Disclaimer: Nope still not mine.

A/N: Somebody mentioned that the speech at the end of the previous chapter does not sound much like Alec. That's as may be, easy explanation: I am taking some chemical penicillin whammy which is wreaking havoc with my word choice. Other answer: I decided I wanted to let Alec live his soldier training out a bit and do not think he would take kindly to somebody threatening what he regards as his - hence the language.

Chapter 4

Alec was back on trail. For a while he had worried it had gone cold, but then had picked it up with no problem at all. As suspected Max had brought Cindy back to her apartment, where Alec had managed to listen in on their goodbyes.

"So, boo. That was the last of the casinos, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Was fun while it lasted."

"Can say that again. You off to meet those mysterious contacts of yours?"

"You bet. Finished the list?"

"Left it right by the door. Good thinking. But you're gonna haveta spill eventually."

Max had leaned in so close and spoken so quietly, Alec had not been able to understand her answer no matter how hard he tried.

O.C. reared back with a look of - was that - respect on her face and grinned. "Didn't know you had it in you, baby boo. Go get 'im."

Max smiled at her one last time, hugged her and left. Alec stayed long enough to ensure Cindy got into her flat okay before taking off after Max, now thoroughly curious, if it was even possible to reach a higher level of curiosity. The things he was going to make Max spill about were just piling up. 'Mystery man, well know it is a woman now; why the secrecy?; that bloody chain'

When next Alec caught up with Max she had changed out of the gold ensemble, almost breaking Alec's heart - well libido - until he caught sight of the cat suit she had decided to don instead. For a second he debated loosing the tuxedo, but there was nowhere to do so and swinging by his flat would take too long. He had the thought that tonight was it. Either he caught Max in the act and achieved - whatever this was about or he would never have another chance. It was now or never.

For some reason, Max decided to walk to her next meeting. Alec was greatly surprised, especially when they had to pass two sector points. He was almost caught twice, when Max suddenly turned back as if forgetting something, only to just as suddenly face back the way she was going. After the second time, Alec took to the roofs and shadowed her from above. After that the going got much better.

Like a tiger in the jungle he wound his way through Seattle, always in pursuit of his prey, followed as the area they were travelling through became increasingly dirty - if that was even possible in a post-pulse city like Seattle where everything seemed to have become a uniform shade of grey and grime. Finally they ended up in an area of the old harbour, Alec had never visited before, largely because there was nothing there worth going for. He had had to take back to the streets a while back, so missed the entrance of the man Max had come to meet.

One minute, Max had been standing alone under a streetlamp in a deserted square surrounded by dank and empty warehouses, the next a shadow had become corporeal and moved away from the wall it had been hidden against.

All Alec's instincts went into overdrive. This man was dangerous with a capital 'd'. He moved with the slow grace of somebody totally at ease with his own body, much like Alec and Max did, although that had not occurred to Alec yet. Entirely overdressed he moved towards Max and circled her slowly. Alec did not quite catch what he said but saw the result. Max put her hands on her head and pirouetted slowly. The man gave her a once over.

Moving as stealthily as possible, Alec crept closer. If something went down he wanted to be in a position to immediately take action. Finally he was hidden behind a large van, close enough to hear anything the two in the centre might have to say. Just as he got into position, the man finished his inspection, clearly happy with the fact that Max was unarmed.

'Hah. Little does he know. Max could take him apart before he even had a chance to get near any gun he might have.' Alec thought, filled with satisfaction. He focussed in on the conversation, thankful that with the abilities Manticore had given him it was as good as standing next to her. 'Well not quite as good. If I was next to her, I could smell her and feel her and - Concentrate!' He shook himself, no need to get carried away.

"Maxie. Good to see you." The shifty looking man clasped hands with Max and puller her in for a one-armed hug that made Alec's blood boil and really pissed him off. Max had a lot to answer for. 'Maxie? He gets to call her Maxie?' Alec was sorely tempted to go over there and give him a -

"And what can I do for my favourite client on this fine night?" The man's continued speech cut off Alec's bloodthirsty thoughts.

Max smiled at her business partner. "40 off?"

Her counterpart guffawed with laughter and wiped away a few tears.

"Come on Jack. Like you said, I'm your best customer and I saved your life."

Jack's laughter dimmed. "You just had to push the guilt button, didn't ya?" He sighed. "Twenty-five."

"Thirty-five."

"Thirty. My last offer and that's cutting my own throat."

Max grinned at him. "Thirty it is. Pleasure doing business with you."

"You mean, pleasure ripping me off." Jack's smile belied the tone of voice.

"That, too. Tell you what, though. When you get the big guns, tell Shady Guevara sends her greetings and he should make you an excellent price."

"That's why I like you."

"And because I saved your life."

"Let it rest, will ya. That was ages ago. How long are you gonna let that hang over my head?"

"As long as I can, Jack. And you let me." Max smiled again. "Here's the list. How long is it going to take?"

Jack perused the list in silence and pursed his lips in thought. "Week and a half for the small stuff. Two for the big stuff. Usual pick-up. Payment after first delivery."

"Acceptable." Max spat into her hand and held it out.

"That's just. Ewww. Why do you do that?" Alec chuckled at the disgust clearly evident on Jack's face.

"Take it or leave it." Max smirked.

"Again. Can I just say. Ewww." No further protests were heard as Jack spat into his hand, too, and shook on the deal. As soon as they had shook once he released Max's hand as if she was contagious, and whipping a clean white handkerchief from some pocket, gave his hand a thorough clean.

The tension leaked out of both the people in the light of the square.

"How's Marie?" Alec was shocked - again - and not liking it one bit. The longer it took for Max to finish whatever she was pulling off and the more he found out that she had not mentioned or plain lied about the more pissed off he got. 'I thought we were friends.' It depressed him that Max had so little faith in their friendship or in him for that matter. 'Just wait until I have her alone somewhere. No hitting Alec and refusing to talk. Either she gives me what I want or - '

"She's good. Misses you. You should come visit some time and then we wouldn't have to do the middle of the night, hour of darkness thing. So much more civilised over a plate of good food."

Max only smiled a wistful smile. "It's better this way. Tell Marie I miss her, too. And take good care of her."

"Of course. You would kill me if I did any less."

Jack smiled at Max, then pulled her into a full body hug, wrapping both arms around her and tucking her under his chin. Then he turned his face into her neck and Alec's fists curled as the world took on a red haze. 'MINE!'

Max stiffened, then just as suddenly relaxed again. Pulling gently away, she said: "I know."

Jack gave a wave. "See you soon, baby girl. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

And he was off, not a minute too soon for Alec's peace of mind. The transgenic watched as two more shadows peeled away from the wall across the square and closed the distance to their boss. A car pulled up and then drove off, leaving Max alone in the spotlight of the street lamp she had been standing under.

"You can come out now."