Chapter 11: Kryptonite

No one asked questions, all they had heard was that Alec was still captive for them to get into gear. They too were struggling with the fact that a human had played them all. They took less then 20 minutes to head out. This was a silent mission meaning to radio talk. This time to everyone's surprise it had been Max's idea, she refused to have anyone on their frequency that could tip the familiars off. She hadn't put up a fight either when she was told she couldn't come with them, she understood now the import ant's of things. She'd wait here again with Mole to find out if once again Alec was truly alive and coming home.

Every time she glanced at the clock, it never seemed to actually move. Time was passing by way to slow to stay sane. She'd paced around, she'd ordered the med ward to be ready and to have a team in the boarding dock for when they'd arrive. She'd called OC and Sketchy, told them the news and they replied they were on their way over. Then she started panicking, his office, it surely wasn't like he'd left it. She needed to fix it up just the way he liked. She'd been running around in there for over half an hour when Mole came in and grabbed her.

"Stop, I have to fix it like he left it. Make sure it doesn't show that someone else was here taking his place." Max tried to pull away from Mole but he held her in place.

"They're here." were the only words Mole said. Max went limp falling against him, pleading with her eyes that he'd tell her he was okay. "He's alive Max, he's alive." She started sobbing and shaking, she couldn't hold herself up and was grateful for Mole being there with her. He held her until she was finished.

"How is he?"

"Why don't you go see for yourself." Mole replied pushing her out the door. The walk to the med ward was the longest in her life, it was her own fault too. She was dragging it out for all it was, she was too scared to see him. See the kind of condition he was in. Arriving at the door, she could see inside all the crowd of people that were there once again. This totally felt like a déjà vu.

Slowly she pushed open the door and walked in stopping like she'd done the time before. This time when the crowd parted for her and he laid his eyes on her, he smiled his trademark smile. A smile that said nothing but everything at the same time. Then it hit her, he remembered everything, remembered their night together. Remembered the baby, the baby that wasn't here.

"This time he'd the real Alec." Biggs pointed out, as everyone saw the look, he had for Max. It was a look he had only for her, happy, sad, loving and hating all rolled in one. "See Max I don't you, if there was a way he was coming home, I'd bring him to you." Max nodded to Biggs and returned her gaze to Alec. They needed to talk, this time she wasn't running or hiding. She'd tell him everything, he needed to know how sorry she was. Sorry for losing the baby, sorry for falling in love with him too late.

"Okay well, since he remembers her and she's not running away I think this is our sign to leave." Sketchy said ushering everyone towards the door. Alec winked at him and Max mouthed thank you.

They sat together for a few minutes neither really wanting to start. Max finally found the courage. "Are you alright? What did they do to you?" she needed to know, she wanted to know. Alec hesitated a little, but he needed to talk about it.

"What do you want me to say Max? It was horrible, painful and troubling. They tried to make me go nuts. That scared me, I was afraid I'd become like Ben." he stopped and closed his eyes remembering it.

"It's alright." Max quietly replied indicating that he didn't need to go on for now.

"I fought it, the madness that is. It was all you, everything was about you." Max stared at him not understanding what he was saying. He noticed and smiled at her. "The reason they took me. The reason I was able to stay sane. They wanted me to break you, leave you with nothing and no one and then to kill you. When they saw that I wouldn't they made that guy look like me. They paraded him to me, telling me he'd get it done. He'd hurt you and I'd never see you again. I'd picture us, our night together. I hated you after that night. But over there, it was all I could think about."

Max was crying, she'd tried to hold her tears in, push them back. But the more he spoke the more she lost control, she realized then how strong he was. Strong in so many ways, physically and mentally. "I'm sorry Alec." what else could she say.

"It's okay now. I used that memory to push them out. I know it wasn't the best night we could have had, but it was my only time with you." Alec explained.

"It's over. You're safe now, you're with your friends and family. I'm gonna stay with you for as long as you need." Max looked at him and saw his face. He had the look of 'oh please I don't need a babysitter'. "Even if you seem like Superman, you're not Alec, even you need taken care of once in a while."

"And now is that time, I get it. But you know me I'm always alright." he smirked his priceless smirk. The one that Max used to want to smack right off his face, but now she was simply glad to see it again.

I watched the world flow to the dark side of the moon

After all, I knew it had to be something to do with you

I really don't mind what happens now and then

As long as you'll be my friend at the end

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman

If I'm alive and well will you be there holding my hand

I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman

My Kryptonite