Disclaimer: Nope, last time I looked in a mirror I wasn't James Cameron or anyone else lucky enough to own Dark Angel.

Summary: Sequel to "Then it comes to be." The cult loonies are gone but the transgenics have other problems to deal with, not to mention a whole civilization to build. M/A

Rating: R because of occasional violence and sex.

AUTHOR NOTE: Sorry guys, I don't mean to drive you crazy by changing this chapter over and over. To keep things simple, I'm posting the NC-17 version of this story on NWP. That way everybody's happy, and I don't get any complaints about crossing the line between R and NC-17. Cuz I still don't know what the difference is. Anyway, if you want all the smutty, sexy details go to http://nunswithpens.hyperboards.com/ J

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Everyone looked up from what they were doing and stared at Alec when he walked into HQ later that morning. They were grinning at him like fools. His eyes flickered down at his body. *Yep, I did remember to put pants on this morning* he thought.

"What's going on?" he said, almost afraid to ask.

"Logan just left. He's wading through the sewers at this very moment," Conner said, rubbing his hands together with glee.

Alec couldn't stop himself from breaking into a huge smile. "Gee, that's too bad," he said, his eyes dancing with delight.

"Yeah, I'm really gonna miss that guy. His cheerful attitude, his sense of humour, his blind obedience…" Dix said with a sigh, and wiped away a mock tear.

Alec chuckled. He looked at the closed door of Max's office and debated whether he should go in. She hadn't sent for him, which meant she probably wasn't ready to see to him yet. He could only trust that it would all work out, and that she would come to him when she was ready. He flopped down in his chair at the conference table with a sigh and put his feet up. He was going over the supply list for the 20th time when he heard Dix yell excitedly, "Max! The trucks are here!"

She hurried out of her office and ran across the room to check the closed-circuit TV monitors. She stifled a giggle and walked over to Alec. "C'mon," she said with a grin. "You have to check this out."

He scanned her face, trying to gauge her mood. Her eyes were red and he could tell she'd been crying but she was obviously trying to act as if nothing was wrong. *Fine,* he thought. *I'll take my cue from her. Don't I always?* Aloud he said "it's just the food, Max."

She tugged at his hand, trying to get him to his feet. "Are you so sure about that? Trust me, you want to check out this shipment personally."

"Max, what're you up to?" he asked suspiciously.

"You have to go outside to find out. C'mon!"

Alec looked from her to the big grin on Dix's face. His curiosity peaked and he allowed her to pull him to his feet. He craned his neck to get a glimpse at the TV monitors but Max hauled him outside before he could make anything out. Everyone else followed on their heels. The two trucks had stopped outside HQ. Alec stared in shock at the contents of the second vehicle. It was a flat bed truck, and tied down in the back was a baby grand piano. His gaped at it, unable to believe his eyes. He turned to see Max grinning at him like the Cheshire cat.

It went better than she'd expected. Alec's mouth was open in shock and he was speechless. She loved the look of delight that was shining in his eyes. He looked like a little kid on Christmas morning who just got every item on his list. She was thrilled that she was able to do something to make him that happy.

"And I found the perfect place to put it, too," she said. "It's all ready for you."

They followed along behind the truck as it headed for the building Max had chosen, their hands linked. Alec couldn't stop smiling.

A large crowd had gathered around them when the truck arrived. Alec wondered just how many of them had known what Max was up to. There was certainly no shortage of eager hands willing to help unload their commander's present. Dixon supervised the process. Carefully they lifted the piano off the truck and set it down on the pavement outside the building. They turned it on its side so it would fit and then slowly eased it through the door and up the stairs. Dix guided them up to the top floor, walking backward ahead of them. He was terrified the piano might slip from their grasp and bang against the walls. After a lot of struggling they finally got it up to the penthouse suite and set it down in the middle of the living room floor.

The room Max had chosen had once been beautiful. It was finished in hardwood, with a gas fireplace along one wall and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. The mantle of the fireplace was cracked now and several of the windows were broken and boarded over, but the roof was sound and the acoustics were excellent. Dix carefully unwrapped the protective covers and propped open the lid. The piano gleamed in the dim light. Alec lifted their linked hands and kissed the back of Max's hand. "You are an amazing woman," he said. "Thank you."

She smiled and let go of his hand. She gave him a gentle push towards the piano. He sat down on the stool and ran his fingers along the keys tenderly.

"Alright, everyone out. Let's leave him alone with his baby." She shooed them all out. They tromped noisily down the stairs. She paused for a minute at the door and listened as he started to play. The music was so beautiful that she wanted to stay there and listen, but she reluctantly closed the door. He hadn't asked her to stay. Not yet anyway. *Someday I'll get him to play for me.*

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Alec's fingers drifted over the keys and picked out a few random chords. It was a beautiful instrument, with a rich and mellow tone. The room Max had chosen was perfect. The acoustics amplified the clear, sweet notes without distorting them. One of the chords he played reminded him of the opening to Beethoven's Sonata Number 14, the "Moonlight Sonata." He launched into the piece, his eyes closed. He loved the way Beethoven slowly built the tension – like the tide, each wave receding only to crest higher. He gave himself up to the music, surrendered to it. He was empty of everything except the beautiful notes that poured out of him through his fingers to fill the empty stillness of the room.

----*----

Alec finally stopped playing when he could no longer ignore the rumbling of his stomach. It was after lunch. He'd meant to grab some breakfast after he finished training the X-8s, but he'd forgotten all about eating once he'd heard the news about Logan. Reluctantly he stood and walked out. The piano was his. It would always be there, waiting for him.

He wanted to find Max and thank her for the present but he went in search of food first. Kit, the freak in charge of the mess hall, grinned when he walked in. Her smile revealed a mouthful of sharp, pointed teeth. She had a little too much feline DNA in her cocktail. Her green eyes were slit vertically and reflected back the light. Her speciality was night recon because she could see in the dark better even than any X.

"I was wondering if you were gonna remember to eat today. I saved you something." She stood and moved over to one of the stoves, her hips swaying slightly as she walked, graceful as a cat. She took a covered plate out of the oven and carried it over to the nearest table. Alec gobbled down the food. It was delicious and he was starving. Kit watched him eat, smiling slightly at his haste.

"So how're you doing for supplies?" he asked between mouthfuls.

"Not bad. If the government sends regular shipments like the one we got today we may actually have decent meals around here."

Alec swallowed the last bite. "Is there anything else you need? More helping hands maybe?"

She shook her head impatiently. "Nah. Now get out of here already. She's waiting for you." He stared at her in surprise. Was everyone in Terminal City keeping tabs on the state of their relationship?

"Go on," Kit said with a smile, and pointed towards the door. He walked slowly towards HQ and tried to ignore the knowing looks he got from the transgenics he passed on his way there. He didn't even know how Max really felt about Logan's departure, and here was everyone expecting them to jump each other's bones at the first opportunity. *Not that I'd complain* he thought wryly.

Dix looked up from the computers when Alec walked in. "Max is in her office," he said, fully expecting Alec would go check on her.

"Good. She's got work to do," Alec said as he headed across the room to his own office.

"But, but aren't you gonna go talk to her?"

Alec turned to look at Dix. His face was blank, one eyebrow raised. "Does she have something to report?"

"Report? Well no, but, um, I just thought that…" Dix stammered in confusion. Somehow he'd upset Alec and he wasn't sure what to do about it.

Alec relented. He wasn't mad at Dix, he just wanted to control the rumours flying around the place. "Max and I have to work out things between us on our own. HQ isn't the place for that." He paused and then grinned at Dix. "I know you helped Max arrange everything. Thanks. It's perfect."

Dix nodded, relieved Alec wasn't mad at him, and went back to his work.

Alec disappeared into his office. All afternoon his mind kept wandering to the next room. Again and again he forced himself to concentrate only to lose his train of thought. He had no idea how she felt. She'd acted ok this morning, but that was just because of the excitement over the arrival of the piano. She might be relieved to have Logan gone, or she might be devastated. He really didn't know and he was afraid to hope for much in case it all came crashing down around him. He'd rather not have her at all if he couldn't keep her, if it was just a temporary thing. To have her and then lose her would drive him over the edge. Make him just like Ben.

Finally he gave up all pretence of working and headed for his apartment. He nursed a glass of scotch as the light slowly faded, and waited for her to come to him. He sat there for a long time before he heard her slow footsteps in the hall.

Max shut the door behind her and leaned her back against it. She watched Alec watch her. He sat with his back to the window and she couldn't read his expression in the dim light. Neither spoke. Eventually she whispered, "Logan's gone."

Alec nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"I told him to go."

Relief washed over him. She might miss him, she might not want to rush into anything yet, but at least she'd taken the first step. He gripped the arms of the chair tightly to keep from leaping out of his seat. All he wanted to do was claim her as his mate. He could barely think past the pounding of his blood. He needed her so badly it hurt to breathe. But he still didn't know what she wanted from him right now. It took all of his willpower, but he forced himself to remain still and wait for a sign from her.

Max was confused. She thought he'd sweep her into his arms and kiss her but he just sat there in silence. She half-raised her arm, her hand reaching toward him. "Alec?" she said tentatively.

The sound of fear and doubt in her voice was his undoing. Swiftly he rose and crossed the room to stand before her. One hand reached for hers and their fingers laced together while his other hand gently cupped her face and his thumb stroked her cheek. He looked deep into her eyes. His gaze was warm and steady, full of love and need and desire, but there was also a question there.

At last she understood his silence. "I made my choice," she whispered. "I love you."

He let go of the breath she hadn't realized he'd been holding. A ghost of a smile played about his lips. "I love you Max. I love every inch of you. I love your strength, I love the fact that you're hurt by other people's pain, that you want to make everything better. I love that you never give up." He traced his thumb along her lips. "I love your smile. I-" He winced when he realized that he had actually said all of that aloud. He dropped his hand from her face and looked away in embarrassment. "God, listen to me, I sound like a Hallmark card."

*Way to go Alec. Real smooth,* he thought in disgust. *Gush all over her like a girl. You idiot.* He shrugged and stared at the floor, waiting for her to start laughing at him.

Max bit her trembling lip. This was the kind of love she'd always wanted, and she'd found it where she least expected it. This was where she was supposed to be. Alec was her match. She stepped forward to close the distance between them, her hand moving behind his head to caress his barcode. He bent his head and brought his lips to hers. The kiss was slow and sweet, and it made her heart pound. She parted her lips and the touch of his tongue against hers sent a ripple of pleasure through her body to her center. He explored her mouth, tasted her, let her taste him. As their tongues entwined his arms tightened around her. One of his hands moved to her ass and pressed her closer against him. She could feel his desire hard against her hip. His lips left hers and travelled slowly along her jaw to nibble on her earlobe. He kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine. Her head spun. She'd never felt like this before.

She slid her hands down his strong back and around his sides, and then under his shirt. Her fingers brushed over his abs. Soft, warm skin covered hard muscles. He groaned and sought her mouth. He kissed her fiercely, bruising her lips against his.

She was weak-kneed with desire. She moved out of his arms and into the room and stood with her back to him. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, and then reached behind and undid the clasp of her bra and slid the straps off her shoulders. She tossed it to the floor with her shirt. Slowly she turned around to face him, letting the moonlight dance along her skin. His eyes were wide at the sight of her, his breath catching in his throat. He yanked his own shirt off and then reached for her.

She stepped back, a smile dancing on her lips. He stepped forward and again she stepped back, leading them both to his bed. Desire smouldered in his eyes. She fell back across the bed and he fell onto her with a growl, his weight pinning her to the bed as his lips devoured hers.

----*----

Max woke to the unfamiliar sensation of lying against a warm male body. Disoriented, she tensed and started to pull away until his scent penetrated her sleep-fogged senses. Alec. She was in bed with Alec. It was his chest that her head was pillowed on, his heartbeat that she could hear in her ear. She smiled and snuggled closer, loving the feel of his arms around her. She'd slept in his arms the night after the attack, the night he almost died, but the next morning she'd been too uncertain about where things stood between them to enjoy it. *But everything's different now.*

She raised her head and shifted her weight so that she could look at him. He was so beautiful when he was sleeping. He looked younger, softer, more vulnerable. Gently she stroked the pale scar below his ribs and then ran her fingers up his chest and neck to his face. She wanted him to wake up so she could see the sparkle in his gorgeous hazel eyes. Eyes that changed color with his mood. Eyes that had looked at her with love for so long, only she'd been too blind to notice. *God I love looking in his eyes.*

He stirred in his sleep, responding to her gentle touch. She continued to stroke his face, teasing him awake. Finally his eyes slid open. His lips curved into a grin when he saw her watching him with a tender look on her face. "Morning," she said.

His eyes flicked over to the open window. The pale light of dawn had only just begun to show in the sky. "Barely," he said with a yawn. "I'm not gonna get much sleep with you around, am I?"

"Oh, you'd really rather be sleeping right now?" she teased. She traced lazy patterns across his chest with her fingers, her hands slowly inching downwards towards his abs.

"Yeah, right." He grinned and rolled over so he lay on top of her, pressing her down against the mattress. Her heart raced as she looked up into his face and saw desire burning in his eyes. "Who needs sleep?" he said as his mouth descended to hers.

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