Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. I am writing this purely for non-profit amusement.

Play-Along: Chapter 5

As Max and Zack headed out to Sector 4, she updated him with what she was up to since he went to the farm. He told her that he came looking for her because he had been having flashbacks. Max stopped her bicycle, a thought suddenly occurred to her.

"Zack, the last time we met, you thought there was something going on between us, remember?" Max asked hesitantly.

He gave her a wry smile, "Yeah, I remember, Max. I know you see me as a brother and the entire thing freaked you out. But it's not something I can help feeling,"

"Why? It's just the dots in your head not connecting the way it should be. We were not like that," Max insisted gently.

He took a deep breath a deep weariness crossing his face, "Well, there's that as well. But there's something else. I remember more now. I have always had feelings for you, Max. Not the brotherly type either. I can't help it. You never realised it 'cause I kept it from you, not wanting to ruin what we have…" he paused trying to gauge her reaction, not entirely sure how to continue.

Max wasn't sure what to make of Zack's confession. It was unnerving to find that someone you have always viewed as your brother felt more for you. She admitted that physically, she found Zack attractive, but that's the way Manticore made the x-series. But she never felt the urge to pounce on him. She snorted inwardly, like she ever felt like doing that to anyone. Alec's face flashed in front of her. Whoa! Backtrack! What's that about? This heat episode must have affected her more than usual.

The Zack continued, "It's not important now anyway. Looks like you finally came to your senses about Logan. But why Alec?"

Hearing what Zack was saying, Max's face scrunched in confusion, "Huh? Alec? Why did you say that? There's nothing going on between Alec and me," She was sure no one had told Zack about Alec's role in her break-up with Logan.

"Max, you don't have to lie to me. I could smell him all over you. And you all over him, so don't bother hiding it,"

Realisation dawned, "Oh, that!" Max said with relief.

"What do you mean – that?" Zack asked, a small frown creasing his forehead.

Max explained the incident resulting from her heat, skipping the details. Some things were too embarrassing to be shared with someone who was essentially, your brother.

Zack frown grew deeper as he heard the recount of the event. That bastard, fooling around with Max. Well, at least it didn't get out of hand. He had thought the worst when he smelled Max's scent all over Alec. Zack realised that whether or not Max wants him in that way, he would always want the best for her. And he knows that the best for her may not be himself. Not that it will stop him from trying.

……………………

Scanning the room for her friends, Max walked into Crash with Zack close by her side. OC and Sketchy were sitting at their usual table. Max grabbed Zack's hand to pull him in that direction.

Alec was also in his customary position; at the pool table with yet another air-head hanging from his arm. Good thing Logan was not here to see that. Max shook her head as the red-head trailed her blood-red nails down the side of his neck. His neck still bore signs of their activity last night, noticeable now that he took off his turtleneck. Probably forgotten about the marks. She grinned. It would be interesting to hear how he explains that away to his latest conquest. She saw him flash an uncomfortable smile at the girl before inching away from her subtly. Not subtle enough as Max noticed the indignant look on the girl's face. Hmm… That is odd, she thought. Maybe the marks bother him? Nah! She's probably just not his type. She saw as he turned in her direction. Spotting her, he gave her a cocky smile, which faded a second later as he spotted Zack beside her. He turned abruptly back to his game.

Max frowned, what was his problem with Zack? And for that matter, Zack's reaction to Alec was a bit weird too. Shaking her head, she turned to talk to OC.

Alec let his gaze wander to the table where his friends were sitting, chatting. Max was laughing at something Zack said. He frowned as he saw Zack stretched his arm over the back of Max's chair, another hand on the table. His entire posture screamed possessiveness – towards Max. I should have a word with Max about Zack. But then again, Max doesn't seem all that bothered. Maybe now that Logan's out of the picture, she's interested. After all, she grew up with Zack, Alec thought. He dragged his gaze back to the game.

Noticing his friend's preoccupation, Biggs asked, "Something going on between you and hottie over there?"

Jerking up from the wide shot he just took, Alec said, "What the hell? You've got to be kidding. You know what a bitch she could be right? Why would I want to saddle myself with someone like that," Alec stared incredulously at his friend.

"Hey, chill, man. No need to get mad. Just asking," Alec's overreaction was all Biggs needed to know. He smiled wryly, his friend was obviously smitten, so he continued, "Had to ask, buddy. Don't wanna encroach, you know,"

Feigning nonchalance, Alec said, "No sweat… What do you mean, encroach on what?"

"She's kinda hot, if you haven't noticed. And I am looking for come company, if you get my drift," Biggs wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Yeah, Alec knew what he meant alright; he felt the jealously flare inside him. Keeping his tone even, he said, "Won't do that if I were you. You may not come out of it alive. Max has a mean left hook and her attitude could do with a complete overhaul. You are probably better off with Cece over there," he turned to point out the blonde transgenic at the bar, and caught Max's glare just a couple of feet away from him. She obviously heard what he said. Uh-oh, he thought. Busted!

"And who needs a complete overhaul?" Max asked him sweetly, arching her eyebrows.

Alec put on his innocent mask. He could see her hands twitching, no doubt in readiness to land him a punch.

Biggs said mischievously, "I was just saying how I've never noticed how good you look, Max. Even for a transgenic,"

Max's lips twisted as she tried to suppress her grin. Biggs was incorrigible. Max knew that he was interested in Cece. He asked her about Cece a couple of days ago. So why was he coming out with all these over-the-top flattery? "Really, Biggs. Why, how nice of you to notice. And what may I ask, have that gotta do with someone needing an overhaul?"

Biggs shook his head in mock resignation, "I don't know, Max. Alec here thinks you - " A hard elbow in his ribs put a stop to his words. He frowned at Alec, "What the hell was that for? Can't you see I'm talking to a lady here,"

Alec could not help himself. He snorted.

And got smacked upside the head from Max for his efforts, plus her patented death glare, a lesser man would have wilted under it's intensity.

She turned to Biggs, "Mind if I steal Alec from you for awhile?" she asked sweetly, flashing Biggs a smile.

"Sure. Hope to see you later, buddy," A grinning Biggs left with a wave to Alec, and a wink to Max. He headed towards Cece. He had been interested in her all along.

Alec frowned as he watched his friend leave. Biggs can't be serious about Max…Right? Turning to Max, he asked, "What? You need me for something? Tell me you got a heist planned. I need some action. All these pool sessions are turning me soft,"

Max snorted, "It's your main source of income. And you know it. And why would I want you on a heist with me anyway? I am bound to have to end up saving your ass,"

"Always my ass, Maxie. Have you ever thought of your preoccupation with my ass? Granted, it's a nice specimen," Alec said mischievously, patting the specimen in question.

"Shut up!" Max said, "Why can't you be serious for just a moment, huh?"

Alec pretended to give it some thought, then sobering slightly, he said "Fine. So what's up?"

"Nothing big. Just wondering what's up with you and Zack. You guys have some history I don't know about or something?" Max asked bluntly. No point tip-toeing around the subject.

"Huh?" Was he that obvious, he thought to himself, "Nah! You're seeing things. I barely know the guy. We weren't in Manticore together, remember?" he answered in a flippant manner.

Too flippant, Max thought. Pressing on, "Come on, Alec. I thought we have gone past all these crap. Don't do this,"

Alec hesitated. He didn't want Max to think that. He wants Max to feel comfortable enough with him to trust him. Ah, what the hell, she asked for it. He looked into her eyes, so that she can see he was not joking, "Okay, don't blame me if you don't like what you hear. Don't know if you noticed but I think your 'brother' Zack want to 'get busy' with you,"

Max just stared at him for a second before answering him softly, "Its okay. I know. He told me,"

The silence following that proclamation was deafening.

"What! He actually told you? And you are okay with it?" He asked, incredulous. Never in a million years did he imagine this as Max's response to his words.

"I don't know. It's a bit weird, so I didn't say anything. Anyway he remembers more than the last time now, so that's good news. Apparently he had always felt that way. We'll see how it goes," Max said, hoping that Zack would eventually give up on that feeling, as she was not sure if she could reciprocate it.

Alec could not believe that Max was even considering it. We'll see how it goes, her words echoed in his head. Small wonder she was not bothered by Zack's possessiveness. He felt a bit sick, they were not blood relatives, but for all intents and purposes, they were siblings. Alec told himself that it has nothing to do with the attraction he felt for Max.He did not want to continue this conversation any further. He forced out a grin, "Well, you gotta do what you've gotta do. Keep the family going strong,"

Max frowned in confusion, "What are you going on about?"

"Nothing," Alec said flatly trying to keep his emotions off his face and out of his voice, he dropped his cue on the pool table and grabbed his black leather jacket. "Gotta blaze. Catch you around, Max," he left without another glance at her.

Max fumed. What was wrong with him now? What he said did not make sense at all. What family? Zack? Does he really think I want to be with Zack like thatAn idea popped into her head suddenly making her flush - Could he be jealous of Zack? Nah…Highly unlikely. She tried to dismissed the idea even as the nagging voice continued, Why would he be jealous? Alec and I are definitely not like THAT.

But you kissed him. Heck, you did MORE than kiss him, the annoying voice argued again.

That was heat. Neither of us could have done anything else. Its our hormones.

And you thoroughly enjoyed the kiss with Alec even when you were not in heat. Which you kept telling that it was just a show to convince Logan. Yeah, right, Max. What does that tell you, huh?

Alec was just playing along then. We are just friends.

But then why so bothered when you thought something was bothering Alec about Zack?

That's because Zack is my brother and he is my friend, and I want them to get along.

Can you come up with a lamer excuse, Max? And right - Friends. That's why you feel like pouncing on Alec and not any other guy, even Logan, who you claim to be in love with at one time.

But…

I DON'T KNOW!

Max buried her head in her hands and groaned in frustration.

Zack came up to her, putting a hand on her shoulders, "Max, you okay?" Turning her to face him, he asked, "What's wrong? Tell me,"

Max looked up at Zack. The one who has seen her through all sorts of torture in Manticore. The one who consoled her at night when the pain was too hard to endure alone. The one she could always count on. Just that she was not sure she should be confiding in him when it comes to this. He was not exactly impartial.

"Its nothing, I'm okay," Max said with a small smile.

"Maxie, you can tell me, you know. Is it Alec?" She said she was coming over to get Alec to go over to join them, but where was the guy. Zack looked around but could not find any sign of the transgenic.

"Really, its nothing. I'm just a bit tired. Think I'll go home. You stay and enjoy yourself," Max got up to go say goodbye to OC and Sketchy.

"I'll come with you," Zack said possessively, his expression worried, he followed her.

t.b.c.