Where Loyalty Lies
Disclaimer: I don't own neither Roswell, nor Dark Angel.
Category: Roswell/Dark Angel XO
Rating: ADULT
Pairings: Liz/Alec, Max/Raed, Maria/Zack, Krit/Syl
Summary: Takes place after series finale of DA and Departure on Roswell- except Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess all left for Antar; set in DA timeline. When White and his agents get a trace on Liz they come after her and everyone she knows. Kyle is killed along with her parents and the Sheriff. Fleeing for their lives, Liz takes Maria to the one place she has heard of rebellion, where her sister is the leader of 'their' kind. Nothing is certain, but for a supersolid and her Ordinary friend- loyalty is their only protection.
Chapter Fourteen
Liz stood outside the TC bar struggling with the decision to go in. She had promised herself she wouldn't come- she wasn't going to jump just because Alec said jump. But then she had rethought her decision. She could go to the bar, tell Alec to back off, and then go on with her life. Now that she stood in front of the bar door she couldn't make her feet move.
Narrowing her eyes in determination, Liz reached for the door and swiftly- before she could change her mind- stepped through. She spotted him immediately. He was hustling a few transgenics in a game of pool. Liz watched him bend over the pool table and let her eyes wander over his backside. The soldier was fit.
After sinking the last ball in a corner pocket, Alec stood tall and shook his head.
"Sorry boys, that's game."
The two X operatives that were playing him in a handicap game turned red and snapped their pool sticks in two before turning on Alec.
"You cheated," the first said. His bald head shone in the light hanging from the ceiling above the pool table.
"Fellas, we played a nice game, let's not ruin it with a show of poor sportsmanship," Alec replied. Liz noticed that his legs were tense and his eyes were
scanning the surrounding bar for a weapon. No doubt he could take them on regardless, but it was second nature to have a weapon at hand.
"What do you take us for? A couple of idiots? We know when we've been hustled," said the second one- he was shorter and his build was more for endurance than offense.
Liz crept along the side of the wall, down behind the bar and passed a few bar hands who were watching the spectacle with interest. Inside the ring, outside the ring- a fight was a source of entertainment.
Grabbing a couple of dull knives from under the bar, Liz made her way out the other side of the bar and around the pool table. Alec spared her a glance, the two transgenics barely turned in her direction, and she made it behind them. She moved in a flash of speed and lowered the knives from her sleeves and up against the back of their skulls.
"Throw down the pool sticks- now," Liz warned.
"Back off bitch," came the bald one's reply.
"Say please and I might not shove this blade up through your skull and into what little brain cells you may have," she threatened and pressed the blade sharply under the skin of both men.
They both dropped their broken sticks. Liz pulled back the blades and held them at the ready. "What are your designations?"
"X5-877," said the short one.
"X5-876," said the bald one.
"Expect a visit from Max. Now get lost," Alec ordered, arms folded, usual smirk in place.
Once the two took off, Liz tossed the knives at a nearby dart board and hit the bull's-eye both times. The sound of the knives clanging together thrummed through the air, and one of the volunteer waitresses went over to take them down. She smirked at Liz and nodded.
"Look at you coming to the rescue," Alec spoke up for the first time to her, coming to lean against the pool table right in front of her.
"Look at you getting into trouble as usual," Liz sniped back. "You know, I haven't known you long, but I have a feeling this is a regular activity. Correct me if I'm wrong."
"See I like a woman who's observant," he said, charming smile in place.
"You are always so cocky."
"Come on play a game," Alec offered, picking up his old stick and tossing her a new one. Liz knew she was swimming dangerous waters, but she kicked aside the broken remains of the other two sticks and joined him.
"Hey sweetheart, can we get a pitcher of beer?" Alec requested as the next waitress walked by. She winked at him with a nod and went on her way.
"I don't drink," Liz informed him, taking the chance to break.
"Why is that? We don't begrudge anyone a beer."
Liz took stock of the table as it was, and then took her shot. She sank two stripes and scratched. She rolled her eyes when Alec wagged his eyebrows at her and took his turn.
"I don't handle my liquor well." That was an understatement. Liz used to be able to knock back drinks like a champ- that was her one solace when she hit her teen years and her heat kicked in. Then Max healed her and with her next drinking session she discovered that it only increased her sexual tension. Nothing made her hotter than a shot of Jack and a smooth pick up line. It was then she swore off drinking.
"You don't handle your liquor well? You're an X5, I'm sure you knock 'em back like a pro. What you don't like to loosen up? Come on, what's one beer?" Alec galled her, handing her a mug full of frothy liquid.
Liz knew she shouldn't, but looking down into the beer- one of her favorite drinks- she was tempted. She could have one. One wouldn't do anything. She would just have one.
Alec sank three balls, did a jump shot, and then winked at her before getting another. He was on a roll, and Liz knew that if he didn't scratch soon, she was done for. She hated losing, especially to someone like Alec. He sank another and then another and all he had left was one more of his balls and the eight ball. Liz crossed her fingers, and at the next shot he sank one of her balls and the white.
Indulging in a long pull, Liz drained half her beer, and then picked up her cue before taking stock of the table. She had a lot of clear shots, and she took them one at a time, but scratched two balls before she could finish.
"Why did you make me a CO? You know that no one here really wants me here. You knew I would have problems," questioned Liz. She took another pull and finished off her mug.
"Looked like you enjoyed that beer, have another. And to answer your question; how do you think anyone around here is going to learn to accept you? We all need to work together and that means they need to accept you. Being a CO you earn respect. Besides, you're a strong leader," Alec complimented and poured more beer from the pitcher into her mug.
"Anyone around here that has a problem with me can either say it to my face, or keep it to themselves. I don't need to be a CO." Liz argued back and against her better judgment, took another drink from her mug.
"You know you fight everything and everyone? What you been on the run so long you can't accept having a place where you don't have to be a hard-ass all the time?" Alec sank the eight ball and called it game. "Another game?"
"Rank them up. I'm not a hard-ass," Liz denied, then checked herself. He was right. Liz stopped knowing how to have fun a while back, even Maria had noticed. Her best friend. Liz felt her body warming up and her head was beginning to feel light-headed. She should stop. Right after she finished her second drink.
"De Nile is a river in Egypt."
"How clever. You going to quote clichés at me all night now?" Liz said, but her shoulders relaxed and she rolled her neck. It felt good to have a drink.
"Why don't we put a bet on this one?" Alec asked, pouring more beer into her mug- signaling the waitress for another pitcher after his third glass.
Polishing off her third and final drink, Liz nodded. She watched him bend over to break and bit her lip before shaking her head to knock some sense into herself. This was ridiculous she needed to stop thinking about him and his muscles and how well sculpted he was.
"What did you want to bet?" asked Liz. She tried to defer the offer of a refill from the waitress, but Alec took the pitcher from the volunteer's hands and poured it into Liz's mug himself, then refilled his own.
"I don't think I should have anymore."
"You've only had three," Alec blew that off. It took at least seven before he even felt a remote buzz.
Liz sighed and gave him a look before taking a gulp to get rid of the head on the beer. She decided that if she was going to drink it, she needed some lime.
"Excuse me, you have any limes?" Liz called to the male X5 behind the bar. He nodded and brought over a small dish of sliced limes. "Thanks."
"I thought you don't drink?" Alec asked with a smirk, and tossed her her cue. Liz caught it deftly and ignored him.
"So this bet?"
"You win, I leave you along," Alec told her.
"And if you win?" Liz questioned, drinking her beer with the newly sliced lime.
"You stop fighting this and let what ever is happening between us happen," Alec stated, staring right into her eyes. Liz felt his electric stare all the way down her body, and every nerve in her body jumped.
"That's ridiculous," Liz told him, but she was considering it.
"You afraid to lose?" he taunted.
"Afraid?" Liz scoffed, and downed the rest of her drink. Instead of waiting for him to pour her another drink, Liz took the pitcher herself and filled the
mug to the top- making sure not to build a head.
"Yeah, afraid," Alec reiterated, sinking another ball.
"Okay fine," Liz agreed.
"Great." Alec smiled devilishly and then began to sink ball after ball. Apparently he had been holding back. Liz watched him closely and bit her lip as he showed off with a few fancy shots. She had the sinking feeling she had been had. When looked up at her as he went to sink the eight ball he gave her his most
seductive smile, and Liz grabbed up one of the lime wedges and sucked it dry.
Unfortunately for Alec, he scratched. Intentional or not, he scratched and it was over. Liz had won. The look on Liz's face was incredulous- he had had such a good streak, it was weird that he had lost. Liz stared for a few moments when she heard Alec sigh and pick up his jacket, getting ready to leave. Realization hit her that he was about walk out of her life, for good. She should feel secure. She should feel relieved- it made distancing herself easier. But she felt none of those things.
"Alec wait," Liz yelled when he reached the door. She stood up from the stool she had been sitting on, and her balance was flimsy at best. Shaking her head to clear it, Liz fought her inebriation and made her way over to him.
"What?" Alec asked.
"I don't want you to leave me alone," Liz said. She didn't think she could say what she wanted just then, not yet. But she knew that she would be the stupidest person in the world to walk away from whatever was between them. In a broken world people had to take happiness where they could get it.
"You don't?" he asked.
"No, I don't." Leaning up on tiptoes, Liz took the dive and pressed her lips against his. It felt so good, so freeing, and the next moment, Liz was hoisting herself up around his waist- locking her legs around him tightly. Her hands gripped at his head, tugging at his hair, focusing all her attention on the feel of
him.
His tongue came out to play, his hands coming around her- gripping her ass tightly- pulling her more tightly against him. Their mouths were meshed hard together, and the force was intense. Liz was sinking further into the sensual cloud of lust that had risen up inside her, and it was blanking out her reservations and denials.
Her fingers twisted in his hair, messing it, and then they broke apart for air. Alec held her close still as they breathed harshly, cleaving to one another. They didn't want to break apart, they didn't want to let go, but it registered in both their minds that Liz had had too much to drink.
"I need air," Liz whispered, hands still in his hair.
"Hold on," Alec said unnecessarily.
Alec walked backward out the bar entrance, and reached up to make sure Liz ducked her head while clinging to him. Cool night air hit them both, and Liz hissed at the sensation. The caress of the wind against her sweaty, heated skin caused goose bumps to raise up along her arms, and all of her muscles to clench.
"Better?" he questioned.
Liz was incapable of speech, but she nodded. Slowly, Alec released her and she slid gently down his front. When her feet touched ground, Liz leaned her head against his chest.
"You are a lightweight, huh?" Alec chuckled, but his arms rubbed her back in soothing circles.
"After I was healed when I was younger, my body stopped adapting to alcohol so well. I heal faster, but for some reason, I picked up a weakness with drinking. I don't understand it….because my liver should be working at optimum level," explained Liz, her speech was slurred slightly, and her head was still light. She wanted him, but she held her desire on a short leash.
"Let's get you to bed," Alec stated.
"Yours?" Liz purred. She knew she shouldn't bait him, but she couldn't help it- her body was still alive with his touch.
He chuckled his usual chuckle, but it was strained. Liz knew that he had a bulge in his pants that wanted to say yes, but he merely shook his head and escorted her back toward the infirmary. She was still staying their with Maria. Liz just couldn't bring herself to leave her friend.
They walked together for a few blocks, but Liz couldn't help but to zigzag slightly back and forth. Her balance wasn't the best, and finally Alec swept her up in his arms- despite her strong protests. They struggled against one another for a moment, but Liz gave in.
Turning down a dark alleyway, Alec decided on a shortcut. The sooner Liz got to bed, the better. The further they went into the alley, the more Liz felt endangered. Something was wrong. Something was completely wrong.
"Alec," Liz whispered, "stop."
"What is it?" he asked impatiently, halting his movement halfway down the alley. There were two streetlights, one at each end of the alley and a dim wall
sconce against the brick building to their right.
"I sense something."
"You sense something?" came his skeptical reply.
Liz didn't respond, she jumped out of his arms- her mind still cloudy, but her body sobering up quickly. The thick fog that wanted to overtake her mind was hard to keep at bay, but Liz knew something wasn't right.
Crouching down on all fours, Liz waited. She scoped her surroundings, and heard Alec mumbling behind her before taking fighting stance. Liz spotted a metal pipe to her left in the shadows and knew her next move. The attack came fast. The two transgenics dropped from the roofs of both buildings in the shadows and rushed them. Alec was surprised- despite Liz's warning, but managed to catch a fist to his face.
Liz lunged between the legs of the second man and rolled to the side, snatching up the pipe and then did a back flip into a standing position. The X5 came at her with a knife, and Liz slammed herself against the building wall to avoid the blade. Bringing up the pipe, she slashed it downward and heard the resounding crack against her assailants wrist. The man hollered in pain, but quickly sent a roundhouse kick her way, and Liz didn't duck out in time. His foot caught her right side and she slammed back again into the building.
Alec shouted something to her, but she couldn't hear him. The X came at her again and she brought her arms up to shield her before dropping down to lunge between his legs again, but her move wasn't fast enough and the male caught her left leg and pulled her back- lifting her clean off the ground to hang upside down.
Blood rushed to her head, and the fog crept up on her. She wanted to sink into the darkness threatening to overwhelm her, but Liz fought it. Curling up, Liz steadied herself, and smashed her elbow back into his face. The X dropped her, and Liz landed with a thud on her back.
Coughing violently, Liz rolled onto her stomach and back onto her knees. She attempted to crawl away when the operative again grabbed for her ankle and pulled her back. Her shirt rode up and scraped against the gravelly pavement, tearing at her delicate flesh.
Liz turned to get a look at him and realized it was the bald man from earlier at the bar. Gritting her teeth, Liz kicked out at his face, and was satisfied with the sound of his nose crunching. He already had a black eye from her elbow. Jumping to her feet, Liz brought her foot down on his crotch and let it sit there while she stared him down.
"You didn't get enough earlier?" Liz bit out.
"Stupid bitch," Liz heard from behind her, and the next thing she knew she was being flung down across the alley and into the streetlight. Coughing up a little blood, Liz looked back to see that both the men had turned their attention to Alec. Gaining her balance, Liz raced down the pavement and threw herself onto the back of the short, brown haired man. He shouted out in stunned surprise, and Liz gripped him around the neck. Instinct took over, and Liz gave a hard twist, the sound of his neck snapping halting all movement.
Alec took that moment to give a well placed upper-cut to the bald man, knocking him out cold. He faced Liz and watched as the body dropped to the pavement. One dead, one injured.
"Liz, are you alright?" Alec asked, coming over to check her out.
Liz nodded numbly. She hated killing. She had done it many times, in many ways, but it had never sat well with her.
"I'm sorry you were thrown. That one twisted out of my hold and got my side with a knife. I was stunned for a moment."
"I'm fine," Liz responded. She assessed his side and nodded at it. "You should get that looked at."
"Let's get out of here," Alec told her, picking up the passed out form of the bald X5.
Liz nodded and followed. She had a hard time walking to the infirmary, the fog thickening up around her again, and her fatigue only adding to the problem. They made it into the infirmary and Alec told one of the medics what happened and to keep the passed out male subdued. Another took a look at Alec's side.
Walking over to her own cot, Liz glanced down at her torn up stomach, and touched a hand to her bloody lip. Glancing over to make sure Alec was okay, Liz laid down on her cot- Maria passed out beside her- and drifted off. She would deal with the aftermath tomorrow.