This takes place after the Freak Nation episode of Dark Angel.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or plot ideas just expressing my imagination!

Story:

The chain link gates protecting Terminal City groaned with the weight of angry protesters and screams echoed through the entire expanse. It had been a long week of defending her family but Max fought diligently for their freedom. Meetings with press were held on a daily basis answering the same questions and falling even further from equality. There were many sleepless nights that Max watched over her friends pondering lifes ultimate questions; why was I brought here, why do I exist? It was times like these that she wished she didn't exist.

"Max? Hey, you're supposed to go meet with the Mayor today everyones waiting outside."

Max blinked herself back to reality and came downstairs with the others. This was their main meeting place and where they worked for hours on computers with Logan so they could contact others like them. There wasn't many people around during this time of night, a few scurried back and forth frantically hooking up cables but otherwise there was an eerie silence in the air.

Tonight was an important night. A late night rendezvous with the Mayor of Seattle and his chief of staff would be the closest chance to sway the public she could ever get, and tonight they would make a deal. Max was not leaving that meeting until some kind of reconciliation had been made for the people of Terminal City, it was her responsibility to make sure of that.

"I have a mic for you to wear so we can hear whats going on," Logan said quietly as he handed her a package, "and Max?"

"Yeah, yeah, be careful. I know." Max rolled her eyes and sent a sarcastic smile in his direction before exiting the building.

Rain drizzled lightly on her face as she stepped into the bright lights and cameras. Slowly and cautiously she approached the gates and stepped outside into a path made by several policemen; at the end of the cops stood the Mayor. With one deep breath Max walked forward, shielding her eyes from the cameras and hopping inside the black limo waiting for her, the Mayor and colleague shortly after.

"If you don't mind me introducing myself, my name is Robert Calloway," he stated while shaking her hand firmly, "and you are the beautiful Max Guvera, speaking on behalf of the Transgenics."

Max nodded, "Yes, sir. I do not mean to be jumping right into it but it has been a long tiring week with no results on our behalf. I am aware that you have called this meeting, so what can I help you with?"

"Well Miss Guvera, we are under the understanding that in a position such as yours, you would be willing to take any offer we give you," he said flatly, lighting a cigar, "If you'd like to cut to the chase I'm the best person to take to. I have come into some information, and would like to propose a deal."

The way he was talking sent a shiver down Max's spine but she knew she needed to stand her ground. "We are open to listen, Mr. Calloway. However I cannot guarantee any progress until I have heard your proposal."

"Simple: I am willing to pull the protesters and press. I will not condone the mutants entering our cities so as long as they remain in Terminal city. Once they leave the grounds I am not responsible for what happens to them."

A silence fell over everyone as Max gathered her thoughts. This deal seemed a bit too good to be true. Pulling everyone off and away? "And what do you want from us?"

"Again, a simple answer!" he smiled wickedly and handed her some paperwork, " We want YOU."

"Deal."

The microphone went dead.

*

The rain gently beat a tune of sorrow on Logan's new apartment window; it had been a mere three years since Max's break and entry into his suave bachelor pad and oh had he wished that day could repeat itself. Staring through the rain, he yearned for his mysterious angel to return, to be with him. Lately, days seemed to blur together because Logan had still been gathering enough equipment to continue his Eyes Only regime. Maybe then, just then, he would be able to send his forbidden love a message, a message to come home. ..

Max had been gone for almost five months now. In Terminal City that was along time because five months ago the entire existence of its occupants had been in jeopardy, and thanks to their leader, Max, they were living by the day. Who knew when the humans would decide to invade and terminate them completely? There had been no recent news, and the only mutants who were able to venture out of the city were the X series. God knows what American's would do if they saw a scaly orange guy with gills walking the streets—and they were not about to test it, the last thing they wanted was another attack. The first thing they wanted was Max and Alec promoted himself for the job. Although they both had issues with one another, that had changed, at least for Alec. Max was the one woman that was on his mind, lingering through his head and running through his blood. He hated her for so long, and yet he always came back to help, and the handsome X-5 would not have Logan involved in his search and he had never been more of a nerd with a computer to him, and now Logan was in the way of his dream. What that dream was, Alec didn't even know, but he knew Max was involved, if only he ever found her. Days passed, and months dragged by without a trace, a clue, or a scent. The only way he would be able to find her was with help; annoying, geeky, Max-obsessed help.

Alec turned the handle to Logan's new nest. It was what he expected, lavish but low key and out of the public transportation routes. He always was safe. He thought bitterly as he found the door locked and dead-bolted. It was then he realized what day it was, and a plan came to mind. The lithe form of the X-5 soon swung through the window (why he had it open during a storm, he didn't know) and landed behind his wheelchair with a feather like sound. Logan had stored away his leg contraptions, only to be brought out when Max returned. Until then, he didn't mind the company of the cold steel against his legs.
"Nice pad, too bad we didn't have those where I live," Alec commented, while taking the place in, "But radiation and garbage work for me too."

Logan turned around, his hopes diminishing, "No sign of her, huh? I was actually just hoping she'd be coming through that window. I am not giving up, I know she's here somewhere, and once I get my mainframe up and running…"

"Cool it, Log. How can you believe that Max will break into your apartment? She doesn't even know where the hell you moved to. The first place she would show up is terminal city and you know it. Now, I know I told you off a couple months ago," he paused and looked sincerely at him, "but I am willing to get what you need so we can find this bitch and unlock those drawings on her back. We both know its significance and it's only a matter of time before White's goonies find her. Way I see it, is with your gadgets, and my brawn, we'll find her in know time."

"I guess we have to put our testosterone aside. I'll do it." Logan handed Alec a paper listing the few items he needed before he was back up and running. "If you can get me these, I don't care how, by Friday night Max should be safe with us."

And with that note, Alec nodded and exited quietly. Poor guy, he thought. Logan was a mess, his hair was long and messy, his beard: more scruffy than normal, but what Alec didn't understand was why on earth did he still care for the girl? She lied to him, she chose her family over him, and most important, one skin to skin touch would murder the fellow! Moving on seemed like his best bet, but perseverance kept his love alive. But did Max still love him back?

Later that night, Alec returned, hands full of equipment and sporting a sly grin. "Got this stuff nice and easy. Seattle just isn't the same, I robbed about four places and none had alarms or security of any kind," he grinned, "wasn't any fun without the challenge. Now, let's get this shit up and hunt down our heroic gal."

Logan had been surprised, Alec had never been more eager to help and even so, he didn't expect everything to be in his hands in less than twenty-four hours. Without a word the computer genius hooked up the final ingredients to his database, and in about an hour had his mainframe back and better than ever. "I'll start by searching her name, maybe they have something we can start with at least: newspaper articles, government reports, journals, anything.." He typed the name MAX GUVERA into his computer and pressed search, which returned zero results. "Damnit. Her entire record is gone, it's as if they completely wiped her out."