* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Between Love and Hate*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spoilers: This is the fifth story in my series – if you haven't read any of my work before, you'd be best off going back to read and understand. The first story was Shattered Trusts and Whispered Confessions. The second is Remembering to Forget, the third is Events That Lead To Greatness. The most recent is the fourth story called the Longest Day (which was basically just a wrap up of some confusing things I had to sort out from previous works). This series is set after Hello Goodbye but does reveal spoilers from the rest of the season, as I incorporate it into the story.
Disclaimer: Ideas are mine based on the brilliant work of the Dark Angel team – so don't sue me! I wish I owned Alec, but I don't. So I have to settle for writing fiction about him.
Authors Note: Just a general shout out thanks to all the great readers who have been reviewing my work and totally keeping me motivated. If it weren't for you guys I wouldn't be writing this stuff. I am trying out a new style of writing in this one; let me know what you guys think.
Have fun and remember to review!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER ONE:
Seattle; Terminal City; July 1st 2023
1000 hours
Max pushed her untidy shoulder length hair impatiently out of her eyes, sighing huffily as she scanned the checklist of Terminal City's requirements and deliveries for the week. They were managing to get by – to keep living, but only just. Frowning at the large number of necessities, which hadn't come in with the shipments, she bounded over to Alec's office, storming in.
"What the hell?",
He gasped, springing up and falling off the couch, clad only in tight cotton boxers, which left nothing to the imagination of how big a man he really was. Not that she hadn't seen it all before, but still. Max raised an eyebrow suggestively at him, turning away to give him privacy, but keeping the image pictured vividly in her mind.
"You could have knocked!"
Alec spoke testily as he stood up, pulling on jeans and a shirt,
"What's going on Max?"
She looked over at him, relaxing somewhat now that he was no longer so close to naked, yet still disappointed that her eye-candy, hell eye-feast was gone,
"Your suppliers ripped us off. I told you when we were ordering supplies, that we should use my guy. But no, you wanted a good deal with someone you thought you could trust! And now we're screwed coz at least half of the stuff we ordered isn't here."
Alec gave her a strange look, sitting down at him desk and bending over to pull on his socks and boots.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Yeah that's really responsible oh wise leader."
He stood in a single fluid movement, opening the door to his office and leaving, his hand reaching back in to beckon her to follow. Max was at his heels as they strode through the corridor connecting his, hers and Mole's offices to headquarters. Both of them nodded warmly at passing transgenics, as usual the city was bustling and bursting with life. Max listened thoughtfully as Alec talked,
"In 3 days time, America celebrates Independence Day. It is the biggest national celebration and police will be out in full force at the usual hotspots – all of which are nowhere in the near vicinity of TC. Instead of the tiresome effort of transporting supplies through our tunnel networking, we can get a truck to discretely drive right through a disguised hole in the fence – and no ordinaries will be the wiser."
She nodded understandingly at him; it was a good, rational plan,
"Sounds reasonable. You sure your guy wont squeal when he finds out who we are?"
"He's known all along. Who do you think got us that handy laser to hide our barcodes?"
"Guess you've covered everything. Good work... sir."
Alec smirked at her, as they pushed their way into a busy HQ. Everone inside looked up immediately, smiling to acknowledge the presence of the two most important transgenics in the city, before carrying on with what they were doing. Alec made his way round the room, Max scurrying after him like a bad smell.
"You got something for me Dix?"
"Not at the moment Alec. Been watching the video feeds and monitors all day. Not a peep on the news about anything even remotely transgenic related and no one has left or entered TC today without clearance – not even through the tunnels."
"Nice work my man."
Dix grinned and settled himself back down into his squashy chair, his eyes intently focused on the series of television sets hooked up to dangle from the ceiling. Alec moved on,
"What's been happening Luke?"
The anomaly smiled cheerily at the Alec, grateful to take a break from his tedious work. His eyes sparkled as they rested briefly on Max,
"Hey guys. Just further updating the database. Got photos on there now of every transgenic, fingerprints – everything. Even their favourite colour and their current relationship status."
"Good, good. Did you..."
"Yes, everyone has filled out a sheet outlining what they've been doing since they left Manticore, why they're here and once again, what exactly they did when they were back at Gillette or whatever facility they're from."
Alec gave him thumbs up, patting him on the back as he moved to continue on his rounds,
"I don't think you guys even need me here!"
He chuckled, stopping as he came face to face with Mole, a cigar typically settled in between his scaly lips.
"Status check."
"Well captain pretty boy, you will be happy to know that hand to hand combat as well as weapons training is continuing every day as normal business. I've got the residents sparring each day as well as lessons in tactics, weapons – the usual. All smooth sailing."
"What I like to hear."
Alec moved to the centre of the room, looking at the incredible number of occupied transgenics working away. If everyone were going to report progress as smooth as the three he had already spoken to, rounds wouldn't take too long today. Spotting Gem nearby, he headed over to her. As she picked up her ringing cell phone, Alec stopped – causing Max to collide roughly into him,
"Sorry!"
"Look Max, we've both got things to do. Why are you following me round like a lost puppy?"
She ignored his comment, her eyes searching his face, filling with concern,
"Are you okay? You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"You slept in your office again. You can't keep doing this to yourself; you're dead on your feet. You need to go home and have a good night's sleep. Take a day off. The city will still be standing when you return."
"It barely is now. And today is Sunday, it is my day off."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because today's my day off."
She sighed, realising what he meant,
"Your one day off from Jampony this week and you're here, instead of relaxing – kicking it at some club, drinking or off with some chick. Whatever."
Max felt an involuntary stab of flaming jealousy at her last words
*Please don't let him have been doing anything with other girls*
She pulled herself to attention, realising that he was speaking,
"I can't just shed my responsibilities as CO. This city is getting better – slowly improving. But it's still in disarray – far from perfect. Everyone out there needs me."
"Fine, but you're wearing yourself out."
Max pouted at him, her eyes studying his face still; he looked so thin and haggard. He was still tall, handsome and muscular, but with a gaunt seriousness, accompanied by constant bags under his eyes.
"I'll take that under advisement Maxie."
He finished, dismissing her as he sauntered over to Gem.
Max sighed again – well, at least she'd tried.
* * * * *
To be continued...
Author's Note:
Well thanks for staying with me through this series all of you who have been my loyal supporters. Thanks so much to everyone for their fantastic reviews and in all honesty, I will definitely keep up the stories the more reviews I get.
Special shout outs to the select few who keep on reviewing, its something that makes me get the warm fuzzies definitely!