By Shikasta
Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU
Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.
Italics = flashback
Chapter Twenty – New LifeAlec sat nervously waiting for news his leg shaking as he nibbled away at his thumb. Beside him sat Hope impatiently "How much longer daddy?" she asked.
He pulled Hope into his lap, nuzzled and kissed her hair "Who knows" he chuckled. As he waited sadness crept over him because there was so much of Hope's life he had missed. He never got to hold her as a baby, watch her first steps or hear her first words, there were memories he had missed and would never have.
Max came in and sat beside them and softly asked "Any news yet?"
"No, does it always take this long?" he was nervous and Max laughed, "It takes as long as it has too, sweetie" she said kissing his cheek. The three of them seated there was a perfect cameo moment a happy family that frantically waited and would be joined by one more.
Alec passed Hope to Max then stood up and began to pace "I don't think I could go through this again" he tossed into the air and Max frowned "that's a shame" she commented.
"Why" he spun around an excited glint in his eye.
"Whoa hold on there stud" she joked "I know your prime breeding stock but no I don't have any happy news to share, it's just with the twins you weren't there, I just use to think I wouldn't mind having a third with you around."
Alec walked over, pulled her and Hope into a giant bear hug and grinned cheekily "When the current state of affairs is over and we have freedom we're gonna have so much fun making a baby aren't we Maxie!"
"Spoken like a true leader Alec," she joked, "Mole's waiting outside with the cigars by the way apparently its tradition or something."
They continued their vigil Alec not so nervous now that Max was with him, she had a calming affect that he would never understand.
In six months a vast number of things had changed the main one being the transgenic nation had control of Seattle, not through war but through humanity's own fear. Once it became apparent the large volume of mutants had entered the city a mass evacuation alert went out and over one million humans migrated some leaving Seattle for the first time in their lives. Now there were roughly 4,000 humans left all staying for an eclectic mix of reasons. The transgenics took control of the checkpoints throughout Seattle and made the city their own. Alec found this all highly amusing for they had got Seattle and no demands were ever made. His people now had the foundations to build a home and create a self sufficient society of course they were surrounded by an entire country who hated and feared them but that was a problem to solve another day.
The quiet was broken by the sound of a little boy entering the world with all the spunk of his father.
Ivy ran to the medical waiting room looking frazzled and there stood Alec, Max, Hope and Mole holding a fist full of cigars "It's a boy Alec, and Layla's fine" hardly able to contain her excitement.
Mole quickly slapped Alec on the back, stuffed a cigar in his mouth and said "Way to go pretty boy" then headed out to announce the news to the throng of waiting transgenics.
Alec removing the cigar turned to Max "I have a son!" he was frozen to the spot in mild shock and all Max and Ivy could do was laugh.
"Do you want to see him" Ivy asked through the giggles and Alec could only manage a vigorous nod "Follow me."
"I'll wait here with Hope" Max informed him but Alec had different plans and grabbed both their hands dragging them with him.
Alec tentatively stood in the doorway watching Layla cradle their son her face beaming she looked up and waved him in "he has your eyes" she smiled "Do you want to hold him?"
Alec nodded and moved to the side of the bed where Layla tenderly placed the small infant in his arms and as Alec held his fragile son he wept "He's so beautiful" touching his small face ever so gently afraid he would break.
"Where's Max and Hope?" Layla asked looking towards the door.
"We're right here" Max replied walking into the room with Hope beside her, this was Alec's family, a strange one but still his. He went to give the baby back to Layla but she said "Max do you want to hold him?"
"I would love to" and gently took the baby from Alec's arms then she said to Hope "come and meet your baby brother" bending down carefully to show her daughter the baby.
"He's so small" Hope whispered, "can I play with him?"
"Maybe when he's bigger" Layla giggled and as Max gently rocked the newborn she asked, "So what are you going to call him?"
"Toby" Layla announced taking the child back from Max.
Thaddeus stood at the door smirking at the sight of this gawking family and he felt bad that he was going to have to break it up but Max and he had to leave.
He tapped on the doorframe "Sorry to break this up guys, but Max we really should go"
Max turned "I know just give me a moment Thad"
"Sure thing" he said before leaving the room.
Max knelt in front of Hope who was trying to wipe away tears and be brave, as mummy had asked her "Please stay mummy" she snivelled.
"You know I can't Hope, I have to find your sister" Max soothed as her heart broke, "I love you, never forget that" as she tapped Hope's nose "anyway you'll be too busy to miss me helping Layla with the baby."
"I'll never miss you mummy" the little girl whimpered clinging to her mother's neck. Max stood up hugging her daughter not wanting to let go but knowing she had to. Alec good she the pain in her eyes and together they removed Hope's vice like grip and passed her to Ivy to hold.
Alec removed a stray strand of hair from Max's face "stay safe."
"The same goes to you, and don't worry Thaddeus has got my back"
"It should be me though" he pushed.
"But it can't be this time, I can't worry about both my children if Hope is here with you and Layla I can focus on what needs to be done" she cupped his cheek with her hand "anyway we'd probably kill each other" she joked.
Alec pulled Max into a crushing hug easing up only slightly to kiss her softly "there's just never enough time to say goodbye" he whispered.
"We're not saying goodbye my love" she squeezed him them removed herself from his grip. While Alec retrieved Hope from Ivy, Max walked over to Layla.
"Take care of them, I'm entrusting you with my family" Max gently ordered.
"You don't have to ask, they're my family too, you're my family Max" and Layla grabbed Max's hand and squeezed it for support.
"And take care of this little one" Max whispered as she leaned to kiss Toby's tiny hand.
She headed for the door then stood looking at her family taking a mental picture before leaving, for how long she didn't know. She blew them all one final kiss then disappeared.
Max ran outside the building to where Thaddeus was waiting "You ready?" she asked.
"Let's do this already" He replied.
"You can stay here you know" Max said giving him an out.
"What and miss all the fun, anyway once I start something I kinda like to finish it" he joked and they both turned and headed for the exit they would be leaving through.
Alec ran up after them and pulled Thaddeus aside "Take care of her for me."
Thaddeus looked towards Max "Somehow I think she'll be taking care of me, but you have my word" and Alec watched them leave his heart constricting afraid that this would be his last memory of Max.
Alec stood there for a while trying to process the emotions of pain and joy he was feeling. Luke walked cautiously up to him and snapped the leader out of his reverie.
"Boss, I think you should come and see this" Luke muttered then lead Alec to central operations.
A crowd had gathered around one of the television screens that constantly showed news footage of the day and Alec stood there with his people watching the events that were unfolding.
A female reporter stood in a field behind her were soldiers, tanks and other military vehicles she spoke into the camera "I'm standing outside the city of Seattle where military forces are now gathering. It's been six months since transgenics converged on Seattle in the thousands and humans evacuated the city. In a brief statement today General Farr informed the public not to be afraid and that the military will now be taking decisive action against this threat."
The footage then flicked to see General Farr giving a press conference "We will not allow these transgenics to hold this country to ransom" he shouted slamming his fist on the podium.
Back to the newswoman "After six months of waiting the military now intend to take back Seattle. Back to you in the studio Jeff"
Alec piqued up trying to lighten the mood "Well it's not like we weren't expecting it" and as cheers rang out in support of their leader Alec snuck away to be with the remaindered of his family still in TC.
THE END
A/N Well that's all folks. Only kidding it's now time for the second instalment Alec's war but you might have to give me a few days considering I now have to figure out this darn war I've created. I know you've all enjoyed An Echo of What Was and I expect you all to tune into the second part. When I say a few day's it might be tomorrow just depends how fast my brain works, you all know me speedy updater.
Oh and any questions not answered now will be answered in the next part, and all your favourite characters will be back, with possibly some new ones to mush over.
Deb1, ting, panda007, m/a fan, candyabble, sassycanuck, SGOU, acb, carebear369369, silsecri, Rachel, lakergirl, ganko, Helen, scifichick, walzywoo, willow98002, JG, Wendy, tinystiny, Drey, Jessica, cesium – you all get a big hug from me for reviewing, for those of you who understood the chapter Alec's Betrayal an even bigger hug.
This is Shikasta signing off until next time.