Title: anything and everything

Author: sue

Rating: PG

Show: DA

Genre: Angst/Romance/Adventure

Type: WiP

Summary: under the chaos of a failed mission, somehow Logan had managed to do the impossible- infect Max with the virus. Now, it's up to Alec to stop her from taking an unplanned journey across the tunnel that ends with the bright lights. And he won't stop at nothing to make sure of that..

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thanks to heather and addy for the beta job ;)

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Chapter 12 - One Step Closer.

'What do you mean, you have an idea?' the frowning doctor asked before he winced again as the pressure on his arm increased.

Not noticing what he had unconsciously done to the good doctor, Alec, his eyes shining with too much hope and a little bit of wonder said, 'You had them immobilize, right? But you can't eliminate them, that's the problem. What if we try something at that exact time, the time when they can't fight back. That's our chance!' he finished with a wry grin.

'And hence the problem... I don't have anything strong enough to fight these viruses, even in their dormant state,' Fowler bit back an impatient retort at what he considered a far fetched idea.

'Maybe we do.. .' Alec said as his eyes started to sharpen with focus, thinking intently on the deadly problem.

'What are you saying?' Fowler asked skeptically after Alec was silent for the next few minutes, lost in his own thoughts, 'I've been through everything I know with an extra fine tooth comb, but I couldn't find anything that could withstand the virus, they're much too strong. And I hate to admit this but I've run out of options a couple of hours ago.'

He let go of Fowler's arm as he turned to look at the angry scientist. Alec frowned as the doctor's words hit home, 'It's just something I've thought of... I have no idea if it works. But it will work; I'll make sure of that.'

Fowler saw the hard determination and knew that this man would make sure of that and a moment later he nodded his head stiffly, 'Very well. Let's hear what you have.'

Alec crossed his arm tightly around his chest and took a deep breath before speaking firmly, 'Your enzyme. What if we combine it with something strong.'

'Like what?' interrupted Fowler hastily.

'Stem cells,' Alec glared, showing his feelings at the interruption.

'Stem cells..,' mused the old man, 'they produce all the blood and immune system cells in the body. It's a long shot... but that just might work. Yet, there's still one big problem. Where do you find these really strong stem cells?'

'That's not going to be an issue,' Alec said without emotion, 'Use mine.'

'Yours? Are you sure it's strong enough?' he asked uncertainly.

Alec didn't even bother to answer as he stood in the middle of the huge lab, his arms securely in front of his chest, looking down on the doubtful doctor.

Something hit Fowler forcefully and he stared, his mouth opened in shock at Alec, 'You're one of them too!'

'Tsk tsk.. How could you even think a mere human could sneak into this facility undetected, twice? For someone who's supposed to be bright, you're acting like a fool, Dr Fowler,' the dry rebuttal scratched at Fowler's huge ego; making it bleed profusely.

'Excuse me? Its not like you have a tag pinned on your chest saying, hey... I'm a transgenic. Although, I should've guess from that cockiness you seem to call manners. Too damn sure of yourself,' the scientist mumbled as he shot a glare at the younger man.

'What ever,' his sensitive hearing caught every grumpy remark but he let it aside, pressing on much important matter. 'My stem cells should be able to help your enzyme to tackle that virus, but it may need a little work on the combining part.'

'Yes, you're right,' deciding to let the matter drop, at least for a while, Fowler let his brain roamed around the problem, trying to fit the new pieces together. His heart started beating faster at the anticipation of a new discovery. 'I'm going to need a sample of your blood.'

Without a word Alec shrugged out of his black leather jacket. He tossed it on a nearby chair before turning around and started working on his long sleeve, bunching the black material upward to reveal his arm. Then he walked closer to the doctor where the latter was already waiting with a rubber band and a syringe. A few minutes later, Fowler was holding a tube full of warm blood and he quickly set to work.

A couple of hours later...

'We need a new binding agent, the last one didn't work,' Alec said tensely.

'No, it didn't work because the concentration is too low. We have the right agent, it'll work once we used a higher concentration,' Fowler snapped back.

'You have the right agent for a normal cell. We're trying to combine a genetically engineered cell to an enzyme. I suggest we genetically change the binding agent first, that way it'll be more compatible,' and without a word Alec grabbed the laptop near him and started typing furiously. He was busy for the next few minutes as his nimble fingers blurred all over the keyboard. The machine hummed loudly, trying to keep up with the drastic pace of input.

Still oblivious to the busy Alec, Fowler paced the lab agitatedly, speaking in a rather strained and curt tone, 'A cell is a cell, even though it has been altered... it is still a cell. So, there is no scientific base on your opinion. That agent should have bonded the enzyme to the cell without a problem.'

Alec ignored the remark as he kept his eyes glued on the screen.

'It acts like a biological homing pigeon, so what is the problem here? Maybe I ought to look at the data again,' the distracted scientist started looking for his glasses.

'That agent is attracted to normal stem cells, doctor. Mine, doubtless to say is not normal. Look,' he turned the laptop around and keyed in a few figures before presenting the end results.

'What the...' Fowler was struck speechless as his eyes roamed the screen with amazement.

'I've changed the genetic coding for the agent. A little here.. a little there. If you look at this, the enzyme and the cells would bind together without a hitch. I told you there was a problem,' Alec leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile lingering on his worried face.

'I'll be damned..,' the dumb struck Fowler exclaimed excitedly, 'it does work! How in the world did you think about this particular structure? I'll never get this kind of results without months of experiments and mountains of data to analyze. This is just incredible!'

'Time.. I don't have that kind of luxury,' he answered abruptly, as the reminder of the diminishing time returned, 'what I've just accomplished is make them bind together. That's the first step. Now we have to figure out how to combine the two molecules so that the stem cells could increase the enzyme's strength effectively. Enough to destroy the viruses.'

Fowler was silent as he tried to absorb everything that was told. He frowned as he thought about something, 'Is every transgenic this.. gifted, or is it just you?' the question was frank and straight to the point.

'I have no idea what you're talking about,' came the very dry, very cold reply, 'We should get moving now. Why don't you bring what you need and we'll continue the research at the hospital. You said you need a sample of her recent blood. Let's go.' Then, he closed the laptop, grabbed his jacket and quickly put it on.

Fowler watched, startled by the change of pace before he started to comply. Although he hated being ordered around, there seemed nothing he could do about it. He had the distinct feeling that refusing this man would be a very foolish thing to do. Very...very foolish indeed. So, he put his laptop securely into his briefcase and then added a few things, what he deemed to be necessary. Minutes later, he snapped the lock on his briefcase shut with a loud click before turning to find his coat. After all bundled up, he picked up his briefcase and turned towards the waiting Alec, 'I'm done, let's go.'

Alec nodded once, 'Why don't you go first,' he suggested, 'just act natural, like you're going home or something. I'll be waiting outside with the car.'

'What about you? How are you going to get out?' the preoccupied doctor asked as he looked over Alec's broad shoulder as if trying to spot the invisible guards.

'The same way I got in, doctor,' he answered before opening the door wide and holding it in place, waiting for the doctor to walk through.

'Why did I even bother to ask? Of course he's going to sneak out...' Fowler mumbled before he walked past, holding the briefcase securely in his hand. He walked a few steps before he turned around, 'Where exactly...'

His eyes widened with surprise as he realized that he was completely alone. After letting out an exasperated sigh, he spun back and started heading towards the exit.

**

Mindy's fair head was bent as she tried to fill the needed information on last night's patients. Her hand flew across the page as she wrote quickly, she had another round waiting. She lifted her head as she recalled what had happened earlier on her shift. The blond head turned quickly towards room 4-11, as she scrutinized that room intently from far. But all was quiet. Relief lit up her light brown eyes as she turned back to her waiting forms. She scribbled the last few sentences rapidly, anxious to check on that dying young woman. She has no idea why she felt so compelled to watch over that beautiful girl, but she just did. Her kind heart was almost torn to pieces as she laid her eyes on the small figure. That girl had looked so defenseless, but one thing for certain, not even her pallid complexion or the red angry hives could hide her beauty. And sweet, gentle Mindy had wept silently as the dark shadows of Death crept closer with each passing second. Deep down, she had prayed hard for a miracle, something that could stop the looming future from taking place. But nothing had happened. She sighed heavily as her friend's advice a lifetime ago rang in her ears, 'Rule no 1: do not get yourself emotionally attached to your patients. Remember that Mindy, or you won't last... not even for even a month, or even day.'

She knew her friend was right, but she couldn't seem to distance herself as easily as the other nurses. And that flaw had wreaked havoc with her inner feelings as she had watched with horrified eyes, how one by one, her patients had slipped towards death. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her muddled thoughts as her heavy fingers stroked her throbbing forehead. You have to pull yourself together, she whispered to herself, they need you to stay calm, you can't afford to break apart now... ok, I really need a distraction, right about now... she thought as the dark cloud of desperation had started to descend slowly on her.

The sound of incoming footsteps was the answer to her frantic plea. She almost smiled as she turned quickly towards the source of the very welcomed sound. Two men approached her rapidly. Mindy ran an expert eye on both of them and concluded that the tall young man would be visiting a loved one; he had that sad desperate air around him. The older man however would be a casual visitor, he was brisk and businesslike. No emotional attachments, her heart whispered as she made her last conclusion. She smiled politely as the two men approached the station.

'Can I help you?'

'Yes. Do you know where Dr Carr is?' Alec asked quickly.

'Dr Carr? I think he's with a patient right now,' the smiling nurse replied pleasantly, 'would you like to wait while I'll go and see if he's free?'

Alec almost groaned at that. Time is running out, dammit. He didn't have much time! But rationality took over and he nodded tensely, 'Tell him it's Alec and I've got a possible cure.'

After taking a few needed files, she nodded politely to the two men before heading out, to search for Dr Carr.

The other doctor however was looking around him with skeptical and speculative eyes. His eyes took in the drab condition of the hospital, a far cry from his usually sparkling and tidy lab. He turned to the close-mouthed young man besides him and bravely decided to take another stab at some sort of conversation. Somehow, the prolonging silence had started to get to him.

'So... your name's Alec. Did you choose it yourself... or did someone else?' he inquired casually.

That unexpected question threw Alec off his guard. For a second he stood rigidly, as old memories came crashing back, ripping the old wound apart... again. His abused heart beat listlessly as he was thrown back into the past, reliving the bittersweet memories.

*

'You should have a name too,' that stubborn female voice called out.

'I told you, my designation's 494,' he replied matter-of-factly.

The fiery brunette shook her head slowly, 'Doesn't suit you. I'm gonna call you Alec.'

'Alec?' he asked, a bit surprised.

'As in smart aleck,' she explained, an odd twinkle dancing cheekily in her dark eyes.

'I can live with that,' nonchalantly, he answered as he moved closer to the door.

'Good. 'Cause my second choice was Dick.' And he could almost see the smirk she aimed at his back as he heard that last sentence she threw his way, spoken in that brazen tone of hers. His face broke into an amused grin even as he called out for the guards.

'Guards!'

*

He blinked hard as he tried valiantly to keep his overflowing emotions in check. A second later, he turned his stony face towards the unsuspecting doctor and watched with indifference as the other man failed to hold his ground and resolved to retreat.

'Maybe we should go and see her first. The doctor wouldn't mind, would he?' Fowler asked hesitatingly.

'I don't think that would be a problem,' he replied, with a hint of dryness, 'the sooner we start working, the sooner we'll get the cure.'

A sudden burst of noise from the television saved the flustered doctor from replying. He turned and stared at the small screen as the newscaster started speaking excitedly.

'An elite crime wave had swept over Seattle today. Only hours ago, The Diamond Exhibition has been hit and the thieves have successfully taken the Premier Rose. The Premier Rose was the star attraction for the exhibition and the 137 carats pear shaped diamond was lifted just after dawn today despite the notably heavy security. Mr. Daniel de la Vega, the Director for this exhibition was not available for comments.'

The newscaster stopped talking as she turned a little to the left, taking the sheaf of papers that were handed to her. She ran her eyes through them quickly before her sparkling eyes met the camera.

'This has just came in a few minutes ago. The Seattle Art Museum, which was commonly known to be impossibly hard to enter illegally was breached just mere hours ago. This time the thieves disappeared with The Night Watch, a priceless painting by Rembrandt. The Night Watch was on loan from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. As if right now, the police haven't name their suspects yet but their spokesperson had vowed that the Seattle Police Department won't rest until the thieves was apprehended and put behind bars. But the police seem to have a very promising lead as these two cases were surely the work of a large group of people and a few well known gangs were already under consideration.'

The screen showed an interview with the detectives working on the first case and all of them voiced their assurance that the thieves will be caught soon. Fowler turned to Alec and asked smoothly, 'I don't suppose you know anything about this?'

'Nope,' Alec replied just as smoothly, 'no idea; none whatsoever. Shall we, doctor?' he asked as he swept his hand gracefully toward the doors.

Without a word, Fowler gripped his briefcase tighter before he started moving. The two men walked quickly, and behind their rapidly disappearing backs, the television broke into waves of static before Eyes Only emerged.. again as he tried to communicate with White. But Alec and Fowler were too far away to see what Eyes Only was trying to do. Too far indeed..

to be continued..

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