A/N: I know I should have probably mentioned this at the beginning of the fic and I'm sorry. Of course to all avid readers and Dark Angel fans out there it went without saying that this story took place before "Freak Nation" and I'd have to say shortly into "Love Among The runes" Because that would have been around the same time that Alec found out Max was using him as her scapegoat. Again sorry for not mentioning it but I'm confident that you all caught on anyway :)

I did receive some wonderful reviews again :) And many many thanks to everyone who keeps reading this fiction. I really appreciate each and every one of you. I was informed that the pov in some points of the story can be misleading and that sometimes it's not very clear who is who and saying what. So I've tried to make it as clear as possible. If I mention either Logan, O.C. or Sketch in the first person or start a sentence with them looking or talking to it's usually through their eyes and who they think they're talking to. For example Logan looked at Max (who he thinks is Max but Alec inside.) Hope that clears things up a bit.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Alec couldn't hide the smile on his face as he watched Max walk into Crash. He would actually enjoy this a little too much. Time to see how well she thought she knew him. The usual soft light hit them and their eyes refocused to the dimmed atmosphere. The music surrounded them and the door swung close behind him. It was still pretty early in the day and he was actually surprised to see so many people there. It was Saturday after all, he concluded.

From Max's body he watched through her eyes at his own form. His shoulders were much broader than he remembered. Or was it just because he just never realized they actually were until he found himself trapped in her body? These strange thoughts kept playing over in his head.

He couldn't help but examine his facial expressions as if seeing them for the first time. His dark blond spiky hair shone as it caressed the nape of his neck and his black sweater covered up his barcode. His well toned body could be seen through whatever piece of clothing he wore and strangely he was mesmerized. He couldn't stop the tingling sensation surging throughout his body every time he looked at himself. Shaking himself, he cursed the body he was in and concentrated on what Max asked him.

His face stared back with a look of annoyance plastered over it. In that instant he noticed a flash of light hit his eyes and an animalistic glare eerily shone with a glow he found fascinating. "What?" he stared back blankly.

"What's wrong Alec? Already caught up with the females in the room?" she griped.

If she only knew what her body was doing to him, or was it his body? He didn't even know anymore. He laughed at her comment. "Right Max because seeing as I'm you it's me they'll be after," he grinned knowingly. "Actually you know, come to think of it that's not a bad idea." He exaggeratingly looked over at the end of the bar and gave her a coy smile. "She's cute," he nodded towards a blond.

He was about to saunter over to the woman at the bar when she stopped him in his tracks. "What are you doing?" she asked with round eyes, panic in her voice.

He looked up at her through her eyelashes. Her brown eyes stared back innocently and he gave her a dazzling smile, "I got an itch I'm looking to scratch."

"What!?" she yelled shrilly her heart pumping in time with the beat of the music. "You're not going to be doing any scratching in my body."

This was priceless, she actually believe he was going to do it too. He was like a kid in a candy store. It just kept getting better and better and not to mention easier. It was almost as if he fed on her smoldering anger.

"Well maybe if you would have taken care of business before putting up your vacancy sign I wouldn't be having this problem," he accused with a grin and bit down on his lip. She really needed to relax a little and get a sense of humor.

"I swear Alec if you don't smarten up…" She lowered her voice, "I'm going to kick your ass." She looked around making sure no one was paying attention to them.

"Again?" he said sarcastically. "You know it's getting old Max. I'm going to kick your bitch ass, you're such a smart ass and whatever other creative ass you'll come up with. I'm really starting to feel your obsession with my ass."

He pulled his arm away with a laugh and finished his march over to the bar. He ordered a scotch thanking the barkeep and walked away, glass in tow. Just to piss her off he swaggered over to the small blond at the end of the bar and shot Max a smile.

She watched as her own body closed the distance and her brow arched in anger. At the last instant Alec swerved and kept walking making his way to an empty table.

She forced herself to relax, pulled her gaze away from what could have been a completely awkward not to mention disastrous situation. She gave a huff and ordered a pitcher. With the way her day was going she would probably end up drinking the entire thing by herself in two minutes flat.

She followed behind Alec and sat in front of him with a small sigh. She couldn't believe she was actually having a drink with him and tried to pretend that he wasn't there. Usually she endured him because she was in the company of O.C. and Sketchy. The annoyance, a glimmer in the back of her mind, but now she wasn't as lucky to have the distraction.

"So Maxie…," he said slowly and she was forced to focus her attention on him. It was like looking into a mirror.

"How many times do I have to say it? Don't call me that!" she warned and he leaned back giving her a wayward grin. "How are we going to fix this little problem of ours?"

She took a long drink of her beer and watched him sip his scotch slowly. "For starters you can stop being such a pain in the ass," she grumbled.

"Only if you promise to stop being such a bitch all the time!" he retorted quickly, surprised at his outburst. "Maxie…" he added the moniker to piss her off. Okay so he was just a little tenser than he realized. It was her fault, if only he didn't feel like he was about to explode with energy. He felt like he was going to burst at any moment and the only thing keeping him together was the skin he was trapped in.

There was an awkward silence at the table and she simply watched her reflection unsure what to say. So she was a bitch sometimes it was only because he was such a constant thorn in her side. "Whatever…" she said lamely not really having anything else to add and poured herself another glass.

Alec decided to drop it because there was really no use in riling her up anymore than she already was. He had his fun for the evening they really needed to work this out if he was ever going to be in his own skin again. "The guy said we had to learn to appreciate each other; to accept one another," he repeated the words he had only heard that afternoon with a small amount of skepticism. At least he would give it a try he just doubted Max would ever look past his exterior.

She noticed the change in his attitude and was silently grateful that he at least started to take things seriously. She was about to say something harsh along the lines of not wanting to know what he did with his life when a familiar voice caught her attention.

"Max," she heard O.C. call as she approached the table. Max couldn't understand why she was looking away from her. She looked over to her mirror image who simply looked at O.C. with a blank expression. Finally she jumped with a start; realization crossing her features.

Alec stared at O.C. for a second until he realized he was Max, "hey O.C."

Their mutual friend grabbed a seat and made herself comfortable. "So what's up wit' you boo? You left in a hurry this mornin'." She turned to Max who was watching her through a pair of green hazel eyes. "Hey Alec," she greeted.

"Yeah," he dragged the word out slowly trying to figure out what to tell her. "I had to go see Alec; you know…morning snack." He winked at O.C. and looked over at his own face with a smile.

Max who was trapped in his skin glared at him and shot a panicked look at Cindy's frown. "Yeah right pretty b… b…baby," she groaned at what came out but had nothing better to cover up her mistake. She kicked him under the table and watched as he smiled back through her face.

"Easy there Alec, I know you like it rough but can you at least wait until we get back to your place." Before he knew what happened she reached over and hit him on the back of the head.

He brought up his hand to the back of his head making sure his braid was intact at the same time and blew up at her no hint of playfulness in his voice, "quit doing that!" In turn he reached over and slapped her upside the head.

God I'm turning into Max, he huffed with exasperation. He was losing his grip on his usual cadence of humor.

O.C's jaw dropped at this point, "what's up wit'you two?" She looked from Max who appeared to have a mischievous grin on her face to Alec who was outraged. In an instant the facial expressions completely reversed to Max being angry and Alec with his characteristic grin back on his face.

"I need more beer," O.C. heard Alec say and watched as he made his way to the bar with the empty pitcher.

She then looked at Max who was watching Alec with a humongous grin on her face. "Ok I give, what's up wit' your boy?"

"My boy?" Alec asked O.C. slightly startled by her choice of words. "Control issues and he's not my boy." It was true, he wasn't. He was watching Max order a pitcher of beer and not even at the bar for more than two minutes the first candidate approached. He was truly smiling now avidly watching the scene unfold like a spectator watching his favorite show.

"Max?" O.C. waved her hand in front of her inattentive best friend's face trying to get her attention. She was completely transfixed with Alec who was at the bar with a fine lookin' blonde. "She sure is fine," she admired, "Alec gets all the good ones. They're just like bees to honey," She watched just as fascinated. "Good thing Original Cindy doesn't swin' dat way cuz' Alec is pretty fine too."

It took a minute for Alec to process what Cindy just blurted out thinking it was in confidence to her best friend. It was quite interesting the things you found out when you were in someone else's skin. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit and smiled. "O.C. I would have never known."

O.C. looked at Max as if she was a complete stranger. "What? C'mon you've known that for a long time. Especially the heath cliff version he has going sometimes. I keep tellin' you boo you missin' out. You gonna wake up and he not gonna be available no more."

Alec momentarily forgot the scene at the bar and watched her with his mouth agape. "Thanks for the vote O.C." he said simply and sincerely, surprised by her words

"Just don't go tellin' him that, his head big enough as it is." She smiled and Alec actually frowned at her words. Did he really sound that conceited? He was just trying to be humorous. Somehow if the same comment had come from Max he would have laughed it off but coming from O.C. he started to realize maybe there was a ring of truth to her words. He put the uncomfortable feeling in the back of his mind and diverted his attention back to his body.

Max paid the barkeep and grabbed her pitcher of beer. She turned around slowly and came face to face with a tall woman with long blonde locks and round blue eyes. She was wearing a baby blue v neck shirt with a black leather skirt. She couldn't help but notice the well rounded breasts through the expansive cleavage and the hourglass figure.

"Hi…" she purred.

Max blinked and a look of disgust crossed her features. Oh no. She recovered quickly and tried to act cool.

"I've been watching you from across the room and I have to admit I've never quite seen anyone as gorgeous as you." She smiled showing a dimple. Max couldn't believe the lame line and the sad part was that it probably worked on Alec too. All they had to do was flatter his ego.

She watched as if in slow motion as the woman's hand reached up and touched her wrist. This isn't happening. She chanced a glance in O.C. and Alec's direction. He was sporting the biggest grin using her face. She remembered his recent words. You couldn't possibly handle being me around too many people especially at Crash.

He was expecting her to bolt or worse to cave and not be able to keep up the act. She grinned to herself and winked at Alec. She would show him just how much she could play along.

What was that line? She leaned into the blonde woman with a sly grin and in what she thought was a sexy voice said, "Has anyone ever told you that you're a unique creature unlike any other?"

At the time she had thought it was the most ridiculous line she had ever heard and wanted to vomit. There was no way in hell that would actually work and she wouldn't be surprised if the woman just walked away from hearing the cheesiest line in the world.

To her amazement she watched as the blonde woman practically melted in front of her and fanned herself with her hand. Oh no! Oh god it actually works.

Now she was in trouble, how in the world would she get out of this one? She had actually come on to her thinking to get rid of her only it had backfired.

"Let's do something about it shall we?" she heard the woman lasciviously say and heard herself whimper. She looked helplessly over to Alec who was almost doubled over laughing his ass off. Of course he heard her. He did have her enhanced hearing after all. She groaned and could feel herself blush with humiliation. Alec 1 Max 0.

The blonde woman closed in on Max who was trying her best to back up still holding her pitcher of beer without knocking into the stool. She was about to say something when a hand reached in and grabbed the pitcher. "Thanks honey."

She watched as Alec in her small form saved her from a really tight situation. The blonde woman turned around to give the small brunette a dirty look. "Who are you?" she asked offensively.

"I'm his girlfriend," he said elaborately and then turned to Max. "You're not playing with them again are you honey?" Alec intoned. Max was too busy trying to keep her distance to reply. He gave her a reprimanding look. "Did he try that cheap line on you too?" Alec asked the blond and turned to look at Max who was still scrambling away in a panic. Man he wanted to laugh.

"I keep telling him it only works on idiots no one would be stupid enough to fall for that one but he keeps insisting," he shrugged and shook his head.

With that the blonde watched the small brunette laugh at her and she bit her lip in self consciousness. Without another word she turned around and simply walked away.

Max was still blushing, but now it was worse. Alec had to save her from a woman's attention. How much more preposterous could this day get?

"I told you," Alec whispered to Max. She just elbowed him in the stomach and grabbed the pitcher from his hand. "You're welcome," he called after her. He turned around to the barkeep and ordered another glass of scotch. Without thinking twice he took it and walked back to the table.

He sat at the table and took a sip of his drink and noticed that O.C. was staring at him. "Since when you drink scotch Max?" O.C. asked slowly with confusion painted on her face. Oh crap. "It's for Alec," he said quickly and slid it across the table.

Max had poured herself a glass of beer and was about to take a drink when the glass slid across the table to her hand. She looked at it slowly and looked back to her own face who was indicating with her eyes to drink.

"Gee thanks Max," she replied dumbly and took up the glass. She swirled the liquid in the glass slowly with a troubled look on her face. I swear I'll kick his ass. She brought the glass up to her mouth and took a huge gulp trying to get rid of it as fast as possible.

Almost instantly she choked and sputtered the liquid out of her mouth. A large spray got both O.C. and Alec and they scrambled back in shock.

She lightly brought up her hand to wipe her mouth and stopped cold noticing them staring at her. Max watched as her own eyes grew wide as saucers and a slight shake to the head telling her she was blowing their cover. O.C. used a napkin to wipe the scotch off her face, clearly unimpressed. "It went down the wrong hole," she griped, her hand lingering on her lips.

"Well Original Cindy needs to use the powder room now," she said smartly as she looked at Alec crossly.

Max felt horrible and got up with her quickly, "I'll go with you."

O.C. put her hand out on Alec's chest, "da hell you are fool." Then she put her hands on her hips. "Boo you coming?" Max blinked up at her and a wry grin grew on her face. "I would love to O.C."

And Max watched in horror as O.C. unbeknownst to the true situation invited Alec into the ladies room. And they both disappeared behind the wooden door.

Max had to drown her misery and took up her glass of beer again. She hadn't even finished her drink when a tall brunette swayed over and sat in front of her. "Hey there handsome."

She put her glass down in disbelief and simply worked her jaw trying furiously to keep her mouth shut. She did not want to end up having to be saved again. Maybe if she stayed mute her uninvited guest would just get insulted and leave.

"Ohh you're playing hard to get tonight Alec. I like that." Max couldn't help but roll her eyes. The man attracted women just by sitting there. The woman smiled and batted her eyes. She had very prominent features. High arched eyebrows with large brown eyes, a very slim nose and ruby red lips. Her short brown hair came up in curls around her chin and neckline and Max's gaze lingered on her generous cleavage. She was stuck in his body and now against her will found herself admiring her.

I'm going to kill him! Him and his women! She growled low in her throat thinking how she was going to beat him to a pulp just for being him. He was too good looking for his own good. The brunette growled back at her playfully. "Beat it," she finally said and the brunette never faltered. "So the cat didn't get your tongue after all. Why don't we have some fun you and me?" She bit down on her lip and licked her lips suggestively.

Was the woman deaf and dumb? How much more to the point could she get with 'Beat it'? She sighed and took a drink of beer trying to think of a way out. "I'm here with my girlfriend, so I'll say it again beat it."

She simply smiled back with a twinkle in her eye and her fingernail lingered to her cleavage. "I'm not jealous you can bring her too."

Max's jaw dropped and she blinked before catching herself. What in the world?

Alec followed behind O.C. all the while smiling like an idiot. He always wondered what it would be like to enter the forbidden ladies room and now he had gotten a personal invite. Not that he really needed one now considering the state he was in but still, it was nice to be asked.

O.C. walked up to the counter and turned on the tap and meticulously started working on her shirt trying to get the stain off. "So what's up wit' you? You really go see Alec this mornin'?" she smiled mischievously.

Alec looked around the room in awe, women were coming and going completely oblivious to a man in their midst. They were talking amongst each other without a care in the world. Some were applying lipstick, others playing with their hair and to his fascination one had her hands deep inside her shirt rearranging her breasts to show more cleavage. A small chuckle escaped his lips. The woman caught Alec watching her and she winked in his direction. Wait hold on, I'm Max. Ohh… He smiled back at her, I'm in heaven.

Cindy had seen the little exchange of looks and put her hand on Max's arm. "Hold up a minute. Did you just…?" she couldn't even finish her thought.

Alec snapped out of it and looked at Cindy. "Did I just what? Yeah I went to see Alec." he changed topics and pretended to clean his face along with O.C.

"So are you going to tell me what happened?" She smirked back at Max ignoring what she had just seen. She must be imagining things.

"Nothing happened I just couldn't sleep that's all." He had to be careful here and tried his best to say and do what he thought Max would say.

"So you couldn't sleep and out of all that restlessness you just decided to leave in a hurry to go see hot boy." She grinned now and started applying a bit of makeup to repair the damage from the scotch.

"It wasn't like that." Wow, that was perfect and to a T. Max would have definitely said that and he was proud of his performance.

"Right…" Cindy said slowly. "Suga' you have issues and you need to stop fightin' him and yourself."

"What?" Alec was stunned. "I'm not fighting myself and I just can't stop myself from fighting him because he's a pain in the ass." His mouth was spewing words out of remoteness trying to play a semblance of Max but deep down he was truly listening to what Original Cindy was hinting at with incredulity.

"I see so when you actually are civil to one another you never stop to realize that it's him you're always running to and that the two of you actually fit better than anyone you've ever known?" She finished putting on her lipstick and handed it to Max, "even Logan."

Alec looked at the lipstick and almost laughed thinking about Max's earlier comment. He shook his head and Cindy pulled her hand away stowing it away in her purse. "With Logan, it's different," he heard himself say not really knowing why. Maybe it was her guilt transferring to him again.

O.C. started to make her way back out of the washroom. "Right and somehow guilt has nothing to do with that." And with a last look behind him he followed her.

Alec looked up and spotted their table where Max was obviously being hit on again. His own face reflected anger. If he knew Max she was really to chew nails and then he noticed the brunette. Immediately alarms went off in his head, "ohh that's not good."

"What's not good?" Cindy asked looking back at her best friend whose face had gone a little paler. "What's goin' on?"

"Just follow my lead," he told O.C. in a whisper and walked to their table.

"Julie!" The brunette heard her name and turned around noticing a very beautiful woman staring back at her with bright brown eyes. "Do I know you?" she asked in confusion and irritation at being bothered.

"Not really, I overheard a big guy describing someone like you earlier," Alec grinned at the small look of anxiousness growing on her face. "Come to think of it he mentioned something about chocking the life out of his wife if he found her here again; would that really be you?" he inquired knowing full well it was.

Julie took a look at Alec who was truly Max at full peak anger, "some other time handsome." She scurried away pulling something out of her purse. He knew without a doubt it was her wedding ring.

"What in the world was that about?" Cindy asked completely confused by what just happened. She looked over to Alec who was drinking his beer like he hadn't seen water for days and Max who was watching Julie walk away with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

Alec looked at his own reflection and Max's anger was slowly dissipating. He looked at O.C. "Just trouble waiting to happen" he said seriously and filled himself a glass of beer. "Just forget about her she plays a very dangerous game."

"Whatever you say suga' what I wanna know is how you even knew her?"

"Long story I don't really want to get into right now." Cindy knew how stubborn Max could be so she didn't press the issue, "a'ight then."

Max was suddenly startled when a hand pressed down on her shoulder. "Alec! My buddy my pal, I need your help." She turned to come face to face with Sketchy.

"What now Sketch?" she said tiredly, he was constantly getting himself in trouble expecting his friends to bail him out.

"Well you see I just got my ass kicked at pool by these two guys and well let's just say that they're not as bad as they looked at first."

Alec's ears perked up and his eyes sparkled with excitement, "you got hustled?"

Sketch turned around to face Max who had spoken up. "Yeah… didn't I just say that? I don't have any money left and I still owe them and well let's just say they're not just going to let me walk away. Can I borrow some money? I'll pay you back I swear."

Max looking through Alec's eyes watched her face light up with mischief. Then she heard her voice speak up, "tell you what Sketchy let's do one better. How about I get all your money back instead?"

Sketch looked over from Alec to Max his eyebrows drawing down in bewilderment. "Max I didn't know you played pool. No offense but I think Alec would be better equipped for this."

Max knew how good of a player Alec was and she also knew she couldn't hold a candle to him when it came to scamming and hustling so she simply smiled. "No no Sketchy, you should let Max try. You would be surprised how good she can be."

"Whatever you say Alec, you know I trust you. You've never steered me wrong." Max couldn't help but be doubtful of that. So maybe Sketch trusted Alec he was probably the only one at that. As for him never steering him wrong; well let's just face it he probably helped Sketch out of personal gain and not friendship. "No problem buddy," she replied half heartedly.

"I need to see this," O.C. got up with her glass of beer and pulled on Alec's arm, "you coming?"

"If I have to," Max said sourly and took up the pitcher and her glass. Walking over to the back she sat near the pool table. This would be interesting to watch.

Alec followed behind Sketchy with a smile. He walked up to the pool table and noticed two burly guys laughing when they noticed Sketch stroll up to them. "So you have our money?"

Sketch looked over at his friend, "uhh Max?"

Alec reached into his jean pocket and took out the money he took out of his room that morning. "You'll never learn," he said to Sketch with an emphasized posture of annoyance. "How much does he owe you guys?"

"Four hundred bucks," the first one said looking down at Max's form. He noticed her plaited hair swept away from her face to reveal large brown eyes and full pouty lips. The rest of her was just as delicious. Her body curved delightfully in all the right places. "But we can make an arrangement honey," he leered.

Alec raised his left eyebrow at his comment and had to look up at him. This was awkward if he had been in his own skin he would have come face to face with him. "Really?" he drawled slowly and a wisp of a smile crept on his face.

"What kind of arrangement did you have in mind?" He was disgusted at the stained teeth smiling back at him. The man passed his hand through his dark oily hair and brought it down to his scruffy chin. His small brown beady eyes glinted in amusement, "how about we play for keeps?"

He turned over at Sketchy, "what do you say? Another game, you win you get your money back. I win, well your little girlfriend here; she comes home with me." He winked down at Alec who had to restrain himself not to punch his stained teeth into his head. This is going to be fun.

Sketch with a worried expression looked away quickly to Alec sitting behind him to Max who stood defiantly in front of the large oaf as if he was nothing but a small insect. Alec's going to kill me. The other guy who up until now had been standing quietly behind them approached slowly crossing his arms and his muscles bulged over in an intimidating gesture.

"Let's just go," Sketch said in a whisper feeling the effects, "it's not worth it."

Alec ignored Sketchy's comment and with a cocky grin lifted his chin insolently, "I have one condition."

"What's that sweetheart?" he drawled and his bad breath wafted over to Alec's sensitive nose. He turned his face and coughed. "I want to play," he grabbed the stick off the side of the pool table and held it awkwardly beside him.

There was a raucous laugh as the man watched Max. "Whatever you want sweetheart but…" he reached in and turned the cue stick right side up. "It works this way."

Sketch groaned and lowered his head. I'm a dead man. Of course Alec never mentioned it but Sketch knew deep down, he was protective of Max.

"Oh…" Max replied with a slight blush to her cheeks, "I knew that. Best two out of three?"

The two guys simply looked at each other smiling and then laughed in what could be passed off as giddiness. "If that's the way you want it honey. Let's get this over and done with we have a long night ahead of us."

Max sat a distance away and squirmed on the stool. She knew Alec was a good player but he wasn't that good. Even Logan had managed to beat his ass once. Now he was playing with fire. She wanted to get up and call the whole thing off and just leave but something told her to wait. So she took up her glass of beer and drank trying to hold off her anger and her apprehension from the whole situation.

O.C. looked over at Alec with a grim expression on her face, "you just going to let her do that?"

"What do you mean?" Max, using his deep voice asked.

"Well honey she can play but she not as good as you," O.C. whispered low knowing he would be the only one to hear her. "What if she loses?"

Max couldn't help but feel slightly insulted at her best friend's comment but she knew she was right. She really wasn't that good a player because she didn't really care for the game but she knew Alec was an excellent player. "She can take care of herself. Besides she can always kick their asses if they so much as lay a finger on her."

"I'm surprised at you," O.C. said simply.

"Why?" Max asked curious at O.C. she was keeping something back and her curiosity was nipping at her heels.

"Just an observation is all." She sipped her beer and averted her eyes watching the game start.

"What kind of observation?" Max was obviously not letting it go.

"I know you a pain in her ass but dat's only because she always comin' down on you so hard. I see the two o'you together. All's I'm sayin' is dat somehow I had the strange feeling you'd react differently than you are now. What if something happens to her?" Original Cindy shot Alec a very penetrating gaze.

Her and Alec? "I have no idea what you're talking about," Max answered truthfully.

"Keep telling yourself that honey," she answered simply and diverted her attention back to the game.

Alec examined the table and walked to stand in front of the nicely racked balls. "So I break?" he asked meekly in her soft voice.

He received two nods and ugly teethed grins. Guess they never heard of dentists or simple hygiene for that matter. He held the cue awkwardly and tapped the cue ball with half of his usual strength. No balls found their way to side or corner pockets and he sighed.

The brown haired man approached the table and winked at Alec in Max's lithe form, "my turn." He positioned himself and managed to get a solid colored ball in the top corner pocket. Alec watched impassively as he made his way around the table and managed to sink in three other balls and finally he missed one which resulted in Alec's turn again.

"So that black ball there…" he nodded in its direction. "What happens if I sink it?" he intoned curiously.

"You in a hurry to leave with us that badly? That's one game closer to losing sweetheart." The man couldn't believe his luck. Not only did he manage to make four hundred bucks but he was going to leave with a hot chick too.

"Oh I get it now," Alec replied playing stupid and leaned over the table to aim for a striped ball and managed to sink it. He smiled and batted his eyes at the large oaf. "This is fun."

"It's going to get a hell of a lot better later." He sent a kiss in the brunette's direction.

Alec tried for another striped ball and missed. The first game ended quickly with a very satisfied player winking at him. Ugh…

The next game started with him breaking again since they saw how badly he was playing they didn't really care. Alec smiled to himself; he leaned in expertly over the table and with his regular skill broke the formation managing to sink three balls this time. Two solids and a stripped found their way to corner pockets. "Solids," he said simply and seriously.

The large man's smile slipped slightly. He watched the curvaceous figure before him with hungry eyes but seeing the first play managed to lose some of his humor.

Alec walked around the table sinking three more solids. At the last one he looked over to the large guy and winked in his direction. "You're right this does get a hell of a lot better." Without any hesitation he walked around the table and efficiently sank the rest of the solids and finished with the 8 ball.

O.C. watched the table with fascination. "Girl's got skills," she smiled over at Alec. "She plays just like you."

Max smiled inwardly at O.C.'s comment and watched as her form walked around the table managing to own every shot and finish the game quickly. "Yeah she knows how to play all right."

Sketch walked over to the table and stood beside Max thinking it was Alec. "Look I'm sorry buddy. I tried to talk her out of it but she wouldn't listen to me. No hard feelings right? I mean you wouldn't hold it against me would you?" he said nervously fidgeting with his hat.

Max had no idea what Sketch meant and brushed it off. "Nah don't worry about it Sketch she's a big girl she can take care of herself."

Sketch frowned at Alec's response and sighed visibly. He was surprised with Alec's reaction but drew his attention back to the game.

The tall man approached quickly as the next game started. "I break," he said gruffly and swiftly before anyone said anything.

"Of course," Alec replied with as much daintiness in his voice as he could muster. He watched as the balls were set on the table and the game started.

He managed to sink in two striped balls on his break. He leaned over the table to make a bank shot but missed.

Alec smiled to himself knowing it was now his turn and went for the solids again scoring three balls each in side pockets.

The next shot was a little tricky. He leaned over the table looking at the layout of the balls. He would have to make a jump shot much similar to the one Logan had managed to accomplish playing against him. He actually lost that game to prove a point. Wanting to show the rest of the gang that he could lose every once in a while albeit purposely.

Still leaning over the table he looked up slightly. Max was in his line of sight and he focused on his face and gave her a small grin.

Max watched him expectantly, she knew he wouldn't be able to manage the shot because when she'd seen him play against Logan he had been extremely surprised and impressed as if seeing it done for the first time.

Alec knew Max remembered Logan playing against him and was probably going back to that day. Oh well so much for pretending. He hit the cue ball and it jumped over the striped ball to hit the solid and it sunk in the side pocket. He winked in her direction

Max sat smugly but then got the shock of her life when he fluidly managed the shot and winked in her direction. She couldn't even react because she instinctively knew that it wasn't the first time he managed such a shot. She didn't know how she knew, she just did. Now she watched completely engrossed with his playing.

The burly man squeezed his hands into fists and tightened his grip on his cue. "Some pretty impressive moves you have there," he growled.

"Yeah I'm a fast learner," Alec sneered back to his ugly face. He strolled around the table and sank the next ball with a draw shot making the cue ball roll back to its original position setting it up for the next shot and smiled at Max who was avidly watching.

Max looked at O.C. with a smile, "that was cool." And it truly was. She had never paid much attention to his playing because he usually showed off but now that her 'body' was at stake she couldn't keep her eyes off the game.

O.C.'s mouth had dropped open and she blinked stupidly. "Where the hell she learn how to play like dat?"

Sketch nodded his head agreeing with O.C. "She almost plays better than you Alec. You're the only person I've ever seen play like that until now," he said enthralled with the game.

He sunk the next ball in a corner pocket easily. The tall man was full on glaring at him now. Alec licked his lips and grinned at him completely ignoring the murderous glare. He managed a two rail kick shot, making the intended ball bounce off the side and top of the table in a diamond system and sunk the last ball. He finally leaned over to make a long straight-in shot for the 8 ball and sunk it with a clunk. There was a small hushed crowd around the table, watching the game.

The burly man wanted to snap his cue in two. He couldn't believe he had been hustled. "Well that's game," the shapely brunette said quickly with a smile.

"You cheated," he snarled as he approached her.

"Cheated? No I believe the word is hustled isn't that what he did to you Sketch?" He looked over to Sketch who was standing a few steps away.

Sketch almost jumped in joy but kept a straight face he had to keep his cool and sauntered over to Max. "I guess you can't play a player can you?" he asked the tall dark man.

"Give him his money back," Alec ordered with a cutting voice.

"Or what?" he challenged with beady brown eyes. His friend approached again with his arms still crossed.

Max rose from the stool and approached the pool table slowly. Her face was looking back at her with a dazzling smile. She was strangely fascinated with the deep soft brown of her eyes and the soft set of her own pouty lips as they grew in a smile. Exhilaration was apparent on her features giving her a sensual glow.

She felt Alec's body react and had to mute down the excitement. "You're lucky," she snipped in a low voice for Alec's ears only. She was still peculiarly spellbound.

She looked over at the large oaf and met his eyes dead on. She was finally glad for the added height. "Or you'll have to deal with me."

O.C. followed behind Alec and closed the distance to her best friend. "Boo that was some fine playin'."

The large guy looked at the small gathering of friends and the crowd around the table and with a grunt at the lean kid staring him down pulled the money out of his pocket and handed it over to Sketch. "You'll regret this," he said angrily and with those words he walked away grumbling.

"Max! That was awesome!" Sketchy exclaimed now really unable to hold in his excitement. "For a minute there you really had me worried." He looked over at Alec again who was just smiling at Max. "Thanks I owe you one. Drinks on me." With that he started counting his money and walked away to the bar.

The three friends walked back to their original table. Each took their beer and smiled at each other with satisfaction. "Good game Max," Max genuinely complimenting Alec.

"Thanks Ma…man," he cleared his throat and closed his eyes at his slip.

Max wanted to laugh but simply smiled because so far they had manage to slip up too many times and no one had really noticed yet. Alec smirked with her sharing their little secret and hid his face in his glass of beer.

O.C. watched her two friends with a small smile on her face; moments like these were few and far between. Especially when it came to Max and Alec who much preferred working out their differences through ass kicking instead of simply talking like normal people did. She guessed that deep down it must have its appeal. Only she would never understand it.

Sketch came back to the table with a new pitcher and a glass, behind him a redhead was following him to the table. "Hey Alec look who I found sitting by herself, she was asking about you."

Max looked over to the redhead and groaned. Would it ever stop? "Hey," she said her voice lacking the ring of recognition and gave a questioning look at Alec who was trying his best to keep a straight face. She was starting to wonder how in the world he had the energy to deal with all these women.

The redheaded woman smiled at everyone and when her gaze fell on Alec she smiled lightly almost shyly. "It's been awhile Alec. I missed you where have you been?"

Max was just on the verge of losing her patience. "Oh well..." she started to say shooting a dirty look in Alec's direction.

Sketch watched the scene unfold and couldn't imagine why Alec wasn't being his usual suave self.

Max looked over again to Alec and her pouty lips formed a name, Mandy.

Max looked back into the redhead's green eyes. "Sorry Mandy but I'm not really myself tonight do you mind if I catch up with you later?" Max said unenthusiastically.

"Sure no problem" Mandy said with a smile and walked away. "I'll be by the bar with Nikky."

Sketch looked at Alec. "Dude…you mind?" he asked as if he really needed Alec's permission.

Max's nose scrunched up with disdain, "knock yourself out." She looked back at her own face and never said another word; she simply chewed the inside of her cheek.

Alec examined his eyes and could see a small glimmer that was unmistakably Max. She was either angry or disgusted with him but truth was he hadn't even done anything. She would truly never understand him. Even being him for a day and she was more resigned now than ever to blame him for everything. He sighed and pushed away his glass of beer. "I think I'm going to go."

O.C. noticed the small change in Max's facial expression and felt a small pang of empathy. She didn't understand why but she would find out soon enough. "I'll go too boo. I'm getting tired."

Alec got up and headed towards the steps to his way out. O.C. gave who she thought was Alec a small wave and followed behind her best friend.

Max watched Alec leave in her body and sighed. She had seen the look on her own face and tried to pretend it didn't bother her. Maybe if he wasn't such a womanizer and acted like the world revolved around him, then none of what she had to go through would have happened. It was his fault. It was time he took up some of his responsibilities.

She drank the last of her beer and left the bar. She jumped on her ninja and headed towards Alec's apartment. Sadly she would be spending more time there than she ever imagined she would. This is a nightmare.

O.C. followed behind her dark haired girlfriend and grabbed her arm softly. "Boo hold up," she tried to make Max slow down but she was walking away with a purpose. "What's wrong?"

How in the world would Alec ever be able to talk about what was bothering him? For the first time in a long time he actually felt like he needed to talk but he couldn't because of the weird situation he was in. "It's nothing," he said sadly.

"Boo you know it's not his fault right?" O.C. continued to press the issue, really wanting to know what was up with her best friend.

"What do you mean?" he wondered out loud.

"Well all those fine women hittin' on him all the time," she started as if Max was blind. "He doesn't even bother with them half the time he just too good looking for his own good," she smiled wryly.

Alec laughed lightly at that. "Yeah," he said absently not really knowing what to add to that. Maybe Max would have been ready to insult him?

She put her hand out and stopped Max in her tracks. "Will you listen to me?"

"I am listening to you," Alec said swiftly.

"All's I'm saying is dat you hafta stop judging him all the time. I seen him when you not 'round Max. He not really the pain in the ass you make him out to be. So he likes to goof off a bit, he can be fun to have 'round. Look you hafta stop fighting yo'selves. I know what you goin' say but did you ever stop to think dat maybe he wouldn't be like dat if you didn't come down on him so hard? Girl I don't even know how he put up wit you in the first place I see what you put dat boy through. He helps out his friends without a second thought fo himself and he tries to be there for you every chance he gets. You just too blind to see it.

Alec looked at his dark skinned friend with a new found appreciation. He really didn't know what to say. Now if Max was truly the one to listen to what I already know.

"Let's go home," O.C. said softly.

Alec's lips drew up in a small smile, "sounds good." He eventually forgot his melancholy and headed home with a friend. O.C. put her arm around her friend's shoulder and leaned her head on hers. "You know I love you boo."

Alec couldn't help but smile he never usually liked showing emotional vulnerability but he felt like he belonged and so he let her. It was nice to have a friend even though she was Max's best friend. He envied the closeness she had with Cindy. "Yeah, me too."

They made their way to the dilapidated building that housed their small apartment. Alec made his way to Max's room. He couldn't help but sigh. He traded his entire apartment for this small room. He would need some time to get used to it. He wasn't really tired but he figured maybe with some rest he would be able to start a new day freshened up and figure out a way out of his dilemma.

He took off his sweater and jeans down to the familiar black tank top and underwear from that morning. He walked over to bed and pulled back the blanket. What he saw made his face light up instantly. "Oooh silk sheets," he grinned and without another thought took a dive into her bed only managing to slide right off the edge to the floor with a loud thud.

He quickly got up and looked around in embarrassment to see if Cindy had seen anything. "I'm okay," he yelled out before she came to see what happened.

"What?" Cindy called back from her room.

"Never mind," he rubbed the back of his head and frowned at the bed. Even her bed hates me.