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 keep the reviews coming.

Italics = flashback

Chapter Seven – A Fine Line

Alec had finished debriefing Max in the basement of Sandeman's old house, their own private sanctuary from the hell outside. Max was now wrapped in a thread bare blanket sitting at the old piano lightly tapping out the only tune she knew chopsticks. Her mind took her back to when she first learnt that Alec could play, the memory of the music playing in her ears, she hadn't heard him play since. Alec got up from the old mattress and pulled on his boxers and jeans before sitting down next to her on the piano stool.

"I didn't know you could play"

"I wouldn't exactly call it playing" she joked then in a sobre tone "we need to talk."

'Diversionary scenario one' Alec thought as he leaned in to kiss her but she gently pushed him away "what I can't kiss you?"

"I know your game" she teased "I need your real brain right now."

He turned to the piano and began to play a hauntingly beautiful piece that brought a sadness to Max's eyes, through his playing she could sense his fears and she allowed him to finish playing before continuing.

"We can't continue this way."

"What way."

"Not fighting back" She said slowly realising the words she was saying was uncommon for her.

"Maxie, what are you suggesting?" even though he knew he wanted to hear her say it.

"We need to crush them once and for all"

"You don't mean that, you've always been pro human life" he reminded her.

"That was before."

"Before what?"

"They took our daughter Alec."

"That isn't reason enough."

"How long are we suppose to let them bomb us" she was getting upset "until there's nothing left."

"It won't come to that" he tried to reassure himself and her.

"It's already come to that, if we don't act now there isn't going to be a nation to build."

"Destroying them isn't the answer either and you know it" he was standing now his anger being expressed both physically and emotionally.

"We've tried it your way and its not working."

"Correction Max it was your way long before I coined it."

"Do you want Hope and Toby to grow up like this?"

"Don't you dare use my children as a pawn to get your way" he was really mad now "you're not here, you're out there searching for an illusion." He motioned with his hands.

"How dare you" and she actually slapped him.

Alec grabbed her wrist "I thought you had gotten over hitting me Max."

"Faith is not an illusion, I carried her for nine months, I gave birth to her and held her in my arms before they ripped her away from me, you were spared that, I wasn't." she was pulling her clothes on this man she loved a stranger to her at this point.

"I'm sorry, I hate our situation as much as you, I'm frustrated that I'm stuck here while you're out there searching, I'm scared, scared that I'll never get to be a father to her." He approached tentatively waiting for Max to make the first move, she embraced him needing his warmth, his love, his safety.

"You were born to lead Alec, it's what you do best."

"What good will slaughtering the troops do."

"Make them fear us."

"It's all very well to make them fear us, but once this is all over we're going to have to co inhabit with them, do you want Hope to be feared?"

"I don't want Hope to live like this amongst the rubble, the squaller, the bombs."

"Nobody said fighting for freedom was going to be easy Maxie."

"Alec I know you're not a killer, but sometimes we have to do something that is so despicable to protect our family, you have to start making the difficult choices." She caressed his cheek.

"What and the decisions I've already made haven't been hard, you think it's easy to order men and women to be shot at but not retaliate."

"It's not our way, deep down you know it."

"That's the thing Max it is our way, we're not cold blooded killers it's a fallacy we're trying to dispel, killing a bunch of them will only reinforce it."

"You're a fool if you think that they will just one day stop bombing us and say good little transgenics, you can go and live in peace now." She pulled herself out of his embrace.

"I don't expect that Max, freedom comes with a price and I fear it will be a heavy one for us and our actions will define that price."

"We've killed troops already, what difference does it make, they won't remember the one's we didn't kill only the one's we did."

"You don't know that." Alec soothed.

"I want it to end Alec, and I'm quite prepared to kill every last soldier out there to ensure that."

"It won't achieve anything."

"The bombing would stop." He kissed her forehead realising how useless she felt as a mother, a mate and a member of the transgenic nation.

"Pick a cause Max and focus on it, I'm ordering you as your leader and mate, you're achieving nothing by trying to do everything."

"What do you mean?"

"Either focus on finding Faith or being a mother and mate or fighting a war. You can't do all three."

"Someone has to."

"No, let me fight the war, let Layla look after Hope and you find Faith."

"That's what's been happening." She protested.

"No its not and you know it, I know it's hard but it's just something you're going to have to do."

"I feel as though I've lost both my daughters."

"Hope understands and she loves you nothing will ever change that." He kissed her passionately trying to wash away her doubts and fears.

"You always do that" she joked.

"What?"

"Calm me, how did you go from annoying to calming."

"Maybe I finally grew up."

"Or maybe I accepted you for who you are."

He hugged her tight knowing that this conversation had to end and he had to get back to command "All I ask is that you trust my judgement Max."

"And all I ask is that you don't let this drift on for much longer, we're dying Alec and we need to start thinking about survival." She kissed him one last time knowing this conversation was over.


Jenny entered Senator Druitt's office "I have that secure line to Seattle ma'am."

"Thank you Jenny, patch it through."

Jenny nodded her understanding and left the Senator alone in front of her computer waiting for the link.

transgenic command Luke greeted.

"Hello Luke good to see you again."

Same to you Senator, what can I do you for?

"I have some important news that could end the siege."

What is it Senator?

"The Senate will be voting in four weeks as to whether or not to open peace negotiations. This is an unprecedented step and if things go well could launch the transgenic nation."

I'll make sure the relevant personnel know.

"Thank you Luke" and she disconnected.


Angeline was still sitting in command waiting for the gorgeous transgenic she had met earlier to return, silently praying he was going to be her escort. She had already begun making notes on her first impressions since entering Seattle and was confident that her articles would win her national acclaim if only for her bravery.

Alec sauntered into command and headed straight for Luke "Anything to report."

"The Senator just called in, had some interesting information, I would advise convening the war council."

"Set it up." Alec muttered aware of the guest.

Angeline strutted over to Alec "Um, so I've been waiting a few hours and would really like to meet the person in charge."

"Sorry I'm about as high up as you'll get, the man in charge is very private and protective of his identity, last thing we need is an assassination attempt." Alec explained.

"So are you the one escorting me around?"

"As much as I would love to, I have family matters that are going to take up any free time I may have, you've been assigned Horatio who is more than capable of keeping you alive."

"So when do I meet Horatio" she asked as the man in question walked into command.

"Right now in fact." Alec waved Horatio over "Horatio this is Angeline the journalist you're going to be her escort."

Horatio began to protest not liking his latest assignment but then thought better of it "Hi."

"You're not really a talkative bunch are you?" Angeline noted.

"It's a war zone," Horatio stated matter-of-factly.

"Well I should probably get to work now that I have my escort." She smiled for Alec's sake while nibbling on the end of her pencil.

'Is she flirting with me' Alec pondered, since having committed to Max he was a little out of touch, and since being stuck in Seattle he was definitely out of touch with human female courting rituals.

"Let's go" Horatio said ushering her out of command.

"Well I hope to see you later Alec." She crooned before following her escort.

Alec watched them disappear out of command before he laughed and then heard Mole boom "I see you've still got it pretty boy."

"It appears I have" He said glad to see his lizard friend.

TBC