Title: anything and everything

Author: sue

Rating: R (for violence)

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 deadly virus. Now, it's up to Alec to stop her from plunging into the bottomless crater of death. And he would do anything.. and everything to make sure of that.

***

A/N- I'm sure all of you were a little *ahem* pissed off by the last chapter's shortness. 'Jeez, after not updating in months how dare she fill up that chapter with a bunch of A/Ns and then recaps? The nerve..'

I'm so sorry about that :) One reason why I did that was because I know this chapter will be posted soon after, so am I forgiven?

A/N2- This will be the second last chapter to this story. Oh yeah, anything and everything is coming to an end. Finally, I'll have one less wip to worry about ;)

A/N3- To my dearest beta Alexis.. what'd I do without you? Your suggestions and your advice are invaluable. Without them, I'm sure I'm still freaking out over every tiny detail. Thank you hon :)

***

Chapter 21- The Struggle to Stay Alive.

The enraged remaining Familiar ran full force towards Alec and the waiting X5 took hold of the warrior's hand, snapping it upwards before he spun the Familiar into the nearest wall. Alec pinned the heavy man's legs with his own and he kept the position with brute strength. His battered and bloody face broke into a satisfied grin as the Familiar started to show his surprise when he realized that he couldn't move.

At all.

The heavily muscled leg lashed out, trying to topple Alec but that move was already anticipated way ahead. His good leg met the Familiar's in midair; the strong, lean limb moved in a frighteningly quick streak and the Phalanx's bone broke cleanly in two under the force. At the same time, Alec smashed the warrior's head against the wall before spinning the dazed man around. He locked his arms around the Phalanx's head, tightening his hold with each passing second.

'Revenge was sure as sweet as they say,' he whispered as the Familiar's eyes rolled heavenward. Alec ignored the desperate hand that was clawing his arm painfully with a clench of his jaw and wrapped his hand tighter around his opponent's neck.

He raised his burning hazel eyes towards the waiting White, fusing their gaze together before his hand moved slightly and the agent's breath came out in a quick hiss as Alec unceremoniously snapped the Familiar's neck. He let go of the body and the dead man crumpled to the ground in an undignified heap. He was still for a few seconds before he took the first step, walking over the dead body and even then his face didn't show any change of emotion as he readied himself to face his last and hopefully only remaining adversary.

*

Two figures ran as fast as their legs could carry them down the deserted hallways. The older man panted, not used to this sudden need for exercise in the middle of the night. He threw the man next to him a questioning look, not able to speak as his breath wheezed crazily past his thin lips.

'The nurse said that Max has gone crazy,' Dr Carr answered the unspoken question, glancing at the older doctor beside him as they kept running, 'a little hard to believe, I know but when it's those two we're talking about, I think something has definitely gone wrong. And it's better to be safe in checking this out than not doing anything.'

Fowler didn't even bother to answer as he continued to run, breathing heavily with each step he took.

'Where is she?' the younger doctor demanded as the other nurse came to view.

'Down the hallway... somewhere,' the nurse answered tiredly. Her eyes told him that she was relieved beyond words that it would be his turn to deal with it all. She could hardly wait for the end of her shift when she could go home, put her legs up and give them some much needed rest.

'Thanks,' Carr nodded vaguely and took off; his eyes were already busy scanning the area.

'Max!' he called out when he finally saw her, 'Max! What the hell are thinking getting out of bed?'

'Leave me alone, will you?' the panic stricken brunette snapped; ready to run blindly down another set of hallways. Her terror had started to push itself into unimaginable heights, pushing the violent urge to find him above anything else.

'Young lady, what's wrong?' Dr Fowler finally managed to open his mouth while his hand clutched his burning side tightly.

And people said running was good for you.

'Alec! That what's wrong,' she said desperately, knowing that they wouldn't let her go until they were let in on the reason why she was tearing this hospital upside down. 'He's not in my room... I can't find him anywhere!'

'Are you sure he's nowhere around?' Carr asked with a degree of skepticism, looking at the wild looking girl in front of him with a frown.

'Of course I'm sure.' The abrupt answer was enough to rake any bone clean for even attempting to doubt her words. 'He's in trouble, I knew it. Dammit, I have to find him!'

'Relax Max, we'll find him but you have to calm down first.'

'How can I? For all I know he's getting his ass kick by a bunch of Familiars.' Her dark eyes widened as a blinding ray of realization tore its way across her frantic thoughts. 'Dear God, that's what he's doing.'

'What?' Carr and Fowler frowned in confusion at the sudden dread dancing across her face.

'Maax.'

Max was suddenly pushed from her own thoughts as the weak sounding voice niggled at her consciousness. She turned and looked without expression as a couple of nurses wheeled the almost bundled up Logan Cale, her not-like-that-ex-boyfriend, while Dr Shankar brought up the rear. She was in a deep discussion with another doctor but Max didn't notice that.

Logan had a way of dragging people's attention onto himself, whether they wanted to or not.

'Logan? What are you doing here?' she managed to ask even as her own dread mounted considerably. She'd started running for Alec but Logan had gotten hold of her hand and was clutching it in a death vise grip.

Talk about a clingy man.

'I tried to help you, my love,' he muttered, the blue eyes gleaming brightly before they widened considerably as he stared goggled eyed at their touching skins.

'Oh, Alec got a cure for the virus, so don't worry about the you dropping dead part,' she assured dimly; her eyes were darting around the place as she tried to decide on her next destination.

'You're cured?' Logan asked in excitement. He tried to propel himself to a sitting position but he wasn't strong enough to thrust himself upward yet. 'That's even better, then there's nothing to keep us apart now.'

How in the world did I never see he could be this sickeningly... nauseating?

'Whatever,' Max waved his mumblings aside and tried to pried her arms loose. 'I have to go find Alec, so if you'll excuse me.'

'But now we'll be happy together,' he countered, 'since the virus's gone. What are you waiting for?'

'Sorry to burst your bubble Logan, but for the life of me I can't see that particular event happening. Now or the near future. Yeah, we need to talk this out but not now,' she said decisively, hoping that he would take the hint.

And she owned this huge statue with a torch she wanted to sell.

'But why?' Like a cranky child who would drive his dead tired mom crazy with his unrelenting questions, Logan kept on asking.

'Because I said so! And I really have to go!'

'Wait a second,' his face was shadowed for a second. 'Is there something about you and Alec I should know about?'

Finally! It's a wonder no one ever figured out he's the elusive Eyes Only yet.

'What if I say that whatever happens between me and Alec is none of your business? How would you react to that?'

'Come on Max, this is no time for games. Are you actually saying that you've been cheating on me behind my back?' His eyes narrowed as he thought it over.

'One, we are not together, never have been and never will be, so I have not been cheating on you and two,' Max replied in a tight voice that spoke volumes of her fury, 'you're the one who's playing games right now. Yeah, I admit I'm with Alec now so I guess you can go and be happy with Asha.' Who would've guessed that a frail looking man like Logan had one tight grip?

'What?' He looked dazedly up at her. 'You have to be joking. Alec? That sociopath of a transgenic? Why him? What does he have that I don't?'

'I'm not even gonna answer that and if that's your idea of a joke on the sociopath bit, it ain't funny. Now will you let me go?' she snapped again.

'But I'll make you happy, I'm sure of that,' he implored; still thinking he might have a shot with her. How can she even think of resisting his charms?

'I really don't have time for this.' She clenched her jaw in desperation.

'But what is more important than us? Than our love?'

'For god's sake!' she shouted in despair. 'Have you always been this annoying?'

'I have to say I resent that,' he stated with a hurt air, finally able to push himself to a sitting position. 'I'm a mature, level headed man and annoying is only reserved for spoiled kids who didn't know how to behave at the annual family gathering.'

Max groaned inwardly, 'Listen Logan, for once try to listen to that other person who's talking to you instead of that constant droning voice in your head. I am through with you. There is no us. There was no us. There was only you, me, and a whole lot of missions. Quid pro quo, remember?'

'But you love me,' he continued stubbornly. 'And I certainly feel something for you.'

'That's nice but can we go through the whole denial thing you have right now, later? I have something more important to do than stand here arguing with you.'

'I am not in denial and I prefer to have it all out right now. There's no time like the present you know?'

'Damn you Logan, do I have to spell it out for you?' Didn't he know she was a little pressed for time here? 'We were never like that, so me being with Alec wouldn't matter much, right? And I find it a little hard to be with someone who was this close to killing me.'

'That was an accident!' his voice rose shrilly.

'Yeah but...' she suddenly stopped in midair as the short hairs at the back of her neck rose. 'Basement,' she whispered to herself and took off, leaving a crowd of perplexed men in her wake. But one of them managed to shout out a bewildered question, 'But... but Max, aren't you supposed to hover solicitously by my bedside?'

*

'I think you mentioned something earlier about a quick and clean retrieval?' Alec asked. His forehead crinkled in amusement despite the fact that blood was running from his multiple wounds.

'Enjoy it while you can,' White sneered, 'because I don't think even you have a chance of finishing me off in your condition.'

Alec snorted, 'Whatever you need to tell yourself, smartass.'

And they began to circle one another, two enemies facing the last battle. He slowed his breathing down imperceptibly; his injuries didn't even register on him yet as the adrenaline that was coursing through his heated blood prepared his battered and exhausted body for the final round. Swiping the blood off impatiently, he continued to eye his last opponent.

White stared with his eagle eyes, trying to find a weak spot in Alec's defenses but Alec was too well prepared. All his defenses were firmly in place.

'Are you sure you can still do this?' White asked slowly, still circling.

'Do what?' Alec asked nonchalantly as he tried to loosen the muscles in his neck. 'Kick your familiar ass to the ground? You can bet on that.'

The agent just grunted, 'Sure. Can you even see past all the blood on your face?'

'Hah.' Alec shook his head. 'Is that a hint of compassion I heard in your voice, Agent White?'

'Yeah, and I don't have to waste my time hunting down the scum of the earth like you in my free time.'

'Whatever.' The X5 just waved it aside with a careless gesture. 'Quit talking and let's finish this.'

Without waiting White launched his attack and the furious blows came one after the other, too fast to keep track of with the naked eye. If there was an eyewitness nearby, all he would see was a blur of moving limbs. At first glance both of them seemed to be evenly matched. The incoming blows and kicks were effectively blocked by the other combatant.

Alec flipped, gave a sound back kick before crouching, trying hard to catch his breath. White didn't waste any time; he lunged forward and aimed for the exposed head. Alec sprung up but the lighting quick blow caught him by surprise and his breath wheezed painfully passed his blood-stained lips. The area just above his tender wound felt like it was on fire and Alec felt his vision wavered sickeningly.

Dammit, not now.

Beads of sweat started popping out all over his brow and at the back of his neck. The drops of sweat mingled together with the almost dried blood and at that moment he hoped fervently he wouldn't pass out. Not right now. Not when there was so much score to settle. His life was not the only one on the line here.

And the trusty adrenaline came to his aid, supplying his body with the much-needed burst of energy.

Quickly he spun, surprising the Familiar, and his boot connected with White's rib. White staggered backward, his face turned an ashy pallor as he fingered his side but he just brushed aside his splintered ribs and moved in for another punch. But Alec was more than ready. He leapt and kicked White's shoulder and then the side of his head and White stumbled a few steps.

He panted hard but a wicked grin broke over his face as he moved towards Alec. Anticipating another round of hand-to-hand combat, Alec was ready. More than ready in fact, but that wasn't what the double agent had in mind. His hand snaked forward and Alec's head snapped backward. Before he could recover himself, White was already behind him.

White wrapped one hand over the X5's neck as the other delved towards the visible and angry wound. Stars filled his vision as Alec fought hard to keep conscious. His jaw hardened and his hand snapped backwards, choking the Familiar with his tight hold. White spluttered and loosened his hold and Alec stumbled away.

He tried valiantly to keep his feet on the ground before he realized that his wound had started to bleed again. This is not good, definitely not good.

But he ignored the warm red liquid that was running from his side and straightened his body. With an arrogant arch of his brow Alec said, 'You still haven't changed I see. Did your lovable cult teach their members to fight like a girl?'

'Very funny,' White answered with a barely hidden growl and pounced. The furious battle continued yet again as both combatants fought each other desperately. The agent blocked one of Alec's swift punches, trapping the hand before he delivered one of his own blows straight to the abdomen.

Alec winced, his eyes were wide in pain and White took the opportunity. He wrapped his long fingers around Alec's throat, shoving him to a nearby wall.

Not willing to go without a fight, Alec struggled and it seemed to make the Familiar madder than ever. White pried one hand free and raised it high, and the fist came crashing to meet Alec's jaw. His head snapped backwards and it slammed against the hard cold wall with a loud resounding crack.

Even when he felt like he was seconds away from blacking out, he managed to shove the agent off and took a few awkward steps away, shaking his throbbing head hard.

His tired eyes noticed the oil tank for the first time and his blood shot green eyes skittered on the cold floor, looking for the sharp knife that had made such intimate contact with his side. He also noticed the thin steel pipes propped around the tank and a hint of an idea started to take place. He gauged the distance as his mind rapidly calculated the odds of this succeeding.

Very slim; hell, near impossible was more like it but he had to finish this. Fast.

Or White would be the one finishing him off.

'Ready to meet your maker?' he asked, his eyes cold and hard as he grabbed the knife.

'Don't tell me you're gonna use that?' White scorned but Alec managed a small grin before flinging the knife.

It sailed through the air towards the Familiar but White, who saw it coming, moved out of harm's way. It continued to fly before plunging into the tank behind. A thin but steady line of liquid dripped from the small hole, flooding the floor with it wet substance. Beside the tank, the sharp rods commonly used in construction glistened as drops of oil landed on their surface.

'You missed.' The scorn was still apparent in his voice but Alec was not worried.

In fact, he managed his familiar trademark smirk. 'I never miss,' Alec answered and kicked the Familiar's chest.

Taken by surprise, White stumbled. As he tried to steady himself, his feet landed on the oily patch. His eyes widened as he could feel himself losing footing and then gravity took charge. The force of Alec's kick propelled his body backward and the slippery surface was not on his side.

He slipped before finally, he fell.

On top of the sharp glistering steel rods.

His face was the perfect mask of surprise as the multiple steel rods pierced through his torso, and for a second Alec has a vision of a butterfly being pinned to a paper. He turned around as the image made his stomach churn unpleasantly and he almost doubled over. Not caring what had happened to his last adversary, Alec knelt as his legs felt like they belong to an entirely different person while his trembling hand fought hard to keep his body upright.

'Max,' he whispered, 'help me.'

To be continued..

A/N4- Ooops, did I mention that this chapter is somewhat short too? But, the next one will be longer, I can promise that. After all, for the finale, I have all the intention of leaving you all gasping.. *winks*