Author's notes: I realize that the story starts out in first person, but I switched over to third once I started including other people. It was just weird writing in first person for the first half of the story. But if I wrote it all in third, it wouldn't make any sense, either. Why I'm explaining this I'll never know. Anyway…enjoy!
Music Suggestions: 'Lie to me' by 12 Stones, 'All the same' by Sick Puppies, 'The reason' by Hoobastank.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Cameron Eglee Productions and FOX. This author (meaning me) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Dark Angel. No copyright infringement is intended.
I won't leave you
The report of my death was greatly exaggerated. Especially considering the fact that I wasn't dead to begin with.
Really, I'd had only been missing for five days. That didn't even qualify as a week. Alright, maybe a business week, but still.
I'd been out on a mission from a tip that I'd received from a semi-respectable source on a possible cure for Max's virus. I knew that Max wouldn't like my plan from the start. So, it was simple: this was something I didn't want Max to find out about.
Ever since the siege at Jam Pony that forced us all into TC, Max refuses to let any of us out. Granted, the situation outside of those fences is totally unstable, it would still be nice to know that we at least had the option.
Also, for some reason I can't figure out, she won't let me out of her sight. We even moved into the same apartment. It was beyond bizarre when Dix handed us the apartment assignments.
But I'm digressing. The point is that Max was hovering. It almost makes me think that she cares for me…more than everyone else. But then again, I wouldn't put much past her to be keeping a close eye on me just to spite me.
Anyway, once I received the tip, I was able to hatch a plan to sneak out of TC. As luck would have it, the opportunity presented itself the next morning and I was able to sneak away under one of the deserted corners of TC. It surprised me how easy it had been. I jogged a few blocks before coming across an appropriate mode of transportation. Of course it was a motorcycle. What do you take me for? Logan?
It was almost a day's ride to the site in question, traveling inland because, as usual, it was in the middle of nowhere. Arriving just before nightfall, I had to abandon the bike about two miles from the facility and decided to get a little recon before storming into the place completely unprepared.
Making the trek, I surveyed the perimeter and any nuisances that might crop up. Once I was satisfied with my understanding of the layout, I headed back to and retrieved my bike then checked into the only motel in town.
I waited until an hour before sundown the next day to make my move. Again, the plan was simple: get in, snatch the appropriate materials, and sneak back out without anyone the wiser.
So the plan didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. But then again, it never does.
I ended up tripping some silent alarm on my way out and had half a platoon of highly trained military infantry chasing after me.
Apparently, they had been expecting me.
Soon after they caught up with me for the third time I thought I'd ditched them, I discovered that the ground is not always there.
They had backed me into a corner. More specifically, a rocky drop-off point camouflaged by the dense shrubbery and plant life that I didn't see coming until I'd fallen over it.
It was a lot more painful then I thought it would be.
Broken and bruised beyond imagining, I finally hit rock bottom. Literally. I just laid there for a few minutes, staring up at the sky through a hole in the overgrowth of trees surrounding me.
Groaning and clutching one arm to my ribs, I rolled onto my side and made it to a standing position. Only by the grace of some supreme higher being did I make it out of there without further incident, slow and tedious as it may have been. They must not have known that I was a transgenic. Because it I were an ordinary, the fall would have no doubt killed me.
Unfortunately, there was no way I'd be able to make it back to Seattle in this condition. Which meant one thing: I'd have to call Max and break the news to her. Part of the plan, you see, had been to only been missing for a day or so. Not long enough to cause any real concern. But now…
I was barely able to make it back to the motel on the motorcycle. Once I got settled in my room, I shut and locked the door, pulled my bag over my head and dropped it on the floor beside the bed before I collapsed.
Wincing at the pain that shot up and throughout my body when it made contact with the bed, I rolled onto my side to collect my phone from its safe place in my bag. Thankfully, it had survived the fall better than I had.
The signal was weak as I dialed the number. Max answered on the fourth ring, which was a total shock considering it usually took at least ten for her to snap at me irritably for calling her.
"Where are you?" Max demanded through the static.
"It's nice to hear from you too, Max. Not even a 'hi' or 'Hello Alec, how are you?' But no, it's right down to business." I said sarcastically.
"Now isn't the time for games, Alec. Where. Are. You?" Max bit out, brushing past the sarcasm.
"I can't tell you that." I replied evasively, lying back on the pillow with an arm draped over my eyes.
"What?" Max's voice came out garbled and I couldn't make out the rest of what she said, if anything.
"Max? Just know I'm okay and I'll be back soon." I said loudly into the phone, sitting up.
"Alec? Alec!?" I heard her yell frantically before the line went dead.
Bringing the phone down in front of my face, all I saw was a blank screen. Pushing the power button without any response, I realized the battery was dead.
Picking up the landline gingerly, I held it to my ear for a second, held it away from my head in confusion before checking it once more and returning it to its cradle. Great. Of all the days and of all the places…that phone was dead as well.
I should have made the effort to go find a payphone, but quickly discovered that there would be no moving…for the next 8 to 12 hours while my body repaired itself.
ooooooooo-switch to 3rd person-ooooooooo
Well, as it turned out, Alec remained in a semi-catatonic state for three days. Once he woke up and took inventory to see what worked and what still needed medical attention, he found that all that remained was some soreness and a few scrapes and bruises. Most of the serious injuries had healed up quite nicely.
After checking out and grabbing a bite to eat, Alec started out back towards Seattle as quickly as possible. Hopefully, Max wouldn't be too pissed with him for disappearing for five days.
After arriving back in Seattle, Alec ditched the bike a block from where he'd originally "borrowed" it, walked back to the same spot he'd sneaked out at and made it back inside without anyone the wiser. Smooth and painless was always the preferred method. Even better, it was still daylight as well.
The first transgenic he ran into on the way to the command center actually jumped about three feet in the air and looked startled beyond belief when Alec clapped him on the shoulder from behind.
"Hey, what's up?" Alec asked casually, once the other transgenic landed on his feet in front of Alec
"N-nothing. I've gotta go." the other transgenic stuttered, his eyes wide as he turned and practically scurried away.
Shrugging, Alec kept walking. However, as he went, he noticed all the slack-jawed staring. It was beginning to make him feel a little uneasy. None of them would speak to him, either. It was as if they'd seen a ghost or something.
And then he saw her striding toward him. A force that was to be reckoned with. Max. A crowd had gathered in her wake as she stalked toward him. His breath caught in his throat as he realized something.
He had missed her. And she was the only woman he'd do just about anything for. He had risked his life for someone that could never love him in return. That is, if he even wanted her love. That was a topic he'd rather not dwell on at the present.
It was a secret he'd rather go to the grave with.
As she got closer, he could see the concern radiating out of her from within. She looked as if she hadn't slept in days. Surely, he couldn't be her cause for concern?
Once she reached him, silence hung over everyone like a wet blanket as he and Max stood there, staring each other down. Then, she brought one hand up and touched his face, almost as if she were making sure he was actually standing there. His eyes fell closed and he leaned ever so slightly into her touch. Alec then felt her hair tickle his cheek as she nuzzled her nose against his neck and he heard her inhale deeply before she backed away and dropped her hand to her side.
"Are you hurt?" she asked worriedly, looking for any visible injuries as she asked.
"I've had worse." he replied, still slightly unnerved by the crowd and more than a little confused by her actions. It was something similar to the way a mate responded when separated from their significant other for any prolonged period of time.
And he and Max weren't mated as far as he knew.
Lost in his thoughts, Alec never saw the punch coming.
One moment, Max was all worrisome and concerned for his well being and the next, he was on his back staring up at a seriously pissed off Max with a tremendous throb in his jaw.
And to think he'd almost forgotten how hard Max could hit.
"Where the hell have you been? We thought you were dead. Have you even turned on the news lately? There are reports of an unidentified transgenic male fitting your description being in a deadly accident. Some reports say it wasn't even an accident, but a cover-up for something more sinister. And then that vague call with no contact since…we assumed the worst. And there was no way to get out and discover the truth of the story. I've had Logan working nonstop for a lead as to your whereabouts. I was worried sick." Max fumed, her face contorted in anger with her hands balled into fists.
Alec merely stared up at her in a state of bemusement.
"First off, I think I'd know if I was dead." Alec replied sardonically, staring up at Max, "And second, you were worried about me?" Alec continued in a bewildered tone as the rest of her rant processed itself in his mind. He couldn't recall anyone ever really caring about him as a person. As millions of dollars worth of property, yes. But this…it was a pleasant feeling.
"Well, yes. We can't afford to lose anyone now." Max answered, deflating a little. Looking around at the crowd that had gathered, Max's eyes narrowed and said, "Don't you all have jobs to do?" The crowd immediately began to disperse.
Max held a hand out to him, which he grabbed and she hauled Alec up to his feet.
"Are you really okay? Perhaps we should stop by the med-center just in case." Max said, reverting to the concerned tone.
"Max, I'm fine. Really. That's why I've been gone for so long. I passed out and all but healed while unconscious. It's all mostly just scrapes and bruises. You know I'd never leave you." Alec answered, leaning his head to one side and scratching the back of his neck nervously and rubbed his jaw with his other hand.
"Sorry about the jaw. I was a little upset." Max apologized, gesturing to his face as they walked along.
"That's the understatement of the year." Alec stated as they made their way towards Max's office in the command center.
To his surprise, Max actually laughed a little before she caught herself and backhanded him in the arm.
"Seriously, where have you been?" Max asked after they walked along in silence for awhile.
"About that…" he paused as they walked into her office. Once she shut the door, he pulled his bag off and began digging through it. Max waited impatiently until he pulled out a small metallic cylinder. Placing his bag in a chair, he tossed the cylinder to Max. "This is for you." he finished.
Alec fought to keep his expression neutral as she looked at him doubtfully before opening the container. As she pulled the lid up, she found that the lid held five vials of a pale green, translucent liquid.
Looking back up at Alec, she held the lid out in front of her carefully and asked warily, "What is this?"
"It's the cure." Alec answered, cocking his head to one side.
"No it's not." Max countered, frowning at him. It didn't exist. Could it?
"Yes, it is." Alec argued, a grin tugging at his lips.
"No it isn't." Max repeated, a dubious look settling on her features.
"Max, take my word for it. That is the cure for the virus. One of the many, anyway." Alec said, shaking his head.
"How would you know?" Max asked quietly, holding the vials up in front of her face to gaze at them in wonder.
He frowned as he dredged up memories he thought he'd never have to share with her.
"Back at Manticore, part of the mission was being familiar with the virus and the cure. Its properties, its functions, its possible mutations, whatever. I knew every detail there was to know before I even met you." Alec explained leaning back against her desk with his arms and legs crossed. He then began to unload his entire plan and where he'd been the past week.
Once he finished, Max slid the lid carefully back into place and sat it on the desk. She then walked around her desk to stand in front of him.
"And you're sure that this is a cure?" Max asked, hope creeping into her voice.
"We should probably run a few tests first to be sure, but yeah. I'm positive." Alec said, standing up straight and placing his hands in his pockets, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly.
Rushing him, Max completely surprised him by jumping up on him and wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. Only by reflex did his arms wrap around her to secure her.
Hugging him fiercely, she said into his shoulder, "Thank you, Alec."
"You're welcome." Alec said, unsure as to how to reply to her reaction. This was totally off the charts as to what he expected.
Finally letting go of him, Alec then placed Max back on her feet. Staring into her eyes, he could swear he saw a slight sheen in them.
Twisting her fingers nervously, Max looked down for a moment before clearing her throat and looking back up.
"You have no idea what this means to me. Thank you so much." Max said, a slight smile on her lips.
Alec dipped his head in acknowledgment. He neglected to mention how he felt he owed her that and so much more. How do you tell a woman that you felt you owed the world, and more, to her?
"It was my pleasure. I'm gonna go get some rest." he said to break the tension, gesturing toward the door.
"Oh. Alright." Max replied, seemingly disappointed that he wanted to leave.
He nodded curtly and walked towards the door. When he reached the doorway, she called out his name. He stopped and looked back at her questioningly.
Her mouth opened as if to speak, but it closed and she said instead "It's nothing. Nevermind."
"See you around, Max." Alec said, continuing out the door. One day he'd figure it all out. Someday he'd let her know just how much she meant to him. But for now, his actions would have to be enough.
ooozooo*oooaoooo*ooomoo*ooouooo
I hope the switch from first to third person wasn't too confusing. Also, I probably took a few liberties with things such as their healing abilities and their animal nature. What can I say? I'm into that whole 'mate' and 'made for each other' stuff. I'm also a hopeless romantic. Even if it didn't necessarily go that far in this story. This is more like a laying the foundation type of story. I did try to keep it believable, if nothing else. I do plan on writing a companion sort of piece from Max's POV and past the end of this story. Hope you like and let me know what you think! WBL.