DISCLAIMER: i dont own these characters- except Joey

a/n: Thanks for reading. I know that not many are attracted to a fic about Zack, so I appreciate people giving this one a chance. I'm not one of those writers to demand reviews, but that doesn't mean I dont appreciate and read the ones I get. Okay, about this chapter:

All Max and Alec again

------------

Chapter 11: The Search Begins

The ride to Arkansas had been amazing but exhausting. Max didn't sleep but drove straight through.

Alec, on the other hand, had taken a nap during the drive. Max couldn't help but smile at how cute it had been when he leaned on her to rest. She had noticed that his comments hadn't come for a while, and almost instantly as soon as that thought had hit her, she felt Alec subconsciously slump toward her. She was still in a cheery mood at the time, so she thought it was cute.

But now she wasn't feeling so amazing. She was back to Manticore mode, as she had to be, searching for Zack and trying to keep a low profile. And somehow, that Alec's thick head had been laying on her most of the ride now just seemed to leave a pain in her neck instead of a smile on her face.

"Refreshed?" She asked, glaring at him in envy. He looked refreshed and ready for some action. Max was sure that she looked like crap after dealing with all her stress and then having to go through the long ride. She had half a mind to make Alec carry her for the whole way back to Seattle.

Why do I have to look like crap right now when he looks so good, she couldn't help thinking, noticing the spirit in his mischievous hazel eyes, the golden specks in his now wind-blown short spikes of hair, the thin yet full lips that curved at the ends into his signature smirk. His face was a mark of the wonders of Manticore. He had a chiseled face to give him an attractive look, an advantage in many possible situations, and yet he had a soft look about him as well, to work perfectly with charming his way into people's hearts with his smile.

Then her eyes fell to his arms, he really was muscular. She followed them down to where they stopped, folded across his chest. Why hadn't she paid attention before? She pictured his defined abdomen in her mind, she'd seen it before, it really was almost a weakening sight. She wanted to rip his shirt off right then to see it again. Max found herself staring at Alec with eyes of full-blown desire, continuing down to his waist, where she wanted to pull the loosely fitted cargo's he was wearing down just a little more…Shit!

Shit!, Max repeated in her mind. I'm in heat!

She forced her attention away from Alec. Her situation couldn't have been worse. She was miles away from Logan and all other men that she knew and saw on a daily basis and was basically stuck here with Alec. They would surely be staying the night somewhere as well.

And what would she do if she saw Zack right now?

Max shook her worried thoughts away. Of course, if she saw Zack, she would help him get to safety. That was all she needed to do, just focus on the mission. They were here for one reason, and one reason only, to find her brother Zack.

"Uh… Max?" Alec interrupted her thoughts, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she'd just been checking him out.

"What?" she snapped, trying not to look at him.

"Well, I am feeling refreshed. I think we should start by skoping the place, you know, ask around, get to know the townspeople- this is a small town, you know."

Max agreed. Alec mentioned Arkansas, and he even knew which town the hushed rumors were coming from, one of the smallest Max had been to. One where everyone knew everyone and nothing was secret. If they could get in with the townsfolk, they would surely be able to find some truth about what was really going on down here involving Manticore.

At Max's silence, Alec pressed her further, "It won't be too hard. You'll just have to be nice to people, Maxie, and not cause a big scene. Sorry, but you'll have to pretend you like me so no one gets suspicious!"

That won't be hard when they see me making out with you, Max thought to herself, staring again at Alec's lips and shirt that unfortunately was still on at the moment, picturing herself being the one to remove it.

Alec was confused by Max remaining silent. He tried again, "Which shouldn't be too hard, since you're secretly in love with me, right Maxie?" That ought to do it, he thought, knowing how much Max probably was regretting coming with him. She probably couldn't stand him right then, so maybe that would provoke her to do something! He didn't want to piss her off, but he was getting bored, and at least that was something he could be sure of- how to piss of Max.

Max found her composure, looking uncomfortable and out of place. She looked like she finally had an idea. "Okay, you go over and check out that little supermarket, I am gonna head to the bar, and we can both meet at the diner in an hour to report anything and get a meal."

--------

Max tried to shake her cat DNA. Right now her brother needed her, she had to focus!

Separating from Alec was only partially strategic. It would help of course to cover more ground, and look slightly less suspicious, but she was relieved to just get away from him so she could think of something besides the burning desires almost overtaking her and her devious thoughts that she was trying desperately to keep in check.

As soon as she opened the door to the bar she wanted to slap herself for not having Alec be the one here. There were so many guys! She found herself overwhelmed at all the possibilities.

She was just about to just run to the supermarket and tell Alec to switch, coming up with some lame reason on the way, when she felt electrified as a strong arm grabbed her gently by the shoulder. "Don't leave so soon!" she heard a sexy voice welcome her, as she turned to face him. The strong arm was attached to a strong body- this guy was freakin smokin! Max tried not to stare at his defined muscles- they were better than Alec's! He had to be a body-builder or something. Her lips parted as she let out a silent gasp of approval at the muscular man greeting her.

"Ma'am, do you mind sharin' your name? Mine's Joey. Good to meet you…" He left the door open for Max to introduce herself, while holding out his hand for her to shake.

She took the hand while still trying to control herself. He was gorgeous! Brown eyes, brown hair, all the muscle- and he was such a gentleman! Max found it difficult to focus on the mission at hand. "Ma-" she began before remembering to keep her cover, "Madison!" she blurted, thinking of the quickest save she could come up with. Madison? She thought, eh.. I really don't wanna be "Madison". Oh well, too late now.

"Madison!" Joey repeated with a smile. He motioned to the bar, "Why don't you come have a seat, I've got an hour lunch break, and I guess it's my lucky day that I saw you just as I got here."

So I have an hour with you… Max thought, well, we could do a lot in that amount of time.

Max twitched slightly. She felt like an addict. Being in heat was not exactly the most amazing experience ever. Max was always in control of her emotions, but when she went into heat her desires got the better of her. She'd managed to not do something stupid every time, but she'd certainly had her moments that she hated herself for and regretted. Maybe I should tell Alec, she thought, thinking he would help make sure she didn't do something stupid.

Max immediately dismissed the thought. Alec would take advantage of the situation, he'd never let her live it down. Having Alec know the truth, Max's ultimate weakness, was too much to bare. She hated to appear vulnerable, especially to Alec. It was bad enough when he saw her stressed, she would definitely not let him know about this side of her.

Which made her situation even more difficult. She was going to have to make it through heat without doing anything stupid, without hinting to Alec what was going on, and manage to find out about Zack the entire time.

30 minutes of Max simply staring at Joey while having thoughts and biting her tongue literally to somehow try and distract herself from doing something stupid led her to forget her concerns. She stared at her watch while Joey droned about whatever, she wasn't really listening, just trying to make it through the conversation without jumping on him.

"An hour?" Max demanded impatiently, interrupting Joey's story.

"Wait, what d'ya mean Madison?" Joey asked, confused.

"You said you had an hour." Max explained shortly. She wanted to take advantage of the time.

"Oh, my break, yea, I have to get back to the construction site in an hour. Well, probably less by now." Joey stared at his watch, looking surprised at the time.

Max placed her lips so close to his ear that they stroked it as she whispered, "Then we better get going somewhere private soon."

She immediately released, pulling back, staring at Joey with taunting eyes.

"Hey now," Joey said, looking drawn but not sure, "You ain't teasin me, are ya, Madison?"

Max rolled her eyes at the name. She wanted to hear him say Max, over and over…

"Cuz, man, I would love to, but maybe we can get together later. I'll give you my number." With that, Joey started scribbling a number on a beverage napkin.

Max stared in disbelief. Was he turning her down? She tried to contain her anger.

"See, Madison, my job is real behind. We lost a worker a couple days ago on the site." He looked around to make sure no one was listening before saying quieter, "More than one. I'm the new boss now, so I really have to get back."

Max was trying to comprehend the situation correctly. This guy was rejecting her because of his construction job! And he expected her to care!

"Why should I call you at all?" Max blurted, angry. "You really think I'll be waiting around all night?"

Joey looked slightly panicked. He clearly wanted Max but didn't want to lose his new promotion. She was really putting him in a dilemma.

"Madison! Give me a chance, I promise I will make up for the wait," Joey insisted.

Max frowned, not pleased. Her ego had been damaged, though she didn't want to admit she cared, she really wasn't that used to rejection. She was already scanning the room for someone else. "Well, give me something to go off of, then we'll see if I decide whether you're worth calling," Max demanded rudely.

Joey thought for a moment before making his move.

------------

a/n: I know! Evil of me to end on a slight cliff where you really don't know where its going. I dont know when the next chap will be up, but I already know whats gonna happen, so it wont be forever, just till i have time to sort my thoughts.

oh also, dk if it shows, but I really hate describing Alec, I think honestly, its own of my writing flaws, I am bad at descriptions, so lemme kno if I chopped this one or if I somehow managed to pull it off, cuz I dont like to do it!

okay, so Thanks for reading! Feel free to review. See ya next ch!