Many Thanks

Elle6778: glad you think things are coming to light!

Angelofdarkness: nice to hav you back from holiday

Lakergirl: staying A/I, but don't know what's going to happen with Logan

New reviewers:

Shygirl1: I just write it as it comes

Lorslee X5-214: Glad you liked chapter 1. Your sister seems to be my daughter's age – I have to write listening to Tiny Pop.

Mel11: Glad you enjoyed it – that's all I need from 6 more people for the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters

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

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Fifteen : Preparing the way

After their R&R, Alec had finished chasing up his suppliers and arranging for delivery to a secret location. The only problem left was how to get the water filtration units in to TC past the blockade. Still that would wait until after they were secure, now it was time to finish and see the people he loved.

Calling past the nursery he went to collect Alex, but Issy had beaten him to it. So he went to their apartment hoping that there was something to eat.

"Hi Honey I'm home," he called in mock soap lingo from the door, hoping that they would be there.

"In the kitchen. Dinner's nearly ready, thought you were going to be late," came the reply.

He wandered through to the smell of roast chicken and veg. being placed on the counter. "Where'd you get that?" he exclaimed, it was hard enough getting fresh food in Seattle, TC almost never had any.

"Smuggled it back in with me, then got Gem to hide it for me," she replied with a grin.

"Max will kill you when she finds out. I'm surprised that Gem didn't let on," he sounded amazed but laughed.

"I told Gem, that if you were still interested," she started.

"What you thought I wouldn't still want my favourite teacher?" he interrupted, his arm snaking round her waist and bending to kiss her neck.

"I wasn't sure about you and Max," she raised her hand to stop his interruption and continued, "I told Gem that I wanted to cook you something special and since I had two of everything, she could keep the second."

"Bribery and corruption already," he laughed.

"Isn't that how you got what you wanted at Manticore?" she joked.

"Where's Alex?" he asked changing the subject.

"Playing with a doll I brought back for her."

"Guess I'd better get some of this on the table then."

"Yeah, time you earned your keep," she kidded, as he grabbed her round the waist and kissed her. "Hey dinner will go cold and Alex doesn't like going hungry."

"Ok, but later," he replied, carrying the chicken to the table.

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Max wondered if this was a good idea. Alec and Issy couldn't wait to get away when they returned to TC, but she wanted to know more about Sandeman before tomorrow's meeting.

As she climbed the stairs to Alec's apartment there was a wonderful smell drifting down the corridor. She hadn't smelt that in a while and it was making her feel hungry.

She stopped at the door, the smell was coming from inside, should she knock or…

The door opened, "Don't just stand there come in," instructed Alec, "was it the smell or something else?"

"I-I I was going to ask Issy something," Max stammered from the doorway.

"Well come in, you may as well join us for dinner, if you want to talk," called Issy.

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Max was surprised at the apartment, she expected Alec to pick the best, but this was almost as good as Logan's penthouse had been. She smiled at Alex as she approached the table, "Wow I must admit this is better than I expected for you," she turned to Alec.

"Hey what can I say, when you've got a family to think of, only the best will do."

"Are you sure I'm not intruding. We could talk before the morning meeting," Max suddenly felt that she shouldn't be there.

"No, it's alright, there's plenty to go round," replied Issy lightly, as she got an extra place setting. Thinking to Alec, we will have plenty of time after she's gone.

As they helped themselves to the food Max said, "I should be asking where this came from and confiscating it for everyone."

"Ah but then there would be a fight because there's not enough for everyone and you wouldn't get the chance to enjoy it," countered Issy.

"I suppose you're right and that would be a shame," Max laughed, thinking sometimes she's just too smart, like Alec.

"Ok so what was so important, that it couldn't wait until morning?" asked an irritated Alec; he'd been looking forward to another romantic night with Issy.

"It's silly probably," started Max.

"But we won't know that 'til you tell us," he interrupted.

"I was wondering why we need to meet with Sandeman, afterall we seem to be interpreting the runes and we've met the familiars and fought them once. What do we need him for?"

"On one level we don't, but he and Lydecker have contacts that might be useful in freeing ourselves. We need to get the familiars out of their positions of power; did you know McKinney was one?" Max and Alec looked at each other.

"No but it makes sense," replied Max.

"Yeah all that bullshit he spouts is anti-trannie," smirked Alec.

"Language," Issy motioned to Alex, "Anyway once they are gone we need pro-trannie people to promote our cause in the corridors of power. Convince people that we are only a threat if threaten and that we have helped them, in their own way the colonel and Sandeman might be able to help. Sandeman has links to the pharmaceutical companies which we need if this vaccine is going to be distributed."

"How's the research going?" asked Max.

"Until I get OC's and Logan's blood I don't know. If I can get theirs in the morning then should have something by tomorrow evening," Issy changed the subject back, "as for the colonel, if there's a fight required he still has military links which can get you accepted, so you won't be fighting everyone at once. As I said, they need us but we need to be in control."

Max finished her dinner, "So how are we going to get the others to accept the proposal?"

"As the leader, that's your problem," replied Issy, "but you should be able to make a speech out of this discussion."

"What about the link? How should we approach that?"

"Hey the woman who got the police to back off and start her own nation needs my advice. Don't sell yourself short; you'll know what to say when you need to say it."

"Thanks for the advice and the meal. I shalln't say anything about the food," Max laughed as she was leaving.

"Not staying to help with the dishes Maxie," joked Alec with a grin.

"No I thought I'd leave that for the lovebirds," she countered with a smile and left.

"Thought she'd never leave," Alec said kissing Issy.

"She may have gone, but Alex is still up and the dishes need doing, so which is yours."

"I'll sort Alex; dish pan hands just wouldn't suit me."

"Just as well she's out of diapers, don't know how you would cope with them," Issy laughed clearing the table as Alec took Alex to her room.

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A/N Sorry its short but it seemed good place for a break.

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