continuing into the light

by max333

with the mayor down & a new one ready, willing & able, Max, Alec and the rest of TC must battle publicity, siblings, old enemies, new dangers, & above all max & alec will become what they never thought they could be...parents. NEXT & FINAL SEASON COMING IN TWO MONTHS!

22. Freak Nation' citizenships

Recicup: they will!

resupinate (Guest): thank you for the first half, but no she went back there previously but just to grab a painting to fence since he had some really nice, expensive pieces…I think…(had to remember myself, lol.) Now she's grabbed all the backup data in his safe. So trust me, my beta even asked me about it months ago when I gave her look through it and I went back just to be sure I didn't do the same thing twice. With her brother and Logan, she had a smidge of a clue but didn't want to dwell on it, not wanting to deal with it and EVERYTHING else during that time. I looked back to be sure I didn't put a lot of emphasis on her issue with the intel she found. But if it does read that way then I am sorry for missing that misstep.

As always read, review, and enjoy!

Season 4 ep. 22

After having a talk with Gamble in the interrogation room, we set up a meeting with Sandman, something I knew Joshua would be all over like a blood hound – no offense to him – so I had to make transportation arrangements for all of us. But this would have to wait a few months after the final signatures. We were going to finally sign the papers that would classify us citizens now that we've proven our worth as cultivating, business people and not something to be feared but something to be recognized as a positive.

Though we still had the regular 'hey freak!' ass hovering around, the amount of troops and protestors had dwindled from their ragged signs to a barely there word or two. White's little 'Witch hunt' plan took a while to back fire but it did. Now people were starting to see us as a business, as a unit to grown from. Though we still had the occasional comment with that 'reverend' that we saved a while back.

His supporters were trying to gain an up rise but due to our having saved him…his followers were mainly people that felt they were wronged by a transgenic in the past, or blamed their problems on transgenics instead of taking responsibility for themselves. Either way it wasn't enough support to gain more media fire. His hypocritical actions were demolishing his reputation as a whole.

So we had little to no worries over him and his group. The sector cops would be only too happy these days to try and nail us for something stupid but since Gamble was now speaking out and up about us as a small nation that had been slowly making themselves into a 'community' of sorts and were going to aid and assist in making Seattle what is once was by making Terminal City profitable again he was getting massive supporters not only for himself but for us as well it made it difficult to find a sector cop that wasn't afraid to tangle with his boss.

We all look towards making the future better but now we stood a chance at winning it. Today we'd be signing the final paper work – indoors – with the entire 'committee' full of committee members and several transgenic personnel guarding each floor. Listening by com's system to ensure the perimeter was secured. We weren't taking any chances this time. We had decided to make the meeting with Sandman a few months after the signatures had been made. Just in case someone tried to delay some paperwork.

First thing however…let Gem know we're going to be out in just a few hours and take an hour to spend with our girls. She can go get something to eat, nap for a minute then check the supply lists to add whatever the 'nursery' needs to the list. I know I had to let Alec know we were going to maybe be starting to deliver packages again to help out Normal. I did sorta feel bad for bringing our war to his businesses doorstep but to be honest I was glad we were out in the open, less stress over exposure…not that I'd ever tell Alec that.

He might shit a brick! Walking with said mate we got to the door of our apartment. We never truly bothered to lock the door at night or during the day. When you live in a community fully of professional grade lock pickers it's kind of a mute point. Besides as Alec pointed out on a few occasions before even if someone was logging in time between the sheets time the smell alone would be enough to our sensitive noses to stay out unless it was emergency status.

Opening the door however, I really had wished that we had put on several fucking locks and bolts on it. My heart leapt into my throat and my stomach bottomed out with fear taking over my body. There sat Logan, in my chair holding a sleeping Nikita in his arms, like she was his own in every respect. His other arm lying gently on the arm of the chair, his hand holding a small 9mm aimed at Gem who was taped down with what appeared to be our old carpenters tape from when we remodeled the buildings.

She was taped on a folding chair we kept away in a corner since we never truly used it. She had a lovely shiner against her forehead, proof that the hacker and former beloved counterpart of mine had taken her off guard and knocked her on her ass when entering the apartment. She looked pissed at him with the tape also keeping her mouth shut, but better yet she looked worried. How long had he been in here? What else had he done to gain that look of hatred and a tinge of fear in her eyes?

"Logan?" I asked as if I was talking to a problem child. Alec and I stepped forward not wanting to close the door, hoping Gem could get the girls out. I felt Alec's barely restrained tense body ready to do damage if Logan so much as shifted the wrong way with our daughter curled up within his arm. "Max, she looks beautiful." He looked up to me, pride in his eyes, "Just like her mother." How had he escaped his bonds? I thought he was getting weaker? "Logan why don't you put Nikita down and we can talk about this?" he looked ruefully at me.

"She should have been mine. They both should have been." Nyx was silent as anything in her basinet. She could see her sister clear as day within her vision she had no fear for her, however she looked ready to have the water works if weird man she'd never seen before didn't put her sister down. I think the only reason she didn't cry out right away was because Logan never left with her sister.

Losing a bit of cool I stated more sternly, "Logan put Nikita down!" My parental instincts were getting the better of me. He shot his gaze to me, "You think I'd hurt a child? Your child?" he accused. I softened, "Nikita needs to nap and your body movements will keep her awake." I gave a weak explanation. He bought it. I just didn't want her to start wailing. I knew it would raise our hackles as parents and prevent us from thinking more clearly.

He shifted to put Nikita down when Gem's 'Morris code tapping fingers' gave us a message. 'I will get him, take girls out!' for half a second I was going to agree till I saw Logan's face. I almost forget he knew Morris code. Had used it to communicate with me through my heart monitor to tell me White's psycho 'no-pain-no-gain' bitch was going to try and kill me. He knew the message.

He put Nikita down in the crib only to aim his gun at Gem. Still taped down to the chair, she had no defense system. She couldn't break the thin metal. Not without enough momentum, momentum she didn't have with the sticky substance surrounding her or with her back to the wall. It looked like he put the entire round of tape on her to. He knew we'd break through with just a few layers so this had several dozen layers, much harder to breakthrough since the stuff could also stretch a bit and flex quite a lot.

Seeing his finger on the trigger I blurred and pulled Gem, tipping her over where she was in the chair as Alec went after Logan, well…the gun in his hands. He blurred to him, snatched gun from his hand, and knocked him in the back of the head with his elbow, knocking him nearly off his feet but knocking him out of the chair. The transgenic blood inside of Logan the only thing that prevented his from being knocked out instantly.

"You wanna have it out Alec?" his name still bitter on Logan's tongue. Alec's soldier stance was no longer in place. His protective X5 alpha stance in place to fight to ensure his daughters and mates safety was at the forefront. His body was fully prepared to take him down as a possible threat to what he held most dear. "You don't want to do this Logan." The warning tone in Alec's voice was unmistakable.

Flicking my black bladed knife from my boot, I cut Gem's tape bonds and freed her. "Grab the girls and get out!" as a mother I wanted to ensure my daughters were safe, but to do that I needed to make sure the threat would stay in here with Alec and myself. I knew deep down this wasn't the person Logan truly was but I knew right now, his mind was in a state where the past couldn't be forgotten, or moved on from.

Gem blurred to the girls basinets, carefully picked both girls up and blurred out before Logan could grasp that his obvious once 'body shields' had been removed. Even if he hadn't meant to use Nikita as a one, the stance was clear as day. He knew we couldn't make a threatening move with them in the same room. A risk to them we'd never chance at making. At least not till they were at least 15 years or older…at least… "NO!" he shouted once he saw Gem blur out the door with them in tow.

Now both Alec and I were on guard, clearly he wasn't expecting them to be gone. "You should have left our girls out of this." Alec warned. His fatherly side on high alert still to the threat within his home, where he and I raised our girls…where we had a family…that privacy was sacred for any mated transgenic or transhuman. And Logan's mere presence was enough to put his fatherly instincts on high alert. Logan responded, "You mean the daughters that were meant to be mine!"

I'd had enough of this, "Logan!" I shouted, my tone and depth shocking him. His stunned gaze went to me, "We were never going to be like that! We had a friendship that never left the station let alone the city." Alec looked to me, "And you tell me I need a lesson in 'current common verbal usage'." I shot him a look. Now is NOT the TIME! Shifting my gaze back to Logan "Let me go!" I pleaded.

He looked lost, "I can't…not when you living with a sociopath whose using you." He glared back at Alec, "Yeah…" he merely laughed at Logan, "The only person in this room that ever 'used' Max was you." Logan blanched. Alec's face became more stern and hard, "I had to fight tooth and nail to get her acceptance of me. Plus she was fighting with herself on her growing affections just as I was. She and I wanted to be together long before we ever mated." He shot his look to me.

I nodded my head in acceptance of his blunt words. It seemed that was the only way for Logan to listen to reason. "She and I ignored it in a physical sense because she was in a so called 'not-like-that' relationship with you." Logan sputtered in anger. His head darting back and forth between us, "Bull!" pointing an accusing finger in Alec's direction he spouted in anger, "You stole her from me! And now you're using her to gain control over the people here!" Alec looked over to

me in a 'what is he talking about' expression.

It mirrored my own. "What the hell are you talking about?!" I raised my voice in confusion to his accusation. Logan took two steps towards me before Alec blurred in front, blocking Logan's path. I pulled Alec behind me to try and ease the tension in the room. Try I said try! "Max…" Alec warned in a low tone, fully prepared to kill Logan if he presented any more of a threat to myself or our daughters even though they were out of the apartment. I stepped in front of both men's line of sight.

"Alec is using you Max. He wanted you pregnant with the girls so he could take control of TC." Logan truly sounded like he believed what he was saying. I felt sorry, "Alec and I had the girls because we wanted a family. Hell he ran from me when I went into heat because he wasn't sure that I was sure. I had to track HIM down." I had started to laugh a little remembering that morning, waking up, seeing his face then seeing the realization come before he darted out of the room like it caught on fire.

Logan countered, "You were in heat! Of course you wanted to track him down!" I only smiled, "If it was truly just heat and not love we felt for each other, then he would have taken me in bed without any forethought to my feelings towards him. He ran cause he didn't want me to make a mistake. Plus if it were just a simply heat any man would have done. But I spend all day cooped up in here, calling everyone to have him come home. I didn't want to be with anyone else but him." I confirmed.

Logan seemed to be getting the little tid bits in his head. Like it was finally starting to sink in. I gained a little bit of hope…and that was my downfall. He rushed me. Shoving me to the side with a touch of the transgenic strength he had inside of him. I hit the large window we had, cracking it with the force but not breaking it. My booted feet hit the T.V., breaking the glass on impact on the seldom used thing.

Looking back up I saw Logan hold up his fists in a near comical fashion. Clearly his only training was by watching others fight, a testament to his upbringing. Alec was on the defensive putting up his hands in a clear display of 'here's my power, see that I'm better and back the fuck off!' it was a warning move that Logan's psychosis didn't grasp. I stood up. Torn between knowing Logan was a threat, but also knowing there had to be another way.

Seeing the gun Alec had knocked from Logan's hands on the floor I grabbed it. Feeling a wave of dread at just touching it, I almost dropped it on contact. There was a threat in my home, that just held Nikita…that was now fighting my mate…well…looking back at the two circling men, to see who was going to make the first move…circling my mate…the gun felt wrong. I started to feel the impending flash backs of Eva cross my mind when Logan shouted, "I'm going to make you pay!"

I closed my eyes, "Logan stop!" I shouted. Dropping the gun, not wanting to be deterred by memories of the past, I decided to aid Alec in subduing him. "Max you need to listen to me, he's convinced you of all of this. I don't know how but somehow!" using the speed he gained from the blood, he pulled a second pistol out that we hadn't thought to spot before. After all I'd only ever seen Logan use a gun three times, if that, and even then it wasn't to kill, it was only to buy me time in aid.

Aiming it at Alec while Alec himself only looked on in curiosity. "You ever even use that thing? I mean other than to shoot a familiar covered in Kevlar!" he snapped in somewhat higher tones than usual. "I've had enough experience." Logan answered, "Yeah well there's a difference between shooting at a regular target and shooting at a transgenic target." Alec pointed out, "I think with the blood I'm covered in that area." Logan smirked.

He went to squeeze the trigger when I blurred forward, wrestling the gun from his hands. With my leather gloves in place I had better grip. With moves second nature to me I grabbed his hand, pulled his arm forward, and smashed my right elbow into his face. The shock was enough to have him drop the gun to the floor. Already I felt the bones starting to crunch before bringing said arm around his neck, yanking forward and aimed to throw a knee into his gut. He grabbed me around my waist before I could connect with my last hit.

Not thinking on how strong he could be I didn't use full force when fighting him, which is how he gained the upper advantage on me. He used full force, I didn't. That was my second error today. He barreled me into the small crappy couches edge, making my back arch painfully before feeling the weight of his body being thrown off me as if he were a near rag doll. Alec looked fierce and fucking pissed as hell. His whole stance screamed out 'loving, loyal, protective mate, kill attacker if he strikes'.

"You okay Maxie?" his question, despite where his was facing, the only hint that betrayed the fear he held over my safety. "Nothing I can't handle." I fronted as I got back up. Grabbing the side of the couch I knew we'd have to repair the side of it. Damn…I hadn't anticipated how much stronger Logan would be with the blood in him. When he'd been on my blood it had just done some minor repairs, this level was like dealing with a half assed RED soldier, strength level, but no major skill level.

Alec held his protective stance in between myself and Logan. Finding his gun on the floor Logan use the small amount of gained speed, picked it up and aimed just as Alec did the same with the other one that was scattered on the floor. I got in between them for the hopeful last time. I didn't think I could stop Alec if he felt I was being threatened again. I may be female alpha but he had more stealth training, he could blur, throw me to the couch to prevent my interference, and snap Logan's neck if he wanted to.

The only thing stopping him was because I didn't want Logan dead. With both men having weapons in hand I tried to ward Logan off, "Logan please drop the gun!" I pleaded, hoping since he knew about my hatred of the things that he'd drop it. "Max get out of my line of fire." Alec told me from behind. His tone would have made any lesser female transgenic or not move behind him in need of security. But I wasn't a lesser female.

I shifted to be in his full view, gaining an agitated grunt from behind, "Logan Please! This isn't you!" I don't know what else to do. My logic told me to move so Alec could take the shot but my heart and soul couldn't let Alec loose a part of himself by killing a once time friend of ours. They may have had – or still have - differences but they would have gotten along…eventually…I think…even if said friend was now an…god…an 'enemy'…? "Max just come with me. I can show you the truth." He pleaded.

"Once you're out of this filthy rat hole, you me and the girls can live together…" Alec's next words cut him off and agitated him, "Yeah live together in your big fancy penthouse, do more Eyes Only missions together, one big 'saving the world one lost puppy at a time' family. Maybe even give Max her own "Eyes Only secret decoder ring." His voice was stern, sharp and cutting, but oh so true.

His gun however was never wavering. "Max move!" Alec's voice was sharp behind me, but I couldn't. I didn't know what to do with the situation anymore and I knew Alec felt it. My only option was to either talk to Logan which wasn't working or fight him. And I didn't have the heart to start a fight with him. Verbally we had fought no problem but physically. I was always afraid to hurt him. I knew the strength I possessed over him. But now…

My shoulders slumped in near defeat over my inability to decide on how to handle my 'not-like-that, ex'. I was a crappy leader if I couldn't handle this. Give me a familiar to beat I can beat, give me an object to steal I can do it, tell me to beat on my now psychotic ex…I can't. Or was it didn't 'want' to? Feeling the air shift behind me I felt more than saw Alec move as he took a step to his side and took the shot. It wasn't the shot I was expecting. Logan grunted in pain, the bullet searing into his hand holding the gun. It dropped with a heavy clank to the floor.

Logan in his raging and angering pain shouted, "I'M GONNA MAKE YOU PAY!" as he ran to tackle Alec who was still stepped over behind me. It was a last minute decision to make on my part. I knew Alec was one of the best sniper shots we had, so short range could have been done with his good arm tied around his back and with only one eye open. Not that I loved that cockiness…I may admire it but not loved it…

I made my choice. Take Logan down WITHOUT death involved. Two X5's could handle that, "Alec don't!" he shot his gaze to me as Logan grabbed his gun trying to take it from him…fat chance. Logan and Alec went down. Alec kicked Logan up off him hard enough to sent Logan back onto his feet, just in time for me to pull Logan to attempt to restrain him. Logan's sudden swing at my head caused my soldier gears to come into full swing.

"You should have picked ME!" he yelled. This is really happening…I ducked his ill maneuvered right swing, then grabbed his left one, tucked it under my right arm, before I could use the move to subdue him his right arm came up to hit only to be pulled completely back by Alec. His whole body was pulled out of my grip. Trying to take him out with a quick 'knock out' blow to the head I sunk a right hook into his face only to have him retaliate with his own left hook swinging back at me.

Alec slammed his left hook down into the side of his face in retaliation for that. Logan seemed shocked but otherwise not ready to stand down. I threw a kick into his right side, trying to get him to stay down so we could subdue him. Alec grabbed him up and rammed his knee into his stomach effectively knocking the wind out of him. Seeing him come my way I threw my foot at him. I kicked to slow, not wanting to truly injure him. He blocked it.

But seeing as how I was truly just trying to subdue him my efforts weren't in full force and seeing that even Alec was holding back his own hits. But once my kick was blocked Logan tackled me into the crappy coffee table we now ONCE HAD. It splintered underneath our combined weight. My body absorbing the shock, and in agitation I kicked him back off and upset with the now broken piece of furniture, used my cat like abilities to jump up from my back position and kick him even further away from me.

Kind of like what I did with the Korean ship guy when my red dress tripped me. Alec grabbed the gun again. "Subdue NOT kill!" I yelled. By this point we heard lots of footsteps coming down the hallway…looks like the cavalry arrived…groaning in agitation, Alec pulled up on the gun while Logan went to punch him. Alec ducked then smashed the clip end into his forehead just as I caught his left leg with my own. The combined force took him down and made him dizzy enough for Alec to drop his weapon, get down and put him into a chock hold.

Less than five seconds later Logan was out cold. Slumped on our apartment floor. "Hit him with the tranq gun and to the 'infirmary' and keep him sedated. We need to come up with a plan on what to do with him." Mole threw Logan's body over his shoulder like a dead carcass. His nod was all he gave as he walked out. Gem handed me and Alec back the girls. The feeling of Nikita back in my arms after all of that was amazing. She looked on somewhat confused but just like her X5 parents she knew the situation whatever it was had been resolved.

"I'm calling Carr. There's got to be a solution for Logan." I told him. Seeing how he was holding Nyx, so tenderly, so careful… "Don't worry girls, I'll never let anything happen to you." His promise was firm and without doubt. Zack still stood in the doorway, "I think this proves my point to an extent." We both shot our faces to him, "Family isn't an option. Not for us." His long ago words being used once again.

"Yeah well were making it an option." I snapped back. Pissed off that those were the words he chooses to use in this situation. It was uncalled for and callus. Plus we handled it just fine and we would continue to do so. He didn't seem to agree and argued back with anger, yelling out as he left his leaning post against the door, "Someone we used to trust to a certain point just used your daughters as human shields!"

Both Alec and I shot him a watch your tone look. He was after all yelling in front of two highly charged X5 parents, "What makes you think it won't happen again only with someone else?" his tone was lower but darker still. "Because…" I started out, only to have Alec put Nyx down and step forward in aggravation. Something I couldn't reprimand cause I would be doing the same if he hadn't.

"This is your way of helping?" he demanded angrily. I threw an angered, angst look of my own towards Zack. His features were cold and stony. This is the brother I spent ten years looking for? The one I looked up to? He'd never leave Manticore. Deck got what he wanted after all. "One of my daughters got used as a human shield and your reprimanding US?!" I watched him become more agitated.

Zack just looked aloof now. "I stand by my statement. Sides…" he looked Alec hard in the face, "Someone has to." his Manticore mask up in place. Alec ground out his next words on a level that bordered on primal, "GET OUT." You don't fucking yell at a person who risked their life for their kids that having a family in the first place was a MISTAKE! Zack was about to protest when I stated, "Just leave Zack."

He looked over to me and saw the anger and pain on my face, "I just want some time with my girls and my mate. Can you give us that or is that too much to ask for today?" I just wanted an hour with my girls and my mate before we left to go do the signatures. Once the door was shut, well more like slammed, Alec and I went over possible ways to deal with Logan. With only one solution in mind we called Carr up to see if it was plausible.

"Honestly Max…" he said as if weighing the options after we gave him a detailed run down of what happened and our idea on how to prevent it in the future, "It's your best case scenario. I can have a drug for you ready by the end of the night. It's going to take some calls to get a hold of the right amount needed." I sighed an 'ok' before thanking him and hanging up "We have to go to the signing or this past year will have been for nothing." I state in resignation.

I didn't want to leave my girls alone right now and this time Gem came with Dalton…just to be sure. Even if Logan was out for the moment we didn't know how long he would be out for and we needed him under lock and key till tonight. Changing our clothes we rounded up Daniel, Cece, Zack, Syl, and Krit for patrols of separate floors of the building and Joshua for sewer patrols. We had shown everyone a picture of White, Otto, Gamble, and the council members so they knew whom the good and bad guys were.

Back in my business suit along with Alec we take our transportation to the final meeting place at city hall. We hadn't heard from Otto in the last few weeks so I could only hope everything was okay. Mole stayed in TC as temporary commander while we all were gone. Dix and Luke were monitoring us through the security camera's they had hacked into. This whole day and meeting was too important to leave to chance.

Arriving there we made note of exits and entrances before we finally reached the top-level office area. It was a large conference room filled with Seattle's most important politically and financially as well. There were at least 15 highly ranking members in here. Thankfully my transgenic DNA gave me the confidence needed to act the part I needed to play to win this meeting over.

The room itself was large, consisting of…I blanched for a moment…all glass windows…the whole wall, two full walls of glass windows…a sniper could STILL nail someone on the inside very easily. I knew Alec was thinking the same thing. I signaled Gamble to come over from his position talking to a committee member. "Yes?" he asked, "There's still a chance someone could take a shot." I indicated the windows. He smiled, "Not to worry, bullet proof glass." Before walking back over.

I had to ask, "Would it still be possible?" I leaned in towards Alec. He was scrutinizing the window, "Depends on how thick it is…the caliber of the bullet, if the same as last time…" as if on cue my phone buzzed. Looking at the caller I.D. I saw it was Clemente. I took the call without thought, "What's up?" "Ridiculous run a rounds." He answered. I frowned, "That body you and Alec found, no one significant, but all the bullet renderings and the profiling case has been put on the back burner."

The fuck… "Someone is going through great lengths to bury this problem cause I've just bought myself a brown thunderstorm in the form of Patilo. He's my boss and he wants me to lay off of it." White's behind this I know it…question is, is how and why…unless... "Why would he deter you from solving a murder case? Unless he's getting pressured himself." I asked, "The pressure is in the form of White. He called up to his desk and after an half hour long conversation my boss gave in."

White… "He's doing it cause…" I drifted off on thought there…what's his motive…? Unless… "Does White have a certified issued gun anything? Could he fire off a half a mile shot?" I heard silence on the other end, "I couldn't tell you that. Let me check out a few sources to see. What are you thinking Max?" he inquired, "I'm thinking were being hunted by our shooter. Go check." I hung up seeing as how we were starting our meeting. With everyone having a copy of the treaty we sat down.

"Everyone, hello. Max, Alec and myself have gathered you all here today to finalize the signatures needed to make them citizens and to help make Seattle better." Seeing a few flaunting high society, sour faces and the rest looking through the treaty I took Gamble's gesture and spoke up, "Ladies and Gentleman as you know we've been in the works to make Terminal City a profitable entity within the city again." A speech I didn't even know I had been slowly forming in my mind.

I continued onward, "As you can see here we've already turned four buildings into profitable businesses that have already provided funding for different areas of Seattle." Our monthly divided paycheck wasn't a huge amount but it finished off some areas in Seattle that needed the improvements. "It's why the small street improvements have been finished off. Their contribution that is part of the treaty has provided Seattle with more funds to improve our so called 'City of the future'." Gamble's words were helpful…sorta.

"And how did you get the money to start these businesses up?" a red headed lady with glasses looking pinned to her nose asked. I shot a look to Gamble, "I gave them start up money, which they have tripled since starting their improvements, AND I have already gone out to these buildings with our top building code inspector to ensure their safety was put first." He pulled out a copy of the document for everyone there to see. "As you can see it's all right there." A tinge of cockiness was seeping through.

"Bold words for a slip of a man." She seemed to detest Gamble a bit. He looked unaffected, "This slip of a man, with the aid of the transgenics and transhumans has improved the city of Seattle already. We have a nice little system of give and take. We give them security of not being mobbed down like animals in the streets and a chance at fair trial AND citizenship, and they help to provide improvements for Seattle and in keeping the transgenics and transhumans in one place." Most of them were with us anyways.

Rest was practically living in Canada. "Gamble has been generous enough to provide us with the few necessities that we need. We've improved upon Terminal City and we've made living around it more manageable. Though the occasional 'transgenic sign' does wander its way down to us." I gave a small smile in how much better it was than before. The red head spoke up again, "You expect us to believe that in the short amount of time you've been open for business you've made triple your money back?"

I smiled, "Well Miss…" she tightened her lips up. I ignored, "With the labor costs people normally have to pay an arm and a leg for we didn't. We did all of the work ourselves. Making sure everything was done right with no real cheap materials used. We wanted to make sure we could give Gamble back everything we had acquired." Lips frowned. Obvious she didn't like that we were able to do everything and still profit within the first year. "And we're suppose to believe that you didn't take part in 'extra cur - " she got cut off.

"Let's just come out and say it." An older, bearded gentleman whom now looked highly upset turned to me, "Did you do illegal side jobs to pay for this?" I was shocked by his out right accusation. We actually didn't, "Here are the records we brought along to show proof of who our vendors were with dealing with the building structure." We passed them out. I was so glad Alec brought all the paper work we'd need today.

"As you can see all of our paperwork and funding and profiting were completely legitimate. All we're asking for is what we were originally supposed to gain last year. I don't see the problem with that." Alec stated. A brunette in the room with soft princess like features responded, "Smooth words for a pretty boy. But are they just that? Smooth words." Okay 'princess' was 'princess bitch', judging by her tone.

He looked over to her and the look he gave her was that of alpha male talking to a less than beta female. She barely managed to repress a shudder while her throat moved with the slightest lump of movement, with the other less than beta males and females in the room. He spoke to them all, "We have given you and presented you with everything you'd need, documentation, paperwork. We showed Gamble the work and business permits that won't expire till next year at this time, we have everything in perfect legitimate order."

I spoke up, "We can all benefit from each other. I see no reason to have any more bad press or unnecessary negatives happen." It was the only way to think of saying 'I don't want any more blood to be spilled, from either end'. "I know Max and her second in command here have my vote." Gamble offered. "Son I think you might be seeing things through rose color glass on this one." The older bearded guy said. Gamble looked to him, "Your being naïve to what I see as an act of stupidity for this great city."

I looked over to him in confusion, "How is - " I started but he cut me off, "'Young whatever you are' I am still talking." First came shock, and then shock morphed into anger. He spoke before I could though, "Anyways, yes they seem to be providing some amount of work for us, but what about the good citizens of Seattle that have been here for years struggling? Do we just throw them into the streets?"

I cleared my throat, "SIR!" I called out. Authority and commanding presence within my voice, "I myself have been here for years. I have seen the middle class and the lower class struggle more so than you probably have from your perch up in your sector." His mouth went to speak when Alec spoke up, "Let her talk." The silent near boom was heard all around. His voice carried and the older beard man was now slightly angered. I talked before he could open his mouth, "You wanna know how?" I asked him.

He held his head high in reluctance, "Cause when I broke out I saw all the struggling cause I was struggling. Struggling for a meal. A place to sleep that wouldn't cost me my life. I've been living in shacks to abandon opera houses for years. Long before everyone knew about transgenics." I supplied, "I know how they struggled cause I was there with them. I've slept over night in card board boxes for shelter, and you accuse us, me of taking good jobs away from the citizens when we are those citizens?"

His mouth fell open to argue but he had nothing, "Those others out there could have found their option. There's always a way. You just have to find it. I found mine. And now I have a wonderful ma…partner in life and in business to share the rest of my life with. We have a family and we help keep Terminal City prosperous and full of active happy life for some of the younger transgenics to have a more normal life."

I could see I was making head way, "It's not about where you're born or what your born with but how you take that gift of your birth and make yourself a better person along the way. Four years ago I was all about keeping to myself, never getting close enough to one person to make a real connection due to my fear of what they'd say about me. And yet by opening up, I have people who love me like family and I love them the same way." now for the closer.

"You can love or hate me, I don't care but what we can do for this city doesn't depend of feelings or prejudicial emotions. It depends on people working together, to strive to make a difference, to not let all the negativity effect us. If we act as a whole and not a partial then we can make Seattle what it used to be, we can be a part of the community." Red head lady spoke up, "Nice spiel. But frankly I don't buy any of your - " she got cut off. "She's right and you know it lady secretary." Gamble defended.

She threw him a glare, "Little boy…" she growled, "I may be a few years younger but I'm certainly NOT a little boy." She glared, "Actions speak louder than words Gamble. Personally I think the chair you're currently residing in is too big for you to handle. Perhaps there's - " before she could finish I cut her off, "Miss Secretary this isn't about who likes who, this is about what we can do for the citizens and the city. We can make improvements, bring about a slight change and work with the regular citizens instead of being mobbed like animals."

I still felt bad for Biggs. "You only get what you deserve." Her harsh remarks made Alec stiffen, "So then we deserve to be citizens and NOT be treated like were on the FBI's most wanted list." I briefly looked at Alec when he said that. She blanched, "Your kind area an embarrassment to this city." I smirked, "As opposed to the arms dealers, the drug lords, the pimps and the prostitutes in this city." She opened her mouth to retort but had none. "We are the last thing that would 'embarrass' this city." I finished.

"I think it's time we put it to a vote." Gamble said. I looked to him in a 'are you nuts?' way. But everyone agreed. I made myself comfortable in my chair next to Alec. Were fucked…

Daniel's POV (same time as start of meeting)

Cece and I had the floor that Max and Alec were on, Syl and Krit and the lower floor though they did put up a bit of a protest at not being able to protect their 'sisters floor', Zack had insisted and argued that his former CO position gave him the advantage of having a floor to himself. Not having the time to argue Max said 'whatever'. He had the very first floor while Joshua took the sewer entrance, our entrance to get in.

We had yet to see an appearance of White though the sight of one man did catch my attention in a few ways. The way he held himself wasn't human in the slightest, but it wasn't transgenic either. Then again the fact that even the X2's and 3's were only at best in their late 30's, and this man was in his near 50's…I'd been steadily watching him for the past ten minutes waiting to see any more tell tale signs.

He was a little taller than White, from what I'd heard, but only by an inch…maybe two with the right shoes. He was older, wore bi focal glasses, quiet when needing to be, refined with a classic air, definitely political, that much you could tell from the suit and stance he took. He almost looked like a regular businessman but with one glance at the doors we were guarding and you could tell he was also definitely dangerous. My question was with these familiars guys, did older mean stronger or weaker?

He started down the door for all of two minutes before getting on his cell phone and making a call. Using my transgenic hearing I listen in on the lovely conversation, "Fe'nostol White. Their halfway through their delegations where are you and the team?" he asked in low tones. "There is a team here to, transgenics down here. My guess is 452 and her little boy toy brought back up." White didn't sound out of breath but if he knew transgenics were here then it meant his crew got into a tangle with them.

"Kill them and get up here. I'll stall. If our plan is to work then we both need to be there." Great so there's going to be an attack…but when? Texting Alec I tell him 'familiar on the way, be warned he and White have a plan'. By the time the text got sent the man was at the doors demanding in low tones to the guard to be let in, "My name is Senator James McKinnley and I am late for this meeting." Fuck. There was no other word for it.

It's not exactly as if I could stop the guy without raising some eyebrows in the hallway. We were there to prevent the group of people in that room from getting hurt, hence everyone here to begin with. Seeing Cece's eyes going back and forth trying to come up with a plan I text everyone 'status report?' Joshua texts back 'nothing here.' Syl texts back 'had 2 familiars to take down, there maybe more.' Luckily she had Krit there or else she might not have taken both familiars down.

I had faith in our brethren but NOT in those who weren't experienced with fighting with familiars. 'Did they have a direction they were headed 2?' I asked her, 'yeah. Up to u guys.' I growled in frustration. White's men were aiming to attack the meeting set up here. But why attack it? 'Syl was there anything different about them?' I asked trying to come up with a solution. Two minutes passed.

'Yeah actually. Bastards put fake barcodes on the backs of their necks! But Y?' she replied back. I had a bad feeling about this. Looking to the meeting room door and its three guards standing by I had a very bad feeling on what White and his cohorts were planning. "They're going to kill every human in there and blame it on us." I hissed out walking towards the doors. Cece grabbed my arm in panic, "What?" she hissed back. I barely glanced her way, "White and his men are here, they had fake barcodes on, and they want to kill everyone in the room." She let go.

"Oh god…" we both walked up to the door when I heard a shift behind me. I looked back to see three men and one trench coat wearing White walking behind them. I stood in front of the doors, "Sorry can't go in there, private meeting." in my best 'back the fuck off' voice. White looked ready to start killing, "Senator McKinnley asked me to come today." He stated with authority, "I don't care if the president of the US of A asked you to come in, unless you have legitimate reason to be in there you're not getting in."

I smirked as his rising ire, "I don't think you understand, I'm not asking you I'm telling you." I walked up closer to him. My height greater than his own causing him to look up to me in agitation, "Tell me again." I nearly laughed through my own ire. He clicked his phone out presumably to call McKinnley. Deciding to take another approach I made to leave when I purposely though to the naked eye it would seem accidental, nudged his phone out of his grip causing it to fall down.

Picking it back up I placed enough pressure on the screen to prevent anything from working right. Smirking I handed it back to him, "My bad." No sorrow was in my voice. He went to click his screen when nothing showed up. He looked up to me trying to gauge something. No human could break it more effortlessly that fast without a shit load more exertion…and he knew it. I saw the shift as he reached for his gun.

I stepped closer stopping his decent. "Now are you really gonna pull a piece right out here in front of all these innocent people?" by my count and from what my sensitive hearing was telling me they were putting things to a vote. If we could keep the riff raff away from the door, hell away from this floor we'd be in good shape. The only reason these guys got here was more than likely due to slipping past Syl and Krit when they had their own hands full.

Couldn't really blame them…too much. Just had to re introduce them to the fine art of 'keeping your eyes pealed'. White looked up to me, "Listen here freak…" I smiled at the insult, "Proud of it." I retorted cockily. His face fell to anger, "Tell you what. You move and I'll make sure your death is painless." I actually laughed out loud at that, "Bold statement from a man that can't look me in the eye without looking up." His face fell again.

"Now what were going to do is walk away from here so we can talk about you're over whelming need to kill me and mine without interrupting a very important meeting." He didn't budge. Had to hand it to him on that one. Then again I didn't use my strength, I was trying to go about this peacefully. "I'm going to enjoy killing you." Those were his last words before he made a move for his gun.

Grabbing both the gun and him I clicked the safety on it, lightning fast so anything that he'd try to shoot out wouldn't go through. It wasn't till we all heard the yell from my presumed McKinnley, "IT would be a BLEMISH and a BLASPHMY to let THEM have anything! Let alone a SEAT at the COUNCIL!" then Gamble's equally loud voice boomed out, "I'm SORRY McKinnley but the terms and negotiations have been COMPLETED! EVERYONE voted!" I smiled in satisfaction.

White looked fucking pissed as hell, his need to kill however going through the roof. Thing is now everyone would start to leave the meeting room and here we were ready to brawl. This might put the Jam Pony Siege to shame. White grabbed his cohorts phone to talk to McKinnley. My guess was he was his bitch. After all the circumstances have changed now…right? I texted Alec 'get the guests out safety, White & 3 men are out here'.

'We'll weed them through the other door that leads into the conference room next door. Make sure that one isn't covered so they can get out freely.' I smirked, 'will do.' White was ready to walk back in again when I stepped in front of him…again, "Sorry pal but until they start walking out that set of doors you're not permitted to go beyond me." He got up into my face, "I'm not your pal you animal." I swaggered out, "Yeah I love you to." The obvious notes of sarcasm were not lost to anyone.

The first swing came out of nowhere, one moment White was raging internally and the next he lost control. I could tell after three swings he was used to using his power as a familiar due to his lack of fighting moves. He was strong and therefore used his strength in everything he did which made him a worthwhile component but his skill level wasn't the high-grade military moves that we were trained with. "You ready to play?" White sneered, "I will end you. Then I'll end 494 then I'll end that bitch you call a leader." I smiled.

"She maybe a bitch but she's our bitch. So you wanna get to her you gotta go through us." The remark was casual, like 'well if you're daring…' He fronted a stance I had never seen used before while his three counter parts did the same. The security guards had no clue on how to react to this fighting stance. "You might wanna call more guards up here!" I warned them. Cece and I worked on preventing the familiars from gaining entry.

We were hoping that by having them call others up Syl and Krit would figure it out and come help us. Cocky I may be, but suicidal stupid to try and take on three familiars with only one other transgenic, I am not. Cece and I are good but at the end of the day we can still feel pain, these dicks can't so we were going to need back up. Now, just to hold them off up here so Syl and Krit could come up here as well. I smirked in pride…let my Manticore training NOT fail me…or Cece…were gonna need it.

Alec's POV

I saw Max's eyes the moment McKinnley walked in, wide with a hint of fear. She knew she couldn't let too much slip out, if so then that would be a sight of weakness to these upper class dicks. Thankfully we had just gotten done with the voting, hopefully it would be a majority vote in our direction. Once they were all collected Gamble went through them. Seeing the smile on his face for once I was glad.

That could only have positive results, "Senator McKinnley so glad you could join us, though you are a bit late. We've already voted." McKinnley never bothered to take a seat, merely stood, "And the results?" he seemed stoic and almost…confident? He thought Gamble's smile was for him… "The transgenics get citizenship, a chair at our table here - " Gamble didn't get very far. I heard a near growl of anger. I looked over to see McKinnley looking very upset, "Are you sure?" he wasn't counting on this.

Sorry bud but all of your 'anti – transgenic' bullshit didn't work out completely as planned. I would love to return the favor though…someday… "It's all right here. Every legitimate vote." I could see Max's relieved face despite McKinnley's appearance. We had won LEGALLY! It made me smile. "This is bull!" he seethed. I was stunned, I'd never – well no one had ever seen McKinnley pissed off before so this was new.

Stepping forward he slammed his fist into the table scaring the whites out of the bearded guy, "IT would be a BLEMISH and a BLASPHMY to let THEM have anything! Let alone a SEAT at the COUNCIL!" Gamble fired back just as fiercely, "I'm SORRY McKinnley but the terms and negotiations have been COMPLETED! EVERYONE voted!" McKinnley looked around at everyone at the table like they were betraying their own moral values of the so called 'American

way of life'.

"McKinnley!" the bearded man snapped out in low tones capturing the raging mans attention, "While I may not like this prospect the positives far out weight the negatives of this deal. We cannot continue to let our prejudices over run us. Otherwise what makes us any better than the mobs in the streets?" McKinnley went to speak but bearded guy wasn't finished, "We're civilized men and women, we will hold our heads high and make things better. Else wise what are we here for?" he looked at myself then to Max.

"I may not like you or what you are but I do respect that in spite of all the hardships you all have endured over this past year you've made yourselves legitimate business people who WANT a better future for Seattle and yourselves." I nodded my head in thanks. It was the closest that we were gonna get to acceptance around here right now. "Gamble after this meeting I want a word with you." Unbeknownst to the group, except for us, we knew he wanted a private one on one 'familiar to familiar' meeting.

Before things got further though I briefly heard with my enhanced hearing a scuffle break out. I looked over to find Max looking at the door as well. Moving my hand to her leg I tapped in morse code 'we need to find another exit'. She agreed. Then I got a text 'get the guests out safety, White and 3 men are out here'. Fucking great. Sitting up from my chair I nodded to a highly pissed off McKinnley.

"I see no problem with adjourning this meeting. We can meet up once a month to discuss business updates and see how far along the profits are going for Seattle. Hearing the scuffle more clearly I noticed their faces, "Why don't we take an alternative door." I gestured to the one leading into a connected room. No one disagreed seeing as how no one wanted to deal with avoiding a fight in front of their doors. High maintenance they may be but they know when to duck and cover.

The other conference room lead out to a set of doors a good 20 feet away from where White and the others were fighting. We quickly ushered them out and to safer parameters. Thing is we didn't want to leave them alone with McKinnley, he was a familiar and he was willing to complete whatever mission White was on. White may not have made it in but he did. "Max why don't you take everyone down to the main desk?"

Knowing there would be many more humans there and glass front doors it would be tactical stupidity for McKinnley to try and hurt someone at that point. She nodded then asked me through her eyes 'are you sure?' White had three men and there were only two transgenics currently fighting 'they need me, yeah I'm sure.' She nodded again and helped to escort the people down. At least with Gamble there as well if McKinnley did try something he would help Max stop it…I hoped.

Running to help out Daniel and Cece I took on White whom was currently smashing Daniel's face in, "Though you wanted to take me out?" I stated cockily. He sneered, "You and that bitch 452 will die today." I couldn't help but let out a small growl at the threat he verbally and physically possessed to my mate, added to the fact that she was with two other familiars one supposedly on our side now and the other waiting for a chance to strike.

I admittedly didn't feel like I had the best of choices to make. Leave my comrade who needed me now in arms or run to my mate who MAY need me with regards with two familiars. I hated my choices right now. "You right, she and I will die…" he smiled as if in victory, "But it won't be today, or tomorrow for that matter." His smile faltered, "It won't be for another six or seven decades." I hope…

"Cocky ass - " I cut him off, "I prefer confident." I waved off. His rage alone would be a contender so I'd have to tread carefully. Rage could give you that added adrenaline needed to win a fight. But it could also release that endorphin or whatever it's called to prevent the mind from thinking correctly. "How about 'kill pussy cat, kill, kill, kill'?" I smirked, "Your Gonna have to put more kills in there since I do have nine lives." I retorted cockily.

He smirked back now, "I think a couple of them died out during your stint at our facility." On that note my remark died a little in my throat, but I regained it back with, "In the words of our fearless leader 'JUST BRING IT!'" in his upset state he didn't think to use his number one weapon of choice. His gun. White went in for a high spinning kick that I ducked, and in a lightning fast move, removed his gun from his holster.

Once he landed he saw it dangling from my hand, "Think it's time to make this a little more even." I threw it down stairs behind him. He grunted in anger without it. Me I simply smirked, however he simply said, "Just have to use this one." He had one in a hidden holster, inside his jacket. The security guards I had noticed for a two second moment were mostly down but at least had attempted to call for back up.

Their walkie-talkies were still going on with noise chatter of sending more people up there. If White didn't end this soon then he might just end up exposing himself. After all what kind of normal human can take on a transgenic male? Answer…none. Not even the steelheads could beat us and they were revved up on who knows what and had all those funky implants. But let's focus here, before White's gets the upper hand.

Needing to get that gun away from him to since he now had it pointed at me I went to attempt a blurring move when one of his men having temporarily taken Cece down started wailing in on me from behind. Blurring my moves to take care of him quickly, I ducked his right swing, pulled his arm down, smashed my knee into his gut, gaining a slight 'ump' from him, before slamming my elbow down onto his back.

Seeing Cece getting back up and seeing her pissed as hell face she blared out, "That all you got?!" he almost dismissed her till she leaped from her position six feet away and triangulated herself to land on his back before he could full sit back up again. "This ass is MINE!" she roared, I think at me but you couldn't be too sure. Her bruises alone were a good indication of how hard she was fighting.

His bruises despite NOT having slowed him down looked just as bad. She gave as good as she got. Feeling a small pressure on the back of my neck I knew I had wasted precious seconds ensuring Cece would be fine. Sure they were merely seconds but even one could make or break you with a familiar. "Oh no." White said once he realized I was about to make a move. I could feel him backing away somewhat. Fuck! Knows us to well.

Knows not to be within arm's length of us…fuuck! I could practically feel Max's ire at my situation as if it were my own. Sometimes I wondered how truly deep down our mating connection went. Either that or I knew her so well I knew how irritated she would be with this situation. I could hear him walking closer to me. Just a little bit closer… "Put these on." He tossed me, no doubt 'transgenic tested' hand cuffs.

Furrowing my brows I asked, "What're these for? Thought you and yours wanted me dead?" and Max would have surely cuffed me in the head for that one…why ask the man with a gun – if you could call him a man – why he ISN'T killing you? Smart move…I could almost hear the reprimand coming from her yet again. I'll have to avoid telling her this part when Daniel, Cece and I tell her what happened.

"I'm cuffing you so when I go to bargain your life for hers I can get it with ease." The threat was once again there and to use ME, my mate would not only kick my ass later for LETTING it happen but give up her life in a heartbeat to save mine. It was something I would NEVER allow to happen. "Thing with transgenics White…" I stated angrily…coldly…I heard his hand move to cock the gun. It was that second and a half that I couldn't waist time on.

I spun around in a blurring motion, keeping him from figuring out where my arms were as I grabbed his arm with my left arm, then threw my right arm under his left, wrapping it around before using his backward and my forward momentum and smashed it into his own face. Despite Max's mental 'no killing' reminder, I kept the gun in my hand. Using further momentum I slammed White as hard as I could into a nearby wall. A picture hanging from said wall fell to the ground from the hit against it alone.

We wrestled for a second to gain the upper hand but a slick move from his gained my neck getting behind me. Not wanting him to be able to snap it I spun my body underneath him using my cat like grace. However it put me into a more compromised position. Now my back was to his front. His hold on my neck thankfully being forced to shift was now a choke hold I had used many times before.

Not one to be deterred I slammed my left arm into his side with the angle I did what I could to hit the kidneys as hard as I could. Turning around with him still holding onto me I saw than Daniel was fighting his guy pretty well too. The third guy, I saw coming at me. Cece and Daniel must have been fighting him off whenever they could during the struggle. Either that or he was taking his time with the guards.

Seeing the gun he had aimed at me I kicking upwards I nailed him in the chest effectively sending him backwards a few feet and knocking the gun out of his hands with the loose of balance. He came back to me in an effort to help White. I leaped up only this time to land my ankles around his neck to effectively cut off his airway, squeezing with both boot feet around his neck and my ankles at his throat he subtly lost fight.

Tossing him back to the ground before I killed him I tried in to find a better position to pummel White in. Hearing a subtle hiss I looked back to see a syringe that Daniel had finally managed to grab from his person and stick into the familiar that he'd been fighting's neck. Not killing him but effectively knocking him out for a good five to ten minutes. The familiar fell to the ground looking dead.

White having seen that loosened his hold on me. Taking advantage of that fact I twist out of the rest of the hold and kicked the familiar in front of me again. This guy looked familiar – no pun intended! I remarked, "Weren't you the one who beat up the guy with glasses during the Jam Pony siege?" he didn't show a hint of emotion towards it. "Thought so." I remarked. I blocked his next hit then sent my elbow up into his face just barely managing to make his head turn enough. I would really like to just kill one of them with that blow.

But that's not what we were about now. Though I seriously could…he went back for another hit when his whole body suddenly went into spasms. Wondering why the guy was seizing I watched him fall only to see both beat up security guys with their stun guns. Pointed at him. They both looked worse for the wear but considering their opponent…I nodded my thanks as I turned around and found White once again beating in on Daniel.

Thing about Daniel was once you found his weak spot, it was easy to gain access to it again and again. He had a hard time keeping it covered once found. It was finding it that made him such a good fighter and contender. He was good at his job but once his weakness was found he wasn't too hard to beat. It was also what made him a beta and NOT an alpha. It's also what made his temper shorter than most. Seeing how White was fighting him I gave myself three seconds to examine it more thoroughly.

After watching Daniel take another hit or two I decidedly joined in. I nailed him in the side just before he swung out his arm. I pulled a matrix and bent back far enough to avoid that hit and the one that came after it. He attempted a higher spinning kick that I easily ducked. When he landed I saw his leg going out to catch me. I used my alley cat flexibility to flip backwards at the low height I was at and therefore deftly evaded his low kick.

Landing back on my feet I saw how he smirked, "You do realize we will win this war with your kind?" I smirked now, "Nope." Using the momentary advantage of his now unguarded body positioning, I blurred forward, cracked him upside his skull with my elbow, I heard a sickening thud, an area I needed him to think I would favor if I was going to gain access to other more vulnerable areas.

Then I threw my knee into his gut. He was actually bent over for a few seconds. For some weird second I remembered how Max was the same way for a week after her run in with him at Harbor Lights hospital. Getting kicked in the gut by someone of equal strength to your own AFTER getting shot and trying to get it to heal was a serious pain to deal with. Even Manticore would have taken their soldier out of advanced training if the bullet wound were serious enough. "That was for kicking her while she was recovering from a bullet wound." I growled.

I knew it potentially gave away a personal thing between Max and myself but I couldn't help the need to get even for her in some way. Shoot now that I did the math on it she was around two weeks into recovery from both parties' parts when I had my parting shot with her stomach as well during the cage fight. I'll make it up to her and this crap fest when we got home. Even if it did happen years ago…

Using his own momentum once again I threw him on his back. Cece and Daniel were still working on their guys so I knew I could have my little one on one moment with him. He used his legs to kick himself back up, "For someone who claims she was just a 'summer fling' you sure are seemingly protective of her." Not wanting to divulge anymore Intel I merely said, "She's our fearless leader, why wouldn't I stand up for her?" we both kicked out. Any harder on contact and familiar and transgenic or not we would have broken both legs.

As it was I was positive both of us were kicking hard enough to fracture the bones. I know I was smartin' from it. Thankfully I could hear the guards coming up. Finally! Maybe these assholes will be exposed! White however saw to his great displeasure the exposing risk to himself and his three men, "This isn't over 494. Our time will come and you will be dead." He called out to his men in their tongue and they left off.

Looking over to a very tired, worn out and reasonable beaten down Daniel and Cece I asked them, "Where in the hell were Syl and Krit?!" Cece licked a bloodied lip in distain, "Syl only managed to get out 'got three, need back…' before her walkie cut out. Why did White have so many men here?" she complained as she limped towards Daniel. We may be strong but we can still feel pain from bruises and broken blood vessels.

"I hope she got my returning message." I narrowed my eyes at her, "What message?" Daniel tried to examine her lip, "Owe quit, the one telling her Max was on her way. That's the exact route where Syl and Krit were." Shit she's right. It's why we choose these routes for options just in case of evac. I looked in the direction where White ran. "Could White reach them from where he and his friends ran off in?" I saw the officers there now. Great…but before they could walk more than two feet the guards from the door spoke up.

"The intruders ran that way." the guards looked oddly for a moment before running after White and his men. I looked towards the guards and nodded my thanks. "Go find and protect the council members." These guys may not have been high up on the food chain but their obvious protective nature was helpful. I nodded before signaling for Cece and Daniel to follow. What if White runs into Max…plus she's got the council members to protect…McKinnley to avoid…and a supposed Gamble helping….

Zack's POV

I wasn't pleased at all with how this was being planned out. Nearly half cocked, our training taught us better than this. Hearing through the walkie's different intruders and nothing coming to my floor I tried to signal that I was leaving to aid and help but apparently everyone was to busy fighting off the enemy. Understanding I left off for the floor Syl and Krit were on. On my way up the stairs I saw a familiar going up the next flightl.

Jumping up, I collided into him, "Parties right here." I smarted off, smashing my elbow into his face. Three misses and two blurred hits and I felt more in control, but seeing as I hardly slowed him down, I put more power behind my hits. So long of not using full strength had me seriously realizing I needed to start training again. I was starting to see Max's point of only taking certain people outside with her and Alec.

You only take whom you can trust to watch your back with the right enemies. Blurring I smashed his back into the stairs, earning a grunt of mild anger, not pain from him. Smashing his face into the railing he smiled, "You won't win against us. We are everywhere and you are nowhere." His voice, sickened me, and angered me. "Maybe…or maybe not…" I started off, before I ripped his shoulder out of his socket through the underside of the railing. Not grunted in seemingly mild pain.

"But you…" I continued on, "Are right here." He is so lucky Max doesn't want more blood spilled, otherwise I'd love to snap his neck. It's something Alec, Daniel and I can agree on. The only reason Alec chooses not to is to be in agreement with Max, and she's on her 'can't kill a person' kick, it's ridiculous. Yet deep down I can see as irritated as it makes Daniel, even he finds it admirable.

Smashing my knee up into his face his head seems to loop around for a second before I smash it into the railing, effectively knocking him out. I get to the floor but don't see anyone. Visually I ensure all the rooms are cleared before checking upstairs where Max and Alec were with Daniel and Cece. Going up there I see all but Max. remembering the brief noise I had heard earlier in the hallway I had assumed it was the familiar, maybe it was Max and by the time I got there it was only the familiar in there.

Max's POV

Around five minutes before White shows up

I had just gotten the main council members down to the first floor where I knew security was composed of only humans. McKinnley's plan whatever it was, would only work if there were limited amounts of witnesses. With a bottom floor full of security personnel whose sole duty was to protect the council when others couldn't the possibilities for him dwindled. Once they had gone though all bets were off for me. "Gamble I think it'd be wise for you and Ms. Guevara here to brief me on what else I missed during the meeting." McKinnley spoke up.

I made sure to look around for entrances and exits just in case and so far only three where around us. McKinnley looked to me with the same hatred that White would when it came to looking at a transgenic. "I can see why White would be dismissive of you being a major threat to us." Did I just get insulted? "However it's his judgment of character that is lacking to see how dangerous you truly are." I smirked.

"And here I thought you were 'good ole Ames's best bud." Hand on hip I acted non-chalet. His lips pursed together, "I didn't know you two had become so personal with one another." Wait I could use this. Get White's own people pissed at him…and possibly more pissed and irrational with me…the idea could gain me merit or possibly back fire in my face…I'll pull an Alec and piss him off…seems to work for him…

"It's kinda hard not to when you're 'so-called' enemy…" I threw verbal quotes in there just to make him wonder, "Gives you compliments like…" I mimicked White when we'd first met out in the woods, "'You're much prettier than in your picture'. Personally I'm not interested since he's been tryin' to kill me, then again he has failed a lot at doing that so maybe…" I let it hang in the air.

I think Gamble during that meeting between him and White was a clue to run with. McKinnley didn't seem to like that, "White failed due to his under estimating you and your kind. I however will succeed where he misfired." I prepared myself for fighting. I wasn't sure how familiars fought when it came to getting older. McKinnley was at least over his 40 year mark. It could either make him more of an opponent or more of a lackey type…fighting wise.

"No Sir." I turned around in time to see White and three men whom I suspected were familiars as well coming down the stairs, "She's mine." Alec says that I'm mush with lust and love for him, White says it I get all cringy and chill goes down my spine. Suppressing it from making me shiver I face him without a care in the world when in reality I'm planning my escape route, cause honestly speaking, I can't take on fucking FIVE familiars all at once and fight off whatever fake moves Gamble decides to throw in.

I maybe transgenic but I'm not super woman. I might not have a choice here. I take a look to the gun in White's hand. That clip holds 12 shots. Plenty for my brain to register when to make a kill shot and when to make a shot to wound shoot. But even the thought of using it…I looked around myself. I was fucking surrounded. This wound either be a fight to the death, using every trick in the book or a shot to wound escape.

I needed help. My fear was too much on the gun for me to grab it right now. However one thing I had over the familiars…my speed. I could blur and knock one of them out of my way and go for the exit. My only problem would be to dodge White's and the other two men's guns. Unless…I blur to White first, grab his gun in hand, use his hand to shot himself in the foot, then take off for the exit.

Not wanting to show that I felt out numbered and cornered like a trapped cat in an alley of dogs, I cockily threw out, "Yours huh? Knew we were close but I didn't know we were THAT close Ames." His eyes narrowed at me. "The only closeness you and I have is my need to - " cutting him off I replied, "Oh you have a need for me now?" White must have seen where I was going with this cause then he retorted back, "Yeah a need to eradicate you and your kind from our planet." Cockily I smirked, "You shoulda brought more guys then."

All of a sudden all three of White's men pulled out their guns. Shit. I knew it read on my face to, "Not so cocky now 452?" White teased while raising his own gun up at me. "You wouldn't do this here would you? Not in city hall?" they didn't seem to mind. Before I could turn around to assess what Gamble might say I tried a different approach, "You gonna make me a martyr to my people?" White's eyes were the only betrayal that he thought about it.

I had to get everyone else to think the same way. Turning around so I could address everyone I continued on, "If anything, killin' me now, will give them, the people that you HATE more power." I was tryin' to play on the political end of this, and by that I meant I put pullin' everything out of my ass for this. I had to work this so I could position myself just right so I could dodge the bullets when needed.

"She has a point." Gamble agreed. I looked over to him, "If we kill her here and now, transgenics and transhumans get more power than we would want. Her assassination will be seen to the public as city hall failing in its ability to keep the peace they've established. And if anyone here were found out to be with her at the time we would all be questioned. Especially us, McKinnley. Or you White." He pointed out.

"Your men will be fine but not us." He pointed between himself and McKinnley, "We were the last ones to see her alive and well. If we kill her now we lose more than we could gain from her death." Please let this work… "Sir I'd recommend to kill the animal where she stands. She represents all that we have been working towards killing. If we miss this shot now we may not get one like it again for a while." White's voice was itching to pull the trigger alone. "Fine kill her." My eyes nearly shot into the back of my head at Gamble's words.

"Then McKinnley and myself will be on the chopping block. She's a major figure for her people, her assassination will not idly go by. Not with the agreement just made." Gamble please… "We need to make an example of her!" White shot back irritated. McKinnley put up his hands in a shushing manner, "You both have good points. White…." They both looked at each other, "She will die but here…posses too many questions we cannot answer. We already need a cover story as to why you and the three of your men started a fight outside the meeting room."

I smiled, yeah they sure did. "SIR?!" White asked, "All we need to say is that she attempted murder on either of you and they will dismiss her death." McKinnley thought about it, "It wouldn't work!" I shot back, "I've been seen at so many little pieces with your deputy mayor here and it would be political suicide for me to attempt anything on him…" I point to McKinnley, "It wouldn't work." I throw.

"Before McKinnley could respond I heard a few choice curses under White's breath before I see a hair second flux of his finger on the trigger, his intention to kill me. I blur to him, knock the gun out of his hands before kicking it far away just as he kicks my legs out from under me, "You gotta thing for knockin' me on my ass huh?!" I snap in irritation as I flip myself back up. One of his men went to toss him a gun.

"Still too much of a spineless dick to beat me hand to hand." I taunt. He smiled, "Last hand to hand we fought I won." He retorted, "Only cause I had a hole in my gut. Then again you also killed the mother of your son, who loved you so much she couldn't put up a full fight when you killed her. You remember her right?" I had to throw Wendy's death in his face. He did after all kill her.

"Wendy? You killed her just to please your sick ass breeding cult." I waved my arms around to

indicate everyone there, "Tell me something, do you guys at least feel emotional pain when you kill your loved ones? The first two children born? Or is that just a 'phantom' to?" I sneer out in disappointing anger. Not like they cared. "You have no concept of how we work or feel." Oh getting a bit testy huh?

"Maybe not, but I do of one thing over many that we as transgenics have over you and yours." Sorry for the bash Gamble…well not really but…oh you know… "What's that?" McKinnley asked. I turned to face him, "We don't waste life whereas you and yours will kill a loved one just because some wack tribesman a 1,000 years ago said so and did so." They all covered their faces with blank masks, hell Manticore'd be proud.

"White…" McKinnley stated in lower tones, "Wait at least two minutes after we leave. We cannot be here during any approximate time that she is killed in." he then looked to White's men, "Only when he needs it." He was giving White a shot to kill me, but with him and Gamble gone and the other men on HIS orders to now aid unless White needed them to I had a better chance here. Never thought I'd thank McKinnley for ANYTHING.

White and I circled each other for the two minutes. I noted our surrounding environment. Three of his men, armed with low caliber guns but still, three guns versus no guns was a no good rule in my book. The three exits I saw, one was cut off from my view, though it was several feet to the right of the big desk more than likely used to greet people at. The other one which is where we also came from was now blocked by one of his men and the last one is where the council members escaped to.

A few potted plants were within view around and behind but nothing significant other than the desk to think on. Now with no guns just two sets of fists were ready for a fight. White mad the first move. Swinging out with his right hand he made to back hand me across the face. I ducked, backhanded him with my speed, used the same arm to grab the back of his head, and rammed my left elbow into his face. Before I could throw him down he kicked out in defense, making me loosen my hold on him.

With the bruise now on his head – not that he felt the bitch - I leaped straight up the near six feet in the air and wrapped my legs around his neck twisting as hard as I could. At the last second he foresaw the move just enough to prevent it from breaking but at least this way his focus would be on avoiding it snapping and not on any other moves I might make. We both fall to the ground and both flip back up at the same time though both in different moves.

Seeing that he was going to use his greater height – though not as great at Daniel's but still taller than me – as an advantage I go in for a low kick as he goes in for a high spinning kick at the same time. We both miss each other in great feats. I sensed that he didn't like missing me so greatly, his face was snarling a bit at me mid air as he was coming down. Can't say I haven't gained that response from him before.

But now with me on the ground I realize I'm in a more vulnerable position. Flipping backwards I hit him in the face after he lands back down causing him to stumble a bit from the impact. I kick again this time it's a backwards kick, nailing him in the gut right before I use my momentum to back hand him. I also had my eyes on his men to make sure they didn't help him cheat or play dirty. "Do you really think you're going to win this?" he mocks while spitting out half a mouth of blood and saliva.

I smiled, loving the sight of him bleeding. It was a good feeling to see someone you hate, someone whose dedicated their life to killing you and yours, being beaten down and bleeding by what he hates. ME. "Considering all the damage you're taking in…" I tease back, looking him up and down, all over for that matter. "Pain is - " he rasps, I cut him off, "Yadda, yadda, you may not be able to feel pain but your pain receptors can only handle so much." I state to him matter of factly.

"It's why the RED soldiers only lasted for six months to a year, if that. You guys may have tried to breed that no pain no gain policy in but at the end of the day, your body still needs to be able to heal. To recover from the intense shock it went through." All I got for my words was White spinning his whole body trying to hit me with his fists multiple times. Ironically this was where I wanted him.

Pissed off and unable to think straight. Bouncing myself off the service table to my left, I used my cat abilities to twist my body around and grab his by the neck, swing around his back, and use my legs to take out the backs of his knees. My shorter height gave me perfect advantage for the move. He fell to the ground with a heavy, startled grunt as I managed to gain a nice choke hold on him. He grabbed at hair, at anything to undo it. I ignored the pain from his grabs as best as I could.

In his current position he couldn't gain the upper hand without getting back on his feet again, and he couldn't do that with the current lock on both his neck and his locked knee situation. I unfortunately couldn't hold my position once he repeatedly rammed his elbow into my kidneys, effectively making me lose my hold on him or risk possible kidney damage. Damn…fucking seven repeated hits were no joke, to anybody. Transgenic or human.

I saw the toss of the gun right before White caught it. Taking the initiative I blurred towards my only means of help. Leaping over the desk, I barely missed several bullets as they flew past me and embedded themselves in the wall above my head. "Give up 452!" he yelled. I winced in a tinge of pain at feeling the burn from where the bullets grazed me. Looking at the burnt clothe of my arm I frowned.

Damn…now I need a new one…again! "You owe me a new jacket White!" I groaned in frustration, completely ignoring his 'give up' bit. "I'll bury you in it. How's that!" he replied smug as shit. The desk would only take so much more damage. Reaching down I felt for the knife I kept in my three inch heel boots. The ankle part giving the perfect concealment. Leaning over the desk to its side I aimed at the next closest familiar to White.

He looked familiar to…looking closer I recognized him. Same douche bag from the JP siege, the one that attacked Logan. Though Logan did deserve in some respects to have his ass handed to him he didn't deserve the ridiculous beat down when he put up no guard. Rolling to get a good throw in I aimed for his hand. What better way to stop the attacker without KILLING them? I tossed, he hissed in pain. Then he switched hands. I cursed in anger and resumed my previous position.

Looking to my right I saw the set of doors leading to the reception area with the sliding doors to the only exit of the building itself from here. Briefly I wondered why no one came looking over here with the yelling and the bullets flying when I realized the area was empty. Looking up towards the ceiling I saw the sign that read why 'ceiling under repairs'. This exit was meant as trap. No wonder why Gamble told the council to leave out the other one on the OTHER side of the hall like room we were in. but I could make it. If I blurred I could make it.

"You're only making this harder on yourself." White called out. He was closer now. I had to make my run for it. Seeing that only his lackey guys came up I took my advantage and ran. I barreled through the first guy, the one with the now damaged hand, nailing him up under the chin with my elbow, sending his head back, the other guy just aimed and shot at me. I had another bullet graze me, sending a slight burn once again through my jacket at my side, while another bullet cut into my left arm before exiting into the opposing wall from me.

Before I could make it through though, the first two guys had slowed me down just enough for White AND his third lackey to barrel me down to the ground. I hit it hard knocking the wind from me. With his gun pointed at my face I kicked up hard enough to kill his grip and sending the side piece to far away for him to grab in time. Seeing him grab his ankle piece he pulled out his last gun, "Say goodbye bitch." He mocked.

Seeing my savant behind him I say it, "Goodbye bitch." Alec tossed him off me like a sack of potatoes. The enraged male before me looked so threatening I ALMOST felt fear for White. I used the opportunity to snap my right leg up and kick the other familiar away from me. He grunted and tried to hold on but I used his grabbing move to flip him over my head and flip on top of him before smashing my head into his, knocking him down for a second. Daniel came over and injected the serum into him keeping him down.

"What happened to - " I saw Cece, Syl and Krit all fighting the other two familiars. Seeing that there was more of us than them they grabbed their weapons and started to fire. Cece, Daniel, Syl, Krit and Alec grabbed the remaining guns from the guy who was out to the guns I had knocked off of White and shot back. They in turn grabbed White who was surprisingly knocked out before exiting through the shut down exit path. Fuck man… "I think the reason they had so many people here was to try and kill the council members and blame it on us."

I sighed towards Daniel, "I hate to admit it but considering what they've done before I wouldn't put it past them. At least now we know what White's big plan was. And with everything signed we can now start to lead more normal lives. Or something close to it…" I amend. "Let's get back home before the security gets down here. I'll have to talk to Gamble bout sending us and White the bill for this." We all look at Alec.

"We ain't paying for all of it, sides, we did kinda bring everything here by being here." I didn't fully agree but whatever. I wanted to get home. We had plans with Logan to make. From the opposite stairwell we saw Zack coming through, somehow having obtained a familiars gun, "Took care of my own." He explained, striding towards us as if it were natural, "Oh and not to worry, he's alive."

The grumble of annoyance was obvious. As we walked back we saw Gamble coming towards us, and his McKinnley counterpart. Daniel, Zack and Alec instantly held their guns up. Men! Trying to calm them down I yelled out, "Hold up! Wait a second! Everything okay?" He looked a little weary eyed at both guns pointing at him, "Down boys now!" I glared at both men to drop their defensive stances.

Lowering their guns Gamble spoke, "I see the waters are still testy." I looked back to him, "They will be for a while, but I think you can understand why." I reasoned. He could still warn his people and be blowin' smoke up our asses. I hadn't forgotten that. "I concede. McKinnley wants you dead just as badly as White. He's got a plan with White forming. I'm working on figuring out what it is." Wait a minute…. "I thought their big plan was to kill the council members and blame it on us?" I said.

He shook his head, "That was their game plan for today. The plan to bring you down involves a force that I haven't been brought up to speed on. More than likely cause those parties are trying to avoid talking about it, whatever it is." He sounded frustrated with what he was getting information wise to. "Just be warned McKinnley may not be much of a fighter but it's where you think he lacks that he surprises you the most." I nodded, "What were to happen if we killed the head priest or priestess?" Daniel asked him.

We all looked over to him then to Gamble, "Let me put it to you this way…if even one person betrays that power of belief then the rest betray that one person. Look at Sandman. He's in hiding cause of the people and religion he was born and raised into. He saw a way out and left." Wow… "That doesn't tell us anything." Daniel stated in a slightly annoyed voice. "You don't get it…with the conclave there is no head to cut off." I narrowed my eyes.

"It's a conglomerate." I surmised in realization. He nodded, "That betrayal is seen as human weakness, and a…" he looked to and fro from Alec to Daniel, "You can't kill that with a gun…" then he looked to me, "Or a knife." I sigh in understanding, "We need to kill the cancer without killing the patient." Gamble nods, Alec blanches, "And how the hell do you suppose we do that?" I turn my head to him.

"We need to protect this city and the people without destroying it by destroying them, or those that are full blown in wanting to kill us." I explain, "Got it." He remarks. Gamble looked around, "I have to go. If White sees me here…" I understood. "Go we'll talk later." He runs off. Leaving out through our entrance I wondered one thing…what was their next move and how bad was it? Or better question, how desperate were they?

White POV

I first had my suspicions when Gamble seemed to want to help the transgenics more than destroy them. But I figured he was just bullshitting them quite a lot since they seemed to be getting nowhere. But with the fight and then Gamble's so called 'reasoning' that McKinnley approved of I held even more doubt for my so called 'partner'. I hated not being able to hear what he was discussing with 452 and her crew. Not that I'll ever stoop so low as to say I was envious of their ability to hear from far distances, but it would have come in handy.

I had been too far away for that, but seeing as how 494 and the other transgenic that I was rapidly hating the guts of, lower their weapons made me wonder. Was is due to Spencer not being a threat to them since it was just him there or was Spencer betraying us? I didn't know and as bad it sounds I HOPE he was betraying us. It would give me all the reason in the world to kill the cocky little asshole.

However one thing I was noticing were the little bits and pieces of the mannerisms between 494 and 452. The way he stood in closely to cover her and still stayed close even after the presumed threat was clear…it wasn't till I saw him guide her out…the hand placements…the looks they sent each other…I think it's time I brushed up on my cat knowledge. Cause it didn't look like a simple shack up. You don't throw loving looks back and forth if it's just sex. 494's 'fling' cover may be just that…a cover.

It's not like Spencer gave me any intel on their personal life, stating that he didn't want to invade and possibly ruin any future intel by prying too much. At the time I saw the truth of his words but now…I think he's protecting them. Seeing 452 look back out once again to be sure their coast was clear…watching her scan the area, listen for anything, to which I subtly held my breath and calmed my heart rate down to avoid her spotting me. I was too far for even her to hear me but you could never be too sure.

Trying to figure out Gamble's reasoning on it I wondered. Maybe…a small revel at how smooth her skin was, at the coloring of her eyes, the fullness of her pouty lips…I shook myself, ridding the betraying thoughts before they'd start. Last thing I'd need would be for any type of lust feelings if you could call them that to overrun my need to eradicate 452 and her type from the city, no the earth itself.

She was a waste of space, although a very pretty waste, but a waste none the less. It did make for decent motive. Spencer wanted to protect HER for HIMSELF. I couldn't bother to speculate more, I needed proof before I continued on with my thought process. Standing up from my hidden position behind a decently tall plant I shook off the effects of having been in a fight off of me. I smiled at my inner thoughts. 452's death will be at my hands…I will promise and carry out her and 494 that…

Max POV

Alec stood behind me inside the office space. Logan was yet again hooked up to monitors, only now he was under. "It's a solution I've been thinking about for a few weeks now. I just wasn't sure about the effects once it's done." Carr confided. The clip holding my hair up for the meeting was barely holding it in now after all the fighting we had all done. Not caring anymore I easy took it out, letting my dark hair fall easy and happily down.

Alec came up closer behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and chest, holding me in comfort. He inhaled my scent as he said, "You know this is the best option we've had. It's better than ending him." He stated. I was upset that after so much struggling and heartache we finally have something go right and something also going horribly wrong. "Story of my life. I can't have one good thing happen without having something bad happen." I felt sorrow for Logan and what had become of him.

"Do it. He'll never get better nor does he feel he needs to get better. How can you if you can't even see that you need to?" I asked Alec, looking back up to him with defeated tears stuck in my eyes. Carr left the room after I felt Alec give him the go ahead nod. The only thing that would indicate Logan's change would be the heart monitor dropping it's beeping to an even tempo that would stay that way, till whenever.

"This shouldn't be his end…" I stated with mounting passion. "Eyes Only may have been one of the world's most 'pissed off TV news reporters' hiding behind some silly red, white and blue Halloween mask but he still did a lot of good. I know that much." I looked at his bed with determination set within my eyes. "Have Daniel and Cece get all of his Eyes Only equipment from his place. He's gonna get one last broadcast." I knew Alec and Carr were a little confused by my statement as I walked out.

Alec caught up with me, "How's he gonna make a statement if Carr's gonna take him to coma land?" I looked over to him, "It won't be him, just his voice." I remark like it's obvious, "Correct me if I'm wrong but his voice kinda comes with him, unless…" It finally clicked. "Voice recognition software. I nod, "Eyes Only will go down a hero of his people, his final story." I smirked in happiness.

An hour later and a nicely prepared speech by yours truly and I was all set up to make Logan go out with a bang. Despite all that he did in his final days it was the former that he did so much good with. It was that good that deserved to be recognized. Part of me wanted to tell the world who he was, but if someone that knew him or hated him, let's just say Carr can't protect him all the time.

Sitting down I put the head set on and watched as Luke put up the mask with his eyes up on screen one last time, "Do not attempt to adjust your set this is a streaming freedom video bulletin, this cable hack cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped, and it is the only free voice left in this city." I started out, I could only hope that the rest only lasted as long as the remaining time I had left.

I already had 12 seconds out, I still had 48 seconds left, "As this is my final testament to the troops of followers and faithful viewers I have, my last message to you all is to NOT let the oppression take you down. Have faith in your fellow man, transgenic and transhuman to fight back at the corruption, take a stand together for what's right, to bring Seattle and the rest of the world back to its days before the pulse. Back when we had a choice. Stay strong, stay well, never give up and never surrender."

I wanted it to speak of his last days before the blood took hold of him. Back when he was a freedom writer, back when his words gave people hope. "I hope it spoke of him." I utter lowly. I feel Alec put his hands on my shoulders, "I couldn't imagine someone else doing better. I laughed, "Maybe Asha…" Where ever she disappeared off to. She'd vanished a while back, no one thought much to go looking.

"I noticed you threw in a little 'Buzz Lightyear' in there." Alec remarked, I looked up to him in confusion, "You know." Making this astronaut looking pose he said, "Never give up, never surrender." It was a mock ground out but still had the effect of gaining a chuckle from a lot of people in HQ. "Must have missed that." I giggle in response. Sobering up I stand up, "Time to say good bye."

We were loading Logan off to the hospital Carr did work at once a month so he could keep an eye on him. Carr injected the last of the drug into his body. Logan didn't move at all, other than the regular side jostles from the hospital bed to here at the loading bay we had. I saw Shankar come in with an unmarked van through the tunnel. It had seen better days but its appearance would make it go unnoticed.

I closed my eyes saying good-bye before she helped load him up then walking over to me, "He's going to be okay. I'll help Carr into looking further with the blood problem." It was a false hope, but at least I knew that. "Just make sure he's okay." Logan was still well respected. His actions these last few weeks would be kept between the few of us. Watching them leave with Logan's now comatose body in tow was a sad sight.

Feeling the sting of tears coming on I burrowed myself into Alec's warm body, knowing he would provide comfort and support. He wove his hands through my hair and around my back holding me close to him. "He'll be okay and safe. He's in good hands." He comforted. I felt bad for feeling bad considering all that he had done recently, but I did. "I know he will be. Question is, what happens now?" his knelt his forehead down to mine.

"What happens now…" he looked me in the eyes, "We live our lives, and look after those that we love, care about and do everything we can to protect and keep them alive." Our mission, ironically similar to Zack's when we'd first busted out "Can I just add one thing to that?" he quirked his brow up, "Well are you gonna forget about the mounds of time spent with our girls, or with each other…" he knew what that look was.

Pulling me up off the ground with ease I looped my legs around his waist as my arms wrapped around his neck and head he started walking back as he said, "Like I'd ever dream of arguing with that." I didn't bother containing my giggles or telling him to put me down as he walked back to our apartment. I didn't care what comments people made or said about their CO or SIC acting as we were.

I needed this, this laughter, this joy in my life. We were gonna have some hard times coming up for us but at least this way we've settled down a few matters and finally made our way somewhat in the world. No more sweeping us under the rug, oh no they were facing us now. I could almost head Logan's words all over again…. 'Now look what you've done'…no Logan look what WE'VE ALL done…