Disclaimer: The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Max, Zack, Logan, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me. No money is being made off of this fic. I only own the original characters (Becky/X6-405, etc.).

"That is a completely true story," Alec said into his cell phone the next day as he was leaving Jam Pony and heading to his apartment. "I know exactly what you mean. I'm glad you were able to make a profit off of it. I'll try to have something else for you within about two weeks or so. Does that work for you? It does? Perfect. I was thinking about this one place over in Tacoma. I'll let you know when my plans are concrete. Talk to you later. 'Bye." He disconnected his phone.

"Planning your next heist already?" a voice said next to him. "You sure don't waste any time."

"That's kind of the pot calling the kettle black, Max," Alec said. "Am I right or am I right?"

"Okay, so you are right on that one," Max admitted.

"I wish Jeff were back in Seattle," Alec muttered. "I need sane conversation."

"You'll get your wish tomorrow," Becky said. "I called Jeff while we were on our lunch break. He said that he'll be back in the city then. Not only that, but Jeff told me that he was thinking about trying to get a job at Jam Pony with us."

"Not bad," Alec said.

"Oh, that reminds me," Max said. "You've got someone waiting for you in your apartment. I wanted to not warn you and make it a total surprise but it was pointed out to me that could backfire and could possibly physically hurt the person waiting for you and you'll see what I mean by that."

"Is it a hooker?" Alec said hopefully.

Max smacked him. "You ass. You wish it was."

"It's not a hooker," Becky said. "But it's definitely a surprise. I hope it will be a good one."

"Okay," Alec said. He looked suspicious. "If this is some rude joke, I will kill both of you. I'll see you guys later."

"See you tomorrow," Max said. She and Becky waved to him and rode off to their own apartments.

Alec shrugged and continued to head to his own place. He got off of his bicycle and took it inside the building and up to his apartment and he tried turning the lock. At least whoever Max and Becky said is in my place was thoughtful enough to lock the door. I guess that's a good thing. I hope this doesn't turn out to be too bad. Hey, maybe it's 511! I miss that guy. He always did like to try to surprise me. He grinned and unlocked the door and wheeled his bike inside. "Okay, I'm home, you can come out of hiding now."

"I will," Brin said.

Alec jumped and turned and saw Brin standing in front of him. "I...7..."

"34," Brin finished. "It's Brin. Becky told me you go by Alec now?"

"Yeah, that's my name," Alec said. He sat down, still looking at Brin. "I...Brin, my..." Alec started to say.

"Son or daughter?" Brin said.

"Yeah," Alec said. "Holy crap, that's my kid."

"Yes," Brin said. "Especially when you consider the fact that I broke up with my last boyfriend over a year ago."

"I'm gonna be a father...that's...holy shit," Alec said. "Is this some kind of prank that Max got you up to help pull on me? I'd don't think Max would be that mean, but then again, I did piss her off pretty bad the last time she and I and some of the others from work hung out at Crash together."

"Trust me, this is not a prank. You know that they told you that you were successful and that I'd been impregnated," Brin said. "They told us at the same time, remember?"

"I know," Alec said. "I remember that. I'm just having a nice big helping of shock right now. Do you want some?"

"I've already had enough of that to last me through a few lifetimes, but thanks for offering," Brin said.

"I can imagine that one," Alec said. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "The baby is okay, right?"

"Yeah, as far as I can tell, the baby is fine," Brin said.

"That's great," Alec said. It is great. I can't believe how relieved I am.

"Were you expecting someone else to be here? You sounded like you were when you came in."

"I definitely wasn't expecting it to be you to be in my apartment," Alec said. "I was thinking that my buddy 511 was in the city and was trying to surprise me again."

"Oh," Brin said.

"So, do you want anything to drink or something like that?" Alec asked. "I guess it's only polite to ask you."

"No, I'm fine," Brin said. "But thanks anyway."

"I could sure as hell use something," Alec said. "Tequila's sounding pretty good right about now." He sighed. "Where are you living now? Are you here in Seattle?"

"No, a little outside of the city," Brin said. "I'm living right now with Becky's sister Maggie."

"Oh," Alec said. "That's good."

"Are you okay?" Brin said. "Wait, that was probably a pretty dumb question."

"I don't have a straight answer for that question for you right now," Alec admitted. "I didn't expect you to show up and tell me that you and the baby are both fine and that I'm going to be a dad. Don't get me wrong, I really didn't wish for you and the baby to die in the fire or anything horrible like that. I'd never wish for anything like that. When I was told of the breeding program and that I'd been placed in the program and assigned to be your breeding partner, I didn't think that I'd have anything to do with the baby when he or she was born. I knew that what I was doing was no different than a normal human guy going to a sperm bank and giving a donation. We both know that if Manticore hadn't burned down, that would be the case. I'll be completely honest with you. I was relieved that I wouldn't have anything to do with the baby after conceiving him or her. I wasn't ready for anything like that. I tried not to think about it too much after the fire and we all got out. But now I guess that it doesn't matter if I'm ready or not because it's gonna happen regardless. I'm not a complete bastard, Brin. I'll be there for our kid." He shook his head. "Like I said, though, I don't know if I'm ready for it."

Brin nodded. "I'm not asking you to be in a relationship with me that's beyond friendship. We should be friends because it would be better for the baby if we got along with each other, but I don't want to pressure you to do anything that's beyond your capacity."

"Thank you," Alec said, relieved. "I'm definitely not ready for a steady girlfriend right now."

"I'm not ready for a boyfriend right now," Brin said.

"The baby's due in February," Alec said. "Middle of February, right?"

"Yeah," Brin said. "It could be born early, I guess, but that's what the doctor back at Manticore told me."

"Then I've got four-and-a-half months to get ready for this," Alec said. "I hope that'll be enough time."

"Good luck," Brin said.

"Thanks," Alec said. He groaned. "Who am I kidding? It's my kid. I'm gonna be screwed."

Brin laughed. "I guess all we have to do is hope that he or she takes after me rather than you."

"Let's cross our fingers," Alec agreed.

TBC