A/N: Took me a little longer to get this out because of my stoopid computer but I finally got it! Thanks for the reviews they keep me going :D
Like a Pheonix Chapter 9
'Man, I haven't felt this good in ages' Max thought to herself as the scenery flew past her. The wind in her hair was so relaxing. She just didn't get to cruise along at speeds like this in the streets of the city. But out in the open, it was damn near heaven.
Of course she would in no way credit Alec with this refreshing outcome. They had been travelling for hours now and during none of the pit-stops they had taken would he divulge more information about his trip, he was infuriating.
At the beginning of the morning after Alec had called her she certainly had no intention whatsoever to actually go anywhere with him, not in the least because she still didn't know all of what had happened the previous night. However she had learned from Cindy that nothing more happened and it was all down to Alec who was apparently the 'Prefect Gentleman' huh yeah right.
As ludicrous as it may seem for Alec to think of anyone other than himself much less turn down sex, she really couldn't imagine Cindy lying, especially not about anything like this, and she had seemed pretty damn sure.
The other aspect of her distrust of this plan was her general distrust of Alec and any of his shady schemes, another thing Cindy had helped convince her to put aside. So, regardless of her better judgement, here she was, riding through Idaho on her way to an unknown destination.
Taking a quick look at her watch she was surprised to see how long they had actually being driving, time sure flies. And a glance at her fuel gauge showed her to be pretty low. She was just about to signal Alec when he indicated her attention towards a sign reading 'Curtis Road'. She signalled back her approval. Just had to hope he knew where he was going and that they had enough fuel.
Fifteen minutes later they pulled up to a little ramshackle off the side of the road and pulled into the drive. The sign read 'Pam's Diner'. Like hell was she eating in this crap-house. The 'building' itself was what looked like a bizarre mutation of 2 large aluminium trailers welded together at the sides to made it big enough to house a few tables. There was grime everywhere, inside too from what she could see through the windows.
"You really think they'll have gas here?" she asked with skepticism. In response he simply turned a smug smirk her way and replied "You really think I'd plan a cross country trip without a clear and precise plan, I'm a soldier Max" and he finished his sentence with a little 'tut,tut' that made her want to jump over the bikes and throttle his smart-ass little neck. Instead she just plastered on an exaggerated smile and said "Well okay then!" and stormed in ahead of him.
Once inside she noted that the place wasn't quite as disgusting as in had appeared outside but it was still pretty nasty. However she would aquiess to eating here as she was quite hungry. "I'm gonna get some food, you get the gas. What do you want?"
Alec took a few seconds to consider before settling on a bacon cheeseburger and a piece of pie. So she ordered, getting for herself a cheeseburger and a milkshake while Alec got a beer with his.
When Alec returned they sat down and ate in silence for a few minutes. It wasn't and uncomfortable silence in the least, just 2 people enjoying the surprisingly good food.
When the silence was broken it was by Max to ask the same question she had asked at least 50 times already "Alec where the hell are we going?" And to her frustration Alec just chuckled shook his head and carried on eating. She slammed down her fork and "Ugh"ed at him. And still, he just kept on eating.
Why was he being like this, why couldn't he just tell her where the HELL they where going. She understood deep down that maybe she was over-reacting a little but the only thing she hated more than not remembering for herself all of what happened last night was the fact that now, because Alec had decided to be an ass, she didn't know what was going to happen tonight either, and it was just too much damn uncertainty.
"You ready to head back out?"
Alec's voice broke her out of her reverie and she was surprised to see that he had finished eating and had put on his jacket. Looking at her plate she just had a few fries left and they where the more greasy of the pile so she decided to leave them and replied "Yeah" and rose to leave.
Stood by the bikes Alec was filling the tanks with the gas he had gotten from the owner while Max fell into her own thoughts again.
Why was Alec doing this? Even if she had asked him to do something along these lines why was he actually going through with it, the cost alone would put someone off, let alone the long hours driving.
What was in it for him?
That was the question she couldn't get out of her head, she was waiting for the other shoe to drop, for some sign that Alec was planning this whole trip thing as a way to get something he wanted and that he had just tried to trick her into believing it was something for her.
Maybe it would help if he actually told her why it was for her what he thought she would get out of this 'Why the hell can't you just tell me what the damn promise was ?'
When she looked up she saw that Alec was looking at her with an indescribable look on his face, after a few moment's he said "Alright, you made me promise that I would help you get away from it all, to get over it"
Max didn't know what shocked her more, the fact that she had talked to Alec about Logan (She had no doubt that that was the problem she had asked him to help her get over), That he had actually told her without her even having to ask or the fact that he was standing before her now looking for all the world as though her expected her to beat the crap out of him. Why for finally telling her the truth?
"Why did you tell me that" she asked still a little stunned. But now Alec looked confused "You asked me too"
Had she said that outload? What now she had lost so much of her mind she just blurts out her thoughts without even realising she had done it. However through that particular bit of confusion she decided on another
"Wait a second I've asked you that at least 10 times in the past day and you haven't answered. Why now?"
He seemed to consider something for a second before just answering "Just cos" hopping on his bike and setting off.
Max meanwhile stood next to her bike for a good minute and a half before defeatedly muttering to her self "God I hate you" and following after him into the evening