At Crash

Max weaved her way through the crowds of dancing people effortlessly, she reached the bar and without having to say a word the bartender immediately came over,

"pitcher of beer" she called, short and to the point as ever, though with the flash of a 100 watt smile strangely reminiscent of Alec's the bartender could barely remember his own name let alone care that she hadn't said please.

Over at the table, Original Cindy had just got back from the bathroom,

"Looking fine OC" Alec complimented as he looked her up and down, seeing her in tight leather trousers and a strappy blue top displaying even more than Max's.

"You know, you know, but it ain't for you, I'm sure there's some fine sistah just waiting for me to find her. Speaking of which, Sketchy, you and me need to have a little chat about Natalie…"

At this point Alec saw an out in the conversation, it wasn't that he didn't love kicking it with his friends, but he found that he just couldn't concentrate properly, all he wanted to do was stop watching Max out of the corner of his eye and actually just gaze at her. 'Although it's obviously just to make sure she won't need help carrying the beer' This part of his brain was clearly ignoring the fact that as a genetically enhanced super soldier she was more than a match for a pitcher of beer.

The bartender finished pouring the pitcher and handed it over, Max, reached into her pocket to get the $20 she knew was there. When, a familiar voice came up next to her, saying, "I got this gorgeous", before paying for the beer.

From across the bar Alec watched the stranger walk up to Max, he could actually see every muscle in her body tense up, after observing her reaction he focused more closely on the guy, assessing the threat. He was medium height, medium build, and had dark hair, definitely not someone Alec had seen before though. He knew Max could handle herself, but she really didn't look happy to see this guy and he couldn't help thinking that it never hurt to be prepared.

"Hey Cin, do you know who that guy over at the bar with Max is?" he questioned

When hearing the slight edge to Alec's tone, Original Cindy tore her gaze from the red head and looked towards Max, "Ugh yeah, I know who he is, that's Rafer, he knows my boo but he ain't a good guy" she said with a hint of disgust

"How did she hook up with a guy like him?"

OC shrugged "Max is my girl, but there are some things she just keeps to herself"

"What are you doing here Rafer?" Max asked, her tone capable of causing the Sahara to freeze over, "You looked like you could use some company" he continued ignoring the hostile vibes she was giving out

"Oh really" she said her tone disbelieving "and what on earth would make you think that?"

"Well just look at the outfit, you're clearly looking for some" he said while leering at her chest, "and I'm more than capable of scratching any itch you may have, as I'm sure you remember" And with that he grabbed her ass.

He couldn't have made a bigger mistake.

Alec had been watching the exchange and when he saw him grab her, reflex kicked in and he stood up, knocking his chair over, he was ready to go over there and tear the guy piece from piece. Then he remembered whom he was dealing with, Max, she was not only entirely capable of handling herself but knowing her she'd probably want to deal with him herself.

Max turned to face Rafer, a predatory smile on her lips, Rafer being the idiot that he was did not read the signs and just assumed that she was going to take him up on his offer 'and why not, after all, who could say no, you are so hot' he thought to himself

Slowly she reached down and grabbed him by the balls, hard, "Ow Max, sheesh, it was just a bit of fun…ahhhh…hey it's not funny anymore, let go" When she didn't let go he started to get a bit more panicked

She looked at him with the most saccharine smile known to man "Touch me again you creep" she said slowly, careful to annunciate each syllable "and I will personally break every one of your fingers"

She stood up, letting him go and watching him drop to the floor in a heap, Max crouched down next to him, leaned in and whispered "Oh and by the way Rafer, the last time we were together? …It didn't exactly rock my world, if you know what I'm saying" she grinned

And with that she turned on her heel, grabbed the pitcher of beer and started to walk towards the table, and her friends "Oh and thanks for the beer" she called over her shoulder

Alec sat back down, to some stunned looks from OC and Sketchy, "I thought I saw someone I knew" he said in sheepish tone

"Uh huh" OC replied, clearly not believing a word of it, though Sketchy was far too busy watching his pitcher of beer weaving across the dance floor in Max's hand to notice Alec's obvious lie.

"Here you go guy's, one pitcher of beer, sorry bout the delay Sketch"

Alec leaned over to Max, "nicely done Maxie, stepping up the treatment of unwanted attention though aren't we?" he teased

"What can I say, they shouldn't touch what they can't afford" She smirked

"Oh, but no mere male can resist" Alec breathed, as he slowly leaned forward

"You're not too bad yourself you know" Max's tone was huskier than she had intended

"Why thank you, I do all right"

"I bet you do, and unlike that guy (she pointed to Rafer who was just starting to get up from the floor) I bet you can keep a girl satisfied"

"Oh you have no idea"

There were mere millimetres between them now

"You want me to prove it"

Max leant in until her lips were almost touching his ear, before whispering "Maybe later" and turning round to talk to OC

And for the second time in two days, Alec was left speechless 'Oh I just love this playful side to her, but she'd better stop playing coy soon, I don't know how much more I can take, in fact I better go to the bathroom' "I'll be back in a minute" he said with as much dignity as he could muster

"Girl, what is up with you two, the UST levels between you just shot up another 10 levels, you best tell Original Cindy everything"

"I am just having so much fun flirting with him, hanging with him, just generally spending time, also have you noticed, he is majorly hot, I mean I know we're all designed to be, but he is HOT"

"So what are you saying" OC asked in disbelief, "you think anything will happen?"

Max opened her mouth but whatever reply had been about to appear was cut off by an annoying beep from a certain pager

"Unbelievable, that man has the timing of a caffeinated elephant!"

A/N Thank you very much to everybody who reviewed: HoneyX5 452; Nica; Athena80; gamegirl452; kim; jracklesfan77.

I feel so loved aww

Also if anyone has an opinion on where this story should go, speak up! I've got a few thoughts but I'mopen to other ideas