A/N- Thanks to Itay and Kat and Chaosti. Ooh song is by Sarah McLaughlan, if you don't know who she is- go out and buy her albums NOW!
A/N2- It's been a while since I updated but I am really still not well, I have a bad cold on top of what was wrong before- who said it doesn't rain but pours? I wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten you all! Little bit now and then again on Tuesday- I have an 11 hour shift in Monday- just what I need.
Thanks to those that answered to my question and general consensus is that no Spoilers are needed. Great!
But some one said that I should say when certain events took place. So…
Chapter 21 takes place Before and during Chapters 20 and 21 of Moving Ahead, so Max is about to go on the mission with Tara and then the second part is the fight. You know THE Fight.
Chapter 21- … and we all fall down.
Biggs was walking over the courtyard, his head lost in thoughts of females. Not the sort that you would think though, there were only lingering thoughts of Lola and her acrobatics. What chiefly occupied his mind were thoughts of a certain sunny blonde and of course his sister, albeit not in the same vein.
When Sunny had walked away a few days ago from the woods he had been left with a certain feeling of disquiet and sort of… almost emptiness, as if something was missing.
Then of course, once the group hug had taken place, she had grasped his hand and squeezed it tightly and her eyes had shone and he had felt that much better after seeing her smile at him, knowing that whatever had been wrong was now over.
Since then that feeling had gone and each day that she had spoken to him had just added to the feeling.
Biggs wasn't one used to introspection and self examination Like he had told Sunny he was used to actions. But since he had kissed her, he couldn't get her out of his head. It hadn't been like that with any of the other girls that he had been with and, to be honest, it was worrying.
So, in true Biggs manner, he cast the thought aside to deal with another day and turned his attention to something that he could do something about.
Chance.
Or more accurately, Chance and that Pix. The joker, the one that all of the Trainers lived in equal fear and anticipation of. Despite their hating being the brunt of his jokes, Biggs had heard them often laughing with each other over some of the pranks that he had pulled on their fellow Trainers, especially the more unpopular ones.
It wasn't that Biggs didn't appreciate the pranks that Pix pulled; no, he found them equally amusing. But Pix's jovial manner was so at odds with Chance's shy and sweet nature that he couldn't quite believe that she was with him.
He gritted his teeth as he considered the various ways that they could be together and his hands clenched. He tried to think of something else but he hadn't seen his sister in a day or two, someone had said that she had gone into heat and was in isolation and the last thing he wanted to do was to go and look for her if she was in heat-- those nightmares he could do without, thank you!
He was so intent on this thoughts that as he turned the corner he wasn't aware of someone coming the other way and he hit them head on.
"Ouch!" He rubbed his forehead and looked up to see Max mimicking the action.
"Damn Biggs, you have a hard head," she moaned.
"I could make some comment about that," he replied dryly, "but you're not exactly soft brained yourself."
Max chuckled.
He looked at her and for the first time took in her gently curled hair, her tailored jacket under her trademark leather jacket and short skirt.
"Nice legs Max, where are you off to?"
Max shrugged. "Got to get out for a while, Biggs," she confessed, "so Renfro is sending me on an assignment. Its not big deal, just some jumped up cyber jerk. I'll be back in a few days. Don't worry."
She gave him her usual grin which did nothing to alleviate his fears and then punched him on the shoulder for good measure.
"Anyway, gotta go. See you."
"Bye, Max and good luck," he called as he watched her walk towards the gates.
Max seemed to be much calmer after the events of that night, relaxed and more easy-going than before. Biggs even entertained hopes that she would soon make up with Alec.
Oh man! Max was leaving the facility! He so didn't look forward to telling Alec.
--
"What do you mean she's gone?" Alec exploded.
Biggs winced at the mini hysterical fit that Alec had just thrown. He'd tried to avoid him all day but Alec had seen through that and had cornered him after the training session with the X8s. He had hauled Biggs bodily back onto the training grounds and demanded to know why his friend was avoiding him. Biggs had expected that Alec would react badly to the news that Max had left the facility, but truthfully, he hadn't quite expected it to be so loud.
He shrugged. "Said that she was away on a mission for a few days and that she'd see me when she got back."
For a moment anger flashed in Alec's eyes followed by worry, fear and then, as if all fight had gone out of him he sagged to the floor.
"Shit."
Biggs raised an eyebrow at the show of emotion and shook his head. He needed to snap Alec out of the wounded aura that seemed to permeate him.
"Man, she's Special Ops; best of the best; she can handle an assignment without you holding her hand."
Alec glowered at him. "I know. I just wish I knew she was going. But of course, that would mean her actually giving a damn about me or caring enough to tell me that she wasn't going to be around."
Alec hadn't had good day. After this morning's little debacle, he had gone on to train with the X8s and had to physically separate them when they decided that they were the better choice of training partner to a certain X8- 922. Max had called 922 Lolita, after some book she had read, saying the girl was a few decades too physically mature-- even under Manticore's standards-- and Alec had requested that the girl would be put on 'Heat Watch', the Trainer sponsored program to check the younger generations for influences of Heat. Of course, the girl preened over the attention that the fight had caused and Alec had to order her to punishment. He hadn't been popular after that order. But to be perfectly honest, he didn't give a crap right now. His popularity among the younger generation X-series wasn't high on his list of priorities, ranking somewhere between cleaning his shoes and making sure CeCe was Heat monitored. But the two brats who had fought him had managed to aim a blow at Alec's knee joint, making it snap and it had been killing him ever since. Added to that the assignment to teach one of the X6s to play piano, an activity with bad associated memories, and the fact that he couldn't even go and talk to his best friend about it… Well, it didn't make for the best of days. Now on top of that was the fact that Max had gone outside and she hadn't even told him and he was scared that she just wouldn't come back. He rubbed his forehead and tried to fight the headache that was burgeoning.
Biggs felt the defeat in his friend's voice and sighed, moving to stand beside Alec.
Despite the differences between Max and Alec of late he could still see that she cared about him, he had seen it even when she turned away from him. He could see it in the way that she stiffened when Alec's name was mentioned. After all if she didn't care about Alec then she wouldn't react. Right?
"Max cares," he said, albeit hesitantly, reluctant to give his friend futile hope that Max would get over this petty grudge anytime soon.
Alec gazed at him sceptically as if denying Biggs's assurances. "Right."
Biggs fought the urge to poke his tongue out at his friend.
"She does. Look I know what went off between you two but you need to keep up hopes Alec; she'll come around. Try talking to her again."
Alec sighed and his shoulders slumped lower. "I've tried," he whined, "but every time I get within two feet of her she suddenly finds some reason to bail on me. I can't even try to apologise for whatever the hell it is that I did so freaking wrong, if she won't talk to me."
Biggs watched as Alec hunched his shoulders and shoved his hands in his pockets, randomly kicking the pebbles that littered the ground. As amusing as it was to watch his calm, staid C.O. act like a moody little boy, it was getting to be an annoying occurrence.
He watched as one pebble that Alec was taking his frustrations out on soared halfway over the courtyard and smack into the head of a desert mole. The tall lizard man was practising manoeuvres and spun on his heel to see who had thrown things at him. But Biggs had wisely blurred around the corner with Alec in tow. The transhumans, especially those who went into warmer climates, were notoriously hot headed.
He grinned at Alec, expecting Alec to share the humour but was disconcerted and slightly exasperated to see Alec still moping.
"Sir, you have to stop this whole Max thing it's driving you crazy."
He saw Alec run his hands through his hair in a trademark gesture of frustration and then he straightened, his face becoming the stubborn mask that Biggs and the others in the unit had come to know… and distrust.
"You know what? What do I care?"
Uh huh. Biggs fought the urge to roll his eyes. Sure Alec had been whining after Max for months, hell-- years. And now he was fine? Whatever.
After years of:
"You know 452 is hot when she's mad, I just wish she wasn't mad at me quite so often."
"I think my very presence annoys 452, I can't wait until she goes into heat."
"She named me Alec!"
"Oh Biggs she won't talk to me,"
"What did I do?"
Biggs' scepticism was well founded.
Alec continued.
"She was the one that was going to bail, it doesn't say a lot for her staying power," Alec said and Biggs fought the urge to shake his head.
Max was still here, wasn't she? After what she had been through at Wyoming, well that more than spoke for her staying power, but he wasn't about to derail Alec's argument.
"And after all there are plenty more fish in the sea, right? I mean Coco is hot as hell, Anna is fiery. Chance is…"
"Off limits," Biggs warned. It wasn't that he didn't trust Alec with Chance; he couldn't think of anyone that he would prefer her with. But she did seem stuck on that prat Pix. Beside he knew that she had never thought of Alec that way before, to her he was another brother and he knew that Alec felt the same way that she did. The bond was more familial than romantic.
Alec conceded to that, knowing that he would no more kiss Chance than he would kiss Biggs, "Okay, but Feen is adorable, and she likes me. Drew is great and Sunny is…"
"Off limits," Biggs said absently still thinking about Chance and the fact that he hadn't seen her in a few days, he wondered when her heat was over and why Alec had stopped talking he quickly went over what Alec had just said and then his own response and what he had just unintentionally let slip.
Alec was staring at him in surprise and undisguised interest.
"Really? You and Sunny?"
"No, no. Hell no. I'm not getting into the whole mating deal, no way," Biggs categorically denied, his voice verging on panic. He had seen the way that Carrot had been without Tara and how Max and Alec were and there was no way that he was letting himself in for that kind of torture and mind bending from a female. Even one as enticing as Sunny.
No way, no sir. Not this man.
Even if he did feel something for the girl.
"Women are like dogs, nice enough to have around but one false move and they can take your head off. No way am I getting mixed up with that."
Alec raised an eyebrow and pushed.
"But you are starting to have feelings for Sunny?"
"No," Biggs said decisively. He wasn't. Really wasn't. Honest.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"So if I said that I found Sunny attractive?" Alec prodded, a grin colouring his tone; his own love life forgotten in the light of Biggs' embarrassment.
Biggs shrugged, trying to feign nonchalance but not quite managing it as his shoulders tensed.
"And she'd be a great kisser?"
She is thought Biggs with half a smirk. But he schooled his features into a blank.
"Whatever."
"You know she liked me during her heat."
"So?" Biggs suddenly wasn't as fond of his C.O as he had been moments ago.
"She is kinda adorable."
"Didn't notice."
"You think she'd go for me?"
"Maybe," Biggs replied coldly.
He knew that some of the girls thought that Alec was handsome, even gorgeous but he wasn't really. He had… Well, he was… There was… He whined!
"Yeah maybe I should try Sunny. A welcome change to beatings and hatred."
Biggs imagined Alec with his arm around Sunny, kissing her, running his hand thorough her long silky blonde hair.
"You do that," Biggs voice slipped into icy territory as he imagined bashing Alec's head in with a stick.
"Maybe I will."
"Fine." Biggs edged away from him, glancing at Alec from the corner of his eye.
Alec grinned, "Good."
"Great."
A beat.
Biggs turned worriedly to Alec, "You're not really going to, are you?"
Alec laughed and threw an arm over his shoulder in a show of camaraderie. "Of course not, you're my best friend."
Biggs let loose a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God."
"Whipped."
----
Drew was working on a computer program, tapping away at the keys and sighing in frustration.
"Urgh! We have techs for this kind of thing," she muttered to herself and rubbed the back of her neck.
She had been there for more than three hours and it was grating on her nerves. It wasn't that the work was hard, an X7 could manage it. No, what was wrong was that she was having far too much time to think whilst her hands recalled the many signals and texts that she was supposed to input. Her mind was ambling along thoughts of dancing dark eyes and smiling face while her fingers concentrated on difficult codes.
Yeah, Dek was on her mind again. Her best friend. The one man that truly understood her and stood by her in everything and she was understanding less and less with each day.
No, that wasn't true, she still understood him but his motives and actions were starting to unnerve her a little.
It had started that day in the Rec Room, his first foray into more than friendship to which she had put a steady halt. Then after that he had just seemed to accept her words but the nature of their relationship had changed nevertheless.
It wasn't that he had never touched her before, he had. But now even his casual touches, of which there were lots, seemed to linger on her skin and on her memory.
She thought about the presents that Mets had given to her in the past few days.
A rose and a gold bracelet.
What was she supposed to do with a rose? Sure, it was pretty and smelled nice, but it died a day later and was thrown away. Then the bracelet; it was highly illogical a present. It would get caught and snag on things when she was crawling through the brush or on manoeuvres and she was bound to lose it. She had smiled at Mets, thanked him and put the bracelet away in her drawer. It was like the rose. Pretty but useless.
She contrasted these to the gifts that Dek had given her.
He had brought her gifts before, but now they were more personal, more in tune with what she was thinking and they seemed to mean that they spent more time together. The gun meant that they spent hours on the rifle ranges leaning how to use it. The course texts meant that they spent hours in the library researching obscure points and the books that he brought her for pure pleasure, he had insisted that she read to him. That position invariably ending up with the two of them alone in one of the rooms, his head on her knee or on her shoulder as she read.
It was… disconcerting to say the least.
Especially when she was trying to convince herself that she only had friendly feelings towards him. Yeah, that wasn't working so well.
All of his casual touches, his lingering looks and sincere boyish smiles pulled at something inside her and she couldn't look away.
She had wanted him to stay away to preserve their friendship, but was that what she really wanted? When she looked into his dark heated eyes was friendship all she wanted from the resident bad boy? Would she be content with platonic kisses on the cheek whenever she looked at his soft full lips?
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't register that anyone had come into the room until she felt hands at her throat.
"Shit!" She jumped and reached up to break the intruder's wrist, only to stop when she heard a familiar chuckle at her actions. She smiled and then relaxed as the hands rubbed the nape of her neck rather than squeeze the life out of her.
"Did I scare you, Drew?" came the voice of her musings in a delighted smirk.
"You know you damn well did, Dek!" she sniped and bit her lip as he began to massage her shoulder muscles.
Oh, damn that was nice.
His long fingers pressed into her spine as his thumbs rotated hard against her tight neck muscles and she groaned.
"Oh!"
Dek closed his eyes at the sound that hissed from her lips and he imagined it in an entirely different setting. Candlelight, silk sheets… He shuddered and pulled back his thoughts, concentrating on the feel of her satiny skin under his strong hands and not the delicious moans she was making… Ok NOT helping!
"Uh, oh that is good, so good," she moaned.
Dek swallowed and forced a cocky grin to his face. "Glad to be of service, ma'am."
"What're you doing here?" she managed as she rotated her shoulders.
"I came to ask a favour actually."
Drew half turned with a smile on her face. "Of course, what can I do?"
He knew that she would immediately offer to help him in whatever he had to do, it was just her way.
He reached up and scratched the back of his head in that adorable way. "Well there is an assignment spec that is up for a few months down the line but it requires specialised training."
Drew nodded. Sometimes the Trainers and officiators at Manticore put up notices on the assignment board of future missions that required specialised training. Any who wanted to take the mission would volunteer for the assignment. It was their way of assuring that the transgenic was committed to the assignment and more likely to give it their best. It also helped for each transgenic to indicate which field that they felt best it or would like to try.
Dek usually asked for assignments that had specialised knowledge in medicine whilst Emma was more comfortable with psychology or counselling positions due to her empathy. Sunny was good at those positions that required her to be underestimated and Flex liked the more physical assignments.
Drew enjoyed hands on work but she, like Max, also liked tight spots and using her attitude to aid her.
"What's the spec?"
"It's a prestigious doctors' position, but he's a high flyer in certain societal circles. Although it will involve a huge amount of medical knowledge, it's more geared to the… uh, social side. Balls, galas, charity dos that kind of thing."
"Isn't that more Mets' game than yours?"
Dek smirked, "Maybe, but I enjoy the surgery more than he does, his… limited knowledge of medicine wouldn't be enough."
"So you have the expertise for the medical side," she frowned. "What do you need my help for?"
Dek looked down and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking up at her shyly from his impossibly long lashes.
"I don't know how to dance."
"Oh," she paused, "well I'm not--"
"Oh, I know the mechanics, you know left right, twist turn and all that. But I would like if my first time weren't on the dance floor with a high rising socialite."
Drew frowned at the idea of him with a fluttering blonde draped over his arm.
"I see."
"Sooo," he drew out, "would you practise with me?"
Drew looked at his adorable lost little boy pout and smiled.
"Of course I will, but you know, Manticore really doesn't have the facility for that--"
"Taken care of," he interjected smoothly and held out his hand. "Trust me, Drew."
"Of course I do," she said without hesitation and took his hand.
Dek led her out of the computer room gently tugging her hand towards the west wing of the facility.
Drew looked at him oddly as they reached the gym. No one had been able to use it all day as there had been a large sign on the door.
Closed for maintenance.
It wasn't that unusual for the gym to be closed as a facility full of genetically enhanced super soldiers occasionally did get carried away and the place often needed… fixing.
But Dek just pushed aside the white tarpaulin and Drew peered closer at the sign muffling a giggle when she realised that it was written in Pix's blocky handwriting.
But the giggle and question died on her lips as she glimpsed the gym for the first time.
There was a large space cleared in the centre of the room on the hardwood floor, all of the equipment had been pushed to the edges of the room and the ropes had been tied so that they formed a sort of curtain around the edges of the cleared space.
Candles were lit, the flames dancing in the small drift of breeze let in by their entrance and a stereo that had once been hidden in the Rec Room was set on one side.
Dek pulled away and Drew immediately felt bereft as his soft palm left hers and he walked over to the circle and bent down to the stereo. Drew, suddenly feeling unsure, wrapped her arms around herself.
Dek glanced over his shoulder and shot her a mischievous look.
"So, Uh Pix had a hand in this?" she said quietly, aware of the intimacy of the situation and trying to recall all of the reasons that she wanted to remain as just friends.
"He helped," Dek confessed as he selected tracks and then stood listening as the strains of waltz started up.
He grinned and walked over to her holding out his hand.
Drew eyed him. "You're acting strange."
"Excuse me, ma'am," he laughed and bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Doctor Dexter Andrews. Please call me Dek, would you care for a dance?"
Drew let a smile cross her lips as she took his hand, slipping her fingers in his.
"Sure."
Dek pulled her into his arms and listened for a second to gauge the beat and pulled her into a quick box step before leading the waltz.
"I'd ask the name of the angel that I am dancing with but I think she'd disappear once I knew it, like sweet Cinderella."
Drew grinned as she realised that he had stolen that from one of the stories she had read to him.
"You are so full of it!" she teased as he spun her out and pulled her back.
"Course I am Drew babe, but then these Ladies won't know me as well as you do. After all they haven't been as close as we have."
"Fair point," she acquiesced.
Dek manoeuvred her into another position and began to Tango.
"Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow," he muttered as he danced her back and she started to chuckle.
"I'm sure you can do that without the words!"
"Course," he grinned, "but it's more fun this way."
As they swung around the floor, Drew found her mouth curving in pure delight at the feeling of flying in his arms. Dek was a wonderful dancer and she was sure that he would be a hit on the dance floor with the socialites; that thought making Drew pull him closer.
He dipped her and she rolled her eyes at his exuberance. Dek laughed as he pulled her back up and into his arms until they were standing face to face.
The laughter faded as the quick, upbeat song faded.
Drew stilled uncertain as to what to do now and unwilling to relinquish her place in Dek's embrace. She was just about to reluctantly pull away when the soft strains of another song began.
Dek glanced down at her and smiled softly, pulling her closer. Drew let her hands fall from his to encircle his waist loosely and she felt one of his hands tangle in her hair while the other rested on her hip. Drew took a deep breath and concentrated on the lyrics of the song to try to distract her from the comforting, rhythmic beating of Dek's heart beneath her cheek. They swayed softly to the music that filtered through the empty gym.
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always one reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
Drew smiled at that. It had been a rough day and this, being in Dek's arms, was just what she needed to take away the sting and angst that had been their lives of late. Right here was where she could relax and forget about what was going on all around. Right here she could feel at peace.
In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
Dek breathed in the scent of the angel in his arms. Drew always had this scent of summer about her, fresh leaves and warm sunshine. He had always attributed it to her being outdoors so often, climbing trees and yelling at the others, but even indoors it was there. It had always been comforting to him and as he inhaled deeply he truly felt at home.
So tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lie
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
As much as she wanted to deny that outside of this candle-lit gym, out of this warm, safe circle were things that could hurt her, Drew knew different. She had always been aware that she wasn't quite as good as the others that had been allowed into Special Ops and she had been told by Renfro that it had been a very narrow decision to let her in. She had tried so hard to make up for all that she lacked working twice as hard, even as she knew that the vultures were circling, ready to pounce on any weakness and attack her at any time and steal her away from her hard won position. The only way she got through without going crazy was to have her friends, Dek and Max especially, by her side to assist her; and they did. She didn't know what she'd do with Dek. Her arms tightened.
In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
Dek looked down at Drew who was holding him tightly a sad yet peaceful look on her face. Dek had always been able to read Drew like an open book and he knew what was in her head. He sighed and stroked her hair. It was heart wrenching that such a talented and beautiful woman would have such little faith in herself. Drew looked up into his deep stormy eyes.
"Dek?"
Almost against his will, Dek lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers, brushing them gently back and forth over her satiny skin.
Her eyes fluttered closed as he captured her bottom lip between his; tugging it into his mouth and then he released it, slanting his mouth over hers and kissing her properly. Drew shuddered with delicious sensation at the feeling of being kissed by her best friend and pressed herself closer.
Dek's hand clenched her waist tighter and his hand tangled deeper in her hair as he tilted her head back and ran his tongue over her lips, asking for entrance.
Drew opened and let him in, tasting him as did her. Dek felt like he had died and gone to heaven, she was letting him kiss her, letting him in, taking back her decision to… Shit!
Dek pulled away and quickly turned his back, taking a few steps away. His departure had been so abrupt that Drew stumbled forward, her eyes flying open and breathing ragged as she regarded the tense form of her best friend.
"Dek?"
From this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
"Dammit. Drew, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" she asked faintly.
Dek clenched his fists feeling his nails cut into his palms as he berated himself.
"I didn't mean…" He raked a hand through his hair, "I was going to respect your decision to just… be friends. I wasn't going to push, no matter how much I wanted to."
Drew looked around at the set-up; darkened room, candles and soft music, a scene set for seduction.
"Right," her voice was unbelieving and Dek turned to see her stare at the scene in incredulity.
He gave a half laugh. "I wasn't giving up; I just didn't want to push. Believe it or not, sweets, I just wanted to hold you."
Drew's heart gave a funny lurch at his almost vulnerable confession.
"The kiss was…" He swallowed, "You just looked so…"
Drew listened as he trailed off, his words echoing in her head.
He ducked his head, dirty blonde hair falling adorably into his eyes, and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Have I screwed things up?"
Although she couldn't see is face now she could hear the desperation in his voice. Dek had always been her constant. He had held her when she was afraid, tired, or cold or just needed to be a girl for a while, he had nursed her when she was sick, he made her laugh when she was depressed and he was there when she was hurt. He stayed up all night to study with her and brought her food when she was too busy to get it herself. He had never complained or made her feel bad; he was there for her 24 hours a day but never crowded her. And now her best friend, her family, was looking like he was expecting the worst; for her to walk away from him. Didn't he know that he was her world?
As Drew remained silent, Dek's heart plummeted. He couldn't believe that he had so little control, he had wanted to romance the girl, the transgenic way-- guns rather than roses, admittedly-- but she wasn't an ordinary girl, and he had blown it all with one kiss. One that she hadn't been ready for. He waited for her to either hit him or just walk on by and the wait was killing him.
"You went to all this trouble, just to hold me?"
He raised his head as she pulled him from his thoughts to see her intelligent brown gaze fixed on him.
You are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
"Yeah," he confessed. "Just to hold you."
Drew took two steps forward and looked up at him. "You agree that we are best as friends?"
In his dismay and pain, he couldn't voice his answer and just nodded, knowing that his anguish was probably written in the eyes that she was fervently searching.
"Silly boy." Drew leaned up on tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his.
Dek started and pulled back.
"Drew?"
"More than best friends?" she asked with a shy smile and Dek outright grinned.
"Please!"
"So kiss me already," she demanded and Dek hauled her back up close to his chest, but, instead of kissing her, he rested his forehead on hers.
You're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
"God, Drew. I thought I was gonna lose you."
"Ain't gonna happen," she promised.
"It'd kill me," he confessed.
"Me to," her voice was thick with emotion and she sighed, breathing in his air. "I don't want to ruin what we have but I want what we could have too." She frowned. "Did that make sense?"
Dek chuckled. "To me. But then I speak 'Drew'."
"Jerk!" She slapped his shoulder only fro his to catch her hand and press a kiss to her knuckles.
"I love it when you get violent."
Drew regarded him oddly. "You do?"
He didn't answer but leaned down and captured her lips again, holding her against his body as they kissed deeply. Drew held on feeling her world spin again but Dek was there as her anchor, her constant.
You're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here.
----
Pix looked up as he heard soft footsteps enter the mess hall, scuffling along as if this was the last place that the feet wanted to be. His eyes caught a glimpse of long chestnut hair and bowed shoulders as Chance edged quickly into the service hatch to get her lunch. It had been three days since Max left on her mission and a week since Pix had sent Chance away from his room. She had come out of isolation yesterday morning and had studiously evaded him. It was painfully obvious that she was avoiding him, and for 36 hours all he had seen were quick flashes of her going from one place to another fast enough to make his head spin.
He cursed to himself as she ducked out of the hall again, not even bothering to come towards the X5s' table.
This wasn't what he had wanted at all. When he had told her to leave his room it was to protect her from someone else taking advantage of her while she was incapacitated. Chance had the right to make that decision of whether or not to be with him but only when she was in full control of her facilities. He cared too much for her to take that decision away from her in one Heat filled moment, even if said moment was now one of his star fantasies.
Just the thought of her coming into his room, sweat glistening, chest heaving and eyes dilated in pure passion and desire for his, his name falling from her lips, begging him to…
Pix pushed away his lunch, suddenly not hungry, but in need of a shower.
----
"Chance?"
Chance stiffened as she heard her brother's voice calling out for her.
She was sitting on a little stone wall in the shade of one the larger buildings. The wall was set back into the shadows and was perfect for someone who wanted some peace and quiet and just wanted to hide; which was pretty much perfect for Chance right now. She had tried to avoid everyone since she had come of Heat. She was embarrassed beyond words and just wanted to forget it had ever happened. No, that's not true. What she wanted was to reverse things and not go knocking on Pix's door only to be pushed away.
It wasn't like the time that Sunny had hit on Alec and then was able to laugh it off the next day. No.
Chance had been refused and discarded by the one man that she loved with all of her heart. Pix had thrown her out of his cell and yelled at her to go to isolation rather than touch her and she felt that sting of rejection in every cell. His words last week about her being too much of a sheep and too afraid of being her own person, having too little confidence in her own ability and preferring to let her brother and C.O make her decisions had stung deep and she had tried, these past few weeks she had tried so damn hard to be herself, her Heat was the ultimate test.
And she had failed.
She couldn't even look Pix in the face and all she wanted to do now was to curl up in her misery and feel her pain… and eat her lunch.
As she huddled in the corner of the quad she saw the object of her thoughts walk into the grounds and glance around as if looking for her.
Chance edged further back into the shadows of the building and wished fervently that she was invisible.
Chance noted that he had apparently just had a shower as the sun glinted off Pix's damp hair and shirt. Her eyes followed the taut lines of his muscles before she averted her gaze, her cheeks burning, calling herself all kinds of idiot for still wanting him when it was clear that he didn't want her.
"Chance?"
"Biggs," she bit out as her goofy brother walked around the corner.
"Hey, where have you been?"
"Around." She stared dejectedly down at her sandwich, not really hungry.
Biggs sat next to her on the stone wall and snatched her sandwich, ignoring the half-hearted glare his sister shot him.
"I heard you went into Heat," Biggs said conversationally, "so glad I wasn't around!"
"Hah ha," she said blankly.
Biggs swallowed the chunk of sandwich that he had bitten and looked down at the dejected face of Chance.
"Geez, can you at least attempt to be cheerful? I mean for Manticore's sake; what with Alec and Max and Carrot and now you, we should rename this place the mausoleum."
"Go away Biggs," she said tiredly. "I'm not in the mood."
Chance hunched her shoulders and ducked her head trying to make herself as small as possible.
Biggs watched her in concern. He hadn't seen Chance do that in years, it is a classic defence position of making one's self as small a target as possible. Chance had grown in her poise and sometimes he couldn't even recognise the confident young woman from the shy little girl that she had been.
"Chance?"
"Look!" she exploded, "I have had a crappy few days stuck in Isolation, the day before that wasn't much better. I'm tired, I'm sad, I'm hurt and I just want to eat my crappy lunch all by my crappy self so do me a favour and push OFF!"
Chance's eyes flashed and her fists were clenched at her side as she faced off against her brother.
Biggs eyes opened wide and his mouth dropped.
"Wh…wha… I… Huh?"
"Shoo!" She pointed away.
Biggs mouth slammed shut and his eyes narrowed. "Heat."
"No, that's over. This is me," she stated.
"No, what the hell happened when you were Heat?" Biggs demanded. "It was that damn Pix, wasn't it?"
"What?" Her voice was so high pitched that Biggs winced but it just confirmed his suspicions. "You have been withdrawn since you came out of Isolation and I wondered what had happened."
"Oh…urgh…you…that's," she gestured in frustration trying to find words, "...crap!" She decided on. "You barely noticed I was gone! Besides anything that went on between me and Pix is just that-- between me and him!"
"I knew it!" He jumped to his feet. "Something did happen! That no-good, little shit. I'll kill him!"
"No, Biggs!"
But Biggs shook off his sister's arm and stormed across the yard.
Chance stomped her foot. "Crap!" And took off after him before he found Pix.
Tbc…
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Chaosti- ok so no flamethrower- but hey I did well pet!
aleclovemax- there was no m/a scene because they weren't talking but trust me that is rectified in the next few chapter- M/A over load!
Restive nature- Carrot really epitomized all that was wrong and just came out and said it- gotta love a straight talker! Pixie dance? Hehe- hmm that's how I get when I read a certain chocolaty goodness series or is it Dream within…
Lynn-50670- Yeah that didn't last, but glad that you are enjoying it!
Sigma1- yeah I'm winding the angst down to get to the drama, its all good! But when I have ever taken the easy way out?
Moonlite star- They'll be friends again by the next chapter- as you well know from MAH. As for not getting sick- really wasn't in my plans!
Ashleybean- Hey there, thanks for the review I hope I don't disappoint!
Sassycanuck- LOL, you sounded like you enjoyed it all and that's what I need to hear. Common Verbal was fun to write. Carrot's little breakdown was just what they needed…except poor Carrot obviously.
Marielle- Oh the history- you know that thing that happened? Oh that thing! LOL, Max and Dek- yeah I was torn too!
SGOU- Okay, thanks no spoilers needed, go glad about that! Besides all people need to do is read the reviews, I put enough tidbits in here! Lucky Max to have the choice, Dek, Zan and Alec! Ooh. Drew rocks. I'm glad everyone liked Dek's wisdom! LOL, have Faith- we find out about BJ and Anna soon. Worry not! Nah Sunny was too busy to make out with other Xs, and Biggs has been interested in her for a while- there have been signs. Carrot's a sweetie and Tara will make him all better, even after that nasty guard. (hehe, Harry Potter, hehe) I love the long reviews and look for the longest knowing that its SGOU's way of telling me that she appreciates me! J
Talichernin- I think the greatest compliment is that I can change someone's allegiance from ML to MA- THANK YOU! Carrots diss was so, so very cool!
Ricter- hey there! That's true about Max having expectations, but I think she'd still be sensitive that it might cause resentment, although a soldier Max has some unsoldierly thoughts but I think you're probably right about that. Thanks.
Pearly- Wings- hey kim, nice name, I think Dek was doing what Alec couldn't, bless him! Dek has better plans that me and so he and Pix and Max are going for it, full throttle! Whoo hoo! Enjoy the latest fix!
Natasgi- well done you, how did you do? Oh no Chance went straight to Med bay! Don't worry about that! I'm evil, not sadistic! Things heat up from now.
Arwen-amy- I love hearing…reading that! Chapter 22 is the Anna and BJ revelation so enjoy! Yeah Alec joined the hug, sweet guy! Oh I so love him. Pix consented to show me his little black book- I was in hysterics for a whole week! That guy is a GENIUS!!
Geminangel- I make people skip class, skip training, miss lessons and get strange looks at work and in conferences, but I don't think anyone's missed a train before! Well that's new. Hope you enjoy the next part in which Chance and Biggs meet Pix!
Jade- K- Unity in the wings- I like it! Cheers pet!
Quinn- yeah my comp is playing up and I know too well about human virus', sometimes technology sucks! Well done on the job front, I need a new one! Baby steps for Max and Alec, unfortunately.
Raven- LOL, my granddad was a huge fan of John Wayne, lets blame him. He did prompt a reconciliation and made Max think- that's a job in itself sometimes!
Poo- Dek is a honey, don't we just love a bad boy with a heart? Yes Alec joined the hug, I'd hug him too!
Care189- Yeah, sorry about that I will tell people where we are in the stream of time form now on, I get confused myself what with two stories!
Jynx- LOL, small off-Broadway play? Cool although not into exhibitionism, me and Alec topless? Very private beach! But thanks!
Kat461-you felt SORRY for Anna, damn I'm not doing my job G if you are a Pix/ Chance fan you'll love part b! Sis Lyndsay's dance is funny to hear about! My sis doesn't dance…thankfully.
Aisling- one more review makes me smile, especially from someone that hasn't before. so thanks and hey! The problem with that is that ff.net don't let you have a chap as review notes. They kick you off the board. Glad you are enjoying the story though.
Nat452- Pix is a true gentleman but it won't be long until they get back to themselves. Look for more Pix/Chance- ness!
Ganko- Here's another fix for ya. Ff.net seems to eat reviews but hey! I wish I was the screenwriter for DA, would have been so damn inventive at ways to kill of Logan- I mean get MA together- well all of it actually. That's actually a heck of a standard , I hope the last few chapters don't disappoint! Tell me if the standard slips! Drew scares everyone and I have no idea why, she's a darling! B.J. was misunderstood, watch and see. More standalones? I posted one for you! Any more I can churn out I'll try.
Lynn- that's fine, I love reading them all. Oh I don't think Pix'll let you read the black book. Dek is my dream guy I think, bad boy all in leather, excuse me while I dream…mm. Anna and B.Js story is on chapter 22, and hope it answers questions. Biggs and Sunny, hehe! Drew really rocks! What do we think of Steve? I take my job seriously.
Elfie- well they do both suck! LOL, is it possible or normal to dislike your own characters and yet still make them so other people like them? Scary! The integration is important and I think Dek was a good choice for Max. I think I might be projecting, I don't like Anna much! Dek's quote seems to have a big impact! Hehe bestest prop award! I like that! yeah a little nod to Mr. Cameron to show it isn't hard to make a decent storyline (coughLogancough) Glad that you pick up my little details. They are fun to add in. I'm trying to fit Lydecker in but can't seem to right now, we have to wait and see. Yes I've seen the latest Harry Potter film- HATED it! Grumbles about not being like the book, not enough Snape, Harry under the bed covers doing goodness knows what!
Tiggi- Ohh you are so close with that one,. Just a few to go and we find out about BJ and Anna.
Fangedangel- yes took the hint, put it in my pocket and pulled out Chapter 22. Anna revealed! Giggles at the idea of Filtch as a helper.
Nora- good, converts are good feels clueless Pix is a good guy and will make his excuses known next chapter. Its great that you took time to review love it!
Givenalias- LOL, feel free to write a Max/Dek or even Max/Zan- you guys change your minds quick! How many chapters left? Three of MAH and I think Four or five of this. Possible sequel if anyone is interested.
Ronda TIW- Hey pet, its not easy tying the two stories together but I'm glad you think I'm doing okay. Max and Alec will get much more screen time, wait and see! Who would you suggest for Coco?
Lyndsey- I was feeling better, not so much now though! Dek is a great companion to Max though it makes you wonder what Alec is going to say when he finds that Dek has been flirting with his girl! And he will! My sense of humor fits to each character- does that mean I have a split personality? LOL. Anna has the permanent taste of shoe leather in her mouth, we'll see what happens to her. Chapter 22- watch for it! Yeah James Cameron deserved a nod for creating Alec if nothing else and bringing Jensen to my attention. FUBAR is a great word! Biggs and Sunny are confused but have Fayth! Kudos for noticing about Harley! The guards are stupid but dangerous, like all stupid people with guns. No spoilers! Enjoy!