They sped through the streets taking the turns only a transgenic could pull off at their speed, using their quick reflexes and balance. Taunting eachother as they were neck and neck down the last street headed straight into TC. Max smirked as she caught site of a ramp up ahead and quickly processing speed and velocity, her smile brightened, calling out and knowing Alec would hear her "Alec" she purred "I'm getting all hot and wet"
Startled Alec turned to look at her incredulously.
Smirking and using his momentary distraction she cut in front of him. Revving her baby one more time she aligned her bike with the ramp and zoomed past a bewildered Alec, jumping the fence and landing gracefully on the other side before speeding off out of site.
Alec who was too stunned at first quickly followed after her, shaking his head he mumbled 'evil vixen' under his breath, all the while his smile never wavered.
As the happy transgenic arrived at TC's abandoned parking lot he noticed Max leaning casually against the pillar next to her bike smirking superiorly and blowing on her fingernails.
"Why hello slow poke, what was it that you said" she drawled then snapping her fingers as if she remembered "oh that's right. Last one here was a smelly egg fart!" she then proceeded to do a victory dance and song. "Alec's a smelly egg fart yea! Alec's a smelly egg fart yea! Alec's a smelly egg fart yea oh Alec's a smelly egg fart yea-"
Stopping to laugh at him she opened her mouth and started wiggling her hips, she was gonna start again.
Shaking his head and sighing before she could start he said in mock disappointment. "And ladies and gentleman of Transgenic Central this is our leader"
"Hey! You're just a sore loser" she poked her tongue out at him.
He smirked "don't tease me with that unless your gonna use it" then clasping his hands together he mocked with her as she screamed out "Pig!" then dismounted his bike quickly to avoid her hit.
Laughing he ran away from her indifferent yet playful mood "what's the matter Maxie, you embarrassed I figured you out? Always knew those many times you hit me were just a ploy so you could touch me"
Staring at him in disbelief she gave chase "what?! NO!"
"Denial, denial, denial" he chanted tauntingly at her. Then stopping abruptly she ran straight into his back and bounced right off on her ass.
Laughing at her disgruntled look and shock he held onto his stomach as he laughed at her. "You should have seen- umpf!"
Max was now the one laughing as he stared solemnly at the roof from off his back no longer laughing. Rubbing his elbows as he cringed at the surprise and swiftness she had taken him down by. He had used his elbows because he was caught off guard to break the fall properly. Something the proud CO was not happy to admit.
Pouting and still rubbing his elbows he turned to look at the hysterical Max. "Not funny, you hurt my elbows"
Calming down a bit she smiled at him. It took his breath away as she crawled slowly towards him and rested her head on his chest keeping eye contact. She was smiling genuinely and the happiness and spark in her eyes took his breath away, she was beautiful like this.
"Aww poor baby!" she mocked drawing small patterns on his chest lightly "that was a classic though, kinda disappointed in you Mr. CO" as she raised her eyes back to his "didn't even see it comin" then as much as she could she shook her head chin still on his chest "tsk, tsk"
Alec just scowled at her before grabbing her shoulders to fast for the human eye and flipped her over him making sure to roll with her so he sat straddling her. Max screeched at the sudden movement.
"How's that for not seeing it comin" he smirked down at her.
"Whatever, you're just a sore loser but its okay I won't push you too much, can't afford to put you out because I damaged your ego. I understand how crippling it would be for someone like you-eep!"
Max got cut off with hysterical laughter as Alec proceeded to torture her with his fingers, finding her most sensitive spots relentlessly.
"Stop!" Max withered under him "Please!"
"Nope!" he smirked at her not stopping his torture.
"Please Alec I'm gonna piss my pants" she tried batting him away from her without success because next thing she knew her wrists were being held with one strong hand.
"What a charming thing to say Maxie"
"umpf...Pleease! Stop, please, please" Gasping out loud then laughing some more.
"Not until you say that I'm the best!" he stopped momentarily and looked down at her flushed face in awe.
"What? Hell no!"
Alec just started up the tickling. "Please stop!"
"Not until you admit it"
"Argh...alright! Alec you are the best" Alec kept tickling her for a bit more then just stopped. As he looked down at the tired female beneath him he smiled gently.
Max was breathless but content. Sighing she pushed at Alec to get off her.
"Ass" she mumbled rolling to her side not even caring that she was lying on the ground.
Shaking her head Max looked over to Alec who lay next to her with a smirk on his face. Noticing that it wasn't his normal smirk of indifference, it was more like a half smile that was softer and kinder. She moved over to him and resumed her earlier position with her chin on his chest and locked eyes with him.
After a beat of just looking at eachother Max broke away first and leant over to kiss his forehead before she got up and offered her hand down to him. "C'mon we gotta get moving"
He accepted her hand and got up and dusted himself off. "Yea let's get going" then smirking he said "hmm at least I can say with some truth that I have rolled around with you" he then wriggled his eyebrows.
"Ick... Pig!" she rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand dragging him along in exasperation.
As they strolled along, Alec stole glances at Max as she was unsucceedingly attempting to do the same. Small smiles played on both their lips and everyone milling about in the streets noticed. As the elected leader it was no doubt that she turned heads, transhuman and X series alike but normally she paid little attention as possible and avoided eye contact with as less people as necessary. Part of her defense to not get too attached, but as Alec and Max walked along she smiled and waved at everyone to their delight.
It was no secret that she held herself off emotionally but to have her glance and take the time to say hello was very uncharacteristic of her, despite her indestructible emotional barriers it was no secret that Max was made in the lab as someone people fell in love with; respect and admiration usually followed in that combination. Her looks were not the basis for the surrounding populace to fall for this girl, she uncannily attracted and hooked people onto her unintentionally and left them wanting more.
In the beginning of the siege they all had mistrust toward her because she was an 09' escapee but over time they had learnt to trust her judgment and come to love her. She was full of life and radiated passion that it was hard not to, thus backing up the hypothesis of her existence to make people unavoidably love her.
Alec on the other hand everyone already was in association with; anyone who was located in the Wyoming base of course. He was constantly praised and acknowledged by their superiors and his team mates and younger X series knew all about him. The glories and the disgraces, X5-494 was the epitome of the perfect soldier, he excelled at everything and was granted mission leave earlier than anyone. He had accomplished so much and now as the second in command at Terminal City all transgenics had faith that their leader's will be able to make things right. With the backing and support of 494 the Wyoming based transgenics trusted him to show Max the ways in which she had missed training to be a soldier while living on the outside, individuality making it that much easier in trusting the rogue.
It was no secret that Max and Alec were the most lusted after X-5's in the whole city because of their ranks, status, popularity amongst the troops and undeniable beauty.
Max the ever famous hard head was 'supposedly' indifferent and oblivious to such things while Alec soaked it up and took it to his advantage. The nation of TC knew of Alec's feelings towards Max, it was pretty obvious but they also knew of his Casanova ways. He wouldn't be celibate in the process of waiting for her to wake up, albeit after Max's first official speech in presenting a united force Alec has been noticeably less with his man-whore syndrome and more focused on backing up his leader and helping out in TC. Not to say that there hadn't been opportunities, Max was of course off the market but Alec on the other hand was not and that led many X-5 women wanting and lusting after the Alfa Male.
Max was still wearing her jacket and the sleeves covered the bracelet but he had a sense of pride everytime it unceremoniously peeked out and caught the suns rays, making it glint prettily. She looked so beautiful and light hearted that he couldn't help but stare at her, he knew she knew about this and didn't care because he saw the soft smile that graced her lips.
As they finally made it to Head Quarters Max stood out the front and latched her slender fingers around Alec's wrist gently signaling him to stop.
As he turned to look at her he saw her shift slightly, raising an eyebrow at her he patiently waited as she gathered enough courage to look at him. Noticing that she still held his wrist she moved her hand and laced their fingers finally looking at his hazel eyes.
"Alec..." she started off then cleared her throat. A tell tale sign she was nervous he surmised internally. He gently squeezed her reassuring her about his support and comfort.
As she gazed into his eyes she saw the care and unabashed loyalty shining through making her relax slightly. She was never good with expressing her feelings but she wanted, needed Alec to know how much she appreciated him for making her feel so cherished and loved even though it was not his job to do so. Taking a deep breath "I just wanted to say thank you again for the gift" she shyly looked away but kept a firm grip on his hand as if the joining gave her the strength "I want you to know that I refuse to take it off my wrist until you tell me to, sorta like an omen on a day to day basis of how persistently annoying your presence is" she allowed him to stir a moment before her quirky smirk appeared and she gave a gentle squeeze to his hand assuring him it was a joke before returning to her serious face "It's a part of me now.... like you are" she whispered the last part knowing he would understand the depth of that comment.
Standing on tiptoes she leaned over and gave his check a light kiss then unlaced their fingers and wrapped her arms around his neck relaxing into his arms. After the initial shock wore off he encircled her tiny waist within his arms and nuzzled her shoulder whispering contentedly "Thanks Maxie".
They stood like that for a few more moments allowing Alec to put to memory her scent, a slight tint of vanilla with the undeniable scent of just Max. As they pulled away from eachother and looked into eachothers eyes lost in their happy thoughts they were startled when an urgent sounding voice called out to Max.
Alec looked over Max's shoulder as a young X-7 came barreling towards her. As soon as he reached her he stood at attention and proceeded in an urgent yet monotone voice.
"Ma'am we have a situation concerning Ray and another X-7 ma'am"
Snapping at the sound of Ray's name, she asked urgently "where?"
"Down by the mess hall ma'am"
As soon as he pointed out the way Max blurred as fast as she could in that direction, cursing herself for not stopping by TC earlier this week as guilt and worry settled into her being overtaking her once blissful mood. As she approached the building she could hear cheering and the sound of scuffling emanating from within TC's designated cafeteria. Not slowing down in the slightest she banged open the door and was greeted with the many shouts and cheering of a clustered group in the centre of the room, obviously surrounding a fist-fight.
Her paranoia escalated as she heard the tale end of the current calls from the excited group.
"Yay! Go for it Tim. Teach the little serpent a lesson" screamed out one voice
"How's it feel Familiar to get your ass kicked by transgenic filth?" taunted another.
"What's the matter Ray? Daddy didn't teach you to fight?" came a harsh voice.
"Stop it Tim! He never did anything to you!" some girl pleaded.
"Tim Stop! Max will seriously get pissed!" a voice tried to reason.
In the center of the Mess hall young Ray White was on his feet trying to block the punches coming his way, while nursing his side a little from when the boy in front of him had kicked him. He really couldn't understand what he did to upset the boy; he was just eating and joking around with Liz when the boy had roughly pushed him to the floor from his spot on the bench seat. His piece of toast flying out of his fingers and he had knocked his funny bone on the floor. All up his right arm tingles swept through. Groaning at the sensation he turned when the boy had grabbed onto his shirt and lifted him to his feet.
"Think your better than us huh?" then with that Ray felt a strong fist hit his stomach almost making him want to hurl up any breakfast he just digested.
Croaking from his bent over position he looked startled at the boy "what? I never said I was"
The boy just laughed harshly and that's when Ray noticed the rest of the crowd surrounding them with Liz struggling to break through the males. They were all young ranging from 7 to 10 yr olds. Ray was only 8 but he knew the basics of fighting, had learnt from his new mommy and from watching his dad. But he still didn't have the proper training to hold off the angry X-7.
"That's what you think Familiar! You come to our home and think you own everything, like you belong" he taunted "but you don't! You're the enemy! And shouldn't even be allowed to be here!"
"I don't think I own everything!" Ray shouted back indignant.
Tim as the X-7 was formally known as was new to TC and had heard about the young Familiar residing here. He had immediately disliked him and had watched every move he made. He saw the young boy play with the beautiful X-7 girl and was slightly pissed because he shouldn't even be allowed to mingle with his kind.
Slowly circling eachother sizing eachother up Tim just glowered.
"The only reason you're here is because of Max, no one likes you! You should just leave"
Bristling with the insult Ray stood stiffly and faced Tim before in a deadly calmed voice said "you're wrong"
Smirking at Ray he just shrugged and said condescendingly "says the Familiar who kills our kind"
Outraged Ray lunged at him all the while screaming "I'm not like that!"
After that it was just a bunch of punches and kicks while people on the side line either cheered or attempted to break it up. They lost track of time and both boys were hurting, Ray had a small cut on his lip and he was sure to have a black eye when this was over, he was slightly hunched over his right side trying to protect it while deflecting the other boy's punches.
Tim on the other hand wasn't as bad just a bruised up face and a cut lip. He saw that Ray was favoring his right side and went in for the blow. As he swept out Rays feet and straddled him he raised his fist and was about to end it when suddenly a force so strong threw him roughly across the room.
A booming voice called out in the room. As Max stood seething from where Tim had previously stood a deadly quiet settled over.
"I said stand down!"
Tim looked up from his disgruntled position on the other side of the hall in surprise before he quickly stood to attention and ignored the wince he felt in his side and head from his impromptu flight. Max was glaring at him dangerously behind her now present soldier mask.
Stalking over to him slowly and calmly she reveled in the fact that she was emanating hostility and maternal protectiveness. Tim gulped but kept his position. He finally felt the shame of his actions catch up with him and wished he could take it back as his leader's disappointment and anger radiated from her to him.
"There had better be a fucking good explanation for this soldier!" Max said harshly without any grimace as she used profanity in front of the soldier and controlled her rapid morbid desire to violently pound into him all the while her insides screamed at her to run back to Ray and see if he was alright, but like second nature which she had developed it would be a blow in her authority to do such things, she knew what she had to do first. Take control and act like their leader. Age was not an issue; insubordination is not allowed and should be dealt with immediately as what was drilled and taught to her all to clearly at a young age. She knew there would be more break outs towards Ray if she didn't set the rules, and as she glared at the young boy in front of her she knew she could never go to the extreme extent of punishment as was common at Manticore not that she could anyway. She glared at him ruthlessly behind her emotional wall and took charge instead.
The young boy watched with a tremble of fear as his leader's cold eyes stared him down and his gaze wavered under her intense scrutiny before his military training took in and he stood at attention gazing at a spot just behind her shoulder; mentally chiding himself for slipping and falling into the life of a commoner.
"Well?" she barked.
Standing even straighter than he was he answered her. "No ma'am there is no good reason for my actions ma'am"
"Well then what the hell were you thinking?!"
"Max calm down" Alec tried to sooth her before she flicked her eyes towards him and he saw the pain and turmoil this situation was causing her. He had just stood behind her to the side observing but he could tell Max was struggling to understand why this had happened and the absolute rage she was bottling up so she had some semblance of control. As the Nations leader it meant she was to assure everyone that they were all equals and ranked accordingly with the same respect as any other. At the moment Max's maternal instincts and common sense were warring with eachother. The Transgenics were all delegated ranks accordingly but Max was the one with final word and everyone had agreed to this but as she stood there she knew that she had to act like a leader and not let her personal issues come forth. There was no favoritism allowed she knew that and she hated not being able to just give in and run to her little boy.
Smiling ruefully to himself despite the situation Man guess there's no questioning that she's mother material then snapping out of it, not that anyone would have noticed Alec had slapped on his emotionless stoic face, he listened to what the X-7 had to say.
"Ma'am I just wanted to prove that a Familiar should have no place here in Transgenic Central ma'am"
"Oh and I suppose you think you can run this city better than me? Am I correct?" her tone void of emotion asked sharply.
Looking at her startled he quickly went back to position "No ma'am of course not" confused at the 180 in conversation.
"Then stop trying to take matters into you're own hands! Am I not correct soldier that you knew of Rays and mine relationship?" She waited a beat before continuing "Then I am to assume soldier that you had planned to basically disregard your leader's authority and pursue matters out of you're own hands" Max then looked harshly around the room taking in slight joy at the flinches when her gaze landed on them. "Ray is not like them!" She spoke a tad bit louder addressing the whole room "Yes, he may be a familiar but he isn't like his brethren!" Staring them down "Anyone against my opinion? If there is the slightest mistrust coming from you towards me step forward now, coz I'm telling you right now that your actions here today make it all to clear of the way you trust my actions. Does anyone have a problem with my position and lead?" sneering she looked at everyone and continued "I mean its obvious that you don't like the way I lead by the disrespectful actions occurring today, so I'll tell you what, you don't want me, step forward and tell me why, I aint got no problems with opinions people" she looked around the room at the many young faces all acting out their soldier training to the tee. Noticing their hesitation she snapped "Well?"
An immediate chorus of 'No ma'am' reverted around the room.
"Anyone that touches him again has to answer to me, is that clear?" a collective chorus of 'yes ma'am' was heard. She turned her icy glare back at the X-7. "Is that clear soldier" she snapped.
"Yes ma'am"
Nodding she dismissed him "Get out of my sight, and spread the word!" then with that she walked back to Ray who was now being cradled by Liz, the young girl who had taken a liking to him.
Before she got there she heard the X-7 call out to her.
"ma'am" he said in a low voice still at attention.
She just raised an eyebrow when she turned to look at him still emotionless.
"Ma'am you're a great leader and I'll follow you and your every command there's no doubt the respect we all have for you" hesitating his next words "I...we just don't understand why you love this familiar ma'am, he's was born a pure Familiar and last time I checked they're a hater of our kind"
Sighing she noticed that it was just Alec, Ray, Liz and the X-7 left in the room with her. "At ease" she walked over to him crouching slightly finally showing her emotions on her beautiful face. Grabbing his hand gently as he stood there "Look I don't expect you to understand, its none of your business the going-on's with my personal life, but I want you to know that my loyalty is with transgenics" she watched him nod, not even hesitating and smiled inwardly "Then trust my decision with Ray, he is a familiar, but like I said he's not like them, I care for him because of that and also because he's just a little boy just like you are, we are being taught to understand the warped mind of ordinaries and their decisions concerning us, but cant you see that what you are doing towards Ray is exactly the same thing as what the ordinaries do towards us? I like to think our kind are somewhat above all the stereotypical bullshit, and if what your saying about you're loyalty is true" she watched as he nodded to give her his back up of his earlier statement "then I suggest you stop following what you were once taught and look deeper than the cave-man period of 'fight now ask later' syndrome'" she looked at him softly and squeezed his hand then stood up. "Understand? He's a good kid, he's different from us, but were all different there's so much more to him than just being a familiar...umm sorry what was your name?"
"Tim ma'am"
"Tim" she rolled the name off her tongue and looked at him "suites you, anyway if you don't like him leave him be, I meant what I said before, lay a hand on him again you'll answer to me"
"Yes ma'am" he said shamefully "I am sorry ma'am"
"Good, then we understand eachother, you seem like a good kid Tim so stay out of trouble okay" Max looked at him and saw the eagerness of approval shining in the depth of his ice blue eyes but couldn't bring herself at the moment to do it, instead she gave him a small smile and said casually "I'll catch ya round, but next time you see Ray you either say your sorry to him because frankly its not me that needs an apology, or you leave him alone" with a final warning glance she turned back towards Ray.
Gently crouching beside Liz she told her gently that she could now leave. She looked down at the blonde boy and saw his many cuts and bruises and she felt his pain like it were her own, shaking off the idea of wanting to shed a tear she was once again shaking with rage at the absurdity of the situation, she tried to control her emotions. it's not like he feels the extent of the pain, and he heals just as quickly as we do
Ray had taken the basic course of withstanding pain in the time he spent at the breeding cult school, and she had never been so grateful because of it. He was hurt she could tell from her training in first aid, he probably had some bruised ribs but nothing that his genes wouldn't fix quickly. Sighing and getting that anger back she brushed aside his hair from his face.
"Hey baby" she said softly while caressing his brow "so... I leave for awhile and you get yourself into trouble huh?" she teased lightly while holding out her arms to him.
"Urgh!" he groaned as he made his way into her lap "I swear I didn't start it!" Ray said defensively in a little boys tone laced with indignation. He wrapped his arms around her.
"He just came up to me, I didn't do anything wrong, he kept yelling at me about not being here and wanting me gone" he said in a sad voice still trying to maintain his indifferent persona.
Max just looked down at the tired little boy and sighed "I know sweetie C'mon, let's get you to Luke so he can check you out"
"No!" he started wriggling to get out of her grasp but she held on "Mommy I'm fine I just want to go home, I don't want to see anyone else, I want to be with you and sleep I'll heal, I heal just as quick as you and plus I don't feel anything" he looked up at her with a distinguished pout and she relented.
"Ray..." she started but he cut her off.
"I'm tired" he pressed. "Please" he said meekly putting his head in the crook of her neck.
"It'll be real quick Ray, I'm not going anywhere" she said soothingly.
Jerking in response of what she just said he remembered his earlier anger at her for being absent. Its not that he couldn't look after himself he knew how to do that, but he just needed her presence there. He escaped her fast enough so that she didn't have a chance to hold on and prevent him from leaving her.
"But you did" he cried out now instantly charged up "for a whole fuckin week you left!" he stood before her eye's blazing under his unshed tears and defiant mask.
Max stared at him startled at his complete change of mood and use of the 'F' word.
"You left! You left! You weren't here to tuck me in, or read to me, or talk to me, I waited for you to come back every night! I missed you and you didn't once miss me I know because everytime I woke up you weren't there like mom's should be, you're just like the boy who beat me up, you hate me because I'm different" he looked to the ground and whispered hoarsely "because I'm a familiar" then he went back to being angry with her "just go leave again I don't need you anyway!" he looked at her and glared with contempt. He looked about him silently telling himself to not shed the tears and be strong like his dead father. He spotted Alec and just turned his face the other way.
Ray blamed him and that ordinary for keeping Max away and he hated them both.
Max had listened to his childish ramblings with shock, each sentence cutting into her heart and sending bolts of pain throughout her whole body. She ached all over and knew that she couldn't deny her absence or justify reasons for why she stayed at her apartment outside TC but as she looked at the struggling defiant young boy in front of her she regretted it with her whole being. He had accused her with the naiveness of a young child babbling away small nothings that were everything to him and testimony that he was anything but ready and able to be independent.
She wasn't blind; most TC residents didn't like him because he was Whites son and only tolerated him because he was with her. The blonde haired boy had unexpectedly wormed his way into her heart and had guaranteed himself the unconditional love Max never knew she was capable of. As she looked at him pleadingly she thought about where he would go; A Foster home? They would eat him alive and send him to some child laborer company. She refused to even contemplate such a thing as a shiver ran down her.
She had abused his loyalty and love which hurt him and now he doubted her love, a love that she herself could not understand in retrospect. The bond that had occurred between them was surprising and her maternal instincts just kicked in. Max reached out to him cautiously fearing rejection.
"Ray no...Baby that's not true at all, I know I wasn't here for awhile but I had to work and I had missions to do-"
"What for roller boy?" Ray snorted.
Alec tensed and waited with baited breath for Max's response but was startled at her brush off to such a comment. He guessed she was just focusing on the matter at hand.
"I'm not justifying my actions but I need you to know that I do love you. I never meant to hurt you Ray or make it seem like I abandoned you" She struggled to know what else to say, what else could she say? She looked at him then bowing her head in defeat when he just glared at her feeling her heart being torn apart. She guessed she deserved this but she never would guess that she could feel so hurt and as if she had failed this bad in her whole life before this moment.
"I never cared that you were a familiar" she whispered hoarsely, the emotional overload taking it toll before she cleared her thoughts and continued "you know that." Head still bowed "I know you're smart enough to know that if I promise you to not leave again that it will inevitably be broken. Your intelligent that way" she chanced a smile his way, still getting no response from the now apparently disinterested child "but I won't leave you unless I have to, I'll always come back for you... I thought you knew that. Guess I misread that one ey?" pausing and taking another breath "You should know that I have things to do baby, I'm so sorry Ray. I really am"
Alec saw Max close to breaking down and went to move to her but then changed his mind at seeing the way she sagged and knew that his offer of comfort wasn't welcomed. She needed Ray. He knew that before but he saw it now first hand by her emotional breakdown. It took a lot to break her and he knew that because she refused and defied anything that made her remotely weak.
Ray struggled to be angry but he looked down at the woman he looked upto, the person he saw as his mother and felt a pain in his chest. He hated being angry with her but he was so scared at night and he missed her so much yet she never came. He knew he was being unreasonable, he knew that she had other priorities besides him but it hurt knowing they were more important than him. Ray shook his head at his selfishness and felt ashamed as he looked at Max as she cried weakly in front of him. He didn't want to disappoint her and promised himself to be stronger and less dependant although he knew he would want her to be with him always he would make her proud by not sounding selfish again.
Feeling like his chest would explode he let out a small sob and ran into her arms wrapping his arms around her neck causing Max to fall on her back. She immediately wrapped her arms around him and rubbed his back soothingly.
"I'm sorry mommy, don't cry, I know you love me" he cried into her chest from his position lying on top of her "I was just angry I'm sorry please don't cry please" he just kept crying and Max whispered in his ear soothingly "Its okay baby" repeatedly. "Shhhh, it's alright" while wiping her eyes dry and using her other hand to rub his back lightly.
"I'm sorry" he repeated softly as the emotional and physical strain came down on him leaving him weak and tired. He held onto her more tightly as she got up not wanting to leave her.
"I love you Ray" she said when she stood and shifted him into a more comfortable position. She rubbed her check lightly on the side of his head then turned her head more and gave him a motherly kiss on the check. He had tears running down his face still but he had calmed down from his big sob fest.
He mumbled back to her as she started walking to the entrance "love you mum" then realizing she had started to walk he replied urgently "No goin to Luke! Want to go home okay?" he requested in a small voice.
"Yes baby" she said calming him "were going home" With that he nodded and drifted off.
"But I'm still getting Luke to check up on you from our place" she told him silently.
When they arrived home he was sleeping in her arms. Smiling contently she tried not jostling him which was easy for a transgenic.
Ray had tightly wrapped his arms around Max and laid his head on her shoulder, she felt the tears he shed before on her neck. Rubbing his back Max looked at Alec with a heartbroken expression. He sighed and realized that her little high from this morning was now extinguished. He wanted to go out and find that young X-7 and pound into him because of it, well not really coz he was only 9 but he would love to see him punished instead of just being verbally abused.
He opened her apartment door for them and walked beside her silently and watched as she tried to lay him on her bed which was noticeably the one he had been sleeping on while she was away. After tucking him in and watching as he curled up into the pillow and holding onto it she kissed his forehead and left the room silently.
She looked at Alec and told him to go find Luke and send him to her then start arranging for a meeting in half an hour.
Nodding he reached for her hand and squeezed gently reassuring her everything would be okay. She smiled softly at him then went inside her room again closing the door softly behind her.
"Hey baby, were home" she said softly as she crawled into bed behind spooning him. She had lain on her side with one arm draped around his small waist and the other bent on her pillow to keep her head up. "I love you lil guy" She said softly brushing the hair out of his face. She spent awhile just listening to him breath softly beside her and felt a pang as she remembered their fight earlier. "I'll never leave you" smiling ruefully "you're stuck with my transgenic stubborn ass"
"Max! Is that anyway to talk to an 8 yr old boy" someone from the doorway said scandalously and teasing.
She was shoved out of her motherly trance at the sound of the voice and immediately her motherly instincts took over. Jumping out of bed and resuming a fighting stance; all without jostling the bed and jerking the bundle curled on its side sleeping. Her eyes zeroed in on an impressed yet cautious Luke. He raised his eyebrow at her.
"Hmm impressive" the double meaning statement hung in the air for a moment as Max contemplated it. She didn't know if he meant her agility skills or her motherly and slightly alert persona.
Deciding to just ignore it completely she looked at Luke and slipped her leader face on "Ray was in a fight, can you check him out for me while I attend a meeting?"
Realizing that Max was in no mood to play around he nodded "sure no problem Max"
Softening her face slightly she looked at him and gave a small smile "thanks Luke I really appreciate this" she turned back to look at Ray one more time and crouched beside his running her fingers softly down his face then whispered quietly that she would be back before standing up and squaring her shoulders. "If he wakes up just tell him I'm at HQ ok?"
"Sure" He proceeded to go over and sit softly besides the little boy unpacking a few bandages and disinfectants from the bag he was carrying. Looking at Ray he was slightly disgruntled being so close to a Familiar.
"He wont bite you know" Max said devoid of emotion leaning against the doorframe watching him with cold eyes.
Startled that she was still here he looked at the ground avoiding her eyes "that's why he's in this situation because to us he's the freak" shaking her head from side to side she smiled with no humor "isn't that so funny, were the freaks to ordinaries and he's a freak to us" slowing her voice down "He's a fucking child Luke he wont kill you"
"Max-" he started apologizing.
"They wanted him gone, thought he was a danger, a threat" she continued softly as if he didn't say anything "this X-7 boy thought he would bring it upon himself to teach the 'snake' how unwelcome he was at freak central, aint that just ironic?"
Luke looked at her and saw that she had so much pain in her eyes as she told him this. At that moment he respected her so much more for choosing to be their leader while mothering a Familiar in a place that hated him and carrying out all the pain the little boy was causing her. He felt ashamed and compelled to see what was so special about this little boy that had grabbed his leader's heart.
"Look whatever" she said exasperated with this conversation. "Just check up on him and wait until he gets up or I come back, can you do that?"
"Yes ma'am" the X-5 replied wanting to make it up to her.
"Good" she then turned around and left. He sighed and looked down at the little boy before thoroughly yet gently checking his many bumps and cuts.
As she walked into HQ the murmurs dwindled and she unconsciously ran her fingers through her hair. The room's occupants were looking at her expectantly as she strolled to the front of the room to address all of them. As she got there she took off her jacket and put it on the back of her chair. She glanced at Alec and he gave her an encouraging smile, she gave him a small smile back then cleared her throat looking about the room.
"Hey all, I know I've been MIA for awhile, but I had every confidence that you could manage without me am I right?" at the various nods she continued "I called this meeting to round up any issues that are needed to be addressed and also to aware people of the new system going out, but before all that I need an update on our food quantity, meds, money, population growth and weapon supply. Josh what's happening with the food?"
The big guy stepped forward "We are needing more food soon, but right now we doing alright, low on drinks and meat though, organized already for supply run, pick up in 2 days"
Nodding she approved the plans and looked at Sarah an X-5 that joined them 3 months ago. She was head of the medical department. "We are getting daily blood donors filling up our blood banks and were slowly infiltrating the local hospital getting the equipment we need slowly as to not cause suspicion, but we have gotten a contact to give us the rest of our medical needs. Within the week the exchange will happen. So we now have an almost functioning hospital near the Mess hall. We also scouted the abandoned building and found many cots that just need mattresses that will also be coming with the supplies the transgenics that got surgery training are stepping forward and we now have at least 5 able surgeons in TC ma'am"
Amazed she smiled at Sarah in appreciation "Great work Sarah, when is the exchange and how much is it costing us?"
Blushing at the slight praise "It's 250,000 ma'am and I've organized a group to go out on Thursday to watch the exchange"
"I want your team to see me or Alec so we know who's going okay? Josh you too I want a team organized to accompany you. We can't afford to trust anyone on the outside, were doing this as a basic op. Understood?" she looked around the room at the silent soldiers who nodded. "Good" Max nodded at them then looked at Mole "how's our weaponry supply"
"The weapons are enough to supply this nation with two guns each and then some, we have also scored some other goodies like AKA's, sniper guns, machine guns, electrodes, knives, sound blasters, grenades, double edged swords, oh and Alec I know you'll love this, we got our hands on some Japanese samurai swords Katana's and.... Nunchaku's" smirking at Alec's instant perked fascination Mole continued "the new heat activated ray gun's that they've brought out" Mole smirked in self satisfaction "were getting another shipment tomorrow with ammo and such, the store rooms have been relocated to one of the buildings near the pub and HQ for easier access amongst surprise visits also each knew resident is assigned one gun to them from the beginning" Mole looked at her and Alec expectantly.
"Great work pal" Alec said while Max just nodded her head in agreement. He looked indifferent but inside he was proud for making them happy. He didn't like them at first but he saw the work they did and found himself respecting them, especially Max; the 09' escapee who had gained the confidence of a Nation who was taught to hate her. He looked out for her like she was his little sister.
She treated him with respect and he adored her, she was so full of life when she finally got into her leadership mode, greeting and giving people the sense of belonging and respect they never got at Manticore. He could tell from the beginning it was futile trying to fight falling for her, she was easy to love and care about and everyone here would die for the feisty vixen he was sure of that.
She went out of her way to welcome everyone warmly and make them apart of the cause but she never got to close, she would leave them wanting. He smiled ruefully at that, her ability to lead was natural and people followed her because she ignited the fight within them to stand up for them selves.
Mole looked around the room and noticed the many X-5 males staring at her adoringly. Shaking his head he could never understand the choice of men she fell for, an ordinary and a familiar. Mole could tolerate the familiar because he was at least a little boy but the ordinary was another story. Many of the occupants of TC had tried getting Max hooked up with one of her own, subtly of course but to no avail.
Not to say the males didn't try of course, sometimes it was amusing how many would try to come onto the beautiful leader, but everyone knew that she was off limits and not because of Logan but because of Alec, their second in command. He was the one she was supposed to be with and everyone knew that. Didn't deter the many males that wanted her though but they still all knew.
Mole had zoned out the rest of the meeting and was watching the transgenics milling around again after being dismissed.
"Did you catch the end bit Mole?" Alec asked cheekily "or were you to busy staring at our beloved leader?"
"Piss off Alec I wasn't staring" he growled.
"Suure you weren't" he drawled out. "But just so you know I'd wipe the bit of drool right there" Alec indicated the side of his mouth "then report to Dix and get your name on the roster so we can tally how many residents we have" Alec chuckled as he headed towards Max's office.
Mole just glared at him and was about to scream something quite unsuitable for the little boy that just entered the room. He noticed the dishelved little boy walking in heading towards Max's office sleepily but still with the aura of indifference that Mole was quite used to seeing from the little familiar. Mole knew his place and never said or did anything to Ray but he had to admit that once you saw him and Max interact there was no question that he wasn't any threat to the transgenics.
Mole took notice of his appearance and saw that he looked bad; he had a cut on his upper lip and a wrapped wrist, he also walked favoring his left leg and slightly blocking his right side. He was pouting and Mole let slip a smile at how cute he looked before shaking the idea off and once again scowling menacingly, heading to Dix so he could explain this roster bullshit to him.
Ray was snapped awake before glaring heatedly as he saw Alec stood over Max as she looked at the maps in front of her. He pouted at the fact she was here when he woke up and had to see Luke looking at him instead of her welcoming face.
He admired his 'mother' as she quickly scanned the maps tracing her finger over the many lines and stuff on the paper. She kept tucking a stray hair behind her ear and she furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. She mumbled something to Alec as she pointed something out and he nodded then pointed to something else. She furrowed her eyebrows even more then looked up smiling and nodding her head, she turned around and gave Alec an approving smile and hugged him, that's when Ray noticed the sparkly bracelet she was wearing, and he knew he hadn't seen it before. His scowl intensifying he kept watching the scene.
Max was concentrating trying to figure out the best way of placing the men around the pick up place for the Meds and food without being noticed. She decided that she would get them exchanged so it could happen simultaneously. Although she was quite secure with her skills Max knew her talents, and arranging for a basic op wasn't one of them, sure she could plan a heist, but that was only to suit her. She wasn't used to organizing such a big group extravaganza. That was always Zack's job, and now she was depended upon to do it. Shaking her head and tucking the strand of loose hair she concentrated more trying to figure the best positions in which to place her men. Alec had just pointed out a few spots helping her out and she was grateful for having his support. He was usually the one who got her to see where and how to do things like this, subtly helping and teaching her the stuff she missed out on without saying it out loud.
That's why he was second in command, because as many people have told her 494 was a born leader, and was bred the skills to lead and organize, yet they looked to her and not him for guidance. She knew that it was really him doing all the leadership stuff, yet he never complained and just helped her be the best she could be without making it seem she was incompetent. She really admired him for that, knowing he had her back without asking for anything in return but her friendship. Smiling she turned to him and gave him a hug content to feel the comfort after this morning and laid her head on his shoulder knowing he understood her need for the embrace.
Suddenly someone cleared their throat rudely.
Stunned she disentangled herself from him and turned towards the door annoyed opening her mouth to rip into whoever was there. Her face broke out into a loving grin at who was there and she walked around her desk and crouched down opening her arms and waited for Ray to walk into them before standing up and balancing him on her hip.
"Hey little guy" she ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead "have a nice sleep?"
He pouted and said indignantly "you weren't there"
Sighing "Ray I had a meeting baby. I had to leave" she said reasoning with him. He nodded dismissively then laid his tired head on her shoulder "you got Luke to check on me when I was asleep, you're sneaky" he tsked.
Max laughed and smile "Pfft, that's not sneaky I'm just smart, your stubborn and wouldn't have let Luke look at you when awake am I right" she said knowingly, he just shrugged and avoided her eyes still keeping the slight pout. "So I was glad you fell asleep though your healing well the bruises have faded slightly" she said while running soft fingers over his bruised cheek before changing the subject and smiled at him ruefully "I missed your beautiful blues though, c'mere let me look" she shifted his head by putting and tracing her finger under his chin and waited for his eyes to meet hers, he was still pouting adorably so she mocked his pout and pulled a face. He broke out into a tired smile after just glaring at her.
"Hey! Don't tease me" he said indignantly.
"But your more handsome when you smile" she said and smiled as he blushed lightly and looked away complaining.
"Muumm!" he cried in boyish embarrassment.
Laughing again she shifted him again "alright babe, I gotta work you wana stay or leave?" he just answered her by strengthening his hold on her.
"Alright guess your staying"
"Humph" he said from the crook of her shoulder tiredly "meany" he mumbled before closing his eyes and dozing off again at her tender touch and slight rocking.
She smiled motherly at him before walking back to Alec. "Sorry" she mumbled softly.
"No problem mama" he said teasingly.
"Hey!" she said indignant, before soothing Ray by humming to him and rocking him more. Then more quietly she glared at him and repeated her 'hey!'.
Alec just smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm always wondered where he got that from" then mockingly and placing a hand on a hip "hey!"
Max glared at him "whatever" she said dismissively. Luke then knocked on the door and poked his head in.
"Hey Luke" Alec said cheerily claiming a seat on the couch.
"Hey Alec, what up man?" he replied as he stepped in noticing it was okay.
"Nothing man, just mother hen here trying to organize a surveillance crew for the Medical pickup, while rocking her baby boy" he leaned conspiriously over to Luke then looked both left then right as if checking for someone "you think I could get him to order her to get laid, she's wound up so tight it's a wonder how she can walk" nodding and grinning before he yelped in surprise as Max pinched him on the underside of his arm.
"Hey! Woman ever heard of a joke" he pouted "that really hurt"
"Oh shut up you big baby, before you wake the real one up, and FYI he does not control me" she glared at him trying to pull of her 'don't fuck with me' pose but failing because of the little boy nestled in her arms.
"Okay, great!" Luke said amused and slightly scared that he'll be caught in the cross fire of one of Max and Alec's infamous fights.
Turning his attention to Max "well the 'real baby's' okay, he just has a bruised side and a sprained wrist but everything else isn't major, wont even know he was in a fight within a couple of hours. His healing is just as good as yours; the swelling of his eye has already gone down considerably" he pointed out as Max was looking over him.
"Thanks Luke" she said before sitting on the couch next to Alec, Ray still in her arms. He stirred slightly then went back to sleeping. "He wasn't any trouble when he woke up was he?"
"Oh nah, he was just sour that he saw me instead of you, got straight out of bed as soon as I said where you were like he wasn't in any pain"
"That's probably because he wasn't, he was taught to withstand and block the pain out" she traced patterns on his back lightly. "He's getting really good at that" she said to no one in particular.
Luke studied the little bundle in her arms critically "Amazing, maybe we could learn how to do that and use it against them"
Max narrowed her eyes at the use of 'them'.
Luke shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat as if he was coffing "you know against the familiars"
Alec butted in before Max could tap into her motherly instincts and rip into Luke "I think that would be great Maxie, if we could learn the extent of their pain threshold we could have the upper hand on them, we would be superior to them in fighting its just our pain acknowledgement that fucks us up"
"Yea I guess" she relented as she looked between the two males "I'll ask Ray when he wakes up ok?" she looked at Ray snuggled against her "and Alec... don't swear in front of him"
Rolling his eyes at her he addressed Luke. "Oh! Luke report to Dix will ya, Max set up a system that will access the necessary units more easily, we need to get your name, designation, address and skills typed into the system. He'll explain the rest when you get there" Alec said as he noticed Luke raise his eyebrow at 'address'. TC wasn't grided properly so Max had stayed up sometime this week after an EO mission to identify the streets and buildings, she had conducted her own recon and looked at TC from all angles and with the help of Logan she got an aerial view as well as her own personal Intel. She was making it more like a city than an abandoned part of Seattle. He beamed at her when she told him what she had done, she was nervous as if he would laugh at her. Smiling at the memory he remembered that she was so pretty smiling at him the way she did when he accepted her plans for TC. Almost like seeking approval even though she got last word on how TC would be run anyway.
Dismissing Luke he then paid attention to Max and the idea's she threw out to him. She learnt fast and he grew proud of her as the days went by. She was handling things with such ease, it would seem she was never absent from the Manticore teachings. She almost gave him a run for his money in the fast learning department; he held the record for being a fast self learner at Manticore but she was stiff competition. At first she was so clueless at how things went like strategic planning, heading mission deployments pretty basic stuff, now she knew how to handle herself, she was still a bit self conscious, but he helped boost her confidence by telling her it was great and suggesting things she could do to make the missions run smoother. But other than that she had it down and he was left to just admire her.
Pausing to watch for a beat Luke then turned and left the small family alone. It was picture perfect Alec had outstretched one arm placing it on the back of the couch behind Max, and Max had leant slightly on him to get comfortable and held some more papers in front of them discussing softly to one another as Ray lay slumped in her arms.
A little while latter Max had left Ray with Alec in her office so she could do the rounds. She often went out and about having small conversations with everyone making them feel welcomed, she enjoyed it and with her memory she had memorized everyone's names, designations and specialty. Often when she was strolling along she would send smiles and wave at them not particularly going anywhere but looking out for new people. She loved being their leader at times like this, just friendly conversation and an equalness that was amongst them all. No-one was better than another and she loved how they banded together in making TC their home.
Over time they had put out cleaning crews and organized the place up, she now had a fully functioning City at her disposal; electricity and running water at their beck and call thanks to their skills in hacking into neighboring power stations and major water lines. They didn't have to worry bout bills and stuff because they had set up the water and electricity system to which enabled them to place a couple of extra cents to rich peoples accounts, making it impossible to trace back to them. The water system had taken a bit longer to succeed due to the fact that the new water systems ran outside of TC perimeters thanks to the radioactivity spill and new council management. Max had arranged a group in which built a new pipe line that connected from the old water system to the new discreetly so they could also tap into water without using the old Boiling method.
She smiled finally thanking Manticore for the training they had taught them. She would never admit it to Logan but even an X-8 could out hack him. With their superior reading and typing ability they were great at hacking superior codes and evading particular barriers.
Max had decided earlier on to get training started again making sure that the younger series were getting the same training as the older ones had, catching them up so that they could defend themselves physically and mentally at top condition. As a bonus it was also a way to keep them structured and occupied during the day, she didn't want them to end up stir crazy so she sent word out for Alfa males to set up a training room and start teaching fighting maneuvers and strategic planning.
With that thought she let her mind linger to her sudden growth in strength and ability, she had noticed for awhile now that she was becoming quicker and stronger than the average transgenic. She never trained explicitly like the rest of TC, having had a schedule with that excluded the martial arts training from her new organized time table of chores and tasks.
She had refused to be apart of it claiming she was too busy with more commanding duties, but in all seriousness she felt this vague fear that the abnormality of her new acquired skills would just generate more of a spectacle than what she wanted. So she remained aloof about it and merely brushed it aside as just a phase.
Her ability to come out of the place two nights ago for that B&E assignment was baffling though; she had punched through a 6 inch double window with just one strike when she recalled a few weeks back that when she had done that same thing she was left with an ache in her right wrist. When doing the same action a few weeks later and breaking through it like it was nothing left a girl shaken at the discovery, she brushed it off to adrenalin though but knew some freaky things was happening to her, the ability to think and process quicker and efficiently like it seemed she wasn't thinking at all just letting her senses and instincts take over her body without thought.
Max also noticed that she seemed to make time slow down considerably around her when she blurred from place to place as if it weren't her that was speeding up it was time slowing down.
It scared her because she didn't know what was happening, its not like she didn't want the new found talents its just she didn't know why she was the only one getting them. Learning new things and executing them at above transgenic level was amazing, yet she couldn't get why she felt an impending fear that came with her new skills, she also contemplated the arrival of the new ruins adorning her skin. Usually with her anything good always seemed to fuck her around tenfold. Perhaps these new signs were explanation to her sudden weirdness.
Deciding for once to not let this discourage her she went to the local training room in defiance and watched the X-5s and X-6s duel in the middle of the room while another group of X-7 and X-8 were being taught how to jump to high places in one leap.
Max paid attention to them for awhile egging on a young girl as it was her turn to try and leap up to the second floor. that's right...gain some speed centre your body then push off imaging your center lift with you she watched as the girl made it to the second story and pulled her tongue playfully at the boy she had been previously chatting to before being called on. Smirking after he glared at her it was his turn to now jump. Mentally cheering him on as well as he flawlessly landed on the second story in front of his girl friend. They both high fived and went to sit further back so they could continue their talk.
Smiling Max stood in the doorway letting her gaze languidly slide across the room away from the young X series to the dueling men. She recognized all of the males currently working on the mats and stood in awe at how graceful they all looked when fighting eachother.
Jayce the Alfa heading the class stood on the sides, arms crossed in front of him shouting out orders at all of them and pointing out flaws to their maneuvers. He would demonstrate the proper way before standing back and watching them until they corrected and succeeded with the technique or maneuver.
Max mentally pulled from the back of her memory and remembered that Jayce was the highest at hand to hand in his division at Manticore. When he first came to TC and had their welcoming chat he had brought it up in the conversation.
Looking around the room at the various matches going on she was fascinated at their various techniques and style instantly memorizing moves and processing it unconsciously. Smiling she remembered the exhilaration she felt when sparring and training exercises were dealt to her, despite the harsh conditions in which her group were taught in and before her escape she had gloried in the feel of power and strength that exuded from her when paired up with one of her brothers or sisters.
Suddenly she heard Jayce stop them and they all went into formation in four perfect rows at ease waiting for Jayce to instruct them further. Watching in pride at the troops Max waited a beat before she was just about to step out again. as she turned to leave she heard Jayce call out to her.
"Max! Hold up" he started jogging over to her. All heads turned to stare curiously at Max as Jayce approached her.
The training room's main floor was just the bottom room of a studio building located next to the hospital. It was a big enough room to allow 50 training transgenics fight it out with space. It was a two story building. Max supposed it was an abandoned hype Club due to the open space and wide room. On adjacent sides there was a floor space over looking the middle ground almost like a balcony but with enough room to fit 20 people on both sides. Most the fighting happened on ground floor anyway and the second story was used for when the middle floor was too packed to fight on it.
"Hey Jayce" Max said tentively "I hope I didn't disturb your class"
"Nah" he said dismissively with a hand gesture before giving her his most charming smile "course not, not everyday we see our leader here"
Smiling and relaxing a bit "yea I know but I had to check the place out sometime" looking about admirably "it's wonderful, Alec did a good job with this place" then turning back to look at Jayce "Its great the way they're shaping up Jayce, you're doing a great job" she praised him " so alright imma blaze-" she started saying wit a smile.
"No wait, how bout you take me on? I was just about to start combating with the class anyway" he smiled down at her charmingly "think you can take me"
Max rolled her eyes playing along.
"Pfft! You'll be eating the mat in no time buddy" she reverted into her over confident stance. One hand on hip, cocked to one side with a smirk and eye brow raise. "think your ego can take me?" then she just looked at him while he smirked at her.
"I don't know Jayce , I do have a lot of other things to do..." she said uncertainly shattering the image of self-assurance.
"C'mon" he egged her on good naturedly "I need a challenge and I heard you were the best out here" he gave her a look saying 'yea right' "even though I have 10 yrs training on you prove it to me" slipping from the disbelieving to the uncanny annoying look that screamed 'tell me I'm wrong'.
Shrugging off the unease that settled with in her she stood up to the challenge.
"Yeah well I got 10 years of street smarts on you" she walked towards the ring making sure her 'don't fuck with me' attitude was in place. Swaying her hips enticingly she slightly let herself drown in the exhilarated feelings overcoming her. Tugging off her jacket and letting it rest at the bottom of the ring she entered it and glanced around while proceeding to stretch out her muscles in anticipation to the work out they'll inevitably get.
realizing that this is just what she had needed she let herself relax slightly and mentally told herself this was a great way to calm her down about any abnormalities in her abilities. The rest of the room's occupants had already made space for the fight. As Max was getting ready she realized that there seemed to be more people than what she remembered, shrugging it off she went to face Jayce who was now giving her that cocky grin that adorned Alec's face as well as most X-5 males. She concluded that it was part of their genetic make up and taught to them at an early age as a means to piss her off. Everytime Alec was about to piss her off he seemed to automatically adapt that cheeky smirk that was currently on Jayce's face.
"So mister" she said as she approached him predatorily. "How do you want me" she said cheekily then outright laughed at his sudden gaping face.
"Using your sexual prowess is a dirty trick Max" Jayce pouted before they started automatically circling eachother. Max swept her eye's up and down his body rakishly as if she were checking him out but she was internally frustrated to find his stance had no flaws or openings in which she could make the first attack at.
"Why? Jayce you saying you think of your leader sexually?" she looked at him as if she were appalled but never breaking her defensive position. "Is that anyway to behave soldier?"
"You really have the distracting enemy part down Max, maybe you'd realize how difficult this is if you harbored a certain anatomy of the Male species"
Raising an eyebrow "so you blame you're inevitable defeat on your dick" she looked at him as if he were from another planet "on what planet does that make any sense Jayce?"
Finally caving into the hopelessness of finding a weakness Jayce took a stab at her, thus gradually beginning their dance. "It makes punch sense to kick us Males punch Max"
Deflecting all his advances she upped the tempo with a vicious backhand followed through with a roundhouse kick to his head. "uh-huh and these males you talk about" she raised an eyebrow smirking at his current shock of her getting in the first hit "do they suck as much as you do mister top of his class"
"Oh don't worry sweet cheeks" he gave her the once over "I haven't even started yet"
"Bring it on"
With that he then launched himself at her with a fury. Punching and kicking at her with all his transgenic speed and strength; coming up with moves to fast for the ordinary eye and striking at his leader with a passion only to be deflected each time.
Max laughed and finally decided to let go and enjoy the second nature dance that Jayce and her were now sharing. She didn't have the slightest trouble keeping up with the Alfa in his moves, speed and strength. she constantly tried to find an opening for her to- Ahh here we are immediately launching her self at him after his last roundhouse uppercut combo failed she went over to him and took him from his blind side and threw a forceful blow to his ribs before turning his body with hers to face outward with his back to her chest and then kicked out his left knee and hooking her foot around his right ankle effectively rendering him face first on the floor with her straddling his lower back and holding his left arm high enough to render him unable to move.
In succession, breathing harshly and letting the thin sheen of sweat roll of her nose she whispered conspiriously with him "too bad there aren't any spills, I'd mop them up with your ass right about now" she said triumphantly. Then sitting back casually without breaking her hold or grip on him once she raised her voice "you give Mr. Top of his class?"
"umpf" was all she could get out from the struggling man under her.
"What" she said cheekily.
"Yes!" with that Max let him go.
He grumped at her in mock pout before a delightful smile lit up his face.
"Well, well I guess the rogue can beat the best of us after all" he looked at her admirably and gave her a hug "cheating with her gorgeousness but winning none the less" he let her go and his smile widened at her slight blush.
"Whatever Jayce, we were made gorgeous, plus mister I think you were holding back, you are the top of hand to hand division"
"Well yea, but you won fair and square I wasn't holding back, maybe got distracted a few times but focused on the objective like I was taught none the less. Plus as if I'd want to lose to a female" he said scrunching up his face in mock disgust "even if you are gorgeous, it a major blow to a man's ego"
Growling in mock indignation "Dude you're really bordering on being a sexist here" then shrugging "but hey on behalf of the female population it just goes to show that we really do kick ass" she smirked at him triumphantly at his lack of an argument.
"It was a quick match though, I like your form and style, very unsuspecting and wild" he changed the subject instead.
He then leered at her "very worth it though if I got to get all sweaty with you Max"
"Ick I stand corrected and just as I was about to dub you normal you go and prove that you're just like Alec" she looked at him "did Manticore pull the males aside in a crash course and teach them individually lame innuendoes 101?"
"Nah, its all natural charm babe sorry to disappoint" he went and put his arm around her.
She looked at his arm on her shoulder, and then turned to him to give him an evil yet humorous look.
"Really huh?"
Before Jayce could react he was on the ground looking up at Max's cheeky smile.
He just smiled at her just as evilly. "Times like this I wish you were wearing a skirt" he then rolled out of the way of her small kick and flipped to his feet quickly chuckling.
"Pig!"
Max shook her head at him and finally noticed the crowd that surrounded them. Clearing her throat at the sudden nervousness she usually got when knowing your being criticized and watched. She strengthened her resolve and turned back to Jayce "Uhh imma blaze, it was fun" turning to go she looked back at him one last time "thanks Jayce" she whispered to him kindly knowing he would never know the double meaning behind her words also knowing he would be the only one to hear her. At his confused look she got out of the ring and gave several smiles and hello's to the parting crowd leaving an awe struck Alfa behind to stare at her retreating back.
As Max continued down TC she was still on her high from the fight. She had to admit that despite the easy going nature between Jayce and her she was a little startled by it. She was used to soldiers being emotionally cut off, but as she looked around and studied everyone around her , it seemed as if she was the only one having trouble opening up to people. Alec seemed to fit into his role so easily, chatting people up and gaining respect like that, but its not to say she wasn't friendly because she was its just that there was always that cautious wall she put up. Surrounding Transgenics saw it and although she may be their leader she wasn't their friend on a level as Alec's. She didn't know if that bothered her or not anymore. A few months ago she would have said yes flat out, but circumstances have made changes in her life. She now had a little boy to look after, she let her Genetic abilities in without thinking she was freak, and also she was really warming up to her leader role.
Sighing Max decided that she would head back to HQ. When she walked in the door Dix immediately called out to her.
"Hey what's up?" she said as she walked over to him.
"I thought you wanted to take shots of your ruins...I gave Alec the digital camera and its all fired up to go"
"Oh...yeah. Cool! Thanks Dix" with that Max walked over to her office door. Hesitating with her hand poised over the door knob a bit unsure of why, she then slowly opened the door.
She smiled at the image she encountered before her. Obviously Ray had tired Alec out and the room was three times as messy as it was when she left, but she couldn't bring herself to actually be angry with the chaos. As she gazed down at Alec and Ray sleeping on the floor amidst the pile of paper with a piece of paper stuck on Alec's cheek while Ray had used Alec's back as a pillow she felt a peace slide over her putting a stop to her thoughts of the fight and questioning her abilities once more.
Not wanting to disturb them she knelt beside Alec, then laid down next to him making sure not to make to much noise in case another scene from earlier occurred. Max blushed as she remembered what happened and smiled again at the two Males sleeping next to her.
Max had probably drifted off after awhile because next thing she knew she was on the couch in her office and Alec and Ray were quietly arguing over who had made most mess.
"You are in so much trouble; mum is so gonna kick your ass at the state her office is in"
"Hey this is as much your fault as it is mine mister don't play the blame game with me" Alec stopped in his sentence before childishly continuing "I'm older"
Max could almost imagine the two boys with their tongue poked at eachother in boyish resentfulness. She then heard Ray speak up softly.
"Yea but she loves me, and you always get blamed coz I'm younger"
"humph" was all Alec could say before she heard the slight buzzing and ruffles of paper as they were quickly being picked up and stacked.
She chanced to open one eye slightly to see what was going on. Ray had quickly run around the room picking up the papers from the floor while Alec was blurring with his hands to put them in neat piles on her desk, Ray then walked around and silently lifted her turned over chair and garbage bin, before shoving the crumpled up pieces of paper back in, he then moved the chair over behind the desk and playfully pushed at Alec to get him to move.
Alec still pouting over his lost verbal battle to an 8 yr old held still. uh-oh Max thought as she saw the glint of Rays mischievous smirk cross his face. Sensing that he was about to look at her Max made sure she kept her face peaceful and her posture at ease after her instincts told her that Ray had looked away Max opened her eye again slightly and watched Ray 'accidentally' trip over the garbage bin into the desk thus pushing the neat piles of paper about on the desk in an unorganized heap.
At first Alec could do nothing but stare at the desk in shock before his gaze slowly looked at the innocent looking boy then once again back at the desk.
"Opps, sorry I tripped" Ray said unconvincingly innocent.
Max was getting worried at Alec's lack of movement before he dashed after Ray so quickly that it startled Max to a sitting position. She watched as Alec caught Ray and proceeded to tickle torture him.
Ray squealed in delight and broke out into a fit of laughter as Alec ruthlessly tickled his sides.
"Muuum!" Ray cried out amongst his giggles.
Max took the second to contemplate her options; stop the laughter and fun or join in? She chose the later and immediately sat besides Alec winking at him as she too moved in to tickle him.
"Noooooo!" laughing even harder and wriggling around on the ground "traitor"
"I'm sorry honey, what? I can't hear you through your laughter what did you say?"
She turned to Alec "did he say he wanted more? Coz that's what I got what about you?"
"Noooo! Please okay... okay I'll be good... I swear!" Ray said in between giggles and trying to get the four hands off him unsuccessfully.
Smirking down at him "whose the best?"
Ray stopped to look at him like he was crazy before he broke out into another fit of giggles as Max continues her tickling fingers.
"C'mon Ray whose the best?" Alec said as he smiled down at Ray.
Ray knew what he had to say to get him out of this as he saw his mum and Alec above him and Max's fingers digging into all the places she knew would make him laugh hardest.
"Stop! Stop! Okay, okay...." breathing out a shaky breath he looked at Alec then his mum before looking back at Alec the first hint of his smirk back. Alec looked at him slightly puzzled.
"you are the best" Alec stopped his tickling immediately "after my mum!" Ray said triumphantly before Alec felt him self on the receiving end of the tickle torture.
He had his wrist held above him by Max as Ray climbed on top of him and found his sensitive spot just below his armpits; looking at Max through his laughter trying to pull off a convincing hurt face he gasped out.
"unhg! Traitor"
Smiling down at him mischievously "you better believe it baby, no one messes with Ray...or did you not get the memo" Giggling at Alec's continued jaunty laughter she held on for a few more beat before finally telling Ray to stop.
She let go of Alec before warning him she wouldn't hesitate to kick his ass if he even contemplated trying to tickle her again. Then she looked at Ray "and you mister, I want you to clean that mess you 'accidentally' made on my desk before I ground you"
Ray pouted and trudged over to the desk mumbling "great, back to mum mode"
Alec just chuckled before quickly shutting up and went to clean the spilt trash on the ground at Max's deliberate pointing finger. Alec also trudged over to it mumbling "I'm not a baby, friggen female!"
Max just shook her head and smiled before walking over and picking up the digital camera and kissing Ray who was still grumbling about something on the forehead before walking over to Alec and doing the same.
With the camera in hand she once again left the two alone in her office to seek out someone else to take the pictures of her ruins, somewhat hopeful they could be good enough to keep her office clean this time. After 6 steps out of the office she heard a loud crash before more laughter and shouting began. Stopping mid stride she tilted her head to the side before just ignoring it and kept on walking.
