Alec's War

By Shikasta

Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU

Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.

A/N The first few chapters in this story are going to be short because I'm bringing you all up to speed on the character's whereabouts 2 ½ years on. Also for those of you wondering why the siege has been going on for so long – don't worry your question will be answered in a few chapters time (I assure you there is a very plausible explanation, and I know you have your doubts but trust me). Oh and about the length of the war – I'm trying to make it realistic most wars don't begin and end in a week granted we are talking about super soldiers here but as I said there is an explanation but you're just going to have to read to find out.

Italics = flashback

Chapter Two – The High Place

Max sat high as high as she could in another strange city. She sat on this tall building legs dangling over the edge contemplating her next move, another city, another dead end Faith but a whisper on the breeze that caressed her cheeks. She knew it was time to head back to the rubble of Seattle, regroup and try again but it was hard as if going back was admitting she had given up.

Thaddeus sat beside her, at first he didn't understand her need to be high but joined her anyway, now he was addicted to the attraction. He knew what Max was thinking his instincts in tune with hers, they had spent 2½ years together the majority of which with only each other for company. They had followed every lead and in doing so liberated 10 newgens, their excuse to go home to Seattle, but they had still yet to find the one they searched for, the elusive Faith.

"It's time to head back," Thaddeus said breaking the silence.

"I know" Max responded "I was so sure this time, but-"

"We'll find her Max, she can't elude us forever ya know"

"I hope you're right Thaddeus" Max stood 'Time to say goodbye"

"Goodbye City" Thaddeus shouted standing on the edge with his arms sticking out at his sides.

"One day you're going to fall off" Max quipped.

"Never, and if I did I'd only land on my feet" he joked.

"You've been a good friend," she said taking his hand.

"Now Max don't go all girly on me" he grinned lightening the mood.

"You know, you should just learn how to take a compliment"

"Too macho for that, sorry" and he started to jog towards the stairwell "race ya" and he sped off. Max said one last silent pray to the Blue Lady to keep Faith safe, then gallivanted off after Thaddeus no way was she going to let him beat her to the bottom head start or no head start.

It had been almost six months since Max and Thaddeus had last snuck into Seattle and they never knew what awaited them. It had been decided early on that they would maintain radio silence unless it was absolutely necessary, for everyone's safety you could never know if anyone was listening in. Now they were speeding back to Seattle and her fears were no longer for Faith but for the rest of her family hoping that none of them had been wounded or were dead. Returning always made Max anxious, allowing her fears for them to rise to the surface and dominate, desperate to be close to Alec again to rekindle their love and to be a mother to Hope even if only for a short time.

Thaddeus would joke that she was bi-polar, instead of highs and lows it was Seattle and Faith but Max would just shrug never quite seeing the humour. This trip back was different for Max, she sat at the high place not asking questions about Faith, this time asking for the strength to challenge Alec, they had to end the siege which meant spilling blood something she did not relish but was a necessary evil. They did not believe in humanity's God, they could no longer turn the other cheek, her memories threw her back to Joshua's death and why she gave up leadership, it was time for them to become the killer's they were designed to be. It was time for Alec to become the leader he was meant to be. It was time to end it once and for all.

TBC