A/N: The NC-17 version of this chapter can be found at NWP under the penname jracklesfan77 (Shana).
Part 31 - Making Amends
ALEC
It hadn't been but mere minutes since I'd stalked out of the make-shift bar and made my way up to the roof, but it felt like hours. Long enough for me to collect my thoughts and decide on a course of action. My relationship with Max had to change or it would eventually wear me down.
I stared over the rooftops of Terminal City. It wasn't long before a shift in the air announced that I wasn't alone. I felt her presence before she spoke and braced myself for what, I wasn't quite sure. Whatever she had to say though, could wait. It was my turn.
"Alec, I -" she began tentatively.
I wasn't going to take it this time. I'd had enough of being a doormat. Not bothering to face her, I continued staring out over the neglected city below.
"Save it, Max. I finally realized just how pathetic I am. Acting like I don't give a shit that you always take his side without any consideration for my feelings. What I don't get is how, especially after what he tried to do yesterday, you still defended him. Logan has shown you his true colors and if that's the kind of guy you want to be with, fine. But that's not me. I've done some really shitty things, but I'd never manipulate the woman I claim to love. I'm not that twisted. Maybe this - you and I," I paused to take a deep breath, "Maybe it's a mistake."
Max's eyes widened in shock for a second, before she found her voice. "No, Alec. Please..." She took a deep breath. "I wasn't thinking. I-"
"That's just it, Max. You don't think. You act on impulse and damn the consequences! And I'm the one left picking up the pieces when the shit hits the fan." Rubbing a hand along my jaw absentmindedly, I shut my eyes and sighed. "I'm really not in the mood for this right now. I'm going home to bed. If you're there when I wake up, then we'll talk. If not, I'll understand." I turned toward the door that led from the roof back down into the command center when I felt Max grab my arm.
"You are not walking out that door!" she hissed angrily. "Running away from me won't resolve the issue."
Shrugging out of her grip, I looked down my nose at her and gave a dry laugh. "Right. Running away is your area of expertise, isn't it Max?"
She stiffened visibly at the accusation. "That was a low blow, even for you. After everything we've been through, Alec, I can't believe you said that."
Still stinging from the speed and ease with which she had rationalized Logan's behavior earlier, I exhaled sharply, unable to hide the bitterness I felt. "After everything we've been through, I can't believe you defended Logan. I guess that makes us even. Now, like I said, I'm going home."
Frustrated and unrelenting, Max blurred to the door and blocked my exit. "Dammit, Alec! Don't shut me out! We need to talk about this!"
"Like you need to defend Eyes Only? God, Max, you're a fuckin' yo-yo. One minute you love him, the next you don't, but in the end you always go back to Logan. What's so special about him, anyway?" I waited, looking down into her eyes. When no answer was forthcoming, my gaze shifted to the stars and I threw up my hands. "You're so strong, Max, like a one-woman army ready to take on the world. It's one of the things I admire most about you. But when I see how every time he enters the picture you cling to-"
I watched as fury rose from deep within her and her tough-girl front cracked and peeled. Her eyes burned dark fire, flashing angrily, and I halted mid-rant. When she began to speak, I shivered. Her tone was hard, controlled and quiet.
"I may have done in the past, yeah. But this time I. Did. Not. Go. Back. To. Logan. I'm here - with you." She stared intently into my eyes for a long moment, her face taut with anger. Her lips were tight as she continued, "I made a mistake, Alec. I've been defending the man for two years, even when there was nothing to defend. I guess it's a hard habit to break."
Snorting, I shrugged her explanation off and dismissed her with a wave of the hand. "Whatever, Max."
Her face burned crimson and fire flickered in her eyes as she grit her teeth. "Do you think it's easy apologizing to you? I don't think I've ever honestly apologized to anyone. That should give you some indication that I'm serious."
I tilted my head and studied her. "I'd love to believe it, Max, but you don't exactly have a stellar record when it comes to Logan." When she looked ready to interrupt, I held up a hand.
I considered walking away now; I really didn't want to have this conversation, but I knew that if there was any hope for us - and despite my anger I desperately wanted there to be hope for us - then I had to say it. "Do you have any idea what it does to me, hearing you take his side over mine? Automatically accepting that I'm to blame? I want to be with you, Max, but this routine? I can't do it anymore. I deserve better than this; my feelings aside, it's making me look weak." I let my hand fall and dropped my shoulders. Just telling her this made me exhausted. "Hell, it's making me feel weak!"
Max's temper was still flaring and she spoke in an accusing tone. "You think I like knowing how weak I've been?" Max paused as she registered her own words. She looked startled, and for a moment her eyes darted around as if looking for a way to escape. Then she looked back at me through glistening eyes and visibly swallowed her pride. "You think I like knowing that I wasted the past year on a man just because he was safe? Because that's all it was, Alec. Being with Logan meant I didn't have to analyze my feelings for you. If I never admitted to caring, I couldn't get hurt. And if I never loved you, it wouldn't hurt when I lost you!" Her tirade exhausted, Max slumped to the floor dejectedly, pulling her knees up against her chest and burying her face between them.
"I've lost so much. I can't lose you too," she whispered brokenly, words muffled by the confines of her legs. Her body began to quake as she unleashed pent-up tears.
I hesitated, conflicted. I was still mad, but seeing Max vulnerable before me, huddled on the cold surface of the roof, crying openly, tore at my heart. Her whispered affirmation of need wasn't lost on me and I approached quietly, kneeling beside her and crushing her to my chest.
"You won't lose me, Maxie," I crooned reassuringly into her ear, stroking her hair tenderly all the while. "I can't lose you either. Why the hell do you think I get so angry about your relationship with Logan ?" I closed my eyes and decided to swallow my pride too. "I'm jealous, Max. I'm an X5; I'm territorial, possessive, protective. It's in the blood, Maxie. I won't apologize for it and I sure as hell won't change."
Max raised a tear-streaked face and her red-rimmed, doe-eyes locked with mine. Max spoke so softly that I had to strain to catch her words.
"I don't want you to change. I like who you are. I want to be with you." She paused. "Old habits die hard. I'm sorry, Alec - I was wrong."
A smile tugged at my lips and blossomed into a full-fledged smirk. "I never thought I'd see the day that Max Guevara would admit she was wrong!"
Smiling despite herself, Max recovered some of her dignity and quipped, "Don't get used to it." Disentangling ourselves from each other, we stood. Max brushed her pants off and folded her arms across her chest. "You said you were going to bed. Want some company?"
Pursing my lips and furrowing my brow in mock-consternation, I growled playfully. "You still have to be punished, you know."
Brushing her lips against my ear, puffs of warm breath fanning my neck, Max purred deep in her throat. Her voice was low and husky. "Ooh, I'm shaking," she teased.
I grinned against her shoulder and whispered, "Not yet, but you will..."
I don't quite remember how we made it back to Biggs' apartment. I vaguely recall opening the door and stumbling inside, Max wrapped around my waist, her lips attached to my neck, hands everywhere. The inhabitants of the room stared in amusement until I began growling in frustration at their unwelcome presence.
"Out," I grumbled at Krit, tripping artlessly past the grinning transgenic. Max giggled against my throat, the sensation sending another ripple of pleasure to my groin. I pulled her closer, shifting to fit myself snugly between her thighs. She mewled and nuzzled her nose into the crook of my neck.
Krit's eyebrows rose, his grin widening impossibly as he saw Max draped over me like a second skin, my hands beneath her shirt, hers in my hair, our heavy breathing, restrained moans and barely contained lust. Our eyes met in silent understanding.
"Syl, let's leave these two alone to ...resolve their issues," he suggested teasingly to the pretty blonde at his side as he took her hand and led her from the room.
"Finally," Max whispered, swirling her tongue in my ear, driving me to distraction. Fumbling with the lock and chain before backing her up against the door, I smiled against her shoulder.
"Alone at last I mumbled. Holding her body up against the heavy wooden surface, I attacked her throat with my teeth, nipping at her pulse point.
She arched into me, head thrown back, neck exposed, an invitation to taste the fragrant silkiness of her skin. "Alec..." came the breathy moan from between her lips. Lips that suddenly seemed too enticing to ignore any longer. Inhaling deeply, imprinting her scent in my mind, I pulled back to look at Max.
"How do you do that, Maxie?" Eyes that mirrored my own, darkened with desire, stared back at me, short, rapid breaths causing her chest to rise and fall in time with mine.
"Do what?" she cooed seductively, cocking her head to one side and puckering her lips into an inviting pout, her long lashes fluttering softly against her cheeks.
"Turn me on just by saying my name?" I replied huskily.
Her lips curved slightly upwards and she trailed her fingers up and down my arms, nails lightly scraping my skin. "Is that all it takes?" she teased, grinding her hips against mine.
Staring deeply into her eyes, I shook my head. "Everything about you turns me on, babe. It was hell - wanting you but not having you. Good thing you came to your senses; I was going out of my mind," I confessed quietly, never breaking eye contact.
Her chocolate orbs gleamed and her smile warmed my heart. "Can we save the soul-baring and heartfelt confessions for later? From what I remember, I still need to be punished. I was very, very, bad," she purred in my ear. I couldn't contain my laughter.
"Vixen," I growled playfully. "Bad can be very, very good..." Cupping her ass and drawing her tighter against me, I pulled her legs more firmly around my waist. Turning away from the wall, I walked us into the bedroom and tossed Max onto the bed. She slithered back against the headboard, crooking her finger at me and giving me her sexiest come-hither look. I licked my lips.
Oh, yes. Bad can be very, very good indeed.
There's something to be said about make-up sex. I'd never engaged in it before, but if the results were the same - or better - each time, I'd gladly argue with Max again. I'd made her beg her forgiveness, forgiveness I had happily given even before we made it to the bedroom. But she hadn't needed to know that at the time.
I propped my head up on one palm and with the fingers of my free hand, traced idle circles on her belly. Max sighed in her sleep, snuggling closer to my chest. I nuzzled her hair, inhaling the sweet fragrance of cherries that clung to her silky locks and closed my eyes in remembrance.
She crawled toward him on the all fours, tongue flicking out to wet full, soft lips, eyes dark with lust. He put a hand to her breast, stilling her movements.
"Nuh, uh, uh. I call the shots," he chided, the words rumbling from deep in his throat, voice thick with desire.
Sulking and whimpering her displeasure, she sat up on her knees. He grinned, twisting her arm behind her back and pressing his chest against hers. "Sorry, Maxie, but you're in no position to complain. We're going to do things my way," he stated gruffly, growing increasingly aroused as he felt her body respond to his.
He released her arm, pressing gentle kisses along her jaw line and down her shoulder. "Lay back," he instructed. "Spread your legs; just like that, babe."
As Max languidly slid her thighs apart, she teased them both by running her hands over her stomach and up around her breasts, slowly and sensually massaging the supple flesh, nipples already hard with anticipation of things to come.
His breath came in shallow puffs, hazel eyes dark with passion gazing from beneath hooded lashes at his lover. Her hair spread in a curtain of silk on the pillow, face flushing as he trailed expert fingers up her inner thigh, torturing her slowly as he touched her, everywhere but where she needed him. He watched in primal satisfaction as she writhed beneath his nimble fingers and heated gaze.
Repositioning himself on the bed, Alec dragged his body over hers, his hot aching flesh poised above ruby lips, while his own hovered over her heated center. Alec dragged his wet tongue across her opening and gasped involuntarily as she started at the contact, her mouth opening in surprise around him, then closing when she realized his intent.
"Fuck, yeah," he hissed. "Maaaax..."
A muffled giggle jolted me from pleasant memories and my lids snapped open to find Max's bright, laughing brown eyes on mine, sensuous mouth smirking in amusement.
"Thinking of me, pretty boy?" I flushed, following her eyes as they raked lazily over my sheet-covered body, finally resting on the material draped over my lower region. "Someone looks happy to see me," she purred, snaking a hand beneath the sheet and gently wrapping around my length.
"I take it this is payback?" I moaned in appreciation, focusing on the devastating, devilish pleasure her fingers wrought on my sensitive skin.
"Mmm hmmm," came the muffled reply from the end of the bed. I reveled in the wet heat of her mouth, the humming vibrations that shot flames through my veins, making me all too responsive and willing to endure such sweet torture. God, don't stop...
Insistent, shrill ringing broke through the pleasant haze Max had created. I felt her shift and I groaned as she crawled out from between my legs, leaving me stiff and trembling with need, only to grab the phone off the bedside table. One look at my pained features and she burst out laughing.
"I couldn't have planned it better myself," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows before darting laughing eyes to my crotch.
"Bitch," I muttered, taking the phone in hand and flipping it open. "You got Alec. Better be major," I snapped, trying to ease my distress enough to conduct a neutral tone.
"Is this Alec McDowell?" an uncertain and distinctly male voice inquired timidly.
"Yeah. Who are you and how did you get this number?" I asked curtly, wondering at the stranger who had access to my cell and my name. I didn't share this number with just anyone.
He quickly identified himself. "Name's Toby. I'm a friend of Asha Barlow's. Your number was in her address book under 'emergencies'." He paused, taking a shaky breath. He sounded distraught. "I don't know if you can help, but Asha's in trouble. She's been arrested."
Furrowing my brows in confusion, I hesitated a moment to process the information. Asha. "On what charges?"
"They're holding her on suspicion of inflicting bodily harm and damaging property. Something to do with Eyes Only," Toby rambled on quickly.
Momentarily distracted by loud voices, I turned my head to the television that had sprung to life. A newscaster was reporting the recent arrest of Eyes Only and an unidentified female counterpart. The camera captured a distressed looking Asha before she was shoved none-too-gently into a squad car. Max's mouth dropped open in surprise at the image of a very naked Logan, private parts blurred for live broadcast, being led into an armored police van.
"Shit," we exclaimed simultaneously. Max looked at me questioningly. I raised a finger, indicating that I would explain shortly and returned to my conversation.
"Where's she being held?" I asked, eyes still glued to the television. I listened intently as the other man gave me the location and I assured him I would do anything I could to help. After disengaging the call, I turned to Max, eager to understand something.
"I thought that Asha only pretended to take down my number. It wasn't in her book last time we checked."
"I know. But it is in there. Asha asked me for it not long after Brain died." Max's eyes clouded over and I knew she was remembering the boy who'd given his life to save hers. But then she smiled, the expression lightening the shadows blanketing her features. "But with an ego as big as yours you probably wouldn't find it now either. That day you looked under 'A', for Alec."
Not liking the teasing tone of her voice, I frowned. "It's my name, isn't it?"
Max laughed. "Your first name, yes. But Asha has it listed under 'M' - for McDowell. And as an emergency contact number right under Logan's and mine." Pausing, she looked thoughtful, until a scowl replaced her sunny smile. "I still don't understand why she needed your number anyway," she continued slowly, displeasure evident in her tone.
"What, Max? You figure Asha having Logan's number, and yours, should have been enough? How perfectly selfish of you," I chided teasingly. Her scowl deepened and I couldn't suppress a smirk.
I baited her. "Or could it be that you're jealous?" It pleased me to see her eyes blaze and her cheeks flame, confirming what I already knew and filling me with indescribable happiness.
She caught me off-guard as her fist connected with my shoulder and I winced. But my smile returned when I heard her mutter under her breath before wrapping the top-sheet around her nude form and stalking off into the bathroom.
"I'm an X5, too. Comes with the territory, you ass."
TBC
