Finding the light

by max333

new problems arise when the government calls a reclaim on the 'Manticorian's', claiming their government property. new players come in to wreck havoc while old players seem to be behind the new ones. all that on top of raising a family, and keeping the peace within and outside of Terminal City. our beloved leaders sure have their work cut out for them before the struggle is over.

13. irritable mates

Sey77: thanks I know it took a while. Sorry for the wait but her its better late than never right? Lol

recicup: at the risk of sounding demented I actually enjoyed writing that scene the most. Lol not to mention I recall lydecker in the 1st season telling volgosang that he would tear his flesh if it brought him a heartbeat closer to max…so I was 'inspired'. Lol

Thanks for staying with me those that did. I have finished writing this all out so it's just editing now. Hopefully you'll stick with me till the end.

Season 5 ep.13

Max POV

I was starting to get more worried than tired regarding what Alec was doing in his office. After five hours of worry when he split the apartment so fast it was like the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels. He advised me that it would only be one more hour….that was an hour and 30 minutes ago. The girl's bath time, diaper change, and bed time story all completed solo. Finally, there was a bath for me too, and even with the long baths I take, still, no Alec.

I had half a thought of grabbing the baby monitor and going out to search for my soon-to-be-on-permanant-baby-duty-mate. But that would be a waste. First, the monitors won't work once I'm a block away from my apartment. And second, there's no way in hell I'll leave the girls by themselves. And he knows that, the bastard!

He is SO dead.

Getting to the couch I grabbed a book to read because I didn't want to wake the girls with the t.v. sounds. With my feet laying over the coffee table I had on a pair of cotton panties and one of Alec's shirts. It left only my lower thighs exposed as I laid in wait for him. Benefits of shark DNA…no worries about falling asleep before the mate comes home. However when two a.m. hit I was officially worried.

I couldn't call anyone other than those that had a shift in HQ tonight. Only two or three people would be there as they were monitoring any and all activity from the General's monitors. Calling up Shay, another transhuman that had a little too much bat in the cocktail she answered, "Hey Max." she answered.

"Hey is Alec still in his office?" I asked, getting straight to the point. "No he left out hours ago." Now I was worried. "Let me guess he didn't say where he was goin'?" I near demanded, getting up and throwing on a pair of jeans from our bedroom. "He said he had an errand to run. Funny though…" I held the phone at an angle to get the jeans up past my hips. "What?" I hoped it wasn't anything bad. "Syl called me ten minutes ago and asked where Krit was. Said he left out hours ago and hasn't come back since then." Okay panic on.

"This is ridiculous, I get that we have freedom outside the gates now but seriously? Two of our best leaving out for all hours on an 'errand' that I don't know about…something's wrong here." I bit my lip in worry. "Alright thanks." Hanging up I call Joshua.

His groggy voice answers a semi 'hello?' "Is it possible that you could watch the girls for a short period of time? Just like stay in the apartment, you could sleep here if you want till I get back but I need to find Alec." I told him.

"Okay…everything okay?" he hoped that it was nothing as much as I did. "For his sake, it better be something stupid."

Hanging up, he arrived in seven minutes flat. I gave him some last minute instructions. "If they wake up, try and hum to them, otherwise they just need someone here just in case." he nodded and plopped on the couch, "Oh and no t.v. I don't want to wake them." he nodded once more, "Okay." he went right to sleep on the couch the moment his head hit the arm rest. Wish I could sleep that easily!

I grabbed my socks and some boots, making sure I had my sector pass and key on me. I didn't bother tucking Alec's shirt into my jeans as I was in a rush. Walking past Syl and Krit's place I saw Syl opening the door, "Is everything okay?" She must have been as worried as I was, "If they want to be couch less they better be." I remark.

"Just stay inside I'll go check out Alec's haunts. Maybe they're having a manly pow – wow." It was the furthest thing from my thoughts but it was still a possibility. She nodded, "If you find them tell Krit he and I need to have a talk." I agreed and walked away. Arriving among a few of the buildings for TC, I used my night vision to zoom up and down every pathway between the buildings, and into the hallways of each.

It took me till three a.m. and two more calls to Alec's cell to realize he wasn't in TC and neither was Krit. "Okay now they better have a god damned good reason for NOT answering their cells from us both AND for ditching out and NOT tellin' where they were going!" It was then that I went by Deck's place and found the lights on. At three a.m., "Nothin' suspicious about that." I spat sarcastically, one of my brows arched trying figure out what was going on.

I open the door finding it not even completely closed. Deck himself looked haggard and a bit bloodied. I frowned, "What's with the…?" that's when I noticed…all the wounds on his hands were offensive marks. He fought but his attacker or victim didn't.

"This so isn't happening. Whose blood is on your hands?" I demanded, hoping he wasn't getting drunk again and starting up bullshit. Last time he got drunk around me he almost blew my head off…literally, "Max not tonight. It's been a very LONG and stressful day." I blurred forward, grabbing his offending, banged-up hand and twisted it at the wrist, gaining a cry of pain from him as my other arm pinned his body from his neck to the door frame.

"Not in the mood for games. Do you know where Alec and Krit are?" he grasped at my arm holding his neck, "Max please!" he begged. I twisted his hand harder, "Who did you beat on then?" I demanded.

I held the position for so long at his neck he really started to struggle. Letting go, he gulped in breaths of air. "Alec made a decision. So did Krit and me. We did what was necessary to make sure certain people wouldn't come after you guys again. Alec should be home now. He'll explain things." I perused him head to toe, all the blood on his person...I totally wasn't buying it. "Why can't you tell me?" I snipped. He looked up. The age was starting to show on his face but at the same time he just looked emotionally drained.

"Cause I'm exhausted. If you want I'll give you a full report in the morning, but for right now, I feel like crashing for a damn week!" And that was just what he did. He collapsed onto his bed and just passed out. I rolled my eyes and walked out, but not before turning the lights out on my way out. Going back to my apartment I ended up hearing a lot of arguing from Krit and Syl's place.

Now I wondered what was in store for me. Seeing Shay leave my place I could only assume Alec was back. Getting inside I found his leather jacket slung over the couch and his boots by my discarded house shoes. Good he's home…

Alec's POV

I knew I was in a bind when Max wasn't home and Joshua was asleep on our couch. I quirked my brows and wondered where the hell my mate was. I nudged Joshua on the couch. His face looking like it was part of the couch pillow he was sleeping on, "Where's Max?" I asked him. His dog DNA making him look sleepy as anything

"She went lookin' for you. Had me stay here with the girls." he muttered, now getting up, "And now that you're here, I go back to my own place. Your couch is not for sleeping on." I turned away already knowing if this explanation didn't go well, I'd be sleeping on same said couch, "Thanks for stayin' man, really thanks." I remarked as he waved me off and left out the door. Shucking off my boots and jacket, I went to see the girls in their cribs. So tiny, so precious...I felt very proud to call them my own.

"I'll do whatever I can to keep you girls safe...including you're brave, trouble magnet mother." I whispered to them. I didn't dare leave to go after her. Right now, my girls needed their father home. I was even tempted to sleep in their room tonight, just surround myself with my family. Even pull Max in once she got back home, but I knew that probably won't be happening, not tonight anyways.

It was the sound of the door opening and closing again that pulled me from my thoughts of the girls and onto my soon to be furious mate, "Might as well face the wrath of the feral cat. Delaying isn't going to help." I muttered.

Leaving out of our girls' room I saw Max shucking off her own boots and jacket. It was seeing her in one of my shirts that had me grinning from ear to ear. Fears of her pending wrath no longer at the forefront of my mind. Seconds later it wasn't even on my mind as her jeans came off leaving her in the long t shirt and some ankle socks that she was also toeing off. I couldn't help but eat her up and down like candy to be savored, my predatory cat coming out as its tigress seemed to be settling in for the evening. I ate up the sight of her.

It was when she flung her hair from the curled up area it had been in under the shirt that had me stepping out of the shadows of the small hallway and into her view. I knew she saw the look in my eyes, the cat gleam that simply stated 'I want you'.

Hands on her hips she walked forward two feet and instead of my fantasy of her saying 'want it, come and get it tiger' coming from her mouth, she brought me back to reality.

"Where the hell have you been? I looked all over TC" like I said crashing. It was kind of like a record being halted and finding yourself in the center stage spot light. "I..." mind you my mate is very distracting when only in my shirt and whatever panties she has on underneath. I was currently dying to know what it was. Lacy, cottony, thongy, nothing...that had my heart skipping a few beats.

Pantiless Max had so many fantasies running through them. But first deal with wrath of Max, "I can explain everything." I held my hands up in a placating manner. "It better be good." She stood crossing her arms over her chest. My inner cat wanted to gawk at the sight she made even when getting upset. Now wasn't the time though. "Cause this disappearing act isn't gonna be a future thing!" she iterated.

"Max...Ross was not just going to roll over and admit his involvement in a murder...we had to take...very forceful measures...and he's a tough nut to crack Max. It wasn't easy." I started, her eyes widening at my words, "I was there to make sure Deck didn't take it too far." I looked for her reaction.

Worry was in her features, "What are you talking about? What did you do?!" she demanded, "Please tell me you didn't pull some stupid stunt or get yourself in a bind that will affect the rest of us. And what does Deck have to do with it?!"

"Something you would have never approved of...and on that note, THAT is why I didn't tell you. It's something that had to be done, I made a judgment call." Her eyes narrowed. Come on like peeling off a band – aid… "Remember how Deck suspected Ross in his wife's murder? And we later found the wedding ring? At Ross's office I might add? Hidden away?" she nodded, motioning with her hands to get to the point.

"Yes I remember...Alec...WHAT DID YOU DO?!" her voice rose as did her anger and worry levels, I could practically feel it.

"Shhhh you'll wake the kids!" I calm her down, or at least try to. She pursed her lips, and hissed at me like the feral cat she was right now, "What did you do?!"

"Torture Max...we had to torture it out of him. Deck has the experience, as do I, but I was kind of his "Jiminy Cricket"...I was keeping him from going too far, but this was his chance to get the truth Max." she looked stunned…then worried… "Please tell me he's still alive?"

"Yeah, he'll live." I tell her, "Are you..." she walked about like a panther needing to work something out, "Out of your minds?" she asked seriously. "With everything going on..." she pinched the bridge of her nose, "Is he at least able to talk and walk?" she hissed again, knowing the girls were in the next room.

"Yes... he'll be sore and bruised but yes." I kinda wish he wouldn't be but oh well. "Listen we have the confession on tape Max." she seemed to be almost off in her own mind at this point, I wondered when my words would hit home, "I can't believe you guys did this..." She stormed up to me, annunciating her points with pokes to my chest, "Exactly what were you guys thinking? And why didn't you at least consult me? Wait what? On tape?" there we go.

"Yes... he admitted to killing Deck's wife... look Max, we can take this to the Pentagon and they can retract their order for our draft into service." I added on, "It's the only thing Ross knows Max is how to play dirty... we just turned it on HIM instead." She looked to be thinking on things, "I cannot believe this…you seriously think that something that happened 20 some odd years ago will do anything today?" her voice nearly rose up again, I shushed her down.

"There's no statute of limitations on murder Max. He can get life in prison…And depending on the laws, maybe even the death penalty." I conceded. She seemed to be contemplating it, "And how do you know he won't try to do something to us. In retaliation?" she asked, shoulders slightly sagging from the fight.

"How can he explain it away Max? Every government has torture techniques of some kinds. Even the good old US of A." she looked away… "The man's a trained survivor, a clever manipulator..." I countered, "Let him try to wriggle out of this one."

"And who's to say he doesn't have dirt over the people over him to keep his position? Who's to say he won't call in a favor?" she asked. I pulled a VHS out of my jacket pocket... "I have all the evidence right here... as well as past psych eval's that we have proof were forged...and the docs that diagnosed him as sociopathic didn't live to tell about it..."

"He murdered everyone that got in his way of becoming General... and we'll just make sure he doesn't make it to president." That was a grim thought… "That's a horrifying thought...I think what kills me the most is, you didn't trust me enough to tell me." she looked sad.

Now I felt horrible. She took this the wrong way. "Oh baby, it wasn't like that... it's not that I didn't trust you. It's that I knew you wouldn't allow it when I knew it had to be done." This was NOT how I thought this would go. "How do you know that? Yeah it's true but you should have said something!" she was pissed now. "You wanna talk trust here Max? How about YOU trusting ME huh?" she shot her eyes to me, "It worked out. Yes I kept you out of the loop for a reason, I told you I would explain it later. I needed YOU to trust ME." I tried.

I indicate between both of us, "It goes both ways Maxie."

"You're joking right? I trust you with everything! My life, my heart, my body and my soul...if there is such a thing! I can deal with a mess to fix up but this...trust always goes both ways but this..." she looked fearsome of the potential outcome, she needed to trust my judgment on this one. She then stormed past me to our room I went to try and stop her but she dashed by me. I followed her into our room.

"Max... c'mon, listen to me will you? Ross doesn't listen to reason. That was your way. We tried that. It didn't work. We had to go with dirtier measures yes, but it was the only way! Don't you see that?" I asked her.

She turned back to me fiercely, "I've used dirty tactics before ask Deck, hell I used them ON him! It's not the tactics it's the - Damn it you should have told me! What happens when Gamble calls up and hears what happened?" she asked, trying to figure out how to best 'damage control' the situation. "Another reason to originally keep you out of the loop Max, so you could deny any knowledge of it. But I'm bringing it to you now. And if you want, I'll talk to Gamble."

The offer made her brows quirk, "You talk to Gamble? You hate him. You tolerate him but you hate him! It's why I deal with him!"

"I'd do it for YOU Max... so that if any shit hit the fan, it's on ME not you." I offer.

"And what if Ross decides to try and send one of his soldiers to retrieve the evidence?" she asked, "It's staying with me... and Deck has a copy as well." I covered my bases here. Now she looked a bit desperate, "Where's the ring at least? Doesn't that have my prints on it too? How will you explain why mine are there too? I wasn't exactly wearing gloves at the time." she spat sarcastically.

"That's taken care of. Don't worry about it and I just really had to show you this... see the label on this VHS? It says "Our wedding video"." That had her stumped. "Yeah...why?" she barked, "How many outsiders know we never actually had a wedding huh? The best place to hide a video is in plain sight." I gave a small smile.

"Oh..." I could tell she saw my point, "Damn it quit having an answer, I'm angry with you!" She was frustrated that was for sure. I took her hands and guided her to sit on our bed, "Believe me... I've covered my bases... no one will bother me or mine. I swear."

"You never said where the ring was." She said, "Deck will take it once it's been processed by Detective Sung. Once our people take your prints off it goes to his people." I smiled assuring to her. She tapped her foot nervously, "I don't know about this..."

Placing my hand on her knee I stopped the movement, "I went along with this because it will mean our freedom. Our REAL freedom Max. Get the head honcho out of the way and maybe they'll place someone else in his place that won't bow to Ames White." I explained. "But you got his confession through torture. Would that even work? I get WHY you did it but..." she was trying to go through every logical conclusion here, I loved her for it. "Well, Dix can clip the footage to the end where he gave the confession." I answered.

"I guess…" She then stood up, "Quit coming up with answers! I'm supposed to be mad at you!" she growls a bit frustrated. "What if Gamble asks me why I can't keep a handle on my own men?" she tried. Having heard the first part I couldn't help but grin a bit, "Oh really?" I pulled her close to me, my hands holding her close, as I bit my lip, "How about a little angry sex then to get that out of your system? Hm?" I suggest.

I kiss her neck, licking a small trail, "Besides…He'll never ask that."

"How are you so sure?" she arched her neck into me. My eyes grew a bit cat like at the way she way arching, like a cat in need of soothing. "Because just like me…" I leaned up and bite her ear lobe, making her shudder a bit as she leaned into me, "He's totally smitten by you. He'll never question it. Now..." I grip her face and kiss her lovingly on her lips. She even teases me but lightly sucking on my low lip, "Don't I have some form of punishment coming CO?" I sure hoped I did.

I could already imagine pulling off whatever panties she had on, if any, "Yeah, couch for the night till we're out of the 'hail mary phase' of your stunt." She got herself on even grounding before tossing me a pillow for the couch….should have seen that one coming.

"Ok fine..." I sigh, "Just builds it up for the next time we slip between the sheets…if we make it there..." I wink at her, "and that's a promise." I was already anticipating it. I went to kiss her when she stopped me and only gave a small peck before shoving me out the door. "Night Maxie…sorry…." I closed my eyes and walked to the couch. I would have to suck it up and hope that tomorrow Max forgave me…at least enough to get back into bed with her…back between her legs would be nice too.

Dawn came too fast for me and I was still buzzing from lack of sleep the night before. I don't think I even fell asleep till 3:30-4 a.m., so an 8 a.m. meeting called in by my mate herself was not a good thing. I grabbed some coffee, which seemed to be a step above milky mud. I couldn't be bothered with caring on taste when Max came out of the bedroom, her customary jeans and tank on with her riding boots as she rolled the girls out in their stroller.

Arching a brow she told me, "Gem will have them at Daycare while we see if your 'mess' needs to be fixed." That was a bit much. I had thought we were going to be somewhat better than what was last night.

I couldn't help it, the coffee cup slammed down, creating a crack in the surface. "That wasn't called for Max." She cocked her head to the side, "Should have thought about that before you grabbed the tiger by its tail and beat on it."

Really? Before I could read anything else in her eyes my mouth opened up, "Geez! I swear Max... are you sure you're not pregnant again? Cause the mood swing from last night to this morning sure seems to be pregnant-you, more than usual you." I regretted the words the moment they came out because she was out the door in a huff. "Ma -" the door slammed on her name. I resisted the urge to slam my hand into anything nearby.

"Good one. What part of that was helpful?" I asked myself. Drinking my coffee I put on my own boots and headed to HQ. Walking into the conference room I saw Krit, sleepy as anything, Syl, also sleepy as anything, Mole, cleaning his gun to a near mirror shine, Zack doing the same with a hand gun, and Cece sitting in Daniel's lap.

Max came in last, "Somehow I think several of you already know what this meeting is about." she glared to myself and Krit. I would have though Deck would be here but I knew that was not going to happen, "Where the hell is Deck?" Max demanded, "He's probably trying' to catch up on sleep from last night. I know I'd like to." half the looks I got were ranging from arched brows to toothy grins. "Nothing like that happened." Max corrected their assumptions.

Now just a bunch of confused people, "Long story short Krit, Deck and I went and kidnapped the General and made him admit to murder. Got proof of it to. Today we'll find out if he'll bail or try to make a stupid move." I told them. Several gasps and one 'bout time' emitted from the group. "Who did he murder?" Cece asked, "Deck's wife." Syl jumped in.

She looked exhausted as well as Krit, if anything they looked worse than myself, "Did either of you even sleep last night?" I asked, my hand holding up my head.

Syl looked ready to fall over, 'We talked till 5 a.m." I felt extra sleepy just looking at them. "Max how are you still bouncy? Even with shark DNA you should be feelin' something." Max looked to me, "Anger provides some of the right enzymes needed to stay awake efficiently." I bowed my head down, but in an effort to try and wake myself up, not in a submissive appeal. "Look..." I straightened back up again, "We did what was necessary. We did what we had to do to ensure the survival and avoidance of a possible 'transgenic war'." I told her.

My voice held a hard edge to it, gruff even from lack of sleep, "If it works, we'll never have to worry about the general again."

"And if it doesn't you just jump started It." she retorted.

"I thought we talked about this last night?" I asked, "We did and I spent the rest of the night thinking about everything said and a few things still unsaid." I didn't get very far in retorting when her phone went off.

Seeing the caller she put it on speaker, "Gamble you're on speaker. Talk." she said. "I got a call from several officials telling me that the government is 'thinking' about revoking its previous statement of calling the Manticore soldiers back. Mind telling me what happened to get under Ross's skin the way you did? He not happy but seems to be very tight lipped about this completely sudden change of heart."

"Oh there's certainly nothing under Ross's skin, we checked." Alec remarked. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that." Gamble said. To this I felt bit of relief consume me, "Let me guess he went looking for something through his effects?" I asked. Gamble went silent for a second, "How did you know?" he asked, "We found evidence that he murdered someone 20 something years ago." I told him, now feeling a bit rejuvenated.

"Why don't you hand it in?" he asked, "It was obtained sort of illegally." I admitted. We could all hear the sigh on the phone from our deputy mayor. "And with that being said, it could throw the case right out the door, "Gamble muttered. "Doesn't matter though, Ross is on the ropes and we need to throw him out of the ring. Is there anything you can do to keep a closer eye on him?" I asked.

"He's already under watch. My people wanted to see how well he would destroy your kind. So far all he's managed to do is get into a meeting with you." that made me wonder, "Does he have a deadline to meet? In their eyes that is." I asked. "The sooner the better, though if he doesn't get it done at least within a month they might just send someone to take him out." I almost smiled, "Is there any chance you can give us a 72 hour notice of when they do?" I asked.

"Sure...why?" he asked.

"He has transgenics for body guards and for second in commands. They will fight to the death to protect him. If anything the time frame will give us a chance to extract them and bring them here so he can be free food for them." I bite my lip from making it sound like an order. "You're joking?" Gamble asked. "Nope." I practically popped, "Unbelievable. How did I not see that?" he near asked only himself on the phone, "You don't have an inside transgenic." I told him. "And you do?" he asked, "Yeah...had a hell of fun time bringin' her in too."

My retort was sarcastic but had its effect, "Should I ask?" his voice inquired over the phone.

"Nope, not if you want to claim 'plausible deniability' in the end." I smiled. "Max did you authorize this?" Gamble demanded of her, "It had nothing to do with her. It was myself another transgenic and Deck." trying to at least in some form protect Max's brother. "She didn't know till it was over with last night." I looked to her. I saw her face warring with justifying my actions and debating over if I really did do the right thing.

"Max I thought you had a handle on the people under your command?" Gamble asked, she bit her lip, "I do. It was a call Alec made without my knowledge. I do trust him to make decisions on his own regarding TC and its inhabitants, it's why he's my second. This one was just without any knowledge on my part." She justified as much as possible. "Look Gamble it had nothing to do with her it was all me so if you're going to have a bitch fit talk to me." I couldn't believe the audacity he had to try and yell at her.

"It's nothing personal here Alec but if this gets out and goes higher than me then it's something I can't help you guys with. There's only so much pull even I have as mayor here. You've gain the support of the city through your donations and work efforts, but if you pull an illegal stunt that doesn't go your way - "I cut him off, "I get it, we're screwed. Listen, just update us with ANYTHING pertaining to Ross." he sighed at my words, "Fine." he hung up.

"So you guys went and kidnapped Ross, tortured him and didn't include me?" Daniel whined at me. "Or me?!" Zack followed. This was also followed by Max's, "Are you kidding me?" all three of us looked to her. "I want to beat the living everything outta him too, but goin' into a situation halfcocked like that may be what winds us in the boiler room!" she bellowed. "You're just pissed because Alec didn't tell you. Frankly I got to give him balls for that since you seem to be so stuck up - " I kicked him under the table effectively silencing Daniel's words.

He rolled his eyes, "Max is right, if you guys would have at least told us we could have at least worked the delegations around it." Cece amended. "We don't speak a word of this to anyone till we know for certain that the General is gone. Mole I want you to find out from Dix if there's been any activity today since the whole thing started." he nodded, "Got it boss lady." She paced about for a minute, "We need to come up with a contingency plan for if Ross decides to swing back at us."

"If he decides to hit us then we know what he'll go for." I looked to Krit as did Max, "The ring. It's the proof we have besides his confession, we need to stash it away so he won't be able to find it." he remarks.

"I put in in a secure location." I told them, "Relax it's in a plastic baggie, I wanted to avoid getting additional finger prints on it." I look to Max. "Deck threatened him with a fake one, we didn't want to risk him trying to go after it so we made sure we could get a much cheaper, identical one. Even got it at 'fabulous fakes'." I smiled in pride. "Good, it'll buy us some time..." Max agreed.

"I'd still like to know how someone who's supposed to be in charge didn't see this comin'?" Zack's words now coming out like a nuisance. I grit my teeth prepared to snap at him when low and behold the look on Max's face did it for me.

Max POV

When this morning came about I was still a bit upset. But I knew Alec had seemed to cover many bases. Honestly I wanted to see how well Alec's little adventure turned out. Taking the girls to Gem's daycare, I meet up with everyone for the meeting I called for. Alec, Syl and Krit looked exhausted. I felt for my sister but not my mate nor my brother. I felt that not telling me could have really done political damage. The subject kept making itself known all night long. I didn't get any sleep over it.

The words of Gamble gave me faith that Alec hadn't completely messed up. But Zack's words, as if I were at fault, that I wasn't paying any attention cut into me, "Enough Zack!" I spat, "I don't have to explain myself to you. I trust Alec and as my SIC he needs to make tough decisions same as Me." my voice rose, "Tough decisions?! The only tough decision you've made lately is where to have sex with him!" he bellowed back. That shocked me, as well as many other occupants in the room, "Excuse me?" I balked.

"You heard me." Zack stood up, "If it were myself in charge Ross would have been dealt with. A strike team could have taken him out." I shut my eyes at his way of thinking, "Right you would want to take out a high ranking military official when he and his friends are looking at us with a microscope?! Alec was bad enough and yet you wanted to kill him? Do you ever think before you talk?" I demanded.

He began walking forward, "I think there are many others that would agree with Me." he said. "As much as I want to kill him, it would only do more harm than good." Mole interjected.

Zack whirled on Mole, "Ah yes... Comin' from the same lizard that said 'give 'em a punch for me?'" Mole growled, "Can't tell you 'nothing without you using it against someone." Zack looked about the room, "You're tellin' me that you'd rather let someone who could have the power to kill us all live?" I watched as Alec turned to him.

"Sit down 'memory boy'. We'd all love for him to be dead, however I think being on the run like we were for the rest of his life will have to suffice. We kill him now, or any time soon, we risk a lot of scrutiny."

A lot of others nodded, "Zack, have a seat." I admonished. He sat back down with a scowl on his face, "We'll monitor his but first of all I want to know what went down. Alec, Krit you two stay and give me a verbal report, the rest of you are dismissed." I was trying to be aloof but I felt I sounded more Manticore than anything. Anything to dispel that from the room I sat down and propped my boots on the table.

"Who goes first?" I asked. Alec did. He gave me everything right up until it was Krit's turn inside the General's home. Then after I nearly slapped myself in the head Alec continued with what I knew was an edited version of Deck's torture time. "Okay here's where the details get more expressive. We had to get him back without his guard dogs, cats in this case noticing. That was a fun trip, remember?" Alec asked Krit. Krit rubbed his knuckles, "Yeah fun." he grumbled.

Alec POV

"Why didn't we plan ahead of time for gettin' him back without his transgenic 'goons' sniffin' the perimeter every five seconds?" Krit muttered, dragging the general's feet as I grabbed his shoulders. Deck opened the doors for us as we carried the man back inside. It seemed it was a near impossible effort since there were too many around, "Okay stop. There's no way we can get him inside without them noticing. Its seven X5's versus two and a colonel...with the weight of an unconscious General." I complained.

Then a thought struck me, "Krit, why don't you call them up and tell them you found him? Lead them outside while we pull him inside." I suggested. He gave me a dead panned look, "I think that would be out of the question, my double's probably back in action and the other weary of anyone lookin' or sounding like him." I smiled, "I know." he got the idea, "You want me to be the bait to a half dozen angry transgenics while at least one of them stays inside?" he demanded incredulously. I nodded, "You'll be okay."

He blanched, "Hell no! Too many, tell him Deck!" Krit angled his head asking for Deck's opinion, "If you do it right you could get away with it. But you have to have the right plan of attack." Deck advised causing Krit to groan in misery, "Relax, you can use your phone to distract them even." formulating a plan he took off leaving he to haul the general's body. Stopping where we made sure we'd be out of the visuals of any guards I heard with my enhanced hearing.

"Hello transgenic morons workin' for the dick General, if you want your buddy back come out back for some fun."

"I didn't think he'd say anything like that, now they will be pissed." I muttered to Deck, "What did he say?" he demanded, I repeated the phrase back. Lydecker even bent his head down, "I hope he has a plan if they catch him."

Me too...we watched them go off and leave the perimeter, but only six left. "We'll have two on the inside to worry over." I iterate, "You can handle two." Deck stated as if I were trying to back out, "Relax Deck, I got this, but first we'll need to get him at least inside the place." he agreed. Dragging the unconscious body of the general, we made sure to be extra quiet for the X5's that just went past us.

Once we breached the doors leading inside I scanned and listened for the remaining X5's in the house, "One upstairs one..." I slowly lowered the General to the floor and gave Deck the signal to become hidden and stay quite. He was no match for a trained X5. Rounding the corner the X5 in question looked up and spotted me, "494!" damn it! I know this fucker! "794, little shocked to see you here." I had to admit I was, "You know you can't beat me in a fight." I warned, not wanting to break anything...again.

We used to spar back at Manticore, but he was more beta than alpha. The amount of times I sent him to the infirmary with a broken arm or dislocated shoulder was enough to tell him he wouldn't beat me...but that was then...who knows what the General's put into his head now or what he's learned since then. "Shows what you know!" he tried to blur forward and nail me with an upper cut.

I blurred too, and with my elbow slammed it down on top of his head. The knock alone would have easily sent a lesser man to the ground for hours. He appeared dizzy for a second before clearing it. "I remember you using that move on me when I was in level two 'Tae Kwan Doe'." He snipped, "Still fell for it though." I told him.

"You won't get away with whatever you're doing 494." did I mention he hates that I'm better than him? "Shows what you know." I retorted back. I blocked his knee, then backwards elbow, as he made to blur behind me yet again. He was relying too much on his Manticore abilities and not on the skills of fighting.

It would be his down fall. Wanting to make this quick and easy, as he tried a blurring move again, I used his weight, flipped him over me, and then dislocated his shoulder while putting a boot to his mouth. It suppressed the grunt enough to prevent the other X5 in the house from knowing what was going on. "Never will learn." he looked at me with angry eyes, "If you want to really try beatin' me some day, join TC." I tried.

But apparently a dislocated shoulder wasn't enough. He wanted more. I heard a loud pop as he grunted in pain from popping it back in himself. "Got used to doing that huh?" I asked, smirking as I turned back around. Seeing him move forward I kick my left foot into his right kneecap, making him use his arms next since his feet were off in coordination. Two, three arm blocks gained me the steps I needed to knee him in the gut, sending him several feet back.

It was his next words that had me growling in protective anger, "And follow that niner whore of yours? Forget it!" I dodged one hit for my head, then blocked the next one, as I pulled in his other arm. Slamming my head into his own, I grabbed said arm and pulled him further, slamming my knee into his gut, making him groan in agony. The hit alone would be enough to have him dry heaving for at least 15 minutes.

"Call her a whore again...I dare you." he bit his lip in the agony. "Thought so. You'd think your time in 'etiquette training' would have given you better manners than that." I replied. Walking away I heard him mutter, "I hope she's worth it." I smirked, "She is." I called over my shoulder. I looked back to Deck, "We need to get upstairs, drop him off." Otherwise his plan might not work in getting the General to leave the country.

"I'll take out the X5 upstairs, I trust you can get the general from here?" I near mocked. He glared at me, "I'm quite capable of handling him myself."

Finding the stairs, I went up and located the sounds where the last X5 was located. "Units two and three come in I can't reach 794." She spoke into the walkie. Static was all that was heard, "Alec please tell me you're almost done? I'm playing 'Escape & Evade' with these dicks and they're closing in!" Krit relayed through the com's system he had in his ear. "Give me two more minutes, we're in but I had to take out an old sparring partner." I iterated.

"Okay." Krit said, going silent again. Knocking at the door I heard a gun being pulled and cocked, "794 that better be you." The voice warned. She opened the door and stuck the gun out prepared to shoot. I grabbed the muzzle, felt her aim to shoot at least at my hands, I ducked to the side of the shot, then pulled on the angle to make her either risk getting her fingers jammed and broken or drop the gun.

She held on tight, so I pulled the gun as hard and fast as possible. She didn't let go so I grabbed her hand, pulled her forward, then wrapped my other arm around her neck, "494?" she gasped, "Yeah?" she wasn't in my unit nor was she close to anything when it came to that, I couldn't remember who she was. "You help run TC right?" she got out. "Yeah?" then a move I hadn't been prepared for, she swung her leg up to hit me in the face.

Shocked I let her go. She held herself at an arm's length away. "You turned traitor on us!" she called out, it was clear in her voice, "By choosing a rat over your own unit!" she stated with conviction, "What is it with everyone's problem with her here? She let EVERYONE out!" I demanded, getting a bit aggravated with everyone's hatred of Max here. They didn't know her, what gave them the right to judge? "You don't know anything about her – other than what Manticore told us." I defended.

"Besides, you're not even in my unit so why do you care?" I near bellowed at her. "You really have forgotten your training 494." Her voice was nearly menacing, "Still trying to forget actually. A lot of it will never be forgotten but some of it would be nice to put out of mind forever." I admit. "You've gotten soft. Lydecker wouldn't approve." She sneered. If she only knew… "Those rash, irresponsible niner's put your unit through hell the most when they left and yet you share your bed with one?" She almost sounded to be question.

"Well that yeah, we mate together…often, she's the mother of my children…" I told her. Her eyes widened, more shock than disgust. "Got to admit, I did NOT see that coming. Then again it was their unit that had that sense of family something we never got the chance to explore…" she seemed to be summing things up.

"No offense but I don't have time for this." I blurred and knocked her out, not trusting her in a choke hold again. "I cannot believe some of them still hold that grudge. It was friggin' 10 plus years ago…"

Listening for Deck as he pulled the groggy General to I helped get him into the room, "Next time end the small talk, guy got heavy after a minute." Deck complained. I rolled my eyes, "You've got less than five before all those units find Krit and haul him in here, make them count." I ordered, he nodded as I stepped outside and patrolled up and down both ends. I heard a two voices, both raised but as soon as I saw Krit I knew we had to go.

Currently

Alec POV

"And that's how that went. Anything more and you'll have to go to Deck. I was more or less trying to avoid hearing that convo seeing as it was more personal than anything." I noticed Max looking irritated, "So you didn't listen for any signal that maybe Ross was leaving us alone?" I grimaced, "No." she rolled her eyes.

"I'll go talk to Deck…I'll see you at home Alec." She stated. I had a feeling she was trying to figure out if she should let it go or if she had to do damage control. Krit and I walked out, "Now to do damage control at home…" he murmured, "Is Syl pissed?" I asked, hoping it wasn't too bad. "We talked till 3 a.m., then made up till we passed out." I had to smile, "At least one of us did." He looked to me.

"I'll work it out. Trust me your sis and I will be back between the sheets in no time." Krit grimaced before aiming to slap me upside my head, "EEWW! Dude!" I grimaced and ducked, "Sorry." He switched to waving me off. I left for our apartment, but ended up walking to the daycare spotting Gem with the girls. "Hey pick up for two beautiful little girls." She smiled, "Such a charmer."

I smiled back as I came around the corner and picked up both girls. Both of them looked to be trying to talk but hardly anything was coming out right, "Bada." Nyx said. I laughed, thinking maybe she was trying to say 'dada', "Can you say 'dada' now. Nikita can you?" I asked of them, placing them in the twin carriers Max left behind.

The girls just looked at me with big smiles on their faces, "You're going to be breaking the hearts of many guys in the future…" I sighed, "But I'll be the one breaking their limbs if they hurt you." I smiled in glee. Pushing their stroller out I saw a young woman, honey blonde, bleach blonde hair, walking towards me. I held the door open when she said, "Alec!" recognizing her I near grimaced. Veronica…Victoria or Vicky, from the Blowfish.

"Hey…" I still couldn't remember her name, my time spent with her was more on a getting fucked up manner. Or rather fucking her manner. She had a nice set of knockers but the fake stuff – once I found out it was fake – just didn't do it for me. She looked down and spotted the girls and then looked back up, "So you're a daddy now?" she asked. I didn't care I was proud, "Proud of it. This is Nikita and Nyx." I don't think she was counting on that 'proud' part. "Was it that dark haired girl?" she asked.

I was shocked, "Good memory." I stated astonished, "Kind of hard to forget the girl you batted me away for at the Blowfish. She was the most dressed up 'whore' in the place." I narrowed my eyes at her, "Don't call her that. She was there for the same reason as me, undercover." I was seriously getting sick of people calling her a whore. And it wasn't even legitimate, it was just to get a rise.

Pursing her overly done lip gloss covered lips she responded, "So you are one of those transgenics." I nodded, "O.M.G!" she said. I quirked a brow, "I got fu - " I cut her off, "Hey not in front of my daughters!" she looked down at them before looking back to me, "Come on, I have a niece to pick up." She told her friend as they walked in, "Dodged a bullet there." I murmured to myself.

The girls looked back to her almost as if they were silently communicating to one another before bursting out in laughter, "Whatever you just communicated there I'm 90% sure I fully agree." I rolled them away, not even caring that I had a grin on my face. I was a proud father strolling with his daughters.