A/N: Here it is, another chapter for everyone to enjoy. Believe it or not we're only a few chapters away from the end of the story. My apologies to all those who were upset by Dren's death. I didn't want to kill her, honest, but considering the strength and number of the Reds it would have been unrealistic for everyone to survive. I promise I'll try not to kill off any more of the X5s.

A/N #2: My thanks to Insanity, Natacup82, Willow98002, ontheDL, Starlight, candyabble, lakergirl08, mika, janine, Liz-Xenon-Buf and guest type person for reviewing the last couple of chapters.

Reunions

Max and Alec had been standing outside the apartment door for nearly 15 minutes. Well actually, Max was standing, and pacing, and wringing her hands nervously; Alec was leaning up against the wall trying to keep from passing out.

"Um, Max...I don't mean to rush you, but I'm bleeding all over the hallway and I've really got to lie down." Alec tried to sound lighthearted and teasing, but in reality he just sounded really, really tired.

"Right. I know, it's just that...Well, I've been presumed dead for over a year now and then all of a sudden I show up and it's like "Surprise! I'm alive, and by the way, this is my new boyfriend and he's been shot. Can we borrow your spare room to fix him up? I mean, this could be a bit of a shock." Max was so nervous she was starting to babble now; Alec couldn't help but grin.

"Boyfriend, huh? Well that's certainly a step up from breeding partner. I'm flattered." Alec took a step closer and Max looked up at him with a shy smile. Alec ducked his head a little and kissed her softly on the lips. As Max was reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck Alec slipped his own arms around her and slyly knocked on the apartment door.

Max jumped at the sound and then glared at Alec. "You tricked me!" He just shrugged and leaned in to kiss her again. They were interrupted by the sound of footsteps at the door.

"Here goes nothing" Max whispered.

Original Cindy was sitting on the sofa watching the news on TV when she was startled by a knock on her door. "Now, what kind of idiot would be showing up at Original Cindy's door at this time of night? Better not be Sketchy, looking for someplace to hide from the po-po. I'll put a smack down on his ass. Boys always getting' in some kind of trouble."

Original Cindy threw open the door and immediately began to rant, "Fool! What the hell did you do now..." She broke off suddenly as she realized who it was standing outside.

"Hey O.C. How ya' been?" Max said quietly. She really wanted to just throw her arms around her best friend and give her the biggest hug ever, but she held back. Alec sensed her hesitation so he reached over and gave her a light shove propelling her into the arms of Original Cindy. A moment later both girls were standing in the hall, arms wrapped around each other, bawling like babies. That was the last thing Alec saw before he collapsed.

Alec woke up with a start. His surroundings were unfamiliar and it took him several minutes to remember everything that had happened the night before. Once he got his bearings, he began to look around. The room he was in contained a small bed, which he was laying in, a closet with a broken door stuffed full of clothes, most of them black, an old beat up dresser with a mirror covered in photographs, and several cardboard boxes containing what looked like motor oil and mechanics tools. His eyes were drawn back to the mirror and he got up to take a closer look. The pictures were all of Max and her friends in various locations. Some of them were obviously taken at the place where she worked, but several looked like they were at some kind of night club. Alec had never seen Max look so laid back and so happy. It hurt to know that she was happier out here in the real world, than back at Manticore with their unit, with him. He was about to turn away when another picture caught his attention. He picked it up to take a closer look. This one was of Max dressed in a black cat suit and straddling a black motorcycle. She was looking back over her shoulder at whoever was taking the picture and the wind had blown her hair off her shoulders just enough for him to see part of the barcode on her neck. Judging by the smile on her face she must have been laughing at something the photographer had said. This was the Max that Alec had come to know and love and he didn't think he had ever seen her look more beautiful.

The smell of fresh brewed coffee brought him back to reality. Alec grabbed his jacket and put it on, wincing slightly as the leather scraped across his bandaged arm. Max must have fixed me up while I was passed out. He started to put the picture back in its place but at the last minute he turned back and stuck it in his pocket instead.

Alec exited the bedroom expecting to find Max and Original Cindy huddled together on the couch gossiping or catching up or whatever it is that girls do to bond. To his surprise Original Cindy was sitting at the kitchen counter alone. She smiled and handed him a cup of coffee. "Feeling better, lover boy?"

Alec grinned and flexed his arm "Yep, good as new. Gotta' love that genetically enhanced healing." He sobered a little and looked around "Speaking of genetically enhanced, where's Max? We need to be getting back. Our team will be worried."

Original Cindy's face fell a little. She'd hoped to have more time with her friend. "She's not here."

The coffee cup Alec had been holding hit the floor and shattered. He sat down in shock. She's gone. I can't believe it. She's running again. I knew Max missed her friends and all, but I can't believe she would just leave like that, without even telling me goodbye. I thought we meant more to each other than that. The look on Alec's face quickly changed from shock to anger, and Original Cindy realized what he must be thinking. "Chill, boo. She'll be back shortly. She told me to have you wait for her. She just had to go see someone, to tell him she's still alive and to explain why she has to go back. She couldn't leave Manticore right now, even if she wanted to, not without her brother."

Alec's head whipped up. "Her brother? You mean Zack's still at Manticore, but that's impossible! I heard he sacrificed himself to save her life."

Original Cindy shook her head "Apparently they saved him somehow. Max said something about artificial body parts and him being a living organ donor. That bitch Renfro has been using him as bait to keep Max at Manticore. She threatened to sell him to the highest bidder if Max didn't cooperate."

That explains a lot. Alec thought. I always wondered why she never tried to escape again.

Original Cindy decided it was time to change the subject. Besides, she wanted to know a little more about the man who had managed to steal Max's heart away from Logan. Not that that's a bad thing, she thought, I never did like Rollerboy much. Always sending my girl out on dangerous mission like she was his own personal cat burglar. "So Alec, exactly what are your intentions with regards to my boo? Keep in mind that if you hurt her, I will hunt you down. Don't think Original Cindy can't do it either. This girl's got skills of her own."

Alec grinned and poured himself another cup of coffee.