Genetically Empowered Chapter 9: Ep 8 'Turning Tides', a dark angel fanfic

TITLE: Genetically Empowered (My Finale & Season 3)

EPISODE: 8 "TURNING TIDES" 10/14/02

WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)

EMAIL: hferguso@niu.edu

WEBSITE: http://eric_greta.tripod.com (Jensen)

RATING: PG-13 (For now, will post alternate chapters if ratings change)

SUMMARY: How 'Freak Nation' and S3 should have been. M/A

SPOILERS: Everything!

DISCLAIMER: All Dark Angel characters belong to James Cameron, FOX, etc. etc. etc.

FEEDBACK: PLEASE!!! I CRAVE IT!!! It makes me want to write more.

DEDICATION: To all the Nuns at the Church of Alec, and the Blue Lady! And a special thank you to those who read, and corrected my spelling, grammar, tenses, etc. You know who you are, you wonderful nuns you. ;)

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Mel walked through the door of headquarters, her hair disheveled, clothes dirty and bloodstained. Her tired eyes scanned the room quickly, and then she bounded up the stairs.

Alec leaned over the table, looking at the list that Joshua had just given him. He nodded to the taller transgenic, and Josh moved towards the lower level, leaving a pat on Alec's shoulder.

She could tell he was tense, his muscles were strained under the white t-shirt. "Well, it looks like you took my advice and got some rest."

He turned towards her, and then she knew he didn't. He shook his head, "I have too much to do." He looked down at his clothes. The t-shirt was clean, but the pants were still a mess. "Josh insisted I take a shower, and he found the shirt in here."

She nodded, and turned to look at the stuff on the table he was looking at. "Any news?"

Alec closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping. He then stood up, and looked at her. He could see the look in her eyes. "They are going through the bodies and the rubble right now. We've found fifteen of ours down there, but… we haven't found Vin yet."

She nodded, her lip quivering slightly, and then her eyes closed. Alec pulled her towards him, and enveloped her in a hug. "I don't want you to find him." She said quietly, a tear streaked down her face and landed on his shirt. He held her tighter. "He just can't be…" Mel tilted her head to look up at him, "We can't lose him… I can't… I never…" She trailed off, as another tear streaked down her face.

Alec moved his hands to her shoulders, so he could look at her, then moved one hand to her cheek to wipe away the tears. She shook her head, "What happened?"

He closed his eyes, "It's my fault."

Mel gave him a strange look, "What?"

"I should have been at the south exit. I'm better at hand to hand than he was. I should have let him handle the north."

Her hand went to the side of his face, and made him look at her. "No, Alec. No. Don't blame yourself for this. You always blame yourself when things go wrong. Things that you have no control over. You…" He tried to turn away, but her hand forced him back, "No, listen to me. You were the best at … like… everything. That's why you were the CO. Vin didn't know weapons and explosives like you did. And you can't be everywhere at once."

He new she was right, but it didn't help the feeling that he had. That he could have somehow prevented it all from happening. He opened his eyes, and wiped a few more tears off her cheeks. She tried to smile up at him, but failed miserably. He pulled her into another hug, and he felt her grip tightly to him. "I'm sorry." He said softly into her hair.

"This can't be happening," she said again, "Oh God, the last thing I did was yell at him to stay off the comm.... channel." Mel felt his arms hold her tighter, and she shook her head. Then looked back up at him, "You know… you think you have all the time in the world. You think that person will always be there, ya' know?" He just nodded at her. "But they won't be."

"Mel…"

She shook her head again, another tear streaked down her face. "I'm not going to let things slip by… not anymore. We were trained to be soldiers. We were trained to do things without emotion. But… that's not who we are. That's not what we should do. I'm not doing that anymore."

Alec felt his heart breaking for her, and part of him knew how she felt. Her hand came up to the side of his face, and cupped his cheek, "Alec… you're like… one of my best friends." He gave her a small smile and nodded, her lip trembled again, "And I love you." She said, moved her head back to his chest, and hugged him tight.

He held onto her, held her, his hand moving over her back. "I love you too Mel." He said softly into her hair.

She gave him another hard squeeze and then pulled away, her hands moving to wipe her eyes quickly. She nodded, then looked back at him, "Alec… promise me something."

"Anything."

"Don't make the same mistake that I did." His eyes looked at her questioning her statement. "Life's too short, too valuable to waste." He new what she was telling him, but his life, his feelings… well… they were just a little more complicated then anyone realized. "I'm going back to the medical building…"

He nodded, "You'll be the first one I notify." She nodded, and quickly left before any more emotions consumed her. Alec straightened his shoulders and moved down the stairs. He went over to Dix and Luke, "Anything?"

"We've gone over our footage with a fine tooth comb, and found nothing. I'm now trying to hack into the satellite footage and see what I can find out," Dix told him and moved back to his computer.

Alec nodded, and saw Logan looking at him from the other computer. He didn't offer the older man a second glance and saw Joshua moving towards the door. He turned to him, "Where are you going Big Guy?"

"Check on Max."

Alec nodded. Joshua had been going to check on her about once an hour since Gem and Sonya had moved her back to her apartment. Mel had given her a sedative to help her sleep, and heal as fast as possible. Now they were just waiting for it to wear off. "Josh, why don't you go see if Gem and Sonya need help with the mess hall. I know a lot of people are over there right now with all the clean up that is going on."

"But Max…"

"I'll check on her." Joshua nodded in agreement and then left. Alec turned back to Dix, and put his hand on his shoulder, "You'll call me if you find…"

"Anything." Dix finished.

Alec nodded and started to walk to the door, but stopped at the voice behind him. "I'll go check on her."

He spun around to see Logan a few feet behind him, his eyes glowed with anger, "And exactly how do you propose to do that? Stop by the medical building, and get your latex gloves? Then go over there, and hope she doesn't need any real help?"

"Hey… her REAL injury came from hitting her head on the pavement from the shockwave that YOU caused."

Alec's jaw tensed, his fists tightened at his sides. He already had the guilt about Vin on his shoulders. And he was already blaming himself for what happened to Max. He didn't need Logan to push him any further. His teeth ground together, "If it wasn't for you trying to save the day, I wouldn't have had to do it."

"You told me to watch her."

"WATCH her, not do something STUPID." He growled back at the other man.

"I'm going," Logan told him walking towards the door.

Alec's arm reached out and grabbed his shoulder spinning him around. "No, you aren't. If you want to help, go to the medical building. There are still some wounded that need to be treated, and THEIR blood won't kill you."

Logan's eyes hardened at the younger man, and his jaw tensed. He tried not to display the pain in his shoulder from Alec's grasp display on his face. He shook his hand off, looked around the room, everyone watching. He knew where he stood, "Fine. I'll go help Mel." He then turned and left.

Alec took a deep breath, rolled his neck from side to side, and stood up straight. He turned to Dix again, and the transgenic responded, "I'll let you know." Alec nodded and walked out of headquarters.

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They designed her to be the perfect soldier--a human weapon. Then she escaped. In a future not far from now, in a broken world, she is haunted by her past. She cannot run; she must fight to discover her destiny. --- DARK ANGEL

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He opened the door to her apartment quietly, shutting it softly behind him. He moved over to her bed. She was still lying there, under the blanket, but to his relief, she was curled up on her side. He could assume she had moved like that on her own, so now she was just sleeping.

Alec saw the old, rickety chair next to the bed and smiled, knowing Joshua must have moved it there. He sat down, and looked down at her. His hand moved to her shoulder, and checked on the dressing. The wound was almost totally healed. He removed the bandage, and grabbed the washcloth from the bowl on the nightstand and washed it gently. He set the washcloth back in the bowl, and decided it was better to leave the bandage off now, to get some air.

He really wanted to check on the back of her head, but didn't want to disturb her to do it. He looked down at her. Her face was peaceful, absolutely… *Beautiful.* He sighed lightly, and his hand moved down over her cheek, moving the hair away from her face. Mel's words echoed in his head, and he sighed again. *It's just too complicated.* He thought as his fingers continued to tail over her face softly, but her head moved into the caress.

Max could tell someone was there. Where exactly was another question, because her brain was foggy. She could smell them, feel a soft touch to her cheek, and then her senses knew, *Alec…* Her eyes slowly fluttered open, her eyes clearing slowly, and then settling on a pair of very relieved hazel ones starring back at her.

"Welcome back Sleeping Beauty."

She gave him a soft smile, "Sleeping Beauty?" She questioned, "I don't remember getting a kiss from my prince charming." The words were out of her mouth before she even knew what she had said.

He gave her a strange look, and then he just smiled. *Why the hell did you think for even a second she meant you?* He gave another grin, "Sorry, you'll just have to settle for me." She moved to sit up, but his hands moved quickly pushing her back down. "Max… don't… you need to rest."

She swatted his hands away, and sat up anyway, "I'm fine. I feel fine. What…" She was mainly confused, everything was a blur. "What…" Her mind then started having flashes. White. Logan. Gun. Falling. Her eyes widened, "The battle… White..."

Alec moved his hands to her shoulders, getting her to stop mumbling and look at him. "It's over. They left. White… escaped. You…" He sighed, "You were grazed by his bullet, but mostly got hurt from the fall. I'm…. sorry." He said looking down.

Max gave him a strange look, "Sorry for what?" He just shook his head not looking at her. Her shoulders slumped as she realized what happened, her memory coming back slowly. "You set off the shockwave, and I fell from it." He nodded. "Alec… you probably saved my life from White shooting me."

"I should've…"

Her hand went out under his chin and forced him to look at her, "Stop. Stop blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong. What else were you supposed to do?"

He sighed, "Why shouldn't I blame myself for everything? It's usually is my fault. I mean… you tell me it is most of the time anyway, why would this be any different?"

She swallowed at the look in his eyes. He really meant it, really felt like that. She was about ready to comment, when he went on. "I should have done something else. Then you wouldn't have been hurt. I should have had someone else handle the north entrance, and I should have taken the south instead of Vin. I should have…"

Max stopped him with a hand at that one, "What happened at the south entrance?" She saw the hurt in his eyes, "Oh God, no…"

He closed his eyes, "We… we don't know what happened. We… haven't found him yet."

Max's heart broke, and she did the only thing that she could think of. Her arms just reached out, and pulled him to the bed, her arms wrapping around him, hugging him. "I'm sorry."

He was shocked for a second, and then relaxed into the hug. For once letting himself take some strength from her, allowing himself a little comfort. He felt her hands move over his back, and he almost wanted to bury his face in her neck, and just hide there. Her words almost made him jump. "Alec… it's not your fault. You do KNOW that right?" She said softly into his ear. He shook his head, not wanting to listen, and she pulled back from him, to look into his eyes, her hand going to his face.

His mind was spinning with the guilt inside of him, but also from… her. She was being so… caring, understanding… his eyes looked into hers. She really meant it. "Max…"

"No. Don't do this. Alec… I was wrong okay? I took way too much out on you, way too many times. You have been there for me, and I haven't been giving you credit. I just blame you… blame you for things that aren't your fault… because…" She sighed, why was she letting this all out? Why was she willing now to tell him her feelings? Why did she now possess all this courage with him? "Because I think I thought you could handle it. You always seemed too. You always came back for more."

He gave her a small smile, "I like a challenge."

"Well, I definitely gave you one." They smiled at each other. She tilted her head to the side and looked at him, her fingertips still trailing over his face. "Thank you."

He gave her a strange look, "For what?"

"For saving my life… again." He looked like he was going to object, and her fingertips moved over his lips to stop him, and he took a deep breath. "For being there for me. For checking on me. For taking care of things here in Terminal City. For… so many things. Alec…" She sighed, still wondering where the courage was coming from, "I don't know what I would do without you."

His eyes widened at her words. He couldn't believe what she was saying… this was NOT the Max he knew. He moved his one hand to her head, and moved to turn her slightly. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Alec's eyes went over the bump, seeing that it too was mostly healed, "I'm just wondering how bad you really hit your head."

She smiled at him, and swatted his hand playfully. But then grabbed it with the one she hit it with, her fingers intertwining with his. "I'm fine. I should have told you that a while ago. I guess with everything that's happened…"

He nodded, it made sense. Heck, Mel's emotional reaction earlier was proof of that. "So… you don't want me to just go away? Leave you alone?"

Her eyes softened at him, her hand moved back over his cheek and then into his hair. She almost smiled at the shocked look in his eyes, "The last thing I want you to do is leave." She said honestly, her fingers moving through the strands, pulling him closer to her. Her eyes darted down to his lips, then back to his eyes. Her head leaned in, and softly her lips brushed against his. She could feel his slight intake of breath. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and she tasted him slightly. Her body leaned forward, and then her mouth was back on his.

Alec's head was spinning. Max was kissing him. Her hands were in his hair, pulling him closer to her, and he responded to it. It was soft at first, questioning. Then, her other hand moved to wrap around his neck, her body pressing up against his. His arms wrapped around her, his one hand going to the back of her head, careful not to hurt her, but still pressing her mouth closer. He groaned, feeling her tongue dart into his mouth.

She moaned into his mouth, tasting him again. Her body remembering the last kiss they shared in that closet. Her mind remembering why he had kissed her then, but now… she realized he was kissing her back. He was pulling her closer. Her hands moved down his back, over his shoulders, feeling the muscle underneath, and she pressed her body closer to him in response.

Her hands moved up and under his shirt, feeling his warm skin on her fingertips. Her ears heard him groan, and it excited her. Her body was getting warm, hot. Need starting to fill her, fuel her. Her hands moved under the shirt to his front, running over his abs, up his chest, as her mouth continued to suck on his kiss. Her hands moved back around him, and slowly she started to lean backwards, pulling him with her back onto the bed.

Alec felt his body moving over hers, felt her pull him down with her. His head swimming in the sensation. Her legs wrapping around his waste pulling him closer. His mind trying to comprehend what was happening, his body going along with hers. Her hands on his skin, the feel of her body under him, the look of want and desire in her eyes. His senses were literally drowning in her taste, her feel, her… *Smell.*

Then it was like he was hit by a semi-truck, and he broke the kiss quickly, his body trying to pull away from her. Her hands and legs grasping him to her. "Oh, Shit. No." He said shaking his head, his eyes then staring back down at her. His senses on high alert. "Damn it, Max."

"What? What's wrong?" She asked, her voice husky and deep. Her hands trying to pull him back down.

He shook his head again, trying to clear it. *I should have known. Should have known she didn't, couldn't mean it.* He tried pulling away. "Max… you're in Heat aren't you?"

Her eyes widened up at him, and she swallowed hard. *Oh, God. I am.* She now recognized all the signs. "Yes." She said softly.

"I have to get out of here," he said trying to pull away again.

But she wouldn't let him, "No." She didn't want him to go. She had meant every word she told him, and she did really want him. She was sure of it… wasn't she? "Don't leave me."

He closed his eyes and his jaw tensed feeling her legs pull him back to her, her fingers moving over his back. "Max… you don't want this. You don't want me. You will regret it later. You'll… hate me."

She shook her head, "I could never hate you."

He wanted to laugh, *Yeah right.* He pried her legs from him, but her mouth attacked him again. He groaned as she pressed her body back against him. He was already reacting to her, reacting to her pheromones, and she had only just started her cycle. *I have to get out of here.*

"I want you Alec." She said her arms wrapping around his neck, her breath in his ear.

He swallowed hard, "No you don't Max. You just want any male you can get between your legs right now."

She shook her head, "No, I want YOU."

He put his hands on her arms, pulling her off him, and actually making it to the edge of the bed, standing up. But she was right there. Her arms wrapping around him again, pressing herself to him. He looked down at her, "What about Logan? What would you tell him?" He looked at her, looked for a reaction from saying the other man's name. But was shocked when no emotion flashed behind her eyes.

"I broke off whatever it was I had with him how long ago? I don't have to tell him anything." She was slightly shocked by her own statement, but then realized the truth in it. She pressed herself back against him, her mouth claiming his once more. Her head spinning, realizing she could do that forever. His taste intoxicating her, the more she got, the more addicted she was becoming.

Things were quickly getting out of control. He tried walking backwards to the door, it becoming painful to pull away from her. "Max… you know what X5 female pheromones do to the males."

She smiled, she did know. She had found out from the other females this summer. She ran her hand over his chest, down his front, and her fingers rested on the waistband of his pants, "Yes, I do know."

He swallowed hard, still backing up, and then he felt his back slam into the door, as her mouth was back on him again, her body pressed up hard against his, making them both groan at his reaction to her. His arms went around her, kissing her back, as her hips moved against him. He then broke away again, "Max… No!" He swallowed, "I have to leave. We can't do this."

"Why?" She whined up at him.

"You know why. You'll hate me when it's over. I couldn't…" His hand went over her cheek, "I couldn't take that."

She saw the emotion in his eyes, and swallowed. "I promise, I won't," she said and kissed him hard again.

He let himself believe it for a second, and then pulled away again. "I wish I could believe you." He said, his hand moving to the doorknob.

Max was desperate, she didn't want him to leave, and she needed him. "Alec… please… I need you." His eyes closed, and he shook his head. "Don't leave me." His body tensed at her words, as he continued to try and open the door. "Alec… I can't control this. Don't leave me to deal with it on my own. I don't know what I might do. Please." His hand stilled for a second, but then he opened the door. She literally felt a small amount of panic, "Don't make me go find someone else." She saw his jaw tighten, and his mouth moved back to hers, kissing her hard.

Her arms started to move back around him, but he pulled away quickly, and shut the door between them. "ALEC!" she screamed pounding on the door.

"I won't let you." He said leaning against it, not letting her out, as she continued to pound on it, and scream at him.

"Alec! Open this damn door. Please! Don't leave me like this! I need you!"

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, then cussing, still able to smell her even through the door. His hand went to his pocket and he fished out his phone quickly. "Mel…"

" No, not that," He said knowing that Mel had thought he had called about Vin. "I need you at Max's apartment. Now."

{{What's wrong? What do I need to bring?}} He closed his eyes, trying not to listen to Max's pleading behind the door. Mel heard it over the phone. {{Is that her?}}

"Yeah."

"Just get over here."

{{I'm on my way.}} He nodded to no one, and hung up the phone quickly, putting it back in his pocket. He leaned against the door, his whole body telling him to go back in there and do exactly what she wanted. But his mind… his heart… reminded him, just how bad of an idea that would be.

"Alec!" She screamed at him from the other side of the door. "I know you are there, I can smell you."

"Max… please. You don't want this."

"Yes I do."

He tightened his fists again, trying to calm his racing heart, his body. But it wasn't working. "She in there?" Alec looked up quickly as the blond rushed towards him, and he nodded his head. Mel looked him over for a second. "So… why the hell are you out here, and not in there?"

Alec looked at her shocked, "What?"

Mel motioned to the door, and Max still whining. "She wants you," she said quietly. "I know… you want her."

"Mel… she wants any male she can get right now."

She looked at the door, and back at him, "That's not what it sounds like."

He shook his head, "She'd hate me."

"Alec… do you have any idea how hard heat is… if you don't scratch the itch?"

He closed his eyes, "You aren't helping." He put up his hands before she could start. "I have too much to do right now anyway." She looked down and nodded. "Mel… just stay with her, make sure she doesn't do something… or someone." She nodded again, and moved her hand to the door. "Wait." He said. "Let me get out of here first."

Alec quickly moved away from the door, and started heading back to headquarters. "Alec…"

He turned around to the blond, "I'll let you know what I find." He said quickly, and then turned the corner.

Mel sighed, and then opened Max's door quickly, pushing the brunette away from the door, and then locking it behind her. Max tried to move around her, but Mel caught her arms, and pushed her back onto the couch. "Oh no. See, Alec told me to watch you. He's my CO, and friend. And I follow his orders, even if I don't totally agree with them."

Max gave her an evil look, "Well, I outrank him here."

Mel laughed slightly, "Well, as I see it. I'm the doctor that has just decided our leader is right now incapacitated. So, too bad." Max looked like she was about to make another break for it, and Mel just shook her head. "Sorry Max, you aren't going anywhere." She took up a fighting stance. "I have more than 10 years of training on you. I do fight dirty. And I didn't just need two pints of blood put back into me. So I suggest you sit your ass down."

Max sighed and sat down, putting her head in her hands. She knew Mel was trying to help. She knew Alec was trying to do what he thought was right. *But Damn it! I want him!… Don't I?* She looked over at Mel.

Mel leaned against the door, and slid down it, sitting on the floor. "So… what'cha want to talk about?"

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Alec walked back into headquarters, rubbing the back of his neck, and taking deep breaths. Mole moved over to him, "You alright?"

Alec almost jumped at the voice of the other man, his brain still not fully back on track. He turned to the reptilian man, who was giving him the once over. "I'm… fine," he said is voice a little tense.

Mole just nodded, "So how's… Max?"

"She's… fine." He looked up at the other man, trying to figure out what he was thinking. "Ummm, don't let any… uh… males go check on her."

Alec watched as the understanding went over Mole's features, and then a small grin forming on his face. His hand squeezed the X5's shoulder briefly in understanding, "Understood Chief."

"Good. Now… any news?"

Mole shook his head, "We went through everything, at every exit now. We have a total of 37 casualties, so far." Alec nodded, he hated that there was a number at all, but in reality, it could have been much higher. "They had quite a few more. Ours are being laid out in some of the building, and we found a site to bury them." Alec nodded again. "The military have been put into vans. Their wounded and captured were also loaded up. The ones that could, were allowed to drive the dead and injured out of TC."

"Good job Mole." He was proud of the transgenic for handling everything so well that he had given him to do. "Our wounded?" he asked as he started to walk towards Luke and Dix, Mole following him. His brain finally clearing, and returning to business.

"All treated, only two now are in serious condition, under human standards." Alec gave a small smile, knowing that meant they would be okay. "Nothing too bad."

"How many people are missing?"

"We aren't sure. We have the lists of where people were supposed to be fighting, but troops were moved. Also, we never had a complete list of everyone here. But it did have almost everyone. However, not everyone has checked in yet. So we really don't know."

He watched Mole sigh, "What?"

"But we do know that of the troops that were assigned to the south entrance, we have about ten that we have no idea where they are. No one has seen them. And Vin is one of them."

Alec nodded and turned to Dix, "How's the satellite feed going?"

"I got into the system, and I'm looking at it now. It's not really showing too much of the area. But I'm slowly getting to the time frames that we are missing."

Mole nodded and moved out of the way to get more work done, and Alec looked over a Luke. "How's the editing of the video footage going?"

"Good. I'm putting it all together, and not taking anything out like you said. Just compiling it. I should have the tapes done in a few hours."

"Okay, when you get it done. I want someone to take one of the tapes over to Sketchy ASAP."

"Will do." The transgenic replied, turning back to the video equipment.

"Alec?" Dix's voice called, and he moved back over to him, looking over his shoulder at the computer. The man zoomed in on the images on the computer. The fuzziness cleared a little, but it was still hard to make out. Alec's eyes watched the scene carefully. The small figures, people, moving around the south entrance to terminal city.

"Can you zoom in any more? Make it any clearer?" He really wanted to see who was who in the picture. At least be able to tell the military apart from the transgenics.

"No," Dix said… "Wait. I have an idea." He did a few quick keystrokes, and the screen turned into a shade of colors. Alec smiled, the heat images from the satellite. He hated the idea that the transgenics could so easily be identified from their body heat, but right now, it was for their advantage. He now could tell were his men were from that of the military. "Okay, here's where we lost video."

Alec nodded, and watched the city shake slightly. He tensed, knowing that he had caused them to loose the video. But he pushed the thought away as he continued to watch. Then they saw it. The military was pulling out, but they were taking about seven transgenics with them. They watched a large van move away from Terminal City. "Follow it." Alec told Dix, "Once you find out where it went, let me know." Dix just nodded, and Alec turned quickly bounding up the stairs. "Mole!" He shouted as he moved, "I need a group of uninjured X5's in ten minutes, a van, and weapons to go with it."

"I'm on it!" Mole yelled back running out the door.

Alec looked down again at the maps on the table, a feeling of hope actually going through him.

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Max wrapped the towel around her head and walked out of the bathroom, her skin freezing from the cold shower, but quickly warming up from her clothes… and her Heat. "Any better?" Mel asked still sitting in front of the door.

The brunette just glared at her, "What do you think?"

Mel gave a half smile, "Yeah, didn't think so."

Max collapsed onto the couch again, and screamed. "This is so unfair. Why couldn't they learn how to fix this, like they did the seizures?"

The blond smiled, "Because they are sick bastards."

Max laughed, and then leaned her head back against the couch. Her hand going to her forehead, God she felt like she was burning up. She wanted to scream again, and yell. Run out that door and… *And what?* she asked herself. But she knew. She wanted to find… him. She turned to the other woman… "Mel?"

"Yeah?"

She sighed. She didn't know exactly what to say. "All my other Heats… well… I just wanted to get laid… you know?"

Mel smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I know." She tiled her head to the side and looked back at the brunette, "But… this one is different." Max nodded, and Mel smiled. "Well, for one. You haven't been in Heat around your kind before."

Max nodded and stood up, starting to pace back and forth, trying to run some of the energy out of her body. "It's not just that." She didn't know how to go on. She wasn't sure if she should. Heck, Mel and Alec were close. Should she really be talking to HER about this?

Mel watched her, and felt bad for her. She knew how difficult it was to be in Heat. She had some interesting encounters with it since she left Manticore, and she tried not to smile at the memories. Luckily she had never run back into those 'encounters' again. "Then what is it?"

She stopped pacing, and flung herself back onto the couch. "I've never been… focused before." Mel gave her a quizzical look, "Focused… on one male in particular."

Mel nodded, "And it's bothering you that, that male… is Alec. Because…" She stopped, wondering if she should pry. But then decided she should. "You don't like him like that. You never wanted him before."

Max shook her head, "No, that's not it." She sighed, and leaned over, moving her elbows to her knees and putting her face in her hands. "I did want him, I do want him… It's just been so… complicated."

"How so?"

Max rolled her eyes, "How hasn't it been? Let's see? Breeding Partners. Virus. Ben. Logan. Not to mention that he can be the biggest pain in the ass."

Mel smiled, "Which is such an adorable trait."

Max just shook her head, but she couldn't help the smile that formed on her face.

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"Are you going to tell Mel?" Luke asked, as Alec put on his military gear over his black uniform. The other men doing the same next to him.

"Not yet. I want to know if he's there or not first. We have no idea who it was that was taken. I don't want to get her hopes up." Luke nodded, and Alec continued. "Once we know, then I'll tell her." He put the earpiece into his ear, and trailed it to the radio at his belt. "Do we have people ready in the medical center?" Luke nodded again. "Good." He then turned to everyone else, "Ready?" They nodded, and followed him out the door to the parking garage.

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Alec stopped the large van at the top of the hill, near the trees. Everyone got out of the vehicle and swiftly blurred through the trees to their predetermined location. With a movement of his hand, everyone stopped behind him. His eyes zoomed around the building in front of them. Counting the guards around the building, seeing if their intelligence reports had been accurate.

He turned to his left, gave a few hand signals, and then to his right, doing the same thing. Then with a wave of both hands, they were off again. Blurring to the buildings, to the guards, knocking each one out before they knew what happened. Alec knocked out one, and using the unconscious form knocked out the one next to him.

They stormed to the building, all lining up next to him against the wall. He moved, quickly looking around the corner, taking in the area. His mind thinking quickly, motioning again to the others with him. The two females moved closer to him and the guy next to him. Him and the X5 cupped their hands together. The girls moved their foot into it, jumped up, as the men pushed. The two women propelled up through the air, and grabbed onto the ledge of the roof, pulling themselves over, and then ran across to their positions.

Alec heard the two clicks in his earpiece, signifying their position was secure. He moved his hand over his shoulder at the others, and they blurred around the corner, half of the group taking the right, the other the left window. Running through it, breaking it, as they moved quickly into the building. Alarms going off instantly.

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Luke pulled the video out of the machine and turned to a young X6 female. He picked up a bag, putting the tape in it, with a printed piece of paper. "Now, you know where to take this?"

The girl nodded, "I know where Crash is," she said taking the bag from the transgenic.

He nodded back at her, "Destroy it if anyone else tries to get their hands on it." She nodded again, and started for the door. "Good luck."

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Alec and his troops got into the main room, with bullets ringing in the background. His eyes quickly scanned the room, his eyes settling on the cells on the side. "Sid!" He yelled, and him and the other X5 moved over to the bars quickly taking out the torches from their bags and working on their own set of bars. The others holding off the guards at the door.

"Hurry up Sid," a voice called out from behind the other set of bars. Alec's mouth turned into a large grin as he continued to work, recognizing the voice. They broke through the bars at the same time, and pried they away.

"Out, now." Alec yelled to the transgenics inside. He saw that there were eight in all, some hurt pretty bad. "Carry the ones that can't move on their own." He saw Vin walk out of the other cell, holding onto another transgenic. Alec stored the torch back in his bag, and moved over quickly, to help another one.

Vin smiled at him, "Glad you could find time to get us out of here."

Alec shook his head, "You are so going to get your ass kicked for this."

They moved towards the door, Alec pulling out one his guns with the other arm throwing it to Vin. The dark haired man grabbed it, as they started firing back at the troops, trying to move back down the hallway. "Like it's my fault." Vin replied, "You come to save my ass, just to kick it?"

Alec grinned back at him, as they all turned the corner, moving back to the broken windows. "I never said I was the one. Mel on the other hand…" He trailed off as they shot more bullets at their pursuers. They made it to the windows, moving back out, and they started running. The guards following out the windows, but bullets rained down on them from above, causing them to retreat back into the building.

The females continued to fire, and then started running back down the roof, and jumping off the edge, blurring into a fast run, trying to catch up with the other fleeting transgenics. They quickly ran towards the van, gathering the injured in the back. Vin and Alec moved into the front.

Alec started the motor quickly, and gunned it out of there. His hand coming out to rest on Vin's shoulder. "You have no idea how good it is to see you…" He looked at Vin a little closer and then turned back to the road, "Even if you do look like shit."

Vin laughed, "Thanks."

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Mel just shook her head, as she watched Max doing push-ups again. "Does that really help?"

Max collapsed to the floor, and turned over on her back, "No, not really. Mostly just trying to take my mind off it."

The blond nodded, and then jumped when her cell phone rang. She quickly picked it up, "Hello?"

"Alec…" she said standing up quickly, as did Max. "What did you…"

"Oh God…" She closed her eyes, tears starting to come again.

Relief rushed through her body, and a huge smile formed on her face. "Really?"

{{Yeah. But some of them are injured. Not too bad though. We have people at the medical center. So don't worry about it.}}

Mel knew he wanted her to say with Max, and she nodded into the phone. "Okay." She smiled, "Oh, and tell him… I'm going to kill him!"

She heard the slight laugh on the other end of the phone, {{I already did, and he's sitting next to me in fear.}} Mel heard commotion and voices in the background, {{Okay, I have to go. We're almost to Terminal City.}}

With that they hung up the phones, and Max looked at her with a smile, "He's okay?" Mel grinned and nodded. Max's smile grew, and the two women hugged each other.

"Thank God." Mel said as she pulled away.

Max nodded, and let out a long breath. She had been worried and upset too, but she knew how hard it was on Mel… and Alec. *Alec…* she thought again. She looked back over at Mel, "Go to the medical center. Meet them there."

Mel shook her head, "I can't leave you here."

"I'll be fine. I know how worried you are."

The blond gave her a once over, "If you left, and found someone… did something foolish… Alec would never forgive me."

Max smiled, "I'm not going to go and just 'find someone,' I promise."

Mel was torn. She saw the look in Max's eyes. She knew she was telling her the truth, but she also knew what Heat could do to a girl. But, she was going to go nuts staying here, and not checking on them. She raised her finger to the other woman, pointing it at her, "You better… be good." Max just nodded at her. Mel nodded back, and she quickly left, shutting the door behind her, and running towards the medical building.

Max stood there for a minute. She did tell Mel the truth. She wasn't going to just go 'find someone.' She walked over to the door and opened, *Nope. I'm going to go find him.* With that she ran out of her apartment and towards the medical center as well.

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Alec pulled the van up just outside the medical building, and out rushed some of the people from inside. His jaw tensed at seeing Logan as one of them. He got out, as did Vin, and moved to the back of the van. He opened it up, and they slowly brought out the wounded. The members of his team helping them into the building.

"You!" both men turned to see Mel running up to them, her arms going out, and around Vin as her body ran into him, knocking him off his feet. Alec smiled and laughed, as she hugged the other X5 tight, both now on the ground at his feet.

Vin didn't know what to do, but his arms hugged her back, as he tried to get the air back in his lungs from being forced to the ground. She then sat up, looking down at him, her legs straddling his legs. Then her hands came out, and she began to hit his chest, shoulders, and arms. "How dare you!"

"Mel… calm down." He yelled back at her, fending off her assault.

"Do you know how worried WE were?" She continued, taking her hurt out on him. Her fists pounding on his chest. "We thought you were DEAD!" She yelled again.

His hands grabbed at her wrists trying to restrain her, "Trust me…" he pulled her wrists tight up to his chest, making her lean over him. "It wasn't MY idea to get captured."

"Mel…" Alec said from beside her, and she looked up at him, then to Logan and the other four guys staring at her, all with smiles on their faces. "Can you stop beating him up long enough, to uh… maybe tell me... why you aren't watching Max?"

She looked back at Vin, feeling that his grip had loosed, she got her hands free, and smacked him upside the dead, and then quickly stood up. Leaving Vin on the ground, rubbing the side of his head. She turned back to Alec, "I left her doing push ups… she promised me…" She didn't finish her sentence though, as her eyes caught the look of the other guys around her. They all were starting to turn to look in the other direction, her head quickly spun, and she sighed, "Speak of the devil."

Alec groaned, both from the fact that Max hadn't stayed in her apartment, and from the smell of her pheromones. "Max…" he said looking around at everyone else, "Go home, now!"

She shook her head and walked closer, her eyes never moving from his, not looking at anyone else. "Not without you."

He swallowed. His eyes darting to the other X's that were slowly moving towards her, he even caught the strange look in Logan's eyes, but he shook it off. Logan was the least of his problems. He moved closer to her, "You don't understand what you are doing." He said, trying to talk rationally to her, but knowing that logic was quickly leaving the scene of everyone that was there.

Mel looked around, and started to move to the side. She saw Vin getting up from the ground, and her jaw tensed as she watched him moving with the others. She turned to the brunette, "Max… he's right. Go home." She moved away even further, backing towards Logan. Right now the guys were focused on Max… but if Max did leave…she would turn into their focus, at least until the pheromones left their brains. She looked at Alec, she knew what was going to happen, she wanted to help, but knew she couldn't. "Alec… I'm leaving."

He just nodded as he turned around facing the other X5's, as he stood in front of Max. "Leave Mel. Leave right now." And she did, she quickly ran into the medical building, and pulled out her cell phone. "Mole… we need some non-humans. And NOT feline members."

"Max… run, now." He said, his arms moving up as he continued to back up, getting closer to her. The others starting to move in closer.

She shook her head, "Not without you."

He closed his eyes briefly, and then focused on the five men moving towards him… her. He looked at Vin, "You don't want to do this buddy." His voice low, almost in a growl.

Vin just gave him a smile, a wild look running through his dark eyes. "I beg to differ." He moved closer, "I mean, you don't seem to be taking the shot with her. Why can't I?" He motioned to the other four, "Or them as well?"

Alec's jaw tensed, and he saw one of the others move towards Max, reaching for her, and his leg came out, kicking him in the chest sending him to the ground, and then all hell broke loose.

Max jumped back, as another arm reached for her, but was quickly deflected by Alec punching the X5 in the face. All of her being told her to get in there, and help him. But something wouldn't let her, as her eyes watched, almost mesmerized by his actions. Her breathing becoming more erratic as she watched him fight. Her body becoming warmer. Want moving through her. Was it because he was fighting… fighting for her? She tried to shake it away, shake the primal feelings that she was having away. But it wasn't working.

They were ganging up on him, two of them held onto his arms, as one moved to punch him in the stomach. But Alec used the hold of the two, to kick his attacker in the stomach, throwing him into the nearby wall. The guy hit his head, and collapsed to the floor.

Alec growled slightly, and leaned forwards, pulling one of his holders over his shoulder, and then coming up with his fist into the other man's jaw. His eyes widened slightly, recognizing it as Vin, before his head moved backwards, the other man's fist connected with his eye. He fell backwards pulling him with him, and pushing up with his foot, and throwing him over his head.

He then quickly rolled out of the way, as another X moved to kick him in the side, his leg coming out, pulling the man to the ground, then swinging around, delivering a blow to the guys chest with his elbow, before springing to his feet. He turned, and pushed the next transgenic away from Max, his arm going around his neck in a head lock, his fist coming up into the mans gut, over and over again, his arm blurring.

Vin and another man ran into the other two, pushing them to the ground. Alec deflected some of the blows with the first guy's body, and then groaned as he pushed the other guy up, and tossing him into the other two. All three landing in a pile a few short feet away. He jumped back to his feet, and growled out at Max again, "Go home."

She just stood there, and watched him kick his next attacker in the back, and then sweeping his legs out from under him. His foot then coming into contact with the guy's chest. As another one, came from behind, and got Alec in a head lock. His hands went to the man's arms, and he jumped up and backwards over the man, taking him with him. The man landed with a loud thud to the ground.

He quickly backed up to Max again, looking at the men on the ground trying to get back up. He took her wrist, looking at her, his eyes hard, "What did I say?" She shook her head again, and he closed his eyes for a second. "Fine!" He yelled at her, "Come on!" He said, and pulled her with him, both blurring back towards Max's apartment.

Logan stood there in shock for a minute. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. His heart rate was erratic, his body felt like it was on fire, and never in his life had he wanted Max more than he did in that moment. The anger that fueled through his body was beyond belief. *How could she have wanted him?* His eyes hardened, as he started to walk to Max's apartment.

A couple non-human transgenics rounded the corner, and took in the scene of the five X's laying on the ground. Mole shook his head, and looked in the direction of Max's apartment. He grinned, and then looked back down at the men. His arm reached down, and pulled Vin to his feet. "Let's get you cleaned up."

_________________________________

He pulled her into her apartment quickly, "What the hell do you think…" But he was cut off as her body pushed him back into the door, closing it, her mouth moving to his, her arms wrapping around his neck. His hands instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her closer, his mouth moving against hers. But his mind snapped again, "No...Max. No."

"Why?" she demanded looking up at him, her hips moving against him. Her hands moving down his front, to the button of his pants. "Can you honestly tell me you don't want me?"

He groaned, as her fingertips trailed over his skin at the waistband of his pants, her hips pushing against him. "Max…" he groaned, trying to move away from her.

Her hand moved down his front, pushing against his reaction to her, and his eyes closed again, "Are you telling me this is all just my pheromones?"

Alec grabbed both of her wrists and pulled them up to his chest. "No, I can't. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you now, or before." He sighed, "But you really don't want me Max… that's the problem."

She stomped her foot and pulled her hands away from him, and shoved his shoulders back against the wall. "Don't tell me what I want and don't want!" Her mouth moved to his again, and he moaned into it, her taste and smell permeating him again, making his head spin.

He pried his mouth from hers, his hands moving to her shoulders, pushing her away from him. "Max… I care about you way to much to do this!" He tried to move to the door.

Her hand grabbed his wrist, pulling him back. "If you care about me so damn much, then you wouldn't leave me!"

Alec closed his eyes, his breathing becoming faster. "Max! I don't want you to hate me anymore than you already do. I don't want you to blame me for this." He sighed, "I don't…" He tried to get his mind to wrap around what he wanted to say, but the longer he was there, with her, the harder it was getting. *Literally,* he thought with a groan, as her body pressed up against him again. "I don't want to mess up anything between us."

She looked up into his eyes, saw the emotion in them. She wanted to scream, "Damn it Alec! I'm serious! I want you."

He shook his head, "Right now..."

"NO! Before. I just… I didn't have the courage… I was… confused."

He wanted to laugh, "Oh and Heat has somehow NOT made you confused?" He pushed her away again, and got his hand on the doorknob.

Her hand slammed the door shut, "Yes! No…. I don't know." She knew that didn't help, but she tried to go on. "It made me admit it to you." He shook his head again, and she moved back to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Please, Alec… believe me."

He swallowed hard, "I wish I could Max…" He groaned at feeling her fingers moving through his hair, her lips moving over the skin at his neck. "But you really don't want…"

Her mouth moved to his ear, "I do want you. I want you now. I wanted you before… I'll want you after."

Alec closed his eyes at her words. He could feel himself losing the last grasps of rational thought, "Max…"

Her lips moved from his neck back to his ear, "I promise." She kissed his neck again, "I promise."

He swallowed again, his eyes closing, as she did it again, said it again. His hand went to the side of her face. His hazel eyes stared into her dark ones. He saw the want, and need in them, knew his own reflected the same. "You better," was all he could say as his mouth descended down onto hers, both moaning into the kiss, their arms wrapping possessively around each other. Pulling their bodies tight together.

Her hands quickly moved to his shirt, and pulled it over is head, only taking her lips from his for a few brief seconds, then moving back again. Her tongue moving inside. His hands moved over her back, down to her tank top, his fingers moving underneath to her hot skin. Her hands moved over his shoulders, over his back, to his chest, and then back to the button of his pants. Quickly undoing it, and the zipper.

**********************

Okay, this is where the story takes a turn. Continue on here for the PG-13 version.

But if you are old enough, and would like to read the NC-17 version of the rest of the chapter.

Go to NWP, at: http://nunswithpens.hyperboards.com/ **********************

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The X6 female walked back into headquarters and over to Luke. "Sketchy's got it."

Luke nodded, and smiled over at Dix, as the two were putting other videos into large envelopes, and addressing them. Dix smiled, "Maybe the tides are finally turning."

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Alec pressed her naked body up against the wall, and her legs wrapped around his waist, his boxers and pants around his ankles. Her mouth kissing him frantically, her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer to her. "Alec… please." She moaned into his mouth.

He groaned as her legs tightened around him, his lips moved to her neck, and he closed his eyes as he pressed forward.

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Logan found his way to Max's apartment, although it had taken him much longer to get there than the two transgenics. As he moved towards the door, it was almost like he was hit by a brick wall, and he staggered backwards. His blood started to pump through his body once again, his senses trying to figure out what was happening.

Then he understood. The transgenic blood in him, Alec's blood in him, was affecting him. Max's pheromones were affecting him, like they had the other X5's. Not nearly as much as they were, but enough. He tried to shake off the feeling, tried to clear his head. He had to think straight. He had to stop Max from making the biggest mistake of her life.

He started to move for the door, but stopped instantly, his hands trembling at the scream that came from the apartment, "Alecccccc…" He fell back from the door, hitting the ground. He swallowed hard, the scream was from Max, a scream of *Pleasure.* He closed his eyes, his mind playing the images in his head, he tried to get rid of them but they bombarded him.

Rage and anger started to fuel in his blood once again. He got back to his feet slowly, his fists clenching. He started for the door again, but again stopped. Another scream echoed from behind the door, his eyes closing again at Max's yell. But his fist tightened at hearing the pleasure filled groan of Max's name right behind it.

Logan's jaw tensed, and he moved away from the door. *You may have her now. But I'll have her in the end.* And with that he quickly moved his way back to headquarters.

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Her breathing started to slowly return to normal, and her eyes opened to find a pair of hazel ones looking back at her. Her hand came out, to push the hair away from his sweat soaked brow, and her lips trailed over his again. She felt his arms tighten around her, and his low voice rumble against her lips, "Hold on."

She wrapped her legs around him tighter, heard him groan lightly, and smiled. Then she felt herself moved from the wall, and moving through the apartment. She smiled at him, as he moved them both over to the bed, lowering them down onto it. The soft mattress welcoming to her back. Her arms moved back around his shoulders, pulling him back down to her. His mouth moved back to hers, and she moaned into it, as his hips began to move once again.

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Logan walked into headquarters, and saw Dix and Luke working at the table with a huge stack of videotapes. He moved over to the computers and sat down. He opened up his email program, and a web browser. He quickly hacked into the government server, and found the email address he was looking for. He opened a new message and started to type. His fingers moving fast, trying to hurry.

When he was done, he quickly read the message, and then sent it. His hands came together, and a small smile formed on his face, as he watched the email program send the message.

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Her body slumped forward over his, her face hiding in his neck, as her ragged breath washed over his skin. His one hand moved over her back, pulling her closer to him, holding her, his eyes closed, his head moving to the side kissing her cheek. His other hand grabbed the sheet pulling it over the two of them, and then moved into her hair, stroking it softly.

She wrapped her arms around him, and moved herself closer into his embrace, as she let her eyes drift shut, sleep claiming her tired body.

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Ames White looked up from the casualty reports the military had given him, at the beep from his computer. He moved his chair over, and opened up his email, a large grin spreading over his face at the message:

White-

I want the Cure and Max. You get Ray and 494.

Deal?

-Eyes

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Scenes from an All New DA on 10/28/02:

*IN TWO WEEKS ON ANOTHER TWO HOUR EPISODE OF DARK ANGEL*

Normal stood up, patted Sketchy on the shoulder, "Well, get the word out."

IT'S HALLOWEEN IN TERMINAL CITY

"Yeah. It's a holiday for ghosts, goblins, and freaks. Freaks… like us. Our holiday." Joshua said.

IT SHOULD BE A TIME OF CELEBRATION FOR ALL….

Vin's eyes turned to Mel, who was almost refusing to look at him.

FREAKS, VAMPIRES, AND… WITCHES

Max jumped and turned quickly, getting ready to hit the person who had surprised her, then she saw it was Alec, and punched him hard in the gut.