a/n: thanks to everyone for their reviews! It really does help me to keep going with this.
Well, this chapter may have some people saying my story is definitely NOT ML or Logan friendly anymore! I didn't mean for it to be that way, but I could see how someone would think that. Sry if there are any ML fans reading this who feel cheated or upset
if someone wants a reminder of Alec's past, its in chapters 18, 25, and 32 so far. (i had to re-read them for my writing!) well, here's the next installment...
Chapter 33: Help
Alec pulled up to the familiar place. Should he knock? He could always just come right in.
Alec decided on knocking. He tried not to grin mischievously as he heard the man wheeling over to the door from inside, but he couldn't help it. Something about coming face to face with Logan today, immediately after having all of Max for one night, only allowed for one expression on his face, and that definitely wasn't the face of a person in need. In fact, Alec, despite being rejected that morning, felt like downright beaming.
As the door creaked open, Alec found himself wanting to laugh. Something about the situation was incredibly humorous to him. He knew he had to keep some of it in check, though, otherwise the man might refuse to help him.
"What the hell do you want?" Logan spat at him.
"Aww, now Logan Cale…I thought your hospitality stretched a bit further than that. Well, at least I know where my manners are. Good to see you, Logan!" Alec said sarcastically with a nod.
"No, it's not good to see you, Alec. Pardon me, but I save my manners for more deserving people. And what exactly are you doing here? Come to rob me? Sorry, but this time I won't let Max swoop in and save your ass."
Alec laughed slightly at Logan's hostility. He smiled at the man, and returned with a hint that he was looking for some help. "Now Logan. Like yourself, I've learned from my privileged past. I come to you as a man in need of another man's help at continuing to help the downtrodden and the weak."
"You want my help?" Logan asked Alec, finally changing his frown to a smile. It wasn't that he was happy. It was just that the request was absolutely absurd. "You'll have to forgive me if I don't believe you."
"Can I come in so we can talk about this?" Alec asked him, knowing Logan's curiosity and incessant need to know everything would provide the opportunity for him to speak his mind.
"Aren't we talking right now?" Logan asked, not moving for Alec. "And who said I agree to even considering this? You either tell me something to spark my interest, or I'm slamming this door and your request in your arrogant face."
"My face has been called many things, Logan, but arrogant is not one," Alec replied, only continuing to be a smart ass.
"Well, I guess that's my answer," Logan replied before reaching up to shut the door, "And there's your answer, as well."
"Wait!" Alec said as he held the door firmly in place. He knew Logan didn't have the strength to shut it with Alec on the other end.
Logan glared at Alec but didn't say anything more.
"It's about Manticore," Alec admitted.
At this, Logan released the door, but still remained in the path of Alec and coming inside. Logan folded his arms, feeling disbelief but also curiosity. "And why exactly is someone who grew up in the place and only escaped- what, 2 months ago?- coming to me for help with Manticore?"
"Look, just let me in, Logan, and I'll tell you exactly what I need and why I've come to you for help," Alec said, finally serious.
Logan laughed at Alec's request, but did wheel aside so he could come in. "I'm only letting you in because I just have to hear this. I mean, this has got to be good. You're coming in here to a place you scaled to rob, after you did steal my phone-"
"Max's phone," Alec corrected him after he'd stepped inside.
"Ate my meal-" Logan continued, ignoring the interruption, and closing the door behind Alec.
"Max's meal," Alec again corrected him, "Did I ever say thanks for that? You're a hell of a cook, Logan! Speaking of which…ya got something you could whip up here? I was in such a rush to get over here that I didn't get a bite to eat."
Logan allowed himself to frown again at Alec's comment. He really wasn't in the mood to joke around with anyone, least of all Alec. Having just ended things for who knew how long with Max, he really only wanted to get to the point. Seeing Alec ask for his help was no longer amusing.
"What do you want?" Logan replied.
"Well, I think I just said a meal would be nice," Alec answered.
"If that's all you want, get out. You're a grown man and I'm pretty sure Manticore made you independent enough to feed your own damn self." Logan turned away, hoping the transgenic would leave.
"Okay, Log, you got me. Like I said, I need your help with something to do with Manticore."
Logan held an odd smile on his face. He wasn't sure if Alec was mocking him or if he really did need Logan's help. "What if I don't want to help you," Logan told Alec rather than asked.
"Well," Alec replied, "I guess I would have to convince Maxie to ask for your help, cuz I know you can't say no to her!"
Logan glared at him. "Not that you care, but you're out of line. I'm curious, but I'm also not a door mat. If you want to just mock me and use me, I meant what I said, you can, and will leave."
Alec tried to resist the urge to continue messing with Logan. The man just became so worked up so easily! It really was entertaining for Alec.
Since Alec didn't respond for once, Logan continued. "I'm still wondering how exactly I could help you, let alone if I'd help you. If you're wanting blueprints for some heist, you can forget it."
Alec stared intently at the man. Now he was just trying to rub his apparent feeling of superiority over Alec. Alec knew who was truly superior, Logan surely did as well. But Logan clearly felt that where morals were concerned, he had one up on Alec, and Alec knew he was reveling in the act of rubbing it in Alec's face.
Coming to Logan for help, Alec expected this reaction. Too bad for Logan Max thinks I'm superior, Alec thought with a smile, though really not so sure Max felt that way. Either way, the thought and taste of Max that still lingered in his mind and lips helped him to feel just as confident as ever even when asking for Logan's help.
This was already becoming too big of a deal. Alec just needed some information and then he'd be done with Cale. Toying with the man was getting boring, and it was time to get down to business.
"You have data on the staff at Manticore?" Alec asked.
"Some," Logan answered curtly. It didn't really answer Alec at all. But Alec could tell. He was good at reading people. Logan clearly did have information, the question was how much.
"I need to know about a doctor who works there." Alec paused, feeling the guilt and loss that he didn't want to claim as his own which came with the next statement. "Or worked there. I know she was there 4 months ago. Can you check that time frame?"
"Well a name would be helpful," Logan replied condescendingly.
Alec this time swallowed the rude comment that was itching to come out. He needed to get this done now. "Her name is Rachel," he informed Logan, seeing a flashback as he told Logan the name. "Rachel Berrisford."
"Do you have it?" 494 asked the guard.
The man on the other side of the bars held up a file to slip through the bars. "Got it right here."
494 made a grab for it, but the guard pulled it back. "Eh," the guard said, "Just one second. You got the stuff?"
494 smirked at the man. "What do you think? Don't I always come through?" He shook a bottle of pills of some kind for the man to see and hear.
The guard grinned and allowed 494 to grab the file through the bars. "So, got a thing for Dr. Young, Hot, and Single, eh?" the man couldn't help rudely inquiring.
494 looked up to the man with a cold expression. It clearly read for the guard to back off without 494 saying so.
"Yea, I took a peak. Marital Status is Single. Nice pics, too! Cute smile on that young thing," the guard continued.
Normally, 494 returned such typical comments regarding women with a man's response, something to the lines of 'I know, nice, huh?'. But hearing the guard speak that way of someone like Rachel bothered 494. Clearly just giving the man a look wasn't going to get him to stay out of it.
"Why don't you shut up and mind your own business," 494 suggested, handing off the pills to the guard, "That is, as long as you'd like to continue this business."
The guard laughed at his emotional reply. "Fine. I don't care. You've got 20 minutes to do whatever you'd like with those pictures. That's it, then I need to put that back before someone notices."
494 opened up the folder firmly, looking up at the guard and wondering why he was still there. 494 gave him a nod. "See you in 20, then," he dismissed the guard.
494 did take a look at the picture first. She looked so peaceful and happy, just as always. He couldn't help but have a peaceful smile come over himself as he took in the sight of her, even if it was only in a photo.
"Rachel Berrisford…" he said out loud, glancing at her file.
The background was typical. Only child to a successful father and mother. She'd excelled in her classes while achieving her doctorate. Received several awards and honors for her intelligence and initiative.
"Yea, yea.." 494 mumbled as he read the standard background. He skimmed faster, trying to get to the good part. The one that would tell him her current position and duties, since apparently it was no longer to administer shots to his cell.
Just as he came to something describing her work at Manticore, a clanging on his cell's bars shook his concentration and focus.
He looked up to see the guard back. "What?" 494 asked, annoyed.
The guard looked anxious. "Hey, I need that back. Now!"
494 wasn't finished yet. Besides, the man had told him 20 minutes. "Why?" 494 demanded.
The guard looked around, to make sure no one was onto him, it seemed. "Look, I just heard on the radio, they're coming to the office. What if they notice? I'll bring it back in 15!"
494 groaned and reluctantly handed him back the file. "Fine. I'll be waiting."
After the guard left with the file, 494 began questioning just what exactly he was doing. Snooping around and digging information up wasn't something he was used to or enjoyed doing. It made him feel uncomfortable. He was investing too much into this, into her.
Something of her sudden disappearance bothered him. What if his crazy cellmate was right? What if she was gone?
He told me it was my fault, 494 thought, recalling what his cellmate had told him about the doctor leaving.
494 needed to see that report. He had a horrible feeling that 302 was right. But he didn't want to believe it. More than that, it didn't make sense. How could I have caused her demise?, 494 couldn't help thinking.
Before he could further consider his own reasons for his actions or theorize of Rachel's whereabouts, the guard returned.
494 looked up impatiently, wondering why the guard wasn't handing the folder to him. "Where is it?" 494 asked anxiously.
The guard only shrugged, looking confused. "I don't know, man. They took it for some reason."
494 flashed an angry and frantic stare at the man momentarily before regaining control of his emotions and actions. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, hoping the guard was mistaken.
"I can't believe they wanted the exact same file as you!" The guard looked to his watch. "Listen, I have to go."
"Hey!" 494 protested, "We had a deal!"
"Sorry! What do you want me to do, go steal it right out of the director's hands? Forget about it! Get your little pictures somewhere else!"
494 glared at him, "I didn't just want some damn photos. I need to see that file."
The guard shrugged again. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. But I really need to leave now. Thanks for getting those pills for me again." With that, the guard turned and left in a haste.
494 pounded his fist at the wall, overcome with his frustration and confusion. "What the hell does the director want with that file?" he asked out loud.
His creepy cellmate finally came out of the shadows of their cell to make his presence, and prying eyes, known. "She wants to destroy it," 302 blurted.
494 noticed the light reflecting off the blonde strands of hair covering his cellmate's forehead and resting just beside his brown eyes that held the golden glint of insanity. "What do you mean destroy it?" 494 asked. He couldn't help it, even though he was sure whatever answer would come, it would only serve to further show 302's insanity and only frustrate 494 even more.
"Make it so she never existed," 302 replied.
Usually he was more cryptic. He normally seemed to want 494 to figure it out with his bizarre hints. But this time he was coming right out with it. It was plausible, but 494 didn't want to hear it. "Shut up," he spat at the other transgenic.
"Like I said," 302 continued, "She's gone. She was too weak and selfish, and it cost her her life."
"Shut up!" 494 demanded, louder this time.
"It was you, you made her want you for herself," 302 still continued.
494 leapt to hold his cellie up by the throat. It was a position he'd held him in before, but it was not often that 302 upset him enough to get in such a position. "I said shut up!" 494 demanded before releasing the weaker transgenic.
"Rachel Berrisford…" Logan's voice pulled Alec back to his current situation. Logan was typing away at his computer. It seemed Alec had perked his interests enough to at least check and see if he had the information Alec needed.
"Yep…looks like there was a Rachel Berrisford working there as a doctor at that time. But the dates end 2 months ago. It seems she quit at that time," Logan informed Alec.
Alec swallowed hard at the statement. "Or," he countered, "She was terminated."
"Right," Logan commented in agreement. Only it was clear to Alec he didn't gather that Alec meant permanent termination, as in ending her life.
"Damn," Alec blurted. He'd been hoping to find a trail to follow, to find out what happened to her. He wanted to find some closure of some sort on whatever it was that was still making the memory of her have such a hold on him just as much as he wanted to know what he'd been getting injected with all that time.
It seemed that Rachel had known. And somehow, her attachment to Alec made it difficult for her to administer the shots. And somehow, Alec continued in his head, her refusal to continue with them caused her to be…gone.
There was a chance she was still alive, though. After all, it was just her job that had ended. Maybe Manticore had some mercy after all, or at least desired minimal damage, and had only relocated her, or maybe tampered with her memories.
Whatever really had happened, Alec wanted and needed to know and see with his own eyes exactly what had become of Rachel Berrisford since the last day he'd seen her at Manticore.
"Any way to find out what happened to her after her Manticore employment ended?" Alec asked.
"Why are you so interested in her?" Logan asked, intruding on something Alec preferred to keep to himself. But it seemed he wouldn't continue without some more information from Alec. It must have been difficult for Logan to help Alec. Considering what his regard is toward me, Alec thought, annoyed. He didn't want to tell Logan anything. But who else would have Logan's resources?
"Come on. I'll pay you if you want, I just need this Logan." Alec pleaded. "I promise, I'm not looking to rob her," he added with a slight smirk.
"I don't want your money," Logan rejected his offer. He studied Alec, clearly trying to figure out his reasoning or intentions.
"Well, there's nothing here. But I could talk to my contacts, do a search. I'll need a physical description, though." Logan couldn't believe he was helping Alec. But something of the look in Alec's eyes, along with Logan's own need to help people, called him to give in and at least try to do something. Of course, he didn't have to try hard. He felt more than justified with simply looking into the matter. It wasn't like he was going to put in on priority, though.
Logan expected Alec to spit off what she looked like, but was shocked when Alec slapped a slightly crumpled photograph in front of him, coming from his pocket.
Logan eyed Alec, as if asking for an explanation, but when none was offered, he only took the photo and scanned it into his computer.
"Well," Logan began, "I can send this off to some contacts. I should know something by the end of the week, even if that something is nothing."
Alec nodded, understanding. "Okay."
Logan handed the photo back to Alec after it was done scanning.
Alec took it and pocketed it again. It was an awkward exchange. Alec knew he didn't seem the type to keep a girl's photo. That was probably because he wasn't. But he couldn't help taking it the one day that he had seen just a glimpse of her file at Manticore.
Alec turned to leave. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you at the end of the week then."
As Alec held onto the doorknob, he paused before turning it. He turned to face Logan again. "Thanks," he said sincerely to the man.
Logan nodded. "Tell Max I said hi," he commented.
The mention of Max made Alec feel uncomfortable again. He faced Logan, searching to see if the man somehow knew.
"I mean, you'll see her at work, right?" Logan explained at Alec's confused face, "She told me you got a job at JamPony. Something about you being able to bother her on a regular basis now!" Logan meant it as a lighthearted joke, but something in his light gesture at a possible friendly understanding between 2 men caused an awkward feeling to settle in the room.
"Right!" Alec said with a smile. "Work!…Which is where I'll be heading then. I guess I'm late now."
Logan laughed, "Yea, well. Something tells me you'll think of something to tell Normal."
Alec smiled warmly to the man. He didn't clique with Logan, but the man was decent enough. If he came through with information on Rachel, Alec would really owe him, and he'd certainly done nothing to deserve Logan's assistance.
"Well," Alec excused himself, "I'll be in touch, then."
Logan nodded as Alec opened the door and left.
a/n: Thanks for reading! Especially since this is the longest chapter yet. Let me know what you think of this one!