Title: Needing You

Summary: Max gets reckless. Alec gets mad.

Needing You

"Max!"

She didn't realize someone was running toward her until she was tackled around the middle and pulled forcefully to the ground. She wrestled furiously against her unidentified assailant, knowing she only had seconds to spare.

"Stop!" Her moments halted for a moment as she looked up and realized that it was Alec's serious face looming over her. Behind them, a barrage of gunfire peppered the wall with deliberate, deafening shots.

"Alec, get off of me!" She cried, pushing at his chest furiously. "We can still make it! We can still—!"

"No!" He shouted over her, his face straining as he fought off her attempts to escape. "Max, it's too late. There's nothing you can do."

She shook her head recklessly and flipped their bodies over, catching him by surprise and gaining the upper hand. She jumped to her feet and took off at a run, ducking for cover as the bullets whizzed past her. The transgenic the sector police had cornered was just at the end of the alleyway, and Max would be damned if she let whoever it was be exterminated like a cockroach.

"Max!" Alec shouted, rushing after her. To her dismay, he caught up with her easily and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, successfully halting her movements. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break his unbending hold.

"Alec, please!" She said desperately, losing all sight of dignity as she turned to him with pleading, tear-filled eyes. "We can't just leave!"

"He's dead, Max. I saw the body," Alec replied roughly, pulling her forcibly towards their only exit. Another set of shots sounded, and Alec pulled Max into his embrace as the bullets flew over them. Just when they thought it was over, Alec hissed in pain, and Max glanced down frantically, her eyes wide and fearful. A deep, red stain was spreading on his side, though how serious it was she couldn't tell.

"Alec!" She cried frantically, but he shook his head and grunted a silent oath under his breath as he continued their tactical retreat. She followed this time; though she still felt the urgent need to turn around, Alec's wound couldn't be ignored.

They ran full out, crouched low and eyes wary, towards the portion of the sewers that led back to Terminal City. Alec pushed Max ahead forcefully, and she realized dimly how pissed off she should have been at his manhandling. Instead of reacting, however, she just crawled down the long, cylindrical tunnel and dropped to the bottom, waiting for him. After he followed her down and fell to his feet, the two silently crept down the long channel until they were a safe distance away. Max kept noticing how the deep red stain on Alec's side grew with every step he took, and it was all she could do to keep moving. When they were finally out of harms way, she turned to him.

"Let me see," She said harshly, worry making her voice sharp and inflexible. He stopped abruptly, leaning heavily against the filthy walls for support as she bent over him to inspect the damage. When she peeled back his bloody shirt, she realized with some relief that it seemed to be a graze. No permanent damage, although it needed to be stitched up.

"Don't ever do that to me again," She said angrily, pulling in a shaky breath and stepping away. His gaze flew to her face, and she was surprised to see the fury that suddenly sparked in his hazel eyes and dilated them black. Before she realized what had occurred, he'd lunged at her and pinned her to the wall.

"Me?" He bit out incredulously, his face mere inches from hers. "If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll kill you myself." His voice was low and deadly, but she caught a flicker of fear behind his eyes. And a whole hell of a lot of anger.

"What did I do?" She asked indignantly. She wanted to fend him off, but she was worried about jostling his injury. And if she was honest with herself, Alec was stronger than her, and could probably keep her there if he really wanted to. "I was trying to save one of our own, Alec! Maybe you didn't grow up with the concept, but I consider these people my family—,"

"Don't start this bullshit on me!" He thundered, and she resisted the urge to cower as he pressed her further into the stone behind them. "They mean just as much to me as they do you, Max! But I'm not going to get myself killed for someone who's already dead!"

The words sliced through her, and she physically flinched. She saw a moments' regret flash over his face, but it was quickly smothered. "I had to try," She said in defense, her voice slightly hoarse as she fought the lump in her throat. His hold lessened somewhat, though he still kept her firmly restrained.

"There's a difference between a rescue and a suicide. You've got to know when to quit." His eyes flashed as she opened her mouth to argue.

"I don't quit! I either get it done, or—,"

"Or what?" He interrupted viciously. "You die? Get it through your thick head, Max; you're no good to us dead!"

Any argument died on her lips as she let his words sink into her brain. He was right. She'd been careless, and it could have cost Terminal City their leader. She nodded mutely and then shifted, signaling him to let her up. She would normally have kneed him in the groin for such behavior, but she didn't feel he deserved that kind of treatment this time, especially since he had been shot while protecting her. He growled slightly as she bumped his wound and she glanced up at his face in guilty concern, but he simply pulled away.

"I just didn't want to leave anyone behind," She said softly, her voice heavy. "I've already done it once, and I know how much pain I caused that time. To you and to our twins and… everyone."

He shook his head, his eyes still unusually solemn. "Look, Phy Ops was about as fun as getting my eyes gouged out, but no one can blame you for wanting out." He thought that over and then quickly amended his statement, "Well, people will probably blame you. But if it's worth anything, I get why you did it. Out here it's… freedom."

Max smiled slightly in understanding. "It's all we ever wanted." The smile faded and she shook her head as doubts plagued her. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this. Maybe I shouldn't be leading the transgenics when I didn't even suffer through everything that went on at Manticore."

He stared at her deeply then, and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Then, once again he moved with more speed than she had thought possible; she quickly raised her hands in defense as he rapidly approached her. A second later, however, she went rigid with shock as his head tucked into her hair and his arms wrapped fiercely around her waist. He held onto her tightly, as if he was afraid she'd disappear if he relinquished his hold.

"Don't you get it? We need you." He said thickly into her ear. His arms flexed involuntarily around her as he whispered, "I need you."

She felt her throat swell and her eyes fill with tears at the raw emotion in his voice. Alec had never been this open or honest before. She slowly reached up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, a few tears slipping from her eyes and rolling slowly down her cheeks.

"Alec, I…" She stopped suddenly, unsure of what she was saying.

I… what? She wondered inwardly, I need you, too? I nearly panicked at the thought of something happening to you? I… love you?

"I'm sorry," She finished finally, regret immediately plaguing her. She didn't know what exactly she had wanted to say, but she was positive it wasn't that.

End