Title: The Discussion

Disclaimer: Not mine.

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He had kept his promise. The next morning Alec was there by her bedside as soon as Max began to stir from the heaviest sleep she had endured in a long time. Alec watched her as she rose, from where he had situated himself on the floor next to the bed. From his crouched stance, his hazel eyes danced with pure fascination as she slowly stretched every muscle in her body. Every inch of Max was readying itself for the new day, all before she had opened her eyes to acknowledge her visitor.

It was also from here that he sat in admiration of the beauty before him. It had only been yesterday that he had seen a completely different side of Max. A part of her that seemed so vulnerable, a part of that she hid from everyone. Everyone but him. She had trusted him so willingly, trusted him with her life, and he had pulled through for her. He had been there when she had needed the help, and he would continue to do so no matter what happened between the two of them. Another glance at his still waking beauty only strengthened his resolve; he could never leave her.

And it was with pure amusement that he regarded her stunned expression as she finally did decide to join the land of the living. She had obviously not been aware of his presence beside her bed as she slept, a fact which momentarily worried him, but he pushed it towards the back of his mind as her face quirked up into a smile.

"Morning sunshine."

"Hey Alec, I didn't hear you come in."

"Yeah, well, you're still recuperating probably. Even with advanced healing capabilities, you've still got a day or so ahead of you. Don't worry about it though, I'm sure me and OC can manage to hold down the fort."

"I know. Still sucks being off my feet though. Although, having you wait on me hand and foot might make up for it."

"Glad I can be of service."

"Well, I think you more than proved yourself yesterday. Thanks for that by the way. This probably makes us more than even on the whole 'always saving each other's ass situation' huh?"

"Max, I'll always be willing to do anything that involves you and your ass. Really. You won't even have to ask."

"Oh, so glad to see the excitement yesterday hasn't rid you of your clever wit. I wouldn't know what to do without it."

Pulling herself out from beneath her covers, Max swung her feet onto the ground next to Alec and attempted unsuccessfully to stand. He watched as she tried to steady herself, and in an instant he was up and holding her around the waist. As she grabbed for his arms, taking all support she could find, she found herself gazing up into his eyes, and finding even more there.

And for an instant she was rooted to the ground, unable to back away from the intensity of the man before her. He had saved her life yesterday and today he wanted nothing. There was a time past where she would've doubted his motives, in fact she would've questioned them right to his face. Now, however, all she could see was yet another side to a man she learned more and more about each day.

One thing she did know about him though was that he wasn't one for silence.

"Well. This is awkward. How about I fix you up some breakfast before I head into work. After you."

And with a flourish of his hand, she was guided out towards the kitchen counter. He must've gotten up early this morning, she thought to herself, as she spied the bag full of groceries on the counter, and two places set out beside it. Alec was definitely not a morning person either. This was big.

"I brought enough for the two of you, but Cindy left right as I got here. Said something about a little morning exercise. I almost ditched you to follow her."

"Two bad, I would've really liked the company too. Oh well. Guess you'll have to do."

"Well, now that you've asked so nicely. Actually, I had some stuff I wanted to talk to you about anyways, may as well do it over a meal."

Taking a seat at the counter, Max watched him as he busied himself with the contents of the paper bag he had left out. She watched, even further amused, as he removed two Styrofoam containers of pre-heated breakfasts.

Catching her grin out of the corner of his eye, he looked up from his preparations. "trust me Max, it's much better this way. You want a home-cooked meal from me, you might as well pick up the phone and call the CDC yourself, because you're gonna end right back up in the hospital."

"It's almost like you get funnier by the minute, Alec."

"What can I say."

"Well, you did mention something about needing to talk to me? You could start there."

Transferring their meals from the containers to the plates, Alec found himself the proverbial deer in headlights. He had been the one who discussed a need to talk to her several times now in fact, but still, every time she reminded him, he wanted to drop everything and run. He had to get a hold of himself. OC said everything would be okay, that she would not only understand where he was coming from, but that she would probably reciprocate. It was now or never.

Taking a seat across from her, Alec rubbed his hands together nervously before reaching for his fork and shoveling in a mouthful of food. Using the time it took him to chew, he tried to organize his thoughts.

"Alec?"

"Yeah. Well. I wanted to talk to you about something I've been thinking about for quite awhile now. Uhhh…it's just that, I'm not really too good about things like this, and I didn't want you to get mad at me or anything."

This was going nowhere. She was looking at him like he had sprouted horns or something. Just say it. She's a girl. You're a soldier. Stop being such a moron.

"Listen, Max." Running his hands through his hair, Alec gazed wistfully at the plate in front of him before continuing. "I think things have changed between us, and I wanted to talk to you about it, maybe see what you thought was going on."

Looking back up into her eyes, he couldn't read her face. She was just sitting there, probably trying not to laugh.

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He's so cute when he's nervous. I know I should say something back, but this is kind of fun. I've never seen him like this before. Alright, alright. Even my cruelty has it's limits.

"It's okay Alec. You don't have to look like I'm gonna jump across the table and kick your ass."

"Really?"

"Really! I mean, I kind of get what you're saying. Wait. What are you saying?"

"I'm just saying that maybe there's something more between us then just friendship. Maybe there's something stronger. I just didn't want to mention anything until I knew there was a slight possibility you might feel the same way. Then the other day, after I finally gathered up the nerve to talk to you about it, I couldn't find you anywhere. I went to Crash looking for you, and Asha told me about the hospital and everything, and I just figured--"

"Wait. Asha told you about the CDC thing?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing really. I just kind of assumed that Logan had called you and asked you to help out."

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She's disappointed. I knew this was stupid. Now she was upset that Logan hadn't ridden in on his high horse and saved the day. Great. This was a huge mistake.

"Listen never mind Max. This was stupid. I should get going before Normal cans my ass. Even Golden Boy has to show up to work eventually."

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No! Stop! Why are you leaving! Dammit, everything had been going so well until she had mentioned Logan. God, she was never going to catch a break when it came to him. He thinks I'm pissed Logan hadn't been behind all of this.

"Alec, wait! Where are you going?"

"Max, it's okay. Really. I know I should've let Logan take the credit for getting you outta there. You know, he was there. He looked like he was doing something with his computer. He probably would've gotten you out sooner or later."

"Yeah, and I would've probably been dead by that point. Alec, I'm not disappointed that it was you and not him. In fact, it kind of made me realize something."

He's coming closer. This is good. Go with this.

"Realize what, Maxie?"

"Realize that maybe Logan isn't that hero I always make him out to be. I mean, I assumed he had called you. I thought that's how you had known I was in trouble. But the fact that he didn't kind of makes me wonder. He must have known you would've been my safest ticket out of there, and he still didn't call you. I don't know. That just doesn't seem right somehow."

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Damn straight it wasn't right. It was downright stupid. This has got to be a first. Max is actually doubting Logan's methods.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't too thrilled about being kept in the dark either. Especially where it concerned you. You're very important to me Max. If something happened to you…I don't even know what I'd do."

Grabbing for her hands as she came to stand beside her, Alec tilted his head up, making sure to look her straight in the eye.

"I love you Max. I really do love you. And just to clarify, I'm not talking 'brother-sister' love. I'm talking 'how-about-we-go-test-out-the-springs-in-your-mattress-' love."

"You're such an ass."

And with that she shoved his shoulder playfully as she hopped down from her seat. He followed her as she moved around the counter to sweep the empty containers into the trash.

"Yeah, but I have a feeling that you love it."

And when she turned around, she was greeted with a smirk that she had grown to cherish, and sparkling hazel eyes that she knew she could never live without.

A fitting reply seemed to escape her momentarily, but she soon found it unnecessary to even care as his lips descended upon hers. Feeling his strong arms wrap around her back, pulling her closer towards him, she surrendered to feelings that had overtaken her for so long.

And when he felt her arms wrap around his neck and her mouth open to his persistent tongue, he knew that he had won her over. He might have not given her the chance to say the words, but he could feel her conveying them to him on some sub-conscious level.

This was what he had always been looking for. This is what she had always found in the wrong places. This was them.