Title: A Weakness Of My Own
Author: Anna V.
Rating: R
Pairings: Max/Zack
Spoilers: Most of Season One and Two, but takes place around the Kids are Aiight.
Summery: When Zack turned himself in, he never expected to be reunited with the woman he sacrificed everything for. Things get out of hand when his baby sister becomes his interrogator. Dark.
A/N: This started as a vignette of what Zack must have gone through during his interrogation, then the ending sort of popped out. It went through many revisions before just being little stories. Usually I write much more than this, but I think it makes a point just as it is. It's going to continue to be in third person and alternate through different characters. No Logan or Alec, sorry. I alternate between pairings now and then depending on the plot. This wouldn't work well for either character. More will be revealed in later chapters. I really appreciate comments, they make my day, but if you don't want to, I won't cry about it. I write these stories because I love to and I love sharing them. But, for my own amusement, just press the button, please?


Chapter One

You never thought you would go back. You were prepared, of course. You lived everyday with the expectation of another war. The only war you would really face was with yourself.

But did you think you would go back voluntarily? You never thought that.

You don't want to remember your brothers or sisters.

They want to know.

They'll extract it from you in painful and persuasive ways. If you remember, you'll risk their location and safety. You'll recall when they put you under psychoactive drugs. No, you had to forget all of them.

Except one, you think.

You can remember her because you won't put her in harm. She was special, different, and the one person you risked everything for.

You think you would go crazy, but her angelic face keeps you sane.

Max…you think.

She had a life. She didn't want to give that up. She didn't want to sacrifice everything for you. You meant nothing but a past she was trying to forget.

You. Meant. Nothing.

You think about her when they wheel you into the conversation room. It's a fun room, as you remember it from your childhood. You recall all the sharp, glistening silver instruments that were your toys. Such a terrible childhood. A part of you secretly loved it. You wouldn't admit it, of course. It wasn't your fault. They trained you to love it.

You almost go under, but they bring you back. They want you to feel every needle sliding under your skin. So many veins had collapsed, it's getting harder and harder to find a good one now.

The drug slides through your body like a slimy leech.

It's not even a good high.

They might try to overpower you, but you have the upper hand. You won't say a word. Not one word. Not even their names.

After all, you forgot nearly everything so far. Just like the Colonel taught.

You can't even remember Jondy's vibrant red hair, and that was a sight hard to forget for any human.

"Where are they, Zack?" The Colonel used your name to trying to befriend you. They were all lies. You knew better than to listen to him. "Where's Jondy? Hmm? Where's Zane?"

You say nothing, because you know nothing. Not anymore.

But he'll make you remember. You'll see. He'll make you want to remember.

He turns, becoming frustrated. He has the answers right in his palm and you weren't giving in. But he knew you would never truly forget.

While he paces for patience, you think about your baby sister. You think about her smile. You can still see her eying your butter that morning at the mess hall. You can still remember sliding it over. You can still see her face, her eyes glittering with joy and small smile playing on her lips.

You think about that smile.

The Colonel looks over you and knows he hadn't made any progress. He turns from the doctor and leaves the room. If only you could go with him, to see where he was disappearing to.

When he returns with a visitor you're suspicious. You could feel another entity in the room but it was hard to place. She's like you, you assume. You had seen Brin when you was transported back to Wyoming, you could only assume it was another member of your family.

Another soldier for the Colonel to taunt you with like a mouse on a string.

You were done with games. But you didn't prepare yourself for this, because the Colonel knows you would want to play.

You don't hear the whispers. You ears are clogged as well as your brain. You can hardly function anymore, you know they are all laughing at you.

Weak.

Pathetic.

Slow.

They trained you better, you know.

"Do what ever you need to do, but make him remember." He whispers to her.

She nods, accepting his order like the good little soldier she was.

Her footsteps were light and graceful. She came around the chair like a mother to a sick child. She wants to nurture you, calm you, and whisper intimate memories in your ear. Her fingers were long and dainty, her skin so soft under your arm as she caresses it. The touch excites your nerves, it's been too long since a kind hand was laid on you.

When your eyes focus on her face, you weren't prepared to see her.

A woman.

A beautiful, lovely woman.

Her hair was long, pulled back loosely into a twist behind her neck. He can see small curly wisp around the nape of her neck where her black collar began. She dresses like a killer. A perfect assassin. In complete black. She is so much different from the baby sister you remembered.

But those eyes, those doting eyes that still has that spark after all those years. They are the same.

"Max?" Your throat hurts and the name comes up weak on your tongue. You lick you lips and swallow, attempting to ask her again as she caresses you arm. "Maxie?"

"Shh…" She purrs. "I'm here."

You can't believe it.

She got caught.

Your reckless sister. You told her! Now look at her, she was now the instrument of the devil himself!

A tear escapes from your eye. They broke you, you think. Baby sis, they broke you…

After seeing the only true love of your life, indoctrinated, you can't help but cry for her soul.

You blame yourself. Maybe you told? You hadn't yet forgotten about her.

"Tell me where they are, Zack. Tell me." She whispers heavenly.

Her brown eyes dig deep in yours. She leans in and began raking her fingers through your blonde hair. You remember when she hugged you. How you were surprised. How she embraced you like a lost lover and not like a brother. You could remember the night in the cabin, running your fingers on the side of her face.

God, you love her.

"You tell me and all of this will stop, I promise you."

If only you could see that she wasn't your baby sister anymore.

If only you could see that she only lying to you.

TBC!