Too Far Gone

Part Three


Previously:

I open the door of her cell and my eyes widen in surprise. She's beautiful. Ok, so all the girls at Manticore are beautiful, it's how they were made. But 452 is almost exotic. Small build, brown, almond-shaped eyes, full pouty lips, luscious dark hair.

I beckon to 452 and she follows me out into the hallway. I can't help but think she looks vaguely familiar. I push the thought away as we reach the rec room. Opening the door, we step inside. All eyes suddenly on me as I turn to her.

"X5-452, welcome to Unit 7." I say. Slowly I point out our C.O. and 2IC.

I look at 452 with intensity. I can see her shiver. Does she feel it too? I know this girl. But from where? Hoping to get a response, some recognition, I announce, "My designation is 511…"


Alec

Alec sauntered into Jampony the next morning. He'd slept well and he felt good, really good. Hmm he mused, running a hand through his dark blond hair and allowing himself a self-satisfied smile. After an intensely gratifying evening with a stunning redhead, why wouldn't I feel good?

He glanced at the board behind the dispatch counter and sighed. He was paired with Max. Well, at least I get to annoy the hell outta her he thought. I love when she gets riled up. She's so damn sexy when she's pissed off.

He spotted OC near the lockers chatting with some of their co-workers. They were two of the many transgenics Alec had managed to talk Normal into hiring. Baz and Nell were a couple of bubbly X-5s with a penchant for mischief that had Normal teetering on the verge of insanity. He smiled as he walked over to his friends.

"Morning." He said as he nodded to Baz and Nell. "Hey Cindy , you seen Max anywhere? We're doing runs together today." he enquired as he turned to the small, chocolate skinned woman he was proud to call his friend.

OC looked at him sadly. "You 'n me baby boo, we needa talk." She nodded toward the supply room. "Wit'out an audience."

Closing the door behind him, he sent Cindy a questioning look. "What's up Cin?"

"My boo's gone and left, dat's what. Came home 'round dawn, stressed 'n depressed. Wouldna talk to me neither. Boo broke down cryin'." Cindy paused, unsure of how to continue.

It must have been because of Logan . Max was always sad after being around him. They couldn't even touch because of the virus. Alec never understood why Max clung to the noxious Ordinary. He was so obviously wrong for her. She deserved to be with someone who could touch her, hold her, accept her for who she was, make her happy.

Alec looked at OC expectantly. After a short silence he prompted, "Was it Logan ?"

"Well" Cindy said, con temp t evident in her voice, "Rollerboy's been busy. Dat dog's been sniffin' up another tree and my Boo walked in on it."

"Shit!" Alec looked at OC in shock. He never would have thought the Log would have the gall. "So she took off? God, I can only imagine how she…"

Cindy interrupted. "Dat's not it at all. My boo'll probably kill me for tellin' ya, but…you really da reason dat she's gone."

"Me!" he asked in surprise. "What do I have to do with this?"

"Well, sugah, Rollerboy bein' wit Asha din phase my girl at all! She said she was finally free. And dat she figured she was in love wit someone else. So she went lookin' for 'im so she could tell 'im. Seems Casanova was also gettin' it on." OC looked pointedly at Alec with her last words.

A little slow on the uptake, Alec stared at Cindy , perplexed. Then it hit him. Max. She's been at his apartment last night. He'd been in quite a uncompromising position. She'd stood in his doorway, staring open-mouthed before she'd turned and ran.

Cindy 's words registered fully. …she figured she was in love wit someone else. So she went lookin' for 'im so she could tell 'im. Alec's throat constricted. His chest felt tight.

"Me?" he whispered finally.

Cindy reached out to him. "Dat's right, baby boo."

Alec stared at Cindy in shock. Never in his wildest dreams ok maybe once or twice had he imagined Max could love him. But here was OC telling him just that. That Max had feelings for him, had gone looking for him.

He couldn't quite understand it though. Max knew what he was like. He was always with some girl or another. Admittedly, it didn't look good, but he hadn't planned on staying celibate whilst waiting for Max to fall for him. As far as he knew, that might never have happened. But it had.

She would have taken it wrong. Max wasn't one to analyze. She wouldn't have seen it as his 'normal' routine. She'd have seen it as a betrayal to her. Damn you, Max. Why the fuck do you have to make things so complicated She must have panicked. And now she was gone.

Cindy saw the emotions flit across his face. She patted him lightly on the shoulder and walked out of the supply room, leaving him to his thoughts.


"ALEC!" Cece's panicked voice rang throughout Jam Pony. She was running, breathless and her eyes were wild.

Alec quickly hurried over to her and a small crowd gathered around the two transgenics.

"Cece, what's wrong?" Alec asked, taking in her frantic movements and unkempt appearance.

"It's Biggs. They got him!" she sobbed as she collapsed against Alec's chest in defeat.

Alec made eye contact with Cindy and Sketchy and motioned them to the slightly secluded area behind the lockers. This was not a conversation to share with their co-workers.

Gently easing Cece onto a bench, he gripped her shoulders and turned her to him. "What happened?" he pressed gently.

She took a deep breath. "Last night we were walking home from Crash. We were almost at the apartment when he remembered he'd forgotten his jacket. He told me to go on ahead and that he'd meet me there later.

"He never came home." she choked out.

"Aw, boo, y'know yo man! Maybe he ran into some old friends or got caught up in sumpthin'. It don't mean dat he…" Cece cut her off.

"I went by Crash on my way here this morning," she lowered her voice. "I found his cell phone, Cindy . He never goes anywhere without his phone. And then I saw the blood..." Cece closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Alec wrapped his arms around the frightened girl, his face tight.

"Sketchy, call Logan. We're gonna need Eyes Only's help on this."

Sketchy jumped at the harsh tone coming from his friend. 494 the soldier had taken over. This was not the Alec he knew. The face of the man in front of him was cold and hard. Alec, for all intents and purposes, seemed to have vanished. Sketchy gulped, then nodded and ran for the phone.

All thoughts of Max vanished from his mind for the moment. Biggs is missing. This day can't possibly get any worse. But Alec couldn't have been more wrong…