Hey! What Spy?
She never went home and this time he wasn't going to wait around fielding calls from Normal or worrying about where she was. This time he'd go look for her and the difference was that this time; Aric knew where she'd gone. Which is why he stood at the Terminal City gate arguing with the guards to let him in.
As usual, Katrina hissed at the ordinary unwilling to let him enter. "Go back to your Sector." She ordered flinging her tail up in dismissal as she turned away.
"Hey! I want in. I've been pretty nice about asking but now-."
"What?" Katrina looked over her shoulder watching Aric push his sleeves up his arms, a scowl on his face. He gave her a curt nod as he stomped towards the gate. Katrina watched him grab the chain links and begin to haul himself up. He was going to climb over and find Nÿx with or without their help but he hoped they would help.
Katrina watched him climb shaking her head negatively as the other guards raised their weapons to fire. They didn't shoot but kept Aric in their sights until he reached the other side. He hooked a leg over the fence carefully climbing down and once his feet touched on Terminal City asphalt he turned with a satisfied grin to the Transhuman. Katrina smile back, her whiskers twitching in amusement because he certainly looked as if he thought she would let him just walk away.
"Now, which way-?" Aric began, turning to look around and noticing two other Transhumans pointing rifles at him.
"Out." Katrina threw a surprised Aric against the fence. He fell on all fours and before he could get up the cat lady hauled him up and threw him on his back. Aric lay there for a moment looking up at the blue Seattle sky. He could hear the gate closing and slowly rose up on his elbows. Katrina's tail swished even as she threw a satisfied smirk his way. He could hear the others laughing and refused to walk away from this fence until he saw Nÿx. Aric got to his feet sighing as he walked to the fence yet again.
"What's your name?" he asked the Transhuman.
-X-
Almost two days had passed since Nÿx had been poisoned and Logan had left to try and figure out what the Familiars had done to her. Almost two days and Krit hadn't gone to see Nÿx again, not since he'd seen Alec with her.
"What do you know?" Doc asked the screen. Logan's face was clearly visible to all three as they stood by the monitor in the control room.
"It's a virus," he glanced at Max. "Like yours."
The general reaction was confusion, hadn't Manticore been responsible for the virus that Max carried to kill 'EyesOnly'? Only Manticore didn't exist anymore, it was burned to the ground, the project trashed by the Government as a failure.
"Manticore is gone." Lydecker stated stepping up behind Max. She looked to Logan waiting for his answer.
"Who ever made this based it on that. It's targeted for Nÿx's DNA specifically for the genes that make her EMP. The convulsions are the result of her body constantly creating those waves only it's not permitting her to release them." Logan glanced at Krit giving the Transgenic a bad feeling. "Have the convulsions lessened?"
Krit answered holding his arms crossed over his chest so they wouldn't see his clenched fists. "No. They're still-. She's getting tired but they haven't stopped or lessened."
"Good." Logan nodded with a relieved smile. Krit glared at the ordinary and Logan quickly continued. "That means there's still time."
"What do you mean?" Max questioned.
"It means once the convulsions stop there's nothing else we can do." There was silence after he said that and Krit didn't want to think about loosing Nÿx. He cared too much.
"What do I do?" Krit asked. She'd been poisoned while on a mission with him. He was responsible, Nÿx wouldn't have been burning up from the inside if he hadn't gone…
"Her inner core is over heating because her body is unable to release the pent up energy. You need to cool it so the virus can't continue its rapid pace. That should give us more time to figure out how to get rid of it." Logan sighed looking as if he didn't think they could do anything to stop it just like he hadn't found a cure for the virus keeping him and Max apart. He was beginning to think they'd be separated for ever; even the scientist Lydecker had contacted couldn't finish the cure. Would Nÿx get a free pass, assuming there was a cure?
"You better get back to work then." Krit said turning away. Max threw him a worried glance before silently turning to Logan.
"I know." He said and she knew he did. Max gave him a soft smile before following Krit. Doc was ahead of them, calling the clinic and relaying the orders as he made his way there. Max held Krit back, unsure how to voice her suspicions.
"Not now, Max." he shook his head. "I cant- it's not the time to get into that again."
She let him walk away unable to keep the hurt from showing on her face. Two years away from him, from the others had clearly left a mark. It had been enough time for another Transgenic to find a place in their lives.
'They're my family. Nÿx hasn't taken my place, she couldn't even if she wanted to.' Max thought straightening her shoulders and walking towards the clinic. In the back of her mind though she couldn't help feeling doubtful, that maybe she wasn't as important to them as she had once been, when they were all together.
"NŸX!"
Max turned at the shout watching as Katrina grabbed some guy and threw him out of the gate. She frowned, heading to the guards even as the guy got to his feet and ran towards the closed gate.
"NŸX!" he repeated then turned to Katrina. "She's gonna tell you to let me in, Kat." He smirked looking to Max and his smile faded when he realized it wasn't Nÿx. "Your not-."
"Nÿx?" Max questioned crossing her arms. "No. Who are you?"
"Aric Thane. You mind getting Nÿx for me?" he replied trying to smile charmingly.
"He's been trying to get in all morning." Katrina hissed clawing at his face. Aric pushed away from the fence avoiding the red nails.
"C'mon Kat, you like playing with me, I can tell but its time I spoke to Nÿx." The ordinary teased unaware of how close Katrina was to scratching up his face.
"Why?" Max questioned now frowning.
"Why-?" Aric looked at the frowning brunette. "Look I know she's here, alright. She didn't show up again yesterday and this time I'm not waiting another 5days for her to come home. Now, I know Nÿx is here because that's where she said she was going. So you're going to let me in or do I file a missing persons report?" Aric asked feeling just a little worried she'd call him on his bluff.
"Missing person report? You really think the Seattle police are going to care if another Transgenic goes missing?" Max questioned stepping forward.
"Nÿx doesn't have a barcode so I don't think the police will hesitate to come looking around." Aric saw her face register surprise. "Didn't think I knew?"
"What do you want?" Max ground out.
"I told you. I want Nÿx." Aric replied sighing tiredly. He wasn't sure he could climb over their fence again and if he did he might just stay were Katrina threw him afterwards.
"Open it."
Aric looked up surprised hastily stepping away from the gate as Katrina silently obeyed. He smiled at the cat lady following the brunette into Terminal City. Aric looked her over noticing the slim curves, the straight black hair just past her shoulders, the olive skin very smooth and soft though he'd have to touch her to be sure; somehow that wasn't a smart idea.
"Eyes front." Max ordered. Aric almost answered with a 'Yes ma'am' but managed to keep his mouth shut.
-X-
"Doc says you need a cold bath, Nÿx." Alec quipped as he threw his phone on the bed. Nÿx lay curled on her side holding her knees into her chest as more spasms shook her body. He'd removed his jacket soon after sitting with her. Normally he didn't complain if a woman was hot but Nÿx was beyond that and his shirt was testament to how much. It was soaked, just like her tank and the skirt which he was going to help her get out of.
"I'm gonna help you out of these ok." He said taking the hem of the tank in his hand. "I could close my eyes, just say the word…" he murmured. Nÿx rolled her eyes gritting her teeth and he smiled. He was gentle, both hands sliding up her torso to pull the material over her head. She tried to help but gave up quickly when she started to tremble. Nÿx kep her hands clenched, arms stiff, to stave off another attack.
Alec could see her frustration at not being able to do that much by herself. As stubborn as he knew she could be, seeing her behaving so passive while he removed her clothes definitley made Alec feel protective and that made him nervous.
By the time Krit reached her room Alec had a half naked Nÿx in his arms taking her to the ice bath the medic had set up across the hall. Krit rushed forward his face flushing angrily as he saw Nÿx jerking in his arms. Her hands clutched at Alec's shirt burying her face in his chest. Krit stopped at the door, the angry words dying in his throat as he saw how gently the Transgenic slipped her into the ice water.
Alec cupped his hand in the water then let it drain through his fingers over her forehead. Nÿx glanced up gratefully, feeling the icy coldness on her burning skin. She licked her cracked lips feeling the skin begin to soften. The tremors in her body subsided slowly and the tiredness washed over her.
"Nÿx?" Alec questioned seeing her eyes close; they fluttered open at the concern in his tone.
"I'm fine." She murmured looking tired. Alec nodded feeling relieved; he'd thought Doc had been too late.
"Rest, just close your eyes and rest." Alec smoothed her hair back, trailing his fingers over her brow as she did as told.
In the hallway Krit leaned against the wall. He was full of rage wanting to strangle Alec and somehow managing to keep his hands at his side.
"Good you're here." Doc said. Krit turned his head wondering what Doc was going to tell him now. "This is a temporary fix. I hope you realize that without a way to reverse the virus she's more than likely going to die."
Krit uncoiled menacingly from his pose against the wall. Doc had to raise his head in order to look him in the eyes which at the moment were lit with an ungodly rage.
"Sounds like you're saying you're going to let her die." Krit spoke softly, a soft growl rumbling deep in his chest.
"That's not an option." Alec said from the door. Krit ignored him for the moment and Doc unable to hold his gaze glanced at Alec who seemed the calmer of the two X-5's.
"I don't know how to cure her."
"Brain could've found something." Alec retorted remembering the goofy genius in love with Max.
"Isn't this Terminal City?" Lydecker's voice asked from the other end of the hall. All three men turned to see the colonel walking towards them. "Transgenic Central? Find one." He ordered in his usual authorative tone. Krit felt his body react to it and had to force himself not to move. His jaw clenched tightly with retrained anger.
"The virus is specifically targeted to her DNA." Krit said repeating what Logan had already told them.
"They haven't found a cure for their virus either. What makes you think he's going to find one for Nÿx?" Alec asked letting some of his own frustration and worry color his tone.
"Why?" Lydecker asked frowning.
"Why what?" Alec glared.
"She's not branded so why the virus?" Krit answered following the colonels train of thought. "How would the Conclave know?"
"Spy." Lydecker supplied promptly. "Someone is telling secrets."
"There's a spy?" Doc asked.
"In Terminal City?" Alec cut in. Seeing their looks he shook his head. "No way! Who would-."
"It's someone who knows about her." Krit said quietly glancing at Alec. "Who knows besides us?"
"JamPony." Alec muttered thinking about Normal and how he'd jumped at the chance to turn one of them over. Then again Normal had delivered Gem's baby so that meant someone else-. Alec scowled remembering the ordinary Nÿx lived with.
"What?" Krit asked. Alec looked at him and straightened.
"She works at JamPony someone there may have found out or like her figured it was a good place to blend in."
"It makes sense. You should check her apartment. See if they've been there." Lydecker ordered looking at Alec.
"I thought she lived here." Krit put up his hand stalling anyone from leaving.
"No, she shares-." Alec stopped mid sentence seeing Max come down the hall with Nÿx's ordinary in tow.
-X-
Krit rolled out with Max to check Nÿx's apartment. Aric had given them the keys without asking too many questions and Krit had loads. Primarily what was Nÿx doing living alone with another guy? And an ordinary one, too! He'd thought she had higher standards.
'High enough to include me…' Krit thought as he wove through traffic following Max. At the check point Max used her old JamPony line showing them her pass and they were waved through. It wasn't far to the building and both parked on the street.
"She's in 7c, top floor." Max said going up the stairs. The old gray brick front seemed to glow in the moonlit night and the double doors still had the old brass knobs dating back to the buildings construction in the early 1920's. The frosted glass windows where lined with small squared panels in a vine design. Inside, the floor tiles looked old and faded but the elegant design was still visible. The wooden railing on the stairs was scarred but retained its warm tone from years of hands continually passing over it. There was an old lift fitted between the stairs and wall at the end of the short hall. Aric had said it wasn't in use, hadn't been for as long as he could remember and he'd grown up in the building.
Max slipped the keys in the lock, hearing the click she opened the door. Both Transgenic's slipped in quietly leaving the lights off. Krit immediately found Nÿx' scent and followed it to her bedroom while Max checked the living room and kitchen. He walked in slowly, taking in everything from the purple coverlet on the bed to the lily printed pillow cases, the various smaller pillows in shades of deep purple to plumb and a couple of gold and cream ones on her bed.
'Still…' he smiled softly thinking of her bedroom at the ranch. Her bed there had also been piled with pillows. He pulled her closet door open raising an eyebrow at some of the clothes hanging there, then again bike messengers needed to be comfortable. He pulled open a drawer staring down at silky, lacey under things and quickly shut it turning to the rest of the room. By the window he saw her small plant. Krit went around the bed accidentally kicking the box sticking out from under her bed. He pulled it out moving towards the light. He leaned on the window staring at the flowers.
"Orchids." Krit had no idea how she managed to grow the delicate flowers in this cold weather, he had no idea how she grew them in LA either but she loved them. Loved lilies as well and there were plenty of those at the ranch. Sometimes he would lie awake, the window open and close his eyes as the night breeze blew about his bedroom with their scent.
Krit sighed opening the lid of her box. Inside he found some pictures showing her at JamPony and obviously caught off guard in most. Nÿx looked to be avoiding the camera, her hand reaching to cover her face and in a couple actually succeeding since her hand was the only thing in it. He stopped on one where Nÿx was smiling at the camera with a blond messenger who was obviously taking the picture. He had his arm draped around Nÿx as she leaned in while a red head pushed in behind her blowing a kiss. The next one showed her pointing at Aric who was modeling a dress and behaving like an ass.
Krit frowned putting them back in the box then rifling through the rest. "Just pictures." He mumbled setting the open box on her bed. He searched the nightstand where she had two books. Even here she found time to read while doing everything else. Then again Nÿx tended not too sleep for days at a time. Krit picked up the book thumbing through it but had no idea what he was reading. Turning it over he tried to read the title and thought it sounded familiar. The other book, a thin paper back had a big '20' in bold black letters on the front followed by 'Poemas' which he knew was poems.
"She's reading Spanish?" he wondered flipping through to the back. His brow furrowed as he muttered through one of the lines.
'Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes, escribir por ejemplo la noche esta estrellada…'
"Krit?" Max called from the door way. He looked up putting the books back on her nightstand.
"Find anything?" he asked getting to his feet and heading towards the door. Max moved out of the way letting him walk into the hall then following him to the living room.
"No. Everything looks ok." She said softly watching him go to the big bay windows in the living room. Max glanced around as well thinking Nÿx had it good out here.
'Better than I made out when I first got to Seattle.'
There was just a hint of envy in her, more so when Max realized they actually had hot running water in the building. "We should go now." Max said. "The Familiars may still come here."
Krit nodded turning away from the windows. He glanced at the living room seeing its vaulted ceiling with the old chandelier hanging in the center then to the open dining area and the kitchen behind the half wall, the shutters currently open to reveal the stove and refrigerator. Some of the furniture looked antique, like the settee and the table by the front door. Everything else was a mix of modern styles and comfortable furniture.
"I'll get her some clothes before we go." Krit said leaving her alone again. She could tell he was still upset but wasn't sure if it was because Nÿx was in the clinic or because Max didn't particularly care for the other woman. Max had the feeling Krit was more than just attached to Nÿx, that maybe he felt more than just brotherly affection for her. She looked around the corner apartment realizing why it looked so big. It wasn't the vaulted ceiling, though it added to the illusion; the apartment was placed in the corner of the building. The windows faced the street which was perfect for anyone on the window seat to gaze at the city. Even though it wasn't a penthouse view it was still better than not having one. Since it was the 3rd floor the ceilings were just a little higher and Max wouldn't doubt there was a crawl space some where above them.
"Let's go." Krit said. Max glanced at the small duffle he carried before heading to the door. They locked up behind themselves heading to the stairs. Max heard the footsteps first and stopped looking for a place to hide. Krit glanced at her questioning and she motioned towards the lift's wrought iron gate. Both moved quickly prying open the gate quietly and slipping in. Krit dropped the duffel inside then closed the gate sliding the wooden doors closed just enough to hide them. Both peered out as they heard the steps reach the hall.
-X-
Audny knocked on the door waiting for Aric to open it. After a moment she knocked again glancing down the hall but no one was around. She placed her ear to the door listening and satisfied there was no one home she reached up running her fingers along the door sill but there was no key. Once again she faced the door frowning, hands on hips.
"They aren't home, dear."
Audny visibly started at the old lady's voice but she turned with a sweet smile.
"Hello Mrs. Murry." She said moving towards the old lady's door. "You wouldn't happen to know when they'll be back do you?" Audny hooked a thumb over her shoulder to their door. "I was supposed to go out with Nÿx but…" she trailed off.
"Oh, the dear hasn't been home since… yesterday-day before I believe." Mrs. Murry scowled shaking her head. "That poor boy. He worries you know and why shouldn't he? That girl, very sweet, dear thing but so irresponsible." She tisked.
"I'm sure its not so bad Mrs. Murry." Audny said good natured and hiding her elation at what this might mean.
"Pshaw!" the old lady waved a hand. "You young people all think that way. Think that life isn't so bad well I remember life before the black out." she shook her curly white haired head sadly. "Life was much nicer then."
Audny watched her turn away closing the door softly. "Good night Mrs. Murry." She called to the closed door.
So Nÿx was out of the picture now. Audny turned away from the door, a cold smile on her face as she dialed. The voice on the other end answered after the first ring.
"It's done." She said softly walking towards the stairs. "She hasn't been seen since the break in." Audny stopped by the lift scowling. "How should I know? I didn't inject her with the virus." Audny pulled the cell away from her ear glaring at the yelling voice clearly saying she should make sure before someone decided to get the antidote from their lab.
"Yes sir." Audny replied into the phone while on the other end her superior clicked. The red head glanced at the cell in her hand scowling and muttered. "Fe'nos tol, asshole."
-X-
"What did they to you, Nÿx?" Aric stared opened mouthed at the girl in the ice tub. She wasn't the same girl he remembered and it hadn't been more than a few days. Her color was washed out, her rosy lips were chapped and pale…
Nÿx opened her eyes slightly, her brow furrowed hearing the familiar voice.
"Aric?" she asked watching the lanky figure move into the room.
"Yeah, so what's with the ice and I'm guessing this is why you didn't come home?" he asked kneeling by the tub. His eyes roamed over her again, still not wanting to believe what he was seeing when it was clear Nÿx had gotten herself into serious trouble.
Alec stood in the doorway unwilling to offer him a chair which he could easily get from across the hall. That meant leaving them alone and he wasn't about to move from his spot.
Nÿx smiled tiredly feeling her body begin to ache from all the tension in it. "Partly." She whispered turning her head and wincing as her muscles protested. The water sloshed in the tub, the melting ice cubes tinkling against the porcelain.
"Dude thinks I'm some spy, Nÿx." Aric said hooking a finger over his shoulder to where Alec stood in the door way. Nÿx looked over and rolled her eyes at Alec's pose. He looked so gladiator with his arms crossed and his chest puffed out, the scowl on his face did nothing to lessen his attractiveness.
"I can hear you." Alec growled. Nÿx managed a chuckle in response which Aric didn't think was funny. He was lucky they handt torn him to pieces yet.
"Come on Nÿx. I don't even know who I'm supposed to be spying for! It's not like you told me what you were doing in Seattle anyway." Of course, he'd had an idea but not asking or knowing let him play dumb and sometimes that was just safer.
"I'm just helping out, Aric." Nÿx said sighing as she slipped lower in the water. Aric looked her over, his brow raised in question. He didn't understand anything and it was making his head hurt.
"In a tub filled with ice? How's that helping exactly?"
"This is for me." Nÿx said lifting a limp hand out of the water. "Keeps me from dying for now."
"Die-." Aric stiffened at her statement. He glanced over his shoulder at Alec but the Transgenic never flinched. "Nÿx, come on, you're messing with me right?" he glanced at the tub again avoiding her face. "Say this is some jok-."
"Its not." She turned to him feeling her neck protest again. "Go home Aric. Forget about this place, about me and just go about your life the way you did before I showed up." Nÿx spoke gently not wanting to hurt his feeling anymore than she already had by refusing him.
"Forget?" Aric's face changed from worry to anger quickly. "Just like that huh? Pretend we never met." Aric stood up pointing down at her. "You're the selfish one, Nÿx. You. Not me."
Alec moved in grabbing the ordinary's arm and yanking him out of the room.
"Alright, enough!" he ordered shoving him into the hall. "Visiting time's over."
"What?" Aric looked Alec over still angry Nÿx would tell him just to forget the last 6months knowing how he felt about her. "You have body guards now, Nÿx? You think I'm a spy too!" he yelled.
"Hey!" Alec got in his face shoving Aric back which sent the ordinary crashing into the wall. "I warned you." Alec said by way of apology though he was well pleased with himself and it showed. Aric picked himself up off the floor remembering the day he'd gone to Sector4 with Nÿx and she'd rescued him again. He was tired of being pushed around, tired of letting her see him get beat up, thinking he was a sorry excuse of a man. Aric couldn't blame her if that was why she didn't love him, hell he wouldn't love him either in her place!
"Alec." Nÿx's voice floated out to the hall but he didn't pay attention. He watched the ordinary rush him like a bull and easily flipped the lanky human onto his back who groaned painfully from the linoleum floor. Alec leaned down delivering a punch which knocked Aric out.
"Alec!" Nÿx glared angrily at him from the door way. Her body trembled slightly, tough not from cold even though the buildings air-conditioning was on.
Alec looked up quickly moving towards her. "You're not supposed to be out of the tub, Nÿx." He said reaching for her arm. Nÿx smacked his hand away pointing at Aric's limp body.
"You shouldn't have hit him either but you did. What is wrong with you?" she demanded and then cursed for coming to Aric's rescue yet again. "He's just an ordinary, Alec. There wasn't a need for this." She shook her head, not wanting to understand his actions though she had a pretty good idea. Her body gave a violent twitch and she grabbed the door frame leaning her head against it.
"You're making it worse." Alec grabbed her arms pulling her away from the door frame. He picked her up slipping an arm beneath her legs and taking her back to the ice tub. She was cold to his touch and Alec noticed the ice was melting even as he set her in the water. "I'll get more ice." He said turning to do just that.
"Don't bother." Nÿx said tiredly as her eyes closed.
"If you don't stay cold you're going to die, Nÿx." He glared down at her small form. "You forget that in the short time it took you to get out of the tub and to the door just to defend your ordinary?"
"I'm going to die anyway, it's what I was made for and he's not mine." Nÿx said softly. She didn't see his look nor did she notice him leave. All she wanted was to stop, for everything to just stop, be over…even if that meant she died.
Alec yanked the ordinary into the other room and closed the door leaving him sprawled on the floor. After that he went to get another sack of ice which they had plenty of considering the artic Transhuman's needed to stay cool themselves. He didn't know what was going through her head but he wasn't about to keep his mouth shut.
Nÿx jumped as the ice pounded into the tub peppering her body with its sharp points. She glared up at Alec her mouth open in a gasp. "What's your malfunction?"
"You are." Alec returned grabbing the chair he'd brought in and slamming it down next to the tub.
"What?" she asked, a little shocked by his words.
"We are soldiers. Soldiers fight." Alec said sitting in the chair. "You want you're purpose, there it is."
"I'm no soldier. Not me, Alec." Nÿx shook her head slipping back in the water. Denying it was a lot easier than accepting what they said. There was nothing to contradict them with, no past memories and that was unsettling enough. "I don't want the uncertainty; don't want the gaping hole where my memories should be."
"You're lucky that way." Alec said more softly. Some of the anger was gone from his voice as he thought about his own memories. Not all of them were good, few in fact, and the rest he tried to forget, tried to push down so far in his mind that he could pretend they didn't exist. "You can't remember the harm you've caused, the people you've hurt…"
Nÿx noticed the haunted look come in his eyes again and knew he was somehow back there, living through those memories.
"It's not your fault, Alec."
He glanced at her sharply not for the first time wondering if she were psy-ops then wondering if she knew. How could she know about that?
The look on his face was so openly suffering Nÿx lay her cold hand over his. Water dripped from her skin onto his knee and Alec slowly lowered his eyes until he was staring at their hands. He turned it so their fingers intertwined. His closed over hers instinctively and he felt somehow complete.
"Don't let them rule your life. You're not a puppet."
Alec heard her soft voice slip over him soothingly and his guilt eased just a little. His thoughts turned to Nÿx, the way she let the current take her wherever it went, going through life like a leaf on the wind. He didn't want her to give up and finally accepted that he cared for her. Alec realized she made him think. She made him feel and he was afraid that if she weren't there then he wouldn't feel, he'd become the cold emotionless soldier they wanted him to be. It was how he felt most of the time and tried not to let anyone see.
"What about you?" he asked quietly. "You're just going to give up?"
"Not much I can do here…" she said looking at herself in the tub now filled to the brim with ice cubes. She figured it had been good a run, the past three years… She'd lived thanks to Krit, Syl and Zane. Three years was better than none and Nÿx wasn't about to complain.
"That's the best excuse you have Nÿx? Because I've heard better." His sarcastic reply was more than enough to get a rise out of her.
"Does this really look like an excuse?" she asked glaring. "I can barely keep still and I'm-."
"Take some of your own advice and stop letting everyone else make your choices." Alec stood up abruptly, pacing to the end of the tub. She looked at him, mouth slightly open, as if she couldn't possibly have heard him correctly when they knew the opposite was true.
"I don-!"
"You do." Alec cut her off again. "You follow along with the plan never asserting yourself or taking charge until you're force and wha- how- look at yourself?" he finally exclaimed.
"I've made choices." Nÿx glared sitting up in the water. She was hurt by his words more than she cared to admit even to herself. "I've taken charge and you know it." She stated with just a little heat in her voice and a slight blush as she remembered. It wasn't a fair example but he didn't know.
"Oh!" Alec exclaimed throwing his hands up. "You wanna talk about that now?" he asked walking to stand over her. "You were in heat." He accused pointing a finger down at her. "You wouldn't have let me near you otherwise." He hated to sound like some – some – emotional chic so he clamped his mouth shut and took a step back trying to distance himself.
"You really think so?" Nÿx asked softly looking up at him. Her eyes locked with his and quietly continued. "It was what I wanted and I took charge."
"The feline took charge. That wasn't you." Alec shook his head not really believing what she said even though in her eyes he could see she meant it.
"It was me." Nÿx affirmed then softly added; "The last time."
Alec opened his mouth to argue remembering their last day locked together. She'd been gentle, her touch lightly caressing, the way she'd looked at him… her eyes had been clear and without the feral glint he'd seen at first. The difference had been enough that he'd been gentle, taking time to show her…
"What about-?"
"Before?" Nÿx asked looking down at the floating ice cubes. "You're asking if I-?" Nÿx sucked in a breath taking the cube in her hand and fidgeting with it under the water as she looked at him again. "No, I always took tranquilizers, made sure I was out if not down." Nÿx shrugged embarrassed as she lay back in the tub." Krit had always been adamant they take their trancs, to being careful around them when Syl or she had gone into heat. "Don't tell me I haven't made choices, Alec." She turned her head not wanting to see his expression at what she was going to say next. "I chose you."
Alec couldn't believe he was hearing right. He couldn't believe she was serious, that she was telling the truth. Nÿx wouldn't look at him but there was a slight blush to her cheeks. It could've been from the fever but somehow he doubted that was the only reason. Alec refused to believe Nÿx could want him. Him? Why?
'Why me? How can I expect someone else to love me after what I did?' he thought. There was no way he could be lucky enough to find love a 2nd time. How could someone else love him? Alec had never hoped for that, not really and yet… if Nÿx did? If she could..?
Alec acted on impulse. He dropped down next to her almost reaching for her hand and instead holding to the edge of the tub.
"Then fight it…"
-X-
Max made no comment as they followed the red head out of the building. Krit hadn't said anything either, he just strapped the duffel to his bike and put on his helmet leaving her to follow. They kept well away from the woman and Max couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind right then.
'I told you.'
It sounded like the right thing to say but it wasn't like Krit.
'That's what I'd do.' Max thought glumly. Still, she wasn't ready to admit she'd been wrong about Nÿx. The woman had been raised as a soldier and even though Nÿx said she couldn't remember being trained garnered no sympathy from Max.
Krit for his part was concentrating on getting that cure. He didn't waste thoughts on reprimands or accusations. He knew Max cared, she was just overprotective when it came to her siblings, sometimes too much. It was partly her worry that history would repeat itself, Max had seen Tinga…held her. He remembered Eva. First Lydecker hunted them, now White and the Conclave.
'When does it end?' Krit wondered.
Ahead the junky car turned in stopping at the gates of a white warehouse. Max broke away, turning left two blocks before Krit did the same. They met on the other block, quickly parking their bikes in a shadowed corner between the buildings. Krit led the way towards the street hiding in the darkness as much as possible when Max tapped his shoulder. He turned looking up as she motioned for them to climb. Krit boosted her up to the fire escape ladder then followed when she lowered it for him. Once on the roof both Transgenic's crouched besides an air duct where they had an unobstructed view of the warehouse.
"Warehouse." Max murmured. "Last time we went in one of those White shot at us."
Krit turned a questioning eye on his sister. "Us?"
Max just shrugged looking away.
"Alec and me. We rescued Fish Girl." She smiled warmly remembering them and how happy they'd looked.
"We need to get in there." Krit growled and moved to do just that. "Get the antidote."
"You don't know this is where they have it Krit!" Max hissed grabbing his arm to keep him in place. "You could be walking into a trap. We don't know they weren't trying to lure us out."
"I'm not letting her die." The look on his face told her he wasn't lying.
"Wh- why?" Max questioned more confused about his almost boorish behavior, the unbending and almost aggressive stance he took concerning Nÿx.
"Does it matter?" Krit glared unable to comprehend Max's dislike for Nÿx. He had been so sure they would get along perfectly. He'd expected Max to take the younger woman under her wing, make her feel at home, give her a sense of belonging in hopes that Nÿx would take up the cause, join the war for herself. Krit knew Nÿx hadn't wanted to leave LA, the ranch or them but she did it because he'd asked, because she'd seen them traipse around hiding the worry they all shared over Max. He thought Nÿx might even have idolized Max what with all the story's they told about her and Terminal City.
"You need to think." Max whispered urgently.
"No. I need to do something." Krit stated getting to his feet.
"Krit, please!" Max grabbed his arm holding him back.
-X-
"So, how is the bath?" Doc asked striding into Nÿx's 'bath' room. He looked very cheerful considering the circumstances but since it wasn't him in the tub Nÿx figured he had a right to be cheery.
"Cold." Nÿx answered with a bored look. "You wanna join me, Doc?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and the dimple showing again. Alec decided not to get upset over her flirty teasing, just happy she was feeling up to messing with Doc.
"Not particularly." Doc answered with a slight blush then turned to Alec. "But he could do with a bath." He wrinkled his nose shaking his head.
Alec laughed which brought another grin to her face because she knew it was his fake laugh. "You're not funny today either." Alec quipped hearing her giggle.
"Touchy too." Doc said to Nÿx tilting his head towards Alec. "I have an idea." Doc announced, abruptly changing subjects and taking the empty chair beside Nÿx' tub of ice water. "You wanna hear it? Of course you do." He answered leaving Nÿx with an open mouth. "I was thinking," he began ignoring Alec who rolled his eyes at that statement. Nÿx saw and giggled smothering it when Doc turned a questioning look on her. "You're not much use in there, probably not too happy either but it is the only thing keeping you from twitching incessantly." He fiddled with the clip board in his hands calling attention to it. "You need to stay cool or cold, either way, so you don't keel over." Doc continued to ramble.
"Are you getting to a point yet?" Nÿx asked innocently.
"If you just let me finish…" he trailed off to the silent room. Satisfied there would be no interruptions he flipped the board revealing his idea. "We could make you a portable coolant, something that will keep your core from overheating and doing the nervous tick thing." he waved in the general area of her chest and abdomen before looking at them. "So what do you think?" he asked with a pleased smile.
Both Nÿx and Alec frowned at the diagram trying to figure out how it was supposed to go. Nÿx focused on the equations instead of trying to figure out the design and her confusion gave way to amusement.
"Doc?" she hesitated just enough to get her laughter under control.
"Hmm?" he raised his eyebrows questioning.
"Could you turn it?" Nÿx asked pointing a finger at the drawing and making a circle. Doc glanced at his design frowning then realized it was upside down and flipped it apologizing. Alec turned a skeptical look to Nÿx.
"You really want Doc making your cold suit?" he asked. She shook her head smiling. Nÿx couldn't understand Alec's need to constantly tease people since it only aggravated them.
"I think he'll remember what side goes up. Huh, Doc?" Nÿx stuck her tongue out at Alec before looking at Doc. Before he could answer Max and Krit walked into her room.
"We found the spy and the antidote." Krit told Nÿx ignoring everyone else.
"Spy?" she asked confused because no one had said anything about a spy. Well, other than Aric…and she relaly didn't listen to hlf of wht he sid most of the time anyway.
"Where is it? The antidote." Alec took a step towards Krit when Max raised a hand.
"Slow down, it's not that easy."
"Do you have it?" Alec asked Krit ignoring Max.
"No." Krit's jaw clenched hearing how that must sound to the others. He didn't want Nÿx to think he wasn't doing his best to get it.
"We need to make a plan." Max moved to Krit's side. It was more of a supporting move than anything and it wasn't lost on Alec.
"Hey!" Nÿx cried from her tub. "What spy?" she asked when they turned to her.
-X-