A/N: Once again, I have my dear friend Infie to thank for taking the time to check this and for the expertise. You know you rock :)

A/N2: Thank you for reading ... and for your patience...

The Modern Lazarus

Max sat balancing her legs on the ledge of a window. She concentrated on her boots. They were a little old. Like five years, maybe six? But they were so perfect for her… Logan was always insisting she buy new clothes. But she liked her old things, they were comfortable. And comforting. Plus, they still fit her exactly as they had when she first bought them. Her body had not changed at all in the last years, she still looked pretty hot, if she said so herself.

She looked up at Alec, crouching on the wall that separated the house from the empty terrain besides. She smiled ruefully. No matter how long they'd been on the outside, or how much they interacted with the world, there was no denying the 'cat' in them.

Impatience was also a very feline treat. She was tired of waiting already. They could not have been here for more than two or three hours, but it felt like 32 to her.

"Bored already, Maxie?" Alec said from his post on the wall.

"Aren't you?"

"Well, I was thinking of something else, actually." He replied with a distracted smile.

Max rolled her eyes at him. "Was she accommodating?"

"Oh, she definitely was, thank you." He raised his left eyebrow, daring her to make another comment. She did not disappoint him.

"You are disgusting, Alec. Don't you know you are not supposed to 'share' about your girlfriends?"

He half smiled. "First, I didn't say anything except that she was accommodating, and only 'cause you asked. And second... who says I'm not?"

"Well, reticence is the gentlemanly thing." A voice said from the sidewalk. "That is, if you believe in all that chivalry tripe."

Max mentally cursed, they were supposed to sneak up on the guy, not the other way around.

"If you are worried that I took you by surprise, don't be," the man called Adam told her with a smile. "Your friend here has been pointing that gun of his at me since I turned the corner."

Alec didn't say anything, just kept his smile in place, wriggling his eyebrows at her. Max sighed. She should have known. The idiot had started talking to her on purpose, to distract her. She jumped off the ledge, effectively blocking Adam's way into his house.

"I think we need to talk, mister 'scientist'." She said, cocking her head to the side, a hand on her hip.

"Can we at least have a cup of tea? Maybe coffee for you? Or does it have to be here in the front lawn?"

"Well, if you don't have anything stronger, I guess coffee will have to do." Alec said by the doctor's ear, causing him to startle a little. The transgenic had still been on the wall a second before. Max smirked. It was good to shake the guy a bit; he was too confident, too sure of himself. Although, to be fair, he had not reacted as a normal person would at Alec's speed. He had merely looked surprised, even a little amused.

The idiot.

She stepped to the side to let him through and followed, expressly ignoring Alec's exaggerated display of letting her go first.

---------------------------

Logan sighed in exasperation. It was simply not possible. Between him and Arturo, they'd gone through all possibilities. He'd been so sure when they'd found the trail it would lead them directly to the "real" Dr. Oldman. The tracks had been faint – as they should be- but they'd found them. He and Arturo had concentrated on a government-based invention of the guy's past, and come up with zilch, before Logan came back to the apartment. It had taken Logan a couple of hours, with Alec's help, to finally get a good enough lead, to find a name. Only... it had not helped at all. There simply was no information on this alleged falsifier.

They hadn't had a really hard time tracking down the usual and not so usual forgers, since Logan had known most of them. But no amount of bribing or collecting on old favours had produced any results. After many hours and phone calls they finally had to give up and come to the conclusion that this person simply did not exist. Or if he did.. well, he'd only worked that one time, because the only other time they found similar tracks, it had been way before the pulse. Perhaps this guy was retired? Dead? But that made no sense. If he'd once been great and now was dead there would be more of a mention of him, the other people in the "trade" would have heard of him.

No. There was nothing. Good old doctor Oldman had found himself a non-existent forger that had worked only for him. Tricky.

Max and Alec had lost their patience and gone to see the doctor. Logan had stayed behind, still trying to look up more on this. He could simply not accept that a person would just vanish.

He sighed again, rubbed the bridge of his nose, put on his glasses again, and dove back into the endless amount of information available for those who knew how to get it.

---------------------------

"Who the hell are you?" Max exploded once the tea had been served and they were all sitting comfortably on the sofas.

Adam – because that was how he thought of himself right now- looked at her with amusement. She was all heat and passion. Very much unlike her partner, who was sitting opposite her and on the other side of Adam – a fact he had not missed- looking for all the world as if he didn't have a care in his life. She was the lioness, baring her teeth, protecting her cubs; he was the panther, lazily sliding around the jungle, but ready to pounce at any instant. He smiled at his mental comparison, trying to remember their genetic map. Of course, there'd been too many of them for him to pay too much attention back then to the exact animal they'd used on each transgenic. It wasn't the part he was really interested in. He had not been able to see the barcode on the male, anyway, and Max had introduced him as just 'Alec'.

"Well, that's a difficult one to answer." He finally answered her, "Who are any of us, really?" He had to smother a chuckle at the way she narrowed her eyes at him, somehow he hadn't thought she'd appreciate the flippant response. Out of the corner of his eyes he watched the boy throw an arm on the back of the seat and smile that deceptive smile of his.

"Why don't you give it a try?" Alec asked politely, "I am sure a man of your scientific background can come up with a good enough hypothesis."

This time Adam did not hide his grin. "True, my friend. Many of them, but as time will no doubt show you, we are different things to different people." He raised his hand when Alec rolled his eyes "I know that sounds like more philosophical bullshit to you, which it is, but it is also the truth. No, really, think about it. What are you? You are a young man. But you are also a transgenic. And that is just the physical part. You are a friend to the young lady here, you are no doubt someone's lover, you are someone's enemy, and someone's project come to life; an interesting specimen to others… The list is endless."

Alec just stared at him, without blinking, without deviating his eyes from him even the slightest bit, without any gesture or movement of his body. Adam sighed.

"All right, all right. You're obviously not up for philosophy. Fine, let's be boring." He made an exasperated gesture, "Yes. I was a Familiar." He looked at both of them in turn. "That was what you wanted to hear, wasn't it?"

"Well, wanted is not exactly the word we'd use." Alec responded, cold eyes still nailed to his face.

Adam had to smile again. The kid was okay. He nodded. "Fair enough. What you thought I should be saying?"

"What do you mean 'was'?" Max asked from her side of the room, looking at him intently. "And how do we know you're not anymore? It's not like your membership expires, or anything."

"Well… you don't actually." She glared at him, deservedly so, Adam supposed. Still, he did not go into further detail.

"Look, Mr I-am-a-fancy-Brit-and-I-like-to-play-mysterious-guy, you are trying my patience here."

"Which was never too sturdy to begin with, huh?" Adam guessed. "Look, I guess you think I owe you some sort of explanation, and normally I.." he interrupted himself and looked towards the door. He turned back to the room, "Would you guys.." He did not finish this sentence either. There were no 'guys'. It was only Max. He blinked. He shook his head, he'd have to get used to these kids' speed. "Would you excuse me?" He rephrased. She did not indicate in any way that she was surprised to see Alec gone. Either she'd heard what Alec had, or she was damn good at hiding her reactions. A little bit of both, he guessed.

She made a wave with her hand, indicating she was fine with him going to the door.

"I'll be back presently."

---------------------------

Max had heard the approaching steps. She was not surprised Alec had vanished. Whoever was coming to the door, if he'd heard anything, had no reason to believe Adam had been talking to more than one person. She was surprised Adam had known someone was coming to the door, though. How could he have heard what the transgenics had? Max did not remember any of the familiars having special hearing. But this guy had definitely known someone was coming. They would have to look into that. Max watched him go to the door, lean a hand on the coat hanging by it and only then look through the peephole. Probably had a gun on it. She had noticed an odd fold when he took it out to hang it. She'd glanced at Alec and he'd nodded, having seen it too.

She saw him relax, evidently recognizing the person on the other side. He moved to the side to open the door and let the visitor in.

Max's mind immediately took inventory, memorizing every detail. He was around 5'11'', fit, broad shouldered and moved with an easy grace that spoke of someone truly comfortable in his own body. His eyes were an interesting shade of green, deep soulful eyes that showed nothing beyond the surface. Max mentally shook her head. Was she ever going to meet a nice, normal guy whose eyes actually 'mirrored the soul' as the saying went? Wisps of dark blond hair fell over his eyes. It was cut unfashionably long, but it somehow suited him, emphasizing every movement of his head. The accent was British as he greeted Adam. She was sure Alec would be able to tell her the exact city it was from, but she hadn't taken all those courses. He had a little scar above his left eye; it only made his face more interesting.

"So what did you think of the performance?" The guy was asking Adam.

"Flawless, as usual." The doctor conceded with a regal nod of his head. "The audience was well pleased, I noticed."

"Were they not?", was the rhetorical answer. He seemed about to add something else, but his eyes found Max in the next room. They roamed up and down her body with an intense interest, though Max would not be able to ascertain whether it was directed at her shape or at her mere presence. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" He finally said, his eyes never leaving her as he moved closer.

Adam smiled. "Of course. This is an old acquaintance of mine, Ian. Ian, this lovely young woman is Max." He said with a flourish. Max did not miss the use of the word 'acquaintance', but Ian seemed unruffled by it.

"Nice to meet you." She said, extending her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine." He answered, taking her hand and kissing it.

She retrieved her hand, uncomfortable, but refused to move when he failed to retreat, staring at him hard. He smiled at her, conceding the point and backed down, "Do you mind?" He asked as he sat in the couch Alec had sat at before.

"Well, I guess I don't, now. The sofa is just as comfortable." Adam muttered. Max raised her startled gaze at him. The way he had said it, implied his seat had been taken away from him. It surprised her that he'd think to do that.

Ian simply dismissed his comment, his eyes back on hers. "So, where did you and this old chap here meet, my dear?"

"In the park." She said simply. The truth was always the easiest way out.

"The park? I didn't exactly see you as an outdoors kind of man." Ian's inquisitive eyes wandered back to Adam.

"Just because I don't spend every minute under the sun, as that skin of yours can attest you do, doesn't mean I'm a recluse." Adam replied, nonchalant. "Tell me, to what do I owe the honour of your visit?"

"Well, I thought I'd check on my dear friend, and also find out what you thought of our earlier meeting. But that can all wait, can't it? We wouldn't want to trouble the little lady here with our foolishness, would we?"

"We certainly would not." Adam nodded.

Max did not miss the weird undercurrents of the exchange, or the fact that there was something they did not want her to know. Good. Somewhere to start.

"Would you care for a cup of tea?" Adam was offering Ian, smoothly changing the subject. Max had to concentrate hard to keep a foolish smile in place. He would notice there were three cups, not two, and while there was nothing wrong with Alec being there, it would look suspicious that they had hidden his presence.

She should not have worried. Alec's cup was nowhere to be seen. He was probably sipping from it right now, having a laugh at her expense. The jerk.

"Max here was interested in my past as a scientist. I thought I had hidden it well, but she is a persistent young journalism student, and she found me."

Impressive, how he came with a totally plausible reason for her presence there out of the blue.

"I see," Ian nodded, and arched brow. "Well, I don't want to interrupt you two. By all means, carry on."

"Oh, no, please. It'll be interesting for my article to know more about Adam, the man. A friend's point of view might just give it a little color." She countered, a bright smile on her lips.

"Well, I am afraid there is not that much I will be able to help you with." Ian said, smiling apologetically. "He and I met long ago, but we live in different worlds. Our paths do cross from time to time, but I guess our chosen lifestyles are just a barrier."

"Oh?" Max encouraged him.

"Well, Adam is a scientist, as you know. I am afraid I have never believed in science that much."

"I heard you and Adam talk about a performance today? Are you an actor?" Max questioned, trying to get more information.

"Oh, you can say that." Ian smiled brightly.

"What would the readers be able to see you in?"

"Well, I am afraid I don't perform for the general public. I prefer a selected, private audience."

"You mean like private concerts? But for acting?" She frowned.

"Well, he does sing too, my dear." Adam interjected. "You should ask him to. He's got quite an interesting style."

"Really?" Max's gaze went from one man to the other.

"Indeed." Adam nodded. "You should invite Max to one of your performances, Ian."

Ian almost choked out the tea he was sipping. "Er, yes, of course. I'd have to consult with the people I perform for, but perhaps, some day…"

Max resisted the impulse to narrow her eyes at them and smiled politely. "Don't worry. You don't need to." She decided to change the subject. "So, you and Adam met... where? In college? Here in the States or was it back in Britain?"

"Oh, it was definitely on the other side of the ocean." Ian laughed. "But not in school. It was actually during one of my performances, a long time ago."

"I see." Max was getting frustrated. As much as he was answering her questions without complaining, it seemed like the more he answered, the less he told her. Everything was vague. "So, you are an actor, or performer for exclusive audiences and you've know Adam for a long time, met him on the Old Continent, but you are not really that close, yet you come to his house to visit him."

"Oh, well, dear old Ian cannot ever seem to stop trying to get me to see the error of my ways as a scientist and is always insisting I should join him in his endeavours." He smirked. "Truly someone who believes in his ideals, old Ian is."

"Yes, well... I am afraid I am making a fool out of myself here" Ian said, standing up, "and entertaining dear Adam to no end with it." He added, raising an eyebrow at the doctor, who raised both of his in turn, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Max got up as well, "Well, don't leave on my account."

"Oh, fear not, my dear. There will be plenty of time for me and Adam to talk. You just finish your interview here." He inclined his head and turned to the doctor. "I'll talk to you later.. Doc."

An instant later he was out the door.

"You can come out now, my friend." Adam said aloud.

"I think it's just the two of us." Answered Max with a smile. She had managed to catch a glance through the window of Ian turning to walk to the left.

She also caught a glimpse of Alec's blue jacket behind him. Not that it mattered. After all this time, they did not need to communicate out loud to know what the other was up to.

She turned intense chocolate eyes Adam's way. "Now, where were we?"

---------------------------