Reliving Manticore
Disclaimer-I don't own anything that can be found on Dark Angel. The only things I own are some of the transgenics and the parts of the storyline that I make up. So don't sue!
Summary-Max was captured at the end of season 1 but in my story she wasn't shot in the heart and Zack didn't shoot himself, but he was captured as well. And Max never escaped or burned Manticore down. So basically this story is about Max being back at Manticore with missions, transgenics and all. M/L at first but it will become M/A.
Chapter Eleven-Getting Closer
"My god could this get more boring?" Max sighed angrily.
"Sure," Alec replied as he scanned some information. "Put some classical music on and cook some pasta. That oughta make you pretty boring." Max bit back a smile.
"I just meant that it'd be better if we were actually out there trying to find Krit," she said, flipping through some folders.
"Maxie, we'll do that once we actually know where to look," Zack replied softly without looking up. Alec scowled when Max didn't respond.
"How come he can call you that?" he asked. Max didn't answer. "Maxie?" Nothing. She seemed to be thinking about something.
"Hey Max," Valerie nudged her. She snapped back to attention.
"What?" she asked, startled.
"Clone boy was talking to you," Syl explained. Alec rolled his eyes.
"What were you thinking about?" Kris asked. Max glanced at Alec.
"Nothing...really," she answered and then went back to researching. Alec raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
Why does he have to look so much like Ben but act so differently? Max wondered. Although I welcome the change in not killing people and ripping out their teeth...Do the others even know he's gone? I haven't said anything...about...what happened...Crap. Tears were filling her eyes so she quickly excused herself to the bathroom. But Alec still noticed.
Once inside the bathroom, Max turned the faucet on to cover her sobs. All my fault, all my fault, all my fault, she berated herself.
"Ooh, I found something!" Evan shouted out. The others dropped everything to listen to him. "It says that some military cargo was brought into the harbor a few days ago. It was ordered not to be checked. And it looks like similar cargo was found in the same areas where the transgenic is estimated to have been." Syl's whole face lit up.
"Where's the harbor?" Zack asked.
"I'm guessing down by the water," Alec quipped. Zack glared at him. Alec just looked innocently back.
"Well it seems to be towards the edge of Seattle, near a junkyard and a few abandoned warehouses, and like Alec said, down by the water," Evan answered.
Max had heard all this and was quickly washing her face. No more crying, she told herself. Gotta find Krit.
Alec knocked on the bathroom door. "Hey Max you alright in there?"
"I'm fine," Max snapped as she dried her face. "I'll be out in a second." Alec rolled his eyes at her answer but waited for her to come out. "So are we going to find Krit now?"
"Yup. Well, some of us are," Alec answered as they came back into the living room. "And it's just a little recon."
"Who's going?" Max asked.
"That'd be me, you, and Alec," Zack answered. Syl cleared her throat.
"Syl, you can't come. You don't have enough training," Zack said. Syl literally growled.
"Are you saying I'd be a liability?" she asked angrily. Zack winced.
"Not exactly..." he answered lamely. Syl narrowed her eyes.
"I'm coming," she declared. "I don't give a shit what you think. I love Krit and I am not gonna stand by and do nothing." Zack sighed and finally gave in.
"Same stubborn Syl," he said.
"Alright, let's get going," Max replied.
"Wait," Alec said. "Do we need anything?" Max just looked at him. "You know, ear piece and all that?" Realization dawned on her.
"Oh right," she said. Alec smirked.
"Still getting used to the idea aren't you Maxie?" he said. Max scowled at him.
"Shut up," she retorted. "And don't call me that." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Oh sure, snap at the clone but when big brother says it..." he muttered. Max tensed.
Does he mean Ben? A voice in her head wondered.
Don't be stupid, how could he know that Ben called you that? Another voice argued. Max sighed angrily. "Let's just get the hell out of here and focus on saving Krit," she growled before stalking out of the room. The others exchanged confused glances before following soon after.
The Harbor (Down by the Water...)
"See anything yet?" Max asked. She was crouching by an impounded truck. Alec was in front of her, surveying the area.
"Why yes Max, I see a building, a few crushed cars, the dirt, the sky, and oh look, a bird shit on Zack's foot," he smirked. Max rolled her eyes.
"Be serious Alec," she hissed. Alec sighed.
"Fine, I can't see anything," he replied. A beat passed.
"Did a bird really shit Zack's foot?" Max asked. Alec laughed softly.
"Would I lie to you?" he said over his shoulder before moving over to a better lookout spot. Max smiled and followed.
"It's not that funny," Zack's voice came on their ear pieces. They smirked at each other.
"I don't know Zack," Max replied. "Sounds pretty damn chuckle worthy to me."
"Have either of you found anything worth reporting?" Zack grumbled. Alec smirked at his attempt to change the subject.
"Not yet buddy. We'll keep looking though," he said. "Oh and Zack?"
"Yeah?" Zack asked tiredly.
"Don't go under anymore birds," Alec advised.
"Smart ass," Zack retorted, but Max noticed it sounded light-hearted.
"Now why didn't I think of that as your name?" she asked Alec. He smirked.
"Because as fine as my ass is, you just couldn't risk giving me such an affectionate name," he replied. Max laughed out loud.
"You wish, pretty boy," she said, still smiling. Alec winked at her.
"I know what your heart desires," he said in a false dramatic voice. Max hit him lightly on the shoulder.
"Smart-alec," she retorted.
"Don't I know it," Alec smirked.
"Are you guys done flirting yet?" Syl's voice cracked on their ear pieces. They glanced sheepishly at each other. "We got a transgenic to find. You can play 'flirt with the clone' later."
"We weren't flirting," Max hissed indignantly. Alec rolled his eyes.
"Whatever, just get back to doing recon," Syl replied.
"Alright, we have to get closer to the warehouses," Max said to Alec. He nodded his agreement and they blurred toward the closest one. The window was too high up for either to see through.
"Okay, you're gonna have to lift me," Max ordered. Alec arched an eyebrow. "What? I know I'm able to jump up but there's nothing to hold onto." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Not that. Why do I have to be the one to lift you?" he answered. Now it was Max's turn to raise her eyebrows.
"Do you see anyone else? 'Sides, I'm able to lift you but it's easier if you do it 'cause I'm still smaller and I'd actually recognize Krit if he was there," she argued. Alec sighed but got in position to hold her. "Should I put my feet on your shoulders or am I supposed to sit on you?" Alec laughed out loud.
"Which ever you feel most comfortable with, Maxie," he winked at her. She scoffed and decided to put her feet on his shoulders.
I hope this is painful for him, she thought bitterly as she peered through the window. She was concentrating so intently on the inside that when Zack's voice came on her ear piece she was so startled, she let out a squeak and toppled over, bringing Alec down on top of her. They lay there, a pile of tangled limbs, until what Zack had initially said finally sunk in. They had found the warehouse that Krit might be in. Max grunted and tried to sit up, but she found that slightly difficult with Alec still on top of her.
"Hey Alec, can you move or are you paralyzed?" she asked. Alec groaned in response and began to untangle himself.
"Max, Alec? Did you hear what I said?" Zack's urgent voice said. Max confirmed that they had.
"What warehouse is it?" Alec asked as he rolled off Max so that they were now laying side by side.
"11," Zack answered. "Get over here so we can figure out what we're gonna do."
"Fuck that," Syl's voice said angrily. "Let's just go get him now!"
"Syl, we can't just barge in, we need a plan," Zack explained. Syl huffed but didn't say anything else. "Hurry guys."
Alec stood up and dusted himself off. "You heard the man," he said as he offered his hand to Max. She took it and they headed over to Warehouse 11.
"So what's the verdict?" Max asked as they joined Zack and Syl.
"You guys do a quick scan of the warehouse and I'm gonna see if I can find some info in black and white," Zack answered. The others nodded and began studying the building.
They soon found that they couldn't get too close as it seemed the guards were making up for the lack of security in the other harbor areas.
"Dammit," Max cursed. The only way to get an actual look in the warehouse would be to take out some guards. As easy as that sounded, she didn't want to arouse suspicion. Alec and Syl seemed to be thinking the same thing as they soon joined her at their meeting point.
"Guess we're gonna have to wait 'til tomorrow night to break in," Syl said. Max and Alec nodded in agreement.
"Hey Zack, you found any useful info yet?" Syl asked.
"Yeah, I'm on my way back," Zack's voice answered. "Some blueprints of the warehouse and some other papers."
Once Zack returned, the four transgenics headed back to the hotel.
"So how was it?" Valerie asked as soon as they entered the room.
"Think we found where they're keeping him. We'll probably go in tomorrow night," Zack answered.
"Where are the others?" Max asked. Kris shrugged.
"Went to bed, I guess. They were pretty tired. 48 hours with no sleep will do that to you. Transgenic or not," she said. Syl struggled to stifle a yawn. Zack noticed this.
"Alright, we'll get back to work in the morning. Get some rest," he ordered. Syl was about to argue but she was interrupted by another yawn.
"I need a place to sleep though, I'm not technically checked into the hotel," she said.
"You can use my bed," Max offered. "I'm not that sleepy. Shark DNA." Syl nodded, understanding. They said goodnight to the males before going to their own rooms.
Soon Max was the only one left awake. She sat on the couch with the tv on mute. She grew restless almost instantaneously. "Screw this," she muttered as she grabbed her coat and headed out the door. She bumped into someone on her way to the elevator.
"That shark DNA must be a real bitch to deal with," Alec said. Once Max recovered from her shock she simply nodded.
"That's my reason for being up," she said. "What's your excuse?" Alec shrugged.
"I was gonna get some fresh air. Care to join me?" he asked. Max smirked.
"Sure, that's what I was gonna do anyways," she replied and moved ahead of him to enter the elevator. Alec smiled and followed her.
"Where do you wanna go?" he asked once they were outside. Max considered her options.
Might as well get this over with, they probably won't even be there this late, she thought. "How do you feel about Crash?" she asked aloud.
Crash...
"A beer for milady," Alec said as he handed Max her drink. She smiled and thanked him. "So how'd you know about this place?"
"I used to come here pretty much every night after work," Max answered. Alec frowned.
"What was it that you did again?" he asked.
"Delivering packages for Jam Pony," she said before taking a sip of her beer. Alec smirked. "It wasn't as bad as it sounds. I had some great friends working with me." Alec nodded in understanding.
"Have you seen them yet?" he wondered. Max decided to play dumb, not really wanting to answer that question.
"Seen who?" she asked. Alec rolled his eyes.
"Don't do that, you know who I'm talking about. Your little friends that you seem to miss so dearly," he said. Max narrowed her eyes.
"Why do you care?" she replied angrily.
"Just making conversation, Max. You should try it some time," Alec retorted.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Max said stubbornly. Alec scoffed.
"Sure you don't. Hasn't anyone ever told you that the whole secretive thing can be a real pain in the ass?" he asked.
"Oh, please. You're one to talk," Max argued.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Alec asked. Max rolled her eyes.
"You've been at Manticore for what, like, 23 years?" she waited for Alec's confirmation before continuing. "Well I've known you for about a year and you've got a pretty good idea of what my life was like after 09. But here's the knee slapper, I don't think I know a single thing about yours, except the whole Psy Ops thing after the escape." Alec suddenly found his drink to be very interesting. "So come on Alec. You wanna play the secret game? I'm up for it, as long as you stop being such a damn hypocrite." Alec didn't look at her. "What? Come on Alec. Spill. What were your teen years like? What missions were you sent on? How many people have you killed?" She knew she was probably crossing the line but she didn't care. She wasn't wrong. Alec's eyes snapped up to her's to match her glare.
"Why the hell do you want to know so much? You think I've kept a count of all the lives I've ruined? Well sorry to disappoint, Maxie, I'm not as much of a monster that you seem to think I am," he growled.
"Who said anything about being a monster?" Max argued. "I'm just sick of you hiding your past while you try to pry into mine! Now tell me Alec. What the fuck happened to you to make you so freakin closed up?"
"I screwed up a mission alright?" Alec snapped. "I was on a solo mission and I royally fucked it up. Resulted in a trip to Psy Ops for a few months. I had to work my ass off to be able to join another unit." Max just looked at him. "That's my secret. You happy now?" he finished off his drink and got up to leave. Max stood up and put a hand on his arm to stop him.
"There's more," it was more of a statement than a question. Alec gulped and averted his eyes. "Alec, please tell me," her voice had lost all its anger. In its place was a softness that Alec rarely heard directed at him. He didn't move but Max guided him back to his seat and sat down next to him. "Please?" A beat passed as Alec just studied his hands.
"Rachel," he whispered. If it weren't for Max's enhanced hearing she probably wouldn't have heard it. "Her name was Rachel. She was the daughter of my target. Robert Berrisford. He was the CEO of Mercidyne, one of Manticore's subcontractors at the time. I don't know if they still are. Manticore got a stick up their ass about the possibility of Berrisford asking 'unnecessary' questions about their work. My mission was to figure out how much he knew. If he knew too much, I was authorized to terminate. My cover was a piano teacher for Rachel. We got...um...close," as he said this, his hands started to shake. Max gently placed her hand over them. He raised his head to look at her. Tears were shining in his eyes. "He did know too much, Max. I was ordered to take out both him and Rachel. I tried to get out of hurting Rachel without being too obvious but they didn't listen. I set up the bomb and everything. But I couldn't do it. And when I tried to tell Rachel...she...slapped me...and ran out to her dad. I guess I had shown lack of reliability because some Manticore people blew the car up before I could reach Rachel again...she...died," Alec's voice finally cracked. "I killed her Max! She's dead because of me!" Max's eyes were full of concern as she let go of his hands to embrace him in a comforting hug.
"It's not your fault, Alec," she said firmly when she pulled back to look into his eyes. A few tears had fallen. He opened his mouth to argue but Max put a finger to his lips. "No. You tried to tell her the truth. It is not your fault that she didn't believe you. You never meant to hurt her and that's what matters. It's not your fault you were created in a lab and trained to be a 'super soldier'. Not everyone can understand that. You are not a monster and you cannot blame yourself for her death." Alec was still uncertain but he managed to smile through his tears.
"Guess I'm more like Ben than you thought, huh?" he said as Max hugged him again. As soon as he said it he knew it was a mistake. Max shot out of his reach and stared at him in shock.
"Don't. Ever. Say. That," she said through gritted teeth. Alec gulped. "You may look like him but you are nothing like what he turned into. And that wasn't his fault either. Manticore did it to both of you. But while you managed to stay sane, Ben started reliving old Manticore training. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about so I won't go into details."
Alec sighed. "I'm sorry, Max," he said. Max looked at him curiously. "For having you listen to my sob story and then bringing up Ben. I should've remembered you don't like to talk about him since he's insane." Max looked at the ground.
"First of all, it was me who asked you to bring up your mission. And second...just a correction..." she looked at him. "Not 'is', was." Alec looked at her in confusion. "Was insane," she elaborated. His look didn't falter. "He's dead." Alec's eyes widened in shock and his mouth fell open slightly. "I...I thought you knew."
"No...I...didn't. How? When?" Alec stuttered. Max lost all emotion in her face.
"A few months before I was recaptured. As for the how..." she trailed off. Alec frowned.
"Max?" he asked tentatively. When she looked back at him, tears were running down her cheeks. He quickly moved over to her and hugged her tightly.
"I killed him," she said bluntly through her sobs. Alec froze. "He asked me to, so I did. We were in the woods and Manticore was closing in on us. And I ran. I saved myself and just left his body there for them to take away."
Alec kissed the top of her hair as they continued their embrace. Max's sobs subsided after a while but neither moved. Alec risked a look at the clock and realized it was about time they headed back to the hotel. "Max?" he pulled away slightly to look at her.
"Yeah?" she asked tentatively.
"It's about 2 o'clock, we should be getting back," Alec said as he rose from his seat. Max sighed and followed suit. Neither said another word until they reached their rooms.
"Thank you," they said at the same time. Both smiled.
"Please don't tell anyone about Ben yet, I need to find my own way. But I think telling you helped me deal with it a little better," Max said sincerely. Alec nodded.
"And thanks for listening to my Berrisford...thing..." he said. Max smiled.
"Anytime," she replied and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Alec." Then she went into her room, leaving a surprised transgenic in the hallway. He didn't move for a few minutes.
"Wow," he said as he realized something and finally went to bed.
A/N-Hehe. I wonder what that something is...;o) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It took a while to write 'cause I had to figure out a believable way for them to fess up about the Rachel thing and Ben story as a way to bring them closer. Hope it worked, review and let me know ;o)
Dark Borg Drone-Oh so that's what it means...hehe, thanks. Cool language by the way ;o)
Kristibella-Sorry but I don't think I can be much help in explaining it...it kinda just came naturally, I guess if you really wanted to work it through it would probably become less confusing, but I'm no expert ;o)
Guest type person-And you predicted correctly. It definitely would get annoying after a while but once they learn the truth about Ben they'll stop confusing Alec with him.
alexceasar-I definitely plan to bring OC and the others in. I haven't quite figured out the right way to do it though.
lakergirl08-Their feelings kind of took a big jump in this chapter but it'll probably still be a while (sorry!). In the next chapter there will be more of Krit/Syl's relationship and the decision to whether or not bring them back to Manticore.
kill bill rocks-Twinkily soundslike a very interesting/crazy person...I'm glad you like the story, I try my best ;o)