:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::A/N
I am sooooo sorry, everybody!! I have been busy beyond belief, although I know that that's no excuse for making you wait. I hope you like this chapter....by the way, it's still Christmas in my own little world, so it is in the story, too. Okay?
Please review....I feed on input like....um, like food, I guess. Anyway, I'd really appreciate reviews, even if it's just a quick "hi..um, your story didn't make me nauseous." You guys rock!!
Molly Jeane
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Headquarters, Terminal City
A knock on the door of Max's office interrupts her and Alec's kiss. They break apart as Dix rushes into the room, carrying a piece of paper and grinning like an idiot. "What's up, Dix?" Alec asks the disfigured transgenic, whose smile got even larger, if possible.
"We got a letter from a school in New York." he says, and they look at him like he's a moron.
"And..." Max asks, and Dix hands them the letter, practically tripping in his eagerness to share the news. Alec reads over her shoulder. She gasps, hugging Alec. "They found Maddie. She can't remember anything, but she's ok, and they won't hurt her."
"How do we know that this isn't a trap?" Alec asks, and Dix hands him a handful of papers.
"I did some research on this school. Apparently the government was investigating it for being a haven for mutants. Logically, they'd see us as allies, and wouldn't want to hurt one of their own." he says, and Max and Alec nod.
"Guess we're going to New York." Max says, not bothering to hide her excitement.
"Guess so." Alec says, still a little worried that it might be a trap. Well, he thinks, smirking, at least I get hold Max all the way there...or vice versa, depending whose motorcycle we take.
"Dix, can you get us a car?" Max asks, and the misformed man nods. Alec groans. Well, there goes that plus.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Maddie's room
Maddie looks around boredly, not really feeling the old Christmas movie that John and Rogue have decided to assault her senses with. The Grin, or something like that, with some evil green guy. She grabs a sprinkle-encrusted cookie- apparently John decorated, she muses, glancing at the mound of sprinkles before taking a bite.
Bobby glances up from the movie, not able to believe that Rogue and John are this enthralled by an old, unamusing cartoon. He hides a smirk when he notices Maddie picking the sprinkles off of her cookie and throwing them at John's head with perfect accuracy- he doesn't seem to notice.
"You want to go for a walk?" he asks, and she grins.
"Hell yeah." she whispers, so as not to disturb the two avid fans of that furry green thing. They stand up, and Maddie brushes the crumbs off of the pair of jeans and sweater that Rogue gave her. In slow motion, John and Rogue turn around, just as Bobby and Maddie reach the door.
"Where are you two going? The theme song's coming up!" John asks, supported by Rogue's "Yeah!" Bobby looks at Maddie. "Run!"
They race through the corridors, John and Rogue a bit behind them. "You okay?" Bobby asks Maddie, who grins, not even breathing heavily.
"Great. Just like the old times." she says, but not sounding at all sad about that. "This is fun!" she exclaims as they turn into an alcove, hiding behind a tree. "I hear them coming." she whispers, awfully aware of Bobby's body pressed up against her. She looks into his eyes, his icy blue eyes, and realizes how easily she can get lost in them.
"Hold your breath." Bobby whispers, smiling down at the beauty before him. Maddie nods, not realizing that she had already stopped. After what seems like forever of staring into his eyes, footsteps run past the alcove.
"You think it's safe?" she asks, and he nods, not able to take his eyes off of her.
"Um...yeah." he says, taking a moment to register that she's talking. "They'll turn back in a minute, but we have time to run across the hall and use that door."
They fight their way out of the tiny space, scrambling against the tree as footsteps grow closer. Maddie gets out before Bobby, and looks around as he climbs out. "Which way do we go?" she asks, and Bobby looks around, pondering. "Hurry!" she tells him.
He grabs her hand and they run down the hallway, each trying to ignore the sparks they feel from that simple touch. They reach double French doors, and fumble with the locked door for a moment before opening one.
Maddie smiles, wrapping her arms around herself. Bobby takes off his jacket and wraps is around her shoulders. "Thank you." she says, smiling at the way he suspiciously left his arm draped around her. She leans into him, somehow unable to resist his magnetism.
"Not a problem, Maddie." he says as they walk into a doorway for a little shelter from the wind. She sighs happily, and he smirks to himself.
"Isn't it beautiful, Bobby?" she asks, looking around them at the falling snow. "It's like the whole world's covered in glitter." she says in awe, and innocent smile playing on her face. Bobby studies her, her raven hair and big, emerald eyes that always betray her emotions. Her full, smiling lips, the odd blend of innocence and mystery that cling to her.
"Yeah, it's beautiful." he whispers. She stops short, noticing that he's not paying any attention to her realization. But her annoyance slips away as she looks into his eyes. There's something there, in his eyes, that makes her want to run. She can't get close to people...she only gets hurt.
Bobby smiles at her, and her worry melts away. He wouldn't hurt her, not intentionally. He's too kind. "Look up." he whispers, and she glances up, laughing as she spots the mistletoe. "You a big believer in tradition?" he asks hopefully, and she giggles girlishly, something that she thought she'd never do.
"Merry Christmas, Bobby." she whispers, kissing him full on the lips. The coldness of the December wind is nothing compared to the heat of their kiss. Maddie wraps her arms around his neck, and he puts a hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer. He breaks away, grinning.
"I really, really, like Christmas." he says, and she laughs before he catches her lips again, and she's lost in the kiss.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Maddie's room
"So, what do you think they're doing?" Rogue asks John. The movie ended a half hour ago, and now there was nothing to do but watch old Buffy reruns. John grins devilishly, and Rogue groans, knowing that she's probably not going to like what he says.
"I bet they're in the middle of a rabid makeout session." he smiles, and she nods, not really knowing how to respond. "Will you be a dear and pass the Cheetos?" he asks, and she rolls her eyes.
"You are sooo weird, John. Do you realize that?" she asks him, and he nods.
"Yeah, but what's normal, anyways?"
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Car
"I'm bored, Maxie. Are we there yet?" Alec asks impatiently, and Max is reminded of Bugler, the little boy who just couldn't sit still.
"Only like thirty miles more, Alec. We'll be there in like fifteen minutes." she says, smiling at how he pouts. "Okay, make it ten." she concedes, and he smiles, kissing her. She laughs softly, but it quickly vanishes from her face.
"What's wrong, baby?" Alec asks, and she shakes her head. He gives her a look. "Max, I, your mate of all people, should know what's wrong."
Max looks at him, knowing that he can read her like an open book. "Oh, yeah?" she asks, and he nods.
"She'll remember, Maxie. And she'll know that we tried to protect her from everything." he tells her, and her relief shows visibly. "Hey, do you think they know that we're coming.I mean, they must have telepaths, right?And if they do, do you think that they'll get us presents?" he asks, sounding more and more like a kid at every work.
Max rolls her eyes and takes the last turn onto a very long road. Alec sighs. "Are we there..." he trails off as the large mansion comes into sight. "Wow."
"Yeah." Max says, staring at the mansion. It looks like a Christmas card, with matching wreaths on the oversized doors, and lights down the pillars.
"Hey, Max, look.." Alec says, pointing to the side of the building, where two teenagers were huddled in a doorway, making out. "Aw," he pouts, "I wish I went to high school."
Max rolls her eyes, stepping out of the car into the snowy winter night. Alec's arm wraps around her, and she kisses him. "That's gotta last you for a while. We've got to find my sister."