute to this late update. I'm sure you all understand that, right? So, without further ado, tada! The new chapter.
Enjoy it folks coz I have no idea when the next one's coming.
Just kidding. It'll be posted soon.. in due time. heh don't you just love me?
A/N2- I thought I'd let this part become a little tidbit I'd share with you guys. Before writing this chapter, I watched The Berrisford Agenda.
Twice. In one night.
God, doesn't he just look too good to be true? That last scene.. dammit I'm practically a pile of useless goo on the floor. And with that amazing piece of image in my head, I started writing. I mean, give me a name of someone stupid enough to resist an angsty Alec. Anyone? No name to share? Of course not.
A/N3- A lil news flash on my life. I was writing this when I was fighting off a fever, just to let you know. That might explain the tone for the entire chapter.
A/N4- As usual, my unflappable beta Alexis had done her best and there weren't enough thank you's in the world I can say to her. You're the best hon :)A/N5- Have you heard the biggest news of the century? Jensen's venturing to the big screen!! Wheee! Everyone I know are excited beyond word by this big incredible break :D
*jumps excitedly around*
If we're lucky, then in less than a year Jensen Ackles will be coming to cinemas near you. hee!!
A/N6- I am getting a little overboard here with the A/Ns but what the heck. It's not that I update everyday right? Okay, in a bit I'm gonna do a bit of recap of what had happened in the last 19 chapters. It'll be quite long but just humor me. If not, just skip it. It's not like I can force you to read it or something ;)
Previously in Anything and Everything.
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.
*
'No can do, Logan,' she said as she remembered her earlier resolution. 'I'm kinda.. busy tonight.'
'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.
*
'Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,' Special Agent Ames White drawled, smirking gleefully.
*
Behind her White and the gang started shooting. She avoided them easily, but the one second she took before jumping the fence was all it took before one of the bullets savagely pierced through her shoulder.
*
Quickly he removed his outer shirt and with hands that were dripping with sweat threw it towards her. 'Max, use it for your wound,' he barked and took the next turn.
*
His eyes swept the area as he tried to find the path they had taken and he saw mangled plants, broken branches and trampled grass. A clear sign someone had walked clumsily across, someone who didn't cover tracks very well or didn't know how to do it.
Someone like Logan.
Bingo.
*
'Max, open your eyes please. Come on sweetheart, you can do it. Please, please Max, open your eyes please,' he pleaded desperately as his hands tenderly cup her burning face, his thumb slowly stroking her soft cheek.
'Alec,' she whispered slowly, feeling safe and secure with him near, 'what took you so long?'
*
'How is she?' Alec asked without emotion, but Carr saw a glint of deep pain before they disappeared under hard, unaffected face.
'She's critical,' Carr answered bluntly, 'I don't think she'll make it past 24 hours.'
*
'What now, boo?' O.C. asked, looking up to see his face.
'I'm gonna find the cure,' he answered, his eyes harden with determination.
'Max had been looking for the cure for almost a year,' she purposely left out Logan's name, 'what makes you think you're gonna find it in less than 24 hours. What exactly are you gonna do, Alec?'
'Anything, Cindy. Anything.. and everything,'
*
He sighed, 'I didn't know if I could live with myself if I didn't. Live with the regret because I didn't tell you this.'
'I love you Max. I love you with all my heart and soul.'
*
Dr. Fowler has successfully created an enzyme that could independently isolate fragments of DNA from various types of bacteria and virus that caused diseases, resulting in complete breakdown of the affected virus.
*
'Wait a second. No, that doesn't sound right. I think I'd prefer a round figure. One million dollars, that's my price and it's not negotiable. Take it or leave it.'
*
Even with proper planning which now he sorely lacked, this gig had been extremely challenging. Now, it was near impossible.
He was about to steal the Premier Rose, one of the largest diamond in the world.
*
He took the glasses off and slipped them back into his pocket before turning and began walking towards the reason he was here in the first place.
Rembrandt's The Night Watch.
*
'The virus was designed to work in a certain environment like the human blood and since this woman is a transgenic, it didn't really happen as expected.'
'That means.. what?' Alec asked quietly.
'It means in a different situation or surroundings, most molecules and particles react differently. The newly activated virus, since there's no immune system to stop it, started mutating after it was exposed to her blood. It turned to a new strain and she didn't possess any sort of immunity against this new virus.'
*
'Yes, every time they're reproducing, they're mutating.. at the same time. It would be hard..' Fowler shook his head hard, 'no, impossible to keep track on the changing virus long enough to make a vaccine. Every virus need a specific drug to disable them completely but now, there are too many different types of viruses.. not to mention the one which will make their appearance soon. There's absolutely no way we can cure this woman on time before the virus shuts her entire system down.'
*
'I have an idea,' Alec said simply, but his eyes were shining as his shattered hope was slowly and agonizingly resurrected.
*
'Stem cells..,' mused the old man, 'they produce all the blood and immune system cells in the body. It's a long shot... but that just might work. Yet, there's still one big problem. Where do you find these really strong stem cells?'
'That's not going to be an issue,' Alec said without emotion, 'Use mine.'
*
'Because what you're suggesting is completely impossible. I have to know if you understand what you're proposing. You want me to blast someone's bone marrow to pieces, with very powerful chemotherapy drugs in the next couple of hours so that it'll kick into high gear and start pumping stem cells,' he paused as he stared unblinkingly at Alec.
'Your metabolism rate may be higher but frankly, I don't think any of you guys could take it, either. From 5 days to 36 hours may be possible, slim chance yes.. but still within reach, but not in the next 12 hours. No, that would be too dangerous. Theoretically, your idea may still work,' he continued after seeing Alec's stubborn expression, 'but who would willingly put his life on the line for something this jeopardous?'
*
'You're not alone in this, Alec. Remember that. Ya don't have to keep doing this on you own, ya know... I'll be more than happy to help out... give those broad muscular shoulders of yours a little break.' With another smile, she squeezed his rigid arm and left the room.
No, you're wrong Cindy, he thought sadly, there's nothing you can do to help Max now. I am on my own.
*
'He wants to be the donor. He knows that harvesting took time so he want to speed it up, without bothering about the incredibly high risk. He can lose his life Cindy, and he didn't give a damn about it...'
*
'Yeah, she had another cardiac arrest around an hour ago,' Carr shook his head sadly, 'I was sweating hard, thinking she won't make it... and then, right next door, I have another patient who's hovering an inch from death...' his voice trailed off as he recalled the horrifying event.
*
White leaned back in his chair and said, 'What do you have for me?'
'I want to make a little deal,' Logan replied, staring hard into the camera.
'I don't do deals,' White answered simply, his eyes cold and bitter. 'You tell me what I want to know, and maybe I won't kill you. Is that a deal?'
*
The marrow and the stem cells are ready. Is the enzyme working as it suppose to?' Carr asked as he stepped into the room.
'Yes,' Fowler beamed, 'Perfectly. The virus is disintegrating even as we speak. In a while, the virus will be gone.'
*
'There you go, Maxie,' he whispered as his thumb continued to move comfortingly over her skin, 'You're a born fighter, you can do this. I've done all I could, it's your turn now babe.'
*
With the last of his remaining strength, he intertwined his fingers tightly around hers.
'It'll warm your hand Max,' he mumbled softly before his lids slowly close. With a heavy sigh, he succumbed to the persistent pull of the darkness.
*
Max gritted her teeth and her hand twitched as she valiantly tried to sort out her scrambled thoughts. Instantly, the hand over hers tightened its hold over her fidgeting fingers. And at that moment her heart broke sweetly at the unconscious gesture from him and she knew for sure.
She loved him.
Bless the blue lady, she really did.
*
'I love you Alec,' she whispered, feeling his arms tighten instantly around her body. 'God, I love you so much.'
'The feeling's mutual, sweetie,' he mumbled, his chin resting against her soft silky hair, 'I love you too.' He gathered her closer and she sighed in response.
*
Now is the part where we rush him to the nearest hospital,' Shankar said gravely and without another word, they ran towards their car, Logan's uncooperative body between them.
*
'It's not gonna be quick and clean this time, fellas,' he smiled, straightening his body in a quick fluid movement. 'I'm in the mood for some mess, preferably your guts on this dirty floor. So, bring it on.'
Chapter 20- The Deadly Fight.
It was quiet, as it was prone and supposed to be around midnight, but if a discerning and shrewd onlooker was around to give a closer inspection he would definitely feel the way the atmosphere was charged with the anticipation of something big about to happen. The air crinkled with the jagged bolt of suspense; it raced stealthily underneath the otherwise misleading calm surface.
Outside however, on this particular star studded night, the blurry figure of a homeless man shuffled slowly along the perimeter of the hospital's wall. He paused for a second, lighting a cigarette stub, and took the time to appreciate the lingering taste of the smoke before he continued on his never-ending journey.
The serenity of the moment was not replicated in the building where just below the structure a furious battle was about to take place.
Alec blurred forward and even in the accelerated speed he could see that the huge Familiar's movement was a second too slow. He could actually tell that the Phalanx had aimed that first kick straight to his head. The charged X5 crouched, felt the muscled leg swung over his head, just mere millimeters away from his hair, and he swiped his own leg and the tall Familiar toppled down like a huge oak. He pounced on the furious Familiar in a second.
After tearing the black helmet away from the massive head, Alec smashed his elbow into the side of the warrior's head. A loud crack smashed the silence of the night and this particular snake lover would find himself with a mighty concussion or worse, a broken skull, when he finally woke up. If he even woke up at all.
Without any expression Alec straightened, wiping his hands together absentmindedly as the still body slid noiselessly to the ground.
His full lips quirked into a slight hint of a grin but the green orbs were burning brightly with the fire of his determination. 'What did you just say about giving the pain part?'
*
Flashback scenes from last chaps out in the open
In a silent and dark hospital room, a pair of brown eyes tore open before they were looking around hurriedly, urged by an unknown and unplaced urgency. Not finding what she had been unconsciously seeking for, she pushed the covers off as the feeling of fear escalated to hysterical proportions. Her breathing grew erratic when she realized that she was the lone occupant in the tomblike room.
'Oh god,' she whispered brokenly as the tiny and sharp claws of terror started to dig in while her eyes were wide in fear, 'something's wrong.'
The soft dark hair whipped against her bare neck as she bounded from the bed, driven by a mounting dread for her absent mate.
'No, no, no.' Denial was definitely her best friend at times like this. 'Not Alec. Please, don't let anything happen to him.'
Even as she was pushing the door open, somehow deep down inside of her she knew that her prayers were futile this time. But still, she kept the frantic whispers up because the thought of other possibilities would be crippling.
With her heart bantering frantically against her ribcage and her dark eyes glistening with worry and fear, Max streaked past the empty hallway, intent on finding him at all costs.
*
The remaining three Familiars growled as they took in their fallen companion and now, without waiting for White's order, they rushed ahead with only one thought in mind. Vengeance and murder. And not particularly in that order either.
Alec waited for a beat and then he leapt upward before his hand landed on one of the Familiar's shoulders. Using it as leverage, he spun his body around and the hard heel of his boot connected squarely with its intended victim. The warrior staggered, holding his dislocated jaw but without the feeling of any pain that was just a slight nuisance to him. But Alec, still airborne, let his momentum carry him around and then he pushed himself upward and kneed the second Familiar in the ribs. His hand took the liberty to secure a swift uppercut before he landed gracefully on his feet while the enemy took a dive on the cold hard ground. He wiped a few drops of sweat off his forehead as he waited for the incoming attacks.
And on this particular matter, he wasn't to be disappointed.
The last remaining Familiar sneered before he launched himself at Alec, who by now was panting slightly. But Alec miscalculated and as a result, stars filled his entire vision. The Phalanx's punch had been enough to rattle some teeth. He shook his head hard and grimaced as blood started to slide down from one corner of his split lip. With exaggerated slowness, he wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. 'You're gonna pay for that, buddy.'
The Familiar didn't even bother with an answer as he moved ahead. He tried to bluff and feinted left but Alec was a step ahead; he went for the uncovered right but that had been the Familiar's intention all along. With a barely hidden sneer, the big warrior moved his hand from under his armor and Alec never saw the sudden gleam of metal. When the sharp point pierced through his flesh, he gasped and his jaw tightened in response; breathing hard to fight the crashing waves of pain, his shaking fingers touched the only remaining part of the knife that was still visible, the black hilt. The knife had gone straight through all the way into the right side of his abdomen. Alec staggered for a bit as he had to fight a sudden wave of nausea.
'Damn it,' a soft hiss passed through his suddenly pale lips as he tightened his slick hold, grabbed the knife and with a decisive tug, pulled the blade out of his bleeding flesh.
Even as he was still trying to catch his breath, one of the Familiar grabbed him from behind and he almost fainted as the muscled arms tighten over his wound. His vision wavered dangerously while the second Familiar took the cue and started on the beating spree. Trying hard to avoid most of the punches and kicks was near impossible and moments later, Alec was bathed in his own blood from his now numerous cuts.
A thin line of crimson had started to work its way down to his jaw from a cut just under his hairline, slightly obscuring his vision. With all his might, Alec lifted his arms upward and managed to break the deadlock. He swung himself in an arch so he was behind the Familiar in the next second. The beaten X5 spun as he sailed over the Familiar's head and threw out a hand as the ground loomed nearer. Then with his agile hand firmly planted on the ground, Alec pushed himself hard and kicked the Phalanx forcefully from the back.
After he landed, quickly Alec crouched but one hand was pressing hard against his wounded side. The bleeding had stopped... for now, but the wound was too deep to ignore for too long. He took quick, shallow bursts of air as he tried to keep his focus and it was getting harder by the second. But with an ironclad will, determination, and a new surge of hormone, he pushed the throbbing pain away. Then, he knew he had to take out the weakest looking Familiar to give himself better odds.
His blood drenched palm closed over the same knife that been plunged into his side earlier. He blurred, and the heavy framed Familiar was no match for his lithe speed. Alec ducked from the incoming blow before he sprung upward and ran the knife decisively across the slit between the helmet and the body armor.
Blood gushed out in a scarlet fountain as the Familiar went down on his knees, gurgling as he practically drowned in his own blood. Alec panted hard as he wiped the sweat and blood from his eyes.
Another Familiar sneered as he tore his helmet off; the dark eyes gleamed with murderous rage. Alec dropped to the ground and swung his leg under the Familiar's before pouncing on the fallen man. He pressed his knee hard against the exposed neck, cutting off the air from the gasping enemy. But the Familiar won't stay down for long, not without a ferocious fight. His hand wandered downwards, looking for something at the same time as he was gasping for breath. The big hand tightened on a dagger, hidden from view by his armor before he plunged the sharp blade swiftly into Alec's thigh, running it towards the knee to form a huge bleeding gash.
Alec cried out in pain, his hand swiftly holding the Familiar's fist in a tight grip to prevent more damage to his throbbing leg, but the warrior only needed those few seconds to act. But Alec didn't give the enemy a chance to react; gritting his teeth tightly against the pain he took the knife away from his grinning enemy before planting it unceremoniously in its new resting place. Right over the place where the Phalanx's heart should be.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw the last Familiar lumbering towards him and he stood quickly, ignoring the dull burning sensation from practically every part of his body. Alec took a deep breath and turned to face the last Familiar who was charging towards him, trying hard to keep himself standing on his throbbing and wounded legs.
*
The brunette ran across the mostly deserted hallway as her fear escalated by the second. She chewed on her lips as her wild eyes took on her surroundings, trying desperately to ascertain the whereabouts of her missing partner.
Left or right? she thought frantically as she came to a corner.
Dammit, where the hell are you, Alec?
'Miss, what are you doing outside your room?' a firm voice broke the thread of her chaotic thoughts.
'What?' Max blinked for a while, pulled forcefully from her recent dilemma. Seeing the no-nonsense look the nurse had on her face, she switched gears instantly, 'I'll be there in a second.'
Yeah, right. Like she didn't have anything else to do than sit on her ass while her Alec was somewhere doing something that might well be hazardous to his health.
'I'm afraid that's impossible.' The nurse shook her head and placed a strong hand on Max's arm. 'I'll walk you back to your room, shall I?'
'You don't understand!' Max wrenched her hand forcefully away. 'I have to find him! He's in trouble, I know it!'
'No one is in trouble miss,' another nurse appeared beside them and said in a soothing voice, 'but you can't go around running all over the place just yet. You need your rest you know.'
'What I need right now is to find Alec,' Max spoke quickly; her eyes were darting around frantically. Her heart gave a fearful bump and she almost moaned. What's happening to him? Dear God, is he hurt?
'I'm sure he's fine,' the first nurse said comfortingly, 'maybe he's in the bathroom or something.'
'Dammit, something is wrong! Can you understand what I'm saying?' she cried out desperately. 'I need to find him, now!'
'That's it, you're coming with us. Come on miss, off to bed. You need to rest.'
'No! Let go of me,' she broke away from the two nurses without much difficulty and rushed off, leaving the faint trail of her terror behind.
'Oh great,' the second nurse threw her hand in defeat but she frowned as she stared at the now empty corridor, 'you go and find Dr Carr. I'll go after her.'
Without another word, the other nurse nodded and ran to the opposite side. She ran as fast as she possibly could in her white flat shoes, weaving between the other staff as she headed towards her destination. The nurse passed the big door used for emergency cases and the rubber soles of her shoes squeaked when she took a sharp left turn. She continued to run, ignoring the fact that the same door was suddenly pushed as a new patient was brought into the hospital.
*
'Is Dr Carr here?' a worried voice asked quickly as she helped to wheel in an unconscious patient.
'Dr Carr? I doubt it, his shift ended hours ago,' a tall nurse answered, and she joined in pushing the stretcher to the nearest emergency room.
'Damn,' Beverly Shankar clenched her stiff jaw before she shook her head hard. If Carr wasn't around then it was up to her.
'What seems to be the problem here?' someone interrupted and quickly she turned towards the newest arrival. The recognizable sight of a fellow practitioner in the art of healing cheered her instantly and she almost laughed out loud as she gripped the newcomer's hand tightly. Good, she could use the help of another doctor.
'He's going to need a neurosurgeon but right now I want some X-rays done, and possibly a CAT scan. Would that be a problem?'
'I think that's possible,' the doctor turned instantly to the busy nurses around him. 'I want you to hook him up to an IV as fast as you can manage it. Sandy and Lisa, get a blood sample.' He opened Logan's eyelids, flashing the light from his small flashlight a couple of time. 'If you're worried about possible brain damage miss...'
'Doctor,' she quickly corrected his mistake, 'Dr Shankar.'
His eyebrows rose at that but he continued with what he was about to say, 'Doctor, I think you brought him in just in time.'
'Good.' Dr Shankar heaved a relieved sigh. 'That's a huge relief.'
Both doctors turned as one as suddenly Logan's lips parted and a whisper out of voice made their way from the parched lips. 'No, no... Not Max... No.'
'Logan?' Dr Shankar said instantly. 'Can you hear me?'
The formerly motionless hands twitched before they started clenching and unclenching as if in fear.
Guessing correctly on the very thing he was worried of the most, she used it to pacify and hopefully bring him back to the land of the living. 'Max is fine, don't worry about it. She's okay, Logan.'
Slowly, he blinked as if clearing a mist-filled mind. 'She... is?' he managed to mutter.
'Yes, don't worry about it. Now, all I want you to do is relax. Do you hear me Logan?'
'But... Wh... White...'
'Don't worry about him,' she reassured him with an overly bright smile, willing to do anything to keep him from worrying. 'And don't worry about Max too, she's just fine.'
To be continued..