Big thanks for all your reviews.

Surprisingly it wasn't until I "published" (LOL - that sounds sooo good) my first story at FFN that I realized how much reviews really mean to the writer. THANKS AGAIN. You guys made my day.

Disclaimer: Dark Angel still belongs to Fox, Cameron and Eglee, no money is made with this story.

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2. Conspiracies, Candles and Champagne

The room gleamed in the warm light of candles, throwing mystic shadows against the walls that played their own games, told their own stories. The murmuring voices of the elegantly clad guests were accompanied with soft piano music and the whole scenery conveyed the impression that the pulse had never happened. ... It was only a pathetic illusion, but it was characteristically for mankind to jump at any distraction from reality, especially at hard times.

However even Max felt herself relax, yet enjoy the evening. 452 was stowed away safely in the back of her consciousness, together with all thoughts about her siblings and Manticore. She was just a girl, mingling with the crowd, trying to have some fun.

Kendra and Max had just provided themselves with a glass of red wine, when Max suddenly felt a soft prickle arise at the back of her neck. It became stronger within seconds, made her skin crawl and then raced down her spine putting her on edge.

She tried to concentrate on Kendra's words that buzzed through the air like a myriad of insects but apparently never reached her, since all of her senses were directed elsewhere.

And finally she had to give in to her instincts.

Max turned around and almost would have dropped her glass. Only her transgenic reflexes and trained coolness prevented her from losing control. Thanks Manticore.

She would have expected everything or everybody for that matter - but never him.

For a split second the feeling she had been outmanoeuvred overwhelmed her. They had been plotting against her, ganged up on her.

For yet another split second she felt irritated … confused … angry.

Logan approached her, never breaking the eye contact. He stopped in front of her, still a save distance away and suddenly a huge smile broke across his face.

She should still have been angry …

She wasn't the one to be manipulated. She'd never been the one to be manipulated, since Manticore.

But Max couldn't do anything against the smile that curved her lips and widened at his whispered:

"Max!"

For what seemed like an eternity they just stared at each other, wondering how to react, wondering if THIS was going to change something …

"Hey," Max finally greeted.

"Hey yourself…"

They shared another smile at the ritual both of them had formed a habit of during the past couple of month.

"Never figured, you would be the girl that attends a Christmas party." Logan smiled.

"Me neither …" Max shrugged and tilted her head to one side. "Got kinda manipulated into coming here."

The dark haired girl met his glance somewhat insistently, trying to find out if he knew; contemplating his involvement.

Logan turned around; searching for his physiotherapist and back to Max, when he realized Bling was gone.

"Bling talked me into coming here," he smiled ruefully as he understood he'd been manipulated too. "Guy even told me something about an E.O. case, said it was important for me to have a look."

"Think we've been outsmarted." Max offered, shrugging again, apparently not really concerned about their discovery, as an amused grin found its way onto her features.

"Yeah." Logan agreed. " … Might as well make the best out of it."

"Yup … Have some fun. … Kick some ass." Max suggested, hopefully lifting her perfectly shaped eyebrows. "… Um … Kendra?"

They exchanged a wide grin, but suddenly Max turned around and stared reproachfully at her friend.

"You." She accused, one hand lifted, pointing the index finger at Kendra, the other hand placed on her hip. "Don't think you'll get away with that easily."

Kendra pulled a face and then tried a compunctious expression and when she felt Max wouldn't instantly rip her head off, she asked with small voice: "Ahem … anybody hungry?" The blonde smiled brightly, suddenly on safe territory again. "Cos the buffet's opened."

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The food had been delicious and therefore exceeded all expectations. It had caused Logan to point out the fact that the American economy was finally recovering after all those years of depression.

A ray of light at the end of the tunnel was visible.

Sure, only a few people were able to see that light. The poor, the sick and the homeless were busy enough, trying to make a living; they just fought every day for survival.

Max eventually rolled her eyes and chimed in, interrupting Logan's monologue, announcing that the social studies lesson was over.

Her statement caused Bling and Kendra to exchange anxious glances, as they feared the situation was going to escalate.

"…But." Logan tried stubbornly and then became aware of the fact that Max and he had had the same discussion before … and that it had ended with the result that Max had vanished into thin air. …

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Flashback, five month earlier, a deserted street near "Crash"

The two of them sauntered along the street, shoulder to shoulder; the tall, handsome man and the petite dark haired girl; … the famous Eyes Only and the beautiful Super Soldier.

"… Overnight, the government, the police … everything intended to protect the people had been turned against them." Logan told her, his voice forceful. He had a purpose, a mission to complete and although their discussion seemed accidentally, it was anything but.

Max stopped abruptly and looked up into his incredible green eyes.

"So you miss the good old days, even though poor people died from diseases when they didn't need to and rich people spent obscene amounts of money decorating the house to match the cat. … Those good old days?" The black clad girl challenged.

"Even if they took it for granted, they still had a choice. Now they don't."

"So what are you gonna do about it?"

"Something." A half smile found its way onto his lips, bringing back the spoilt, rich guy; provoking her.

"Personally I'm more interested in going fast on my motorcycle than getting a headache over stuff I can't do anything about." Max retorted; her defences up, maintaining her cool expression. She couldn't afford to care, couldn't afford to get involved.

"You accept the way things are. Then you are an active participant in making things worse," Logan lectured, not realizing that he pressed too much, that she was withdrawing from him.

"Is the social studies class over for today?" She asked sarcastically, irritation now evident in her voice and Logan finally decided to change tactics, decided to drop the subject.

"That was an extraordinary display of athleticism the other night … a little too extraordinary. You wanna tell me how you …"

He wanted to see her reaction, wanted to look into her dark eyes, but when he turned around she was gone. …

And there he stood, in the middle of the street … alone … and surprised about the feeling of loss that spread out inside him.

End flashback.

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No. He couldn't risk her disappearance again, Logan decided and smiled. He lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Okay, okay … you're right," he admitted, still smiling. "We're going to spend a very nice evening … we'll even try to have some fun. Our broke economy can wait … till tomorrow at least."

Max nodded and flashed him a knowing smile that showed she remembered too.

For a brief moment Max's and Logan's eyes met and the realization how much they already needed one another crashed with alarming vehemence into their minds.

The soldier inside Max still rebelled against that.

Emotions will cloud your judgement, the voice inside her insisted. You cannot afford to care … can't risk exposure.

But I do care, the other voice retorted stubbornly. I mean jumping head-first from a very high building to save HIM should be proof enough, right?

Yeah right … that was extremely smart … I mean with Lydecker nearby and all … that seemed a very clever thing to do, ha – as if. Get a grip Max or you'll be back in a cage in no time.

Oh … shut up, Max thought annoyed. I'm just gonna have a nice evening, since I'm already here, and I'm not about to let Manticore spoil the fun AGAIN and …

"MAX?" … Logan's soft voice crashed into her consciousness, startling her.

So much about being able to multitask; the annoying voice inside her taunted.

A soft chuckle finally brought her back into reality. She had to focus on the people around her and not on those weird voices inside her genetically improved brain.

"Look at the two of them." Bling grinned, while his eyes wandered from Max to Logan … and back to Max.

"Yeah. They are SO not like that," Kendra added with a laugh. "This is just a staring contest." She informed Bling dryly. "… and it means absolutely nothing."

"KENDRA!" Max and Logan protested at ones.

The blonde ducked her head and smiled brightly, apparently not at all impressed by the furious glances directed her way.

"What?" She asked innocently and shrugged. "… just telling the truth."

Max felt the warmth creep up her neck and touch her cheeks. No, no, no. She concentrated on her breathing, refused to feel embarrassed.

There was no way she'd allow herself to blush.

"Kendra," her voice wasn't wavering.

Good.

It was appropriately loud and clear and it sounded quite confident, so she went on: "… I was just thinking … and by the way this is none of your business, 'kay?"

She suppressed the urge to add and we are not like that, but stared with narrowed eyes at her roommate.

Kendra sensed she had carried things too far, so she decided to let the subject drop. It wasn't advisable to antagonize Max and the fun definitely wasn't worth the consequences.

"Okay," she finally gave in. "I'm sorry."

Fortunately the whole situation eased up after that short incident. The conversation turned to other, more harmless topics and Max and Logan allowed themselves to relax, but both remained careful, ready to ward off any attack on their privacy.

The music had changed from the soft classical notes played on the piano to faster rhythms handpicked by a well known DJ. The first guests had stepped onto the dance floor, eager to show their ability, or just for the fun of it; creating a wild mix of colors and motions.

Bling and Kendra eventually joined the dancers, both moving with certainty.

The exotic looking physiotherapist seemed to dominate the scene, as an aura of strength and contained energy surrounded him and the blonde woman opposite him created an exciting contrast with her pale appearance, drawing some admiring glances from both genders.

"Whoa." Max grinned. "They look kinda cute together."

Logan watched the two intently, realizing they really did. If only …, he thought and felt a wave of sadness rip through his body.

What if …? Another voice asked annoyed, while he gripped the frame of his wheelchair tighter, refusing to allow his thoughts to head that way. I don't want to think about it. I'm just gonna have a nice evening, and I'm not about to let this damn wheelchair spoil the fun AGAIN and …

"Logan?"

He found himself staring into her dark, expressive eyes – caught, unable to avert his gaze.

"I thought about getting us another glass of wine." She smiled softly and added with a shrug: "And hey … a penny for your thoughts."

Max watched him intently, fully aware of the fact that something bothered him.

She wasn't exactly big at this facial expression reading thing, which wasn't surprising, since she had spent the first nine years of her life at a place where showing any facial expression had been frowned upon and could earn you serious punishment.

But even she was able to realize the sad, almost desperate look on his face he tried to cover with a smile.

And suddenly his eyes grew wide.

"Logan?" Why sounded her voice so small, almost childlike?

God Max, you're pathetic. The voice of the soldier inside her was instantly back like a boomerang.

An icy chill ran down her spine and her own heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.

Something wasn't right!

She suddenly felt the presence of another person right behind her and when this person spoke with rough voice, she had to fight desperately against the instinct to jump up and run.

"Mr Cale, what a pleasant surprise to meet you again."

The man stopped beside their table and the breath caught in her throat. Max hesitantly met his narrowed gray-blue eyes … and got forcefully catapulted back into her soldier self that was her only protection right now. …

TBC

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Ooops.

Hope you liked it.

I found out, I really do love flashbacks. Maybe it's because they give me an excuse to watch episodes again I've already watched a million times? Dunno. Just hope it's o.k.? Good? Bad? What do you think?