Part 12 - Bruised & Confused
ALEC
Max stopped yelling as suddenly as she'd started. Leaving the rest of us looking after her in confusion, she took off in the direction of the bungalows. I hadn't thought it possible to walk while seizing like she was. She was stumbling between tremors and I was sure it was sheer willpower that drove her; either that or fear of embarrassment. Max would never allow herself to appear weak in front of others, often in detriment to her health. This time would be no different.
Jake, Steve and I followed quickly after her. Max wasn't going to make it. The door to the room opened with the blunt force of her body splintering the wood as she lost her balance. Jake was closer than the rest of us and he caught her fall as she collapsed.
I don't ever recall having seen Max not in control before. Ok, so she lost control occasionally, but she always had a firm grasp on any given situation and seeing her so weak was an unsettling experience. The combination of emotional and physical exhaustion, stress, fear, pain, anger, hurt, feelings of betrayal, the rush of remembrance I saw in her eyes when she first looked at Ben and then the realization that he really was alive must have sent her into a full blown panic attack, leading to her current condition: a grand mal seizure.
Biggs was at her side in less time than it took to blink. He'd rushed out of the shower, his towel wrapped hastily around his waste and gun in hand, at the sound of the door breaking in. When he took in Max's shaking form, he gently kneeled beside her, gathering her in his arms. He was too damn close to her for comfort and the sight of them together made my blood boil. An almost naked Biggs was holding my girl. Mine? Not yet, anyway. And then a thought registered: I was jealous!
Hell yeah, I was jealous! It was painfully obvious that Max and Biggs had gotten really close over the past week. A week I had missed out on because I was scared. Scared that Max really did have feelings for me and then I'd have to own up to my own. Idiot! Moron ! Dumbass! A week in which I could have been with Max and none of us would have been in this situation to begin with. The more I thought about it, the less I liked it. This was entirely my fault. If Biggs and Max got together as a result of this…I stuffed my fist in my mouth and pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind. There would be time enough to deal with the emotional crap later.
"What do you need Biggs? Where's her Tryptophan?" Biggs motioned to his pack on the bed. So now he's carrying her stuff? There it was again, the damned voice that was torturing me inside my head. Send the green-eyed monster packing, soldier! There's no time for this shit right now!
I reached into the bag and took out the small bottle of pills I had given Max a few weeks earlier. I hoped it was enough to help her through. As far as I knew, none of the others had any with them. And this had been the last of my personal supply. Max would kick my ass if she knew.
BIGGS
I was agonizingly aware of Max's soft cheek against my bare chest. It sent a wave of heat that registered in my brain…and another part of my anatomy that I was relieved to see was completely covered and out of sight. I could feel Alec's intense gaze on me and I fought the urge to run. Max needed me and I was going to do everything I could to ease her out of this.
Alec handed me some pills and I whispered softly. "Come on, Maxie. Open your mouth. The pills will help." She complied, still shaking uncontrollably. I thought she wouldn't manage to swallow but she did. Alec and I let out sighs of relief.
Jake came into the room carrying a carton of milk and some paper cups. Pouring the liquid into a cup, he offered it to me. I shook my head and motioned for Alec to take it. I could have given it to Max myself but I left the task to Alec; more out of courtesy for my friend than because I had my hands full.
He bent down and tenderly cupped the back of Max's head, raising it so she could drink. She sipped slowly and between shudders. The expression in Alec's eyes as he held her answered any questions or doubts I may have harbored up till now. The concern and worry that creased his face, the sadness in his eyes, told the true story. He really loves her.
I smiled sadly, thinking of the day when Alec had sat on the floor of his apartment, a broken man. He'd been so sure he lost her. If only you knew how wrong you are. Max had done nothing but talk about him since I'd been with her - well, outside of our bouts of fighting with Ordinaries, Familiars and White.
My smile grew when I remembered how Cindy, Sketchy and I had come up with a plan to get the two of them together. They'd actually suggested that I try my hand at making Alec jealous by being a contender for Max's affections. My smile faded at the memory. I hoped it wouldn't come to that. Because after having gotten to know Max this week, I'd be serious competition. I could see myself falling for her, if I knew I had a chance.
But Alec was my friend and I wouldn't conceive of trying to win his girl. Besides, she obviously cared for him as deeply as he did for her. If only they would admit it. The dance of denial was beginning to piss me off. Especially after her confession about Logan . Why go through the same thing again? Women truly confused me.
Returning my focus to the girl in my arms, I realized that the shaking had almost stopped. Her seizure had been massive and she was exhausted. So it wasn't surprising that she was now sleeping peacefully.
"Alec? I think it's safe to put Max on the bed. And I'd like to put some clothes on. It's kinda cold in here." I placed Max in Alec's arms, all the while avoiding his eyes, and went back into the bathroom to get dressed.TBC
Part Thirteen
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