Title: Only The Lonely
Chapter Title: Payback's A Bitch
Author: Restive Nature
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Dark Angel. They belong to Cameron/ Eglee. No infringement is intended and this fiction is for private enjoyment only.
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Fan Fiction
Type: Romance, Humor
Pairing: Max/ Alec
Summary: A remake of the "Pretty Woman" movie, with Max and Alec in the lead roles.
Spoilers/ Time line: This takes place pre-series. Due to the nature of the fiction, some information will be different, but should not overly affect the fiction.
Feedback: Always welcome!
Distribution: Ask first please.
A/N: The movie being referenced in this chapter is some oblique references to "Ice Princess" with Michelle Trachtenberg. There was no real reason, just that I thought some of it would actually catch Max's attention for the reasons given. The play that they are going to see turns out to be "A Few Good Men". A reference to the fact that Jensen Ackles starred in it on stage along with Lou Diamond Phillips and I really wish I could have gone seen it...
Chapter Nine
Payback's A Bitch
Alec was surprised as he approached the hotel suite door, to hear from inside the muted drone of what he assumed to be the television. Knowing that it was after four in the morning, he would have assumed that Max would be asleep. Or maybe she was. Maybe she'd been bored waiting for him and had settled in with some late night television. Although he wondered what she would have found to watch. He knew there was only one way to find out and as quietly as possible, in case she was asleep, he slipped in to the room.
He focused on her immediately, since her head swiveled around at his entrance and she smiled a soft, sleepy kind of smile at him. "Hey," she greeted softly, one hand bringing up the remote to mute whatever program she'd been watching.
"Hey yourself," he returned as he pulled his coat off. "I didn't expect you to be up." Wondering if she'd been waiting for him.
"Well," Max shrugged philosophically as she turned on the sofa so that she could look at him without craning her neck. "I don't make as much money during the day, so I've grown a lot more nocturnal over the years."
"Yeah, I suppose that would be logical," Alec decided as he moved to the sofa to join her. A little numbing of the brain seemed in order after the amount of information he and his team mates had gone over in the last few hours. At least, it would help him to sleep. "What were you watching?"
"No clue," Max chuckled. "I was channel surfing and catching things in the middle of whatever they were. I think this is a movie. Uh, about ice skating."
"You find that interesting?" Alec puzzled. Chick-like movies didn't seem to gel with his interpretation of her character.
Max shrugged once more. "Well, these kids were skating, and this other girl was talking about the physics in the moves they were performing. And it just got me thinking."
Alec nodded as he skirted the edge of the sofa and would have perched on the seat next to her, except for the scattering of bowls that was in his way. His glance at them and then at her face, told him she was a little uncomfortable by that discovery.
"I was a little hungry for a midnight snack," she began to explain quickly, even as she moved to begin transferring the dishes to the coffee table before them. Alec counted among them, some popcorn, some remnants of leftover ice cream and what looked like crepes. Already on the table was a large glass of half-emptied milk.
"That's fine Max," he assured her quickly. He remembered a few times in his life when he was damn hungry and Manticore too preoccupied with what the head honchos wanted to bother feeding him. "To be honest, I'm a little peckish as well." He reached for the popcorn bowl and brought it back to his lap. "What's this?" It seemed to be coated with something other than butter. Max stared at him for a moment and then began to laugh.
"Gourmet popcorn," she explained between giggles. Alec popped a few kernels into his mouth, noting the cheesy flavor overlaid with a hint of garlic. He decided it was to his liking and grabbed another small handful.
"What's so funny?" he asked, liking hearing her mirth.
"Sorry," Max finally got herself under control. "But peckish and popcorn. Made me think of a chicken." She blushed once more as she realized what she'd admitted, but was relieved when he just chuckled as well at the image she painted.
"You are one strange girl, you know that?" Alec teased as he settled in, lifting his legs to rest his feet on the coffee table. "Physics and philosophy one minute, old movies and girly things, and weird humor. I never know what to expect from you."
"Hey, just because I didn't go to some ivy league school, or even get my high school diploma, I can know stuff," she defended herself and Alec could see that she was easily working herself up into a snit.
"I never said you couldn't," Alec replied, trying to calm her before a storm hit. "I just said it was surprising. Unfortunately, I look at the world in very black and white tones. So when people throw me for a loop, it takes me a second to readjust."
"Okay," Max nodded and calmed a little. She hated people that assumed she was just another dumb chick, even as she took outrageous advantage of that.
"And you know," Alec went on in a conversational tone, even though his eyes seemed riveted on the television, "I saw something else tonight that really caught my attention."
"What was that?" Max murmured, her eyes also on the television screen.
"Well, after dealing with J.D. and Sabine's little drama," he mused, "I was driving back and passed by this store. And you just wouldn't believe what was there."
"Uh probably not," Max hedged, a little flutter of nervousness rolling through her stomach.
"Well," Alec grinned, reaching for more popcorn. He held it in his hand as he glanced at her, but Max was resolutely looking away from him. "Someone it seems, had tacked up all these really nice clothes all over the outside of a building."
"Hmm," was her noncommittal reply. She leaned forward and retrieved her crepes. She settled back in, still not looking at him. Alec studied her before he went on.
"Now I wonder why someone would have done that."
"Maybe it was some new advertising technique," she offered.
"Could have been," he mused and then added slowly. "But I don't think it was." He paused but she offered no more comment. "Because see, I don't think a business would advertise themselves as 'skanky whore purveyors of third-rate crap cloth'," he finished with a wicked grin on his face. Max might have stilled for a second, but he could have imagined it, so slight it was. But Alec didn't think he was wrong.
"Well, no, that doesn't sound right," Max frowned and took a small bite of the breakfast delicacy.
"Yeah," Alec continued, "see, I think it was someone with a grudge against the store."
"Could be," Max agreed though she still wouldn't look at him. "Lots of people can get pretty angry at something in this day and age."
"That they can," he nodded. "But you know what I found so very interesting?"
"I'm sure I don't know," she sighed, knowing that he was determined about this. And wondering how the hell she would get out of it.
"The place, was Cristoff Fashions," he ended triumphantly. And again, there was no apparent interest of reaction on her part. "Wasn't that the place that refused to serve you and your friend?"
"Maybe," Max shook her head, her face blank. "I don't really remember where it was we were shopping. We hit a lot of places."
"Oh come on Max," Alec laughed protestingly. "I know it was you. Or at least one of your friends. Somebody, anyways, in connection with you."
Max turned to him then, her face full of aggravation. "Why on earth would I do that Alex?" she grunted. "Really, why would I go to a store and what? Tack up fancy clothes and defame them. I mean, yeah I bought plenty, but I need those clothes if I'm going to perform my little part in this play of yours. And if I didn't, I could sell them and make some more money to buy things I really needed. And furthermore, why would I run the risk of being found by sector cops and getting my ass arrested for a stupid stunt like that? That'd go over really well with your friends, wouldn't it?" she huffed.
"Okay," Alec interrupted. "Sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't think about any of that stuff. I just thought... it was um, kind of funny," he chuckled at the end. And he had gotten a good laugh out of it. Because whoever had done it was very, very creative in their insults.
"You did?" Max sounded genuinely confused. Alec nodded. "Oh."
"Yep," he agreed. "All I could keep thinking was that payback's a bitch."
"Well," Max finally allowed herself to smile. "That's what the old adage says." And the bitch was most definitely Max, she agreed mentally. She felt relieved that she'd managed to wiggle out of that, even if Alexander was smart enough to figure things out. She hadn't counted on him being aware of the incident with the store. She hadn't thought that he would drive down that street. There was no real reason for him to do so. That wasn't even the quickest way back to the hotel. But it didn't matter now. He could have his suspicions and she and Kendra had had their satisfaction.
"Well, now that that's out of the way," Alec whispered as he reached for the remote in her lap, "can we find something decent to watch?"
"Yeah," Max chuckled. Both of them relaxed completely into the sofa, unconsciously leaning towards one another, though they weren't really touching. The bowl of popcorn rested on Alec's lap, the plate of half eaten crepes on Max's. Slowly Alec flipped through the channels, long enough that a new series of programs came on and they were able to easily find something that kept both their attention. An old science fiction B-movie that was supposed to be a cult classic, but which they could only laugh at for it's overly cheesy effects and overblown grandiose lines.
Max barely noticed when her head slipped to rest on his shoulder, or when his head leaned towards her, to rub in a familiar manner before stilling. There was no popcorn left to share, as her hand discovered a while later. And when she at last heard his soft rumbling snore, she smiled in contentment.
*****
"Which do you think looks better?" Max asked quietly as she held up two skirts. Alec glanced quickly as he knotted his tie in place. They weren't quite in a flurry to get ready, but there was no use dill-dallying about the suite. They'd woken, slightly stiff that morning, from sleeping on the sofa, the droning of a morning news show to greet them. After a couple of quick showers and a light breakfast, they were preparing for their days. Alec to a much anticipated business meeting with Jonas and cronies, to take a tour of Cale Industries main factory and Max for her afternoon luncheon. So as she had more time, she was a little further behind in her dressing.
Even though he seemed to barely notice, Alec had taken in each of the skirts presented to him. One dark blue, the other a lighter shade of blue. He couldn't see what the big deal was. She was going to wear a white blouse, so both would fit. But she was waiting for an answer. "Depends where you're eating," he stalled. Max's eyes skittered away for a moment and then her face brightened.
"You're right," she announced, holding up the lighter skirt. "Baby blue it is." Alec turned from the mirror on the stand he was using since she had commandeered the bathroom.
"Wait," he scoffed. "How the hell did you arrive at that? I was just trying to be diplomatic there, although I'm sure you'd look great in both."
Max smiled widely at his perturbation. "It's simple sweetie," she offered in an annoyingly teacher-like voice. "We're dining at Massie's. I have actually seen the decor there. Light, floral. Now, the whole point in today's lunch is to fit in with these ladies. Most of them are older, so I need to look non-threatening, which means fading slightly into the background. They'll be wearing what they want, but I'll be the young ingénue, ready to be taken under their wings. Hence, pastel, innocence and sandals."
Alec shook his head. Once again he was amazed at the deviousness of her mind and how she applied it to so many different subjects. Obviously her understanding of the society she was infiltrating was much greater than his. Or Carlton's training had been much more extensive than she'd let on. That thought irritated him for reasons he once again didn't want to examine. To cover his reaction, Alec reached for his wallet, reminding himself that he'd have to get a move on to pick up his other "supplies" before he met up with Cale and the others. Personal surveillance of the factory might help them when it came time to move in and steal the technology they wanted. But there might be a few other things of interest that weren't common knowledge yet to Manticore, that his "employers" might find interesting. And Alec was determined to do this job well for reasons that were too deeply ingrained to examine as well.
"Okay," he raised his voice slightly so that Max would hear him in the bathroom. "I'm heading out. Don't forget we've got the theater tonight."
"I should be back at a decent time this afternoon," Max replied. "Lunch, maybe a little light shopping."
"Oh damn," Alec was glad that she'd reminded him of that. He removed the Manticore approved card from his wallet, the one he'd received last evening from 511 that had Max's name on it an hurried over to the bathroom. She was brushing her hair thankfully, Alec realized and he was glad. He certainly didn't need to be distracted by her lush, lithe body at this juncture. He set the card on the counter and Max glanced down at it. "Here, I set this up for you. That way you won't look destitute, having to use my card for everything."
"Oh, thanks," Max was surprised and she let it show. She had wondered herself how she was going to manage and had been working up the nerve to ask for money. Not an easy thing for her to do, when she was so used to providing for herself at all costs.
"It does have a daily limit," Alec warned. "So don't go overboard. I'll need it back when we're done."
"Of course," Max stiffened, a little offended that he thought that she'd skip out on him with his credit card. It was kind of pointless, as all he had to do was call the company and cancel it, report it stolen or whatever. Alec seemed to realize that he had offended and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.
"I just didn't want you to be embarrassed if it came back declined," he offered. "Don't go over a thousand and you'll be okay."
Max smiled, though it was a little chilly. "I doubt lunch is going to cost that much." Alec smiled at her and she went back to brushing her hair. Realizing that there was nothing left to say, but goodbye, Alec did so, quashing down the ridiculous impulse to brush a kiss across her temple. And then he was off.
*****
Max sauntered into Massie's, perhaps ten minutes late. She had plenty of excuses if needed, but she didn't think she would. She could already see Tina Marchmont seated at a large round table. There were several ladies with her, but the table was by no means filled. Sabine was already there, Max was glad to see. She waited at the front door to be seated by the hostess, who came forward quickly. Max leaned her head in and announced herself quietly. "Maxine Gueverra," was all she had to say.
"Right this way Miss Gueverra," the young woman, whose name tag pronounced her as Gia, led her right to the Queen's table. Max smiled a greeting at everyone as she slid into a seat close to Sabine. From their conversation the evening before, Max had decided she liked the other woman. And Sabine had been very friendly towards her, sharing bits of history between her boyfriend and Alexander that had them giggling together. "Would you care for something to drink?" Gia asked, waiting expectantly. Max had already cast an experience eye around the table, noting that everyone had something alcoholic before them. Not that she was a big drinker, aside from beer and lately champagne, but as she'd told Alexander, the point today was to fit in.
"Stohli martini, two olives please," she ordered with ease as she slipped the thin straps of her purse over the back of her chair. She waited until Gia had moved away and leaned forward to grin at Tina Marchmont. "So, what have I missed?" she asked teasingly.
"Oh, we were just commiserating with poor Sabine here," Tina informed her, gesturing to the other girl. "It seems Alexander wasn't the only one feeling poorly last evening." Max smiled up at Sabine again and the pair of them shared a conspiratorial look.
"Yes," she murmured. "Headache's can be a royal you know what, hmm?"
"A royal pain in the ass?" Sabine uttered dryly, lifting up her own drink. "You've got that right. Oh, how I survive that man's moods, I just don't know."
"You're a woman dear," Margo Cale interceded in a conciliatory tone. "It's been bred into you. Wait until you have children. Then you'll really know what patience is."
"Yes, but you seemed to have lucked out with Bennett," Max pointed out. "Well bred, handsome, from what I hear, your husband really appreciates his business acumen."
"Well yes," Margo agreed, her spine straightening with conscious pride. "That's now. There were some times when he was growing up though. Oh, the scrapes he and Logan used to get into at school."
"I remember," Tina chuckled. There was barely a pause as a waiter returned with Max's drink. "Fortunately I had two daughters, and though I was much more sympathetic to their youthful plights, I can't say my husband was."
There was more giggling over Tina and Margo's good natured argument over which was more difficult to raise, sons or daughters. And then the comparative stories of their children's antics growing up, and then on to the matches each had made in society. The rest of the group slowly arrived and mixed themselves in and talk soon turned from children to husbands and boyfriend's. Max was glad that Marianne Gabler, Bennett's fiancée had arrived and put herself between Margo and Max. They were able to converse a little along with the other young women at the table, Sabine and Alyssa Dexter. The other two women that made up their octet were familiar to Max, having seen them at the last two parties, though she couldn't recall actually being introduced. That they were cronies of Tina's was immediately apparent by the familiarness of how they spoke to everyone.
After they'd ordered, salads of various sorts, with Max opting for a seafood combination on hers, talk turned to the dissection of the star of last night's party. La Riente. And while Max couldn't really care less about the woman, her life and resultant gossip was interesting enough to keep her from nodding off into boredom. Apparently, the evening before, she'd pouted and had herself her little snit that was usual before a performance anywhere. And then had consented to sing one song before she had, according to Karen Payne, thrown herself at every man in the room not tacked down by a prominent female at his side. The tightening in Sabine's face made Max wonder if that was where their problems the night before had began, prompting Sabine to call Alex. She wondered if she should ask Sabine about it later, kind of offer her a feminine shoulder to cry on. After all, Alex was there for his friend and Sabine was kind of in the same boat Max was in, that she didn't really have friend's here to support her. She decided in the end though, that she'd make the overture and if Sabine chose to take her up on it, it would be fine. If not, she'd keep her nose out.
"Oh my," Alyssa Dexter suddenly announced, startling Max out of her thoughts. "Have you heard about the scandalous little outrage down at Cristoff's this morning?" Max tensed, and fought against grinding her teeth.
"No," Margo took charge of this one. "What happened?"
"Well, I didn't see it myself, of course," Alyssa began to drone in a nasally tone of voice. "But apparently that little shop girl that Bridgette thought so highly of? What was her name?" She paused and then waved her hand, it didn't matter. "Well, Bridgette had to let her go yesterday. The girl apparently chased off a very good customer and that was just the last straw."
"Was it that mousy little thing that always thought so highly of herself?" Tina demanded indignantly. Alyssa nodded. "Well," the older woman huffed out, "I did tell Bridgette that she expected too much from someone so low class." Max had to still herself from bristling indignantly.
"But that's not all," Alyssa continued, garnering everyone's attention back on herself. "You see, late last night, someone broke into the store and took some very expensive items and you would not believe..."
"What?" Sabine asked, leaning in, her face and eyes bright with expectation.
"Well, my husband wouldn't repeat the slurs used in front of me, but I hear they were horrendous," Alyssa tittered. She turned to Max and explained, "my husband runs the budgeting task force for the sector polices and he is very good friends with Chief Hansen." She named the Chief of Police for Seattle. "So he heard everything this morning. But this girl was let go, and with a seeming huge chip on her shoulder, broke in and stole some clothes, which she then tacked up to the storefront and spray painted with terribly slanderous things."
"Really?" Marianne breathed in shakily. "Why on earth... Are they sure it was her?" Max had wanted to ask the same thing. She felt slightly bad, as she certainly hadn't intended for that to happen. But she'd had no notion that the girl had been dismissed from her job. But then again, the girl had insulted her.
"Well, she insists that she didn't do it," Alyssa shrugged one shoulder. "But, she had been let go, was very upset about it. And the other girls told the police that she made quite the scene before being escorted off of the premises. And who else would have the security codes to get into the store without the burglar alarms going off? And, she had no alibi." The woman seemed proud of her command over the police vocabulary she used. All the other women were nodding in agreement to that.
"Well," Tina sighed, sitting back in her chair and crossing one leg over the other, her fingers toying with the stem of her glass. "If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand time, blood will tell. And class. And that girl had neither." Like vultures, the rest of the older woman nodded along with the Queen's sage pronouncement and Max felt sick.
She waited a moment for the others to finish gulping down their scandal broth before she leaned forward to engage Margo once more. "So, Alex mentioned the theater this evening Margo. And what are we going to be surprised with tonight?"
"Oh, if I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise," Margo tinkled. "But no, it's not a secret. Actually, Jonas was thrilled when I procured the tickets for tonight. It's the Seattle premiere of an old Allen Sorkin play. Something military and political. Seems a bore to me, but he loved it when he was younger. And I suppose I can suffer through it. The young lead male is supposed to be quite the buff young stud, hmm?" And as Max had intended, the topic was changed.
It wasn't long after that the women decided to move the party along. Tina Marchmont invited Max and Sabine to ride in her car, while Marianne joined Margo. Alyssa was to ride with Karen Payne, who it turned out, was her mother, and with the last lady of their group, Stephanie Houser. It had been a surprise to Max to discover the relationship between Alyssa and Karen since Alyssa had called the older woman by name, but then again, she supposed that these women's ego and eccentricities wouldn't allow the admittance that they had a child of Alyssa's age. Not when said child was right there.
Max moved on from those thoughts as they arrived at Tiente's. And like the consummate professional that she was, Marjorie greeted Max like she was just another customer. Not as if they had known each other for many long months as they really did. Max made the rounds with the younger girls and offered up her own unique fashion advice to those that wanted it. There were some funky combinations going on there, but in all, the ladies looked good. But the purpose of the visit was mainly to troll for more gossip and Marjorie loved putting out.
Once she'd been mined for all she knew, the group again moved on, with the Queen deciding to swing by Cristoff's to ascertain the damage for herself. Instead of heading inside, Max conspired to drag Sabine off for that heart to heart. She really didn't want to have any of these ladies connect the fact that Max was the one that had been shunned by the shop girl, although she was quite sure that the sympathy would be in her court. Begging off with the excuse that she was jonesing for an iced moccachino, Max led Sabine down the street to a trendy little coffee stop that she had seen when she'd been out and about. A little pricier than the coffee kiosk she normally stopped at, Max had never gone in before. But confidently now, she stepped up and ordered for the both of them. Once their order had been filled, Max led the way to a back corner. They sat and Max decided to plunge right in.
"So?" she smiled sympathetically. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but was Jackson one of the guys that the Riente woman was hanging on last night?" Sabine's eyes skittered away for a moment, before she nodded miserably. "And I'm betting that being typically male, he had no objections to that, huh?"
"Not really," Sabine muttered bitterly. She stared a few moments at Max and then seemed to deflate. "You know, sometimes? I think that Jackson's just with me until something better comes along."
"Oh don't say that," Max protested. "You've got a lot going for yourself honey." God, she really hated when women let themselves feel less than what they were because of a man. "You're drop dead gorgeous, funny, bright and intelligent. If Jackson can't see that, then he's not worth it."
"Yeah," Sabine agreed sadly. "I keep telling myself that, but..."
"But you still love him, right?" Max asked knowingly. Her eyes held Sabine's in place and a multitude of emotions seemed to pass through the other woman. And finally Sabine nodded, dejectedly. "Okay," Max decided authoritatively, slapping one hand on the table. "Then we just need to show him what he could be losing if he doesn't straighten up and fly right."
"What do you mean?" Sabine asked nervously, biting at her lower lip.
"How about I come with you and help you get ready for tonight?" Max suggested. "I mean, you look great, but..."
"I kind of fade into the background, right?" the other woman mused sheepishly. Max grinned and then nodded. "Well, I already had things planned out for tonight."
"Something similar to last night's ensemble?" Max asked dryly and again Sabine nodded. Max shook her head. "That won't do. You need something that stands out. Oh, you know, I saw something yesterday that would look fabulous on you. What do you say?"
"Well," Sabine hedged and Max wondered if Sane really were in similar straights as Max regarding the money situation. Boyfriend holding the purse strings.
"My treat," she offered grandly, hoping that Alex would understand. After all, Sabine was his friend, by extension. Surely he wouldn't begrudge this.
"Well," Sabine repeated and then gave in. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to look."
"That's the spirit," Max chuckled. They sipped at their drinks and began making their plans. When they finally returned to the rest of the group, thankfully just exiting Cristoff's they all enthusiastically fell in with Max's announcement of Sabine's makeover and the group was off again.
*****
Alec was once more relieved, more than he should be, to be slipping into the relative quiet of his hotel suite. Except, he realized as he shut the door behind him, that it wasn't quiet. There in the living room, was a gaggle of females, all of whom he recognized. In the midst, seated at one of the dining room chairs, pulled out so that the others could move around her was X5-684, aka Sabine Tyler. And with her, studying her face was Max. The others Alec easily recognized from Tiente's.
"What's all this?" he asked jovially, extremely amused when the females started in surprise and then began to titter amongst themselves.
"Hey sweetie," Max greeted, moving away from the group to give him a welcoming hug. "We're just having a little fun."
"At my expense," Sabine complained good-naturedly as one of the girls tugged at a lock of hair and she winced slightly. Alec saw a flicker of movement from Sabine's hand in her lap, sign language that was telling him to play along. "Max decided I needed a makeover."
"And Jeannie and the girls were happy to oblige," Max explained, indicating the girls' from Marjorie's shop.
"For a fee of course," Sandra quipped. "And watch out, 'cause you're next Maxine."
"I'm shuddering in my boots," Max deadpanned.
"I don't know about you," Jeannie sighed, "but I'd love to get my hands into his hair. What product do you use Mr. Spalding?"
"Uh, just shampoo and conditioner," Alec frowned. Product? He glanced down in confusion at Max, but she was smiling, already in on the know.
"Grr," Jeannie growled mockingly, turning back to Sabine. She leaned over to tell the woman at her mercy, "naturally beautiful hair. I'm so jealous of people like that."
"Me too," Sabine grimaced. "Especially when it's not ME-OW!"
"Hold still honey," Sandra murmured as she stroked some sort of goop over the X5's face. Alec glanced down at Max, one arm wrapped around her waist as she watched the other girls happily. She had a strange look of contentment that was sadly washed away as she glanced up at him.
"Sorry," she apologized softly, her words for his ears only. "Sabine was feeling a little low about last night. So I offered my help. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all," Alec responded immediately. And he didn't. He was used to rolling with the punches. It was kind of nice to see that Mousy had someone on her side. That she and Max had formed some sort of bond, even though it hadn't been necessary. It just helped the job even more. At least that was what 494 told himself.
"Okay," Max breathed out in relief. "Well," she decided, back to business, "if you'll give us a little time here, we can order some dinner, finish getting ready and then go. Jackson is meeting us here."
"He is, huh?" Alec muttered. Strange that 511 hadn't said anything to him. Max nodded.
"Yeah, he just got off the phone with Sabine before the girls started in on their torture session.
"And you're next Maxine," Sandra called. "Get over here so I can do your nails."
"Ugh," Max groaned. "If there's one thing I hate, it's manicure's." But even having said that, she dutifully skirted around the table to seat herself in the chair indicated. Watching for a moment this flurry of activity, Alec finally then moved to the mini bar, mixed himself a drink and then perched on the sofa, seemingly oblivious to all the hoopla. The sounds of feminine giggles filled his ears as they discussed the play they were going to see that night. (An old classic.) And who chose it? (Jonas Cale's favorite, he missed the title.) And 'ohmigod wasn't the movie so great!' (There was a movie about it?) 'Wasn't Tom Cruise soooo good in it?' (Tom Who?) 'And don't forget Kevin Bacon!' (Who would name their kid for a pork meat product?) 'Isn't that young up and comer starring in it? What's his name? Jason or Jerry, something with a J?' (Uh, who cared.) 'Damn, I wouldn't kick him outta my bed!'
With a shake of his head, Alec began to tune out the chatter and concentrated on the papers he had in his hand, though he really didn't need them. He'd found enough information to keep Manticore happy with this afternoon's recon. Finally though, dinner announced and the girl's from Tiente's made their way out, with some parting advice called over their shoulders. Alec joined Max and Sabine, both happily gossiping about tidbits from their afternoon of shopping. He stayed silent, just basking in their happiness about the evening to come. A few times, it looked like one or the other was going to say something, but with a quick glance at Alec, they pressed their lips together and smiled or chuckled. He had the feeling that it didn't bode well for him or maybe it was for 511 that he should be worrying.
He found out later, once the girls had finally emerged from the bedroom where the rest of their preparations had taken p[lace, that 511 was going to have a hellcat on his hands that night. And with Max's devastating good looks, killer dress and saucy attitude, he had enough on his own plate to be looking after.
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