Alec sat in the back of the van with the girls. He couldn't take his eyes off the small blond with the big blue eyes. She sat between two other little girls and listened while the older ones whispered to each other. Whispering about where they were going and what they were going to do when they got there.
"You guys got names," He asked. There were five girls in all, It was a small group but wasn't surprising considering it took a great deal to track a transgenic, these girls must have been caught off guard when they were taken.
The oldest girl, about seventeen answered, "I'm Leah that's Clover, Scarlet, Nikki and we don't know about her... she doesn't talk," The girl said quietly, then pointing to the little blond girl.
She didn't talk, Alec didn't blame her. Looking into her little eyes Alec could see more pain then any child should have had to live through, the kid had escaped Manticore to freedom, only to be thrown right back into a cage. He sighed deeply before standing up and climbing over the seat to sit up front with Max.
"You OK," She asked gently. She'd been worried about him all night, he could tell.
"I'm alright," He answered automatically.
"Alec don't give me that crap," Max sighed, looking over at him. He was slumped against the seat, his hair hanging over his eyes.
He thought for a moment, "That girl... She's younger than Dalton. Who the hell would do that to a kid." That sick feeling was coming back. Deep in his gut and it was fueling his anger.
"I don't know. People screwed up in the head. They don't see us as people you know that," Max explained with a sad look on her face. People were afraid of what they don't understand, so they do bad things to find answers.
"She looks like Ray.. Like she would if she was that age," Alec admitted quietly. "I've had her for a week Max. What if I screw up again what if I fail her," Alec said, his voice rising. "What If she wakes up one morning and decides that I'm not good enough." Every thought that he'd pushed down since he met Ray flooded to the surface. Every fear.
"You made some mistakes Alec. But her.. She's your second chance." Max said looking over at him and sighing again. He knew he looked pitiful, slumped against the window feeling sorry for himself.
"That's all everyone ever gave me, you know I should have been shot after the Beresford mission.. anyone else would have," Alec mumbled. "What made me so special? What if I don't deserve it." He failed Rachel and Biggs and Cece and every person he killed back at Manticore. He was poison.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, as long as there willing to fight for it," Max said firmly. Alec took a deep breath and schooled his emotions. Now was not the time to have a chick flick moment.
Logan looked down at the very angry little girl in front of him. She's started screaming around the fourth time he told her he didn't know when Alec was coming back.
"I Want Daddy," She screamed, pounding her little fists onto the kitchen table. She probably wouldn't be so angry if he hadn't made the comment under his breath saying she'd be lucky if Alec even came back at all, Stupid transgenic hearing.
The van pulled up at Logan's right as it started getting dark. Him and Max had dropped the girls off at a place in TC that helped transgenics out or made sure they had a place to stay, then they stopped at a pay phone and made the call about those guys. Alec wasn't gonna lie, he was anxious and wanted to see Ray, Now!
They made it to Logan's and walked in without knocking. The first thing Alec noticed was the screaming coming from the kitchen. Him and Max blurred, making it through the kitchen door to see Logan bouncing Ray on his hip.
"Thank god, here," Logan said breathlessly, crossing the room and thrusting Ray over to Alec. The little girl wrapped her arms around Alec's neck and he doubted he'd be able to escape them. Her face pressed against his neck and her little hands grabbed the back of his jacket.
"What happened," Max exclaimed looking at Logan's appearance. His shirt was untucked and his hair was a mess, the kid really worked him over.
"Apparently you didn't come back quick enough," Logan sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair.
"You alright Ray," Alec asked gently looking down at the little girl with a death grip on his neck.
She mumbled something unintelligible, then nodded against his chest.
Alec looked to Logan and felt sorry for the guy. "Sorry Logan," He said wincing at how bad he looked again.
"It's It's OK.. I suggest we plan ahead next time we do something like this though," He suggested shifting on his feet. It was odd for Alec apologizing to him.
Alec nodded, "We'll we better get going, looks like you could use some sleep," He said grabbing the yellow bag discarded by the door earlier that day.
"I'll walk home with you," Max offered, "I'll see ya later Logan.. Get some sleep," She said forcing a smile.
Alec nodded then turned and headed down the hallway. He chuckled slightly as Ray looked up at him and gave him a dirty look.
"You gave Logan a run for his money kiddo," Alec laughed finally out of ear shot from the computer geek.
"Even I have to agree with that," Max said smiling, leaning over to kiss the little girl on the cheek. Alec wrapped Ray up in his jacket as they left the house and the chilly hair hit the little girls bare arms and legs. He'd forgotten how cold it started getting at night, fall closing in on them.
Back at Alec's apartment Alec put Ray down in her crib, he'd come back and get her before bed, but he figured she could cool down some. After promising his return and giving her duck, he went to see Max out. She was waiting by the front door, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Today was good, we got those girls out," Max told him quietly.
"Yeah," He whispered, running a hand through his hair.
Max watched Alec fiddle with his hands a moment. Today had been hard on him, those things he said in the van were the first time he'd ever opened up. For some reason it made her heart ache, made her realize how much Alec really loved this little girl, the second person to ever make Alec McDowell break, that was a pretty big accomplishment. She hesitated a moment, before closing the space between them. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. She felt him tense, before slowly returning the gesture. He held her tight and took a deep breath.
"Your not alone in this Alec, Ray is gonna be amazing when she grows up and she's gonna love you," she assured him.
"Thanks Max," He said, she could hear the smile in his voice before he reluctantly pulled away, She felt right with Alec and pulling away was hard. After he distanced himself again she felt empty. Again.
"I'll see ya tomorrow at work, Normal's gonna kill us," She laughed, brushing off the moment.
Alec smirked, "I'll make sure his golden boy puts in a good word for you, could say your aunt died again," He grinned.
She laughed and smacked his shoulder, not as much force packed into it as before.
"See ya later smart Alec," She called heading out the door.
She heard him laugh as she left, and she smiled.
"See ya Maxie!"
Few more chapters left please review. I posted two at a time because I got bored and its like 3 am in Georgia right now?