Title: Concrete Angel
Author: natalie180
Rating: PG (may change – we'll see…)
Show: Dark Angel
Pairing: M/A
Type: wip
Summary: When someone new comes on the scene, how will she change Alec and
Max's lives?
Thank you to my super beta SpoiledLilAmy!
Author's Note: Hi guys. This is my first fanfic, though not my first piece of writing. I'll try to update this fic as often as I can, but no guarantees on express delivery! Thanks for reading J
Author's Note 2: The title Concrete Angel isn't some lame take off on Dark Angel. It's the title of a gorgeous song that I really wanted to include with this fic. Ok… on to the story!
Chapter One
"Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world she can't rise above.
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved.
Concrete angel."
Song "Concrete Angel" by Martina McBride
My feet hit the pavement over and over again, their incessant pounding resonating through my body and ringing in my ears. I turn a corner, barely slowing my grueling pace, yet completely in control. I continue to run through the abandoned, early morning streets. I'm not being chased and I'm not running away from my life. At least not anymore. Now, I run for pleasure, to find comfort, calm and sanity. But, like I said, it wasn't always like this, and although it was a long time ago, it all seems as if it happened yesterday.
************
Alec wandered aimlessly, searching the street signs as if he was actually interested, which of course was not at all the case. He was lonely and bored, just like every other Saturday afternoon when there was so much to do and no one to do it for. He and Max had had another argument the day before. It was about Logan; their arguments always were. After a heated conversation about why Logan had to be in Terminal City and why he had to involve himself in the transgenic affairs, Alec just lost it.
Flashback
"You don't understand my relationship with Logan!" Max said defensively.
"Neither does anyone else! No one can understand what you see in him! When will you be able to see that there's nothing between you two. It's just an illusion, Max, just something you've made up to pretend that you're happy. But anyone with one eye and a half a brain can tell that you're miserable. When will you be able to see that, too?" Alec countered.
End Flashback
Alec was done with Max's ignorance, with her inability to see what was plain in front of her. Alec had stormed out of Terminal City, leaving Max in a state of pained shock. He had simply felt the need to get away from her for a while. He had wandered the streets of Seattle throughout the night and had ended up half way across the city by the next afternoon.
Pulled from his tumultuous thoughts by a large neon sign, Alec looked up. The sign read that Alleycatz Bar was now open. Alec decided that drowning his thoughts in alcohol was far better then ruminating in them, so he entered the smoky little bar. Though he could never get completely drunk, alcohol had a way of numbing Alec, and he hoped that this time it would be able to make him forget what he had done to Max. The bar was nearly empty, except for the bartender and one lone patron who was sitting at a secluded table. Alec sat down on a stool at the counter and ordered a scotch. The bartender studied him for a minute after having handed him his drink.
"So, tell me, what makes you drink scotch at two in the afternoon?" she asked. When this question elicited no reply from Alec, she pressed on.
"Let me guess: girlfriend problems, girlfriend problems, or… girlfriend problems?" she said. When Alec said nothing in return the bartender continued "Well, at least I tried. I guess it'll just remain a mystery then" the bartender said as she moved away from the counter. Alec suddenly felt the urge to look up at the person who was facing him, and when he did, he was struck by her eyes. The were an intensely dark brown colour that held a piercing gaze with his.
"Alec. My name's Alec"
"Wow! He talks. My name's Marina" the bartender answered. After further study of Marina, Alec commented.
"Aren't you a little young to be working in a bar?" It was true, Marina had a small frame, dainty features and an innocent smile.
"I don't work here too often, only covering for a friend who's sick today. When she called me, she was all sniffley and stuffed up, so I took pity on her," she replied, then looked away.
"You're being evasive."
"You were too."
"Why are you avoiding my question?"
"Why are you prying?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"No."
After a tension filled pause,
"So?" Alec asked.
With a small chuckle, Marina answered.
"My nineteenth birthday was three days ago." She paused, then quickly added "And the only reason I'm telling you this is because you look too pathetic to turn me in."
Neither of them noticed when the other customer walked calmly out of the building. And neither realized that the building was being watched. So Alec had a rude awakening when a group of large men hurled themselves through the back door and stormed the bar. Alec was about to act, but he saw that Marina was already half way across the room and nearly on top of the group. The next few moments went by too fast for Alec to even register what was happening: Marina took out every last man, with their military issue gear and guns, in less than ninety seconds, without a scratch to herself, Alec or the bar. Not so much could be said for the men lying on the floor in multiple states of unconsciousness.
Marina turned around slowly to face a visible confused Alec. She moved some wayward strands of hair from her eyes and sheepishly said,
"Never underestimate the power of adrenaline."
Alec stood up and moved toward Marina, ready at any moment to fight. Looking at her closely, he asked,
"How did you do that?"
"Took martial arts as a kid. Guess it paid off, huh?"
"No." Alec said, shaking his head. "I've never seen anything like that, anyone move like that. What are you? A Familiar?" Alec was becoming increasingly wary of Marina and her abilities.
"A what? What are you talking about? No more scotch for you, buddy." Marina replied, as she took a step forward. Alec decided to take control of the situation and he blurred forward, pinning Marina against the nearest wall.
"I said, what are you?" Alec asked again, slowly losing his patience with the girl. Then it dawned on him. "What series are you?"
"Again, what the hell are you talking about?" she asked, her composure beginning to slip. While Alec pinned both of her wrists at her side, he moved the hair off her neck to expose, nothing else, but a barcode.
"I'm X5" he said quietly.
"X6" she replied, equally tentatively.
"So…" Alec said, stepping away from Marina and the wall. She turned to face him.
"So…"
"Um… I know this is the time in a family reunion where we hug and cry and tell each other how great it is to see each other after so many years, but since I just met you all of ten minutes ago, I guess we'll just skip that part. Uh… you should probably lay low, go home. Whoever that was" motioning to the motionless bodies on the ground "will probably be back for more fun."
"This is home. I live upstairs."
"Well then, I guess you could stay with me for a while."
"Uh… ok. But only if you're sure." Marina continued after Alec nodded. "Just let me get a few of my things. I'll be right back." With that, she dashed upstairs.
Alec turned around and looked out the front door. "Max would be so proud that I'm following in her footsteps, looking out for one of my own…" he mumbled.
******
I'd love it if you'd review: makes me feel good J