Title: The Escort
Authors: Shay & Sheri (jracklesfan77 & Wildsky)
Show: DA
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Pairing: M/A
Summary: To keep up appearances, Max seeks assistance. Searching for a backdoor to feed his greed, Alec finds curious employment. Two people who want nothing to do with love find that when love wants something to do with them, they don't stand a chance.
A/N: This is an AU fic. While the basic background exists, i.e. Max escaped back in '09 but moved to New York. Alec went AWOL after the Berrisford mission...and much more!
Chapter 1
Starting Over
1 week earlier
Her Manager, Frank, called her into his office. The company was downsizing and her department was being dissolved, effective that afternoon. Max took the news with calm, detached acceptance. She blindly made her way to her office, oblivious to everything around her, packed her things and prepared to leave when Aubrey, the boss' secretary, popped her head in the door.
"Max! Mr. Sutherland wants to speak to you." Aubrey was buzzing with excitement and Max raised her resigned eyes to look at the girl.
"What does he want?" she asked tiredly.
Aubrey's voice lowered and she bent her head to whisper in confidence. "I think it's about that promotion..."
And indeed it had been. Harvey Sutherland had not only promoted her to advertising director, he'd given her a raise. But it all came with a price, one that Max had been reluctant to pay. She would have to move to Seattle. There were reasons she didn't want to leave New York; mainly because it put a lot of distance between her and her past. But the opportunity was too good to pass up, so here she was, on a plane bound for Seattle, Washington.
Max made her way down the aisle, eager to reach her seat. She fully intended to consume as many bottles of liquor as the stewardess would give her, slap on headphones and blare music in her ears. Anything that would take her mind off the flight and every minute that brought her closer to her new life.
Okay, row 32, seat A. Just a bit further and then I can sit down. Max was jolted from her musings when she collided with someone, the contents of her carry-on spilling onto the floor. Looking up, she saw a man who looked about her age, with long, brown hair that fell into his dark eyes. He was wearing an apologetic smile as he bent to collect her things.
"Whoa, sorry! My bad, I wasn't watching where I was going," he shrugged sheepishly as he handed her the bag. Max gratefully accepted it and smiled in return.
"No big. Now if you don't mind?" Max gestured to the side of the young man and he moved over to let her pass.
Finally. She slid over to the window and leaned back in her seat. Slipping off her boots, she stretched and wiggled her toes. She then rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. It felt good to unwind.
A low whistle reached her ears. "Well, well, well. Isn't it just my luck to be seated next to a beautiful woman such as yourself."
Max looked up and saw the young man from before. She groaned inwardly. Great. A seat mate who wants to flirt. She smiled tightly, nodded and turned back to the window.
The man seemed unaware of the not-so-subtle brush-off. "I'm Calvin Theodore, but my friends call me Sketchy," he offered his hand in greeting.
Reluctantly, she took his hand. "Max Guevara. Nice to meet you." Now if you'll just leave me alone...
"So, Max, you travelling for work or pleasure?" Sketchy eyed her with open curiosity, his eyes roving over her body appreciatively.
All I wanna do is ignore you, idiot! Can't you get the hint? Hiding her annoyance, Max replied politely, "Business."
When no further information was offered, her companion seemed to catch on to her reluctance to continue the conversation. Sketchy leaned back in silence and pulled out a pad of paper and began to write.
As the plane climbed into the clouds, Max closed her eyes. She mentally relaxed herself, urging her limbs to go slack. She felt herself start to drift of when a clacking sound roused her. Dammit! What now? She turned to see Sketchy tapping away at the keys of his laptop. She glanced at the screen and squinted to see what he was writing.
She tapped him on the arm. "You write for Esquire?" she enquired speculatively.
Sketchy quickly closed his laptop and placed it in the seat pocket in front of him. "Yeah, one of my more recent projects. I'm working on an advice column. You read Esquire?"
"I'm in advertising, so yeah, occasionally. Looking over finished campaigns and the like."
Sketchy laughed. "You sure it's not to ogle a bunch of hot guys? That's usually why women read it."
Max raised her eyebrows at that. "Trust me, no." Pausing a moment, she looked at him thoughtfully. "So, what advice do you have to offer the clueless men of the world?"
"How to deal with women," he replied with a wink.
Max shot him a look of incredulity. "Oh, this is rich. So, tell me oh-insightful-one, how should a man deal with a woman?" she asked, smothering a giggle.
"Why don't you take a look for yourself," he suggested, reaching for his laptop again. Opening it, he placed it on her knees.
Max started to read.
The Female: Revealed
by Calvin Theodore
This week we interviewed Logan. Logan is 32 years old, employed as a customer relations executive and in a serious relationship.
,
Q: Why do women like shopping so much?
A: Men are visual creatures and they respond to those who look the best. Women compete with each other for a man's attentions and that reinforces their need to look good...But between you and me? I think it's because they like to spend a guy's money.
Q: Should a guy tell his girlfriend he cheated on her?
A: Not if he wants to keep her! It's all about knowing how to cover your tracks.
Q: What's important to look for in a woman?
A: For a one-night stand or long term relationship?
Q: How about both?
A: For a one-night stand, I'd say she should be clean, not repulsive looking, between 18 and 50 years old and under 180 pounds. Long term, I'd say pretty, curvy, sexually appealing. Young, frisky and playful. We want a wildcat in bed and a lady in the street.
Personally speaking, I like my women sexy and confidant and totally into me. I love a woman who sees me as an addiction, completely obsessed.
Q: Why do women play games?
A: Women play games because they like the power. They like to see that cute confused look on men's faces as they are floundered. Of course, it's mostly play-acting on our part.
Q: Well, looks like our time's up. Logan, thanks so much for talking to us today!
A: It's always a pleasure to impart wisdom and experience to my brothers in arms.
Max looked at Sketchy, her face twisted in a mixture of disbelief and shock. "You've got to be kidding me! They print this shit!"
Sketchy grinned. "Believe it or not, they do. The editors love it - they call it 'the voice of men around the world', yada yada."
Max eyed him sceptically. "It doesn't bother you to put your name on it? It's degrading!"
"Not really. I don't particularly care. It's a job and it pays well. Besides, it's more of a hobby; my real passion is interviewing celebrity personalities."
"Wow, so you travel a lot, I take it?"
They were interrupted by the stewardess passing out pretzels and drinks.
"I'll take as many of those," Max pointed to the booze on the cart, "as you can give me." The woman gave her a look showing her disgust, but handed over a handful of bottles. "Nuh uh, I think you can spare more of them."
"I'm sorry, miss, but regulations won't allow it." The woman started to move on when Sketchy held a hand out to stop her.
He flashed the woman an engaging smile. "I'll take the same."
The stewardess rolled her eyes and reluctantly handed Sketchy the liquor. As soon as she'd moved away from them, he turned to Max and handed her his supply.
"Here, you can have mine," he offered. "And yeah, I travel a lot. I get most of my work done on the plane, which is the main reason I don't drink when I fly."
"I can understand that. So, wow, your work sounds exciting. I also get to rub elbows with the rich and famous sometimes - you know, parties, press stuff, but mainly all I get it a lot of bitching from agents," she chuckled.
Max sat back and poured herself a drink. They sat in companionable silence for a while as Max consumed her alcohol. Wow, I really enjoyed chatting with him! I wonder if he's based in Seattle.
"Sketchy? Do you live in Seattle?" she ventured, trying not to get her hopes up too high.
He turned in his seat and flashed a wide smile. "Yeah, I do. Um, will you be town long?"
Max flushed a bit. "Well, when I told you I was here on business? I meant I'm relocating for business. I've just been transferred to our Seattle offices."
"You never did tell me who you work for, Max."
"Sutherland's. Have you heard of it?" she asked, looking at him with interest.
"Have I heard of it? It's the best advertising agency in the U.S.! What do you do for the company?"
Max shrugged sheepishly. "Just got promoted. Regional Advertising Director."
Sketchy whistled. "Impressive! Way to go! So, you think they'll let you breathe a little? I know the biz, it can be killer hours."
Max laughed lightly. "Tell me about it! But yeah, I expect I'll be able to breathe some!"
"You'd better!" he wagged a finger in mock-warning. "'Cause it'd be nice to get together sometime. Introduce you to a few people, show you the sights, maybe have lunch?"
Max's face lit up and she smiled. "I'd like that." It'll be nice to know someone in the city. Why did I automatically assume this guy would be a dick?
Glancing out the window, she noticed they were approaching the airport. The plane was starting to circle for landing and Max was awarded a breathtaking view. Mt. Rainier stood in the background, majestic, like a sleeping giant keeping watch over the city. She spotted a tall structure and pulled lightly at Sketchy's arm.
"What's that?" she asked, curious about the building she'd set her sights on. It seemed abandoned, and decrepit, much like the city sprawled below her. Almost makes me feel at home; New York was just as dilapidated and broken.
"Oh, that? That's the Space Needle. It was a major tourist attraction before the Pulse. I hear they had one helluva restaurant, a real classy joint." Sketchy sighed deeply. "But like most of the city, after the Pulse, it fell into disrepair. There was no money to take care of most of the important landmarks. Welcome to Seattle!"
Max's eyes took on a dreamy look as she stared blankly ahead. "I think I'm gonna like it here," she murmured. The Needle is the perfect High Place.
"Uh, Max? We've landed. I've gotta go," he said apologetically, jarring her back to the present. "It was great meeting you. I hope we can get together soon."
Max looked up in surprise. "Yeah, that'd be great." She gathered her things and slipped her boots back on. They disembarked and entered the terminal. As they exited the airport, Sketchy handed her a card.
"This is my friend's work number. I'm in the process of moving so I don't have a phone hooked up. But you can leave a message with my friend Cindy; she always knows how to get in touch with me."
Max thanked him and watched him get into a cab and drive off. Glancing at the card in her hand she couldn't suppress a giggle.
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