Disclaimer: I dont own Dark Angel! if I did I would do S3...

Summary: set at the end of LAtR. Alec is upset after Biggs death. Max is concerned. but when things become more and more mysteriously odd what will happen to them and to the rest of the transgenic? MA all the way! please R&R!

Chap1

It was a typical night for Seattle. The dark had fallen only a couple of hours before, but the city lights made her sparkle like a multi-faceted jewel. One that when looking from above, was an extraordinary sight. It was funny actually, after the Pulse, the city had crumbled like a war zone in many places. But at night it looked no different than how it used to be, maybe even better. In the dark, the sparkling lights gave it a unique beauty that only a few of her citizens truly appreciated. One of them was now at the highest place in Seattle. The Space Needle. It used to be quite the tourist attraction, but after the Pulse it was abandoned, and no one visited anymore. Well, almost no one.

A figure was standing near the edge of the place, not even bothered by the fact that one little slip and it would be a very long fall. The figure, a tall well built one, was just looking down on the city, appreciating its beauty and enjoying the silence so high up. The figure sighed heavily, sending a puff of condensation into the cool night air. Too many things had happened and he just needed a quiet place where he could think and settle his mind.

He had to sort out his thoughts. He was so confused. He just stood there, in the dark night, and stared out into the city. Truth be told, he didn't want to think about anything. He was tired of trying to understand everything. His new life was so confusing, and it was too much to take in such a short period of time. He just wanted to stay up there in the dark forever. Just do and think nothing. He was exhausted.

But of course, with his luck, he just couldn't be left alone. He grimaced as he heard her coming. She approached so quietly, that if he wasn't an enhanced super soldier he wouldn't have noticed her coming.

He knew she was there; he felt her uncertainty as she hovered slightly behind him. But he didn't turn around to acknowledge her, he just kept watching the city beneath him.

"Hi" he finally heard her say. He didn't respond, he just wanted to be alone and sort his mind. Only then he could be himself again. Why couldn't she understand that?

"Alec?" she asked uncertainly. He didn't want to acknowledge her, because that would mean coming back to the reality. And he just wasn't ready yet.

"Talk to me," she said. Max was worried. This wasn't like him. He was silent. Too silent. And he was never the silent type. Where is his cocky grin?

He just turned and threw her a dark look before turning back to face the distant city lights. His look unnerved her. He didn't seem mad, or sad. It was more like confusion. But she couldn't tell for sure, his eyes were unreadable. He was hiding his emotions behind his Manticore mask.

"Look, I know you two were close but…" she started saying but then he cut her off, "Max, why are you here?" His tone was not annoyed or angry, just tired.

He was tired of Max always questioning him. She never got a clue when it came to him. Sure, they joked around, and worked a few missions together, but on a personal level, she didn't know him at all.

When it came to the things that truly mattered to him, she never understood. That was the plain hurtful truth. He had his past, and she had hers. He knew every time she looked at him, she saw the thing she hated the most-Manticore.

And it was true, he was Manticore, he couldn't do anything about that. He had lived there all his life. It was the only thing he knew for certain. Even though he hadn't liked it, Manticore had been the only sure thing he had in life, and she had ruined it.

He was just tired of trying to explain everything about him that she didn't understand. She had been the one who ran away from Manticore. She should know what it was like. But sometimes, Max was just too stubborn and too blind when it came to him.

"I came looking for you." Max replied. She was worried about him. His friend had just died, and he was shutting down from her. He shouldn't go through this alone. Why is he pushing me away?

"Yeah, I figured that out. Why?" he asked coldly.

"Well, I wanted to see how you were. I mean, after what happened to Biggs you seemed kinda off so…" she left it there.

He chuckled sadly at that. It was ironic. Finally, he had found someone who knew him and understood him, and now he was gone.

"Don't worry Max, I'm fine." he answered emotionless, his mask in place. He wasn't one who shared his feelings easily even if he had wanted to. And he certainly didn't want to at the moment. He didn't owe Max any explanations. Sure, she had saved his ass a few times, but they were just careless little slip-ups. He was overwhelmed from his new life, it took him a while to adjust.

In Manticore, they had a schedule, they had missions. They had a structure. But now there were few things that were consistent-just going to work, hanging out at Crash, and then going home.

And then relive the boring day all over again. It just seemed so pointless to him; he had to do something to spike his life, and thus he got into "situations" which made his life a bit more interesting.

But Max didn't get that. He had to do something! This normal life was too damn normal for him.

Max liked normal; she wanted it, and she tried to live her life like that. Sometimes, he really did envy her. She knew what she wanted. And he had no idea where to even begin.

Sure, at Manticore, he'd never really gotten to choose anything for himself. The concept of "wanting" something wasn't even entertained. He got orders, and he followed them—especially if he didn't want to get thrown into PsyOps too often.

But now, even with all the choices he had that came along with his freedom, he just felt…lost. Like he had lost his grip on something that was keeping him steady. He didn't know hat he wanted. But he sure as hell knew he didn't want the same things as Max. She couldn't or wouldn't understand why a normal life, just wasn't for him.

"Right," she said in a disbelieving tone. She knew he was far from fine. "You are so not fine." she told him glaring at his back, mentally urging him to look at her in the eye.

"Wow, Maxie, you know me so well." He said sarcastically, still not looking at her "Y'know, if you already knew the answer, than why bother asking?"

"Actually, I do know you well. You just don't know it. And only because I know you're not fine, doesn't mean you know it." she told him matching his sarcastic tone.

Alec clenched his teeth at her strange circular logic. "I think I know how I feel Max. And you don't know me that well." He replied, trying to hold his temper. She could be so annoying sometimes.

"Whatever. So when are you gonna come back? It isn't safe to wander around at these times." she told him.

"I don't know. And I think I can take care of myself, so don't worry." he said bitterly and turned his gaze at her. It was still emotionless.

Max saw she wasn't getting anywhere with this conversation. He was so distant and cut off. He needed to let out his feelings, not keep them locked in. She had learned that the hard way, and she didn't want that for Alec. But he didn't understand her. Why was he so stubborn?

When she didn't reply he turned his gaze back to the city. He just needed some time alone. Sure, he liked her company…most of the time…He enjoyed their little banters. But she always wanted to know everything—and there were just some things that she still wouldn't understand. And she just kept on prying. She could be a really stubborn pain when she wanted to.

But after all, she was just worried for him. Probably thinking he was gonna end up doing something stupid. Oh Maxie, you don't know the real me… he thought sadly and said "Max, listen," he turned his gaze back to her, it wasn't emotionless like before, but the sadness still not clear in his eyes or his voice. "I know you're worried, but I really will be fine. I just need to," he stopped thinking of the perfect word to describe his situation "I need to," he stopped again, he hated to admit it, but he had to, "I need to be alone and think about all of this." he said his eyes seeking for her understanding.

Max noticed his stammer, and she didn't know what to think. Alec always had the answer for everything and the suitable word for every situation possible, and yet, it was hard for him to find the right words at the moment. When she heard his final chosen words, she saw the look in his eyes and could not deny his request, "I understand. I'll leave you alone." she said and turned to leave.

For a second, Alec couldn't believe his ears. Max finally understood him, and left him alone. A quick sense of sadness went through him as she left, but he didn't understand why. He brushed away the feeling and was thankful that his wish was granted.

"Thanks." he said in an almost whisper, but he knew she could still hear him. With that he turned his gaze back to the city below. He felt so tired, and so decided to sit down. So close to the edge. It was funny. That was how he lived all his life, on the edge.

In Manticore, one slip meant a trip down to PsyOps and possibly, reindoctrination. The "real world" wasn't any better. One slip meant being at the mercy of the not so nice citizens of Seattle. The ones who hadn't hesitated to lynch his best friend.

When Max turned to leave she heard his thanks and couldn't help but smile a little. As time passed by, she came to almost like the other X5. Sure, he was an arrogant troublemaker. But she knew he always had her back. When she told him about Ben, he hadn't been his usual cocky self; instead he had surprised her by his tenderness and understanding. She remembered how he had held her tight that night they had talked. She had been the one doing most of the talking, but he had accepted her for who she was and what she had done, no matter how horrible some of those things were.

He truly understood her. Maybe even better than anyone else. Maybe even more than Logan. Maybe that's why she cared so much when it came to Alec. She was really worried about him. He seemed so tired—emotionally, mentally, even physically. She wished that he would let her help him. But she knew just how stubborn he could be.

So tonight, she would respect his wishes and leave him alone to his thoughts and memories. Even though she wanted to stay with him. That thought made her feel strange. She was starting to understand that they had this unique friendship: one minute they were at each others throats and in the next, they were looking out for each other.

Yeah, that was their strange friendship. She smiled tenderly at the thought and walked down the long staircase to her baby.

When she got down, it started raining.

Great! Just what I need! she thought with an annoyed shiver. She quickly got on her bike and sped off home, hoping for any hot water for a nice relaxing bath. She wondered when Alec was going to leave, she knew he didn't like the rain. Why is it that every thought of mine ends with Alec? She questioned herself, but had no answer.

Alec could feel the first rain drops slipping through the sky splashing on his skin. He could also hear the roar of an engine. Max's "baby" as she called it. He was now, finally, alone again. It was only him and the rain drops.

He grimaced as one drop fell into his eye. He never liked the rain. He guessed it had something to do with his feline DNA. But despite the downpour, he still stayed where he was. He just embraced the cold and wetness it came with.

He didn't want to move, actually. He was so tired. He was tired both emotionally and physically. He wasn't used to this. This wasn't the first death of someone he knew, but in all the other times he had never reacted this hard. Maybe it was because it was his best friend. Or maybe it was because of a whole different reason. He didn't know. All he knew was that this emotion thing was tough and it was draining him. And making me wet he thought, and then decided that he could continue his 'thinking' at home, where he could get warm and dry.

He stood up carefully. The rain turned the place very slippery. He got up and headed to the stairs. He walked down the numerous steps. He could hear the sound of the drops hit the top of the building. It was a steady sound, almost like the pounding of a heart.

He rode his bike through the rain, keeping his mind blissfully blank. His only instincts were to get to the safety of his home. Finally, he stopped in front of his apartment building. It was like most of the buildings in Seattle, ruined. He went in through the creaking door and up the dangerous old wooden stairs.

On his way up, he couldn't help but feel awfully strange. He was feeling tired, yes, but that was understandable because his lack of sleep in the past few days. But he was also feeling weak. And the lack of sleep never made him feel weak. There was only one thing that made him that way (without being involved in a fight before) and when he realized the reason for feeling this drained, all he could think about was, "Shit!"