Title: Total Recall, 2/?

Author: CSIphile/redwing

Same disclaimers, rating, ect.

Summary: Max and Alec are captured by Manticore, will they be able to return to TC, or will their new nemesis's plans be too much for them?

AN: I'm trying to get the first couple chapters out here right quick cause they really set up my plot. Reviews are appreciated…thanks!

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Chapter 2: Hate

Mole is surprised to see Mink and Alesha charging into HQ so early. He figured the job would take another hour at the minimum. He observes their body language as they speak to Dix; the female is nervous, constantly fidgeting, hers eyes darting around. But it's Mink that instills fear into him. He is reporting like they are back in Manticore; standing stiff as a board, he can hear the occasional "Sir" coming from the X6.

Finally, Dix turns to him after appearing to reassure the transgenics -- his expression doing little to dispel Mole's fear.

"Mole. Did Max and Alec check in?" His voice is commanding, but his face is soft.

"No, not yet. Why?"

"There was a problem; the unit was ambushed. Alec ordered these two to leave, and they haven't seen Max or Alec since. That was nearly two hours ago."

"Maybe they just haven't checked in with me yet," Mole says -- more for the teenagers' benefit than his. He turns his attention to them. "You guys go ahead and get cleaned up…get some grub. I'm sure they are holed up somewhere or are busy beating each other down for almost getting caught. Ok?"

"Yes, Sir." They respond in unison, and salute before leaving.

"You really think they got held up?" Dix asks.

"Not anymore than I think they stopped to have a quickie." He sighs and turns to the computer. "Max and Alec would have been here shortly after the 6's, if only to make sure they got out ok. Or at least called. Something's not right."

Sighing, he leans forward, stretching as far as he can towards her. She mimics his movements until their knees make contact. Slowly, he reaches out and touches her raw wrists; the blood has started to clot, but the smears of red are still there against her tan skin. Slowly, he runs his thumbs along the unmarred skin above the cuts, contemplating his next words carefully.

"Max, I need you to listen to me carefully, ok?"

He expects a snarky comment, but is surprised when she merely nods at him -- the nature of their current situation probably playing a part in her sudden passive behavior.

"The re-indoctrination they did when Renfro had you? That wasn't re-indoctrination by a long shot; they didn't give you the full treatment because they wanted you to go back to Logan and infect him. You wouldn't have been capable if Manticore had really put the whammy on you."

She smiles slightly. "Whammy?"

"TV, Max. When we get home, I'm buying you a TV." He allows a moment of lightheartedness, since it's about to get deadly serious. "My point here is they are going to put you through hell and back, Max. They'll tell you things, show you things in order to gain your submissiveness -- your loyalty, information, whatever they want. It's mostly psychological…" He pauses and purses his lips lightly. "But if that doesn't work, they'll try…other ways."

He watches her close her eyes against the visual. He hates to do it, but she needs to know what's going to happen. That's if they even make it that far, but Alec highly doubts they would take them out back and shoot them before at least trying other alternatives. He knows that the two of them represented the best that Manticore had to offer. And he suspects that, with the release of decades of work, they will try to get them back into the fold. They are a billion dollar investment, after all.

Gripping her hands, he looks down. "They can't know that we have a…relationship. That we are even friends. Because they will use it against us. They'll use me against you." He swallows hard and closes his eyes briefly against tears. Alec can't stand the idea of them using him in any way to break her.

"We hate each other," she propositions quietly.

"Yeah, we hate each other." He gives her that Alec smirk.

"Yeah…." Her words agree with him, but her tone holds some trepidation.

Instantly, he pulls one hand away and tilts her head up to him. "You HAVE to, Max -- no trying, do you understand? Don't you see? They'll use me to break you, to turn you back into 452, to destroy who you are. Please, please…remember how much you hated me." His voice holds desperation -- she has to understand.

Finally, she nods. "Then you have to do the same, Alec, if they use me against you…."

"Don't worry about me, ok? I've been through it before."

She looks at him suspiciously. "Yeah, but you never escaped before."

He doesn't respond, Alec is well aware that this will be so much worse then the Berrisford incident. That was his first assignment -- a judgment error…they had been willing to give him a second chance. As much as Manticore allowed without destroying your personality.

"I can handle it, Max. Six months in Psy Ops will do that for someone."

He watches her shudder slightly at the reminder. They had long ago moved past the ghost that was Ben.

"I…I though Manticore was gone though, Alec. Burned to the ground."

"Yeah, well they have a habit of rising from the ashes when you don't want them to. We've been driving for a while now -- at least five hours, give or take." He pauses. "I don't think we are in Seattle anymore, Dorothy."

Silence ensues for several minutes as he holds onto her hands and lightly runs his fingers over the cuts. He wishes there was something he could do, but when he woke up, Alec came to the same conclusion she had: they can't get away until that back door is opened. He is quietly contemplating a plan of attack for when they arrive at their destination, when her small voice cuts the quiet.

"Tell me about Psy Ops." She keeps staring at their hands, however; she seems to be unwilling to look at him -- almost afraid of the answer.

Alec swallows again. This isn't a topic he wants to discuss. "It's…torture. Pure torture. They never let up, constantly bombarding you with images. Horrible images of what you've done, who you are. An assassin, a murderer… Putting ideas in your head, so many after a while, you're not sure what were your thoughts, and which ones they inserted for you."

"Alec, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

"You couldn't. You were long gone before you would have even heard of Psy Ops."

The slow deceleration of the vehicle causes both of them to look up. A sense of panic settles in both of them as they look at each other. Alec reaches out and touches her cheek- he can just reach her- his thumb running lightly against her smooth skin.

"Max, whatever happens, we will get out of here, ok?" His voice is tinged with desperation.

God, you're full of shit, he thinks, and looks into her dark eyes, seeing fear reflected back to him. You told Asha you go after what you want. And what you want has been in front of you for nearly three years. Alec refuses to let another minute pass without letting her know without a doubt that he wants her. It may not be the best time, but he may never get another chance.

Using his fingers against her jaw, he pulls her into him and places a kiss on her lips, trying to put every emotion he feels for her behind it. They feel exactly as he has imagined -- soft and full, luscious. She tastes like vanilla and coffee, probably the last thing she ate. When she doesn't push him back across the space, he deepens the kiss -- desperation setting in as he realizes this might actually be the last time he ever sees her again.

She seems to sense his need, and responds to his feverish movements, allowing his tongue access to her, and groaning as he explores her mouth. After several minutes, he pulls away and looks into her eyes, which are welling with unshed tears.

"I'm so sorry, Maxie," he whispers, and places his forehead on hers. "So sorry I waited until now to do that."

He can see her lower lip trembling, and shortly thereafter, tears slide down her cheeks. "I…"

She is cut off by the van coming to a complete stop. They can both hear people on the outside -- at least a dozen by his guess. He reaches out and wipes the tears from her face, and they return to their separate benches with all the speed Manticore afforded them.

Before the door opens, he speaks quietly so only she can hear. "I promise you this, Max: I will get us out of here." He increases his tone to normal levels. "But until then, you're a bitch."

The door opens.

Both their faces revert in an instant to looks of disgust.

"Yeah? Well you're an asshole," she replies with all the venom she can.

And they turn to face their captors.

tbc……………………..don't forget to review!