Many thanks

Elle6778 : Tape scene coming up, glad you enjoy the twists

HoneyX5-452 : Yeah she's a bitch, but she wants both men

Eden : Honesty has always caused me problems, but glad you're still reading

Lakergirl : welcome to the new reviewer, you can only review each chapter once but thanks for the thought. I will only update once a day gives more people time to read it, but I know the frustration of waiting for the next chapter, I've got alerts on several so I don't miss them.

Su0 : So long as you're enjoying it and wanting more that's all I need to know

Lex2u : Hope you get this far, it's a long way from chapter 2, but glad you're enjoying it.

Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters

A/N : My first attempt.

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Ten : Surprises!

Max was surprised at her own feelings about Issy. She just didn't trust her, but the only reason she could come up with was because Alec seemed to care about the woman.

"Dix could I have that tape from the infirmary?" she asked. "I'll need somewhere quiet to watch it."

"Sure Max, I'll set it up in your office, take about 30 minutes, OK," he replied.

"Thanks see you then." Max went see what everyone was doing; she was on edge and needed to walk.

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As they neared the infirmary Alec took a sharp right turn. There in front of them was a brightly painted building with a sign:

T.C. Mother, Baby

And

Toddle Centre

Issy gasped. "I thought you might like to see Alex first," Alec suggested calmly, a satisfied smile on his face. At least this much is a surprise he thought. He had begun to think that she knew too much about what he was thinking.

"I'd love to," she replied, "So is this the surprise because it's pretty impressive. Two weeks ago this was a wreck now it could rival some of the pre-pulse buildings. Who did the painting?" she enthused.

"This is only part of the surprise, it's amazing what can be achieved with a little motivation," Alec was beginning to relax and enjoy himself. Issy obviously appreciated his abilities, even if a certain X5 didn't. "Joshua did the designs and got some of the younger ones to help, there are hand prints by the playground," he continued as they entered the building.

"Gem and some of the other mothers designed the internal layout, so there's a nursery, pre and post natal unit and class rooms for the 4 to 8 year olds. We still haven't fully equipped or staffed everywhere, but it's a start and Gem has opened the nursery with Jo and Star, two X6's.

"Hi Issy, heard you were back in town. Do you want to see Alex?" asked Gem with little Eve in her arms.

"I'd love to. You've done wonders here," Issy replied amazed.

"I don't take the credit. Alec decided something needed to do something soon after you left and wouldn't give up until it was all sorted," then quietly to Issy, "I think he thought my place wasn't good enough for Alex." Issy was throwing admiring glances at Alec. "Not that Max was very impressed," continued Gem, clearly loving her role as nursery leader.

"Mummy," cried Alex.

Issy went and picked her up and cuddled her, "Have you been good for Alec and Gem."

Alex just cuddled her mummy and said nothing, the child glad to be with her mummy again.

Alec looked at the two of them more contented than he had ever been, but they needed to move on or he would get his ass kicked by Max again. Seemed like all she ever did was get upset with him and his arm could do with a rest from the punishment. "Sorry to break this up, but I've got another surprise before we see Max," he apologised.

"Seems I will have to go Alex, be good for Gem and I'll see you later," said Issy, handing Alex back to Gem. Alex cried and tried to hand on, but eventually Gem had her safely and Alec and Issy left.

"This had better be good, I didn't want to upset Alex so soon," complained Issy.

"Trust me, you'll like it and any other surprises can wait until later," He said as his arm fell round her shoulder.

"I always trusted you, you didn't always trust yourself," she replied truthfully.

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Dix was true to his word and when Max walked back into the command centre, he let her know everything was ready.

Max told everyone she didn't want to be disturbed until Logan got there and went into her office and closed the door.

She sat in her chair not wanting to watch, but knowing it was the only way she would get the answers she needed.

As she turned it on she winced as they came into the room and Alec tensed. I shouldn't have let this happen she thought he seems so frightened. As she continued watching and listening to what was appearing before her eyes, she was surprised by her own reaction. From fear and dread she became fascinated as the events unfolded. Slowly she began to understand how Issy could do this to someone she said she loved. She watched as Issy rambled on about things that had happened. Alec even asked some questions which Issy was answering at length.

As the first two procedures were completed Max noticed how whilst getting the psy-ops equipment ready that Issy appeared to be crying. Alec wouldn't have noticed her back was to him, thought Max.

Then with the equipment ready Issy talked Alec through everything that was going to happen and how the laser shouldn't be needed if he did as she said. They were trying to unlock a part of his brain not destroy to rebuild.

Max was stunned, she had been sure that Issy would have acted like the techs but at Manticore, but that hadn't been the case. It even stopped abruptly as soon as Alec started repeating some strange phrases.

Max was confused, she had hoped that this would confirm her suspicions but it had done the opposite. Max actually had some respect for the woman, but she still didn't want her with Alec.

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Alec and Issy came out of the building and straight across the road to the infirmary. She had noticed how much cleaner everywhere looked than on her previous visit, then she noticed some nomalies and X6's cleaning the streets and buildings around them. There were even repairs to some of the buildings taking place.

As they entered the infirmary Alec watched Issy intently, first her eyes opened wider then her mouth started to open. Yes, this was the reaction he wanted to see; at least someone could appreciate something he had done. When he'd asked Max to come over, she had just stared at him with shock that he would suggest such a thing. Then when she had looked there was the Manticore horror in her eyes, she couldn't look past herself. Yeah he didn't like hospitals, but Manticore had treated him much worse than Max, her reaction was as usual over the top. Even Mole had realised that they would need something like this if the predictions were true. He'd thought Issy would appreciate the work; after all she wanted to use the medical skills she had for the benefit of them, not Manticore style.

Issy couldn't believe her eyes; last time she was here it was like a makeshift field hospital, now it was clean with white walls, glazed windows, proper beds and equipment. It was almost like one of the state hospitals minus staff.

"I love it," she cried hugging and kissing Alec. "So have you been annoying Max by doing this?" Alec looked sheepish and shrugged. "She's only jealous of your organisational abilities, you know."

"Hi there Issy," called Dage, "What do you think of the place?" he waved his arms around.

"It's fabulous, but who's working with you?" Issy asked.

"Just a couple of X6's with a little field training. I hoped you would be bringing some with you."

"No just me, but I'm sure we can find some more help. Especially if I'm going to carry on where I left off when I had to run."

"You mean you're going to do those procedures on the other X's?" asked Dage.

"Yeah as soon as I can persuade Max that initially it's going to be the best use of my skills." Then quietly, hoping Alec wouldn't hear, but glancing at him, "I think I'm better keeping out of her way for a while."

"Hey stop whispering, unless it's good things about me," quipped Alec, suddenly feeling like he was being shut out of something important. "Anyway if you're happy we better get going if you want a bite before we see Max."

A glint came into Issy's eyes, time to play, "I thought you'd never ask, but where do you want the bite."

Alec could sense the playfulness in the response, but it would have to wait he couldn't risk being late for that meeting, "The canteen naturally."

Issy was disappointed, but noticed a flicker in his eyes which said he wanted to play but someone else was pulling strings.

"Ok," she replied, then turning to Dage, "See you later."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

They walked to the canteen in silence. Issy, with her arm around Alec's waist, was busy looking around at the changes that had taken place in the past two weeks. Alec, with his arm round her shoulder, was busy watching Issy watching the wonder as she noticed things.

After collecting some food they sat down at a table.

"Look don't take this the wrong way, but have you taken over here?" asked Issy.

Alec was taken aback, "Where did that come from?"

"It's just that I don't see Max's influence around here any more. This is pure Alec, the Manticore CO who could organise seven different parties and still have the place clean before breakfast," she said. "No X5 would live without cleanliness and comforts for long. It's been part of the drill for too long, but Max is more 'where's the next fight' and 'I'm too freaked to deal with this' she needs you to direct her, but I don't think she'd let go willingly." Seeing his discomfort she added, "Hey I love what you've achieved, even if you've been getting an ear bashing for it."

"It's usually an arm bashing, but that's ok," Alec grinned. "I was beginning to think you thought I'd reverted to Manticore soldier."

She put her hand on his, "You were never what they wanted, far too free thinking, but you always knew how to motivate people and lead by example. I've always loved and admired how you managed that, playing along to get what you want without it always showing."

"I didn't get if right on the Berrisford case, I messed that up for everyone," pain showed in his face.

"I know, but you were confused by your emotions and that almost invariably leads to disaster," she tried to comfort, "Anyway that's in the past and we can't change it, we need to embrace the next challenge."

"Which is, getting to that meeting pronto," said Alec, "I've a couple more surprises for later.

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A/N Said I wouldn't do 2 updates in a day, but as I'm posting this before work, I'll give you 'til I go to bed for 5 reviews and 20 hits. If you get there I'll post next chapter tonight.

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