Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, just an idea, but trust me you can't get anything from that! Leave me to live in fiction

Summary: Set after "The Berrisford Agenda". Alec said goodbye to his first love and that changed him forever. Can he open his heart to someone else? Or will it stay closed forever? What will Max think about him from now on? He is a changed man now… A/M

Thanks to:

OntheDL – well, there it is! It wasn't a long wait I hope. I know last chapter was kind of dark and this one is also like that in a way, but I hope you will like it in the end.

Aur – thanks for your review. I'm glad you liked the fact Joshua was the one trying to bring those two together. They are the same in a way.

Katherine – I know that part was kind of confusing. I just don't know how to verbalize things I mean. I meant to say that Max was the one who ends up each of his thoughts. If you understand what I'm saying. She is in every single his memories.

leelou – I'm glad you like my story and I hope you will like this chapter also.

Annabelle – great to hear from you again. I could update more frequent, but than it would be full of mistakes. I have to send my chapter to my beta first, and than to this site. So I have to wait for her to repair my mistakes. And she's great about it, cause she has her own business to take care of and still finds the time to do this. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! Let me know!

JimBobIndoors – well, I kind of didn't understand your whole review, but thanks anyway for your support! :)

And to all of you MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Chapter 14 – At peace at last

He was looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time. And it kind of was like the first time - a lot happened since they last saw each other. He found out she broke into Berrisford mansion, he found out she stole from that place, he found out she knows everything about his mission, he found out she knows everything about him…

She was standing there in front of him looking like she was in a fight; dirt all over her, dishevelled, but still beautiful. It was almost like nothing can make her ugly.

Max was not prepared to see Alec again, especially not this close.

"He looks tired…disappointed. I wish I could erase all that happened. I wish I could see him smile again like he was laughing back at Crash. Oh, God, I can't do this…" – she thought but than Joshua spoke again.

"Here, say goodbye."

Max finally heard what Joshua was saying.

"Goodbye, what goodbye? Where is he going?" – she wondered and the realization finally hit her. If she leaves she will never see Alec's face again. That would hurt her. And now she heard he was leaving and that was even worse. But, she didn't wanna say anything first. That was not a problem, since Alec spoke.

"Well, well, looks like I can't run away from you. Keeping track of me?" – he asked harshly.

Max blinked trying to block away the feelings she had reflecting in her eyes.

"No. I came to say goodbye to Joshua."

Joshua looked at her surprisingly.

"What was she saying? Now, she's the one who is saying goodbye."

"Goodbye? Where is little fella going?" – Joshua asked her.

"Come on, man, what do you think? – Alec said sarcastically. – "When things get rough, Maxie runs away. Well, no wonder, since it's in her nature. Running away, I mean."

Max just stood there taking in every verbal punch he gave her. And she took it. Normally, she would fight back, but felt she had no right to do so. So she just stood there and that made Alec even more mad.

"Why are you not saying a word, Maxie? You're awfully quiet. Nothing to say or cat got your tongue?" – Alec asked his behavior getting more aggressive. But he couldn't help himself. He was mad and he had to make his peace. That was the only way in his mind. So, he kept pushing.

"Still nothing? You see, I came to your appartment earlier. Spoke with OC. Poor girl was all in tears. You left her too. Your best friend. And here's Josh! You're leaving him, too!." – he started walking around her, like he was investigating her and she just stood still closing her eyes once in a while. She needed to regain her posture. And she could feel her tears rising also. His words were coming to her like strong waves, causing her to rock a little. But, Alec didn't notice that. He kept talking.

"And let's not forget about Logan." – he stopped a little taking time to watch her face. But, she didn't react on the mention of his name like she did earlier in Crash.

"What do you think he will say when he finds out you're gone like the wind? You're leaving everyone. I, at least don't have anyone who means something to me, so it's ok to leave, but you…pretending to belong in this world. You need people to convince you that you belong here, and you don't believe that for a second, right? You just seek attention. You're special, and everyone has to treat you that way. Little princess. You're making me sick."

Joshua stood there watching tears falling by themselves from Max's eyes. She wasn't even trying to hide them. Her stare was focused on one spot on the wall and she hadn't said a word.

"That's enough, Alec." – Joshua whispered.

Alec was standing behind her now and after Joshua spoke his last words he stepped in front of her. Her tears were a shock for him. He didn't expect them. Suddenly his eyes changed. Dark look in them transformed into his normal haze look. It was like he heard himself speak again the same thing and felt he went too far. Only, he wasn't the person who would say "I'm sorry" that easily.

"Yeah, that's enough." – Alec agreed.

Joshua shook Max's shoulders like he was trying to wake her up. And she looked up meeting his eyes. They looked at each other for a second, like no one had anything to say. But, they knew what each other was thinking.

"I'm sorry, Joshua, but you understand what happened, right? You're the only one who understands both me and Alec…" – Max thought.

"Come on, little fella, don't cry, you are the strong one. Fight back. Fight back for the one you want…" – Joshua's eyes were saying back.

Alec just stood there watching them communicate like that. It wasn't jeaulosy he felt, cause there was nothing between Joshua and Max, but he wanted to be the one on the other side of that eye duel. Finally Max spoke. There was no insecurity in her tone. She sounded crucial. But, only she knew that was a disguise. That she needed to focus on her strength.

"You're wrong. I'm not leaving town." – she said her eyes finally reaching Alec's. – "And I'm not a coward."

Her eyes were challenging his to respond.

"I'm also not leaving." – was the only thing he said.

Max looked at him nodding. She turned around, touched Joshua's arm and left.

The door closed behind her and she felt relieved. It was getting way intence for her in there. But she felt glad also. She took in everything Alec had to say to her. She took it and survived. Not in a life-surviving way, but in an emotional way. Her hand was still laying on the door knob as she remembered everything he said. Her mind was not letting her be at peace, so she decided to take another glance inside the window. She leaned a little trying not to make any noise. She saw Alec taking a seat, both him and Joshua not saying anything. He laid his head in his hands and Joshua was standing in front of him just staring.

She stepped away from the window , her eyes having a pensive look. Suddenly in the corner of her lips a little smile apperared.

"I'm also not leaving." – she heard Alec speak again in her mind.

With that smile she walked toward her ninja and sat on it smiling. She started it and sped off towards her apartment with extreme speed. She needed to see OC again and explain everything to her.

So? Did you like it? Let me know everything you think!

Merry Christmas to all!