Many Thanks:

HoneyX5-452 : I seem to have a thing about meal, eh?

Darkangelgirl: The other X5's will start returning in chap 26 or 27, sorry to keep you waiting but the next few chapters fill in some blanks

Lakergirl08: One clue will be answered below, but there are still other questions yet to be answered.

Angel 0f Darkness231: Find out if you're right below!

Elle6778: They won't all be chicken, that's luxury food in the city, but more cat like than pasta! When thinking of food I remembered the episode where Max brings a live chicken back to OC, just seemed to work.

Mel11: Just thought people often talk over food, glad you liked it.

Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters

A/N : My first attempt.

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Twenty-two: Coffee and doughnuts

After their meeting they went to the canteen for a break, coffee and doughnuts all round. When they'd finished Alec gave Issy a kiss, then turned to Lydecker, "Don't you get upsetting my girl, we might need you at the moment, but just remember Manticore taught us lots of things not just how to kill." Then he and Max were gone.

"He knows something, doesn't he?" Lydecker accused Issy.

"Only because I didn't want him to pursue the Rome connection," she replied. "He knows it's important, but will ask for details later."

They had entered the medical facilities and were heading for the psy-ops department. Lydecker was impressed by what he saw, he had been expecting only makeshift facilities, but these were almost complete. Then he saw the psy-ops facility, these were complete.

"I'm surprised that this area is so complete, I thought they would resist any form of psy-ops facility being built."

"I didn't give them a choice, it was needed to unlock Alec's memory, although I didn't need to use all the tools, thank goodness," she replied.

"I'm surprised Alec agreed, he had a hard time in psy-ops on each of his visits," Lydecker turned to Issy. "Why haven't you told Max about 493?"

"I could ask you the same, its obvious Sandeman doesn't know," Issy snapped back. "I felt it better to wait until she was happy with the idea of resurrection before telling her that Ben, her psycho brother was alive. She also needed to understand that psy-ops could have a positive affect and 'cure' behavioural problems. I didn't know where he was anyway, he could have been dead, and if he came in too soon it could cause problems."

"You mean Alec might want to kill him and Max could accuse you of playing god with her brother and you would lose her trust," she stared at him. "I've seen how much notice she takes of your advice, although I'm not sure she's happy about you and Alec."

Issy smiled, "Seems you're jealous of that as well. No, I don't think Alec would attempt to kill him, but I'm not sure of Max's reaction. Besides his was the first successful resurrection, after the failures, all done to orders. Your and Renfro's orders, 'to keep the weapons useable', I think those were your words."

"You were a willing conspirator in those days, what changed you?"

"I was under orders, which I carried out to the best of my abilities, so long as it didn't involve hurting those I cared for," Issy replied stiffly.

"I thought you cared for Alec, but I heard about his treatment after the Berrisford incident. Not what someone who cared for him would allow," Lydecker accused.

Issy started crying at the memory, "You think I was involved, I was on a months forced leave when he came in, by the time I returned a lot of damage had been inflicted, in took me months to repair some of the damage in secret."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Believe what you will, if I hadn't returned Alec would have lost his rank and his life, he's so stubborn," Issy shot back, now in control of her emotions again. "Like your soldiers, I had my orders to protect 452, 493 and 494; since you carelessly lost 452 and 493 494 became the focus of my interests 24-7 for the next 10 years unless I was forced to take a holiday. Not that I needed one, but all the ordinaries did so I had to. Unfortunately that was when the Berrisford mission went side wards and Alec was sent to psy-ops. Despite his previous stays in psy-ops it had never been recorded that he never broke, only learnt to hide his memories and say what was required. This time he didn't want to hide those memories and was still fighting when I returned. I had to persuade him to replace his Manticore mask so that he would survive, but he was never true Manticore after that."

"How did you persuade Renfro?"

"Easily tele-coercion and practical considerations," she replied. "Anyway at psy-ops here we have four X5 and two X6 psy-ops personnel, but what are you expecting?"

"When we bring them here they need to realise that Manticore was destroyed by its superiors, trying to eliminate everyone and that TC is their new home," he replied.

"Look it's nearly lunchtime why don't we go to the canteen and you can meet the team tomorrow?" suggested Issy.

"Sounds good to me," he replied, "and I'm sorry if I upset you."

"Yeah I understand your motives, but I'm here for Alec and TC, not you or Sandeman. If I suspect a double cross then I will alert Max and Alec."

When they got to the canteen Joshua was there and Issy left Lydecker with him, excusing herself to go and collect Alex.

On her way to their apartment Issy thought, 'Alec I need to see you and Max in our place at lunchtime, its urgent. How's Max getting on with Logan?'

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Max and Alec were talking about the previous meeting when Logan entered the office with Dix and Sandeman. Logan was annoyed that his presence hadn't elicited a response from Max.

"Right we're here to discuss how to turn the public in our favour and against the familiars, so who's going to start," Max opened looking around the table.

Sandeman opened, "I was hoping that Eyes Only would broadcast some true facts about the familiars that I would supply, including names of prominent figures and their snake brand."

"Why would Eyes Only be interested in starting a witch hunt against the familiars?" asked Logan aggressively.

"I thought Eyes Only was interested in helping the oppressed. Familiars are the oppressors, intent on killing the ordinary people to rule the world."

"But that just doesn't sound true, it has to seem plausible," Logan countered.

Alec was slightly amused by the banter, Dix was embarrassed, but Max was furious.

"Look Logan if you don't shut-up and take this seriously we aren't going to get anywhere," she stormed.

"But what is being suggested would leave Eyes Only exposed and in danger," Logan replied.

"Fine then you'd better leave and we can explore other options," replied Max wearily.

"This is all too risky for you, Max," replied Logan sanctimoniously.

"No more risky than the things I did for Eyes Only. Now leave, I'll send someone to collect my things," Max stated. Logan looked shocked, Alec surprised whilst Dix and Sandeman seemed non-plused.

"Don't be hasty Max, we can work things out," Logan pleaded, as Alec called for security.

"I think it's time you left," said Max to the hunched figure. "Security see Mr Cale out of TC and could CeCe go with him to collect my things."

With that Logan was escorted from her office.

"Wow that was dramatic, is this really the end for Max and Logan," teased Alec.

Max hit him and smiled, "Yeah should have finished ages ago, but I thought I still needed him. Only recently realised I don't, pity it took so long," she finished looking at Alec.

Sandeman looked, "I was hoping Eyes Only could help us, but that seems to be out of the question."

"Actually," said Dix, "We have enough equipment to hack into a broadcast and replace with our information, or put out our own."

"So all is not lost," laughed Max, "let's work on this tomorrow morning, its lunchtime now."

As they were about to leave Alec heard a message from Issy. He replied 'We'll meet you there. Max just threw Logan out of TC.' Then he turned to Max, "Issy would like you to join us for lunch, alright."

Max was thinking she needed to get away but there was something about Alec's request that made her curious, so she agreed to go.

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A/N: Sorry about bringing Ben in but he arrived when I was on holiday, and won't go away. Anything regarding him has not been planned since the start, so I don't know what will happen. Please bear with me.

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