Title: Citrine
Authors: jracklesfan77 & HisVampira
Show: DA - AU
Genre: angst/romance/adventure/drama
Pairing: M/A
Type: WIP

Summary: All they want is to be together but their enemies' jealousy and lust for power will rip them apart. How will the two weathered soldiers face their uncertain future when it seems all hope is lost?

A/N: AU - Season 2 setting; Logan still believes Max and Alec are together, Biggs is alive, FN never happened, and a few other surprises.

Chapter 1

Max sighed as she sat down heavily, her body's almost dead-weight causing the chair to groan beneath her small frame.

Max, Cindy and Sketchy had been working for the better part of the day, hanging streamers, inflating balloons and setting tables. Normal had really outdone himself this time. He'd managed to rent an old ballroom for the occasion, and although it had looked like it hadn't been used since long before the Pulse, Max had to admit that after all their hard work, the place looked beautiful.

Max let out a long breath as Sketchy plopped down opposite her and started yammering on about his bike tricks. She listened half-heartedly as her mind began to go to the place that it had been going so often lately; Alec. Despite their rocky start, they'd always been there for each other, and recently had even become friends. Max knew she counted on him, relied on him, trusted him to have her back as she always had his, but lately it seemed that there was more to it. Her mind was often filled with visions of the sandy haired transgenic.

"Hey, sugah! What're you and this fool talkin' 'bout without me?" Cindy slid onto a seat between her two friends. "What were ya thinkin' leavin' me all alone with Normal , anyway? Another minute with that man and I'da – Max? What's up, boo?" she asked, noticing the look on her friend's face. It was that look Max got whenever she was thinking deeply about something that confused her. Logan face, she thought.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Max replied, forcing herself to snap back into reality, looking confusedly at Cindy. What the hell is going on with me?

"You look like you got somethin' heavy in that head o' yours, boo. Wanna talk 'bout it? You know Original Cindy got yo' back." Turning to Sketchy who was looking a little flustered at having been interrupted, Cindy waved her hand in his direction. "Fool, can't you see we's having girly girl talk here? Go somewhere that's...away. You can brag bout your newest 180-flip-whatever thing later, aiight?" Sketchy began to get up from the chair, but Max motioned for him to stay put.

"I'm fine. As always." Max managed a small smile, but her friend could see it didn't reach her eyes. Sensing that Cindy was about to protest, Max held up her hand. "I just need some air, okay? Hey Sketch, why don't you tell my homegirl all about that new trick you mastered today?" This time she grinned widely. There was no way Cindy would be getting away from that to come check on her. Sketchy would likely keep her there until the party started. She loved her friend, but right now, she just wanted to be alone.

As she walked away she could hear Cindy sigh as Sketchy began regaling her with his latest tale of bike trickery. "So, there's this one move that I've been trying to get down for weeks. This thing called the backside boneless..." Max chuckled to herself. Yep...she'll be here for a while.

Max stepped out onto a balcony on the highest floor of the old hotel, going to the edge and gripping the railing. The Space Needle was just barely visible in the twilight colored distance. Max sighed lightly. Ever since Ben had first taken them to the High Place, she'd felt drawn to places such as this. Whenever she needed to think, to be alone, she put as much distance as she could between herself and the ground. The height seemed to give perspective to everything, both literally and figuratively.

Once again, her thoughts drifted to Alec as she gazed out over what she could see of the city. What was it about him that was so damn...appealing all of a sudden? Well, besides the obvious, she thought, grinning despite herself. She lifted a hand to smooth a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear when she felt it.

It started slowly at first, just a slight tremor in her fingers. Then the spasms enveloped her hand, then her arm. Dammit! She shakily fumbled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket and dialed the number she'd called so often these days. Pick up, Alec, she pleaded.

"You got Alec. You know what to do." The message had been changed to this bland version due to an incident involving one of Alec's fences and a rather...controversial message that had previously been on his phone. She might've smiled at that particular memory had it not been for the pain caused by her now violently shaking body hitting the hard cement of the balcony floor. With all that had been going on lately, she hadn't had time to get her supply of Tryptophan. Not to mention she couldn't risk going to her previous suppliers with White up all their transgenic asses.

"Dammit, Alec. Why aren't you there?" she wondered aloud, vowing to kick his ass next time she saw him. "Oh, I am so stupid." She'd entirely forgotten the reason that Alec wasn't at the party in the first place. They'd planned a heist for tonight. First she'd forgotten about the party and planned the heist, now she'd completely forgotten about the heist. Figures I can't blame him for this, she thought bitterly.

Max hugged her knees to her, trying futily to stop the shaking, while thinking of every curse she could for the people who'd screwed up her genetics. Yet another wonderful thing she would have to properly thank her creators for if she ever got a hold of them.

There was no one left to help her. And here I was looking forward to a night of just kickin' back with my friends.

"...then I thought I would try this one trick called the can can, which is kind of like the backside boneless, but" Sketch had been going on about his tricks for only 10 minutes now, and already Cindy wanted to slap him silly. Well, sillier she thought, grinning.

"Listen Sketch, Max didn't seem so good. I'm gon' go check on her." Cindy jumped up from her seat before Sketchy could protest. She was especially glad of her decision when she saw Normal walk over to talk with Sketchy. Apparently he was just bored, because he'd decided to give Sketch a lecture about the good ole' days and white man conservativism. Once again, my girl saves my ass. This time she don't even know it.

Once she'd left the ballroom, she paused, trying to think where Max would've gone to get some air. Scanning the hallway, she caught sight of a stairwell. She shrugged and smiled. My boo always gotta get as much space 'tween her feet and the ground as she can manage. Must be all that feline in her. Cindy began to ascend the numerous stairs, all the while muttering about fool transgenics, their enhanced abilities, and scrapping the idea of investing in a Stairmaster.

Cindy paused breathlessly at the top of the stairs. Lifting her eyes to search for her friend, she saw a door leading to a balcony. The door was wide open, giving her a clear view of the jerking figure on the floor. Ignoring her aching muscles, Cindy rushed to Max's side.

"Boo, can you hear me?" she asked, gripping her shaking friend desperately in an attempt to keep her still.

"Y-y-es," Max managed to get sputter despite her chattering teeth.

"Okay, where's your meds?"

"D-don't h-h-have any. Tried to c-c-all Alec. Not th-ere." OC winced as Max jerked more violently with every word she spoke.

"You lucky Original Cindy got yo' back, boo." Cindy hooked one arm around Max's seizing frame as she grabbed her purse and pulled out a small bottle of pills. As soon as she'd discovered Max's problem, she'd started keeping the meds with her at all times, just in case a situation such as the current one ever arose.

"Swallow these," she said, putting the pills up to Max's lips and forcing her mouth open. Max was just barely able to dry swallow them. Cindy rocked her back and forth as they waited for the Tryptophan to take affect, muttering reassurances to her. It always hurt to see her friend like this; so helpless, so unlike the Max she knew.

After a few minutes the shaking began to lessen until finally it had stopped completely. Cindy sighed with relief as Max sat up on her own, though with a little difficulty. Chestnut eyes met chocolate ones, the relief and gratitude visible in each.

"What would I do without you?" Max pulled the other girl into a tight hug.

"I dunno, but I bet I'd be able to breathe a little better," Cindy joked, causing Max to pull out of the bear hug she'd administered.

Max pursed her lips. "Funny." She stood up, her legs still slightly shaky from the stress her body had just been through. A large grin spread across her face as she took Cindy by the hand "How 'bout we go get our groove on, sistah?"

"Boo, how many times I gotta tell ya. Stop stealin' Original Cindy's flava!" The two girls shared a warm smile. OC put her arm around Max's shoulder. "But you for real for sure my sistah-girl."

Arm in arm, they headed down the hallway. Max turned and pushed a button on the wall, the door to the elevator opening.

Cindy looked toward the stairs in disgust. "You owe me big time girl! I ran up 8 flights of steps for yo' sorry ass.' Max just laughed as she stepped into the elevator. Cindy couldn't help but smile as she followed. It was so good to hear her finally laugh again. It had been a long time coming.

Terminal City's central Command was abuzz with activity. The computers were being monitored by Dix and Luke and heavy blue cigar smoke clouded the air surrounding Mole as he sifted through plans and blueprints. Quinn and Biggs were off to the side, cleaning weapons while Lianna counted supplies. It was a typical scene for TC and everyone was preparing for the evening's heist.

Alec was holed up in the makeshift office they had set aside for him and Max. He should have been going over the recon reports and preparing strategies for the supply run, but his thoughts kept turning to a certain fiery brunette. Max.

This raid was her idea, a job that he'd been sure she would be in on. But she had other plans; she, Original Cindy and Sketchy were going to the annual Jam Pony party. They had a capable team and it wasn't necessary for her to be there, but it was Alec's turn to lead a run and he couldn't get out of it. He was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't go; he hadn't spent much time with her lately and he missed having someone to needle and annoy.

"Alec, we still on for tonight?" He looked up, startled by the intrusion. Quinn was leaning against the doorframe, looking at him expectantly.

"As far as I-" Alec was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. He flipped it open.

"Alec here," he frowned as he listened to the voice on the other end of the line. "I thought you said it was a simple in-out deal." He paused to listen again. "Fine. When you have the new rotation, let me know. Oh and Gabe, next time don't wait till the last minute!" Alec snapped the phone shut and looked up at Quinn who hadn't moved.

"Looks like we're not going tonight after all. Gabe took a team to do last minute recon. Turns out they have new guard rotations. Shit. We really need those supplies," he said, as he ran a hand through his hair, then pressed his palms flat on the desk and pushed himself upright. "Guess we should go tell the others the run's been cancelled."

The two made their way out and down the stairs, coming up behind Biggs and Lianna who were arguing loudly.

"Even Joshua knows the words! 'This-that whatever-back'? You've gotta be kidding me! It's 'knick-knack, paddy-whack give a dog a bone'," Lianna insisted as she smacked Biggs upside the head.

Biggs couldn't believe she was hitting him. "Ow! Cut it out! It's not like Manticore taught us that shit, Lianna! Jeez, cut me a little slack will ya? Besides, I only agreed to help Gem in the nursery as a favour to you!"

Quinn grinned at Alec. "Aw, aint that sweet? Biggsie's gotta thing for Lianna!"

The two friends chuckled as Biggs' face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"You're trippin', Quinn! Lianna and I are friends, nothing more."

Alec looked at his friend, amusement dancing in his eyes and curving his lips. "Right. Like there's any other reason you would agree to work in a nursery."

Biggs' expression warned Alec of things to come and he quickly stopped teasing. Biggs was no match for Alec, that he knew, but his friend could pack quite a punch and his gut still hurt from their sparring session a few hours before.

Lianna laughed and patted Biggs on the back. "Don't worry, little man. I'm not threatened." Ignoring Biggs' indignant sputtering she asked Alec, "What's with the raid? We still on for tonight?"

Alec shifted lightly, cocked his head to one side and replied. "Nope. Change of plans. We'll have to reschedule the run."

Quinn spoke up. "I think darts, pool and booze are on my agenda tonight. Crash anyone? Drinks are on me. Whaddaya say?"

"Personally, I'd prefer a hot bath. I think I'll have to pass up this tantalizing opportunity." Lianna's sarcasm wasn't lost on the others.

"Oh c'mon, Li! Think of how much fun it'll be to dance with the three hottest guys there!" Biggs said, flashing her a cocky grin.

Lianna looked him up and down sceptically. "I'm not convinced, Biggs."

Biggs' raised his hand and placed it over his heart, his face reflecting mock-hurt, mouth pouting prettily. "You wound me, you really do."

"Uh guys, tonight's the Jam Pony party. We should go." Alec commented, interrupting the playful banter.

"Damn, I forgot about that!" Biggs said, scratching his forehead. "Sounds like a plan." He pulled Lianna by the arm and dragged her out of Command before she could protest further. The others followed quickly on his heels. A party was just what they needed.

Lianna looked between her friends and sighed. She hated motorcycles but she knew the others would never agree to walk to Crash.

"Which one of you is giving me a ride?"

Alec grinned slyly at Biggs as he grabbed Lianna around the waist and hoisted her onto the back of his bike. "Your chariot, milady." He chuckled as Biggs gave him the evil eye.

Lianna giggled. "Alec you are so-"

"Fabulous, I know. Say nothing of it," he said, smirking. She smacked his arm. "Hey, I get enough of that from Max, thank you very much."

Lianna retorted, "Maybe she has the right idea!"

Turning to the other guys, Alec said, "Why do transgenic females feel the need to hit us all the time?"

"I think it's in the genes," replied Quinn, smiling.

"Nah. It's just our way of showing we care," Lianna commented, stealing a glance at Biggs.

Her meaning wasn't lost on Alec, whose eyes suddenly took on a faraway look. Quinn noted that Lianna's comment had been directed at Biggs and he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I could think of better ways to get that point across, you know," he said suggestively. His words hit home and Biggs glared at him.

The four friends laughed over the sound of revving engines.

They arrived at Crash and were surprised to see that it was nearly empty. Crash was the local hangout and on a typical weeknight was filled to the brim with their friends and co-workers from Jam Pony. It was the perfect place to party, and had been reserved many times for just such an occasion.

Quinn surveyed the room. "Uh, guys? Where's the party?"

"God, I'm an idiot!" Lianna slapped her forehead and turned to face the others. "Duh! Normal went all out - he rented an old ballroom somewhere in Sector 9. Apparently he wanted it to be special." Her arm shot out in a sweeping motion. "Hence an empty Crash. It's supposed to be a big bash, or so I'm told."

Biggs frowned. "Do we know where this gig is?"

"I dunno," Alec replied, cocking his head thoughtfully at his friends. "But I know how we can find out." He grinned widely, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Dude, you thinkin' what I think you're thinkin'?" Quinn grinned back at him, eyebrows raised.

Lianna threw her hands up and took a step back. "Oh no. We are not breaking into Jam Pony!"

Alec laughed. "C'mon, Li! Where's your sense of adventure? It's not like anyone will know we were even there. Besides, you don't need to go in - one of us will, okay?"

Lianna couldn't resist his pout and puppy dog eyes. "Whatever."

"That's my girl!" Biggs put his arm around her waist and gave her a quick hug.

"You wish," Quinn muttered under his breath only to receive a quick jab in the side and an angry glare from Biggs. Yup. The boy's got it bad.

Twenty minutes later, Quinn climbed out the window in the back alley behind Jam Pony, waving a slip of paper in his hand.

"Check this! Says Max, Original Cindy and Sketchy organized the party. Sounds way cool." Quinn was pointing at the flier in his hand; the details of the party, location and time listed clearly in black and white.

"Have you ever been to one of Max's parties? Now I'm having second thoughts!" Alec grimaced as he remembered the last party he'd attended at Max and Cindy's. It had been a complete disaster. The food had been overcooked, the cake burnt, the soda flat, and the CD player died in the middle of a song causing the two, very sexy females he'd had his eye on, to stop grinding hotly against each other. A complete disaster.

Quinn climbed back on his bike. "Well I say lets crash this party. It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of a soft, warm, writhing female in my bed."

Lianna's face wrinkled in disgust. "You men are all the same. Dogs."

Alec flashed a cheeky grin in her direction. "I'm sure Original Cindy would welcome you with open... arms."

She rolled her eyes. "You don't give up, do you? You're impossible!"

Alec's grin grew wider. "It's all part of my charm!"

TBC

Chapter 2