DISCLAIMER: I dont own these characters
Thanks so much for the reviews! I had a bit more time, this one is a little longer.
Chapter 21: A Strange Dinner
Max couldn't believe Alec insisted on going to the most expensive place in town. That was something Logan would do. She shuddered at his name again in her head. She vowed not to think of him for the rest of the evening.
"So how are you paying for all of this?" Max asked.
"I've got some cash saved up. It's no big deal."
"You don't even have a job, right? Well, besides bothering me."
"Max, just admit you are having a good time. Even Logan wouldn't cook up something like this."
Max had a fire in her eyes at the mention of Logan. Maybe they were having problems.
"Please don't bring him up, okay."
"Is that what you were doing up there?" Alec couldn't help asking.
Max was silent. Why wouldn't he just admit he knew without her having to bring it up? Why couldn't he laugh about it- then she could be mad at him, instead of having to actually confide in him.
"Well, all the ladies look pretty jealous of you, Maxie! You're doing a great job being unapproachable, though. Nothing to keep people away like having Max around!" He was trying to piss her off so she would focus on being mad at him instead of whatever was bothering her. But she knew what he was doing.
Tonight Max was more perceptive than normal. She'd just spent an hour alone on top of the world honing her concentration and focus. She could tell tonight what Alec was doing.
"You know, on second thought, I might not have enough money. Do you think you could give those guys over there a dance or something? That might cover it."
Max also was more focused on her own motives tonight. She wanted Alec to be there. Any other night, she wouldn't have admitted it. Tomorrow she was sure she'd act like it was nothing. But tonight she was well aware of herself. She needed one of her brothers, and if not one of them, someone who really knew how it felt sometimes to be so different- someone that had lived at Manticore.
"I don't know, though, Max, how much do you think you would go for?"
"Alec." Max spoke.
Come on, slap me, he thought. "Yes, Maxie? I'm serious, you are lookin pretty sexy tonight, just bat your eyes and go over there."
"I know you saw me crying," she admitted. She couldn't believe she was going to confide in him.
"I didn't see you." Alec answered truthfully.
"But you know." How did he know her so well?
"Who is Zack?" Alec asked. If she was going to be so uncharacteristically honest about herself, maybe she'd fill him in. He'd heard her shout the name.
Max's eyes actually filled with tears again. "He's my brother."
Alec cupped her face in his hands, wiping her tears. "Max," he said, seeing her sadness. She needed comfort. Alec was an expert at seeing what people wanted. Max wanted him to do it, she wouldn't admit it later. He wouldn't bring it up, either. But he gave her what she wanted right then.
Alec held Max in his arms, still surprised that Max would allow him to do this. Does she really want me?, he thought. Or was it because no one else was around.
Max rested her head against Alec's chest. She could feel his breathing against hers. She turned around, and stared into his eyes with her own, with him still holding her. She was studying his face.
Having Max within his arms felt amazing to Alec. He, too, would never admit how much he wanted this moment as well. But why was she staring at him like that?
Max reached up and stroked Alec's face. She finally spoke, "You look just like him. You're different- it's good I guess. But this close, the only difference is in your eyes."
Alec just stared back at her. She was talking about Ben. That was why she needed him tonight. She really needed Ben, and Alec happened to have his face. Alec suddenly felt used, even though he'd known he was being used the whole time, now it upset him. She hadn't chosen Alec for himself, she'd chosen him tonight for his face. He didn't tense however. He was still an expert at keeping his cool. He didn't show that it bothered him in the slightest. Besides, he could take this time to use her as well, maybe uncover some answers, since it wasn't like she would admit tonight happened in the morning.
"What was his number?" Alec asked.
"493" she answered, turning back around and just resting her head against his chest.
"What was he like?"
"He was… amazing. He knew how to calm me down, no matter what. He used to tell these stories." Max was glowing just talking about him.
Alec found himself jealous, an emotion he was not used to dealing with. Here he was, an X5 trained soldier, jealous of a childhood friend. Once again he didn't like or understand the effect Max had on him.
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"The night of the escape." She paused. "I want to find him again. Find all of them."
Alec wanted to ask her what Ben's problem was, why he was a failed soldier. She must not have known, she thought so highly of him. It must have happened after their escape. Was Ben possibly still back at Manticore? Alec couldn't ask her that, he knew she wouldn't know anyway.
"Did they give you shots, Max? Once a week?"
The question seemed to draw Max back to reality. She suddenly was aware of her surroundings, who she was with, what she'd just done. She lifted her head, and went back to her seat. She wouldn't run away ashamed, not now. She had gotten what she wanted after all, just a moment where it felt she was with Ben. At least that was how Alec took the situation.
Was she thinking of Ben when she kissed me?, Alec thought. He didn't want to know the answer.
"Shots?" Max answered, "I don't think so. Not when I was there. Of course, I was really young. You left a lot older than I did, right."
She'd actually helped him. She was right. Alec recalled that they didn't give shots to any of the younger ones. Maybe it did have to do with his age.
Alec didn't want to ask, but he couldn't help himself. This moment would be over with soon enough. It was already ending. "Do you think of Ben every time you look at me?" he asked.
Max didn't know what to say. She'd never seen his eyes so serious. Truthfully, Max only had seen Ben in him right then, in that moment. At all the other times, she'd seen Alec. Max reached out and grabbed Alec's hand. "Alec-"
Alec moved his hand away. He knew the moment was over. She didn't need comfort anymore, she didn't want him there. It was going to be awkward very soon. He would leave before that happened.
"I guess you won't have to do any dances tonight, Maxie. I've got just enough cash to cover the both of us." He flashed her that smart grin.
Max studied him before smiling. "Thanks, Alec. But I think I would have sold your clothes before that."
"You're only saying that cuz you want to see me naked."
Max rolled her eyes. She didn't know what it was about Alec. Normally he just drove her nuts. But tonight, he'd really come through for her.
"I don't owe you anything now, Max." he said. "Your phone- that was your own fault. That's what you get for trying to punch me."
Max smiled, "If I recall, I didn't just try. I did a good job, the phone is proof."
The waiter came to take their money before Alec could respond. The waiter stared, "One check?"
Alec nodded, "Yes, I'm taking out my girl here. Then we're gonna go back to my place and have some private fun!" He gave Max a devious sort of look.
Max kicked him underneath the table, staring apologetically at the waiter. "He is just kidding!"
Alec kept his grin, "No, I'm really not."
The waiter held a forced grin before taking Alec's money and walking away.
"Alec!" Max glared, "What the hell was that exactly!"
Alec shrugged, "Come on, Max. Everyone here can see that you want me."
Max ignored his comments. Normally, she would slap him. But somehow he'd turned a completely awkward and embarrassing moment of Max's into something normal. She would have thanked him, but this was Alec! He must have really felt like he owed her for doing all of this.
Whatever Alec's reasons, Max didn't care right then. She felt great, she'd just eaten a great meal, and she was definitely ready to face another one of her X5 siblings.