When Alec arrived at the warehouse he carried Max through the open door cautiously. He put her down gently as soon as he could, knowing he was an easy target with her in his arms. The first thing Alec did was something he did every time he entered a room out of habit, but was warranted in this situation, he checked for exits, danger and the enemy, whomever that may be. When he was sure they were safe for the moment he crouched down next to Max and felt her forehead, it burnt his hand just to touch. For a second the thought occurred to him that her virus might be contagious to other X5's. However he decided this was not likely as he had been in contact with her many times since they left her apartment and felt fine. Apart from the desperate helplessness.
Alec jumped slightly as he heard trucks pulling up outside. He stood up shielding Max's body with his own. Renfro walked in with about five men and assigned each of them a space in the building before proceeding towards Alec. Typical, he thought, she tells him to come along but the she gets to bring all her friends along.
Renfro stopped in front of him, eyeing the situation with cold eyes and a satisfied smirk.
'So, she forgave you for almost killing her precious Eyes Only and now you're the best of friends?'
Not Exactly, Alec thought as he glared at her with burning hatred that he had once followed her orders. 'Well we have a common enemy to bond over' he snapped at her.
Renfro widened her eyes in mock innocence 'Oh, you don't mean me do you? I tried to stop them burning you all to little crisps, honestly I did. Your safety was my number one priority' She laughed, but not with humour, Alec detected spite and frustration.
Alec stared stonily at her. 'Enough chitchat, so you're alive. I'm not going to say I'm glad, but if you can help Max I might not snap your neck. You'll die another day.'
Renfro sniggered. 'Oh save it Madonna. I hold the cards here, and you know it.' She gestured towards the buddies she had brought. 'They can take you down in a second, even with that blurring speed your kind has. You don't honestly think I'd come here trusting you not to kill me' She laughed again and Alec did have to refrain himself from hurting her. Her laughter grated at him like nails across a blackboard and he didn't see this as a funny situation.
'Are we making a deal or not' Alec stated coolly.
Renfro sighed. 'You don't have much social skills do you 494, or is it Alec now' She paused. Looking down at Max. 'Well, as you know, my plan to destroy Eyes Only failed due to the little glitch of Manticore being destroyed and 452 receiving the antidote. But that is a dream I have not given up on.'
Alec raised his eyebrows in surprise. This was all about Logan? Why did Renfro have it in for Logan? She was no longer affiliated with Manticore as she was assumed dead by everyone, including Logan. How could he possibly hurt her? A thought struck Alec. Maybe it wasn't 'her' Logan was hurting. Maybe, after she survived the fire Renfro had been employed by someone who wanted Logan out of the way, and was simply using her Manticore knowledge and contacts to get her job done. Could be possible. But without Manticore technology how could she supply an antidote.
'What are you proposing' Alec asked, suspicious that she was setting him up to offer her exactly what she wanted. Logan.
'I would think it's quite obvious.' She replied
' Be. More. Specific.'
'Alright. I will give your little friend the antidote, after fully studying her genetic make up. In return you will give me Eyes Only'
Alec cringed inwardly. Just as he had expected. Though she was pushing it by wanting to study Max.
He bluffed. 'What makes you think I can help you with Eyes Only. The guy is a security freak.'
Renfro made a 'Tsk tsk' sound before saying 'Alec, my dear boy. Do not patronise me. I am no fool. I have my contacts. If I questioned you knowing his identity and whereabouts I wouldn't have offered to help. Offcourse the timing of 452's activation of the virus couldn't have been better, but if I didn't have anything to gain then I wouldn't have answered your call and little Maxie would have died. Lucky for you I need Eyes Only dead on a platter'
There was silence as Alec thought her proposal over. If he said No both Max and himself would be captured by Renfo's men and he would be tortured while Max's mind was probed to find out the information Renfro needed. Another scenario was that Alec refused, managed to get himself and Max away from Renfro and then Max died a few hours later. Both of those were a no go. Renfro was right, she did hold all the card.
Renfro stuck out her hand. With more trust than Alec would have liked. 'Deal' She asked, or more stated.
Alec bit the inside of his mouth so hard it bled before shaking her hand.
'Deal!'