Triangle

Disclaimer: I don't own them coz if I did, then there would be a third season! Rating: PG Summary: Max, Logan and Alec – join the dots Pairing: M/L/A Author's note: I'm not particularly good at writing fanfics but I enjoy them, so why the heck not hey? This is my third DA fic but the first one I'm putting on the net, so please read and review!!!!

Chapter Four

"So I was thinking, maybe a little pasta with a sprinkling of herbs and ooh my aunt from New Jersey has the best recipe for fresh tomato sauce . . ."

Max just smiled and nodded at Logan's rambling. Due to the fact that she had bolted yesterday night, Logan had suggested that they had dinner together again tonight. To be honest, she didn't really feel up to it but the poor not to mention sweet guy had gone to all this trouble and she really did not want to upset him. Afterall, he was the only good and constant thing in her life at the moment and she did not want to screw that either.

"So do you wanna set the tables?" Logan asked. Max continued staring out the window, "Max?"

Max jerked her head around, "huh?"

Logan's forehead creased with obvious worry, "you okay Max?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm good. Set the table, sure," she smiled standing abruptly and not meeting his gaze.

"Okay good," said Logan not at all believing her.

Max moved to get the plates out of the cupboard, slamming it shut. Logan, who had been standing with his back to her, had jumped at least what felt like two feet into the air at the sudden sound of banging wood. Turning around in expectation of an apology, he received nothing. Max hadn't even noticed, causing Logan's worry to heighten up again. Even with the noise of the last bang resonating in his ears, he hadn't been prepared for the loud clang of plates on the table either. If he hadn't been leaned up against the kitchen counter, he would have been on the kitchen floor by now, suffering from his second heart attack. Max still hadn't noticed.

"Uh, Max?" Logan's voice came out slightly shaky. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Max turned up away from the table, her facial expression and shrug of her shoulders showing her to be completely oblivious to her 'slight' temper, "I'm fine, Logan."

"It's just . . ."

"What?" asked Max, the underlying tone of annoyance clearly audible.

"It's just um . . . you must be uh . . . hungry."

"Very," smiled Max.

'Phew' Logan breathed silently 'nice save.' "Well you'll be glad to know, it's ready."

"Great," smiled Max again. Logan recognised the put on smile. He knew something was wrong, well that was fairly obvious – it's a wonder his plates were still in tact – but he knew better than to push her. She'd only retreat further into herself, if he tried. Logan knew that she trusted him and that was all that really mattered.

"I am not playing another game, man!"

"Oh come on Sketchy, my man, you know you want to!"

"Nah uh Alec, I'm broke."

"Well who am I gonna play?" asked Alec waving his hands around and nearly whacking some guy with the pool stick.

"Alec, we know you are the king of pool, so why not let the poor boy keep some of his money," OC shouted from the side.

"Ok, ok, fine," Alec surrendered, following his two human friends back to their table. "I'll get the beer," Sketchy offered leaving Cindy and Alec alone.

"So what happened?" asked Cindy once Sketchy was out of hearing range. Alec pretended to do the 'I don't know what you're talking about' look on Cindy but it hadn't worked. One glare from Cindy threatening a 'smack down' made Alec forget his transgenic ass kicking abilities and made him spill.

"I apologised," he said truthfully.

Cindy looked confused, "So why she so mad?"

Alec laughed uncomfortably, "I apologised for apologising and for even being on this planet and then I said something along the lines of 'sod off!"

"So you really didn't apologise, then?"

"No actually I did, but apparently it wasn't good enough."

Cindy sat studying the handsome X-5 in front of her. His hair was a mess, his shoulders were slumped and his normally sparkling and charming green eyes were dull, as if the lights had gone out. He wouldn't say it, but he was hurting. Original Cindy was an expert at noticing the symptoms.

"She'll come round."

Alec's expression stayed flat, "I don't really care whether she does or not."

"You don't mean that."

"Yeah well maybe I'm sick of her constantly picking away at me and scrutinising my every move."

Cindy just shook her head. God, the boy was dense sometimes,

"No Alec, you need her just as much as she needs you."

"Huh, yeah right! She's got her precious little Logan. I bet that's where she is now, laughing at the ol' screw up Alec."

"Alec . . ." Cindy started.

"Thanks Cindy but I'm just facing facts. I think I'm gonna go for a ride," he said getting up and putting on his jacket. "See ya later Sketch," Alec shouted to the returning Sketchy. Cindy went to open her mouth again but Alec had already disappeared into the crowd.

"Where's he gone?" asked Sketchy finally reaching the table. Cindy just leaned into her hand and sighed. "Oh well, more for me then," said Sketchy sitting down.

The night sky was clear but very few stars dotted it, to help the full moon light up Seattle. The air was cold but could only be felt with the rare breezes. Even so, Max sat with her knees to her chest for comfort. The Seattle skyline from Space Needle was the only thing that kept her sane, when everything else in her life was spinning off in all directions.

She had left Logan's earlier than planned. The food had been great but she just hadn't wanted the company. Logan didn't deserve her mood swings. He probably didn't even deserve her. Once there used to be a time, when all she could think about was Logan – the love of her life – and then when they had finally got it together – enter Alec.

Okay, so maybe the virus wasn't directly his fault but he still could have done something. Then again, it was the same cocky X-5 who had lost her and Logan their one and only chance of ever finding a cure. She had hoped she would never have to see him again but lucky for her, he turned up again. But this time it had been different. Sure, he was still annoying and she'd gladly kick his ass any day, but they had started to get on. He had become something a long the lines of a friend. However, recently, things had changed again. He was far more distant and his treatment of Logan – well to put it bluntly – was downright rude. Although she didn't want to admit it; she missed him. On the outside, she was fiery Max, always pissed off at him, but secretly she was relieved at the level of ease between them. And sitting here all by herself, that was what she craved the most.

His harsh words earlier today had cut so deep and though she had thought it, it had hurt. Not so much his hatred for her but the fact that he had believed, she hated him. The hurt in his eyes had been clearly visible and now she couldn't shake them from her brain.

The air around her had started moving again. The sudden change in atmosphere had almost let the faint footsteps behind her, go unnoticed by Max. Almost. Turning, Max met the very same eyes that had haunted her very last thoughts.

"Alec," was all she said.