Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.
A/N: My first attempt. When I started this it was going to be about 20 chapters, now I don't know when it wants to end.
Many Thanks:
Mel11: Kill one of my main characters – all will be explained at the end of 39.
Elle6778: thought the towel bit would be funny. Glad you like Mole.
Angel Of Darkness231: Alec's got other things to worry about and his unit don't want to add to that.
Wildsky: Glad you like the telepathic link – the sibling reaction is delayed for a bit
Darkangelgirl: Update on Issy in 38, this is more about surprises for Max
Shygirl1: I don't think that will happen yet.
Maria656: Hope this answers some of your question, but more idea in the next few chapters
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Thirty-seven: Family Get Togethers
Dage went into the room and unhooked Alec from the tubes supplying the blood transfusion, "you look like shit," he said. "Why don't you get some rest next door?" Realising that Alec was about to protest, he added, "I'll call you if there's any change and you need some sleep."
Feeling very tired but not wanting to leave her side, Alec responded, "couldn't you just bring a bed in here?"
"I could, but I won't, the noise might disturb her and you won't sleep," he replied. "Look come with me and I'll get you a drink first, don't suppose you've thought about eating."
"I suppose I could do with a drink."
"Hot milk will help you sleep," Dage replied as they left the room.
'Thank god for that' thought Issy now I can stop worrying about him, as she felt sleep take her.
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After they'd finished eating Max got Biggs and Mole to take her siblings on a tour of the site while she went to check on med bay. Alec was fast asleep on the bed as she and Dage entered, "how did you manage that?" Max asked.
"Amazing properties in hot milk," Dage replied mysteriously.
Max grinned, "you mean you drugged his drink?"
"Well he wasn't going to rest otherwise," he replied defensively, Max nodded her agreement. "Besides she told me what to give him to knock him out before you left, I swear that woman's psychic."
"Not psychic, just likes to cover all eventualities," Sandeman commented from the door, looking at the sleeping transgenic. "Where is she?"
"Next door," replied Dage, "we were just going to check on her."
"You mean she's on her own?" Sandeman asked incredulously.
"No, Joshua came in earlier to keep an eye on her."
As they walked quietly into the room Joshua looked up, "no change," he murmured.
Sandeman walked over to the bed and put his hand on Issy's forehead, "when did you last take her temperature?" he asked Dage.
"About half an hour ago," he replied, "why?"
"I think there has been a change," he replied as Dage passed him the thermometer. He checked as they waited with baited breath, "yes definitely her temperature is almost back to normal."
"I get medium fella," Joshua said getting up from his chair.
Max put her hand to stop him, "not yet let him sleep some more," she suggested.
"He not like it," the dog man replied.
"I don't care, if she comes to get him then, otherwise let him sleep," she replied.
"Ok little fella," replied Joshua. "Little fella getting busy with Ben?"
Max blushed, she hadn't had much time to talk to Ben yet alone sort out her feelings but he did kiss her and that was nice. "We're not like that," was all she could manage in reply.
Sandeman looked at her sympathetically, "you haven't had much time to rest either."
"You gave me shark DNA, so I don't sleep much," she retorted.
"I know but since you came back you've been talking with your family, organising TC and checking that everyone is ok. You need to rest too."
"Joshua take Max to apartment?" the dog man asked.
Max looked puzzled.
"I think that would be a nice idea," replied Sandeman. Seeing her reluctance he added, "Dage and I can take care of things here."
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Joshua led Max up the stairs towards Alec's apartment then put a blindfold on her. "What's this all about," she protested with a grin. 'What is he up to,' she thought.
"Little fella find out soon," he replied as he led her along the corridor.
She was sure Alec's apartment was closer to the stairs than this; suddenly he stopped and turned her towards the wall. She heard a door open and he pushed her forward gently taking the blindfold off in one move.
She gasped this wasn't Alec's apartment and it was fabulous, she turned to Joshua, "this is wonderful, who's is it?"
Joshua felt embarrassed, "Joshua do it for little fella," he replied.
"Oh Joshua it's wonderful," she turned and hugged him as tightly as she could.
"Surprise," came a shout from the room.
Max looked again and there in the room were all her best friends and family, all except Alec and Issy. She felt sad at the knowledge that although Alec had been instrumental in Joshua creating this for her, he was missing her reaction.
Joshua was busy watching her face and was worried when he saw her stop smiling, "it's not alright?" he asked concerned.
Looking up at him she forced a smile, "no, it's wonderful, but I'm sorry that Alec and Issy couldn't be here."
Ben had been watching her and knew what was on her mind so he came over, "I might not be Alec, but you could pretend if it'll put a smile back on your face."
"You'll never replace Alec, just as he could never replace you, but thanks for the offer," she smiled. Then realising that this was some kind of surprise house warming party she decided to brighten up and thank Alec later.
"So little sister who's going to share this place with you?" asked Krit, earning himself a slap from Syl. "What I was just thinking this is too big for Max on her own and we haven't found anywhere to stay yet."
"Since this is the first time I've set foot in here, I've no idea," replied Max.
Ben kept his word and stayed close to Max all evening, not because he was afraid of Alec's unit, but because he really wanted to make sure no-one got closer to Max than him.
When Max did manage to lose her shadow OC came up to her, "Alec's twin has got his eye on you boo and I don't mean in a brotherly way sista."
Max nudged OC, "Oh come on OC don't be silly he's just trying to do what he thinks Alec would."
"Boo is you blind, even before Issy Alec would never be that possessive," OC chided, "I'm lucky he got caught by Krit, otherwise I wouldn't be this close."
"And you are?" Ben asked as he came up beside Max.
Max was a bit disturbed by what OC had said, but tried not to show it, "This is OC, she's been my best friend since I arrived in Seattle."
"Pleased to meet you, but I think Maxie ought to circulate," Ben guided Max away from OC.
'Man is he going to be annoying if he keeps doing that,' thought OC.
Max suddenly realised that many of her TC friends were missing, "I hope you haven't upset my friends," she turned to Ben.
In typical Alec style he raised his hands and replied, "nothing to do with me."
She laughed realising how often Alec had used that same pose when she'd accused him of something, often wrongly.
Just then the door opened and in came Biggs and Mole followed by three figures with sacks over their heads. "They said they knew you Max," said Biggs by way of explanation, "but since you weren't here when they arrived they've been waiting in a cell for you and since this is your party we thought you'd like them to join in."
"And what if I don't know them?" Max replied.
"Then we take them out and shoot them," Mole snarled beginning to take off one of the sacks.
"Jondy!" exclaimed Max running over to help and hug the newcomers. "Seth! Zane! How did you get here?"
As soon as they heard her shout 'Jondy' Krit and Syl joined her and Ben in welcoming their unit members.
"I hope they haven't been treating you too bad," Max commented.
"No worse than any prison I guess," replied Zane.
Max shot a withering look at Biggs and Mole.
"Look you left us in charge," Mole barked, "how were we supposed to know they're on the level?"
"They told you who they were and you could have checked their bar codes," she complained.
"Sorry sis, it's not their fault we all bumped into a Miss Sandle at one time or another and she removed them for us," Seth apologised.
"Oh," replied Max solemnly remembering where Issy and Alec were.
"What's wrong, you look like someone just died," joked Zane.
"Not funny," snapped Ben. "You're saviour is down in med bay and no-one knows how bad she is."
"Way to kill a party," OC said ironically. "Look why don't you lot catch up, it's late and we can do this again when everyone is here."
As everyone else left Max's siblings got settled in the living room to talk through the night.
"So Ben what are you doing here?" asked Zane. "I thought you were dead."
"Another of Issy's tricks brought me back," he replied.
"What's it like being dead?" asked Jondy, "Did you meet the Blue Lady?"
"Yeah, then I woke-up to a white lady, who explained all the things Manticore hid from us."
Max watched as they all got talking and as she relaxed back, she realised that Ben's arm was round her shoulder and she felt safe, in a way she never had with Logan. She remembered feeling like this around Alec, but she'd always pushed the feeling and him away. So was Ben going to be right? 'Only if he curbs his possessiveness', she thought.
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Mean while back in med bay someone was waking up.
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A/N: Guess who, I'll tell you next time, but 210 reviews before the next.
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