Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The quote belongs to the one who wrote it, and the Dark Angel characters belong to the creators and producers of the show.

Spoilers: Post Freak Nation.

Summary: "I need to know, Alec. How much do you love me?" M/A.

A Gift and A Curse

"If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

"I need to know, Alec. How much do you love me?" she blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall as she stared at the unreadable eyes of the man in front of her. His usually cheerful expression was replaced by that of complete gravity. It was a soldier's expression, a soldier's mask. And his eyes were the only things that betrayed his emotions.

Dread, determination, and deep, deep pain.

He was about to go to war. Everyone was about to go to war. Everyone but her.

Her blood carried the substance that could be generated into a vaccine for the epidemic that had been spreading for several days now in the whole of Washington. That had been infecting ordinary humans. It was a blessing that the transgenics were immune to it.

Or was it a curse?

Now they were on their way to war. And this time, they would be facing an enemy that could rival their potency. They would be going against Ames White and his tribe of Familiars. There was not a doubt that a number of lives would be lost today. She could only hope that Alec would not be one of them.

It had only been a few days ago. A few days ago that she had reached the startling realization of how much she was falling for him. How much she was in love with him.

"You know how much I love you Maxie," he said silently. "I love you so much that I would die for you."

No.

"No." Her heart was starting to pound painfully in her chest. "No. You will not die. You will come back to me, Alec. You will. Tell me that you will. Tell me Alec, tell me that you'll come back to me." She was half-shouting now, the tears falling freely down her cheeks.

He smiled sadly. "I will."

"Alec!" Mole's rough voice called out from afar. "It's time to leave."

Their kiss was short, but long enough to convey the emotions that each of them was feeling. He gave her a mock salute and turned around to leave – to fight. But not before looking back and sending her one last final statement.

One that made her heart shatter into tiny pieces.

"Just remember, Maxie. Sometimes, promises are meant to be broken."

…

And he did.

He broke his promise and didn't come back.

In the war, he had fallen.

And immediately, her heart fell too.

His love was a gift to her.

It made her feel so alive.

His love was a curse to her.

It made her die within.

But it didn't matter.

He died for her, and for his people.

He died in honor.

He died a hero.

- The End -

A/N: Sad and sweet…Review!!!