A/N: Okay, I suck at fight scenes so they're really short. This is
dedicated to Ting. With thanks to Munchi and Cat. You're great thanks for
the reviews.
Chapter Twelve: Waiting.
'ELLA!' Alec yelled loudly at the sleeping girl. She barely stirred. He raised his eyebrows and sighed.
'ELLA!' he repeated. Still not moving Alec bent over and picked the eighteen years old up.
'Alec!' She moaned softly as he placed her on the ground. Kissing him gently. 'What's all the fuss about?'
'We're late for work.' Ella rolled her eyes but began to dress. The couple made their way quickly hand in hand.
'You coming to Max and Logan's after work?' Ella asked her partner.
'Might. How old is he today?'
'Three weeks.' Alec grinned. His namesake (sort of) was growing fast and showed signs no signs of X-series strength. yet. That was possibly because Max held no junk DNA and therefore didn't pass on anything obvious like the barcode or tremors.
~Hopefully,~ Alec thought ~it's because he takes after his dad and not his mum.~
Ella rubbed the back of her neck. Alec noticed the puzzlement on her face.
'You ok, babe?'
'Yeah.' Alec gave Ella a look which clearly said- 'I don't believe you,'
'I'm fine. Just a tingle ok?'
'Uhuh.'
'Alec, I'm.' Ella collapsed. There was no screaming, no sign of pain, she just crumpled. Alec bent and picked her up; suddenly he heard a voice behind him.
'I wouldn't do that 494. I really wouldn't.' Looking round Alec saw White, gun trained on him, flanked by two of his men and.
'Donavon! You PIG!' Alec roared. ~So that's why Ella went down. That damn chip.~
'Now, now, now 494. Manners please.'
'What do you want?' Alec asked. Wary of the unconscious girl in his arms.
'Her, generally. 452 as well.'
'What do you want with Ella?'
'Ella? Isn't that sweet. 177 avoided being killed once. Now I wish to finish the job.'
'Go to hell.' Alec snapped, trying to judge his best means of escape.
'Now what did I say about manners?' one of the men flanking him moved forward and Alec immediately recognised him.
'Kyle!' he yelled. ~That son of a bitch has been working with us!~
'Alec?' Muttered Ella quietly.
'Wake up, baby.' He said laying her on the ground. Kyle flew at him and Alec tried to fight back.
He was losing; the other familiar was joining the fight. Suddenly, Kyle landed flat on his back. Ella was conscious again. She swung herself up knocking the other man against the wall.
Alec remember suddenly just how much stronger than X5, X8 were.
The fight was very soon after. White and Donavon fled the alley. Alec stared around him. That had been fast.
'You ok?' Ella asked him coming over. Alec didn't answer. He yanked her into his arms kissing her hard on the mouth. Ella returned the kiss but pulled away.
'We have to get to Max.'
'Lets go.'
The penthouse was trashed. Logan's computer systems were all broken and lay strewn across the floor. Ella's heart froze, there were smashed glasses and empty bullet casings scattered across the room.
But no sign of life.
Alec stared across the wrecked apartment. Dread building in his heart and mind. White had beaten them to it. He continued to stare across the room not noticing anything until Ella made a small murmuring noise. He turned to see her falling against the cabinet.
'Ella!' He rushed to her and she fell sobbing into his arms.
'It's ok, it's ok.' He whispered pressing his mouth into her hair.
'HOW IS IT OK!'
'Calm down. We'll find them.'
'THEY'RE PROBABLY ALREADY DEAD!!' She screamed.
'ELLA! There are no bodies. No blood. No sign of any killing.'
'IT DOESN'T MEAN WHITE HASN'T CAUGHT THEM!!!'
'Why would he want Logan alive?' Alec refused to yell at Ella. He wouldn't. He knew how much arguing scared her.
'HOW DO I KNOW!!!!'
'ELLA CALM DOWN!' Alec gave in, he was too angry to see reason. 'YOU'RE ACTING LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY BEATEN!' Ella froze. She stared at him, at a look of pure terror in her eyes. Something she shouldn't be so scared of but couldn't control. Alec realised what he had done. Moving towards her Ella backed away. She was scared of him.
'Ella, I'm so sorry baby. Sorry, oh Ella.' She wrinkled her nose and moved towards him.
'Don't yell.' She murmured and Alec pulled her into towards him. 'Please. I know I did but I'm sorry.'
'Hey, it's ok. You can yell. Who cares? I shouldn't have done.' Alec and Ella sank to the floor. He pulled her into his lap and held her against him tightly.
'I love you.' Ella whispered. Alec's heart ached with regret. ~How could I have scared her like that?~
'I love you too. So much.' Ella smiled as he said the words. Then kissed him. He returned the kiss and slid his hand under her t-shirt.
Later the both wondered exactly how they managed to get. involved. on the floor of their best friends apartment, whilst they were both missing. But sometimes your body takes over.
Alec was watching Ella dress when his cell rang. It was Max. he cursed him self for not thinking to ring her before.
'Yo?'
'Hey Alec we're at O.C's get down here now.'
'On our way.'
Logan, Max and baby Mathew were fine. They'd gotten away a long time before White got there. Ella had almost pasted out with relief.
Alec filled them in. They'd used Donavon to track Ella and find them.
'Which means I'm still traceable.' Ella said. Alec glanced up just as Ella handed him the knife.
'No way.'
'Alec, just do it.' Alec stared at her and then grit his teeth. He cut into the back of her neck and then pulled away.
'Ella I can't. I just can't hurt you.' Logan took the knife and dug it into his 'sisters' neck snapping the blade under the chip and yanking upwards.
The chip landed on the floor and Logan and walked away. They heard the sound of him wrenching.
Alec followed Logan to the side of the apartment and thanked him.
'No problem. I wouldn't have been able to do it for Max.' Alec nodded and returned to his girlfriend.
'Matt Sung's on his way.' Logan said still looking slightly pale.
'Good.' Ella said and took the chip to the open window and threw it out.
'Nice.' Max commented. Rocking the baby gently on her knee.
'It's a little late though.' Alec yelled suddenly. White and his men barged through the door. But Ella was already on her feet, as was Max and Logan.
This fight left all but White lying unconscious on the floor.
'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.' Ella said nothing.
'Go to hell White.' Max snapped. Holding baby Matthew to her chest.
'452, I see you've become a mother. Possibly now you'd tell me where my child is?'
'Back Away Slowly.' Matt Sung's voice rang through the brittle atmosphere. White turned slowly, gun raised and fired. Ella was a lot faster than an X5. she pushed Matt to the ground taking the bullet into her arm.
'ELLA!' Alec yelled and ran forward.
'Not so fast 494. One.' The gun still held in Matt's hand was fired. White dropped.
'No so unbeatable after all, aye Ames?' Max asked.
They gave White a burial by sea. Casting his body out onto the ocean and praying for it not to be discovered.
Ella remained very quiet through out the whole affair and turned down the offer of drinks at Crash. Saying she'd rather baby sit. Alec joined her.
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
'Ella?' She looked up suddenly. Ames White's words ringing true in her mind.
'Yeah?'
'You ok babe?'
'Yeah.' But she wasn't. She nearly gotten Max, Logan and the baby killed. Let alone Alec.
She loved Alec. There wasn't any doubt about it. She'd give anything and everything just to see him happy. Even her life. Every morning when she awoke it was him that got her through the days. Him who made her face the darkness in her mind and he who provided her with the light. He was her protector and couldn't imagine life without him.
~But you keep getting him hurt.~ Even the first time they'd met she'd gotten him hurt. He was always looking after her.
White.
Kyle.
Donavon.
Even her own memories.
But she'd brought White to him. If she could bring White to him, she could bring others. Or cause more problems. She didn't need protecting. Not really. The only way to deal with this world is alone.
~And I have stuff to deal with.~
'Alec?'
'Yeah baby?'
'I'm gonna go to bed earlier ok?'
'Sure. Night.'
'Night.' Ella kissed Alec on the cheek and turned to leave. 'You know I love you, right?'
'Yeah. You know I love you?'
'Yes.'
'Come here.' Alec pulled Ella into a gentle loving kiss. 'Night baby.'
'Goodnight.'
In the bedroom Ella packed a small carry bag. And wrote a letter.
Alec,
I love you. Please believe that. I'm not leaving because of you. You're the reason I want to stay. I have to leave; I keep bringing these problems onto you. It isn't fair for you to keep going through things I need to deal with. Alone.
If there were another way I wouldn't be going. If I could stay here I would. Because I've never felt safer than here with you, in your arms. I wish I didn't need to leave. And I wish I could say I was coming back.
I will if I can. But don't wait for me. Please be happy. Live for my sake. You'll make someone very happy. I will always love you even if you forget me.
Tell Max and Logan why I left. Don't let Matthew forget about me.
Hang on to me in your heart. You'll always be in mine.
Yours Always,
Ella.
Alec reread the letter again. Tears cascading down his face. He believed her; she wasn't leaving due to him. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't ever lie to him.
Don't wait for me. Please be happy. Live for my sake
How could he live without her? How was he meant to be happy without her to hold in his arms? How could he ever even think of anyone else?
Don't wait.
~Sorry Ella but I just can't do that. I'm waiting for you baby. As long as it takes.~
A/N: Ok, ok, not the most wonderful end to the chapter. BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY. It's important she leaves. Please read next chapter. It's up soon.
Chapter Twelve: Waiting.
'ELLA!' Alec yelled loudly at the sleeping girl. She barely stirred. He raised his eyebrows and sighed.
'ELLA!' he repeated. Still not moving Alec bent over and picked the eighteen years old up.
'Alec!' She moaned softly as he placed her on the ground. Kissing him gently. 'What's all the fuss about?'
'We're late for work.' Ella rolled her eyes but began to dress. The couple made their way quickly hand in hand.
'You coming to Max and Logan's after work?' Ella asked her partner.
'Might. How old is he today?'
'Three weeks.' Alec grinned. His namesake (sort of) was growing fast and showed signs no signs of X-series strength. yet. That was possibly because Max held no junk DNA and therefore didn't pass on anything obvious like the barcode or tremors.
~Hopefully,~ Alec thought ~it's because he takes after his dad and not his mum.~
Ella rubbed the back of her neck. Alec noticed the puzzlement on her face.
'You ok, babe?'
'Yeah.' Alec gave Ella a look which clearly said- 'I don't believe you,'
'I'm fine. Just a tingle ok?'
'Uhuh.'
'Alec, I'm.' Ella collapsed. There was no screaming, no sign of pain, she just crumpled. Alec bent and picked her up; suddenly he heard a voice behind him.
'I wouldn't do that 494. I really wouldn't.' Looking round Alec saw White, gun trained on him, flanked by two of his men and.
'Donavon! You PIG!' Alec roared. ~So that's why Ella went down. That damn chip.~
'Now, now, now 494. Manners please.'
'What do you want?' Alec asked. Wary of the unconscious girl in his arms.
'Her, generally. 452 as well.'
'What do you want with Ella?'
'Ella? Isn't that sweet. 177 avoided being killed once. Now I wish to finish the job.'
'Go to hell.' Alec snapped, trying to judge his best means of escape.
'Now what did I say about manners?' one of the men flanking him moved forward and Alec immediately recognised him.
'Kyle!' he yelled. ~That son of a bitch has been working with us!~
'Alec?' Muttered Ella quietly.
'Wake up, baby.' He said laying her on the ground. Kyle flew at him and Alec tried to fight back.
He was losing; the other familiar was joining the fight. Suddenly, Kyle landed flat on his back. Ella was conscious again. She swung herself up knocking the other man against the wall.
Alec remember suddenly just how much stronger than X5, X8 were.
The fight was very soon after. White and Donavon fled the alley. Alec stared around him. That had been fast.
'You ok?' Ella asked him coming over. Alec didn't answer. He yanked her into his arms kissing her hard on the mouth. Ella returned the kiss but pulled away.
'We have to get to Max.'
'Lets go.'
The penthouse was trashed. Logan's computer systems were all broken and lay strewn across the floor. Ella's heart froze, there were smashed glasses and empty bullet casings scattered across the room.
But no sign of life.
Alec stared across the wrecked apartment. Dread building in his heart and mind. White had beaten them to it. He continued to stare across the room not noticing anything until Ella made a small murmuring noise. He turned to see her falling against the cabinet.
'Ella!' He rushed to her and she fell sobbing into his arms.
'It's ok, it's ok.' He whispered pressing his mouth into her hair.
'HOW IS IT OK!'
'Calm down. We'll find them.'
'THEY'RE PROBABLY ALREADY DEAD!!' She screamed.
'ELLA! There are no bodies. No blood. No sign of any killing.'
'IT DOESN'T MEAN WHITE HASN'T CAUGHT THEM!!!'
'Why would he want Logan alive?' Alec refused to yell at Ella. He wouldn't. He knew how much arguing scared her.
'HOW DO I KNOW!!!!'
'ELLA CALM DOWN!' Alec gave in, he was too angry to see reason. 'YOU'RE ACTING LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY BEATEN!' Ella froze. She stared at him, at a look of pure terror in her eyes. Something she shouldn't be so scared of but couldn't control. Alec realised what he had done. Moving towards her Ella backed away. She was scared of him.
'Ella, I'm so sorry baby. Sorry, oh Ella.' She wrinkled her nose and moved towards him.
'Don't yell.' She murmured and Alec pulled her into towards him. 'Please. I know I did but I'm sorry.'
'Hey, it's ok. You can yell. Who cares? I shouldn't have done.' Alec and Ella sank to the floor. He pulled her into his lap and held her against him tightly.
'I love you.' Ella whispered. Alec's heart ached with regret. ~How could I have scared her like that?~
'I love you too. So much.' Ella smiled as he said the words. Then kissed him. He returned the kiss and slid his hand under her t-shirt.
Later the both wondered exactly how they managed to get. involved. on the floor of their best friends apartment, whilst they were both missing. But sometimes your body takes over.
Alec was watching Ella dress when his cell rang. It was Max. he cursed him self for not thinking to ring her before.
'Yo?'
'Hey Alec we're at O.C's get down here now.'
'On our way.'
Logan, Max and baby Mathew were fine. They'd gotten away a long time before White got there. Ella had almost pasted out with relief.
Alec filled them in. They'd used Donavon to track Ella and find them.
'Which means I'm still traceable.' Ella said. Alec glanced up just as Ella handed him the knife.
'No way.'
'Alec, just do it.' Alec stared at her and then grit his teeth. He cut into the back of her neck and then pulled away.
'Ella I can't. I just can't hurt you.' Logan took the knife and dug it into his 'sisters' neck snapping the blade under the chip and yanking upwards.
The chip landed on the floor and Logan and walked away. They heard the sound of him wrenching.
Alec followed Logan to the side of the apartment and thanked him.
'No problem. I wouldn't have been able to do it for Max.' Alec nodded and returned to his girlfriend.
'Matt Sung's on his way.' Logan said still looking slightly pale.
'Good.' Ella said and took the chip to the open window and threw it out.
'Nice.' Max commented. Rocking the baby gently on her knee.
'It's a little late though.' Alec yelled suddenly. White and his men barged through the door. But Ella was already on her feet, as was Max and Logan.
This fight left all but White lying unconscious on the floor.
'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.' Ella said nothing.
'Go to hell White.' Max snapped. Holding baby Matthew to her chest.
'452, I see you've become a mother. Possibly now you'd tell me where my child is?'
'Back Away Slowly.' Matt Sung's voice rang through the brittle atmosphere. White turned slowly, gun raised and fired. Ella was a lot faster than an X5. she pushed Matt to the ground taking the bullet into her arm.
'ELLA!' Alec yelled and ran forward.
'Not so fast 494. One.' The gun still held in Matt's hand was fired. White dropped.
'No so unbeatable after all, aye Ames?' Max asked.
They gave White a burial by sea. Casting his body out onto the ocean and praying for it not to be discovered.
Ella remained very quiet through out the whole affair and turned down the offer of drinks at Crash. Saying she'd rather baby sit. Alec joined her.
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
~'177 you just keep getting your friends caught don't you.'~
'Ella?' She looked up suddenly. Ames White's words ringing true in her mind.
'Yeah?'
'You ok babe?'
'Yeah.' But she wasn't. She nearly gotten Max, Logan and the baby killed. Let alone Alec.
She loved Alec. There wasn't any doubt about it. She'd give anything and everything just to see him happy. Even her life. Every morning when she awoke it was him that got her through the days. Him who made her face the darkness in her mind and he who provided her with the light. He was her protector and couldn't imagine life without him.
~But you keep getting him hurt.~ Even the first time they'd met she'd gotten him hurt. He was always looking after her.
White.
Kyle.
Donavon.
Even her own memories.
But she'd brought White to him. If she could bring White to him, she could bring others. Or cause more problems. She didn't need protecting. Not really. The only way to deal with this world is alone.
~And I have stuff to deal with.~
'Alec?'
'Yeah baby?'
'I'm gonna go to bed earlier ok?'
'Sure. Night.'
'Night.' Ella kissed Alec on the cheek and turned to leave. 'You know I love you, right?'
'Yeah. You know I love you?'
'Yes.'
'Come here.' Alec pulled Ella into a gentle loving kiss. 'Night baby.'
'Goodnight.'
In the bedroom Ella packed a small carry bag. And wrote a letter.
Alec,
I love you. Please believe that. I'm not leaving because of you. You're the reason I want to stay. I have to leave; I keep bringing these problems onto you. It isn't fair for you to keep going through things I need to deal with. Alone.
If there were another way I wouldn't be going. If I could stay here I would. Because I've never felt safer than here with you, in your arms. I wish I didn't need to leave. And I wish I could say I was coming back.
I will if I can. But don't wait for me. Please be happy. Live for my sake. You'll make someone very happy. I will always love you even if you forget me.
Tell Max and Logan why I left. Don't let Matthew forget about me.
Hang on to me in your heart. You'll always be in mine.
Yours Always,
Ella.
Alec reread the letter again. Tears cascading down his face. He believed her; she wasn't leaving due to him. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't ever lie to him.
Don't wait for me. Please be happy. Live for my sake
How could he live without her? How was he meant to be happy without her to hold in his arms? How could he ever even think of anyone else?
Don't wait.
~Sorry Ella but I just can't do that. I'm waiting for you baby. As long as it takes.~
A/N: Ok, ok, not the most wonderful end to the chapter. BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY. It's important she leaves. Please read next chapter. It's up soon.