A/N- Key to designations found at the end. I was going to split this (34 pages), but decided not to in the end so you get the whole thing! and I have to admit that I hate the Chapter title any ideas to change it are more than welcome!!!
Cheers to Itay and Kat! (and yeah I do actually say cheers and pet in everyday, I am Brit through and through.)
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Chapter 22 Love for the Scorpion.
Dek leaned back in his chair and grinned widely at Pix who just rolled his eyes at the blonde.
"I swear, Dek, if that grin grows any wider, your teeth will fall out."
"What? Things are getting back to normal; I reserve the right to smile."
"Smirk," Drew corrected as she leaned back against him. "That is what we call a smirk, smart ass."
Dek just pulled her in for a quick hug before grabbing his fork, digging into his plate with gusto. They were just starting dinner and he was starving after the great work out that they had had in the courtyards. Who knew that witnessing such an emotional outburst could make you so hungry?
Pix glanced around the table at his friends.
Biggs was blushing, again, as Sunny smiled softly at him. Pix listened in to their quiet conversation.
"Honestly Biggs, I'm not upset. Admittedly it was a little… sudden, but I wasn't totally against it, as you probably noticed."
Pix's eyebrows rose as Sunny blushed too.
Interesting.
But as Biggs looked around he quickly turned his attention to another couple.
Feen was leaning over Techie and beaming at the way he cowered in his chair.
"Oh come on, Tech, just an hour."
"I'd rather eat slugs," Techie said desperately. "B-besides I have uh, computer stuff to do."
Feen pouted, "But we only have girl chat for an hour, can't you spare just that?" She fluttered her eyelashes and pouted, "For me?"
Techie groaned and Pix could see that he was giving in. He resisted the urge to laugh at the poor man and let his glance drift over where Mets was glaring at Dek and then over to Tara and Carrot.
"No, I'm telling you to eat more greens," Tara ordered even as Carrot pouted.
"But bread is healthy and Sunny-"
"You are not stealing Sunny's food again; you have perfectly serviceable vegetables right there."
Carrot poked at his plate. "They squeak, I'm sure 'perfectly serviceable vegetables' aren't supposed to squeak!"
Tara tried to glare around her twitching lips and then she paused, "I'll make you a deal. You eat the greens and I'll give you my dessert."
Carrot leaned forward and replied heatedly, "You bemy dessert and we have a deal."
Pix hurried his attention away, even as he broke out in a grin.
Saucy!
"So you broke his arm!"
Pix turned in interest.
Coco huffed and folded her arms over her chest. "I dislocated his elbow and fractured his jaw and he was asking for it."
Steve chuckled and tried to straighten his face. Flex was having no better luck.
"What did he do that was so bad?" Skye asked.
Coco glared at her, "If you must know he dragged me into a spare closet and-"
"And what?" Cece prodded.
"He shoved his hand up my skirt and tried to pull my blouse off."
"So you broke his jaw?"
"Fractured," she stressed, "I fractured his jaw."
"Where was that on Deep Cover mission 101? I think I missed that lesson," Flex teased.
"It was right there under the chapter heading Overreaction," Steve laughed.
"Yeah," Coco said belligerently, "and next to the chapter on 'Friendly fire'."
Pix chuckled and looked down at Chance who had snuggled against his arm.
"I don't know who to feel sorrier for, Coco for dealing with her sleazy boss, or Steve when she's done with him."
Pix nuzzled her hair and smiled softly. They all looked up as the doors to the mess hall swung open and Max and Alec walked in laughing and smiling at each other.
"Now that is a sight for sore eyes," Emma said as they made their way over.
"Shift up," Max said as she slipped into the seat next to Pix, dropping her tray on the table.
Alec slid in next to her, grimacing as he sat.
"Still hurts?" Zan said with a mocking grin and Alec rolled his eyes.
"Like hell actually, thanks for asking."
Alec pulled Max so that she was settled against his side.
"Hey I have my own chair ya know!" Max groused.
Alec pouted, "But Maxie, that side of me was cold!"
She rolled her eyes but they could all see her delight as she sat back against him and snuggled into his side. Alec rested his head on her shoulder and breathed in her warm scent, his eyes lighting up in relief.
The whole table just felt so good at seeing their COs back together and getting along the way that they were supposed to. It was like a family reunion.
Max wrinkled her nose as she looked down at her tray, "Do we think the meat surprise is safe?"
"What is the surprise in the meat surprise?" Cece asked as she too prodded her dinner.
"The surprise is the kind of meat," Dek said knowledgeably.
"What kind of meat is it?"
"Well I haven't seen Colonel Lydecker around in a while," Dek smirked, "draw your own conclusions."
Max laughed as Cece went green and pushed her plate away.
Drew hit his arm trying to cover her own smirk, "That was mean!"
Alec shrugged. "The man has a point and I'm not taking any chances!" He leaned over and grabbed Sunny's bread roll off her plate, much to Tara's annoyance.
"Can't the girl eat her own dinner?"
"What?" A red faced Sunny looked over, "Oh hey, Alec."
Tara groaned, "Why do I bother?"
"Beats me," B.J said with a cheeky grin, "Nutrition isn't high on our lists and we already have a mommy of the group!" He nodded to Sunny who was handing Flex a napkin.
"You're one to talk!" Aiden laughed, "I remember when you used to make lists of what people had eaten during the week to make sure that all of the food groups were represented!"
Max laughed, "You did what?"
B.J. ducked his head, half-glaring at Aiden, "It was a long time ago."
Emma giggled, "Do you remember that assignment we went on when he confiscated all of the younger X's snack food and sent them to bed? God, I thought we'd have a mutiny."
B.J. went stiff even as Mets frowned.
"I don't remember that mission."
Emma gestured widely, "It was the one we went on undercover to spy on that house Manticore thought was a safe house."
Mets' expression cleared, "Oh yeah, that was the one where we had to act like-"
"Teenagers," Anna cut in, her voice icy.
Alec looked around the table as tension seemed to settle.
Aiden glanced over at B.J. and hurriedly added, "It was a sucky mission."
"Yeah," B.J. pushed away his plate, "got some computer work to do, see you later!"
"Is he okay?" Alec asked as B.J. marched off.
Aiden swallowed, "Give him an hour and I'll go talk to him, I think he could use a friend."
Anna looked away and pretended not to listen.
"So, I presume that you two worked out all of your differences?" Sunny asked.
Alec glanced down at Max who was still cradled in the crook of his arm.
"Mostly," Max said with a nod, "we have a few things to sort through, but we will."
"Definitely," Alec said as the others went back to eating and teasing each other.
Alec leaned down to Max's ear, "You know what I missed the most?"
"My kicking your ass?"
"Brushing your hair," he said bemusedly as he ran his fingers through the silky strands. "Isn't that crazy?"
Max swallowed, her heart pounding at his soft words. She looked over her shoulder into his intense green eyes.
"Well, I said that you have issues."
"True."
As a shudder went down her spine Max tore her eyes away and stared down at her plate.
"I have to see Trainer Green about the fight," Max said and pushed away giving Alec a small smile before leaving the table.
---
"Max?"
Max turned to see Drew and Coco coming down the hall after her, their expressions eager as they caught up with her.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
Max was pleased to see that Coco was back from her mission safe and unharmed. With Carrot's breakdown it seemed that they were all feeling a little fragile, although she hoped that that was about to change now that she and Alec had made up.
Drew looked steadily at Coco before waving her ahead, "You go."
Coco glanced down at her feet and then back up at Max, "I just wanted to talk to you about my mission. It can wait."
"No, I have a minute," Max was determined never to let another member of her Unit down like she did Carrot. "Drew?"
"Guy talk!" She laughed at the idea, as did Max.
Coco smirked, "What a coincidence, me too. Can we go somewhere?"
Max nodded relieved that it wasn't something more serious, "Rec Room?"
Drew shook her head, her eyes glinting in mischief, "Abandoned Gym."
"Ooh, I like it!" Max smirked and they made their way to the gym.
It was an occupational hazard for the brass to keep the gym up to date and refurbished. After all, having genetically enhanced killing machines with the need to work through their anger and frustration in a sanctioned way meant that, more often that not, that the gym was used as a sort of scratching post. It got worse as they got older, the few snapped ropes and broken horses turning to holes in the concrete walls and blood on the mats… walls and just about everywhere else.
It wasn't uncommon for the gym to be closed for 'refurbishment' at least once a month.
Max pulled aside the yellow tape that cordoned off the area and they crept inside staring in bemusement at the large hole on one wall.
"Lemme guess, heat fight?"
"Uh, huh," Drew nodded, "X6 I think."
"Damn, they're starting young," Coco grinned at the thought of her first Heat.
Max walked over to one of the training mats and sat cross-legged on the floor watching the daylight filter through one of the high windows, it was late afternoon and she could see the light start to fade.
"C'mon guys, hit me up here."
Drew sat next to Max and leaned against a wooden block. Coco sat opposite them both, her eyes darting everywhere but toward the girls.
"So, who wants to go first?" Max prompted, seeing her friends' unease.
Drew shook her head indicating Coco, "Nothing specific, I just wanted to talk."
Coco sighed, "I will go first then. My last assignment's left me unsettled."
"How so?"
"I was supposed to infiltrate this company down South."
Drew interrupted her, "I'm sorry; they sent an African to do a mission down South?"
"That prejudice is way over," Max paused, "It is way over isn't it?"
Coco shrugged, "No one said anything to me and I hated history anyway."
"Me too," Drew agreed. She was far better at the practical side of things than learning dates and names.
Coco pushed back her dark hair and sighed, "The Corporate owner of the company took a liking to me and tried to persuade me to do…. things with him."
Max's lips twitched, "He made a pass at you and you fractured his jaw and broke his elbow?"
Coco glared, "I dislocated his elbow and fractured his jaw and he was asking for it," she waved a hand dismissively, "But that's not the point."
Drew looked at Max and they communicated with their eyes as they wondered what had the usually confident Coco so rattled.
"What is the point?" Drew tried softly.
"In the facility there was this guy," Coco feigned interest in her shoes, "He was tall, kinda cute, in that not-very-cute kinda way."
"Oh, that way," Max smirked and relaxed as Drew hid a grin.
Coco scowled and then softened, "His name was:"
--
"Hi, I'm Jason Aston-Price," the dark haired man held out his hand, fumbling with his papers as he juggled them to one hand, almost dropping them in the process.
"I'm Cody Mandora, pleased to meet you," Coco grabbed his hand and smiled.
He pushed his glasses up his nose and peered at her through the floppy fringe that covered most of his beautiful clear blue eyes. They reminded Coco of the light blue crystal glass that they had in Casino bars to serve expensive wine. He was tall enough to meet her eyes without looking up and she could tell under his wrinkled shirt that he was graced with some lean muscles. Not conventionally handsome, perhaps, with his almost pretty boy looks but he was definitely interesting looking.
Snapping her mind away from his attractiveness, Coco tried to get her head back into her mission.
"Well, Uh Cody," Jason ducked his head to catch a few stray papers and when he looked up a faint red tinge covered his cheeks. "Mr. Stone asked me to show you around the facility, if there is anything that you want to know, feel free to ask."
Coco smiled at the man eliciting another faint red tinge to colour his cheeks.
"So why don't you tell me the major job of R.C.F. Environmental Cleanup Demolition & Disposal."
"We are mostly a construction business specializing in demolition of scientific outlets and headquarters. Uh, decommissioned military bases, government facilities, anywhere there might be containment issues," he paused seeming more confident now he was on familiar ground, "we were the main clean-up operators behind the Terminal City sill in Seattle."
"Wow," Coco didn't have a clue what that was and her tone showed it.
"Uh, Terminal City used to be the hub of scientific activity on the Western seaboard, within the heart of Seattle is a place that used to house Biological and Technical treatment and research centres, labs that kind of thing. When the pulse hit, some of the facilities lost containment because the systems were computer generated. Some nasty stuff was exposed and we had to seal off the area in case of bio-hazardous waste."
"Huh," Coco nodded, "So there is a huge ghost town in the middle of Seattle?"
Jason nodded as he motioned her through the corridors, "It'd be like humans going into Hiroshima a few days after the fact. No one goes in there anymore."
Coco nodded again, her mind working fast. Renfro's assignment had been for her to go in and ferret out any information on possible acquisitions for Manticore- abandoned buildings and places that they could expand their operation.
This Terminal City looked like a decent place, except for the bio-toxins. Well, she didn't expect to do it all on the first day.
Besides, she thought staring sideways at Jason, she was allowed to mingle a bit, right?
--
"So this Jason guy showed you around?" Max asked with a smile.
Coco sighed, "I have never met anyone like him, he was," she paused thinking of a way to describe him, "Imagine Techie's nerves with girls--"
"Except Feen," Drew interrupted grinning wickedly.
"Even Feen," Coco laughed at the image of Techie edging away from the bubbly redhead, "anyway, mix that with Aiden's sweetness, Alec's charm and Zan's sincerity."
"Sounds like a dream!" Max beamed at Coco's eager expression. The girl was normally so reserved and unimpressed by the flirting and seductions of the rest of the men. Flex being a case in point; she almost broke his hand several times for copping a feel.
"He listened to what I had to say, he was interested- genuinely interested and so shy about asking me," she grinned suddenly, "I remember on my third day there--"
--
"Uh C-Cody?"
Coco turned around from the computer program that she was looking over to see Jason standing in front of her pushing his weight from his right foot to his left; it was something he did when he was nervous. He was hiding himself behind his clipboard and kept pushing his glasses up his nose in an endearing way. His hair flopped down over his face and he swept it back impatiently before shoving his hands in his jean pockets.
It was odd how many mannerisms Coco had noted about him, trying to categorise it as the Manticorian trait of people watching for weaknesses, but the fact remained that she was intrigued by this so-called nerd. He was a delicious study in contrasts, being so confident in his field and yet stammering when it came to talking to females.
She found herself drawn to him and that was unnerving for someone who usually disdained over the men who fawned over her.
"What's up, Jason?"
The sweet man had been her constant companion around the facility these last few days, he had been more than eager to show her the ropes and make sure that she had everything she needed and knew where to get the things that she didn't. They ate lunch together in the canteen and he was able to make her laugh with his dry humour, which reminded her somewhat of Dek.
"Well, I was um… you know there's this uh… would you like…"
Coco smiled, "Sometime today? I have this report."
"Dinner," he said abruptly and then coloured, "Uh would you like to have some with me? Dinner that is."
Coco stopped typing abruptly, her eyes on the deep crimson of his cheeks. This was the first time that anyone had asked her to dinner. It was such a quaint phrase and she found herself with an unusual lack of things to say.
"Uh,"
Jason, thinking that perhaps she was trying to politely turn him down, flushed harder.
"I m-mean, i-if you're too busy then i-it's okay, I j-just wondered…"
"I'd love to," she said quickly forgetting her mission and pretty much everything else in the face of his obvious delight.
--
"No way!" Drew laughed, "You forgot your mission?"
"Oh come on Drew, if a guy turned your head that much with sweetness and everything, you'd be hard pressed to remember your name too!"
Drew blushed and had Max giggling.
Coco raised an eyebrow and Max looked at Drew as if asking permission, which Drew gave.
"Dek romanced Drew with guns and ammunition and books and then he got Pix in on it and set up a dance room in the gym."
Coco's mouth dropped in surprise, "Wow, that's… so not Dek."
"I know, believe me, I know," Drew smiled softly, "But he was so sincere and I wanted him."
"It's about time!" Coco said with a smile and Drew nodded.
"The only problem is--"
"Mets," Max guessed and Drew sighed.
"I like the guy, don't want to hurt his feelings but he just doesn't get me, I mean, he sent me a rose."
Max wrinkled her nose, perplexed, "Why?"
Drew shrugged, "Pass, I think he read in a book that girls like flowers."
Max and Drew shared similar sentiments on the usefulness of flowers. They were pretty and seemed to be home to various insects proving that, to animals at least, they served a purpose but why give them to a girl?
Coco rolled her eyes and despaired.
"What did Dek get you?"
"A 7 millimetre and then an M16," Drew said softly.
"Aww, sweet!" Max enthused and then paused, "did we do that the right way around?"
Coco laughed, "Well, flowers or not, Jason was great."
"What was the date like?" Max asked curiously, never having been on one herself.
--
"I hope you like Italian," Jason said nervously as he pushed his specs up his nose, he had rolled his shirt sleeves up his arms showing powerful forearms dusted with light hair that Coco couldn't seem to take her eyes off.
It was crazy-- they were just arms for Manticore's sake!
"Sounds great," she said, not having a clue what she just agreed to.
While he pored over the menu Coco took the time to stare at him. What was it about this guy that intrigued her so much?
It wasn't like charming, attractive men didn't surround her on a daily basis. Flex, for example, was both great looking and he could charm the birds from the sky… or even charm Skye, she thought amused.
What about Alec, despite being firmly attached to Max, he was, without doubt, fantastic looking and had more than one girl hopelessly infatuated with him.
Techie was adorable if you liked that sort of sweet shyness and didn't mind Feen scratching your eyes out for getting too close.
Steve was charming as well as having perfect washboard abs and an infectious laugh.
And yet it was none of these men that had her pulse racing and her palms sweating. No, it was an ordinary male with tangled dark locks and deep soulful eyes surrounded by a plethora of books that made her heart pound.
"So, Cody, what did you do before you came to R.C.F?"
Coco thought back on several of her previous missions, "I've done lots of things; I worked as a teacher for a while, a waitress, a mechanic--"
"A mechanic?" Jason sounded impressed, "you don't seem like the type."
"What type am I?" Coco asked hesitantly, knowing that if her friends could see her now they wouldn't believe it. Straightforward, brassy Coco acting shy? Unheard of.
Jason ducked his head, hiding his eyes from her. "Well, you look like you'd be more at home in ball-gowns and high heels than messing about with cars and carburettors. You're too elegant to be a mechanic."
Coco smiled, pleased at his assessment, "Elegant?"
He nodded, tracing patterns on the table with his long fingers, "Actually everyone at work wondered what you were doing agreeing to come with me."
"Why?"
"I'm hardly the type of guy for a woman like you. I'm a nerd," he said the last with faint amusement at himself, "and you are so beautiful."
"It's the genes," she laughed and bit her lip deciding to be more like Coco and less like this Cody she was supposed to be. "Most men are too intimidated by me," she confessed, sitting up straighter, "I'm intelligent and that makes them feel threatened, it's great to be able to have a civilised, intellectual conversation with someone." Coco waited until he picked up his wineglass and took a sip before she said wickedly, "Besides I happen to think you're cute."
Jason sputtered in his wineglass, a heavy red tinge colouring his face.
That was more like it! Coco thought smugly as she sipped her wine.
-
Dinner was a raging success. Not only was Jason a charming conversationalist and an eager one at that, he was so easy to tease once Coco had let go of her reserve and acted more like herself.
After their dinner he had haltingly asked her to dance and they had swayed together on the dance floor for a while, then, when the restaurant shut, they walked back to her apartment together basking in the crispness of the night and the company of the one next to them.
Jason paused just outside her door, "So this is you?"
"No, this is a door," she looked at the wooden entrance, "easy mistake."
Jason chuckled, "Fair enough."
"I had a great time," she said with a smile, genuinely happy although slightly disappointed that the night was over.
"Me too," Jason admitted, his face turning serious as if he was expecting something.
Coco blinked in confusion. Okay, she'd read stories of these so-called 'dates' and there was something that was supposed to happen now, but she couldn't quite remember what it was. Were they supposed to shake hands?
Jason bit his lip and leaned forward, his hair flopping into his eyes.
Coco was so intent on trying to recall what it was that people did at the end of dates that she was startled when she felt the soft press of his lips against hers.
He pulled back slightly to look into her stunned chocolate eyes.
"Co--"
Coco quickly pressed her lips to his and her eyes drifted closed as he returned the kiss with fervor.
--
"Was it good?" Max asked and Coco nodded.
"I felt like my world was spinning."
"I felt that when Dek kissed me," Drew confessed, "Did your head ache and heart thump?"
Coco nodded understanding what Drew was saying, "And I got twitchy feelings in my stomach, what was that about?"
"Pass," Drew laughed in relief that she was able to share this odd sensation with someone who understood it, "it felt nice though."
"Sounds great," Max said wistfully.
"Has Alec not kissed you yet?"
Max jumped, her eyes wide, "Say what? Alec? No why should he, we're not like that!"
Coco rolled her eyes. "He tells you that he misses brushing your hair and he lets you kick him in the… yard just so you'll talk to him and you say you're not like that?" Coco said disbelievingly, "Exactly who do you think you're fooling?"
Max shifted uneasily, "Really?"
Drew and Coco both nodded.
"Huh."
Well, that was something to think about, thought Max.
"What happened next?" she shifted attention back to Coco.
"We kissed, he bade me goodnight and went home."
Drew looked disappointed and Coco giggled, "Believe me I was just as disappointed. The next day he met me at the door and we walked to work just chatting like normal and things were just… normal. Work and all and he'd walk me home after work and kiss me at the door."
"So?" Max frowned, "What was the unnerving part?"
Coco sighed, "About a week later the boss-- Mr. Stone-- started eyeing me, coming over to my work station and… I think he was flirting. Jason was slightly jealous but I told him that I had no interest in Mr. Stone and he was—relieved. One night I'd been asked to work late and I agreed, as it gave me time to go through the system when no one was around. I was walking through the plant going over notes when my hand was grabbed," she sighed. "I thought it was Jason at first and so I let him pull me into an empty room. It wasn't until he tried to kiss me that I realised it wasn't Jason, but Mr. Stone."
"Ew!" Drew shuddered, "So what did you do?"
"I pushed him away and said no. So he said that if I wanted to keep both mine and Jason's jobs I'd… I think he said shut up and put up."
"Put what up?"
"His hand up my skirt," Coco said dryly. "Soo, I fractured his arm and told him that if he so much as thought of firing Jason I'd kill him and then I dislocated his jaw so he couldn't talk about it."
"Well done you!" Drew said encouragingly and Max applauded.
"Should have snapped his neck."
Coco grinned, "I knew my cover had been blown so I called Manticore and Renfro extracted me that night, I think she's going to use the agency front to sue him for sexual harassment."
"So what's the problem?" Drew asked.
Coco bit her lip, "I didn't get to say goodbye to Jason, I- I- miss him. It's only been a few days and I really, really miss him."
The usually bright and bold Coco looked so depressed that Max and Drew both leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on her knee.
"Sorry Coco," Max sympathised, "I know what it's like to miss someone that you may never see again."
"I just hope that he doesn't believe any rumours about me and Mr. Stone, I hate to think that he might be hurt."
Max shuffled up to the side of her and put her arms around the quiet girl.
"We can't do anything about this, ordinaries and transgenics aren't supposed to be together. What we can do is be here to listen if you want to and I think--" Max looked up at Drew who nodded, "that maybe one day when we're out on a mission maybe you could slip away and say your goodbye."
"I don't know," Coco said hesitantly, "maybe this way is best, this way I can pretend that I will see him again and that he cares. But thanks for the offer guys."
"You're welcome," Max smiled, "just so you know we're here for you."
And the gym was once again silent as the three women were lost in their thoughts.
----
Alec wandered down the corridor flicking glances into each of the empty classrooms, searching for his friends.
He'd been concerned when B.J. had just walked off but had understood that sometimes you just needed to be alone, after all he'd spent most of the last few weeks just walking about by himself trying to come up with ways to make Max fall for him. Now that she was back talking to him again, Alec was more that willing to share his newfound happiness with his Unit mates.
He turned the corner to the West wing and peered in the conservatory.
The conservatory had been built so that the Manticore brass had somewhere to entertain dignitaries during the summer when they came to inspect and check up on the Facility, during the year, however, it was open to the elite Special Ops as a place to rest and study.
The structure was only glass on three sides, the last wall attaching it to the West Wing. The large comfortable sofas and chairs littered the room, intermingled with pot plants and coffee tables making it seem cozy and it often reminded Alec of Max's old friend-- Bill's-- house. It was so out of place from the usual stone buildings and severe décor that the X-series loved to spend time in there, basking in the sun like cats curled in the heat of the day.
It was usually empty at night, feeling somehow cooler that the rest of the facility, but not tonight.
B.J. was sitting in one of the armchairs staring out the large glass wall at the rain that had started pouring about an hour ago. Aiden sat on the floor with his back pressed against the cool glass just staring into space. Pix was leafing through a magazine left by one of the head honcho's and Dek sat silently by the door.
"Hey," Alec said quietly, not wanting to disturb the four of them. They had banded together to form a unique clique within the top Units. The four jokers, sometimes joined by Techie, but mostly just the four of them had been nicknamed 'trouble' by their peers. Pix was obviously the practical joker and mastermind, Dek was the master of witticisms and dry humour, B.J. was sarcasm at its finest and Aiden was unobtrusively sly and manipulative without being mean or nasty, they were the perfect combination and recipe for… Well, trouble.
B.J. didn't turn around but the other three swung their heads in the direction of Alec.
"Hey!" Dek greeted without his usual smirk, "shouldn't you be firmly enclosed in the arms of our delectable C.O.?"
Alec rolled his eyes and settled on the arm of the sofa nearest B.J., "Me and Max aren't like that…yet."
"You're missing out," Dek added mischievously, "Why just last week-"
"Cut it out before he kicks your ass," B.J. said dryly, not looking away from the window.
"Sound advice," Pix nodded.
"Mmm," Alec glared at Dek who shrugged and then he turned to B.J. "I actually wanted to check, see if you were okay, B.J."
B.J. laughed derisively, "I'm fine, man, perfect."
"Wanna talk?" Alec asked after a few seconds.
B.J. shrugged and continued staring out of the window.
"B.J. maybe it'd be good to get it off your chest?" Aiden pushed gently, "Then we can all bask in the bitch that is Anna."
Alec looked from him to B.J., "You know what happened?"
Aiden nodded, "I was there, me and B.J. were good friends, even back in Atlanta."
"It won't do any good," B.J. said slowly, "it was so damn long ago, it should all be forgotten by now anyway."
"But the bitch keeps dragging it up," Aiden protested, raking his hand through his short hair.
"Don't call her that," B.J. replied automatically.
Alec sat back, a concerned but determined look on his face, "Tell me."
There was silence for a few minutes, the only sound the breathing of the five men and then;
"It was a routine assignment…"
--
It had been a routine assignment. Even though the Trainers had dubious feelings about letting the group of fourteen year old soldiers out unattended and without supervision, Director Loughran-- the Director in charge of the Atlanta facility-- had set up his team and told them that he had complete confidence in them to complete their task and get the required information.
He'd maintained that pride… and the threat of Psy-Ops for failure should be enough to instil in them the values and healthy fear of displeasing the Director. It was. Since the escape of the infamous '09ers and the subsequent punishment for their abandonment, the mere thought of Psy Ops was enough to deter even the most ambitious of deserters.
The mission was clear and simple, Manticore had somehow come by some information that an old, seemingly abandoned house was actually a safe house for Russian spies, operating through the Georgian Senate and right through the East coast up to Washington to find out Naval secrets. Posing as teenage delinquents, the squad was to infiltrate the safe house and find out as much as possible. They had three days to do this and get back to base to report findings.
344 was to head up the mission as Squad commander with 123 as second in command and he was determined to do well, he set out his plans for his squad.
"We have been given three days to complete the assignment by the Director, which I have devised should be adequate time to complete the plan."
"You have our full confidence, 344."
344 looked up at his friend and fellow squad mate 191. He had always got on well with the young boy, who was kind and gentle to the younger series but had a firm and steady head on his shoulders, 344 had always thought that 191 would make an excellent counsellor. He always knew the right thing to say and, although shy, wasn't afraid to say it.
A female voice broke into his reverie.
"So what is the basis of the plan?"
344 sighed as 291 spoke up, the only thing wrong with 191 was his friendship with the impetuous 291. She was a distraction to the mission and her hot temper often made her act without thinking, something that he couldn't afford on their first mission without supervision. Hopefully by pairing her with 191, he'd be able to calm her down.
"Whilst reading Trainer Trelawney's paper on adolescent behaviour patterns I have determined that our most effective course of action should be to behave as a gang."
"Gang?" 622 frowned, "I'm not aware of the significance of that phrase."
"It's a human group of youngsters that behave in a somewhat similar way to pack animals, their behaviour irrational and impulsive; often loud and deviant with random acts of violence and abuse, even vandalism."
388 wrinkled her nose, "Surely that type of behaviour is counterproductive?"
"But suits our mission perfectly," 191 smiled at her gently, "we should be grateful."
291 rolled her eyes in exasperation, "Yes, yes, what are our individual assignments?"
344 bit back a snarl, "you and 191 are our original scouts, and you take point, check out the locality and report back to our base."
"Which is?"
The girl really irritated him and always had done, so he had developed several techniques of handling her without resorting to violence or restraints, and with that in mind he took several deep breaths before continuing.
"There is an abandoned mill house a few clicks away that should be sufficient. Then once we have established that the house is occupied we need to create distractions to lure out the targets so that we can search the premises," he paused.
"So, loud, destructive, raucous behaviour to tempt out the targets while a secondary team sneak in the back way?" 191 grinned, "Think you can handle that, 291?"
She blushed as her squad mates laughed and she playfully pushed 191.
"As Trainer Rosenberg would say, you, 191, are in for it."
388 peered at her, "in for what?"
"I have no idea, but it sounds threatening."
-
191 beamed at the girl that was crawling along the brush by his side.
"Oh, 291?"
She flicked a glance in his direction as he threw a clump of mud at her.
"Stop it!" she demanded, her lips curling even as she glared, "You'll get me all dirty."
"Because crawling in the mud is a great way to keep clean."
"Shut up," she said, irritated at his teasing and stared out at the darkened house.
291 didn't mean to snap at 191 as he was her, pretty much only, friend and she was lucky to have the clearheaded boy around; especially when her temper got the better of her, which was far too often. She chastised herself for every single lack of self-control that she exhibited, after all she was a soldier and supposed to have full control of her faculties at all times. But not today, not when she'd been feeling… wrong, for a few days and it seemed to be culminating in something, this restless feeling in her bones, the itching of her skin and the slight tremble to her hands. She clenched her hands into fists and prayed for the feeling to go away.
191 bit his lip. 291 was so uptight and rigid that sometimes he thought she'd snap in half with the tension.
They were good friends, basically because no one else could really spend a lot of time around her without the urge to bash her head against the nearest brick wall.
Of course, as 191 was affectionately known as the Saint by even the Trainers, due to his patience and sweet personality, he was more than prepared to adopt the ever fiery 291 as his friend. They got on well for the most part since he usually rationalised her snappiness away as a product of her genes, possibly Bear.
He shot another look at her edgy form, okay maybe rabid Bear.
291 twitched in the grass, her back shuddering.
"291?"
"I'm fine," she bit out and then, as he pouted, she added, "My skin feels itchy."
"Maybe you crawled on nettles?"
291 gave him a scathing look usually reserved for 344 and his commands, which she had about as much respect for as she did the Trainers—not a lot.
"No, I did not."
191 hid a grin and moved nearer, noting how she tensed as he came closer.
"What about bugs? Hmm, 291, maybe you're sitting on an ants nest."
291 looked down in disgust which was why she missed the shadow that passed in front of the window that she was supposed to be watching.
Luckily 191 caught it and yanked her head back down, his eagle eyes fixed on the window.
"Hey!" she started to complain but he shushed her.
"Two O clock, two shadows passed in front of East 18."
291 glanced up, an annoyed glare crossing her features at missing the vital information. Dammit she was supposed to be good at this!
"It's okay," 191 said with a comforting smile, "it was my fault for distracting you."
"Oh shut up," she poked her tongue out at him, almost annoyed at the way that he stood up for her immediately. She was the same age and rank as he was and there was no need for it. She gritted her teeth and they started to slither back to the camp.
After reporting to 344 and cautioning the younger X's on the perils of too much junk food causing several mutinous glares his way, 191 headed back to his room in the abandoned mill house.
He had been selected to room with 291 as the rest of them couldn't be guaranteed not to smother her in her sleep.
"Hey 291, I brought you some…" he glanced down at the label, "whatever Twinkies are. Thought they might cheer you up."
"I'm cheery," she growled from her position curled up on the ragged mattress trying to stem her trembling which was getting worse.
"And I'm Director Loughran. Come on, they're sweet," he waved one at her with his usual shy smile and 291 reached out, snagging one.
As 191 looked at her he could see a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead and the trembling in her hands. She looked rattled and if there was one thing that 291 never was, it was rattled.
He kneeled by her and placed his hand on her head.
"Off!" she snarled and batted his hand away, not wanting to admit her weakness even as her stomach muscles twisted when he touched her. Something was wrong.
"291, you're not well, you have a fever," 191 bit his lip, concerned, "when was your last Med Bay visit?"
"Are you going to play nurse, 191?" She laughed derisively, "It's probably just a seizure--"
"Or early stage Progeria," he interrupted worriedly, "you're too ill to be let out on this mission anyway."
"Am not!" She protested quickly before exhaling sharply in pain and grabbing her stomach, "Ahhh, it hurts!"
191 knew it had to be bad for her to admit to it and he quickly sat beside her, letting her grab his hand and squeeze tightly.
"Ouch!"
"Ow!"
"Should I get 344?"
"No!" She pushed through clenched teeth, her breathing hard. It was bad enough that she was showing this kind of weakness to 191, let alone that 344 who seemed to like annoying her. All she wanted was for this feeling to stop.
191 looked down at her trembling form, scared now for his friend.
"Very well, I need to tell him that we won't be joining them on their distraction and recon tomorrow," he pushed her down on the bed and covered her over. "Sleep now, 291, I'll watch over you."
The sincerity in his eyes was enough to make her smile.
"You're a good friend 191," she said gratefully as he gave her hand one last squeeze and smiled.
As soon as her breathing evened out, 191 went to tell 344 that they wouldn't be accompanying them on the mission.
Although 344 expressed regret, 191 could tell that he was relieved that they wouldn't be dragging the ever-impulsive 291 with them.
As dawn rose 344 took his team of X's out, most of them still sore at the confiscation of their junk food the night before.
344 gave his friend a pat on the back and wished him the best of luck in dealing with 291.
191 decided that it'd be best just to let the dragon- Uh, 291 get some rest and so he stayed in the main room, tidying and going over 344's mission plans. That kept him occupied for a few hours and he'd just found an old book of the previous owner and had settled down to read when he heard a noise from the hallway.
"291?"
"Hmm," she edged into the room, her dark hair brushing her shoulders as she wiped sleep from her eyes. She felt slightly more rested but there was something in the air, on her skin that seeped in and made her itchy skin feel like it was about to crawl off. Her instincts were telling her that there was something that she needed, something that was nearby. Maybe 191 could help. Mmm 191.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hot," she bit her lip and looked at him from lowered lashes. He was actually quite attractive, his dark hair was staring to grow again after the last round of tests. It was baby fine and silky brown, just touching his ears and made him look so cute. His arms were strong and she could imagine the small but strong muscles that resided within.
"Do you want something to drink, the doctors are always saying to drink fluids if you become ill."
291 slunk towards him, her eyes fastened on his slight form, "I don't feel ill, I feel… hot."
"Huh," 191 came over and placed a hand on her forehead and then stepped back in surprise as she giggled. 291 didn't giggle.
"291?"
She pouted as he removed that soft palm, "My skin itches and I need, I need…"
"What?" 191 smiled gently at her wondering what it was that she wanted and what that smell was.
It was hard to describe, it was a bit like animal skin, soft and velvety but with an edge, and it was intoxicating.
"I'm hot!" 291 repeated finally deciding what it was that her skin was screaming out for; what it demanded that she take, "Feel how hot I am."
191 was always ready to help out a fellow transgenic and he touched 291's forehead.
"No, silly," 291 said, her voice a soft purr. "Here."
She took his hand and dragged it down her face, sloping down her neck and over the scratchy material of her shirt. She reached the hem and placed his hand on her firm stomach.
"Feel that?"
191's eyes were wide, "Uh."
She stepped forward trapping his hand between their bodies and raised her lips to his, pressing against him insistently.
"Y-you kn-know, hu-human growth l-lessons stated that kissing didn't-"
"Shut up," she said, irritated by his rambling when all she wanted to do was have him touch her. She growled and dragged his head down to hers.
191 felt her soft lips part and her tongue traced the outline of his mouth, he opened his mouth to protest and she slipped inside.
The scent of her hormones, her pheromones, overwhelmed him and when she took his hand to lead him back to her room he was powerless to stop it.
--
"You slept with her?" Pix gaped.
B.J. stared at him, "Actually there was very little actual sleep," he said crudely.
"Yeah we get it," said Alec with a roll of his eyes.
"So did he," Aiden grinned.
B.J. glared as they laughed, "Ha freaking ha."
"Sorry, man," Pix said, "But you have to admit, you and Anna?"
"The bitch monster of death," he shuddered.
"So what happened?"
B.J. eyed Alec, "If you need me to tell you then I feel sorry for you and even sorrier for Max."
"I understand the dynamics," Alec snapped, "I mean what happened next?"
"Well, we didn't get back until late," Aiden filled in, "We spent all day running interference with the safe house, snapping cables, breaking light-bulbs, that kind of thing. Then we got back to Mill, changed clothes and went out again. I didn't even look for B.J.," Aiden grimaced, "I assumed he was keeping 29-Uh, Anna, company."
"I was," B.J. said derisively, "Just not how you imagined. It was late afternoon the next day before I even heard them come back and by then her Heat was pretty much over."
B.J. shuddered, "It wasn't pleasant."
--
"Oh no, oh no, oh no," 291 hissed as she pulled on her ripped shirt and then held up her shredded jacket in disbelief.
191 eyed the torn garment in her hands, "Uh, sorry about that."
291 spun to face him, "Sorry for that? For that?"
191 started at the malevolence in her voice, "What did I do?"
"Hello?" 291 gestured in frustration to the bed, "do you have amnesia or something?"
She didn't, she remembered everything. It had almost been like someone else had control over her body and they made her do things that she never would have done; things that, even now, made her cringe. But what hurt most of all was that she had finally been forced to relinquish all control over herself, it was any soldier's nightmare and she felt it acutely. She closed her eyes but she could still feel him all over her, still hear her own moans like one of the picture shows that ordinaries felt so vital to wellbeing. The images played over and over and over in her mind until she wanted to scream. She wanted to forget it, pretend that it had never happened.
But that wasn't going to happen, her insides hurt and her stomach was cramping so hard she was frantically biting back tears.
"We have to talk about this," 191 said calmly and patted the bed next to him.
"What's to talk about?" She squeaked as her hands found her lower pelvis, rubbing gentle circles on that aching. Dammit, didn't he know that she didn't want to talk about it? Not now, not ever.
191 stared at her, his mind was full of images of her soft hair spread over the pillow, of her strong arms grasping him, her hands clenched into fists by his head. He blushed.
"I-I t-t-think it's pretty c-clear that we have s-something to talk about, 291," he reached up and scratched the back of his head, trying to avoid her eyes.
291 took a deep breath trying to push it to the back of her mind. If only he would shut up about it, she could gain some control.
"It was a mistake," she stressed.
191 just watched her as she began to pace. He knew that she was feeling embarrassed at what she had just done but he couldn't help delighting in every little movement that she made, from her clenched fists to her flashing eyes.
"291, please, just come and sit here."
291 took a deep shuddery breath trying to regain command of herself and sat next to him, her hands folded primly in her lap. She winced as she sat down, her whole body hurt and sitting just pulled at muscles that she hadn't been ready to use.
She hadn't been ready. It wasn't fair, why had this happened to her?
191 traced his fingers over her back trying to comfort her, "There is nothing to be worried or embarrassed about," he bit his lip, "I've liked you for a while now, 291."
"We're friends," she said firmly and 191 shook his head.
"More than that," he sighed. "You're pretty and strong and clever and you're cute when your temper goes off, which is often. I don't feel bad about being your mate at all, in fact I-"
"Whoa, what?" She stood up quickly grimacing in pain. He didn't say what she thought he had just said, right?
"Oh come on," he smiled shyly; "you have to admit that you do lose your temper often."
"That isn't what I meant, what were you saying about mates?"
Please, No, she begged.
191 thought back, "Only that I don't mind being your mate."
291 shook her head frantically, "We are not mates 191, what happened was a mistake."
With that she stood up and walked out of the room, her head pounding. She couldn't believe he thought that. Surely he thought that it was a mistake too, a mistake that they could get sent to Psy-Ops for. If Director Loughran found out, they were in a world of trouble. Plus her hormones had affected him too, right? That was what the Trainers had said would happen, so surely he was just as upset as she was about the whole thing. So why did he say that about mates? What was he thinking? 291 felt like her emotions were in upheaval, her whole body was one large throbbing mess, her heart hurt and she felt so out of control and unfocussed and all she wanted to do was curl up and cry.
191 threw his shirt on and hurried after her wondering what was going through her head.
291 walked into the main room where all the rest of her unit sat talking and pouring over the mission specs. 344 looked up as she walked in.
"Hello 291, are you feeling better?" he asked politely.
"Fine!" She snapped, her mind still going a mile a minute, and 344 sighed, turning his head away.
148 giggled as he rolled his eyes and smiled at her.
191 hurried into the room, not really noticing the rest of the unit, his eyes fixed on the dark haired girl standing by the fridge, "291?"
"Oh, for Manticore's sake, leave me alone!" she spat. All she wanted was some peace, was that so damn hard? Although her Heat was almost gone, she could still feel the surges of emotion that coursed through her and the last thing she needed was a repeat of last night. No, actually she was about two words away from sobbing and THAT wasn't allowed, at all! The best way to get through this with both pride and dignity attached was to make 191 leave her alone and hope that he would forgive her later.
344's head snapped up and he stared at the wounded look on 191's face.
"That's enough 291," he said firmly.
291 folded her arms over chest and seethed.
"Is everything all right, 191?" 344 asked concerned.
"Yes, 344, everything is fine," 191 soothed. He didn't understand why 291 was so angry. Last night may have been unexpected but it had been nice, very nice. She had seemed to enjoy herself and now she was pushing him away? He could still smell that faint trace of pheromones and knew she was in the end stage of Heat so why wasn't she still all over him?
"Fine? Fine, FINE? On what planet is this fine?" 291 yelled," Your definition of fine is slightly skewed 191!"
"Hey!" He looked hurt and she rolled her eyes.
"Damn it, 191, stop being so sensitive."
She spat the word 'sensitive' like it was one of the Trainer's forbidden words and 344 sucked in his breath.
Everyone was, by now, staring at them in interest and 344 stood up.
"That's it; the two of you come with me, now!"
344 marched down the dilapidated hall with its peeling wallpaper and dank smell, the two of them following him. He entered the dusty room where they had been sleeping and stopped dead in the doorway, staring at the rumpled bed.
It was obvious what they had been up to by the state of the room and his heart pounded at the ripped sheets and scuffed floor.
"No way!" He pleaded as he turned to his friend, "191 what happened here?"
"291 went into Heat, sir," 191 explained, "it was unexpected and I had no time to react or get her isolated."
"Not that you wanted to," she snapped embarrassed and now more than usually angry that her Squad Commander knew about the infraction. "You were more than willing to assist me. It was practically assault!"
"Shut up 291," 344 hissed, his eyes on his friend who was looking more and more hurt by her terse words. It was obvious by the way that she stood, she was in pain and was lashing out at 191 but despite his soldier-like appearance he really was sensitive.
Shy, 191 flushed red, "I-I was j-just-"
291 rolled her eyes, wanting him to feel as bad as she did and wanting him to stop with that incessant whining, "How could you think that I'd want to mate with someone who can't even string a sentence together without stammering?"
"MATE?" 344's jaw dropped in shock.
191 scuffed his feet on the floor, avoiding his friend's eyes. "I thought that maybe--"
"With the harpy?" 344 said without thinking.
"Harpy?" she screamed.
"Greek mythology," 191 said, "they were--"
"I know!" She snarled, her eyes flashing. "Listen to me, Mr. Sensitive 191, there is no way that I would ever, EVER contemplate being your mate. You're too weak, you're a push over. If I ever took a mate, which won't happen for a good while yet, it wouldn't be someone like you, some... sensitive Saint. Women like their men to be just that, Men. Grow a back bone-"
"That is more than enough 291, you are under house ban for insubordination and… and," 344 was spitting furious at her. 191 had twitched under her brutal assault and stood in the middle of the room, his face devoid of colour and hands shaking as she ripped his character apart. "For just being a bitch!" 344 used a word he had heard a Trainer say once.
"I was stating my mind," she maintained, her face flushed with the remnants of her Heat and annoyance. She almost doubled as pain shot through her mid-section.
"Then your mind is as full of poison as your mouth is!" 344 growled, "You are evil 291, evil. I hope you get put in Psy-Ops."
"T-that isn't a nice thing to say, 344," 191 said quietly.
"Oh listen to him!" She scoffed, "call yourself a soldier, maybe you should ask to be transferred to Wyoming, I hear they admit the weak. Maybe you can join the oh- so sensitive 09ers. Even the Trainers call you a sap and everyone knows that you are too nice to amount to anything!"
For 191 that was the last straw. So he might be sweet and kind to his friends, so he might willingly submit to their requests but that didn't make him weak, and he wasn't sensitive as she kept spitting at him. He was a soldier, dammit and he'd put up with enough from her.
"I'm not weak," 191's voice was strong as he scowled at her.
"Are too!" she hissed.
"No, I'm not, and 344 is right," he took a deep breath. "You are evil."
291's jaw dropped.
"Why I ever bothered to befriend you is a mystery, all you've done is put me down and push me away. Well, I'll go away for good and you can find someone else to put up with your nasty, backbiting, vindictive personality. You've made it clear how you feel about me," 191 straightened and turned around wrenching the door open to find the rest of the unit standing there with half horrified, half pitying looks on their faces.
"Excuse me, please," he said firmly and walked away.
--
"Bitch!" Dek spat.
B.J. shrugged, "I should have known better, Anna was scared and I just didn't think."
"That didn't give her the right to pop off at you like that!" Aiden protested, "Anna was just asking to be slapped."
"Maybe it's a girl thing?" Pix hedged.
Alec looked at B.J., he could tell that that wasn't it. Sure Anna had hurt his self-esteem, but it had to have taken more than that to turn the sweet, shy boy into the sarcastic man that he was now.
But he could also tell that B.J. wasn't ready to tell him what just yet.
He sighed. Damn, Manticore had screwed them up something fierce. They all had issues buried in their past that they were still fighting. It was like a minefield.
Alec sat back in the wicker chair and stared at the rain that sluiced down the windowpane.
"Damn we're screwed up," he didn't realise he had spoken out loud until Dek laughed.
"That we are," Dek mused, "After all we seem to go for those that are bad for us. Me and Drew, you and Max, Pix and Chance."
"Chance isn't bad for me!" Pix protested.
"Tell that to your ribs," Aiden scoffed.
"Ah no, Biggs is bad for my ribs, Chance is heaven."
"Besides that," B.J. said, "there is nothing and I mean NOTHING between me and Anna. There never will be, not ever."
"And if there ever is, I have full permission to shoot him!" Aiden said in glee, eliciting a laugh from his friends.
B.J. nodded recalling the promise.
--
"344?"
The dark haired boy turned to face his friend. They had got back to Manticore late and his friend had been uncharacteristically subdued.
Of course he, as well as the team, understood why and all of them had been giving 291 the cold shoulder.
191 stepped into the computer room where 344 was inputting the data from his mission.
"I want to ask you a question and I know that as my Squad Commander as well as my friend, you'll tell me the truth."
"I will," 344 maintained.
"What 291 said," he paused, "about my being a push over, weak, too sweet and too… good?"
344 bit his lip, "Yes?"
"Is that true?"
344 couldn't think what to say, he was good with people usually but words? He was a soldier, first and foremost and he wasn't schooled in delicacy and tact.
"191, you are my friend and you have certain qualities that befit, um, professions other than soldier. I always thought that you'd make a good counsellor."
191 eyed him and 344 sighed.
"You are not weak, but too accommodating to everyone. You put your own interests second, which is good in the field but in everyday life makes you something of a…"
"Joke?"
344 swallowed at the bitterness in 191's voice.
"No, not joke, just there is a fine line between being nice and too nice and you cross it. Soldiers aren't meant to be sweet, neither are they supposed to be cute or worry too much about goodness."
"The Trainers call me a sap?"
"Ignore 291," snapped 344, hating that he was hurting his friend, but wanting to be as honest as 191 had asked, "we don't even know what a sap is!"
"Sap is what comes from trees; its drippy, wet stuff," 191 laughed derisively, "that's what they think of me, drippy, weak."
344 was quiet, wanting to help his friend and yet not knowing how.
191 straightened his shoulders. "It stops now. I'm not weak, nor am I a sap. I may not be Squad commander or C.O. material, but I refuse to be a pushover any longer. From now on, I'm strong."
344 nodded quietly as 191 turned to him.
"Thank you 344, for being my friend, for that honesty."
"I want to be friends with the new 191 too," 344 said urgently, "promise me that."
191's lips twitched into the first smirk that 344 had ever seen on his face, "Promise… and if I ever even start to think of 291 in that way again you must promise to shoot me."
344 laughed, "Promise, I like the new you already."
191 nodded, smiling slightly, "Me too."
He turned and walked out of the room and headed towards the mess hall.
"X5-191?" he turned and saluted the armed Trainer that stood behind him.
"Sir, yes, Sir?"
"291 is currently sequestered in the Medical Bay and she informed us of the infraction that took place during the assignment."
191 lost his breath. This wasn't good, so 291 had told them that the two of them had copulated during the mission? He was in so much trouble.
"Yes, Sir, 191 went into Heat and her pheromones inhibited my good judgement."
"I see," the Trainer mused, "In that instance I have no choice but to relinquish you to Psychological Operations and Observation for tests."
191's heart sank as his pulse raced.
"Psy-Ops?" he stammered, "But s-she w-was in H-heat a-and that's not my fault."
"It's standard procedure 191, no need to be sensitive about it."
And with that he grabbed the young boy by the arm and escorted him to hell.
--
B.J. shuddered and came back to the conversation quickly.
"So how did you and Drew come to happen anyway?" Alec asked with a smirk, "I was… uh… preoccupied."
"You were moping!" Pix stated and Alec glared.
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Guys!" Dek interrupted, "Not to be self-centered but can we get back to talking about me?"
"That's my line," Pix grumbled.
"You get patent on it?" Dek sassed and Pix pouted, "Thought not."
"So, Drew?" B.J. brought them back to the topic.
"After our last little chat," Dek nodded, "I realised that I was feeling something for her and decided to take things slow then I saw Mets making a move."
"Oooh!" They hissed playfully.
"And so decided to act quickly instead," Dek smirked.
"She never had a chance!" Pix laughed, "What with Dek's suaveness, my mischief and expertise in planning and Max's help, we had the girl exactly where we wanted her!" Pix paused, "But please, God, don't tell her."
B.J., Aiden and Alec laughed out loud at the petrified look on Pix's face.
"What, oh like Drew doesn't scare you too!"
"The only one who scares me is Max!" Alec said, twitching in his seat at the thought of what Max did to his manhood.
"Sensible man," Pix nodded sagely.
"Yeah, Max," Dek looked wickedly at Alec, "I told her that she was my second choice, and that if Drew turned me down I'd make a play for her."
"You did what?" Alec's jaw dropped.
"What did she say?" Pix asked interestedly, with a twinkle in his eye.
B.J. gauged the distance it would take for Alec to leap out of his chair and wrap his fingers around Dek's throat. B.J. settled back against the window. Easy distance.
Dek thought for a moment.
"Between your charms and Pix's tricks, she doesn't stand a chance." Max prophesied with a smile. "She won't be able to resist you."
"She said I was irresistible," he smirked, "Although she did say that Pix wasn't in the running--"
"Damn!" Pix moved out of Alec's way.
"I'll have to fight off Zan, Pix and Alec for you, Max."
"One, Pix doesn't think of me that way and two, I wouldn't let you fight. Dumbass."
"She did say that she liked me too much to let me get all broken and bruised for her."
"Really?" Alec bit out.
Dek grinned evilly, "There's always been a spark between me and Max."
Alec growled, "Yeah?"
Aiden started to laugh, his face set in anticipation.
"Well she did say that I was devastatingly attractive," Dek reached up and linked his hands behind his head.
"Well, she has been in Psy-Ops several times," B.J. said nonchalantly.
Alec choked on a laugh even as he glared at Dek.
"Hey Dek, how would you like to take a walk with me?"
"Hell no, you think I was genetically engineered yesterday?"
Dek slowly stood up and moved around to the back of his chair, further away from the snarling form of his CO.
"I think maybe we should talk, man to man," Alec slowly, very, very slowly edged out of his chair. Dek stepped back.
"No, I'm good!" Alec stepped forward and Dek stepped back another step.
"Uh huh," and with that Alec leaped over Dek's chair.
Dek stumbled back, vaulting over a potted plant and ducking behind the foliage.
Alec crouched on the floor and glared at the rustling leaves, "Oh Dek?"
"Go away!"
"Yeah, leave him alone," Pix sputtered, "He's a shrub!"
"Or a wall flower!" Aiden added.
"Come out and fight like a transgenic!" Alec called, his lips curved in a huge grin.
Dek's head peeked out, "Like Max?"
"Well, no," Alec considered, "not like Max."
Dek snorted, "I didn't think you'd--"
Alec took that opportunity to pounce and Dek went down hard as Alec landed on him. Dek punched out at Alec and managed to catch him in the jaw, but Alec had the upper hand as he was in vantage position and he grabbed Dek's collar, quickly flipping the man over and pulling his wrists together in a hold.
Dek wriggled but Alec had a tight grip on his hips with his knees and smirked, as Dek couldn't escape.
"So, exactly what were you doing with my Maxie?"
Dek tried to pull his hands from Alec's grip.
"Well, there was the hug on the roof and the--"
Alec pulled tighter as Dek tried to buck him off.
"Ow!"
"Pix, kindly explain Dek's current predicament to him," Alec asked pleasantly.
Pix pushed himself up off his chair and made his way over to the pinned transgenic, trying not to laugh.
"Alec, your C.O., has you pinned to the floor after you tormented the poor man with images of you with the woman he loves. Now this could go several ways," Pix knelt down closer to Dek, "He could a) beat you up, thus risking the ire of the self-same girl."
"Not pleasant but doable," Alec nodded, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"He could tell Max that you were bragging about her and she will beat you up."
Dek paled, "Uh, can I chose option a?"
"Or thirdly, we could tell Drew."
If possible all colour leeched from Dek's face, "Is there a fourth?"
"Apologise to Alec, do a dare of his choosing and promise to never touch Max, ever again. On pain of… well, pain," Pix finished.
"Ok—wait, what's the dare?" Dek's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Hmm," Alec considered and snapped his fingers, "You have to tell Director Renfro that she is a unique creature, unlike any other."
"No WAY!" Dek spluttered as B.J. and Aiden grabbed their sides, laughing so hard that tears fell down their cheeks, "Not on this, nor any other planet, I'd rather have Max--"
Alec slapped his head.
"Beat me, I was going to say, I would rather have Max beat me," Dek maintained and Alec smirked.
"I know!"
Dek muttered, "I'm sorry Alec, for even presuming to think that Max would find my company tolerable. She truly belongs to you," he paused. "Although I'd rather you tell her that than me."
Alec stood up and held out his hand for Dek, who took it good-naturedly.
"Ok, I change the dare, you have to call Drew something sickeningly sweet and human, in public."
Del grimaced and then peered at Alec, "You are prime evil."
Alec preened, "Thanks!" He checked his watch, and said "ooh have to go."
"Medication time?" Dek asked innocently.
"Max'll be tossing and turning since the gym is out of bounds," Alec grinned.
Dek glanced at Pix, "More dance lessons?"
Pix chuckled as he stood up and dusted off his trousers, "Not me this time."
"It's way past lights out," Aiden pointed out, "Scram already."
"Yes Sir!" Dek saluted and walked out, shooting a good-natured smile Alec's way. "Night, sir."
"Night Dek."
"I need to bandaged my ribs before bed," Pix said as he touched his sore chest and walked out after Dek.
"Well that's what you get for tangling with overprotective brothers," they heard Dek chastise.
Alec turned to B.J., "You okay?"
B.J. smirked, "Always, isn't that how it goes?"
Alec nodded slowly, understanding completely. "Night guys."
"Alec," Aiden nodded and they waited until they heard the echo of his footsteps down the hall.
Aiden turned to B.J. "Hey, you really okay?"
"Just thinking," B.J looked out of the window again, tracing the rivulets as the rain streamed down the window.
"I know it sucked to have it brought up again, but maybe something good will come out of it, and one day you and the Scorpion can be friends again?"
B.J. started, giving Aiden an odd glance and then he laughed hollowly, "Doubtful, but thanks," he glanced over his shoulder to the dark haired man. "Thanks for always being there Aiden."
"I said I would, didn't I?" Aiden patted him on the back. "It's late and I'm beat."
"See you in the morning."
"Oh training with Green, lovely," Aiden rolled his eyes, "later."
"Night."
B.J. stared out of the window, trying to make out shapes in the darkness as he thought about everything that had happened. What Aiden said wasn't even an option; he couldn't be friends with Anna. It just wasn't possible. He'd made sure of that.
B.J. trailed his hand down the cool glass before sighing and leaving the conservatory, heading for bed, hoping that it would erase the unwelcome memories.
----
191 walked unsteadily out of the room having just finished his two week stay in Psychological Operations and Observations. His brain buzzed and his head spun as his eyes adjusted to the light. One foot, step, the other foot, step.
You are a soldier you must have discipline!
He was to report to the mess hall for sustenance and then out into training.
A soldier must hone his self-control, you must not be weak!
As he turned the corner he bumped into a warm body and staggered backwards, an apology on his lips.
"191!" 291 gasped, her face heating up as she recognised him. He looked so different from when she had last seen him. She was in so much pain after the mission that there was no way that could avoid going to Med Bay and being checked out, or given something for the pain. It had been pure accident that 191's name had even been mentioned and she had cried every night since hearing he had been sent to Psy-ops. Now he stood in front of her, his eyes haunted, his thin frame now gaunt, his face hollow and her guilt was overwhelming.
"I'm s-" 191 stopped himself before he could stammer his way through an apology.
When in enemy territory any sign of sympathy is weakness. Compassion is a tool they use against you. Sensitivity is NOT permitted. You have no emotions. Strength is your tool.
"Watch where you're going," he said.
291 gaped at his cold tone, "sorry 191, I didn't mean to bump into you. I wanted to talk to you, to explain about the assignment."
Her voice was so hesitant, her words carefully chosen and he felt his heart speed up at the nuance of nervousness. There was a part of him that remembered the way he was before that wanted to make her feel better. To sooth the poor girl that was probably so—
Female wiles are a soldier's enemy. Don't get led around by your hormones, that is weak. Are you weak soldier?
Sir, No, Sir!
NO, he wasn't weak; he wasn't some sap that she could talk her way around. He was strong. Strong.
"Whatever 291, I don't care."
"What?"
"It was a horrible mistake that should be forgotten about as soon as transgenically possible. It was nothing."
"Nothing? But you said-"
"Look," he sighed, fighting with himself to keep his voice carefree, "You said it yourself, mistake. As if we would work as anything anyway. The Scorpion and the Saint?" He smirked, "Unlikely."
"Scorpion?" her tone was injured and 191 stepped back.
"One snap and you lose a limb, well I have to go, do something… else."
He turned and started to walk away leaving her standing alone in the corridor.
"Wait! 191?"
He glanced over his shoulder, "What?"
"C-can we still be friends?"
191 stamped on the sweet feeling that tried to fill him.
"Soldiers aren't meant to be sweet, neither are they supposed to be cute or worry too much about goodness."
Strong, not weak.
Are you strong, Soldier?
Never a sap again.
"Dammit, 191, stop being so sensitive."
He raked his eyes over her.
"No."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designations from Atlanta-
344= Aiden
291= Anna (219 being Zan)
148= Emma
191= B.J.
133= Mets
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Chaosti-I didn't forget you this time! see watch this- Thank you Chaosti!
Natasgi- Yep, another chapter, got two of this left- I think the last chapter may be a double- I have lots to say on that! Hmm, you want more Mets? And yes finally we get to see what happened between Anna and BJ.
Mely- One big Happy family- ye-s, sort of. Ah never seen Gilmore girls- not sure if it is in UK yet. But more Zan is do-able.
Ellenemi- Thank you pet, but I'm afraid that I need my brain- my family would disagree but I'm sort of fond of it! My ideas? Uh pretty much from everywhere, songs, books, other fics- odd sayings. Its all good.
Senoita-DLH- LOL, thank you pet, coolest ever-= well I like that. I will look forward to your story- let me know what it is called and I'll read and review!
Ronda TIW- That they do, the female of the species is more deadly than the male and that seems to be the way that it is in the animal kingdom too! Plus cant let the guys get away with too much- they'd be insufferable! My last fandom (BTVS- W/S) said that there should be a Fayth cult! Looks like I have new member! Yay!
Restive nature- It needed lightening up, enough angst for a while and in this Chap Dek helps with that too! Pixie dance for Biggs? Now that I'd like to see! I must say that I love all your stuff- mutual appreciation society here and wont bug you to update. (coughdreamwithincough) ß couldn't resist!
Carrie- Thank you sweetie, more on this very soon!
Geminangel- they made up and are so much more fun when they are together. Renfro's reaction?? See next chapter!
Nora- I know, I have 3 brothers and the only way to make them listen is to smack them around. It's exhausting! If you liked Dek in the last one, here he shows his funny side and I have to say that I am falling for the guy myself! Is that wrong?
Jynx- RAFLMAO- ooh TMI thanks, what you and Zan do in your personal time is none of my business although I understand winks
Lynn- 50670- I loved the idea for your titles, although they don't exactly fit with the ending I have in mind for this. Biggs is adorable once you get past the whole- I am your brother deal. But what can ya do?
Talichernin- Good point, Alec is awesome. He deserves a big kiss and I volunteer! I'm glad you like my insults- feel free to use them often and in public!
SGOU- I didn't get your email, pet! Hope you liked the chap and your okay. How is Ft. Knox?
Care189- Dek/Drew are my fave couple except M/A- ofcourse. It wasn't a stupid question and I have to admit sheepishly that writing Logan Cale gave me a headache and so I skipped the majority of the mission with Tara to concentrate on what happened outside, I couldn't see Max staying with him too long without killing him and the temptation to do just that was more than I could take. So it got cut- my apologies.
Lynn- Hey! Yeah sucks. It deletes my lovely reviews! Grr. No, Dek's dream would have been much more racier than that! Pix and Chance will sort stuff out, you'll see! And I am so glad that someone likes Steve! Poor guy seems to get forgotten even though I do my best to add the guy in!
Sigma1- hehe watching Sigma bounce! Yay! Glad you're happy, hope this made you laugh!
Sassycanuck- Dek grows on people- like me! I am feeling better thanks, a little anyway and doing my best to add in what everyone wants before the end- get your order in now!
Marielle- I know I wanted a little Dek/Max thing but… sigh, I think I'd get Lynched if I put them together for Max's first time though! Mind you I have a sequel I could play, after all I have plans for Drew….
Messymissy- They are great and Sarah McLaughlan is the Queen of music, it just fit somehow! what am I going to do about Biggs and Sunny? Oh my usual- UST followed by pining, angst and healthy smut. Go Zan!
Kim-yeah I thought it was time to cheer things up before our finale! Working well so far! They do tend to separate into little cliques whom you will be glad to see in this Chapter- enjoy!
Kat461- Glad you approve- I know I do! I'm a vegetarian so I can safely promise not to eat KFC chicken anytime soon! Hope you feel better soon.
Moonlite Star- Ah they are smooth right now, I love lulling people into a false sense of security. Latent sadomasochism. Mwah ha ha.
Mrs Ackles. Hey pet, here was more Anna and B.J. now what do you think to that?!?!?
Quinn- that's okay, pet. I have trouble with English and it's my first language. (Just ask my beta!) You did great and thank you very much. Hope you like the next part too!
Wendy- Aw that's alright pet, I truly like the fact that I am making people happy with my stories and do enjoy writing them- except when the characters are being difficult! I'm dreading the end too, although I do have a few ideas for a sequel- I'm not sure if it'll be soon. The 09ers have a little plot which we will find out more on in the next chapter of MAh. Look for it!
Fangedangel- he did at that but…uh well, the Trainers in Seattle aren't as bad as the ones in the show or even the ones in Wyoming. Or maybe they are selectively deaf… or maybe they are plotting- I have no idea! Update soon!
Ganko- enjoys being hugged and jugs back her friend who will be glad that chapter 22 is up It's partially stress related and that darn doc… who I haven't gone to see… ahem, yeah. LOL that permanent high sounds like fun! I could do with some of that, unfortunately there aren't that many A/M stories around right now. Sigh! Yep Zan rules he needs a hug! I never thought I was good at fluff- makes me cringe but hey if you are enjoying it then it can't be all bad" New fix! Enjoy the high!
Lyndsay- Glad I could make you laugh, its fun! No Trainer Green is more human than the others and we are allowed to like him. The Biggs/Pix/Chance thing needed to come to a head and I was glad that it did, now that was a blast to write. Poor Biggs- totally incapacitated!
Ladeia3- Yeah now Chance can let go of some of her feelings of inadequacy and hopefully get more liplock with the resident joker- Pix is sweet! I love the M/A interaction in Season 2- except when Alec is acting like an ass which now I'm watching the season again is REALLY evident!
Crimsonshadoe- how did exams go? My sis just finished hers and now is loitering in my room! LOL, the 09ers don't have ugly heads they are genetically engineered to be perfect! But yeah they'll pop up again soon. 886 was Techie, 555 is Feen, 148 is Emma, 219 was Zan, Drew is 633 and Dek is 766. I will add a key in future see above. Not every military guy is evil and so a more human Trainer was needed- hence Green.
Lynn- Hope I don't disappoint at the end! Zan is a fun guy to have around and is quite mature too! Yeah all big brothers have that gene and we should pity them! Dek just seems to get funnier! And yeah I had to give Tara back to poor Carrot- the poor guy has been through enough. He was so relieved to see her that he didn't notice what she looked like- I find that sweet. Special Ops have a wicked sense of humor! Pix will never give up his black book but is willing to share mischief!
Elfie- she is one of the guys but I so don't think you are gonna get her in a skirt very often more happy climbing trees that one. No Cece is determined- and annoying! And yeah Alec whines; only your best mate will tell you that to your face! LOL. Yup Dek is sadomasochistic; he has to be to have been friends with her for so long! It is great exercise isn't it? I know I'd rather be here than on some exercise bike! Yeah I think as Soldiers they understand that sometimes things get worse and a sense of humor is essential but they did understand when it got too rough to joke. I was going to have a more brutal regime, but got sidetracked and by then they were having too much fun. Its strict and none of them would dare step over the line, but the introduction of Max made them have fun and live rather than just exist and the Trainers respond to that sense of humanity that the rest of the facility and Units seem to lack. That answer your question?
Miasalter- oh feel free to love him, he needs it, he is up for some loving soon! Wanna volunteer?
Poo- its not boring to hear, its great that you still like it that much. Zan the peacemaker? Nice ring to it I think! The guy has definitely matured, he's cute too! Where are Lydecker and Renfro, ahh my little friend, back in approx- 1 chap!
Keekee- I will hurry, as long as you review pet.