Chapter Two: Ella's Life
Ella stayed at Logan for a while after Alec first met her. But having her there was beginning to wear a little on Eyes-only's patience. Max knew and made the suggestion, the next time she, Alec, Ella and Logan were together.
'Well now Ella has a name,' she smiled at the younger girl 'you might want a life?' Ella knew she was getting Logan's way. She felt it every day but the thought of living alone, of starting afresh terrified her.
'Yeah.' she finally muttered quietly. Glancing as she did so at Alec who grinned. He Ella's discomfort in her eyes and remembered back to his first days outside of Manticore.
'It'll be okay, El. You'll get used to it real fast. Won't she Maxie?' Ella nodded, wondering why, she who had all of four letters in her name had it shortened and Max who had three, had hers lengthened.
'Rock Star here should be able to fix you up with a job, at Jam Pony.' Alec groaned at the reference to Normal's nickname for him.
'Is that where you both work?' Ella asked and Max nodded. Alec looked up at Ella and saw the painful hope in her eyes. He looked away.
'Yep. Sure is. Comes complete with sector pass and all. Right will do. Gotta Go. C'yas.' Alec jumped down from the work surface he'd been sat upon and left the penthouse. Ella stared after him wondering why he'd gone so abruptly.
'That's Alec.' Max said. 'Anyway. I've been talking to Original Cindy and She says you can kick it at our crib for a while.'
'Are you sure?' Ella asked, quietly and Logan fought a laugh. She wasn't Manticore's usual soldier. Sure she was rude and sarcastic to Alec, who wasn't? But she was a typical shy teenager still. Nothing like Max at all. That's why they get on so well. He thought. It was true over the past few weeks, Max and Original Cindy had been spending time with Ella getting to know her and generally just hanging out. Alec had been checking up on her frequently as well. Very frequently. Logan smiled at Ella as she left with Max.
Ella got a job at Jam Pony. She also stayed with Max and Original Cindy, sleeping on the sofa. She settled down to her job and new home as well as anyone could have expected. She and Max became good friends, as did she and Original Cindy. Alec got on with Ella as he did the others. Although they seemed to avoid one another these days.
'Hey Ella. Is Max in?' Alec stood on the front door step to the apartment. Ella shook her head.
'Crash.'
'Oh. Right. How come your not down there?'
'Not my thing.'
'Really?' Alec teased.
'Really.' Ella moved from the door and motioned for him to come in. Alec did so.
'How are you getting on living here?' he asked casually.
'You know. Getting on peoples nerves and in their way.' Ella's voice was bitter. Alec looked up at her; he could see she was close to tears.
'Hey.' he touched her arm but she jerked away.
'Don't Alec. I shouldn't have said anything. It doesn't matter.'
'You're a bad liar.'
'Go to hell Alec.' Ella looked him square in the eyes. Her own, pale green, were full of fire Alec hadn't seen before. She looked so much older, full of anger and hate. 'Why did you do this! Why bring me here, to these people? Damn you Alec I could managed on my own.'
'Did I ask you to help me? No. I just returned the favour.'
'I could've managed. I didn't need your help. I didn't need friendship, a job. Anything until you.' Alec finally understood what Ella was so upset about. She wasn't used to this world. She was scared.
'You're angry at me for showing you don't have to be a soldier?'
'Yes! I was fine until you showed up. You and your "that's why's" DAMN YOU!' Ella was crying now the tears gushing down her cheeks. Alec knew how scared she was. Having to find a life, make you're self into a person so quickly. He wasn't surprised Ella hadn't settled. Max wouldn't understand, couldn't. She'd grown up, her and her "rug rat friends" had escaped hadn't they. Grown up in the world, had a chance to make a personality, a person for themselves. Ella hadn't.
'I know how you feel.' Alec moved towards the crying teen. She pulled away.
'No. You don't.'
'Yes I do. I only got out a year ago remember. I wasn't lucky enough to live "free" as Max calls it since the age of 10.' Alec had raised his voice and Ella looked up. Her eyes had lost their fire she looked 7 rather than 18. The tears kept falling, slower now but they still fell. She sank to the floor gently.
'I'm sorry Alec. I'm so sorry.' Ella's shoulders shook as she sobbed violently. Alec sat down next to her and dropped an arm around her.
'It's all right. It's always alright.' Ella managed to control her tears after a few minutes. Alec took his arm from around her and ruffled her hair. 'Come on El. Let's go.'
'Where are we going?'
'To look for an apartment for you.'
Alec found Ella a small, cheap apartment in the block across from Max. It was close enough for the older girl to check up on Ella if the need arose, but far enough away for her to feel she wasn't getting in the way.
Explaining to Max and Original Cindy why Ella wanted to move out wasn't as easy as finding the apartment. It was Alec who spelled it out for them eventually. He waited until Ella had left and then explained what had happened the night they'd been at crash. He made them see just how hard it was for Ella to find who she was in this world without feeling she was relying on others to do it. Plus he pointed out; their apartment really wasn't big enough for three.
Chapter Three: Kyle.
A month or so after Ella moved out of Max's apartment, she met Kyle. He was new at Jam Pony and they seemed to click right away. They'd take their runs together and spend lunch talking and laughing.
Max was glad; it meant she was finally relaxing enough to make other friends. O.C. felt the same and Logan who heard it all through Max was relieved Ella was learning to live without Max or Alec's support. Alec wasn't so sure. He didn't really like Kyle but he kept his silence with a warning from Max. He'd taken a brotherly, protective stance over Ella since that night and was wary of letting her out of his sight. And did so grudgingly.
Kyle and Ella's first date took place at Crash. He waited for her to arrive nervously, making small talk with Alec and the others. When she did arrive, it wasn't just Kyle who was silent.
Wearing a pair of black tight jeans and a small red tank top. Ella stood out completely. Her hair was pulled tight to top of her head, some stray strands cascading over her shoulders. Alec, Max and the others stared. Kyle took his girl away from them into a dark corner. Alec watched them, wondering how the kid he knew could look so damn mature.
Things moved quickly between Kyle and Ella. They were defiantly an item. They lounged in Public Displays of Affection, which made Alec cringe and Normal yell. Max watched silently, wishing it were she and Logan.
Everything went smoothly until one night Alec was talking to a barmaid. He was getting close to getting her to leave early with him. His cell rang.
'Hold it a sec sugar. Yo?'
'Alec?'
'El? What is it?' he grinned at the blonde barmaid and winked.
'Alec it's Kyle. I. He. I tried to call Max she won't answer. Oh God Alec.' Ella sounded genuinely terrified. Alec stood up and moved to the door he paused and wrote his number on a napkin and handed it to the barmaid.
'Hold on. Ella I'm coming over. You're at home right?'
'Yeah. Alec. Oh God hurry please.' She hung up and Alec rushed out into the night. He got to Ella's apartment in record time. It was a mess.
Glasses were smashed and pictures knocked over. The sofa was upturned and the ornate lamp Ella used to read by was broken on the floor. Alec looked around, shocked. Ella was so neat normally, it wasn't possible she'd let this happen on it's own.
Ella herself was sat shaking violently on the edge the over turned sofa. Her shirt was torn to shreds and her trouser pocket was hanging loosely. Her lip was bleeding and her eye was bruised. She nursed an injured wrist.
'Ella! What happened?' Alec moved to put an arm around her, but she pulled away sharply. Alec stared at her for a moment and then noticed finger marks, red and sore, on her neck and chest. 'Oh my God. Kyle. I'll kill him.'
'You might be too late. Alec.' Ella pointed behind her. On the floor behind the sofa hidden from the doorway, was Kyle. He had a bloody nose and a large, fresh, bruise on his face. Alec bent down next to him, he was still breathing, just. Fetching a glass of water Alec tipped it over his face. Kyle stirred slowly; Alec hit him across the face. He came round.
'Alec?' Alec hauling him into a standing position cut him off. Alec threw a punch that knocked him flying. Kyle staggered to his feet and hit back. Hard. A normal man couldn't hurt an X-series usually. Alec grabbed Kyle's jacket.
'Who are you?' he hissed. Kyle looked at him dazed.
'ALEC!' Ella's voice cut through the rage Alec was feeling. He looked at her, she was hold what was left of her shirt around her, and she looked scared. Alec looked back at Kyle.
'You're lucky she's here.' He muttered and threw him out of the door. Kyle looked stunned but ran anyway. Alec watched him go. He then turned and looked at Ella. She was still shaking; he moved back towards her, she pulled back. 'I won't hurt you.' Alec said gently.
'I know.' Ella said unshed tears in her voice. 'It's just.' she looked down at the mass of rags that was her outfit. Alec understood. ~That bastard had been so close to raping her that meant she wasn't comfortable around anyone. Especially, being so vulnerable.~
'Ok.' Alec went into her room and took an old flannel shirt from the dresser. He handed it to her went out of the room into the bathroom. He took Ella's toothbrush, hairbrush and put them into a travel bag he found under the sink. Then he went back into the bedroom and grabbed some clothes, blushing as he took underwear from her dresser draws. He noticed something else too.
It was a small black book with a lock. Ella's diary. The lock could have been prised open easily but Alec dropped it into the bag without touching the lock. As he did so a photo fell out of it, picking it up he was his own face smiling up at him. He didn't remember having the photo taken but Logan probably did it, it was defiantly in his apartment.
Alec was grinning at the camera, obviously laughing at something. Turning it over he saw his name and the date of the photo. Plus the words "Too Bad", written in pencil. He puzzled over the writing for a moment before he remembered Ella.
Back in the living room, she was wearing the shirt over her torn jeans. Still shaking but only barely. Glancing at the bag Alec was carrying she asked in a small voice.
'I am going somewhere?'
'Yeah. Mine. You're not staying here. Not tonight.' Ella didn't argue. She stayed close to Alec as they walked to his apartment but jumped whenever they touched.
Once inside Alec dumped her bag on the bed and got two bottles of beer out of the fridge. Ella didn't take the one he offered her.
'You didn't have to do this Alec.' She said quietly.
'Yes. I did. You couldn't stay there. Not after that son of a bitch tried.' he paused as Ella looked away.
'He was so strong. I'd never met a person that wasn't an X-series that strong. Drugs, I suppose.' Alec nodded. 'I tried to get away from him but he was so strong. I struggled but I didn't want to hurt him, at first. I thought he messing about, you know. Joking. Then he started to. I couldn't get him off me. I hit him and he kept coming. Then I hit him again and he fell. I thought I'd killed him.' Ella was whispering but Alec heard every word. She was shaking violently again. 'I thought. I thought he loved me Alec. I thought. I thought I might love him.' She broke off into sobs. Alec pulled her into his arms and for the first time that night she didn't pull away.
It was well past four before Ella had finished crying. Alec told her to sleep in his bed, that he'd sleep on the sofa but she didn't want to sleep.
'I can't. Not after.'
'Ok. What do you want to do?' Alec watched the girl at his side closely. He didn't want her to be alone. Not tonight.
'Just talk to me ok?'
'About what?' Alec was surprised at her request.
'Anything. Please, I just want to be sure that you're there.' Alec smiled in the dark. He kissed the top of Ella's head.
'I'm here.' He promised and started talking.
Ella was a good listener. She asked the right questions and gave the right responses. Alec found himself talking about everything to her. Manticore, his missions and even Rachel. Ella was silent when he told his story, when he'd finished he felt her look at him. It was pitch black and they were sat in the dark on the floor of the living room. But it might as well have been midday. He could feel the sorrow she felt for him and he knew she was sorry for him. Sorry for his loss but no pity. ~Thank God~ he thought.
'I didn't know Alec. I'm so sorry.' He tightened his arm around her.
'I know you are. Now. You're turn.' Ella's head came to rest on his chest.
'What?' she asked.
'Start talking.' It was morning when either of them fell asleep. Both curled together on the floor. Alec's arm still protectively around Ella and her head still affectionately and trustingly against his chest.
'Alec! GET UP! Alec!' Max's voice cut through the sleeping pairs dreams. 'ALEC!' Alec unwound himself from Ella and opened the door.
'Jeez Max.'
'Have you seen Ella? Her apartments a mess and there's blood all over the place!' Max was white with worry.
'Max. I'm here. I'm ok. Alec Will tell you what happened.' She left to the shower. Alec did as she said. Max grew whiter with each word.
'It was good of you to look after her Alec.'
'I had too.' Max looked Alec in the eyes and smiled. She nodded and went to get some coffee.
She'd just poured it when Ella reappeared; trying to hug the girl Max managed to spill the coffee all over her and the shirt she was carrying.
'I'm sorry!' she cried out. Alec laughed at the state they were both in. He handed Max a towel and fetched an old shirt of his for Ella to wear. She came out of the bathroom and Alec was struck by how much better Ella looked in the shirt than he ever had. It was black and made of lightweight cotton.
'Thanks, Alec.' He grinned.
'I was just telling Max that your not going in today. And neither am I.' Ella smiled her thanks to Alec, he felt himself return the grin.
Ella stayed at Logan for a while after Alec first met her. But having her there was beginning to wear a little on Eyes-only's patience. Max knew and made the suggestion, the next time she, Alec, Ella and Logan were together.
'Well now Ella has a name,' she smiled at the younger girl 'you might want a life?' Ella knew she was getting Logan's way. She felt it every day but the thought of living alone, of starting afresh terrified her.
'Yeah.' she finally muttered quietly. Glancing as she did so at Alec who grinned. He Ella's discomfort in her eyes and remembered back to his first days outside of Manticore.
'It'll be okay, El. You'll get used to it real fast. Won't she Maxie?' Ella nodded, wondering why, she who had all of four letters in her name had it shortened and Max who had three, had hers lengthened.
'Rock Star here should be able to fix you up with a job, at Jam Pony.' Alec groaned at the reference to Normal's nickname for him.
'Is that where you both work?' Ella asked and Max nodded. Alec looked up at Ella and saw the painful hope in her eyes. He looked away.
'Yep. Sure is. Comes complete with sector pass and all. Right will do. Gotta Go. C'yas.' Alec jumped down from the work surface he'd been sat upon and left the penthouse. Ella stared after him wondering why he'd gone so abruptly.
'That's Alec.' Max said. 'Anyway. I've been talking to Original Cindy and She says you can kick it at our crib for a while.'
'Are you sure?' Ella asked, quietly and Logan fought a laugh. She wasn't Manticore's usual soldier. Sure she was rude and sarcastic to Alec, who wasn't? But she was a typical shy teenager still. Nothing like Max at all. That's why they get on so well. He thought. It was true over the past few weeks, Max and Original Cindy had been spending time with Ella getting to know her and generally just hanging out. Alec had been checking up on her frequently as well. Very frequently. Logan smiled at Ella as she left with Max.
Ella got a job at Jam Pony. She also stayed with Max and Original Cindy, sleeping on the sofa. She settled down to her job and new home as well as anyone could have expected. She and Max became good friends, as did she and Original Cindy. Alec got on with Ella as he did the others. Although they seemed to avoid one another these days.
'Hey Ella. Is Max in?' Alec stood on the front door step to the apartment. Ella shook her head.
'Crash.'
'Oh. Right. How come your not down there?'
'Not my thing.'
'Really?' Alec teased.
'Really.' Ella moved from the door and motioned for him to come in. Alec did so.
'How are you getting on living here?' he asked casually.
'You know. Getting on peoples nerves and in their way.' Ella's voice was bitter. Alec looked up at her; he could see she was close to tears.
'Hey.' he touched her arm but she jerked away.
'Don't Alec. I shouldn't have said anything. It doesn't matter.'
'You're a bad liar.'
'Go to hell Alec.' Ella looked him square in the eyes. Her own, pale green, were full of fire Alec hadn't seen before. She looked so much older, full of anger and hate. 'Why did you do this! Why bring me here, to these people? Damn you Alec I could managed on my own.'
'Did I ask you to help me? No. I just returned the favour.'
'I could've managed. I didn't need your help. I didn't need friendship, a job. Anything until you.' Alec finally understood what Ella was so upset about. She wasn't used to this world. She was scared.
'You're angry at me for showing you don't have to be a soldier?'
'Yes! I was fine until you showed up. You and your "that's why's" DAMN YOU!' Ella was crying now the tears gushing down her cheeks. Alec knew how scared she was. Having to find a life, make you're self into a person so quickly. He wasn't surprised Ella hadn't settled. Max wouldn't understand, couldn't. She'd grown up, her and her "rug rat friends" had escaped hadn't they. Grown up in the world, had a chance to make a personality, a person for themselves. Ella hadn't.
'I know how you feel.' Alec moved towards the crying teen. She pulled away.
'No. You don't.'
'Yes I do. I only got out a year ago remember. I wasn't lucky enough to live "free" as Max calls it since the age of 10.' Alec had raised his voice and Ella looked up. Her eyes had lost their fire she looked 7 rather than 18. The tears kept falling, slower now but they still fell. She sank to the floor gently.
'I'm sorry Alec. I'm so sorry.' Ella's shoulders shook as she sobbed violently. Alec sat down next to her and dropped an arm around her.
'It's all right. It's always alright.' Ella managed to control her tears after a few minutes. Alec took his arm from around her and ruffled her hair. 'Come on El. Let's go.'
'Where are we going?'
'To look for an apartment for you.'
Alec found Ella a small, cheap apartment in the block across from Max. It was close enough for the older girl to check up on Ella if the need arose, but far enough away for her to feel she wasn't getting in the way.
Explaining to Max and Original Cindy why Ella wanted to move out wasn't as easy as finding the apartment. It was Alec who spelled it out for them eventually. He waited until Ella had left and then explained what had happened the night they'd been at crash. He made them see just how hard it was for Ella to find who she was in this world without feeling she was relying on others to do it. Plus he pointed out; their apartment really wasn't big enough for three.
Chapter Three: Kyle.
A month or so after Ella moved out of Max's apartment, she met Kyle. He was new at Jam Pony and they seemed to click right away. They'd take their runs together and spend lunch talking and laughing.
Max was glad; it meant she was finally relaxing enough to make other friends. O.C. felt the same and Logan who heard it all through Max was relieved Ella was learning to live without Max or Alec's support. Alec wasn't so sure. He didn't really like Kyle but he kept his silence with a warning from Max. He'd taken a brotherly, protective stance over Ella since that night and was wary of letting her out of his sight. And did so grudgingly.
Kyle and Ella's first date took place at Crash. He waited for her to arrive nervously, making small talk with Alec and the others. When she did arrive, it wasn't just Kyle who was silent.
Wearing a pair of black tight jeans and a small red tank top. Ella stood out completely. Her hair was pulled tight to top of her head, some stray strands cascading over her shoulders. Alec, Max and the others stared. Kyle took his girl away from them into a dark corner. Alec watched them, wondering how the kid he knew could look so damn mature.
Things moved quickly between Kyle and Ella. They were defiantly an item. They lounged in Public Displays of Affection, which made Alec cringe and Normal yell. Max watched silently, wishing it were she and Logan.
Everything went smoothly until one night Alec was talking to a barmaid. He was getting close to getting her to leave early with him. His cell rang.
'Hold it a sec sugar. Yo?'
'Alec?'
'El? What is it?' he grinned at the blonde barmaid and winked.
'Alec it's Kyle. I. He. I tried to call Max she won't answer. Oh God Alec.' Ella sounded genuinely terrified. Alec stood up and moved to the door he paused and wrote his number on a napkin and handed it to the barmaid.
'Hold on. Ella I'm coming over. You're at home right?'
'Yeah. Alec. Oh God hurry please.' She hung up and Alec rushed out into the night. He got to Ella's apartment in record time. It was a mess.
Glasses were smashed and pictures knocked over. The sofa was upturned and the ornate lamp Ella used to read by was broken on the floor. Alec looked around, shocked. Ella was so neat normally, it wasn't possible she'd let this happen on it's own.
Ella herself was sat shaking violently on the edge the over turned sofa. Her shirt was torn to shreds and her trouser pocket was hanging loosely. Her lip was bleeding and her eye was bruised. She nursed an injured wrist.
'Ella! What happened?' Alec moved to put an arm around her, but she pulled away sharply. Alec stared at her for a moment and then noticed finger marks, red and sore, on her neck and chest. 'Oh my God. Kyle. I'll kill him.'
'You might be too late. Alec.' Ella pointed behind her. On the floor behind the sofa hidden from the doorway, was Kyle. He had a bloody nose and a large, fresh, bruise on his face. Alec bent down next to him, he was still breathing, just. Fetching a glass of water Alec tipped it over his face. Kyle stirred slowly; Alec hit him across the face. He came round.
'Alec?' Alec hauling him into a standing position cut him off. Alec threw a punch that knocked him flying. Kyle staggered to his feet and hit back. Hard. A normal man couldn't hurt an X-series usually. Alec grabbed Kyle's jacket.
'Who are you?' he hissed. Kyle looked at him dazed.
'ALEC!' Ella's voice cut through the rage Alec was feeling. He looked at her, she was hold what was left of her shirt around her, and she looked scared. Alec looked back at Kyle.
'You're lucky she's here.' He muttered and threw him out of the door. Kyle looked stunned but ran anyway. Alec watched him go. He then turned and looked at Ella. She was still shaking; he moved back towards her, she pulled back. 'I won't hurt you.' Alec said gently.
'I know.' Ella said unshed tears in her voice. 'It's just.' she looked down at the mass of rags that was her outfit. Alec understood. ~That bastard had been so close to raping her that meant she wasn't comfortable around anyone. Especially, being so vulnerable.~
'Ok.' Alec went into her room and took an old flannel shirt from the dresser. He handed it to her went out of the room into the bathroom. He took Ella's toothbrush, hairbrush and put them into a travel bag he found under the sink. Then he went back into the bedroom and grabbed some clothes, blushing as he took underwear from her dresser draws. He noticed something else too.
It was a small black book with a lock. Ella's diary. The lock could have been prised open easily but Alec dropped it into the bag without touching the lock. As he did so a photo fell out of it, picking it up he was his own face smiling up at him. He didn't remember having the photo taken but Logan probably did it, it was defiantly in his apartment.
Alec was grinning at the camera, obviously laughing at something. Turning it over he saw his name and the date of the photo. Plus the words "Too Bad", written in pencil. He puzzled over the writing for a moment before he remembered Ella.
Back in the living room, she was wearing the shirt over her torn jeans. Still shaking but only barely. Glancing at the bag Alec was carrying she asked in a small voice.
'I am going somewhere?'
'Yeah. Mine. You're not staying here. Not tonight.' Ella didn't argue. She stayed close to Alec as they walked to his apartment but jumped whenever they touched.
Once inside Alec dumped her bag on the bed and got two bottles of beer out of the fridge. Ella didn't take the one he offered her.
'You didn't have to do this Alec.' She said quietly.
'Yes. I did. You couldn't stay there. Not after that son of a bitch tried.' he paused as Ella looked away.
'He was so strong. I'd never met a person that wasn't an X-series that strong. Drugs, I suppose.' Alec nodded. 'I tried to get away from him but he was so strong. I struggled but I didn't want to hurt him, at first. I thought he messing about, you know. Joking. Then he started to. I couldn't get him off me. I hit him and he kept coming. Then I hit him again and he fell. I thought I'd killed him.' Ella was whispering but Alec heard every word. She was shaking violently again. 'I thought. I thought he loved me Alec. I thought. I thought I might love him.' She broke off into sobs. Alec pulled her into his arms and for the first time that night she didn't pull away.
It was well past four before Ella had finished crying. Alec told her to sleep in his bed, that he'd sleep on the sofa but she didn't want to sleep.
'I can't. Not after.'
'Ok. What do you want to do?' Alec watched the girl at his side closely. He didn't want her to be alone. Not tonight.
'Just talk to me ok?'
'About what?' Alec was surprised at her request.
'Anything. Please, I just want to be sure that you're there.' Alec smiled in the dark. He kissed the top of Ella's head.
'I'm here.' He promised and started talking.
Ella was a good listener. She asked the right questions and gave the right responses. Alec found himself talking about everything to her. Manticore, his missions and even Rachel. Ella was silent when he told his story, when he'd finished he felt her look at him. It was pitch black and they were sat in the dark on the floor of the living room. But it might as well have been midday. He could feel the sorrow she felt for him and he knew she was sorry for him. Sorry for his loss but no pity. ~Thank God~ he thought.
'I didn't know Alec. I'm so sorry.' He tightened his arm around her.
'I know you are. Now. You're turn.' Ella's head came to rest on his chest.
'What?' she asked.
'Start talking.' It was morning when either of them fell asleep. Both curled together on the floor. Alec's arm still protectively around Ella and her head still affectionately and trustingly against his chest.
'Alec! GET UP! Alec!' Max's voice cut through the sleeping pairs dreams. 'ALEC!' Alec unwound himself from Ella and opened the door.
'Jeez Max.'
'Have you seen Ella? Her apartments a mess and there's blood all over the place!' Max was white with worry.
'Max. I'm here. I'm ok. Alec Will tell you what happened.' She left to the shower. Alec did as she said. Max grew whiter with each word.
'It was good of you to look after her Alec.'
'I had too.' Max looked Alec in the eyes and smiled. She nodded and went to get some coffee.
She'd just poured it when Ella reappeared; trying to hug the girl Max managed to spill the coffee all over her and the shirt she was carrying.
'I'm sorry!' she cried out. Alec laughed at the state they were both in. He handed Max a towel and fetched an old shirt of his for Ella to wear. She came out of the bathroom and Alec was struck by how much better Ella looked in the shirt than he ever had. It was black and made of lightweight cotton.
'Thanks, Alec.' He grinned.
'I was just telling Max that your not going in today. And neither am I.' Ella smiled her thanks to Alec, he felt himself return the grin.