Disclaimer: Nope, I checked, and Dark Angel still isn't mine.

A/N: I would really appreciate feedback/reviews about this chapter because I feel like I tried to put too much in it and probably botched things up a bit. If anyone could give me some pointers, I'd be happy to edit. Thanks!

P.S. Warning: The second part of this chapter is M-rated.

Chapter 16:

"Things do not change, we change."

–Henry David Thoreau-

They arrived at Alec's hotel room in complete silence, both of them deep in thought.

"Well, here we are; home sweet home…at least for the last month." He said, walking in, his arms spread out as if giving a grand tour.

Max smiled tightly, and looked around. It was clean and Spartan. It was a relief. It was something that she had always known about Alec: he liked things to be clean and organized. She looked up at him, and this time her smile widened.

He was standing there, his hands shoved deep into his front pockets, his shoulders raised slightly as if he was tense.

Some things never change. Her relief allowed her to loosen up a little bit. She grabbed a towel and smiled at him. "Unlike you, Pretty Boy, I've been on the road for almost a week. I'm gonna take a shower," she called out just before she shut the door.

Max was here. That thought plastered a wide smile on his face. He stood there listening to the water run. It seemed almost intimate, knowing she was in there taking a shower.

"Alec," he turned around and saw Katya hovering by his door which he had left slightly ajar. She and little Alex were staying in the room across the hall. Zane had gotten a room on the other wing of the hotel saying something about how he didn't want to be disturbed in his sleep. Alec had caught the exaggerated wink he had sent Max's way. He had decided then and there that he liked Zane a lot.

"Hey," he said. "Alex asleep?"

She shook her head, "No, he's running around in the room with his imaginary friends."

That made Alec chuckle. "I never had imaginary friends," he said. "Is that normal?" he asked.

Katya smiled fondly at Alec. "I wouldn't exactly compare his childhood with ours and call it normal. But yeah, I've heard it's normal."

Alec nodded. "Good. Just checking," he said mischievously.

Katya was about to say something more when she realized that someone else was actually in the bathroom. "Who's here?" she asked cautiously, her eyes darting to the bathroom door. She knew that Alec wasn't in the habit of taking women back to his room. Then she saw a smile on Alec's face that she had never seen before. It was a simple, happy smile that made him look almost boyish. And then she knew who it was even before he answered, "Max."

"Oh," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "I'm just gonna go…"

But before she could leave, the bathroom door opened, sending clouds of steam into the room. "I almost feel back to normal," sighed Max, walking out, a towel wrapped around her slender body.

Katya stared at Max, not able to really conceal her jealousy. But out of old habit, and because X5's were their superior officers, Katya found herself standing straighter. Max was more beautiful than what she remembered seeing from TV so long ago. She was a startling mix of exotic beauty and girl-next-door.

Max caught sight of the girl at the doorway and stopped in her tracks. The girl was beautiful in a tall, blond, blue-eyed Nordic way. Insecurity and jealousy made her cling to her towel just a little bit more. Her gaze swung to Alec, whose eyes were glued to her. She raised her eyebrows, but it was a relief to realize that he only had eyes for her and had completely forgotten about Katya being in the room.

"Uh, Katya, this is Max." he said with a slight shake of his head, gesturing towards Max. Then, with a wry smile, "Max, this is Katya, the girl Zane saw in Texas."

Immediately, Max's face cleared and she smiled at the other woman. Katya on the other hand smiled stiffly. "Alec's told me a lot about you," she said, barely civil. "You don't deserve him." she said acidly, before turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her.

Max stared at the door in shock. Then she looked at Alec who looked disturbed. "What the hell was that about?" she demanded.

Alec shrugged. "I think that the sight of you in a slip of a towel affected her just as much as it's affecting me," he replied lightly, not really wanting to go into the issue.

"Right." She said. She looked like she wanted to say more, but held her tongue. They stood there staring awkwardly at each other, both feeling the gaping hole in their lives that five years of absence had left them with.

"What is it, Max? Just say it." he asked, cautiously, shoving his hands back into his pockets and biting his lower lip. Ever since they had 'made-up' so to speak, she had been really quiet. In all honesty, it completely freaked him out. She was being so uncharacteristic. Usually, Max didn't let things that bothered her go without a fight. But she seemed to be more in control of herself.

He felt a twinge of sadness in his heart. There had been a time when he could 'read' Max like an open book and understand—almost anticipate—her mood swings without missing a beat.

Now, he felt like he was flailing in the middle of the ocean without a lifesaver. He was lost and he was afraid he didn't understand Max anymore.

"I was just thinking," she said softly.

Five years ago, Alec would have raised an eyebrow and smirked, tossing a comment about how she shouldn't be thinking naughty thoughts about him. But now, he wasn't sure what the appropriate response was. Things were just…distant. But what did he expect? Five years would do that to most people.

"What about?" he prodded.

"About how awkward things feel—but how I'm so relieved that some things haven't changed." She replied honestly.

Alec was a little surprised at Max's honesty. She used to sidestep issues like she was the queen of dodgeball. "Like what?"

"You. The way you're standing right now," she said softly, walking slowly towards him. "You put your hands in your pockets like that when you're feeling uncertain. And how you answered me with an off-hand joke to avoid talking about her."

He realized she was right. He chuckled, some of the tension leaving his body. She was standing an arm's length away from him now. He touched her face lightly. "But you've changed," he whispered.

She raised big brown eyes at him. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. He didn't know what all the changes meant.

She turned her face so she kissed his palm. "I understand," she said softly, her lips moving against his hand. "Things aren't the same anymore…I might not be the same anymore."

He pulled her against him and hugged her. He reveled in the way she fit perfectly against him. She had always been perfect for him. "Just tell me, do you still feel the need to kick my ass if I ever get out of line?"

She hit him lightly on the shoulder. "I think that's a perk in our relationship that I'll always enjoy," she chuckled. "Why? Is that something you're looking forward to?" she countered evenly, a spark of amusement in her eyes.

He kissed her forehead, letting his lips caress her skin. "Maxie, I can think of other perks you just might enjoy, and loads of other things I've been looking forward to…I can show you if you want…" he teased, glancing down at the flimsy towel she was holding on to.

Max pulled away slightly and Alec felt disappointed. But he would give her as much space and time she needed. Hell, she'd come to him, and that didn't just happen—not even in his wildest dreams.

"Alec, do you think we could just start over?"

He raised his eyebrow at her this time. He couldn't help but think back to the first time he met Max.

A smirk worked its way onto his handsome face. "Max, I don't know if you'd be able to control yourself if I took my shirt off and ordered you to copulate with me," he quipped. "The idea always did have merit, you know."

"You're right, Pretty Boy, I might not be able to control myself from kicking your ass." She smirked, replaying the same memory.

He laughed, knowing that they were thinking about the same thing. Then a thought occurred to him. "Max, do you realize how many times we've started over?"

She tilted her head in curiosity. He was glad to notice that she still did that. She would tilt her head when she wanted to really listen to someone. If she didn't do that, then he always knew for sure that she wasn't listening. Right now her head was angled slightly to the right, her eyes keen.

"Our first beginning was being Breeding Partners. Even I'd have to admit that wasn't the smashing success Manticore had expected." He chuckled and Max smiled wryly. "Then, I'd count our next beginning as that time I saved your ass from White along with a bunch of X6's…"

She opened her mouth as if to counter him. But he covered her mouth with his hand and shook his head. "Uh-uh, Maxie, my story."

"Fine," she whispered, her voice muffled by his hand.

"Then of course, there's the time I tried to kill you," he said conversationally, as if that were the most natural thing in the world. She glared at him heatedly at the memory, his hand still over her mouth. "By the way, did you know that that was when I fell in love with you?" he asked softly.

He eyes grew wide as saucers, surprised at his admission, and he couldn't stifle the desire to kiss her. So he did.

"I realized what a…character…you were at that moment. Someone who was intelligent and compassionate…who also happened to be hot as hell," he whispered as he trailed kisses on her jaw. "That moment, Maxie, was a real beginning for me," he admitted. "Of course, I didn't know I was in love with…just that you annoyed the hell outta me."

"Alec," she said, her voice breathless from his kisses. But she did manage to swat him on the chest when he called her annoying.

"You always did taste good, Maxie," he whispered. But he forced himself to pull away. He had to make her understand how he felt. "Then, I felt a new beginning for us when we raised the flag over Terminal City. I felt like I finally had a place where I belonged…people that I belonged with. I finally knew what family meant."

Max leaned her head against his hard chest, feeling a deep remorse. She knew it had been her fault that he had left, that she had somehow driven him away from his home. "Alec, I'm so sorry," she said softly.

Strangely, he knew what she was saying sorry about. He could feel the indescribable bond between them rebuilding itself. "Max, I left. It was my choice."

She raised her strained face to him. "When was our next beginning?"

Alec started to laugh, his shoulders shaking from the mirth. "I think that would be when I found the cure and didn't want to give it to you. And for the life of me, I couldn't understand why."

She punched him on the chest. "Don't worry, Sherlock, I was just as lost as you were."

"Max, I was afraid you wouldn't need me around anymore when you finally had Logan," he admitted honestly. His green eyes searched her brown ones.

Max looked up at this man who owned her heart and realized with a start that she still knew him—the essence of who Alec was. There was something innate within her that responded to him whether it was in anger, passion, love, or friendship. Five years suddenly seemed to melt away from her eyes and he was the same boy who had loved her. Things hadn't really changed, but she had. She was a woman now, not quite as afraid of the commitment, sacrifice and courage that it took to love someone deeply.

There would be no more hiding behind masks for her.

"I was afraid that with the cure, I wouldn't have any reasons to have you in my life. I couldn't let you go," she replied wryly, the irony of their conversation hitting her.

"Well, now we know better, and it only took us five years," he said with his trademark sarcasm. "But I distinctly remember what happened after I gave you the cure."

Max played innocent. "Really? Care to elaborate on that one?"

"Hmm…" he said, kissing her neck. "I prefer to demonstrate…I have an excellent procedural memory." Then he took her lips and kissed her deeply.

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A/N: This section is M-rated. Please skip over if you're not into this stuff or are ineligible. I'm banking on your guys' honor, here.

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"Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great."

- Comte DeBussy-Rabutin-

Max leaned into his kiss, still soft and gentle, her hands laying lightly on his chest. He coaxed her to open her mouth and let him in, and she did. His hands were still cupping her face, their bodies not touching. It was as if Alec was savoring the simple act of just kissing her.

As the kiss went on, it was as if the years of separation dissolved into the passion they had always felt for each other.

There was something inside her that was growing—like the build-up of an ember into a raging inferno.

Alec focused on kissing Max. He didn't want to push anything; he would let her set the pace. He had waited forever for her, and if there was one thing five years away had taught him, it was patience. But he was burning, his skin feeling so hot, his blood boiling. But he would just kiss her until she was ready for more. His hand cupped the back of her head, massaging her, his thumbs making lazy circles on her skin—rousing her passion.

Finally, Max took his hand and led it to her waist. She stepped a little closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself fully into him.

Alec growled at the simple pleasure of having her press herself against him. He suddenly felt like there were too many layers between them. "I want you. I need to feel all of you," he murmured against her lips. He broke off from their kiss and ripped off the towel she was wearing and took a small step back to look at her.

There was something so erotic, standing completely naked and bare in front of him, while he was still completely dressed. She was vulnerable and scared—but never more excited in her life. She saw Alec's eyes darken with passion, and her own excitement increased, her whole body flushing.

Alec was having difficulty just breathing. God, she's so beautiful—and she's all mine. A wicked smile made its way on his lips as he reached for her, almost ruthlessly, yanking her head so he could kiss her.

Suddenly, she was frantic to take his shirt off, and he couldn't agree more. He pulled away from her just long enough to take his clothes off.

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her up against him, his arousal hot and thick between them. He kissed her, his hands finding her breasts and cupping them, at the same time pushing her along until the back of her legs hit the bed.

They tumbled down together. Alec leaned over Max, reveling in the fact that she was here and this moment was really happening. "Max?" he whispered, needing confirmation.

"I'm here, Alec," she assured, instinctively understanding. Then she pressed her hands against his back, beckoning him, bringing him closer. She closed her eyes and arched her back, needing to be closer to him.

But somehow he was resisting. She opened her eyes and saw that smirk. "I've got all the time in the world, Maxie…just lay back…relax," he said, his eyes dancing. Then suddenly, he slid down, his hands running all the way down her body. "Trust me," he said, his eyes challenging her.

Max could only nod. Yes, she did trust him.

He kissed her from her foot, then up her legs, tickling the back of her knees. His tongue ran gently over her inner thighs, tickling and arousing. Then he went to her stomach, tracing lazy circles in her belly button. All the while, his hands kneaded and massaged, caressed and stroked every part of her.

She felt cherished. Adored. Exquisite.

Loved.

Then he was over her, and Max could only stare at his hazel green eyes, completely humbled. "Alec," she moaned, as he continued his circuit of her body.

Alec kissed every inch of her, all the while murmuring her name. He didn't know why but it felt like her name was the most important thing in the world—affirming her presence. He had to know that this wasn't a dream. "Max, Max, Max…" he murmured.

He licked the valley between her breasts, tasting her. Then he suckled a nipple. Max's reaction was instantaneous, her back arched, her fingers grabbed frantically at his sheets. His fingers traced a trail down her stomach, slipping between her legs. Alec had to stop himself from trembling as he felt her wetness. She was so ready.

He stroked her to feverish heights, his lips raining kisses everywhere, her body convulsing with need. "Now, Alec," she pleaded, her eyes glazed in passion.

He couldn't deny her. He couldn't deny himself anymore. He leaned over her, his arms bracing his weight as he positioned himself over her entrance. She lifted her head, kissing his chin, his neck, licking the salty sweat on his shoulder.

Then he inched into her with deliberate slowness. Her breaths came in short gasps as she felt herself stretch to welcome him. Her hands were around his back, and they started to claw at him as the sensations became almost too much to bear. Still he continued to slowly push into her until he was completely embedded.

She heard him gasp. "Oh God, Max," he groaned, leaning his forehead against hers. "…so good, I can't…I have to…"

She answered him by raising her hips and starting the rhythm. She couldn't wait either. He began to move within her. She gasped his name as he mated with her. Soon, she could no longer say anything coherent as their actions grew more desperate and frenzied.

Her body exploded in sensations, and she cried out, almost a scream, unable to contain the intensity. He called out her name as he climaxed immediately after her, his body shaking with fine tremors as he filled her. He collapsed on top of her, leaning his face against hers. "Max, I love you," he said.

"I love you, Alec," she whispered back, breathing deeply, inhaling his scent and that of their lovemaking.

He rolled over to his side pulling her with him. She was cradled against him, his breathing evening out. She watched as he closed his eyes momentarily. She just stared at him in wonder.

Tonight, she hadn't been normal. She had felt special. Maybe it wasn't too much to ask from a guy after all. Not from this one.