Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters obviously do not belong to me. I am writing this purely for non-profit entertainment. Yada, yada! No infringement intended, so don't sue me!
A/N: Gee, what have I done in the last chapter? Hehe, my number of hits plummeted! So grateful to you guys who stuck by me with this long-winded story. Thanks!
Kungfuchick – Thanks for reviewing! Hmm…I have no idea how old is he, but I would guess about a few years older than Max? Maybe around 20?
Mel11 – Thanks for your review. Erm…about Fye…Argh! You got to read to find out. I can't tell you. Hope you enjoy this chappie anyway!
Angelofdarkness78 – Hey, thanks for your review. About Fye…Ahem, anyway, I had a look at the fic, but then I realized that it's a bit difficult to follow because I have not watched a single episode of BTVS. I'll read it after I get hold of some BTVS so that at least I know who's who! Lol!
Black Lion (anon) – Glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing!
Iridescent Twilight – See? Threats again! This time really scary ones -:shudders:- SPIDERS in my ears? Woman, that's sick! How do you think this up is beyond me! Your poor sister! And of course I brought back the cliffies! I was dying of withdrawal!
Sarah (anon) – So I take your words as approval for cliffhangers then -:grins:- Max's siblings will come on and off, because I suddenly realized just how many characters I've got in this fic -:groans:- But I know what you mean, the sibling relations were brushed over most of the time.
Angel Of Darkness231 – Thanks for reviewing. Me? Evil? Surely not! Lol! Ah…hehe! I did write 3 years, lol! The hair incident happened just as she met her new friends, so its almost 3 years. Yeah, the truce. I was trying very hard not to make them bicker, otherwise it will be all-out war again, hence no truce!
Kelzaa – Majority voted cliffhangers, lol! Though it was a close one; 10 voted yes and 7 voted No. Sorry! Promise I will not do the same cliffies again, -:grins:- Thanks for your review.
NoAngell – Thanks for reviewing. Ah, Max could blush, especially faced with someone so cute, lol! Glad you loved the cliffhanger.
Toniboo – Thanks for reviewing. I have updated soon, I think! Need some time to write this and the other fic too! -:grins:- Anyway, this chappie will put you all out of your misery with regards to Fye…
Calistra – Civility between Max and 494…Now just how long it will last, I wonder. Thanks for your review. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
HoneyX5-452 – You know, it suddenly occurred to me today that you haven't mentioned a word about the length my fic for weeks! Lol! Glad you like the fic, though. Thanks for reviewing.
Cora (anon) – Ha! I knew it! More cliffhangers supporters! -:grins:- Why Fye? I have my reasons…(I think!) Thanks for reviewing.
Gamegirl452 – Thanks for your review. The main plot is still plodding along. You'll be getting hints here and there, but I hope it's not too vague, lol! As for Fye, you'll have to read and see. I still haven't seen F4 yet. Need to find the time!
GiRl MaGe – Thanks for reviewing. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Alana84 – The 200th reviewer for Retrieved! Congratulations! -:grins:- Glad you like the Max/Alec so called truce. As for Fye…I can't say! Thanks for reviewing!
Happy Reading!
Retrieved Chapter 16 – Sign of Affection
(by elle6778)
Suddenly, the monitor next to Fye started blinking rapidly. A second later, it started emitting a loud pulsing noise. Jumping up at the sound, the four transgenics whipped towards their friend, eyes wide. Max grasped the nearest thing to her side; Gab's hand. Gab barely felt the pain in his hand which was in Max's tight grip as he gazed at the straight, flat line on the monitor.
"No…" Max choked out in fear.
Almost instantly, they heard sounds footsteps pounding out in the hallway, growing louder by the second. The transgenics did not know what to do; to run and hide or stay to find out if Fye was alright. Matt told himself not to panic, but it was not working. They were trapped in here and Fye was in trouble.
The door slammed open revealing a nurse and a guard. Lydecker followed a scant minute behind them. He stopped short as he realised that there were another three unauthorised transgenics inside that room. He raised his eyebrows as he registered their identity; Max, 547 and 481. Why am I not surprised, he thought without amusement. The situation was too grim for amusement.
Lydecker was surprised to see the three of them there, but he decided not to say anything for the moment. He would deal with them later. Instead, he focussed on the dark hair oriental transgenic lying still on the bed, his worry barely concealed. The nurses and doctors were working on her. Lydecker hoped that she would be alright. They cannot afford to lose a CO like her, not to mention the emotional trauma on the rest of his kids. It would affect all the work he had done recently attempting to gain their trust.
Kelpy had managed to slip out undetected in the commotion. That was fortunate as none of the transgenic knew what would happen if Lydecker caught Kelpy. Kelpy was supposed to be locked-up in the basement. Not wandering about freely in the med bay, not to mention the rest of the facility.
Gab and Matt tried to do the same, but the look on Lydecker's face told them to stay put. So Matt and Gab remained rooted on the spot, trying hard to suppress their nervousness. Although Lydecker had treated them better than usual recently, that did not automatically mean that he will be lenient at finding them in a restricted area in the middle of the night.
The doctor turned to say something to Lydecker. Lydecker, whoappearednot to be too happy with his report, answered tersely, "Try harder, doctor," His eyes bore into the doctor's in a way which made the doctor turn back to Fye in mere seconds.
Max has not moved since the awful sound started. Max did not even notice Lydecker's presence. She just stood frozen as her eyes took in the efficient moves the nurses and doctors were making. They were trying to resuscitate Fye. Max willed the machine to start beeping. The machine continued to emit a long continuous sound, the sound often associated with death. She did not feel Gab's hand as he tried to pull her to the side.
Noticing Max's non-reaction to Gab, Lydecker stepped closer to her and snapped, "452! Pull yourself together,"
Startled, Max blinked, finally registering Lydecker's presence. Giving Lydecker a pleading look, she said, "Please, bring her back! You can't let her die!" She knew that she was bordering on being insubordinate, but frankly, she did not care right then. Lydecker was the only one there who had the authority to do something.
Hearing the desperation in her voice, Lydecker rubbed his forehead and sighed, "We'll do what we can. But it doesn't look good right now," He had hoped that 735 would make a complete recovery. However, he knew that the probability of her surviving was close to none.
Although she almost expected him to say that, it did not make her feel better at all. She stood there, not knowing what she could do as her gaze remained on Fye's lifeless body.
Turning to Matt and Gab, Lydecker ordered, "Return to your dorms and bring 452 with you,"
"Yes, sir," Matt answered in a subdued tone. He was bombarded by feelings of surprise that Lydecker was letting them go without a single word of reprimand and feelings of sorrow at the lost of his CO. But he knew that he had to remain calm. Unit 4 needed him now. And they should be thankful that at least Val seemed to be fine.
Gab went to Max and held her arm gently, pulling her out of the room.
By the time they got back to their dorms, their unit mates were already awake, rushing about with their morning ritual. Ignoring the bustle around her, Max walk over numbly to her bed, followed close behind by Gab. Matt stood by the door, observing his unit mates while they bantered.
"Hey, where have you guys been? We are going to be late," Zip said, taking off his shirt to be exchanged for a clean one.
"How many times must I tell you, 612? Go change in the showers! We don't all need to see you like this every morning," Cass complained with a frown, but not before her eyes travelled appreciatively up and down his well-toned chest.
"It's not as if you haven't seen me naked before," Zip said, smirking. He noticed the direction of her gaze, but he decided not to say anything. At least not while they were in full view of the rest of unit 4.
"Yeah, it's okay when we are kids. Not after puberty!" Cass retorted, turning away from her smirking unit mate, grumbling under her breath.
Zip ignored her, turning his attention back to Matt, finally noticing the subdued look on his 2ICs face, "Hey, man…you alright?" he asked, concerned.
Matt knew he had to do it, but he did not want to. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he started, "We just came back from med bay,"
Matt suddenly found himself the focus of their attention as they dropped what they were doing to stare at him.
"Did you see 735 and 422?" Sandy asked, the expression on her face a mix of apprehension and anticipation.
Matt nodded. He tried to form the words but nothing came out, so he turned to Gab, knowing that Max was not exactly calm enough to break the news. She had not said a word since Gab dragged her out of the intensive care ward.
Gab took a deep breath and said, "Val seems fine, but when we left, Fye was in trouble,"
A gasp went around the room as the transgenics exchanged looks.
Treve stepped towards Gab, a worried frown etched on his forehead, "What do you mean, in trouble?"
"Lydecker said it doesn't look good," Gab answered, rubbing his face with his hands, "I think he meant that she was not going to make it. When we left, her heart stopped already,"
"No!" Shocked response came from the transgenics.
They stood there for a while, trying to absorb the news. This was by no means the first time something happened to one of their unit mates, but this was their CO. And it had been a long time since someone did not make it out of a mission alive.
"Lydecker was there? And you lot were not punished?" Sandy asked in surprise as what Gab's words registered belatedly.
Gab shrugged, "He must be too preoccupied with 735 to bother with us,"
The bell rang, telling them that it was time for breakfast. The transgenics headed out to the mess hall, each of them wearing a subdued mask.
"I'm pleased to see that things are going well," the visitor said to Lydecker, looking up from the mission report he had been perusing before Lydecker walked into the room.
"Yes. The away missions were a revelation for us. 452, 547, 481 and 494 excelled in the mission. We already know that 547, 481 and 494 have good potential, but 452 was full of surprises. She took the initiative in the first mission to rescue two other prisoners, which was outside of her mission parameters. And in the second mission, being suspicious of the enemy troop's abilities, she decided to capture two of them for Manticore to investigate," Lydecker said, almost proudly. He was impressed at how far Max had improved from being the transgenic with the least training and the worst record, to leading a strike team on a successful mission.
"Hmm… Yes, yes, she's not quite like most of the others," the visitor rubbed his chin thoughtfully, noticing Lydecker's expression of pride. He was relieved that 452 came back in one piece. She was one of the few which they could not afford to lose. "I read the mission reports and noticed an irregularity. The rescue mission was deployed with X6s as well as anomalies? The X6s are only 10 years old. A bit young for away missions, don't you think? And the anomalies were not trained for such work,"
"The X6s were capable of the tasks set out in the mission objectives. There were no technical reasons why they could not have been deployed under X5 supervision. And the outcome of the mission confirmed it,"
Patiently, the visitor explained, "All I am saying is that I don't think we should be risking the prototypes unnecessarily. Why the sudden idea of sending them out anyway? You could have sent more X5s,"
"The reason we did not deploy more X5s was because they are much fewer in number, and we cannot risk losing any more. As it is, we have just lost 735 to the previous mission. Iam still trying something but it seemed to be hopeless for her. As for the X6s,they were designed to be faster and stronger than the X5s, although not as independent. And you might want to know that it was 452's idea. She thought that as they require additional manpower, why not the X6s. The X6s were created for numbers. And I agree with her."
The visitor chuckled, "So you are taking orders from 452 now? Tsk…tsk…Lydecker, you better watch it or she'll have you wrapped around her little finger,"
"I believe that that is not an appropriate comment, sir," Lydecker stiffened and frowned. Yes, for his own reasons he has a soft spot for 452. But that doesn't mean he would let her run circles round him.
The visitor nodded, "I apologise if I offended you. It was just a joke. I have full confidence in your professionalism, otherwise I wouldn't be here talking to you. I am intrigued by the use of the anomalies in the mission. I thought that the test results on this particular strain of X3s were not favourable?"
"I was under the impression that they were considered anomalies due to their size, and that they will not integrate easily into the normal society,"
The visitor nodded thoughtfully, "I see. I suppose this was another one of 452's ideas?" He smiled. 452 was definitely showing some promise.
Lydecker relaxed and nodded. He continued, "452 did mention something during the debriefing, though. She was wondering if there was any chance of re-assessing the so-called anomalies. Like the X3s in question, most of them were written off as anomalies based on appearance in the early days. That was when the main aim was to create transgenics which would fit in easily outside. As far as I am aware, there is no such re-assessment plan in the pipeline,"
The visitor stared at Lydecker as he considered the idea. Then he nodded, "Then we'll just start one. Should be a simple thing for the lab techs to work something up,"
"Very good, sir"
"So, apart from the missions, how are 452 and the rest of our escapees?"
"599 and 210 are still in the med bay. I allowed 452 to visit them couple of days ago. It seemed that they got into a spat about Manticore. It was captured on the surveillance footage,"
"Really? How so?" the visitor asked, intrigued.
"452 was trying to explain our side of things but 599 was unconvinced. 210 does not appear to be siding with either of them,"
"It's good that 452 understands our position. It is critical for the success of the Mission that the x-series stop treating us as the enemies. And if we have to change our approach to them, so be it,"
"Perhaps if you explain the Mission to us?"
"No. Its too soon. You will not understand. And they will not understand. We got carried away at the beginning, and we never got their trust," the visitor said in remorse, "All will be clear in good time. Just carry on as you were, and let me know of any developments, as per our agreement,"
Lydecker nodded, "Yes, sir," He started escorting the visitor out.
"Oh, another thing…" the visitor added, pausing at the door, "Since 452 is showing such promise, you should put her somewhere where her skills could be utilised better,"
Lydecker lips twitched uncharacteristically. And he said she got me twisted around her little finger.
Max sat on the couch in the empty mess hall. Lights out was hours ago, so she sat alone in the darkness. She wrapped her arms around her knees, rocking herself. Ever since they found out that Fye did not make it this morning, she felt as if she was in some sort of daze. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. There were too many people in the dorm and she did not feel like sitting in the gym because Gab and Matt would sure feel obligated to see if she was alright. They were also suffering, and she did not want to add to it.
Lydecker had cornered them in the mess hall before morning drill, shocking all of them with his presence. He had come to tell them about Fye. At least Lydecker had the decency to tell us what happened this time, she thought. Even though it was bad news.
She still couldn't believe Fye was gone. It all seemed so sudden. Lydecker said that her organs were to be harvested. Max shuddered at the word. And just as she got to know her CO as well.
Lost in her thoughts, she did not hear the footsteps until she saw a pair of boots beside her. She looked up and a scowl immediately graced her features.
494 was standing over her, a smirk firmly planted on his face.
"Go away, 494. I am in no mood to entertain you now," she said irritably, then pointedly looked the other way.
"And a good evening to you too, 452," he said, "I see that you are in your customary cheerful self,"
"I want to be alone," she said grumpily.
"I thought we agreed to a truce. And you look like you need someone to talk to right now," he said, sitting down beside her. He wondered what was it which upset her so much that she needed to hide in the mess hall by herself in the middle of the night.
Max ignored him.
"What's the matter?" he prodded gently. He knew instinctively that his usual sarcasm would not be welcomed this time. The girl looked positively depressed.
"Our CO didn't make it," she told him in an anguished tone.
494's heart constricted at the pain he heard in her voice. 735 did not make it?
"Sorry to hear that. She was a good leader," he said sympathetically, remembering their mission together. She was a good CO, he admitted.
Max just nodded.
"Where's your sidekick?" he asked, looking around for 547. Didn't he know better than to leave her alone at this sort of time? What kind of friend was he? 494 thought in annoyance.
"Who?" Max asked in confusion.
"547, your sidekick. You know, the one who always follows you around,"
"I know who is 547! And he's not my sidekick, you smart-ass!" Max snapped back, showing more life at that moment than she did for the past one day. 494 had always had the knack of riling her, truce or not.
"That's the spirit. I was beginning to miss the 452 I knew," he chuckled, happy that he had unwittingly snapped her out of her depression. Who would have thought that it was that easy? All he had to do was to annoy her further. The truce could wait.
"You never knew me, 494. You were too busy insulting me. Not that I really care what you say or do anyway," she said dismissively and went back to inspecting the floor.
494 clutched his hand to his chest, "And here I was, thinking that you care for me after what happened in the hallway,"
Max snorted, "You wish. You are a pain in the ass,"
"Smart-ass, pain in the ass. I am beginning to think that you have an obsession with my ass,"
"Don't kid yourself, 494. I have better things to think about than your ass," she sneered.
"Yeah? My ass is definitely prettier than the rest of the floor which you keep staring at. What are you looking for down there anyway?" he pretended to seem interested, prodding her foot with his.
Max gave him a withering look. She snapped, "Are you doing this on purpose or did Manticore splice the smart-aleck attitude into your DNA?
"Hmm…smart-aleck, huh? What happened to 'smart-ass'? I am hurt that your obsession with the certain part of my anatomy only lasted such a short time," 494 smirked, "But I guess 'smart-aleck' is also acceptable"
"Fine, then that shall be your nickname from now, Smart-Aleck!" Max retorted.
"Hmm…and 'Alec' actually sounds quite good. I think I can live with that. You know, 452. Bestowing a nickname on a person is a sign of affection. Are you trying to tell me that you are actually fond of me? Or maybe even like me? That's a definite improvement on our relationship," 494 could not resist teasing her. He grinned cheekily as he waited for her to combust.
Max flushed as her irritation grew. Did he come here just to annoy her again? She bit out, "Dream on, 494! We have no relationship to speak off,"
"Call me Alec, and I'll call you Max. After all, if you have these feeling for me, I cannot keep calling you an impersonal designation, can I?" 494 said, grinning. He was enjoying the look on her face.
Moving closer to him, Max hissed "You are right. I do have feelings for you. It is called irritation. Go away and leave me in peace, Alec!" Straight into his face. Brown eyes and hazel eyes clashed in a battle of glares. One pair furious, one pair laughing.
"No so fast. I'll leave soon, but you still owe me something," he said with a mischievous grin. He knew he was going to regret this. Hopefully he would manage to get out of it alive.
"Huh?" Max looked at him questioningly. What do I owe him, she wondered. What was he up to now? She suddenly noticed how good he looked when he grinned. Made him look almost…sexy, she thought. What! I can't believe I just thought that! She scowled at herself.
"Payment for saving your life," he reminded her.
Max's eyes widened as she finally comprehended his words, "What?" He can't really mean that…
"The kiss, Max. For your gallant knight in shining armor," Alec said, grinning.
"You are seriously deluded if you think I am going to kiss you, 494" Max said as she stared disbelievingly at him.
"Oh? You did not seem to protest this much the last time," he said meaningfully, and then added, "And it's Alec now, not 494,"
Max knew exactly what he was referring to, "I was in heat, you smart-ass! As if you don't know," she said, looking away to cover the blush that seemed to appear every time she thought about that incident more than a year ago.
"Oh, come on. Just a small tiny kiss, and I will not mention it again," he coaxed with a cheeky twinkle in his eyes, "And it's hardly our first kiss, so don't be shy,"
Max gritted her teeth and clenched her hands into fists to stop herself from doing something she may regret later, "No," she said resolutely. She turned away; refused to let him see how much he was affecting her with his words and the expression of his face. She could not believe how cute he looked with that cheeky expression.
"Why?" he asked, eyes open wide in an imitation of innocence.
She stared at him incredulously, "Why?" she parroted, "Just because you decided to save my life, that doesn't automatically mean I have to kiss you!" I am going to kill Gab for this, she vowed as she recalled what Gab's big mouth had said in the SUV. Gab was going to be so sorry he opened his mouth that day, she thought vindictively. Of all things; to kiss 49-…Alec. The thought suddenly made her feel warm, as she remembered what it felt like. She quickly suppressed the feeling.
"It's really not that big a deal, right? Or are you scared that you might enjoy it too much?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows comically, "Oh, come on, Max. You are hurting me. Makes me think that you don't like me," he said as his face twisted into a mournful look.
Max could not help herself. She laughed both at the look on his face and also to cover the discomfort she felt at his words, "You got a problem with your self-worth or something?" she said.
"With the things you say sometimes, anyone would have that problem. Well, apart from me, of course. But I'm just guessing that you are scared," he challenged.
"Of what?" she hedged, looking away. She wouldn't allow him to see that he had hit a nerve.
"Kissing me," Alec said as he shifted so that they were only inches apart.
"Oh, get off it, Alec. That's enough. It is not funny anymore. I…" Max said, her voice faltering as she looked up at him.
He was too close, Max registered as she looked into his hazel eyes. And it was moving closer. Max gulped. She had her hands on his chest but she was not actually pushing him away. Her eyes travelled to his lips; they looked so soft and inviting. And it was rapidly descending towards her own parted lips.
Alec thought he was going to drown in those liquid brown pools of eyes. His heart thudded as he lowered his lips slowly...
t.b.c.
A/N: -!Ducks:- I know, I know…you all want to kill me for this! Hey, at least 494 got his name at long last! Lol! Please review and let me know if you liked the chapter. Thanks!