Title: Daughter
Author: Restive Nature
Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel. This show belongs to Fox and Cameron/ Elgee. No infringement is intended and this fiction is for reading pleasure only.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Dark Angel
Type: friendship
Pairing: Max/ Alec
Summary: He saw the picture and knew the story in an instant. Now if he could only convince her.
Spoilers/ Timeline: Early season 2, nothing specific.
Feedback: Always welcome.
Distribution:Ask first, please.
A/N: Wow, this turned out completely different than I envisioned it. But at the same time, I actually love it more than what I had briefly outlined. And I think there might be more to come out of this. Maybe some more explanation further down the line. We'll have to see...
Alec glanced around cautiously as he stuck his head in the now opened window, high up on the fifth floor of a building in the downtown business district. It hadn't taken him long to figure out where the ritzier places were in Seattle. There weren't actually many. He would have bet cold hard cash that there had been many more back before the Pulse, but since that was then and this was now, he'd just go with what he had.
Seeing that the intel he had gathered in previous days was still holding and that no one was on this floor in the rent-a-cops rotation and probably wouldn't be for another hour, if they held true to their routes, Alec carefully eased himself into the office. It was fairly nicely furnished, but that wasn't what had drawn Alec.
No, what had drawn Alec was that when he'd made a delivery here a week ago, he'd sighted, through a partially open door, a fairly valuable looking statuette, in solid gold. He'd swung by that night to get a better look at it and during the shift change, was able to determine that it was the real deal. Alec wasn't stupid enough to get caught up on small details like that. He would have been back sooner, but first he wanted to take his time in lining up the right buyer. And he was glad that he had waited, because his first fence had only offered him five grand. By doing a little more research on the statuette, he'd found a specialty dealer that had offered him twice that for the statuette. And twice the cash was loads better to Alec's mind.
He had earmarked that money for paying back Max and by extension, her boy Logan, for paying off that scientist who had coerced them into paying a ridiculously high price to save him. He'd had half the money in hand and when Max had kicked in the rest, he knew he was indebted to her regardless of anything else. Her suggestion that he get a job and earn the money like an Ordinary person was absurd. It made no sense to Alec, unless one took in the fact that she was towing the line on Cale's idealistic spouting on the proper sense of morality, that stealing was bad unless Cale deemed it necessary.
But Alec didn't have to bow to that absurdity and keeping this from Max was just prudent on Alec's part.
Alec quickly set to work. He knew that it would look better to set this up to look like a regular robbery. He knew from his delivery that the guy kept a petty cash box in his desk, along with who knew what other goodies. And according to the building schematics he'd checked there were wall safes in the upper echelons of this business. And that was where Alec headed as soon as he relieved the long, low bookcase of the intended statuette along with the other pieces lined up there.
It took only moments to open the safe and Alec swept the paperwork, strong box and larger denominations of cash into the black backpack he had brought with him. This way, the guy wouldn't know if this was a robbery of items or of information, designed to throw him off the trail. Shutting the safe door and resetting it, Alec scoffed quietly at the thought of the trouble that these people went to, to keep things safe and failing utterly, even in the face of ordinary thieves. The safe, an old, outdated model was barely a challenge.
With only the petty cash left, Alec pulled out the roller chair while giving a glance to the watch on his wrist. He still had twenty minutes before his self-imposed deadline ran out. Fifty minutes before the guards would be up on this level. He seated himself, noting absently that the chair was fairly comfortable. His hand reached for his lock pick set as he took in the organized items on the desk. Nothing of importance seemed to have been left out and the trays at the corner labeled “In” and “Out” were empty. The computer sat quietly, having been shut down at the end of the day. There was a lumpy looking, obviously homemade clay jar that held an assortment of pens and pencils. The framed picture set right beside it, of a happy family, mom, dad and two kids, filled in the likely “why” of the piece of crap sitting there. Alec shook his head once, musing about how shoddy workmanship was always forgiven and even “oohed” over when it came from a child.
Maybe it was a good thing that Manticore never offered arts and crafts as a course. He certainly couldn't imagine Sandoval simpering over a clumpy, blobby, misshapen, clay ash tray presented to him like it was diamonds.
Alec made for the left side of the desk first, assuming that the center drawer contained the keyboard to the computer. He'd check it last, just in case the owner had thrown something in there just because. The lower, deep drawer was unlocked and all Alec could see in the unlit office with only moonlight streaming in, was some dress shoes, the wrong size to fit him, he could tell at a glance and some other personal items. Smart, Alec decided, to leave the uncomfortable attire at work. Guy probably changed out of his street shoes as soon as he got to the office. He rifled for a moment and then left the drawer to move up. That drawer, also unlocked held more office accouterments, paper for a printer, a few ink cartridges and the like. Alec turned the seat slightly and then went for the right hand side of the desk.
The lower deep drawer, probably full of hanging files, was locked and it took only a few moments to get into it. As he had suspected, it was full of files. Deciding on grabbing a few, just to promote the idea that this had been an information grab and to further confuse the victim, Alec rifled through the files, grabbing at random. He pulled them up and laid them on the desk top
It was only slight bad luck when a few of the papers spilled out. Alec swore softly under his breath and then cocked his head to make sure that no one else was around. Silence echoed around him. No tell tale footsteps of the guards yet in the halls. No random flashes of light indicating a search, mundane or otherwise. Working quietly, Alec tried to shuffle the papers that had spilled, back into one of the file folders. Until that is, he looked closely at it and then his eyes widened.
It wasn't just a piece of paper, it was a picture. Of Max and some guy. Hesitantly, Alec picked it up and flipped it over. He read the handwritten note on the back and his smile grew wider. Oh, this was absolutely perfect. He flipped it back and studied the full color picture before setting it aside, his mind whirling as he searched through the file folders he'd appropriated until he found where the picture had spilled from. He went through the papers, taking in and memorizing the information there. He removed one more piece of paper before he gathered up that specific file and checking the designation under the plastic tabbed marker, he carefully filed it properly back with the rest of the hanging files. The other files went into the backpack with the earlier ones from the safe.
As he turned back to unlocking the drawer that held the petty cash box, Alec glanced at the framed picture of the supposedly happy family and thought about how many secrets lingered under the surface in this world.
The next evening, Alec had everything set the way he wanted it. He'd contacted his buyer and arranged the sale, getting ten thousand dollars in small bills, all of it real. The supposed agent had turned it over happily after ascertaining that the statuette was the real deal. The way the guy was handling it told Alec that he was dealing with the actual buyer and not just some middleman. Or else his buyer was going to get massively ripped off. Either way, he didn't care. He was just happy that he'd found another niche that he could fill to make some easy money. Apparently the buyers favorite art contact had disappeared over a year ago from the scene and the guy had assumed that she'd either been busted or decided to get out of the game. He was really upset about it, especially since the guy had a line on a Bast statue that the underworld art community was fighting fiercely over.
Alec didn't particularly care.
Now that business had been dealt with, it was time to head over to Crash and take care of the more personal. He knew that Max would be there as he'd overheard her making plans with Sketchy and Cindy for later. He patted his jacket, assured that the envelope containing what he needed was still securely tucked inside his jacket.
He entered the bar, feeling completely at home in it, even after such a short time of frequenting it. He acknowledged various greetings from all quarters and headed straight for the bar. He ordered his usual for when he was looking to relax a little, a pitcher of beer and a glass. He'd even be nice tonight and share. As he waited for his order to be filled, he glanced around a few minutes before he spotted the gang at a table up in the alcove in the back. There was an empty table, back up against the wall that he knew would work well for what he wanted.
Handing over the money for the pitcher, he picked it up in one hand and the empty glass in the other. He headed up to where everyone else was sitting, grinning when Sketchy caught sight of him and called out a rowdy greeting. Everyone's eyes followed him and there were more murmured greetings and Alec was glad to see that their pitcher, sitting slightly off-center on the table was nearly empty, as were most of the glasses. Snagging a nearby chair with his foot, he swung it into precision placement with ease and his natural grace. He set the pitcher down and took a seat between Max and Sky.
“Good evening all,” he greeted, watching Max out of the corner of his eye. Her mood tonight was really going to dictate how he approached her and pulled off tonight's plan. “I assume that I, or at least my beer is welcome.”
“Alec, my man, beer is always welcome,” Sketch grinned as Alec poured himself a generous serving before offering it up to everyone else. Alec took a pull of the cold beverage before noticing that Max hadn't pushed her glass forward to be filled like the others had. In fact, she seemed completely disinterested in the beer before her, him and everyone else seated at the table. She was staring moodily in the distance and Alec followed her line of sight to see that she didn't seem to be staring at anything of importance, unless he was mistaken and there was a secret code embedded in the brick wall she was staring at.
“You up for a game man?” Sky asked quickly, gesturing to the empty pool table.
“Maybe in a bit,” Alec nodded before turning to nudge Max. She came back to herself with only the barest of movements to indicate that he had startled her. “I actually need to steal Max away from you for a few minutes.” He watched for any indication that there was going to be quick handed blows to his shoulder in the cards, but she simply turned unimpressed eyes on him.
“Whatever you have to say, just save it,” Max uttered. “Not in the mood tonight.”
“Uh, actually,” Alec discarded the teasing tone that he would have gone for, the one he used to rile her up, since she was hilarious when steam was coming out her ears. “It's about that fin I owe you,” he offered and he could see instantly that her interest was sparked. He didn't blame her. Money was a necessary evil in this world and with their crap paying jobs, one could always use more of it.
“What about it?” Max demanded, her tone half surly, half curious. Alec grimaced and scratched at the back of his neck, like he was uncomfortable, when actually he was figuring out how to get some privacy.
“Well, I have it,” Alec grudgingly admitted and was pleased when the surliness seemed to disappear. “Not on me.”
And then the wariness was back. “Alec,” she grimaced, “if this is some lame attempt to get me to-!”
“No no,” he protested. “Just, hear me out, uh,” he glanced at the others and then lowered his tone, “maybe in private.”
Max stared at him for a long moment and then rolled her eyes. Grabbing her glass and refilling it quickly, she then stood and moved away from the table with a murmured 'be right back' to the others. Alec hid the smile that threatened to form and carried his own glass after her. She sat down at the exact table he had been eying a few minutes ago and he took a seat across from her.
“This better not be where you try and convince me you got a foolproof heist on line to get back the money you owe,” she growled threateningly.
“Not at all,” Alec shook his head, keeping his voice low and even. “I do have the money for you. I just didn't think you'd want everyone else to see it and become your new best friend.”
Her eyes were surprised and then appreciative before she shut down whatever it was that she was thinking. “it's about time,” she snorted. Alec grinned.
“Oh I know I'm good,” Alec chuckled, “but even charm like mine takes some time to accrue that kind of flash.”
“Please,” Max snorted. “What'd you steal?”
Alec lifted his eyebrows as high as he could, settling his left hand over his heart. “Maxie, I'm offended that you could think that I, after taking to heart the very words that you uttered-!”
“Can it Alec,” Max huffed and he was so very pleased to see a small smile playing at her lips. “I know that you completely disregarded what I told you. I'm just surprised that it took you so long.”
“Eh,” Alec shrugged, dropping the pretense. “That was all chump change before. Kind of needed it for supplemental.”
“But you're finally paying me back, huh?” Max decided.
“The money and more,” Alec offered, his tone back to low and serious. Her eyes were startled and then suspicious this time and there was no hiding it. Before she could even ask about what he was referring to, he unzipped his jacket. “Max, I never meant to screw things up for you and Logan with what I was doing. I know you don't care to hear my reasons, but that's the way of it. I didn't exactly plan on this, but when it kind of fell into my lap, well...” He carefully drew out the envelope and set it on the table before him. He could see Max's suspicion grow as she regarded it as well. And that suspicion had him scurrying to explain before she decided to disregard it simply because it came from him.
“I was over at Logan's one day and I, uh, he had some files up of some stuff he was working on,” he began but Max interrupted hotly.
“You were spying on him?”
“No, no,” Alec spread his hands out in a peaceable gesture. “I stopped by while I was in the area to see, well, to see if there was anything he was interested in aside from money that I could get my hands on. You know, the paying back thing.” He was relieved when she relaxed marginally.
“Oh, okay.”
“And anyway, he didn't shut the stuff down and when I saw what it was, well, I didn't really think much of it, well whatever. But then, as I said, I found this and well, I think it will help,” he tried to explain without her getting defensive again.
“You found some information for Logan?” she demanded. “Why didn't you just give it to him?”
“It's not for him Max,” he told her urgently, needing her to understand that immediately. This whole time, this whole thing was for Max because Alec couldn't really bring himself to give a damn what happened to Logan 'Ordinary Boy' Cale. “It's for you.”
Still with the suspicion, Max reached out and Alec helpfully pushed it towards her. He leaned back in his chair as she picked it up, trying to maintain a mien of casualness, though inside his stomach was twisting in knots as he tried to gage if he'd read the situation right. She delved into the material, two items falling out into her hands. She stared at the picture for a moment, her eyes going wide as she regarded the picture, looking a lot like Alec had assumed he must have looked when he first saw it. She then flipped it over as he had and read the scrawled handwriting on the back.
“Michael and I, Acapulco, June 30th, 1995,” she said aloud. Alec caught a shimmering of moisture in her eyes as she gently, reverently turned the photo back over. It took her several moments before she was able to tear herself away from it and look at the larger sheet. Her eyes grew even wider as she read the information off of the missing persons bio that Alec had provided. He noted that her hands were shaking as she turned luminous eyes on him and something in his stomach unclenched and he was smiling, truly smiling back at her. “How did you-?”
“Like I said,” Alec offered softly, “it kind of fell into my lap. That file that Logan had, about you and your birth mother. Well, when I saw that picture, I mean, it has to be, right? Although it lists her eyes as green, but everything else, huh?”
“This could be me,” Max bit at her lower lip, seeming hard pressed to keep tears from flowing. With precise care, she laid the two items, the photo and the sheet on the table and smoothed them with her hands, still reverent. “Elena Maria Sanchez Benson,” she read aloud. “She's...”
“Your biological mom,” Alec supplied. “Odds are,” he nodded. “You know, she even writes like you do. Or maybe I should say you write like her.”
Max's head snapped up and she quickly turned the photo over again, her lips curving up into a wide, pleased, almost childlike grin. “I do, don't I? I never thought, I mean, I thought that would be a learned thing, but I guess maybe not.” She was quiet for just a second. “We make our J's the same way. And our vowels.”
“I noticed,” Alec chuckled and then reached for his beer. This had gone way better than he'd ever planned. And the payoff was more than he could have imagined. “I'm sorry that I couldn't grab more, but I didn't want to bring that kind of attention.” That caught at her and her head snapped up again from where she had been perusing the letters. “This Michael Benson guy had a whole file in his office.”
“His office?” she queried and he nodded.
“Not sure why, but my best guess is that after she was declared dead, the guy finally moved on, in more ways than one” Alec explained, trying to keep his voice soothing and gentle, thinking of the information still stuck in his head. Names, dates, locations. He wondered if she'd plan a trip down to Miami to find out more. Max simply nodded, though she did swallow hard. “There was a family portrait on the desk, mom was definitely not Elena. But from what I gathered, they married young, in '95 and Elena went missing a few years after that. I'm sure you're probably thinking along the same lines I was.”
“I wonder if Acapulco was their honeymoon,” Max smiled again and Alec had to shake his head. That definitely hadn't been on his mind.
“Dunno, maybe,” was all he could answer. “Anyways, I figured I'd let you know and you could decide what to do with it.”
“This is,” Max stuttered slightly, her hands still hovering over what he had brought to her. “It's just...” she tried again, but she didn't have to.
“You know, I didn't get it at first,” Alec sighed and Max watched him carefully. “I didn't understand why you would care. But then I saw this and I just... was floored all of a sudden. Made me wonder how I'd feel if I saw a picture like that.” He moved his beer out of the way, leaning his elbows on the table as he eyed her intently. “I get what you were trying to tell me before. We are more than Manticore made us. We can be more than what they made us for and what they expected of us. Proof's right there. You're somebody's daughter Max, and they can never take that away from you.”
This time, the tears did take him off guard. But no more than Max suddenly launching out of her seat to hug him closely to her.
“Thank you Alec,” she sniffled into the collar of his jacket as his surprised arms came up around her, unsure until those words penetrated his brain. And then he was holding her tightly.
“So I did okay?” he asked after a few moments, sensing that perhaps this was moving a little further than Max and okay, maybe he, was comfortable with right then. “Think this is worth the saving of my worthless hide?”
Max pulled back from him, straightening up from leaning over him, her eyes still shining, sniffed once and then smiled that glorious smile once more. “More than you'll ever know, pretty boy.”
No comments:
Post a Comment