Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters.

A/N: My first attempt.

Who Loves The Teacher?

Chapter Sixty-five: Aftermath

After the cheers had died down several of the new X5s with Mole and CeCe came to talk to Alec. Whilst the 09ers went to see Max, effectively cutting them off from further conversation.

Before they went to join them Jondy turned to Issy. "The result might have been predictable, but he didn't have to half kill Max."

"What do you mean; she remained conscious, didn't she?" Issy bit.

"But she was humiliated."

"That's Biggs fault," she replied. Seeing Jondy's expression she continued, "Alec is an expert at disabling an opponent; Biggs should've been in to stop it straight away."

"What delayed him?"

"I think he was talking with Tori," Issy replied absently. "They were breeding partners at Manticore."

"Well she can keep her hands off him now, he's mine," Jondy stormed.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. I don't think that will happen. They were both in Alec's unit so they were probably discussing the fight, it just changed too quickly."

"Max won't be happy with him if she finds out."

"Are you telling her, cuz I'm not," Issy replied. "Anyway I think we all need to calm down in the bar."

"Good idea, I'll get Max and my lot, you get Alec and your lot."

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As the gym emptied three people stayed in their seats. Sam waited for the others to indicate they were ready and went to join them.

"So the Son of a Bitch won. Figures she'd let him," sneered Peter.

"I don't think she let him," Sam replied. "So have you made up your minds?"

"After that display we don't want to stick around," he replied, "so when will we be leaving."

"Hey, I've still got to set it up. If everything goes to plan NorBAC are leaving tomorrow," she replied. "What about the girls?"

"We're better off without them," Fritz shrugged.

"Ok I'll see Max and Alec to make the arrangements," she stated. "Meet me during morning meeting in the bar." Sam left the gym to speak to Alec.

"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Fritz asked.

"Yeah, it gets us out of here," Peter replied, "but still gives us a way back in."

"You thinking about working for their enemies?"

"No, it just gives us longer to work out where to go next, without alienating them. I was listening to some of the talk about what's been going on. It might be better to keep some links here, their enemy is our enemy too."

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As Alec and Issy entered the bar a cheer went up amongst the crowd and Alec noticed the fight on the TV screen. He'd proven his point and didn't want to upset Max any further. Going over to the bar he asked Brandi to turn the tape off.

"Thanks guys, but it's over and I'd like it to stay that way, ok," Alec announced to everyone. "Brandi put some music on; I don't want it sombre in here when Max shows up."

Alec went to join Issy, Biggs, CeCe and Mole at a table next to some of the new X5s.

"So you don't want to rub her nose in it?" Mole questioned.

Alec looked tired. "That's not in anyone's best interests, least of all mine."

"So after messing her around and pissing her off, you don't want her upset?" queried Mole, not believing what he was hearing.

"Well not tonight," Alec replied mischievously.

Mole looked at him and grinned. 'Yeah, the Alec they knew and loved was back.'

When Max and her crowd walked in a couple of minutes later they were greeted by a show of concern by the occupants of the bar. Max was quite touched by the display until she realised that Issy and Alec were already there, seemingly in deep conversation.

"So not only do you try to kill me but you get your friends to be nice to me," she stormed at him.

Alec gave his best 'what me' look. "Max whatever makes you think that, I just came for a quiet drink to calm down."

"Liar," she spat. Despite his earlier anger towards Alec even Ben cringed at her accusation, if Alec had said something maybe it was just to calm things down.

"Look Max, I enjoyed the physical fight, but can we leave the verbal one for tomorrow," Alec replied wearily. "I just want to unwind before Issy and I collect Alex."

Max suddenly realised that she hadn't seen Alex since this morning, when she'd seen Issy taking her to the nursery. "So who's looking after her?"

"Gem agreed to keep her until we finished," Issy responded. "I let her know who won, but asked if she would be alright for another hour."

Max looked subdued, "Oh."

Alec saw Sam motioning him over and turned to Issy. "I think I've got some business to attend to." Seeing her look of disappointment, "I'll try not to be too long." He kissed her and was gone.

"What was all that about?" Max asked.

"Sam asked for his help," Issy replied, Max looked sceptical. "So I guess it's about that. So are you going to sit down and join us, or stand and be a sore loser."

Max and Ben sat down, when Brandi saw that they were seated she brought drinks over to them. The 09ers and the new X5s were mingling, although pairs were keeping together.

"Seems strange watching everyone getting on so well," Issy commented.

"Why?" Max asked.

"Because of how stiff and correct they were at Manticore, and how programmed to hate 09ers."

"Were they really taught to hate us?" asked Ben in surprise.

"Yeah, you're twins got the psy-ops treatment, but everyone was punished and indoctrinated to despise 09ers."

Judd came over, "so where did Alec go?"

"Off with Sam," Issy replied. "Why?"

"I just thought I'd better settle up, before I owe him any more," he replied.

"So how come you owe him anything?" asked Max.

"He had several scams going with the guards and pool wagers, which most of us lost. We also had a side bet, and since it was for six months, he won about nine months ago."

Max and Ben looked at him perplexed. Issy responded, "so she still won't admit her feelings yet. Do you want me to work on her?"

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm getting there, but she's a tough nut to crack," he replied. "Tell Alec I'll see him in the morning."

"Ok, I'm sure he'll want a bit of sparring after morning meeting," Issy replied. "If you beat him, he'll probably call it quits."

"So long as it's not double or nothing," Judd countered with a grin. "I'm not that well off."

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Alec followed Sam out of the bar and into one of the side rooms. It was dark and Alec realised too late that it could be a trap, but he tensed anyway.

Sam noticed. "If I wanted to trap you, I'd have taken you further from the rest of command," she snapped.

"So what did you want me for?" Alec asked feeling uncomfortable.

Sam felt a desire to attack Alec. Alec was beginning to sense the pheromones coming from her. He backed away, knowing that if her heat was due he needed to get away soon.

"Well that depends on you," Sam replied in a husky voice.

"Look Sam, I've no desire for this. You obviously haven't had the procedures yet, so I think it would be better if we talked some other time," he panicked.

Sam tried to keep her mind focused away from his sexy body, and the way he stood so ready… "Peter and Fritz won't stay," she spluttered.

"So, why the rush to tell me?" Alec was confused.

"I suggested they go with the NorBAC team as body guards," she replied. Forcing herself against the far wall behind some chairs.

"And why would you do that?"

"I thought you could keep tabs on them, keep them busy. Max might accept the proposal," she rushed, the need to mate beginning to overpower her.

"Just as well I won tonight then," he replied, but she didn't realise what had been said in the arena. "Ok I'll have a word with Max, but either get into med bay now, or find another man quickly," he finished before blurring back to Issy."

As he sat down Issy looked at him, "hey slow down cowboy. What's the rush?" she asked.

"Sam's in heat," he stated simply, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Not like you to turn down a quick romp," Max laughed at his discomfort.

"Yeah that was before I had a family to think about," he replied taking a large swig from his drink. "What she wanted was to say that Peter and Fritz want out," Max's face fell. "But that they would act as body guards for the NorBAC team, which on the face of it might be useful. They'll need an answer from you before anyone leaves."

"What do you think?" Max asked Alec.

"Sam's reasoning is good. I think you should tell them its ok," he replied. "You'll have to check with Sam, what arrangements she made with them. If she can pretend to be you, I'm sure you could pull the switch long enough to get them on their way."

"What about Sam?"

"Hopefully she'll be in med bay until her procedures are done," he replied turning to Issy.

"She'll be first on the list for tomorrow," Issy responded. "What about you Max, when will you come forward."

"It's only two days," she queried, Issy nodded. "Then let's have five days to get operations running smoothly and sort out the hostage problem; then I'll come in."

"What hostage problem?" Alec asked surprised.

"The hostages that you have in the cells," Max replied accusingly.

"Oh, I'd forgotten about them," he responded.

"X5's don't forget, she snapped.

"Maybe not, but I haven't been in the loop for a while and thought you'd probably dealt with them by now."

"Since nobody knows what was going on in that little brain of yours no-one knew what to do."

"You could have asked," Alec replied.

"When? You've either been in med bay or avoiding me since I got back," she accused.

Alec looked hurt, "that's unfair. I came to the meeting so you could see I was alright, only for you to be Miss Bitch. Then all you wanted to talk about was how you could avoid the fight. Anyone would think you were scared."

"No before, but remind me not to do it again," she replied rubbing her neck.

Alec grinned, "I don't think Ben would let me get that close again."

Ben turned round at the mention of his name, he'd been talking with Zane and Biggs. "What, you talking about me?"

"Just that you wouldn't let Max and I have another fight like tonight."

"No, sparring maybe, watching each other's backs maybe, but against each other, no," he replied. "So no leadership battles please."

"Not from me, I know my place," Alec replied with a smirk. "Under a great woman." Issy and Max blushed at the innuendo.

Ben replied, "never on top?"

"That would be telling," he laughed.

Hearing Alec laugh Judd came over. "Glad you came back, here's my debts to date," he stated handing over a wad of notes.

Alec thumbed through them, "haven't you got her sorted yet."

Judd blushed, "that was for the bet, which was three months ago."

"So you have got past first base now?" Alec laughed as Raven came over.

"That's none of your business," she snapped with a wink.

"About time. How long you been together now?" Alec pushed.

"Five years, on and off," Judd replied watching Raven's scowl. "See you round," he finished grabbing Raven and walking away before she asked what the money was for.

"They always like that?" Max asked.

"Pretty much, but they were always good for a laugh," Alec replied.

"Remember that time they were on opposite sides in training," Biggs interrupted.

Alec and he laughed. "That was no laughing matter," Issy complained. "Judd had to spend a week in the infirmary after that and I believe it was Tori's fault."

Tori turned, "someone talking about me?"

Alec laughed, "yeah, we were just discussing that time in training when Raven put Judd in the infirmary."

"Oh that," she smiled. "Maybe I shouldn't have told her that he fancied Faith, but it was fun watching her reaction."

"Yeah and she still tried to make out that she didn't care," Biggs replied.

"I think visiting him in the infirmary twice a day confirmed it for everyone else though," Issy smiled.

"So they've been an item for that long?" Max asked amused.

"Yeah, a bit like you and Logan were," Alec replied.

Max shuddered, "yeah, well that's history." Hugging Ben she added, "I'm with the right one now."

Yawning Alec turned to Issy, "I think it's time we collected Alex and got home, see you in the morning Max."

"Yeah, just don't be late," Max replied with the grin.

As Alec and Issy left Ben leaned into Max, "is everything going to be ok between you two now."

Max looked as Alec walked out the door, "yeah, what about you, are you going to stop threatening him every time I get hurt."

Ben was surprised by the question, "I'll work on that, after all he is my brother."

"I think I'd better see Sam before turning in," she stated, "I'll see you back at the apartment." Max left everyone talking happily in the bar.

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When Max got to the infirmary she asked Dage where Sam was, and was pointed in the direction of the cells.

"Issy wants her down for the procedures in the morning," Max informed him.

"Thought she might," he replied. "But I hope she's planning on doing the sedation, I wouldn't trust anyone else, including myself."

"Why not?"

"The males want to jump her and the females aren't strong enough."

"But Issy claims not to be strong?"

"She has this mental ability to stop most people in their tracks, if she wants to."

Max raised an eyebrow, "how and why doesn't she?"

"Because she doesn't want to," a female voice said.

"Psyche, what are you doing here?" Max accused.

"I heard voices and knew you'd be coming to see Sam," she replied. "Issy is here because of Alec, she won't do anything to upset that. If you need her help she'll stand by your side, so long as it's not against him."

"So in a fight against the familiars…" Max started.

"She will try and disable them, to make it easier for you, same as Mia and Dara."

"Pity Mia isn't here then," Max sighed.

"She will be, when she's needed."

"Ok I'd better see Sam, lead on."

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When Max was alone with Sam she studied her for a moment. "I've heard from Alec, now you explain," she demanded.

Sam stared back defiantly, "why, don't you trust him?"

"Because I asked and as NorBAC are leaving tomorrow, I'm going to have to complete your plans."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because you will be in surgery. From what Alec said he was lucky to escape from you."

"I'm sure he would have enjoyed it," Sam replied, savouring the thought of Alec being her mate.

"Get your head out of the gutter girl," Max reprimanded. "Alec said you had spoken to Peter and Fritz suggesting that they act as body guards, is that true?"

"They won't stay, it seemed like a good alternative," she confirmed.

"Where and when were you going to confirm the arrangements?"

"During morning meeting in the bar. Why what are you going to do?"

"I'll confirm the arrangements for you," Max replied. "When you're out of med bay we'll discuss your future here."

Sam looked at her, "did Alec speak up for me."

"In a manner of speaking, but I don't think trying to rape him helped your case," Max laughed as she left.

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A/N: So I got 65 done, hopefully it will break the block on finishing.

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