AN: Wow 2 years. I am soooo sorry. I had college and work and this just completely fell through the cracks. It started when I lost my muse but given how easily this chapter came to me (I had to make my self stop to get up in the morning :P) And writing another one-shot for The Big Bang Theory today I'd say my muse is back. I am aiming to have another chapter up by next chapter is kinda short but it is just to try and get the story on it's track. Hope you like this :D

Like a Pheonix Chapter 8

As Alec stepped out of his apartment building, freshly showered and refreshed, he allowed a second to bask in the rare sunlight before shaking himself back to the task at hand. Getting Max out of her spiral of misery. Hopping on his bike he mentally ran through his plans for the morning. Stop by Terminal City to collect a few supplies and let the guys know that they would be away for a few days then he had to pick up a few fake sector passes to allow them passage out of Seattle. But first things first, convincing Max to go along with him on a weekend away without asking for too many details so that he can keep it a surprise 'Piece of cake' he thought to himself with a sigh. He was plagued with doubts, would what he had planned really do anything? Would Max be pissed? Was it worth it? Before realizing that the answer to all those questions - especially the second one - was a hearty yes.

He took his cell phone after only a moment of hesitation he dialed Max.

"What did you mean? What promise?"

"Well hello to you too Max?"

"Alec, it's not nice to take advantage of people with amnesia"

"HA, you don't have amnesia you where wasted"

"Whatever, same diff. Answer my question"

"Not the same. And .. I promised to help you with something"

"What?"

"Well now that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it"

"Alec I swear to god…"

"Relax, it's nothing too bad. We just gotta go away for a few days"

"I'm not going anywhere with you"

"Well then I guess you'll never know then will you"

"Know what?"

"What I promised you, What I had planned, If it would be something you might not want to miss"

"…..I hate you, you know that right?"

"Yep, Be ready to go in 45 mins. Warmish clothes, something fancy and something stealthy"

"Why?"

"…."

"Alec?"

"…."

"ALEC!"

"Hehehehe ……{click}

Alec took note of the calm atmosphere when he entered TC and was grateful for it. All he needed was for some big emergency to crop up and ruin the weekend.

Reaching the bottom step the loud "Medium Fella!" that greeted him brought a smile to his face even through the grimace of pain brought on by his sensitive hearing being shaken by the big guy's bellow. But he pushed that aside for now to ask "Hey buddy, how are things?"

Joshua nodded his head vigorously and said "Everything fine here, where's little fella?"

Alec smirked "Probably sleeping it off" but regretted saying that when he looked to Josh's confused expression. He didn't want to go around telling people about Max's little bender so when Josh asked what she was sleeping off he simply replied "nothing, man I was just kidding, hey ya seen Biggs?"

Josh easily played into his ploy to change the subject and let the matter go in favor of telling him that Biggs was in the armory with Mole, nice, two birds with one stone.

"Great, Listen big fella me and Max are heading out for a few day's" Josh looked extremely curious - in a way only he could - when he asked why "Just a trip, you know, she's been a little down lately figured I'd try to cheer her up."

He was shooting for casual, wasn't really sure of he was hitting it. From the look Josh gave him he didn't think he was. "You are good friend, Alec, Max will see that. One day"

Whoa, where had that come from. Shook a little by the turn the conversation had taken he offered Josh a little pat on the shoulder and a insincere "Here's hoping" That was in reality a lot more sincere than he would like anyone to know before heading to the armory in search of a less personal conversation.

As he reached the armory he realized he got what he wanted as he caught the tail end of a conversation between Bigg's and Mole about which weapon , the LR 300 or the M-96 , was better. Personally he preferred the Colt M4 Corbine especially mounted with the PAQ-4 and - 'Damn it Alec your not here to talk about guns!'

Shaking back his focus he opened the door to greet "Hello ladies" then smiled at the stink faces the met him with, he also noticed on the table the folder he needed.

"Just wanted to let you know that, if all things go well, me and Max should be outta town for a few days, gonna need you to take care of this place"

Removing the cigar from his move Mole smarmed "Ah the lovebirds are going on their honeymoon while the rest of us stay here and work, aint that sweet?" Alec just glared at him. "We're not 'love birds' and we're not going on a freaking vacation."

Shrugging he turned to Biggs and said easily "Figured we'd pull that job you found the other day" Both Mole and Biggs where looking at him like he was nuts. Biggs spoke up "You mean that job that you turned down because there was no way in hell you where gonna be able to convince Max to do it? That job?" Nodding his head he offered a simple "Yup"

Stunned Biggs asked "How'd ya talk her round?" Alec exhaled as he picked up the folder containing a brief on the heist that Biggs had gave him the other day. "I haven't quite done that yet, she doesn't know where we're going" Mole was impressed " Now how did you pull THAT off? Would have been easier convincing to do the job" Alec smirked shamelessly and simply said "I've got my ways."

Looking skeptical Biggs offered Alec good luck.

As he got outside he looked over the folder in his hands and sighed. The security in the casino, the amount of surveillance, not to mention the owners rather impressive record as a world class bad-ass, all of it added up to a nearly impossible job. But if done right, there was a chance they could come away with the biggest score they where ever likely to come across. 'Couple of million at least, keep TC in chips and beer for a long time'. As long as he didn't let Max get a clue on what this heist was until absolutely necessary then it should be fine. After all, who in TC was more qualified to pull this off than them?

"If you don't start talking, I swear to god I will beat the answers out of you"

"Wow Max first that warm greeting over the phone and now this, careful your making me all tingly inside."

With a grunt Max stepped away from the door and allowed Alec access to the apartment. As he stepped inside he was thrilled and a little surprised to see a rucksack packed on the table and Max dressed ready for travel. Not without a teasing hilt to his voice he asked "Ready to go?" and decided to take the vicious scowl he received in return as a yes. "Alright let's his the road" He bellowed cheerily as he passed her.

"Where?"

"…."

"Alec you're gonna die very soon, I swear"