A/N I don't own the song 'Step Up' by Samantha Jade or the lyrics, I just borrowed 'em!
Max and Alec had bid Josh, Mole and Dix goodbye earlier that afternoon. They had spent two days with them and it had been great! Alec was kind of reluctant to go but they had decided it was time to move on and continue their search for Max's brothers and sisters and see if they could investigate on the runes. Dix promised he'd keep them informed on any progress made on his end.
Max was driving again and she was being somewhat subdued. The conversation had been a little one sided until eventually, even Alec dried up on things to say without addressing the issue. Alec sighed inwardly; he really didn't like it when she was sad. He wished he could cheer her up or something, she was making him feel despondent.
When they stopped to eat, Alec waited until they'd ordered before he broached her. They were sitting side by side and he stretched his arms languidly, before resting them along the top of the booth seats. He looked at her intently, waiting for her to look up at him before he spoke "C'mon Max, what's wrong? Let Uncle Alec make it all better" he said light heartedly and yet the sincerity behind his words penetrated.
Max remained silent for a little while longer, choosing to answer with a shrug instead, her hands reaching across the table to fiddle with the salt and pepper shakers. When it seemed she had arranged her thoughts in order, she began "I'm feelin weary Alec. I'm tired of bein' on the road all the time, searching for ghosts, worrying bout the people, my people, that I let out. I'm tired of wondering what White wants, of doin all this sneak and creep. I… I miss my old life before I blew Manticore sky high. I miss Seattle. I miss my girl Cindy, all of us hangin out at Crash, JP…" she broke down then, her tears falling hard and fast. He quickly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, turning her to hold her against his chest. He almost missed her next sentence; muffled by her sobs as it was. "Does that make me a bad person? Coz a part of me wishes that I hadn't done anything?" Alec, whose cheek had been resting on her hair, lifted his head at that 'she's feeling guilty? That's why she's so down?' he lightly shook his head 'Maxie Maxie Maxie, you're gonna be the death of me!' Her sobs had died down as she awaited his answer.
Pulling away from her slightly, he drew the fingers of one hand under her chin and tilted her head up so she was looking at him. Her damp lashed eyes shifted away from his gaze feeling guilty under his scrutiny.
"Look at me, Max" He entreated. Her swirling chocolate brown eyes drifted back until he held them with his own green gold ones.
"Listen to me Max, it's ok. You're not a bad person just cos you miss somethin' so bad. That was your life Maxie, and you gave everythin' up for all of us, people like Josh even people like me!" he said self deprecatingly as he remembered how she'd given up her dream twice for his sorry ass.
"I'll always be in debt to you Max, we all are. You sacrificed your dreams to bust us out of our nightmare. So you wanna feel a little regret for what you gave up? You go ahead and do that, as much as you want. Not one of us is gonna hold it against you, I promise!" he told her earnestly.
She let his words wrap around her and console her, getting lost in the depths of his eyes and the honesty of his words, and she felt her self loathing ebb away. Giving him an embarrassed, guilty smile for her emotional breakdown she withdrew from his embrace just in time for the food to arrive. As they ate, Alec regaled her with both his own and shared memories of the Seattle, the JP gang, hanging out at Crash every evening, drinking everyone under the table. They smiled at the bittersweet memories. By the time they'd left the diner, they were back to their engaging banter.
As Alec made his way to the car, his eyes caught sight of something and an idea formed in his mind. "Max?" he grabbed her arm before she could open the car door. She turned back to look at him and then quickly scanned the area for threat. "Relax Max!" he rolled his eyes at her. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he regarded her with a scheming look; his eyes were bright and mischievous. "I got an idea" he stated.
"Really? Did it hurt?" Max deadpanned.
Smirking, he steered them both away from the car as he continued "so we're both sick and tired of the same ol' routine right?" he indicated for her to nod her agreement. When she did, he continued "so how bout every now and then, we go out for the night, enjoy ourselves" At her uncertain look he pleaded with her "c'mon it'll be jus like old times. I got everything covered. I tell you what, I'll even pretend to be Cindy for ya, except the whole same sex orientation thing" Max chuckled before thinking the idea over in her head.
'I could do with the release. I get so tense, and now I can't even vent on Alec anymore! Ha, He said he'd pretend to be Cindy for me, god, who knew he could be so considerate?'
Looking up she said "So how we gonna do this? I can't go out and enjoy myself lookin like this" she pointed to herself. She was dressed in a black t-shirt, baggy combats and trainers. Alec looked her over and shrugged 'she'd look sexy in anything…wait, no I didn't mean it like that!' "Like I said, I got it covered!" pointing to the building they were in front of. It was a local department store. Max turned back to smile at him and he bowed at the waist, before offering her his arm "Shall we?"
A half hour later, Max and Alec stepped out of the washrooms of the store and were found themselves a little stuck for words.
"ummm"
"err"
"You look good" they blurted out in unison.
Laughing a little uneasily, they made their way back to the car, dumping the clothes they'd changed out of in the back and then climbed in. Alec took the drivers seat as Max slid into the passenger seat. He swallowed hard and struggled to drag his eyes from her long golden brown legs as she did so, her dress riding up a little as she sat down. Finally turning away, Alec concentrated on finding the club they'd spotted on the way in. Meanwhile Max was silently taking the sight of him in. 'combat style blue jeans, white KSwiss trainers, a white wife beater and his grey-brown leather jacket, simple but effective' she admitted.
OC had somehow appeared in her mind 'Girl, he's workin' that, boy be lookin fine tonight! Effective be the operative word!' Max smiled as she remembered the number of times her Original had made similar comments back at Crash. Looking at herself in the mirror she wondered what OC had to say bout her own ensemble. She had picked out killer 'hooker heels' as OC would have put it, a floaty mid-length dress in black and red print, and she'd loosely curled her hair so that her long lank locks now fringed her face in waves. She hadn't really bothered with too much make up, just a little gold dust to make her brown eyes stand out a little and a touch of cherry balm. She'd found herself a nice coat as well. 'Girl, you one fine transgenic mama when you choose to be! Cindy be thinking you and hotboy gonna be heatin up the house tonight!' OC teased. Max blushed as she wondered why her imagination wanted to hear that. She released the thought quickly though 'she didn't mean it that way, she meant we'd be turning heads is all'
"We're heeere!" Alec's singsong voice brought her back to where she was and she smiled as he ran around the car to open the door for her. Climbing out, she didnt notice Alec's eyes drift once again up the expanse of leg on show. He felt himself get a little hot under the collar but covered it up with a smile as he took her hand and they walked across the parking lot towards the club.
They had found themselves a place to sit near the pool tables and Alec had entertained her by challenging a guy for a game of pool. He'd won hands down obviously but what had made Max smile even more was how he passed his winnings over to her, telling her to spend it wisely! Taking his jacket off he assumed the role of OC. He sat around pointing out all the talent in the joint, females of course. He argued that he couldn't do OC justice ogling at men, he wouldn't have been able to describe them using OC terminology like 'honeys' and 'lickety chick'. Looking at Max's face as it glowed with laughter he knew he'd had the right idea in coming here. Max tried to recall the sad emotions she'd felt earlier, but all she felt was deliriously happy, 'here with Alec….incredible' "Wanna dance?" she asked him as he put down his emptied glass. He looked at her a little surprised at first but then he remembered how often she and OC would partner up and turn Crash out with their dancing. 'Well I did say I'd do it' he thought as he reached for her hand whilst he stood.
They danced their way into the throng of people in the club until they were surrounded. A reggae remix was blaring and they danced naturally but expertly. They were laughing as they moved, mirroring and complimenting one another's moves. When the track changed, many of the people who'd been dancing for a while cleared the floor, leaving more room for the rest. Alec and Max were in the zone though, letting themselves become absorbed in the music, the lyrics and one another's moves.
Step Up
Their bodies drew closer to one another; Max raised her arms as she moved. Their bodies moved in time to the music and Max danced her way around Alec's form, spinning around and grinding against him as she moved.
Boy
No matter what we go through
You step up, I'll step up too
It don't matter what the haters say
In front of him again, she grabbed his wife beater and drew him close to her body again.
As long as you are my boo
No matter how hard it gets
This love will have no regrets
As long as when we
Steppin on the dance floor
Alec spun her from his body and back to it again. His eyes drawn to the way the skirt of her dress fanned out and then wrapped around her upper thighs as he span her back to him.
It's me and you
Back to chest, he wrapped an arm around her waist and together they swayed side to side, both grinning happily.
Feel the rhythm of the beat
That's my heart
Cupid shot me with an arrow
From the start
Feeling his body grow a little aroused at her lithe body, he pulled away.
And you know that it's your love that's got me trapped
Max turned to face him, making him step back towards her
Every time I try to leave, you bring me back
Still swinging her hips, his arms on her waist, they felt the lyrics say what they couldn't
So much harder at times I cried a river
You dried my eyes and brought me back to laughter
And when I lay next to you I want to wake up
And when I break up
It's only to make up
Shrugging of the moment of insight and breaking eye contact they moved with the beat. Both grinning happily as they forgot all their worries and responsibilities.
Boy
No matter what we go through
You step up, I'll step up too
It don't matter what the haters say
As long as you are my boo
She completed a complicated move, considering she had heels on, but being X5 helped!
No matter how hard it gets
This love will have no regrets
She laughed as he crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her for showing off.
As long as when we
Steppin on the dance floor
It's me and you
Hauling her up by her waist, Alec watched and felt her body drag over his as he brought her back down and she stepped back from him.
And when the symphony plays, I feel my feet
Lifting from underneath
Again he pulled her towards him, she half turned on her heel so she was facing him as he quickly tilted her over one knee
You grab my hand
Spin me around
And right before I fall
You catch me and you say
She looked up at him in surprise, the suddenness of the move making her catch her breath but when their eyes met she found she couldn't breathe
Baby, it'll be okay
Just look into my eyes and we will make another day
Before either could dwell on the moment he pulled her upright again and they let the music chase away any confusing thoughts. Both avoided eye contact as they danced, preferring to just think about dancing.
Boy
No matter what we go through
You step up, I'll step up too
It don't matter what the haters say
As long as you are my boo
Her face was flushed and her eyes shone brightly. Her hair curling seductively around her face and flowing down her back. Alec took in the slight sheen of moisture on her shoulders and collar bone from their exertions. 'She's so fuckin beautiful'
No matter how hard it gets
This love will have no regrets
As long as when we
Stepping on the dance floor
It's me and you
Max couldn't tear her eyes from the way his body moved so fluidly, the wife beater clinging tightly to the muscles on his chest and showing off his washboard stomach. His eyes shining green and intense 'He's gorgeous, it really should be a sin'
Their mouths grew a little dry, wondering why things were starting to get so complicated between them.
And if we don't step up
We'll lose our groove
They raised their faces to look at one another, the lyrics saying what their eyes seemed to convey
So confused, don't know which way to move
Hold my hand and let me know that you feel me too
Alec drew her closer to him as their eyes were locked in an intense dance of their own.
Look into my eyes and tell me
Baby I love you
You'll never get wet
'Cause I'll be your umbrella
The world narrowed to just them, as they circled one another, neither one able to break eye contact.
And we can make it through any kind of weather
If you step up
I'll step up
Their heartbeats were racing and their thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, desire, fear, hope. But neither was willing to risk their hearts and neither wanted to lose what they had with one another.
Boy
'Cause I'm trying to be with you forever
'Would she accept it if he made a move on her?' he wondered 'I couldn't take it if she couldn't take it and ran like she usually does. No I'm gonna wait for her to make the move this time.'
Boy
No matter what we go through
You step up, I'll step up too
It don't matter what the haters say
As long as you are my boo
'Is he feelin this too? If he does why isn't he doing something?' Max's thoughts raged. 'god, what would I do if he did, what if he doesn't do anything? That'd be best right? Things are too good between us to complicate it with this'
No matter how hard it gets
This love will have no regrets
As long as when we
Stepping on the dance floor
It's me and you
Both knew when the moment had gone; they'd taken too long being indecisive. Breaking the deadlock, they grinned to ease the tension and returned to the dancing they had been comfortable with.
Max laughed as Alec began showing off with street moves he'd picked up off the TV. He flipped back and then dropped to the floor, running his legs underneath his body.
Step up
Step up
Step up
Boy
No matter what we go through
You step up, I'll step up too
It don't matter what the haters say
As long as you are my boo
No matter how hard it gets
This love will have no regrets
As long as when we
Stepping on the dance floor
It's me and you
The onlookers whooped and hollered before joining in, taking turns busting moves, and when the track changed they both accepted that things were going to stay the same. As the night wore on and they danced to track after track, their feelings of doubt and disappointment disappeared and both were immensely relieved that things between them were still good.
A/N I hope you liked this chapter, I know I'm dragging out the will they, wont they? but I kinda know where I'm gonna go with this story and I'm afraid this is all part of the steps to getting there. I know the song isn't particularly club-y but I felt the lyrics were appropriate enough.