Disclaimer: It's not mine.
Summary: Alec's interest on another girl drives Max crazy. Can she accept the reason for her jealousy?.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I made this chapter longer to make up for it. Enjoy!
Rose: Congratulations! How was that prom? I'm sure you had a great time at it. Don't worry about the stories, enjoy graduation and then write to me whenever you can and tell me how it went.
Cezar: Not the drama I was thinking about either, but I have changed the story in my head three times already. I like the way it's going now, though you'll be the judge of that if you keep reading it.
Ting: Well, there are only two chapters to go, so yeah they will be making up soon. I promise.
Katou: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this is strictly M/A. I just hope you can settle for it instead. You told me you are enjoying the story, continue reading and give it a try. Maybe you continue to like it. You know what? Give it a try as a special favor to me.
Natasqui: Thanks for all of your reviews, I can always count on your encouragement. The antagonizing wait, anyhow, is coming to an end. Only two chapters to go after this one.
SGOU: I love the D/B interaction too. They are great when they are together. But I still had to get Danielle out of town for what's coming. You'll se what I mean when you read this chapter and the next one. And as for your question about how are Max and Alec supposed to get together, well......... the only way they can. You'll see what I mean next chapter too.
Arwen- amy: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you are liking the story. I wanted to show Alec with his friends and his life before Max. Not just Alec living around Max. Glad you like it.
Willow 98002: What do you mean risky? A mission? Something to get Alec? Anyway, I have the next chapters all planned out. Take a look and tell me what you think.
Nat 452: It will definitely be an M/A happy ending, don't worry. As for D/B, continue reading and see what happens.
CHAPTER 12: CRASHING
A week! A whole week had passed and Max had shown no sign of getting over their discussion. She had spent the whole week, ignoring him, not talking to him and walking past him without even glancing at him. Yeah, this was definitely more than he had expected. He thought he would give her a couple of days and she would be back kicking his ass and yelling at him. Man, was he wrong. The truth was he was missing their banter, he was missing her presence. Not that he was going to apologize or beg for forgiveness any time soon. No, he was right; he acted upon his beliefs, and he wasn't ready to apologize for being who he was. But it was tough staying away from her. Who would have thought, he, Alec, could be so whipped.
But what was really, really pissing him off, above everything else, was that Biggs had become Max's new found best friend during this past week. They were always talking when he saw them. And as soon as he approached them, Max would shut up and create any stupid excuse she could come up with to disappear. I mean, since when this strong friendship between them, what did they have to talk about? Girls? Max would kick his ass if he tried. Logan? Biggs wouldn't let that happen. Only he, Alec, after months of training, was the only one capable of standing a moping Max speaking about her-not-like-that boyfriend. Then what were they talking about, every hour of every single day?
So now he couldn't speak to Max; she was too pissed. He couldn't speak to Biggs; Max was always around him. He couldn't speak to Danielle; she was out on a mission. He was bored, hurt, angry and did I mentioned bored? Cause he was bored. He couldn't go to Crash with Mole or Joshua, for obvious reasons. That left Sketchy, but he was always around OC, who was always around Max. He had tried to spend his nights in TC with some female X5s, but it wasn't the same. This was all Danielle's fault. Why did she have to go and make him realize his feelings for Max? ´Argghhh! I hate this week. I better go get drunk.
He couldn't go to Crash, hadn't been to Crash for the last three days, so the second best thing was the mess hall. Yeah, believe it or not, it was. Mole had a few bottles stashed down there, waiting to be used on an emergency. This was an emergency; he needed the scotch. Of course, Mole wouldn't agree with him, but he didn't need to find out about it. He'd blame it on a curious X6 later. I mean, how can anyone get angry with a kid trying to have his first experience at a hang over? Mole wouldn't get mad at the kid; he would congratulate him for becoming a man. Yeah, that was a very good idea. A little voice at the very back of his mind told him Mole would kill anyone who dared steal his alcohol, but he really needed a drink, so he ignored the voice. This truly was an emergency.
He had made up his mind and was feeling better just thinking about his drinking night out. Well, as much as you can call a night in TC's mess hall a night out. But he wasn't complaining; the alcohol was present and that was all that mattered. However, the good feeling didn't last long as he finally entered the building he was heading to. The sight in front of him was that of Max, sitting on a table at the other side of the place, having dinner. And as you can imagine, she wasn't alone. Biggs was with her. His hands became fists, as his knuckles turned white from lack of circulation. ´What the hell?! Can't a man get a little peace around here?.
Before he did something he would regret later on, he turned around and left. If Max was here, then he could at least go to Crash and save himself from Mole's rage. After all, you didn't honestly think he would let a poor boy face that for him, did you?
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"Max, you have to understand He didn't mean to hurt you. It's just............ You've been out in the world for ten years now, we spent that time in Manticore. It's understandable that we don't share the same ideas on some topics. Danielle spoke according to what she believes is the right thing to do......"
Before Biggs could finish his explanation, Max stopped him by voicing her disagreement quite loudly. The crowd turned to them, but after seeing Max's face, decided against any kind of involvement on the situation.
"Well, she is wrong."
"No, Max. It was strategically unwise to let White live."
"Now you are taking her side"
"That's not what I mean....."
"It sounds to me that that is exactly what you are implying. I should have known; she is your friend too."
She got up to leave, but Biggs's hand on her arm kept her from doing it.
"Max, let me finish, ok? Please."
"Fine." She sat down again, her tough chick attitude still in place and a stare that would make anyone think twice before going against her words. Fortunately, Biggs was in too deep in the game to care. He couldn't back down now, no matter how badly he wanted to after that stare.
"I was just trying to tell you that what she said made sense to her. She was born and bred to feel and think that way. I know you were too, but you escaped, you never finished the training. Tactics don't rule your life as much as it rules ours. You think about the human part of the mission, we think about the consequences, the implications of White staying alive. It doesn't mean you did wrong and it doesn't mean you are to blame for me getting shot. It just means you and Danielle think very different about the mission's parameters. It means she can't understand why you let him live any more than you can understand why she would even think of killing him. You are different. And Alec was at Manticore longer than you as well. Even worst, he was tortured for not following orders, far more than anyone else. He felt in his own skin what it means to do something tactically unwise. He watch his girl blow up in front of him. You can't ignore that."
"So what, I'm supposed to let them go around killing people just because they were told to by Manticore. Manticore is gone, we can't let it keep ruining our lives anymore."
"That's not...... Max......"
"You know what? I don't care. I have things to do, see you later."
"Max!"
But she was gone before he could say another word. He was really starting to hate this. He made a note on his mind to make Danielle's life a living hell when she returned. Leaving him alone with these stubborn people was worse than Manticore's tank. Alec never approached him because he was always with Max. Max had no one to talk to of her own kind now that Alec wasn't an option, so she was always around him. Not that she let him speak or anything. She was always complaining about Alec, but every time he tried to make her understand why Alec hadn't supported her, she grew pissed and left him with a lot to say and no one to listen to the words. What use did his wisdom have, if there was no one there to give it to? He smiled at that, thinking about Danielle. She would probably insert here some annoying comment about his lack of such wisdom. He missed her. He hated her for leaving him with this impossible duty, but he missed her anyway.
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The next morning, Biggs finally found a way to get close enough to Alec to make a conversation possible. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought about this sooner. It was so obvious. He signed them both into a training session at TC for that afternoon. They hadn't had a good enough spar since their time at Manticore, so he decided that reserving the gym for the whole afternoon would give them time to talk for a while and have a little fun while doing it. Yeah, it was a very good idea. Danielle would be so proud of him. No, not really. She would probably find something wrong with his plan if she were here. She always did, and she was always right about it. But, what could possibly go wrong with his plan? Biggs would find the painful answer to that question soon enough.
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"Are you insane? I have things to do and people to see. TC needs some supplies and I have some contacts I have to talk to. Not to mention the fact that we are supposed to be working at Jam Pony, remember? I know we usually get sidetracked during our daily runs, but don't you think Normal would suspect something if we are a no show for the whole afternoon? Even my wonderful charm can't get us both out of that one. You'll be looking for a new job by the end of the day."
Alec's usual smirk was right in place by the end of his sentence. But Biggs wasn't ready to give up that easy. He stroke back with the best mock shocked face he was able to master.
"I thought I'll never see the day 494 would admit his charms have a limit to what they can accomplish."
Alec's shocked face, on the contrary, was very much real.
"Wait. I never said that, I just........ You see, what I meant was......... Fine, you got me, you win. I will get us both out of Jam Pony for the whole afternoon."
"I'm not convinced now, I don't think you can. I lost my faith in your skills."
"Very funny. I never realized how much of a pain in the ass you can be if you want to."
"What can I say? I learned from the best."
"Thanks for the compliment, but it won't work. Don't try to change the subject. I still have things to do, no matter how low you are willing to go to convince me otherwise."
"Ok. I get it, no mind games with you. Anyhow, I still have a card up my sleeve."
"And what would that card be?"
"Begging? I'm bored as hell and I'm ready to beg if it will get me what I want."
"No, please don't do that. I can't handle your moaning, it's worst than psy- ops. Ok. I will spar with you for a couple of hours, but just because I'm bored as hell too and I don't have anything better to do."
"What about your contacts?"
"Let me make a couple of phone calls and I'll get out of it in a second. I'll get my contacts to accept meeting with someone else, and then I'll convince Dante to be at the meeting for me. And you though my charming skills were off."
"I've been proven wrong. I'll be sure to never make such a mistake again."
"You better. It's me you are talking about after all."
"Don't get cocky. Remember, we are fighting in a couple of hours, you don't want me pissed at you, do you?"
"You'll be eating dust in a couple of hours, whether you are pissed or not. See you at noon."
Before Biggs could make any reply whatsoever, Alec was gone.
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Alec wasn't too sure about this, but he had given his word to his friend and he couldn't back down now. It wasn't that he was afraid of loosing or making a fool out of himself. That was Biggs's role whenever they sparred together. What was really bugging him, was spending time with Biggs now. It was ridiculous, he was his friend, but watching Biggs always brought memories of Max to his mind. Images of Biggs and Max. And that was something he really didn't need right now.
"Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready."
Both friends faced each other on the matt. They had blocked the door, so they wouldn't be distracted by anyone. They started circling each other.
"So...." Biggs started the conversation. I mean, the whole sparring thing was fun and all, but he had his own agenda to fulfill right now.
"So what?"
"How are things with Max?"
Biggs chose that exact moment to make his move. Alec was too shocked by the question to see that one coming, so he was sent backwards into the matt. Not that he would stay there for long or anything. With a feline grace only transgenics could accomplish, he was on his feet in the blink of an eye, and the next thing Biggs knew was how painful Alec's fist can be when directed to once nose. It took a couple of seconds to get his full sight back, but when he did, Biggs was back in the fight.
"What about Max?"
They were still circling each other while talking. Once in a while, one would send a punch, which would be skillfully blocked by the other.
"She's been pretty pissed at you all week."
"That's her problem."
Another punch, a block. A kick directed to Biggs's ribs, another block.
"Well, she seems to think you are the one to blame for this, whatever this is."
Alec laughed a little, while getting in a punch to Biggs's stomach.
"I'm always the one to blame according to Max's take on the world."
When Biggs regained enough air to speak, he continued with his mission.
"So you are pissed at her too."
"I don't care about this enough to get angry."
But his eyes showed otherwise. A mixture of hurt, anger and then Manticore's mask was on again.
"Ok. I just thought........"
Biggs's words were stopped by a hard kick to his legs that send him flying back into the matt again. Alec's face appeared above him.
"Biggsy, Biggsy. You are getting distracted by this conversation. If I were you, I would pay more attention to my moves and less attention to the girls."
"I can do both."
"Doesn't seem like it."
He helped Biggs up, but Biggs took advantage of this and had him pinned to the ground a second later. Not that Alec would stay there for long. He rolled and with a hard kick to the chest, he sent Biggs flying to the opposite side of the room.
Biggs realized in that same moment the mistake of his plan. He hated admitting it, but Danielle had been right to complain about it. Not that she had really complained, but she would have if she'd been here. She would have told him that this was a huge mistake. That Alec was always able to kick the crap out of him in normal conditions, but pissed he would nearly kill him. And he knew that if he carried on with this conversation, Alec would get very pissed at him. Even more if you considered Alec still thought he was interested in Max. ´Well, too late to back down now. I enjoyed my life while it lasted, too bad it had to be this short. He just hoped there was a heaven out there, so he could get a second chance to see Danielle in the future and kill her for getting him into all of this.
"So you don't care if she is angry at you?"
"Not really, she is always angry at me. And can we change the subject? This one is getting old."
Alec sent a threatening look to his friend to help get his point across. A look that was followed by a punch directed to Biggs's face. Biggs held his ground and blocked the move. They both resumed circling each other.
"You know this is different. She has never been like this before."
Alec really, really didn't want to talk about this. It was hard enough knowing about Biggs and Max. It was even harder to see them together every day. Even more, having to face them without saying or doing anything about his feelings. But having Biggs talking to him about Max was just pure torture. He needed to end this, cause he didn't know how long he would be able to stand this without loosing it.
"I said stop with Max already."
Biggs had spent the last two minutes trying to stop everything Alec was sending his way, playing defensive. But as the conversation grew thicker, it was getting harder to stop Alec's attacks.
"Why?"
"Because I say so."
For any other transgenic that would have been enough. The stance Alec had, his tense shoulders, his dark look. It was enough to convince anyone to drop it, but this was Biggs and apparently he had a death wish.
"That's not an answer."
Alec threw himself forward and the real fight began. He wasn't keeping back now, he was fighting full force. His anger made him more dangerous, but it also made him sloppy. The result; two very bruised trangenics. Biggs got in quite a few of his own, but Alec was seriously pissed, and adrenalin was running high.
"What do you want to hear, Biggs? What are you looking for?"
"The truth."
"What truth? That Max hates me? You already know that. I admit it, she does hate me. Are you happy now?"
Punch, block, kick, block, elbow to the ribs, run, kick, block.
"I don't think she hates you, but why do you care so much?"
"I don't."
Kick, block, elbow, block, kick, punch, Biggs flying through the room.
"Yes, you do."
"God dammit, Biggs. What's with you? Why do you care? Are you jealous or something, that she cares for me enough to hate me."
"No. You are the one that's jealous. You are the one who hates the fact she is spending so much time with me. It's killing you. Admit it."
Now Biggs was pinned to the ground and his air supply blocked by Alec's foot on his throat.
"What do you want to hear, Biggs? That I love her? That I hate every single second you are with her? That I can't stand the fact that she can be so pissed at me I would never see her smile again? Cause it's true. You wanted the truth, here it is."
Alec released Biggs and threw himself in the matt, besides his friend.
"So......" After a few minutes of silence, Alec started; not sure he wanted to carry on with the conversation, but knowing he had to. He cleared his throat and tried again. "What are we going to do now?"
"We? What do I have to do with anything? You are going to walk out there, find Max and tell her how you feel."
"What?" Now Alec was honestly confused. Why would Biggs want him to do something like that? He turned his head to face the other X5.
"What what?"
"Come on Biggs, I'm not kidding here. What are you taking about?"
"Well, you are probably going to kill me for this, but there's something I have to tell you."
"Biggs." Alec had his threatening look back on.
"Well. Danielle and I....... We kind of....... Well, we......."
"Biggs!"
"Danielle thought that you and Max, that you felt something for each other. So she decided we should play a little game. Make you and Max jealous. Well, Danielle was right, like she usually is and the truth is Max loves you. She reacted to Danielle's tricks......."
Alec was too shocked by those words. Max loved him? It couldn't be. It was impossible, she would never fall for him, for someone like him. But before he could think further on the matter, he realized Biggs was still speaking, as his words and implications finally hit him.
"......... so my feelings for Max are a lie. An act to get you two together."
And right then and there Biggs was sent on a one way ticket into oblivion.
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Five minutes later, when Biggs finally woke up, he was confused to see Alec still laying beside him.
"So you are not too happy about this, I see. Before you do something you will regret, like broking my wind pipe, I want you to know something.......... This is all Danielle's fault."
Alec started laughing, and Biggs was even more confused.
"Don't sweat it. I'm over the whole lying to me thing. I know why you did it, you tried to help me. I would've preferred a more direct way, like you talking to me, but I know I would've probably just laughed at you."
"So we are ok?"
"Yes. I mean, you own me one, but yeah."
"Ok, so what are you gonna do now, about Max?"
"I honestly don't know"
"Man, she loves you and I mean she's got it bad. You should have seen her face when Danielle tried to make her jealous. Even angry at you like she is now, she never stops talking about you."
A smile was on Alec's face. A broad smile, something Biggs hadn't seen on his friends face for a long time. But the smile was far too short lived, as Alec remembered Max was still not talking to him.
"She still hates me, it doesn't change anything."
"Well, we did everything we could to get you two together, now it's your turn. Go, talk to her, try to make things right. What's the worst that can happen? She remains as angry and hurt as she is now. You are already there. But think what would happen if you two stubborn people tell each other the truth. It's worth a try, isn't it?"
"I just don't know."
"Come on soldier, get your act together. You know you want to do this."
"Maybe. Maybe you are right."
"Of course I'm right."
"I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm listening to you."
Alec stood up and faced Biggs again. "Thanks, man."
Both men shared a hug, before Alec turned around and headed for the HQ. Max was supposed to be there, something she needed to take care of. Apparently no one was working in Jam Pony today. ´Poor Normal.
With an unsteady walk, caused by his emotions, as well as the bruises starting to form, he headed towards his fate.
Summary: Alec's interest on another girl drives Max crazy. Can she accept the reason for her jealousy?.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I made this chapter longer to make up for it. Enjoy!
Rose: Congratulations! How was that prom? I'm sure you had a great time at it. Don't worry about the stories, enjoy graduation and then write to me whenever you can and tell me how it went.
Cezar: Not the drama I was thinking about either, but I have changed the story in my head three times already. I like the way it's going now, though you'll be the judge of that if you keep reading it.
Ting: Well, there are only two chapters to go, so yeah they will be making up soon. I promise.
Katou: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this is strictly M/A. I just hope you can settle for it instead. You told me you are enjoying the story, continue reading and give it a try. Maybe you continue to like it. You know what? Give it a try as a special favor to me.
Natasqui: Thanks for all of your reviews, I can always count on your encouragement. The antagonizing wait, anyhow, is coming to an end. Only two chapters to go after this one.
SGOU: I love the D/B interaction too. They are great when they are together. But I still had to get Danielle out of town for what's coming. You'll se what I mean when you read this chapter and the next one. And as for your question about how are Max and Alec supposed to get together, well......... the only way they can. You'll see what I mean next chapter too.
Arwen- amy: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you are liking the story. I wanted to show Alec with his friends and his life before Max. Not just Alec living around Max. Glad you like it.
Willow 98002: What do you mean risky? A mission? Something to get Alec? Anyway, I have the next chapters all planned out. Take a look and tell me what you think.
Nat 452: It will definitely be an M/A happy ending, don't worry. As for D/B, continue reading and see what happens.
CHAPTER 12: CRASHING
A week! A whole week had passed and Max had shown no sign of getting over their discussion. She had spent the whole week, ignoring him, not talking to him and walking past him without even glancing at him. Yeah, this was definitely more than he had expected. He thought he would give her a couple of days and she would be back kicking his ass and yelling at him. Man, was he wrong. The truth was he was missing their banter, he was missing her presence. Not that he was going to apologize or beg for forgiveness any time soon. No, he was right; he acted upon his beliefs, and he wasn't ready to apologize for being who he was. But it was tough staying away from her. Who would have thought, he, Alec, could be so whipped.
But what was really, really pissing him off, above everything else, was that Biggs had become Max's new found best friend during this past week. They were always talking when he saw them. And as soon as he approached them, Max would shut up and create any stupid excuse she could come up with to disappear. I mean, since when this strong friendship between them, what did they have to talk about? Girls? Max would kick his ass if he tried. Logan? Biggs wouldn't let that happen. Only he, Alec, after months of training, was the only one capable of standing a moping Max speaking about her-not-like-that boyfriend. Then what were they talking about, every hour of every single day?
So now he couldn't speak to Max; she was too pissed. He couldn't speak to Biggs; Max was always around him. He couldn't speak to Danielle; she was out on a mission. He was bored, hurt, angry and did I mentioned bored? Cause he was bored. He couldn't go to Crash with Mole or Joshua, for obvious reasons. That left Sketchy, but he was always around OC, who was always around Max. He had tried to spend his nights in TC with some female X5s, but it wasn't the same. This was all Danielle's fault. Why did she have to go and make him realize his feelings for Max? ´Argghhh! I hate this week. I better go get drunk.
He couldn't go to Crash, hadn't been to Crash for the last three days, so the second best thing was the mess hall. Yeah, believe it or not, it was. Mole had a few bottles stashed down there, waiting to be used on an emergency. This was an emergency; he needed the scotch. Of course, Mole wouldn't agree with him, but he didn't need to find out about it. He'd blame it on a curious X6 later. I mean, how can anyone get angry with a kid trying to have his first experience at a hang over? Mole wouldn't get mad at the kid; he would congratulate him for becoming a man. Yeah, that was a very good idea. A little voice at the very back of his mind told him Mole would kill anyone who dared steal his alcohol, but he really needed a drink, so he ignored the voice. This truly was an emergency.
He had made up his mind and was feeling better just thinking about his drinking night out. Well, as much as you can call a night in TC's mess hall a night out. But he wasn't complaining; the alcohol was present and that was all that mattered. However, the good feeling didn't last long as he finally entered the building he was heading to. The sight in front of him was that of Max, sitting on a table at the other side of the place, having dinner. And as you can imagine, she wasn't alone. Biggs was with her. His hands became fists, as his knuckles turned white from lack of circulation. ´What the hell?! Can't a man get a little peace around here?.
Before he did something he would regret later on, he turned around and left. If Max was here, then he could at least go to Crash and save himself from Mole's rage. After all, you didn't honestly think he would let a poor boy face that for him, did you?
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"Max, you have to understand He didn't mean to hurt you. It's just............ You've been out in the world for ten years now, we spent that time in Manticore. It's understandable that we don't share the same ideas on some topics. Danielle spoke according to what she believes is the right thing to do......"
Before Biggs could finish his explanation, Max stopped him by voicing her disagreement quite loudly. The crowd turned to them, but after seeing Max's face, decided against any kind of involvement on the situation.
"Well, she is wrong."
"No, Max. It was strategically unwise to let White live."
"Now you are taking her side"
"That's not what I mean....."
"It sounds to me that that is exactly what you are implying. I should have known; she is your friend too."
She got up to leave, but Biggs's hand on her arm kept her from doing it.
"Max, let me finish, ok? Please."
"Fine." She sat down again, her tough chick attitude still in place and a stare that would make anyone think twice before going against her words. Fortunately, Biggs was in too deep in the game to care. He couldn't back down now, no matter how badly he wanted to after that stare.
"I was just trying to tell you that what she said made sense to her. She was born and bred to feel and think that way. I know you were too, but you escaped, you never finished the training. Tactics don't rule your life as much as it rules ours. You think about the human part of the mission, we think about the consequences, the implications of White staying alive. It doesn't mean you did wrong and it doesn't mean you are to blame for me getting shot. It just means you and Danielle think very different about the mission's parameters. It means she can't understand why you let him live any more than you can understand why she would even think of killing him. You are different. And Alec was at Manticore longer than you as well. Even worst, he was tortured for not following orders, far more than anyone else. He felt in his own skin what it means to do something tactically unwise. He watch his girl blow up in front of him. You can't ignore that."
"So what, I'm supposed to let them go around killing people just because they were told to by Manticore. Manticore is gone, we can't let it keep ruining our lives anymore."
"That's not...... Max......"
"You know what? I don't care. I have things to do, see you later."
"Max!"
But she was gone before he could say another word. He was really starting to hate this. He made a note on his mind to make Danielle's life a living hell when she returned. Leaving him alone with these stubborn people was worse than Manticore's tank. Alec never approached him because he was always with Max. Max had no one to talk to of her own kind now that Alec wasn't an option, so she was always around him. Not that she let him speak or anything. She was always complaining about Alec, but every time he tried to make her understand why Alec hadn't supported her, she grew pissed and left him with a lot to say and no one to listen to the words. What use did his wisdom have, if there was no one there to give it to? He smiled at that, thinking about Danielle. She would probably insert here some annoying comment about his lack of such wisdom. He missed her. He hated her for leaving him with this impossible duty, but he missed her anyway.
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The next morning, Biggs finally found a way to get close enough to Alec to make a conversation possible. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought about this sooner. It was so obvious. He signed them both into a training session at TC for that afternoon. They hadn't had a good enough spar since their time at Manticore, so he decided that reserving the gym for the whole afternoon would give them time to talk for a while and have a little fun while doing it. Yeah, it was a very good idea. Danielle would be so proud of him. No, not really. She would probably find something wrong with his plan if she were here. She always did, and she was always right about it. But, what could possibly go wrong with his plan? Biggs would find the painful answer to that question soon enough.
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"Are you insane? I have things to do and people to see. TC needs some supplies and I have some contacts I have to talk to. Not to mention the fact that we are supposed to be working at Jam Pony, remember? I know we usually get sidetracked during our daily runs, but don't you think Normal would suspect something if we are a no show for the whole afternoon? Even my wonderful charm can't get us both out of that one. You'll be looking for a new job by the end of the day."
Alec's usual smirk was right in place by the end of his sentence. But Biggs wasn't ready to give up that easy. He stroke back with the best mock shocked face he was able to master.
"I thought I'll never see the day 494 would admit his charms have a limit to what they can accomplish."
Alec's shocked face, on the contrary, was very much real.
"Wait. I never said that, I just........ You see, what I meant was......... Fine, you got me, you win. I will get us both out of Jam Pony for the whole afternoon."
"I'm not convinced now, I don't think you can. I lost my faith in your skills."
"Very funny. I never realized how much of a pain in the ass you can be if you want to."
"What can I say? I learned from the best."
"Thanks for the compliment, but it won't work. Don't try to change the subject. I still have things to do, no matter how low you are willing to go to convince me otherwise."
"Ok. I get it, no mind games with you. Anyhow, I still have a card up my sleeve."
"And what would that card be?"
"Begging? I'm bored as hell and I'm ready to beg if it will get me what I want."
"No, please don't do that. I can't handle your moaning, it's worst than psy- ops. Ok. I will spar with you for a couple of hours, but just because I'm bored as hell too and I don't have anything better to do."
"What about your contacts?"
"Let me make a couple of phone calls and I'll get out of it in a second. I'll get my contacts to accept meeting with someone else, and then I'll convince Dante to be at the meeting for me. And you though my charming skills were off."
"I've been proven wrong. I'll be sure to never make such a mistake again."
"You better. It's me you are talking about after all."
"Don't get cocky. Remember, we are fighting in a couple of hours, you don't want me pissed at you, do you?"
"You'll be eating dust in a couple of hours, whether you are pissed or not. See you at noon."
Before Biggs could make any reply whatsoever, Alec was gone.
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Alec wasn't too sure about this, but he had given his word to his friend and he couldn't back down now. It wasn't that he was afraid of loosing or making a fool out of himself. That was Biggs's role whenever they sparred together. What was really bugging him, was spending time with Biggs now. It was ridiculous, he was his friend, but watching Biggs always brought memories of Max to his mind. Images of Biggs and Max. And that was something he really didn't need right now.
"Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready."
Both friends faced each other on the matt. They had blocked the door, so they wouldn't be distracted by anyone. They started circling each other.
"So...." Biggs started the conversation. I mean, the whole sparring thing was fun and all, but he had his own agenda to fulfill right now.
"So what?"
"How are things with Max?"
Biggs chose that exact moment to make his move. Alec was too shocked by the question to see that one coming, so he was sent backwards into the matt. Not that he would stay there for long or anything. With a feline grace only transgenics could accomplish, he was on his feet in the blink of an eye, and the next thing Biggs knew was how painful Alec's fist can be when directed to once nose. It took a couple of seconds to get his full sight back, but when he did, Biggs was back in the fight.
"What about Max?"
They were still circling each other while talking. Once in a while, one would send a punch, which would be skillfully blocked by the other.
"She's been pretty pissed at you all week."
"That's her problem."
Another punch, a block. A kick directed to Biggs's ribs, another block.
"Well, she seems to think you are the one to blame for this, whatever this is."
Alec laughed a little, while getting in a punch to Biggs's stomach.
"I'm always the one to blame according to Max's take on the world."
When Biggs regained enough air to speak, he continued with his mission.
"So you are pissed at her too."
"I don't care about this enough to get angry."
But his eyes showed otherwise. A mixture of hurt, anger and then Manticore's mask was on again.
"Ok. I just thought........"
Biggs's words were stopped by a hard kick to his legs that send him flying back into the matt again. Alec's face appeared above him.
"Biggsy, Biggsy. You are getting distracted by this conversation. If I were you, I would pay more attention to my moves and less attention to the girls."
"I can do both."
"Doesn't seem like it."
He helped Biggs up, but Biggs took advantage of this and had him pinned to the ground a second later. Not that Alec would stay there for long. He rolled and with a hard kick to the chest, he sent Biggs flying to the opposite side of the room.
Biggs realized in that same moment the mistake of his plan. He hated admitting it, but Danielle had been right to complain about it. Not that she had really complained, but she would have if she'd been here. She would have told him that this was a huge mistake. That Alec was always able to kick the crap out of him in normal conditions, but pissed he would nearly kill him. And he knew that if he carried on with this conversation, Alec would get very pissed at him. Even more if you considered Alec still thought he was interested in Max. ´Well, too late to back down now. I enjoyed my life while it lasted, too bad it had to be this short. He just hoped there was a heaven out there, so he could get a second chance to see Danielle in the future and kill her for getting him into all of this.
"So you don't care if she is angry at you?"
"Not really, she is always angry at me. And can we change the subject? This one is getting old."
Alec sent a threatening look to his friend to help get his point across. A look that was followed by a punch directed to Biggs's face. Biggs held his ground and blocked the move. They both resumed circling each other.
"You know this is different. She has never been like this before."
Alec really, really didn't want to talk about this. It was hard enough knowing about Biggs and Max. It was even harder to see them together every day. Even more, having to face them without saying or doing anything about his feelings. But having Biggs talking to him about Max was just pure torture. He needed to end this, cause he didn't know how long he would be able to stand this without loosing it.
"I said stop with Max already."
Biggs had spent the last two minutes trying to stop everything Alec was sending his way, playing defensive. But as the conversation grew thicker, it was getting harder to stop Alec's attacks.
"Why?"
"Because I say so."
For any other transgenic that would have been enough. The stance Alec had, his tense shoulders, his dark look. It was enough to convince anyone to drop it, but this was Biggs and apparently he had a death wish.
"That's not an answer."
Alec threw himself forward and the real fight began. He wasn't keeping back now, he was fighting full force. His anger made him more dangerous, but it also made him sloppy. The result; two very bruised trangenics. Biggs got in quite a few of his own, but Alec was seriously pissed, and adrenalin was running high.
"What do you want to hear, Biggs? What are you looking for?"
"The truth."
"What truth? That Max hates me? You already know that. I admit it, she does hate me. Are you happy now?"
Punch, block, kick, block, elbow to the ribs, run, kick, block.
"I don't think she hates you, but why do you care so much?"
"I don't."
Kick, block, elbow, block, kick, punch, Biggs flying through the room.
"Yes, you do."
"God dammit, Biggs. What's with you? Why do you care? Are you jealous or something, that she cares for me enough to hate me."
"No. You are the one that's jealous. You are the one who hates the fact she is spending so much time with me. It's killing you. Admit it."
Now Biggs was pinned to the ground and his air supply blocked by Alec's foot on his throat.
"What do you want to hear, Biggs? That I love her? That I hate every single second you are with her? That I can't stand the fact that she can be so pissed at me I would never see her smile again? Cause it's true. You wanted the truth, here it is."
Alec released Biggs and threw himself in the matt, besides his friend.
"So......" After a few minutes of silence, Alec started; not sure he wanted to carry on with the conversation, but knowing he had to. He cleared his throat and tried again. "What are we going to do now?"
"We? What do I have to do with anything? You are going to walk out there, find Max and tell her how you feel."
"What?" Now Alec was honestly confused. Why would Biggs want him to do something like that? He turned his head to face the other X5.
"What what?"
"Come on Biggs, I'm not kidding here. What are you taking about?"
"Well, you are probably going to kill me for this, but there's something I have to tell you."
"Biggs." Alec had his threatening look back on.
"Well. Danielle and I....... We kind of....... Well, we......."
"Biggs!"
"Danielle thought that you and Max, that you felt something for each other. So she decided we should play a little game. Make you and Max jealous. Well, Danielle was right, like she usually is and the truth is Max loves you. She reacted to Danielle's tricks......."
Alec was too shocked by those words. Max loved him? It couldn't be. It was impossible, she would never fall for him, for someone like him. But before he could think further on the matter, he realized Biggs was still speaking, as his words and implications finally hit him.
"......... so my feelings for Max are a lie. An act to get you two together."
And right then and there Biggs was sent on a one way ticket into oblivion.
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Five minutes later, when Biggs finally woke up, he was confused to see Alec still laying beside him.
"So you are not too happy about this, I see. Before you do something you will regret, like broking my wind pipe, I want you to know something.......... This is all Danielle's fault."
Alec started laughing, and Biggs was even more confused.
"Don't sweat it. I'm over the whole lying to me thing. I know why you did it, you tried to help me. I would've preferred a more direct way, like you talking to me, but I know I would've probably just laughed at you."
"So we are ok?"
"Yes. I mean, you own me one, but yeah."
"Ok, so what are you gonna do now, about Max?"
"I honestly don't know"
"Man, she loves you and I mean she's got it bad. You should have seen her face when Danielle tried to make her jealous. Even angry at you like she is now, she never stops talking about you."
A smile was on Alec's face. A broad smile, something Biggs hadn't seen on his friends face for a long time. But the smile was far too short lived, as Alec remembered Max was still not talking to him.
"She still hates me, it doesn't change anything."
"Well, we did everything we could to get you two together, now it's your turn. Go, talk to her, try to make things right. What's the worst that can happen? She remains as angry and hurt as she is now. You are already there. But think what would happen if you two stubborn people tell each other the truth. It's worth a try, isn't it?"
"I just don't know."
"Come on soldier, get your act together. You know you want to do this."
"Maybe. Maybe you are right."
"Of course I'm right."
"I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm listening to you."
Alec stood up and faced Biggs again. "Thanks, man."
Both men shared a hug, before Alec turned around and headed for the HQ. Max was supposed to be there, something she needed to take care of. Apparently no one was working in Jam Pony today. ´Poor Normal.
With an unsteady walk, caused by his emotions, as well as the bruises starting to form, he headed towards his fate.