Chapter Ten: Shaky Memories
"Max? Max? Are you okay?"
"Tr.... trypto...phan," Max stuttered feebly. "Z.... Zack? A...Alec? Don't le...let them.... se...see me...like this." Neither man knew what to make of the situation. They exchanged glances, something they did a lot lately, and Zack ran to get his pills.
"Hold me.... pl...please?" Alec swiftly moved to Max. He wanted to hold and comfort her so badly. He wanted to hug, kiss and soothe the pain and seizures away. He wanted her to need him. He would still want to even if she didn't. He gently lifted her up and onto his lap, reprimanding his mind for imagining situations where... Max needs your help, not your dirty ideas! Instantly, his instincts to protect his own – to protect the one he loved - kicked into gear. He tucked her stray locks behind her ears and wrapped his arms protectively around her waist. He bent down, kissing the top of her forehead. Suddenly, Max froze, eyes wide with shock.
Zack, who had just returned, knew that face. "What? What do you remember?" He rushed to her side.
Max blinked, returning from her mindless stare. "I... I just had a sudden picture..." The seizing returned, almost full-force. "I don't.... know...I felt... a sense of... Déjà vu."
Alec knew precisely what she was thinking of.
"When he escaped, it was like there were too many things he didn't have answers for."
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Max, what is it?"
"We were in the woods, he was hurt, Manticore was closing in on us. He didn't want to go back there. I killed him. He asked me to, so I did. Then I ran. I saved myself. I just left his body there for them to take away."
"Max, I'm sorry.""Anything specific?" Alec questioned with both fear and hope concealed in his quiet whisper.
"No... damn it," Max said with pure disgust. She knew he must have been in her memory. Which was why she was pissed for not remembering.
Both men could hear the distress in her voice. One gained hope while the other sighed.
Zack's love for Max couldn't be described. It was what kept him going everyday. He knew Max would rid of Logan someday. They never had any chemistry. At all. He just knew; Zack could read Max like his personal storybook. He was excited to see each new chapter and in his heart, deep, deep down, there would be a fairytale ending. Unfortunately, the ending seemed farther and farther away with every page. First there was Manticore, then their separation and Logan (insert your disgusted noise here) to prolong that Disney destiny. Of course, they had overcome each of these barriers, so far. But Alec, well, Zack wasn't too sure about getting past him. He hadn't had the chance yet, but he would have to tell Alec about her. One part of Zack felt possessive, the other resigned. He was used to not having her, but now there was no Logan or Manticore to worry about and she was close enough to kiss. He was also close enough to her that he could see her true emotions. And he was so in love with her, he was going to sacrifice his own chance just to see her happy. Eventually, he was knocked out of his mental monologue by his love's voice.
"Zack?"
"Yes?" At that moment, he would have gladly plummeted off a fifty-story building if she would love him. Or if she would smile.
"Give me... the damn pills," She managed before the shaking became unbearable.
"Damn... Manticore... can't even... fix its... toys... properly." Eventually, after popping a few pills, the contractions became murmurs that slowed to a stop. Yet, to Zack displeasure, Max was still in Alec's loving arms. Noticing this, Max stood up and dusted herself off. She hated showing vulnerability and weakness, even to her closest friends and family. She looked embarrassed and attempted to cover it up with a smile.
"Thank you. For... helping me." Max's thanks were usually few and far apart, causing the phrase to shock both men.
"Alec, I'm putting you in charge for a while. See Mole – we were going to plan a supply run. Zack, help him with anything. Let me know if you need me. I'll be back in a while. Enjoy tackling that mountain of papers!" Max tried to blur, but once she turned the corner, all of Headquarters heard a loud crash. Alec winced, looked concerned, and was about to go after her when Zack grabbed his arm. Zack shook his head 'no' and mumbled, "Trust me, she's embarrassed enough as it is."
Alec opened his mouth to object, but Zack sternly said, "She's still an X5. That doesn't change because you care for her. She'll come soon or we'll visit."
After that awkward lull in the conversation, Zack asked, "So, this the first time Maxie got the shakes again?"
"Yeah," Alec replied blandly. He hated to take orders from anyone, but, he sighed, Max HAD told him she would come soon. Alec tried to get the warm, thankful smile gracing Max's beautiful features out of his head and focus on the mountainous pile of papers calling his name.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! I was on a trip so this chapter was put off. Thanks for all the reviews. I don't mind getting them, really! ;)