Blinding light was followed by darkness. The pattern repeated itself throughout the night. Then blurred images filtered into her head. Faces, locations, all of it, apparently meaningless. But then she could make out a shape. It was a man. Not just anyone. Logan. He was laughing and for some reason, she knew she was too. It was a memory, she was sure of it. They were at his house. She knew that for sure, because she had been there, and they were eating. More flashes, more images entered her mind and the memories flooded her head, not making sense at first, but then everything was clear. She bolted straight out of bed, the sweat matting her hair to her head. She felt the sheet fall from her body and realized she was naked as the cool air hit her. Then she felt a warm body beside her, and knew it could only be Alec.

The images from the night before began to resurface. Her heart raced, beating fast in her chest as she slammed back down to the padded surface beneath her. What had they done?

It was the heat, she rationalized, but couldn't help liking the way he felt beside her.

Alec watched her sit straight up in bed, and saw the emotions playing on her face. He guessed she was remembering the night before and was regretting it when she slumped back down on the bed, covering her naked body.

He turned to her, opening his mouth to speak, but was unable to find any words that would be appropriate.

Alec touched her arm, startling her. She opened her eyes, but there was nothing but darkness. She waited for her eyes to adjust, but they didn't. It wasn't that the room was dark she soon realized, it was because she couldn't see.

"Alec!" She called desperately, becoming more and more panicked.

"What is it?"

"I...I can't see!" She screamed.

"Calm down," he told her taking her in his arms. "Just relax. Open your eyes for me," he told her in a soft, tender voice. Max obliged, lifting her lids, only to find darkness once again.

Alec looked at her, searching the dark orbs that hours ago had been so full of life and now they were motionless, unresponsive.

"It must be another side effect," he told her gently.

"When will it end?" She asked, not noticing the tears that sprang to her dead eyes. She turned her head, using her other senses to locate Alec. She could still smell him and if she stuck out her tongue, his taste was there. Burying her face against his bare chest, she allowed herself to cry. All she wanted was for it all to be over. She didn't want to wake up every day finding another thing wrong with her; she was sick of it.

Those images of Logan were real, and now she remembered. The guilt washed over her when she felt Alec's strong hands run through her hair. She heard his soothing words and was crushed at how she had betrayed Logan. But why did it feel so right? In Alec's arms, she had the strength to face these side-effects, but would she feel the same if it were Logan holding her, touching her so slightly she wanted to stay like this forever? Somehow she didn't think so. Deep down, she knew she was meant to be there with Alec, just as they were. With him, she wasn't afraid. She could be who she was, what she was made to be and not feel an ounce of regret doing so.

"Max, I'm sorry about last night," he told her, emotion coating his own voice.

How did he do that? How did he manage to get into her head without her saying anything?

"It's not your fault," she told him. "I was in Heat. You couldn't control yourself any more than I could." They didn't have time to deal with any 'morning after' shit, they had more important things to deal with.

Alec nodded, knowing that there was nothing either one of them could have done to prevent it. They were made for each other and coded to mate. It was a primal instinct and part of them were animals.

"The sun is out. It must be morning," he whispered, unsure if that would make her feel worse. "We should get dressed," Alec told her, feeling her naked body against his. If he didn't get some clothes on her soon, he was afraid there may be a replay of last night, only this time, he wouldn't have an excuse.

Max nodded, sitting up searching for the edge of the bed. Alec threw on a pair of boxers and jeans and went to the other side of the room, pulling out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for Max. He handed her the garments and turned his back while she changed, still feeling awkward about what had happened between them. He was actually more surprised at how Max was taking it, he had thought for sure he would have gotten a good ass-kicking for it. But then as he turned around, he realized sadly that she was having a harder time dealing with the new side effect than any of the others. Her face looked distressed, and he sensed there was more she wasn't telling him.

Alec crouched down facing Max. "You put your shirt on inside-out," he told her softly, already lifting the cotton above her head, so he could fix it for her. Max's cheeks flushed red and her other senses went into overdrive when she felt Alec's hands wash over her stomach and arms.

Alec grabbed a shirt for himself and took her hand leading her to the small breakfast nook in the kitchen. He sat her down on one of the wooden chairs and searched the cupboards and fridge for edible breakfast food.

He brought back plates of food for them and set it in front of her. "Here," Alec told her, handing her a ripe piece of fruit. Max took it from his hands, letting her fingers linger against his. She smelled the fruit, running her fingers over the outer layer.

"I think my sense of smell is back to normal," Max told him, with a smile on her face.

"Why would you say that?"

"It's not the same, I really have to try hard to know what this is. It's not like before, with you and the cologne," she told him, feeling her face flush once again.

"I think we got that wrong. Maybe it was your heat all along and we just didn't know it," Alec told her, staring into his plate. He couldn't believe he'd brought it up again. What was the matter with him? Why couldn't he just let it go? But he knew why. It was the best experience he had ever had sexually and he wanted more. The thing was, despite her heat, it wasn't just sex. Not to him at least. With her, he felt things he never knew he should. "I'm sorry," he grumbled.

"Look Alec, don't be sorry. We had sex, yes, but..it's over now. I'm over it, so get over it," Max told him, hating how cruel she sounded, but knowing it was for the best.

She needed time to sort through her feelings. Remembering Logan had changed things. Changed her. Sure Alec was amazing but what did she do about Logan?

"If that's how you want it. Then fine," Alec said, defensively, springing up form the table and walking straight out the back door swiftly, not giving Max a chance to sense what direction he had gone.

Max sat there and unpeeled her orange. She took a piece in her mouth but found it hard to chew and swallow, until she finally decided she was no longer hungry.

Once outside Alec walked into the tall brush, taking a piece of wheat and shoving one end into his mouth. "I don't need her," he told himself out loud. He wondered around, thinking. He tried not to let her words get to him but to no avail, she was already a part of him. No matter what he did now, he could never get her out of his head, or his heart. "Fuck!" He cursed and stormed back to the house. He had something to say and dammit to hell if Max wasn't going to listen.

TBC