Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters. This chapter feels a bit lame, but hope you all like. This is the start of the road trip, next will be how TC copes.

A/N: My first attempt.

Many Thanks:

Elle6778: Glad you're following my logic, but split will change.

Lakergirl08: Not much Alec in this, but glad you enjoyed. This is Max.

Honey X5-452: Of course Alec would win he's got more training, plus he's SIC.

Angel Of Darkness231: There was a reference the last time Max beat him in a fight, would he want the others to witness that!

Shygirl1: I hope he explains a bit for you this time.

Wildsky: Hope this explains a bit about Ben.

Darkangelgirl: Glad you like, Ben will get his chance.

EminemIsCool: My knowledge of Seth comes from website by Bamboo and Valjean (X5-494 Genetically Empowered) History of Manticore.

Alec494: new reviewer, you deserve a medal for reading my warped imagination all in one go, all the ideas which do not relate directly to the series, usually come from a very warped mind (mine). Glad you've enjoyed it.

Who Loves The Teacher?

Chapter Forty-two: Wyoming Here We come

The next morning Max heard Issy leave the apartment and went looking for her. She found her at the nursery, "Issy we've got to talk about last night."

"Why, as far as Alec's concerned, it happened and now it's over," Issy replied. Then catching the look on Max's face she added, "but it's not Alec you're worried about."

"He threatened to kill Ben, why wouldn't I be worried? Max retorted.

"No, he said that one of them would die," she replied. "He didn't say which, though judging by yesterday's performance I would expect him to win."

"So what happened to him yesterday, that wasn't Alec who was fighting."

"No that was 494, CO and alpha male defending his position," Issy replied nonchalantly, "He usually keeps that side in check, although it has been seen on missions."

"It was frightening to see him like that."

"Look Ben wants to be the alpha male in your life, you need to explain that Alec is the alpha male for TC not you personally," Issy explained. "That should calm some of the problems, unless you want the positions changed," she didn't want to pursue the question. Changing the subject, "When are you leaving?"

"After the morning meeting."

"Do you want to take Dara with you; she was going to work with Ben here?" Issy asked. Seeing Max's confusion she added, "she should help calm things down, but you need to be sure of yourself. Alec didn't hurt Ben for you, Alec respects you too much to hurt your family, but that's as far as it goes. Ben thinks you can't decide between them, because that's what you project."

"But Alec's one of my closest friends, I can't just turn that off," Max sobbed.

"I'm not saying that, just watch the body language when Ben's around, the rest of us are used to it," Issy warned. "Take time to talk with Ben and get to know one another again."

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The meeting was a breeze and they were soon ready to leave via the tunnels. Lydecker's SUV had been retrieved and parked near the exit fully equipped and guarded from prying eyes.

Alec, the command team and Max's siblings were there to see them off.

"I only just find you and you're off," said a tearful Jondy as she hugged Max.

Gradually everyone gave Max a hug and wished her well.

When she reached Alec she stiffened not sure what to say or do, Alec felt awkward but smiled. "We've been through a lot together, so take care you'll be missed," then he hugged her, sensing Ben tense, he whispered, "I'll miss you, but not enough for him to come back wanting to kill me," he grinned and let her go.

"I'll miss you too," she said with a tear, then turning to the others she added, "I'll miss you all."

Alec turned to Ben, "she's important to more than just you, so take care of her and watch her back," there was no malice in his voice, but Ben bristled.

Then they were off down the tunnels away from TC.

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As they walked down the tunnels, out of sight of TC, Ben held Max back, "You didn't have to hug him so tight."

"Oh Ben give it up," Max sighed. "Alec and I have been good friends for what seems like forever now, but that's all we are. There was a time I thought about changing that, but Issy came along and Alec decided that I'd pushed him away for long enough and he was still in love with her. It took a while for me to be comfortable around her and realise that the flirting between Alec and me didn't bother her. Do you want to know why?"

"Because she doesn't care," Ben replied spitefully.

"No, because she knows that as far as Alec is concerned it's just friendly banter, nothing serious," she replied. "When you and I were at Manticore we pretended we were brother and sister, that's how it is between Alec and me now."

"So why did he threaten me when we left."

"Just looking out for me, I guess," she replied with a shrug. "He's been watching my back for so long it seems strange for him not to be there, so he's expecting you to fulfil that role."

"I don't need him to tell me that," he sulked.

"I know," she replied putting her arm around him. "Come on let's catch up, otherwise 'Deck will wonder what's happened."

"You know in some ways it was easier when we were at Manticore," he sighed, "we knew who to trust and care about, we were even told who the enemy was; out here everything gets so confused."

"I know but believe me Alec isn't your enemy, he wouldn't want to add to the list of people trying to kill us," she replied, "besides he's been there, done that and didn't enjoy it."

"What do you mean?" Ben didn't understand.

"Forget about it, I shouldn't have mentioned it," Max stammered hoping Ben would drop it. "Anyway we're still lagging, 'Deck really will wonder what's happened."

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As they piled into Lydecker's SUV Max asked him, "So this is a long trip, are we stopping on the way or just changing drivers?"

"With the roads as they are these days, it'll probably take twenty hours to drive straight there," he replied. "I was thinking it would be better to break half way even if we swap drivers."

"You mean, you don't fancy sleeping in the car with us driving," Max laughed. "Ok so where we going first?"

"We'll pick the Interstate 90 up at Bellevue and head for Spokane. Should be able to find a diner mid-afternoon, we'll need more petrol anyway."

"Won't that be a problem?" Ben queried.

"No I got friends on the route who can supply if necessary."

"One final question before we leave," said Ben. "What's she doing here?" he gestured to Dara.

"I'm just here to stop you killing anyone," she replied.

"What even you?"

"Especially me, I'm no use dead," she replied.

"Issy and I had a talk, originally Alec and Issy would have been taking this trip and we would've stayed in TC and it was suggested that if you had problems adjusting Dara might help," Max explained to an annoyed Ben. "After yesterday's fight Issy just thought I might like Dara as back up and she's here to help you," Max was embarrassed that she didn't know whether she trusted Ben.

Ben was dumbfounded, even she didn't trust him, and how was he going to sort it out. He sat staring out of the window lost in thought.

With that Lydecker started the engine and they started on their journey.

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After losing the transgenics in the woods White went to see the conclave to update them on Max.

"So White what have you got that was so important," the high priest asked.

"I was tracking some transgenics to the old Manticore facility outside Seattle, I caught one but six others turned up and overpowered my team of ordinaries," he replied.

"Yet another failure to report," the man replied sarcastically, "I often wonder why we put our faith in you."

White was angered by the suggestion but replied calmly, "the transgenic I caught was Sandeman's personal assistant Issy."

"So she was the first, could she be the key?" the man showed his interest.

"She will have all the knowledge they need, but that's not all," White was going to turn this failure into a triumph of sorts.

"Go on," the man replied.

"493 and 494 appeared, as well as 452," he paused for effect. "With all of them together we can take the transgenic cause down in one go, without them humanity is doomed and the transgenics can be eliminated."

"Good work White, so where are they."

"They returned to Seattle, but the phallux should be able to take them out."

"They didn't succeed last time, but the incentive should improve their results, I shall have them deployed. Fen nos tol."

"Fen nos tol."

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A/N: After all the long chapters I decide to give you a breather with a short one. 252 reviews before the next.

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