Chapter 2.

Meanwhile at Crash. Alec sits at the bar, several empty shot glasses are placed upon the bar.

"Hey, another one over here!" He sat at the bar and thought, he was suppose to be laying low, but he could get away easy he wasn't ready for them the first time but now he was. The police had probably given up by now they weren't prepared for what he was and they would be too scared to do anything about him. He was waiting at the bar for a forger he needed proof that he was a twin just in case the police did come after him again. The guy should be here any minute, he knew where he would rather be, with Max. He had feelings for her he couldn't deny that. She was beautiful, strong and as smart mouthed and cocky as he was. But she was with Logan, he personally couldn't see why. Why would a powerful transgenic want to be tied down to a guy who can't walk, she can't touch and is completely obsessed with saving a world that can't be saved. He felt he was getting somewhere last night, she was opening up to him, letting him in but then she had gone again. She had sworn not to see Logan again, but she would, she would always go back to him. He took his drink and threw it down his throat.

Max slowly opened her eyes. She tried to move her arms but they were tied to the chair she was sitting on. She was confused and pissed. Why had Alec struck her?

"Alec? Where are you? What the hell are you playing at? Let me go now!" She tried to free her hands but they were tied tightly. She heard someone behind her. The figure was blurry and dark; a hand reached up and flicked a light switch. Max was horrified to see herself staring back at her.

"Hello 452."

"Who the hell are you? My clone? My twin?"

"Not exactly. I'm 863, a shape shifter. I can change into anyone or anything. I've been following you for the past 2 weeks learning all there is to know about you, your friends, your actions, your attitude everything. I was captured by White a month ago. I'll be free again once he is here to collect you. I just have to be you for a little until he comes to collect you. No one will suspect that you've been captured until it is too late."

"Where are we?"

"Far, far away no-one will find you."

"My friends will know that you're not me."

"Probably after a while but a week in your place, they won't have a clue. Now I have to be at your work in the morning so goodnight." She grabbed the chair and pulled it inside the metal cage in the corner of the room and locked the locks. There was no way she would get out of there. She switched the light off and went into the next room. She looked into the mirror it was really an extraordinary gift that they had given her. She stared as her face changed her hair got shorter, her eyes became a light green, and her face paler. It was not often that she changed into her original form it was only after Manticore that she had had to be herself all the time and it was strange. But it was freedom and she liked it.

863 woke up the next morning there was no rush as she had to keep in character and be late. The more she was away from the people that knew Max the better. She was good at her job but mistakes still happen and she could not always be quick to correct them. On most missions she would have been given information that covered years a few weeks knowledge would be a whole lot tougher. But she could do it. She checked in on Max before she left she was still tied up and was going nowhere soon. She locked the door and hopped on her or Max's motorcycle and sped of into the distance.

Alec arrived at work or at least it was meant to be work he didn't exactly break a sweat delivering messages that was when he was actually given messages to deliver. He was the 'golden boy' and was not expected to work. He put his bag into the locker he had a hell of a headache from last night but he had what he had needed so that was a plus. He wondered if Max would turn up today she was pretty unhappy about last night. He looked out the door and closed his locker. He saw her walk in, ignoring Normal's complaints and threats of firing her. She went to her locker and grabbed a piece of paper from her pocket and proceeded to unlock her locker.

"Max? Didn't think you would be here today."

"Why? Oh, Logan. Look there's no point in dwelling on the past I just have to move on."

"Well you could start by going to Crash tonight. Take my approach and drink away problems it is quite effective. Or you could just relax." She knew that going to Crash could be really dangerous she could bump into anyone unprepared, but then again she was strangely drawn to Alec and wanted to be around him. She couldn't help herself.

"I'll see you there." She went to collect her package and rode out the door. Alec was surprised that she was so normal about everything that had happened she even accepted an invitation from him. Maybe they had gotten somewhere the other night or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Probably wishful thinking. Oh well there's no harm in trying. She had seemed different more looser maybe she was glad she broke up with Logan. Maybe she felt a bit more free now. He took his package and went to work slightly happier.