What Was There All Along

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except any OCs.

Once Max's seizure had finally seemed to end. Alec gently helped her to her feet, using his arms to brace her, when even once she was upright she had trouble maintaining her balance.

After this little fiasco Max was relatively quick to acquiesce to Alec's offer to take her home, she may have not wanted to show him weakness, but the fact was she was too exhausted to put up much of a fight anyway. Besides, even Max had to admit that back there Alec had really come through for her, if he hadn't been there… Max shuddered, she didn't even want to think about what might have happened had anyone else come across her when she was that out of it. Alec had, once again, saved her neck, sure she would have done the same for him, but it was just so strange to think of Alec taking charge and taking care of her, though he did seem surprisingly good at it. Had he perhaps had practice at this she didn't know about?

"Damn is that boy a mystery!" thought Max furiously, allowing herself to gaze up guardedly at his face, from her awkward position leaning back into his arms (embarrassingly she couldn't seem to find the strength to stand up on her own even now). She tuned out the conversation around her, OC agreeing to tell Normal that Max was ill, and Alec was taking her home to rest, whilst also agreeing to cover for them with Sketchy and the other messengers, and instead looked at Alec, she just couldn't figure him out. She had thought that she had his personality pegged, before the whole Rachel thing. But now, with everything that had happened recently he seemed to be constantly surprising her, forcing her to re- evaluate him and she didn't like it. It was so much easier when she could just think of him as a jackass and dismiss him but now, she found herself constantly wondering about his motivations…

XXX

Alec meanwhile was relieved to see Max looking slightly better, she had really scared him earlier, having that many bad seizures so close together was never a good sign, and he was still really worried about her… Damn, had she ever got under his skin!

It was with these thoughts on his mind, that Alec made the inevitable call to Dr Carr… He was surprised that Max didn't try to stop him, she was right there, literally in his arms, could hear every word he spoke into his cell, but appeared to be too out of it to care. This was itself was very not good, X5 were trained from babyhood to maintain constant vigilance, therefore dropping your guard and tuning out on the world, for any reason, as Max appeared to be doing now, was never a good sign, and was usually an indication of extreme pain or exhaustion. Max must have been even worse off than Alec had assumed if she was being this docile and non responsive, neither word being something that most people would ever associate with Max.

For his part Alec tried desperately not to think of the implications of what was going on with Max, as he explained the situation and arranged for an appointment with Dr Carr, though he couldn't help but keep playing the 'worse case scenarios' on a continuous loop in his head. Max was after all, someone he cared about, and his track record for protecting the people that he cared about was not at all good, as Rachel and Maiya knew all too well…

Finishing his call Alec then guided the still pale and subdued, though at least partially mobile, Max towards the exit, and away from the curious eyes of their fellow messengers…"Looks like the gossip mill will be working overtime again!" thought Alec disgustedly as he noticed the curious stares directed towards them, but at least Max was too out of it to notice, and find any inventive and scene causing ways to deal with them, "Although," he mused, "Maxie's comebacks are always fun to watch!"

XXX

It took the two transgenics an inordinate amount of time to reach Dr Carr's office, Max being in no fit state to ride her bike, meaning that they were forced to backtrack to Alec's (on foot, with Alec having to practically carry Max) in order to grab his motorcycle, to make the journey to Sector 12 and the doctor's office, but finally they arrived.

XXX

Arriving at he doctor's office, Max felt her innate dislike for any medical environment swiftly rising, one thing which all Manticore alumni seemed to have in common was an extreme aversion to doctors… go figure! But having Alec at her side did wonders to calm her frazzled nerves, and convince her instincts, which were screaming at her to bolt, that this really was a 'safe' environment, or at least it was as long as Alec stayed to watch her back.

Unfortunately Max also saw the necessity for this visit, she knew that having as many seizures as she'd had over the last two days was in no way normal, even for X5, or good, and she really did need to get herself checked out. But her realisation of why she needed to be there did not do much to stem her rapidly rising panic at being in such a threatening environment when she was really in no condition to defend herself…

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, not to mention, probably scenting her terror, Alec reacted swiftly, taking Max's small hand in his larger one, and squeezing it firmly, reminding her that she was not alone, as she crossed the threshold of the office and told the receptionist who she was so that she could get in to see the doctor. It successfully stemmed Max's panic, helping her base instincts to realise that there was someone strong enough around to protect her, who had no intention of leaving her side until this was all over, effectively calming her and making her feel secure even in an environment she perceived as being hostile.

With Alec's hand still comfortingly entwined with her own Max allowed herself to be lead further into the threatening building towards the office, not even blanching when her sensitive nose caught the distinctive odour of medical bleach, a smell which to this day still assaulted her in her worst nightmares. She knew that he realised what this place was doing to her, and though she was in no condition to do so anyway, it was refreshing to not have to put up a blasé front with him, like she did with everyone else every time she entered any kind of medical facility. She knew that he got it so she didn't even have to try and explain it to him, hell this place was probably having a worse effect on him than her. He had, after all, been in Manticore ten years longer than her, not to mention that he had spent a fair portion of that time in psy-ops and re-indoctrination, how he had ever survived those Max would never know…

Reaching the door to Dr Carr's office the receptionist turned to return to the desk, leaving Max and Alec to stare blankly at the door. It was clear that neither particularly wanted to go through it, but after a final comforting squeeze of her hand from Alec, Max steeled her courage and opened the door, finding herself suddenly face to face with a very worried looking Dr Carr.

XXX

"Max come in, have a seat!" welcomed Dr Carr, his eyes raking over his patient in concern, noting the deep bags under her eyes, the pale skin pallor and the look of all round exhaustion as she drooped wearily into a chair, a concerned young man, presumably the same one he had spoken to on the phone, hovering in support behind her and clearly casing the room, looking for… escape roots? Nah! Why on earth would he want to do that?

It was interesting that she had allowed him to come in with her though. Sam didn't know Max well, but he knew her well enough to know that she was an intensely private person, she wouldn't let just anyone come to a doctor's appointment with her. Last time, she had barely tolerated Cindy's presence, and she was her best friend, but this guy she seemed totally at ease with, able to drop her guard in his presence with apparently no problem…interesting.

"I understand you've been experiencing some severe seizures the past couple of days, and that this is somewhat unusual?" he questioned, deciding to get going with the professional side of things, before he got too carried away with reading into the situation, noting her nod of confirmation at his assessment.

"Yeah, they started last night, kept me awake all night." she sighed, laughing bitterly as she raked a hand through her somewhat limp hair, "I figured they'd be gone by morning if I took my meds, seizures haven't been that bad recently…" she trailed off, not looking anyone in the eye. For the first time, Carr saw actual fear in the brave young transgenic's eyes, whatever was going on it had her really frightened, and Sam could not think of much that would ever frighten the irrepressible Max.

At this, the young man behind her, dropped into the chair next to her, and took her hand, in a gesture of support…which Max didn't brush off…interesting…Max then sighed, apparently in frustration with herself for showing weakness and continued, after regaining her equilibrium, "But this morning they were back, worse than ever, I don't understand," she admitted, biting her lip in frustration, "The dosage I took should have been enough to stop the seizures and restore my seratonin levels, but it didn't work. I don't know what's going on, but I don't think this is doing any good for the baby…"

'The baby', at this Sam actually raised his eyebrows in surprise, had Max actually mentioned the baby in front of this guy, when she had practically sworn him to secrecy about telling anyone? Now this was really getting interesting…

Catching his look, Max seemingly read his mind and answered simply, "He's the father." gesturing towards the young man, sprawled catlike in the chair next to her, and still tightly clutching her hand. "Ah, so this is the elusive Alec." thought Sam with curiosity.

This 'Alec' was interesting to say the least, about 6 foot, handsome, with dark blond hair and green eyes, but very young, no older than perhaps 21 or 22, only a year or so older than Max. But there was something about him, something hidden… He was certainly more than met the eye, if the way he had cased the joint earlier had been any indication, or the way he was staring at him now, in a fierce evaluating sort of way, practically feral in its intensity. A predator clearly promising death if Sam couldn't find a way to help Max. He gulped involuntarily, this guy was really not someone he wanted to mess with, Sam got that message loud and clear… This guy, this X5, could kill him easily, and probably without giving it a second thought. He really pitied Logan at having to compete with him…

"So do you know what's going on?" questioned Alec, speaking for the first time and staring at Sam in silent challenge his eyes radiating the kind of power and authority that you really didn't want to mess with, whilst paradoxically his hand was moving in a soothing gentle figure of eight on Max's back, gently calming the distressed woman as he spoke.

"I'll need to do some blood tests to be sure, but I'd surmise that all this is, is an indication that you need to up your Tryptophan dosage for the duration of your pregnancy." admitted Sam, fairly confident in his assessment, before continuing his explanation, "I take it that the seizures are common to all X5 and that you have them as well?" questioned Sam, seeing Alec's nod in confirmation of his guesswork, "Well then it makes sense that since the condition is genetic, the baby would have it as well and will need to get doses of Tryptophan too. Upping your current dosage by half should do it." concluded Sam thoughtfully.

At this, the couple before him seemed immensely relieved, the tension seeming to escape Max instantaneously, whilst Alec toned down his glare somewhat, "And the seizures won't have done the baby any harm?" questioned Max, seemingly concerned by the thought.

"There is no reason why they should have done, you took enough medication to stop them and that should have negated any problems they could have caused." but noting her still concerned gaze, he sighed and continued, "but I suppose if you're really concerned I could bring in an ultrasound and do a scan for you in a few days to prove it, I'm sorry but I don't have the equipment right now…" he conceded hoping to alleviate some of her worry.

He then proceeded to take a blood sample, which he intended to personally check, just to be safe, before telling them that that was all he could do for them for today.

Smiling Max, moved to stand, albeit somewhat unsteadily, "Thank you doctor." she admitted gratefully.

"Yeah thanks Doc." chimed in Alec good humouredly, though the gratitude in his voice was also plain to hear.

With that, the two transgenics turned to leave and Sam was left alone to ponder the rather interesting turn that this afternoon had taken.

Despite what Max had said to him previously about Alec being a 'heat mistake' seeing them together seemed to negate this possibility. They were obviously close, he was very protective of her, and she trusted him, whether she could see it or not. Sam shook his head dejectedly, just where did Logan fit into all this? This was one messy situation!

XXX

After the doctor's appointment, Alec took Max back to her apartment on his motorcycle. Normally she would have objected to the gesture, not to mention the over protective, aggressive vibes that Alec had been positively radiating, earlier in the doctor's office, but right now Max was just too tired and shell shocked to care…

As a rule she really hated the seizures, and having them generally freaked her out, and, right now, she was absolutely terrified by the damage they could have done to her baby, … so much as she was loathe to admit it, having Alec around to deal with things was a weight off her mind, not that she would ever tell the cocky bastard that of course!

Sighing in frustration at her own weakness Max climbed unsteadily off the bike, and, with a helping hand from Alec, walked unsteadily up to her apartment, all the while thinking, that if he ever mentioned this to anyone, she would put the smack down on his ass so bad that he wouldn't be able to walk for a week. She was still, after all, not happy showing weakness to anyone, even him… Apparently old habits died hard, especially ones as ingrained as that…

Reaching the apartment door, he grudgingly turned to leave, but in a moment of panic Max reached out, pulling his unresisting body flush up against her. Was he just about to walk out and leave her after all of that? Looking into his warm green eyes, she tried to hide the panic she knew would be looming in hers and plead with him without words, trying to say in a look what she would never voice to anyone, not even him… 'Don't leave. Stay.'

She knew she was being weak, but she was passed the point of caring, she absolutely could not face the next few hours alone. Her body felt like it had been put through a mangle, limbs weak and jelly like, body battered and exhausted. She hadn't slept in far too long and she knew it, what with the seizures, morning sickness, and stress over the baby, as well as all her 'normal' everyday dramas she just couldn't. It wasn't easy for her to completely 'switch off' and relax in hostile territory, and according to her, unfortunately still active, Manticore training, any place without her unit to watch her back was hostile territory. Since her freaky, hormone addled, brain had decided that Alec was part of her 'unit' she might as well make the most of it, hence why she wanted him there….And if she had really convinced herself that that was the only reason she wanted him there then she was an even better liar than she gave herself credit for…

XXX

In shock Alec allowed himself to be lead into Max's apartment, 'invited' in for what could probably considered the first time ever, for there was no mistaking the beseeching look in Max's dark brown eyes. She was afraid, and she wanted him there with her to protect her, watch her back while she slept, she was clearly beginning to recognize him as 'safe', her unit… and it warmed his heart to know.

Leading him deeper into her apartment Max took him straight into her room, removing her shoes, pulling back the covers on the bed and snuggling in the duvet, an invitation again clear in her eyes. Wordlessly he removed his shoes and slipped in the bed behind her arms moving to encircle her waist, hands resisting gently on the gentle swell of her abdomen, barely visible through her clothes, that was their child...

Alec knew that anything he said would break this truce that they seem to have called, so he remained silent, content to hold and comfort her, and wonder what he had ever done to deserve a chance with someone like her when he had screwed up so many things in his life…

XXX

With these thoughts they both drifted to sleep, both attempting to get over the shock of the day, and prepare for whatever tomorrow might bring…

I'm baaack!

AS exams are over, I'm absolutely exhausted, and am now anxiously awaiting to see how badly I've failed, that last History paper was an absolute bitch, I kid you not, it was horrible, add to that the other History paper that afternoon and the 3 hour long Chemistry exams that morning to the Statistics paper the next day and I've been on stress overload all week, you are very lucky I wrote at all, I seriously need a holiday!

Anyway to X5 459 I'd love to read your fic, now that I actually have a second to spare, but when I looked for it before I couldn't find it, maybe I'm just being dappy, but if you left a signed review to trace back to it, or some kind of address for the story it would be most appreciated!

Gracias! XXX

Thank you sooo much for all the great reviews! I really don't deserve so many nice comments, but I love hearing what people think about the fic so I know what I'm doing right and wrong, so please continue!

Thanks for reading!

Now review!

XXX