1Story: Curtain Call

Author: LaVieBoheme87

Disclaimer: Just a little note that I do not own any of the characters originally seen in the TV series Dark Angel via Charles Eglee and James Cameron. The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from Michael Buble's "Home".

Author's Note: I started this story a very long time ago. This first chapter desperately needed to be edited, and my old, juvenile writing style needed to be updated. I hope you all find it as worth it as I do. Chapter 2 is in the works and will be up soon. Read and review.

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*~Chapter 1: Home~*

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Let me go home.

I'm just to far

from where you are.

I'm coming back home.

Whoever said that America was the land of freedom and opportunity had obviously never expected that the steadfast ideals of a few angry whack-jobs could ever catch up with them. June 1, 2009 changed everything that American's thought they knew when a group of terrorists set off the infamous electromagnetic pulse because they had nothing better to do.

It was a story people could share with their grandchildren. They could boast someday and say, "I survived the pulse." It was kind've like surviving World War II or September 11th only no one ever comprehended the extent of the damage that the pulse would cause. No one quite knew how to explain to the kids why they couldn't have an extra dollar for ice cream at lunch, or why the roller-skating rink was off limits because it was now a shelter for the crack whores and alcoholics who were once America's upper-middle class.

Not everything suffered from the pulse, though. While the economy fell into a collapse and depression, the actors, artists, musicians (what some might call bohemians) thrived. It seemed like America was suddenly willing to embrace what little bit of the "old country" they had left. That was what Alexandra Cole was most thankful for as she stood outside of her New York City apartment building. New York had been her home since she was fourteen and just a spunky girl with a passion for musical theater. Now she was a successful, twenty four year-old, Broadway prodigy with several awards and a need to make her way home.

A hand grasped her shoulder and out of the corner of her eye Lexi could see a figure standing next to her. She didn't have to guess who it was. Joe Lang always knew when and where to find her. He was in many ways like her agent and tutor (once being a successful performer himself), but he was more so like her father since she had started in chorus lines ten years ago.

"I don't suppose there is any way I can get you to stick around a little longer is there?" He asked her, crossing his arms in front of him, "You're at the height of your career, kid. You could be real big, ya know."

Lexi closed her eyes and sighed. She could see her career in her mind as if it were a time line in a textbook. "I've won three Tony Awards," she smirked, "not to mention the Life Achievement Award I walked away with last night. At the risk of sounding a little egotistical, I would say I'm already big around here."

"True," he chuckled.

Softening, she continued, "I never wanted to be real big, Joe. All I ever wanted to do is perform. I can do that anywhere."

"Yeah I know, kid. But Seattle?"

She rolled her eyes, "Don't start."

"C'mon now. What's in Seattle but shitloads of rain and all that weird talk of some kind of mutant transgenic species. That stuff is causing one hell of an uproar in the tabloids."

Lexi flinched a little at the mention of transgenics. The truth was, her brother Logan was involved with most of the crazy "stuff" that went down in Seattle. He was smack dab in the middle of it and had some bad-ass transgenic friends, one of whom he was madly in love with. Lexi had heard many a story about the amazing Max Guevera and company. She honestly couldn't wait to meet them all in person, but she couldn't tell Joe any of that, and she certainly couldn't tell him that Logan was the underground cyber-journalist known as Eyes Only. So, she just settled for something simple.

"My brother lives in Seattle," she pointed out, placing her hands on her hips and looking up at Joe defiantly.

"Yeah, yeah," he conceded, pulling her into a warm embrace, "Be careful out there okay? I just got a feeling like there's more to this transgenic thing than what's just in the tabloids and I don't want you getting into any trouble." If he only knew.

She pulled back and half smiled, for she knew very well what kind of trouble she could find herself in. Moving to Seattle was risky. God knows Logan had tried talking her out of coming, but even he couldn't hide how much he missed having her around. They had seen each other maybe five times in ten years. She needed to go back, and for that she was ready to face anything.

"I'll be careful. I promise." Lexi reassured him. Then she walked over to the taxi that was waiting for her with her carry-on bag in hand.

"I still don't see why we couldn't have seen you off at the airport," Joe grumbled. He opened the door for her, but she didn't get in.

"It's easier for me this way." Lexi responded, her voice cracking with emotion, "Thank you for everything, Joe. I really mean that."

"This isn't goodbye, Lexi," he shook his head, "not by a long shot."

She nodded in agreement, "Tell Miranda and the kids that I'll call as often as I can spare the time."

"You better call us as soon as you get settled in," he reprimanded, "and tell Logan he better look out for you. Give him my best."

She hugged him again quickly and got into the cab before Joe could see any tears in her eyes. "JFK Airport, please," she told the driver and they soon pulled out into the street.

Leaving New York was harder than Lexi was prepared to let on, but she was going to be with Logan again. She was going to make new friends. Sighing and leaning back in her seat, Lexi took in everything she saw through the window. She couldn't be too sorry. She was going home.

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Author's Note: I hope you like it so far! Please review!!! :-)