Adam pulled into the gas station and climbed out of the cab. It had been a long drive over. Twelve hours cooped up in the cab behind the wheel, his legs felt like he could use a long walk. He'd driven straight from Orr Town cattle yards back to Seattle after delivering Buddy's quarterly stock. His boss had asked him to pick up some supplies from the city before heading back to the ranch. He was good at pulling the all-nighters, but all those hours didn't do much to help his thought process. Endless stretches of road gave him far too much time to brood, and the past couple of months his dreams had started spilling over into his waking hours. As a result he was finding it harder to define what he thought was reality from the scenes that played over in his head. So many things didn't fit with the life he was leading now, the life he thought he'd been living for years. The more the dreams plagued him, the more questions it raised about his past. Questions he couldn't find answers to and was afraid to ask.
Laughter caught his attention, and he turned to spot a girl across the street. She was walking with a friend. Her curly dark hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and she's grinned at something her friend said. Her dark eyes sparkled and her laugh was like heart-warming music. He was mesmerized by her. She had perfect skin and her measured stride had the grace and poise of a dancer while her body would put any male-fantasy-pin-up-girl to shame. Her denim jacket and kaki shorts did little to hide an exquisitely sculpted figure. She had a small waist, well toned legs, and an ample bosom that was straining against the cotton of her red t-shirt. He was so caught up by her beauty and her smile that he almost didn't notice the bundle that was slung across her body. That was until it moved and captured her attention. He followed her eyes. She slowed but didn't stop walking, and both she and her friend looked into the opening in the sling.
Adam strained to see what they were looking at but couldn't see past her friend's shoulder. As her head bent forward, Adam thought he caught a glimpse of something. Something on her neck, it looked like a dirty splotch and he looked harder. He almost jumped out of his skin when he got a close up look of what he wanted to see. It was a barcode. There was something familiar about it too, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. It wasn't the first time things had felt a little off. Not to mention that he seemed to have telescopic vision. He'd only ever noted it happening a handful of times, and every time it happened, it freaked him out. He never said a word about it to anyone either. It was bad enough that he couldn't remember anything about his past. People would think he was even stranger if he started telling them about his strange abilities. Like being able to heal faster than a lizard that dropped its tail. So he couldn't regrow limbs, not that he'd tried but it was still weird at how quickly his ribs had healed after his rodeo accident last summer. And then there was the glowing red eye. He'd taken a look in the mirror one morning and had a double take. Rubbing his eyes hand done the trick, but it had made him think twice about pulling an all-night booze out with the guys. That hangover was one he didn't want as a repeat encounter. Now there was the barcode thing. He had one, and this woman had one too. Maybe she had answers. Maybe they knew each other. He came out of his reverie and was about to head over to her but found that she wasn't there anymore. He had to fill up, but it wouldn't take long and she was on foot, so how far could she have gone?
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church
The big day had come sooner than she had anticipated and all of a sudden she was supremely nervous. Gem, Original Cindy and CeCe fussed over her, while she paced about the small bride's room. She'd tried to keep busy this morning with last minute tasks, like TC supplies, picking up the party favors, taking Jesse for a walk to get him to fall asleep, so he would be easy on the guys. She'd successfully been able to keep the ceremony off her mind until Original Cindy announced that it was time for her to get dressed. Her dress was like a dream in itself. She hadn't seen it until yesterday. The girls had been shocked when she had told them that she was probably just going to grab one off a rack, perhaps more shocked than when she'd told them she was getting married.
Lexie wouldn't hear a word of it, and had quickly taken measurements and whipped up a dress worthy of world-class, designer awe, all in less than two weeks. It fitted her like a second skin and showed off her curves without her feeling in the least bit overexposed. It had a scrunched fabric bodice that gathered over her waist, and flowed to the floor in an A-line skirt. The fingertip, organza veil that hung from the base of her hair was dotted with teardrop crystals had a fine rolled edge and decorated her bare back, where the dress fell away from the shoulders in a deep-v. Over the bodice and snaking down the front of her dress to the floor was delicate embroidery of deep red roses and green ivy. The fabric was thick without feeling stiff and felt like heaven against her skin. Dove gray Dutchess satin, Lexie had called it. She had a duster length train. She'd laughed when Gem had told her what a train actually meant. She had pictured carts attached to the back of her dress, why anyone wanted to drag yards of material behind them that people could trample on, or could catch was beyond her. Something she couldn't stop fiddling with was the split in her skirt that exposed an insert of embroidered organza that complimented her veil. Throwing up her hands, she stalked to the door.
CeCe had a split second to plant herself in front of the door. "It's not time yet," she said eyeing Max carefully. She'd never seen Max so nervous or jumpy, so she wasn't quite sure what to expect. She might be in a figure-hugging dress with minimal leg movement but she had other ways of disabling her friend if the need arose. She signaled to Gem to cut off the other exit. Smiling warmly, CeCe took Max's hands. "If you want me to check on them, or if you need anything just ask, I can go get it for you."
Max stomped her heel, and immediately regretted the action as the delicately heeled, unyielding feminine shoe, sent a jarring vibe up her leg. "I'm supposed to be late, but I'm here and we still haven't started. What's the hold up?"
Gem signaled to CeCe over Max's shoulder. "I should check on Missy. I'll see if they're ready for us while I'm there." Outside Gem heaved a sigh of relief and momentarily sagged against the door. She was in the church garden and dragged fresh air into her lungs. She was lucky to escape unscathed with the state Max was in. She hadn't been this bad since she'd gone through her moods phase when she was pregnant with the twins. She walked around to the front of the church and stuck her head through the double doors. All the guests were already seated. The church was full. Transgenics filled the first ten rows, but the other rows of guests were a sea of unfamiliar faces. Where had they all come from? And where were the guys? Joshua stood awkwardly next to Father Destry, anxiously looking in her direction. He waved at her, and Gem shrugged mouthing, 'No clue.' Just where were Alec and Biggs?
Across town
Over the last week, Alec had accompanied Logan to the town hall to process all the paperwork the government wanted on the transgenics. Veronica had negotiated a trade. All the transgenics who register with their local governments would be issued with, birth certificates, unrestricted sector passes and American citizenship. Not all of the transgenics in Terminal City were sold on the idea, but most of them had. Alec and Max had talked about it, and even though registering meant giving up relative anonymity, the benefits in the end out weighed the risk. Since Dix and Logan had already ID'd and catalogued all of the transgenics in Terminal City, it made it easier just for the two of them to spend hours on end getting new docs issued on behalf of the transgenics who were going ahead with the register. As a surprise, Logan helped Alec organize a marriage license and this morning they were going to pick of the forms they needed for a marriage certificate. It was cutting it close for time, but there really hadn't been another opportunity to do it without Max finding out. The past couple of weeks had been crazy intense in preparation for the first transgenic wedding to hit Seattle. To be honest, Alec was nervous. Not because he was having second thoughts about marrying the woman of his dreams, but because of the amount of RSVPs that had flooded HQ in response to their pending nuptials. How every transgenic within a hundred mile radius had heard about the occasion was still a mystery to him. Not to mention the interest that the media and community had taken to them.
They were headed down the stairs to the van, where Biggs was waiting with the kids, when Alec felt a chill snake down his back. It was a feeling he got when he instinctively knew something wasn't right. His eyes zeroed in on the kids. They were safely buckled in their seats. Tia was sleeping, her thumb in her mouth and a small pool of drool collecting at the collar of her baby-sized flower girl dress. It was modeled after the bridesmaids' dresses in dawn pink with a layer of tulle specially attached to Tia's to make it more fairylike. Jesse was dressed in a baby tux, to match his and Biggs' suits. Jesse was looking straight at him. Their abilities surprised he and Max everyday, along with their doctor, Dr Shankar. Babies their age weren't able to see more than a few feet, yet Jesse and Tia seemed to recognize objects and faces from meters away.
Something told Alec to turn to his left. It was then that he caught sight of what had given him that unsettling feeling. Zack, Max's brother, stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the street. He was staring up at them, a look of serious contemplation on his face. Did he recognize Logan? Max had told him all about the incident of Zack turning Manticore killer on Logan. She also explained the heartache she'd felt having to send him away with a new identity and no memory. What was he doing in Seattle? Had he had a total recall?
Alec put a stilling hand on Logan's arm. Logan gave him a puzzled look, before he followed his friend's gaze and froze mid-stride. "Turn slowly, and head back inside," Alec advised, his lips barely moving. He patted Logan's arm. "I forgot those papers, could you grab them for me?" The second sentence was for Zack's benefit. If he was lip reading, he shouldn't get suspicious about Logan's sudden about-face.
Logan nodded, and did as Alec instructed. He turned, and then walked back toward the Town Hall entrance. He fought the urge to run, while the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
Biggs saw them pause on the stairs and wondered what the hold up was. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw a man with long sandy blonde hair. He was dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans. He looked harmless, but there was something about the way his jaw set, that had Biggs watching him more intently.
Alec jogged down the stairs casually and headed for the van. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Zack. He hadn't made a move for Logan, but he hadn't walked away either. After he'd made eye brief eye contact with Zack, he'd noticed him look away. But Alec knew when he was being watched. His first instinct was to yell at Biggs to take his kids and get as far away, as fast as possible. He didn't know Zack very well, but from his experience the last time they'd run into each other, he'd rather not take any chances. He fingered his neck unconsciously, feeling the ghost of Zack's grip there.
"I know you."
He heard it softly. Almost uttered with uncertainty, but the fact that those words were directed at him, had Alec chilled to the bone. Biggs had gotten out of the van, and Alec almost cursed aloud. He was going to tell Biggs to go around back, pick Logan up and get out of there before the situation got out of hand. Now that plan was shot to hell.
Adam looked at the man dressed in a fine cut black suit. He looked like he was ready to go to a very important function, but something about him had triggered a memory. It wasn't the first he'd had today, and he wasn't about to let this one drift away from him without finding out more. This morning he'd let that woman disappear. He was desperate to find out where he'd come from, who he was, something from his past. He reached out for the man's arm, he just wanted to get him to wait.
The second fingers brushed his arm, Alec threw off the touch instinctively. He didn't want to act on impulse but he found himself taking a defensive stance between Zack and the van. There was no way he was getting inside.
The hard glint in his eyes hazel eyes, and the thin set of the man's lips flashed in Adam's mind eye. Images like memory cards sprung to the forefront of his mind; bloodied teeth, this man taking a fighting stance, a dead man's eyes staring up at him. He blinked, then a sheering pain split his skull, he grimace and put a hand to his temple. Memories came to him in semi-color, broken fragments of phrases exchanged filtered into his consciousness. They were paired with images of this man, the man that stood in front of him now.
"I won't let you kill anymore," he heard his voice say.The man's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Are you going to stop me?" His fists were clenching and unclenching. His fingers were still bloodied from a recent killing.
"If that's the way it has to be…"
The man laughed, his eyes glittering. "You'll be a worthy offering, brother. Do you still believe in her, Zack?"
The flash ended, and Adam realized it was a memory. He also remembered what had happened after that. They had fought each other till he'd felt broken and fatigued. He'd been knocked unconscious with a kick to the head and the second before blackness had enveloped him, he was sure that Ben was going to finish the job and it would be the end. But he'd woken up to find himself alone in the forest, his jaw still in tact, although incredibly sore, along with various other regions of his body.
"Ben," Zack whispered in recognition, his eyes sliding to the children in the van. He saw Ben's hand poised on the handle and his heart skipped a beat. He was targeting children now? All the feelings from that last confrontation came rushing back. The desperation he had felt, the nerves tightening in his hands and neck. Pleading with him to see reason. Looking at his brother, and seeing the eyes of a cold and remorseless killer staring back at him.
Alec let go of the handle. He looked through the van window at Biggs and signaled to him with his eyes. 'Go.'
"I'll finish things this time," Zack said bitterly.
Alec barely had time to turn around before the first blow connected with his gut. "Zack, wait. I'm not who you think…" the wind was knocked out of him when a knee found his stomach. There was no away he was going to be able to get the guy to slow down long enough to get him to read a barcode.
Biggs was around the front of the van in a blink. He put himself between Alec and Zack, and found the man turning on him. Zack spun around and kicked him in the chest, sending him reeling backward into a stone column.
Alec straightened and had a second to take a defensive stance against, Zack's attack when Biggs' intervention had created a diversion. "Get them out of here," he ordered his friend.
Biggs shook himself off and nodded, running back to the driver's side. He gunned the engine, and cut into the flow of traffic, but not without a backward glace at Alec. He was worried about him. He knew Alec could handle himself in a fight but this wasn't an ordinary fight. Alec had called him Zack. And Zack looked to be out for blood. Zack was Max's older brother, her former CO. Alec wouldn't kill him, not even if it meant risking his own life. Biggs put his foot down on the gas peddle. He had to find Max.
Logan was getting out of a car at the church steps when Biggs tore up to the curb. "Where's Alec?"
"Where do you think," Biggs shot back curtly. "Get them out." Biggs inclined his head to the two wide-eyed transgenic babies in the backseat.
Logan nodded but found he was agreeing to himself when he turned to see Biggs disappearing into the church.
Biggs straightened his tie and dusted off his suit, momentarily slowing when he found the church full of heads turning to look directly at him. He shuffled as quickly as he could to the front of the church and made a beeline for the bride's room.
When the door burst open, Original Cindy who'd been in the process of straightening her corset let out a shriek. "Do you people know how to knock?"
Max shot out of her chair at Biggs disheveled state. It was obvious that he'd tried cleaning up, but there were still tell-tale signs of a fight about his suit. His tie was crooked and there was a faint boot mark on his black suit jacket. "Where's Alec," she demanded quickly.
"Town Hall. Zack thinks he's Ben."
It was short and cut straight to her heart faster than a knife ever could. Watching his programming take over when he'd gone after Logan was one thing. She had no idea what memories Zack had of Ben, or what had happened between them, but she could bet that had been ugly. Zack had kept tabs on all of them, and Ben's killing spree wouldn't have got by Zack. Remembering her own run in with Ben, and what Zack must have gone through with him, she could only imagine the fight that was going on right now. "Get me there now."
Max almost bowled into Logan halfway down the aisle, and catching sight of the twins he juggled in his arms, she froze, torn between going for Alec and taking her kids.
Veronica appeared at his side, and Logan happily surrendered a wriggling Jesse who'd been pulling at his glasses. "We'll take care of them, Max," Veronica said touching her arm.
Max gave her a grateful look and gathered up her skirts. Hurrying down the aisle, she did her best to block out the stares of bewildered faces as she went by.
The girls filed out of the bride's room, watching Max and Biggs leave. Joshua went to Gem nervously wrenching his hands. "What happened?"
Shifting Missy to her hip so she had a free hand, Gem patted his arm. "It's Zack. Long story Joshua. Short version is Max might be the only one who can help Alec right now."
Father Destry looked on in amazement. After meeting Ben's twin, agreeing to preside over his first wedding, and host the first transgenic nuptial ever recorded under the spotlight of keen media attention and scores of transgenics, he thought his week couldn't throw him any more surprises. "Who's Zack?"
"Protective big brother," Original Cindy offered with a tense frown.
"Oh," Father Destry said nodding in understanding.
But from the look of bewilderment on the priest's face, OC doubted that this was the sort of meddling in-law that he was used to.
Logan pulled an envelope from inside his jacket and gave it to Father Destry. "Formal documents."
Father Destry smiled. Max had asked him for a religious ceremony, but he was happy to do both. No doubt that because this was coming from Logan, it was a surprise for the couple. "Gift for the bride?"
"A surprise," Logan acknowledged. "Alec knows about it."
Town Hall
By the time Max and Biggs arrived, a large crowd had gathered around the two men. Three security guards from the mayor's office tried to keep everyone back, and Biggs jogged up to one of them.
"We know them, let us through."
The guard gave him a look as though he was mad. "Police are on their way."
Max pulled on his arm and spun him to face her. "It'll be over before they get here," she said with determination. That said she stormed past him and shook off his attempts to pull her back. "Zack," she yelled above the noise of the crowd.
Both Alec and Zack turned at the sound of her voice. Alec paled when he saw her and cursed Biggs. Why did he drag Max into this? He tried not to think about how he must look to her. She looked like a goddess wrapped in white, the tiny crystals dotting her dress glittering in the sunlight. The look on her face though would threaten any man to obey. Her eyes had the glare of an avenging angel. He shot a dark look at his friend, and watched Biggs squirm uncomfortably.
Even in his battered state, Alec could make his skin crawl. Biggs had been forced to spar with him quite a few times over the years back at Manticore and he always ended up being served the bitter end of the stick. The scowl directed at him now, brought little comfort to his already frayed nerves.
Max bit her lip, her eyes traveled over Alec. He had a split lip and fresh blood trailed down his jaw. His cheek was puffy and bruised. No doubt the inside of his mouth was cut and bleeding from the blows to his face. The skin on his knuckles was purple and grazed, and his suit was in tatters. Two of the jacket buttons were missing and there was blood on his shirt and tie. From the splatters she couldn't tell if it was Alec's, Zack's or perhaps both. Zack wasn't in much better shape. He had a black eye and a split eyebrow. The swelling around his eye was forcing his lid almost completely shut. And both sides of his jaw were bruised.
Zack stared at her, his eyes roaming over her face and body. It was the same woman from this morning. Only her casual wear was nowhere to be seen. She was dressed for a wedding. Her wedding. He blinked with his one functional lid. His head swam, from the pain of the blows and from the images that followed.
He remembered thinking there was something familiar about the mark on her neck. "We've met before," he whispered almost to himself.
Max moved closer and Alec reacted instinctively, wanting to caution her against it. His reaction caused Zack to turn on him violently. Alec immediately deflected a blow to his face, seconds before it could reach his jaw. "Wait," Alec pleaded, wincing against the pain in his ribs.
"Zack, listen to me," Max pleaded. "It's Max. Look at me." She turned around and swept her veil over her shoulder to reveal her barcode. "Don't you remember me?"
Seeing it clearly now brought back a flood of memories they'd shared. Time in Manticore, when he'd first found her and she'd thought he was hitting on her, sitting with her in the fire light, turned himself over to Lydecker to protect her… "I saw you in the hospital and you said we'd never met," he said accusingly.
Max could tell that he remembered her now. She could see it in the way he looked at her. He wasn't looking at a stranger. He was looking at her with those eyes that she didn't want to remember. "Well, for starters, he doesn't act like any brother I've ever seen…Seems to me like he's got the hots for you. It's kinda kinky, if you ask me." Sad irony of that memory, along with the hurtful comments she'd made to Alec, was that she'd said the truth always hurt. It had been staring her in the face, but she hadn't been willing to accept it because it made her uncomfortable and complicated the blissfully ignorant bubble she'd created for herself about her relationship with Zack.
"Why are you protecting him," Zack demanded hurtfully. "He's dangerous, Maxie. He's killed innocent men."
His accusation brought gasps from onlookers, and Max took Alec's hand drawing him to her, showing Zack exactly who she stood by. "He's not Ben."
"And you believe his lies," Zack said his eyes flashing dangerously. He made a move for Alec, and Max planted herself between them.
"He's designation is 494. He's Ben's twin." She motioned for Alec to show Zack his barcode.
Zack noted that she was right with reluctance and dropped his arms. He looked defeated, and lost. The change in his stance brought a wave of relief over everyone.
"Show's over people," Biggs yelled. "Time to go home." The guards started to urge people to leave and slowly the crowd of onlookers disbursed.
Zack cast a weary eye over Alec and Biggs. He still didn't feel entirely comfortable with the revelation and feeling Ben's eyes on him didn't help the situation. "You're getting married?" he asked disbelieving.
Max slowly but deliberately took Alec's arm and pulled him close. She straightened his tie, and blinked back the tears that had pooled in her eyes. "Yes, I am," she said looking proudly at Alec, and then back at Zack.
Zack's eyes cloud over. "To him?" he asked incredulously.
Max squared her shoulders and stared Zack down. She shook her head sadly. She didn't want to fight. She wasn't going to launch into an argument with Zack. He couldn't actually believe that Alec was anything like Ben. She knew with all that had to be going on in his head would be pretty hard to process and one big jumbled mess, and any other day she would bend over backward to spend time with him. After all he'd done for her, she owed him that, but not today. Today was her wedding day, her's and Alec's day. So far it was turning out to be pretty disastrous and not at all like she'd imagined. It was going to turn about, starting right now. "Let's go Alec, we've got people waiting for us. Biggs, if you'll see to my guy, I'll just be a minute."
Max watched the men leave, with Zack staring after them bitterly. "Be happy for me, Zack," she pled touching his arm.
"You love him?" Zack demanded harshly.
Max nodded, dropping her hand. "I do."
Zack clenched his jaw and looked away.
Wishing she could reach out to him, but knowing it was only going to cause him more anguish, Max decided it was better just to walk away. She was almost at the van door when he caught up with her.
Zack grabbed her by the upper arms, and forced her to face him. "How can you love him more than me, Max? I gave everything for you. I died for you," he cried bitterly.
Max found her own eyes pooling with fresh tears. It wasn't fair. She didn't ask him to give up so much for her. She didn't ask for his love, she certainly didn't deserve it. "I'm sorry, Zack." He let her go, and before she reached the point where she couldn't drag herself away, she opened the door and climbed in.
Biggs rolled down his window and offered Zack a card with his number on it. "If you need anything man, just call." He knew it was a lame gesture but he felt compelled to reach out to the guy anyway.
Zack took it numbly, still staring at Max through the car window. As they drove away, she could still see him standing where she had left him from the view in the side mirror.
Alec pulled her close and kissed her temple. "He'll be okay, Max."
She wished she believed that, but unlike her, Zack hadn't changed at all. He was still as stubborn as ever, and unwilling to compromise. Maybe after today, meeting other transgenics, and spending time with him, maybe she could get him to come around. More than anything she wanted him to be happy. Of all of them, with everything he'd been through he deserved a good life. She'd tried to give him that but it had backfired on her. She should have known the lie wouldn't have lasted forever. She only wished that somehow, someday, she'd be able to make it up to him.
Notes: Calistra, thank you for the beta. I hope the dress scene makes sense now. Maybe I should just post a sketch of it so people don't have to rely on my descriptive efforts. :D SitaTheLastVampire(OnTheDL) and Ro, did you guys enjoy the uncensored version of Chapter 14 too? I really appreciated the feedback you sent.