Recicup: Gamble's not your everyday character, he's got his own thing going on. You'll find out soon enough though. Glad you liked the last line of 'babies r' us'! thought it might be funny.
Season 4 ep.9
Walking into the Babies' R' Us' was quite weird. Though if that was due to us wearing disguises or us not knowing where the hell to go first on the list, I wasn't sure. "Hi! First time shoppers?!" the ridiculously perky red headed women in the nursery smock asked us. "That transparent huh?" I remarked looking around the warehouse like place. I can't help but think- "This place is huge!" Alec blurted out, astonishment written all over his face at the size.
The sales lady merely looked him over before smiling, "How far along are you?" she asked me, "six months…give or take a week." I remarked wondering if I should walk forward and shove the lady out of my way. "Well then let's get you started. Anything you absolutely need right now?" she smiled at me. This was a first, normally the overly welcoming women were all over Alec. This one seemed to have her eyes glued to me. It must be due to me being the one carrying the progeny.
"This first thing on the list is…" Alec scrimmaged around his pockets for it, finding it he started to read off the first three things with knowing confusion. After all we didn't know what half this stuff did or what it was for. The nursery smock lady nodded her head happily as she 'guided' us over to the first area to go to. My eyes widened at the selection laid out before us.
"Here's where you'll find the basic's of what you're looking for. If you need any help just yell. My name is 'Koren' so let me know if you need anything." Once she was gone Alec muttered out, "Lady needs a Valium." I smiled, "She seems nice." Though her enthusiasm is a bit questionable.
We were in the isle for nearly 30 minutes comparing products to find which was better. "I don't get it which ones better?" Alec asked, just as lost as I was. Maybe we needed that lady back here after all… "I'm not in my element here, Alec." I admit looking between different formula solutions. "Neither of us are in our element, but that's half the fun isn't it, learning something new." He said off handedly.
"Yeah I guess…" I mutter off, rolling my eyes. Taking a closer look I compare the differences in products in my head and grab into my arm what we'd need absolutely right now. Looking around I spot a small basket, "Perfect." I remark grabbing it once I put the items in there. Picking it up from the other baskets I walk towards Alec, "Here put them in here." I order.
He dumps them inside. "You know this is kind of exciting…and scary as hell at the same time." He states smiling. I smile with him, "I know. I feel the same way." walking into the next isle we see more product and slowly figure the list Carr gave us little by little. I look at my cell and before I know it we've been in there for nearly two hours. "We've got to finish this list up. We've spent too much time looking for these little pieces." He agrees as we go to the next isle.
Over half the list was done. Now we just needed to look at the baby-proofing stuff. We also figured to go get some not only for our place but for the Nursery as well. We start to grab them, in pile full's. The basket is now crammed to the edges full of baby things of all sorts. "Did we over do it?" I ask, mildly worried as the items started to shift, a few looking to fall out.
He looked in there, "I'll go get another basket. It was in the first isle right?" he asks. I nod and stay looking at the crammed basket as he goes to grab another one, "I hope this is enough." I mutter out. I felt someone behind me but figuring it to be Alec I didn't pay much mind to it, "So how's the shopping going?" I had to hold myself back from smacking nursery smock lady, her sudden over energetic charm had me whirling. I had thought it was Alec after all.
"It's going okay. Just getting the essentials. Thank you." I told her, hoping she'd just leave. However she just looked me up and down, sizing me up in a way that I definitely didn't like. I felt like I was being scrutinized. I felt snappy all of a sudden, "Can I help you?" I snipped out. She waved it off, "Oh no." she went to pass by me when I heard her utter the words, "Don't worry I know what you are…" I was panicked for a moment till I realized she said 'don't worry'…how could I NOT worry?
"Your kind fascinates me. I'm a huge supporter, it's why I came to you first. I recognized the barcode on the back of your guy's neck." Alec! I told him his collar wasn't high enough! "No worries your secret is safe with me." Should I trust her not to say anything about us? Before I could probe the possibility further she whisked herself away just as Alec was coming around the corner.
Fine timing… "We done here?" I nearly growled out in annoyance. He seemed slightly stunned that I turned aggressive on him. "Ah…not yet why?" great now he's acting cautious around me, "Nothing. But it turns out we have a fan." He looked confused till I explained, "Hope she won't rat us out." me to…feeling my phone vibrate I grabbed it, "Max here." I answered, "Ah…hey Max." Luke sounded unsure…not like Luke. He like Dix were always sure of themselves, when not, then there was trouble.
"What's wrong?" I asked, "Umm…nothing per say its just…well…" great now I definitely thought something was wrong, "Did something break? Burst? Did someone get hurt?" I asked trying to figure out what the issue was. In the back round I heard Mole's gruff "Quit being a friggin' antsy pant's and just tell her." "Tell me what?" I was getting at the end of my tether and I was still looking around to make sure there weren't going to be any surprise sector cops coming around.
Luke sighed, "I just got a ping through an ex ban relay that we monitor. Apparently Special Agent in charge White wants to chat." I was stunned and so was Alec if his 'what the fuck?' face was any indication. "Set it up. We'll be there within the hour." I hung up, "Why the hell would White risk contacting us?" Alec asked. I didn't know, "We'd better get back. If White's calling us directly like this its something important." He agreed and after paying for the items that we'd grabbed we bounced out.
With Alec's driving we made it there just under an hour. The rest of it was spent walking and dodging our way to HQ. Once there the phone line was set up and White was on the other end we heard his greeting card voice, "Hello 452." Why was it always the designation? "I'd hang up just on principal alone that it's you, but it's also because you've never tried calling here before that I don't hang up." I stated sarcastically. I looked up to see most everyone in the room went still.
"Cutie…" he sounded annoyed…whatever… "I have a proposition for you." Everyone in HQ remained silent, but they all had a range of different emotions reflecting across their faces. "You must have taken one too many hits to the head from me to even THINK I'd help you." I couldn't help but smile, "Hell! What makes you even think any of us would be willing to work with you?"
Seriously who would? And why?! "Every time you try and play the nice guy to any of us, one of us gets hurt or worse killed. You hate me and mine so what's up with the sudden need for our help? Someone finally find out about your little breeding program?" Did he think I was born yesterday? "Let's not quibble over past haunts or bring up what we've been working on for generations. Let's let bygones be bygones…for this matter anyways." I nearly snorted.
"Since day one you've been trying and succeeding in some areas, to kill me and mine several times over this past two plus years, how can I not quibble over that or bring up your psychotic snake blood breeding cult?" I snapped out crossing my hands over my chest. I furrow my brows thinking completely off topic…are my breasts feeling snugger? Shaking it off I try to sense what his mood is.
If I didn't know any better I'd say he was smiling, "Ah yes…good times…but enough about that. I have something that you want. In return you return my son to me." I snorted out loud, "I was right, definitely one hit the head to many times. What in the world makes you think I'd ever agree to this?" silence. Thinking on how much safer Ray was with his auntie I decide to continue on.
"Sides Ray is better off without his lunatic 'I'm the member of a snake cult that kills you if you step out of line, like the good ole days of Manticore in some cases' father in his life." I shut my eyes realizing I just told him Ray was indeed alive. Last time we spoke - if you could call that a civilized conversation - about him I didn't give him any indication that Ray survived the snake blood test from hell.
"I'm willing to let that go…" his voice was straining, "Maybe if you hear him you'll change your mind." I balked. Who in the hell could he have that I would – "Max…" that voice…we were all stunned. Everyone in the room had that mixed look of shock and aw on their faces. 'Is that…?' "Lydecker?" I questioned with a slight insult in my voice, "Yes its me." this was bullshit. "So what did you do? Sliced together some sound recordings of his voice?" I remarked.
No way this was really him. Deck wouldn't have let himself be captured and be kept prisoner. I mean it was DECK for cripes sake! He was our teacher, as bad as that was for years on end. "No…it's…" he sighed as if trying to remember something, "The first time we met after the escape ten years ago was at the Genetics' Conference. Your fake name was 'Rachel Glasser'. You worked for Bio-Tech Frontiers. I'd never heard of it before." No freaking way…
"That Intel could have been picked up - " I was cut off, "I told you during the break at the conference 'your not leaving are you? Dr. Tanaka's barely scratched the surface you couldn't have possibly have gotten your story.' You asked me to repeat myself. You seemed to be in a daze. I didn't know why you did then but now I know. You were surprised to see me again." Oh. My… "White! You told us he was gone. And here I thought you did us a favor." I had to conceal my emotions here.
Why was he still alive? He was better off being possibly dead. If anyone found out about him and what he did with Manticore he'd be lined up with us. Not that I'd stop anyone but to line Deck up with us…well that wasn't going to happen. "So you're alive. What'd you promise him?" it had to be a double cross of some sort. "What I figured was that if you want what he has then you'll give me my son." I nearly laughed at the ludicrous of the proposal.
I looked up and around seeing similar looks on other transgenics as well. Even Alec had a 'are you kidding?' look on his face. Mole simply puffed his cigar before shaking his head and signaling, 'fucking idiot'. I smiled despite the topic of conversation. No way White was getting the one over on me or anyone else in here. "What makes you think I or anyone else here care about what happens to him?" no one did and a lot of people were even whispering to let the old dick burn with White.
"He has nothing I - " "I know who and where your mother is!" Deck shouted out. The second those words were out the air left my lungs. The leads on my birth mom hit a dead end with Hannah. And with no name or specific description, Logan nor I at the time could even try to do a search for her at any psychiatric facilities. There were too many and with a limited amount of information on her…plus all I had was the knowledge that in the end she tried to do right by me…tried to keep me.
"Bull! You couldn't have - " "Max!" I hadn't heard Deck snap yet…till now, "I know because she…she was…" he seemed to be dragging it out. "Got a frog in your throat there?" Alec spat sarcastically. He walked over to me and slipped his arms around me from behind in comfort. He knew how much this really hit me. I'd told him about my findings a while back.
We'd always said when things settled down we'd look for them. He even tried looking on the data disks he'd gotten from the old site. But there wasn't anything related on them. I was still stunned. To find out your birthmother, the one that carried you to term and TRIED to do right by you, tried to keep you, to raise you in a normal environment, free of Manticore, was alive…
Getting my head back on I noticed the pregnant silent. But now there seemed to be a question lingering in the air, "494?" he inquired, "Ah he remembers me. I feel so loved." Alec feigns happiness as he looks around in spite of the situation were currently in. "But then again, considering what you did to us all…" my 'Smart – Alec'…I smiled at him, thankful that he took me from my thoughts.
"So you're working with Max." not wanting to get into it I cut him off, "What makes you think I'm going to believe you?" the snap was directed at him within my voice, "Her name was is 'Sarah…. she was my wife's younger sister." This was shocking, and not believable, "Bull. I heard the deal from Hannah herself. Women, barely girls themselves, were recruited and kept on base. Monitored, feed, in vitroed…" I said it with such disgust in my voice.
In vitro should only really be there to help families who can't have family have families, for the positive enhancement of the human race. Not to make a fucking super soldier that people with either want to kill, cut up, or toy with like a science project waiting to be dissected, but back to the issue at hand here. "No way they take your dead wife's kid sister." It wasn't plausible.
"They didn't take her. She volunteered, she wanted to contribute to the project. No one stood in her way…at least not until she tried to run off with you." I nodded, "Yeah, heard that part. She wanted to keep me, but your guard's prevented that." He sighed, "I know where she is. I can tell you. Just give this man his son back." I snorted soundlessly, but it was Alec's comment that held the venom.
"Thanks for thinking of us on this wonderful opportunity but we'll pass. Already have enough on our plates without the need to deal with an ex militant bent on re-creating his army in an old burnt down base. We're happy here, living and leading happy normal lives. Free of that military propaganda you feed us. Find someone else to do your dirty work for you." Alec's got bite…hummm…
In more ways than one…but this wasn't the time for that. "I was asking 452." White's snappy voice came back over. I smiled. Alec had his way of either pissing people the hell off – namely White or any other bad ass - or charming his way into any shindig he wanted to, "Right yeah spoke to her on that front. She says 'hell no she's not helping you!'" large emphasis on the 'hell no'!
"Well then…how's about this, we do the trade and I don't kill off everyone you've ever been into contact with. Human or transgenic wise." My brows furrowed, "I'm pretty sure the media hypes still pretty strong. What would happen if say people you loved started to getting killed off? Snapped neck sounds about right. With in - human strength…you'll be the first ones pinned." What the fuck?
"Isn't that a bit of over kill?" it seemed so even for him, "You're not a parent 452, you obvious don't know how far as a parent I'm willing to go to get my son back." I gulped just slightly with the knowledge that he didn't know and hopefully wouldn't find out that I was soon to be a parent. Last thing we needed was for White to find out his most hated transgenic was having a child of her own.
"For every day you DON'T help me to get him back safe and un harmed, I'll kill someone you love, someone you've come into contact with, someone whose helped you in any way shape or form. So do we have a deal?" it was disturbing how he sounded so deadly in the beginning but the end he sounded like he was having a regular conversation with us.
I looked at Alec. He was just as leery and worried, obvious from hearing about the being a parent thing, "You're bluffing. You don't know any of who we know." He merely laughed. "I've had a few familiars every now and then visit your old 'Jam Pony' employment. Got a lot of information on who your friends are…where they are…I'd hate for something bad to happen to 'good ole' Cynthia. Or even 'goofy' Calvin." Fuck! "Plus there's also the trannie bitch I have up in here."
Whoa! "WHAT! The hell are you talking about?" I demanded. He has an X5 with him to?" "Care to tell her? I have a feeling she'll believe you more than me." He asked, "Max its Gem." Fuck a duck…he has Gem to… "You okay?" I asked, "You mean still in one piece and able to talk?...Yes." she answered, the phone sounded pulled away now, "But not for long if you DON'T Give me what I want."
White's ominous words did little to help the clenching in my gut. Gem was not only a friend but also a valuable asset to us all. She was opening the day care center for all of any of our future kids. We needed her – I needed her. "Why Gem White?" I demanded, "Got lucky on my insurance policy." His riddled words had me a little confused, "It was my fault he jacked me." Gem took the blame for herself.
"If you don't deliver Ray to me Cindy and Sketchy go first and trust me I'm pretty inventive with torture techniques." I covered my mouth in horror at the images his words provided as I watched Alec make military hand signals to a few teams' mates scurrying about. My transgenic mind was able to keep up with the signals despite the threats I had just heard.
'You two go to Cindy's and you two go to Sketchy's. Take them both to Joshua's old place.' Thanking him for thinking fast on his feet when my mind was in knots working on the deal I replied in a stone cold voice trying my best and succeeding in hiding my fear for my friends and family, "Let me tell you something…Ames…" Get a freaking grip girl…
"I guarantee you, that you or any person that you command hurts them and I will personally shove your FBI issued gun up your ass and make sure your son is so far away from you, not even the Mounties could find him." I was angered beyond belief at his audacity. "Hell if you do something to them I'll take your son back and raise him myself." That would be the last thing he'd want.
To have his most hated transgenic raising his son, to be his mother, to teach him…son of a bitch would probably want to end his sons life before that ever happened…how sick is that…? For a second there I felt like I heard a different breathing pattern. It was harsh more granite. A tinge of smile made its way to my lips realizing what it was that I was hearing there.
Almost like…fear…? "Then you better agree to the deal. You have four days to find him, or else I will start killing everyone you ever met. Oh and ah don't even think of trying to take them now. I have my own units out there as we speak. You try to save them and I will give the order to kill them." tinge of smile gone I struggled to keep new fresh tears at bay. OC and Sketchy were my friends…fuck they were my family.
And Gem…my co – worker, friend and next in line to Cece from OC as an advice giver…and this dick is just going to kill them all without remorse…I should be surprised but I'm not. I look up at Alec as he got off the phone. He didn't even have to nod; it was the acceptance in his eyes that helped me push through the moment, "Deal. Your son for Deck and his intel."
Alec nodded now to confirm with the rest of the transgenics and transhumans in the semi-two leveled room. Dix, Luke, Mole, Alec and myself were on the top with the computers while Joshua, Cece, Daniel and many others were on the bottom waiting to see what was going to go down next. "I'll see you where we first met, Thursday at five in the afternoon. Don't be late."
I clicked off without response and let out a huff of breath. "What the hell just happened?" Mole asked finally looking a little worried about the deal I had just made, hell I was worried about it. I looked to him fiercely. The option to back down from saving my friends wasn't an OPTION. "We can't let him kill off those that have been helping us." I tell him.
"We can't let him win even in the little battles. Cindy, Sketchy and all of the others that have helped us have to know that their fight for us hasn't been for naught. We take care of our own yes but we take care of those that support and help us to." He nodded seeing the no argument look on my face, "No worries, we got their backs just like yours. Sides, Cindy's a'ight by my standards, even the goofy one's not to bad." A smile broke onto my face at the acknowledgement.
"Got a call back from the two units that I sent out, their on their way but their going to go in to the builds stealth wise. Don't need to alert White's guys that transgenics are there to save the day." I nodded, "No way White's using his regular FBI guys on this it's going to be familiar's period." Resisting the urge to pick at my lip in frustration I spoke up, "In my old building with Cindy there's access from the roof tops" Alec texts the information to that unit.
"With Sketchy's place…he lives on the ground floor…" how can they get to him without exposing themselves to the familiars? "I've got an idea for that one. Familiar or not if their guys then we can send in a couple of hotties to tie them up." I give Alec a deadpan look, "I don't think that'll work. These guys are 'think snake cult first, women to have sex with second'. It won't work, not with them. If anything…" now I had a plan. "What are you thinking?" Alec and Mole asked.
"At the right time I'm sending an anonymous tip to the po-po's. They'll come running and keep the familiars distracted. Plus cause they're not like us they can't be exposed. Their have to maintain their cover." Alec looked like he was mulling it over, "Could work…a bit better than my hooker theory. Lets get on it." And with that everyone was getting set up to get Cindy and Sketchy to safety.
The only problem was where the information was on Ray's possible whereabouts. Great now I have to go to Logan's former penthouse…bad thing was I had to also get ready for the stupid gala tonight. For a minute I said 'fuck it' on going till Alec came up to me, "Hey we've got this for right now. I promise to keep you posted but you've got that last gala thing to go to tonight." I didn't want to go to it to begin with.
He took my face in his hands, "Hey…were not going to let White's dumbass antics – cause he is a dumbass for trying to pull a fast one on us to begin with - " I smiled slightly despite myself, "Interfere with our progress NOR are we gonna let ANYTHING happen to our friends. I promise they will be safe." Calming myself down, I forced myself to re-assess it.
I wanted to protest, tell him that I should be saving them – that I should go out there to help out, but he's right…I'm far to along in my pregnancy to try and kick familiars ass, they'd kill me on site. Sides, I trust him with our friend's lives, just as much as our child's and my own life. I know he wouldn't ever let anything happen to them. They meant to much. Feeling relief as I let the facts wash over me, so to speak I stopped the incline of my heart rate.
Instead of saying anything though, seeing as I was in the wrong in my direction of thinking…really a prego transgenic is no good against a familiar. Plus the side effects of White finding out I am pregnant…bad news for all. I kissed him briefly before leaving. I knew if I didn't leave now I procrastinate and my now wanting to go would turn into NOT going.
Besides, I still had to go to that boutique to get ready. This better fucking be worth it! I walked into the boutique. Fancy atmosphere, beautiful gowns, prices that were more than my bike and the car we had put together. I made sure to stay away, not wanting any residual anything from my fingers tips ruin them, which would cost me later on. I didn't need to the added expense.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes or let them widen in outrage over the expense just in case someone was watching me. "Can I help you?" she sounded helpful but one look and the snottiness was rolling off this woman in waves. "Maxine Guevara." I repressed the urge to be snotty back as I answered her un asked question, "Oh! Right this way Mr. Gamble said to be expecting you this evening." She guided me towards a different portion of the shop and over to a changing room area.
"Here are some dresses that have been selected for you this evening. Enjoy." And she was gone. Slipping into a royal blue number it was sleeveless – actually it was strapless as ever dress I noticed as I looked around was. "Fun times." I muttered. The royal blue one looked beautiful and seemed perfect for the occasion, but one look at the price tag and I now remembered why I used to steal these things.
$8 – fucking – 000 dollars! I really wanted to snap out but remembering how much the red one I had cost I couldn't think of anything except…this is why I used to steal for a living…taking it off I slipped on a bright white one that looked gorgeous with all its bedazzling…in fact looking at it period…who the hell is going to take me seriously looking like a bedazzled factor blew up on me?
The last one also at the same foot length as the first two was better. Not to much glitz and best part, the silver in it shone out enough to gain me attention – even if most of it was un wanted – and enough to be subtle and say 'I'm here but I'm not blaring like a truck horn here'. I already knew my pregnant belly did that for me. It protruded from every dress I had tried on. Not that I minded, it was my way of always having Alec with me.
Even if he wasn't always there for me…I ended up deducing that this was the one that would work the best for me and my swollen belly. I swallowed my gasp at the four-digit price tag attached. I thought without the bedazzled crap it would have been cheaper. It was nearly ten grand. Not wanting to owe Gamble for anything I decided to return it promptly the next day.
Give him his money back. I didn't want to keep something so expensive when the money had better places and more needed places to go to. Walking out I handed her the rest of the dresses, "Thanks this ones the one I'm goin' with." She frowned. "Aren't you going to get ready? Mr. Gamble said he'd pick you up here." My eyes widened in realization that she was right. "Right been a long day." I answered before going back into the dressing room to change...again.
Coming out I had my hair hanging down in waves as the shoes that were picked out for the dress were waiting for me. I slipped on the silver four-inch pumps – why always so high in the heel department – and took a long glance at myself. "Beautiful." I heard from behind me. I turned around to find Gamble looking at me with admiration and something else in his eyes.
"Good cause I'm not slipping into another dress. I'm not too fond of the pieces. Makes it harder to kick ass when you've got to lift your skirts up." I joked out, he smiled "Still you look stunning, your SIC…is a lucky man." The way he was looking at me now wasn't making me very comfortable. If anything it made me feel scrutinized, like a damned lab rat or something. "We goin' to this event or what?" I had to gain some better control over myself.
So I pointedly ignored his compliment. It has just been a while since Alec's said or been with you…your bound to feel thankful even a tiny bit of happiness over someone tell you, you look stunning. Taking one last glance he handed me a clip. It looked to be made of silver…. did he already know? "I grabbed the few accessory pieces that would have gone with all three dresses." He explained. Oh…made me feel better that he didn't know me that well.
Clip in place I had just enough let down to cover my barcode. "I think this would be the proverbial topping on the cake." Gamble said as he put a jeweled necklace on me enough to get past my own sensors and pull a gasp from my throat. "Gamble?!" I was stunned. It was beautiful yes, but damn! The flow of it was perfect. The diamonds went nearly around my neck. The biggest one was obviously in the center.
It was surrounded by tiny black diamonds. The whole ensemble was beautiful and for a few minutes I let myself feel the beauty of the outfit…then I realized I was looking at another woman. This woman in the mirror was the one who wanted to be normal. Live a normal life. Alec was right. We're not normal Max…his words filtering through my head like a sonic boom. I only wanted to be normal to either fit in with Logan's world or to prevent people from discovering me.
"The next one of these events will be my last. We'll pay you back for all your gratitude done for us before but this…" I frowned, "This isn't me. I'm not some high maintenance party girl who loves to get dolled up act better than everyone else." I turned around, jewels and all, "I'm a motorcycle loving, mated - mother to be – who is proud of what and who she is." I looked back in the mirror and looked down at the bulging proof of who I was and was going to continue to be.
I smiled in absolute pride at the hand I was given. "And nothing can change who I am nor do I want it to." Not any more…memories of Logan trying to subtly change me over time came and went like a blur on a bus. No more…instead only thoughts of the future with Alec and our child came to mind. Provide him or her with a great future, options in life to do the right things.
And to be free from…I sighed…it would be a while till we were truly free but in the meantime they'd be free from persecution just for existing. After all I don't think even a mob would kill a baby. I hope not…that would be just disgusting and immorally wrong on so many levels. "I don't want you to change, I just want to show you not every high society guy is going to look down at you."
I laughed at his optimistic attitude, "If I went in there wearing the best of what I truly owned I wouldn't get past the front doors." He had nothing to say to that, "Let's get this bitch over with." I walked on proud, even in the four – pain-filled – inch heels that I was currently sporting. I was gonna make this work…for everyone at TC. I wasn't going to let anyone down.
Entering the gala that night I was glad no one had yet to notice me. I liked to sneak in unannounced, better for people to not remember the prego in the room. I couldn't help my need to still stay invisible, it was the cat burglar in me that needed to stay hidden. I sighed in relief when I was texted the okay from OC that she and Sketchy were at the safe house fine without a scratch. 'The 911 I sent out really worked huh?' I texted back, 'Gurl! Dem no pain no gain boys didn't want to be exposed!'
That was good… 'Make sure you and Sketchy have everything you need. Tomorrow we'll figure your status out. Just have to explain it to Normal just right. We'll figure it out. Sides after all you've done for me it's the least that I could do for you.' I started to tear up before pushing the urge back down. 'OC's proud she's got her boo to get her back! Lol!' I smiled.
'We always will. Lol!' I commented back. 'Just be safe suga'. OC loves ya.' I smiled warmly back. 'I love u to OC. Peace.' She was safe…they both were safe and now that was two less people White knew of to use against us.
At the end OC told me Alec had her text her so that I would feel even more relief knowing her home girl was okay. Just to be safe I did send out a text Alec for confirmation and he said yes. Now I felt better about going out tonight. But still when it came time for mingling I was only talking when necessary, but in this case talking to the right people was absolute, so Gamble and I chatted and a few photographers even snapped a few shots.
I was worried for a brief moment till he told me I was pretty well hidden from several people. No one would catch wind to my being there. We talked to several individuals that I recall had been at the 'Rachel Berrisford' charity event. So seeing them again I knew they knew a bit on who I was, but didn't press any issues so as to avoid conflict of interest till later on.
The gala didn't end till nearly mid night that night. My feet were swollen and hurt, I was starving for some real food, I wanted to get out of this near ten G dress and put on some sweats, curl up next to Alec and doze off with him. I was that tired. Pretending to be someone your not isn't that easy, especially when the viewpoints are so different from each other. So when I said my goodbyes to Gamble I headed straight back to the boutique to return the dress, before going straight home.
I did what I had set out to do until I saw the laundry…everywhere. And as tired as I was I couldn't let it go. Damn it Alec…bending down to grab the first thing I really felt the agonies of my back. I couldn't believe it. At nearly six months along I definitely felt more like a walking incubator than a kick ass transgenic. This sucks…I thought as I tried to reach down to pick up a few clothes from the floor.
I had to near sit down on the ground before I could pick up the articles…this is getting ridiculous…before I could reach the last piece Alec came into view from the bedroom door. He rubbed his tired eyes as he walked towards me pulling the clothes from my grip, "Maxie what are you doing? Get up off the floor." He pulled me up, "I have to get the laundry since I'm the only one doing it lately." I snipped at him.
He just grunted, still a bit sleepy from being woken up. Well good, why should he get to sleep when I'm the one who's been out all night?! "Maxie Dr. Carr said to take it easy, that doesn't include bending over at what six months now?" he criticized me. I shot him a look, "It needs to get done." I shot back. He took the clothes from me, putting them in the hamper in our room.
"Just relax Max. Please, for the baby." I was tired of this. Tired of him being the good guy…can't he act like a jerk so I can yell at him again? I frowned, "Why do you have to be the good guy?" I pouted. He smiled, "Cause I have a wicked hot mate that I love. Now come here." He pulled me to the couch, sat me down while he took a seat on the other end and took my sock covered foot in his hand.
"What are you …oohhh…" I didn't even get to finish my sentence when he started to massage my foot. Relief I didn't know I needed flooded through me. "Feel better?" he asked, his fingers slowly gliding over my foot taking away the pain and giving me toe-curling sensations. "That feels so good." I admitted. Just as his fingers were starting to curl around my calf he stopped – VERY suddenly.
"What's that?" he asked. I looked to where he was pointing. The necklace! I sighed, "I forgot about that. I need to return it to the jewelers I guess. Just have to figure out where he got it from." I didn't think on how my words would affect Alec though, "He bought you a…" he bit his lip from cursing was my guess, "It was for the gala event NOT for me." I made sure that much was clear. He stood up. Anger in his steps he reached over and still carefully unhooked it before taking it.
I was stunned, "What are you doing?" he sent a look my way, "Giving it back…with interest." Whoa! Wait! "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" I asked trying to lift myself up from the couch. He gently pushed me back down before running into our bedroom, "Just stay there or go to bed. I'm paying Gamble a visit." I again tried to get up, this time succeeding as he threw on some jeans, a sweater, his boots and his jacket. "Alec you don't have to - " he gave me a short cut kiss in response.
"If anyone is going to purchase ANY jewelry worn on you it's going to be me." he walked out muttering in his wake "And certainly not some Logan reject." I had to stop him before he ruined all of this. I didn't understand why he was so angry. I mean I…don't know how I would react. But it's like he said he's gonna get chauvinistic and male on me from time to time.
But why now? He knows I can't keep up with him and with us needing to find White's son in the next five days…I did know however of one place the information might be. I was pretty sure the back ups were still there. But that would have to wait till tomorrow for this bell of the ball. I flopped back on the couch and I was so tired I passed completely out.
I woke up to find one extendedly long voicemail from Gamble. To listen to the first message press one now. Beep. "Max I think it might be best in the future to keep your SIC out of the event happenings that go on. I got paid a lovely 'visit' from him last night after one in the morning. A warning really, telling me to be weary of hitting on taken transgenic females." Oh crap Alec…
"Obviously he thinks something is going on. If I'm to help you and your kind out, your SIC can NOT threaten me." end of message, to delete this message – I ignored it in favor of ignorant bliss for all of three seconds…why me? I asked no one in particular. Picking up my phone I called Gamble to profusely apologize for Alec's words. He accepted though he was still weary of it.
Shutting my phone I got up I grabbed some bread to make toast up before eating and jumping into a quick shower. Rubbing the warm water over me felt delightful. For a moment I was able to forget…but only for a moment. Now I had to call Alec and talk to him about Gamble's words. Last thing we needed was for his supposed jealous actions to kill off our work with Gamble.
Now time to go to the last known place for Ray's location. Event though Logan had his original systems erased the goody – two – shoes still couldn't let so much information or time to be wasted, so he put a back up system in his safe once a month. I don't think he ever noticed that I noticed and kept my eye on it though. Not that I blamed him. After all I was, and still am a cat burglar.
Leaving out of the apartment, redressed and feeling better, I sent Alec a quick text, 'you so owe me for last night. I'll talk to you later.' but his response wasn't what I was expecting, 'The guy got told what he deserved. I did NOTHING wrong. And he's lucky that's ALL he got.' I shook my head in disbelief at his words. Maybe he truly believed he didn't do anything wrong.
This could be how transgenic minds work. they don't appreciate other males giving what they would see as 'loving' feelings towards their females. Maybe it riles up their animal DNA or something. I'd have to talk and ask Cece about male behavior patterns with their mated – pregnant females. In the mean time I needed to go to Logan's old place to grab his original hard drives.
Now just to take a nice LONG walk to his old penthouse. After getting dressed in some new jeggings and a deep blue sweater I left for Logan's previous place. After nearly two hours I came up to the sewer access to a block from the building. Walking up to it, I saw the doorman at the desk. Man looked like he got pulled from retirement to do this gig. I felt bad for that. Hopefully Alec and I won't be up in our 70's still doing this. The only thing I want to kick at that age is his ass!
Seeing him pull his attention from the black and white monitors he was ready to greet me, so I beat him to the punch…with interest. "Hi. I was wondering if the penthouse was available for viewing?" As much as I would have loved to have snuck up there using my normal access route it was no longer safe to attempt in my current state. Every now and then I cursed my stomach…but I took it back seconds later.
Plus while I would normally have gone to do it something within me wouldn't let me. A protective instinct maybe… "I would love to but it's off limits. How'd you even find out about it?" I was stunned, "I remember there being talk about the shoot out up there. Why is it still off limits?" I asked. "Yes, horrible thing to have happened to the previous owner." He seemed to feel Logan's pain for him.
"Well after he left, not that anyone noticed for a while, but after he left the taxes weren't paid on it, nor the associations due, the building manager here got involved, and since it was due to it being all shot to hell that whole floor was closed off. There's a guard up there to prevent anybody from looking or going inside." wait a minute… "So that means that the police got involved." did they raid his safe?! Oh if they did… "Yep sure did." though the man who came in wasn't the sector cops it was an FBI man."
WHITE! He leaned in closer to me to whisper conspiratorially, "He insisted that it was a federal matter and put taps on the phone lines. If you ask me it's just the government's way of trying to keep more tabs on us." Obviously he didn't like the guy. White did have that effect on people…plus it made them more easily prone to give out information to he public…or to me…not that I was complaining.
"Been doing it for a while now, but I think they shut the taps off about a couple of months ago. Couldn't keep the investigation funded. I guess his boss told him to keep his eyes on that transgenic problem on the streets." Now my eyes widened, "If you ask me the real problem out there isn't the transgenics, it's the damned drug dealers and people selling guns to kids." Okay the grandpa here was definitely a go to guy. He sounded so affirmative and righteous.
"You're so right." I agreed, nodding my head. I backed up a foot to show my pregnant belly for effect, "Last thing I want for my kid is for one of the first things to learn about is a gun. Besides drugs hardly ever lead t anything good and those transgenics, other than what the 'none dependable tabloids' put out there no one really knows the type of people they are." It was true so the effect in my voice was genuine.
He smiled, "So very, very true. It's all that media hype anyways. People are just to scared of their own shadow these days. So if there's a monster out there it just them something new to fight, something new to kill besides each other." I nodded, not having seen it that way before. "Never thought about it like that before." I admitted. We just figured it was due to things people didn't understand.
Or the fact that in a lot of ways we were built to be better and people would feel threatened by that. "How far along are you there?" he asked smiling at my stomach, "Nearly six months. Feels longer though." I laughed out, "I remember when my own wife, god rest her soul was pregnant with my dead beat daughter." I raise my brows at the description he gave me.
"Wow…well…" what can you say to that? "Sorry but getting back to the point, wouldn't the case have closed up without any leads?" I asked him pointedly. "Well yes but that takes years, two to three years to be exact. Else wise it would have been put back on the market a while ago. You still got another year before it's able to be sellable." He smiled out. "Thank you." I remarked. "One last question is Mrs. Moreno still living up there?" I remembered her from the over flowing sink Logan told me about.
His smile widened, "Why yes that's my dear friend. I'll tell her you're on your way up." I almost felt bad. This old man was really trusting. Not such a good thing to have in this world now a days, but hey it was getting me the access that I needed to slip into Logan's old place. So I was gonna use it. Hell if anything I'd probably make a tiny donation to the man for helping me out. Getting access up there was easy as pie. Now all I had to do was slip into Logan's old place unnoticed.
After a few carefully managed minutes of Mrs. Moreno pouring tea before actually lulling herself to sleep, I slipped out of her place and into Logan's old place. The guard himself was easily taken care of. One blur movement and one hit to the face and he was down and out for the count. Though now my belly was protesting the fast motion. I guess babies don't like to blur from within the womb.
I took a few extra seconds to duck under the police tape as I entered the place. Not even the lock to the door had been spared. White and his men shot the hell out of the place. It was safe to say over kill. Stepping over thousands of pieces of glass, paper, some wood bits, and plastic computer components I now understood why Logan kept asking for so much computer stuff. This place was completely trashed. Note to self call Otto and ask 'what the fuck?'
There wasn't one area that wasn't covered in broken something. Before I could crunch another foot into the place I heard the sound crack of glass breaking beneath a heavier weight than my own coming from the front door. Peaking around the bend I anticipated the security guard I knocked out. I instead saw a shocker as I walked around, "Alec?" what the…? I walked around towards him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him. Avoiding more crunching beneath his boots, or as much as he could which was virtually impossible as he side stepped a lot of areas as he walked towards me. You'd a think at some point the sector cops would have let the building manager clean it up but guess not…or maybe the guy was too lazy and cheap to do it. After all they can't put it back on the market for another year.
"Logan's a smart guy…when he's not hopped up on trannie blood that is." He shrugged, "I figured he kept a back up system somewhere, came to find it. You?" he iterated looking towards me then around at our surroundings. The place really was a mess. Taking a look around glass was splintered all over the place, wood fragments from shelving units were torn up and shot up, the monitors he had were crashed on the floor, random papers he'd been working on were shot up as well.
I did how ever see something that threw me off a bit. Taking a closer look I saw two wine glass steams. The glasses were probably trashed but the steams remained. Had he been expecting me to come over…? Or someone else that night? Shaking my head of the thoughts I knew what I came here for and it wasn't to reminisce about two wine glass steams that he'd had out nearly two years ago.
I looked around some more noticing the steel-shelving unit that housed the rest of his computer equipment was now on its side. "Jeez! I almost feel bad for Logan." I looked to him, "Guys place totally got trashed. I don't think anything in sight survived that night." Me neither…"Come on we've got stuff to pick up and this place ain't exactly free and clear. That guard won't be out for long." I tell him.
"That was you?" he remarked stunned, "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't kick some ass still." I snapped. He held up his hands in defense, "Hey as long as no harm came to either of you I can live with you doing a quick knock out. Anything more though and the people's need to go through me." Alec and his ''maleness'! It didn't occur to me till now that Logan's place had so much glass in it.
Wow…his place really had a lot…looking over to the windows I saw that they were still surprisingly in tact. All that shooting and your men never even hit the main windows White? Hum…didn't know he cared. I looked back at the wood chips from when they shot up his furniture were splintered up all over the place. The furniture bits that weren't completely destroyed were broken and over turned.
To bad we could have scored some nice furniture pieces to use back at TC or at least use the remaining wood to build other new pieces. Not to mention the plastic computer particle's that snapped under our feet in defeat of being shot up. Surprisingly the corner computer desk was intact, covered in glass and computer parts but intact. "Same thing only I know he left a back up drive behind." I smiled.
"It should be in his safe." He looked over to a piece behind a painting that was barely hanging onto its lone hook in the wall, "Nah that's a fake out for the rookies. The real one's under his desk." His brows raised at the response and pointed finger, "Hey I am a former thief. Saw the outline one day at his desk." I answered coyly. He smiled, "That's my girl."
Walking over to Logan's shot up desk – yes there were bullet holes in it, but it was still intact - I went to bend down when Alec reached over and quickly stopped me. "Hey! Hey! Let me. I don't want your knees to get cut or worse." Instead got in front and he knelt down. Shoving trash from the shooting out of his way he finally found the bottom of the floor, "Pay dirt." He mumbled. I smiled and laughed, "Yeah had to dig through all of this stuff." I commented.
"So how'd you get in?" I asked him. I was going to tell him the combo but since he was being all protective manly then he was gonna have to figure it out himself, "Remember how I got in the back when Manticore first blew up?" I nodded figuring it out, "So you 'cat walked' your way in." I surmised. "Open." He lifted the metal door open to reveal a bunch of disks. "Ray's last known location has to be there." They were the last source of data left. It was our only shot.
"Let's get out of here." He remarked getting up. I pulled my cell out, "Hey Dix we got some possible intel. We're coming to you now with the disks. We should be able to pull something off of them." I said into the phone. Hearing his response I also heard some more crunching. But it wasn't from Alec or myself. He heard it to and pulled out his Glock just in case. "Got to go."
Shutting my phone off whispered out, "It could be the guard." I said it low enough for only us to hear. He eased it down around the corner but didn't put it away. Always a safety guy… However we both got a shock value when we saw who was leaning with a gun of his own by the door. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. We hadn't seen him in so long.
"Go ahead." He remarked gesturing around but keeping a decent grip on his gun. I was shocked to see him that was for sure. He almost had this angered, defeated, humorous look to his face, right before it shifted, "Ask me how I got back in." I nearly gulped. I saw the look on his face…and the aim and the near ease of his gun…Oh crap…this isn't going to go very well…