A/N: Wow,xcuses -thanks for the awesome review! And I'm sorry these chapters are so short! I know how irritating it can be! Because I actually wrote a huge chapter originally, I'm having trouble figuring out where I should chop it into smaller chapters.. and I apologize now for how short this chapter is. But I promise to have a longer (than this) chapter up by the end of this week! Thanks again for the incredibly encouraging review! kill bill rocks - don't worry, I do have plans for this to make sense... and Max will not become an alcoholic over this... no worries! suenooneus - Yes, I have big plans for developing all the character's relationships! There's lots more to come.
Chapter Three: Helping Hints
"How's she doing?" Alec asked Original Cindy as she stepped out of Max's bedroom and closed the door behind her.
OC shrugged. "She's sleeping again. Her head might hurt some when she wakes up, but I don't know how much it takes to give you guys a hangover. Want some coffee?"
Alec glanced outside into the dimness of 5 a.m. and nodded. "Thanks."
"We'll have to wait to see how she is emotionally." Cindy stated, pouring the coffee grounds into the filter. "Boo's gonna have a lot of guilt, and she's gonna need someone who's been there to help her through it." She gave Alec a pointed look, and he sighed deeply. "She may not want someone to help her through it, Cindy. I sure as hell didn't when..." he drifted off, and Cindy decided not to pursue it.
"My girl has a lot of independence, Alec. But that don't mean she can handle the world on her shoulders." Cindy set the coffee over the open flame of the gas stove, and came to sit in the window seat with Alec. "She's gonna need someone to watch out for her," Cindy cupped Alec's chin with her hand and smiled her easy smile. "Someone who, despite being a cynical smartass, cares a lot about Max, and can help her carry that great big world around." She leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on the forehead, the way a mother would to her little boy. "Come help me cook us some breakfast, pretty boy." Cindy smiled, standing and going back to the kitchen.
Alec rolled his eyes and followed. "How come you think you know so much about me?" He asked, pulling a carton of eggs out of the refrigerator.
"'Cause, genius," Cindy grinned. "I'm Original Cindy, and I just know things like that."