Author's Note: I know this is short, especially considering how long it's been since I updated, but it's kind of like a transition. It introduces another very important person about to enter the picture. :-) Enjoy!
...
"Well, hello, Syl," Alec said, a smirk tugging at his lips as she approached their table at Crash.
"Shut up," she responded without bothering to look at him.
"Hey, Syl," Max greeted her. She motioned to the attractive black girl next to her. "This is Original Cindy. Original Cindy, my girl Syl."
"Nice to meet you," Syl said with a smile, before turning back to Max. "Max, I need some digs. The sector police overran that building I was staying in—"
"Whoa, whoa," Alec interrupted. "The sector police. Do you think..."
Syl shook her head. "Someone reported biotoxins in there, so they had to clear everyone out. Anyway, a friend's coming to visit, and I need a place to stay."
"She could stay at Joshua's place," Alec volunteered.
"You're staying there," Max pointed out.
Exactly. "So? We have room."
"For two more people?" Syl asked dubiously. Not that she wanted to live within a mile radius of Alec, let alone in the same house. "And who's Joshua?"
"Joshua is the..." Max began, then trailed off.
"Swamp Thing," Alec muttered.
"Person," she interrupted, glaring at Alec. "That you met your first day here."
Syl frowned. It sure as hell wasn't the lab technician, so... Oh. Dogboy.
"So who's your friend?" Alec wanted to know. Syl could practically see the rusty gears of his mind turning as he pondered living with not one, but two hot chicks.
"Your thought process is so...degenerate," she told him.
"Thank you," he replied, taking another sip of his drink. "So who is this friend?"
Syl glanced at Original Cindy. Max caught the look and assured Syl, "It's cool. She's down."
Syl nodded uncertainly, not quite able to forget Zack's lectures about the unnecessary risks Max took. But Zack was dead, wasn't he? Despite all his precautions.
"It's one of us," she said, looking meaningfully at Max.
"Really?" Max asked eagerly. "Who?"
Alec rolled his eyes at Max's overzealousness.
Syl smiled. "Krit."
...