Author's Note - Well, hiya there. Thought I'd branch out in the fanfic world. This here story blossomed from another piece of original fiction that I'd written and discovered that, if tweaked in a few particular places, would make a fantastic Dark Angel short story. Just so you know, I'm a hardcore Max/Alec fan, even though there are mentionings of Max/Logan (Not in this chapter, but later). It is spoken of in past tense and very briefly. And, I actually like the guy, so there will be no bashing of poor Logan. And he has a happily ever after as well because that's just who I am. Also, kudos to those who recognize the Miss Congeniality reference.

Music Selections - 'Think twice' by Eve 6, 'Waiting' by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 'This moment' by Disturbed, 'Before it's too late' by The Goo Goo Dolls. (If you haven't read my other fic, this is how it goes: I choose a few songs to go along with the story. Kind of like its own soundtrack. If you have any way of listening to it and want to, do so.)

Disclaimer - I don't own Dark Angel or any other show, movie, or book I may or may not give mention of. I'm way, way too poor for that.

Spar with Me

The door leading to the back alley behind Terminal City's headquarters swung open forcefully, slamming hard into the defenseless wall. Leaving a small dent in the wall, the door then fell back into its original position after the person that had come barreling through it stalked out of the door. Clenching her hands into fists, Max Guevera paused and shut her eyes. Pinching her nose, she forced down her sudden swell of emotion.

What the hell was wrong with her? She'd been in control of the situation the entire time. So why did she feel she was about to have a nervous breakdown? She thought back on the events that had just transpired.

The guy had to be a freakin' idiot not to see her disdain. How could he have tried to do that? To her, no less. Vane. That was his name. He'd arrived with a group of X5s and 6s from California just over a month ago. She couldn't stand the X5 from the get-go. There was just something about him that was…off.

And Max wasn't the only one that couldn't stand the X5. She could tell that Alec hadn't liked the new arrival anymore than she did. She could practically smell the testosterone the two dropped when within the same building. She just couldn't figure out why, though.

As Vane's name suggested, all he cared for was himself and what he wanted. And apparently, it was Max that he wanted. At first, he'd been subtle abut his intentions toward her. It irritated the hell out of her, but at least he'd never tried to do anything construed as sexual harassment. However, as his advances increased, she'd been forced to avoid him. For the past week or so, she'd been successful at keeping him busy and hence, away from her. Training the younger X-series in the makeshift school they'd set up, sending him on countless supply runs, and so on. And it worked. Until tonight.

They'd had a large supply run scheduled earlier that day. Alec had been absent from the run and the brief follow-up meeting due to prior engagements with the Seattle city council. The run had gone off without a hitch. After all the details of the run had been discussed and cataloged, the meeting had adjourned. She'd been gathering up all her papers when she heard the door click shut. Looking up, she realized that she was all alone in the room with Vane.

Not really in the mood to deal with yet another come-on, she gave up the idea of putting the papers in order in favor of exiting the room. Quickly. She shoved the pile of papers into a folder and shoved it in her messenger bag as she stood to leave. She didn't get more than a few steps before he'd blocked her path.

"Vane, get out of my way." Max said impatiently, hand on her hip and chin raised. "I don't have time for your games today. You know, being leader of TC and all."

"Not gonna happen." he replied, sneering. He shoved her back into the table. "I'm gonna teach you some manners."

"I hate to admit it to ya, but many have tried in the past. With no success. Might as well just give up now. While you still can." Max retorted in a calm, yet feisty, tone. The confidence she exuded wasn't quite genuine, however. Regardless of what strength she had, he was an X5 as well. Meaning she'd have to play this just right.

"You're going to pay for that remark, bitch." he growled, filling up all her personal space. She merely cocked her head to the side.

"Aww. Is that how you woo all the women, or am I just special?" Max cooed with false-pretense.

His lip curled slightly. Before she could react, he'd pinned her down on the table, clinching her wrists with one hand above her head and standing between her legs. She struggled, momentarily caught off guard as he forced his tongue into her mouth and his free hand up her shirt.

Repulsed, she quickly calculated the most painful (for him) escape route. As his hand slithered down to the clasp of her jeans, she made her move. He'd forgotten to pin her legs, which she considered very moronic on his part. Not that she was complaining, but the guy couldn't even sexually assault a woman properly. It would seem that he was more used to his women being more compliant. Or unconscious.

Scooting back onto the table slightly, she was able to plant one foot firmly on it while the other rounded around in a circular motion, out and away from her before passing over her head and the back of her leg connected with his face. Right as he came up for air. The force didn't knock him back far, but just enough to release her arms.

Not wasting a moment, she punched him square in the face, sending him reeling backward. Shock registered on his face as the blood began to pour from his nose.

"You broke my nose!" he stated incredulously.

"And that's only the beginning, you bastard." she replied, leaping from the table and stalking towards him.

When she moved to punch him again, he caught it centimeters from his face and wrenched her arm behind her. He then wrapped his other arm around her neck in a stranglehold.

"You are going to bend to my will." he said into her ear.

"Like hell I will." she spat. And then she attacked. A firm elbow to the solar plexus, followed by a head butt into his already broken nose-which caused him to release her pinned arm to clutch at his nose in pain. She then proceeded to smash one heel into his instep before completing the move with a fist to the groin.

Feeling his arm slacken around her neck, she grabbed with both arms and leaned back before stepping forward with one foot and throwing him over her shoulder. As one of his hands moved to his crotch, she kicked him there again, just for good measure. His face turned purple and both hands clutched the immediate area, curling up into a ball and moaning miserably.

She walked over to pick up her bag before she returned to his side. Keeling down beside his face she said condescendingly, "Who's the bitch now?"

She then rose and proceeded out the door and down the stairs ignoring everyone, and their curious stares, as she passed. She couldn't decide if she was more pissed off or completely revolted by what had just transpired. She shuddered at the thought of his hands on her, forcing her down.

When she reached the door to the back alley where she'd parked her bike, she put all her force behind it, needing some way to diffuse her anger. And now here she was, reminiscing.

Finally forcing her swirling emotions down and locking them up tight, she climbed onto her bike and gunned the engine, speeding off into the night.

ooooooonooo*ooooooosoo

A/N - There is more to the story, but decided to end this chapter here. Thought I'd test the waters and gauge everyone's reactions before I revealed too much. Obviously, the title of the story is not about this chapter. This is more of a prelude leading up to that point. I guess that's about it. Let me know what you think. Was it too confusing, the flashback format? I tried to smooth it out as seamlessly as possible. Until next time…