Author: Flashes09
Rating: T (PG-13)
Summary: Max collapses after a meeting with White, and later learns some surprising news… MA. (Set after 'Freak Nation")
A/N: Okay, this is my first Dark Angel fic, so if I make any big mistakes, feel free to tell me. All reviews are welcome, constructive criticism is appreciated, and flames are highly frowned upon.
A/N 2: If you like Logan/Max pairings, you may be disappointed , but I know there are plenty of L/Ms out there, so go read them!
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Chapter 1
Terminal City
Ames White walked into the large bare room alone to find X5-452 and X5-494, also known as Max Guevera and Alec McDowell, watching his every move with hard eyes. Both stood, ready for a fight if their meeting came to blows. White had been brought here blind-folded, forced to leave his squad of soldiers outside. He had been given a shot of something, and he figured it was a type of poison, but when he demanded to know what it was, a female X5 had told him it would keep the chemicals of Terminal City from killing him. Surprised, he had allowed himself to be led to this room.
"Well? You dragged me in here, now what do you want?" It was Max that answered this.
"Remember, you wanted to talk to us as well. So here's what were are offering you. We want supplies, and for you to leave us alone. In return, we'll give you Eyes Only." This had been Logan's idea, and when Max first heard, she had burst out in a speech about how she wouldn't give up Logan and blah, blah, blah. But then Logan had explained that he had moved, so it was alright to give up his old address.
"Who says I want Eyes Only?" This time, Alec spoke.
"Come off it. You've been dying to get Eyes Only from the start, even more once he revealed Manticore."
"I have more important things to take care of now. Why should we give you supplies? The sooner you run out, the sooner you either come out of this shit-hole or you die. Either way, it solves my problem." White noticed that Max wasn't looking too hot. She had deep bags under her eyes, and was swaying slightly. "Doesn't look like your getting a lot of sleep there, 452. Perhaps you should just give up now." Max shot him a look that was so intimidating, that White's next comment died on his lips. But, even more surprising, was when the stare was wiped from Max's face as she collapsed.
She didn't hit the floor, thanks to Alec's quick reflexes, but even if White could have escaped, he didn't even try. He was stunned. Having been around X5's he knew they did not simply collapse from little food or sleep. It would take days, and by that time, they would look like walking skeletons.
"Get him out of here!" Alec yelled to some unknown person. The blindfold slipped into place over White's eyes and he was led away.
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Med Bay
Alec couldn't believe it. Max had collapsed. Max, I'm-gonna-kick-your-ass, Max. Max, the leader of Terminal City. He picked her up and made his way to the Med Bay. Luckily, Gem was there to meet them.
"Alec? What's wrong?" Alec set Max down on a bed, and rattled off the story of the meeting.
"I'm not sure if White did something. I'm fairly sure he didn't, but you never know."
"Okay, well, I'll run some tests, see if it's not just fatigue or something." Alec nodded and went off in search of Biggs.
An hour later, Biggs returned with Logan and Original Cindy in tow, then left. Asha had come with Logan, and was refusing to leave his side. Alec picked up on this, but he didn't process it. Worry for Max had overtaken most of his senses. He resumed his pacing as he once again recounted the meeting with White. At that time, Joshua and Mole showed up. They had been in the control room during the meeting, but had to escort White back to his troops.
"Max okay?" Joshua asked.
"We hope so." Gem walked through the door of Max's room, a look of utter disbelief pinned on her face. Alec was up in a flash.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Gem took a deep breath, seemingly unable to think of how to begin.
"Well, Max is going to be just fine." A collective breath was let out by everyone in the room. "And…she's pregnant."
Six different mouths dropped open. Shock was evident on all of their faces. Alec finally recovered somewhat.
"Gem, please tell me you're joking." She shook her head, then gave him a hard look. Turning his head, Alec noticed everyone else looking at him as well. "What? Why are you all looking at me?" Realization dawned on him. "Oh…no. Max and I would never…come on guys."
"Aren't you two together now?" Logan's mood had changed from shock to rage. "God, Alec. What did you do, hop in bed with her the second my back was turned?"
Alec felt his anger rising, but he managed to squash it. "Come on, people. Do you really think Max and I…jeez, last time I tried that I got a swift kick in the stomach. Even if she could refrain from mutilating me, she's not stupid, and neither am I. Plus, I'm not the one she loves." Alec said, shooting Logan with a meaningful look.
"She dumped me for you." Logan retaliated. "She doesn't love me anymore."
"Raise your hand if you think that's true." Not a single hand moved. Original Cindy spoke up.
"Listen, does it really matter who the kid's father is? S'long as it's someone we know, I doubt my boo is gonna care. She'll just curse herself for being so stupid. Now, if you two are through with your pissin' match, I'm gonna go see Max." She walked to the door, pulled it open, and closed it behind her.
Alec was fine with letting it go, but Logan wasn't as willing. Throwing Alec a disgusted look, he turned and left, a stunned Asha hot on his heels. Alec moved toward the door and went in, followed by Joshua.
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Med Bay, Max's room
Max was sitting up in bed, looking very pale. Original Cindy came in and sat on the side of the bed.
"I guess you heard." Original Cindy nodded. "God how could I have been so stupid."
"You aren't stupid, you and your man just made a mistake." Max just looked down at the covers on the bed.
"Boo, you do know who the father is, right?" Max shook her head.
"I figure I must have jumped some guy during heat. I had another cycle about three weeks ago. The math works out." Max started to cry, the tears leaving tracks down her face. Original Cindy put her arms around Max.
"Thanks." Original Cindy was perplexed.
"For what, boo?"
"Being here when I needed you to be." Original Cindy just smiled. "I'm not the only one." She motioned to the door as Alec and Joshua walked through. Alec smiled gently down at her.
"How ya doin', Maxie?"
"You know I hate that name."
"Why do you think I use it?" Max smiled for the first time that day.
"I'm guessing the meeting didn't go so well."
"Hey, we were able to prove that Ames White can be surprised. You should have seen the look on his face when you fell. It was priceless." Max turned to Joshua.
"Hey little fella."
"Hey big fella, did you take White back outside?"
"Yeah, he was no trouble." Max looked around, then frowned.
"Did anyone tell Logan?" Alec and Original Cindy exchanged uneasy glances. "What? What's with the looks?"
"Uh, boo, Logan was here, but he thinks Alec here is the daddy, so he took off."
"Alec? The father? He's joking right?"
"Hey, that hurts. I stand up for your honor and you insult me. I'm crushed." Alec said mockingly, putting a hand to his heart. But Max didn't smile. In fact, she looked hurt that Logan had left without at least talking to her. Alec sighed and sat down on the side of the bed. "Listen, Max, he was here, but we got into a little argument, so it's really my fault."
"No, it's not, Alec. Fine, if Logan wants to be immature, then forget him. This kid isn't his anyway." Alec's eyebrows shot up.
"He's not?"
"No, of course not. I can't even touch him without killing him, how am I supposed to procreate?"
"Well, that's one visual I didn't need, Maxie, but thanks for giving it to me anyway. But, if Logan's not the father…who is?" Max shrugged.
"I don't know. I was in heat a few weeks ago, and the math times out, so I must have jumped someone."
"Was that when you locked yourself in your room for like a week?" Max nodded. "Oh, yeah, I could smell your pheromones down the hall. I had to move my residence for a week."
"Well, I'm glad you could keep yourself to yourself. I guess I just wasn't careful enough though." She looked down at her stomach and laid her hand on it. " I just wish I knew who the father is. He deserves to know, even if he doesn't want to help raise this kid." Max heaved a deep sigh. Alec moved forward and put his arms around her, with Original Cindy and Joshua following suit.
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There were still like that when Gem walked in.
"Oh, sorry guys, but I wanted to talk to Max." Max nodded and Gem came forward with a few pill bottles in hand. "These are vitamins. You need one of each everyday. It'll keep you from collapsing again. I'll run a few more tests and make sure everything is running smoothly. We'll have to get a few things, as the Med Bay isn't equipped for pregnancy."
"I'll make some calls to Dr. Carr, see if he can't help."
"Good." She turned to Original Cindy, Alec, and Joshua. "She's going to need help through this, and I have a feeling it's gong to be mainly you guys."
"Well, I'm up for it." Alec stated. Joshua nodded in agreement.
"Uncle." Max smiled.
"You know I'm gonna be here for you, boo." Max smiled and got off the bed. This was certainly going to be interesting.
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So, what did you guys think? I'm not sure exactly where this one's going, but we'll see. And for those of you who watch the reruns on Sci Fi, they're having a 15-episode marathon on Labor Day (9/4) it goes from like 8 A.M. to 11 P.M.
Anyway, review! All reviews are welcome and appreciated!