A/N- Ok, this is a long chapter. For more detail…much, much more, feel free to read Moving Alongside as well. It talks about the mission and the fight. It also has a few more Max/Alec moments in it.
A/N2- Moving Alongside should be up tomorrow- another two parter!
Jungle warfare
Max sat in the rain hours after her breakdown with Alec wondering what he had meant by that one word. It was a bizarre one to use. Mine. What was his? He hadn't said anything after that, he had just taken her hand and led her back to the camp and made her lay next to him by the small fire and anchored her there with his arm around her waist. When they awoke it was to the squad tiptoeing around making breakfast. They had set plans for the day which included Max, as second in command, holding up surveillance in the trees with a few selected soldiers holding up the back up as the rest went in to get their boys out.
Of course it meant that she was out of the main fight and would wait here until they were back at base before even having to see their rescued soldiers. Then she would be on perimeter watch and wouldn't have to spend so much as a minute with them and thanks to her Shark DNA, she got both night and day watch.
She could have kissed Alec when he said that. It meant that she wouldn't have to spend any time at all with 261 and the others.
It was perfect…unless something went wrong.
From behind her she heard footsteps and half turned to see Biggs coming up behind her.
She turned back and stared back out at the perimeter and tried to ignore the tensing of her shoulders. Her talk with Alec last night had just brought home all of the feelings that the Units in Seattle had incited in her. The sense of sheer hopelessness and anger that she still didn't fit in no matter what she did.
"45-Max?"
She swallowed as he almost slipped into her designation. It said a lot about the state of their friendship.
"Yeah"?
"Can we talk?"
"I'm on watch."
He sighed "I know. Look Max, we can't carry on like this."
"Like what?"
He cocked his head and stared pointedly at her. "Gee, one word answers and all. I screwed up okay, I admit it. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt, and not instantly believe the gossip. I wasn't there when Alec came back, and the only intel I had to go on was second hand reports and those were tainted by a few open mouths. You wouldn't talk to anyone and…" he sighed again, "I'm sorry Max. I don't think that you are a bad influence, I don't think of you as the enemy."
She shrugged, "Whatever, no skin off my nose."
She frowned briefly wondering where that expression had come from.
"Yes, it is," He urged, "You shut down, you won't talk and you won't laugh and smile, I miss you, Max. We were friends and now we barely even talk."
"We're talking now," she pointed out.
"Because I forced the issue. But I'm not the only one, you shut yourself away from everyone, Alec included, and it's not healthy."
She laughed, "What are you Psych eval? I'm fine."
"No, dammit, Max, you are not fine. I'll be the first to admit that we were wrong and we treated you like crap, but if you'd taken the time to give a shit and talk to us then maybe this could have been over weeks ago."
Max gaped at him, "So your being an ass is my fault?"
"No," he smiled at that, "My being an ass is my fault, but you let me get away with it. You let all of us get away with it. The Max we've gotten to know would have yelled and chewed us all out and told us your side of the story."
"There was no story!" Max yelled, "I have no idea what happened to Alec, I wasn't even there; you all just assumed that I was."
"I know. I guess we all got so used to you and Alec being inseparable," he took a deep breath, "But you didn't say that Max, you said nothing. Even after I confronted you, you said nothing. Why is that?"
Max tossed her hair over her shoulder and tried not to think about what he was saying.
"Because of your own issues," he answered, totally expecting to be attacked and possibly thrown out of the tree. "You had some bad experiences in Wyoming, and when you saw the same situation turning up here, instead of being the Max that you've grown into, you reverted to Wyoming Max. Harsh, untouchable Max who hides herself away."
Max clenched her jaw at his words and stared out into the darkness. She didn't want to admit that she was at fault. So she backed off from them, it was no big deal. It had always worked for her in the past. Her own thoughts echoed in her head.
Always worked in the past.
Had she really returned to her Wyoming mindset where everyone was the enemy?
"What you need to ask yourself, Max, is are you mad at us for hurting you or mad at you for letting yourself get close enough to be hurt?"
Max spun so fast that he hair was still swinging as she stared him dead in the eye.
Biggs seemed to realise that he had hit the nail of the head and he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration at her refusal to answer.
"Issues aside, Max, I am sorry for the way I treated you. If I could take it back I would. Just please don't run away from us. Like it or not Max, we are family now and you're hurting us as well as yourself by withdrawing. We need you and you need us."
"I know," she said softly her mind awhirl. He made sense; she was punishing them for her own, perceived weakness, punishing them because she let herself care. She almost laughed, all of the time she had longed for a family, someone to care about, and here she was pushing them away because she didn't want to get hurt. But hadn't she spent the last few years trying to prove to herself that she wasn't that Max? Wasn't the Max that constantly hid and pushed people away, afraid to get too close?
She closed her eyes and sighed heavily.
Biggs wondered how to get back to the friendship that they had had, "What do you want me to do, huh? Streak across the training grounds?"
Despite herself, her lips twitched at the image
"Stand and sing in the mess hall? Strip for Renfro… please don't let it be that one."
He blanched and she couldn't hold the chuckle back.
"Swear at Trainers in common Verbal? C'mon Max, don't be mad at me."
She glanced up into his teasing smile and felt herself slowly return it.
"Jerk."
"You know it!" he paused running through common verbal insults in his head. "Which one was jerk?"
"You are," she gave him a small smile.
"Are we okay now?" he wanted to know and she nodded with a nudge to his chest. She couldn't really blame him for her issues, fun as though it might be. They would take some time to get back what they had, Max wasn't stupid. The memory of their accusations still stung deeply. This couldn't all be solved with an 'I'm sorry'- although offering to strip in front of Renfro was an interesting development.
"Did Alec make you apologise?" she wanted to know if he meant this or if he was just following orders.
"Nah," he waved a hand "He thought we were getting it on."
Max spluttered and laughed "He what?"
"All our non-verbal communication made him think we had a little something on the side." He waggled his eyebrows.
"No offence Biggs but that's nuts."
"I know but understandable, I'm hot –you're hot. These things happen."
She rolled her eyes "Whatever."
"Anyway I assured him that we were strictly platonic."
"Not that it's any of his business anyway," She said quickly and Biggs raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
She glared at him with a serious look "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Only that-"
A yell from the camp cut him off and they snapped back into soldier mode.
"Did you see that?" he said as they watched the blackness burst with sporadic lights. Gunfire.
"Lay cover," Max called into her radio mike and peered into the darkness making out definite shapes in the blackness.
"Dammit they must have known we were coming to get our…data." He amended thinking about what he had heard Max say about these soldiers last night.
Max didn't answer, her sharp gaze trained on the camp waiting for her people to come out.
"Biggs get down there and make sure that we had adequate cover and get med ready. We want to be back at base ASAP."
"Ma'am!" he snapped a salute and raced away.
Max scaled the heights of the nearest tree and watched the fire show down below trying to keep track of who was winning.
She listened over the radio and was relieved when the reports finally came back that they had the data and others and were retreating back to base. She laid down cover fire at the chasing forces and waited for them to back down.
The fight on the grounds was quick but loud in the normally quiet jungle and before they knew it, the X-Series had retreated back to their positions, getting their teams back.
Max waited until the last soldier had passed her and then she called down the comms for regrouping and blockade of their forces so that no one could get through without being met by a barrage of fire.
They stayed silent as the grave waiting and watching in case the enemy made a comeback.
She had just ordered a sweep and moved forward to observe when she saw Biggs race to her tree and scale it like it was a climbing frame.
"Max!" he hissed "We have several wounded by enemy fire."
"Tara is field med, she's got three helpers." She reminded him.
"Mets was shot badly and Tara was wounded, you're the next best field med Max. You excelled in it."
"I excelled in everything." She suddenly hated the fact. "Get someone else, I'm on watch."
He knew she didn't want to come down because of the new unit.
"Max. I wouldn't ask-"
"Good, so don't," there was no way on earth she was moving from this tree.
"But Alec was hit."
He blinked and she was gone, sliding down the tree and blurring through the woods faster than he could see. He took up her position and kept watch satisfied that Alec was now in good hands.
~~
Max blurred through the trees and towards the camp, her heart racing in a way she hadn't felt before, even in the tank. It was fear- pure and simple, how badly was Alec hurt?
She rounded the clearing and saw soldiers all walking around with anxiety and purpose and she hurried to the area designated for medical emergencies.
There were several standing bleeding soldiers and to her delight Sunny and Pix were fine. Charred but fine.
"What happened?" She asked her eyes scanning the wounded.
"Damn ambush!" Sunny exclaimed wiping soot off her face "They were waiting for us Maxie. Team A managed to get in and search for the data, they weren't expecting that. But as Team B went to get the hostages, they tripped some sort of internal wire. Alarms all over the place and before we knew it, the whole place was in lock down. Those Reds that Renfro talked about?" Sunny's face paled "God Max, they were scary. Blood coming from their eyes and they were faster and stronger than we thought."
Max pulled her shaken friend into a hug.
Pix stroked her arm and continued the story "We breached the outer walls and opened fire but they kept coming. Mets got hit watching out for the hostages. The Alec went back for him and he was shot too"
Max bit off a curse as her heartbeat quickened.
"Then Zan made this flamethrower from a discarded hose and burned the Reds, but they kept coming."
"It was like something from a horror movie." Sunny murmured.
"They opened fire on him."
Max's eyes opened wide.
"Zan?" she asked quickly and they gestured to the bay where he was being seen to by a field medic; a shot wound in his leg.
"Y'okay?" she put her hand on his shoulder and his eyes were glazed.
"They shattered my kneecap, I lost some blood Maxie, had me a transfusion," He gestured to the blood kit stuck in his arm "Be on crutches for a day or two but for now I'm safe as can be."
She sighed, relieved and then her glance immediately searched for the tousled blonde hair of her C.O.
She spotted him and breathed easy. He was sitting on a stretcher looking ashen.
"What did you do now?" she asked with a mock glare. He seemed surprised to see her in the camp.
"They shot me in the shoulder," He pouted.
"Are you sure they haven't met you?" she teased as she picked up the med kit.
"Take off your shirt."
"Oh now Maxie, if you wanted to see me naked all you had to do was owww." He groaned as the shirt pulled at the open bleeding wound.
Max peeled the material away and hissed. The bullet was still in there.
"This is gonna hurt like a bitch," She said and picked up the tweezers and someone's lighter, running a flame quickly over the tweezers to sterilize them.
"So distract me already," He said through clenched teeth as she opened the wound further with the sharp knife to reach the bullet.
"And how would you like me to do that?"
"Well the naked thing always springs to mind." He leered as his face turned whiter.
"Maybe I will." His jaw dropped and she grinned in triumph as with a last twist she pulled the bullet free.
"Got it."
"Dirty trick." He glowered as he realised what she had been doing.
"Think happy thoughts, I have to cauterise so you don't get an infection."
"If I do will you nurse me back to health?" he asked politely with just a hint of begging.
Max laughed at his puppy dog eyes and dropped her gaze close to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her hands behind his head, heating up a blade on the lighter as she spoke huskily to him.
"You want me to tuck you up in your bunk?"
He closed his eyes as she whispered near his ear.
"Mmm."
"And cover you over with warmth?" her voice was low and soft, promising all sorts of things.
"Oh yeah."
"Give you a hot water bottle?" she purred into his ear.
"Oh ye-"
"And to kiss it allll better?" she dragged out the word and he gulped.
"Uh Max?"
She bought the heated blade forward and it hissed on the skin near his shoulder cauterising the wound.
He hardly even felt it, his heart and mind and body wrapped up in the fantasy of Max putting him to bed.
She pulled away the knife and looked at the puckered wound.
"All done."
His eyes shot open and he looked down as she wrapped the wound in thick bandage to stop any damp and therefore infection from getting to it.
"Damn."
Her eyes sparkled, "Poor baby."
He stuck out his lip in an adorable pout, "I was good!"
She shook her head and then leaned forward planting a kiss squarely…on the end of his nose.
He grinned up at her.
"Hey do I get that kind of treatment too?" Flex asked from his bed next to Alec's, "I was injured too."
"Flesh wound." Alec dismissed him and everyone laughed.
Max ruffled his hair and turned to the rest of her unit. Some has been injured, some had bruises and concussions- it had been a hell of a fight. Max imagined any of them dying here and her heart constricted in pain. Each and every single one of them had wiggled their way into her heart and the idea that the last time she had seen them she had thought that she hated them made her chest tighten. Their lives were fleeting and so damn dangerous. Too short to hold grudges, no matter how much she still hurt and no matter how much they had hurt her. They had become her unit.
Yes they were her unit now. Biggs had been right- they were her family. Special Ops and Unit 8- her unit, her new family. And she needed her new family around her; she'd have to push the pain aside and trust that they'd all help her through it.
"So who else needs treating?"
Several hands shot up and Alec swung his feet to the floor.
"I can take the males, you take female casualties."
"Not fair!" Flex stated and Max poked her tongue out at him moving on.
"Hey Tara," She stroked the chief field med's arm "How did you get hurt?"
"Stupidly tried to take care of Dumbass over there without sedation," She nodded to a zonked out Carrot "He hates being taken care of."
"But he likes you," Max said knowingly and Tara blushed
"Which is why I won't kill him for this," She gestured to the wound on her torso and her bleeding forehead. "Damn fool was concussed and disorientated, he thought I was the enemy and he kicked me. Felt like a Mack truck ran over my chest and I slammed into the tree over there and lost consciousness."
"We'll make sure that you are okay and then we'll get him back." Max promised and moved onto the next casualty and her heart stopped in her throat.
It was Simper with a bullet graze to her temple. Blood streamed in her face so she couldn't see.
"Looks superficial," Max bit out between gritted teeth. "Not deep."
"I was lucky, a few more inches and it would have been my brain."
"I wouldn't count on it." Max muttered and heard Tara choke with laughter as she heard her.
Max grabbed some damp clothes and held them over the girls face to catch the blood.
Roughly she tore off a piece of fabric and a plaster and began to quickly and efficiently clean the wound, reverting to Manticore trained field med.
Simper had been one of the girls who hung all over Bulli, 261, back in Wyoming; she was bitch and not of the good kind- like Max was. She was mean spirited and spiteful and Max had hated her simpering ways- hence the name. She had grown up some, her brown hair swinging past her shoulders, her features narrower- more hawk-like and her figure fuller. She was still a bitch, Max decided.
"Almost done," She said more to remind herself that she wasn't going to be there for long and could get back to her post without seeing any more of the hated—
"Max! Mets's crashing!"
~~
Max dropped the band aid and ran to the transgenic grabbing a stethoscope from Dek..
"Chest is clear good breath sounds, pulse sounds thready. Give him five, eight four of morphine."
She tried to recall all of her training in field med.
"BP's 100 over 65. Pulse at 88."
"Get I.V board and roll him, chest tube!" she called "No exit wound. Let's get digging and I'll need a sterile drape. Lidicaine."
She let Dek dig out the bullet thankful for transgenic healing and its ability to keep them going.
"Foreign bodies still in?" she asked as Dek held up a bullet
"None." Dek assured her, it was clean through and through, no shrapnel.
"Damage to soft tissue," She muttered, her hands becoming covered in blood.
"Need to irrigate," She announced and set about clearing the wound and checking for arterial injury. Luckily the bullet had missed most of the major arteries and there was no swelling.
She managed to get his blood pressure down and his pulse strengthened.
Sighing in relief as her friend's chances improved she looked up to see Alec staring at her proudly.
"What?" she couldn't help smiling at his tender expression despite the seriousness of what had just happened.
He moved and wiped a smudge of blood off her face and chuckled.
"Our hero."
She smacked his good shoulder.
"Go rest oh leader of ours."
She let the med team finish up on Mets and she walked away in relief going to wash the blood off her hands.
~
She washed up and then came to sit by the fire warming her hands.
She rolled her neck on her shoulders and tried not to look around, the last thing she needed was to see any of Unit 6. After her talk with Biggs she had started to feel a little better- he was right, she had never given them her side of things and held things close to her chest all of the time. Maybe it was time to let go of the thought that everything Manticore churned out was bad and evil and let people in.
Emma sat by her and nudged her.
"Deep thoughts Maxie?" she had short punky red hair that Max loved on her; they had spiked it one night when they were up all night with Shark DNA and got bored.
"Deep." She nodded and smiled at the girl, Emma had been one of the ones to stand by her and she would always appreciate that.
"So we Okay too?" Emma wanted to know indicating the rest of the team. "All of us."
Max looked around to see Unit 8 watching her warily as if worried that she would push them aside and just walk away from them, but amidst the worry was hope- hope that she would stay and all would be well again.
Max thought of Mets lying there bleeding and she imagined the rest of them in that position. It stung to think that any of them could die any day.
She smiled softly, nodding to them that it would be okay and they all sighed relieved and came to sit by her, nudging her feet and leaning against her knees, lolling over her like she was den mother; trying to reassure her with their presence that they were sorry.
"Sorry," Chance whispered as she knelt by Max's feet and put her head on her lap. Max ran her fingers through the girls' hair and smiled.
"Forgive me?" Feen bit her lip as she leaned on Max's arm and let loose her huge beaming grin as Max nodded. Steve sat by her feet and pulled Skye with him. They stared up at Max and she ruffled Steve's hair. The rest of those in the clearing all followed suit and soon Max was swamped with warm bodies.
"Room!" she laughed and pushed them away "Need it to breathe!"
"Aww room for one more?" Alec said as he dropped near her feet and leaned against her leg, running his hand up her calve.
"What are we, puppies?" she smacked at him and he hissed, she sat up ready to apologise as she remembered he was injured.
"Wasn't it your other shoulder Alec?" Pix said mischievously and Alec groaned when Max hit him upside the head.
"Thanks Pix." He rubbed his sore head.
"Do you have any water?" the voice from the other side of the camp disturbed them and they looked up to see a few of Unit 6 close by.
Max shifted closer to Emma and Alec taking comfort in their body warmth.
It was Dredge who had spoken and he appeared uncomfortable at disturbing the tender scene.
"Yeah, there are two barrels on the side," Alec said his voice noticeably cooler. "Help yourself."
Dredge nodded and gestured for his friends to where it was.
The rest of the unit who had taken care of their own came and sat on the other side of the fire.
The two sides stared at each other.
"So you guys are Special Ops?" a girl Max had always called Airy spoke up.
Alec nodded.
"Thanks for the rescue," She smiled at them and leaned against Dredge.
"Sure, we got the data," Emma said icily "That's what was important."
The smile faded from Airy's face and Dredge stiffened.
Max leaned down to Alec's ear, "Shift relief- want me to scat?"
He turned his head fixed her with a soft look.
"I'd prefer if you stay here Max, but I understand if you don't want to."
She swallowed and glanced up at the other unit who were talking amongst themselves.
"I can stay- for a while."
The expressive look he gave her was almost worth the discomfort.
She'd stay in the camp but she had to see if Zan was okay first.
"I'm going to see Zan and then maybe get some food."
She slipped off the bench she had been sitting on when Alec nodded and went back to the med bay.
Zan was asleep and she sat with him for a while stroking his forehead and watching over him and the others in the hospital bay. He looked peaceful while he slept and reminded her of Zack so much that she felt a pang to her heart. She hadn't really stopped thinking about her family, would never be able to fully let them go. But maybe now that she had a new family, she could ease the ache in her heart whenever she thought about them. Still desperate to see them but no longer letting their actions rule her existence.
But she would never be able to forget them, and never wanted to.
As the night drew on she felt her stomach ache and got up to grab some of the food that was left over from Skye's culinary expertise.
The big silver pot still held some soup and she dug in, eating with gusto.
"Hey, any food left for a starving transgenic?"
Max's whole body froze and the fork lay suspended between her mouth and the bowl.
Into her visual sights came the dirty blonde haired male who had been the stuff of her most horrible nightmares. He was grown up, like they all were- changing a lot in four and a half years. His face was broader and more man than boy and his physique heavier.
"I'm 261," He grinned at her with what he thought was a charming smile.
With a start she realised that he didn't recognise her. She had changed of course different at 18 than she had been at 12, her hair was so much longer and her face was rounder, happier and not as scrawny and orphan-like. His face, of course, was indelibly printed on her mind and she would never be able to forget those hard eyes staring down at her while he brought back his foot and…
She put her fork down, her appetite gone, along with any good humour that she had left. She suddenly felt cold. Her eyes darted back up to him as if drawn to see what changes had occurred in the time that she had got away.
He smirked at her as if he knew she couldn't be able to keep her eyes off him. She couldn't, but not for the reason that he thought.
Bulli had always been arrogant, even after her had beaten her down he had thought that she would fall for him. She almost perfectly recalled the time that he had tried things on with her. She had been sitting alone in the study room when he had walked in and stood staring at her. She tried to ignore him but her small body had tensed on preparation of his attack.
"You know, for an 09er traitor, you're not half bad looking."
Max froze at his words and her incredulous glance met his heated one.
"Must be the famed Manticore genes, but in this light you could even pass for attractive, not that any of the men around here would even give you a second glance. Not unless I said they could." He smirked and let his gaze linger on her breasts and the legs she had curled under her.
"After all, no one around here does a thing unless I say. And if I say they jump to it. Maybe if you fell in line you'd spend less time in Punishment."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she wanted to know, her eyes never leaving his as he came closer.
"Just that if you were nicer to me, maybe they'd be nicer to you." He prowled closer and licked his lips. "When was your last heat 452?"
He bent down and touched her cheek.
Max pushed him away "Not nearly long enough."
"Come on 452. You know you want me, I know you want me. I can see it when you look at me."
"You're wrong."
Bulli reached forwards to grab her "I see lust in your face when you see me."
"That's hate not lust." She spat and stood up quickly, halting his advance. She half scoffed "After all you've done to me; you really think that I'd touch you?"
He shrugged "It's nothing you haven't deserved."
"No one deserves you 261." He had enough of talking and grabbed her hair pulling her to him, trying to fuse their lips together. She turned her head and tried to get away without starting a fight; she had come out of Discipline yesterday and didn't really want to go back.
Max struggled for a few seconds and then gave in, she rammed her knee upwards and he choked, grabbing his groin.
"Bitch!"
"Back off!" she hissed. "Hear me now- I will NEVER touch you."
"Yes you will. You wait 452, your next heat you're mine. The only thing you're good for now is breeding stock. Your scared little traitorous unit knew it which is why they left you behind. No one will ever trust an 09er as anything else." He flung the words at her and she felt the familiar rage spur her into action. She threw herself at him, fists flying.
Max snapped back to the present as she recalled that she had ended up in Discipline for a week after Bulli reported to the hospital wing with a broken thigh, snapped wrist and broken jaw. She gave a small smile at satisfaction at the memory. It had been one of her better ones.
Bulli continued talking. She knew he loved the sound of his own voice.
"So Special Ops huh, I bet that's exciting. You must be proud at making it; no one from my unit even came close, except me of course."
As if! She wanted to scream. He hadn't come anywhere near, too slow by half, too arrogant by half, too stupid by full.
She directed her attention back to her bowl only to find her hands shaking.
She got to her feet quickly and hurried away but he followed.
"You know my team did the best overall collectively on the obstacle course. Beat everyone's record."
Bile rose in her throat. She had never wanted to be a part of his Unit but hearing him say that she had never even been in it was making her head spin. It was like he was denying everything that she had been through, she stumbled back.
"Hey are you okay?" he moved forward and touched her arm.
The reaction was instinctive. A boot planted squarely in his chest and he fell onto his ass.
"Back off," She snarled "Don't you ever touch me again."
"What?" he looked bewildered and stood up. "Hey psycho what's your problem?"
"You, you and your whole stinking unit, you always were trouble and us having to put our asses on the line for you is just one straw too damn many. Stay the hell away from me."
He glared and moved towards her "I don't know what your deal is freak but you don't just attack me and get away with it," he raised a fist and went to move in. The stance was so familiar that Max felt a keen sense of déjà vu and welcomed the chance to finally fight back to her fullest. She wanted him dead.
His clenched fist was grabbed by an iron grip and he glanced up into icy cold steel eyes.
Max tried to push her anger down as Alec ran his eyes contemptuously over Bulli.
"Everything Okay here 452?"
Bulli blanched at her name and his eyes shot to Max as she unclenched her fists damning Alec for stepping in.
"Fine." She snapped out.
"452?" Bulli's mouth turned into a sneer as he raked his eyes over her "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Saving your ass," Max spat "Against my good judgement."
Bulli scoffed and shrugged Alec off. "Like you ever had any, surprised you haven't run away already."
A low growl was all the warning that Alec had before Max launched herself at Bulli.
She landed several punches to his face knocking him to the floor, her fists a blur of speed and power, before Alec could even move to pull her off, which he did…regretfully.
"Whoa Tiger, ease up." He soothed as he pulled her away still kicking a hissing. "He's not worth it."
Max's eyes flashed and she grit her teeth in frustration. Her hands actually ached to wrap themselves around that neck and choke the last breath out of him. Her fists itched to pound into that smug, supercilious expression reducing it to pulp and blood. The thought scared her and she tried to calm her breathing, her nails digging into Alec arm as he held her back.
"Like she could beat me anyway," Bulli said wiping off the blood from his chin and staggered to his feet spitting blood onto the ground.
Alec swung his steel eyes back to Bulli who took a step back at the danger written there.
"Stay away from her," He ordered his tone more a warning than his words. "You go near her again and me and mine will show you exactly how she could beat you."
Bulli whitened and stalked off.
Max straightened her body trembling with the effort that it took not to grab Alec gun and finish it.
"I don't need your help Alec," she spat.
Alec knew that she was fighting her own feelings and didn't mean to make it sound like that so he brushed it off.
"I want to help you. You think that if Bill got that little shit alone he'd just ignore him?"
Max half grinned at the thought of the gentle man kicking the crap out of the arrogant transgenic. It eased her fury slightly but her whole body still thrummed with tension. She looked up into Alec's face wondering if he had any idea how she felt about Bulli. Surely her tales of what he had done to her had touched Alec. As she looked she could see it in his face. he may be smiling but there was that unrestrained edge of pure hatred about him and it was directed at Bulli. That was enough to calm her down.
"Ok," she nodded and straightened her clothes.
"That's my girl." he teased and she glared.
"You wish." She stalked back off to the fire leaving him to follow
"I do." he whispered.
~~
The units had relaxed some as it came close to the prearranged time to meet Manticore. Max had both night and day watches and so she avoided Unit 6 for the two days it took to trek through the jungle. By the time she was ready to rejoin the troops it was the final day and they were waiting to be airlifted to safety.
Max entered into the clearing as lunch was being served and sat by the fire.
Biggs noticed her first and handed her a bowl so she didn't have to get up.
She thanked him with a grin which made Alec scowl and Biggs studiously avoid Alec gaze.
Unit 6 had lost some of their shyness and for the main part ignored the hostility of Unit 8 and Special Ops as being arrogance- a trait they were familiar with anyway.
Bulli glowered at Max as she sat down and she pointedly ignored him. He leaned over and whispered something into Simper's ear who blinked in surprise and glared over at Max. Then she relayed the message onto the next and the next until all of Unit 6 was watching her.
Max ignored them in favour of eating.
"So how did you guys all get to be special Ops?" Airy asked tearing her gaze away from the raven haired girl.
"You did the test sweetheart," Biggs drawled insolently "They just did it better."
"Or cheated," Bulli mumbled and instantly hackles rose.
"What was that?" Alec asked calmly and in the face of that granite look Bulli faltered.
"Nothing."
"You the C.O?" Simper asked with a sensual smile at Alec and batted her eyes. Max fixed her gaze on the flirting girl.
"Nah, I'm just standing in," Alec offered "I'm normally 2IC, but our C.O thought I needed the practice."
Several of the Soldiers bit their lip in order to keep from laughing and Max wanted to blush. Okay so she had said that, but they spent equal time as C.O, or had until Alec's little trip to Psy Ops.
"Oh really?" Simper simpered "But you look the part."
Max rolled her eyes in disgust.
"Well I'm sure our C.O chose me for more than my looks," Max didn't know what devil possessed Alec as he half turned to see her "Right Ma'am?"
Max shrugged, ignoring the incredulous looks from Unit 6.
"Sure thing. You're not that pretty, soldier."
"Thank you, ma'am," His eyes twinkled.
From one corner Biggs had a choking fit.
"You're C.O?" Silt seemed incapable of keeping his mouth shut.
"That's right." Sunny answered for her "452 is our C.O."
"And none of you mind being under a traitor."
You could have heard a pin drop in the still of the jungle night as twenty sets of hostile eyes fell on Unit 6.
"Our C.O is not a traitor." Emma hissed at him and it was like the whole squad had turned into hissing and spitting cats, at home in the jungle heat just waiting to attack.
"At ease," Max commanded and they sat back. Part of Max was hurt at the way that the Unit 6 had dismissed her again but the rest of her heart was leaping with joy at the way her new unit had defended her.
Shane stood up nervously and Max recalled the last time she had seen him was as he stared in shame from the corner of the rec room while the others beat her up, he didn't help but didn't stop them either and he nervously met her solid gaze.
"Thank you 452 for getting us out, you too 494."
She nodded acknowledging his unspoken truce.
Bulli was another one who didn't appear to be able to keep his mouth shut as he glared at Max.
"Whatever, I didn't see her. I saw 494 and them getting us out."
Max held her hand over Alec's shoulder as he tensed and she shook her head.
"261, it doesn't matter what you think. It never has. Your opinion is less than an annoyance and you failed in your own mission leaving us to clear up your mess. You have no room to throw stones. You leave tomorrow so I suggest you get some sleep."
Max wasn't the only one who was proud of the way that her voice didn't shake and how commanding she sounded.
"Lights out and bunk down. 361 and 360 on relief and 810 watch 677, 291, 133 and 921 in infirmary."
"Yes Sir!" they all saluted and walked away with Max watching them approvingly.
She turned to Unit 6 "Bunk in or bunk out. We won't wait for you."
She turned to go to her own sleeping quarters and left them alone.
~~
Alec couldn't sleep, so he stayed by the fire and watched Unit 6 whisper and stare off in the direction that Max had gone. He met Biggs gaze as they carefully kept an eye on the soldiers. At about midnight Bulli got up and stretched, leaving the group with Silt and Dredge in tow. They wandered out into the jungle and Alec silently got up to follow.
"How the hell did that prissy bitch get to be C.O of Special Ops?" Silt demanded.
"Still too big for her boots," Dredge glowered,
"Maybe she's screwing her way through the ranks. You saw how she was all over 494," Bulli said in disgust. "Knew she was a slut."
"Didn't she turn you down?" Silt asked with a smirk and Bulli kicked him.
"She needs to learn a lesson."
"And you're the one who's gonna teach her, are you?"
They spun to see Alec leaning against a tree.
Bulli eyed him, "Maybe."
Alec smirked, they thought he was alone. But even if he was, he was more than a match for these jokers.
"I don't think so, 452 knows how to handle herself."
"I bet," Bulli scoffed "But since you've been in her pants, you think that you have a right to fight for her. Got news for you pretty boy, you're not the only one she's spread 'em for."
He raised his eyebrow. During one late night talk with Chance she had let slip that Max had told her that she hadn't even been kissed, so Alec knew that he was lying. But just the thought of this disgusting guy touching Max was enough to make him see red.
Ignoring the rage spearing through him Alec pushed away from the tree "Didn't he just say she turned you down?"
Bulli stumbled, forgetting about transgenic hearing.
"I didn't mean me."
"Well you see we have a problem, because 452 is my C.O and we respect her and you guys have apparently put her through some shit. Besmirching her virtue on top of that makes you both a liar and stupid."
Bulli shrugged "Nothing more than the bitch deserved."
"I beg to differ." The three men turned to see Biggs leaning on a tree behind them. "She isn't a bitch… well not all the time."
Alec grinned at Biggs knowing that he had done his best to make things up to Max and that now he was showing them both that he meant it.
"To be fair, she can be but it's mostly just her way." Zan said stepping out from behind another tree, his crutches absent.
"Aren't you supposed to be in med bay?" Alec asked
"What and miss this, are you kidding?"
Zan locked glances with Alec. He had known for the longest time what Max went through and he wanted to pay this guy back in spades.
"If you open your stitches Max will play hell." He warned the cocky blonde.
"And she'll go easy on you?" he motioned to Alec's arm still swathed in bandages.
"Your knee is screwed for a week." Alec pointed out and Zan sighed, knowing that he was right. It was a bitter pill to swallow that just as he was ready to give this shit some payback he was too injured saving their asses to fight. He had to be content with the knowledge that Pix's strongest itching power lay in their backpacks and sleeping bags, that the sharpest tin tacks had made their way into unit 6's pillows, that pink dye was in their toiletries and that their rations had been tainted with chilli's. Small comfort.
"Ok, I'll sit but I wanna watch." Zan pouted and sat down on the nearest trunk. "And you watch your arm."
"I don't need two hands," Alec grinned.
"Glad to know she's got you so whipped." Bulli taunted.
"I wouldn't say whipped would you lads?" Alec asked seriously as Pix, Flex and Dek walked into the clearing.
"Nah, just concerned," Aiden added as he arrived "Oh, Carrot says when he can get up he wants to join in but Tara gave him double painkillers, he'll be out all night."
"He'll be pissed he missed this," observed Biggs.
They turned as they heard a crunch and Zan froze with chips halfway to his mouth.
"What?"
Alec chuckled, "Where the hell did you get chips in the jungle?"
Zan shrugged, "Apparently you need them when you watch entertainment." He looked at the bag and up again at the cocky Bulli "Go figure."
"Where are the girls?" Biggs asked curiously.
"Oh they are having a few words with Uh is it Simper and Airy and the rest of the women," Aiden waved with a smile.
"Chick fight?" Biggs' ears perked up "Can we get this done and go watch?"
"What are they doing to our women?" Silt wanted to know with a grim look on his face.
"What we'll be doing to you," Alec said with a feral grin.
"Alec, chick fight, jungle mud- can we please get started?" Biggs begged.
"But there's not enough for everyone yet," Alec gestured to the three shaking transgenics "Three against us? Not fair."
"Screw fair, we know what they did to Max," Flex glared at them in hatred.
"Yeah but it wasn't just them." Alec's ears pricked and he let loose a charming smile as the rest of unit 6 was marched into the clearing by B.J and Techie at gun point.
"Lookie what we got!" Techie said in surprise.
"Steve is on watch right? Better odds now?" Biggs asked. The eight members of Special Ops and unit 8, with Zan watching, against the nine male members of unit 6. That was fair right?
"Much better," Alec nodded in satisfaction and turned to the boys in the ring. Testosterone dropping.
"We wanted to have a few words with you guys."
~~
Coco crouched in the brush and waited for the several female members of Unit 6 to pass her by and then the long legged Amazon stood up straight.
"Hello ladies."
Simper eyed the beautiful woman idly "What do you want?"
"Just a few words," Coco grinned with her pure white teeth shining unnaturally bright in the silvery moonlight.
"Yeah but some of them are mean words," Chance offered with a bright smile as she too emerged from the woods.
"You mean like coward?" Sunny's face was set in a dark glare that matched the rest of the females whose set expressions all promised retribution.
Coco shrugged, "Or bitch, whatever works."
Simper bristled, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Quelle surprisé." Emma rolled her eyes "Not the sharpest crayons in the box are we?"
Simper turned to Airy who was just as clueless.
"We're talking about your previous behaviour to our C.O."
"Oh for…" a dark haired girl sighed "Look 452 was an 09er, we got put through Psy-Ops for that bitch and her rug rat traitors in 09 and we went through hell after she was taken away. As far as I'm concerned the little tramp got whatever she deserved."
"Except for 494, oh he is tasty." Simper licked her lips and Coco gave a snort of laughter glad that Cece had taken perimeter watch for now.
"Like he'd ever touch trash like you."
Simper raised an eyebrow "But he's perfectly willing to screw a traitor? Hmm maybe she was the best option of all of you," she looked disdainfully at the surrounding women "Obviously none of you managed to catch his attention."
She leaned forward "Maybe he needs a real woman."
Anna, a dark haired oriental transgenic who had a quick temper, rolled her eyes ands clenched her fists
"Can we hit her now?"
"Nah, I'm curious as to what she thinks makes a real woman?" Sunny said as she stepped forwards. Feen put her hand on her arm.
"Calm down sweets, she'll get hers."
"From the likes of you?"
"Well you did just insult both our C.O and 2IC." Feen shrugged "That puts you in the category of thick as shit, in my book."
"I like your book, can I borrow it?" Sunny snarled and the rest of the women stared at her in surprise, Sunny was normally the last person to raise her voice or have a nasty word for someone.
"You think you can take me?" Simper took a stance and the rest of the females of Unit 6 took a stand besides her.
"Stupid and arrogant," Coco shook her head "Bad combination."
The next sound was that of flesh on flesh.
~~
Alec and his friends surrounded Bulli and his gang like panthers prowling around their prey which was an appropriate analogy as Bulli was about to find out.
With a grunt he raced towards Biggs who sidestepped and rammed his head into the nearest tree.
Alec caught Biggs's eye and let loose a savage snarl which started them all. It was clear territorial snarl and Biggs responded by stepping away from Alec's marked prey and chose another victim. Alec stalked to Bulli who glared arrogantly back at him, gesturing to his injured shoulder.
"Like you can fight with that."
Alec shrugged "Who said I need both hands?"
"She must be a good fu-" Alec fist bit off the rest of that statement and a whoosh of air left Bulli's mouth instead of the rest of the insult.
Bulli wiped blood from his mouth and spat at the ground. He showed his teeth to Alec who smirked and focussed his attention on making this conceited little child pay.
Biggs had Dredge in a headlock and Pix was whaling on Silt while Flex was lavishing his attentions on a short stocky transgenic who looked more like a forge than a soldier. The rest of Special Ops and Unit 8 were similarly engaged, thankful to release some tension and pay back their C.O and 2IC.
Zan just crunched his way through his chips and grinned, thoroughly enjoying the show.
~~
Max turned over in bed as she heard the strange sounds. It sounded like wild animals fighting, jungle cat snarls and growls were loud and savage and they appealed to a primal part of her that was pure jungle cat and she lay back listening in pride and awareness to the primordial noises.
It was over too soon and she allowed the mellow night noises to lull her back to sleep.
~~
Alec had a bleeding and battered Bulli pinned to a tree, his grip tight around the man's neck squeezing gently.
"Lets go over this one more time," He said his voice calm but with a distinctive edge of danger "You ever touch 452, or even look at her, breathe the same air or go within 200 feet of her and I will rip out your spleen and beat you to death with it. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes." Bulli gasped and Alec threw him to the floor where he laid grabbing at his own throat and heaving for breath.
Alec surveyed the mass of bruises on his face with some satisfaction and crouched down to face the petrified transgenic "I hope…for your sake…that that was a yes. I don't like to be upset and when someone messes with what's mine. I get upset."
Bulli nodded, his eyes wide with the fact that even injured, Alec had beaten him without breaking a sweat.
"Glad we understand each other," Alec grinned and pulled back his fist, Bulli winced, anticipating the final blow which would render him unconscious but instead Alec just ruffled his hair.
"Dumbass, never give them what they expect."
Alec stood up and walked over to Biggs who sat sharing the chips with Zan.
"Where did everyone go?" Alec said as he surveyed the groaning, coming to and still unconscious members of Unit 6 that littered the ground; his own men were absent.
"Oh we finished ages ago; they really weren't much of a challenge," Biggs said his mouth full "But we saw you were having too much fun with that one and decided to wait for you."
Alec looked back to the shaking Bulli covered in blood and bruises.
"Oh yeah, that," he shrugged embarrassed "Issues."
"Don't we know it!" Biggs rolled his eyes "Perfectly platonic." He mimicked "Yeah whatever!"
Alec glowered at him, "We are!"
Zan looked between them, "Well as fun as that was, I think we should go get some shut eye. Max will want to kick our collective asses for this and I for one want to tell her that I so wasn't involved."
"Wuss!" Biggs said as he helped Zan get to his feet
"Yup," He agreed cheerfully "You've seen Maxie in a bad mood. Manticore didn't raise us to be chumps; I'm putting the blame solely on you guys."
"Fine, I don't mind being the object of Max's attention," Alec leered and paused worried. "She is gonna go mad isn't she?"
"C'mon lover boy, like she'd want to mess up your pretty face." Biggs cheeked and Alec relaxed
"Yeah."
"I'm the one on crutches, will you guys hurry up, the girls might still be fighting."
Biggs blurred ahead and Alec paused thoughtfully before spinning on his heel and kicking Bulli straight in the head, knocking him to the floor and unconscious in one swoop.
Zan raised an eyebrow as they stared down at the now peaceful transgenic
"Nice piece of work."
Alec nodded satisfied as he walked away with Zan.
"I thought so."
~~
"452?"
Max turned to see Shane about a foot away staring nervously at her.
"Yeah?"
"I know we're not supposed to talk to you but I had to and need to."
Max frowned, not supposed to talk to her? What was that about?
Shane had been the only one in Wyoming who had seemed at all uncomfortable with what they had done to her. Of course he had never done anything about it, but the thought that he wasn't quite as bad as the others made her stop and listen to him. That and the fact that Unit 6 were twenty minutes away from being out of her life again, and hopefully this time for good.
"What?"
Shane swallowed "I'm sorry I never stood up for you. Sorry I never said anything despite knowing what they were doing. I know it's not a lot but they never let me in on what they were doing because they knew that I wouldn't go along with it and…" he sighed "I know, pitiful defence. Truth is, I was scared to be different and so I helped make your life hell. There's nothing I can do to make up for that. Every day I wish I could turn things back and do them different."
Max nodded at him, understanding what he was saying.
"When you did the course I was standing there cheering you on, hoping like hell that you made it to Special Ops, and you did. No thanks to us. But when you disappeared I wondered if 261 had managed to get to you some other way. It wasn't until Lydecker took us aside that I realised that you had been transferred."
"Wait, Lydecker took you aside?" she started in surprise.
"You didn't know?" he raised an eyebrow.
She shook her head and Shane gave a small laugh.
"We were woken up at 0300 and put through full days drills before 0700. Then we were denied breakfast and taken to the op room where he showed us the video surveillance of the rec room."
Max remembered that. She had been ambushed by Bulli and the others in the recreation room where Bulli had beaten her with the pool cue. She had enough and turned it all around on them.
Shane leaned against the wall. "We were taken through reindoc for three hours everyday for three months. Up at 0300 for two hours drills and back to bed for a few hours before having to get up to a full days training. He never told us what happened to you. 261 told us that you had been disassembled."
He swallowed "Anyway. I just wanted to tell you that I was sorry."
Max nodded again "Thanks, I'm not saying that all is forgiven but…it's a start."
Shane gave a small smile, not quite relief but lightening as if a load that he had been carrying around was suddenly lifting.
"Thanks 452…and well done on making C.O. I know your men like you. It's well deserved."
He stood to attention and saluted before walking off to the convoy which had just made an appearance.
Max was glad when the last few members of the oddly quiet Unit 6 left to go back to Seattle. She smiled as Bulli turned to glare hatefully at her, then he tensed and spun back, his eyes wide.
Max frowned at his odd behaviour and half turned when Alec put his hand on her shoulder.
"You okay Maxie?"
"Fine, although a touch suspicious at the bruises Bulli and the others seem to have magically gained overnight."
Alec shrugged one shoulder and tried to look casual "The ground is rough in the jungle."
Max's lips twitched and she glanced around quickly, noting that no one was looking and threw her arms around Alec in a hug.
Startled, it took a few seconds before he could return the hug with enthusiasm as he pressed her warm body to his. She leaned up on tiptoes so she was close to his ear and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Thank you. Come on we need to go to debriefing."
She whispered and just as quickly was gone leaving Alec standing in the middle of the grounds with a goofy grin on his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moonlite Star- I know- blown WIDE open!! Have a great Spring Break.
Horseluver13- Of course it counts! Welcome and thank for reviewing, glad that you are enjoying my stories too!!
Hanna- What next? You mean apart from World domination?
JG- No too nasty I hope…but then again it was pretty horrific back there!
Jynx- Would YOU go rescue Bulli? I sure as hell wouldn't but Max is a soldier first and foremost. As for the damage? Mwah ha ha ha
Nora- Nah feel free to be selfish! I know I love it personally!
Barcode-babe-219- Hey pet, nah Max is unbottled and the rest have to deal with it big time!!
GivenAlias- I even appreciate the blah blah blah's! Your not mushy! Colour me stunned!! LOL. Aw Alec's crying did me in too!
Elite- Normally you ask and I shall answer but I want a few things to remain a mystery!
Poo- in that case you have strange dreams. LOL But it makes me happy that you are happy so all around joy-joy feelings there then. If he knew more details it is entirely possible that he would rip off Bulli's head. Yeah my collection is growing!!
Geminangel- Everyone wants to kick Bulli's ass so Max wont get a look in! Poor Max, she has issues, It is a real compliment that you as a M/L fan like this fic when it is M/A. Thank you very much.
Elfie- I was beginning to think you didn't love me anymore!! But the Uni thing I so get! Biggs and Max? As if!! If she didn't want Alec( and lets face it she's not stupid)t then we have Zan. X-series and Transhumans? Bringing Mole into it? Not sure about that one!
Brynnmissy- Yeah talk about walking on eggshells!!
m/a fan- I like UST it fuels so many decent plot lines and helps so many trashy TV shows. Jealous Alec is a sweety!
Jade-K- know he is adorable!! Who doesn't love Alec!
Moonlight19- Aw okay, that is the nicest thing. Sorry you had to wait to read the chapter for so long but hey bless your brother and say thanks from me too! If you want to start an "I hate Bulli" club feel free, I'll even make banners for ya! Alec's only defence was that he was mad and she wasnt saying a word but it got all of her angst out, even if it did hurt. Damn girl you ne4ed a huge huge hug for all the tension!
La Vito- LOL! My bad! You want more sweetness? That I can do!
Wildchild494- I try to update once a week so hope that's quick enough. Glad you like them both so much!
1red1- Soothe that broken heart, more soon promise- this was long though! LOL, your like me, I ask questions but I don't want them answering co I wanna read the fic. But hey its great that you'd rather read my stuff than novels. What sort of books are you into?
SGOU- Yeah Be careful what you wish for- but I think he's glad that he knows at least some of it now. Possessive men, that look like Alec- YES! OK maggots is a little harsh! But I get that. Once again, Max and Biggs- so not happening, poor Alec! Thanks for the review darlin'.
Sigma1- No there will be consequences, they don't get off that easily! Its great that you feel its real and fascinating, I feel proud that it can draw you all in like that.
Acb- It was heart wrenching, especially to write and I'm pleased that it came across as well as it did.
Ganko- someone said that the first few chapters were slow- plot wise. But now everything is getting hotter and faster. You are the first interpretation t think that Alec meant the tears and not Max- interesting!
Cecelia- hi! Alec kicked Bulli's ass for Max, but there are still unresolved issues coming up. Yeah Ben arrives in Chapter 17, Logan will make a cameo, as does one of our fave other characters bit I wont say who!
Kim- Cheers pet, glad you think so. Kudos means 'Praise', sort of. Almost a 'well done'!
Natasgi- Alec is hot, does anyone disagree? looks around at silence No pretty much unanimous.
Arwen_amy- Hey there pet, Max was set to burst! Needed to happen, poor gal!
Fangedangel- Hi ! Thank you I know what you mean about Max, so many authors have her as moany and selfish but I hate that. (see my rants!) As for your question. Special Ops has a different structure to other Units in that they are trained to command, so theoretically any of Special Ops could be a C.O. Alec is still C.O of Unit 8 and he shares the position of command in Special Ops with Max. They change depending on what the mission requires. Either could be C.O or 2IC at any time, although it is mostly Max especially since Berrisford. So when Tara and Biggs call Max a C.O, it's true- she is C.O of Special Ops. Hope that answers your question.
Jamie's Spawn- What would the world be like without Alec are you TRYING to give me nightmares? Ooh the horror!
Guvera- Hello! I hope this played out the way you thought!! Where abouts in Australia?
Allison_ Lightning- he still needed his ass kicking in a big big way!
Dokushoka79- Thank you I was overjoyed! Yay me! I'm 20 0ff 400 as well, how cool was that. Oh so don't blame me for getting told off at school!! LOL. She shouldn't have to deal with them it was needed for closure. Dog boy is cool!
Eden- Cheers pet, its coming along so smoothly now. its all good clean fun!
Darkangelalialbuffylover- Hi there! Thank you so much, I love that you like my stuff so much, Max is awesome, she rocks. As for meeting Lydecker- You also have a crystal ball!!!
Stormvind- LOL, how often does that mean you review? Once a day until I review? I was waiting! Sadistic and down on your knees- should I be worried???
Anna Kristina- Its okay, as long as you review once in a while to let me know that you like it! They will have some making up to do especially once Alec gets through with them all. more about Max and Alec's feelings? I can do that…I think. Also we learn more about their training but that comes in Moving Alongside more. Tara will talk to Max about mating so expect that too.
Nat452- cheers angel, no this isn't the end. Do you read both stories?
Natalie25- Feel free to write one like this too1 the more M/A fics the better in my opinion!
Ishtari- lovely name btw, thanks for the review honey!
Fan- Hey again! Feel free to just say wow, lets me know someone is listening…reading. Whatever.
Lyndsay- Cheers pet, the mission file was a good touch I felt. They will pay! LOL, you read my mind, they want revenge!!
Moonangel18- hey sweetheart! Nice to hear from you, well here's your next fix- enjoy!
Kat461- Thank you very much, I am glad that you like it so much, I know I say that a lot but I feel it too! If words cant explain then thanks all the more for saying so.
Elizabeth Annette- They feel shame- believe me and will feel more when Alec gets through with them!!