“So. I’m curious. Does this mean you do want me?” Alec asked as he plopped himself into a recliner, raising an eyebrow at me and looking mischievous.

Things were definitely back on track. I smiled, glad that things were back to normal.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” I replied.

Alec’s mischievous grin transformed into a happy smile.

“I’m glad we’re still...” he trailed off, obviously unsure how to describe how we were.

“Yeah.” I nodded, saving him the trouble of finishing the sentence. I glanced around the room, “Hey, you took the only place to sit.”

The grin was back.

“You could always sit in my lap.” he offered.

“I’ll pass.” I drawled back at him.

“It’s comfy. Or so I’m told.”

“You’re such an ass.” I said affectionately.

“And a damn fine one, too.” he nodded.

I circled his chair and leaned against the back of it, resting my arms across the top. Alec leaned his head back to see me.

“No fair. I can’t keep an eye on you back there.” he frowned.

“Too bad. That’s what you get for taking the chair. Turn on the TV.”

Alec complied, digging a remote from out of the side of the cushion. I reached down and mussed up his hair as he turned on the TV.

“Hey! Don’t touch the...” he complained, then stopped abruptly as he saw what was on the TV.

A dark-haired reporter in a red business suit was giving a report. In the right corner of the screen played a video of a transgenic fighting some police.

“It has been common knowledge in the city of Seattle that transgenics are hiding out in Terminal City.” the reporter said, “However, little has been done about the situation except for police patrols of the perimeter of the area. Growing unrest in the streets about the transgenic problem as well as the recent hostage situation at the Soto Motel in which transgenics managed to secure a police vehicle and smuggle out the hostages has forced government officials to change this policy of inactivity. Volunteer members of the police, military, FBI, and other agencies have stepped up to form CAT, the Coalition Against Transgenics. This new division has begun an extensive training program to prepare its members and hopes to be in action shortly.”

The corner picture grew to encompass the whole screen as footage of the training played. They showed a man in camouflage running a course in which boards popped up. The trainee shot at anything that could be positively identified as a transgenic. A shiver ran down my spine.

The tape then cut to an interview with the man who had run the course.

“I just want to make this world safe for my kids again.” he said.

The TV went blank suddenly and I looked down to see Alec had shut it off, a look of disgust on his face. He threw the remote across the room and it shattered against the wall. Clearly not satisfied, he sprang from his seat and stalked over to punch a hole in the same wall.

“Alec.” I ventured, trying to think of the best way to stop him from destroying the rest of his apartment.

“What about our kids, huh? What’s to keep our kids safe from them? You know what? Those assholes want to come in here after us? Let ‘em try. They’ll get more than they fucking bargained for.”

I’d never seen him so angry. It was scary.

“Calm down, Alec. We need to keep cool and figure out the best way to deal with this.” I reminded him, biting my tongue to keep from telling him not to let his emotions cloud his judgment. I would not repeat that phrase from Manticore, “We need to go talk to Max.”

Alec took a deep breath and nodded.

“You’re right. Come on.” he hurried past, grabbing my hand and pulling me after him.

We ran through the rain to HQ. I could tell that we weren’t the only ones to have seen the broadcast by the chaos that was unfolding in the streets as we passed. I saw a female X-4 clutching a child in her arms, trying to shield it from the rain while she spoke worriedly to another X-4, and felt anger rise in me. Alec was right. We would protect our own and whoever tried to storm our base would pay dearly for the stupidity of their actions.

We soon reached our destination, Alec shoving the doors opened so hard that they slammed against the wall. The loud bang that accompanied this alerted everyone inside of our arrival.

“Alec!” Max called.

“Did you see the fucking news?” Alec demanded.

“Of course.” Max said quickly.

“What are we going to do?” I asked.

Max glanced around. Everyone in HQ had gathered around her.

“We’re going to do what we were trained to do. We’re going to kick some ass.” she replied, giving everyone a nervous grin, “So Mole, I’m going to need you to see what kind of weapons we have. We need to fortify this place. Zoe, I need you to see how much food we have. I don’t want them to be able to starve us while we wait.”

Max continued to dole out orders quickly until everyone in HQ had a mission except Alec and I. Max smiled sadly at Alec.

“Looks like we might have to go on that raid of yours after all.” she said.

“It’ll be alright, Maxie.” Alec assured her, putting an arm around her shoulders and squeezing gently.

“I don’t know, Alec. You know that White’s going to have his men all over that CAT patrol or whatever they are.” Max said, fidgeting slightly.

I took mental note of the fact that despite what Max might have told Kira about Alec and all his faults, she herself trusted him enough to let down her guard around him, show weakness. A C.O. wouldn’t do that with just anyone.

“Max. Everything will be fine. This is what we were made for. Besides, we’ve got a better looking C.O.”

Max slugged him in the arm, but without any real force. She smiled at Alec and straightened her posture, freeing herself from his embrace.

“I want you to have a team ready to make a raid for whatever supplies we’re going to need. X-series, only. Try to be subtle about it, too. We don’t need people to panic any more than they already are.” she gave Alec his orders finally.

“I know, Max.” Alec nodded, “We’ll be ready before nightfall so that we can go tonight if we have to. I’ll meet you back here at 1700.”

“Okay.” Max nodded.

Alec turned to leave and I followed him.

“Alec!” Max’s voice stopped him.

“What’s up, Maxie?” he asked.

“Thanks.” she said quietly, a small grateful smile on her lips.

Alec smiled back at her.

“Anytime, Maxie. I got your back.” he replied.

She nodded mutely and Alec turned to go again. I followed him back into the rain, touched by what I’d seen Alec just do. Kira had him all wrong. That was absolutely for certain. Max didn’t even seem to like him very much, but he was there for her, at her side when she needed him. And despite to what Max had told Kira about him being unreliable, she was relying quite heavily now, when things were tough.

“Where do you think we’ll be able to get all the supplies we need?” I asked as we walked back down the street.

Alec glanced at me. His hair was soaked, water streaming down his face. I was sure I looked much the same.

“You’re not going.” he said bluntly.

I stopped walking.

“Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Why not?” I demanded, folding my arms across my chest.

“You’re not fast enough.”

I actually gasped. How dare he use that against me! How dare he use the injury he had caused me as a reason to leave me behind!

I slapped him. The sound of skin hitting skin was loud, especially since the skin was wet. Alec winced, but didn’t move, taking the blow. I glowered at him.

“I can’t believe you...” I began.

“It’s true. You’d be a liability, Jess. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to think of the mission.” he said, staring fixedly at a point just to the left of me.

A huge lump formed suddenly in my throat that prevented me from making any reply so I simply remained silent, shaking with fury. Alec glanced over and I caught his eyes with mine. He sighed heavily.

“Look. I’m sorry, Jess. But you just can’t come.” he took a step towards me and I was surprised when he raised his hand to my cheek, “I don’t want to lose you.”

I stopped shaking abruptly, frozen by the feel of his hand on my cheek. I looked up at him, taking in his face. His bruises were already fading, healing rapidly. But his eyes looked pained. I realized that he had taken such a cheap shot at me because he wanted badly for me to stay. I closed my eyes and sighed.

“Alright. I’ll stay.” I agreed, eyes still shut.

I felt Alec’s lips press softly against mine.

“Thank you.” he whispered.

I sighed again and slowly opened my eyes, but Alec was already gone.