MLG FLC MISSETS ALT ALERT RESULTING IN ALTDEV ON CLB.

Narrative

THE FO RECEIVED THE PRE-TKOF IFR CLRNC. I WAS OUT OF THE COCKPIT DOING THE WALKAROUND. THE CLRNC WAS TO CLB TO 10000 FT. NORMALLY 15000 FT IS THE CLRED ALT. THE FO ARRANGED THE DIGITAL FLT GUIDANCE FOR HIS DEP AND SELECTED 15000 FT IN THE ALT ALERTER. (IN FACT 15000 FT IS OFTEN SET IN THE ALERTER WHEN 'CLRED FOR THE VISUAL' ON THE PREVIOUS APCH.) AFTER TKOF THE TWR HAD US CONTACT DEP. I CHKED IN AS '8600 FT CLBING TO 15000 FT.' THE DEP CTLR ACKNOWLEDGED. AT ABOUT 9500 FT THE CTLR ASKED 'IF WE HAD TIME FOR A QUESTION?' WE RESPONDED YES. 'WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL ASSIGNED ALT?' I LOOKED AT THE FO. HE RESPONDED 10000 FT. I TOLD ATC 10000 FT; NOTING THE ALTIMETER AT 10200 FT. THE CTLR SAID 'NO PROB -- PLEASE BE MORE CAREFUL IN THE FUTURE.' AT THIS POINT I WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHAT ALT WE SHOULD BE AT. WE TOLD HIM (ATC) INITIALLY WE WERE CLBING TO 15000 FT. HE NEVER TOLD US TO STOP THE CLB BUT ONLY QUERIED US ON OUR ASSIGNED ALT. THE NO PROB INDICATED TO ME HE WAS EXPECTING US NOW TO CLB TO 15000 FT. REFLECTING BACK WE SHOULD HAVE REVIEWED THE DEP CLRNC TOGETHER. ASKED ATC IMMEDIATELY ON WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING US DO WHEN QUERIED.