On A Need to Know Basis

Family. It's the one thing that kept Max hoping that life would get better for tansgenics, that ordinaries would let them live in peace and enjoy what they had. Freedom to be, to live.

"Sorry to kill the party but we're cutting it close." Zane apologized to Max. Next to him Krit and Syl looked to each other sadly but resolute.

"Wait, why?" Max suddenly sat straight in her chair.

"Sorry baby sister but the satellite feed isn't completely safe." Syl answered.

"But- she-."

"Nÿx hacked in but even she can't find us an untraceable line for more than twenty minutes." Krit sounded apologetic if just a little smug where the brunette was concerned. For a moment Max's frown had nothing to do with her siblings logging off.

"We'll be seeing you." Zane waved at the screen then it went blank. Max sat back choking down the words she hadn't been able to say. Everything had been so abrupt, first the garbled message which they apologized for, then Nÿx dropping in and announcing she was there to help.

'Like I need the help!' Max raged inwardly once more angry at the other woman. Krit hadn't been big with the specifics on how they'd found Nÿx not that it would make a difference. He'd said Nÿx could explain and with a scowl Max rose from the chair intent on just that. This time she was going to get straight answers out of that woman.

-X-

Logan kept pace with Max as they headed to the south side of Terminal City. He kept quiet focusing instead on the streets. He was thinking about Nÿx, the mysterious Transgenic that didn't have a barcode and, according to Krit, had a purpose for being. What that purpose was no one knew besides the people who'd made her. None of the Transgenics could emit an EMP though there were a few with weird abilities of their own. Like Mila and her twin Brian with their abilities to process tons of information and come up with a 99% chance of success in missions or Mia with the tele-coersion. Now there was Nÿx and her EMP. Why should it be strange when he knew Manticore bred all the Transgenics with specific purposes in mind?

Max. She was special and not just to him. Logan almost smiled at the thought. Sandeman gave her that purpose. She was the only one who could save mankind, ordinaries because all Transgenics had been made immune to the virus the Conclave would use to wipe them out, Logan included. He frowned, they were still no closer to figuring out what the symbols on her body meant.

"Where is he?" Max muttered. They'd just left Joshua's, no sign of Alec or Nÿx. She had no idea what possessed him to-! Why would he-?

'He's such a nuisance!' Max scowled wondering where he had taken Nÿx. What building had he 'settled' her into and why? No one had decided to let her stay; no one had asked Max if that was ok and Nÿx hadn't asked to stay. Not that she needed sanctuary since she could blend in with the ordinaries. But where did she go then? Where had she been for the last four months?

Logan opened the door and held it for her but Max didn't notice as she headed up the stairs. She figured the next place to stop would be Alec's apartment since they had no idea where else they could be. By the time they got to the 3rd floor Logan was perspiring lightly, his face flushed. Max didn't spare him a glance as she knocked on the door. She waited for two seconds before banging on it. Logan arched an eyebrow seeing the door rattle and Max lowered her arm.

"What?"

"Nothing." Logan faced the door again. Before Max could speak the door opened and there was Alec with a slight scowl.

"Any harder and I'd have to replace the door, Max."

"Where is she?" Max asked pushing past him into the apartment. Alec watched her stride into the living room looking from one side to the other. He turned a quizzical face on Logan but the ordinary shrugged walking in. Alec closed the door and followed.

"Can you narrow it down, Max? Because it's kinda hard to keep trac-."

"Nÿx, the Transgenic who dropped in on us about an hour ago." Max snapped, she stood with her arms crossed glaring at him.

"Oh!" Alec smiled nodding as he moved to the counter. "She's not here."

"I can see that. Where is she?" Max asked impatiently.

"Gone." Alec said quietly staring at his hand.

"Gone?" Max repeated dropping her arms. "She just left. What, she didn't like the accommodations in Terminal City?"

"She never wanted to move in." Alec retorted with some heat. His hand clenched on the counter. "Not that I blame her what with our welcoming committee."

"She was spying! How were we supposed to react, Alec? We've got White and the Conclave in one hand trying to wipe us out then the ordinaries and the government on the other hand with the same agenda."

"Yeah, well she's gone now. Besides, you don't want her here and she knows it." Alec walked over to his recliner as Max spoke.

"I need some answers so where did she go?"

"Home is my guess. Said she had to work tomorrow." Alec threw over his shoulder before sitting down to watch TV.

"Work?" Max sounded incredulous.

"Yeah, Max. You know work, it's how you make money to pay bills and buy food." Alec snipped knowing it wasn't the only way Nÿx paid her bills. He wasn't about to mention the thieving part because then he'd have to explain how he knew about that.

"Who would hire her?" Max asked thoughtfully.

"Who wouldn't." Alec retorted thinking about Nÿx then glancing at his hand he tossed Max the card. "But there's your answer."

Max caught the card and turned it over looking at the smiling face in the corner of the ID. The logo remained the same the only difference was the face.

Logan glanced at the ID looking surprised.

"She did say she does everything you do." Logan said quietly.

"Only better."

-X-

She'd called him, woken him up at three in the morning and he still couldn't believe it. Nÿx had called him! Aric had felt special for about 2seconds before he realized Nÿx had no one else she could call in her current situation. Still, she had asked for his help. She hadn't demanded or ordered as she usually did. No, she'd asked and that more than anything gave Aric some hope. Maybe things were changing. Maybe-.

"What took you so long?" Nÿx's voice was anything but sweet. None of the dulcet tones he'd heard over the phone were present and her face was set in a scowl.

"Uh- I-." Aric was confused as to what had changed. He'd just bailed her out of jail!

"Never mind." Nÿx stormed past him clearly upset, he just didn't know why.

"Nÿx!" he called after her, heading out the door and down the steps to the cold Seattle dawn. Nÿx stood like a statue by his car.

"What's wrong, Nÿx?" Aric asked coming to stand next to her. She didn't say anything just held out a pink slip of paper which he took. It was difficult to read in the predawn light but he managed to make out some of the words. "Ooh…"

"No, not 'Oh'." Nÿx ground out turning to face him at last. "They impounded Ash!"

'Ash. Her motorcycle. That's why she's so upset.' He sighed slipping the paper into his pocket and opened the door for her. Nÿx slid into the passenger seat without a word and that's how she stayed all the way home. He didn't ask what she had been doing out all night or with who. He'd stopped wondering about it and about all the other little things she did. Nÿx was a Transgenic after all; a super soldier. Only Gryph and he knew that, though. Not that she hadn't been upset when she found out but Gryph's attitude hadn't changed towards her and that more than anything either of them could say calmed her.

He'd heard her showering and smelled the food; Nÿx had obviously eaten before heading out. She'd been gone about an hour and he still didn't want to get up. How had he ended up like this? How had he let this happen?

"I'm so screwed." He mumbled into the pillow currently failing to suffocate him. He remembered the night Nÿx had entered his life. He'd thought her some avenging Angel come to his rescue. Alright so he'd known right away she was a Transgenic, big deal. Nÿx had just seemed so… alive. Maybe that's why he'd built her up in his mind. She was larger than life, even in his dreams she was like some- some-.

"Aah!" Aric sat up in bed throwing the pillow aside. "Enough is enough!"

That's what he'd said. 'Enough is enough.' And it was but two hours later he still couldn't get those big dark hazel eyes out of his head or stop thinking of her pouting over that damned bike. So, in an uncharacteristic move, Aric Thane cashed in some 'favors' on behalf of the petite Transgenic.

-X-

JamPony was busy as usual with Normal calling out hot runs every five minutes. That in itself was not normal and before long Nÿx was called upon to deliver one herself. She left noticing a gaunt looking African American girl walking down the ramp to the dispatch window. The woman barely glanced in her direction and Nÿx left to make her deliveries. She'd managed to swipe an extra pass from Normal without him noticing. It was only a temp's pass but it would get her through check points for the rest of the week. At least until she figured out a way to get another Sector pass without Normal finding out.

She was thinking of ways to work that out when a sudden movement caught her attention. Nÿx watched as Max rode past on her ninja. She went into an alley and Nÿx, glancing around once to make sure they weren't followed, leisurely headed in that direction as well.

Max waited patiently beside the bike as Nÿx coasted towards her. The brunette stopped and rested her arms on the handle bars. She didn't say anything, waiting for the other to explain her presence. Instead, Max held out her hand.

"What?" Nÿx glanced down with a frown then let out a soft expletive before taking back her Sector pass. "You think maybe you could've given it back last night?"

"I didn't take it." Max stated.

"Said the mouse." Nÿx retorted with a glare. After the welcome she'd gotten and the night she'd spent in jail, Nÿx wasn't in a very nice mood. Not to mention being pick pocketed by the X-5 certainly discredited the whole 'I can do it better than you' statement.

"Alec swiped it." Max had no qualms about giving up the Transgenic. If Nÿx wanted to take it up with him that was her business, she'd returned the pass, not that it had been her responsibility but she was curious.

"Oh, well… Alec." Nÿx fiddled with the Sector pass remembering last night. Alec had given her a tour, a short one, then he'd asked her what kind of view she wanted from her new apartment. Nÿx had been clear, she wasn't moving in, she'd never wanted to move in and she didn't have any plans of moving in, in the future. That seemed to bother him but he hadn't said anything. Alec had walked her to the gates, introduced her to the guard, Katrina and watched her walk away.

'And it's his fault I spent the night in a stupid jail.' Well, there was a conversation pending…

"So, maybe I wasn't nice yesterday." Nÿx said knowing that it was time to try and make peace. After all, Krit wouldn't be happy if Nÿx was butting heads with his sister not to mention that it would make helping Max way too difficult.

"I didn't notice." Max replied with a shrug. Nÿx smiled seeing the other woman leaning on her bike, completely at ease.

"You like giving people a hard time, I get it. You don't like me, I get that too and it must rile you to know Krit sent me to help you out. Maybe you think he thinks you can't handle the Conclave, White and the ordinaries not to mention whatever's left of Manticore. So let me clarify; your siblings are worried. They don't want to loose another sister."

Nÿx noticed the softening of Max's features, the sad look in her eyes and it made her uncomfortable. The last thing she wanted was one of those emotional bonding experiences they mentioned on those talk shows.

"Besides, Syl and Zane agreed you needed a sitter so …" Nÿx trailed off ignoring Max's smile.

"Krit said you'd explain some things." Max said into the long silence that followed. She didn't think Nÿx would answer, if the blank expression on her face was anything to go by. Then she blew out a breath and dropped her eyes to the ground.

"You want my background?" Nÿx shook her head. "Cant give you more than this." She looked up, chin slightly raised. "I've spent the last two years on the ranch in Los Angeles with your brothers and sister. They're the only family I know and I'll do what I can to help, anyway I can."

Max was silent. She couldn't doubt the sincerity in her words and tone but it didn't leave her feeling good either.

"I'll let you know when you're needed." Max said getting on her bike. Nÿx didn't reply and both women headed off in different directions.

-X-

Crash was full of regulars most of them from JamPony. Gryph sat with Aric who was by far the drunker of the two.

"She didn't even care!" Aric wailed.

"Dude, just let it go." Gryph patted his shoulder then poured him another glass of beer. Aric took a big drink spilling some of the beer on his shirt then wiping his chin with the back of his hand. He'd gotten Ash out of the impound, paid some of it too. He'd even washed the fucking bike and parked it in his spot then taken Nÿx, complaining, down to the garage to show her. His thanks for the effort and time he'd put into making her happy?

A peck on the cheek and then he was ignored. She'd purred over the bike examining every piece of it to make sure Ash was still her Ash. Whatever the hell that meant. Then she'd gone off without a word to him!

"I don't know what else to do?" he muttered.

"Have you told her?" Gryph asked. Aric glanced at the blond confused. "How you feel about her!" he rolled his eyes.

"No- no. She doesn't want to hear it. Not from me. She didn't want to hear it from you! And look at you." Aric waved. Gryph did glance at himself wondering what was wrong with him. The big blond had never had any complaints about his looks before and he worked out. He kept himself in good shape, working out almost daily-the messenger thing helped as well. Gryph would use his looks and charm the girls, his dimple an added bonus but with Nÿx…

"Boys look down in the dumps. What's wrong?" the soft feminine voice brought both heads up. Audny smiled at them taking a seat and setting another pitcher of beer on the table. She filled their glasses and waited for them to speak.

"He's moping over Nÿx." Gryph stated with a slight slur to his words. Audny turned an understanding look on Aric and gently patted his hand.

"Don't worry. She'll get over it, whatever you did to make her mad." Audny soothed. Gryph laughed uproariously as if it were the funniest thing he'd heard.

"He didn't piss her off. He's in love with her." Gryph said.

"He's what?" Audny asked in shock. "You're sick! What's wrong with you? You're bent! That's you're cousin!"

Aric hung his head with a heavy sigh. He was by far the drunker of the two but Gryph had just shoved his foot so far down his mouth it was difficult to see where one began and the other ended. Gryph roared with laughter again at Audny's shocked face.

"She's not my cousin." Aric confessed before slowly getting up. Just then all he wanted was to get home.

"She's not?" Audny asked but Aric was stumbling down the steps and Gryph was still laughing.

-X-

Aric made his way home, somehow managed not to fall down the three flights of stairs and opened his door. Once inside his apartment he was at a loss as to where to go. He'd made up his mind. It was time to get things out in the open, time to let Nÿx know exactly how he felt and move on from there but now that he was there…

He stumbled through the living room and down the hall to her room. The door wasn't locked but he still hesitated before finding some courage to open the door. He stopped on the threshold and looked.

Nÿx lay facing the window and the moonlight perfectly lit her face. She had finally managed to fall asleep after a week of insomnia. The only sign she gave of noticing his presence was a slight frown on her otherwise calm face.

Aric stumbled in, mumbling a half forgotten poem he'd heard somewhere. He dropped down onto the bed, half on top of Nÿx already. The Transgenic immediately woke, her body coiled for action. She pushed Aric off only to have him lay on her again.

"Aric?" Nÿx asked in surprise. "Ugh! What are you doing in here?" she asked with a grimace and shoved him off in order to sit up. The smell of alcohol was heavy, especially for her.

"I love you!" he blurted reaching for her. His hand tangled in her hair and Nÿx grabbed his wrist to keep him from pulling it.

"Wha-." She began in surprise only to have her words cut off as Aric leaned in, pressing his mouth on hers. She felt her head hit the wall and the echo seemed to rebound inside her brain. Nÿx didn't know what was worse, Aric's sloppy kiss, or the overwhelming smell of alcohol on his breath or even worse; the fact he tried to shove his tongue in her mouth.

"Ugh!" Nÿx turned her head aside and tried to shove him gently, though her first instinct was to break his nose, at the very least. "You're drunk!"

"You're gorgeous." Aric mumbled sucking on her neck and pulling her close again. "I love you-." Once more he pressed a sloppy kiss on Nÿx, hand tangled in her hair which gave him leverage. He managed to climb into her bed, free hand groping over the covers. Furious at his drunken pawing, Nÿx grabbed his ear and a clump full of his hair. She yanked hard hearing Aric yell in pain.

"You need to get off me, Aric." Nÿx ground out completely out of patience. She pushed him aside and threw the covers off dragging her leg out of her warm cocoon, wanting to wash out her mouth to get rid of the taste of alcohol. Before she could get her right leg out of the covers Aric was up and pawing her again repeating how much he loved her. His fingers hooked into the waistband of her shorts and Nÿx lost her balance what with most of his body leaning on her heavily. She grabbed at the side table and only managed to knock the lamp down as she fell with Aric somehow landing on top.

"Dammit! You drunk asshole." Nÿx yelled turning onto her side only to have an apologetic Aric groping her. She slapped at his hand- which he had cupped on her bare ass under her shorts.

"Get your hands off me! Are you mental?" Nÿx exclaimed slapping his other hand off her chest. Still, it was a tangle of limbs and Nÿx had difficulty getting herself some leverage. Once she was able to sit up, Nÿx immediately slapped him. Aric fell back startled not sure what had happened and barely aware of the tearing fabric. Nÿx was a little shocked and didn't like the drunken side of Aric. He'd already managed to slobber on her neck and fondle her ass, all in a matter of minutes!

Aric couldn't understand how things had gone so wrong? He'd been telling her how much he loved her and they'd kissed! Yeah, they'd been kissing and he'd been holding her and-and-now she slapped him. Why had she slapped him?

"Get up." Nÿx yanked on his arm managing to keep her shirt from flying open and getting him to stand though he wobbled unsteadily. She pulled him to his room too mad and ignoring his words of love or whatever the hell he thought they were. Because if she even stopped to think about what Aric had been doing in her room… they'd have to charge her with murder.

"Now," Nÿx ordered with a shove and turning to leave. "Go to sleep."

Aric toppled backwards, his arms reaching to grab anything so he could stay upright. The only thing he caught was Nÿx. His hands clutched at her waist, one snagging on her shorts which he'd pulled low on her hips already and hauled her down on top of him. They bounced twice on the mattress, somehow rolling over with Aric managing to get on top again.

"Stay here." Aric invited with a goofy grin just before he got another sloppy kiss in. Nÿx turned her head, grimacing as he slobbered on her neck and drew a breath trying in vain to calm down. That wasn't so easy when he was sucking on her neck and mumbling like an idiot. She had to remind herself he was a fragile human and broke easily but then he was groping her again and the feel of his hands on her bare skin was too much, especially when his mouth suddenly clamped on her breast.

"What is it with you and my breasts!" she yelled grabbing his wrist and flipping them over. "Ouch!"

"I lov-." Aric began but Nÿx shoved her hair out of her face and sat up, one hand rubbing at her nipple and glaring at him.

"Oh shut-!" Nÿx gasped as he grabbed the torn end of her shirt and yanked. "Quit it!" she demanded as he fondled her breasts yet again. He used her to pull himself up, both arms wrapping around her and then Nÿx screeched. "Eew!"

Aric mumbled unintelligibly, happily nuzzling his face in her chest but his little bout of ecstasy was cut short when Nÿx pinched his ear, pulling hard. His mouth opened wide, releasing her and Nÿx scrambled off his bed before he could make another grab at her. She wanted very badly to hurt him but chose instead to wipe his slobber from her breasts and left. The door slammed behind her loudly echoing through the otherwise silent apartment.

"Nÿx?" Aric called still struggling to right himself. He gave up, legs dangling off the bed and a moment later he was snoring. No doubt his dreams were filled with happy endings to the fantasies he'd created…

-X-

AN: Poor guy. You'd think he'd get a break somehow right? After all the trouble he went through… oh well, ce la vie. He got some licks in at least. lol

So, I got some action planned for the next chapter! Thanks for all the reviews. I've been ignoring my other fic, which I had started way before this one but there's no reviews over there so I'll stick it out here. Ideas are just popping up all the time for this.