Disclaimer: Dark Angel is by no means my creation or my property (unfortunately). I just like to play with Alec and Max! Also, Weightless by All Time Low is not mine but is definitely my favorite song right now.

A/N: I was listening to All-Time low and this kind of pounced in my head.

Takes place just before Freak Nation.

It had been a long fucking day. Not only had White been on their asses more than usual, but Annie was also dead, Josh was a mess, and Max was a head case on a good day. To top it all off, Alec couldn't remember the last time he just let loose or got laid. So, to say the man was exhausted was an understatement. He must have done triple his normal runs today, on top of running transgenic central right under the nose of the ordinaries that run Seattle. All he wanted was a shot of scotch and a pitcher of beer at Crash. Riding his Ducati had been a fun way to clear his mind in the past but he didn't really want to be alone tonight. Plus, it was Karaoke night…so it could be just the fun he needed.

As he pulled up to the bar, he noticed Max's Ninja, so he mentally prepared himself for whatever mood the Ice Queen decided to grace him with tonight. Okay, so maybe that was a little unfair…she had been (almost) nice to him since the whole thing with Rachel and their Ben-related, shared session. Hell, she had practically been friendly. Things were definitely changing between them, but tonight wasn't a night he wanted to dwell on their relationship.

The atmosphere in Crash was more relaxed tonight. Alec could tell, tonight was going to be a good night. As he scanned the bar for any potential threats, Alec heard her laugh from across the room. Max's laugh. He couldn't help but smirk and headed to the bar. He asked the bartender for a glass of scotch and scanned the room again, some sad drunk ordinary was singing a sad lost love song from the '90s. Alec rolled his eyes and downed his scotch. As he looked back around the room he spotted Max and OC over by the pool table, watching Sketch lose again. He'll never learn. Alec put his glass down and ordered the pitcher of beer and headed for the pool table. He was going to show these guys how it was done.

"Hey, Alec."

"What's up Maxie?"

"Just watching Sketchy loose, again…"

"Ha! What else is new?"

"Hey! I heard that!" Sketch scoffed.

"Yeah, Yeah buddy. We know! I got the next game!" Alec laughed.

Max pulled a flask out of her jacket pocket taking a sip and handing it to Alec.

"It's Mole's. Once you get past the actual taste, you'll start to feel the buzz."

"Seriously? Something that can actually get us drunk?"

"Yeah, I know…enjoy. I have more at my apartment, so drink up."

"Maxie, is that an invitation?"

"You wish, ass!"

"Always with my ass, Maxie, you're going to give me a complex if you aren't careful." He joked, taking a huge sip of Mole's concoction.

Max was right the taste was awful, but after a few more sips, he was starting to feel tipsy. After a couple of rounds of pool, and a few more shots, and pitchers of beer everyone was feeling fantastic, Sketch was practically passed out at the table and Cindy and Max were laughing at some inside jokes only they understood. For the first time in a while, Alec felt like maybe things would start turning around for them. He smiled despite himself.

As he looked around the room he couldn't help but notice, the mic was empty for the first time all night, Alec had this song stuck in his head the last couple of days and he figured what the hell…before anyone realized what he was doing, the music started. Max and Cindy stopped laughing and watched as he grabbed the Mic.

The song came on, Weightless by All Time Low, and he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He caught Max's eye and winked as he sang beautifully. Closing his eyes and bobbing his head a little to the music. He continued.

"Did you know your boy could sing?"

"No, I didn't. And he's not my boy!"

"Whateva you say, Sugah."

"Shush you! I'm trying to listen!" Max giggled.

As he sang the lyrics he started to think about everything going on in his life, and the relationships he's made since Max saved them all. He had friends, a job he complained about but didn't hate. He thought about all the possibilities, for the first time. If things could just start going their way maybe…just maybe...

Max was mesmerized and couldn't peel her eyes away from him even if she tried, not that she even wanted to. She couldn't tell at this point if it was the lyrics or the man singing them who was speaking to her. The story of my life, she thought.

The more he sang the more he thought about how much this song really meant to him. He was tired of just being an observer of life. He knew things sucked right now, but they couldn't suck forever, could they? He opened his eyes and locked eyes with Max. Had she been watching him so intently this whole time?

The chorus was right, and the look in Max's eyes proved it. It was going to be their year. No matter what happened. No matter what shitty things got thrown their way. He was tired of hiding, tired of running, and so damn tired of worrying about the next bad thing. He wanted to live, not just survive. He didn't just want to be what they made him anymore. He wasn't just another pretty Manticore soldier. Alec wanted to be who he was becoming, because of her. So he decided, and his heart started jumping out of his chest.

As he continued, he walked towards Max, who was bobbing her head in tune with his song, and for the first time, everything started making sense. He was falling in love with the raven-haired beauty standing in front of him. He was tired of running from the truth, so as he sang he walked toward her with a gleam in his eye and a spark in his heart.

Her heart was beating faster with each step he took towards her. For the first time, in a long time, things were becoming clear on how she felt about the smart-aleck transgenic standing in front of her.

As he sang the bridge, he thought to himself. Maybe getting old wasn't his exact problem, it was the fact that he didn't know if they were going to make it from one day to the next. At any moment shit could hit the fan and he may never know what could have been. He didn't want to think of his last moments being regrets. He wanted to take a chance…

As he made his way to her she was all he saw. He grabbed her hand. Both of their hearts skipped a beat.

This could be all that I've waited for.

And this could be everything. I don't wanna dream anymore.

Her head tilted in question as she listened to the last words. He wasn't just singing anymore, he was singing to her. He winked at her pulling her to the stage with him. He pulled her close and leaned his forehead against hers as he whispered the final chorus. As the song ended he tilted his head and leaned in waiting for her to turn away, and when she didn't, he closed the distance between them kissing her with everything he had. If they were going to face more bull crap. It would be together. He didn't want to beat around the bush. He didn't want to dance around the idea of them being together for years. They could die tonight, and at least he could say they tried.