Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.

A/N: My first attempt. Apologies to anyone who knows the route of this road trip, any mistakes are lack of research as I've never been to any of the places mentioned.

Many Thanks:

Honey X5-452: Glad you liked the sibs, no point bringing them in if they don't join in.

Angel Of Darkness231: The TC chapters will be short on description, due to the number of characters involved, I'll try and take your advice on the road trip, otherwise the alternate chapters won't fit time wise.

Shygirl1: Glad you enjoyed

Wildsky: Yeah so much happening, glad you enjoyed

EminemIsCool: Trying to give them all a shot.

Darkangelgirl: Info will be next time, just a little Max and Ben here.

Alec494: Max and Ben in this, hope you like, White and Alec back next time.

Mel11: Glad to have you back, glad you're enjoying, heats not in this one, but soon

Maria656: How could Max ditch Ben, just think how long it took her and Alec to be friends?

Who Loves The Teacher?

Chapter Forty-four: Ritzville

It was mid afternoon when they reached Ritzville and found a diner. Lydecker parked the vehicle and turned to the transgenics, "You go get something to eat, I've got to see someone and I'll meet you in ten minutes. Order me the house special."

"You mean we've got to trust you?" Ben questioned, "it could be a trap."

Lydecker thought, 'just like Alec too suspicious, suppose I would be too under the circumstances.' "Look would you rather eat or follow me to a very boring meeting with an old school friend?"

Before Ben could answer Max piped up, "why would you want to meet an old school friend?"

"He's got gas, supplies and a log cabin in the mountains, where we'll be staying overnight," Lydecker explained. "He's smart and my cover story of taking some delinquents on a night in the mountains would be blown if he met any of you."

"I don't know," Ben smiled evilly, "I'm sure I could play the role."

"The other problem is he's the local sheriff, one look at you and he might remember some murders that took place a little while ago."

"Ok, enough said," Ben moaned.

"In fact you'd better keep your head down," Lydecker continued, "we don't need anyone recognising you."

"Where's this place we're going to stop?" asked Max.

"My friend owns a place at the Mountain View Cabins outside Kellogg," he replied. "We used to go there years ago and he bought the place for hunting trips."

"Ok, so what was it you wanted?"

"House special."

"You have twenty minutes, if you're not back we leave," Max stated. "And we have the car keys," she finished holding out her hand. Lydecker knew better than argue with three transgenics and handed over the keys.

Max put the keys in her pocket and turned to the others, "let's eat, I'm starving," she grinned.

Lydecker watched them walk towards the diner, Max had an arm through both Ben and Dara's guiding them. 'Better go and see James, let's hope he hasn't changed his mind,' he thought.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

As they entered the diner Max motioned towards some seats where they could monitor all entrances, the other diners and the road outside. They all surveyed the surroundings as seasoned soldiers, checking for emergency escape routes. The rectangular building had windows on three sides and had two aisles with booths on either side, there were four booths on each side of the aisle; at the far end of the building was the counter with six bar stools and where the waitresses stood. To the right of the counter was a door for the washrooms and to the left the door for the kitchen. It reminded Max of something she had seen on an old film based in the 1950's. Dara went to check out the washroom and an alternate exit, if necessary.

There were two men sat at the counter, early fifties drinking coffee and eating some fried food, four of the booths were occupied; one by four teenager girls giggling about something drinking colas, one by a young couple who looked obviously in love, one by two mothers and their children and one by four construction workers.

When Dara had returned the waitress approached the table chewing gum, "welcome to Fred's Diner, I'm Dina," she greeted offering them the menu. She was in her forties and looked like she'd rather be talking with her friends than working, and the friendliness towards them seemed forced. Her bleached hair looked orange rather than blonde, with its dark roots showing. Although her outfit was smart, it seemed two sizes too small and both the skirt and the shoes ridiculously high for her job.

The transgenics accepted the menus and had a quick look at what was on offer.

"What yer having?" Dina asked, noticing that they were strangers.

Max looked up at her and wanted to laugh, "what's the house special?" she managed.

"You're new around here, who yer with?" Dina asked, wary of strangers in these strange times.

"Friend of our uncle's thought we needed to spend some time out of town, so we're with him," Max responded civilly, sticking to Lydeckers story.

Dina didn't want to ask more, they made her feel uncomfortable, and answered their question.

They all ordered the house special and coffee, plus an extra for their uncle's friend.

Dina kept looking at Ben, "haven't I seen you somewhere?"

"I doubt it, haven't been here before," he replied easily.

"Yeah I remember, I saw you on the news, we're you wanted for something," she responded looking worried.

"One of my identical brothers used to travel these parts, heard he was killed about two years ago; can't say we ever met though we were split up at birth."

Max and Dara were busy holding their breath as Ben talked.

"Oh I heard about that sort of thing happening, must have been rough," the waitress responded a little less concerned. "How many brothers yer got?"

"Yeah it was, but hopefully this trip will finally sort it out," he smiled. "I know of two brothers, both identical, causes all sorts of problems," he finished looking at Max.

Dara was busy trying to get the waitress to leave and sort their order and forget the exchange. 'Stop asking questions," Dara projected towards the humans, 'forget that we've been here when we leave.'

Dina looked absent for a moment and then said, "that's four house specials and coffee coming up," and left the table for the counter.

Ben looked at Dara, "couldn't you have started that earlier?"

"Yeah but I just wanted you to appreciate that I can be useful to you," she replied cockily. "I'm not just here to mess with your mind, I'm here to keep everyone safe, just remember that next time you want me out."

Max sat back observing the exchange, "now, now children calm down," she laughed. "Actually I was quite impressed with the story, except I hope they remember that the psycho is dead."

Dina returned with their food as Lydecker entered the diner. She sidled up to him, "can I help you sir?" She looked like a she was on the prowl.

Max laughed at Lydecker's discomfort as he said, "no its alright the kids have already ordered for me."

"Nice kids," she replied, forgetting what she knew.

"Ok I got the key," he said as he sat down. "Any problems in here?"

"None that we couldn't handle between us," replied Max.

"Let's eat and get out of here, next stop the cabin outside Kellogg." Lydecker replied.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

As they got settled in the car for the next part of the journey Lydecker asked, "anyone gonna enlighten me about what happened in there?"

"I don't know what you mean," Max stated innocently, "we just enjoyed a quiet meal."

"Yeah and I know you lot can be quiet, but that was not a natural quiet in there, everyone was quiet," he replied.

"That was probably my fault," Dara admitted. "The bimbo was asking too many questions of Ben, I just suggested that everyone should stop asking questions."

"So that killed everyone's conversation," Lydecker stormed, "don't you think they will remember that."

"Hey my skills were used in a closed environment at Manticore, I didn't have to consider the ramifications," Dara protested.

"I think she did well under the circumstances," Max defended, "if there's a next time Dara will be more prepared."

"Thanks Max," Dara replied. "So Ben are you going to open up, or remain quiet for the rest of the trip."

Ben eyed her warily, "what do you want?"

"It would be nice to have some conversation on this trip," she replied.

"Speak for yourself, if he starts the incessant chatter like his twin, we'll all want him to shut up before long," Lydecker complained.

"Ben isn't Alec," Max snapped. "Alec can talk too much, Ben never used to."

"Thanks but I don't need your defence," Ben shrugged. "I'll talk when I'm ready not to order."

"I'm still waiting for an explanation," Lydecker prompted.

"The waitress thought she knew Ben, but he put her straight," replied Max. "He told her his psycho brother was dead."

"So were you really round here before," Lydecker turned to Ben, who blanked him. "Well spill cuz I hope we're not going to run into anyone else who remembers Ben the psycho killer."

"Truth?" Ben asked.

"Yeah truth."

"I don't remember everything that happened," he replied. "Sometimes I get a sense of déjà vu, usually after someone says something, but most of the time it's just a vague feeling. So I can't tell you where I went until we get there."

"That sucks," Max sighed.

Ben thought she was annoyed and said, "I'd rather it hadn't happened but I can't help what's done."

Max realised he was upset, "Sorry what I meant was it must be awful walking around thinking everything is fine and then realising that this is somewhere your alto-ego found to release his frustrations."

"It must have been worse for your 'friend' Alec, finding out some of the things I did by being blamed for doing them," he snapped.

Lydecker started the vehicle and set off down the road. Dara looked at Max and Ben, "look you two calm down, if you can get past the aggro you might realise that is your defence system."

"Yeah well I'm gonna get some sleep," replied Ben.

Max just looked at him, just like Alec, if you want to avoid something just go to sleep.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A/N: 268 reviews before the next.

6