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: Glad you like it, yeah couldn't kill Issy, just wanted to know what support she had out there.
Elle6778: Glad you liked the smell ! More angst for Ben soon.
Angel Of Darkness231: Ben/Alec not yet, maybe soon
Wildsky: Rivalry is only from Ben, but he'll get over it later (I hope)
Maria656: Yap Ben is, but he's always had problems.
Darkangelgirl: Alec's totally together, but some laughs in store.
EminemIsCool: If I bring many more in this'll go now forever, but I'll consider it. From X5-494 website Krit was designated 471therefore not Max's blood brother, so I'll stick with that.
Who Loves The Teacher?
Chapter Thirty-nine: New Order
Max and Alec entered HQ quietly observing the team working and talking. Mole saw them first.
"Morning Princess, your breakfast is in your office." Turning to Max he added, "didn't expect to see you today, so we didn't get you anything."
Max felt pissed that they thought so little of her, but smiled brightly, "that's ok I'll share Alec's."
"No you won't," snapped CeCe, "he needs his strength. I'll send someone for more coffee."
Max was stunned at the vehemence behind the words, she thought CeCe was a friend and everyone had been friendly when they left. Everyone seemed pleased to see Alec but not her, last time they were like this Logan was the problem.
"I'll grab the food and be back for the meeting," Alec said seemingly oblivious to Max's discomfort.
"I'll join you," called Biggs.
"Me too," Mole grinned.
"Mind if I come?" asked Max.
"What! You all want to watch me eat?" laughed Alec. "If I'd known it was a spectator sport I'd sell tickets."
"That you would," laughed Biggs, as he closed the door on Alec's office. Alec was already tucking into the food when Biggs asked the question, "so how's Issy really?"
Between mouthfuls Alec answered, "as I said earlier she conscious and talking, but extremely sensitive to noise and light. Although she must have deafened herself when she woke up and screamed," he laughed.
"When you said about visiting, is that what you want?" asked Mole.
"I don't know, I was just repeating what she said, I think I'd prefer if you kept away until she felt a bit better," seeing their looks he added, "Dage recons it will gradually get better."
"So what about you?" asked Mole.
"I'm alright," the look from Mole made him add, "I needed the sleep, really I'm alright."
"What about Ben?" asked Biggs.
Max was about to say something but Alec got in first, "you'd better explain your concerns before anyone answers."
"I heard what you said last night, but put it down to your concerns about Issy," Biggs started and Alec nodded. "I understand that he was helpful in the field but, there you were working together because of the few numbers. Here there are a lot of us and positions have been set, how is he going to integrate without alienating everyone."
"I don't know, that's up to Max to handle," Alec replied, "she's still the leader here."
"Didn't act like it last night, so caught up with her siblings that she didn't notice the rest of us leave with OC and head for the bar," snarled Mole.
"Hey I'm here," Max snapped.
"Yeah we know, so what's your answer," Alec retorted, "because it's gonna get a lot worse than this until you sort it."
"I'm sorry I haven't had time to think yet," she started.
"Well you'd better think quickly, because if Ben carries this mornings attitude into TC it won't just be my unit who you'll have to look out for."
"You mean you'll…"
"No, I mean as a bodyguard they might accept him but as a leader they won't," he replied. "And I mean everyone in TC, not just the X series."
At that moment Sandeman knocked on the door and came in. "Glad to see you looking better Alec," he said looking around. "I was hoping to catch you on your own."
"Issy's…"
"Issy's ok, but she needs another blood transfusion."
"I'll be…"
"No, not from you, it's too soon," he blocked. "Issy said someone you trusted, although it will need to be an X5."
Alec looked from Max to Biggs, "will you do it for us please?" he asked Biggs.
"Of course, anything for you two, only had to ask," he replied. Then to Sandeman, "shall we go then." The two men left leaving Mole with Max and Alec.
Seeing Max's expression, Mole said, "I'll organise the meeting," and left.
Max was seething about Alec's rejection of her help, "so is this how it's going to be, I'm to be ignored."
"Look we've been friends, but at the moment you need to decide whether you're working here in TC or off with your siblings," he chided. "Issy needs a transfusion now and you need to be in a meeting asserting your authority and deciding how this is going to work."
There was another knock on the door and when the person didn't just walk in, Alec called, "enter."
In walked Jondy, "someone said I'd find Max here, but I just left you upstairs Ben."
"Well you can cut that out for a start," snapped Alec, "I'm Alec and SIC here. This is my office and you must be blind if you haven't noticed Max."
"Oh sorry," she apologised. "Someone did say Ben had a twin, I'm Jondy pleased to meet you," she offered her hand.
Alec softened she might be an 09er but she seemed quite nice, he almost felt embarrassed by his initial reaction. He took her hand and asked, "so why did you turn up here?" She blanched at the question so he added, "just trying to decide whether you're friend or foe," he laughed.
"I hope we'll be friends," she replied. "I heard you were in med bay with Issy, how is she?"
"A little better, but how do you know her?" Alec was surprised.
"She met Zane, Seth and myself at different times but solved some of our problems for merging with the ordinaries," she replied.
Max stood observing, was Alec pretending to be interested, after this morning's discussions she wasn't sure. Time to intervene, "Jondy what did you come down here for?"
"Ben said you'd stormed off, I just wanted to check you were ok," she said.
"I think Ben is pulling a few strings at the moment," Alec commented. Max and Jondy stared at him. "For one it's been noticed that he's overprotective of you, then trying to stop you coming to HQ and finally giving TC the impression that your unit will take over."
"He hasn't done that," Max protested.
"Actually even we noticed that he wouldn't let anyone else sit next to you, Zane was most put out," agreed Jondy. "When we were talking last night he did seem dismissive of your command structure, the rest of us wanted to get to know everyone and offer our help, but he seemed very much that we were better and should take over."
"Don't be horrible, Ben's been through a lot," Max snapped.
"Yes and out in the woods he was fine, but this is more like Manticore to him and he wants the top job," Alec noted. "Look Jondy, will you act as spokesperson for your unit at our meeting today."
She looked at him, "are you serious?"
"Never more so."
"Why?"
"Yes why?" asked Max, "a couple of minutes ago you were accusing them of coming to take over and now you want Jondy to join the meeting."
"Max why is it you make a big song and dance whenever I change my mind," Alex complained. "You get to do it all the time."
Max hit him and grinned, "it's just not like you, but I suppose Jondy is pretty."
Alec looked perplexed, then when he realised her implication his eyes widened as he replied, "I'm with Issy and not looking for a replacement, but TC needs a representative to trust and Ben isn't it." Then he added; "besides Jondy sounds more amenable."
Max looked at Jondy, "Well are you going to join us? We should get started."
"If you're sure, but won't they just think I'm there to spy?" she asked.
"It will be up to you to prove otherwise, and not just for yourself," Alec replied.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
When Alec and Max entered the command room only Biggs was missing and they turned to see which of them would take the lead. They were surprised to see another female with them.
Alec nodded to Max.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but as has already been said there are some issues which need addressing," Max started. "This is Jondy she will be joining us as the representative of my siblings for the time being."
"Is she here to replace Biggs?" asked CeCe angrily. "Have you started changing the command structure so soon."
Alec raised his and lowered his hand, gesturing to keep calm. "It was my suggestion that Jondy join us," Alec said to murmurs around the table. "She's not here to replace Biggs; he's on assignment in med bay on a personal matter. If we're to work together we need to understand and trust one another, so let's start."
"Ok Princess, so why aren't you in med bay?" asked Mole chewing on his cigar.
"Because I want you to be sure I won't shirk my responsibilities," he replied. "And I think I'd be too noisy for Issy at the moment," he smirked.
There were laughs and nods around the table, but Jondy looked confused. "Princess here is usually more full of himself," Mole joked.
Jondy was surprised by the words, "Who's Princess and who's in charge?"
"Princess is Mole's term for Alec and I usually take charge, although I rely on everyone here to make sure the place runs smoothly," Max stated as a matter of fact.
"So all of us turning up together have upset the status quo," Jondy finished for her. "Look despite being locked up when we arrived, Zane, Seth and myself came separately in response to your broadcast. If there's going to be a fight for our survival then we want to help. I mean help Zane's good with motors, Seth likes explosives and I prefer infiltration and recon.
"So you came here to spy for the others," CeCe accused.
"You're as paranoid as Ben," she replied. "We came because you looked organised and we wanted to kill the bastards who have hunted us."
At that moment Lydecker appeared in the doorway. "Sorry I'm late," he said, "was working on the retrieval program."
Jondy looked as though she'd seen a ghost, "what's he doing here?"
"210 nice of you to join TC," he replied.
"Jondy, it's not how it looks," Max started.
"What do you mean, I thought you were in charge?"
"I am, 'Deck is here to help when we need outside assistance," she replied. "He also knows of some units Manticore deployed that haven't returned. That's how we found Ben."
"Might have been better if you hadn't," Jondy replied.
"What I couldn't leave Ben out there."
"I know you couldn't, but everyone here was calmer before your return."
"How would you know, I thought they had you locked up?"
"They did, but there were two changes, the first probably when told about Issy, the second after your arrival. What did Ben do?"
"Live," said CeCe.
"I see we are going to have problems," said Lydecker.
"There is a temporary solution," said Alec thinking quickly. Everyone looked at him in anticipation. "Ben works well in the field as part of a team," everyone nodded, "since Issy can't leave here and I won't leave her," everyone was watching intensely. "Why not get Ben out of here with 'Deck and one other to retrieve the other units."
Max looked dumbfounded, "I've only just found him and you want to get rid of him."
"He's right," agreed Jondy.
"Trust you to side with him," sighed Max, "I don't want to lose him so soon."
"So why don't you go?" said Sandeman from the door.
"What! I thought you wanted me here for my blood and couldn't risk me," she exclaimed.
"True we can't but it will give you and Ben time together and allow TC to resume normal running without the leadership battles."
"So what do you think 'Deck?" she asked. "Could you cope with Ben and myself?"
"So long as you don't turn into another Issy and Alec too soon!" he replied.
"So I leave you in charge, who'll be your SIC?" Max asked Alec, realising that argument would be futile.
"Biggs and Mole, the fewer changes the better," he replied. "Jondy will take a new seat and no other changes will happen while you're outside; when you return we'll discuss it again."
"Ok so I guess that closes the meeting, if 'Deck, Ben and I discuss when and where we're going; we'll have normal meeting in the morning and have a proper update."
"Alec, I came to say Issy was asking for you," Sandeman stated.
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A/N: I have been interested to hear my reviewer's thoughts on Issy, at one time it seemed many wanted her out, but now they don't want her to go. One of my reasons for her being hurt was to keep her calming influence out of the way and see what happened. The result means that the some of the following chapters will probably either be predominantly what's happening at TC or on the away missions.
224 reviews before the next.
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