AN- With thanks to Silk for the inspiration for the MA talk at the end. Cheers pet.
Once again i'll remind people that updates will be pre-informed at my yahoo group- faythsfic where you can ask questions etc to your hearts delight. Also check out my site for pretty pictures! 56 reviews!
Chapter 12- Fear, Surprise and Ruthless Efficiency.
"And here I thought you slept through basic training."
Pix whirled around, his arms in fighting stance and his face blank. When he registered who it was that had spoken, his whole aura changed, from one of restrained violence to one of utmost reverence.
"Max?"
"Hey you."
Pix strode over to where she stood and stopped in front of her, looking down at her hazel eyes.
There was silence for all of thirty seconds as they came to grips with the fact that they were together again and slowly, oh, so slowly, Pix smiled.
"What kept you?" he whispered and wrapped her in his arms.
Unlike the enthusiastic welcome hugs that she had received from Dek and Aiden this was a gentle holding close, not from a friend to a friend but from a brother to a sister. It was the same kind of embrace Max could imagine giving Zack, if she ever saw him again.
Pix's arms were warm and strong and reminded her of nights spent talking in her room back in Manticore.
Pix placed a kiss on the top of her head and moved away. "Damn, girl, I think you grew like, two inches."
Max laughed and slapped his arm. "Been here long?"
Pix shrugged. "A few weeks and a lifetime. You?"
"Hanging around, making friends the way I always do."
Pix chuckled. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."
"Yeah, I think I do." Max smiled up at him and then glanced around at the building surrounding them. "Nice place?"
"Could do with a few throw pillows, a decent coat of paint…oh and a wrecking ball and a complete new start."
It was Max's turn to laugh. "I see, and which dumbass left you in charge?"
"Probably the same person who made you, kitty."
Max turned on her heel to see the lizard-man chewing on his cigar, regarding her with barely concealed arrogance.
"I was talking to the organ grinder," Max said, "not the monkey."
There was a smatter of uneasy laughter and Pix tugged her close.
"Maxie, meet Mole; Mole meet Max."
"Charmed," he said dead-pan.
"Likewise," she replied liking this acerbic man. "It's great that you give Pix such loyalty."
"You think us freaks can't?" He chewed on his cigar and glared down at her.
"I wouldn't call you all freaks," she said sweetly, "although some, obviously, are closer than others."
Mole's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean, Princess?"
Max simply smiled and turned back to Pix who was not doing a very good job at hiding his amusement.
"I like him."
"I'm sure it'll be mutual." Pix nodded knowingly. "But hey, now you are here, you taking over?"
Max opened her mouth but was pre-empted by the Lizard man.
"You think we're going to take orders from some baby-girl?"
Pix started to tell him exactly who she was but Max held up a hand. "Don't worry, Gopher, I'm not here to take over."
"Mole not Gopher!" Mole's words were drowned out by Pix's moue of displeasure.
"Max? You're not?"
Max grabbed his arm and took him to one side. "You've earned the trust of these people. I can see that they trust and like you. I think you're doing a great job!"
Pix swallowed and blurted out what had been worrying him. "The place is a mess, Max; I have no idea what I am doing here. Security is a joke and the surveillance is the punch-line. Morale is at ground level and supply detail and munitions is basement level. Right now, I can't organise a sock-drawer let alone a city. What people need is 452; you'll boost morale, just being here, Max."
He gestured out at the dirty faces looking in bewildered surprise at the tête à tête between their leader and this new woman. They had obviously known that Pix was with Chance and felt no little confusion over his exuberance at the arrival of this new lady.
The fact of the matter was that they looked more hopeful and curious than she could ever recall them being at Manticore and saw no reason to interfere in what was obviously a good thing.
"And that is exactly why we should keep this quiet. Why should people be better because 452 is here?"
"Because you let them out, Maxie," Pix said. "You've been elevated to almost Sainthood here. Everyone knows that 452 was the one who flipped the switches and let everyone go. No matter what people thought of the '09ers, 452 has everyone's respect, admiration and thanks. You should take over. You'd give them all hope."
Max shook her head. "What if I died? Would they lose all hope again? They need to find this within themselves, Pix. Not using me a figure-head but helping themselves. You can help them do that."
Pix considered her words and rubbed the back of his neck. She was right. If the nation based their hopes on 452—the one that had saved them before— should she fall, their despondency would be unstoppable.
Whilst back at Manticore, they had been pushed around by Trainers and had to count on those in charge for their welfare and wellbeing. They had been dependant on others for too long, been told what to say, what to think, what to wear and how to act and it was time that they started taking charge for themselves.
What they needed, really needed was to learn to count on themselves, to stand on their own two…or three feet, without a figure-head.
"Okay," he sighed, "Just…just… don't leave."
Max smiled. "I won't. I'm home."
Pix kissed the top of her head.
"You know, I can't leave you alone for a minute!"
Max winced as Alec appeared. "Hey, honey."
"Alec!" Pix reached over and pulled him into a handshake. "Dude!"
"Hey, Pix," Alec grinned and rubbed his sore arm, still feeling the effects of his fight with Dek. "Nice to see you too, pal." He swallowed. "Please tell me that you have Chance here, too."
"Would I let my girl out of my sight?" Pix beamed. "Hey, Jay, can you tell Chance to get her cute butt here for me?"
The African girl had looked slightly bemused at the new arrivals but did as her leader told her to. She sped off and Alec laughed.
"Ooh, I want a pretty girl to do my bidding."
Max rolled her eyes. "What am I? Swiss cheese?"
"Max, I can safely say that you have never done my bidding."
"Thank Manticore, you've never changed!" Pix hugged her again tightly, not wanting to let go anytime soon.
"Lookee, Dek, it appears that they have started the party without us." Aiden shook his head in mock sorrow and Dek leaned on the banister.
"I know, Aide. I mean, I really think that our boy has forgotten us."
"I doubt that's even possible," Pix said with a raised eyebrow as he released Max.
Aiden jumped up to the higher level and strode forward, grabbing Pix's arm in his and shaking it enthusiastically.
"Pix, I'm pleased as hell to see you again."
"Me too, pal," Pix said with obvious affection
Dek ignored all male restraints and pulled Pix into a bear-hug.
After his initial surprise Pix returned the enthusiastic embrace and was joined by Aiden, all three seemingly oblivious to the stares around them.
Alec leaned back on the banister and stared in bemusement at the trio. "You do realise that we have just reunited three quarters of the scariest team Manticore ever managed to create?"
Max nodded strangely pleased by this. "Yup. All we need now is B.J. and the team's complete."
Alec almost shuddered as he remembered what those four were capable of together. "I'm not sure that even Terminal City is ready for them."
Max looked up at him in agreement and noted the almost restrained look on Alec's face as he watched her.
She was inexplicably saddened by the distance but understood it.
They both knew that things were not as yet back to the way that they wanted it to be. There had been too few confessions and not enough conversation for them to be entirely comfortable with each other again, but they had hope that, in time, they would reach that level of comfort that they had before he had walked out.
Max, herself, knew that it was time that she accepted some responsibility for her own actions as well. She had fully realised that Alec was always the one to make amends whilst she had assumed innocence and blamelessness. Max knew that she, too, had done and said things that needed absolution before they could regain their footing.
Alec could tell by the look in her eyes that she was preoccupied and he wondered when he had lost the ability to be able to tell what she had been thinking, or if he ever had it in the first place.
It was a sobering thought to think that he had been fooling himself all these years and he desperately wished that he could turn the clock back to the moment that he had started to slip away from her.
He swallowed and started to say something but before the words could make it out his mouth he heard a shriek and spun on his heel.
Chance almost flew through the air and into his arms.
"Alec!" she screeched and launched herself over the banister like bad b-movie vampire.
Alec caught the brunette and hugged her so close to him that he could almost feel her bones creak.
"Hey, misfit," he muttered, his eyes closed as he savoured the sweet sensation of his adopted sister safe in his arms.
"Alec!" she choked. "Not dead!"
"Not unless you're hugging a corpse," he joked.
Her long hair trailed over his shoulder and tickled his nose but it carried the familiar scent on Chance and the intrinsic feelings of family that she had always carried with her. He rocked her back and forth like he did when they were children.
"Chance," he breathed into her neck and felt her shoulders shake.
Chance pulled away slightly to look up at him, her eyes swimming with tears. "I was so scared… and then you weren't around… and Biggs… he's not, is he?"
Alec simply put his hand on the back of her head and drew her into his arms once again, carefully shielding her tears from other as he rocked her again.
"Shh, shh," he soothed. "Biggs takes care of himself, we know this. He'll be chugging beers with Steve and Sunny. You'll see."
Pix swallowed as he watched his girl fall apart in the arms of her big brother.
He knew that he had tried his best with her and tried not to resent the ease in which she turned to Alec. He knew that sometimes there is only one person who can understand and he had no right to begrudge Chance her family when he had longed for Max and Aiden to talk to. He had no cause to feel jealousy as she held tight to Alec and shouldn't assume that she couldn't confide in him.
He stepped forward and touched Chance on the shoulder.
"Chance?"
She immediately turned and found solace in his own embrace.
Pix held her tightly and gave Alec a rueful grin. "It's been a long week."
"Try month," Max said as she leaned against Alec.
Surprised but pleased, Alec laid his arm over her shoulder and tugged her warm body close.
"Very tough," Aiden contended as he sat on the banister.
"Brutal." Dek nodded and some form of mischief had him add, "But it had its pleasures."
"I'll kill you," Alec threw over his shoulder calmly, "Don't think I won't."
"Am I missing something?" Pix asked amused.
"Yes," Aiden nodded enthusiastically and then winced as the action caused his injuries to pull, "It's been like a soap opera and I for one am glad to be out of it now."
"So says the owner of the apron," Max quipped.
"I thought we were going to keep that between us," Aiden pouted and Pix threw back his head and laughed.
"Damn, I missed you."
"What were we? Trainer trail?" Chance poked him, managing to surreptitiously wipe her tears away.
"We?" Aiden perked up. "Who's we?"
"Techie and Feen are here too," Chance said.
Dek and Aiden exchanged glances. "Techie!" They yelled and jumped off the banister.
Max shared a rolled eyed look with Chance. "Boys!"
"Let's find our erstwhile technical genius!"
"And break his things!" Dek cheered.
As they raced past both men dropped a kiss on Chance's forehead.
"Glad ta see ya, babe," Dek said and ran off, favouring his aching leg.
"They are X-series?" Mole sniffed. "I'm beginning to think we were deceived."
"It gets better," Pix smiled, feeling lighter than he had felt in months. "Just wait until you meet B.J."
Max shuddered. "Let's hope I'm elsewhere when that happens."
>>>>
Techie was sorting through his box of odds and ends. Wires of indeterminate origin and purpose twisted themselves around batteries and bits of metal creating a bizarre medley of chaos.
Techie almost whistled as his deft fingers sought the right pieces of wire needed for his current project. He could quite happily sit here forever just twiddling bits of wire and metal.
He could just as happily kill Pix for the pile of paperwork that lay on one side of his cluttered desk, becoming increasingly buried under half-finished projects.
Feen had once attempted to tidy his desk but after… gentle protest from Techie, agreed never to touch his things ever again on pain of death.
He found that he could be quite forthright when the occasion called for it, and the apparent effects on Feen were… more than satisfactory.
Of course, if only Pix knew when to leave well enough alone he could be quite content with his new life. After all it wasn't as if he needed to live in luxury. He didn't require the trappings that many people felt necessary for life. He didn't need luxurious seats or expensive paintings to make his living space nicer. In fact he barely noticed his surroundings most of the time, content to be lost in his work.
Lost deep in his wonderful creations and the—
"Techie!"
"My man!"
He sat up so quickly he almost knocked himself out on the standard lamp that adorned his desk.
"Holy sh—" he cussed and rubbed his head. "Didn't anyone ever tell you guys not to creep up on a man at work?"
"No—"
"—don't think so," they said in unison.
"However we could be—"
"—mistaken, it has been known to happen."
Techie eyed them, forcing down the rising delight at seeing two of his dearest friends again. "Tell me again why I missed you?"
Dek clapped him on the back. "Techie, my dear, of course you missed us. We are your buddies, your pals, your best friends."
"My pain in the asses," Techie said, flushing with pleasure at the accolades even as he tried to hide the emotion. He did a double take as he noted the blood and bruises on Dek's face. "You look like hell."
"Thanks." Dek beamed, splitting his lip again.
"You've been playing," Techie shook his head "I knew it was too much to hope that you'd grown up some."
"That was a given," Aiden laughed. "So you managed to find a place that caters for your latent mad meddler tendencies?"
"Mad meddler?"
"Alliteration is alms for the soul, so sayeth Aiden," he said sagely.
Techie turned to Dek. "What have you been feeding him?"
Dek shrugged, eyeing Aiden oddly. "I think the fresh air is gong to his head. I'm sure it's not healthy."
"I miss my apron," Aiden bit his lip, only just managing to keep a straight face.
"Why is it that whenever I am around you I feel that much more abstract?" Techie put down his wire in frustration. "I'm sure I was normal once upon a time."
"Don't be ridiculous, anyone who dates Feen can never be counted as sane."
"Did I hear my name?" Feen popped her head in and did a double take. "Hey!"
"Feen," Aide greeted with a smile. "We were just saying how good it would be to see you."
"We were?" Dek looked puzzled until Aiden slapped his head. "We were!"
"If I believed that I'd be dumber than dumb-ass himself," Feen pointed at Dek before shaking her head and she sashaying over to kiss Aiden's cheek.
"Is that any way to speak to your Sex Ed partner?" Dek pouted.
"The earth moved," she deadpanned, "my world rocked."
"Mine did," Techie said. "My ceiling cracked in half during the explosion."
They laughed uneasily at the casual reference to the destruction of their home.
"Dek?" Feen frowned. "What happened to your face?"
Dek opened his mouth but before he could formulate a reply Aiden beat him to it.
"Oh, blame that on mother nature."
"So how did you reprobates find TC?" Feen asked trying to forestall a war.
"The smell?" Techie shuddered. "I'd like to say you get used to it, but!"
"Nah, Max remembered something of it."
"Max is here?" Feen said with interest, "What about Alec?"
"Yup, Mein Fuhrer is here too," Dek grimaced.
"What about Drew?"
Silence reigned and Aiden winced.
Feen realised that she had just royally put her foot in her mouth.
"Shit, sorry, Dek."
"She's not here then, huh?" Dek laughed humourlessly. "Figures."
"This place is fairly new and not many know about it yet," Techie offered. "Pix is doing his best to spread the word, sending parties out to locate and assimilate but it is slow work when we were told to go to ground."
"Nothing harder to find than a transgenic who doesn't want to be found," Aiden added.
"Like a flip A wire in a hard drive system sale," Techie said.
"For example," Dek agreed, totally bewildered at Techie's words.
"There has to be some other way for us to get the message out that there is a safe house here," Aiden mused and crossed his arms across his chest. "Maybe Max has some ideas."
>>>
Max, however, was thinking of other things.
Whilst Chance and Alec were catching up, Pix had taken her into his office and was showing her all that he had done to Terminal City.
"So then I ordered a team meeting and selected departmental heads," he was saying, "Mole is my second in command."
"Good choice," Max said. "He seems to have his finger on the pulse…and is annoying enough so everyone will listen to him."
Pix grinned. "I knew the two of you would get along."
Max pretended to laugh and Pix continued. "Dix is head of surveillance."
"Dix?"
"The dude with the monocle, I swear that guy sees everything."
Max nodded.
"I made Tech the head of electronics, a fact he ain't pleased about."
"I'm surprised you got him to agree."
"Feen did that."
"Of course," Max smiled at the thought of the tenacious redhead.
"Provisions are headed by Chance and Feen who take it in turns to deal with stuff like food procurement, munitions, clothing and all that jazz. There is a pregnant X-series called Gem who deals with cooking and stuff, she tells us what we need food wise."
"Okay," Max frowned lightly.
"Luke is a trench digger, I put him in charge of Personnel, making sure who is here and who's new. He's good with people."
"Defence and offence?" Max asked.
"I'm head of defence and Jay, the African girl out there, she's head of security and Kelpy, a chameleon, is head of tactics."
"Okay," Max sat down.
"Questions, comments?" Pix enquired as he sat by her. "You know I sucked at this kind of stuff back at old M."
"You made it into Special Ops, didn't you?" Max aid distractedly as she poured over the maps.
Pix shrugged ruefully. "Yeah, although I do wonder if the Trainers at Wyoming just agreed to that to get rid of me. It wouldn't surprise me."
Max chuckled at that before turning her attention to the issue at hand. "You have a counsel of nine and four are non Xs, that's good. How are security teams and offence shaping up?"
Pix held his hands out wide. "Honestly, we haven't had enough time to get seriously organised. It seems that they come to me with every little problem, I can't seem to be on hand all the time and its driving me crazy, Max."
"I get it," Max nodded. "You don't want to install a hierarchy and the last thing you should do is alienate people." She thought for a while. "Okay, here's what we need to do now."
>
As Max got into the swing of sorting out the areas needed for organizing a nation, Alec was having a long talk with his adoptive sister.
They settled together on the console and watched as others bustled about, trying not to look curiously at the newcomer who had seemingly stolen their leader's girlfriend.
"Sorry for drowning you," Chance apologised gesturing at his wet jacket.
"Hey, I always tell pretty girls that I have waterproof shoulders."
"All girls?" Chance raised an eyebrow at him and gestured up at the office door.
"All girls save Max," he amended, "she exchanged her tear ducts for an AK4."
"Good trade," Chance muttered and bit her lip.
Anticipating what she was about to ask, Alec forestalled her. "No, I haven't seen Biggs."
Chance swore and it was Alec's turn to raise his eyebrows.
"Where did you learn words like that?"
"B.J.," she admitted. "He was always good with words."
Alec chuckled and leaned back, swinging his legs as he let his eyes wander to the closed door.
"I'm sure he's fine," he said absently, "Probably with Sunny and freaking out over being away from you for so long."
"Hmm," Chance didn't think so. She missed her brother terribly. Although he hadn't always been there for her she knew that he cared and it was something special to have someone who cared for you like that.
"So, are you and Max okay?"
"So, are you and Pix okay?" he mimicked gently.
"Totally," Chance smiled and then it faded. "Except he won't tell me when something is wrong or if something is wrong, and when I know that it is he pretends like it isn't. Oh and he has most of the girls here after him, but he doesn't even notice. He won't tell me about his day for fear it'll depress me, or let me in on his leadership details and despite knowing I'm transgenic, he still manages to treat me like I'm an ordinary."
Alec blinked at the mini tirade. "And that's your definition of 'fine', is it?"
"Yup." Chance looked ahead, lost in thought. It was obvious to Alec, who had known her since she was four, that she was more than slightly annoyed at that. He could tell by the set of her chin that she would only let Pix get away with it for so long and then she'd come up swinging. There was something undeniably Manticorian about Chance.
"Then me and Max are fine," he sighed. "We had a nasty fight, I walked out, she walked out. I came back and she was gone."
"Gone?"
"To Dek."
"Ah."
"Yeah." Alec kicked the table.
"Is he still in one piece?" Chance asked.
"Mostly," Alec pouted, "for now anyway."
Chance patted his leg. "Atta boy, who says men can't learn?"
Alec felt the overwhelming urge to poke his tongue out at her but settled for poking her in the side, causing her to giggle and almost fall off her perch.
"So we're both fine then," Chance asked and Alec nodded.
"Fine."
They looked up at the closed door again and Chance sighed. "I think he'd prefer to talk to Max than talk to me."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better," Alec said, "right now, I think Max would prefer to talk to him than to me."
"Why?" Chance demanded. "I'm intelligent, good-looking, I love him, I can sympathise. Why Max?"
"It's something that I refer to as 'Wyoming syndrome'," Alec said heavily, with just a touch of exasperation. "I swear that place is just some big old conspiracy. You can almost hear them hush as they speak about it. Everyone who comes from there is just plain weird."
He had enough of waiting for them to come out and he had a sudden urge to see Max.
"Yup," Chance agreed with his statement. "I wonder what actually happened there."
"Knowing our lot," Alec said, jumping off the console and moving to the stairs. "Probably arson and alcohol."
Chance looked after him and pouted. "Okay, now I'm jealous."
Both Max and Pix looked up when Alec entered the room and Max gave him a small smile.
"Hey, you get tired waiting?"
Alec shrugged. "You guys almost done?"
Pix looked between the two of them, picking up on the odd vibes that ran through the air.
"Yeah, just about," Max, too, had picked the tension and she lay the maps down gently, as if taking meticulous care of them would, somehow, assuage the pain that lay between them.
"We should be getting back home now."
"Home?" Chance asked, walking over to Pix and placing an arm around his waist. "Why not stay here? We have plenty of room."
"Here?" Alec gave her a dark look.
"Why not?" Max jumped in. "I could do with going over some more of these plans with Pix and get an early start tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? What about your job?"
Max snorted, "Oh please, tell Normal I was with you and he'll fall over himself to help out."
Alec hid a grin at that and ducked his head. "Okay, then."
"Normal?"
"Misnomer," Max pointed out, "apparently he has this thing for Alec."
"Yeah?" Pix gave a hint of his old mischievous smile and Alec suddenly felt that old unease that came whenever they found themselves running afoul of Pix.
"In the meantime," Chance interrupted knowing that that smile meant a world of teasing for her friend. "Why don't I find you guys a room. Together right?"
Max and Alec exchanged glances.
"Why not."
>>>>>>
The light that filtered through the broken window was as dirty as the pane that framed it.
That kind of ambience did nothing for the general atmosphere of the place and even less for the attitudes of those unlucky enough to stay in the small room.
Max, who wasn't the cheeriest person to start of with, was well on her way to being thoroughly depressed.
Not only did she have to put up with this room, now she had to deal with Alec wanting to talk about things.
"Max?"
"Nice rooms," she said soberly, heading him off as she stood by the window looking out at the faint drizzle that was starting to coat everything.
She didn't want to have this conversation but knew that it was inevitable.
It was the first time that they had been alone since Max had taken him to Aiden and Dek and their relationship was still reeling from the unexpected blows of past weeks. The fact that Alec had acknowledged his role in their drifting apart made things somewhat easier but there was still much to discuss, such as why he had never really seen her or why she had let it get to the point that it did.
Max had the feeling that there was much soul-searching and emotions to be expressed here and felt the uncomfortable sensation that always accompanied exposing her feelings to others, it was part distaste and part fear of rejection.
Alec looked around in disgust, the dust was so thick in some places that it took on the appearance of a blanket; a big grey melancholy blanket sucking the joy out of the room.
But, then again, maybe he was biased.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at Max's back.
"Yeah, it's a great room."
Max nodded fixing her eyes on the distant Space Needle.
"Made better by the company," he muttered and she stiffened.
"No one's making you stay here, Alec."
Alec swallowed and cursed himself for his thoughtless words. He moved over and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Didn't mean that."
Max sighed, trying her best not to jump to conclusions. "I know. I just wilfully misunderstand you, right?"
"I'm trying," he bit out and went to move his hands away.
Max grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. Alec blinked in surprise at this move but didn't pull, instead allowing her to tug him closer still.
"Love sucks," Max breathed and after hearing Alec's chuckle added, "I… I'm sorry."
Alec froze; a punch of emotion to the heart. "Say what?"
"I'm sorry, Alec. I never—" she sighed, "—never really said it to you before. I always let you take the flack or whatever goes wrong in our little drama."
Alec blinked.
"But the truth is, I guess, there are two of us here and it takes more than one to screw things up as spectacularly as we have."
Alec said nothing.
"You said that you never really saw me— you know after the whole Psy-Ops thing— that you wanted me because I could… I don't know, rule you, I guess. I never challenged you on that," she said despondently, "I should have, when I saw it first but I didn't."
His voice was almost a whisper, knowing that he was on the cusp of something so very essential here. "Why not?"
Max smiled sadly. "I have been so used to taking care of myself. Ever since Zack first told us to leave, I only had myself to rely on. The very idea of letting someone else in; letting someone else know who I was…who I am; what I've been through or how I feel, is anathema. Even you. You never tried to get in and I was… content never to let you."
Alec nodded. He had always sensed some kind of reserve within Max; he knew that there were things that she had never told him about her life, things that he had never really pushed hard to find out, especially not after the Rachel incident.
He had been too content with having her in his life to question why she was there. But now he wanted to know, he wanted to find out how she had become the woman she was now.
"I love you, Max."
Max leaned back against him. "Promise?"
"Yeah. You know I…" he cleared his throat. "The week that we were apart?"
"Hmm?"
"During the day I was fine. I found plenty to do all day. I was so damn busy that I didn't get time to think of you. I'd like to say that it did me the world of good, but we both know that I can't lie worth shit to you. But I got through the day, talking to my friends and just…existing, ya know."
"Hmm," her tone was slightly different this time, with an edge that told him to get to the point.
"But at night… I couldn't sleep… without you, Max," he breathed, "You haunted me. I'd try to fall asleep until I was almost crazy with missing you, then I'd up and just…go. I wandered about; I think I saw most of Seattle! Just walking…walking until I was too exhausted to stand upright and I'd fall dead on my face. And I'd dream of you."
Alec held her tightly as he spilled his guts to her reflection; he knew he sounded like love-sick puppy. But that was what he was.
"I know that you don't need me, Max, I know that. I keep forgetting how damn lucky I am to even have you in my life, let alone willing to share it with me. You are so strong and… self sufficient. I always forget that you were the best of the best. Such a big heart in such a small woman," he chuckled damply and kissed her hair. "The thing is, as much as you don't need me. I need you... I need you to… live, to survive. So stay with me, please. Just don't walk out on me because I don't think I could take it again. I will work so hard to prove to you that I can do this, that I want you and…if you could care even a little. I can work with that. Just…please tell me that you care. Max?"
There was a small shudder from the woman in his arms, followed by another and Alec turned her around and looked down in horror.
Max was crying.
Max, his strong angel, the one he always relied on to give him strength. She was in tears and he would have done anything to get her to stop.
"Max? Please, baby, hit me. C'mon take a swing; yell at me. Just don't… don't cry."
There was nothing to bring to his knees faster than the sight of a strong woman in tears. It was a humbling experience to know that he had the power to drive this woman to tears, like holding the destructive power of the world in his palm.
"All this time," Max managed, "I was… looking for my family and cursing the fact that you were never there to help me; you didn't want to know… but I didn't know."
"Know what?" he asked desperately trying to push the drops away from her soft cheeks.
"That you were my family. I… I love you, Alec."
His heart, broken so many times by this woman, soared and beat with a pounding rhythm so hard that his chest ached with the sweetness. She rarely said the words to him and never had she said them with such assurance and sweet sincerity. He believed her in that instance.
"I do need you and… and I'm sorry that I said I didn't. I do. I always have. I never meant to hurt you."
The release of emotion was too much for Max and she ducked her head away from him, ashamed of her weakness.
Alec tilted her chin to him, his very being hurting for her. "Don't hide from me, Maxie." He smiled his best charmer smile. "I've earned these tears."
Max reached down and grabbed his hand, holding tight even as she avoided his eyes. "You don't know how much I've regretted what I said. I always thought that you'd be there, no matter what I said because I believe, I truly believe, that you were made for me. In the weirdest Manticore way."
Alec laughed a sound that came from his battered and bruised heart.
"Genetically paired, mutually made."
Max swiped at her eyes. "I hate this love crap, but I know that I… there was so much that I always wanted to tell you and I never did." Her words became slurred as she tried to get them out fast to combat the soppiness that she had always felt was beneath her. "I wanted to tell you about the hell that was Wyoming, just so's you'd understand and I wanted to tell you about my brothers but you never asked. I wanted to explain about Lydecker and… and…"
Alec pulled her in close and tucked her under his chin. He was somewhat overwhelmed by the depth of emotion that she had unleashed. Where the hell had she hidden that all this time? Or had she always wanted to share and had never been afforded the opportunity?
He loved her more with every word and was fast realising what it was that had drawn him to her in the first place.
Max suddenly gave a watery laugh. "Shit, I hate being such a girl."
Alec grinned. "I can't say that I have had that same feeling. I like you being a girl. It'd be weird if you were a guy."
Max punched his chest but appreciated his attempt at lightening the mood. "I'm going to blame it on the time of the moon." She decided.
He eyed her. "You got wolf blood in the mix somewhere?"
Max shrugged. "Probably."
"Can't wait!" He leered and she slapped him.
"Letch!"
"No, just in love," he caught her hand and kissed her knuckles sending shooting feelings to her stomach. "We'll get through this, Maxie."
"Yeah."
He leant down to kiss her, just massaging his lips against hers and stroking the curve of her back.
"Max," he cleared his throat. "Talk to me?"
"'bout what?" she muttered, feeling comfortable in his embrace.
"Wyoming. I want to know it all."
Max was silent for a moment and then dragged him over to the bed and sat cross-legged on the edge.
It was several seconds before she looked up at him with damp eyes and sad face.
She nodded. "Okay, it all started with Jack."
The morning light was dawning when Max had finally talked herself to exhaustion and somewhere in the night they had settled themselves on the bed, wrapped around each other and just luxuriated in holding and being held.
The tension that had been so evident between them seemed to have evaporated like morning mist and they were comfortable enough to rest in each others embrace. Max's purging of the poisonous memories in a long emotion-filled diatribe had sucked her energy and she was almost as hoarse from crying as she was from talking.
Alec's face was stained with tears of understanding and pain as she had shared her hurts and showed her scars—both mental and physical. He had gained a new understanding and greater respect for the person she was and the child she had been.
His heart ached and his hands shook as he wanted to go back in time and kill every single one of those Trainers who ignored the young girl and the Unit-mates who had never seen the heart beneath the hurt. He would have happily ripped off his own arm to stop the look of utter devastation on her face as she told him of her brother Ben and his need for her—something that he had never truly understood before.
He stroked her hair in quiet contemplation as Max dropped off to sleep in his arms. She didn't even hear his whispered words dropping into the silence and settling like the dust.
"Mine, for always. I love you, Max."
tbc...
Random Rose- well Pix's reaction went a little something like this…
Hphotshot5- Cheers pet, glad you like!
Elle6778- It may not be new but I enjoy hearing it, darling. I think now that he has Aiden and Pix he'll be able to cope a bit better but we'll have to keep Dek company so that he doesn't go under. Ah perhaps Pix will surprise us all with this. Continue to tell me and I'll continue to write it!
Ellenemi- Oh you can so see Mole and Max hitting it off!
Iridescent Twilight- I hate cliffhangers too…honestly. Feel free to mince words.
Lotamoxie- Yes I know I took a while. I think you are one of the few that realised that Max wouldn't let Pix go now she knows what he can do. Clever chick!
Grey Daze's Nirvana- There ya go then, there's more incentive to review! Max/Dek was who I was referring to. I adore Max/ Alec so that is who this is about. Once I'm done I might write offshoots and ship fics but then again I might have had enough by then!
Angel of Darkness231- Oh cheers angel, When I finish my book I will let you know…and you can plug the publishers for me! Check out a picture of Aiden's apron at my new yahoo group- faythsfic.
Crimsonreality- cheers pet, more soon.
Shyleigh3- That we do, things are moving faster now and will pick up speed from here on out.
Toniboo- LOL, sorry that real life gets in the way of writing but if you want to support me to live at home then I'll stay glued to my comp instead of working for a living!
Pixie Wildfire- Oh wouldn't you just love to be in a room when Drew and Ben come to TC? How cool would that be? I so have a Buffy moment then when you see Max and Dek, Ben and Drew, Drew and Dek and Max and Alec "Is there anyone here who hasn't slept together?" LOL. As for threesomes…
Lyn-50670- Sigh I know. I would take classes but being evil is so much more fun! mwah ha ha ha.
Lady marauder- nice name- is that a wink at the Marauders of HP? Or are you Navy- orientated? You wanted Alec to win? Well that would be new! In charge? In a way.
XxInsanityXx- LOL, a tad possessive over Pix methinks!
Aku-neko- I've said it before and I'll say it again- PICTURES! I want to see you falling off your chair. LOL. The Aiden comment was definitely my fave, being British I adore my tea and couldn't do without it! I don't know if Coco will go to TC, I mean she's gonna get married- what do you think?
Chaosti- well your trannie bear will need a hug once I've done. It was a damn long review- I wasn't sure what to say except Damn! Now that they are all together and the banter is back I'm loving it again, my sarcasm flows much better between groups. Oh babe you HAVE to email me now I've had time to calm down over the damn book which I shall affectionately refer to as The Indescribably NOT Snape and nothing is talking you around. INSANITY-A! for short.
Ganko- I will update the second part within two weeks. So not long to wait for the real issues and messages.
Moonlite star- I'm mean, we know this. The tension, the atmosphere- we are back!
Sarah- that's fine, things are a bit quiet on there right now, feel free to make comments.
Starr light1- LOL, thank you for that. I heart your reviews. Now all things come to those who wait and I think you have waited long enough.
Ro- Cheers pet, poor Dek will have to wait a while but they'll get there.
Geminangel- Aiden ahh he really needs a girlfriend. Bless him.
Aur- I get like that too, I have to go back and re-tread all the bits that I have forgotten! No Max is going to let Pix be leader for a while.
Sigma1- LOL, someone's ina good mood, its not everyday I get offered kisses. Bodily harm yes, kisses no.
BlueAngel137- Go back, reread and enjoy! Of course I know what I am doing… ahem, I think. Trust me. looks around worriedly
Erak- No Jay isn't Jace. Jace is currently with BJ, Zan, Zack, Emma etc. Jay is an African Transgenic moulded from reviewer "Mrs" who demanded to be in the story. Ohh didn't Harry Potter make you mad? I was fuming for days!
Caboodle- What ship are you in Hp? I write Severus/Hermione.
Chicita- LOL, subtlety works…somewhere else. Okay for Ben and Jerry I would update!
Nevan- Thanks pet, Double it up this time with Part A and B so enjoy twice the nice.
Guesttypeperson- Yes me could tell the English weren't queens own. I would like to have something against Dek… but that's a different story.
Raven- Of course, I couldn't have all my explosions on one chapter now, could I? Space and pace to make my readers continue reading! The next HP is the last one. I swear if she doesn't redeem Snape, I'm hunting out my flamethrower!
Feenian- I know but little bugler cheered Pix up some, which was sweet. Alec can be an ass at times but we'll see if he does better now.
Jynx- LOL, I have cool points! I wish I'd have had them at school, but better late than never. Yeah can you imagine the carnage if Alec walked in on them! Wow pain!
Messymissy- Oh the Max/Alec/Dek triangle is fun to write as it is to read. I love it! As for Ben… wait and see.
Kim- Yes I like Harry Potter- I'm nuts actually. It happens on occasion. Were you happy with the book!
Fadingphantom- Very very lovely to hear from you, no matter how you fade any presence is appreciated.
Amelya- I'm excited too and I wrote it! Aiden is such a sweetheart, he needs a girl!
Bluejean452- I like Dek and Alec's parts as well… oh possibly not what you meant. Feel free to be mad. I know I am.
La Vito- There are so many fics where Max is the leader of TC and I think it would be nice to have someone else in charge for a moment., Pix is cool.
Keekee- cheers pet, the going gets better, trust me.
Honey00- cheers pet, glad you like. So you like cliff-hangers do you? Ahh well that's all of the good.
Ronda TIW- LOL gosh darn fun? another Buffy reference for me! The Mayor's words. Dek and Drew… yeah bout that.
EnIgMa- Hey there, glad to have you on board and enjoying the way way way long series. I swear its like a virus just getting bigger! The 09er are busy doing stuff… yeah I have no idea either, but we'll see more of them. Maybe in a side fic adjacent to Surging Forwards and then I can really go crazy. LOL. HP got to me too!
Meri24- I hope this also filled expectations, having them all back together and in one place is much better. Thanks for the kudos!
Crazy- vampire- slayer- Yesyesyes more united!
Gamegirl452- And in the next part we receive a few more into the fold so look out for that.
Screwy- Welcome to the psychopathic epic that is the Left Behind series. Leave emotions at the door and proceed to mental breakdown territory. Thank you so much. Your heartfelt words are really appreciated. Its great that the story can touch people and everyone had a favourite character. For me, Its Drew and Aiden in equal parts but BJ has a special place too. I hope that you continue to love the story as I do.
Pixiedust13- Thank you so much, I adore getting reviews like this. I love Pix too and so sorry that you had to have tonsils out. I still have mine, although what good they do me is anyone's guess.
Lyndsay- Ah they say there is too much violence on t.v. I say if there is too much violence on t.v then get off and do it on the floor instead. Love Dek!
Senorita-DLH- Cheers pet, keep reviewing and ill keep writing… until I run out of things to say, and then I'll probably just talk crap. Like now.
Electricgurl- Oh go on and read the other story, if nothing else it'll take up a boring weekend. Enjoy!
L80bug- Ya gotta love the Malecy goodness.
AngelKougaeri- Thank you darling.
SGOU- I will forgive you this because I know that you were away, do it again and we shall have words! Aiden rocks, he really really does. Such a cutie-pie! Gotta love those asides, they make me giggle so in they go. I kept forgetting that they had both been injured and my beta had to remind me to add it in! LOL. They heal fast but not that fast.
Silk- the power of the reviewer is strong with you. LOL, couldn't resist. Thank you for the kudos, I am glad that the characters seem so alive for you, I know they are for me and its great that I'm able to make that come across. Read, reread and enjoy.