Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters
A/N : My first attempt. Although I've been told we're not suppose to thank anymore, I will continue as I believe I owe it to my few reviewers to acknowledge my gratitude for their comments. I won't change the storyline for them, but some comments might be added to the story.
Many thanks:
HoneyX5-452: M/B maybe, not telling yet.
Darkangelgirl:
Mel11:
AngelofDarkness231: as above
Elle6776: as above.
Who loves the teacher?
Chapter Twenty-four : Surprise for Max
After another coffee it was time for the meeting with Sandeman, Issy and Dage. Max and Alec hoped this would be quicker than the previous meetings, but knew little about the subject.
"Look I know we need this meeting, but can we keep things simple. I may be genetically empowered, but I don't always follow scientists," Max requested.
"That's alright, it must have been a long day for you and this is probably more technical than the earlier ones," replied Sandeman softly.
"True but I think Issy and Dage have questions, Alec and I just need to know where things are headings and what you're going to need, we can argue about these runes later," replied Max wearily.
"I understand, so where would you like to start Issy," he replied.
"In the meeting you mentioned NorBAC, I understand that they are independent but surely that means the transgenics will lose the propaganda war. NorBAC will take the credit for developing the vaccine and not disclose the source," Issy queried.
"NorBAC will be given your research and asked to expand to ensure that the vaccine will work. Credit for the initial work and source of the antibodies will be given to the transgenics and you, their director is a close friend and against the familiar cause, though from a familiar family," he replied.
"How can we trust this person if they are a familiar?" Max queried.
"Not all familiars agree with what they are doing, otherwise you would not be here," he replied with a small smile, "I have maintained links with some people working in genetics labs across the world as I knew that someday soon we would need their help."
"So am I expected to leave here with my research and travel to Canada?" asked Issy.
"No I think that would be too dangerous, I would recommend that we set a secure link to NorBAC and send the information that way, Colonel Lydecker could probably arrange for samples to be taken to their labs." He replied, "Besides I thought you would want to carry on with the procedures on the X5's and you can't be in two places at once."
"That's the problem with not having a twin," laughed Alec.
"Why can't they come here so we can meet and discuss progress face-to-face before they take over, I prefer would to meet whoever is taking over," Issy suggested.
"I'm sure that could be arranged," he replied.
"Max has suggested that I perform the procedures on her next, will that cause any problems with planning?" Issy asked Sandeman.
"If it could be postponed for a couple of days, that should be fine," he replied.
"Anything other questions?" asked Max.
"What about medical supplies, although we are well stocked at the moment, all these procedures are going to require more?" asked Dage.
"Colonel Lydecker authorise supplies, so see him with your list," Sandeman replied.
"Ok let's break there and get some rest," Max said.
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After the meeting Max asked Issy and Alec to stay for a while. "Look guys we need to talk about the Rome situation some more, but I need some space so I'm going to the Space Needle. I'll be back about 20:00."
"You mean you'll be back in time for dinner," laughed Issy. "Have you found an apartment yet?"
"No, but I've got a bunk here for now," Max replied.
"The apartment next to ours is empty, I'll get Joshua sorting it for you and in the meantime you can have our spare room," offered Alec.
"Thanks, but surely you don't want me interfering," Max was embarrassed, on the one hand she wanted to be with Alec, but on the other she didn't want to upset anyone's relationship, "although it would be useful living next door in the long run."
"Right I'll get Josh to move your stuff, he'll be overjoyed to start decorating the apartment for you. It's why no-one else has it," he replied. "See you later."
As Max left, Issy turned to Alec and gave him a kiss, "Well done, now she's even more confused."
"How so?"
"She's just dumped Logan, heard about Ben and now you're asking her in live with us," Issy laughed.
The penny dropped and Alec looked sheepish, "You mean she thinks I'm making a move, but that's not what I was thinking. I just thought as a friend she needed somewhere to stay, temporarily," he spluttered as they left HQ heading for the nursery.
"I know, but I think she may misunderstand initially. Just as well she's going to think. I just hope she works it out before she returns or it could get embarrassing," she said as she slipped her arm around his waist and laughed.
Mole considered the laugh, then asked, "Hey princess if 'Decker is going to supply our needs, does that include my cigars."
Alec and Issy looked at him unable to contain their amusement, "Well we'll have to include them under emergency supplies. Can't imagine how we'll survive if you don't have any," laughed Alec.
"Glad you're taking it seriously," was the gruff reply.
As they continued walking towards the nursery Alec saw Joshua. "Hey Joshua, old buddy," he called.
"Hey medium fella, how's tricks," Joshua replied.
"Josh my boy, I've been speaking to Max about that apartment, any chance of you getting it sorted for her and bringing her stuff to our place?" he asked.
"Sure, Max staying with Alec and Issy 'til it ready, yeah."
"Yeah, seems the best idea until she gets her own place."
"I'm on it," said Joshua leaving to collect Max's things.
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After collecting Alex they went back to their apartment.
"You sure this will work?" asked Issy.
"What!" exclaimed Alec playing with Alex on the floor, "Oh you mean Max staying here. Don't see why not, she's been here for everything except sleeping and working for since she dumped Logan, and it's temporary until Joshua finishes her place. It should be done in a couple of days."
"When did he start on it?"
"Just after your return, he sensed that things weren't right between her and Logan and wondered what to do. So we decided she needed a bolt hole in TC. I talked to OC and Joshua started work next door with some of OC's ideas," he replied.
"So I'm not the only one keeping secrets then," she replied.
"Talking about secrets," he accused. "Why didn't you tell me about Ben?"
"Until Lydecker confirmed that he was still alive I didn't want to complicate things for any of us," she replied.
"What do you mean complicate? You weren't having a relationship with him as well," fumed Alec.
Issy laughed, "What you're jealous and without cause. My only contact with Ben was with regards to his resurrection and subsequent therapy. He was a patient whose importance to Sandeman was part of my mission. He may be your twin, but in many ways you're as different as chalk and cheese."
"How so?"
"Where you are confident and out going, he is unsure of himself and distrustful of others. When you walk into a room it lights up and everyone becomes more animated. He will sneak into a room and nobody notices despite having the same good looks."
"But surely your work would help him overcome the confidence problem," Alec was surprised at the contrast between them.
"Yes I could help, but Manticore didn't want that. It was better for an assassin to be forgettable, so long as he was competent in the required skills they were happy," Issy concluded.
"But that never stopped you helping me, so why didn't you do it for him?" Alec was puzzled.
"That's easy, I fell in love with you over the years and look what happened. I didn't want to risk doing that again. Anyway despite his looking like you, he wasn't you and I didn't want him to replace you. By the time he was ready for that type of therapy, I couldn't see you."
"You mean at the time you were my teacher, he was in psy-ops," Issy nodded. "That must have been confusing."
"Not really, as I said you are as different as chalk and cheese, and I love you," she sat down beside him and gave him a kiss. "What are your feelings about his returning?"
"For all the times I spent in psy-ops because of him I should hate him, but I don't. I managed to get myself there as well and it's not as though he wanted me to be there, that was Manticore. But I don't know how I feel about meeting him ad that seems imminent," he replied.
"Well I'm glad you don't blame him, but what about the others? You did change after he went psycho. I'm sure that had an effect on your unit members."
"We'll have to talk before he arrives," Alec started .
"So you can stop them killing my brother on sight," Max exclaimed from the doorway.
"Sort of, but rather so that barriers aren't put up," Alec replied tiredly.
"I see you started the conversation without me," Max retorted.
"That's my fault, but Alec and I do need to talk about things that affect our relationship alone," Issy insisted.
Max looked at Alec, "Issy's right, we have a right to discuss some things without you acting like we're doing things behind your back. After all Issy has worked with both of us and with us being twins there was a momentary fear that needed discussing."
"Oh, sorry! But what about your unit, why should they have a beef with Ben?" Max queried.
"I have spent two stays in psy-ops due to Ben, when you escaped and when he went psycho. Six months each time, first to prove that your twins we're escape risks, then to prove that being psycho wasn't genetic. To survive I almost became psycho by cutting off my emotions. When they let me out it took a long time to relax amongst my unit again. They resent that and almost cheered when his body was returned to Manticore. None of us knew about his resurrection."
"Oh," was all Max could say as dinner was served.
"Look Max you weren't there, you can't know what it was like," said Alec.
"I agree, what Renfro did with you was nothing compared to what your twins were put through and Alec had three intensive stays in psy-ops, each worse than the previous. I was there, but still don't consider I understand the pain, I only observed," explained Issy.
"I think I should stay somewhere else tonight," Max offered.
"No, I'm sorry," replied Alec, "it's just a sore subject, but we need to sort it out. Stay Max."
"Ok, but don't think I won't kick your ass if you so much as touch the door tonight," she replied with a grin.
"Wouldn't think of it, if I'm up it'll be for Alex not you," he replied shocked at the implication. "I only meant that as we asked you to be our guest I didn't want you to think that it wasn't alright for you to stay," he flustered.
"It's so easy to get you these days, it's hardly worth the effort," laughed Max, then becoming serious. "I'm concerned how Ben will react to me after what I did," she sobbed.
"Max, Ben asked you to do it. He understands that you only did as he asked," Issy tried to soothe, "I'd be more concerned about his obedience to Manticore, but even that seemed superficial when I last saw him."
"So what are we going to tell Lydecker, he's waiting for our approval?" asked Alec.
"I don't know," whispered Max.
"Do you want Ben to kill the Pope?" asked Issy.
They looked at her shocked. "No," they replied.
"Then you'll tell him you want him to issue the order," she replied.
"Why?" they asked.
"Because if you don't Ben will carry out his orders in about 10 days."
They looked shocked, "How do you know that?" asked Max.
"Because there was a completion date on the mission, which is 10 days time. If he isn't ordered to abort he will complete the mission."
"I'll see Lydecker and approve the order then," Max stated.
"Yeah you do that," Alec felt like he'd been kicked.
After Max left Alec asked Issy, "so how is this with Ben going to work out?"
"I don't know, we'll just have to play it by ear. Talking about playing,
any chance of you getting Alex to bed while I clean up."
"Yeah, just so long as you help when I call."
"Sure, then we can have an early night."
"Sure thing," he replied giving her a hug and kiss. "Come on bed time for you," he said to Alex, who replied, "Story."
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A/N
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