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Part 21

Heads turned as Max strode into Head Quarters. No one even pretended to be doing something else as they watched the X5's quick, graceful step unusually light; and the softened features on her face for once undaunted by the past.

Her lips were quirked ever so slightly as she acknowledged Mole but her thoughts were focussed on earlier. They'd awoken lazily to the sounds of OC and Sketchy arguing having returned home from JamPony. She remembered Alec's surprised expression at the sounds of his roommates.

They'd both completely forgotten about them. When they'd first arrived at his apartment they'd both been sound asleep unaware of the transgenics' presence and by the time they'd awoken both had been gone. Thinking back on it now Max had slept more and deeper in the last few days than she normally did in a month and now fully heeled she had enough energy to take on the National Guard by herself and win.

Sleep within the next 4 weeks was unlikely which suited her just fine. Alec on the other hand was gonna be in bed a whole lot more frequently especially if it was up to her. Laughing at her own thoughts she smiled.

Grinning at Joshua she headed towards her office her mind still on a mere hour ago. The look on OC's face when she'd stepped out of Alec's room dressed in his clothes, the other X5 on her trail the duvet wrapped around his lower body, had been for lack of a better word, spectacular. He'd walked her to the door, a genuine smile on his lips as he leant against the frame completely aware of his friends' stares as he bent down and kissed her.

"I know nothing's fixed but are you alright?" he'd whispered against her mouth.

"I'm always alright. I'm going on instinct," she'd whispered back catching his mouth again welcoming the unfamiliar flush to her skin and flutters inside her.

"And what does instinct say?" he'd asked seriously but partly amused.

A devilish grin had spread her lips then as she'd rubbed her cheek against his and bit on his earlobe tugging tenderly, "It says I should really go before Jondy begins to worry," seeing his crestfallen expression pulling back she'd chuckled moving to his other side and repeating the same torture grinning at the shiver that passed through him.

"And it says Alec," she'd nibbled and caught his gaze again.

"Alec?" he asked confused, "Yes Alec. Over and Over and Over again."

Her lips had sought his again flicking her tongue against his before breaking the kiss and walking away leaving a stunned Alec on his doorstep.

She'd laughed whole heartedly at OC's exclamation that she'd heard despite the black woman thinking she was out of earshot, "Would you care to explain ya sorry ass to OC cos 'dis girl is damn confused!"

Max had no doubt that in a few minutes he'd make his own entrance. In the time she'd taken stopping by her apartment and changing out of his jeans and shirt, he'd most likely shared what had happened with OC, dressed and followed her. Strolling up to her office door she swung it open fully intent on relaxing while she waited when a sight she'd never thought she'd see assaulted her.

Her jaw fell; her eyes bulged as she stared speechless at the sight in front of her. Losing all capacity for thought she gaped at the spectacle of human flesh displayed upon her desk. Noting all her papers in disarray on the floor the ability to think hit her 'I am never touching that desk again.'

So caught up in themselves they still hadn't noticed her, her trial to coherently form a sentence was abruptly cut off by an arm to the small of her back. Startled she yelped betraying her presence. Jondy and the man she was temporarily interlocked with started in surprise. Alec's eyes drew to the scene that had halted Max in her tracks, his eyes widening, "What the…"

In a sad attempt at modesty the two exhibitionists tried to cover themselves but all that caused was their undignified tumble to the ground on the other side of the desk, "Oh… oh god... so did not want to see that…"

Max's stumbled exclamation was halted by two voices unanimously yelling back, "Well close the fucking door!"

Alec slammed it shut still shocked and they both simultaneously turned their backs to the door standing side by side as if on guard. Curious eyes sparkled at them confused over the chaos that had ensued only moments ago even as Max decisively made clear that it was none of their business.

The blonde X5 was still in utter disbelief over what had just enfolded. He'd come into HQ ready to march up to Max and tell her and instead he'd gotten an eyeful of her sister and seen Biggs in the buff after 12 years of not seeing him at all. There was no doubt in Alec's mind that the man who had previously been occupied 'pumping' pleasure in Jondy was his brother.

Only one person on earth had that birthmark and in the brief few seconds he'd been able to watch, the four-leafed clover shaped darker patch of skin had stuck out to him like a deranged orange cat running in circles in a blue room.

"So… ahem," he cleared his throat scratching his brain for something to say as she met her gaze, "That's something you don't see every day," he finally finished lamely ruffling his own hair.

The grin that split her face furrowed his brow and Max erupted into laughter finally unable to hold it back in. The loud mirthful laughs that shook her frame once again captured the attention of the room.

Alec couldn't help the chuckle her contagious hilarity brought upon him, and suddenly he too was laughing uncontrollably to the point of silent laughter with tears streaming across their cheeks. Stumbling to the floor he sat heavily Max falling upon him as they cackled away like mad hatters.

Mole watched a smirk on his lips circling the ever-present stump of cigar as Creek wafted the greenish smoke away from his face in disgust, "See whaddiditellya?"

"Mole you know that if you removed that thing from your mouth your words would have gaps between them and you'd make a whole hell of a lot more sense?" Creek replied ignoring the obvious 'told you so', "Besides I never said anything against it."

The whole room suddenly followed suit as the door clicked open and Jondy and Biggs' faces appeared. This time fully clothed they grabbed their respective sibling quickly half walking, half running out of HQ.

Tongue in cheek Max was having trouble not laughing. It had felt so good to laugh hard like that and she was having difficulty stopping. Her comrade in arms was in a similar situation every time he stole a glance at the unamused faces of Jondy and Biggs.

All the darkness was forgotten, only the incredible amusement of the situation.

"Okay that's enough guys. It's not even funny," Jondy warned her voice exasperated at the two currently being dragged by her and the man she'd just met and swapped body fluids with, "Looks like we're not the only one's who got laid," he whispered and her face broke into laughter as well.

******

Ames White painfully sat up. His face battered and scarred, deformed by his enemy's unexpected power. Rage boiled inside him as he traced the swollen contours of his face, his chest heaving in pain merely breathing. Bet within an inch of his life.

The transgenics were stronger, smarter, more organized than the conclave had expected. Information that by all rights they shouldn't have suddenly made them a threatening force that needed to be dealt with and fast.

His father had fought almost to the death to keep those creatures alive before he'd disappeared and now his son was determined to fight to the death to destroy them, the hate for his own blood nursing it.

***

Epilogue

I sit comfortable at our usual table in crash. The whole Jampony gang is here, all my friends and now so is my family.

I still can't believe I'm back here, back at Crash, living my strange little life but I never figured it could get any stranger; it's like I've been given a second chance. To start everything again and this time do it right, live it right. With my people, my family.

A sensual shiver runs down my spine at the fingers that brush the back of my neck devilishly toying with the sensitive skin over my barcode. Her smile is amazing as she directs her full attention to me and I can only see her. Only Max exists, only the smooth caress of her fingers, the strange melody of Lenny Kravitz on the speakers.

Little girl with heroin so blue

You've got to find the future in you

OC grins knowingly in my direction before turning her attention back to a drunk Sketchy trying to convince her to hand him the pitcher. Biggs raises an eyebrow at me and the girl on my lap and I shrug innocently.

I miss my family, my unit, but finding my brother's given me hope. A lot of things have given me hope.  I give him the same look in return as two arms hook around him from behind and he cockily matches my smirk.

Your sceptres and needles will put you away

Forever and a day

Never thought I'd be here, with her. I'm not stupid though. No way that a few skeletons in the closet and troubled pasts are our only troubles. Just cause Max made mashed potatoes of that psycho doesn't mean they're gone and I still have to ask her about Renfro's suitcase.

The public isn't going to remain ignorant of our existence indefinitely but something tells me with Max at the head of it, she'll pull us through it. I trust her with my life and I'm not the only that thinks there's something more to her, something special, something different.

Your future will haunt you before you get there

Imagine a planet with no air

If there's anyone that can lead us into the future it's her and even as I think this I can't help but be surprised. I started out thinking of her as the projection of Manticore and all that I hated. And now I think of her as the messiah. The idea itself is ridiculous and yet strangely logical. I'll do anything to keep her safe, keep her demons at bay, and keep her grounded in reality.

All mute no light no sun only night

As far away as never land

Chocolate coloured hair, coffee bean brown orbs of endless emotion, mocha skin and devilish lips. Dark angel. Keeping me out of the spiral of self-destruction. In a sense the reason I'm living for. The reason to keep going. Like she's my own personal cheerleader and the thought of her in one of the little outfits evokes a chuckle out of me.

I haven't told her any of this yet. I'd planned too but the unexpected display of flesh had distracted me. I still intend to tell her but I don't know how yet. Something tells me she knows though and she feels the same way. I don't need to worry that she doesn't know. Max always knows, probably why we got together.

When I was with Asha I always had to worry over what she might be thinking I was thinking, worry that she'd get the wrong idea. I loved her, and that will never change, the same was that Max will never stop loving Brendan but I'm happy. Someone understands me and I understand someone. A communal understanding of each other.

As the sky comes tumbling down to the head

And the valleys are all filled up with dirt

As many people as there are sands in the sea

Will die the morning after

Yeah

So little girl with heroin so blue

I guess our future is all up to you

Through the battle sequence you must fight

'Til the morning turns to night

So imagine our world with no air

Just follow the son, He'll take you where

The night and the seas are all full of light

'Til the morning turns to night

'Til the morning, yeah, turns to night

The television screens flicker and the white red and blue banner appeares for the first time in a year. But the eyes I'd been expecting were unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. People cheer at the welcomed appearance but I'm the only one that knows it isn't him.

Logan Cale is dead and there's only one other person apart from me that knew his alter identity. A smile comes to my lips as I stare at Asha's eyes and her disguised voice, "Do not attempt to adjust your sets. This is a streaming freedom bulletin. It cannot be stopped, it cannot be traced and it is the only free voice left in the city…"

This whole thing started because of the great fight, blah blah woof woof, and it looks like that's the way it's gonna keep going. The fight for freedom.

The End

Thankyou so much to everyone who read my story and an extra thank you to all those who reviewed. I finally finished this baby and I have to say I'm relieved. I never thought I'd get there. I dedicate this chapter to absolutely everyone who even read just two lines of it. But extra big hugs of thanks to scarlet who helped me get the story straight and onto the track it followed. Thank you to Andrea826 for the challenge of this story... you're the best, reviewed every chapter with no exceptions, I always looked forward to your feedback. Panda, Alicia, Astra and acandybag too. Jewel21 lol... I'll keep in mind that you just can't say no to NC-17. cloudburst thanks for finding my muse again.

And everyone else who reviewed me…

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