A/N: The NC-17 version of this chapter can be found at NWP under the penname jracklesfan77 (Shana).
Part 25 - Quiet Before the Storm
ALEC
When I left Ben's room a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Things weren't perfect but I'd taken the first step in forgiving my brother by admitting I didn't hate him. It was more than that; I knew I cared about him but it wasn't exactly something I was going to confess.
I left Medical with a smile on my lips. It would take time, but things would work out. I knew Ben and I would be okay. Now that I'd had a chance to talk to Ben, I had to speak to Max. The way I'd left her earlier was a bit abrupt to say the least.
I wandered into Command and saw the concerned looks of my fellow transgenics. I smiled at them all and waved to the few who stopped to say hello. I stepped to the center of the room and cleared my throat. All eyes were on me as I spoke.
"I take it you all know about my brother. Ben's gonna be fine. It's all good." There were audible sighs of relief from those who knew about my conflict with Ben earlier. "Anyone seen Max?"
Dix looked up from the comms station. "Biggs let her crash at his place."
I took a deep breath. That Max was at Biggs' apartment didn't mean anything. She said she loved me and I believed her. Then why was I so upset? Because she's my girl, dammit! I left command and went to find Max.
I opened the door without knocking. I needn't have bothered. The apartment was empty. Max and I didn't have apartments in Terminal City. I had no idea where she might be. I pulled out my cell and flipped it open.
"Hey. It's me," I said softly.
Her voice carried over the line and I could almost hear her smile. "Hey, yourself."
"Where are you?" I heard wind blowing in my ear. She was outside somewhere.
"The roof of the old warehouse."
"Meet me at my place? I wanna talk to you. Somewhere private." I bit my lip waiting for her to respond.
"But Ben - "
"He's resting. We can come back and see him later. Please, Max?" The things I wanted to say to her would be best said away from the sharp ears of everyone in Terminal City. Besides, even if we did find someplace to talk here, the walls were so thin that anyone could hear through them. It explained a lot of knowing looks in the mornings.
"Fine. I'll be there soon as I can."
I arrived back at my apartment thoroughly exhausted. I kicked off my shoes and socks and propped my feet up on the coffee table as I leaned back on the couch. I kept an eye on the time, waiting for Max to show.
It had been a good hour since I called her and I was starting to worry that maybe something had gone wrong when suddenly the door opened and I looked up to see Max standing in the entrance, her hair windblown and cheeks flushed from the cold.
"You want a drink?" I asked solicitously as I got up from the couch and padded barefoot across the room to the kitchen. She just stood there. I turned around to look at her. "Maxie?" I was concerned. Max hadn't moved an inch.
She raised her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I walked over to her and gathered her into a hug, shutting the door with my foot. "Shhh, Maxie. Everything's ok." She just held on to me, not uttering a word. I'd never seen Max like this before and I wasn't sure how to deal with her. I walked us over to the couch and pulled her into my lap.
"Alec? What do you see in me?" I was a bit taken aback by her question. I decided to reply in tried and true fashion.
I grinned. "A whiny, annoying, self-involved - OW!" I pulled back sharply and rubbed my side where Max had just elbowed me. At least she wasn't moping any more. I pushed her off my lap to gain a little distance before opening my mouth again.
"I know the truth hurts, Maxie, but it's not supposed to hurt me." This time I managed to dodge the fist that came my way.
"Do you always have to be such an ass?" she hissed as she shook with anger.
"Come on, Maxie! You know you love it!" With my trademark smirk firmly in place, I added. "Hey, I was kidding, Max. Sometimes it's just too much fun pissing you off."
She jumped up from the couch and I reached out and grabbed her arm before she could move away.
My eyes and tone were serious as I pulled her toward me, her legs between my knees. "Come on, Max. Don't do this. We've dodged each other enough lately."
Max avoided my eyes. "Alec, I hope you know-"
I reached a hand up to cup her cheek. "I do."
"I mean I never meant-"
"I know, Maxie." I pulled her down against me so she was straddling my thigh.
She looked up at me, eyes shimmering with tears. Her voice shook with uncertainty and she spoke so quietly it was barely a whisper. "Do you think you can forgive me?"
I took her hands in mine and pulled them to my chest. Holding them tightly with my left hand, I reached up to run my right hand through her hair, coming around to cup her chin. I brushed my thumb across her lower lip. "There's nothing to forgive, Maxie. Just promise me one thing." I stared deeply into her eyes. "Promise me we'll talk before we run?" I caught her look of confusion. "We're bound to argue, Max. It's how we work." I smiled gently. "As long as we can talk to each other instead of just running away, we'll be fine. Look where running got us. Wasted time and a lot of misunderstandings."
I shook my head, somewhat surprised at myself. Communication was never my strong point. I was better at charming a girl into bed than I was at deep conversations. But Max wasn't just any girl. She was my girl. And damn if I was gonna let her get away again. If this was what it took...
Max smiled shyly. "So, talk huh?" I nodded. Her lips curled as her smile changed from shy to seductive. "I'll think about it. For now," she whispered into my ear as she pressed against my chest and reached down to the waistband of my jeans, "I have other things in mind." I inhaled sharply as she found me and my erection strained against her hand.
Max's lips attacked mine and carrying on any coherent conversation became impossible. Not that I minded. I was losing myself to this hellcat, and enjoying every second of it. I was going to make Max mine come hell or high water. I stood, her legs secured tightly around me, and reached into my pocket with one hand and flipped my phone off. I tossed it behind me not caring where it landed. Nothing and no one was going to interrupt this moment.
We stumbled backward into my bedroom.
(Sorry folks! NC-17 scene edited out due to restrictions. Omitted scene can be found on Nuns With Pens under the authorship of jracklesfan77)
MAX
When I woke it was dark out. The only sound in the room was the rhythmic beating of Alec's heart and his breath fanning on the back of my neck. I had never felt so peaceful before. That I had taken so long to realize I was in love with him still haunted me. What if I'd have been too late? But never mind those thoughts. He was mine and I meant to enjoy every inch of him as often as possible. I purred in contentment and Alec stirred behind me.
Alec's arm tightened around my waist as he pulled me closer. I could get used to this. Hell, I planned to. I twisted in his embrace and turned to face the man I loved. Alec's eyelashes were long and rested softly against his cheeks, his full lips were curled in a slight smile. I wondered what he was dreaming about. That is, until I heard him whisper my name. I smiled and pressed my face into his chest, inhaling the musky male scent that was purely Alec. I closed my eyes once again, content just to lie in his arms as long as possible. We would have to get back to TC soon enough.
Not long after, Alec opened his eyes and stretched.
"Hey," I said softly.
"Hey, Maxie." He smiled as he ran a finger down my arm. "You're incredible, you know that?"
I blushed as I smiled back up at him. I never blush! "You're not so bad yourself." And boy, was that ever an understatement. The man had every right to brag.
Alec pulled me on top of him and I laid my head on his chest. After a while I looked up to ask him a question but the thought flew from my mind when my eyes lit on something strange.
"Alec? What the hell is that!"
TBC
Part Twenty-Six
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