Title: Got It

Summary: Someone sent a package to R. Berrisford once. What if it happened again?

A/N: I don't say it as often as I should, but thank you SO much for your reviews! I write for me, but I also write for you, so I really love reading your opinions. Thanks again!

Got It

"Late as usual, Missy-miss. You know, it would be nice if you actually got here when you were supposed to at least once. Just to show you actually know what time that is."

Max rolled her eyes at Normal's antics, but made a beeline for him anyway. "At least I do my job when I'm here. Just give me my packages," She said derisively, waiting impatiently as Normal sorted through a few behind him and tossed them through the window.

"Hey, Max," A deep, laughter-tinged voice spoke from behind her, and annoyance sparked in her gut as she recognized him without having to turn around. She rolled her eyes skyward and did her best to ignore him.

"Got anything for me, Normal?" Alec asked, while smirking at Max's less-than-friendly greeting.

"Of course, Golden Boy," Normal said, his voice both edgy and doting at once. What a weird combination. "I've got a hot run to one… R. Berrisford." Normal said, evaluating the writing on the label and then tossing the package to Alec.

The change that came over Alec was subtle, but drastic. His face paled, his jaw clenched tightly and his eyes lost all of their previous laughter and sarcasm. He stared blankly at the package he had caught reflexively in his hand, looking as if he did not understand what it was. Max felt a strange sensation spread through her chest at the lost, scared look on his face, and she momentarily fought the desire to rest a comforting hand on his arm.

"I said hot run, Alec," Normal said, his voice distracted and a touch annoyed as he passed out different sets of packages to different employees. Alec remained unnaturally still for a moment longer, and then glanced up. The stark look of undiluted pain in his eyes nearly made Max gasp, but before she was even aware of what she was seeing, the emotion was gone and replaced with a carefully blank expression.

"I can't deliver this package," He said flippantly, his vacant face lacking all of its usual fire and sarcasm. He deftly threw it back to Normal and leaned against the counter in a wholly casual manner, fidgeting with the strap of his gloves with a supremely bored air. Max was positive she was the only one to notice the brief change, and that was probably because she knew the story that connected to the name Berrisford.

"Why not?" Normal asked, looking back at Alec with surprise. "It's in a really nice part of the city, Golden Boy. Right up your alley."

Max watched Alec struggle temporarily for a cover story, and witnessing the scene was almost painful. "Well, see, I—,"

Max impulsively took a step forward and snatched the package. "I got it." She said in a clipped tone.

"What?" Normal asked, obvious confusion coating his words. Max met Alec's eyes briefly, and she noted with grim amusement that, for the first time in her memory, she had managed to render him speechless. She quickly glanced away, settling her insolent gaze on Normal instead.

"I said, I'll deliver it," She replied shortly, letting her attitude seep into her words so that Normal wouldn't question her further. Because frankly, she didn't even know why she was offering to do Alec's job.

Normal seemed to struggle with the concept for a moment longer, and then muttered, "I will never understand you miscreants. But fine. Just make it quick. Bip, bip, bip!"

Max rolled her eyes and stepped toward her bike, but her progress was suddenly cut short when a strong hand wrapped around her upper arm. She shot Alec a startled look.

"Max… thanks." He said, letting go of her arm and sticking his hands deep into his pockets. He wouldn't look her in the eye, something she found very unusual, and the whole picture made him seem uncertain and hesitant. Totally unlike Alec. Then he chanced a glance up, and she was captivated by the strange emotions in his hazel eyes. They were still hard and concealed – he was too good of a soldier to drop the mask completely– but she saw a shadow of gratitude and appreciation inside those gold and green flecks.

"Forget it," She said, trying to inject a note of her usual disdain and annoyance into her voice. She didn't like this thankful Alec. Seeing him react to Rachel's death had been bad enough, but now he was just further proving to her that he had more depth than she'd originally thought. She hated the change, because it had been so much easier to believe that he was an arrogant, self-serving jerk. Which, really, he still was.

She shook her head and realized he was still staring at her intently. To ease the tension and return them to their normal playing field, she finally said, "But you are so buying tonight at Crash."

End