A/N thanks to Itay again for the additions.
A/N2-Hope this answers some questions for you all and thanks for the tonnes of reviews- you guys rock! Big time! Love ya. Sorry to Nat for the long answery review at the end- I know you hate them!
Especially to JANE- see you are not a jinx!
Doubts about the world.
"Son?" Alec turned around to see Mr Berrisford motioning with his hand for Alec to come into his office. It was early afternoon and was almost time for Rachel's daily lesson. Alec had just gone to the kitchen to get a drink and hadn't noticed Mr Berrisford standing in the doorway to his office.
"Yes Sir?"
"In here, Simon. Have a seat son. Want a drink?"
"No thank you sir." Alec wondered what he wanted, had he somehow found out about his and Rachel's impromptu pool party? Was he about to be fired? He tried not to grin as he imagined telling that to the Manticore brass.
"I don't usually partake in the middle of the day myself, but, uh...some business problems, that's all. I'm sorry to tell you, but I'm afraid your services won't be needed after this week. I'm sending Rachel away for a while." He handed Alec a check who took it without looking at the amount. He would cash it and hide the money from Manticore anyway.
Alec's heart sank, it seemed Berrisford was about to go against Manticore.
"Oh?"
"To visit her grandparents in New York. I haven't told her yet. I'd appreciate it if, uh, you kept that between the two of us for the time being."
Alec was used to following orders "Yes, sir."
Berrisford smiled ruefully at the bright, handsome young man sat in front of him.
"Must be nice." He said almost to himself.
Alec frowned, "Sir?"
"To be young, like yourself. No responsibilities or cares."
Alec wanted to laugh- he hadn't been young for a long time and as for no responsibilities? Hah. Talk about the weight of lives.
But of course he couldn't tell Berrisford that actually, his life was dependant on what information Alec could get back to base.
"Yes, sir."
"Once you have children, everything changes. You try to do the right thing, because you want them to be proud of you, but sometimes the right thing can go so wrong. Anyway...I envy you."
Alec swallowed as Berrisford's eyes glanced down at the photo frame on his desk. There was no doubt that he was a man torn in two- knowing that he was doing the right thing for the right reasons but knowing that everything he loved was in jeopardy because of it. His love for his daughter was making him weak, making him vulnerable and he was going to be killed for it and yet, and yet- there was something in his eyes that drew Alec in. not nobility or sacrifice, not even honour but assurance. He might die but he would be a hero to his girl. She would love him for what he had done and the stand he had taken- he had a purpose in life now and that was to make his daughter proud and in that instant, Alec envied him too.
Rachel entered the room and stared at the two of them watching each other in respectful silence, one so very much older than the other because of experience in life and the other older because of experience in death.
Rachel's voice broke the tension "Hey! Someone's late for my lesson."
Berrisford pulled his daughter to him and kissed her "You kids go ahead; I have to leave for the rest of the day- have fun now."
~~
The last few sessions weren't as strained as he thought they would be after their little confession at the pool. In fact now that Rachel knew one of his secrets things were actually much better and she loved to distract him by asking questions about Max. Her father was right; she would look for any excuse not to practise.
But it was such a relief to have someone to talk to about this stuff who didn't know all the specifics and wouldn't rag on him for being sappy about the scary transgenic that loved to kick his ass that he didn't really mind.
"So why can't you tell her?" she asked for the third time.
Alec chuckled "C'mon Rach, you're not getting out the lesson that easy."
She pouted "Tell me."
Alec put his head on the side and considered "Master that score and I'll talk."
Rachel's fingers flew across the piano in a fury, finding the correct keys and making the melody beautiful. She grinned as she finished showing Alec that all the times she had made mistakes were either deliberate or just because she wasn't paying attention. He frowned, a mischievous thought coming to the fore.
"You know Rachel, I don't really think that you need me. I feel like I am cheating your father by tutoring you- you're capable. Maybe I should just quit." He ducked his head and looked up from under his lashes. The stricken glance on her face was enough to cause him to burst out laughing and she huffed.
"That wasn't fair Simon!"
"Serves you right." He ruffled her hair and made her move over and sat next to her. "Now what shall we talk about?" he teased knowing full well what she wanted to talk about.
Max.
She thought that the whole situation with him and Max was romantic…she obviously wasn't paying attention. But thankfully she had recovered from her little crush on him and currently adored a boy at school with great hair, a nice body, money in the bank and a hot red shiny convertible with leather seats --- hell he was such a catch even Alec offered to hit on him.
He suspected that what she had felt for him was the attraction of the older man- college guy- whatever…plus he was hot- even he knew that.
But since then she had wanted to be friends, which was fine, it got him a little deeper which was great but that meant that she wanted to know all about him. Which was less great. He was tired of lying to her and even though it was nice to finally have someone to talk to about his feelings for Max, it got a little wearing that he still had to be so careful.
"Simon?" she elbowed him and he elbowed her back playfully.
"Ok, ok so what do you wanna know now?"
"Tell me about when you two first met."
"Well we were about fifteen and she had just got transferred to… my boarding school."
"You went to boarding school?" she asked surprised.
"More like an orphanage." He corrected and she got that soft look of sympathy on her face. "Anyway, she was from a rival school and one night while I was out visiting a friend who was in Isolation,"
"Isolation?"
"Uh quarantine- she had measles." He lied smoothly "I saw Max in one of the rooms by herself and I went in to rag on her about being from the other place. She was staring out of the window, ignoring me."
He grinned as he thought of that night. Max was watching the space needle miles away and thinking deep thoughts and he went in to have a jibe at her for being a 09er.
"I thought she was lonely and homesick- an easy target. I was wrong."
Boy had he been wrong she had turned, one hand on her hip and the sassiest expression on her face and told him that he could take his "Welcome" and shove it up his ass.
"She totally reamed me out. Called me a pretty boy and threatened to kick my ass."
Rachel raised an eyebrow, obviously not used to that kind of unladylike behaviour.
"Then what?"
"I teased her and she kicked me in the chest and sent me flying."
Her mouth dropped
"Really? She sounds strong."
"I think Maxie took Martial arts or something." He amended,
She looked half impressed and he laughed.
"That was pretty much it for me then. It was all about Max."
She stared at him "Because she kicked you?"
"Because she was alive. You see most of the girls at the orphanage were kind of dull, they were all- oh my life is so bad, I have no parents. But Max, who has been through some serious stuff, just…sparkled."
Rachel gave a soft laugh.
"What?" he looked at her puzzled.
"You don't know do you? You are a terrible liar Simon; even to yourself I can read you like a book. Your face is a dead give away."
Alec's stomach dropped to his feet. Dammit. He needed to be more guarded around her. Just because she made him feel the way that Biggs did around Chance. His sister. What had he given away? What did she know? Had he jeopardised his mission?
That wasn't good enough dammit; if he had unwittingly blown his cover he needed to get those damn computer files NOW.
He got to his feet.
"Bathroom." He muttered and walked away hurriedly.
He knew that Berrisford's office was just down here and that was where he would find the laptop. With Rachel waiting in the piano room and Mr Berrisford elsewhere for the day- it would be the prime time.
He entered the office quietly and scanned the computer which had been left on standby. A quick few strokes and he produced a computer disk from his pocket, slotting it into the drive and waiting for it to upload all of Berrisford computer files. On the desk was a framed photo of Berrisford and Rachel, arms around each other and big smiles. Alec swallowed the lump that had come into his throat and for the first time ever he regretted what he was going to have to do. The disk beeped and he popped it from its slot just as the soft sound of footprints came towards him. Looking up he saw Rachel glance confusedly at him.
"Simon?"
"Hey." He grinned.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Uh... I got lost looking for the bathroom." He lied smoothly and she nodded.
"Um, the bathroom's down the other hallway."
He made a show of glancing around "Right, right. Well I can't help it. You've got me all turned around."
It was cheesy he knew and she swatted at his arm.
"You ran away because you knew what I was gonna say and you didn't want to hear it."
"Hear what?"
"You love her, Max." she paused "Your hands are shaking."
The fact that Rachel knew him well enough and had put her finger on the way he felt exactly made him shake.
"They are?" he hadn't noticed, she had blown him away with her little declaration. He loved Max?
She was worried "Are you all right?"
Alec smiled "Yeah. I'm all right. I'm just happy." He pulled her to him in a bear hug and his smile faded as he pondered her words.
He was a trained killing machine with more than five assassinations under his belt and that doesn't include the civilian casualties and group missions like in Kezmekistan, he had been designed in a test tube and born in a surrogate who just wanted cash. He had been bought up to hurt- not hug and to kill, not caress-- what did he know about love? All he knew was that Max made him feel. Feel good and happy and alive and…free.
And that was enough for him.
~~
He really hated the colour of these walls. The disturbing grey that would better suit a mental institute than a science facility- what made them even worse was that there was no colour here, it was all bleak and grey and nasty. What made that even worse was that he had been standing here for about an hour waiting for them to go over his report and brief him on any changes to his mission parameters.
"The files you brought us are very enlightening, 494. Berrisford's acquired some damaging information about Manticore, and has plans to alert his friend in the Senate."
"This might be a good time to send a message to all our suppliers. Something decisive."
Alec felt a stone roll in the pit of his stomach. He could just see Rachel's father pulling her to him for a kiss and his proud smile as she looked adoringly at him.
"Eliminate the target tomorrow. According to reports, he takes his daughter to school in the morning?"
Alec couldn't get the words passed his throat "Yes Sir."
Sandoval continued "Take them both out. That's pretty decisive. You'd better get back there. Lesson starts at four, doesn't it?"
Alec tried not to speak- he tried to be a good soldier and follow orders but that smile that Berrisford gave his to daughter's photo came back to haunt him. Berrisford knew the risks of what he was doing; he knew he was condemning himself. He was doing this, sending her away to protect her. It was noble and Alec could respect that.
"You understand your assignment?"
"Yes Sir," leave it, leave it- his mind urged but his tongue continued "It's just that…"
"It's just what 494?"
"Sir, I can eliminate Berrisford without involving the daughter. It just seems to me the collateral damage is an unnecessary---"
Sandoval's voice turned icy "You're not in charge of this mission, 494. Your job, and your only thought, is to follow our orders."
"Yes Sir." He mocked himself in his head Yessir.
"Are you capable of doing that?"
Screw you! He wanted to scream and rip off Sandoval's head. In that moment he would have happily done so.
"Yes Sir."
Sandoval watched him "Because if for some reason we lost confidence in you...we'd have no need for you."
No need for him, in Special Ops or at all- would they terminate him?
"No sir."
"So we're clear, then?"
"Crystal, sir."
~~
Max had once told him about something called the Blue Lady who supposedly watched over them, he hadn't ever seen her.
Connect the C4 to the terminal.
He had also heard something in Cultural studies about different religions.
Terminal needs to be on "on" and polarities diversified.
There were so many different Gods and goddesses but he never recalled one for transgenics.
Prevent plasma leakage so the detonation is fluid.
A transgenic god would be nice right about now. Because he knew –KNEW- that what he was doing was wrong, so very, very wrong, in his gut and in his heart. Berrisford was an enemy of Manticore—
Detonation device needs to be free from constraints and ready to be activated.
But Rachel wasn't, she was a child. Killing a child was wrong…wasn't it? Was it? Manticore was telling him to do it but could he snuff out that life, the life that had come to mean so much to him?
Radio detonation is the most effective and efficient way to assassinate your target.
Did transgenics go to heaven…or hell? Or did they just die?
Minimal contact needed.
Alec stared at the bomb in his hand.
It comes down to them or you.
Rachel would go to heaven.
Alec would not.
It was a simple as that.
Alec waited in the bushes for them to go to school. Like a good little automaton he had planted the bomb under the car and was now in waiting for the ideal moment to …
Destroy
…Complete his mission
He was wearing all black- a far cry from Simon Lehane that they knew. It had seemed somehow distasteful to wear the clothes that Simon would have to kill them. A betrayal that the same person who had worn those clothes to tutor and hug and smile and drink coffee and have chats and confessions, wore the same to annihilate.
No dammit- they are targets- not people. He looked up, clenching his jaw and he saw Rachel dance in her room, getting ready for school.
"You love her." she'd said, knowing better than he did himself how he felt.
"Sometimes the right thing can go so wrong." Nobility from the enemy.
"Take them both out." Why?
Yeah Alec. Why?
Alec gasped and looked down at the remote control in his hand. He wasn't some mindless automaton. He wasn't 494 dammit he was Alec!! He heard Berrisford come down the driveway and greet his driver, getting into the front seat.
"Good morning, Mr. Berrisford. Let me take that for you, sir." The man was polite and took his briefcase. Berrisford thanked him- Thanked him. When had Manticore ever thanked Alec?
What the hell was he doing?
"I like you a lot." He'd told Rachel- really?
Sandoval's icy voice echoed in his ear "Eliminate the target tomorrow."
"You understand your assignment?"
In a moment of clarity, Alec understood his assignment and knew that it was wrong.
He raced across the driveway and into the house. Rachel was coming down the stairs and she glanced down to see him.
"Simon what are you doing?"
Good freaking question! Yelled his inner soldier but he pushed it aside.
"We don't have a lot of time." He urged desperately.
"What's the matter?"
"Listen to me. You and your father need to leave town right now."
"Why?"
He grabbed her shoulders, wanting to shake her for asking so many questions, didn't she realise all of their lives were on the line?
"I'll cover for you. I'll tell 'em that you left in the middle of the night. But you have got to go now."
"You're hurting me."
He knew his grip on her arms was tight but he couldn't get his fingers to let go. For the first time in his life he was afraid, afraid for her. For him. For doing the right thing.
"Come with me."
"No! Tell me what's happening." she demanded and he paused hating himself but it had to be done, she had to see-
"Okay, I was sent here to kill your father."
The fear he saw on her face chilled him and he knew that she saw him for who he was 494, a monster.
"It was my job." He qualified, desperate for her to understand what he couldn't say "You were my job."
Her hand reared back and a ringing slap echoed in his ears, the feeling hurting worse that anything ever.
He heard Berrisford voice from behind him "Rachel! Come on, honey!"
He grimaced as he remembered that the bomb was still under the car. The detonator in his hand. She followed his glance and took in the remote.
She burst into tears as she realised what it was and where it probably was. She tore past him and despite transgenic speed he couldn't stop her.
"Rachel!"
She pushed past him and he grasped at her with numb fingers grabbing onto air. A cool touch fell under his fingertips and he gazed down at her locket which had torn from around her neck. Its silver sheen glared at him mocking him.
She screamed for her father and Berrisford's men raced towards Alec.
"Daddy!"
"Rachel!" Alec ran down the stair knocking out one man who tried to stop him, but he had managed to detain Alec for those vital few seconds as she fled out of the door.
"Rachel!" he called again "Rachel?"
She ran to the car and screamed for her father.
She opened the door and the world stopped.
The world narrowed to a singular point.
As if in slow motion a tiny pinprick of light flared and became the entire existence of one man. A man who watched as the explosion rocked the vehicle turning the air into smoke and soot, a man who watched as a fireball erupted casting the rest of the world into shadow, a man who watched as billows of flame reached, dancing up towards the sky in searching desperate strands. A man whose world crumbled in front of him while he lay powerless to stop it.
He hardly heard his own voice screaming for her, he barely noticed the black SUV pull up by his side and demand that he get in. he scarcely felt the two men drag him into the car and the only thing that registered was that one small, ever fading- perfect memory of the pinprick of light.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nora- Cheers pet for the push- I did need to get those out and so hopefully not too long- heres the next part for ya.
SockBrain- Its not this chapter- it was the part of Moving Alongside that I have just posted- Chapter10. My beta says its okay but! Glad you liked the piano scene, that's another one that wrote itself!
Feenian- crossed wires! Oops! Oh well, thanks for the praise, I am so glad that everyone liked this chapter.
Julie- Hey there! Won't stop- just had a few issues with my computer the past few days but I should now be back on track!
Jade-K- Well I know I love Alec! And Ben and damn its so hard to choose between the two! Not only was I working on the 14th I was working in the Disney Store and had lovey-dovey couples all day coming in to bear £100 teddies with love hearts- by the end of the day I felt like I had a sugar overdose- EW.
Athena80- I always thought that Alec would prefer Max over Rachel- especially since she seemed so much younger than he was. I know the chap ended a little differently than everyone wanted but…well it was my story!
Sigma1- Rachel is a catalyst for something although not necessarily joy-joy feelings. See the next chapter for more details!
Juliet- I wish I had been a writer for Dark Angel- none of that frou-frou Logan stuff or hand holding. Sketchy would have had a bigger role too. Thanks for the feedback darling!
GivenAlias- I hate being ill, It stops so many of my favourite things! Nah no Alec/Rachel ness here. I actually thought she was very, very wrong for him. LOL, of course it matters- you guys review and it changes my writing!
Raven- The Doc scene was a great one to write- poor Max! And I also loved the Piano thing, it just wrapped their relationship up in a nutshell. Feel free to ramble- I've said that I enjoy long reviews!
Nat1- Thank you, I liked the premise of the series, it was only the execution that needed work but the series and my series are interwoven quite a lot in the next few chapters so watch out for those scenes! Yes to more Lydecker. Wait and see to the others.
Lyndsay- You got your sister hooked? Yay you! LOO, you can put your hand down now! Max can be cute and don't forget that she didn't spend that much time with the other Units at Wyoming so she has a few blank spots.
Cecelia- Wow, I don't think I could reread it all in one sitting! Welcome to the stories anyway and I am glad that you are enjoying them. feel free to let me know if there is something that you don't like or want explaining!
Jane- I wont stop writing and you are not a jinx! Review lots! Max's actions will be discussed in Moving Alongside as well as a few flashbacks. Zan is making the most of not having his competition around and tryingt o get Max to see him as more than friends- good luck to him! Is Max goingt o run into one of the 09ers on a mission? No. But the 09ers do have a part later on. I cant say too much or risk giving away the story. Still- enjoy!
Acb- Nah who would choose Rachel over Max? Not me…Um… yeah! How do you think I handled it?
Allison lightning- Are they going to escape? Who? Unit 8 and Special Ops? why would they right now, they seem to have it all made. But watch this space.
Angel21- sorry about the small wait- hope this was quicker!
Elite- Hey there! You want us to have the Wyoming lot in there? Hmm, interesting thought. Glad you love my stories- keep reading
Anna Kristina- its great that you liked it, I know I enjoyed the docs visit. Too much angst isn't great but I do enjoy that too! As for Berrisford- yeah MY WAY! LOL.
Moonlite Star- Sorry it took so long! Alec will find out about Max's past very very soon. And it will all end in…. well you'll have to wait and see.
Jamie's Spawn- Thanks pet, Pure genius? Ooh I like that! LOL.
1red1- hey there! No no Logan like-age here, I can't stand the guy myself so he won't be a contender for Max's heart- after all she has both Alec and Zan and others who are way way way better looking than Logan so fear not.
Ting- Max allergic to Alec, nah but allergic to Logan? Oh just imagine the possibilities!
Elfie- Feeling a bit better thanks. The doctors were nicer to her than the Trainers so she's not that scared of them yet. Sorry its not so happy times ahead! Not for Alec nor Max, sorry to say. But we'll see more of that in the next chapter. I always thought that BA left too much out so I tweaked and am happy with that! no Manticore hasn't taught them about seduction yet- that comes later and was fun to write too! I karate kicked my writers block and it came back having learnt Jujitsu- Damn it!!!
Messymissy- Just think of Max sitting there learning about the birds and the bees! LOL. Max is still Number 1 after all but Alec is there too. I never intended Alec to be set aside as Special- where did i say that? Hmm maybe need to change it.
Lyra Skywalker- Yeah Poor Ale but he has friends to help him through this time!
Natasgi- Max's life isn't on hold- Moving Alongside will answer your questions and if not feel free to ask them!
Dokushoka79- Ha- you know me girl! Would I jeopardise my Malecy goodness? Nah! Unscathed…um not exactly!
Kat461- Hey welcome! Glad you followed your sisters advice. Now if you review as often as she does I will be one happy author! Big hugs and enjoy the next part!
Ganko- it needed to be done- but don't hate me for the next chapter ok? I know you want M/A soon but be patient- or if you want I'll write you a small M/A ficlet piece to tide you over.
Cloudburst- it was supposed to be a surprise but a few things that people said made me think that everyone had already sussed that I was going to do Berrisford. Glad it was still a surprise for some! Sweet Rachel couldn't hold a candle to Maxie- sorry but its true and the references are from my fave books. Beatrice and Elizabeth are my kinda gals! How do you like the ending?