Title: Where Will You Go?
Author: jracklesfan77
Show: DA
Genre: songfic
Pairing: M/A
Type: Stand Alone
Summary: Only Alec can really hear...

"Where Will You Go"
(
by: Evanescence)

You're too important for anyone
You play the role of all you long to be
But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries when you're alone

Her tough attitude showed the world she could do anything, a facade she hid behind. Alec knew better.

He stared up at her window, her shadow a silhouette on the wall cast by the soft candlelight. Cindy had left earlier; no one was in the apartment with her. He could see her body shaking, wracked with sobs. Was she thinking of Logan ?

He wished she would let him in; open up to him. He'd been there too. He'd known torture, deprivation, pain. Couldn't she see? She never needed to explain herself to him.

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape

Max always tried to ignore the things she couldn't handle. She'd lash out, fight, and scream. But she couldn't hide from herself. Neither of them could. Their pasts would follow them no matter how far they ran.

You think that I can't see right through your eyes
Scared to death to face reality
No one seems to hear your hidden cries
You're left to face yourself alone

Alec could always see through her mask. Max was strong, but even strong people have their limitations. The slump of her shoulders, the defeat in her posture told a different story to that which she projected to the world. "I can hear you, Maxie" he whispered softly into the night.

I realize you're afraid
But you can't abandon everyone
You can't escape
You don't want to escape

She kept closing herself off, never letting anyone get too close. One day she would break. She couldn't run from her past and she refused to embrace her future, willing herself to take things one day at a time. The present was a prison of her own creation, if only he could make her see.

I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands
Is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone
I can hear you in a whisper
But you can't even hear me screaming

Alec finally entered her building, taking the stairs two at a time. He knocked on her door.

Quiet feet padded across the room and the door swung open to reveal Max's tear-streaked face staring sadly up at him. Wordlessly, he stepped forward to envelop her in a hug.

"I'm here, Max." He wouldn't talk. Not now. His presence was enough. She leaned into him, seeking the comfort he offered.

They went to sit on the couch. Max curled up against him and rested her head on his chest. Her breath evened out and Alec was sure she had fallen asleep.

He whispered into her hair. "See me, Maxie. Please, just see me."

Her eyes fluttered open at the desperation in his voice. She knew. She'd always known but had chosen to ignore it. But she could ignore it no longer. She'd cried for her love lost, cried for the dream of Logan that she'd known for so long would never be. She'd cried for the vision of Alec she never thought would materialize. But he had. He'd always been there for her.

She was afraid. He was afraid. It was time to break free.

I realize you're afraid
But you can't reject the whole world
You can't escape
You won't escape
You can't escape
You don't want to escape

"I see you, Alec. All I can see right now is you." She turned her head to face him as she softly spoke the words he longed to hear.

- FIN -