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Max looked up at him, but not before taking the tape recorder out of the box. "What!?"

Before he even had time to tell her what was wrong, he crossed the room, grabbing her and making her run with him. They covered the span of the hallway in no time. Running into one of the open rooms, he threw her to the floor covering her body with his.

The explosion was loud, almost deafening for their sensitive ears. Debris covered the floor with shards of glass erupting everywhere. When the dust finally settled, Alec looked up, coughing a little of it out of his lungs.

"What the hell was that?" Max gasped.

"That was a trap. We should have seen it coming, it was rather primitive if you think about it. I'm sure that's not the only one."

"How could I have been so stupid?"

"Don't beat yourself up about it, sometimes emotions can get in the way of a clear head, you know?"

"Yeah, we'll have to be more careful. I know he's here, I can feel it."

"We'll find him. Other than a bruised ego, are you ok?" He joked, but secretly worried.

"For starters, I can't breathe."

"What? Do you think your lungs collapsed? Is it the dust?"

"Maybe it's that fact that you're lying on top of me."

"Sorry," he said, flushing red.

Alec moved off of her, standing up and dusting himself off. "Better?" He teased.

"Much. Alec, shit!"

"What?"

"Hold still."

"Why? Have you suddenly lost your mind?' Alec asked, wondering what her curious behaviour was about. Before he had time to get an answer, he felt a sharp pain, rush through his shoulder blade. Max stood behind him, pulling three inches of glass out of him.

"I'm sorry. I thought if I didn't tell you, it wouldn't hurt as much."

"It hurt plenty." He laughed, then regretted it, as the reverberations caused his shoulder to ache.

"It's bleeding pretty bad. Why the hell did you do that anyway?"

"Do what?"

"Throw yourself on top of me."

"I dunno, it was instinct I guess."

"Well, thanks."

"Anytime," he said, looking her in the eyes, and she knew he meant it.

"Let's get back to finding Joshua," Max exclaimed, effectively breaking the revelry.

"Yeah, you're right. We're wasting time."

"Are you okay, I mean with your shoulder and everything?" Max asked, not even bothering to hide her concern.

"Ya fine, it's just a scratch," he said softly.

"Try the stairs, I think they lead to the basement."

They walked down a few flights of stairs when Max stopped them both. "Wait, do you hear that?"

"It's coming from that room." Alec pointed.

"Only four guards." Max observed. "Joshua must be in there."

"Or it could be another one of White's traps."

"We won't know until we try. You take the two on the left and I'll get the two on the right. Ready?"

"Here goes nothing."

They ran towards the armed guards at such speed that they each immediately knocked out one of the guards respectively. Easily Max hit the second, knocking him to the ground. When he went to retrieve his gun, she swiftly kicked him between his legs, leaving him gasping for air and holding himself. Alec punched the other guard repeatedly and finally he hit the side of the wall, losing consciousness.

Alec used the side of his body to bust open the door, making sure to use the opposite shoulder, considering he was still in a great deal of pain.

Once inside they spotted Joshua immediately. Max ran over to him, without hesitation. "Joshua?" Max said, in a low, caring voice. Joshua lay crumpled on the ground, shaking.

Alec moved Max aside and squatted down next to Joshua. "Hey buddy," he said, lightly touching him.

Joshua stirred and sat up, frightened. He barred his teeth and swatted at Alec. But then his features softened and he realized who they were.

"Joshua, you had us so worried," Max said, keeping her voice soft.

"Yeah man, How'd you end up here anyway?"

"Men, come in house...take fathers books... throw them around...shoot Joshua in arm...Joshua fall asleep, wake up here." Joshua told them, holding up his arm for them to see his wound.

"It's alright now. We'll get you out of here."

"Come on, we don't have much time, I'm sure there are more guards around here somewhere," Alec told them, helping Joshua to his feet.

"This way," Max directed them.

They made it to the end of the hall and found a tiny window. They broke it as quietly as they could, and sent Joshua through first. Joshua squeezed through, getting stuck a few times, but eventually making it to the outside.

"You go next," Max told Alec.

Alec didn't even think about it, he slid easily through the broken window and was soon standing beside Joshua. "Come on Max, hurry before someone comes."

"I can take care of myself," Max growled up at Alec.

"Fine, come on Joshua, let's make our way to that gate over there."

Joshua followed Alec as they made their way to the end of the gate. Alec held the bent wire so Joshua could slip under it. "Keep going, Joshua. Max and I will be along in a minute."

Max lifted herself up to the window and was making her way out when her shirt snagged on the cracked glass. She pulled herself free easily and was completely out the window.

Alec ran back over to Max. "Would you hurry up! Don't you think White has this place staked out? He's probably watching us right now."

"Relax! Joshua's free and we're both out. What's your problem?"

"My problem? You're the one taking your sweet time, do you want to get caught by White? You know, we should have called Logan. I don't know how I let you get me into these things."

"Stop bringing him up, he has nothing to do with this."

"How would you know? It's not like you can remember him anyway." Alec spat sarcastically, then instantly regretted it. The look on her face was so hurt. Alec tried to find the words to apologize. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean..I'm sure you'll remember him soon...Max?"

"DON'T MOVE!"

TBC