DA: Season 3

Important Author's Note:

Happy New Year everyone! 2022 was a busy year for me as I wound up in the hospital with an unexpected diagnosis and was also busy finishing up my third year at university. I know it has been a long time since I've posted an update but I assure you all that I have not abandoned this story, it is very dear to me and I want to take the time to develop the story and characters well. Even when I get busy with other things, this story and the love that I have from it are not far from my mind. Thank you all for being patient with me and continuing to read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel or any of the characters, however, all original characters and this current plot are all mine.

Previously:

Just then a blue sedan pulls up in front of them and Sketchy and Biggs hop out.

"Are you guys ready to get the hell out of dodge?" Sketchy asks, his body practically vibrating with energy.

"Save me Alec, I beg you. I've had to deal with this for the last forty-five minutes!" Biggs begs, and to his consternation Alec merely laughs.

"Come on, let's get the car loaded up."

It takes them no time at all and soon they are crammed into the car, everyone in high spirits. Perhaps if Alec had taken the time to further investigate the sensation of eyes on him that he had felt earlier, they could have stopped the figure hidden in shadows and observing them from being able to report on his findings. It seems there had been some serious new developments in Max's life.

Chapter 9: Speechless

Terminal City- HQ

In an effort to keep herself from worrying senselessly whilst Alec, Biggs, OC and Sketchy traversed outside Terminal City's borders, Max opted to ensconce herself and Carter at headquarters in the hopes that work would provide a good distraction. After bundling Carter into his makeshift sling and ensuring his diaper bag was properly furnished for the day, she took the stairs down to the first floor and ensured her baby was fully covered as she made her way outside. It seemed as though the temperatures had dropped overnight and a sharp biting wind accompanied the day's chill.

Great, Max sighed internally. As if we didn't have enough to worry about, now we have to prepare for winter.

While great strides had been taken to ensure that TC's borders had been fortified, patrol shifts were organized and housing and medical was established, there were a million other practical matters that all required equal consideration.

Get yourself together Max, she scolded herself internally. You knew what you were getting yourself into and you're not doing this alone. Work it like you would any other problem or mission. Gather info, organize your tasks, then tackle them one by one.

"We can do this right Carter?" she asks of her adorably bundled son who is once again attempting to chew on his little fist. "Yes we can," she answers herself. "Your crazy mommy is just freaking out isn't she?"

Her little one lets out a tiny warble as though attempting to respond and Max feels her heart swell with love and affection for her little one.

Her brisk pace brings her to headquarters in a matter of minutes and upon entering the building her senses are immediately overrun with the constant hum of activity. She is immediately spotted by Mole who gestures towards the room they've been using for their meetings and she nods in understanding.

"Max is here Luke," Mole bellows to their eager to please and lovable tech genius. "Send for the heads of our teams, tell them I want them at HQ ASAP for a meeting."

"You got it Mole!" Comes Luke's rapid response. He scurries out the door but not before stopping to greet Carter with a gentle pat on the head.

"Great, you brought the baby and now everyone's going to want to focus on him instead of our tasks," Mole grumbles, though his soft tone and the way he moves closer for a peek at Carter belies any real anger at Max.

"Oh knock it off you big grump," Max teases. "I know you would never miss out on a chance to see little Carter. Besides he's minutes away from falling asleep, he won't make a fuss."

A disbelieving grunt leaves his lips.

"That's all that kid of yours ever does is sleep."

"Of course, he's growing, that takes a lot of energy," Max responds as she pats Carter's back softly, unconscious of placing small kisses to the top of his head.

"Mhm…it looks good on you Max, motherhood I mean," he mumbles before quickly shuffling away from her and his moment of sentimentality.

"I knew he was a big softie for us Carter," she whispers to her son, her face boasting a huge grin.

For all the progress that had been made to ensure an operational and thriving TC, there were so many new concerns cropping up by the minute it seemed. At present, their largest concern was the swiftly dwindling supply of food at an alarming rate. While Max had initially approved allotted rations per person or home, it didn't make sense in the long-run. Not when food was already limited and supply runs were growing more dangerous.

"Not that I want to model ourselves after Manticore, but you have to admit that they were well organized. What if we convert one of these buildings into a commissary? There's an old school building that's seen better days but with some hard work we can set it up as a cafeteria and also a social gathering spot. That way food is all concentrated in one area and rationed fairly." Erica, a petite redhead who was assigned to the scavenging teams proposes.

"I like that idea," Max agrees. "It's the most responsible way to handle our food situation, not to mention, with winter coming, I like the idea of this commissary being open to everyone as a place to meet up, and as a place for our patrolling and surveillance workers to take a break."

"Since border reinforcements have been completed, I don't see why we can't get started on this right away," Mole inserts. There are rumbles of agreement around the room and Max has to hide a smile as she see's Erica's shoulders straighten just the slightest bit. Proud that her contributions were not only helpful, but would be implemented as well.

"Glad to hear it," says Max. "Erica, you have full reign over our scavenging crews, I trust you to oversee renovations and will check in periodically. And Emmet and Trace," she continues turning to the two transgenics who were currently overseeing rations.

"I would like for you two to coordinate with Erica on this project."

"Of course!" Trace responds while Emmet nods along eagerly. "We'll get the place set up nicely and find workers to run the kitchen once it's operational. I already have a few people in mind."

"Fantastic. I leave this in your capable hands." Max states fondly. "Now, temperatures are dropping and it will only get worse in the coming weeks. I'd like to ensure that everyone has blankets, coats, and warm clothing to see us all through the winter but we need to be realistic about how we do that. Any suggestions?"

Maria, the transgenic who Max had placed in charge of housing was quick to chime in.

"Everyone has safe and livable housing now Max, but I'll make the rounds with my team to see if people have appropriate clothes and blankets. I think it would help though if we stockpiled clothing and fabric together and made it available to those who need it. They can stop in and take what they need."

"Another worry solved, thank you Maria." Max nods to the woman appreciatively. "We will check in with the progress of you and your team at our next meeting."

"Of course," Maria replies beaming.

"Mole, how are we looking defense wise?"

"We don't have much of an armory right now. We were able to scavenge some parts to make handmade guns and I worked with Alec to develop a booby-trapped perimeter in case anyone should ever break through our borders, but I'm not satisfied with our stores right now."

"I understand," Max says. She releases an almost imperceptible sigh and resists the urge to rub her temple where she can feel a headache building. "We'll keep weapons at the top of our wish list then," she states wryly, causing the room's occupants to chuckle. Finally, the tension that was building up due to the seriousness of the topics discussed lifts.

"We've made great progress today, everyone. I'll let you all get to your tasks, please remember to keep a list of items we need so that our scouting teams can be on the lookout for them, and we'll meet again in two days."

"Yes ma'am," everyone seemed to echo at once.

As the room began to clear, Max felt Carter shuffling around as he woke from his slumber. Automatically, Max began to rub soothing circles on his back and rock from side-to-side gently to ease his wake-up.

"Damn, kid is lucky to have slept through all that," Mole praises.

"Yeah, he was." Max murmurs. "Sometimes being responsible to TC is terrifying Mole," she admits, purposefully avoiding eye contact. She hears him let out a sigh and shuffle closer before laying a heavy but warm hand on her shoulder.

"It's good that you're terrified, it means that you will exercise caution and try your hardest to make the right decisions. But also remember that you've got an entire team of people eager to help, and able to offer different perspectives and solutions, just like they did today. Do we still need more supplies? Sure. But we are surviving and that's a win. Now, why don't you go feed your kid and relax a bit. Me and Luke are always monitoring things here and that wayward partner of yours should be back soon.

Max is struck silent by the reassurance and feels herself tear up. Get yourself together Max! She places her own hand atop Moles' on her shoulder and gives him a warm smile.

"I'm lucky our paths crossed Mole, I couldn't do this without you."

He removes his hand and clears his throat.

"Right, well…go on then girl. You've got a baby to feed." Max merely chuckles and uses Carter's little hand to wave goodbye as she makes her way back home.

Alec

One of the great things about TC's residents is that they've been genetically and physically accustomed to work and work efficiently. When Alec, Biggs, OC, and Sketch emerge from the sewer entrance back in TC they are met with a host of eager volunteers wanting to assist the two normies as they move in. This means that Alec could slip away unnoticed, which he promptly does. Not only was he reluctant to leave Max and Alec to go on the run initially, but all day it seemed as though the further he was from them and the more their scent on him faded, the more his instincts reared up demanding that he seek them out. He equates the sensation to a rubber band being stretched too far and on the brink of snapping.

TC is a hub of activity and thankfully, no one stops Alec with a question, assistance, or a request to spar. Although the day is windy and cool, he remains unaffected but worries about Carter being out in this weather. Maybe Max and I should keep him indoors as much as possible, we don't want him to get sick. He feels his gut churn uncomfortably at the prospect of his son falling ill, and marvels once again at how instinctual it is to adjust to life with a family and to consider their needs above his own. Although these newfound behaviors seem to be hardwired into his DNA, it doesn't make his fears and concerns any less daunting.

Being so deep in though he didn't realize he had arrived home until he was opening the apartment door. Alec ensures to enter as quietly as possible in case his son is asleep again, however, the murmur of Max's and Carter's snuffles lets him know that his family is up and about. An unbidden smile comes to his face and he moves to discard his shoes by the front door and announce himself.

"Honey, I'm home!"

"We're in the kitchen." Max responds. "Who is that Carter? It sounds like your silly daddy is home," she narrated for their son.

He finds his two favorite people in the kitchen in what has become a familiar scene of mother and baby observing one another while their little guy devours his bottle.

"There you two are, did you miss me?" he inquires, grinning.

"We might have," Max responds as her eyes rake over him from head to foot, ensuring that he has returned in the exact condition he was in when he left. "How did it go?"

"No issues, no encounters. We were in and out. That sewer system of Joshua's is nifty but it left me feeling disgusting not to mention smelly. I'm gonna take a quick shower before I join you guys."

"Sure. We'll likely be relaxing on the couch huh, Carr?"

"I'll be quick." he assures them.

Alec is pretty sure he set a new record for quickest shower ever, but the itch in his chest was growing with every passing second. Taking the time to dry off fully knowing that Max would get annoyed with him if he didn't, he slides into a pair of sweats and forgoes a shirt in preparation for skin-to-skin time with Carter.

Walking into the living room he finds Max nestled into one corner of the couch with her legs stretched out in front of her. Carter is splayed across her chest clothed in only a diaper, and she is stroking his now spiky hair in soothing circles. Without speaking he carefully lifts Carter into his arms, adjusting his bleary eyed son into his own chest before laying his back between Max's legs and resting his head on her lap.

"What-," she splutters. "Alec what are you doing, you're too heavy for this!"

"Relax Maxie, most of my weight is on the couch, only my head is on your lap. Besides, how else can we have bonding time if we're not all together?" he asks, tone purposefully smug.

"Ugh. You do these things on purpose" she grumbles whilst adjusting to fit herself around Alec comfortably. He feels her fidget a bit, probably wondering where to rest her hands and he remains still waiting to see what she'll do. She tentatively settles her hands on his shoulders and when he fails to tease her, she relaxes into the couch.

"As I was making my way home I could feel the temperature dropping again. It made me realize that we should try to limit Carter's time outside so that he doesn't get sick." Alec muses softly.

"I know," Max agrees, matching his tone. "I noticed that when we went out today. We only went to HQ and back and he was protected from the wind by being wrapped up close to me in the sling. Maybe now that OC has moved in we can ask her to babysit for us, that way we won't have to worry about him and we can avoid exposing him to the winter weather if we don't have to."

"Mhm," he agrees, feeling groggy. "I'm sure she'll love that." he says, causing Max to chuckle.

"I'm sure she will. So…" she hedges while one hand buries itself in his hair, seemingly soothing his scalp as she was previously doing to Carter. "How are you feeling? I know you had a nightmare this morning and while I said we would talk about it, I don't want to force you, but I am willing to listen if you want to talk about it."

He feels the tension settle deeply in his shoulders and takes a moment to consider her words. If he's being honest, he'd rather not share his nightmare with her, it isn't that he doesn't trust her, but he knows how much she already loves and worries about Carter. He would prefer not to provide her mind with another scenario in which her own fears about their son being in Manticore's grip to fixate on. However, they agreed that they are family— partners. Isn't this what partners are for, to share the burdens and concerns of one another? That's what I would do for Max so maybe I should let her do the same for me? Mind made up he buries his nose into Carter's neck, taking a moment to scent his son and strengthen their connection before forging ahead:

"I was having a dream-well, more like a nightmare that I was on another mission from Manticore. It felt so vivid and real. They had somehow gotten to you and Carter. Max I…they made me watch as they ripped him out of your arms. You were screaming yourself hoarse trying to reach him and you were begging me to help you, to save him but I couldn't move. I felt like my body was welded to the ground and as hard as I tried I couldn't break free to reach either of you." His eyes squeeze shut, his breaths come in short gasps and he can't focus, can't get the words out, can't breathe.

"Hey, hey, Alec, listen to me. You're okay. You're okay just breathe." He can hear Max's voice but its as though she is speaking to him from a distance, she sounds so far away, unreachable.

"No. Not again, no!"

"Alec!" He feels a body curl around him, anchoring him. A warm hand curls into his hair, gripping it while a second warm hand works its way around his torso to grip his chest along with the light weight of his son. His son! Carter is here, Max is right here, they're okay. His body is slowly starting to register these facts and he feels consciousness coming back to him. A steady stream of comforting words reach his ears which serve to distract him from his frantic thoughts. As his racing heart continues to calm, he can start to make out the words being spoken to him again.

"Alec, baby, it's okay. You're okay. Me and Carter are right here with you, we're in our apartment on the couch. We're all safe, I promise."

Alex feels something give in his chest. Not only is his body trying to come down from an adrenaline induced panic attack, but he is having a hard time not reaching to comfort Max in return. He can hear the tears in her voice but she is trying so hard to be strong for him.

"M-Max…I need,"

"What? Alec, what do you need?" She responds quickly.

"Hold-need to hold you both," he breathes out haggardly. His breaths are still too erratic to speak properly.

Max springs into action immediately and helps him sit up on the couch. He moves to pull her into his grasp but she takes his hand instead and helps him to stand.

"Max-"

"It's okay," she soothes him as her small hand caresses his arm. "Come with me, we're going to our bedroom. I'm going to get us settled on the bed."

With soft words and soothing touches she leads them to the bed. Once Alec has lied down and settled Carter on one side of his chest, he watches Max release her hair from its ponytail and climb onto the mattress. Her eyes never leave his and he finds nothing but concern, care, and assurance in her gaze. She burrows herself into his side, her head resting on the side of his chest not currently occupied by their son and she wraps her arms around them both, her hold is tight as though she can keep them all together with the strength of her embrace.

His own arms curl around her and Carter, tightening ever so slightly to keep them as close to him as possible.

"You don't have to say anymore Alec. But that nightmare you've had…I've had them since the day Carter was brought to us," her whispered confession pierces his heart and he uses his closeness to her as an opportunity to bury his face in her hair and scent. She stops speaking, tilting her head into his own and after taking a moment to enjoy their closeness, he squeezes her waist gently, urging her to continue.

"It's why I've been avoiding sleep if I can help it, but this fear of you both being taken from me is constant. You're not alone in your fear Alec."

"I'm so sorry Max. I was avoiding telling you about my own nightmares and issues because I didn't want to give you more reasons to worry or put these thoughts into your head." He releases a self-deprecating chuckle. "This whole time we were both suffering separately for no reason."

Max uses the hand she has on his chest to prop her chin up so that she can meet his gaze. Her movements cause his hand to brush along her waist before settling on her back, so it is impossible to miss the small shiver that runs through her body. Now is not the time to address this latest development, so he settles for rubbing soothing circles into her back.

"It makes me so angry Alec, it's not fair! Our son is a miracle. His existence, the fact that he was spared from Manticore's crutches and is with us is a miracle. But Manticore took even that joy away from us, because 98% of the time I am terrified. Terrified that they'll regroup and find a way to take him away, or that whatever they injected him with will affect him in the future. I'm not only terrified of being a terrible mother to our son but I also have to worry about the entire world outside of TC wanting him dead!" her voice breaks and she collapses onto his chest sobbing, her face buried in his neck.

For the man who was never short of words or a witty comeback, Alec found himself for the first time wishing that he knew what to say. But as his own tears slid down his cheeks in tandem with those of the only woman who would ever hold his heart, he had a painful epiphany. Sometimes, the right words did not exist. Sometimes the strongest comfort could be found in the silent companionship of shared pain.

Whew! The last part of this chapter was emotionally heavy and difficult to finish. I apologize for the angst however, this scene was important for Alec and Max's arc. In order for them to become an unshakable pair, they needed a chance to hurt together. Now it is time to heal together and their bond will be stronger for it. The next chapter is already fleshed out and I will finally begin to move the story-line forward, but not to worry, we will be having plenty more family interludes. Thank you for reading. Leave a review if you can and let me know what you thought!