Too Far Gone

Part Eight


Previously:

It had been a unanimous decision to elect Alec as their Commander. And one of the benefits of this was the loyalty they all showed him. In his pain and grief, TC did everything to help Alec find Biggs and Max. Even going so far as to use the funds at their disposal to assist him.

But now, months down the line, TC was stretched thin and Alec had called off the search.

Baz called it a lesson in futility. And Alec guessed that it was.


Moving On

Alec knelt by the couch and gently shook OC and Cece awake.

"Good morning" he said, smiling softly at them.

Cindy opened one eye and cocked her head at Alec, a sheepish look on her face. "Original Cindy been takin' advantage of her baby boo's hospitality again, huh?"

Cece rubbed her eyes. "Sorry, Alec. I just didn't, you know, want to be alone."

Alec took a step forward and hugged her. "No need to apologize, Ce. It's all good."

"Gawd, Alec! Is dat da time? Normal's gonna can our sorry asses if we all don't get to work like now." She jumped from the couch and rushed into Alec's bathroom. Cece ran after her.

Alec smirked. "Cece, didn't know you were a 'sista playa'! Can I watch?" he said with a laugh. Cece stopped in her tracks, turned around, her face ashen. Alec realized his mistake. Quickly rushing to her side, he enveloped her in a hug and whispered into her hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't think."

And so it began. Each day was a repeat performance. One of them would make a joke, someone would remember the loss, and they'd all end up miserable.

Alec sighed and stepped away from the circle of pain he'd involuntarily caused. The three friends then dressed, shovelled breakfast, and rushed out the door.

Alec entered Jam Pony to see Normal tossing packages right and left as the messengers went about their business. Normal noticed Alec and grinned. "How's my rock star this morning? Need to keep up that strength if you want to get back in the ring!" he said, handing Alec a pile of packages.

"Ray, my man, you contradict yourself! If I need to keep my strength up, why send me on long, tiring rides?" Alec teased lightly, inwardly cringing at the nickname bestowed upon him by his overly affectionate boss. Not that Alec had anything against same sex relationships...he just didn't want to be part of one.

Normal shook his head. "You're the best. Set a good example to the rest of these slackers! First two are hot runs. Now, get. Bip-bip-bip!"

The 'rock star' stuffed the packages into his bag and exited the premises. Weaving his bike through the streets of the City, Alec was on edge. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, but when he reverted to training and sought the source of his anxiety, mainly whoever was spying on him, he could find no evidence to confirm his suspicions. There I go again. My imagination is making me paranoid. He continued on his way.

All through the day he'd felt it. Every so often the hair on the back of his neck stood up or goose bumps would assail him. He was tired, cold, hungry and he desperately wanted to kick back and relax. Alec decided it was high time to go to TC and pick up his friends. An evening at Crash would soothe his soul. I really need a drink right now and scamming Sketchy at pool will be fun, not to mention easy money...

Once inside Terminal City, Alec ran into Cece, Baz and Nell. "Hey, whassup?" he greeted them with as much cheer as he could muster. Baz caught the strain in his voice and stopped short.

"What's wrong?" All eyes were now on Alec.

"I don't know. All day I've had this really bad feeling. Like someone was following me. It was creepy." He shrugged. "Whatever. Let's go to Crash. I feel like alcohol. Whaddaya say?"

The others agreed. It would be a good way to unwind. And without so much as a what have you, the four of them vaulted over the perimeter fence. Alec pulled back and turned to his friends.

"You guys go on ahead. There's something I need to do first. I'll meet you at Crash in a bit." they nodded and walked off.

Alec's little detour took him to the Space Needle, Max's favourite thinking spot.

I always feel closer to her here he thought as he climbed slowly to the top. The scent of cherry taunted his nose. A scent that was very much like Max. God have I got an overactive imagination! I can actually smell her shampoo. he shook his head sadly and sat down.

Alec's body trembled slightly as the chilled air caressed him. He hugged his knees. He sat for a long while, deep in thought, until the need for alcohol won out.. He really needed to let loose. Alec rose to his feet and took one last look at the city sprawled below.

"Where are you, Max? He whispered to the wind.

A few hours, two bottles of scotch and ten pitchers of beer later, the four transgenics were relaxed and comfortable. Original Cindy and Sketchy had shown up and the group had removed themselves to the alcove by the pool table. The area was mostly secluded from the bustle of people that filled the bar.

Alec and Baz were laughing hysterically at a joke Sketchy had just cracked and Cindy was swapping DNA with a leggy brunette when suddenly an ear-splitting shriek shook them from their world.

"OH.MY.GOD!" Cece screamed. She was white as a sheet. The entire room fell silent, staring.

At the very moment Alec and the others turned in the direction of Cece's shaking finger there came a shattering "NOOOOOOOO!" and a resonating 'crack'…