Freedom on the inside

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own anything to do with Dark Angel. They apparently belong to some guy who is most definitely in need of a brain check. What was he thinking when he decided to axe the show? Oh well, I guess when I'm rich enough I'll just have to buy the rights to the programme and then we'll finally get a third season. I wouldn't count on it though.

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: M/A (eventually!)

Summary: What if Max never escaped Manticore in 'Designate This' and didn't get the chance to infect Logan? Logan and everyone else in Seattle thinks she's dead and Renfro's still alive?

Author's Note: I know there's been a lot of 'what if she never escaped stories?' but this is my shot at what could have happened. Please read and review!

Chapter Seven

Protecting a façade

"Report"

"Target has been located and we are now moving in. Should arrive back at base at 0800 tomorrow."

"Good"

Renfro put the phone back down and stared at the photographs in front of her; maybe she'd get her answers now.

Max hurried along the corridors, trying discreetly to hide the oddly shaped bulge at her stomach. She had just been in the eating area, stuffing as much food as possible under her t-shirt without being noticed. The food, of course, was all for Joshua.

Joshua had spent near about a week in the makeshift hospital she and Alec had put together under the Manticore building, and thankfully, he was now showing signs of improvement.

She visited him at every opportunity she got and she was grateful for the time she had gotten alone with her friend. Alec hadn't visited since their last argument; he was probably still steaming, but if he was waiting for an apology, he had another thing coming.
"Hey big fella, I got you some-"

Max stopped half way through her sentence as she stared at the scene before her.

Joshua was sitting up howling with laughter, while Alec, who was sitting beside him on the floor, wasn't faring much better. Both of them obviously hadn't heard her, which only acted as another kick to her teeth.

"Ahem!" Max yelled, with an increase in volume.

The laughing immediately ceased as both of the transgenics turned to look at their visitor. Their faces had initially been of horror at the possibility of being caught but had then morphed into two very contrasting expressions. Joshua was delighted; this was as to be expected. Alec's face however, became as straight as Max had ever seen it, but then again, that was also to be expected.

"Hey little fella!" Joshua exclaimed, trying to get up unsuccessfully due to Alec's iron grip on his arm. "You're supposed to be taking it easy," he said pulling him back down.

Joshua gave Alec his puppy dog eyes, "Medium fella worries too much."

"Rightly so," Alec smiled.

'Medium fella?' Max questioned silently, 'since when had they become all chummy?' The nauseating feeling ripping through her stomach felt an awful lot like jealousy. 'Nuh uh, she had nothing to be jealous of.'

"You seem to be getting on well for the first time of meeting each other," Max said, her animosity directed at Alec not going unnoticed by him.

Alec could also see that Joshua was on the verge of blurting something out and he attempted to prevent him from saying anything; but as it so happened, his mouth and voice had lost any connection with each other whatsoever. His mouth was moving but no sound came out.

"No, not first time," Joshua explained. Alec looked away from Max as he realised he had failed to stop him. "Alec and Joshua met before. He bought food."

"Oh," was all Max could say. So apparently Alec had been good enough to visit the 'thing' – the thought seemed ridiculous to her.

"I bought food too," Max said smiling falsely.

"Oh, thank you," said Joshua looking uncomfortably between Alec and Max. Even he could sense the tension.

Alec stood abruptly, "Well I think I better get going."

"Not eat more food?" Joshua asked eyes drooping slightly.

"Sorry big guy but I gotta do some planning for training tomorrow."

"Oh, okay," Joshua sighed.

"See ya later," he smiled briefly patting him once on the back and then walking past Max on his way out, he nodded slightly in her direction. Max had just stared at him, she hadn't even expected him to acknowledge her after their still unresolved verbal spat; guess she had more to learn about Alec.

Sighing, she took her place on the floor and released the contents of her t- shirt on to her lap.

"Yum apples!" Joshua howled licking his lips. Reaching over her, he grabbed an apple and took a huge bite from it. Max smiled, at least one person still liked her.
Not one of Alec's muscles shivered as a cold breeze flew passed him. He was walking aimlessly around the Manticore base, watching only his feet as he went. It had been about an hour since he had left Joshua and about fifteen since he had finished his planning for training.

He didn't know quite what it was that had lead him back down into the basement, but intrigue would probably be a good a guess as any. Yes, he had called Joshua a 'thing' before but after talking with the transgenic once he gained consciousness, Alec began to feel an understanding developing between the two of them.

Joshua represented innocence but wisdom at the same time; he was indeed 'special'. Neither of which, Alec knew applied to him. Sure he had been one of Manticore's finest at one point, the key phrase being 'had been', but now he was practically nothing. He had nothing. He didn't have Max's whacked sense of family with his unit, he didn't have friends and he didn't have Rachel.

Rachel. "You wouldn't know love if it smacked you in the face!" Max's voice shrilled loudly in his ears. Maybe Max was right about that too, but the throbbing from deep inside his chest, told him she wasn't. Love. He knew what love was, but he also knew how to defend his heart and that's exactly what he was going to continue doing. The cocky, care-free front, wasn't just a façade; it was his protection; one that he was determined to keep.
Max rounded the corner of the Manticore building. She had just left the sleeping Joshua; he had fallen asleep with a nicely full stomach; both her and Alec's doing, but she gathered he didn't mind too much.

Her late night walks outside had become a sacred routine ever since she had found the injured Joshua. 'And had her argument with Alec,' she mentally added. Max sighed in frustration, the cold air causing her breath to flow in front of her in small, white, wispy clouds. Everything lead back to Alec.

Ginger and Joshua made this place at least slightly more bearable. She missed OC, Sketchy and Logan every minute of the day and now recently, as strange as it was, she missed Alec's incessant joking and facetious remarks. That's what had got her so frustrated; why on earth did she miss her CO? A self-important, bigoted CO he was as well.

But to be honest, it wasn't even that. Somehow, though she refused to even believe it was possible, she had hurt him. She had lost her temper and said some awful things to him, and instead of him forgetting and returning to their usual banter and arguments, he had given her the cold shoulder for a whole week.

She had once made a promise with herself; to make Alec her challenge and give him the chance of tasting freedom on the inside of Manticore's high walls, but she had promptly forgotten all about it. The reason being; Alec had appeared impossible to break into. Max seemed to have found nothing but soldier in him; but after their argument, everything had changed. The doubt in her head was driving her insane. Max was not one to break her promises, which brought her to the inevitable; she was going to have to make it up to him.

Max turned yet another corner of the outside of the building, her arms coming around her to protect her from the biting wind. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she had almost missed the sound of distant footsteps. Looking up, Max saw a lean, tall, manly silhouette standing some way in front of her. She didn't have to look twice to recognise the frame of the Manticore soldier and the back of his not so well combed hair.

He stood perfectly still, just staring out into the world in front of him. Max was slightly disturbed by his lack of motion. Alec wasn't the silent type and he was usually as sharp and as focussed as his feline genetic enhancements let him be, but it seemed that he hadn't noticed Max's presence until she spoke,

"Hey Alec"

Alec turned around in surprise. The voice had been so unexpected that he had not had the chance to cover up his emotion laden facial expression in time. Max had seen everything.
A/N 2 - Hehe, evil place to leave it again, I'm sorry!! I hope that conveyed some of the emotions our favourite transgenics are feeling. A massive thank you to all my reviewers:

Loralee - Well here you go here's another message; glad u liked the chapter and thank you for the name ideas, I thnk there gonna come in handy since I'm still thinking of names for the rest of the unit!

Melanie – thank you for the review and here you go – I updated!

Dominique1 – Max's always misjudging Alec and so of course I'm gonna have to make her feel guilty! It's about time he sticks up for himself! Thanks very much for the review!

Sassycanuck – What happened to poor Josh will be explained later but at the moment I'm bogged down with the main part of the story, so bear with me! Thanks for the review!

TikigirlK16 – Thank you! I'm glad u liked it!

JADED-JYNX – Yes Renfro and associated dodginess is on it's way!

Nora – Thank you for the review, I hope you liked this chapter!

Lynsi – Alec will be yelling soon, coz frankly Max has it coming! Thanks for reviewing once again!

Roonblah – Renfro is coming up but I'm not spoiling it for you just yet!

SGOU – Alec is a very sweet guy and it's a shame most people don't see that but hopefully I changed that with the last chap! Thanks for the review!

Jade-k – See sometimes I actually think it's Max that's the screw up but then again I'm not that mean. However, Max will get some stick for her evilness! Thank you very much for reviewing, you all make my day! smiles

Aotearoa Hiphop Grl – I hope I managed to pull you out of your depression with this update! I apologise for taking so long, I've been on work experience at a primary school and the kids are wearing me out! Yikes they are crazy! Anyways thanks for reviewing!

Ronda the immortal waitress – To be honest I don't think Max will ever forget Logan completely but I'm sure willing to help her! Thanks for the review!

Ok now it's onwards with the next chapter! Should be up soon,

SmilinStar xxx