Disclaimer: I do not own Dominion, its locations, characters, plot, etc. I do own this cray idea and a love for angels, and a few characters thrown in
Summary: Six weeks post 1x04 The Flood, AU. Ever since Michal returned to Vega after being stabbed, some of the Corps soldiers noticed he wasn't always the stoic, aloof archangel Vega's known for years. And Alex is about to find out why. Also...William Whele has a secret to tell about a night that went normally to everyone else but was actually something much bigger.
To KitPerry and Asteria25: Thank you for the faves!
To Tuanzi: I don't know how he'd take that lol ;) Yeah, Michael's changing big time, in more ways than one. Thank you!
Chapter Eleven
Xxx
Michael's almost inaudible sigh as a hand went to his face in frustration barely made it to Alex's ears, mainly because Noma had dropped her cup, the glass shattering the second it hit the floor.
"Alex…"
He looked to his friend, Noma staring at his arms in panic, "Your sleeves…"
Alex's eyes dropped to his arms where his sleeves had been rolled up when Gabriel had asked to see the tattoos, he looked to Michael for help, but the archangel wouldn't meet his gaze.
"Oh fuck…"
Noma glared at him as he slowly stood to face his roommates, Ethan softly banging his head on the card table as Blake moved from the stove to be a part of the conversation.
"Alex...you screwed up big time…"
"I know…"
Caroline stepped forward before Carla or Eric could stop her, grabbing Alex's sleeve and shoving it up almost to his shoulder to reveal the winding black ink on his skin. He shuddered a little as her calloused fingers brushed over the markings.
"Dude...who did these tats? This must have taken hours...what you do get them after the Jubilee?" Caroline asked as she tugged at Alex's collar when the lines disappeared under his sleeves. Alex made it easier by just removing his vest and pulling off his shirt, ignoring the soft growl from Michael that only he and Noma heard.
Max's eyes narrowed further as he moved to lean against the back of the couch nearest them, arms crossing for something to do with his hands as he stared curiously, "I thought the only tattoo guy left in Vega stopped doing full body tats to save ink…"
Carla nodded, "Yeah, does no bigger than a person's hand...trying to make what's left last."
Alex sighed, head bowing in defeat, "They're not from the parlor, I've never even been to it."
"Yeah right," Mitch shook his head, "No way man, unless you found some holed up tattoo guy outside of Vega on one of your 'trips', those came from within the city."
Noma bit her lip, sighing through her nose loudly as Blake stepped out from the kitchen to look closer at the markings. The oldest soldier in the room, not counting Michael as a warrior, circled Alex cautiously, "They're not from the city…"
"What?"
"I said these aren't from anyone with a tattoo gun in Vega, and there's no way in hell he got them done after the Jubilee, the ink's settled in like it's been there for years."
Mitch snorted, "No way those were there for years, I've seen Alex in the showers, those are new."
Caroline scoffed, nudging Mitch lightly, "In the showers? What, been watching more than Alex's fighting in the barracks?"
"You wanting to compare notes on good lays Ryan?"
Eric's laugh rang out in the room, "Don't bother Caroline, Alex don't fuck guys...he leaves that to Noma or Claire Riesen."
Alex didn't dare look over his shoulder when he felt Michael's stare on his back, cringing internally at the lecture he knew would be coming later.
"Alright guys," Blake's tone left no room to argue, "You can argue about sleeping partners somewhere else...better question is what the hell are the tattoos... I don't think it's even ink…"
"They're not…"
Michael's tired voice made all of them turn, his gaze flicking up long enough to nod to Alex before his eyes closed again, Alex couldn't tell if it was from frustration or exhaustion as he leaned on one hand, covering his eyes as he listened to the conversation but remained out of it.
Alex sighed, arms dropping to his sides to keep him from self-consciously crossing his arms over his chest, "Yes...the tattoos are new...no, they're not ink…"
When that received only blank looks from the others, Alex scrubbed at his face with a hand, not sure how to continue. Luckily Blake was as quick as he was level-headed, eyes going vacant for a moment before he shook his head, "Jeep Hanson...he had the tattoos before you…"
"Yeah…"
"That means...whoa…" Alex almost laughed as Carla mulled over the words and then sort of tipped over and dropped to the floor.
"Well then…"
Noma moved to check her out while nudging Alex to continue, Eric spoke instead before he could get the chance, "The Chosen One...you're the reason why William Whele can't shut up at services."
"You go to services?"
"I was assigned as his guard….didn't exactly have a choice...man he could go on forever…"
"No different than his father...Consul David doesn't ever shut up when he's in his office…"
The easy teasing at the senate made the atmosphere of the room lighten up enough for Alex to lose the tension in his shoulders, sighing softly as he rubbed at the back of his neck and cleared his throat. "Uh...heh...yeah...the rumor about the Chosen One...Saviorism...William's talking about me...kinda didn't find out til the night of the Jubilee."
Eric held up his hands in slight panic, Mitch rolling his eyes at the antics, "Wait hold up, you're saying you're the Chosen One...the kid Michael saved two and a half decades ago?"
"Yes," said Michael as he shifted on his stool, looking over his shoulder briefly before turning away again, "Though I am beginning to question why."
That earned a genuine laugh from all of them, Michael glanced up as the soldiers relaxed, taunting Alex lightly as Caroline handed him back his shirt before they all dispersed, content with the knowledge of their unit mate.
That's what made the Archangel Corps the ultimate piece of protection in Vega, their loyalty, and level-headedness. Yes, Carla had fainted, but Michael also knew she had a tendency to lock her knees when listening to hard news, she'd gone down before during induction ceremonies. Rodriguez had constantly threatened to knock her back to the basic army, only Carter and Wills defending her skills in marksman ship and computer programming kept her at her rank. That and for such a tiny little soldier she packed a punch, Michael had tested her in training before, her kicks were solid and hard enough to leave serious marks on the best of men.
The archangel watched the soldiers, Noma and Caroline taking Carla to their bedroom, mainly because she was turning colors from embarrassment, Noma would handle their questions, and Eric's as he followed them briefly. The rumor around the barracks the last few weeks was Long was sweet on Hanson…
Blake returned to this stove, taking care of the last of the food he'd cooked, even though it would be gone within a couple hours when someone got hungry again. One thing Michael had learned and had argued with for hours with the Senate about allotting resources, was that the soldiers could eat almost constantly, came from being on such active duty.
Alex had replaced his shirt, dropping onto a chair in exasperation, the others following suite besides Max who went to sit just outside the door to at least look like one of them was on duty. Not that it mattered with Michael in the room with them, but if a random spot inspection came up, they'd be in trouble. Michael turned back to his plate, picking bite sized pieces off the rolls, the rice already eaten and so far not turning his stomach enough that he would stop. Both Uriel and Alex were right...he needed to keep eating, his stomach ached for and because of the food, and his abdomen was just sore in general, though that may have been from all the throwing up...he couldn't tell if the tenderness was from the new muscles or just over use.
The soldiers had settled to contented chattering, the guys gently probing at Alex but otherwise keeping to just general talk, it was something pleasant to listen to, and distract Michael as one of his hands dropped to his abdomen, rubbing lightly at the sore muscles beneath the skin and shirt.
It was easy to learn things if one was patient and quiet.
Eric Long and Mitch Dimaro were the basic soldiers, besides the fact between the two of them, they'd racked up more sniping points and actual eight-ball kills than any captain in the entire Corps. Neither had anything interesting about themselves other than Dimaro could juggle blades when drunk.
Max Angelo had nothing to say, he was basically the guard to be invisible and still get his job done, well that and his last name meant "of the angels" he'd tried to change it given the times, instead he'd gotten in big trouble with his mother who worked in the Agri-Towers, she and his grandmother refused to let him "ruin the family" by denying the name. Michael silently gave him credit for sticking with it.
As for the women, Carla Hanson was the fifth daughter in her family, and had more of a temper behind her sweet, quiet personality than anyone else in her household. All her sisters were either in medical or home goods. Caroline Ryan was the Corps clown, always testing authority and was no stranger to the whip. Only instead of Michael delivering her punishment, it was Captain Carter as the highest ranking female in the Corps, he may be strict but Michael would allow his soldiers their respect and dignity. Ryan was also one hell of a fighter, taking down sparring opponents more often than not.
Blake was the odd ball, only because no one used his first name, kept him separate from his family. Joshua Frederick Blake, son of Senator Marc Blake, the engineering specialist, he'd join the Corps as soon as he was old enough, staying out of politics as much as he was possibly able. Unfortunately, because of the unrest in the Senate, especially since the Jubilee disaster because of David Whele, and Frost's outburst and resulting death, he'd been dragged between his father the senator and his loyalty to the Corps to the point he'd run himself ragged soon. Michael had known Blake since the moment he'd stepped into the Barracks the second year after the Corps had been fully established, he was one of the best.
No surprise though, the Elite Unit that had been in the making after the assassination attempt two years ago had only been of the best soldiers, ones to get in and out and be successful. Since then they'd lost a handful of the original soldiers, but Alex fit in nicely, as did Connors who was the top knife fighter.
Michael shifted on the stool, downing the last of the water and coughing a little as he nudged his empty plate away, a bit surprised he'd managed to get that much food down. The girls exited the bedroom, taking Alex's chair when he stood. All three girls squeezed onto one chair, Michael was entirely sure how, but to be honest he'd seen some of his younger sisters do the same thing so it shouldn't still surprise him. Someone started the conversation about Blake's cooking-leading to mutual complaining about V-2 rations in general, it might have been Max from the doorway, Michael hadn't been paying close enough attention to be honest, his stomach was rolling again and he was almost praying he wouldn't be sick.
Alex's hand was on his shoulder a minute later, quietly getting his attention, "C'mon...don't sit alone…at least appear to relax."
Michael complied, standing slowly and moving to the free couch next to Blake's claimed armchair, he was silently grateful that Alex kept a hand at his back, not entirely sure if he could remain on his feet even the short distance from the stool to the sunk in seating area. He sunk to the seat with a sigh, straightening as Alex jumped onto the back of the couch to sit on it with his feet on the cushions, Blake threw a book at him to get him to sit properly.
The talking drifted as they sat there, Michael never speaking but silently enjoying the peace and how easy this unit just accepted things as they were.
He honestly didn't notice his eye lids growing heavier the longer he sat there, leaning back against the cushions slowly until he vaguely realized his head was resting against the back cushion before his body gave in to the fatigue.
Xxx
Alex knew the minute Michael was gone, asleep next to him and oblivious to the talking still going on. Blake saw it immediately as well, lowering his voice in response and the others soon followed. When it was obvious Michael wasn't waking up anytime soon, they slowly dispersed, most to bed; Max, Ethan, and Carla were called to the barracks for their rotation of weapon checks, new units meant all schedules got botched and redone. Alex waited until the last door had shut down the hallways to ensure the others had left before he turned to the archangel.
Even now in sleep Michael didn't look at peace, still tense and pale. Alex was just glad he'd not only joined them for food but had stayed longer, accepting the fact that this unit was his. And not just as security…
Blake shifted in his chair, leaning on a hand to better watch Michael.
"He doesn't sleep easily."
Alex shook his head, clearing his throat to ensure his voice remained low, "Yeah...not hard to wake him up, don't think he realized how out of it he was."
"Still is, been pretty down last couple weeks. Ryan wasn't the only one taking bets Alex, half the Corps was on edge with how Michael's been acting. They're not the only ones either, the senate has been getting antsy for awhile, now that they have an answer...they're looking for a fight."
"Damn…"
Blake nodded, standing slowly as the chair rocked on the floor, Michael shifted a little at the thuds, but didn't stir. "Gotta be honest Alex, you being the Chosen One and Michael being pregnant...we just gotta keep him safe, insanity is going to be no matter what. Have Ryan or Mack write out the codes for you and Connors in the morning and catch you up with the old Elite Unit, gotta get everyone on the same page. Right now I don't think he'll wake up as comfortable as he fell asleep…"
"Nah," Alex stood carefully, contemplating how likely it would be Michael would be pissed if disturbed, "Hey...Michael…"
The archangel sighed in his sleep, the hand on the arm of the couch dropping to rest over his stomach protectively, something Alex had been seeing him do often the last few days.
Blake bit back a chuckle, moving forward slowly to pull one of Michael's arms over his shoulders, Alex copied him when the archangel didn't even wake, too exhausted to even notice as their free arms slid behind his back to ease him upright, he did stir enough to remain somewhat on his feet, but other than that he was dead weight.
"I'd have said leave him there, but sleeping like that's gonna make him hurt."
Alex adjusted his grip, careful not to bang his legs on the coffee table as they began to slowly walk Michael back to his room, the archangel almost completely limp in their arms. "And you know this how?"
Blake snickered, "I was seventeen when my mom had my sister, she had a habit of reading on the couch until either I or my dad got back to the suites at night, usually she'd be asleep if one of us was out late. Once she was pregnant though, she couldn't sleep like that or her back would be hurting too bad."
With a soft grunt as he lightly kicked Michael's door open, Alex nodded, hissing in air softly as he had to maneuver sideways so all three of them would fit without knocking into the frame. "Damn he's heavy."
A soft grunt of agreement was all Blake let out, muttering under his breath as he narrowly avoided walking into the chair holding Michael's swords. "It's only going to get worse…."
"Yeah yeah...I'm just glad he's deadweight 'cause he's asleep, not bleeding out…"
Blake winced, "Yeah, that must have been a shitty drive…"
"You're tellin' me."
"Mhm...hey, think you can hold him for sec or want me to?"
"Nah," Alex shifted his arm, stabilizing the archangel carefully, "I got him."
Blake nodded, easing away before going to pull the blankets back, Michael shifted against Alex, eye lids fluttering before he tensed in Alex's arms.
"Hey...take it easy...Michael it's me...Michael…."
The archangel groaned softly, relaxing after a minute of struggling as the words made through his sleep heavy mind, even mostly out of it Alex had struggled to avoid outright dropping the archangel, as amusing as that would have been.
Michael let them just about manhandle him onto the bed, the loss of body heat as they started to let go waking him enough to at least lay down on his own, unconscious the second his head hit the pillow. Blake simply eased his boots off before Alex tugged the sheet up to the archangel's chest, both leaving when Michael didn't move again.
Alex let out a sigh as he eased the door shut, wincing at the loud click of the lock as it echoed in the hallway. "Man...that was harder than it looked…"
The older soldier beside him nodded in agreement, stretching carefully before pulling his ear piece from his pocket, "Yeah, I gotta feeling that won't be the only time...go ahead and catch come shut eye, I'll take shift til Ethan gets back for his."
"Thanks man."
He turned away to leave, Blake stopping him, "Hey Alex...your secret's safe with us…"
"What?"
Blake shifted, cocking a weak grin, "The Corps is a better family than my own...especially Unit Six...once you're in you don't get out, and we don't leave anyone behind...I hope you realize that."
Nodding gratefully and a little shell shocked, Alex headed to bed, relishing in the quiet that had taken over the rooms, not having to worry about someone on a different shift finding it amusing to bother him.
Laying down on the empty bed, listening to Connors soft snoring, Alex relaxed...truly relaxed, feeling content enough and trusting enough to relax his guard, thinking maybe…
Things will be looking up...things would get better...
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