Yay! Chapter four! See it says right there (jumps up and down pointing down
to the next line)
Chapter Four
Alec wasn't sure whether the sigh that escaped his lips was more amused or more annoyed in its nature; all he knew was that he'd never seen Max like this for this long a period of time, "You know you can stop gloating now."
"Why should I deny myself the pleasure?" was her reply and she continued to smile. It was so wide it was infectious and Alec found himself grinning as well shaking his head at her and even himself.
He couldn't stop looking at her smile, the way her eyes were sparkling, "What?!" she yelled laughing but irritation seeping into her voice.
"Nothing," he quickly defended, "I've just never seen you this happy for this long. I'm really starting to think White switched you with a clone. Or have you finally realized what fine specimen of a male is sitting beside you?"
The pointed look she gave him was comical and she raised an eyebrow, "The ego has landed. You know, sometimes I wonder how much pain you must have put your poor surrogate through. Your head is huge," she informed him ignoring the double meaning her gutter mind thought of.
A grin split his lips and though she couldn't see his eyes through the dark glasses she was sure they were lit with mischief, "My ego merely serves as a mirror of other just as important parts that make up the package named Alec."
"Wishful thinking pretty boy, it's called wishful thinking," was her reply matched with a smug smile of victory. Max 1 - Alec 0. Not that she was keeping count or anything.
*****
Tap, tap, tap, tippity tippity, tap, tap, tippy, tap. He could feel his eye twitching and his knuckles tightening on the steering wheel. His jaw clenched as he fought for self-control.
Tippy, tippity, tap, tap tippity tap, tip. "MAX WOULD YOU STOP TAPPING FOR GOD'S SAKE!?"
She stared at him with a blank, stunned look and an evil grin spread to her lips as she studied his heaving chest and flushed cheeks. She could see the white color of his knuckles and the deep, tense, set of his jaw as he ground his teeth and pointedly refused to look at her.
"Are we there yet?" it was sheer will power that allowed Max to keep from laughing as she watched his jaw drop and his eyes turn to saucers as he turned to look at her. She chose instead to keep her face straight, empty of any joke or amusement.
A mellow tortured whine left Alec's lips, "Why me? Why is it always me?"
Max rolled her eyes at his complaints and sunk deeper in her seat, "Relax Casanova I was kidding. I'm bored out of my mind," she said with a sigh, "And there is nothing fun to do."
"What about car games?" he suggested with a shrug. There was still at least 2 hours till their destination and Alec was getting bored himself, despite how fun driving a Ferrari was.
"You've got to be kidding," her nose was scrunched up in half disbelief and half disdain, "I may be more giddy than usual but I'm still a bitch. Just because I'm not pining doesn't mean I'm gonna play childish games Alec."
She emphasized her opinion by crossing her arms and jutting out her chin but Alec had a weapon of his own. His lips puckered a fraction, just enough to make them seem that much fuller, delicate. His brow furrowed and his eyes became shiny with moisture as he made his lips tremble.
Max couldn't have looked away to save herself but to her credit she tried, "Alec . . . " she warned a smile fighting to surface, "Oh with the face and the eyes. Aaarrgh! Aiight, aiight, fine! You win!"
He laughed in triumph and she glared at him sulking at herself for having given in, "Let's play Truth or Dare!"
"Alec, despite the complete idiocy of that game there aren't a lot of worthwhile dares to do in a car that's speeding down the interstate," Max stated matter-of-fact to which Alec seemed to ponder her words, "Alright it will just have to be truth then. You want to start."
Max didn't even look at him as she picked at a cotton strand of her top, "Fine. Why are we playing this game?" she deadpanned.
"Oh come Max!" Alec complained, "Be more creative!" She looked at him, the way his eyes twinkled showing his genuine excitement and she agreed.
"Hmmm . . . have you ever . . . experimented," she bit her lip to keep from laughing at his completely bedraggled look of shock, "NO!"
She chuckled then and held up her hands in defense, "Alrigh, alright I'm sorry. Don't get your panties in a bunch I was just wondering cause, well you seemed like . . ." His loud protest interrupted her.
"I most certainly do NOT seem like that kinda guy!" she continued laughing with her hand over her mouth as his eyes turned to slits and he grinned, "Dirty questions huh? Okay, when did your cherry go POP?"
"I am NOT answering that question. It's none of your goddamn business!" she shrieked.
******
"C'mon Max," Alec continued, "You have to answer the question!"
He ducked avoiding the bag she'd swung in his direction as he entered the dimly lit room of the latest motel room. It seemed the only thing they were doing was driving and stopping in motels and bickering and arguing throughout the whole process.
"I do not have to answer," she replied; the same reply he'd gotten for the past 2 hours en route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, "And how could you choose a motel called 'The Best Western'?"
Dropping everything he'd been holding he retorted, "Don't change the subject. Were you 18? No that's too old," he said answering his own question.
"16? 17?" Max glared at him, "Alec drop it! I'm not telling you!"
"Feistiness. Are you still a virgin?" this time he didn't manage to duck in time and Max's hand hit him on the side of the head, " I was 13 alright? Are you happy now? I went into heat for the first time and I had sex with a 20 something year old," she replied quietly through gritted teeth, "Now piss off and leave me alone."
Alec stared after her as she retreated into the bathroom and closed the door behind her putting a physical barrier between them and he couldn't help but feel that in the great metaphorical sense her wall had once again gone up.
*****
Her back hit the back of the door and she let her body sink to the ground as she fought the memories. Refusing to believe the truth of what she'd done at such an age, of what Manticore had forced her to do but most of all at how good it had felt during but the way she'd felt afterwards.
She could feel the familiar itch on her skin, the sticky sensation of imaginary dirt on her flesh and she rushed out of her clothes and stood beneath the shower turning the spray to a scalding temperature.
She didn't know how long she stood below the constant gush of water scrubbing and scraping at her skin until it was red raw and it burnt at the mere touch. But she kept scrubbing trying to wash away the imaginary grime and stain of her memory.
*******
The X5 paced back and forth across the room. He'd shrugged out of his jacket and shirt and he remained in cords and a white tank top. The sound of the water stopping snapped him to the living world and he turned to the door, his eyes burning into and through the door with the intensity of his gaze.
It seemed that hours passed but in fact was no more than a few minutes when she stepped out. The big navy shirt she wore seemed to swallow her whole and her wet hair hung straight down and for the first time, to Alec, she truly looked vulnerable. She had the same expression she'd had months ago when he'd hovered over her knife in hand.
His eyes bore into hers trembling in trepidation and fear. Frightened that he'd pushed her too far, that he'd lost his first and only real friend, "Max, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. You didn't know," she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "I just need some sleep till nightfall. Wake me in an hour will you?"
"Yeah sure Max," he said watching her curl underneath the covers. Okay . . . that was the last thing I thought would happen.
****
When Alec woke her he was already in full black cat suit. The turtleneck clung to his flesh like the pants accentuating every dip and ridge of his lean body. Her eyes studied him before she forced herself to tear her gaze away.
She smiled up at him and got up immediately grabbing her clothes from the neat pile near her bag and going to the bathroom. Just forget about it. It was in the past and it wasn't his fault.
Two minutes later she was finishing lacing up her boots; Alec had already packed their strapping gear, ropes and harnesses and was already waiting for her at the door. She gave him a thankful smile as he held the door open for her and locked it.
Walking side by side, Alec stole glances at her. She hadn't spoken to him yet but she seemed to have completely forgotten about earlier events or she was ignoring them and Alec was convinced it was the latter.
Not wanting to push his luck he said nothing continuing to walk towards the bank.
*****
Come on! You know you want to review people! Please? Pretty pretty please?
Chapter Four
Alec wasn't sure whether the sigh that escaped his lips was more amused or more annoyed in its nature; all he knew was that he'd never seen Max like this for this long a period of time, "You know you can stop gloating now."
"Why should I deny myself the pleasure?" was her reply and she continued to smile. It was so wide it was infectious and Alec found himself grinning as well shaking his head at her and even himself.
He couldn't stop looking at her smile, the way her eyes were sparkling, "What?!" she yelled laughing but irritation seeping into her voice.
"Nothing," he quickly defended, "I've just never seen you this happy for this long. I'm really starting to think White switched you with a clone. Or have you finally realized what fine specimen of a male is sitting beside you?"
The pointed look she gave him was comical and she raised an eyebrow, "The ego has landed. You know, sometimes I wonder how much pain you must have put your poor surrogate through. Your head is huge," she informed him ignoring the double meaning her gutter mind thought of.
A grin split his lips and though she couldn't see his eyes through the dark glasses she was sure they were lit with mischief, "My ego merely serves as a mirror of other just as important parts that make up the package named Alec."
"Wishful thinking pretty boy, it's called wishful thinking," was her reply matched with a smug smile of victory. Max 1 - Alec 0. Not that she was keeping count or anything.
*****
Tap, tap, tap, tippity tippity, tap, tap, tippy, tap. He could feel his eye twitching and his knuckles tightening on the steering wheel. His jaw clenched as he fought for self-control.
Tippy, tippity, tap, tap tippity tap, tip. "MAX WOULD YOU STOP TAPPING FOR GOD'S SAKE!?"
She stared at him with a blank, stunned look and an evil grin spread to her lips as she studied his heaving chest and flushed cheeks. She could see the white color of his knuckles and the deep, tense, set of his jaw as he ground his teeth and pointedly refused to look at her.
"Are we there yet?" it was sheer will power that allowed Max to keep from laughing as she watched his jaw drop and his eyes turn to saucers as he turned to look at her. She chose instead to keep her face straight, empty of any joke or amusement.
A mellow tortured whine left Alec's lips, "Why me? Why is it always me?"
Max rolled her eyes at his complaints and sunk deeper in her seat, "Relax Casanova I was kidding. I'm bored out of my mind," she said with a sigh, "And there is nothing fun to do."
"What about car games?" he suggested with a shrug. There was still at least 2 hours till their destination and Alec was getting bored himself, despite how fun driving a Ferrari was.
"You've got to be kidding," her nose was scrunched up in half disbelief and half disdain, "I may be more giddy than usual but I'm still a bitch. Just because I'm not pining doesn't mean I'm gonna play childish games Alec."
She emphasized her opinion by crossing her arms and jutting out her chin but Alec had a weapon of his own. His lips puckered a fraction, just enough to make them seem that much fuller, delicate. His brow furrowed and his eyes became shiny with moisture as he made his lips tremble.
Max couldn't have looked away to save herself but to her credit she tried, "Alec . . . " she warned a smile fighting to surface, "Oh with the face and the eyes. Aaarrgh! Aiight, aiight, fine! You win!"
He laughed in triumph and she glared at him sulking at herself for having given in, "Let's play Truth or Dare!"
"Alec, despite the complete idiocy of that game there aren't a lot of worthwhile dares to do in a car that's speeding down the interstate," Max stated matter-of-fact to which Alec seemed to ponder her words, "Alright it will just have to be truth then. You want to start."
Max didn't even look at him as she picked at a cotton strand of her top, "Fine. Why are we playing this game?" she deadpanned.
"Oh come Max!" Alec complained, "Be more creative!" She looked at him, the way his eyes twinkled showing his genuine excitement and she agreed.
"Hmmm . . . have you ever . . . experimented," she bit her lip to keep from laughing at his completely bedraggled look of shock, "NO!"
She chuckled then and held up her hands in defense, "Alrigh, alright I'm sorry. Don't get your panties in a bunch I was just wondering cause, well you seemed like . . ." His loud protest interrupted her.
"I most certainly do NOT seem like that kinda guy!" she continued laughing with her hand over her mouth as his eyes turned to slits and he grinned, "Dirty questions huh? Okay, when did your cherry go POP?"
"I am NOT answering that question. It's none of your goddamn business!" she shrieked.
******
"C'mon Max," Alec continued, "You have to answer the question!"
He ducked avoiding the bag she'd swung in his direction as he entered the dimly lit room of the latest motel room. It seemed the only thing they were doing was driving and stopping in motels and bickering and arguing throughout the whole process.
"I do not have to answer," she replied; the same reply he'd gotten for the past 2 hours en route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, "And how could you choose a motel called 'The Best Western'?"
Dropping everything he'd been holding he retorted, "Don't change the subject. Were you 18? No that's too old," he said answering his own question.
"16? 17?" Max glared at him, "Alec drop it! I'm not telling you!"
"Feistiness. Are you still a virgin?" this time he didn't manage to duck in time and Max's hand hit him on the side of the head, " I was 13 alright? Are you happy now? I went into heat for the first time and I had sex with a 20 something year old," she replied quietly through gritted teeth, "Now piss off and leave me alone."
Alec stared after her as she retreated into the bathroom and closed the door behind her putting a physical barrier between them and he couldn't help but feel that in the great metaphorical sense her wall had once again gone up.
*****
Her back hit the back of the door and she let her body sink to the ground as she fought the memories. Refusing to believe the truth of what she'd done at such an age, of what Manticore had forced her to do but most of all at how good it had felt during but the way she'd felt afterwards.
She could feel the familiar itch on her skin, the sticky sensation of imaginary dirt on her flesh and she rushed out of her clothes and stood beneath the shower turning the spray to a scalding temperature.
She didn't know how long she stood below the constant gush of water scrubbing and scraping at her skin until it was red raw and it burnt at the mere touch. But she kept scrubbing trying to wash away the imaginary grime and stain of her memory.
*******
The X5 paced back and forth across the room. He'd shrugged out of his jacket and shirt and he remained in cords and a white tank top. The sound of the water stopping snapped him to the living world and he turned to the door, his eyes burning into and through the door with the intensity of his gaze.
It seemed that hours passed but in fact was no more than a few minutes when she stepped out. The big navy shirt she wore seemed to swallow her whole and her wet hair hung straight down and for the first time, to Alec, she truly looked vulnerable. She had the same expression she'd had months ago when he'd hovered over her knife in hand.
His eyes bore into hers trembling in trepidation and fear. Frightened that he'd pushed her too far, that he'd lost his first and only real friend, "Max, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. You didn't know," she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "I just need some sleep till nightfall. Wake me in an hour will you?"
"Yeah sure Max," he said watching her curl underneath the covers. Okay . . . that was the last thing I thought would happen.
****
When Alec woke her he was already in full black cat suit. The turtleneck clung to his flesh like the pants accentuating every dip and ridge of his lean body. Her eyes studied him before she forced herself to tear her gaze away.
She smiled up at him and got up immediately grabbing her clothes from the neat pile near her bag and going to the bathroom. Just forget about it. It was in the past and it wasn't his fault.
Two minutes later she was finishing lacing up her boots; Alec had already packed their strapping gear, ropes and harnesses and was already waiting for her at the door. She gave him a thankful smile as he held the door open for her and locked it.
Walking side by side, Alec stole glances at her. She hadn't spoken to him yet but she seemed to have completely forgotten about earlier events or she was ignoring them and Alec was convinced it was the latter.
Not wanting to push his luck he said nothing continuing to walk towards the bank.
*****
Come on! You know you want to review people! Please? Pretty pretty please?