Many thanks

Elle6778: Thanks for your help, had 25 hits by this morning, but no extra reviewers.

Honey-X452: There's a happy middle, don't know about end haven't got there yet.

Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters

A/N : My first attempt ,sorry if it seems twisted.

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Seven : Life Goes on

Issy was becoming a memory for some; she left a little over a week ago but with so much to do little thought had been paid to where she might be.

New transgenics were already arriving in groups of two or three. Max was surprised at how many X5's were arriving and was worried about their tryptophan supplies.

"It's funny," said Mole, coming up beside her, "with all these extra X's coming in I thought you lot would be in trouble."

"What do you mean?" asked a surprised Max.

"Well with you needing the tryptophan and our supplies were already getting low," he replied.

"So," she exclaimed.

"I was talking to Dage, seems their first stop is the infirmary to drop off supplies. Not just tryptophan, but all sorts of things we might need. One lot came in with baby clothes and diapers, but they all bring some tryptophan."

"So how much have we got?" replied Max.

"Enough to keep you lot going about three months now," replied Mole, "but the other funny thing is none of them have asked for any and have you noticed, Alec hasn't had any since Issy left."

Max mentally kicked herself, she hadn't noticed what was happening with Alec. She had been too wrapped-up in 'getting busy' with Logan to notice how her friend had been. She hadn't even asked him the question that had been bugging her, if Issy used the laser why hadn't anyone heard Alec scream, if she hadn't why did she bring it. I'm glad I got Dix to set up the camera, if I can't ask him at least I'll be able see. She shivered at the thought of watching the tape.

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Max realised that she had not seen Alec around command, except for the meetings, now they were in another meeting. She had been trying to keep him busy with the translation, but he wanted to do other things. Every time she tried to get him to look at the runes he would find something 'more important' that needed organising. Today it was the turn of the infirmary.

"We need a work party to clean the place-up," he stated at the beginning of the meeting.

"I agree Alec, but someone else can organise that, I need you to..." Max was trying to remain calm and in control.

"Yeah, but what we need is someone working on the plans to get it right," Alec continued.

"Alec, we need to talk, enough of this avoiding the subject. The rest of you know what you need to be getting on with, we'll meet here again at 14:00 for an update. Alec, my office now." Max was through with pandering to him, she wanted the runes translated now.

She closed her office door.

"What do you want to speak to me like that for in front of the others," Alec said indignantly.

"Because you've been avoiding me and the one thing Issy said you needed to do, ever since she left."

"I can't do it, every time I look at the runes, I wonder is she alright. Hey I don't get hung up over women, but she got to me and you know she's not my usual type. I went over to the bar last night, thought a few drinks and a pick-up might help. By the time I'd finished the first drink I'd decided to go and see Alex, who was asleep. I just feel more messed up than usual. Have any of the psy-ops people turned up yet?"

Max's concern changed to shock at the mention of psy-ops, "Yeah two came in yesterday, but you can't be seriously thinking of letting them mess with your head again?"

"No, nothing like that. I just thought they might know something that would help. Maybe just talking."

Max reached out to touch him, "I've always been here, all you need to do is ask." She didn't want to lose a friend and he was much better at organising things. A census of TC was in progress, training back on the agenda, a clean-up and salvage squad working most days and a nursery being created. All started because of Alec's attention to detail, procedures and organisation.

Biggs had told Max that Alec was the transgenics CO at Manticore despite all his time in psy-ops. Max had thought this was Issy's influence before she had seen Alec in action and how people responded to his enthusiasum. He'd always based his decisions on ability not designation, something she admired. She didn't think she could always have been so unbiased, but now he was saying everything was a distraction from his own pain. A pain she hadn't realised existed until now. What kind of friend was she? She had been happy when Issy left thinking everything would go back to how it had been before her arrival. But it didn't. How could it when Biggs and CeCe had returned from the dead and more transgenics were arriving each day. Yes she'd taken the antidote and it worked, so she and Logan were together as she had wanted. But she'd lost more, Alec was distant they seemed to have lost their friendship.

"Look why don't we find somewhere quieter to talk, then if you still need someone else we'll arrange it," Max said softly.

Alec turned to look at her, still feeling the touch of her hand, "Her mighty army will slay the army of the aggressor, band together now." Alec was looking at some symbols on her shoulder with a shocked look on his face.

Max looked at him, "What did you say?"

Alec pointed to her shoulder and repeated the phrase.

All her questions flew out the window with his one statement. If what he said was right then whatever Issy did worked, there'd be time later for asking questions.

Max opened the office door, "Dix can you get a link to Logan, we've got some new runes and a possible interpretation."

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With Alec holding the camera Max asked Logan, "Hi are you getting the picture of this."

"Yeah it's a bit shaky but I can make them out. When did they appear, you said there was a possible interpretation," he replied.

"Alec and I were talking in my office when he went all mystic on me and pointed to my shoulder. I'll get him to repeat what he said."

Alec handed the camera to Max, "Hi Logan. What I said was 'Her mighty army will slay the army of the aggressor, band together now' but I'm dammed if I know what it means."

"I can agree that sounds plausible," replied Logan, pencil in mouth as he tried to get a closer look, "How's it going on the other ones? If we read these in order it might make more sense."

Alec looked embarrassed, "Sorry I haven't looked at those yet."

Logan was pissed by the remark, "What's the point in calling me about half the job, when you can't be bothered to do the rest. Are you trying to screw this up? You've had a week to study the others."

"Hey that's unfair, Alec's been busy with other stuff. I just wanted to know if Issy had got it right," interrupted Max, feeling sorry for Alec, it was her doubt that meant she had wanted Logan's opinion.

"Why wouldn't she?" asked Alec confused, it had never occurred to him that Issy would lie.

"I just wanted to be sure, before we launch in to anything," Max tried to explain.

"Look much as I like to see you arguing, I do have other things to do. The interpretation seems as good as any I could have deciphered considering this is a dead language. I haven't got very far with the recent runes, perhaps Alec could devote some more of his time to them," Logan cut in tiredly. "I'll see you later Max."

"Yeah later," Max replied before cutting the line.

Alec looked at Max and the others, "Ok I'll start in the morning right after the meeting."

"But it's only 11:00, you could get some done before the 14:00 meeting," questioned Max.

"Yeah but I need to get out for a bit," Alec replied heading out of the building before anyone could object.

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Where are you Issy, why did you leave me to sort this and when are you coming back. As Alec had these thoughts, a reply seemed to form in his head.

I'm in Canada with someone who I hope will remove the transmitter, but they're stalling. I'll be back as soon as I can, but do what you can with Max. I'm not sure which of the bad guys are causing me problems, I know Logan said Lydecker but I don't know who he's working for.

Alec was surprised by the voice in his head. Issy are you talking to me, or am I losing it.

No you're not losing it, I'm a telepath remember. I tune in when you're off your game to find out why; if you listen you usually sort yourself out. Stop avoiding your destiny and Max, our mission as set by Sandeman is about to start. The rune interpretation is right; you just need the others to get things moving. You can do it; you've never been a screw-up, whatever anyone else says.

Thanks Issy, Alec thought, knowing she would hear. Then he walked back to his office in the command block.

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When Max heard the door to his office close, she breathed a sigh of relief. 'He must have sorted his problems' she thought wondering whether to disturb him to talk. She decided not to, if she interrupted now he might never get started.

Next door Alec was looking at the pictures of the runes, but nothing was coming, there were dates when they had appeared. Suddenly he realised what was Issy said he would interpret them 'on appearing'. He had been so wrapped up in his own world he had forgotten that he needed to spend more time around Max.

Thinking about it they only seemed to appear after they had touched, or been in close proximity. Even the more recent ones only appeared when they had brushed past each other.

He left his office and knocked on her door. "Max I think I need to see you."

Max opened the door, "What do you mean?"

"It seems Issy was right, these runes only appear when I'm around and the only ones I've deciphered are the ones I saw appear today. Don't get me wrong, but I think I have to read them straight off you, not as pictures."

"If you hadn't been so distant recently, I would think you were hitting on me. So how do you want to do this?" Max answered, not sure what he was playing at.

"I think if we start in the order they appeared, and could we have someone write whatever I say. I don't know if they'll disappear once they've been deciphered and I don't think I'll remember," he replied seriously.

"What you want someone else in here. X5's have a photographic memory, so we should have no problem," Max retorted indigently.

"Maxie humour me for once, it's not like I'm suggesting a three in the bed romp, even with Logan. If you like we could go to Logan's, with his skills he could work out where this is going as it's deciphered. It's freaky enough without anything being missed," Alec turned on the charm.

"Ok I'll talk to Logan and tell him you suggested it," Max replied, still unsure but happier if Logan was the third party.

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A/N Hope this isn't too disjointed I made some changes after initial writing to fit with later outcomes, all will be revealed in time, honestly.

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