STORM BREWING PART 2

Rating T (PG 13)

Disclaimer: Property of someone else. Not me. Cameron and Eglee. No money being made. No infringement intended.

Storm Brewing Part 2

By Rhasa

"We all look out for her," Alec said.

"No. How you act, it's not quite the same as just looking out for someone. I know, Alec. I know, because the looks you give her, even when she's not watching, are the looks I used to give her. So I ask again, because I have to know…… I have to know what I'm up against, 'cause I'm telling you, I'll fight for her, Alec. I'm not going to make any more mistakes. I'm not going to be noble and do what's 'best'. No. I'm going to fight for her. I'll fight the virus. I'll fight Manticore. I'll fight White and his breeding cult. I'll fight the rest of Seattle, the whole "Trannie hating world". And I'll fight you, Alec. If you love her, I'll fight."

For a moment Alec just stared at Logan, his mind processing the older man's accusations. Could some of what Logan was saying be true? His mind whirring he entertained the thought, if only momentarily.

Max had impressed him these past few weeks - that he couldn't deny. The way she had taken up the fight; the way she had brought all of them together; the way she had insisted that there should be a future for them all; that there 'would' be a future for them all, had stirred something deep inside him. If he had have had an opportunity to analyse those thoughts he would have realised that for the first time since leaving Manticore he felt he was part of something bigger than himself – he had felt hope. Max had given him hope, when no one or nothing else had. Part of Logan said was true. He had been watching her somewhat in awe. She had impressed him, she had inspired him. And he was determined to be there for her, to give her support. Alec couldn't deny that her persistence and strength captivated him but was that all there was to it?

His eyes flicked back to Logan, still uncomfortable with the uncertainties that the older man had made him realise. Choosing not to concentrate on those thoughts he turned his attention to the challenge that Logan had jut thrown down. He couldn't help it. For some reason the image of Logan dresed in 18th century garn throwing down a hankerchief in contempt flashed acrossed his mind. Logan always did seem a little like a 'dandy' in his eyes.

Alec smiled. It wasn't as if he hadn't been challenged before. He was definitely no stranger to confrontation – but an ordinary? And an ordinary who knew exactly who and what he was, no less. Logan must be out of his mind, he thought, as an anger took over him

Alec chuckled, alittle. He couldn't help it. "You'll fight me, Logan? You wouldn't stand a chance," he said pinning Logan with a sudden stern look before he could stop himself.

"Not physically, no," Logan answered. "I'm a realist, well of sorts," he added with a shrug. "I know it wouldn't take much for you to take me out. It would be a cinch for a guy like you to snap my neck."

"A guy like me?"

"An assassin."

"I'm not an assassin," Alec said, trying to shake off the accusation.

"Sure you are. It's what you were born to do."

"Look-" Alec began angrily before Logan pushed on.

"Don't worry. I know that you wouldn't; that you wouldn't take the easy option. There's no thrill in eliminating someone that is so obviously inferior to you, at least in the physical sense. I doubt you could hold your head higher than two inches off the ground if you did. I don't have any delusions of grandeur, Alec. When I say I'll fight you, I don't mean it figuratively. I never could. I mean that I will never give up, never lose hope, never stop loving Max or wanting her, or needing her, and most importantly, never stop reminding her of that fact. I'm determined, no matter what it takes, to be in her life."

"You better watch yourself there, buddy," Alec warned.

A confused Logan, gave him a look.

"What you're describing would be considered 'stalking' in 42 states," Alec explained.

Logan smirked. "You think I'm being overdramatic?"

Alec merely shrugged.

"Well call it what you will," Logan continued." All I know is that I'm not prepared to lose her again, Alec."

Alec couldn't help it. Logan's tone had made him incredibly angry, incredibly defensive.

"That's assuming she has you back." The words fell out of Alec before he could stop them. "I mean…. You gotta wonder."

"What?"

"Well, as I said Max concocted this whole 'us together' thing to protect you. But there are other ways to put some distance between you two. Other less painful ways. She could have just pretended to break up with you for no other reason than it was just too hard. But-"

"But she added you to the mix."

"Exactly. Which to a cocky, arrogant egotistical, son-of-a-bitch like me, maybe says something."

Alec watched as a muscle in Logan's neck spasmed. He couldn't quite believe he was goading him like he was. The last thing he had wanted was to get into a pissing competition with Logan. But for some reason he just couldn't help himself. He had never backed down froma challenge before, and he was damned if he was going to back down now – and to Logan of all people.

"I mean, maybe it's nothing," he continued a smug tone in his voice. "Maybe she would have used any other guy to fuel the delusion. Hell, if Sketchy had stopped by that morning for some god-knows reason, maybe it would be him you'd be having this conversation with right now. But…… well, we were designated breeding partners at Manticore. We were perfectly matched for procreation. They don't match you if there isn't a tendency to be highly attracted to the prospective mate. In that sense there's definitely chemistry there – at least on a biological chromosonal, genetic matching kind of way."

"So you admit you were attracted to her then?" Logan asked.

"Logan you're a clever guy. Think about it. Any man would have been attracted to her and to say otherwise would make them a liar or gay. She's gorgeous. She's perfect. She's everything a guy could want."

"But is she what you still want?"

"You're going to make me say the words?"

"You're an X5 Alpha male, Alec." Logan reminded him as he pinned him with a glare. "I can't make you do anything."

"Damn straight," Alec replied emphatically.

"But I'm still asking," Logan pushed.

"There's a difference between want and love, Logan," Alec said as he got up from the table once more, signalling that he had had enough of this particular conversation. "You gotta ask yourself. Before you go assuming things about other people, you should ask yourself one question. Do you want her because you really love her, or because you just can't have her?"

Logan seem to ponder the question for the briefest of moments before he straightened himself and replied in a warning tone. "I'm telling you here and now, Alec. I'll get her back. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Whatever it takes. huh?" Alec asked.

"Yes."

"We'll see about that," Alec muttered, before turning and walking away.

TBC….. maybe?

Should I try to go on? I just don't know where this could go. Any suggestions?

Drop me a line at rhasa underscore aka underscore sarah at yahoo dot com or simply hit review.

Til next time Sarah