Disclaimer: I don't have ownership of any of these characters. They belong to their respective creators, including Cameron/Eglee Productions and 20th Century Fox Studios. The story is not for sale or resale it is written solely for 'Dark Angel' fans. No money is being made from the use of these characters.
Author's note: Due to the positive reviews for One Night, I was encouraged to start a second DA fanfic. I want to thank all those cool readers who loved One Night and reviewed me (23/1/02). I'm still not that crash on scientific or character details, down here we still haven't seen season 2.
Setting: AU; my version of 'Designate This'.
Chapter 1"What's wrong, sugar?" Original Cindy touched her friend on the arm. Her boo had been down a lot lately, and she couldn't get her to share why. Original Cindy had met Jenny two months ago. The two had got on like a house on fire and hooked up immediately. Since Max's disappearance three months ago, Original Cindy had felt really down on herself. Upon meeting Jenny, it was like having Max around again. Jenny was crazy, wild, and really outspoken. They had great fun together, and having Jenny around certainly helped take her mind off worrying about Max. But Max would always be her best boo, and she couldn't help thinking that she was in trouble somewhere. Every night she prayed that someday her best friend would be back.
Jenny stared at the beer in her hands. Life was just one big joke, her job was dull repetitive order, and her love life was a trash heap. Just yesterday she'd had to lie to her date saying that her brother just got AIDS, and she felt that she couldn't cope with a relationship. The boy heard the word AIDS and didn't stick around for the rest. Good riddance, she thought, the guy was a two timing sleaze ball anyway. That was the last time that she was taking any of Sketchy's so-called buddies out for a drink. "Huh, did you say something?" She looked up at her best buddy. Original Cindy was one cool chick. Just when Jenny was about to give up on Seattle, she'd hooked up with her girlfriend. Original Cindy was a blessing from Heaven sent to save her from herself. More than once Original Cindy had stopped her from going off the deep end. "I don't think I'm gonna hang here much longer. You stayin'?"
"No, boo, I'm comin'." Original Cindy picked up her jacket and slapped a ten on the bar.
"Hey, girls, you leaving already?" Sketchy sauntered up with his arm draped over some scantily clad blonde.
"Yeah, wouldn't want to get in late. Could lose my job. See ya." Jenny had to get out of there. The last thing she wanted was for Sketchy to ask how the date went. All she craved right now was a shower and her warm flannel pyjamas.
"So are you going to tell me what's up?" They were walking along the sidewalk toward their apartment. Original Cindy had felt like she was betraying Max by giving up her room, but she was a softie at heart, and when she'd met Jenny, she'd instantly offered her friendship. Max would understand. She looked at Jenny who was walking beside her and staring off into space.
"I just feel like my life is part of a trash joint, and there's no way I can fix it. You know, everyone else in my family is living it up and me, I can barely afford to help with the rent." She kicked a can off the pavement. "Did you know that my brother owns Worsely Airlines?" She said it all so indifferently.
"Your brother is Jones Worsely? That means your parents own Worsely & Son Wineries. Woo, sister, your family's loaded." Original Cindy immediately regretted her words. It was obvious that Jenny's family had left her out of their lives.
Jenny read Original Cindy's silence. "Don't be sorry. I chose to leave them. It was get married and be a part of a joint venture or live my own life. I chose this, 'cause at least I'm free to make my own decisions. Being in an arranged relationship is no picnic, believe me." She threw her hands up and screamed. "It was so frustrating. He was an absolute control freak! I feel sorry for the poor girl that marries him." She grinned, "I might be closer to the poverty line than to one of the world's richest, but I love being here. Even if my life's going through the shits right now. You know what? You can always cheer me up." She nudged Original Cindy.
"Well, girl, it's my new job." She gave Jenny a hug. "Come on, boo, I'm beat."
******
Ring ring, ring ring.
Who the hell was ringing at this time of the morning? Original Cindy rolled onto her back and blinked. Clearing the sleep from her eyes, she blindly reached for the portable telephone. It was around here someplace.
Ring ring, ring ring.
"Yeah, alright already." She located the handset and picked up the call. "Who is this?"
"Original Cindy, it's Logan."
"Yeah, do you know that you just woke a girl from her beauty sleep? That's a crime, and you don't want to know what the punishment for that is. It ain't pretty."
"Sorry, but it's important. It's probably long gone, but when Diamond was around, she took a bag from Max. It had some discs in it and maybe some cash. I need those discs." He had hesitated in saying cash; he didn't like remembering conversations he had with Max. The memories were more painful when he recalled the sound of her voice. "You don't mind if I help myself…I mean stealing from a thief is really not stealing at all…yeah, but first I've gotta knock over a safe for a friend." She had gotten into a real mess doing that job for him, but then again when hadn't she get herself into trouble doing things for him? Thinking back to their last moments together, he started questioning himself. They'd evolved from being just friends, hadn't they?
"Sure thing, Roller Boy. I'll look into it first thing in the mornin'. This baby girl's goin' back to bed." She disconnected the call and stuffed it under her pillow. There was no way in hell she was going on a hunt for some discs this early in the morning. It could wait.
******
"Morning, Sunshine." Jenny was up banging around the kitchen. She couldn't sleep after that blasted phone had started ringing. It had been three o'clock in the morning. She swore if she ever got her hands on the schmuck that called, she'd have fun wringing their neck. She'd been having the most gorgeous dream. She had her dream job, a club singer. This hunk of a man had loved her singing and swept her off her feet fulfilling all her fantasies at once. Humming away, she continued cooking.
"Suga', that smells delicious." As she walked into the room, she'd been greeted by the heavenly smell of freshly cooked blueberry pancakes. It was one thing that she loved about having Jenny around. She was a master cook, and if she didn't watch herself, Original Cindy knew she'd start packing on the pounds. "Boo, you gotta stop making me a cooked breakfast, or I'm gonna have to start skipping lunch to compensate."
"Whatever, you know you won't. That's where we share a common interest. We both love good food."
"You got it right there, girl." They both grinned, while Original Cindy helped herself to two pancakes and drowned them in syrup. Sitting down at the table, she ripped into them and closed her eyes enjoying the first mouthful. "I don't think I'm ever going to have those disgraceful bits of cardboard they call cornflakes, ever again."
"By the way, who called at such an ungodly hour this morning? I couldn't get back to sleep after that racket."
"It was my boo's man. Lookin' for somethin'. I gotta see if I can find it. Who knows where to start in this rat infested joint."
She saw the sad look cross Original Cindy's features. "She'll be back. From what you told me she's one tough girl. She'll finish whatever she's doin' and she'll be back, you'll see." Jenny's heart went out to her. It wasn't something she'd ever experienced. Losing a best friend. Then again, she'd lost her whole family. The moment she walked out that door, she knew there was no going back. Her parents never forgave her for calling off the engagement, and her brother had thought she'd lost her mind. Well, she was doing fine and didn't need them. "So, what is it that he was looking for?"
Original Cindy snapped out of her melancholy and resumed eating. Between mouthfuls, she answered the question. "Some discs. I think they could be in my room somewhere. I never got around to cleaning up after…" her voice trailed off. She wasn't ready to share Diamond just yet. Jenny was a sweet girl, but some things were better left in the past. "I'll clean up here."
"Sure, before we go later I'll help you look for those discs."
******
The door creaked open. She was entering with feline grace and soft footsteps. Wheeling in her bike, she heard singing and water running. Someone was in the shower. Creeping in quietly, she moved to the small lounge and left her bike there. Original Cindy's room was empty. Someone was in the shower, and it definitely wasn't Original Cindy.
"You've got the deepest brown eyes, I've ever seen. The kindest heart, I'll ever know. You're all I need. And forever you'll be my man…"
Okay, so she wasn't Original Cindy's new flame. She shifted impatiently from where she stood. Where was Original Cindy? She desperately wanted to talk to her, find out what the hell happened while she was gone. Did Logan have a new girl? Did she still have a job at Jam Pony? Did everyone think she was dead? Although she doubted the first thought, she had to be sure. She loved Logan so much that if he had someone else, she'd prefer to just stay away. As for Jam Pony, she was sure that Normal wouldn't be too hard to persuade. After all, she had proof to back up her story.
The water was shut off, and there was the sound of someone rummaging around the room.
I hope Original Cindy hid all my stuff. Unless she told this girl about me…no she wouldn't have. Original Cindy's not like that.
"Hey."
Max's eyes locked on the girl the moment she stepped into the room. She was surprised that the girl didn't look shocked. There was someone she didn't know standing in the middle of her apartment, and she was just dressed in a bathrobe looking completely calm.
"You must be, Max. I'm Jenny." Jenny held out her hand. Max just stared at it. "I knew you'd be back. Look, I'm not here to stay. Original Cindy was just helping me out. I'll find another place today. If you're hungry help yourself to the leftovers in the oven." She disappeared into the bedroom.
Max couldn't quite get it. This girl was just too nice. Original Cindy's ex-flatmate surfaces, and she automatically offers to move out. Then supplies her a meal too. It was a bit much, but then again Original Cindy attracted all kinds of people. She made a note to drag her friend aside and give her a good drilling once she got hold of her. She'd like to know where she picked this, 'Jenny' up.
Heading for the kitchen, she followed the faint sweet smell of food. Opening the oven, she discovered a small stack of pancakes. Grabbing the plate, she dropped down in a chair and began devouring them. They tasted so good after having bland Manticore food. They might insist that it was all a soldier's body needed, but real food tasted a hell of a lot better.
Jenny reappeared wearing a waterproof jacket and a cycling outfit. Her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. "Well, I'm off to work. If I see Original Cindy before you do, I'll be sure to tell her you're here." With a smile and wave, she left Max sitting on the sofa.
When Original Cindy got back to the apartment, she could feel that something was different. Opening the door, she knew she was right. In the middle of the room, was Max's Ninja. Her heart almost stopped beating, and she just froze in the doorway. Staring at the bike, she thought, was this a dream, did she wake up this morning?
Max stepped out of the bedroom and found Original Cindy at the front door. No words were spoken; the two friends just hugged fiercely. Neither letting go, afraid that if they did, reality would prove this feeling a dream.
"What happened?" Original Cindy pulled away, just far enough to look at her friend's face.
"It's a long painful story. The short of it, Manticore caught up with me. Now I'm back." She tried a tiny smile, but tears of frustration that had been building now spilled down her cheeks. Why did life have to be so unfair? Had so much changed since she'd been gone? "What about you?"
Original Cindy released Max and took a good look at her. "Girl, first you need a shower. Then we'll talk. Off you go. I'm gonna call Jenny and tell her to hold off Normal for a day. She's gonna love that!" Pushing Max in the direction of the bathroom, she went to her room to collect the phone. So her girl was back. She was loving that, and cloud nine didn't even come close to covering it. "Hey, boo…"
"I know, you want me to cover for you. Already done, girl. You two catch up."
Well she didn't need any further encouragement. Anything that would keep Normal off her case for one day was a blessing. He'd been far more irritable since Max disappeared. Original Cindy always figured he had a soft spot for her. After all, Max was the expert at getting fired and then getting her job back. He certainly wasn't buying the story that she'd fed him. "Yeah and my aunt is related to the queen. Tell Max that if she doesn't show tomorrow, she's fired." That was just over three months ago, and Normal had been a pain in the ass since.
"So…" Max didn't know how to broach the subject. Every which way she ran it by in her head sounded dumb, almost apprehensive. "How is everyone?"
"You mean Logan, boo." Original Cindy knew what she was thinking and had to suppress her smile. These two were just plain stupid. They both loved each other like crazy, and they always seemed to doubt each other's feelings. "I'm guessing that in Manticore they don't let you watch television." Max nodded her head. "Well girl, your man's been broadcasting Manticore almost twenty-four-seven, he's a man on a mission. And yes, close your mouth suga', Original Cindy's got it all figured out."
"So that's the reason Manticore wants him dead? It wasn't his usual area of interest. They would like nothing more to have Eyes Only disappear. That was the other reason I had to get out of there. I had to stop Logan from getting himself killed. And if he keeps up his hacks, he'll destroy Manticore and jeopardise everyone."
"What do you mean? I thought getting rid of Manticore was a good thing. Get them off your back for good."
"If he keeps broadcasting about Manticore, the government will take over and then who knows what will happen." Max paced the small lounge nervously. "Have you talked to him?"
Original Cindy smiled. "Well I saw him just now, does that count?" She noted the excitement in Max's eyes. "He was looking for those disks that Diamond swiped. I took them over to him. Suga', before you rush over there, I have to warn you that he's been feeling really sorry for himself. Bling and I both had to knock him around a little, to get his sorry ass together. He's still not quite the Logan I used to know."
"But he's okay? He's not with someone else?" Once she'd said it, she was surprised at how easily it had slipped out of her mouth.
"Boo, you should get your head checked. This is Logan we're talking about here. Mr. Save The World, I got Max in trouble now I'm feeling sorry for my ass, Roller Boy. Besides, where would he find the time to look for a girl?"
"You're right, thanks, Original Cindy." She gave her best friend another big hug and left the apartment.
Max was on her way to Fogle Towers. She'd been on this route hundreds of times yet today, it seemed that she was finding all these new shortcuts she'd never used before. Pushing her bike into the underground car park, she left it by Logan's Aztek. At least she knew he was going to be home, it was a good start. Whilst ridding up in the elevator she was nervously wringing her hands. Logan, I'm back. Did you miss me? No, that sounds real stupid. Hey, Logan, what's up? No, that sounds crazy. Hi. Yep, that'll work, what happened to you idiot? This is Logan, stop the rehearsing crap.
Bing!
The elevator doors opened to floor PH. She walked towards his front door. Kneeling down, she automatically went to work picking the lock. Opening the door quietly, she slipped inside and closed the door silently behind her.
