Before we get started, a couple things: 1) I am so sorry that I had to re-upload the chapter. I didn't realize that the chapter I published was basically only the first paragraph so I apologize for making that mistake. 2) A lot of you have been begging me to do something with the Alex/Axel relationship, and this is the chapter you've been asking for so you're welcome. 3) After this chapter, I will be taking a quick break from this series to focus on other projects that I've neglected over the years. And 4) I have decided the name and gender of one of Cole and Seliel's twins, but the other one is tbd, so I will be taking name suggestions (both boy and girl) for the second twin. I will pick the one I like the most and if I pick yours you'll receive a shout out, a follow from me, and I will advertise/review one of your books of your choice (or one you recommend if you're not a writer.)

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, please enjoy the FULL chapter of Breaking the Ice.

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Alex's P.O.V.:

I was sent out on a mission by my father to go into the birch wood forest. He had been receiving strange signals from the area over the last few weeks and he had sent me to check them out. It was a snowy place and I could since a storm coming in on my radar, so I had to be quick.

I kept riding my snow mobile through the forest and I saw someone coming the other way. Because of the snow I couldn't see who it was.

"Hey!" I shouted. "You need to go. It's not safe here."

He didn't hear me and kept walking. I yelled for him again and he came closer. I saw his face and realized he looked familiar. Before I could put my finger on it, the blizzard hit. I couldn't see a thing. The wind pushed me into the snow and my circuits froze. I got knocked offline...

I woke up in my grandfather's old laboratory. I felt a little stiff but otherwise ok. There was a fire burning in the fire place so I knew someone had to have rescued me, but who?

"Oh you're up. Are you feeling better?"

I would know that voice anywhere.

"Axel?" I looked at him. "What are you doing here?"

"How about a thank you for saving your life?" He scoffed.

"What? Was this all part of your plan?"

"What plan?"

"What you did to me last t-time. You always have it out for m-me."

"Alex stop. You need to take it easy while your circuits thaw out." He said.

"Why are you trying to help me?"

"Because I told you. I'm not that person anymore. Now don't talk and rest before you overload yourself." He said.

"I d-don't believe y-you." I glitched.

I stood up and got dizzy. My systems were all out of wack. I had to sit back down.

"I tried to call your parents but the phone lines are out because of the storm." Axel said. "We just have to wait this one out."

"I think I'll take my chances with the storm." I yelled.

"Alex wait!" He yelled.

"No! I'm not standing around waiting for you to shoot me a-again." I stood up again and marched towards the door.

I ran outside and looked for my bike, but I couldn't find it. I looked back and Axel was running after me so I ran farther. I could feel my systems freezing over and it kept getting worse. I tried to find my way out the forest but my navigation system was down. I kept going as fast as I could but I was getting tired and had to start slowing down. Axel caught up with me and looked at me.

"Alex, you can't keep running." He said. "I get it, you don't trust me and I understand why, but you don't have a lot of options here. So you can either come with me, or stay out here and freeze, it's your choice."

"E-either way I'm r-risking my life." I shivered.

"No you won't. Look I don't know what I did to you but I'm not that person anymore. I know you don't trust me but your better off taking shelter with me then you are freezing beyond repair out here."

I looked back at the storm and the hand in front of me. I knew if I stayed here, the storm would tear me apart. I had no choice.

"F-fine." I reluctantly took his hand.

"Come on." He said pulling me towards him.

He walked me back to my grandfather's lab and by the time we got there my servers were completely frozen. Basically only my vital systems were operational, at least somewhat anyway.

Axel set me down on the bed and started the fire back up. It actually felt kind of nice. Maybe I was wrong about him.

"Let me take a look at your systems." He said.

"What? N-No!" I yelled.

"There's no telling what could've happened to you out there. I need to make sure there's no lasting damage from the cold."

"F-fine." I sighed and opened my hatch. I didn't want him to, but I knew it was best.

Axel came over and took a look at me. I only had minor damages, but he did some minor repairs anyway. I was worried he was going to mess around with my systems and mess me up more, but I actually felt a lot better after he finished.

"There, you should be able to function until we can get you back home." He said.

"Thanks I guess." I sighed.

"What?" He wondered.

"Well it's just, you used to be so mean, and now you literally saved my life. I just don't get it."

"I was being controlled by the overlord. I don't remember anything about that." He frowned. "I probably hurt a lot of people especially you, and I will never forgive myself for that and I don't expect you to forgive me either."

"Well, this might be my half frozen circuits talking but I think I do."

"You do what?" He asked.

"Forgive you." I said. "I forgive you."

"Thank you." He smiled.

We talked a little bit and after a few hours, the storm had let up and we were able to take Axels bike back home.

Zane's P.O.V.:

Pixal and I were pacing the floor waiting to hear anything from Alex. We had called Borg who said he would send Axel out to go look for him but he hadn't heard anything since he left. We were getting really worried.

"Zane we should be out there looking for him." Pixal said.

"You know if we are out there in that storm we would be so lost we would not know where to start." I frowned. "The storm will let up in a few hours, we can go then."

"Alex may not have a few hours." She frowned. "Or worse, he could already be..."

"Don't think like that. Alex is a smart kid. I'm sure he found somewhere to take shelter."

Just then, someone came through the door. To our relief it was Alex and Axel. It had been a long time since we saw them in the same room together.

"Alex!" We both shouted and ran over to give him the biggest hug.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I noticed he was a little off balance.

"Yeah, nothing a few repairs and a good recharge won't fix." He said.

"We tried to call you but the storm knocked out the phone lines." Axel said.

"So you two are friends now?" Pixal asked.

"I wouldn't go that far, but we're off to a good start." Alex smiled.

"Glad to hear it." I smiled. "Your grandpa Borg has been asking about you."

"Oh yeah, I should pay him a visit." Alex smiled. "I really missed him."

"Can I use your phone to call him? I want to let him know we're ok." Axel asked.

"Here." I handed him my phone.

He went into the other room and called Borg. We took Alex to the lab and Pixal did some repairs. Luckily there was only minor damage and we were able to repair it all. Alex was telling us all about his adventure.

"...and then we had to wait till the storm died down until we could finally get back." Alex finished telling us.

"Well I'm glad you both got home safe." Pixal said finishing up the repairs. "Alright Alex your all set."

"Thanks Mom." Alex smiled and hopped off the repair table. "I'm going to check on Axel. He might need a ride home."

"Ok son." I smiled as he walked out of the room.

I was so proud of him. He was able to put aside his feelings about Axel, and Axel proved himself to him by saving his life. I'm so happy that the boys were talking to each other again. I wouldn't call it a friendship yet, but it definitely was a step in the right direction.