A/N 2- I haven't updated for a while as I have had a bad case of both head cold and writers block…especially with Chapter 10 of Moving Alongside which my beta thinks is great but I think sucks. I guess I'll find out when I post it anyway.
Agenda adjustment.
Max stretched enjoying the peace and quiet for a change, a few of their Special Ops squad were on manoeuvres and so she had the Rec room to herself as she sat there and caught up on her reading.
She was thinking about Alec…again, something that was becoming far too commonplace for her. He had been around a lot more these past few weeks and always around her. It was making it so much harder to ignore those strange feelings and fluttering in the stomach that she got when he was around. It wasn't heat. She remembered with slight embarrassment the first time that she had gotten these feelings. Scared that she was sick she went along to med lab and explained her symptoms to the female Doctor.
"So you have sweaty hands and staggered breath and strange feelings in your stomach?" the Doctor asked "How often does this happen?"
"Almost everyday."
"Really?" the Doctor made some notes on her paper "Any particular time that it feels worse?"
Max nodded, "It gets worse around certain people."
She frowned, "Excuse me?"
Max repeated herself and the Doctor slowly put down her pad "Is this person a male by any chance?"
Max nodded again feeling embarrassed.
The Doctor peered at her curiously "The same male person?"
"My C.O." Max agreed. Hoping that the lady could tell her what was going on.
She got annoyed when the female Doctor grinned "You're in X5-494's unit right?"
Max nodded again wondering what that had to do with anything.
"Do these feelings intensify when he is around?"
Max did a double take "Am I allergic to 494?"
The female Doc turned around and hid a laugh behind her hand
"Haven't you ever had a crush before?"
"A what?"
"Crush," The Doctor leaned forward, a smile playing on her face "See when a girl finds a guy that she likes and is attracted to then-"
Max started to squirm.
Max frowned, did she have a crush on Alec? Was that even possible?
Before she could think more about it, in walked the object of her thoughts smiling to himself.
"Hey what's with the grin?" she asked pushing her thoughts away to deal with another time.
"Hey Maxie, I was called into Sandoval's office."
"What did you do now?" she sighed
"Hey!" he said affronted "Just because the last time I was there it was because of a little prank."
Little being the operative word, he had so lost Pix's mischief challenge. It turned out that the others had a few decent tricks up their sleeves.
"Little prank?" Max said incredulously sitting up "Every bugle-boy had blue lips for a week."
He grinned until she smacked his arm. "Oh come on Max, don't tell me you are Miss Goody Two-Shoes, I know who it was that put laxative in the trainers coffee jar."
Max mumbled something undecipherable and then changed the topic "So what did he want?"
Alec bit his lip, "I want to show you." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.
They walked down the corridors and down the basement where Max knew the nomilies were. She was still a bit afraid of them after what Ben had told her back when she was child but Alec was with her. He led her up the stairs and into another part of Manticore. It was where The Mission Prep took place. They had been here a lot recently.
He led her into a large empty room with blue walls and a glass screen.
"Where are we?" she wanted to know.
"Come on." He pulled her over and opened the door that the glass screen overlooked. It was a slightly smaller room with a big funny shaped object in the centre of the room.
"What's that?" she frowned as she glanced it over "Some new weapon?"
"It's a piano. Ordinaries use it to make music."
"Really?" her eyes widened in surprise "Like a radio?"
"Like this." He pulled her over and sat her on the seat next to him and opened the lid. Max looked on in interest as he touched one of the ivory keys. A soft chord filled the room.
She smiled and he glanced down at the keys.
"They're teaching me how to play. I have a solo mission and I need to tutor someone."
"Who?"
He shrugged "Don't know yet. But listen to this."
He ran his hands over the white and black lines and tunes rang out loud and clear in the still room. Max closed her eyes as the classical piece echoed.
She felt herself move in time to the beat and could feel Alec doing the same as his fingers flew over the keys. She opened her eyes and glanced at him. He had his eyes closed, totally engrossed in the music.
She found herself totally engrossed in him and his rapturous expression. He loved doing this, she realised and he was wonderful at it.
She noticed a book on the stand and she flicked through it until her eyes lit up.
"Alec," He stopped, the last few notes ringing in the air.
"Hmm?"
"Play this one," She pointed to the music.
He nodded and began the strains.
Max began to sing along and he glanced at her in surprise. He didn't know that she knew songs, not ordinaries songs anyway.
Her beautiful voice mixed with his strong playing and they melded to produce a perfect combination. They found themselves swaying together as they played.
As the song finished Alec turned to Max.
"Wow. How did you know the song?"
"I used to listen to Bill's radio back in Wyoming," She explained, "They had some great pre-pulse bands that I liked, this was one," She gestured to the piano "Can you show me how to play?"
"Sure." He put his hands over hers and showed her what the keys were and what they corresponded to on the piano.
"So is this deep cover mission, will you be gone for long?" she bit her lip as she waited for the answer.
Alec glanced at her in surprise, "Will you miss me if I'm gone for a while?"
Max shrugged and ran her hands over the notes ignoring his gaze.
"I'll be back soon." He promised with a grin wondering if he was finally making headway with Max.
Since he had met Bill, he had figured out that Max had more secrets than she was letting on. She wasn't always sweetness and light and fire in her eyes. Sometimes when he looked he could see the darkness that crept in and sometimes the incredible sadness that was there. But then she'd cover it over with a shrug and smile and a glance that told him never to mention those moments.
And he didn't, content to let her tell him in her own time. She was so beautiful, he thought as he looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"What?" she had noticed him staring.
"Nothing Max, just wondering what you are going to do without me around for a while."
"Get some peace and quiet." She replied with a mock scowl and shoved him in the ribs.
He yawned "Well I have to go, I'm meeting Sandoval for mission briefing in an hour. I'll be gone over the next few days." He stood up and walked away before stopping in the doorway and glancing back at her "Oh and Max?"
"Yeah?"
He grinned, "I'll miss you too."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Have you been briefed on your target, X5-494?" Sandoval asked him.
Alec looked straight ahead with the Manticore smile that he had perfected, it was bland and showed no emotion. Not the thrill of being sent on another solo mission or the confusion of having to wear this suit, just blank obedience.
"Yes Sir. Robert Berrisford fifty-eight years old. Widow. CEO of Mercydyne and one of Manticore's subcontractors."
Sandoval nodded "Our intelligence indicates that Berrisford's been curious lately about the work we do here--asking questions he shouldn't. Close surveillance has become a necessity."
He paused and Alec felt that some response was necessary "Yes Sir."
"We've established a cover for you. Initially, your primary contact will be with his daughter."
"Yes Sir, according to the file her name is Rachel. She's seventeen. Only child. Mother died when she was ten. She's a good student- excels in history and communications." He repeated letting them know that he had done his homework.
"You will tutor the girl in piano, hence the lessons which the good professor tells me that you picked up quicker than expected. Well done." Sandoval sounded impressed and Alec fought the urge to grin.
"I understand that this will be your first deep cover mission."
"Yes Sir." Alec said again although mentally mocking himself for sounding like a broken record- if Max would be laughing at him if only she could hear him now.
He got himself back paying attention as the men continued talking
"He's had four successful away missions but nothing long term in the field. We've been prepping him for the last year."
Alec bristled at that, it sounded like they had to single him out- all of Special Ops had been under severe training over the past year to help them out on deep cover missions. Even Sunny and Pix, two unlikely assassins if ever there were ones, had been undergoing the same training as he. It wasn't like he was a Nomilie.
"I want him deployed by the end of the week," The man said with a nod and Alec fought the urge to stick his tongue out at him. Ok so Max really was rubbing off on him.
Sandoval turned back to Alec.
"Ok 494, here is your original target Simon Lehane. He is the assigned piano tutor but hasn't initiated contact yet. You need to take him out and assume his identity."
Alec took the photograph and scanned it. Simon Lehane had glasses and hair that flopped into his face, he seemed meek and kind of young looking.
"Here are your fake passes 494, drivers license etc. we will need to meet once a week to keep tabs on how you are doing. We will contact you with details later on. As for now we reserve radio silence until needed. Good luck 494."
Alec took the passes and felt apprehension flow through him. He would be on his own here. There was no one to back him up and help him along; he had to do this by himself.
He would be responsible if anything went wrong here. That thought alone was enough to scare him. But he shook it off and went to get his clothes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The neighbourhood where his target lived was a nice enough place. An apartment block with real green trees and a brick lattice terrace. Simon Lehane was listed as tenant in block 45a. Apparently he hadn't lived here for more than a few days, having moved out here specifically for this job, so it was doubtful anyone would know his face. This suited Alec fine. The landlady reportedly was a 70 year old lady called Ms Mendez and according to the file she was partially blind so it was unlikely that she would have much of an issue.
That must be her struggling to open the door.
"Hey Ms Mendez, let me get that for you." He called and pulled on the door.
"Oh thank you young man." she smiled widely causing wrinkles to abound on her face. Alec stared in fascination; he hadn't really seen any old people. Everyone a Manticore was young and fit or at least older and useful. No one was really that elderly.
"What are you staring at?" she asked.
"I bet you were a real head turner." He grinned at her and she blushed chuckling like a school girl.
"Oh get out." She pushed him "Who are you?"
"It's me Ms Mendez, Simon Lehane?" he tried the name, it sounded foreign on his lips. She frowned for a second and then pushed it away.
"Oh yes. You look different without your glasses."
Shit, the glasses.
"Yeah I thought I'd try contacts but I have a headache now. I'd best go get my glasses."
"I know the feeling young man." she sympathised patting his arm "Me I'm blind as a bat without mine."
Alec grinned and walked away past her and up the stairs. He quickly picked the lock on the door and crept in. he heard the shower running and so he hid himself behind the door and waited his mind buzzing with thoughts and apprehension about what he was about to do and adrenaline coursing through his body.
The shower shut off and Alec braced himself for this.
A man walked into the room wearing just a towel and grasped around on the dresser. Alec moved and took the glasses, putting them on himself and watched as the man turned quickly to him.
"Looking for these?" he asked.
"What do you want?" Simon looked shocked and Alec quickly reached up and held his hands around the man's neck holding tightly and feeling the man smack at his arms trying to get his breath back. But there was no way that he could shift the strong transgenic and with a final shudder he gave out. Alec reached down and snapped the guy's neck, making sure that he was dead and not just unconscious from asphyxiation.
For a second he stared down at the body. This wasn't the first time that he had ever killed anyone, he had been on plenty of missions before, but it was the first time that it hadn't been in self defence or a "bad guy" as Max dubbed them. In effect he had just killed an innocent that had happened to be in the way.
A strange feeling pounded in his chest as he looked down at the innocent face on the floor. He didn't like the way it felt. He had followed orders so why was he feeling bad? Why had killing this innocent felt so wrong?
"No one is an innocent. If they are jeopardising the mission then they need to be neutralised."
The lesson rang in Alec's ears and he pushed aside the strange feeling in his chest and looked at the photo on the man's desk. He knew that Simon would keep his wallet close to hand so he reached into the top drawer and pulled out the wallet, swapping Simon's drivers license for his own manufactured one. He glanced at the picture and name inscribed next to it saying that he was Simon Lehane. Not 494, not Alec. Simon. A mild mannered piano teacher who was currently lying at his feet.
"Gotta get rid of you." Alec muttered and tightened his leather gloves already making plans for disposal of Simon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alec took a deep breath and rang the doorbell to the immense mansion. He was dressed in Simon's suit and it itched in all the wrong places. Obviously the pianist wasn't into Armani or any of the other designers that Alec had learned about in Cultural studies 101. Neither it seemed was he into comfort. Still he knew that he looked good, even with his hair slicked back and the glasses hiding his big green eyes.
He had already been buzzed in at the gates and was just waiting for someone to come let him in. His mission really began here and he was nervous.
He heard footsteps from within and plastered a smile on his face.
"This way." The man who opened the door ushered him in without even checking for I.D, very sloppy Alec thought.
He was escorted through the large ornate house, his mind actively seeking out vantage points and likely points of entry, exit, ambush and the offices that he would have to smuggle into.
He was shown into a huge airy room which was dominated by a large bay window which housed an alcove and lay behind a huge grand piano. There was a girl standing by the window with her back to him.
He cleared his throat and she turned around and smiled. The light streaming in from the window lit up her face like a halo of light and made her seem angelic.
He smiled at her and held out his hand.
"Simon Lehane."
"Rachel Berrisford." Her voice was as soft as her hands were "It's nice to meet you."
Her sweet smile warmed him. He looked her over; with her long dark hair and sparkling eyes she was real stunner and exuded innocence and gentility. The whole effect was enough to take any man's breath away…that was if he hadn't been hit with a sassy transgenic, who liked to smack him around, first.
Rachel was cute, but she was no Max.
"So you're my tutor then?" Rachel was talking still.
"That's right Miss Berrisford. Here to show you the fine art of playing piano." He grinned at her and saw her visibly melt.
"Rachel- please, my mother was Ms Berrisford." She dropped his hand and blushed.
"All right Rachel, you can call me Simon. So how about we get to this then?"
She nodded and walked to the Piano.
Alec walked along and sat next to her.
"Okay so why don't you show me what you can do first so I have some idea of where to start with you."
She blushed again and Alec could tell what she was thinking. He hid a grin and watched as she let her fingers dance over the keys in a classical piece.
He let her finish and then turned the page and chose a more modern section.
"Try this."
She looked at him in surprise "My old tutor didn't like me to play anything that wasn't classical."
"Well it's a good thing I'm not him." Alec said with a smile and she smiled back and started the piece.
He let her play through for a few minutes and then began to correct her finger work and tempo. Telling her that her posture could be affecting her touch and showing her how to adjust. They had been playing for about two hours when he stood up and walked to the window. He had heard someone coming down the hallway and didn't want to appear too cosy.
Rachel had returned to playing a soft classical tune and he paced, waiting for the footsteps to come closer.
"Is this all right?" she asked and he tore his attention away from the layout of the grounds and nodded.
"It's fine, just watch your dynamics."
She smiled and began to play a jazzier tune. He softened as he realised that she shared his love of the instrument.
"How about this?" she asked.
"It's good, I like it." he replied mentally filing it away to play for Max later.
Just then the footsteps entered the room attached to a man in his late fifties with greying hair and an imposing presence that made Alec want to stand up and salute.
"Well I see you're expanding your repertoire."
"Simons much more fun that my last teacher. He wouldn't let me play anything but Chopin and Mozart."
"I'm all for mixing it up a little. Keeps things interesting." He walked forward and offered his hand "Robert Berrisford."
"Simon Lehane." Alec shook his hand marvelling how the name now seemed to flow off his tongue. So this was Manticore's worry and Alec's target. He didn't seem so dangerous but it wasn't his job to question.
"Good to meet you. Don't let me interrupt, she'll use any excuse to avoid lessons or practice." He moved forward to stroke his daughters hair in a way that Alec had seen Max's friend Bill do to her. It was a sign of affection; one that Alec had never been privy to.
Rachel was both embarrassed and pleased by the contact, good naturedly protesting his treatment of her with a sweet.
"Daddy!"
"Be firm." Berrisford said with a grin as he walked away.
"Your father seems nice." Alec noted as he turned back to Rachel. He saw this as an excellent opportunity to get some information out of the girl or at least get into a position where he might complete his mission and get home.
"He's great, It's just been the two of us, though, since my mom died. Are you close to your parents?" she asked curiously.
"No, it's just me." Her face fell and she made a small sound of sorrow. Alec smiled at her sympathetic response "That's okay; they died a long time ago. I don't really remember them." Alec said with a shrug it was somewhat true, he was sure that his test tube was long gone. And the surrogate was probably long gone too.
Rachel looked at him in sympathy "That must have been really rough on you."
Alec watched her for a second, realising that she was serious. She thought that not having a parent was rough. Being a transgenic was tough and having to do drills and missions was tough, going out to kill people was tough but having no parents? Walk in the park.
Besides he had his Unit and his position and his friends and Max. Life wasn't that bad.
"We're supposed to be playing piano, not talking about my sad childhood."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alec sighed and sat on his bed in the late Simon Lehane's apartment, these last two weeks had been a stretch. He never knew how exhausting it was to lie solidly for a full day. During the week Rachel was at school for most of the day so he stayed at his apartment and watched television or went to the nearest gym, which didn't have half of the facilities that Manticore did.
He had discovered some wonderful things that Manticore had never told them about or would let them go to, such as strip clubs and bars- admittedly the first made him slightly guilty when he thought of Max but the second was enough to make him forget that. He had found a way to make money too, something called gambling and he'd attended cage fights which seemed to him to be a great way to make some quick cash if he was ever in the need.
He also played the piano and read during the day until four which was when they had a lesson. Then he would spend most of the afternoon at the Berrisford mansion with Rachel for her lesson and they would go for a walk or something afterwards. During the weekend the lesson was extended to a half day and he would tutor her in short bursts for a few hours.
He had spent all Saturday with Rachel, boy could that girl talk. She chattered non stop about everything in her life. It was fascinating in a way and gave him insight, only not into what Manticore wanted. Unless they were interested in the workings of the female mind.
She was a delight and so full of life and vitality and she seemed taken with him.
He loved to just sit and watch her as she sparkled with energy. He had told Biggs the truth all those years ago. The girls at Manticore could never match those on the outside who understood what life was all about and who understood that there was more to life than missions and drills.
Max understood, he wasn't sure why or how but she did. She had that light and that knowledge and he knew that was what made her so alluring to him. For goodness sake he couldn't go more than a few hours without thinking about her. Everything that he saw or experienced, he was saving it up to take back and share with her. The way the house looked, the way Rachel hung on him and the things he saw around. Life. He wanted to share life with Max.
The phone rang next to him twice and then paused and then again twice and paused and then once. That was the prearranged signal for him to get into contact with Manticore. It was time to hand in his report.
~~
He stood to attention in front of Sandoval and watched him flick through his work.
"Fine work, 494."
There was another agent standing with him. An agent Freer who was just as stuffy as Sandoval was.
"Anything we need to know that isn't included in your report."
Alec hesitated "Yes sir, I've been invited to dinner."
The two men exchanged glances,
"When?"
"Tonight, sir."
Sandoval looked impressed "We had no idea your relationship with Berrisford progressed this far."
"It wasn't Berrisford who invited me, sir. It was the daughter." Alec replied truthfully.
"Really?" he sounded amused and Alec wanted to frown, what was so funny about that?
"Yes, sir."
"Under the impression there's a romantic interest on her part?"
Alec just stared at him. What did that have to do with anything? She was sweet but she was just a kid. Okay so she was only a year or two younger than he was but in experience- she was a child. It wasn't like anything could come of anything, in a few weeks he'd be back at Manticore and back with Max. He briefly wondered if he could creep up to see her but dismissed that thought as being unrealistic.
Sandoval smirked "Do you think she likes you?"
Who Max? Alec started and then realised that no matter what they thought Manticore couldn't read his thoughts. They were still talking about Rachel. Well what was he supposed to say to that? Yes sir?
"She's given every sign that she enjoys my company, sir."
"Play along 494. This can bring you beneficial access."
Whatever that was supposed to mean. Alec thought, totally annoyed with the conversation and just wanting to get out of here.
"Yes Sir." he replied tiredly and walked away.
~~
The dinner party was boring. At least from Alec's point of view. He didn't really know anyone and wasn't particularly interested in making acquaintances that he might have to kill later on. He meandered around trying to learn what he could and pick up some tips that may come in handy later on. He was just eavesdropping on two men talking about the black market when he felt a soft touch on his arm.
He looked down to see Rachel. She was wearing this soft touch silk dress with her hair all done up in curly tendrils, she looked beautiful and he told her so.
"Wow, you look amazing."
She blushed and leaned up "So do you."
Alec looked down at himself. He had taken some of Simon's hard earned cash and bought himself a nice black suit; something a little more upmarket than tweed. Ok so it suited him but amazing?
He chuckled.
Rachel bit her lip and looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Do you wanna go somewhere?"
He wasn't sure but couldn't really deny the request after seeing the hope in her big doe eyes and followed her out of the dining room and down the hall towards the indoor pool house.
"Come on." She urged and he glanced around furtively
"Hey, we shouldn't be gone too long. Your father-"
"My father is busy with his cronies." She interrupted "Talking business. You'd be bored."
Bored talking about genetics? Doubtful. He let some of his humour slip through Simon's serene mask.
"Oh maybe not."
"You're a funny one."
He paused, had he given something away?
"I am?"
Rachel smiled, her eyes dancing "Mm-hmm. Most boys would much rather spend a few minutes alone with a girl than sit in some smoke-filled room, talking about genetics."
Boys? Alec held back a laugh at her innocence. Ok so he wasn't much older than she was but he hadn't been a boy for a long time.
"Well I'm not most…boys."
"I know." She beamed up at him and he returned it. She didn't know the half of it. "Do you want to go for a swim?"
Alec glanced at the pool. It had been hot and stuffy in that dining hall and the smell of cigar smoke on his clothes stifled him, especially with his enhanced transgenic sense of smell. "All right." As he looked up she was shining again.
She reached hesitantly for the straps of her dress and then paused.
"Can you, um, turn around?"
Alec blankly realised that he had been staring for the past few seconds and hurriedly spun.
"Yeah, yeah."
He reached up to loosen his tie and shirt. He smirked at the thought that she was willing to let him see her wet and half naked in the pool but he wasn't allowed to watch her get undressed.
It was a far cry from Manticore where they had all shared showers until their teens and had no problem with dropping their clothes…well most of them anyway.; a few remained maddeningly modest.
He took of his trousers and shoes and edged into the water, hissing as it was cold to the touch.
He swam over to Rachel who was clad only in her slip.
She grabbed his hands and looked at him nervously.
"In case you hadn't noticed, I've been sort of throwing myself at you for the past few weeks. Don't you like me?"
Alec was taken aback. Why did she think that? Of course he liked her.
"I like you." She smiled at his words and moved her head forwards to kiss him.
Alec moved back, his throat working hard.
Rachel looked distraught "What's wrong?"
"I do like you Rachel, I like you a lot but I can't…there's…"
Her hand flew to her mouth "Oh god, you have a girlfriend!"
Alec pulled his hands away and moved back "No…well sort of but not really, she's not my… I mean we're not." He ran a hand through his hair frustrated at the turn of conversation. "We're not like that."
"But...you want to be?" she asked tentatively.
"I do." he admitted with a sigh and hoisted himself onto the edge of the pool. She followed suit and sat by him draping a nearby towel over her shoulders.
"Are you okay?" she asked cautiously taking in the sad look on his face.
"Not really." He half turned "Look Rachel you are a great girl and if things were different...hell I don't know."
"But they're not different, it's obvious that you like her a lot." She glanced away and he felt like a heel.
"Rachel." He tilted her chin towards him "I swear that I never meant to lead you on or anything. I do like you."
"Don't apologise." she said softly "It's okay. I mean you're gorgeous I can't really expect that you'd be single."
He managed to laugh at that. "We're not together."
"Why not?"
Alec sighed "Things are complicated and she's…we're…I just…complicated."
"Wow."
He turned at the tone of her voice
"What?"
"This girl must mean a lot to you." She offered "I don't think I've ever seen you so confused."
"Yeah. That's one way of putting it." he scoffed "She gets me so…" he stopped "Sorry you don't want to hear about this."
"No go on." Rachel breathed deeply "I want to know about her."
He looked at her curiously "Why?"
Rachel shrugged "I like you and she's important to you. So tell me about her."
"About Max?" he thought about it "From the moment she walked into my life nothing has been the same. It's like one long roller coaster with her at the wheel. She's taken everything I've ever known or thought about myself and my life and turned it upside down."
"Sounds scary."
"It is, but I wouldn't have it any other way." He grinned "The first time we met she kicked me in the chest." He noted Rachel's horrified face and amended "We were only kids, I was being a jerk."
"You?" she sounded disbelieving.
"Has been known to happen. Anyway since then we just," he shook his head and sighed "I can't even describe it, wouldn't know where to start."
"Does she feel the same?"
He looked over at Rachel; her head was inclined, soft tendrils of damp hair falling over her face. She really was beautiful.
"I doubt it." he said softly tracing her cheek with his forefinger "I think she thinks I'm a friend, which believe me is a big step up. But that's all."
"She must be a fool." Rachel ducked away from his hand "I can see how much you like her and I only just met you, making a fool out of myself."
He swallowed at that. "I never meant to lead you on Rachel."
"I know." She laughed "It was just me getting my romantic notions up and running. I guess it's because most boys at school are only into me because of my father's money or because I'm…"
"Beautiful?" Alec interrupted "You are Rachel. Stunning."
She blushed "Is Max stunning?"
He nodded "Yeah. Not like you, she's not sweet and innocence. You, when I look at you I can see you in a white cotton dress walking across the homestead. Maybe the whole Jane Austen deal."
He had taken extensive courses in English literature one time for an assignment. Jane Austen was a little too soppy but he knew girls were into it.
She laughed at the picture. "As long as I'm not Lydia Bennett."
Lydia Bennett was the vivacious, self centred, flirtatious hussy of a daughter. No, that wasn't his sweet Rachel she was more like the eldest sister. A sweet tempered, helpful, adorable girl.
"Nah, more Jane. But Max, she's… leather and denim. Maybe more Shakespeare's Beatrice from Much ado about nothing."
Rachel laughed as he likened Max to the brash, sarcastic, witty heroine of the story.
"I'm sure she'd love to hear that."
"Yea right." He could just imagine telling Max that- she'd kick his ass from here to Manticore.
They sat for a moment in silence.
"I know you don't think of me like that." Rachel began "But I'd like to be friends?"
Alec grinned, relief strong on his face for reasons that he couldn't grasp.
"I have no problem with that."
A/N – Come on, hands up who didn't see this coming? Be honest now!!
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Moonlite star- Well Alec certainly has a few more questions that he did before but no answers- it will come just be patient!
Et- I missed Bill!!!
Messymissy- Nah, I like to read rambles so however much you write I will read- go for it girl. Every chapter is your fave! But hey I am so not complaining- I love them all too…most of them damn chapter10.mutters darkly What would Alec do if he read Left Behind? Probably torch the whole of Manticore- but we'll find out more about his reaction soon enough! I like different perspectives too. Which would explain the psychosis that is Moving Alongside!
Jade-K- don't feel shame, I'm just glad that you've read and enjoyed- feel free to review again- I thrive on them! I spent Feb 14th single…and at work. I feel your pain!
Ev- Max and Alec at the bar- my Crash scene! Lol, Bill came back!!
Feenian- Bill made a cameo to wrap up some loose ends but he has to go away now.
Barcode_babe210- Keep reading and all will be revealed.
Jamoes- Spawn- hey. Id stay away from the hardened criminal too! Poor doctor! sniggers Alec can charm birds and whatnot but our Maxie? Hmmm.
Raven- He'll wait. Needle a bit but he has to wait, she still is very self contained. More soon!
Acb- Alec was creeped out by family life even while he craved it! Thanks for eth kudos, I hope I keep the high standards up! Feel free to tell me if I slack.
Brynnmissy- Hmm, a miracle? sheepish ok so I have no idea, Maybe he'll take the kid and run. As long as she's alive and well he wont mind running- maybe he'll even meet up with the 09ers!
Nat1- Jealous of Bill! Can you believe Alec!!!
Ting- Their bar banter was fun to write as well as to read. Cheers love.
Dokushoka79- The heat dream was a response to all of you that asked fo r Max in heat- I have other heat plans but that was for you guys=- enjoy!