Max had told Logan, OC, Joshua, and Alec about me excluding the thing about Ben and I was thankful because it was hard to talk to people about it. I had gone with Max over to Joshua's to help get rid of the flees in his house. I set off a flee smoke bomb when Joshua ran upstairs. In the living room, Max is standing near a can and scratching her leg. Max said, "Did you set it off?" Joshua said, "Yeah." Max asked, "How about you?" I replied, "Yeah can we hurry up." Max said, "Okay. Let's do the other two and get out of here before these little buggers eat us alive." Joshua said, "Yeah." Joshua goes into the kitchen, where another can stands waiting. He and Max stand with their fingers on the tabs. Max said, "Hold your breath. Ready? On three. One...two...three!" They start the cans spraying and then we run out onto the porch, closing the door behind us. Max said, "That was close." Joshua said scratching, "Thanks for bringing the...for the bombs." Max said, "No problem. You're gonna have to stay out of there for a couple hours." Joshua said, "Yeah. Stay right here with my little fellas." Max said, "Oh. Um, actually, we gotta bounce. I'm meeting Logan at Crash." Joshua said, "Oh." Max said, "I wish you could come. You know that. Tomorrow maybe I'll get some time off from work...hang." Joshua said, "Okay." Max said, "I got some flea powder. (Hands him a jar) Douse yourself with it before you go back in there, or else you'll be right back where you started. Okay? Good night." Joshua said, "Okay. Night." Max and I leave.
At Crash, Logan is sitting at a table, making notes on a napkin. I took a seat nearby. Max asked, "This seat taken?" Logan replied, "Oh, hey." Max said, "Sorry I'm late. Had to stop by Joshua's. Whatcha doin'?" Logan said, "Oh, just trying to piece a couple things together." Max said, "That's cool, but...here?" Logan said, "Yeah, no one's looking. Can I see the cut on your hand for a second? (Max gives him a funny look.) Come on." Max briefly removes one glove and shows Logan her palm. Logan said, "Mmm. It's fading fast. You said all of White's cult pals have one?" Max said, "Yep. Right here. (Points to her forearm) I saw it when they were saluting their holy snake god, or whatever the hell it was." Logan said, "Looks like a modified version of a caduceus, the symbol of medicine." He draws the symbol on his napkin. Max said, "You know what? All work and no play makes Logan a dull, dull boy." Alec sits down at the bar and orders a drink. He glances down at the other end of the bar and sees Asha talking to a guy. Asha notices Alec. I felt a twing of jealousy and a bit of anger, but Alec barely talked to me when he found out I lied I couldn't blame him I should have told the truth, but it's not like he was all open to me about himself. Asha said quietly, to the guy, "I'll talk to you later, okay?" Alec moves and sits down next to Asha. Alec said, "Hey." Asha said, "Hi." Alec said, "Long time, no see." Asha said, "I guess so." Alec said, "Yeah. You avoiding me?" Asha said shaking her head, "No. But I gotta say that I'm really glad that nothing happened that night." Alec said, "Yeah, me too. Asha said, "Probably works for days, huh? Your whole "Time is short, gotta put your heart on the line, baby I want you" speech?" Alec said smiling briefly, "Look, you don't want to get involved with me. I was made in a lab. You know? I spent my formative years learning the fine art of assassination. There are guys out there right now looking to kill me, and I'm sure someday they'll probably succeed." Asha said, "Spare me the drama. You're just to scared to let go and actually care about somebody." Alec said, "Right, because the last time I let go, somebody got caught in the crossfire and died." Asha said, "I'm sorry. I didn't--" Alec said, "Just do yourself a favor, Asha. Leave me alone." Asha said, "Alec--" Alec said, "Beat it." Alec turns back to his drink. After a moment, Asha walks away, passing Max. Max approaches the bar and sets an empty pitcher on it. Max said to bartender, "Can I get another beer? (To Alec) So, what'd you do now?" Alec said, "Why am I always the bad guy with you, Max?" Max said, "Whatever. You want to blow your shot with her, be my guest." Alec said, "Oh, right, yeah, 'cause I could be this charming, sweet guy and score myself a really nice girlfriend but, unlike you, I'm actually trying to do the right thing." Max said, "And what is that supposed to mean?" It made me realize that he was right, but even if it was another transgenic we could never have normal and I decided to head out as I was leaving I heard Alec say, "Oh, you think the only problem you and Logan have is some genetically-engineered virus that'll kill the guy if you touch him?" Max replied, "Yeah, that takes a front seat." Alec said, "Mmm. Max, we don't belong with 'em. Okay? We're a danger to them. When are you gonna finally see that?" Max said, "Me and Logan are none of your business." Alec said, "Why don't you just open your eyes and--" Max said, "You're just--" That was all I heard walking down the street. I checked my messages and saw like 15 I listened and knew that Logan was infected and Alec was supposed to come to help but never showed and that they needed me. The last message said that they were going to use Joshua instead and that if I got my messages to come.
At the hospital, Max and Original Cindy sit in the hallway I walked over to them. Original Cindy said, "It's gonna be all right. You'll see. He's a fighter. He's gonna hang on." Dr. Shankar emerges from Logan's room. Dr. Shankar said, "The antibodies in your friend's blood are neutralizing the virus, keeping it from replicating. He's gonna make it." Original Cindy said, "You hear that? He's gonna be okay." She and Max hug. Dr. Shankar said, "He asked to see you." She walks away. Max said, "I can't go in there." Original Cindy said, "He's asking for you." I said, "Yeah he needs you." Max said, "I can't see him. Not now. Not ever again." Original Cindy said, "You're just saying that 'cause you're upset. You heard the lady--he's gonna be fine." Max said, "This time. But what about next time? No, this has to stop. Tell him I'm glad he's okay." Original Cindy and I watch as Max turns and walks away.
At Jam Pony the next day
I hear Normal say, "Alec! (To a couple of messengers) Any of you reprobates seen Alec?" They shake their heads and Normal walks around, muttering. Normal said, "Isn't here, doesn't call, thinks only of himself, always hurts the one... (To Sketchy) Hey, you--crustacean--you seen Golden Boy?" Sketchy said, "No." Normal said raising his voice, "Let's go, people. Mission bells are ringing. Let's go. Hear it? Bip, bip, bip!" I was wondering myself where Alec could be I mean he didn't show up to help Logan and no one has heard from him. Original Cindy said, "Logan kept asking where you were. I didn't know what to say." Max said, "It's okay. It's not your problem." Her pager goes off. Original Cindy said, "Is that him?" Max checks it and nods. Original Cindy said, "If you're serious about this, you owe the man an explanation." Max calls Logan. I hear one side of the conversation Max hesitantly said,"Hi." (Pause) Max said, "Yeah. Uh, sorry about that. Listen--" (Pause) Max said, "We need to talk." (Pause) Max said, "Logan--" (Pause) Max said, "I can't do this anymore." (Pause) Max said, "We got lucky again. I mean, how many miracles do you think we're going to get?" (Pause) Max said, "So, what, you end up dead and I get to spend the rest of my life knowing it was my fault? (Softly) I pass." (Pause) Max said, "I have to hang up now." Max hangs up and rests her forehead on the pay phone. I felt so sorry for Max not being able to touch Logan without killing him. I could see the pain and sadness in her eyes. Why couldn't life be simple and have the ones we love safe.
At Crash
Original Cindy said, "So you did it. It's over." Max moping at the bar said, "Yeah. It's over." If we could I think me and Max would have drunk ourselves into a drunken stupor, but we are genetically enhanced to withstand any amount of alcohol. Sketchy approaches the bar and sets an empty pitcher on it. Sketchy said, "Ladies, did you hear what happened to our buddy Alec?" Max said, "Don't care." Sketchy said, "He's in jail." Max said, "Whatever." Sketchy said, "You know Hummer, the bartender from last night? Saw him get pinched right outside of here. Kind of makes you wonder what he did, huh?" Max said, "Not really." Sketchy walks away with the refilled pitcher. Original Cindy said, "You're not gonna go help?" Max said, "I got my own problems. Alec can take care of himself." I said, "Are you sure?" Original Cindy said, "Now, you know you gotta come correct on this. Suppose they tip to his barcode? Exposure. Bad for Alec, bad for you, bad for Joshua, bad for Jane, bad for everybody." Max said, "Not like saving his butt isn't already my full-time job. Thanks for the beer." Leaves
At the jail, a cop escorts a handcuffed Alec into an interrogation room. Max and myself, dressed in a suit, stand up. Max said, "Whitney Mann and Emily Hart, public defender's office. We'll be handling your case." Alec said, "Pleasure." The cop shoves Alec into a chair at the table. Cop said, "You need anything, I'm right outside. You got five minutes." Max said, "Thank you." The cop leaves. Max and I sit down at the table, across from Alec. Alec said, "Max, I'm sorry, I was on my way to the hos--" Max said, "Shut up. I came down here to bail your sorry ass out, 'cause I figured you got grabbed up off of one of your scams going sideways. But the officer just told me you killed somebody!" Alec said, "I didn't do it." Max said, "You got I.D.'d. There's a perfect DNA match." Alec said, "I'm telling you--" Max said, "Don't tell me anything, all right? I'm sorry I let you out of Manticore. I'm sorry I inflicted you on the world. Screw exposure. I'm leaving you here for White to deal with." Max gathers up her briefcase and starts to leave. I stand there is she really going to leave him here. Alec said, "Max, I swear, I'm innocent." Max said, "Tell that to Ames. And, uh, give him my regards." She wouldn't let White get a hold of him I wouldn't let that happen no one should have that. Alec said, "You really think I could do it? You think I could murder someone in cold blood?" Max said, "Yes, Alec, I think you could." Alec said, "Guy's teeth were pulled from his head, for God's sake!" Max stops in her tracks. I hold my breath Ben. Max said, "Ben..." What how did she know it was Ben that did that. Alec said, "Come on, Max! You know, no matter what you think, there's no way it could've been me. That guy was killed over a year ago. I was at Manticore." The cop walks into the room. Cop said, "Time's up." Max knocks the cop out and takes his keys. She uncuffs Alec and we sneak down the hall. Alec said, "Hey, Max, I'm not complaining, but what made you think I didn't do it?" Max said, "Shh." Alec said, "I mean, I'm just curious, you know? Was it the sincerity in my eyes? Some people say I have sincere eyes." I rolled my eyes he can be so self involved sometimes. Max said, "Quiet. (Points at a door) Here." We go into a room and Max looks out the window. In the alley below, some cops are talking near their cars, and a short distance away sits Max's and my motorcycle. Alec said, "It was the teeth thing, wasn't it? I mean, come on, I can hardly stand going to the dentist." Max said, "Shut up, okay?" Alec said, "Why are you taking this so personally?" Max Alec and I climb out the window onto a narrow ledge. They begin to shuffle over to a drainpipe, checking to make sure the cops. Max said, "Because it was Ben." Alec said, "Ben? My Manticore twin, Ben?" Max said, "He killed Timothy Ryan and ten other people. Same M.O." Alec said, "Whoa. They told me back at Manticore that he'd gone nuts, but...(whistles)...serial killer?" I wanted to knock him off this building if he kept talking about Ben like that when Max said, "One more word and I shove you off this ledge." We reach the drainpipe. Max climbs down it a little ways. Alec said, "Max, tell me you got a plan." Max said, "Hang on." Alec said, "What are you doing? No, no, no, no!" Max presses her foot against the wall so the drainpipe pulls away from the building and falls over, with Max Alec and me on it. The cops look up. Cops said, "Hey, what's going on?" At a point below Max Alec and myself, the drainpipe comes to rest on top of an electric fence. Sparks fly. The cops duck. Max sees a police car directly below. Alec said, "This is your plan?" Max said, "Jump!" We let go of the drainpipe and drop onto the roof of the car. The cops start shooting. Cops said, "Freeze!" We jump off the car and duck on the other side of it to avoid the gunfire. Alec said, "I should've stayed where I was and taken my chances." I said, "Would you just be quiet." The drainpipe sparks on the fence again, momentarily distracting the cops. Max said, "Come on!" She and Alec run for the Ninja and hop on and I hop on my motorcycle, driving away from the continuing gunfire.
At Max's apartment
Alec said, "So the thing that's got me worried is I can't exactly use 'Well, I was locked up in a secret government facility' as my alibi." Max said, "Guess not." Alec said, "Hey, maybe Logan could pull one of his little, uh... (Remembers) Oh my God- -Logan. Is he all right?" Max said, "He's fine. Joshua came through." Alec said, "Oh, good. Logan could use a little canine plasma to loosen him up." He chuckles and Max gives him a look and starts making coffee. Alec said, "Just kidding, Max. Come on, you know I love Logan. I mean, not the way you love him, it's just...well, he's okay. Right?" Max nods uncomfortably. Alec said, "So what's the problem?" Max said, "I'm not going to see him anymore." Alec said, "Any more this week?" Max said, "Ever. I can't risk it. And I don't want to hear an 'I told you so.' " Alec said, "No, I wasn't going to." Max said, "Coffee?" Alec said, "Yeah, sure. (Pauses) Listen, since we're already knee-deep in painful subjects...tell me about him. About Ben." I fell my body freeze up and want to know what he was like myself and why she didn't tell me before. Max said, "When we were kids, back at Manticore, he always wanted answers for everything. You know? Why we were there, what was outside. So he would make up these fantastic stories to explain things. Somehow it made us feel...loved. Like we weren't all alone." Alec said, "Sounds like a nice kid. What went wrong?" Max said, "After we escaped, it was like there were too many things in this world he didn't have answers for." I knew what she meant he never seemed at ease. Max said, "I don't know. He just...lost it." Max turns to get a couple of coffee mugs, then stares into space. Alec said, "Hey, you okay?" Max said, "I'm fine." She sits down. We see she is clearly not fine and round the island counter to stand next to her. Alec said, "Max, what is it?" Max said, "We were in the woods. He was hurt. Manticore was closing in on us. He didn't want to go back there." Alec said, "Reindoctrination. Or worse." Max said, "I killed him." Alec and I both looked surprised. Max said, "He asked me to, so I did. (Her voice breaks and her eyes tear up) And then I ran. I saved myself. And I just left his body there for them to take away." Tears run down Max's cheeks. Alec puts an arm around her shoulders and kisses the top of her hair. Alec said, "Max, I'm sorry." She killed him to save him I know understand the look she gave me when we were locked up it was guilt. Max and Alec walk out of Max's apartment building. I stay behind because I need to talk to her about what she said alone. We talked and I told her how much I was in love with Ben and realized what he was doing, but never got to confront him because he was gone and that was the last time I saw him.
At Jam Pony, Normal and all the messengers are gathered round the TV, solemn and amazed.
When the TV when it is interrupted by a screen that says "KIPH 3 SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN." Announcer says, "This is a Channel Three news break." An Anchorman speaks as the TV shows a transgenic throwing the cops. Anchorman said, "A hoverdrone recorded this shocking footage. Authorities are refusing to comment on the nature of the assailant. But, as you can see for yourself, the attacker has what can only be described as superhuman strength. The subject, who was described by witnesses as a mutant, refused to comply with police officers on the scene. He is believed to have escaped from what is purported to be a covert government project known as Manticore. Authorities have denied all knowledge of Manticore, but so far no one has been able..." Sketchy said, "Dude, that's the thing I saw in the sewer last week." Normal said murmuring, "Whoa, Nellie. Look at that sucker." I see Max and Original Cindy exchange a worried glance. Anchorman said, "...obvious physical prowess. One of the officers was seriously injured before others opened fire. Some eyewitnesses claim that it took police six shots to bring down their attacker, but Channel Three can neither confirm nor deny..." Anchorman said, "You can see it right there--the barcode. Unconfirmed reports suggest these tattoos were used to keep track of the various soldiers involved in the program. The mutant's body was rushed from the scene based on officials' concerns regarding a potential biohazard." Max's pager goes off. She checks it and calls Alec. We walk into the house and Joshua is sitting on the floor in the middle of the living room, sadly looking at a portrait of a girl. Alec said, "Hey. Thanks for hitting me back." Max said, "So I take it you've seen the news." Alec said, "Yeah, but that's not why I'm calling. I need you to get over here." Shortly afterwards, Max and I consoles Joshua. Max said, "I know you're sad, but you did the right thing. Remember we talked about how we're not like other people, and we need to stick together? Right now that's more important than ever." Joshua said, "Annie's not like other people. She's different. She's--" Max said, "She's not like us, either. And when you care about someone, you have to do what's best for them, even when it hurts." Joshua said, "Love sucks." Joshua lets go of his pendant, which he had been fingering. As it falls back to his chest. Max said, "Joshua, where did you get this?" Joshua said, "Father gave it to me." Max removes one of her gloves and compares the symbol on her palm to the one on the pendant. They match. Max leaves. I walk into the kitchen and sit at the table just thinking when Alec walks in. Alec says, "What are you thinking about?" I replied, "I didn't tell anyone but Max this, but I knew Ben." He gave me a look of surprise. Alec said, "Why didn't you tell us?" I said, "I did tell Max, but I guess she knew I didn't want anyone else to know. " Alec asked, "How'd you meet." I said, "Funny story really I found him in an alley beat up and brought him to my place to fix him up. Then we got closer." Alec said with hesitancy, "How close?" "Sometimes I'm not really sure because I figured out that he was the one killing these people, but he left and I never got a chance to talk to him or say goodbye all he left was a letter and I've carried it around ever since. I guess I always thought we'd meet again until Max told us what really happened." Alec just looked at me he didn't know what to say so he just hugged me and that was all I needed. I said, "Come on we need to find Max." Alec said, "I think I know where to look."
Later, Max is sitting on the Space Needle. Alec and I come and stand next to her. Alec said, "Hey, Max. Thought we'd find you here." Max said, "I come here to be alone." Alec said, "Yeah, I know, but considering everything that went down today, I figured we could both use a friend right now." Max said, "Sit down." We sit next to Max. Alec said, "So, you got any deep thoughts you want to share? Any, uh, profound realizations about life?" Max said, "Yeah. Love sucks." We sit there in silence. It does suck majorly. Those rare few who never have to think that are living in denial. It can be great but in the end you become crushed.