Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel, or the characters.

A/N: Thank you for the review and everyone else who took the time to read this, much appreciated.

Chapter 5 : Hanging By A Moment

Max had naturally taken over full reign of TC, since Nicole battered body had been dropped on their doorstep. Most may have thought her unfeeling as she hadn't checked to see if Alec was alright in the last 48 hours, but the truth was that she couldn't bare to see him broken. It was no secret how much Alec adored his little sister, and her being dumped at their doorstep barely breathing was hard for him to bare. There was only one reaction she expected from him, unaltered rage, but if anything the usually happy-go-lucky transgenic was numb. No emotion escaped him, as he sat vigil at his sister side.

It was selfish, but she just didn't want to see Alec like that again. With Joshua's death, he'd pretty much put up walls and didn't let his grief through. And now it was only more walls but also numbness and that was not a way she ever wanted to see Alec. Therefore, to avoid thinking about him she dove further into TC and Hoyt, Brynes and Cage.

"Why aren't you doing anything?" Dalton asked, when Max asked for any new progress on Brynes, Hoyt or Cage.

She wasn't surprised the teen had spoken up, facts were that Alec was like a big brother to him and if anything affects or hurts his big brother, well… Dalton got protective as ever. And just like, Alec, he wasn't afraid to step to her and tell her what's what. It annoyed her, but she respected him greatly for it. "What would you have me do?"

"Go see how your partners doing for one," he said it as if it was the simplest thing in the world. But it wasn't, at least not to Max.

She sighed, "Last I heard he was fine." Which was a lie, but right now lame excuses were all she had and damn it she was going to use them. True, Fox had tersely told her that Alec was fine when she'd asked him, but she honestly thought he was just being a protective big brother over her co leader. He too didn't hide how upset he was about Nicole, and how pissed he was at Max for not seeing if Alec was even okay for herself.

"There's a difference between what you heard and what's really going on Max," Dalton contradicted, wondering why the brunette was being so stubborn at such a time.

"Dalton…"

"Why won't you just go see him," he wouldn't take no for an answer.

It was too much, "Because the last time we saw each other, he was ready to rip my head off. You can't help someone who doesn't want your help." her tone close to a yell.

"That's a pathetic excuse an you know it." He was walking on thin ice he knew it, but he wasn't going to stand down. "We both know, the only one who will get through to him right now is you, and you are selfishly staying away. I get it's hard seeing him like that, but damn it Max just put him first for once." He walked away, hoping he made his point and also avoid any bodily harm that Max may inflict on him for his comment.

He knew that Max cared for Alec, and vice verse, but Max seemed to have a serious problem physically showing that, let alone emotionally. But, the sad fact was it was true, she was the one who could get through to him. Hopefully she could get over her crap, and see it too.

***

It was the tenth time he'd called her, and still no answer. Logan was officially worried. She had never stayed this long without hitting him back. Something was wrong. His only option was to call Alec, but that didn't seem possible with all the problems they were facing. It would just be selfish and unfair for him to pile onto that.

He instead looked at other options for help. First on the list was the S1W.

Unfortunately, they weren't much help, and hadn't expected them to.

Right then he wished he could call on the Transgenics, but that wasn't possible, and going to the police wasn't even an option. So he had to do this one on his own.

***

The room was eerily quite, the only sounds came from the heart monitor, ventilator pump and Alec breathing. For a few moments she just stayed at the door and watched him, too terrified to approach him. It was the second time that Alec had scared her to bit in less than 48 hours, and for two different reasons. Now, it was because he was sitting so still not moving, with a stubble on his cheek and eyes barely blinking. Her heart sank, it was worse than she could have even imagined.

Silently, but cautiously she approached Alec standing close but not daring to reach out to touch him. She couldn't, her hand was trembling and her heart was breaking the closer she got. His usually sparkling eyes, were now dull and without any emotion. Dark circles prominently stood out under his eyes.

Alec was the strong one, not her. He was suppose to always come out the other end unscathed but here he was, barely holding on, just a shell. Irrational thoughts run through her head telling her to run, that she wasn't good at the comfort thing, but she forced herself to stay. Dalton, Fox and Mole, said she was the only one who could get through to him. Therefore, she owed it to them and to him. So, with an unsure, trembling hand she gently squeezed his shoulder to let him know she was there.

At the gentle touch on his shoulder, he tensed. Sure, he'd sensed her, like he always could, but he just didn't want to acknowledge her or anybody. But, soon his muscles relaxed, and he allowed himself the comfort of her touch. He rarely needed comfort, so he never sought it because after more than twenty years of Manticore rules of no emotions, it was hard to just relax and wear emotions on his sleeve. At the moment he was grateful for the silent comfort she was offering. He hated when people insisted on talking, because it only made the situation worse, the silence and her presences was more than enough.

Taking his relaxation as a good and welcoming sign, she slowly sank onto the armrest. Her hand moving gently across his shoulders in a half embrace, but not quite. It wasn't something she wanted to be responsible for, comforting the person who was meant to be her rock, but she reminded herself that he needed her, and she needed to stop being selfish and be there. But, no-one could force her to look at Nicole, that she wouldn't do. No, she didn't blame the blonde, in fact it would be pretty hypocritical of her to pull the judgement card when she'd broken rule and left TC on her own countless of time. She just couldn't bring herself to see Nicole as anything other than, the tough bitch, overprotective sister to her Alec. They fought, they argued, but when it all come down to it, in their own twisted way, Nicole was one of her best friends. The one who pretended not to care, but was there always.

The pressure building behind his eyes was seriously annoying but, her warm body close to his and her familiar and comforting scent, just brought that into the fore front. He knew it was hard for Max to give the comfort she was offering, but he was thankful for it. Maybe it was the reason he leaned into her, resting his head on the crook of her shoulder. For a moment it seemed to be a bad idea, because damn it he almost broke down there and then, especially after she stiffened for a moment before tightening arm round his shoulder.

***

Blinding light assaulted her, as soon as she cracked her eyes open making her groan in pain. So, her second attempt was done slowly, letting her blue eyes adapt to the light to avoid any type instant searing pain. Before she even, opened her eyes fully she already knew that she was lying on something soft. A bed maybe? And yes, she confirmed it as soon as she was able to focus. The room was expensively furnished. Hardwood floors and ceilings, well maintained, as well as wood panelled walls. Large wooden doors with gold planted handle were the only entry and exit from the room. At least the traditional way. The other way, would be the French doors that probably lead out to balcony. But on attempt at turning the handles came empty, it was locked.

It was odd. She remembered getting a needle in the neck for putting up a fight, and then now she woke up here. This had to be the weirdest abduction she'd ever experienced, if not the most confusing. However, the comforts of her cell didn't feel to good, because it probably meant they had something extremely bad planned.

When the large doors creaked open she froze, turning round to meet her captors.

"Time to go princess," Was all the muscled blue eyed man told her, expecting her to just hop on it and follow.

Raising an eyebrow, she crossed her arms over her chest in defiance she barely felt. "Who are you?" which was obviously not going to be answered.

"We can do this easy, or the hard way. Personally, I prefer the hard way," his eyes glinting with hated and intent to cause bodily harm.

Getting hurt this early in the game wasn't the best option, so she did as asked and let him lead her out of the room.

***

When Barb checked in on her most precious patient, she found a scene that not too many TC residents were privilege to see. Keeping in the shadows, she watched the two leader share an intimate moment. Max sitting on the armrest, arm round Alec's shoulders, and head resting on his crown, eyes closed. Alec's arm was round the brunettes waist, head resting on the crook of her shoulder and hand gently caressing his forearm in comfort.

As much as she needed to check on Nicole for any changes in her condition, Barb also knew the two leader wouldn't appreciate being caught in such a vulnerable position. Instead she just walked away letting them share the moment.

Mac half heartedly initiated another search on locations in Quebec, her attention mostly on the blonde haired transgenic that was the object of her affections. She didn't know why he was so insanely attractive to her. He was a few years younger than her obviously, and he didn't seem interested but, damn it he was gorgeous.

"I don't get it," Gem commented, plopping down into the seat next to her friend. "What do you see in the little twerp anyway?"

Mac smiled at her fellow red-headed friend, "He's cute. He's like…"

"A mini Alec?"

"What?"

"Please," Gem scoffed, seeing right through her friends antics. "Alec is gorgeous, and Tony is like his mini version. It's kind of no brainer what you really like about him."

Mac hated when Gem was right. Okay, maybe she saw a little bit of Alec in Dalton, but there was something else as well in him. "Fine. Yes, but there also that quirky thing he has that's so … sexy."

"That quirky thing is called stupidity," Gem laughed.

Mac just rolled her eyes check the progress of the search, and couldn't help smile at the result. Now, she just needed do a background of the location.

***

After recovering from a rough shove into a seat, she looked up to maybe find out the identity of her captor. Unfortunately, his form was covered by shadows and she couldn't make out a single feature. "So you're the head honcho?" she commented dryly, sitting back in the chair, nonchalantly.

"I don't see why you need to mention the obvious," was all that was said in response. At least now she knew he was male, and worse still his voice was familiar. A bad familiar, naturally. "And I'd rather do this without your sarcasm or hostility."

"Right, cause I'm suppose to be all warm and cosy when I get kidnapped?"

He chuckled. "But then again asking that would be asking to much of you, wouldn't it Ms. Barlow?"

"Wow," again pretending fearlessness. "You know my name, and yet I know nothing about you."

"But you do," leaning forward into the light to let her see who she'd been talking to, a smirk covered his face at the fall of her masquerade.

She paled, and swallowed hard as he moved into the light and revealed himself to her a smirk tugging at his lips. Even if Asha wanted to speak, she really couldn't, as fear covered her whole body.

White couldn't help the chuckle from escaping him. Everything was finally falling into place

TBC

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