Music Is The Link

Disclaimer: My Dark Angel ownership extends only to the DVD boxsets.

Summary: 'All deep things are song'. A series of drabbles/ficlets set to a random playlist of songs. Some general, but surprisingly (not), mostly M/A.

Notes: This song was Have You Forgotten by Red House Painters. If you don't know it, the ficlet will make some sort of sense anyway, but just incase you're wondering, the key lyrics that relates to this piece are "I can't let you be, 'cause your beauty won't allow me" and "have you forgotten how to love yourself?"


Have You Forgotten

"C'mon Maxie – just give us a chance."

Against her will, his soft plea stopped her in her tracks, but she couldn't let herself turn around and look at him. Not after the crazy bombshell he'd just dropped on her. A part of her was convinced that if she just pinched herself, she'd wake up from some crazy bong-induced nightmare, then she could head straight to Crash and drown herself in as many beers as possible with her girl, in an attempt to forget about the whole thing. The other part would have none of it. And it was that stubborn-ass part that kept her from walking out of the door and out of his life for the last time. Because she knew if she left now, she'd blow it forever.

In some bizarre way though, staying, and everything that would follow, still struck her as the more terrifying scenario.

"I know you've not exactly had an easy ride when it comes to love – how could you, what with Logan and the whole virus debacle...some of which was my fault, yeah, and I'll hold my hands up to that. And I guess my Rachel issues haven't helped either of us, but...I'm still willing to try. Because I think what we have is irreplaceable. Because, let's admit it, what we could be together is nothing short of epic. And because I love you."

Her world was spinning, and she was suddenly short of breath all over again – damn it, why did he keep having that effect on her? Closing her eyes tightly, she willed herself to calm down and just breathe in and out rhythmically, starting a count in her head to try and ease some of the pressure. She felt him move in slowly behind her, reaching out to grasp her shoulder and turn her round to face him. Her eyes flew open of their own accord, and her breath hitched again, the stress-relieving exercises counting for nothing, when she saw just how close he was. He kept one hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but not too suffocating, giving her the chance to flee if she wanted, but silently telling her that he wasn't letting go for the moment, and he reached out with the other to take a hold of her chin, tilting her face upwards so that green eyes locked with brown, emotion wrought in both pairs.

"I know you hate yourself for this whole situation, and supposedly ruining everyone's lives, and I know you think you don't deserve anybody's love, but I hate to break it to ya, you're kinda stuck with mine forever. I love you enough for the both of us put together. And if you just let me, I'll spend the rest of my life proving just how much. Because you are beautiful, strong, stubborn, caring and kickass all in one, and out of everyone I know, the one person most deserving of love. Let me be the one who gives it to you."

A lump in her throat, she could barely trust herself to speak as for once, she let go of every inhibition she had, and nodded. He released a relieved sigh she hadn't even realised he'd been holding in, and as he leaned forward to wrap her small frame in his arms and place a soft kiss on her forehead, she finally allowed herself the tiniest of smiles.