"So, what's the big news?" Alec pried.

Logan turned around, surprised by Alec's presence. "What's he doing here?"

"He begged me to come."

"What!? I did like he...."

Max sent him a glare that told him, if he disagreed, he would be in a whole mess of pain later.

"I guess it doesn't matter," Logan told them, though he sounded annoyed anyway. "So how are you feeling?" he asked, turning to Max, gently touching her cheek for the first time in months.

Max drew back, uncomfortable. She still felt like he was a complete stranger and really didn't like the way Logan kept looking at her. He seemed nice enough, but it was still awkward.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her face flushing.

"It's okay, the cure worked. I'm not going to get sick," he smiled. "And I have even better news."

"Lemme guess, White and his entire fleet of genetically altered misfits decided to skip town, resolving never to mess around with ex-manticore recruits again? Oh and he appointed you king of the world, right?"

Logan just stared at Alec as if he were a child, that said something at an inappropriate time.

"Hey, it could happen!" Alec laughed, despite the glib look on Logan's face.

Choosing to ignore Alec's outburst, Logan turned to Max again. "This is good news for us, Max. It looks like you'll be able to remember me, sooner than we thought. Your memory loss should wear off on it's own, at any time. Isn't it great?" Logan finished, with a wide grin on his face. Max nodded, unsure really what to say.

Alec stood there, stunned. If ever he had a chance with Max, it had been while Logan wasn't in her head, taking up most of her thoughts. Without him dominating her thoughts, he would have a real shot at impressing Max. They could finally get to know each other outside of extreme situations or playful banter. Without knowing when the side effects would wear off, he would have to work fast.

"I'm pretty tired, I think I'm just going to go home and sleep," Max admitted.

"That sounds like a good idea, I know this is a lot to take in, but it'll all work out," Logan assured her.

"I hope you're right. Come on, Alec."

"See ya!" Alec said to Logan, when he passed by him, following Max out the door.

Alec hopped on the back of Max's bike and gripped the side of her body.

"If you want to continue living, you'll move your hands lower."

"Oh, my bad."

"Right."

Max took off and rode fast all the way to Alec's place. Alec jumped off the bike and gave her back the helmet he had been wearing.

"Hey, you wanna come in for a while?"

"It's getting late," Max lied.

"Late? Come on, the night's still young."

"I can't. OC is probably at home waiting for me."

"Now, even I know that's a lie. She's probably still at Crash scamming on some chicks. Come on, what'd ya say?"

"Fine, but only for a little while," Max said, cutting the engine and hoping she wouldn't regret it later.

"I'm surprised."

"What's that?" Alec asked, throwing his coat over one of the chairs in the living room.

"This place is actually liveable."

"I try." He winked playfully at her. "So do you want something to drink or something?"

Max went over and sat down on the couch, settling into its plush texture. "Yeah, sure."

"Great," Alec said, walking over to the fridge and raiding the contents. "You know, I have some left overs if you're hungry, or we could order something. There's this great restaurant a couple blocks over, they make the best...Max?" Alec looked up form the fridge and saw Max sprawled out on the couch, obviously asleep. "Max?" He gently shook her, but she just moaned peacefully in her sleep. "Figures." He laughed, in a self-mocking tone. "I guess you won't be wanting that drink anymore."

There was something so soft about her as she half layed, half sat against his worn-in couch. She looked so tired, and he knew he had no right to wake her. If Max was sleeping then she needed to. Gently, he picked her up in his arms and walked her to the bedroom. He layed her down against his own unmade bed, walking over to take off her shoes and socks. As he undid the second lace, he looked her over, and let the smallest of smiles grace his face.

Alec moved her head so it rested on one of the pillows. Pulling the sheet and comforter over her, he eased down to sit next to her on the bed.

Whisking away a few stray hairs from her face, he leaned in, delivering a small peck on her forehead. "If you only knew," he whispered quietly.

For the longest time, he sat there, taking in all her features and committing them to memory. It wasn't often he would get this sort of opportunity. Max wasn't one to show her vulnerabilities, but as she slept, Alec could make out the faintest hint of sorrow, when she shifted in her sleep.

Soon, he found his own lids grow heavy and he headed back to the living room to find some rest. Alec stripped down to his boxers and layed on the couch, trowing a blanket over himself before he let his eyes close.

TBC