Author’s note – I know, the idea’s been worked and reworked time and again, but I couldn’t help but contribute my own two cents, sort to speak. Not to mention I was feeling needy for some sappy, happy ending one-shot for Max and Alec. This is what resulted. And please continue to be patient; I am working on wrapping up both ‘Undiscovered’ and ‘Irreplaceable’. Just doing some last minute double-checking before posting them. Life continues to beat the crap out of me, but I’m doing what I can to wrap up all of my unfinished stories. And this popped into my head, refusing any other ideas for my other stories to be heard. So, I thought I’d give you this to let you know that I’m still here and writing. I apologize for any grammatical errors. I didn’t give this the usual thorough scrutiny I usually do. Hope you like.

Music Selections – ‘Coming for you’ by JoJo.

Disclaimer – Dark Angel, belongs to me it does not.

Coming for you

“I’m leaving Seattle. For good.” Alec said before turning and leaving Max in a state of incomprehension.

“What?” Max whispered out loud to herself, staring at the spot he was just standing in and her eyebrows crinkling into a frown. He couldn’t leave. He wasn’t supposed to leave. That wasn’t part of the plan. They argued, she smacked him in some way, and they went on with their not-so-merry existence. Why did it hurt so much to think of him not in her life? To never see him again?

“Oh my God.” Max said to herself once again, rising up, enlightened.

Just then Dix appeared in her line of vision. Now was not the time.

“Max, we need…” Dix trailed off as Max started towards the exit, ignoring him.

“Not now, Dix.” Max called over her shoulder distractedly before disappearing out the door.

“Alec!” Max yelled out, chasing after him once she stepped out of the building. The door slammed shut behind her. The rain was now coming down in torrents, drenching them both.

Alec paused but refused to turn around. Max stopped about five feet away from him, looking at his back imploringly, willing him to turn around. She realized she didn’t want him to leave; it would break what was left of her heart.

“Alec, don’t go…don’t leave.” Max said beseechingly, her hair plastered to her face and looking something akin to a near-drowned cat.

“Why not? I have no reason to stay, right? Everyone will be better off without me.” Alec replied flatly, turning around to face her at the end of the statement. His face was impassive and his whole body was tense. He waited for her to reply.

“Because…because I don’t want you to.” Max said, unsure as to how much to reveal.

“I’m gonna need more than that, Max. I’m afraid that that isn’t going to work this time.” Alec said, shifting his weight from one side to the other, restless to put Seattle and the one reason for staying, behind him.

The rain pounded down on both of them, one trying to convince the other that what they were doing was best for everyone else. Max struggled to formulate a response. She couldn’t simply put herself on the line, it scared the hell out of her. Why was he choosing now to be so difficult? Of course, if he hadn’t how long would she have dragged it out? That was what she did, after all. It was better than risking it all and getting yourself hurt.

But losing him like this would hurt so much worse.

“Why do I need a reason? Why can’t my asking you to stay be enough? We need you here.” Max replied after a few moments, still wary of admitting the truth. Regardless, she would make him stay. He wasn’t leaving. Now that she’d made the decision and discovered her true feelings, there was no way in hell he was going anywhere.

“Because I’m tired, Max. Tired of all of this. Tired of being blamed for every little thing. For being expected to take all your shit without argument. For having your back and not even a ‘thank you’, only more bitching about what I did wrong. Nobody needs me here. Everything’s running along just fine, it doesn’t matter if I’m here or not. So just go back inside to your ‘off-again’ boyfriend on the vid-cam and just let me go.” Alec bit out angrily, stepping up closer to Max and waving his arms around to emphasize his point.

Max’s eyes narrowed angrily at the jab at Logan and his dismissal of her. Did he think that would actually work?

“God! How many times do I have to say it? He is not my boyfriend anymore. He still thinks you are, remember? Besides, I need you to stay. You’re my right hand around here. How would it look if you just up and left without saying goodbye? Who would take me seriously? Now don’t go.” Max said, looking up at his face as the raindrops pelted her skin and soaked her to the bone.

“I don’t care.” Alec retorted, turning and walking away once again to his bike at the other end of the building. He missed the pained look settle on Max’s features as he stalked off. As much as it hurt to say, it had to be said. Even if it couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Max looked down at the ground for a few moments before looking up and staring at Alec’s retreating form squarely. “Alec, what I’m about to say may surprise you. I’ve had a change of heart. I don’t know where to start. So, I’ll just say it: I can’t go another day without you next to me. I know I probably don’t deserve it, but I want you to be here beside me. No matter what it takes, I won’t let you go. But if you still wanna leave, know that I’m coming for you to bring you back.” Max called out defiantly, hands spread wide and standing in the center of the deserted street.

Alec stopped and turned around slowly, his face unreadable from so far away. The rain made it near impossible to see more that five feet away clearly. Max waited anxiously for his response. This was what it all came down to. There was no backing out now.

“What are you saying, Max?” Alec said as he walked back towards her.

Max took a deep breath and said quietly “I think…I think that I love you. And I want you to stay. With me.”

“Max, this is no time for jokes. You better not be saying that just to get me to stay.” Alec said in a warning tone, stepping up close to Max, now barely two feet away.

“I wouldn’t say something like that if I didn’t mean it. Why would I lie?” Max retorted, chin jutting out defensively and placing a hand on her hip.

Instead of responding, Alec seized Max up in his arms and kissed her passionately. Max wasted no time in complying and returned the sentiment, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck and standing up on her tip-toes in an attempt to get closer.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, Alec lifted her up off the ground and spun her around a couple times as they kissed.

Placing her back down on the ground and breaking off the kiss, Alec leaned his forehead against hers and just stood there with her in his arms.

Gazing intently into her eyes, he said gently “That’s all I wanted to hear.”

ooooooaooo*oooooomooo*oooooonooo

A/N – I know, it’s not very original, but what can I say? It doesn’t have much of a plot, and I don’t explain why Alec’s leaving or how long either has actually been in love with the other. It was just something quick that was inspired by listening to the song I mentioned above. I even borrowed a couple lines from the song; they just seemed to fit. If you’re familiar with the song, you’ll know what I’m talking about. And again, don’t fret. My other stories will be updated soon. I’m thinking both will be done within the next week or so. I start a new full-time job Monday, which opens up all my writing hours (I’m usually more inspired at night) even if getting up at the crack of dawn five days a week will undoubtedly make me miserable. My point, I’ll be writing more (I hope). Anyway…until next time…