Let Love Rule
by Ra

Asha groaned as her eyes flickered open, and she took in her surroundings as soon as her eyes focused. She didn't know where she was, her head was pounding, and her body was aching...wait a minute, body aching...now she remembered. She came home with Alec last night `Oh God, what happened?' she thought as she tried to sit up. Just them Alec entered the room. "About time you decided to wake up. Here, I figured you might need this," he said as he handed her a glass of water and 2 aspirin. "Thanks," she said as she gratefully accepted his offering. "Listen, about last night..." she started, but Alec interrupted, "Asha, don't worry, nothing happened last night. You fell asleep as soon as you hit the couch." "Oh...good," she said. Alec laughed as he thought about the wave of emotions that crossed her face...from sheer terror, to relief.

Asha decided she should get home, but when she made a move to stand up...she found that her sore muscles protested. "Why don't you just hang out here for a while? You don't look like you're in any condition to go home," Alec said. Since nothing happened last night, and she was sober now, she didn't see the harm in it. "I don't have running hot water, but if I boil some, you can take a hot bath...should help ease the ache of sleeping on the couch," Alec offered. "That sounds great, thanks," Asha answered. Alec wasn't being his usual sarcastic and uncaring self, it was a little strange, but it was nice to see that Alec had a good side.

Asha was feeling a lot better after her bath. She wanted to experience more of this side of Alec she had never seen before, so she ended up hanging out with him all day. Later that night, Alec managed to score a pizza and ice cream for dinner. They just talked and laughed, and ate. "Owwww," Asha groaned as she curled into a ball on the couch. "What's wrong?" Alec asked. "My stomach hurts, I think I ate too much," Asha replied with a pained look on her face. Alec laughed. "Awww, poor wittle Asha has a tummy ache. That's what happens when you eat 6 slices of pizza and most of a half gallon of ice cream. Honestly, I don't know how a woman so tiny could put away that much food," he replied. "Haha...funny Alec, I'm in pain here," she said, throwing in a pout and puppy dog eyes for good measure. At that point Alec actually became concerned. He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of ginger ale.

"Here...this should help settle your stomach," Alec said as he sat beside Asha and handed her the glass. They sat in silence for a while, as Asha slowly sipped the drink. "Ugh, it's not really helping much," she said in a voice that sounded near tears. Without a second thought, Alec gently coaxed her to lie on her back with her head in his lap. A look of shock and confusion crossed her face, prompting him to say, "It's ok Asha, I don't bite...I'm just going to try and make you feel better." She just nodded, as Alec took the remote and turned on the TV with one hand...while sliding his hand under her shirt and rubbing her stomach in slow gentle circles with the other.

They sat like that for a few hours, not saying anything, just watching TV. Finally, Asha realized she was feeling better and decided it was finally time for her to head home. Alec walked her to the door. Just as she was about to walk out she turned and said, "Thank you for everything. You could have taken advantage of me last night but you didn't...and thanks for the bath and the stomach rub too. I really had fun spending time with you." She kissed him on the cheek, then turned and walked out. "Maybe we should do this more often," Alec yelled after her. She just turned and smiled. Alec closed the door and sat back down to watch TV, but he couldn't focus...Asha Barlow was running through his mind. He had spent the whole day with her, with not one sexual advance, not one flirtatious remark, and he loved every minute of it. Maybe he didn't have to be the player all the time; maybe he could actually be friends with a woman.

It had been weeks since the night they spent together, and Asha and Alec had been spending more and more time together ever since. Just as Alec suspected, they had become great friends. They confided in each other about everything. He told Asha about his feelings for Max, and she told him about her feelings for Logan. Too bad for them, the virus had been cured, and Max and Logan were very much together. One night after Eyes Only had taken down a large crime ring, the whole gang decided to go to Crash to celebrate. Original Cindy, Asha, and Alec were sitting at a table when Max and Logan finally showed up. They walked into the bar hand in hand, looking so happy. Alec saw the sadness on Asha's face as she watched them walk to the table, and his heart nearly broke as he saw her eyes flood with unshed tears. She stared into her beer, hoping they wouldn't fall. There was only one chair left, so Max sat in Logan's lap...that was all Asha could take.

"I have to go to the bathroom," she said as she made a quick exit. "Geez, what's her problem?" Max said. "I'm going to check on her," Alec said, and headed in the direction of the ladies room. "What's going on with them?" Max and Logan said at the same time. They had been so wrapped up in each other, they didn't even notice how close Alec and Asha had become. Alec soon returned to the table, with a red-eyed Asha in tow. "She's not feeling too well guys, I'm going to walk her home," Alec announced to the group. "Sorry to hear that Asha, is there anything we can do?" Logan asked, genuinely concerned for his friend. If only he knew he was responsible for her current state. Asha just shook her head `no'. With that, she and Alec made their exit.

They walked in silence for a while. Alec sensed that she didn't feel much like talking about whatever it was that was bothering her. Finally, they reached her place. Alec was about to turn and head home when Asha asked him to stay. She still didn't feel like talking, so they just sat on the sofa staring into space. Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, Asha began to sob. Alec instinctively put his arms around her and tried to comfort his friend. "Why doesn't he love me anymore?" she said, her voice wracked with tears. Alec didn't know how to answer that, so he put his arms around her and gently stroked her back to soothe her. Asha's sobbing began to calm down, she tried to choke back the last few tears, and she was finally ready to really talk. She rested her head on Alec's chest, and he stroked her hair.

"He was my first love you know," she said with a sniffle, "We grew up together, it was a fairy tale...childhood friends who fell in love." She chuckled bitterly, "He was my first everything...first friend, first love, first kiss...I even lost my virginity to him. I don't know what happened, we were happy and our parents didn't even mind us being together even though he was a few years older. One day he went off to Yale, I was still in high school, and we started seeing less and less of each other. Then after the pulse I never heard from him again. It's like he forgot all about me, and it just hurts so badly. I never stopped waiting for him; I always believed he would come back for me one day. Hell, I've never even been with another man."

Alec was caught off guard by Asha's last statement. Asha was drop dead gorgeous...tall, slender, beautiful blue eyes, a body that could have come from the mold of Eve...all womanly curves and silken skin with the face of an angel...it was hard to believe she didn't have men in and out of her life all the time. She sniffled, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and soon felt Alec's hand lifting her chin. He looked her straight in the eye and said, "Any man who could give you up, doesn't deserve your love. You're an amazing woman Asha, you're smart, sweet, and beautiful inside and out. He loves you Asha, only a fool wouldn't...it's just that he loves you as a friend now." At that, Asha smiled that gorgeous smile of hers. That's the way Alec liked to see her...happy, it made him smile too. They stayed like that for a few seconds, until Asha's eyes fluttered and she tried to stifle a yawn.

Alec saw this and suggested she get some sleep. He moved to stand up, but she stopped him. "Will you stay with me? I don't want to be alone right now," she said shyly. After getting over the initial shock, he agreed and added, "As long as I'm around, you'll never be alone." She smiled again, and pulled him toward the bedroom. "I can take the couch, I don't mind," he said. She giggled. "Alec we're two adults, who happen to be good friends, we can share a bed without getting freaky. When I said I don't want to be alone I meant I really don't want to be alone," she answered. Satisfied with the arrangement, they headed off to bed. Alec stripped down to his boxers, while Asha went off to the bathroom to change. She returned wearing an old Yale t-shirt he figured used to belong to Logan. He had no idea why, but he felt the slightest bit jealous at the sight, and wondered what she would look like in one of his shirts. `Stop it Alec she's your best friend' he thought...but God was she gorgeous. He held the covers back for her as she got into bed. When she was all settled, he put an arm around her slender waist and spooned her closer. They quickly drifted off to sleep.

Alec was the first to wake up that morning, after all...transgenics didn't need much sleep. He couldn't sleep anyway with all that cotton soft blonde hair tickling his nose. He was up on one elbow. Asha was sleeping soundly...facing him, with her hair covering her face. He couldn't resist brushing it away, and then he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Asha stirred slightly, a frown creasing her beautiful face. She slowly opened her eyes, and smiled when she saw that Alec was still there. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you...go back to sleep," he said as he kissed her forehead again. She was still very tired, so she had no problem fulfilling that request. Alec couldn't tear his eyes away from her; she looked so angelic as she slept. Watching her sleep, he had nothing but time to think...he thought about what she meant to him. He had never felt this way about another woman, not since Rachel. He knew Asha didn't feel that way about him though, and it saddened him. They would never be more than just friends. He saw her frown a bit...then there was nothing but the steady, even sound of her breathing.

Asha looked up and smiled when she saw Alec looking down at her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you...go back to sleep," he said as he kissed her forehead. She obliged and closed her tired eyes. As she drifted back off to sleep, she thought about what he meant to her. She realized she could fall in love with him; she could easily love him as more than a friend. He was a good man...much more caring than he let on, and of course he was handsome and had a great body. She frowned when she finally realized he didn't feel that way about her. They would never be more than just friends. The only woman he ever loved...could ever love...was Rachel, and she was gone.

After that night, the two friends fell into a routine of sleeping in the same bed. It wasn't sexual, but they enjoyed each other's company so much. They felt so alone when they were away from each other. The needed each other, they made each other happy, they picked one another up when one was feeling down...and that's all that mattered. By this time, even Max and Logan had picked up on Asha and Alec's relationship. Logan never did trust Alec, and he didn't want to see his friend and former girlfriend hurt. He decided to confront Alec and make sure his intentions for Asha were good.

"What did you want to see me about?" Alec said as he entered Logan's apartment. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about Asha. I don't know what you're up to, but she's my friend and I don't like it when my friends get hurt," Logan replied. Alec instantly became livid. What the hell did Logan know about their relationship? He hadn't been a real friend to her since he could finally touch Max again. "What the hell do you know about it?! Don't you dare talk to me about hurting Asha, when you're the one who broke her heart!" Alec yelled. "Alec, what the hell are you talking about?" Logan questioned, confusion evident in his eyes. "See, you never gave a shit about her did you? She thought you loved her. You got what you wanted from her, took off for college, and then used the pulse as your opportunity to get rid of her? How could you do that to her?!" Alec said.

Finally, Logan understood. He chose his words carefully before starting, "I did love her, Alec. God I loved her so much. I didn't just leave her; I could never do that. After the pulse hit, I got involved with Eyes Only. I couldn't tell you how many times I thought about going back for her. She was the woman I dreamed of living in a little house with a white picket fence, and having 3 kids and a dog with. My work with eyes only was and still is dangerous. If Asha were to ever get caught in the crossfire of my work I couldn't have survived. That's why I never contacted her again. If I had any way of knowing she would become a freedom fighter, leader of the S1W, and be fighting for the same cause I am I would have taken the chance. I never wanted to lose her, but I didn't think I had a choice. I just wanted to keep her safe."

Alec understood Logan's decision. "She waited for you," Alec stated simply, breaking the awkward silence. "What?" Logan questioned. "She waited for you. She told me she hasn't been with another man since you. She always thought you would come back for her. That day we left Crash after you and Max came in together was the day she realized it was really over. I found her crying in the bathroom because she knew she could never have you," he replied. Logan was crushed. Asha still meant so much to him; he never meant to hurt her like he did. "I am so sorry," Logan said. He felt terrible for the pain and suffering he had caused his dearest friend to go through. "I love Asha, I really do...I never thought I could love anyone more than her, but I do...Max," Logan said. "That's how I feel about her," Alec said softly. "About Asha?" Logan asked. "Yeah...I love her, but she doesn't feel the same way about me," Alec said. "How do you know? Have you told her?" Logan questioned. "No, I can't...I don't want to ruin our friendship. I couldn't stand not having her in my life at all, so I'd rather have her as a friend than not at all," Alec said. With that, he got up to leave. "Don't make the same mistake I did!" Logan yelled behind him.

Things went on as normal over the next few months. Asha and the S1W, Eyes Only, Max and the other transgenics were all working together and fighting for good. After their talk, Alec and Logan developed a mutual respect for each other and even a strange type of friendship. Max and Asha also started to get along. Logan told Max about his talk with Alec, and Max no longer felt threatened by Asha. Alec and Asha still hadn't told each other how they really felt. They had no idea it was all about to go horribly wrong....

Alec, Max and Original Cindy were at work at Jam Pony. They had just sat down to take their lunch break when Max's pager went off; it was Logan. Before she could ask Alec for his cell phone, it rang. "Logan, what's up?" Alec asked. "Asha's in trouble, I need you and Max here right away," Logan wasted no time getting to the point. Alec's heart sank, he couldn't move, he couldn't speak. "Alec can you hear me? Alec!" Logan said in a worried tone. Alec snapped out of it and finally replied, "I...yeah, we'll be right there." They hung up. "Max we have to go right now," Alec said. "Wait, what's going on?" she said, looking confused. "I don't know! It's Asha, I don't know what happened, just come on!" he yelled. Max could see the worry and terror on his face, she didn't argue. She knew the woman he loved was in danger and that's all he could think about.

Minutes later, Max and Alec busted into Logan's apartment. He was waiting by the door. He quickly started to tell them all he knew about Asha. Some of the S1W members were captured while trying to bring down a drug ring. Asha and the others came up with a plan to rescue them. Something went wrong; Asha got too close and was captured also. The others retreated and contacted Logan immediately. Alec could do nothing but pace the whole time Logan was telling the story. He had to save her, he loved her, he couldn't live without her...and he had never told her. `You're such and idiot!' he thought to himself. All he could think about was the fact that he may never see her again, and he was too much of a coward to tell her how he really felt about her. Logan could tell what he was thinking. Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder he said simply, "We'll get her back." Alec nodded. Max and Alec put their Manticore training to good use. They managed to get into the warehouse where Asha was being held through the air ducts without being detected. The closer they got to Asha's position, the more careless Alec got. Finally she couldn't stand it anymore. "Alec, you're not going to help Asha if we get killed before we can get to her," Max said, "I know you love her, you just want to get to her as fast as possible, but please...try to keep your head on straight, for her sake and ours." Alec nodded and tried to maintain his composure. Soon they reached the vent overlooking the room where Asha was. They could see her now, she was tied to a chair, and there was a man holding a gun to her head. Her nose was bleeding, and her beautiful blonde hair was matted to a cut on her forehead. She was being pumped for information, and it seemed as if the guy was tired of her not talking...he was going to kill her.

Max could immediately see the rage in Alec's eyes. The good times he had with Asha ran thorough his head, as well as everything he loved about her...the first time he saw her, the feel of his hand against her stomach, holding her while she cried over Logan, that smile that was so bright it could light the whole world, her goofy laugh...he couldn't lose her, he couldn't live without her. Before Max could react, Alec was already jumping down from the vent. He was so focused on Asha; he didn't even notice the second guy approaching him from behind with a gun in hand. The guy had a clear shot as Alec...he was just about to pull the trigger when...

Max saw what was about to happen. She quickly made her way out of the air duct and between Alec and the gunman. She was able to tackle the guy and knock him out before he fired. As Max was taking the gunman down, Alec beat the guy who dared hurt his Asha senseless. If Max hadn't pulled him off, Alec would have probably killed him. Alec immediately went to Asha, who could barely keep her eyes open. "Asha. Asha, open those beautiful eyes of yours sweetie," he said softly. He gently lifter her chin so he could check her injuries and make sure she wasn't hurt too badly. She had sprained her ankle in the struggle when she was grabbed. Max untied her and she and Alec helped Asha up together.

Max tied up the two bad guys, but they knew they had to get out quickly before they were caught. The three of them left the same way Max and Alec had entered, through the air ducts. They escaped safely. Asha almost passed out from a combination of exhaustion, pain, and relief as soon as her feet hit the ground. She soon felt strong arms supporting her, and a thought came into her head...Alec was there for her, she wasn't alone just like he had promised. Her eyes suddenly went wide and she smacked Alec on the back of the head. "Ow! What was that for!" he said. "You almost got yourself killed you idiot! What the hell were you thinking jumping out there like that! Max saved your ass!" she replied.

Alec took a calming breath then said, "I was thinking the woman I love was in danger, and I can't bear to live without her." Asha was stunned, she was so happy she couldn't speak. "It's ok if you don't feel the same way about me, we can keep things like they are. You mean so much to me, I just didn't want to make the mistake of never telling you my true feelings," he said. "I...I love you too. I have for a long time, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship," she answered softly. They couldn't believe what was happening. They crushed their lips together in a bruising kiss...tongues battling each other, trying to convey feelings that words just couldn't do justice. Asha felt herself being lifted from the ground, she wrapped her legs around Alec's waist, and her arms went around his neck, fingers tangling in his short spiked hair. Alec's hand roamed her body, crushing her closer to him, needing to feel her.

"Umm, we need to get a move on," Max said as she cleared her throat. They reluctantly broke the kiss...a faint blush crept its way onto Asha's face, and she and Alec were both grinning like Cheshire cats. "Sorry," they said at the same time, like two kids caught drawing on the walls. Max chuckled at the sight...they were so cute together, and so right for each other. They headed to the car where Logan was waiting. Alec was still carrying Asha. `Oh well, she's in no condition to walk anyway.' He thought with a smirk. Alec and Asha were making out in the back seat the whole way home. Logan and Max just couldn't take it anymore and yelled, "Oh get a room!" Alec and Asha giggled and continued. "Now you know how we feel around you two," Asha said, giving Max a wink. Max was happy to see her "brother", and her new friend so happy...even if they were sickening.

Logan and Max figured Asha would want to get cleaned up which mean she needed running hot water, so they decided to let Asha and Alec have use of his apartment. He and Max went to spend the night at her place. Alec carried Asha into the apartment, and gave one last peck on the lips before gently placing her on the sofa. He went to retrieve the first aid kit. He gently cleaned the blood from her nose, and the wound on her forehead and dressed it...softly pressing his lips to each as he finished. He then left Asha to go get her bath ready. When it was done he lead her to the bathroom and helped her undress and get into the tub. When she was ready to come out, Alec was waiting with a towel. He rationalized that she needed help since she shouldn't put pressure on her ankle...well, that and seeing Asha naked was very pleasing to the eye.

Asha couldn't resist kissing him as he wrapped the towel around her. The kiss quickly became more passionate; they just couldn't get enough of each other. Asha instinctively wrapped her legs around him. Alec's hand just couldn't resist wandering over the smooth skin of her body. Her hand tangled in his hair. Asha felt like her skin was on fire, her head was swimming...wait, she needed to breathe. She pulled away to catch her breath. She then began to softly nip at Alec's neck, she heard his breath hitch and new she was having the desired effect on him. He tasted so good. Alec's hands made soft trails up and down her thighs. She shivered against him, partially from desire and partially from the cool air against her damn skin. "Alec, take me to bed," she whispered in his ear. He gladly complied.

They reached the guest room and Alec pulled back the covers and laid her on the bed. He quickly covered her body with his, being careful not to crush her. His weight felt so good pressed against her, she wanted more...she pulled him closer, tracing his lips with her tongue and wrapping her legs around him once again. Oh those long legs...Alec loved the feel of her. She smelled so good, felt so good, tasted so good. She whimpered a little as he broke away from her lips and began blazing a trail of fire down her body. He kissed and licked that sensitive spot behind her earlobe, nipped at her neck, down to her chest and over her breasts...finally sucking one nipple into his mouth and worrying it with his tongue, while his hand caressed the other. He repeated this action on the other, her soft moans egging him on. Asha was in heaven, but still she needed more.

She could feel his arousal through his jeans, grinding into her most sensitive area. She wanted more, she had to feel his skin against hers. She reached for the button on his jeans. Alec took over, while Asha practically ripped his shirt from his body. Her towel had been discarded long ago...finally she got what she wanted. Alec in all his genetically perfect glory. She licked her lips, her eyelids heavy with desire. "Whoa, what happed to the sweet angelic girl I fell in love with?" Alec said as he witnessed her actions. "Your angel wants you to make her bad," she replied seductively, and nipped his earlobe. Alec didn't say anything, just continued his trail of kisses down her body. He circled her navel with his tongue, and Asha's breath hitched as he continued his descent even lower.

She was a bit disappointed when he skipped the area that screamed for his attention the most and began kissing down her thighs and legs. He paid extra special attention to her sprained ankle, then placed it gently back on the bed. He began to work his way back up her body, teasing her by lingering at her inner thighs...kissing and licking. "Alec, please," Asha squeaked as he got closer and closer to her center. Finally his warm mouth descended on her...he kissed her lower lips, darting in and out of her with his tongue. She felt a warmth deep in her belly as his soft warm mouth assaulted her sensitive clit. He sucked gently, bringing her closer and closer to release. Her grip tightened on his hair. Her moans became deeper, her breathing labored. Alec loved the feel of her warm silken thighs around his ears...and the taste of her; oh she tasted like the sweetest ripe fruit to him. His enhanced smell picked up the intoxicating aroma of her arousal; he couldn't get enough of her. With one last flick of his tongue and the insertion of a finger into her core, he heard her scream out in release. The waves of her first orgasm since Logan wracked her body. He gently sucked and licked until he felt her body go limp, and her thighs relax around his head.

She was still breathing heavily when Alec's eyes met hers again. "You are so beautiful," he said, tracing her lips with his finger. She sucked it into her mouth. Alec was so aroused he couldn't stand it anymore...he had to feel her. He was poised at her entrance, when he stopped and got serious for a second. A confused look washed over Asha's face. "Are you sure you want this? I mean, you haven't...since Logan...I..." he started. Asha silenced him with a kiss. "I love you Alec, there's nothing I want more in the world than to feel you inside of me right now," Asha replied. With that, Alec did as he was told. She gasped at the sensation. "Oh my God... baby I'm so sorry, did I hurt you?" he asked with concern in his voice. "No...it's just...you feel so good," she answered, her voice deep with desire. He didn't move for a while...to allow her to get acclimated to his size. Finally, they began a slow steady rhythm. Asha meeting each of his strokes with the thrust of her hips. They were getting so close, moans escaping both their lips, sweet nothings being whispered in each other's ears, tongues exploring. She was so tight Alec could barely hold on, but he had to satisfy her. "You feel like home to me," he whispered as he reached down to rub her clit with his thumb. With that, her second orgasm washed over her... Alec's release followed.

They lay there for a while, exhausted, wrapped in each other's arms, and still joined. Finally Alec rolled off of her, she whimpered as he broke their connection. He pulled her close, she rested her head on his chest and he stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. "I love you Alec," she said with a yawn. He was about to answer, when he heard the faint sound of snoring. She was asleep. "I love you too Asha," he said to no one in particular. He felt her shiver and pulled the covers around them, and then he joined her in sleep. It had been a long day and they were both drained. Despite that, they made love several more times throughout the night.

 

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