Since Ray didn't like shoes Alec carried her, which wouldn't have been that bad if they didn't have to stop everywhere and pick up every single rock the kid saw. Alec currently had eleven rocks stuffed in his pockets and she made it clear he couldn't leave any behind.
He decided that he'd introduce her to Joshua first, then word would spread quickly and he wouldn't even have to tell anyone else. The dog boy was usually hanging out at his apartment or in command, he'd already been in his apartment so to command they went.
When Alec entered command every eye was on him. Dix stopped typing whatever he was typing at the computer, Mole stopped chewing his cigar, Joshua stopped bugging some albino transhumen in the corner and along with a few others in the room all eyes were on him.
He gulped be for putting on his Manticore mask and his always alright smirk before letting the toddler slid to the ground, keeping a hold of her hand. The little blond girl in the bright blue rainbow shirt, he'd changed the purple tank top after she demanded the rainbow one, and light up sneakers looked extremely out of place in the rugged and dark command center.
"Hey princess.. who's the kid," Mole grunted. Getting right to the point, Alec thought bitterly.
"This is Ray," he said simply. He didn't need to go into further detail.
The little girl hid behind his leg clutching his pants tightly, she wasn't shy but in a room full of very tall and scary looking people who wouldn't be intimidated.
Joshua was the first one to smile, stepping forward and crouching down to the toddlers height.
"Teeny fella," He greeted gently, smiling in a way that even got Mole to smirk kindly.
"Hi," She mumbled, looking up at the friendly transhuman.
"Where did she come from," Mole asked again getting aggravated nobody was getting real facts. The scaly lizard always liked to get strait to the point.
"Yeah that reminds me," Alec began, "who was on watch last night." Beresford didn't get in through the front door that was for sure. Thinking of Beresford just breaking in and practically abandoning this little girl with him with only the bare necessity sounded like something not even he would think of doing.
"Some X6," Mole mumbled. He'd have to track him down and have a talk. The X6's were trained just as well as they were, but were still teenagers at heart, and tended to get distracted.
"She yours," Joshua asked cutting to the chase.
"Yeah," Alec replied tiredly, racking a hand over his face.
He heard Mole chuckle from across the room. "You reproduced," He laughed. A deep laugh that practically made the room rumble, Alec's eyes widened, not remembering the last time Mole laughed so hard.
After getting out of the shock Alec scowled at him but said nothing. Joshua in the meantime had gotten the little girl to detach from his leg and talking to her excitedly about different things. She smiled back at him, interested by Joshua's strange behavior.
"I'm not even gonna ask anymore questions," Mole sighed catching his breath, taking a puff of his cigar.
"Thank you", Alec sighed in relief. He hoped every one would be like Mole, of course he had a feeling Max might want some more answers later.
"What are you planning on doing about her," Dix asked, rolling his chair over to them.
"I dunno keep her alive I guess," Alec frowned, He hadn't gotten that far in his plans yet.
"O great. Well she's screwed," Mole mumbled under his breath. Alec heard him but chose to ignore it. Almost everyone in TC thought he was a screw up, everyone but Biggs and he was dead, and only him because he had known 494 at Manticore and was there when Alec aced his many missions.
"You tell Max yet," Joshua asked looking up at him, Ray currently had a lock of the dog man's long hair in her hand, studying it carefully.
"Yeah. She came by last night to help me," Alec told them, getting a few unconvinced looks from the group. He glanced at his watch noticing at least two hours have gone by since he woke up and Max and Cindy should be taking their 'break' soon outside of the crash before the headed back to jam pony.
"Gotta blaze," Joshua asked sadly watching Alec check the time.
"Yeah buddy I do," Alec frowned.
"Bring Teeny fella back later..," Joshua asked hopefully.
"You got it," Alec smiled, He picked up Ray sitting her on his hip, then sent a wave to Mole, returned with a grunt and left, on his way to the Jam pony. He hoped they weren't inside, not wanting to risk getting caught by Normal. He wasn't sure how the guy would react seeing Ray, then he'd ask questions since the guy was practically obsessed with him.
Alec felt nervous leaving TC's gates. Bringing Ray out into the world. He had his fair share of gestures thrown toward him but the thought of someone threatening a two year old mad him mad.
To his relief he made it to Jam pony with only a few glares. They all knew who he was after he did an interview with Max on the news. He smiled and headed around to the back of the building were he guessed his friends would be. Sure enough Max and Original Cindy leaned against the wall talking about some girl thing.
"Hello ladies," Alec greeted coming up to them. The pair turned to him, Max smiled widely as OC's eyes turned huge.
"Well all be," OC sighed, "I didn't believe it but I guess my girl wasn't lying."
"I suppose Maxie has told you all about us by now," Alec smirked. She scowled at him and her hand twitched before here eyes met with Ray's.
Huh.. When I'm holding the baby, Max can't hit me' Alec thought happily.
"Hey sugar how you been doing," OC asked the toddler, taking in the little girls appearance.
Ray smiled at her before reaching down, trying to retrieve something from Alec's pocket.
"What are you doing," Alec asked bemused.
He reached into his pocket before placing a rock into her fist. Just a regular piece of gravel, nothing special about it except for the white streak going through it.
"Here," She chirped handing the rock over to OC.
"Thank you," OC laughed taking the rock from her. Kids are weird, Alec decided.
"We still on for later," Alec asked Max, changing the subject he'd look into more later. He wondered what other little quirks Ray had besides a rock fetish.
OC looked between the two of them confused, "What you two got goin on," She asked curiously.
"Alec needs help getting supplies," Max grinned, amused by this whole situation. O yeah, she was never going to let him live this down.
"Wait a second? You two are voluntarily spending an afternoon together," OC smirked suggestively.
"He needs help," Max huffed, crossing her arms getting defensive.
"Mmhm," OC hummed.
"Shut Up. Alec tell her," Max asked looking to him for help.
Alec smirked at her, making Max huff in annoyance. "Pick ya up at seven Maxie."
A cold glare was thrown in his direction, before he moved putting Ray in front to shield himself.
"Well we better get back to work and you better get outta here before Normal catches you or you'll never escape," OC mused, smiling one more time at the little girl in his arms. And the pair of transgenics.
Alec sighed before nodding. Normal was the last thing Alec needed right now, he loved the guy but he had to admit Normal's obsession was a little creepy at times.
"Bye bye," Ray chirped waving as Alec walked away. She twisted back around in his arms, big blue eyes taking in the city.
"Daddy, when we get home can we eat more Cheerios," She asked quietly, eyes fixed on the space needle. Alec's breath hitched, his heart beat a little faster. Fear and pride swelled in his chest at what she called him. Yeah, this Dad thing wasn't gonna be all bad.