Chapter 5: Game Over

Disclaimer: Ehem, I think by now y'all already know that I don't own the show.

Pairing: ML / MA

Rating: Mature for language

A/N: You love me! You really love me! Well okay, maybe not love but yay! Thanks for those awesome reviews! Muse is sooo happy! I just got my Jensen fix last night hehehehe. Dean Winchester is an awesome PA! WOOHOO! Erm. Okay… I'll go back to my corner now. Oh wait, before I go to my corner, y'all just have to excuse me for using Sam's line. I can't help it! It was perfect! And I'm sorry for that little spoiler. Now on with the show.

"Is it me or something is up with Max and Alec?"

"What do you mean?"

"Biggs, don't tell me you don't notice it."

"Scott, I pretty much stay out of everyone's business. Especially when it involves Alec and Max. And we should really stop talking about them not when we are pretty much within hearing range."

Scott huffed in response. Shaking his head, he turned to look back at the two transgenics not far from them. Max was on her table "working" on some papers that were piled in front of her. Alec was on the couch "working" on his laptop. Then there it was again. He couldn't help but laugh softly. Biggs creased his brows as he turned to look at Scott, rolling his eyes, he nudged the other X5 and gave him a warning look.

"What?" Scott whispered to him. "Biggs it's silly. She looks at him when he's not looking, he checks her out when she looks away…"

"I think you need to re-evaluate the kind of job you really should be in Scott. Seriously."

"Hey, it's just an interesting observation… In uhh, you know, observationally interesting way."

Biggs huffed lightly and shook his head. Pressing his lips, he finally found the urge to look at Max and Alec. It didn't even took a full minute when he himself witnessed what Scott was talking about. Max tore her eyes away from the paper she was "working" on and looked at Alec, then she sighed before looking back down again. One would even think that they were actually keeping tabs on each other's movement because just as she looked down, Alec tore his eyes away from the laptop and looked at her. Biggs creased his brows at the observation and fought the urge to roll his eyes.

God, these two were hopeless. At least that was his opinion. He just hoped that they would come to realize and admit the truth in time, before it was too late to do anything. Hey, if these were two normal people, they would have done something already, but this was Max Guevara and Alec McDowell. It was better to just leave it up to them to figure things out, unless you want to be brushed aside or bitched at for that matter. The best they can do? Hope and stay out of it.

Did he had any idea how much this was hard for her? Probably not. Ever since that incident at med bay Alec had pretty much kept his distance from her. The crazy part was, they were always together, wherever she went he was there. He really gave a new meaning to the phrase "so close yet so far away". A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"You okay?"

Pulling herself out of her trance, she turned to look at Logan and offered him a small smile. "Yeah I'm okay. I'm just… I just think this whole thing has gone way out of proportion."

"That's an understatement…"

"Tell me about it. We should just track this Michael Bunton down and be done with it."

Logan creased his brows and huffed softly. "Actually I'm wondering why you and Alec haven't done that already. I mean, he confirmed that the shooter was indeed the former agent. And this whole plan on letting him kidnap you? It's crazy. You saw his file. He was the best agent. I'm sure he's not stupid enough to come in close contact with you, you're a transgenic. No matter how smart he is, I'm sure he knows you can snap his neck like a twig given the chance."

Max fought the urge to make a face when he said that. Ben. Now that was a memory she would rather forget. That fateful day Ben had asked for her to end his life. And she did. Blinking then pressing her lips, she nodded.

"Think you can hook me up?"

Logan smiled. "I thought you'd never ask…"

Planting a kiss over her temple, Logan then moved over to his computer and started to work. This suddenly felt like old times. Eyes Only days. Ever since Max became an Ambassador she had become less and less involved with Eyes Only, which honestly Logan missed. Truthfully, he didn't know what had changed. Why Max suddenly gave all her attention on her role in being the Ambassador. Sure the role had entailed a lot of work as well as her time but he was sure she could manage. Before all this, she seemed to manage a lot of things as best as she could and now… It was just crazy that she was involved in a lot of things and then poof, they were gone all of a sudden, all this he observed before Alec left. Logan had to pause typing on the keyboard as realization dawned on him. Alec left. He gritted his teeth before looking over at Max who had just stood up and met Alec halfway as the other transgenic stepped out of his room.

A lot had happened or changed rather when the certain popular rogue transgenic left Seattle. Max had stopped being that feisty transgenic although she had not stopped taking care of everyone. Joshua found it hard to find anybody to bond with aside from Max. Alec was the only other transgenic who could hang out with the transhuman all day and not even complain. And Alec was the only other transgenic who understood and knew how to handle the big guy. As for him, he had stopped being so insecure. So jealous. So threatened by him. Yes, he was threatened by Alec since day one and when he left, Logan felt like he was able to breathe again. He had Max all to himself he thought. Logan didn't think much when the certain ex-rogue transgenic showed up again. Alec had a perfectly good reason for coming back anyway. There was no reason to feel threatened again, no reason whatsoever, Max was already engaged to him. Nothing and no one was going to change that. At least that was what he hoped for. He did not need to feel threatened, this was Alec. Max would not change her mind on this one. Max would not chose Alec over him. Never.

"What?! No Max. We're not…"

"Alec, don't talk to me like I'm a damn rookie on this sort of thing. Or have you forgotten that we've been through dealios like this and some were a whole lot worst."

Alec pressed his lips and placed his hands over his hips as he looked down on the floor for a moment before he lifted up his gaze to look back at her. "You really wanna do this huh?"

"Yes. I've already asked Logan to hook us up. Alec, I can't sit around and wait and this is a two-man job. We can do this. Been there done that remember? And I am not that rusty you know."

Exhaling softly, Alec nodded. "Okay. Fine. Let's do this."

"Good. Glad you see things my way for a change."

"Yeah. Makes me feel even more stupid for planning that whole gettin' shot stunt…"

"Yeah that was really stupid of you but hey, at least you were able to confirm that it's Bunton."

Alec huffed and then smirked at that. Oh, he was able to find out more than that. And it didn't even concern the damn ex-agent. But then again, at least this way, the sooner they solve this one, the sooner he was out of the picture. So to speak. When had things gotten so complicated? So fucked up. Did she had any idea how hard she was making things for him? Both pun and not. Hell the tension between them was so thick one would need something really sharp and efficient to cut through it, he just hoped that no one noticed it. Especially Logan.

Max finally forced herself to tear her eyes away from Alec and then turned to walk over to where Logan was. She offered him a smile. "Alec and I are good to go. We just need the exact place to ambush the bastard."

She even sounded like her old self. The old Max. The one that was so feisty. So belligerent that you wouldn't even want to mess with her, and all it would take was one look at her and you would know. Logan sighed softly before nodding. "Just give me time to get more info on the guy. I'm sure he's not using his real name on this one."

"I can hook you up with Einstein for that. I'm sure with both of you working on this, we'll find Bunton in no time."

Logan turned to look at Alec before nodding. "That's a great idea." Nodding back in return, Alec fished out his cellphone and called Jake. Once in contact, Alec handed his phone to Logan so the two geniuses could get to work. Two heads were better than one anyways.

Sighing softly, Max stuffed her hands behind her jean back pockets and turned to face Alec. "So you going back after this?"

Alec nodded. "Yeah. That's the plan. I'm sure TC has another mission lined up for me when I get back."

Max nodded in response. They weren't saying goodbye to each other, not yet anyways, but she felt that her heart was breaking. He was leaving. Again. It surely did not feel the same when he first said goodbye to her. But then again, back then she hadn't realized how she felt about him. Wait. How did she feel about him? Well, he had the power to break her heart. So did she love him? Wait what? Love? That was too strong of a word to use. Besides, she loved Logan. Hell she was even engaged to the guy. Logan was the one she loved, not Alec. Ugh. Okay. Now was not really the perfect time to evaluate her true feelings towards the other transgenic.

Alec cleared his throat when she had said nothing. What was he waiting for anyway? Her begging him to stay? That wasn't going to happen. He knew Max, she wouldn't even consider the idea of begging him to stay. Come home Alec. You still have a place here... No. She didn't begged when she said that. She told him to come home, she didn't beg.

"I'll fix dinner…" he announced before taking a step back and made his way towards the kitchen not waiting for any comments from either Max or Logan.

Max stood there and watched him retreat into the kitchen, oblivious to the fact that Logan was watching her. Logan saw it. The longing in her eyes. And for the first time, he finally got why both transgenics seemed to be uncomfortable around each other especially when silence enveloped the air and everything just seemed to fall into place. Max exhibiting signs of her old self. Her zoning in and out of their conversation. And that damn necklace! She kept playing with it between her fingers while she was in deep thought. Probably thoughts of him. Logan had to close his eyes for a moment and fought the urge to let anger take over. No. He was better than this. And Alec would not betray him right? Not right under his nose. Not inside his own home.

"Logan you okay?"

Logan opened his eyes quickly and found her bent forward slightly a look of worry written across her face. It was genuine. He forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah. I'm just trying to connect the dots… so to speak." Ain't that the truth?

Smiling, she leaned in and placed a kiss over his cheek. "Okay. I'm going to take a bath and hopefully by the time I finish we'll have a lead."

"Yeah hopefully."

Nodding she pulled back and made her way towards their room.

"Max?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

She paused then let a small smile form on her lips.

"I love you too…"

Logan tossed his glance back and forth at Max and Alec. The male transgenic was silently eating while his fiancé was forking her food around the plate before taking a small amount and eating it. Her eyes were glued down to the plate as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. For the first time, Logan felt the tension that lingered in the air, which made him deduce that something was going on between them. Sighing softly, he placed the fork down, wiped his mouth with his napkin and swallowed. Licking his lips, he looked back and forth at Alec and Max obviously this time. If only they were paying attention that is.

"What's going on with you two?"

Both of them froze at the question before lifting up their gaze and looked at Logan. Alec placed his fork down and reached for his glass of water and took a drink before finally speaking.

"Nothing's goin' on Logan."

"Right. So I'm just imagining the obvious tension between you two…"

"Logan…"

"No Max, I'm not going to drop this. Obviously something is going on between you two because neither of you can't seem to stand it whenever one is inside the same room. If you guys are having a fight over some petty thing or letting your differences get the best of you, I suggest you both get over it. God. You're both acting like damn kids. Like the way you used to. Sure it was amusing back then but right now it's just plain annoying. You're both going to hunt this Bunton guy down and I refuse to let you both do it until you two sort things out. I'm not going to allow either one of you get hurt. Especially you Max. Alec no offense."

Max opened her mouth to say something but the loud beeping from the computer on the other room prevented her. All of them turned their heads on the door and then as if in sync they all stood up and rushed out of the room and towards the computer terminal found not far from where the living room was.

They found him. He had used one of his old aliases. Alec couldn't help but think that was a rather stupid move. But then again, even agents make mistakes. They were, after all, still only human. He had checked himself into the Envio Hotel under the name John Houston. Alec creased his brows. This was it. Pulling back, he stood up straight and turned to look at Max. "I know you want to get him as much as I do, but let me handle this…"

"No Alec…"

"Max, listen, you'll still be there, I'm not gonna prevent you from comin' with me but this is all I'm asking, let me handle him. Okay?"

Max gritted her teeth and exhaled softly. "Okay. When are we gonna do this?"

"Tonight."

Logan lofted his brow at that. "Are you sure you two can handle this? Max moved to place a hand on the side of his arm. She half smiled at him. "We are sure. Thanks baby…" She leaned in and stood on her tiptoes as she placed a soft kiss over his lips. Alec had to look away immediately because of that. Now he can't deny the fact that he couldn't stand seeing them do this in front of him, but the thing was, it never really bothered him before. The scene before him never haunted him at night while he tried to sleep. Now it did, and it was all her fault! Why did she have to make the first move? Why did she have to kiss him? Why? All those years he denied it. He had carefully built that wall around his heart to shelter himself from something like this. From her. And just like that, she had managed to form a crack on the wall and day by day, she had managed to make one layer crumble until a fine thin wall was now barely hanging on to protect him from the onslaught of emotions only she was able to stir from him.

They pulled back. Smiles on their lips. "Be careful okay?" Max nodded. "Always…" Then she let him go. "I'll alert the police but I'll ask them to wait a signal from you guys."

"Okay. I'll call you as soon as this is over okay?"

Logan nodded in response before turning to look at Alec and the transgenic nodded back in return.

"I won't let anything happen to her. I promise."

Logan acknowledged the promise with a small smile. "Thanks. Now go."

Alec took a step back and let Max head out of the door first before he followed closely behind her.

Envio Hotel. Room 43. 10:45 pm

He cautiously looked at the recent surveillance photos once again. She was one tough chick, he had to give her that. The second shooting incident had not deterred her in anyway, like she was some kind of untouchable force. It was kind of impressive really but then again it did not stop a certain businessman from annoying the crap out of him. The old man was obsessed in taking down the transgenic. All because the transgenic unknowingly cut his blossoming political career down to its knees and putting an end to it unfortunately. He shook his head and finally let go of the photos. Leaning further into the chair he rubbed his eyes tiredly. The hairs on the back of his neck raised when he felt like someone were inside the room with him. Stilling for a moment, he carefully moved to get the handgun that was inside his laptop bag then stood quickly, his gun poised in front of him, ready to fire at the intruder.

The older man's heartbeat had hitched a few beats faster, which made the transgenic smirk. Stealthily, he moved about the hotel room effectively avoiding being found out by the ex-agent. Of course he wasn't going to make this any easier for him. Why should he? He had threatened Max's life twice and had caused injury to a really close friend. If anything, he should pay dearly.

Annoyed by the fact that they seemed to be playing hide and seek, Michael, pressed his lips. "You know you're a fucking coward by hiding… Why don't you just show yourself and let's be over with this…"

Alec smirked. "Or maybe you're just gettin' a bit rusty on this old man…" For a moment, he toyed with the ex-agent as he moved about the apartment using his blurring ability. He heard the older man curse, which prompted him to laugh softly. Satisfied, Alec finally stood in the middle of the living room but made sure he was hidden behind the shadows that the single lighted lamp seemed to create.

The ex-agent directed his gun at the intruder. Squinting his eyes he tried to make his face. Who the hell was this? One of Perry's stupid bodyguards? How in the world did he get inside without making so much as a squeak? That was nearly impossible, with his training and all that. Realization dawned upon him. It couldn't be. Max Guevara actually found out who he was and sent one of her own? Michael gritted his teeth. "Who the hell are you and what do you want?"

Alec huffed at that. "What do I want? Funny. I should be asking you that question. I mean you're the asshole who's been tryin' to kill one of mine."

Carefully, Michael stood a good distance from the transgenic, making sure he had room to fire just in case he tried something. Of course he knew about their common abilities, he wasn't stupid. He had studied their abilities, what they can do and what they can possibly exhibit if thrown in certain kinds of situation, such as this.

"Hey. Don't hold it against me. I'm just doing my job…"

"Oh? Well then don't hold this against me either because I'm just doin' my job too. And trust me, by the time I'm done with you, you'll never mess with us ever again. Mike."

The ex-agent pulled his head back for a moment. Of course they already knew who he was, clearly he had underestimated them. Her particularly. He had decided that it was wise to just remain where he was and not make any sudden movements.

"Well that's kind of unfair. You know my name but I don't know yours. Wait. Lemme guess, it's either that other X5. Biggs is it? Or wait, Scott?"

Alec had to laugh at that. "That's two wrong guesses. You only have one chance left. But then again, is it really important you know who I am? I think not. Listen, why don't we call this a day? I just want to know who sent you."

Annoyed, Michael put pressure on the trigger and Alec never failed to notice that. He eyed the man. "Wouldn't do that if I were you. Remember, wild animals in my DNA. You do know what happens when wild animals feel threatened right?

"They strike."

"You wouldn't want that to happen now would you?"

"Well it's either that or, you are just bluffing. You maybe a transgenic but that doesn't mean you don't bleed…"

With that Michael began to squeeze the trigger. Alec gritted his teeth and quickly blurred out of the way and towards where Michael was standing. The shot rang out which made Max spring into action. Kicking the door down, she blurred her way to where she had heard movements. She stopped abruptly when she found the ex-agent pinned, the side of his face flat, up against the wall. Alec tore the gun away from his grasp and tossed it away. Slowly, Max made her way to the ex-agent, made sure he could see her.

"It's nice to finally see you face to face…"

"Can't say I could say the same thing to you."

Max huffed at that as she folded her arms across her chest. "So, you goin' to tell us who sent you?"

Michael groaned when he felt the transgenic that was holding him put more pressure on his body making it a little difficult to breathe, but that was all he did. He refused to answer her.

Alec gritted his teeth and applied more pressure on the ex-agent's arm. "The lady asked you a question. I suggest you answer, before I get pissed. Trust me, you don't want me pissed."

Michael snorted at that. "Boy, you don't scare me. Both of you don't scare me." It didn't even take a full two seconds when he felt himself being pulled away from the wall, hauled across the room and landing on top of the wooden center table found in the living room. The ex-agent groaned in pain.

Max didn't protest. She didn't found it necessary. If anything, the man deserved more than that. Pressing his lips, Alec made his way towards the fallen agent. Wincing in pain, Michael turned to look up at the transgenic that seemed to tower over him. Finally, he got a good look of his face.

"You…"

"You were expecting somebody else?"

The ex-agent moved and attempted to kick the back of Alec's knee but the transgenic deflected it easily. He quickly moved to grab the glock that was tucked securely inside his cargo pants on his back, straddled the ex-agent's midsection and pressed it on his right shoulder. "I'm goin' to ask you again. Who. Sent. You?"

"Fuck off."

Alec lofted his brow and smirked. "Oh yeah?" Gritting his teeth, he pulled the trigger without even hesitating. Max flinched at the action. Her heart raced inside her chest. Even after those years she had spent time with Alec, she had never witnessed something like this. She had never seen Alec actually hurt someone and she was now downright scared.

Michael screamed in pain and squirmed underneath him. "You fucking bastard!" Pressing his lips, Alec moved the glock and pressed it on the ex-agent's left shoulder. "That was for my friend Joshua. Now, don't make me ask you again, who sent you?"

Grimacing in pain, Michael tried to focus on the transgenic before him. He gritted his teeth and then felt the barrel of the gun being pushed harder against his shoulder. Alec started to count.

"Three… two…"

"Okay! Okay! Just don't shoot. It's Perry. He's the one who hired me. He's the one who wants her dead."

Max pulled her head back slightly when she heard the last name. Perry. Adam Perry. That businessman slash politician. Well, ex-politician. The man had thrown a press conference and invited groups from all sectors including their group. The thing was, she didn't like any of his plans. His platform didn't indicate any benefits either for transgenics and transhumans. In short, he lost the race to another because all the transgenics and transhumans refused to vote for him. Apparently, he made that a big deal. Like Max had decided to create conspiracy against him or something, which in truth, was not the case.

"The man honestly thinks that you created a propaganda against him."

"I didn't do anything. I don't tell them what to do or who to vote. I tell them what they need to hear and they decide for themselves."

"Yeah well Perry's does not see it that way…"

Max creased her brows. So all this was her fault? Well that just sucks. She was trying to do very best not to step on another's toe. Apparently, her very best was not good enough. Deep in her thoughts, it vaguely registered to her that cops now piled inside the room and Alec let them take over. She blinked when she heard Alec's voice.

"I'm goin' after him…"

Quickly turning, she grabbed Alec's arm promptly stopping the other transgenic from walking out of the room. "No Alec. We already got Bunton's confession. Let the authorities take care of him."

"He hired someone to fuckin' kill you Max! I cannot not do anything."

"You already have done something and that's enough. And honestly, I'm scared. You shot Bunton without even flinching Alec. Without even hesitating. I don't even want to think what you'll be able to do if you come face to face with Perry. He deserves what's coming to him yes. But I don't want your hands tainted by his blood. I won't allow that."

Alec creased his brows at that. He could clearly see the fear in her eyes. Gritting his teeth and sighing softly, he looked down and nodded. It was over.

The game was over.

Businessman Adam Perry was arrested early this morning for the attempted assassination on the transgenic-transhuman Ambassador Max Guevara. Police say….

Sighing softly, Alec pushed the remote control button and changed the channel. Joshua moved to drape his arm over the transgenic and patted the side of his arm. "Alec saved Max. Alec did good." Alec couldn't help but smile at that.

"Thanks Josh. It's Max, I'd pretty much do anything for her…"

"So how come Alec is still going back?"

Alec pressed his lips and turned off the TV. Tossing the remote onto the space next to him on the couch, he then turned to look at Joshua. "When it comes to savin' her life I'd pretty much do anything for her. Is that better?"

Joshua growled in response. "Oh Josh don't be like that. I know you have this little weird idea in your head about Max and me but we're just friends. Nothin' more. I mean if I did feel somethin' for her I'd tell her. Straight up. I do care about her but not the way you or anybody else here thinks."

Gruffing softly, Joshua shook his head. "Alec is scared to tell Max how he feels." Alec closed his eyes, lifted up his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're not goin' to drop this until I cave in huh?"

"Nope. Joshua wants little fella happy. Joshua also wants medium fella happy. Medium fella would make little fella happy and Joshua knows little fella would make medium fella happy."

Alec had to pause for a moment because of that. Joshua still amazed him. In reality, how the world worked was not pretty, and somehow Joshua always seemed to find a way to somehow make things look simple. The big fella always seemed to find a way to explain things in a more simpler manner. It gave a person a sense of hope, even when there was almost none.

Licking his lips, Alec looked down at his hands for a moment, a soft sigh escaping his lips before he finally spoke. "You're right Josh. She's the one who's goin' to make me happy. She's that transgenic who swept me off my feet. Both figuratively and literally speaking. But see, she loves Logan. They've both been wanting each other for so long that I can't even bring myself to stand in the way. That's why I'm leaving. Do you understand what I'm sayin'?"

Joshua whimpered softly. "Yes. Joshua understands. But…"

"No buts big guy. Now, let's just enjoy okay? I'm not leavin' tomorrow morning annoyed that we didn't have fun today. Come on Josh…"

He turned his fist into a ball and lightly punched the side of Joshua's arm. The big guy gave him a strained smile. Huffing softly, Alec pressed his lips and moved to face him before moving to wrap his arms around the big guy.

"I'm goin' to freakin' miss you…"

"Joshua's going to miss Alec too."

Ugh. There was a reason he hated moments like this. He didn't like being emotionally vulnerable and Josh seemed to have a knack for that. The big lug. Sniffing, Alec patted his back and then pulled back.

"Now let's go bug Mole and Andy…"

"Another stand off?"

"You betcha!"

Chuckling softly, Alec stood up and not a second later, Joshua followed. For now, Alec had to forget that he was leaving. Tomorrow. What tonight has in store for him he could only guess.

3:10 am

He stuffed a bunch of shirts back into his duffle bag. Three hours had passed since everyone got home. Max had insisted on having a party at the apartment, now whether it was a celebration on finally cracking the case or his farewell party he didn't know, but it sure did felt like it was the latter part. Everyone kept asking him to stay or why he had decided to leave early when he can kick back for at least a week or so. My CO already called, have to haul my ass back so we can get movin' on this new case he wants me to work on. That was his excuse, whether they all bought it or not he could only guess.

The silence that hung eerily around the apartment made him sigh. Of course he was going to miss being back home, but he knew he also couldn't stay. Personal reasons. Leave it at that. After everyone had said their goodbyes and gone home, he had stayed for only a few minutes to help tidying up the place and then said his goodnight to Logan and Max. The original plan was to leave in the morning, but as he laid there staring at the ceiling, he knew he couldn't do it. He couldn't look Max in eye and tell her goodbye. Again. This time he knew it was going to be way painful. A whole lot worst.

He walked back to the dresser and grabbed the last batch of his clothes. He paused when he heard the door open quietly. Well there goes his plan of leaving unnoticed.

Max silently closed the door behind her, her eyes found Alec's form over the dresser. His duffle bag and jacket lay on the already made bed. She creased her brows. "You're leaving without saying goodbye?"

Alec exhaled softly as he moved from the dresser to the bed and stuffed his things inside the bag and zipped it up. "I prefer to call it leaving without being noticed. 'Sides, I've already said my farewells three hours ago."

Max blinked. Instantly her eyes began to burn. Her heart felt like it was breaking into tiny million pieces and it was rather getting harder to breathe. So many things to say, so little time. Before she knew it, tears began to dampen her cheeks.

"You know you could stay for at least a few days… I mean…"

"Max don't… You and I both know that I have to go. I can't stay not when…"

"Not when I've been pulling crazy stunts on you." she finished for him. This was the only time that he had mentioned about what had happened. Well now at least she confrimed that her assumption was right. It was because of those incidents that he was trying his hardest to avoid being alone in a room with her. Of course that hurt.

Alec gritted his teeth as he moved to grab his jacket and finally donned himself with it. This was why he made an attempt to leave without even facing her, so he could avoid having his heart being torn into pieces. Now it was too late.

"Alec I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of that to happen… I just… I don't know what…"

It was hard to just stand there and listen to her. Did she even know that this was tearing him apart? That he was so close to changing his mind? Deep down inside Alec knew he couldn't. Pressing his lips, he quickly turned around, lunged towards her, cupped the sides of her neck and crashed his lips into hers, kissing her deeply. Creasing his brows, he breathed in deep as he let his lips explore her own, committing the feel of it against his own to memory, letting it brand his soul.

Max grabbed the lapel of his jacket and pulled him more to her just as he did the same to her. She held on to him tightly as if she was hanging on for her dear life, like he was her lifeline. The kiss felt like a lifetime yet too little, too short. If that was even possible.

When they pulled back from the rather bruising kiss, both were almost out of breath. Alec rested his forehead against hers. Breathing heavily, he gritted his teeth. This was it, the moment of truth, and he knew that after this, things weren't really going to be the same for either of them.

"…but, unlike you, I'm actually trying to do the right thing."

It felt like his heart was going to explode. Licking his lips, he placed one soft lingering kiss on her lips before he pulled back.

"Goodbye Max."

With that said, he let her go and moved to grab his duffle bag. Tears began to flow freely down her cheeks. "No please… Alec… Don't go. Stay…" she begged as she tried to grab his arm and jacket to stop him from going but he jerked his arm and jacket away from her grasp. He walked out of the room and made his way towards the main door without even looking back. Oh but he wanted to. So damn much. He didn't even realized tears had already fallen down his cheeks as well.

"Alec…"

Forcing himself to be deaf to her pleas, he pulled open the door and walked out, closing the door shut behind him.

Max followed him outside but was only able to follow him out of the room, her feet seemed to be glued to the carpet when he didn't even made any attempt to look back at her. She flinched when she heard the soft clicking of the door, telling her that Alec, had just walked out of the apartment and possibly out of her life. For good.

"I love you…" she whispered out softly before finally letting her knees fail her and let herself sink down on the floor.

Alec stood there for a moment trying to catch his composure. His heart was beating so hard he could almost hear ringing in his ears. He closed his eyes and for the last time, he focused his hearing on the person at the other side of the door. Gritting his teeth, he inhaled a shaky breath before opening his eyes again. Pressing his lips, he finally took a step forward and began to walk away.

I love you too Max.

When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?

- When You're Gone by Avril Lavigne

A/N: Okay, I am hoping that wasn't uberly fast-paced for you guys. I can't really focus on the threat on Max's life per se soo there and truthfully I'm running out of ideas on that one sooo yeah, drama drama drama. This ain't the end yet so don't fret. Got more chapters comin'!