of The Realization that You're In Love III
Chapter 9: The Love Bug
OC entered Jam Pony without Max as usual.
‘Normal,’ said OC approaching her boss, ‘my girl ain´t gonna come today.’
‘Oh! Really? What now?’
‘She threw up the whole damn night. The girl couldn’t stop!’
‘Look, I’m getting tire of this excuses your little friend always makes up.’
‘Normal, I’m serious. I couldn’t get her out of the friggin’ toilet.’
‘Fine, fine, what ever. I’m just warning you two. Just tell her to bring a note from the doctor.’
‘Whatever.’
Cindy went over her locker. Alec entered Jam Pony and approached the lockers, where OC was getting her things ready.
‘Hey, lad-’ he stopped when he saw there was only one lady. ‘OC.’
‘Hey, blondie.’
‘Where’s Max?’ he asked.
‘She’s sick.’
‘Oh! What, she felt like not coming to work today?’
‘No, she’s sick,’ OC repeated again, emphasizing the last word.
‘Come on, Cindy, is not like I’m Normal’s spy, or something. You can tell me the true.’
‘Alec, I’m telling ya the truth here, boy,’ said OC in a very serious tone. ‘My girl’s been throwing up non stop, all night long.’
‘What? No, that’s impossible. We... you know... don’t get sick,’ whispered Alec trying to avoid the words 'we' and 'transgenics' in the same sentence.
‘I know, that’s why I was so worried. Maybe it’s just a simple and normal bug that’s on the air, ya know? She’s been under a lot of stress lately. She doesn’t sleep at all, she hasn’t been eating that much either and maybe all that caught up with her.’
‘I don’t know, Cindy, I mean, it’s not easy for a... you know, to get sick.’
‘I know. Anyway, I gotta go and do some work, or Normal is gonna be on my ass until I quit. I’ll go to check on Maxie at launch time.’
‘Ok, see ya,’ said Alec as OC left Jam Pony with a couple of packages and giving Normal a nasty look before leaving.
It was weird. An X-5 cannot get sick; he had never been sick in his life. Maybe it was an engineer virus just like the one Manticore put on Max to kill Logan; maybe the virus had actually mutated when she got the cure and it was affecting her now; or maybe, OC was just right. X-5s are the best results of cloning research and genetically empowered human hybrids, but they were not indestructible.
Alec took a package, to Sector 5 (duh!), and delivered it quickly. Then, he decided to pay a visit to Max. It was only 9.10 am, and Cindy was going to be there at 1pm give or take, so Max could use some company.
Alec entered Max’s building with his bike and when he arrived at her door, he knocked. There was no answer, so he opened it. Max was nowhere to be seen. He left his bike near the door, and stepped closer to her room. ‘Max?’ he said in a whisper, afraid she might be sleeping. Suddenly, a messy long brown hair stuck out of the bathroom door.
‘Alec?’ said Max, who was sitting on the bathroom floor, with her around the toilet seat.
‘Hey, you’re really sick,’ said Alec, tenderly.
‘Yeah-’ but she could not finish the sentence. Alec rush up to her, to hold her while she threw up.
When she finished, Alec said: ‘You look like shit.’
‘Gee, thanks. You’re here to cheer me up? I FEEL like shit.’ With that said, she started throwing up again.
‘It’s ok. I’m here, don’t worry,’ whispered Alec on her ear, while he hold her hair.
When Max finally finished, ‘You got fever?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know, but I feel really hot,’ she said.
‘Well, Max you are hot,’ Alec answered with his cocky smile, trying light up her mood. Always with his stupid Smart-aleck remarks. Max hit him on the shoulder, and even though she was weak, Alec really felt that.
‘Ouch! I thought you were sick!’
‘Yeah, well, I thought you were here to say stupid things while I’m feeling like shit and get your ass kicked, right? Or am I misunderstanding something?’ Yeap, she was sick, but still a bitch.
‘You know, you’re bitchier when you don’t feel so good.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Ok, let’s see if you got fever,’ he said and placed his lips over her forehead. ‘No, you don’t have fever. Why don’t you have a cold shower, while I prepare you something to eat?’
‘Really? Ya know how to cook?’ a flabbergast Max asked.
‘Max, if you want me to leave--’
‘No. I’m sorry. I’m just surprised--’
‘Oh! I didn’t hear that, can you repeat it again?’
‘No, I’m not. You might better go, because I ain’t gonna tell you “I’m sorry” again.’
‘You’re welcome,’ said Alec and left the bathroom with a satisfactory smile on his face. Max was on the cold floor rolling her eyes, realizing that she had said 'I’m sorry' again. Damn! Being sick made her stupid and slow. Not a good combination when Alec was around. But still, Max was surprised by Alec’s attitude. He had come all the way to her apartment to take care of her. No one had ever spoiled her this much, except for Cindy, but she did not count, she was a friend. And maybe Logan; but she would never be able to compare the two men. They were as different as day and night.
Max got up from the floor, turned the water on, took off her sweaty clothes and entered the shower. The water was really cold. When it first touched her bare hot skin, she hissed and her muscles contracted for a moment but then she got used to it and cleaned her body from the sweat and the smell of her throwing up.
From the shower, Max could hear Alec looking like crazy something to eat in her apartment. But she knew he was not going to find anything. She smiled at that thought.
So he gave up. There was nothing, the place was empty. What the hell do they eat! Then he heard Max turning off the water.
Minutes later she was out of the bathroom, looking at him with a broad smile.
‘What?’ he asked her.
‘You didn’t find much, didnja?’
‘Ooh, so you knew there wasn’t anything to eat, ah?’
‘Obviously, who do you think lives here?’
‘Yeah, ok.’
She started walking to her room, when, suddenly, she felt as if her legs had gotten disconnected from the rest of her body and she could not move them. Everything was going into circles. It felt as if the world had stopped and she was still moving along with the Earth’s natural movement. Finally, her body gave in, her legs could not hold her anymore, and Max fell. The fall took forever when it only took Alec a second to see her fall and run to catch her.
‘You’re ok?’ asked Alec really worried.
‘Yeah... I just felt a little dizzy,’ said Max, looking at those sweet and worried hazel-green eyes. She loved the way Alec was holding her. His arms were all around her, protecting her. Then he held her in a way he could carry her to her room, with one arm under her back and the other holding her legs. When Max realized this, and the fact that she was only wearing a wet towel around her naked body, she started moving to get off of his grip. She did not want him to think she was some kind of Damsel in Distress, because she was not such a thing.
‘I can do it myself,’ she snapped, leaving Alec’s secure arms, only to stood up and fell again to be caught by Alec... again.
‘Look, Max,’ he said holding her again like before. ‘I know you ain’t some pretty flower who needs to be taken care of, ok? And I also know you could kick my ass any time, sick or not. So don’t worry. Me holding you like this won’t do anything to your tough-chick reputation.’
‘You swear you won’t tell anyone?’
‘I swear.’
Alec placed Max over her bed.
‘Look, I think I better call Logan, he might know what’s going on with you. Maybe his scientist guy knows something,’ he said.
‘Log- Logan! No!’ said Max. The last thing she needed right now was Alec and Logan alone talking about her. It would only cause problems and it also meant that Alec would find out the lie she fed Logan. ‘I mean, you don’t have to. I can do it. Just hand me the phone,’ she said, pointing at the phone on a near by table.
He fetched it for her.
Max dialed Logan’s number, but no one answered, so she left him a message. ‘Logan, it’s me. I need you to call me ASAP. I’ll explain you then.’ After hanging up, she said to Alec: ‘He wasn’t home.’
‘Ok.’ At that moment, alec let himself get caught by the moment. He admired her big brown eyes, her wet, dark curls all over her cinnamon shoulders. And without thinking, he moved a wet curl from her face. By the time he realized what he had done, all he could do was retreat his hand as fast as possible and act as if nothing had happened. "What d’you say if I stop by somewhere to buy some food?"
Alec was not the only one who got lost in reverie. When he asked her that question, her dream world came into a crashing stop and felt a bit ashamed, though she tried her best not to show it.
‘Ok,’ she said in a whisper. Then, remembering something, she added: ‘Aren’t you supposed to go to Jam Pony?’
‘Umh, it’s ok. I’ll call Normal and make something up.’
‘Ok,’ she said again, still a bit disoriented for what had just happened.
‘Ok,’ he repeated as well. ‘And, I’m gonna head over to Logan’s to see if he’s back.’
She snapped again from her day-dreaming, and said: ‘No, why would you do that? Just-I’ll call him again in 10 minutes.’
‘I really don’t mind,’ he said, finding Max’s sudden behavior quite strange.
‘I just… I wanna handle this with Logan myself… he might…’ she said trying to come up with a believable lie, ‘think I’m trying to avoid him… the whole break up thing… yeah.’
‘Ok,’ he finally agreed.
Even if Max asked him not to do it, he stopped by at Logan’s.
Disaster. That’s what he found in the old man’s apartment. A disaster. And Logan was not there. Alec got his cell phone out of his jacket and dialed Logan’s cell phone number. But he did not pick it up, the answer machine did.
‘Hello, you’ve reached Logan Cale’s cell phone, please leave a message after the bip.'
Too long. Alec thought. His answer machine only said: “Hey, Alec here, leave a message.” Such a snob.
BIP.
‘Hey Logan, it’s me, Alec. Where the hell are you man? Call me, we’re really worry ´bout ya," he hung up after that.
Then, Alec thought about checking the house, to see if he could find any clues. There were definitely signs of struggle. He reached Logan’s room, and find what it seamed like a ray of light, a little hope that Logan may be ok. His empty closet. That meant that Logan had left. Also, there was some equipment missing and finally, Bessie was not in the building’s garage.
Alec arrived at Max’s place at 10.30, and he found her sleeping peacefully on her bed with a clean black tank top and a pair of sleeping black shorts.
She had not slept that much when she woke up. A pleasant smell that aroused her senses. She went over the kitchen and found Alec cutting some vegetables.
‘What’re you cooking?’
‘Hey, Maxie. I hope you like it. I made a chicken soup, with some vegetables and stuff. You like chicken, right?’
‘Of course I do, I’m part cat, aren’t I?’
Alec laughed. ‘Yes, you are, we all are.’ He waited a moment, and then decided to let Max know he had been over Logan’s. ‘So… I went to Logan’s place.’
She immediately tensed. ‘You did? Why? I told you not to go!’ she snapped.
‘I know, but I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t avoiding you, or something.’
‘So?’ she asked, not sure what had happened over at her ex’s, because Alec looked quieter than usual, and seemed to be struggling with his own words.
Alec was not sure if he should tell Max what he found in the old man’s apartment, and, well, what he had not found, which was Logan.
‘Uhm... Logan wasn’t home,’ he simply said, not really lying, but not really telling the truth either.
‘Oh,’ she said, as her body relaxed again. ‘Ok. Well, we’ll call him later.’
We? Wow!
They ate the soup, which Max thought was delicious, and as Alec was cleaning the dishes, Max went straight to bed, where she would be warmer, but ten minutes later she was throwing up Alec’s chicken soup in the toilet.
Chapter 10: The Inexistant boyfriend
It was 12.15 pm. Cindy had not come yet. And Max had finally stopped throwing up and fallen asleep.
Alec watched her sleep from the door-frame of her bedroom, her rhythmic breathing hypnotizing him. He was worried; worried about Max and this mysterious sickness she had, and worried about Logan. He had gone God knows where, or maybe that was what the people who destroyed Logan’s place wanted him to think.
Cindy opened the door from her apartment and Alec moved himself to the living-room.
‘Alec?’ she said, a little taken aback by the boy’s presence on her apartment.
‘Hey, OC.’
‘Whatcha doing here, boy?’
‘I just stopped by to check on Max.’
‘Aha,’ she said, raising her eyebrow, like she always did when she was suspicious about something. Cindy saw the wet dishes in the sink while she left the groceries in the kitchen counter, and the smell of chicken in the entire place gave him away. ‘So, how’s my girl?’
‘She’s... ok. She finally managed to fell asleep.’
‘Did she eat something?’ Cindy asked him, already knowing what happened. Obviously, Alec had not found a thing in their apartment, so, as such a gentleman as he was, he went over the store and bought a nice chicken for the sick girl... He’s such a sucker for Max!
‘Yeah... I managed to make her something. But she threw it up ten minutes later,’ he answered. He felt a bit awkward about what he had done for Max, especially when he said it out loud. Had he really done that? For a girl? For Max, of all girls? Was he turning into a goody two-shoes like Logan!
Cindy walked over Max’s room as Alec talked; then, she went back to the kitchen and started putting the groceries in the fridge.
Alec sat on the bench and he made a decision. He was about to tell Cindy what he had found at Logan’s place, when his phone rang.
‘Alec here,’ said the X5.
‘Hey, Alec. It’s Logan.’
‘Logan! Where are you! You ok!’ said Alec, his preoccupation reaching the surface.
‘Yeah, I’m fine. I’m outside Seattle, with some friends,’ Logan answered.
Even though he was never going to admit it, Alec was happy to hear Logan was ok. He, then, stood up and went over the living room, so he would be able to talk to Logan without OC hearing.
‘What the hell happen to your pent-house?’ Alec asked, almost in a whisper.
‘White happened. I was doing an Eyes Only broad cast and somehow he picked up my trail. Anyway, I managed to get out before he got there.’
For some reason, Alec felt some tension coming from Logan; but he attributed that to what had happened to the older man and his home. Though, he could not have been more wrong.
‘So, you’re ok?’
‘Yeap, I’m fine.’
‘Ok, good. Now... I’ve got to talk to you ´bout Max.’
‘Look Alec,’ Logan interrupted him, ‘she already told me, so I don’t need your explanation.’
‘Max talked to you? When?’ Alec asked Logan. When had Max talked to Logan? Maybe when he left to get the groceries? But she did not mention anything. ‘What did she say to you?’
‘Well, she pretty much said it all. You and her are together now and, I guess, I’m ok with that. It just took me by surprise. I mean, I never gave up on us. But I guess that with everything that’s been happening in the world she might need someone like her, someone who understands her, who feels like she feels.’
Alec was not really sure he was understanding the words coming out of Logan’s mouth. Was he dating Max and had not noticed it! He was frowning so hard and his eyes were so wide open from the confusion and shock that Cindy actually worried for the boy.
‘Alec? You ok, boo?’ she asked. Alec waved his hand to her, saying he was fine.
When Logan was done with his little Boy Scout speech, all Alec managed to say was: ‘What!’
‘What? Isn’t it truth?’ said Logan, a glimpse of hope in his voice.
‘Look Logan, this is not ´bout... that. Max’s sick. Really sick. And I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to go to your scientist guy again, because after all, that’s where White got us; and I’m not sure whether I should take her to Dr. Carr or not.’
‘She’s sick? What are the symptoms?’
‘Well, she doesn’t have any fever, but she’s been throwing up since last night. And she seems pretty tired. She sleeps whenever she’s not throwing up.’
‘Uhm, maybe is a side effect of the cure. Maybe her organism is getting rid of the virus. I’ll check on it.’
‘Ok.’
‘Is that all?’ asked Logan.
Alec was not sure what to do. Should he tell the older guy that what Max had said was a lie, or should he wait to talk to Max about this, a conversation from which, he knew, nothing good was going to come out.
‘Yeah,’ said Alec at the end, ‘that’s all. Just call if you find anything.’
Both men hung up the phones.
Alec looked at OC who was staring at him.
‘I’m gonna check on Josh over Terminal City and I’ll came afterwards. Max said she was gonna swing by TC today get some stuff from one of the guys, so… Maybe I should go.’
‘Ok, but don’t ya have to get back to Jam Pony?’
‘No, it’s alright. Normal gave me the day off.’
‘You lucky white boy! Cindy said under her breath. ‘So, what did Logan say?’
‘He’ll check on it,’ he answered, succeeding in hiding his sarcasm.
‘That’s all?’ said OC with one of her faces. She knew Logan has said something else; something that had upset Alec.
‘Yeap,’ he simply answered.
‘Ok,’ she said understanding that the boy was not going to tell her jack. ‘Then I’ll see ya after work, k?’
‘Yeah, I’ll be here,’ he said, heading towards the door.
‘K, see ya,’ told Cindy, watching the guy putting on his leather jacket and getting his bike as he moved through the door. He’s such a sucker for the girl! she thought again.
AT TERMINAL CITY
‘Hey Josh!’ said Alec as he entered the Head Quarters of the transgenic community.
‘Alec, how are you?’ said Joshua, putting an arm around Alec.
‘I’m fine, buddy. Max is the one who’s not feeling too good.’
‘Why, what happened to Little Fella?’
‘Well, she’s been a little sick. But she’ll be fine. Don’t worry,’ he lied to the Dog-man. Alec was pretty worried about the whole thing, and he did not want Joshua to worry about Max; at least, no yet.
From behind Alec and Joshua, a handsome American Italian young man approached the transgenics.
‘494,’ said the man with a playful voice.
Alec turned around to find an old friend.
‘511!’
They gave each other a big hug. It seamed to Joshua that both men had a long history together; a long friend-ship that had started in Manticore.
‘How are you?’ said 511, leaving their manly hug.
‘Great! You know, surviving... It’s Alec now, by the way.’
‘Biggs,’ the man said.
‘So, what are you doing in Seattle?’ asked Alec. ‘I never thought I would see you here.’
‘Well, like every other X series here, I heard Seattle is now transgenic Central, and… I don’t know. I was starting to feel a bit lonely,’ said Biggs, winking at Alec. 494 only smiled. ‘So, how come you ended up here? No offence, but you’re the last person I expected to find here; well, other than me.’
‘Well,’ said Alec, thinking how he had ended up there. ‘I owed someone a favor. And then I just...’ he said, not sure exactly how to define what had happened to him.
Why had he stayed? It was something he would have never done. He had planned on going to Canada, getting as far away from Manticore and the US Government as possible. But one thing led to another and he never managed to do that. A tinny voice in the back of his head said: Max, and at that moment he wished he would be able to beat the crap out of himself. Max was one of the few people he truly respected and admire in this world, though he would never admit that out loud, but he hated what that woman was doing to him.
‘So,’ said Alec, ‘did you find a place to crash yet?’
Biggs sighed. ‘No, Terminal City it’s pretty much my home right now. I’m still trying to figure out what to do next. A job, I suppose. The whole “American Dream”. I mean, I can’t keep on pick pocketing people… I can’t even afford a tv!’
Alec laughed. ‘Hey, I work on a bike messenger place. I think I can score you a job over there.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, the boss loves me. And you can crash at my place. It’s big, has a TV and an extra room.’
‘Are you honestly sure ´bout this? Because you had me at “TV”.’
Alec laughed again, ‘Yeah, man, of course. I could never leave an old friend in the cold streets of Seattle.’
‘Cool, man.’
Joshua, who was still standing next to them, cleared his throat, hoping Alec would introduce him to his friend.
‘Oh, hey,’ said Alec looking at Joshua, ‘this is my old friend Biggs. Biggs,’ he said now looking at the handsome X5, ‘this is my man, Josh.’
They shook hands. Biggs still looked like he had not gotten used to Transhumans, but he saw how close Alec and the dog-man were, so he made a little effort not to show his awkwardness.
‘Nice meeting you, Josh.’
‘Me too,’ said the big fella with a big smile.
‘Hey, Alec!’ said Dix from far up the control section of HQ.
‘Hey, Dix. What’s up?’
‘Max coming?’ the little man asked.
‘No, she’s not. Why?’
‘Well, Mole has something for her. She said she would pick it up today.’
‘Oh, ok. I’ll give it to her.’
‘Perfect. I think Mole’s outside.’
‘Ok, I’ll go find him,’ he said to Dix, and then he turned to Biggs, ‘I’m gonna find Mole and then I’ll take you to your new home, k?’ He then turned to the dog-man, ‘Josh, I’ll see you later, ok? Take care.’
‘Tell Max to get better.’
‘I will, big fella.’
Alec saw Mole right away, and approached him. Mole was talking to some Transhumans.
‘Hey Mole. Dix told me you’ve got something for Max.’
‘Hey Alec. Yeah, I’ve got a supply list,’ said the lizard-guy with his cigar on his mouth, taking a piece of paper from his jacket’s pocket. ‘Why?’
A supply list. Wow, she’s really into this. Something hit Alec at that moment. She was really taking care of these guys. And, again, she was dragging him into the mess. Though, maybe, he did not mind so much anymore.
‘Max’s not coming. I’ll give it to her,’ Alec answered.
Alec took it and read it silently, but then he looked up from the piece of paper and gave Mole a look.
‘Cigars?’ he said.
‘What?’ asked Mole with an innocent look on his face.
‘You think cigars are more important than food, or medical kits!’
Alec could not believe it. Mole had written: 1. Cigars; 2. Food; 3. Medical supplies; 4. Sheets; 5. Fuel; 6. Clothes...
‘Well, since Manticore went down, I can’t live without them.’
‘You know those things will kill you, right?’
‘Yeah. But, what the hell! Outside there are millions of people who want to see me dead. At least cigars give me some placer while they do it.’
Alec shrugged and smiled. ‘What ever, I’ll see what we can do about this. Later.’
After leaving Mole, Alec left Terminal City with Biggs.
They arrived at Alec's place and he showed Biggs the extra room, and then the rest of the apartment, which was not that big but it would do, and the TV.
‘Ok, I gotta go now. Got some things to do. You get comfortable and... welcome to your new home.’
‘Thanks, man,’ said Biggs as he put down a small bag, ‘Want me to prepare dinner or something?’
‘You know how to cook?’ asked Alec, trying not to sound like Max when she showed her surprise at the knowledge that he could, actually, cook.
‘Not really,’ said the other man with a sly smile.
Alec smiled. ‘That’s ok, I’ll bring something. Chinese’s ok?’
‘Sure.’
‘Ok, see ya later.’
20 minutes later Alec was in Max’s place again. Cindy had not left yet, though she was getting ready to do it.
‘Hey, boo,’ greeted OC.
‘Hey,’ said the boy, leaving his bike by the door. ‘How’s Max?’
‘Actually, she’s much better now. She’s up and kicking.’
‘Where’s she?’
‘She’s taking a shower.’
‘Ok,’ said Alec.
‘How’s Doggy-Dog?’ Cindy asked as she put on her jacket.
‘He’s ok. You’re leaving already?’
‘Yeah. Lunch break’s over. Bye Boo!’ she yelled at Max.
‘Bye OC!’ they heard from the bathroom.
The minute Cindy left the apartment, the girls´ phone rang. Alec was not sure if he should pick it up, but Max was in the bathroom and OC had just left, and it might be an important call, so... he answered.
‘Hello.’
‘Alec?’ said a surprised Logan from the other side of the line.
Since Max had broken up with him, claming she was with Alec, Logan had been wishing or, better say, hoping that he would not have to cross paths with Alec since he was the reason why he and Max had ended their relation-ship. But that seamed just impossible lately. He had also been hoping or, better say, wishing that Max had only said she was with the X5 to protect him, but Alec had swept all his doubts away. Alec had been with Max last night when she got sick (doing God knows what...) and every time he called either Max or Alec, the other one was there too (doing God knows what...).
‘How’s Max?’ said the older man quickly before Alec could notice his initial surprise when he heard the X5 on Max’s phone. But of course Alec had noted it.
‘I think she’s better. She’s up now.’
‘Ok, good. I talked to Dr. Walt. The scientist who found the cure for the virus. Anyway, he told me exactly what I told you it might be. Her body system is just getting rid of the virus, but she’ll be completely fine by tomorrow.’
‘Great,’ said Alec, relieved. Then an uncomfortable silence fell between both men. Tension could have been cut with a knife.
‘Well, tell Max I said hi,’ said Logan, cutting the awkward silence.
‘Sure. I’ll tell her,’ said Alec.
That being said, both of them hung up.
Right then, he heard Max talking.
‘Hey, you’re back,’ she said, as she left the bathroom already dressed on her tight brown jeans and a black tank top.
‘Yeah,’ he said a bit awkwardly. Ok, ask her NOW what the hell is going on!
‘Hey, now that I finally, definitely, stopped throwing up, I’m kinda hungry. Is there anything left of your chicken soup? asked Max, opening the fridge.
‘What? Uhm... I don’t know.’
Max thought there was something bugging Alec.
‘You ok?’ she asked.
He seemed to consider this. Then he said: ‘Max, we gotta talk.’
Chapter 11: Think Idiot!
What kind of lame excuse is that? The virus thing wasn’t going anywhere and I couldn’t afford any more accidents,thought Alec, mocking at her stupid excuse. Yeah, right. Why then, in all Heaven’s sakes, did she have to drag me into it? That’s right... because she didn’t give a shit about me and now, I have to put up with the fact that Logan hates me for stealing his girl.
At least, now I understand why Logan has been acting so weird ´round me. But still! What Max did... I’m the bad guy now, he thought in shock, well, I’m always the bad guy round Max...
After that little talk he had with Max, he left her apartment very pissed. Max was feeling much better so he did not feel guilty about leaving her all alone in there.
Logan had already said it all, but still, hearing Max’s excuses for using him like some kind of dickhead who did not have feelings, had been hard.
Alec ended up in Terminal City again. Maybe if he helped with something, he would forget about Max for a while. The problem was that Joshua was in Terminal City too and, as I said before, the Big Fella had a way to see right through him. And that is exactly what he did.
‘Hey, Alec.’
‘Hey, Josh,’ said Alec as he saw the big dog man on the street, near the HQ.
‘How’s Little Fella?’
‘She’s just... fine,’ said Alec, trying to hide his scorn, but never succeeding in front of Josh.
‘What happened?’ asked Joshua, knowing something had happened with Max.
‘Nothing happened, Josh,’ the X5 answered, as he was about to enter the HQ, avoiding Joshua’s question. But the big guy stopped the X5’s track as he placed his big hand over Alec’s chest.
‘Alec upset with Little Fella,’ simply said Josh.
Alec looked up at his tall, very tall friend, into those honest baby-blue eyes.
‘How do you do that?’ he asked dead serious.
Joshua stared at the X5 in the eyes with deep confusion.
‘What does Joshua do?’
Alec smiled.
‘That. You always know what’s wrong with me.’
Joshua was not sure what to answer. He did not know how he knew it, he just did. The big Dog-man just shrugged.
‘Come on,’ said Alec putting his hand over the transhuman’s shoulder, ‘I’ll tell you what happened.’
He didn’t even yell at me. He just looked at me, picked his jacket and left the apartment, never saying a word.
And that is what most worries me. Alec’s not the kind of guy who hardly talks. I’m used to hear him yap all the freaking time and, even though I used to hate that (still do, sometimes… he can really tick me off), it’s really the only way we have to know if he’s ok or not. If he’s all quiet, Headcliff-like (as Cindy would say), we know there’s something wrong with him.
Alec usually tells me what’s on his mind… well most of the time, at least. A flashback of their conversation that night at Crash when he had supposedly 'blew' his shot with Asha. He had definitely shown his anger at her; his annoyance, at the fact that Max would never realize how dangerous her closeness to Logan, or other ordinary for that matter, was. He’s never afraid to tell me what he is thinking about. If she only knew… To tell the truth, his silence is what annoys me right now… How could he just leave like this! That Jerk! He has all rights to be mad at me... but he could at least tell me he’s mad at me! Besides, he should understand why I did what I did! He’s always so egocentric. It’s always about him!
She was trying to come up with an excuse to be mad at him for leaving before she could explain exactly what had happened, and why she had done it. And maybe, just maybe, if she was brave enough and not so thick headed, she would even have been able to apologize.
She had been on her apartment, walking from her bedroom to the living-room, from the living-room to the kitchen, from the kitchen to the bathroom, from the bathroom to her room again. As small as her apartment already was, she was feeling like the walls were closing in on her and the place was getting smaller and smaller. She needed to walk. She needed to think. But she was not able to neither in her humble apartment.
Max was annoyed, sad and bored, so she picked her bike’s keys and left in the hope that by riding through the streets of Seattle, she would find some answers.
After a few hours after leaving her place, the sun had set and night had fallen on Seattle. OC was probably at Crash, so she headed that way. Max had been sure to leave her friend a note letting her know she was fine and that she would meet her at Crash later that day.
She walked through the doors of the place. Cindy waved her from the table. She was alone, no Sketchy, no Logan in the way this time. Max slumped on the chair, and OC could sense something was wrong.
‘What happened?’ Cindy asked.
‘Alec found out what I told Logan ´bout him and me,’ Max answered, as she laid both hands, one over the other like fists, over the table and placed her chin over them.
Cindy, not as shock as she should have been, said: ‘What did he say?’
‘She used me! She totally used me!’
Joshua did not seem as shock as he should have been. Alec could only stare at him. Where’s the Joshua who should be comforting me by now?
A bit annoyed, he finally asked: ‘Aren’t ya gonna say something, advice me, maybe?’
Joshua looked at Alec again in silence, which was driving the X5 crazy. The Dog-man finally found the exact word to describe Alec at that moment: ‘Idiot.’
Alec did a double take. ‘What?’
‘Alec idiot,’ said Josh, again.
What! Did I tell the story wrong! ‘Why am I the idiot here! I’m not the one who screwed up this time! I’m not he one who used someone else for self reward!’ Bad Alec. Bad, bad, bad Alec… said a mocking voice inside his head, like you’ve never done that a million times during your short existence; during and after Manticore.
‘Alec whines because Max’s with Logan,’ said Josh only to be interrupted by Alec.
‘I don’t whine! And if I do in fact whine every once in a while, it certainly is not because Max’s with Logan!’ the X5 complained.
Joshua just carried on, raising a finger for every statement, ‘Alec whines because Max’s not with Logan, Alec whines because Little Fella told Logan she’s with you. Alec idiot.’
Alec was now very irked. He did not understand what Josh was trying to say. Why was he the idiot here? Technically, he had only whined because Max lied to Logan and dragged him into the whole mess.
‘Ok, Josh, I have no idea where you going with this,’ said Alec.
‘Alec ever wondered why Max lied to Logan?’ Joshua asked.
‘Cause she’s a bitch and she’s more fucking confuse than a 15 year-old.
‘I don’t know. Knowing Max, she’s just freaking out because now there’s nothing between her and commitment,’ said Alec with disdain.
‘How come?’ asked Joshua, now quite interested in Alec’s answer.
‘Why else? We were not built to love or get attach to people.’ Alec said, more mechanically than he would like. It was, after all, the perfect Manticore answer he knew so well. But that did not make it any less true. Even Max, who had lived out of Manticore for over 10 years, could not get emotionally attach to anyone. Perhaps Cindy was the only ordinary (no offence) Max would always be attached to. Still, he was not better than Max. Although he always acted as if Max’s affection towards Logan was her big flaw, at some level he knew it was not. To love was the one true thing Manticore never thought their kids, and some how she learnt. In a clumsy, twisted way, yes, but she knew what love was. And she knew how it felt. He… he was not so sure. Maybe he was afraid of it. Loosing Rachel had scarred him for life.
‘Max would not lie to Logan because little fella is scared,’ said Josh, after Alec’s words sunk in. ‘There is something else.’
‘Like what? ‘Cause I can’t think of anything else,’ the X5 retorted.
‘Or someone else?’ tried Joshua, hoping Alec would get the hint.
Alec was getting more and more annoyed. What the hell was Josh talking about!
‘Someone? What?’
Joshua, who was the most patient person man in the entire face of the earth, was now losing it. He hit the X5’s head, not too hard, otherwise he could have killed him.
‘What was that for!’ asked Alec, very surprised and quite exasperated.
Ok, this is it! thought Josh.
He grabbed Alec by the shoulders, and said: ‘Virus bitch gone, Max’s not with Logan and she told him she’s with Alec! Understand! Max wants to be with medium fella!’
Alec let out a little laugh after a moment. ‘Josh, are you hearing yourself? Max wants me? She wouldn’t even want me if I was the last guy on the earth, ok? Where the hell do you get these ideas?’
‘Why would Max not want Alec?’ asked Josh, feeling a bit insulted.
‘First of, she’s got Captain America with glasses… Logan,’ he clarified a moment after for he understood by Josh’s face that the dog-man did not know who Captain America was. ‘Why would she want to be with a screw up like me? She’s enough screwed up and has enough problems without me on the picture.’
‘But little fella cares. She helped you with police when you got mistaken by your twin,’ Josh argued.
‘No, she helped me because she was afraid of exposure. I’m not stupid Josh,’ said Alec.
He had always known he was only one more pain in Max’s ass. Helping him was like helping any other transgenic she had set free. He was not that special. He was not Logan.
Alec sighed. Joshua did not know what else to say. He knew in his heart that Max felt something for their beloved 494.
Or maybe, he wished she would.
‘Listen, I gotta blaze. Thank you for the talk, anyway,’ said Alec as he placed a hand on the big guys shoulder.
‘So he just left? Without saying a word?’ said OC. Max nodded. ‘Well, girl, you fucked it real time.’
‘Gee, thanks, that makes me feel sooo much better,’ said Max as she crossed her arms over her chest.
‘Sorry, boo, but what kind of friend would Original Cindy be if she lied to you. The boy’s aiight.’
‘Aiight ’bout what? He didn’t say a word!’ the X5 retorted, her bitchy-self taking over.
‘He’s aiight ´bout being angry at ya.’ Her friend answered, as she looked at her eyes. OC had never been afraid of her hot-headed friend, and she was not going to start now. “Look, ya and I both know OC ain’t the biggest Alec fan, but lately the boy has shown that he’s growing up. Right or not?’
‘I guess so. But he’s still a dick," said Max, trying to control that beast that always made her act before thinking. If she could blame him at least a little bit, though, for all of this, maybe she would not feel so guilty.
‘Well, he’s a man after all,’ she said with one of her faces. She then carried on with her point, ‘The boy has been doing a pretty damn good job becoming a little good man, trying to make ya feel proud of him.’ At this, Max looked at her in disbelief. Since when Alec really cared what she thought about him? ‘And then you go and do that ta him? OC understands the poor boy,’ she finished, and took a sip of her beer.
Thanks OC! I come here so you can make me feel a bit better, and I leave feeling worse!
But OC was right. Yes, Alec had done many stupid things, and she had always saved his ass. But he always thanked her, or apologized to her. And, ok, yes, I’ve notice that he’s growing up! Maybe that’s why I like him…
‘Maybe I should-’ Max started to say, as the bitch inside was defeated by her reason, only to be interrupted by Cindy, who, as if she had read her friend’s thoughts, said: ‘Yeah, you should.’
The X5 glanced at her friend one last time before leaving Crash towards Alec’s apartment.
She arrived at her destination, but she had been standing in front of her X5 fellow’s door for over 10 minutes, debating whether to knock the door or not. The answer was: NOT. Max turned around and started to walk towards the stairs in order to leave. No! Stop! Get a grip soldier! Now, go back there and apology to that boy, before I get there and kick yo´ ass! Now! Strangely, the voice of Max’s conscience sounded a lot like Cindy’s. Weird.
So, she heard that little voice, turned around again towards Alec’s door, took a breath and knocked it, before she could regret it.
The door opened but she did not find the person she was hoping to find.
‘Who are you?’
Chapter 12: The Magnified Wrath of Alec
‘Who are you?’ asked Max, surprised to find this person instead of Alec in front of her.
‘Who are you?’ the person asked.
‘Where’s Alec?’ she asked alarmed.
‘Oh! I’m Biggs, Alec’s roommate,’ said Biggs, stretching his hand to Max. She did not take it. She was too shocked to actually realize the guy was offering his hand.
‘Alec’s roommate?’ she asked, feeling more and more troubled. Alec has a roommate? Since when? He never said a thing ´bout a roommate. The first thing to cross her mind after these thoughts was that this was some sort of trap. But if it was, there should be armed men around her by now. What if it was White and his loony cult’s trap?
‘Yeah, who are you?’ this Biggs guy asked again.
Max did not answer right away. ‘I’m... Max. Where’s Alec?’ she asked again, this time slowly and more worried than ever, getting ready to fight back if necessary. Her hands became fists in a second, and her body tensed like it always did before a fight. She never moved her eyes away from this man.
‘I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be back any minute. Wanna wait for him?’ said Biggs very politely, like a true gentleman, as he looked over his shoulder at the apartment, inviting her in.
At first, she thought that gesture was nothing but what the bad guys did when they felt their job was not as flawless as they thought and were afraid that their hostage would come out of the closet. But then, in just a flash, she glimpsed part of a barcode on his neck, and she smiled. Her fists became hands again, and she relaxed. Of course Alec isn’t THAT stupid like to take anyone as a roommate.
‘Ok,’ answered Max, entering the apartment, and scanning the room with her eyes.
‘Want something to drink?’ he asked her as he closed the door.
‘Uhm.. yeah, sure. What you got?’ she said, still smiling a bit.
‘Beer and some milk,’ answered Biggs.
‘I’ll go for the beer,’ said Max. ‘So, how long have you known Alec?’ she asked casually.
‘A few years,’ he answered, as he opened the fridge.
Max took off her jacket and laid it over the couch and then sat on the arm of it.
‘Really? I never heard of you,’ she said, still not revealing her identity.
Biggs smiled. Who was this girl? Did she really think Alec was going to tell her about his life? He sighed, as he thought she must be some of Alec’s conquers who had fallen for the guy and thought they were true soul mates. The only reason he had let her in was because once Alec came back and told her to take a hike, he would be there to ease the pain of her broken heart. She was too damn hot to let this opportunity pass.
‘Well, maybe you haven’t known Alec that long,’ he answered as he approached her with the beer.
Oh, feisty! Max thought, with a smile.
‘Maybe you’re right,’ she replied, taking the beer. Then she added, ‘I don’t mean to offend you, but…’ she sighed, making a dramatic pause, and looking at him as if her was talking to a small child who knew little and nothing about the world.
Biggs thought this was the moment she was going to snap at him saying he did not understand the powerful connection that she and Alec shared and blah, blah, blah.
‘You should really cover your barcode better,’ she finally said.
The male stared at her for a second, his right hand becoming a fist and his left one tightening its grip on the bottle of beer. His body tensing, just like Max’s had done a few moments before.
She smiled as she said: ‘Relax, buddy,’ and then, she turned around, brought her hair up and showed Biggs her own barcode.
He relaxed and let out a breath. ‘You scared the shit out of me,’ he finally said.
‘I know. I saw your face,’ she said as Biggs took a swing of his beer.
‘I thought you were some chick looking for Alec.’
‘Well, I am a girl, and I did, technically, come looking for Alec,’ said Max matter-of-factly.
‘You know what I mean. An “ordinary” girl,’ he said.
‘Oh. He has a lot of those coming over?’ she asked in a casual way.
‘I wouldn’t know, I just moved in,’ Biggs answered.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, I found him in Terminal City, and he offered me the extra room.’
‘Wow, you guys must really go back if he offered something,’ said Max, taking a sip of her beer.
Biggs smiled. ‘You really know him, eh?’ he said, mocking at his friend.
‘More than you know,’ she answered.
‘Oh, you guys… together?’ he asked.
She choked on her beer at that moment. ‘No! No, we’re-not together like that. We just hang,’ she said, just wishing she could be buried 6 feet under. ‘You know, we have friends in common. We work together. And to be quite honest, I’ve saved his ass way too many times,’ she finished.
‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.’
‘You didn’t,’ she answered faster than she liked. ‘So,’ she said after a few moments, hoping to change the subject, ‘you and Alec were in the same Unit?’
‘No, we actually met at Psy-ops, and then we did some jobs together.’
Max hold back a “you mean assassinations”.
‘How long have you known Alec, anyway?’ asked Biggs.
‘A few months. Seven, eight months,’ she replied.
‘Eight months?’ he said, thinking.
‘Yeah.’
‘Ooh! Yeah! 452! The rogue. I remember you. 494’s breeding partner,’ he said with a wicked smile on his face.
‘Yes,’ Max simply said. She was not as proud about that as X5 males did.
‘I also remember 494, Alec, swearing for a week when he was told you were his breeding mate,’ said Biggs laughing.
Hey! That’s not funny! ‘What do you mean?’ asked Max, feeling insulted.
‘Well, he had just gotten out of Psy-ops because of 493, and then they assigned you as his breeding partner, another rogue. He knew you meant business.’
Max smiled, as she took another sip of her beer, so he would not realize that actually hurt her a little bit. A few months back, she would not have given a rat’s ass. But now, it bothered her to know he thought her a pain in the ass just because she was an 09er.
Something got her attention then, so she asked Biggs: ‘How come you’re so nice?’
‘Sorry?’ he said, not understanding what she was referring to.
‘I mean, why are you so nice to me, if you know who I am?’
‘You mean…?’
‘An 09er,’ Max answered.
‘Oh! Well… I don’t know.’
‘Transgenics don’t usual react that well when they find out who I am,’ she said, remembering Sam; even Alec’s outburst a few months back, when Rachel’s memory had come back to hunt 494.
‘Uhm… I don’t know. I trust Alec with my life. He saved my ass a few too many times, so I guess that if you are here and you “hang” with him, you must not be so bad. Alec trusts you. Therefore, I trust you.’
Max smiled. ‘He really saved you too many times?’ she asked, with a serious tone. Biggs nodded, so Max went on, ‘then how come I have to get his ass out of trouble all the freaking time?’ she joked. ‘It’s like he can’t do a thing right.’
Biggs laughed. ‘Well, that I can’t believe! Maybe he’s trying to get your attention,’ Biggs joked this time.
They both laughed.
‘Max?’ they both heard and stopped laughing.
It was Alec, standing next to the open door, holding some paper bags which contained Chinese food.
Max straightened up.
‘Hey, man,’ said Biggs, walking towards his friend. ‘Max’s here.’
‘Yeah, I can see her,’ said Alec, not moving from his spot next to the door.
Max just stared at him, trying to read his face, looking for some emotion.
Biggs could feel the tension between the two X5s. He looked from one to the other, waiting to see who would be the first to talk, but he realized neither of them was going to, and he was starving.
‘You brought food. Good!’ he said to Alec, shutting the door, and taking the bags from Alec’s grip. He put them over the kitchen table, which was quite small. When Biggs turned around, his friend and Max were still standing where he had left them a few moments ago. He was, by now, quite curious about what had happened between them, and Max quite “clumsy” statement that they were “not like that” had not really convinced him.
Biggs decided they both looked like two idiots so he decided to break the ice for them. ‘Hey, you guys!’ he said, raising his voice and clapping, trying to get their attention. ‘Wake up!’ The two zombies looked at him as if they had just woken up from a dream. ‘Dinner’s served. Max, would you join us?’ he finished.
Max considered it for a second. ‘Ok,’ she answered.
They all sat on the kitchen-table, and started eating the pathetic excuse of Chinese food. None of them was talking and it was driving Biggs crazy. He knew he had to get the hell out of there before the storm began. He finished his dinner in no more than three minutes.
‘Well, I’m gonna stretch my legs. Nice meeting you Max!’ he said quickly, putting on his jacket.
‘Same here Biggs,’ said Max, softly.
And then, it was just the two of them.
‘Listen, Alec-’ she started but was interrupted by him.
‘Just don’t say anything, ok?’ said Alec as he stood up and headed towards the living-room. Maybe, Max would understand that he did not want to talk to her for the moment being. But today was not Alec’s lucky day. She stood up just after he did and followed him.
‘But-’ Max tried again, but she was not able to carry on as he interrupted her again.
‘Max, I really don’t want to talk with you right now,’ he simply said.
She considered this for a moment, and decided maybe Alec was right. Maybe he just needed to cool off. But she still needed to say something. Anything.
‘I’m sorry, Alec. I really am.’
Although Max had apologized to him, something that rarely happened, Alec could not help being mad at her. No matter what Joshua had said, no matter how many times she would apologize, he was still mad. All he needed was some time alone, but Max did not seem to understand that. So he decided to give her a piece of his mind.
‘You know, there’s something I still don’t understand," he said looking straight at her eyes. His voice was calm, but he was definitely holding himself back. Alec had unleashed his wrath. ‘Why did you have to drag me into it!’
‘I... I had to say something and-’ she managed to say before she was, yet again, interrupted by Alec.
‘Yeah, so blame Alec. ‘Cause his the kind of jerk that’d steal another guy’s girl, right?’
Max did not know what to say. To be quite honest, she never really thought he would even care. But, here they were; she, feeling guilty, and he, hurt by her actions. Who would have guessed?
Guilty or not guilty, she was still looking Alec at the eyes, something that angered him, for some reason. But he could not help being arrested by her eyes. Those rebellious, strong eyes that had hypnotized him from the moment he met her. Not only for their beauty, but for that spark that only Max had. She had been the first person he ever met who could face the worst of the enemies with resolved, defiant eyes.
‘Just so you know, I’m gonna tell Logan.’
‘Alec-’
‘Just go,’ he said in a soft, yet determined voice as he opened the door of his apartment, waiting for her to leave.
She sighed, went to get her jacket and left not looking at Alec once.
NEXT MORNING
Alec entered Jam Pony with Biggs by his side.
‘Hey, boss,’ Alec greeted Normal, who was, as usual, behind the counter.
‘Hey, Golden Boy,’ Normal greeted. ‘So, were you able to solve your problem?’ he asked.
‘Oh, yeah, yeah. No problem at all,’ Alec answered, as he remembered the stupid excuse he had given Normal for being absent yesterday. ‘Listen, boss, I was wondering, my friend here is new in town, and he helped me out yesterday with my, uhm, problem, and well, he needs a job. I thought you could score him something?’
Normal looked at Biggs from toe to head, ‘Where did you meet him?’ he asked Alec.
‘Well…’ said Alec, trying to come up with something that would interest Normal. Oh! I got it! ‘You see, I had a little problem yesterday with a bunch of slobs, and, as hard as it is to admit, I wasn’t able to handle them all by myself. So, this rightful gentleman arrived to help me give those punks a lesson. And, I gotta tell you boss, he’s an amazing fighter. If I were to get back to the Cage fighting life, I wouldn’t dare to fight against this fella over here.’
Biggs stared at Alec, a bit confused. What the hell is he talking about?
‘Really? So,’ said now Normal addressing to the other guy, ‘you are like the Robin of Monty?’
Biggs did not know what to answer to that. The what of the who? What the hell is a robin and who the hell is Monty!
‘Yes, something like that,’ answered Alec, with a grin.
‘Well, Alec’s friends are always welcome to work here. Fill this form and take a bike,’ he said, pointing at the bikes hanging from the roof, in front of the counter.
‘Hey, boss,’ said now Alec, getting comfortable on the counter. ‘Have you thought about what I told you? ´Bout the motor bikes?’ Normal nodded. ‘What do you think?’
‘Well, I like it. Except no one in here has a bike except for you.’
‘And me,’ said Biggs, as he filled the form.
‘And me,’ said Max from behind the men, with an obviously fake smile. She looked towards Alec, ‘Hey.’
‘Hey,’ he simply said, not even looking at her, and left the counter making his way to his locker.
As Max followed Alec with her eyes, her ears picked the sound of that annoying little voice that should belong to the devil.
‘Well, but if isn’t no one than miss I’m-too-lazy-to-came-to-work. You’re half hour late!’
‘Chill out, Normal,’ said Max dismissively She was not in the mood to put up with Normal’s moods today. She had enough with hers and Alec’s.
‘Hey Max,’ said Biggs, whose existence had not been notice by Max yet. He gave Normal the form.
‘Oh! Hey! What are you doing here?’ asked Max with a smile. A true smile. Alec saw that, despite his efforts to pretend Max did not exist.
‘Alec scored me a job here,’ he answered, as they approached the lockers area.
‘Great! Then we’ll see often,’ she told him. She had only spoken with him for a few minutes the day before but she had really liked Biggs. He seemed easygoing and fun to hang with.
‘Yeah. Hey, by the way… Who’s Monty?’
Normal interrupted their little conversation. ‘Missy Miss, take…’ he said giving Biggs a 'What is your name?' look, and then looked at the form he was still holding in one of his hands. ‘Anthony, here-’
‘Biggs,’ the X5 corrected.
‘It says Anthony here,’ Normal argued.
‘That’s my first name. I go for my last name. Biggs,’ he explained.
Normal sighed. ‘Fine, Biggs over here and show him how this is done. That is if you know how to do it.’
Max gave Normal a nasty look. ‘I’ll do it.’
‘I can do it,’ said Alec from behind them, ready for a deliver.
‘No, I need you on a hot run to sector 7,’ said Normal and gave him a package. Alec left immediately on his bike after wishing Biggs good luck.
Max and Biggs approached the counter after assigning Biggs a locker, and Normal gave them at least four packages to deliver.
By the end of the day, Alec had not seen Biggs, nor Max, yet.
‘Hey boo, coming to Crash?’ Cindy asked Alec. The African-American goddess was just leaving Jam Pony, while Alec had just arrived from another hot run.
‘Ok, yeah. Have you seen Biggs?’
‘Yeah, he and Max left like half an hour ago. They said they would meet us there.’
‘Thanks,’ said Alec, hiding the confusion and jealousy from his voice.
mery-