A/N: Just a disclaimer that all original character rights belong to ITV, no matter how much I want Alec Hardy for myself

Chapter 1: Staying Afloat

"Here, hold him a second," the woman said, thrusting the baby that had been in her arms, at Alec.

He caught the baby awkwardly, and just held it at arms length for a brief moment in stunned disbelief. The two of them stared at each other, neither of them breaking solemn, unblinking eye contact. As the woman fumbled at the bottom of her pocket for her keys, Alec, knowing he couldn't keep hanging the baby from underneath his armpits, pulled the infant close, bracing himself for sudden screaming.

But the baby just continued to stare at Alec with the seriousness of a displeased professor. They made quite the pair, and had this frown-y face showdown been a competition, it would have been difficult to say who would have won - Alec, or the baby.

As it was, they were both distracted when the woman dropped her keys as she was trying to unlock the boot of her car and had to bite back a string of tired, frustrated swearing. "Here," said Alec, shifting the baby to one arm and reaching down. He didn't even think; the movement was as natural as breathing, and it only after he stood up that he realized just how comfortable he felt holding this baby. The infant too seemed perfectly content balanced on his arm and still staring into his face.

"Thank you," the woman said, relieved gratitude flooding her voice, "And thanks for helping."

"Not at all," Alec replied as he helped her load her cart of groceries into the car, the baby snugged securely against his side and shoulder.

"You looked like you needed an extra hand," Alec said.

"More like an extra six," the woman said wryly, "Well, I got to get going. Thanks again."

Alec looked back down into the baby's face before handing him back. The same calm, wide-eyed straight face frown-y stare greeted him, and Alec suddenly felt reluctant to give the infant back. He'd forgotten what it was like to hold a baby, forgotten the amazingness of accepting the the complete and unquestioning trust of a tiny human being.

But the baby was now intrigued by the perpetual 4-day scruff that Alec gave only token maintenance to. Alec looked dubiously down as the baby reached a hand up and tentatively patted his beard, pulling his hand back and turning it over and over trying to figure out the prickly sensation, before solemnly repeating the process, but with both hands.

The woman laughed. "He likes you,"she said.

"I don't know about that," Alec replied skeptically. But there was an undeniable softness now in his voice. It had been so long, so long since he had felt a caring touch from anyone, let alone hands this tiny. He wanted to hang on to this moment, cling to the spark of warmth that had started in his chest - a spark that fed a trickle of hope through him. It wasn't much; just enough to make him feel as though he wasn't being held underwater and drowning. But he knew he couldn't. "You have a beautiful baby," he said with a small smile, handing the infant back to the woman.

"Thanks," she smiled back, "And thanks again for your help."

Alec nodded, "No problem." He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked away, still guarding that tiny speck of warmth. It was all he had. But for now it was enough. Although that went to show just how little he had. Still, it was something, something to get him through another day - baby hands smacking his face. Funny thing, he thought, the hope a child can bring without them even trying. Maybe he'd try calling his daughter again.