Author's note : Thanks for the reviews. It's encouraging and i'll try to put precise the identity of the people who are talking.

To answer your questions, Starr Light1, the babies are born as free as could be a transgenic baby. Meaning as their parents, aren't that free, and don't really "free lives", the babies are not that free.

The reason why the "TC crew" is still functional is that they are still contained, at least the freaks, in Terminal City. They are supposed to provide their own needs by themselves. The idea that i had, was about those gladiators, or soldiers who fought to regain their liberty. That what the committee is asking them against the threat of the Familiars.

It kinda turns into a sort of Manticore, but the Committee is having trouble controlling the transgenics and it seems like Lydecker is controlling the committee (but that it later). As Max has the transgenics allegiance, thanks to Mole(yeah him) and Alec(obviously), Lydecker cooperate with her.

My first aim with this fic, is to put Max and Alec together. But i wanted some action beside too. It's just something i had on my mind lately.

Again, i'm sorry for my english and thanks again, for those who reviews. Please, continue reviewing....

Chap 3 : Choice...

A few months after...

"I can't believe you convinced Normal to take us back!" Max cried out.

"Told you, no one can resist my charm." Alec smirked.

"Thanks to you i won't have to think of finding a job."

"I thought that maybe it would help." He said.

"Thanks!" Max replied.

"So how is Deck today?" he inquired.

"Well as usual, complaining and planning to fight the greatest war ever! I'm quoting him." She mimicked Lydecker.

"And you?" he said in a concerned tone.

"Exhausted, tired of fighting those bureaucrats! But you know all that."

Although the transgenics were free now, they could leave TC without an A pass granted by Lydecker, and they still had to take care of their own supplies : food, water, medics... So many of Max's nights were spent on heist with Alec, or alone to get money. The bugdet provided by Lydecker wasn't quite enough.

"But at least, they leave us alone." He tried.

"Yeah", grunted Max. "What are you doing here anyway?" she asked replacing a smile on her face.

"Came to say hello Maxie!"

"You know i never got the chance to say thank you." She said while standing up from her seat to take a glass of milk on a table in the corner of her office.

"For what?" he said raising an eye brow.

"For being there during the Siege. I know i'm being mean to you sometime but i care for you." She admitted.

"Thanks Max... We're going to spend the sometime at crash tonight. You want to come by and say hello to OC and Sketchy?"

"Why not."

"See you later then."

"Ok."

Before he left her office, she called his name.

"Alec!"

"Yes Max."

"Be careful. You know how it is out there even though ..."

"I know. Don't worry." He grinned and got out of her office.

A few minutes later, it was Logan's turn to chat with Max.

"Hey Max."

"Logan. It's good to see you." She hugged him.

Thanks to Lydecker, they had been able to find one of the Manticore geeks and get a cure to the virus.

"So, have you thought about my proposition?" he asked immediately.

"About living with you? And leaving Seattle?"

Logan nodded.

"I'm not leaving my people Logan." She answered.

"But now, things are different!" he said.

"How are they different? Huh? For you maybe, now you're back to your old self. New appartment, new computers. The return of Eyes Only! For us here, it's back to Manticore! We don't have enough money to provide every one's need! I can't let those people down. I won't. I won't leave Joshua, i won't leave Gem, or Dix, or Luke or Alec, even Mole! Hell, i would like him to have his cigars every week!" she yelled.

"You cannot make every one happy!" Logan replied.

"But i can try! I don't trust Lydecker, and i will stay here as long as my people have something to do with him. I'm not leaving Logan." She stated.

Three months have passed since the first time that they had this conversation. And each time, it was the same thing. She was starting to get tired of it.

"Ok. But think about it. Mole can handle things here, and Alec can help. I know you trust him. You won't be gone forever. " he tried making a point.

Three months that they were together and Max was beginning to wonder what did she saw in him. But stayed. She stayed because he was safe, because nothing prevent her from doing so and anyway, it was a good press : "the transgenic leader dating an ordinary" by Sketchy.

He kissed her. Someone behind them cleared his throat. Max was almost relieved to see Lydecker.

"We've got work to do. And i assume you have something else to do son, so if you could leave. Please."

Logan said goodbye and left.

"I know you pull heist every night other night. People start to ask questions. You should be more careful, kid." Lydecker said.

"How kind of you is that!" the sarcasm obvious in her tone.

"You know i'm on your side here!" He cried.

"Then get me the money to feed all of my people, to give them all the basic needs any humans being should be granted!" she challenged.

Lydecker didn't answer.

"I thought so. Anyway, we are always careful. Need my help in anything?" she asked.

"I need two X5 for a mission."

"And that is?" she inquired.

"Retrieve one of our people in South Africa."

She wanted to correct him and say my people but the location of the retrieval caught her attention.

"The Reds?" She asked knowingly.

"Exact." He replied.

"But you know that we sent all of the X5 on mission. The only one left are me and..."

"494, i know." He stated.

"Alec," she corrected.

"Right. We can't let other countries to have..." he insisted.

"Our kind of technology. I know and i understand. I won't let anyone to create a new Manticore. I'll talk to him and i'll get Mole to replace me." She told him calmly.

"You should start to pack tonight. You're leaving tomorrow." He ordered.

She nodded.