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 Eleven

Max had initially wanted to go home and sleep, then she changed her mind and decided she wanted to get up onto Space Needle. But after the whole tree thing, she didn't know whether or not the place would still have the same effect on her.

Her second option had been to go and see Logan, but she just couldn't make herself to go. Even though she knew in her heart, that Logan would never do anything to hurt her intentionally, that spark they used to share had long gone out. She had never been brave enough to admit it. Her 'we're not like that' relationship had been her security blanket ever since they had met.

She was afraid to love. But then again she had every right to be. Renfro had once said she was poison and looking back at her life now, Max realised she had only been partly right. If Max really was poison, then how comes Alec hadn't left her yet? He had stuck by her, even through her constant insults and belittling. Her mind drifted back to Barbie in the bar, well more specifically what she had said.

Something in Max snapped into place as she replayed the words in her head. Getting onto her motorbike, Max revved up the engine. She knew exactly where she was going.

Max walked into the room, the floorboards creaking under her feet. Amazingly, Joshua slept through it. He was curled up in the corner of the room on the floor with one of 'Father's books' beside him. Max pulled her eyes away from the Big fella and headed down to the basement.

She stared at the painting. It all made sense now and she was in awe of Joshua's perceptiveness. It was a triangle – a damn triangle. The red, symbolising love, anger and hurt, linked them all but strangely the green, jealousy, linked only Joshua's representations of Logan and Alec.

'Why would Alec be jealous of Logan? Or is it the other way round? But why would Logan be jealous of Alec, I mean I don't love Alec?' Max looked at the painting again, "Well Joshua thinks you do," she said as she looked at the red that joined them.

"Joshua thinks what?"

Max turned around. Thankfully it was dark in the basement because she was pretty sure she was a nice shade of pink.

"Uh nothing," Max said not so convincingly.

Alec looked from Max to the painting she had been looking at. "He calls it 'Max, Logan and Alec'," Alec said, "although I think 'Triangle' would sum it up better."

Max's breath caught in her throat as Alec came to stand behind her. "Alec," she started, not quite sure what it was that she wanted to say. Turning around to face him, she tried again, "Why did you stick around?"

Alec watched her intently. Normally he'd give her some twisted, not so serious answer but he could see that she desperately sought some clarity and he wasn't going to be the one to deny her that.

"Max you saved my life. You were the person who broke down the high Manticore walls surrounding me and if you hadn't, then I wouldn't be standing here right now."

Max was silent.

"Sometimes," he continued, "I wonder why it is that I've stayed, coz Maxie you have hurt me."

His voice wasn't accusing nor hatred fuelled but one that sounded dejected and almost empty. His sincerity filled Max's eyes with small tears. "I can live with the insults, to be honest, I prefer the insults."

"As opposed to?" Max asked, not sure she wanted to hear his answer.

Alec said nothing. He kept his eyes fixed on the floor. His uncharacteristic silence sparked Max's need for an answer to her question. Slowly, she reached out and closed the gap between them. Using her finger, she lifted his chin, so that his sparkling hazel-green eyes met hers. Her hand lingered on his cheek as she waited for her answer.

"Seeing you with a guy who makes you happy."

Max felt stung at hearing the words. Her hand dropped instantly to her side as she took a step back. She looked desperately at him; she must have heard him wrong. But no, his eyes were covered in nothing but honesty.

"Ok, so I get it, I'm hurting you because I'm happy and you're not," she said, her voice dripping with bitterness.

At that moment she saw Alec's eyes shift, as he realised his mistake and utter panic filled them,

"Max, I didn't mean it that way!"

"No, no, it's perfectly clear what you meant," Max said as she rushed to walk away from him.

"I . . ." Alec stuttered frantically as he watched her walk away. "I meant; I want that guy to be me!" he finally yelled.

Max stopped instantly. Not trusting herself to turn around, she remained facing the door as her heart continued its frantic beating.

"Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch the one you want to be with, pining away for a guy she can't even touch?" His voice cracked under its yelling, "Do you know how much will power it took to stay behind, knowing that I'll never be more than a punching bag to you? God Max! All I want is for you to be happy and if that guy's Logan, then I accept that, but it doesn't mean it's gonna hurt any less."

"So why stay?" Max asked, still not meeting his eyes.

"Hope. Hope that maybe one day you might at least see me as a friend and not the ol' screw up who lost you your one and only chance of a cure. Hope that maybe one day, I can repay you for what you've given me."

Max turned ever so slowly to look up at Alec. His brilliant hazel-green eyes were graced with unshed tears and she could clearly see his anguish and regret at exposing himself to such a courageous degree. His only mercy was now in Max's hands,

"So Max, is there a point in me staying?"

The words echoed in Max's head, as she faced the idea of a life without 'goldenboy' and his smart alecky ways. Could she go on as normal without him? Would she miss him? But that wasn't really the point, was it? It was what he meant to her now and she didn't have to think twice as to what the answer to that was.

"No."

Max watched Alec recover from the single syllable. Covering his face with an impermeable mask, he smiled weakly, "I'll get out of your hair then."

For the second time that night, Max reached out and grabbed Alec.

"What is it that you want Max? I can't stay and go. I can't do both!" he yelled, pulling instantly away from her grip.

"No, you're not a screw up," Max said calmly, "You don't need to repay me for anything and you became a friend, someone I actually care about, a very long time ago. So no, you don't have to leave and no I don't want you to."

"So where does that leave us?" Alec managed to stammer out, "I mean you know how I . . . feel."

"I honestly don't know," Max sighed, "My feelings for you are . . . complicated."

Alec cleared his throat as an attempt to hide his vulnerable, love torn alter ego.

"You actually have feelings for me?" His former cocky self was slowly returning.

"Like I said they're complicated."

"Well complicated's one word I'd use to describe you."

Max smiled, "I need some time."

Alec nodded. He was still a mess really. He had gone through so many conflicting emotions in the last ten seconds, he wasn't sure how he should be feeling at both his and her confessions.

Max's cheeks felt like they were burning up as she watched Alec trying to suppress his grin. His reversion back to cocky jerk, for once in her life, was actually comforting. She didn't know when or how her feelings for him had changed, but Alec's own bravery had encouraged her to open up, and now that she had, a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Ok, well, I'll um see you at work," Max said as she backed away from him.

Alec just nodded, still stupefied by recent events. Giving him an almost self conscious smile, Max turned and left. Alec stood staring at the door for a very long time after that.

A/N 2- Thank you so much for all the reviews I've got so far, they really cheer me up, especially since I'm still stuck doing exams, so thank you. Also, let me know what you thought of this chapter. I wasn't so sure of it at first. I think Alec's slightly out of character but I tried my best with him and I'm hoping it's not too bad!