Chapter 2: The Bodyguard
Pairing: ML / MA
Disclaimer: I don't own anything especially when it comes to DARating: Mature for language
A/N: Thanks to those who sent in their reviews, me and my muse really appreciate them. Okay, I'm no expert on the weapons slash military lingo and all that sooo you have to excuse me if I seem to not make any sense, I just hope that you get the picture.
Max knitted her brows together as he watched Alec furiously type on the laptop he had brought with him. She turned to look at Logan who was busy watching the other X5 as well. Feeling that Max was now looking at him, Logan blinked and tore his eyes away from the transgenic and turned to look at his fiancé instead, he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Haven't seen him this serious…"
"Me either… honestly I don't know whether to be scared or not. I'm kinda used to the old Alec. You know, the smart-mouthed, happy-go-lucky, self-absorbed…"
"You know it's no use whisperin' 'cause I can hear ya…"
Logan and Max turned to look back at Alec who was now looking at them. Clearing his throat, Logan stood up. "I think I'd be more productive if I went down to the grocery and buy ingredients for tonight's dinner. And I expect you to stay for that." he said directing the last part to Alec to which Alec nodded. "Never one to turn down a free dinner." Max rolled her eyes at that before standing up. Okay. Maybe he hadn't changed that much. She turned to look at Logan and smiled. "Don't forget to buy something for Joshua. I promised the big fella that I'd bring him a surprise next time I visit him." Logan nodded and then smiled. Leaning in, he placed a soft kiss over her lips. After a moment they finally pulled back. Logan took a step back and said goodbye to Alec before stepping out of the apartment him and Max shared.
When they kissed, Alec turned to look away and returned his attention on his laptop. He was using his connections via Jake Porter, their team's resident genius. All the information Logan had managed to gather he downloaded to his computer and sent them to Jake. Logan was a genius yes but Jake was a downright geek. Give the guy a walkman and he can make a tracking device from it, it was rather freaky. At least to Alec it was. His reverie was broken by a blinking message on his laptop screen, he creased his brows as he clicked on it. It was a message from Jake.
ImAGod: It's pretty whacked Ace.
SuperSizeIt: Tell me about it. Think you can help me out?
ImAGod: Do you need to ask? Of course. I gotta blaze though…
SuperSizeIt: Lemme guess… Dad's home and wants to know if you'd done your homework.
ImAGod: No shit.
SuperSizeIt: LOL, aight I'll let you go. Keep me posted on my own homework aight? I need an A plus on this one. Maybe then I can get a kiss from my teacher.
ImAGod: Man, u r so whipped.
SuperSizeIt: Dude, don't even go there…
ImAGod: LMAO hey, I call it as I see it. Newho, I'm out. Later Ace.
ImAGod has signed out.
Max creased her brows. "Im a god and super size it? Can't you guys think of more creative names?" Alec smirked as he turned to look at Max who was currently looking over his shoulder. "Hey, it works. 'Sides, no one's goin' to be suspicious with those names…"
"Not to mention the conversation. So…. highschool." Alec smirked at that. "Like I said, it works." Max shook her head at that and stood up, Pursing his lips, Alec closed his laptop and stood up as well. He turned to look around the apartment. He hadn't had any chance earlier when he first got there as he was busy making sure the apartment hasn't been compromised by anyone or anything for that matter. So far, he found none. No bugs. No transmitters of any kinds. Moving towards the nearby table, Alec creased his brows as he picked a framed picture of her and Logan, behind them was a beach.
"You look really happy..."
Max slightly knitted her brows as she walked towards where Alec was. She stood beside him and tilted her head to look down at the picture as well. She smiled. "I am Alec. I'm very happy." Alec turned to look at her. A smile was on his lips.
"I'm happy that you're finally happy."
She turned to look up at him. "How about you Alec? And don't even give me that crap about one night stands and all that. Four years had passed and you never hooked up with anyone? And when I say hook up I meant not just the sex kind."
Alec laughed soflty as he placed the frame down and turned his attention to the other pictures that were there. "I did dated someone. A year ago. An ordinary..." he started off then he turned to look at Max. "Her name's Brianna. Long brown hair. Beautiful set of brown eyes. Sweetest thing I have ever met."
"Sounds like a great catch. What went wrong?"
"She wanted more from me and I couldn't give her what she wanted. I have nothing against ordinaries Maxie but I really believe that our kind don't belong with 'em. No offence.."
Max shook her head. He meant good, she knew that, felt that even. "None taken. But you can't just push potential future for you. What if you were destined to be with an ordinary?"
Alec raised his brows. "Destined? You mean fate? Destiny? Maxie, fate has nothin' to do with who we're goin' to be with. You chose to be with Logan. That's not fate. You chose him and he chose you. That's both your decision, not fate." Max exhaled softly at that. "Don't you ever think about having a family? I mean Alec, we're not getting any younger..." He huffed at that as he moved towards the couch and sat down. "Of course I want a family of my own. But that's not goin' to happen if I'm with an ordinary Max. Let's face it, our bodies were designed. Genetically enhanced. Aren't you afraid of how you and Logan's baby would turn out? It's a down right scary thought and I for one am not goin' to risk a life that precious."
Max stared at Alec after hearing what he had just said. When had he turned into this... man? There was still that old Alec, but this one... This one was down right very impressive. Her heart raced inside her chest. She creased her brows slightly. What the hell was wrong with her? This was Alec she was thinking about. The same Alec that had annoyed her for years. The same Alec who thought of himself first before others. The same Alec that she had to save over and over and over again. The same Alec that...
"Earth to Max. Come in Max..."
Blinking, Max turned her focus on Alec who was currently waving a hand in front of her face. When did he stood up? And why was she so distracted? Alec laughed softly. "Too much excitement for one day?" Max rolled her eyes at him. She knew he was being sarcastic with the way he was smirking. Fuck. That damn smirk. It showed that cute dimple of his. Wait. What? Cute dimple? Exhaling loudly, she walked past Alec and plopped right down on the couch. A feeble attempt to get her focused.
"I just want to find out who's tryin' to kill me and shut him up for good."
"What makes you think it's a him?"
Max shrugged. "Him. Her. It. It doesn't matter. I just wanna find out who or what is behind this and kick their ass for throwing me off the loop." Alec moved to sit down next to her and draped his arm over her shoulder. "We'll figure this bitch out Maxie. I promise you that. As long as I'm around, nothin's goin' to happen to you. Or anyone for that matter. Whoever or whatever's behind this attempt, would have to go through me first." Max smiled at that. "That was a bit cocky Alec but thanks. I really appreciate you trying to protect me."
"Hey, I owe you remember? All those times you saved my sorry ass? It's high time I do payback. Of course I meant that in a good way."
A soft laugh escaped her lips before looking up at him. "I don't think getting old is working for me..."
"How so?"
"Original Cindy said I'm getting too girly and I think she's right. I don't do girly stuff. And what am I doing now? I'm being a sap. A down right girly thing to do."
Alec had to laugh at that. He pulled her head to him and placed a soft kiss over her forehead before finally pulling back to look at her. "I'll fix you somethin' to drink, come on." he said before tapping the side of her arm lightly and stood up. He held out his hand for her to take to which she obliged by taking it and standing up as well. They both went into the kitchen. There was a long night ahead for them. And neither knew it nor realized it.
11:45 pm
"Logan asleep?"
"Yeah..."
"Why are you still up? Wait. Don't answer that. Stupid question."
Max laughed softly at that as she pulled a chair and set it next to Alec who was on their dining table doing some research on his laptop. She sat down and turned her eyes onto the screen. "Anything from Einstein?" Alec sighed softly and shook his head. "Nothin' yet. Give him more time. This isn't his only job. I'm sure TC is running his ass tired."
She really wished she knew at least half of his new found friends and at the same time what he considers his "family" now. The thought made her a little jealous. They were the reason why Alec was so far away. Alec had been wrong. At least that was her opinion. They still needed him. She still needed him to be around. Of course, as fate would have it, she was just realizing this just now. Four years too late. Alec wouldn't possibly leave the service just because she asked him to. And by asking was a selfish action in itself.
"Tell me about them..."
Alec knitted his brows as he turned to look at her. Licking his lips, he closed the window he was currently reading and moved to open his files until it reached a folder where he had pictures in it. He clicked on one and turned his laptop to her so she could see. He pointed to each as he said their names.
"That's Tony Callahan. I call him TC. He's our CO. He's awesome Maxie. Not unlike those COs I had back at Mnaitcore. That's Einstein. Pretty geeky ain't he? That's Bobby. Explosives expert. He can pretty much make a bomb out of anything. I swear. Once he stink bombed my room, I couldn't fuckin' step inside for two whole weeks. That's Flinch. He has this weird flinching habit hence the nickname, he's the resident medic. Down right awesome when it comes to patchin' us up. And that's Carlos. He's like my big brother there. He's the one I can talk to. I mean really talk to. And he makes James Bond look like a damn sissy."
Max smiled as he listened to him. She would give a quick glance at the picture as he pointed them out to her but she'd turn to look back at him. He sounded like he had been through a lot with them already, with the way he talked about them. It made her wonder if he ever talked about his other family. She creased his brows.
"Do you... Did you tell them about us? The gang I mean."
Alec turned to look at her and half smiled. "Yeah I did. Well of course they don't know all the details, well except Carlos." Max nodded at that and turned to look at the picture once again. Alec had a big smile on the picture, he still had longer hair and his skin wasn't like the golden color he had now. She figured this was probably taken when he was just new to the team. "You don't happen to have a picture of Brianna in here do you?" He had to laugh softly at that. "I was kind of hoping you'd never ask..."
Max lofted her brow and turned to look at him. "Don't tell me you just made her up Alec."
"Now why would I do that? Of course she's real. It's just that... well the pictures I have of her isn't exaclty for anyone's eyes except mine..."
Max made a face and shoved Alec to which Alec responded with a soft laugh.
"Pig..."
"What? It wasn't my idea okay? She just figured I'd have a blast with 'em. And they aren't even naked pictures. Just.. you know... kind of like the sports illustrated kind. Still wanna see?"
Max rolled her eyes. She had to admit, she was now more curious than ever. Sports illustrated kind huh? Pressing her lips as if she was really thinking about it, she then nodded. "Okay. Let's see it."
"You sure? I mean if you're goin' to call me pig again..."
"Alec! Just show me those damned pictures!"
"Okay, okay. Sheesh. Keep your pants on..."
Alec closed the window and opened another folder again. Max had to raise her brow when it was password protected. It made her wonder how kinky this girl could be. Alec paused for a moment as he scrolled down. Okay. Those looked like tons of risque photos if you asked her, she tapped her foot impatiently. Alec raised his brows and slowly turned to look at her. A smug grin playing over his lips. "Someone's gettin' a little impatient and it ain't me..."
Max rolled her eyes. She moved to grab the laptop from him and just clicked open a random picture.
"Hey!" Alec said as he tried to get his laptop back from her but she swatted his hands away before glaring at him. "Sbut up and just let me look." Shrugging, Alec leaned back on his chair and tilted his head to the side to catch a glimpse of the picture she had just opened.
Satisfied that he wasn't going to do anything, Max turned her attention back to the picture. She pulled her head back slightly. Well, Alec wasn't kidding. Long brown hair. Beautiful set of brown eyes. Pouty lips. Legs that seemed to go on forever. Damn nice racks too. She was sporting a bikini type bathing suit smiling sweetly at the camera and from behind stood Alec who had his arms wrapped around her mid section. He looked like he was having the time of his life. They looked like they make a great couple. She felt that similar light twinge at her heart, that same twinge she felt when she found out that he took the job and was leaving his family behind. Leaving her behind. She blinked then minimized the window then proceeded to open another picture again. This time it was just her. The background seemed like a bedroom. She was clad in a black sexy lingerie had this really seductive pose not to mention this look that screamed, I know you want me. Alec raised his brows, lifted up his hand and scratched the back of his ear. When he saw her minimize the window again and was about to open another picture, Alec somewhat lunged forward and grabbed the laptop from her.
Max glared at him. "Someone's a little guilty and it's not me." she couldn't help but say outloud. Alec pressed his lips and closed his laptop, "Hey, like I said, those pictures are for my eyes only. 'Sides, I'm a little uncomfortable showing them to you. It's a private thing. I don't even know why I still keep them, it's been a year..."
"Have you talked to her?"
"Yeah I have. She calls. Sometimes I call her. Just you know... giving updates on each other but that's it. Last I heard, she's dating this rich businessman. She sounds happy."
"Do you want her back?"
Alec creased his brows as he thought about what he was going to reply back. He shook his head after a moment. "Not really. I mean, I don't regret that I broke up with her, it was for the best. The thing that gets to me I think is I miss being with her. Or rather, I miss the idea of being with someone. It's kind of... lonely out there Maxie. Sure I have good friends but... yeah..."
Max treated that as an opportunity more than anything. Hey, he was the one who opened it up. "Do you regret taking the job?"
Alec shook his head. "Not really... I don't know. The job is great. I get to put my skills to good use, but somehow I don't know... somethin's missing. I guess I can't shake that whole homesick syndrome. I mean, there aren't many transgenics or transhumans there. Seattle is pretty much the transgenic and transhuman central..."
"Come home Alec. You still have a place here..."
Alec huffed at that. Looking down at the table, he creased his brows and looked back at her. "I don't know Maxie... they need me there." Max quickly moved to place her hand on his forearm. A small smile on her lips. "You don't have to decide now. Think about it. You have this mission. Use your time to weigh your options. Then after this whole dealio blows over, you decide what you want..."
He smiled at that then nodded. "Thanks Max. And I think that's our cue to turn in. We're both gettin' a wee bit sappy and that's not us..." Max laughed softly at that and nodded in agreement. She stood up and placed the chair back to its original place.
"Don't leave that laptop laying around though. You know I'm going to look through it."
"You can try. I don't think you'd even guess my password."
"Well there's always Biggs..."
"Consider the folder deleted."
"Killjoy."
"Nosey."
"Idiot."
"A hot idiot." he corrected her.
"In your dreams Alec."
"Oh Maxie... you have no ideas about my dreams..." Alec playfully wagged his brows at her after saying that. Max scoffed and made a face.
"You're unbelievably disgusting."
"And you're unbelievably cute when you're annoyed or disgusted for that matter..." he replied to her as he moved to walk over to where she was, He placed a soft kiss on top of her head before pulling back and playfully winking at her.
"Night Maxie..."
Max sighed softly before letting the smile adorn her lips. She shook her head as she watched him retreat to his room. Logan and her agreed to have Alec stay in their guest room. While Alec insisted that he just rent a hotel room, both ordinary and transgenic insisted to letting him occupy the vacant room. At least that way, he could pretty much keep an eye on Max 24/7. Of course Alec finally gave in and agreed to the idea.
"Night Alec..."
"I'm telling you Ace, you're not dealing with a rookie here. Based from the official reports I managed to gather, the bullets that were found in the crime scene including that one that was pulled out from your friend is from a classified weapon issued only to agents."
Alec creased his brows at that. "Are you tellin' me that I'm dealin' with another agent? Jake, agents aren't guns for hire..."
"No they're not. Unless of course they're the bad apple kind..."
"Dismissed agents with bad reps."
"Exactly. I'm still looking for a match as to who was the last person the weapon was issued to. Hang tight. And Ace, be careful man."
"Hey, you don't call me Ace for nothin' now..."
"I know. That doesn't mean you're indestructible Alec. Just be careful okay? Team needs you back. Preferably alive and kicking."
"I know. Keep me posted Einstein, and thanks."
"No problem. Later man."
Max stood up as soon as Alec was done talking to Jake. "So?" Alec exhaled loudly as he stuffed his hand inside his pocket placing the cellphone inside it. "Jake said it could be an ex-agent. Not the kind you really wanna mess with. I still don't have a name but he's workin' on it. In the mean time, call OC. You need to cancel all your appointments indefinitely. We can't have you out and about now."
"But that's insane! What am I supposed to do in the mean time? Hide inside the apartment?"
Logan stood up finally and placed his hands on Max's shoulders. "Max, relax for a moment. I know you don't like this but if Alec feels that it would be safer for you to lay low then that's what you should do."
Max turned to look at Logan. "Logan, I've been hunted down all my life. What else is new?"
"You're actually famous and anybody who knows your name knows your face. Maxie, things aren't the way they used to be. You're not a jam pony messenger anymore and you're not certainly anonymous. You can't risk being out and about. And as head of your security, I'm certainly not goin' to allow it."
"You're not the boss of me Alec."
"And don't push me Max. If I have to tie you down on a fuckin' chair and lock you inside a room I will."
"Guys! No need for threats. Please. Let's just all sit down and meet halfway here. No one's tying anyone to a chair and no one's bossing anyone around."
Wow. Logan almost feared that he'd have to call for reinforcement just to separate the two.. They were at each other's face. Quite literally. Gripping at her arm, he pulled Max back who at first didn't want to budge as she matched Alec's stare. Another tug and the female X5 finally took a step back and marched over to the couch, plopped right down and crossed her arms over her chest.
Alec clenched his jaw and looked down on the ground for a moment as he placed his hands over his hips. He closed his eyes and exhaled softly. After a moment, he opened them again then turned to look up at Max. "Max, you have to let me do my job..." Max finally tore her eyes from the center table and looked at Alec. "And you have to let me do mine. A lot of people count on me Alec."
Dammit. She had a point. She can't put her duties on hold. Alec started to pace slowly as he tried to come up with a compromise with her. "Okay. Here's the deal. You go on with your schedule but, I have to screen each of them before you go through it. No buts. And once outside, you do everything I say. Do we have a deal?"
Max knitted her brows at that. Do everything he says? When did that happen? Of course she didn't like the sound of that. She had never been one who followed orders from anyone. But then again, Alec wasn't going to order her around if he had no reason. He was just doing his best to protect her. Pressing her lips she exhaled loudly. "Fine. OC has all my schedules. You can start with her."
Alec nodded at that. He moved to grab the cordless phone and tossed it to her. She caught it just in time. "Call her. Tell her to get her ass over here."
His voice. It was so... commanding. So firm. Something that she'd never heard before. Yes, it was demanding yet it didn't sound like he was demeaning her or anything. Huffing out air, Max dialled OC's number.
Logan creased his brows as he watched the two transgenics talk things out. Sort of. He had never seen Alec take charge of a situation. Well not like this. Back then, Max always told everyone what to do and it was kind of unusual that Max couldn't even have the final say in this. Things have definitely changed. Not that he minded or anything. Alec was trying to protect Max every which way he can and Logan had no problems with that. He too was concerned for his fiances safety. And right now, he trusted her life to Alec's hand completely.
"Hey Boo... yeah everything is alright. Listen, can you come down here? And bring my schedule with you. Alec needs to take a look at them..."
"They sent an agent to protect her. What are you going to do? I want her dead you hear me! I don't care what you do and I don't care how much this will cost me. I want her bloody corpse plastered all over the six o'clock news!"
"Calm down. You don't want to have another heart attack do you? Just let me do my job. She's having a dinner with Congressman Davidson as we speak and one new face had just joined her entourage, I'm pretty sure he's the agent. You have to give me sometime though, covert ops files isn't that easy to hack. I have to get to know this agent first before I plan on my next attempt. And I assure you, the next one wouldn't be just an attempt."
"You do that. Take the time you need but make sure it will not take forever."
"As you wish..."
The dark figure from across the street hung up his cellphone and shoved the gadget inside his pocket. He eyed the Ambassador who was animatedly talking to the Congressman, then his eyes moved to the young man on the table next to them. He was joined by her usual bodyguards. Fellow transgenics like her. Biggs and Scott. He knitted his brows as he eyed the young man carefully. Who are you? He silently asked himself. Taking a digital camera out, he waited until he got a clear shot before he pushed the button. He half smirked as he turned to look at the picture he had taken. A clear profile of Alec's face could be seen.
"There you are..."
Stuffing the digital camera back to his pocket, the man adjusted his hood on his head and stuffed his hands inside his hoodie pockets and started to walk away. Find out who the agent was, get rid of him and then kill Max Guevara. He chanted this over and over in his head like a mantra. She will meet her doom. Max Guevara would die soon.