Authors Note: My first two chapters had a lot of back story, explanations, and dialogue. If that sort of stuff bugs you, I recommend you read something else. I wrote this story for two reasons:
I am a Dark Angel fan, disappointed by the abrupt end of a great show.
I am fascinated by Alec. I found myself wanting to explore his many sides.
Here is a glimpse into the Dark Side of the Moon.
Chapter Three - Dark Side of the Moon
"Oh God," Alec gasped "Lily"
"You know this chick?" Max asked
"Yeah, I do..I did. It was a long time ago." Alec shook his head trying to erase unwanted memories, ignore unwanted emotions.
"Her pulse is good, a bit thready, but good." Max said with relief. "She'll live."
Alec smiled "Of course she'll live, it's what she does."
"I can't tell where all the bleeding is coming from" Maddie said, touching various parts of Lily with practised ease.
"What do you need?" the dark man asked, his voice like warm honey over hot coals.
"I need at least some of this gear off her"
"Done"
With that, the dark man lifted Lily's nearly lifeless body and started tearing off her combat gear.
"Hey, be careful" Maddy and Alec exclaimed
"You're hurting her" Alec said
"No pain" the dark man said
"How the hell do you know" Alec demanded
"No pain" the dark man repeated
"She doesn't feel pain?" Maddy asked
"No pain" the dark man said again, nodding.
With a final tug, Lily was left in combat pants and her bra. Alec flinched when he saw her broken, bloodied body. How could anyone have survived that? Maddy, with her usual reserve, reached for an IV and some gauze.
"Joshua?" she called
"Yes?" Joshua said, moving forward and cringing when he saw all the blood.
"Can you hold this up for me please?"
Maddy handed him two bags attached to Lily's IV. Joshua moved aside, holding the bags and trying not to breathe. Max was given the task of cleaning and bandaging all the smaller cuts. Alec had to help Maddie with the large gashes and burns., while the dark man set himself up to give a blood transfusion. The two men had argued who would give Lily blood until Maddy mentioned she would need more than one transfusion. Original Cindy had come upstairs and in all the commotion agreed to help. She was handing out medical supplies and giving encouragement. It was almost sunset before Maddy considered Lily alright for the time being.
"The biggest risk now is infection" Maddy said, washing her hands. "And we're immune to almost everything."
Alec sighed in relief, looking down at the tube connecting him to Lily. There had been a few tense hours where he thought he might lose her, that was not something Alec would ever consider again.
It was five hours later, Lily had received four transfusions and was finally showing signs of improvement. The dark man hadn't left her side. He was constantly checking her vitals for any change, or adjusting her blankets. Much to everyone's surprise, Alec had also stayed beside her, leaving only long enough to get an update from Mole or grab something to eat.
"Any change?" Alec asked, bringing the dark man a plate of rations.
"Her breathing is better and her small wounds show signs of healing."
Alec sighed. It had been a long time since he had allowed himself to really care about anyone. He always kept a part of himself distant, a finely honed self-defence mechanism. In the last few weeks he began to realize that caring wasn't necessarily a weakness. Max cares for people and it makes her strong, maybe it's finally time Alec allow himself to do the same.
"Do you have a name?" Alec finally thought to ask
"Lily named me Striker" the dark man said absently, "Why?"
"I just wanted to know what to call you" Alec shrugged.
Striker and Alec share the silence, both men watching the rise and fall of Lily's chest. Time went by unnoticed by the two sentinels, the sun was rising on a new day when Lily moaned.
