Legacy
By Shikasta
Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU
Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.
This story is the third part in the Fable universe and follows on from Alec's War.
A/N – You wanted more and here it is.
Chapter Nine - Conversations
"Three days" he sighed as he laid back into the grass.
Three days was all he had, away from the chaos of the life that had been chosen for him. He nestled deeper into the grass relishing the solitude. Loneliness, a sensation he never would have anticipated cherishing as he does now. In the beginning he would have done anything not to be alone, and he did, even to the point of putting up with Max and Logan when they were gooey eyed.
Alec blinked hard, the image of Max and Logan together unwanted. How he wished he could change the past, so much wasted time that could never be reclaimed. All the time he had wanted to spend, forever sacrificed.
He stroked his hair with his hands, his military cut now replaced by an unkempt, shaggy style accompanied by his unshaven face made him look older. His hand moved from his hair to the bristles on his chin and he made a mental note to clean himself up at some point today, time permitting.
Time, a precious commodity as far as he was concerned.
"Never enough time" he muttered to the grass tickling his cheek.
His life would always be spent serving others. So now he lay, quiet and slightly hidden by the tallish grass, only his dreams for company.
Peace.
Footsteps. Grass being crushed underfoot and Alec grunted his acknowledgement of the unwanted guest, sniffing the air to see if it was a familiar smell.
"Ivy" he mouthed with a smile, the guest not being as unwanted.
Ivy stopped, Alec's scent hitting her nostrils, she stood awkwardly trying to figure out whether to stay or go, knowing that Alec must realise she is close by.
"Having trouble?" He questioned, playfully.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude" Ivy spoke quickly deciding at that moment to leave.
But as she turned, Alec rose gracefully, took several steps towards her and caught hold of her hand "won't you stay a little while."
"Um, I should really get back to medical, I was only taking a short walk to clear my head" Ivy advised him..
"How are the medical facilities here, I hope you found everything to your liking?"
"I have had no cause to complain, we appear to have everything that we need here."
"I glad to hear it" Alec smirked, nervous, and excited all at once, his tom cat self unable to resist this mischievous play.
"I really should" Ivy pointed back towards the farm houses.
"Should what?"
"Get back, and I'm sure you'd rather be alone" Ivy suggested.
"It's been a long time since you and I had a conversation about something other than medical related topics" Alec said taking a step closer to Ivy.
"Don't" Ivy said in a forceful voice, placing her hand on his chest to ensure that a reasonable amount of space remained between them.
"Don't what?" Alec asked innocently looking at the hand resting on his chest.
"You know what Alec, Layla let you get away with it but I won't get drawn back in." Ivy still remained a breath away from Alec, her desire to stay out voting her desire to leave.
"Layla" Alec whispered, he hadn't heard her name in such a long time and a sadness coated his eyes.
Ivy moved her hand away from Alec's chest and cupped his face hesitantly and he let her making no attempt to pull away. The smallest of tears slipped down Ivy's cheek that encompassed all the heartbreak that was slowly consuming her. Alec felt naked, exposed and embarrassed, things he rarely admitted to. He had spent very little time thinking about consequence even in his later years and he had never once concerned himself with the consequences when it came to Ivy.
For the first time he understood why she had left him, walked away from the possibility.
For the first time he understood that Ivy loved him as he stepped away from her.
"Thank you" Ivy whispered as she leant into his touch briefly before turning and swiftly and walking away.
Alec watched, in awe of her strength and vulnerability.
Her hands clasped tightly in front of her, she hurried back towards medical through the tallish grass. She felt Alec's eyes on her, she sighed in relief. Her mind was buzzing 'had he intended to kiss me?' she shook her head willing the thought away, not wanting to consider it.
Alec lay back down in the grass arms outstretched thinking about what had passed between Ivy. He felt a fondness for her and deep down a little piece of his heart was forever hers although Ivy and Max would never know that. He had what he wanted but he occasionally felt a twinge of regret when he saw Ivy.
The boy disappeared as quickly as it had reappeared as Alec spied Devon, his companion on this journey, heading his way.
Devon strolled leisurely through the field , having shed the stiffness he was obliged to maintain out there in the world. He had been thankful for the brief retreat, it served as an escape from the inevitable 'hard times' ahead that were unavoidable. For now, at least, he could walk at a leisurely pace in this field as he sought out his commander Alec whom he had accompanied here.
"Devon" Alec hollered.
Devon went rigid and stood at attention "Sir!"
"You can't fool me, I saw that little skip in your step."
Devon grinned sheepishly at being caught out, but Alec simply slapped him on the back and whispered "I won't tell, if you won't."
"I wouldn't dream of it Sir."
"So who wants what?" Alec asked humorously.
"Command is ready to brief you on the past ten months at Logan's Legacy."
"I suppose it has to be done now."
"Yes" Devon answered firmly knowing full well that if Alec was allowed to he would fob off his command staff here.
"Lead the way then, the vacation will just have to wait a few hours."
Devon and Alec strode through the tall grass towards the building that had served as command to this community. A community that he had established in small doses over a three year period with the last of its inhabitants coming from the exodus of Seattle before the transgenics last stand.
Angeline kissed Horatio's shoulder tenderly and then snuggled into his side.
"Do you think Thaddeus will be okay?" she asked her companion.
"I'm worried about him, he's been acting strange ever since peace negotiations started."
"Has he said anything to you?" She urged.
"No" Horatio lied, not fully trusting Angeline for she was first and foremost a reporter.
He rose quickly from the bed "what's wrong?" she asked.
"I'm just getting a drink" Horatio reassured and leant over giving her a peck on the cheek.
He left the bedroom and made his way down the narrow corridor of his apartment turning left into the open plan kitchen and dining room. His apartment was sparsely furnished with only the essentials, Horatio was not one for clutter and the apartment that he currently lived in was a testament to this. He flicked the kettle on having acquired a taste for tea and opened the cabinet above his head liberating two mugs. He placed teas bags in both and then watched as the steam from the kettle started to billow out of the spout, he listened intently to the boiling and the sharp click of the button letting him know that the water was ready. Horatio filled both mugs then made his way to the small living room to wake up Thaddeus who was asleep in the armchair.
"You ready to talk yet?" Horatio asked his sleeping guest, lightly shoving him to get his eyes open.
"Bloody hell, a little impatient wouldn't you say!"
"Thaddeus you can't stay here, Angeline's started asking questions."
"And you don't trust her."
"Something like that, I've made tea" Horatio said pointing towards the kitchen.
"Lead the way then."
Both transgenics made their way into the kitchen, Thaddeus sitting at the table and Horatio grabbing the two mugs, milk and sugar.
"So, what don't you want." Horatio enquired as he removed the tea bag and poured a dash of milk onto his mug.
"Stop checking up on me" Thaddeus responded while shovelling teaspoons full of sugar into his coffee.
Horatio stared.
"I have a sweet tooth" Thaddeus justified.
"What are you up to?"
"It's personal Horatio."
"Nothing's personal anymore Thaddeus, not when our lives are at risk."
"Just do me this one thing, our past has got to count for something."
"So what do I say when Alec was a status report on your whereabouts."
"Tell him I'm dead" Thaddeus said matter-of-factly.
"You can't be serious" Horatio laughed, warily.
"I'm very serious" Thaddeus said determined.
"What trouble are you in?"
"What makes you think I'm in any trouble."
"Well something's going on."
"Horatio, I just need my kind off my back for a while okay" Thaddeus pleaded with his friend.
"Do you still what me to tell them you're dead?"
"That's the only way I can be assured of some peace and quiet."
Angeline backed away from the kitchen door as quietly as possible, tiptoeing back to the bedroom.
"Did you hear that?" Thaddeus asked.
"Angeline, she's too curious for her own good."
"What are you going to do?"
"Leave it to me, right now I think you should go."
"I agree and thanks." Thaddeus smiled as he made his way to the window and looming fire escape.
The angelic Gabriel sat crossed legged, he elbows resting on his thighs, his fingers interlaced and being used as a chin rest. He was nervous fully aware that there was something that Alec had not shared with him, something important. Alec had disappeared 24 hours ago and nobody of importance seemed at all concerned. Gabriel knew when he was being shut out and a wall of silence had gone up with regards to their leaders whereabouts.
"Patience, my love" Francesca whispered from the her position on the bed "they can't keep it a secret forever."
"But they'll try their hardest" Gabriel responded.
"we need to find his Achilles heel my love."
"I already know what it is."
"Ah, Max" Francesca drawled slowly finishing her lover's sentence.
"It's not the man we need to be concerned with, but rather the woman who started all this" Gabriel continued.
"Get rid of the woman and you destroy the man" Francesca followed.
"I couldn't have said it better" Gabriel agreed rising from his position on the floor and making his way over to Francesca, planting a bruising passionate kiss on her lips.
TBC
A/N A review gives life to my muse and ensures the story goes on.