Disclaimer: I don't own dark angel or its characters.

Summary: When Alec is on the verge of insanity, Max and Logan take him to a mental institution. But what does this place have to do with Manticore? MA

Rating: PG so far.

Feedback: Please! (:

Timeline: This happens after 'Dawg day afternoon'.

A/N: I keep picturing Alec all curled up on his couch sigh it's not helping me concentrate! :)

Warning: This chapter has MAJOR spoilers for the Berrisford Agenda.

Breaking Point.

Chapter 5- Nightmares

"Have you been briefed on your target, X5-494?"

"Yes sir, Robert Berrisford, fifty-eight years old. Widow. CEO of Mercidyne and one of Manticore's subcontractors."

"We've established a cover for you."

Alec enters a room with a piano. A girl approaches him smiling. He smiles back and shakes her hand.

Later, the girl is playing a gentle classical tune on the piano while Alec paces, listening. "Is this all right?"

"It's fine. Just watch your dynamics." The girl smiles and begins playing the 'Peanuts' theme. Alec smiles back. "How about this?"

"It's good. I like it." She stops playing as a man comes in the room, smiling. "Well, I see you're expanding your repertoire."

"Simon's much more fun than my last teacher. He wouldn't let me play anything but Chopin and Mozart."

"I'm all for mixing it up a little. Keeps things interesting." Shaking Alec's hand. "Robert Berrisford."

"Simon Lehane." He answered.

"Good to meet you." Stroking the girl's hair. "Don't let me interrupt. She'll use any excuse to avoid lessons or practice."

"Daddy."

"Be firm." The man leaves.

"Your father seems nice."

"He's great. It's just been the two of us, though, since my mom died. Are you close to your parents?"

"No, it's just me. That's okay; they died a long time ago. I don't really remember them."

"We've established a cover for you. Initially, your primary contact will be with his daughter." said Sandoval.

"Yes, sir. According to the file, her name is Rachel. She's seventeen. Only child. Mother died when she was ten. She's a good student--excels in history and communications."

Alec and Rachel walk into an indoor pool. "You're a funny one."

"I am?" he asked.

"Mm-hmm." Alec chuckles

"Most boys would much rather spend a few minutes alone with a girl than sit in some smoke-filled room, talking about genetics."

"Well, I'm not most boys."

"I know." They both smile.

"Do you want to go for a swim?"

Alec glances at the pool, then back at her. "All right." Rachel begins removing her dress straps as Alec watches.

"Can you, um, turn around?"

"Yeah. Yeah." Alec turns around and removes his suit coat. A few minutes later, both are in the water

"In case you hadn't noticed, I've been sort of throwing myself at you for the past few weeks. Don't you like me?"

"I like you." Rachel smiles and kisses him. He looks at her, wide-eyed.

"I like you a lot."

Alec is in Berrisford's office, copying files from Berrisford's computer. Rachel enters just as Alec removes his disk.

"Simon?"

"Hey."

"What are you doing in here?"

"Uh...I got lost looking for the bathroom."

"Um, the bathroom's down the other hallway."

"Right. Right. Well, I can't help it. You've got me all turned around." They kiss.

"I love you." Alec gulps. "Your hands are shaking."

"They are?"

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah. I'm all right. I'm just happy." He smiles, and they hug. His smile fades.

Alec sneaks across the driveway and into the Berrisford house. He runs up the stairs and meets Rachel as she is coming down.

"Simon, what are you doing?"

"We don't have a lot of time."

"What's the matter?"

"Listen to me. You and your father need to leave town right now."

"Why?" He grabs her shoulders. "I'll cover for you. I'll tell them that you left in the middle of the night. But you have got to go now."

"You're hurting me!"

"Come with me."

"No! Tell me what's happening."

"Okay." Pauses. "I was sent here to kill your father." Rachel gasps and looks at him frightened.

"It was my job. You were my job." She slaps him. Rachel bursts into tears and runs down the stairs. Alec tries to stop her.

"Rachel!"

She pushes past him and keeps running. Her locket comes off and Alec is left holding it. Rachel runs out the door, shrieking. "Daddy!"

One of Berrisford's men runs up the stairs to attack Alec. Alec subdues him and runs down the stairs.

"Rachel!" She runs to the car. "Daddy!"

Alec runs outside. "Rachel"

He reaches the driveway just in time to see the car explode into flames.

"Rachel!"

Rachel stared at him in horror. "Why Simon? Why did you do this?" Tears start to run down her face. "I thought you loved me"

"Alec. Alec? Alec!"

His eyes shot open in shock. It was a dream, just a dream. He looked up to find Max staring at him with panic.

"Are you okay?" she whispered. "I.I don't know" she hugged him closely, trying to comfort him. "You we're screaming"

"I was?" he asked nervously. She pulled back to look at him. "You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to." she hugged him again letting him rest his head on her shoulder. Max studied the back of his neck carefully. His barcode was still gone. Slowly she reached the small spot and started caressing it with her fingers.

Thoughts of Logan and the virus seemed to slip away as she held him. All Max wanted to do was stay there and make him feel better. 'He must have been dreaming of Rachel' she thought to herself. The words that he spoke still fresh in her mind.

'I should've tried harder, Rachel. I should've fought them. I didn't understand. I didn't understand how much I loved you.'

She felt him pull back and frowned. He didn't want to seem weak. Typical Alec. "It's almost 8:00.We better get ready for work." She grabbed his hand and pinned him down on the couch.

"Hey!"

She stared down at him defiantly. "It must be a transgenic thing"

"What is?" he asked struggling to get away. "Running away from you're problems" He grinned placing his hands on her hips and turning her over. Now he was on top of her.

"I'm not running."

"You're not?" she placed her hands on his chest and slowly pushed him back. Max got up and he fell down. She sat down on the floor as he laid face up on the couch. "Tell me about you're dream." Alec looked at her and chuckled. "I never signed up for therapy." Max realized what he meant and couldn't help but giggle. "I'm serious!" she patted him playfully on the shoulder. "Okay, okay. I was in this jungle, and there we're these giant rabits chasing me. And I look down and I don't have a-"

"ALEC!"

"What?" he asked innocently. "If your just gonna joke around then forget about it." She takes him by the arm and pulls him up. "We have to go to work, bip bip bip." He grined at her. "Let's go, missy miss. But can I at least take a shower?"

"Go ahead." he beams down at her and leaves towards the bathroom.

"494" Alec quickly spins around. "What?" Max looked at him confused. "I didn't say anything."

"Oh, okay." There was no doubt in his mind now. He really was going insane.

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A/N: I'm gonna try to speed things up a little. Please review.