A/N Ok this was the Chapter that I thought Sucked. My proof-reader said that it was okay though shrugs go figure. But it took me so long to write and was the reason that I didn't post anything for a while- talk about writers block! It was like a solid brick wall and writing it was like pulling teeth- and giving them to the Blue Lady. Well I'm posting it anyway- because I think I'll get lynched if I leave it any longer. Feel free to tell me that it sucks… or even better if you agree with my beta. Thanks Itay!
A/N- Poll who is your fave Character? Who do you want me to write more about?
Chapter 10- Falling house of Cards.
(Aside Doubts)
A year Later.
Max sat in the class room reminiscing about watching as Alec walked away. He was being sent on a mission today and she had a bad feeling about him being away. It was deep cover- his first one-- and it was probably just jitters at the fact that he would be away from her for the first time since she had arrived in Seattle for more than a few days. The place would seem almost empty without him. Of course there were a few that were on manoeuvres this time.
They had embraced Solo Op training with their typical enthusiasm and had a wild time doing it. One year later and they were all qualified to go on Solo Ops. It had been a blast and Max had actually enjoyed her time in Manticore. It might have something to with the fact that the people around her didn't want her dead.
It made for a welcome change and she was determined to enjoy it.
She rocked back on her chair and stared out of the window. She was sitting in class with the rest of the X5's because there weren't enough of Special Ops in the facility to hold their own lessons so she had to be with the other Units. But since she had done all of this stuff before she was allowed to go over her own studies. She supposed to be revising methods of asphyxiation, but it looked like a bright, beautiful sunny day outside and she didn't want to be cooped inside. Taking one look at the Trainer who stood at the front of the room lecturing the rest of the Units on Common Verbal Max made her decision.
Just as he turned his back she blurred to the open door and down the hallway. He'd never even notice and she could go outside and relax.
Max edged down the hall and out into the training yards luxuriating in the feel of the sun on her face as she crept away from the main facility.
She found a secluded grove not too far away and threw herself under a shady tree.
She lay back and rested her head on her arms, staring up at the blue sky.
She sighed in satisfaction- this was so much better than sitting in a stuffy classroom hearing scores of X5's blunder over basic human greetings.
She wondered what Alec was doing right about now.
Since he had helped her with Bill and Laura they had been spending a lot of time together and could sit around and say nothing and it would still feel right.
She idly watched clouds float by as she thought of the blonde transgenic. She wished she could be on this mission with him, they had such a blast when they were paired up.
She thought back to one of their first missions after Pix's mischief challenge…
"452 and 494. You are two of our best Officers," Director Renfro had told them.
Max and Alec had stood ram rod straight in front of her and said nothing. She had hauled them into her office at this ridiculous time of the morning and insisted that they stand to attention.
Despite the early hour she looked impeccably dressed in sharp black suit and blonde spiked hair. Her make up was vibrant blue and Max felt like asking her to tone it down that early, it was giving her a headache.
But of course she didn't. She wasn't entirely reckless.
She nodded, apparently pleased with their reaction.
"Your marks throughout your time here at Seattle have been exemplary and we hold you up as the example for the other teams to aspire to. However your recent foray into the art of waywardness is making me think twice about your appointment to the status of solo operatives."
To their credit neither of them blinked but Max could hear Alec's heartbeat suddenly quicken and she knew her own mirrored his.
Dammit, they knew that Pix was going to get them into trouble with that damn challenge! Max wondered if Renfro somehow knew that it was she who had propped the sign on the gate that had Manticore closed for the day. She hoped not; as much as she joked she didn't really want to go back to Psy Ops.
"Ma'am?" Alec said out loud and Max was proud that his voice didn't crack at the thought of them getting taken off the program.
"You seem to have too much free time on your hands to come up with pranks," Renfro snapped telling them in no uncertain terms that she knew what they had been up to "So, I have devised a new way to keep you occupied."
Her icy smile made Max swallow in anxiety of what punishments this twisted woman could come up with.
"It was actually your own actions that gave way to this idea, 452. I have decided that as part of your training you are to take drills for some of the younger X series. It'll build character for you and benefit the other series who seem to look up to you."
Renfro paced in front of them not noticing the relief written on their faces "When you get back from your next assignment, you will commence teaching one class a week in basic drills and combat."
"Assignment, ma'am?" Max couldn't help herself and Alec groaned internally. Sometimes she didn't know when to shut up.
"Yes, 452, I actually called you in here for a briefing. One of Manticore's largest backers is a member of congress, a certain member of the gang land drug scene has some…incriminating photographs of him in a compromising position. For obvious reasons regular channels are unwelcome. He has asked, as a personal favour from Colonel Lydecker," she gritted her teeth at his name much to Max's interest and then continued, "to send someone to assist in the recovery of these pictures and the elimination if the target."
"Permission to speak, ma'am," Alec said and Renfro nodded
"Ok."
"Why transgenics, why not just use regular military?"
"Thinking like a true soldier," She remarked and stalked around to her desk. While she had her back to them Max whispered from the corner of her mouth,
"Brown noser."
Alec smirked but wiped his face clear as Renfro turned back.
"This gang Lord has the latest in military technology and handfuls of body guards at his disposal. Not to mention the fact that no one knows where he lives. The C.I.A and other organizations want their hands on him too but if they were to find him before the photographs are recovered by someone else… Well let's just say that funding might not be so easily acquired from other sources."
She pulled a manila file from her desk "We have sources that confirm that our Gang Lord is a party man and compulsive gambler. So we want you to put together a team and head up the assignment. All the information that you need is there. Think of this as penance for you practical jokes. Redeem yourselves." She smirked and threw the folder at them.
Max took the folder and Renfro glared at her.
"Dismissed already."
~~
Max and Alec sat in the empty common room, Alec leaned his head on the desk.
"I want to sleep," He moaned and Max grinned.
"Wimp!"
He glared at her with one eye "I don't have Shark D.N.A so I am allowed to need rest. Bitch," He mumbled and Max slapped the back of his head.
"OW!"
He sat up and rubbed his sore head, he started to say something but was cut off by her death look.
Instead he smiled sweetly. "Sorry Maxie."
"Can we actually plan this mission already?" she said half annoyed still and flipped open the folder scanning its contents.
Alec whistled. "Looks like quite the party guy."
"Hmm." Max was still reading and Alec felt a pang at being ignored.
"So the best bet is to reach him at his local casino then right?"
"Hmm."
Alec narrowed his eyes. "He doesn't seem to like competition so we could set ourselves up as gamblers and eventually he would want to play us."
"Uh huh."
"He seems to like the waitresses."
"Hmm."
"So I could dress up in a pink tutu." He finished annoyed at her easy dismissal.
"Too cold." She glanced up and caught his irate look with her sparkling eyes and he realised that he'd been played.
He poked her in the side.
"Why do I put up with you?" he rolled his eyes and asked the ceiling.
"Because no one else can stand to be around you for that long," She teased and slapped the back of his head again.
He pouted and she just laughed at him.
"So tutu's aside you plan was good. We could get three to work the games so as not to attract too much attention to just one."
"Who?" Alec leaned forwards
"Coco and Mets do casinos well. They'd mix well."
Alec nodded "So me, Coco and Mets at the tables."
"We can get one girl on the floor staff, waiting tables or whatever. From the file it seems like our Gang-man- Fidel Casali, likes the ladies so maybe he selects from the floor staff or the cabaret entertainment. Seems they have the full nightlife deal."
"How about Anna?"
Max raised an eyebrow. "With her temper? What do you think she'd do to our mark if he pinched her ass?"
Alec grimaced. "Good point."
"Emma or Sunny?"
"Emma, she has your DNA, she can work nights."
Max nodded "We need someone to monitor comms for us."
"Biggs?"
Max shook her head. "Zan?"
Alec bit his lip not wanting to say what he really thought of that idea. It wasn't that he didn't like Zan, he did. Just not as much as he had before Max had spent all that time with him in med bay. Before he had become great friends with Max she had spent a lot of time with the blonde and even now she was paired with him a lot.
Alec wasn't jealous- or course not- there was nothing to be jealous of. Zan wasn't even that good looking. Was he? Alec didn't see guys like that but did Max think that Zan was good looking? Was it the long blonde hair? Alec debated letting his grow...
"Earth to Alec!" Max called his attention back to the mission.
"Not Zan- he's uh...too…um…"
Max frowned for a second and then shrugged. Alec was weird; she knew this.
"B.J?"
Alec grinned. "We could always be humanitarian and get Techie away from Feen."
Max chuckled. "Techie it is."
"So three on tables, one working the floor, Techie on comms and where will you be?"
"Didn't I say?" Max asked all innocence which put Alec on alert straight away.
"No."
"I'll be on stage."
~~
Max grinned to herself as she thought about the explosion that her statement had caused in Alec. He'd ranged from "no" to "hell no" in under five seconds. Max was impressed.
She slipped on her dress and adjusted her full skirt.
She was due for an interview and audition with the manager of the Miss Kitty club. She wanted to give the best performance that she could and knew that she'd be alone for the day.
Alec, Coco and Mets were in the club later and had to pretend not to know each other.
Emma had been hired yesterday and Techie had checked into the hotel and so far all was going to plan. All they had to do was to wait and try to lure Fidel Casali out.
It shouldn't be too hard according to the file he was quite the player- of both women and the tables. One of them had to catch his eye and then they have him.
Max allowed herself a little smile as she checked herself one last time in the mirror.
"Showtime," She whispered and walked out onto the stage.
Two brawny men sat in one corner in intense talk. They stopped as they saw her.
"What's your name sweetheart?"
"Alexandra Honey." She smiled sweetly and saw them smile back.
"Ok Miss Honey. Take it away."
Max nodded at the pianist and as the tune started took a deep breath.
It was late when Alec finally made his way into the club. He'd had to search for the right look; somewhere between playboy millionaire and bad boy. His black silk shirt unbuttoned to show off his chest and rolled up sleeves with tight black trousers helped, along with the black leather jacket.
He definitely looked the part and glanced around the already full casino to see of he could spot either his target or his friends.
Coco sat sipping champagne at the roulette table.
"Red eight," She said archly and slid her chips into the allotted space. She raised her head enough to scan the room again and gave the caller a sultry look from under her long lashes.
He smiled at her in appreciation before the wheel spun to a halt.
"Red Eight."
Coco elegantly raised her drink to her lips and let a small smile slip as the caller raked the chips over to her.
She loved this; the roll of dice and the slap of cards, the dance of the ball. She was so glad that Max had chosen her for this mission.
She had decided on playful elegance and had gone with a black slash neck evening dress. She knew that she looked good, having heard many men's admiring comments but she was determined not to let herself get distracted. She was here to win money and find this Fidel guy. Oh and to have fun.
"Black twenty- one," She purred "My favourite."
Mets watched as Coco won another round of Roulette and turned his attention back to the card game. He wanted to sigh out loud; these guys were taking way too long to make their play. He had deciphered what their cards were two hands ago and was looking forward to cleaning house.
He'd spotted Alec walk in earlier and head for the pool lounge.
"I'll raise you a hundred." The woman on his left said as she eyed him hungrily.
Mets smiled at her charmingly, knowing that it was his dark looks and the hint of an accent that had caught the delectable Ms Chase.
She was an heiress with more money than sense. She had tossed her long blonde hair so many times he wondered that she didn't have a headache, but all of her efforts were lost on him.
He was only interested in one girl and she wasn't here.
Drew was a wonder to him. A wonderful mixture of stubbornness and sass, she was super confident and yet she had that underlying level of insecurity when it came to actually being female. More comfortable with computers than with kissing; she seemed more likely to smack him than kiss him and he loved it.
What was it with these Manticore girls that made them so damn irresistible? Take Alec for instance, he could have his pick of any of the girls that were fawning all over him tonight. Blondes, brunettes, redheads of all sizes and descriptions and yet Mets could see the tense way he held himself as his gaze kept darting towards the stage. Any of these girls would worship him and yet he wanted the one who had given him more bruises than every training session put together.
Pix could charm the birds down from the sky and probably get them to join him in bombing Renfro's office yet he had eyes for Chance only. The sweet, insecure computer expert had him enraptured.
And him- Mets knew that one charming smile and a few choice words and he could have Ms Chase flat on her back. Yet he was captivated by his Tom boy back home. He shook his head in amusement.
"Are you folding, Mr Carveta?"
Mets smiled at the elderly lady on his right.
"No, Signora. I raise two hundred."
"Would Sir care for a drink?"
Mets looked up into the sparkling eyes of Emma.
He smiled at his friend.
"Grazie, but no. I like my head clear."
Emma gave him an impish look and then ducked her head as Ms Chase glared at her.
"I'll have a red wine," She declared archly and Mets felt the urge to slap her for being mean to his big sister. He'd known Emma since they were born, having always been in the same units at Manticore. They were glad to get put in Special Ops together.
Emma nodded at the lady and walked away with a swing in her hips. Mets rolled his eyes and called the hand. He'd won.
Of course.
"So Mr Wilde, what do you do?"
Alec gave his most charming grin. "Whatever I want, Miss…?"
"Ms Grant, Gabrielle Grant."
The brunette simpered and took another sip of her drink, flashing her diamond ring at him.
Alec eyed it in interest. It had to be at least 20 carats with a solid gold ring and beautiful cut. He was impressed with it, and not with her. Ms Grant was a socialite, used to using her wealth and looks to get ahead and she had tried to sink her claws into Alec the moment she had spotted him.
Alec, however, had other things on his mind. He had seen Mets and Coco. He had received the message from Techie that all was clear and Emma had brushed past him, offering him a drink.
All that was missing was Max. It was a big deal for him.
He hadn't seen her in two days and it was starting to wear on him. He knew that she had gotten the job but after that, it was killing him not to know where she was or what she was doing.
It was screwing with his concentration; he was so worried for her that he wasn't even watching out for his target.
He excused himself from Ms Grant's company, ignoring her pout and went to the Gents room.
It was done out in obscene luxury for what it was meant for. The floor was all black shiny tiles and the furnishings were gold leafed. The sinks were also black with gold taps and soap dispensers. It looked like something from a black and white movie.
Alec checked to make sure that he was alone in the room before looking in the framed glass, black of course, with his hands on the ornate black marble tabletop. He glared at himself.
"Get with the program. She is a big girl and she can handle herself perfectly. However if you screw up, the only people who'll handle you are Manticore Psy-Ops. Okay?!"
His reflection mocked him and he laughed to himself.
Washing his hands he switched his ear piece back on.
"Techie?"
"Hey Alec, thanks for turning it off, I didn't want to hear you answer the call of nature."
Alec grinned at Techie's humour. The guy was great to have in his team and Alec had always got along with him.
"Has M-everyone checked in yet"?
"She's fine." Techie's amused voice came down the wire and Alec grimaced; was he that transparent?
"I think our guy just walked in. Showtime."
Alec took a deep breath and tried to push thoughts of Max put of his head- easily said than done and left the sanctity of the bathroom.
Fidel Casali had worked his way up from the streets. First as a pickpocket and errand boy for the big boys, running brown paper packages to other gangs and suppliers. He had naturally progressed up the ranks of the street wise and street smart to a right hand man. After the pulse he had taken his natural gift for getting things done and fashioned himself as the gang lord of the city. People had fallen in line and instead of having to scrounge for food Casali had people handing him diamonds.
He was tall and distinguished with Italian - American roots evident in his dark eyes and thick black hair. The ladies loved him and he loved them back, surrounding himself with the most beautiful. His one shortcoming was that he loved to gamble and didn't care much what with; money, women, and lives. It was all a game to him.
He walked into the Miss Kitty club like he owned it, which was half right.
His attention cast around for the nearest game and he gravitated towards it like water.
Mets held his breath as his mark came towards the game he was sitting at.
"Excuse me." The polished, smooth tones of Fidel Casali swept over the players and they glanced up.
"Is the game open?"
"Of course." Ms Chase gushed and Mets felt like rolling his eyes at her.
Fidel sat down and looked at him.
Ms Chase stared between the two. "Are you gentlemen related?"
Mets could see where she got that idea. They were of similar colouring and had the same eyes and hair, but whereas Mets' features were softer, perfectly sculpted and tanned; Fidel Casali was much leaner with sharp pinched features of someone who had known hunger and poverty, his skin was the kind of bronzed you get from tanning parlours as opposed to honest out door work like Mets.
"No, Madam." Fidel said with a wide grin "My name is Fidel Casali I do not know Mr?"
"Carveta, Marzio Carveta." Mets held out his hand for Fidel to shake and he smiled back. "So nice to meet a fellow Italian here in America."
"Yes." Fidel's dark eyes didn't hold the smile that was fixed to his lips. "What is the game?"
"Poker." Ms Chase decided that she had been ignored long enough.
"Ah, beg pardon, I am not used to the company of such a lovely lady."
Yeah right! Mets wanted to scoff as Fidel kissed Ms Chase's knuckles and she blushed deeply.
"Such a gentleman."
"Shall we continue with the game?"
"Of course, but I don't think I will be able to concentrate with two such gorgeous men at my side," She simpered and Mets swallowed a chuckle.
Manticore give me strength, he thought and pasted a bland smile on his face.
Coco scraped together her chips and bid farewell to the Roulette dealer before he became too suspicious at her winning streak. She saw that Mets had their mark and she slowly walked across the room to the black jack table where she would be able to keep a closer watch.
She purposely crossed paths with Emma and snatched a glass off her tray.
"What is that, like your fifth?" Emma asked from the corner of her mouth.
"Delicious buzz going on here!" Coco smirked and Emma hid her own. "Poor Mets looks like Ms Vapid is talking his ear off."
"Yeah, and I think Alec might spontaneously explode of Max doesn't make an appearance soon."
She glanced over to their cool, clam collected C.O and saw his bright smile and rapt attention to his dripping socialite, but only their transgenic eyesight could make out his clenched fists under the table.
"Poor Alec," Coco giggled and Emma eyed her
"Lay off the liquor okay?"
"I'm sober, dummy. But if I act a little inebriated then I'm more likely to end up…richer." She shared a conspirator's grin with Emma.
"A Manticore technique in DCM's, vulnerability and weakness is often taken advantage of. Use that to your advantage." Emma reiterated one of the first lessons of deep cover missions.
"See me," Coco pouted "Dumb, drunk female. Give me your money."
Emma burst into giggles.
"Get out of here before you get me fired!"
"Be careful, sis," Coco managed before she walked to the card tables.
Emma walked back to the table where Mets was and handed Ms Chase her red wine.
"Here you go Ms."
Ms Chase took it without even glancing at Emma.
Mets caught her eye and a slow smile spread over his face, one Emma returned in full.
Fidel Casali took in the interchange and as Emma went to walk by, grabbed her hand. Ms Chase scowled at the punky redhead even as Emma tried to extract her hand. But Fidel was not used to being ignored by women. He pulled her closer.
"You are a most beautiful lady, too beautiful to be serving. Perhaps you could sit at my knee for luck?"
Mets swallowed and looked down trying to hide the rage at seeing his sister being pawed by the bad guy.
"Sorry Sir, but I have a job to do." she whispered playing the frightened maiden card.
"But of course." Slime ball, Mets added in his head as Fidel let Emma's hand go and trailed his fingertips up her arm.
"Perhaps later?"
Over my dead body, Mets blinked and Fidel finally let her go.
Emma backed away and hurried off to the kitchen.
Ok, so she had caught his attention, now what?
Alec watched the little byplay with intensity. Although Mets and Emma hadn't been his unit for as long as Techie and Coco, he was no less protective and no less fond of them
He was glad when Emma got away but the fury that shone on Mets face was a cause for concern.
"You know, when I was in Italy. I once saw this Italian bull that got much too hot for his trainers to handle, red rags sent him crazy- he ended up getting put out to pasture."
"Oh!" Ms Grant blinked at the abrupt change in topic, not knowing that Alec was speaking in code to Techie who relayed the message to Mets down his earpiece. Calm down or cut out.
Mets straightened and played his part to perfection. He was a soldier and they weren't supposed to have feelings or emotions. He began flirting again with Ms Chase and pushed thoughts of Emma and Drew away.
Fidel Casali played a few hands but when it was clear that he wasn't getting anywhere with Ms Chase now that Mets had turned on the charm, so he quickly bowed out of the game. Women held more interest to him today than cards.
He got up and walked to the bar where Coco leaned. After flashing a come-hither smile, which she ignored, he turned to the bar.
"I'll have a black Russian and I want to speak to Steven."
The bartender nodded and rang the phone as he poured the drink.
He handed both to Fidel.
"Steven, I am bored with this, I want to play a private game against a player of likewise talent."
Coco's enhanced hearing allowed her to catch the other side of the conversation as Steven- apparently the manager of Miss Kitty club set up a private game in the lounge so that they could enjoy the evenings entertainment.
"There is a new waitress that I would like to wait on the game. A red head and send me the blonde tease from the back, I need my luck."
Coco stiffened as he mentioned Emma.
"Just set it up would you, or do you want me to get angry?"
The phone was put down none too gently and Coco fixed her attention to her drink. As Fidel moved away she hissed down her earpiece, "Did you get that?"
"Loud and clear," Techie answered and relayed it to Emma in the kitchen who prepared herself for what lay ahead.
Alec was debating whether it would be a good idea to lose another hand to close the playing field before the guy in front of him sweated himself to death. He had lost so many hands on purpose because it seemed like the man in front of him couldn't really afford to play. He'd seen a white band of pale skin on his finger where his wedding ring should be and knew that this guy had a wife waiting for him at home to bring back his pay check.
He wanted to tell him to go home, but with Ms Grant hanging on his every move it was hard.
"Tell me Carl, are you married?"
The thought of his wife made Carl sweat even more.
"Uh n-no," he lied.
"Shame." Alec took a sip of his wine and stared down at his hand- dammit full house. How on earth could he lose this hand?
Just as he was contemplating folding a large man walked over to the table. He was a mountain of a man looking like a wrestler shoe horned into a suit.
"Mr Wilde?"
"Yes?" Alec asked archly.
"I have been asked by the manager of the casino if you would join him in the lounge for a game or two."
"Delighted." Alec smiled as if this happened to him all of the time.
"Call," If Carl wasn't going to help himself then Alec would have to do it.
Carl paled as Alec dropped his cards and raked in the money.
He kissed Ms Grant on the hand in a debonair move that had her swooning and backed away from the table. He stopped a few steps away, turned back and threw a chip to Carl.
"Take it home to your wife, before you lose her."
Then he followed the bouncer into the lounge.
When he arrived he found that the lounge was already full in expectation of the evening's entertainment. He was led to a dark corner where crimson drapes obscured the card table from view while still allowing access and a clear view of the stage.
Fidel sat at the head of the table with a dark skinned man on his left side and a busty blonde on his knee. She was obviously the tease Fidel had spoken about on the phone. She wore a vacant expression even as she stroked Fidel's thigh. To Alec she looked like a junkie and he felt the urge to get away from them both as Fidel patted her like a well trained dog.
There was a woman who Alec didn't know also present and Coco sat sipping her wine.
"Good Evening." Alec said with a grin hiding his distaste of the gang lord and his pet.
"Hello, Mr Wilde. I'm Steven Griffin, the manager of Miss Kitty Club, this is Mr Fidel Casali and Aimee Lucien , Ms Sophie Baste and Ms Coreen Teller."
"Hello," He greeted, nodding at Coco- Coreen.
"Would you like a drink perhaps while we wait for our final...ah here he is may I present Mr Wilde and Mr Marzio Carveta."
Alec nodded to Mets surprised that he too had been added to their game.
Mets acknowledged him and slunk into the seat opposite Coco.
Steven dealt and they threw in their chips.
"So Ms Baste, what do you do?"
The brunette started at being addressed by Alec, "Uh I'm into acquisition and restoration of antiques. Rather boring really." She ducked her head in a way that reminded him of Chance.
"Not at all," Mets interjected smoothly. "I find it all fascinating."
"As do I," Alec smiled comfortingly at her. "Go on."
"Recently I acquired an original Leonardo painting which had sustained water damage during the pulse. It was worth millions and I had to painstakingly restore it to its former glory."
They all nodded impressed.
"You, Mr Wilde?" Mets hid a grin as Alec sighed.
"I came into fortune after the pulse. My Grandmother, the infamous Elizabeth Renfro-Wilde died from toxic poisoning."
"How dreadful!" Coco clutched her chest and Techie could be heard chuckling down Alec's earpiece even as Alec struggled to keep his face straight.
"It came as a shock to us al, he carried on "She was such a robust lady. Anyway her legacy and fortune was handed down to me, as her favourite grandson."
"Favourite?" Techie choked out.
"Apologies to bringing up a painful subject, Mr Wilde." Mets said in broken English making Coco roll her eyes.
"Money is such a distasteful subject," Fidel added "Let us return to nicer topics."
"Of course," they agreed.
After a few hands filled with meaningless chit-chat Steven excused himself. "I have to announce our opening act tonight."
Only Mets who sat by him noticed Alec's tensing. He leaned slightly to the side brushing his forearm against Alec trying to convey support and the look Alec shot him was filled with gratitude.
Fidel seemed to regain his interest in proceedings, as the lights dimmed and the spot light lit up the microphone in the centre of the stage.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and distinguished guests, I welcome you tonight and grant you all the pleasure of the excesses that the Miss Kitty club has to offer."
The audience applauded and the room grew even darker.
"It is our great pleasure to introduce for your pleasure our latest addition to the club. Please give a warm welcome to Miss Alexandra Honey."
Alec straightened in his chair as the first strains of the drum beat filled the room.
The spot light caught the shiny glint of silky dark hair that cascaded down her back, partially obscuring her face. Her pouty red lips pursed close to the microphone and her dark eyes almost seemed to glitter in the bright light.
Alec caught his breath at the vision of Max in front of him, dressed in a midnight blue glittery gown she was every inch the starlight singer.
She gave a cat like half-grin as the beat sounded again and brought her mouth right up to the microphone.
"Never knew how much I love you," she crooned softly
"Never knew how much I care.
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever."
Her lone voice echoed in the still room and then the back lights switched on illuminating her backing band. Max swept her hair away from her face and licked her lips. The band started up and she carried on, her eyes sweeping the darkened room even as cat calls began from each corner.
"When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight."
She wrapped her arms around herself and let her hands trail down the sides of her body, coming to rest on her hips as they swayed to the exotic beat.
Alec's
throat went dry.
"Fever, in the morning,
Fever all though the night.
Sun lights up the daytime,
Moon lights up the night."
She gave
a sultry look from under her eyelashes, fully aware that she held all of the
room under her spell.
"And I light up when you call my name
And Oooh I'm gonna treat you right
You give me fever
When you kiss me,
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever, in the morning
Fever all through the night."
She
picked up the microphone from its stand and made her way across the stage.
Every pair of eyes was fixed to her lithe figure as the dress swished and
swayed around her legs.
"Everybody's got the fever,
That is something you oughta know
Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long ago."
She was
out in the crowd now and let her fingers trail over table tops and men's
shoulders. Every one that she passed gave her a hopeful smile but she was
having none.
"Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she felt the same
When he put his arms around her
He said julie baby you're my flame
Now give me fever, when we kiss,
Fever with thy flaming youth
Fever, I'm on fire, fever yeah I burn forsooth."
She stood with her back against a pillar and tilted her head back, sliding down and rubbing her shoulders with a satisfied smile on her face.
Men all over the audience sighed in appreciation.
"Captain Smith & Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
when her daddy tried to kill him,
She said daddy oh don't you dare,"
She
waggled her finger in a "no no" gesture in front of an elderly man who looked
about two inches away from a heart attack.
"He give me fever,"
She
circled around the room laying gentle touches on shoulders and over chests.
"With his kisses, fever when he holds me
tight
Fever I'm his Mrs.
Daddy won' t you treat him right."
She
stopped in front of a man on the table next to Alec and gave him a sultry look,
letting her fingers dance over his broad chest. She dipped her fingers into his
jacket and pulled out a silk handkerchief.
"Now you've listened to my story,
Here's the point that I have made,"
She ran
the silk handkerchief over his face and moved on, rubbing her back against his.
"Chicks were born to give you fever,
Be it Fahrenheit or centigrade."
She
winked at Alec.
"They give you fever
When you kiss them, fever if you live you
learn."
She sat back
bent over Alec's table and licked her lips. Using her stomach muscles she
bought herself up gracefully and turned to Fidel.
"Fever, till you sizzle,
what a lovely way to burn,"
She touched his nose with a long fingernail and then spun off the table, wriggling her hips as she made her way back to the stage.
"What a lovely way to Burn,
what a lovely way…"
She paused at the microphone as the music died
"To burn," She hissed the final words and the lights died.
There was stunned moment of silence and then the whole place erupted in applause.
Several of the men in the audience stood up to applaud and Max took a bow and exited the stage as the lights flickered back on.
Alec finally remembered to breathe.
She had looked so damn hot that he thought he was about to combust. As it was he wasn't leaving the table for a while.
Fidel looked thoughtfully towards the stage and the bright girl who had come back for another bow and was blushing hard at being the centre of attention.
He leaned over a muttered something to the bodyguard on his left who then stood up and walked away. Fidel leaned down and whispered something in the blonde's ear. She didn't look too pleased, but got up to walk away.
Fidel then turned to the rest of the table.
"Excuse me, I must leave the game." He stood and walked over to another table in a secluded part of the lounge.
Alec exchanged glances with Mets. This wasn't good.
Max grinned to herself in the dressing room mirror. Task accomplished. She had seen Alec's jaw drop and that alone was worth the teasing that she was going to get from the girls for this stunt.
She pulled her brush through her silky locks and was about to wipe off the, in her opinion anyway, ridiculous make- up that some of the women here had insisted that she wear. She paused with her hand in mid-air as there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" She called and turned to face the huge man as he walked in.
"Miss, I have a request from my boss, Mr Fidel Casali, a valuable patron of this club who wishes to speak to you. Your manager has okayed it."
Max nodded. Well that was faster than she had thought; she had assumed that she would be here at least a week before Fidel made a move. Seems the guy worked faster than they gave him credit for. Now the only deal was to find his preference and play up to that sweet bubbly cheerleader type or smart ass?
Max grinned to herself.
"Why sure!" she enthused. "Wow, ya'll so big and strong! I ain't never seen so big muscles in mah life!"
The muscle-bound man preened a little and flexed his arms over his chest. Max fought the urge to roll her eyes and smiled widely.
She used the distraction to pick up her earpiece and switch it on. She heard Techie give her the all clear and then turned back to the man in the door.
"Did ya see me sing? I was so darn nervous I was sure I was gonna just hurl or somethin'!" Max tucked her arm into the crook of the guys elbow and followed him out into the hall chattering like a schoolgirl. "I ain't never sung in front of an audience that big 'afore. Mah momma always said that I'd be okay and I was, wasn' ah?"
"You sang fine, ma'am," The bouncer smiled down at her.
"Aw shucks sugar if you ain't the cutest thang!"
They reached the table where Mr Casali sat alone watching their approach.
"Hi there!" she perked up. She could see Mets, Alec and Coco sitting with a brunette woman a few tables over. They could hear her too, thanks to her earpiece and she delighted in watching their reactions to her performance out of the corner of her eye. She watched as Mets eyebrow's hit his hairline and Alec choked on his scotch.
"Hello, do I have the pleasure of addressing our entertainer?" Fidel said archly and Max beamed.
"Sure am. Alexandra Honey, but my friends all call me Honey."
"Well Honey, I hope we can be friends," Fidel said smoothly holding out his hand.
"My Momma always said I was good at making friends." She shook his hand and he raised it to his lips kissing her knuckles.
"Your mother was undoubtedly right."
"Well now, ain't you sweet?" Max sat on the chair that had materialised by her side, courtesy of the bouncer.
"So Honey, tell me, what is a beautiful girl like you doing in a place like this?"
Max wanted to throw up at the overused corny line but instead she shrugged.
"I was singing in a five and dime back home and some gal tells me that up here they're havin' auditions for lounge acts and gals who can sing. Momma tol' me I should try and here I am! I never woulda guessed that little old me'd be singin' in the Miss Kitty club but here it is."
"Would you care for a drink, Miss?"
It seemed that the bouncer had a thing for the sweet girl.
"Oh sure!" Max replied happily "I'd like... now what's that drink with the lollipop in it?"
"Sherbet Fritz," Alec intoned making sure it was heard down his earpiece, trying desperately not to laugh at her over acting. If she didn't stop soon he was going to join Techie who he could hear howling with laughter down his earpiece. The brunette stared at him in surprise.
"Sorry Mr Wilde, did you say something?"
"I was just trying to recall the name of that drink," He smiled charmingly and she blushed.
Alec glared warningly at Coco who was trying not to giggle at Max's gushing tone. He didn't want to scare Miss Baste away.
"Sherbet Fritz, That's it!" Max flashed her teeth in a huge smile and Mets had to cover his mouth with his hand as a grin slipped out, he turned it into a cough that Miss Baste didn't notice as it was her turn to play.
"Can you make it a pink one?"
The bouncer swallowed and Alec had the idea that Max could have asked for anything just then and he would have done it.
"Now, ya didn't tell me your name," she pouted playfully at Fidel who grinned.
"Mr Fidel Casali."
Max twirled her finger into her hair and tried her best to look clueless "Is that foreign?"
Fidel threw back his head and laughed "Yes, my family comes from Italy originally."
"Wow! I read all about Italy. I bet its pretty, is it pretty? I'd love ta go. I bet there's mansions there, right?" she sighed "I'd love ta see one. I ain't never seen a mansion 'afore."
Fidel looked at her interestedly "We don't have to go to Italy to see a Mansion, my dear."
Max blinked innocently "No?"
"No," he smiled "In fact I have a Mansion not too far from here."
"Really?" she looked excited and then it faded "You're teasing me ain't cha?"
"Not at all. We could go see it." he stroked her back and Max wanted to tense but out of the corner of her eye she saw Alec and Mets both bristle and she danced out of his reach playfully, not wanting to start a brawl.
"My Momma said I wasn't to go wit' strangers."
"But we are friends now, Honey."
Max bit her lip and looked down "I dunno."
"I know the owner of the club. Steve and I are good friends, now if he knew that you were coming with me then you wouldn't be alone and someone would know what happened to you, wouldn't they?"
"I guess."
"You are right to be cautious, my dear."
Her eyes flew to his. "I am?"
Coco couldn't take it anymore. Sitting there listening to Max act like an airhead without giggling, especially with all of the wine that she had consumed was all she could take. She stood up quickly and excused herself.
Miss Baste nodded as the beautiful Amazon left the table.
"To err on the side of caution is good but you must not turn down an opportunity such as this."
"Momma said I should grab opportunity." She made a great show of deciding "Awright, I'm in!"
"Wonderful. We can take my yacht out to my place."
Max's jaw dropped, "An honest to goodness yacht?"
Mets knew that if he hadn't been trained to be a soldier he would have been crying with laughter at her performance right about now. It was just a pity that Alec didn't see the funny side.
He was too busy glaring daggers at the man with his arm draped over Max's shoulder. He was so tense it was surprise that he didn't break.
Alec grimaced and downed his glass in one gulp.
"Sorry, but I have to go." And he did. He had to leave before he lost control and attacked Fidel Casali with hi s bare hands.
Dammit, what was it about Max that could get him so riled? Another guy just had to look at her and he was furious. Before she arrived he had been a good soldier, always did as he was told and straight away. Now he altered missions and almost compromised himself just to be near her. It wasn't just hormones either. It was something much deeper than that. Instinctive, it just felt so wrong for her to be with anyone else.
He heard her talk down the earpiece.
"Ok let me get my coat. Oh and I have to powder mah nose first, Okay?"
"I'll wait." The mellow timbre of Fidel's voice annoyed Alec to no end and he clenched his fists and ordered another drink listening to Max's heels as they clicked on tiles and then her voice came over the radio as she conversed with Techie.
"Ok Techie- you listening?"
"Reading you loud and clear, Max."
"I'm heading to Casali's place with him. I'll leave the receiver off so the static doesn't give me away but the tracer is in my purse so you can track me if needs be."
"Okay then Max, but be careful, okay?"
"Always!"
Alec swallowed. Well she was on her own now.
It was early the next morning before Max made it back to Manticore, but Alec was already up. Actually, he had been pacing the barracks all night with Chance and Dek to keep him company, neither of whom needed much sleep.
They'd stayed in the recreation room as it was on an upper level and through the window they could see the gate and everyone that came in and went out.
Every time the guards made a noise, Alec had leaped to his feet and peered out into the darkness to see if she had returned.
But around dawn even he was tiring.
It was then that Max pushed open the door and walked into the room.
"Max?" Alec jumped to his feet "I didn't see you come in."
"Yeah, I came in the back way."
"Manticore has a back way?" Dek asked with a grin. He climbed to his feet and pulled Max into a half hug, "Glad to see you're okay. Some of us were worried."
"Is that right?" she gave a small smile, "I'm fine no need to worry about me."
Alec looked her over. She seemed fine, no bumps or bruises or cuts. She was in one piece, one seemingly fine piece.
"Everything go okay?" Chance asked with a sweet smile.
"It went fine. I retrieved the photos and handed them to Renfro. She seemed pleased." Max shrugged and they shared a smile.
"Well I would love to stay and chat, but I am starved." Dek said and threw an arm over Chance's shoulder "See you at breakfast."
"Later." Max waved.
Alec watched her face carefully, "Everything went according to the plan?"
Max nodded without moving the rest of her body. Alec watched more carefully. Now he was looking he could see the tense set of her shoulders, the fact that her lips were pursed tightly together as if to stop herself talking. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled the deep breaths that couldn't be sucked past her tight lips.
She wasn't fine; she looked like one good blow would shatter her to pieces.
"Maxie?"
"I killed him. He's dead," She announced and Alec kept his gaze on her as if she would splinter and break if he didn't watch carefully. "So easy just a quick twist and I snapped his neck."
Her eyes didn't meet Alec's as they danced around the room as if trying to escape the images that were burned onto the back of her retinas.
"Sounded like a breaking twig. Snap."
She gave a small laugh and stopped quickly as it echoed in the room. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.
"Just like we were taught," She nodded to herself again. "Textbook really. I'm hungry."
Alec caught her arm before she could take two steps.
He bit his lip, unsure what to say. They had been trained from infancy to eliminate targets. It was their job, their whole reason for existing but that was a whole different matter to actually doing it. it was easy to pull the trigger and watch someone fall, it was easy to set a bomb and watch them disappear. But what Max had done- snapped their neck- it was up close and personal, and somehow it made a difference.
He had no idea what to say to her. He had never done that, had never killed someone up close like that. At least not yet.
"It'll be okay, Max," he said lamely.
"Of course, there's nothing to be okay about. He was a gang lord. He died, end of story."
Alec put his hand on her arm and gave her a concerned look, especially at the haunted look in her eyes.
"Max?"
"Don't," she held up her hand and glanced away fluttering her eyes and taking a deep breath, "I am fine. My first UCK; Up close kill. Manticore said that they are tougher, and I did it. I should be proud."
"Are you?" he had asked gently and Max had just stared at him.
Even now laying on the grass in the warm sunshine Max couldn't hold back a shudder at the thought of Fidel Casali, his eyes growing dim as his breath shuddered out of him, the snap of his delicate neck in her strong hands and the grey film that drifted over his eyes.
She had never told Alec that she had stayed to watch the death mask fall over his features. It hadn't exactly been voluntary.
Fidel had tried to kiss her and she had giggled, turning away coquettishly. Then as he'd run his hands over her back she'd turned quickly and…snap.
His body had fallen to the floor and Max had stared down into his lifeless eyes. Her knees had shaken and she knelt by his body even as she mocked herself for her weakness. What kind of assassin couldn't deal with a dead body?
So Max had stayed, beyond her good sense, but within her right. She'd wanted to prove to herself that she could do this. She wasn't weak; Manticore hadn't made a mistake by putting her in Special Ops.
It was only when he had started to turn blue that she had got to her feet and ferreted around for the damn photos. After that it had been easy to get back home and in the back way. All the time she had tried desperately not to think about what she had done and it had been working fine until Alec had looked at her with his deep green gaze and she felt her inner walls crumbling inside and all she wanted was to be held by him. She had cursed herself for such a girly action and tried to hold it together and had done a damn good job, shoving it all aside, pushing it under the rug in her mind that dealt with the bad stuff.
Yeah, her first UCK was there along with her year long stay in Psy- Ops, her team-mates Bulli, Simper and Silt, and her longing to find her family.
Really, she needed a bigger rug.
With a sigh at the darkening sky Max got to her feet and headed back into the facility to get some needed sleep, all the while wondering if Alec was okay.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*
Kitty- Zack and Jondy? Seems a common pairing but we'll see. I have had trouble with geocities recently and had to ring ntl so my site was left alone for a while. Update soon- Do you like my pictures for the chapters?
SGOU- Feel free to rant, I'm listening. You have a point on this. Max would see it as a betrayal, thanks for that- I'll have to see about adding that in somewhere. As for the rest, glad that Drew and Mets are a firm fave, I know I am loving them too. You want in one Mets mind? Hmm. LOL, you just like my guys!
Feenian- Get back in your chair! grin The mental pic was just as scary!
Jade-K- Kodak Moment indeed. Aren't they adorable!!
Sigma1- I know just imagine, tough burly men in tights- excuse me… scary visual place.
GivenAlias- I'm as clever as the trannies? Yay me! does the author dance!
Raven- Yeah I snaffled it from JP, I disclaim okay! LOL. Which R'ships do you like most?
Nat1- Ceremony? Hmm. I dunno what do you think they'd do with that?
Lyndsay- Glad I could de-funk you. I loved Max's tricks of the sign on the gate most. I think Mets appreciated Drew's statement as well! Biggs is growing on me too! He remnds me of Alec a little- ladies man except to the one that means the most.
Angel21- Poor Drew, but she is where she wants to be and if I have anything to say about it then she'll stay there too.
Anna Kristina- Thanks for your email I did mean to write back but I have had comp issues these past few days so no real time. More Techie and Feen interaction coming up. Don't worry about that. As for a Biggs thought thing- well I'll have to add that in the next chapter for you.
Moonlite Star- Thanks, I know this doesn't really run alongside Alec's chapter but it had to be written!
Elfie- Chance is gaining confidence in herself. Its really about time too! Maybe they are scared of Pix's retribution or yeah channelling his ingenuity or he just hasn't got caught yet! Pix as Krit? Maybe. Poor Dek- gobsmacked!
Messymissy- The comp thing was Pix with the aid of Chance. He wanted to round the week off with a bang- which he did! I think as Special Ops gets older they ease up on punishments- or maybe I just need to write them more. Do you think my Manticore is too soft?
Natasgi- Hope this chap met with approval. I liked doing the flashbacks scenes.
Dokushoka79- Feel free to cheer! I think I'm creating a fave with Zan- poor guy with his crush on Max but he's persevering. And Drew is awesome, especially since she was a last minute addition to the story- damn she's made up for it.
Kim- LOL, another convert Max/Zan! They would make a sweet couple wouldn't they?
Ganko- This was longer! Hope that's okay? grin Max is much more mischievous than Alec but had to hide it in the series because of preachy Logan "Thou shalt not have fun" Party pooper Cale. Yeah I got the hint!
Cloudburst- Seattle was more lenient than Wyoming! Repress the hooker Renfro with Naked Alec- works for me anyway! Aw you made me blush! Glad that you still are enjoying my writing, I mean for you guys to have stayed even after all this time (so many story chapters!) means a heck of a lot Kudos to you all! Cheers pet!