Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel or any characters featured in either of the seasons.
With Ben In Between
A.N: Thanks for all the reviews!
--One Week After Leaving Seattle--
After seeing Max and everything that had happened in Seattle, Alec finally found the courage to open the last box of his brother's belongings. The box contained private things of Ben's that Alec could never stomach going through, until now. Over two years later.
The first thing Alec saw was a thick bound album with papers sticking every which way from side it. Opening it Alec felt a wave of emotions, on the first page was the last picture ever taken of him with Ben. They both had their arms around each other and were smiling to the camera. He remembered when it was taken. Two day's before they found out that Ben wasn't eligible for field operative work, two day's before he saw his brother for the last time.
Taking a deep breath, Alec flicked through the pages. Most of what he saw were certificates of awards or letters from Manticore. It wasn't until he got to the middle of book that Alec felt more emotions. An entire page was of news clippings about Manticore, about him. By each clipping was little notes written in his brother's handwriting, notes that said things like 'I'm proud of him.' 'Wish I had been there.' 'Way to go.' Just things like that, but it meant so much to him. After reading each one he continued to flip through the pages. Some had pictures of Ben with strangers, some were of Ben and him in training or with common friends. At the back of the book was letters, his letters that he had sent Ben trying to reconcile with him. Ones he had never known if Ben had received or not. Seeing them opened and obviously read, made Alec somewhat happy to know his brother had received his letters and read them. If only he knew what he had thought.
Closing the album, Alec found random things that made little sense to him, notes or reminders to do things. As he worked his way to the bottom of the box Alec felt like he re connecting with his brother for the first time in so long. Towards the bottom there were several rolls of un processed film, which Alec doubted were any good at this point. But figured maybe he'd get them processed, see what his brother saw through a camera lens. There were letters addressed to Ben from businesses, commending his artwork and praising his talent from behind the camera. Who'd thought that the perfect soldier, through and through, was an artist in the making? Alec smiled, knowing Ben had found something to be passionate about, outside of Manticore, this knowledge made him happy.
At the very bottom of the box was a lone envelope, with his name and address on the front. A letter for him from Ben? Picking it up Alec's hand began to shake, what was inside?