What's Next? -- Chapter 25

Disclaimer:  The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Max, Zack, Alec, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me.  No money is being made off of this fic.  I only own the original characters (Becky/X6-405, etc.).

"So, what do you want to do for Christmas, huh?  It's only a week-and-a-half away," Jace said to Little Max as she lifted her out of her high chair one morning.  "Do you want to have a nice big tree with lots of ornaments, huh?  Maybe we could go visit Aunt Max and Uncle Zack or maybe Aunt Syl and Uncle Krit, what do you think about that?"

"All good, Mommy," Little Max said.

Jace laughed.  "Yeah, they do all sound good.  Well, Mommy doesn't have to be in at work for another hour so we can figure this out."  The phone rang.  "Hold that thought, sweetie."

"Huh?" Little Max said.

"Never mind," Jace said.  She set Little Max down in her playpen and picked up the phone.  "Just a second."  She held her hand over the receiver.  "Just stay there and play until Mommy finishes talking to the person on the phone, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy," Little Max said.

"Thank you, Maxie," Jace said.  She lifted her hand off of the receiver.  "I'm sorry about that.  Can I help you?"

"Is this Jace?  This is Caroline Robinson, Zack's mom."

"Oh," Jace said, surprised.  "Hello.  Did Zack give you my number?"

"He did," Caroline said.  "Jace, I've got some news for you."

"What kind of news?" Jace asked.

"Lately, a good portion of the work that I've been doing here has involved trying to track down people associated with Manticore," Caroline explained.  "People who had been involved with the program at some point or another and went into hiding either after voluntarily leaving the operation or after getting away from the fire.  Today, we were finally able to track down a lab tech by the name of Victor Ortiz.  Zack told me that he was your boyfriend before you escaped from Manticore, right?"

Jace's eyes widened in surprise.  Victor?  She--they found my Victor?  This can't be real!  Please let it really be him...  "Yes, that was--is my boyfriend and Little Max's father.  Where is he?  How is he?"

"He's living in a small town in Mexico close to the Mexico-Belize border on the opposite end of the country from where you had been living prior to your own return to the United States," Caroline said.  "I'm planning on going down there personally in a few days to assure him of his safe return to the U.S.  As for how he's doing, all reports seem to indicate that he is quite well."

"Thank goodness," Jace said, sighing in relief.  "Can I go with you?  Please?  I know that this is official military business, but can I please go with you?"

"I wish that you could, Jace," Caroline said.  "But the fact that it will be official business is exactly why I can't bring you along with me.  I can bring any kind of messages that you want to give to him.  Just let me know."

"I will," Jace said.  She thought quickly.  "Do you know exactly when you'll be leaving for Mexico?"

"Three days," Caroline said.  "Why?"

"I need to express mail you something to give to Victor," Jace explained.  "Is that okay?"

"That will be fine," Caroline said.  "Do you have a pen and paper handy?"

Jace looked around and spotted a pen and a pad of paper on the coffee table and grabbed it.  "I do now."

"Send what you want me to give to Victor to this address when you have it ready," Caroline said.  She gave Jace an address.

"Got it," Jace said.

"I need to get going," Caroline said.  "Congratulations, Jace."

"Thank you so much," Jace said.  "Honestly, I just can't thank you enough."

"You're welcome," Caroline said.  "Good-bye."

"Good-bye," Jace said.  She hung up the phone and cheered and went over to Little Max's playpen and picked her up and spun her around.  "Guess what, sweetie?"

"What is it, Mommy?" Little Max wondered.

"Remember what I told you about Daddy?" Jace said.  "Remember how I told you that Daddy's work had to take him away from us but as soon as he was done with it, then he would be heading right home?"

"Yes, Mommy," Little Max said.

"Well, I just got a phone call from Uncle Zack's mommy and she just gave me some very good news," Jace said.  "Daddy's almost done with his work and he'll be coming home very soon!  Isn't that great?"

"Yay!" Little Max cheered.  "Christmas?"

"Maybe," Jace said.  She smiled.  "Daddy just might be home in time for Christmas.  Won't that be wonderful?  You and me and Daddy all together for the holidays."

"It will be fun," Little Max said.

"Yes it will," Jace said.  "Well, little lady, I need to finish getting you ready for day care and then I need to get ready to go to work."

"Make something for Daddy today," Little Max said.

"You want to make something for Daddy when you're at day care today?" Jace repeated.  Little Max nodded and Jace grinned.  "I think that's a wonderful idea, sweetie.  Come on.  It's time to get ourselves ready for the day."  She carried her daughter to the little girl's room, still smiling.  He's finally going to be home!  What an early Christmas present.

TBC