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.

Italics = flashback

Chapter Fourteen – Tomorrow

Angeline sat in her shelter shaking, the shock finally setting in over what had happened, her sobs uncontrollable. She had lived a relatively closeted life and until today had yet to experience true horror. That one explosion had changed her forever, she had witnessed something no one should be privy to in his or her life. In her hand was clasped the reel of film she had taken, her testament to what had happened. She felt dirty, her profession felt dirty she didn't know what to do so she just sat there.

Alec entered Angeline's shelter he had yet to grieve, for it meant accepting what had happened and he was still in denial.

"Angeline" he whispered as he sat next to the crying woman.

She rubbed at her eyes "I'm fine, just finding it hard to comprehend is all."

"Aren't we all?"

"I'm so sorry."

"What for?"

"For all of this."

"Its not your fault. The best thing you can do now is to tell our side."

"I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"You have to, we all have to find the strength to go on and do what's right. As hard as it is you're our best hope to let the people know."

"Hold me" Angeline requested, Alec paused then took her in his strong arms.

"How do you do it?"

"I've had practice." Angeline leaned up a planted a kiss on his lips.

He pulled away from her "I can't."

"I'm sorry, it was stupid," she said embarrassed.

"Dits is taking you out tonight, we can't guarantee your safety anymore."

"I took photos," Angeline whispered looking at the film in her hand "should I use them."

"Yes" then Alec rose and left.


Cecelia stood in front of the white board in Senator Druitt's offices, it wasn't looking good most of the senators nervous about voting in favour of the transgenic nation. She was beginning to think this had been a bad career move. They needed a break, something that would rally the senators to their cause, something that would end this godforsaken war.


General Farr sat at his desk petting his dog, it was done he had issued the invitation now he had to wait and see if the transgenics would accept it.


Alec walked into command to retrieve Hope, before going to Angeline's he had spent the last twenty-four hours digging in the rubble with everyone else. Ivy had finally forced him to leave the excavation to the others and go and be with his daughter.

"Where's Hope, Mole?" he asked his lizard friend.

"In the back, she finally went to sleep."

"How's she been?"

"Not too good just kept asking for you until she tired herself out. Any news?"

"Their still digging. I'm taking Hope back to Sandeman's you can find me there if you need me."

"Sure thing. You know we are going to have to do something."

"I know, just not now."

Alec walked to the back and picked up Hope then left command walking gauntly to Sandeman's house to shut himself away from everything and everyone for a time. He was finally going to grieve for his lose to allow the anger to consume him. Hope stirred in his arms and he held her closer, his emotions mixed. He felt joy that Hope still lived but sadness at Toby's death for he must be dead.

Max, Thaddeus and Faith had used the backdoor and were now in Seattle unawares that something was incredibly wrong. As they approached command they noticed all the forlorn faces, the anger, the hatred but didn't understand. It wasn't until Max entered command and was given a full briefing by Mole that she collapsed where she stood. Toby may not have been her son but she felt the loss acutely and her heart felt like it was imploding. She grasped Faith to her as if somehow feeling the small body next to her would still her breaking heart, but alas no.

"Where's Alec" Thaddeus asked.

"Back at Sandeman's" Mole answered "he's in a pretty bad way although you wouldn't know it to look at him" chopping heavily on his cigar.

"Look after Faith" then to Faith "Stay here, Uncle Mole will look after you"

"I want to go with mummy" Faith whispered not ready to let the woman out of her sight.

Thaddeus bent down in front of Faith "mummy has to go do something Faith, she's not going far, and I'll bring Hope back with me okay."

"Mummy's not leaving again?"

"No" he caressed her cheek.

"Okay, I'll stay, if you promise to bring Hope."

"I promise."

Faith tenderly kissed her mother's cheek, still not understanding why she was so sad. Thaddeus then helped Max to her feet and led her to Sandeman's.

Faith looked at the lizard man "I don't think you're my uncle" she commented.

"If I'm good enough for your sister then I'm good enough for you too" he smirked lifting the girl high and spinning her around then tucking his adopted neice into his side.

"Will mummy be okay" Faith asked looking in the direction her mother was taken in.

"She'll be fine, just got some issues to work out."

"Who was Toby?"

"Let's get you something to eat" Mole gruffed changing the subject heading for the side room in command.

Max and Thaddeus walked down the stairs to Sandeman's basement, and they were confronted with Alec sitting playing the piano with Hope quietly beside him.

"Alec" she whispered into the darkened room.

"Maxie?" he stopped playing and turned to look at her as she ran over and embraced him.

"I'm so sorry, I should have been here," she muttered into his hair as she sat next to him.

"Did you find her?"

"Yes, she's in command with Mole."

"I'm so confused Maxie."

"I know," she whispered kissing him then noticed Hope standing at her side little arms resting on her thigh.

"Sweetie" Max sadly smiled hugging her close.

"You brought Faith," the little girl asked.

"Yes, Thaddeus will take you to her, daddy and I need to be alone for a little bit okay."

"Daddy's sad because of Toby and Layla."

"Go with Thaddeus, I'll be along in a bit" Max kissed her daughter one last time before Thaddeus picked Hope up and carried her up the stairs and away from her parents.

"I lose one child and gain another. I feel as though someone out there is laughing at me."

"Its tragic Alec, but we have to get past this."

Alec rose "don't lecture me Max it wasn't one of your children."

"I know," she whispered approaching him cautiously "I didn't mean to sound insensitive."

"Just hold me, make me believe everything's going to be fine."

"It will be my love" she responded as she held him close then kissed him to let him know it was definitely going to be okay eventually. She led him over to their bed where she continued to hold Alec close as his fell asleep in the safety of her arms.

TBC