Title: A Long Way Down

Author : peaceful_sands
Fandom : Dark Angel
Characters :
Written for the fic_promptly Dark Angel, Alec, Max, "That's a long way down..."

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

A Long Way Down

Alec drew slowly closer to the edge of the building, taking a deep breath as if steeling himself, before peering over. He let his breath go slowly and muttered, "That's a long way down . . ."

Max stared at him gobsmacked. It took her a moment or two before she snapped back, "Seriously? You have cat DNA and you're afraid of heights!"

"I never said I was afraid and anyway, what's having cat DNA got to do with it? Who knows what other kinds of DNA I've got? Do you expect me to have all the characteristics of every single creature that went into the cocktail? What about you? There's got to be some difference between you and a cat!" he snapped back.

"I never said I expected you to have every characteristic of a cat, but surely that's the whole point of mixing cat in with the rest!"

"There's plenty of reasons to slip cat into the mix. Speed, agility, independent thinking, survival, balance . . ."

"Lack of a fear of heights?"

"I've told you," he growled, "I'm not frightened! I just prefer not to be so far up when I'm not attached to anything. That's not fear, it's being rational; it's using my common sense, which you normally seem to figure I don't have. Fear doesn't come into it. It's weighing up the risks in the situation and balancing them out and figuring that it's one I would prefer not to take. Not that I won't take it, or can't or am too afraid to take but that given the choice I would prefer not to take!"

"What was it that Shakespeare guy said? . . . 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks.'" Max said, drily, running nimbly past Alec along the edge of the rooftop.

He huffed in annoyance and set off after her.