CAT

Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel.

Summary: Cat thought her big brother was dead, but she couldn't have been more wrong. Zack returns. Sequel to You took my soul away (Don't need to read to understand).

A/N: Rose- I'm sorry but I'm keeping Zack´s secret all to myself, at least for some more chapters. But if you send me the next chapter of your Z/S story soon, I'll might consider giving you some clues. LOL.

CHAPTER 3 : TRUTH

None of them slept much that night. And no, shark DNA had nothing to do with it. She was going trough every piece of information she'd learned that day and trying to process it. Plus dealing with her feelings. Dealing means she was trying to suppress them. Hey! I never said it was healthy, but it was definitely more practical than not doing it. The problems she could cause. . No, come on, it is better this way. No one gets hurt and you can still do your job. Right.

Zack was lost in his own thoughts as well. He was trying to come up with the best way of telling her. But how could he?. How could he do that to her?. No, it was just wrong. He shouldn't say anything. He should deal with his own problems and don't get anyone else involved. But he needed her. Yes, but you just can't talk to her about it.

And so the hours passed by and it was morning again. Seeing she wouldn't get more sleep today, Cat got up and headed for the kitchen to get some breakfast. But apparently she wasn't the only one awake at so unholy hours of the morning.

"Zack! I didn't hear you get up."

"I didn't want to wake you. It's still early, you should be resting."

"I'm ok. So what are you doing?"

"Just Thinking. Nothing in particular."

"Ok. So, what do you want to do today?"

"What do you mean?". He was still deep in thought and wasn't paying her much attention.

"I mean, as much fun as staying sitting here all day sounds, I thought we could go out for breakfast and talk a little bit more."

"Yes, of course, sorry. Let me grab my jacket"

He did, as she headed for her room to look for hers. They soon were outside trying to decide which bike to take. They both liked to be in control. Finally, after five whole minutes of silent deliberation, Cat decided to surrender. It wasn't everyday you got your brother back from the dead. She should make some sacrifices. And ok, thinking about herself pressed against his back was also making her decision a little easier. But she wasn't ready to admit that.

They stopped at a nice coffee place not far from town. As nice as you can expect in post pulse America. But comfy enough. They both ordered pancakes and some milk. While eating, they discussed their siblings' situation. Cat told him everything he needed to know about last year, that he didn't already know. Then, they started with some small talk about their brothers and sisters. Their lives, their lack of responsibility, their love for life, the obsession with bikes, everything. It felt nice for Zack to be able to talk about them with someone else. He never could in the past. It would mean putting them in danger. But now she knew where everyone was, she had been CO during his absence and had done a terrific job at it. So now he had a partner. Someone to rely on, someone to help him. It felt so strange. He still didn't know if he could get used to the idea. But for now, he was just enjoying having someone to talk to without having to hide anything. It was easy letting go of his inhibitions and fears around her. There was something to her he just couldn't place, but made him feel safe.

"So then Jondy tells me I'm not crazy enough. That she won't follow my orders unless I show her I understand who she is and get her respect. I was like ´are you kidding me?. You will follow my orders or I will kick your ass from here to eternity´. But then I realized I was getting nowhere. And crazy, I can be crazy. So, I stood up and headed for the bar. I got up on it and started singing to the music. I pulled a striptease right in front of her face".

"What?". She never stopped amazing him.

"Yeah. Got her attention, her respect, her loyalty and a huge amount of cash at the same time. I would call it a productive night."

"You are amazing"

"Thank you, I try". A huge smile spread trough her features.

Did he just say that out loud?, what was he thinking?. Now he would never hear the end of it. Zack kicked himself mentally.

Some more small talk and then lunch. Yes, they had been talking for that long. After they'd eaten enough, they decided to head home. None of them was keen on staying in a public place for long.

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As soon as they arrived, Cat headed for her room to change her clothes. She was thinking of doing some training, maybe with Zack if he wanted. It would be nice, just like old times. She was feeling great after their morning talk, she felt her brother coming back to her full force. He always seemed so relaxed around her. She loved being able to have that effect on him.

When she exited the room, she found him sitting on the sofa and looking into the empty wall again. ´Ok, something is definitely wrong and I'm finding out what it is right now, whether he likes it or not´.

"What's going on?"

"What?. Nothing."

"Come on Zack, I know you. I know when something is bothering you. I let it slide yesterday but I want to know what's going on."

"It's nothing."

"Zack, tell me."

"Nothing you should worry about."

"Then there is something."

"I said, it's none of your business." He couldn't tell her yet, but he could play the ´I'm in charge´ card.

"I have the right to know"

"Excuse me?. What makes you think that?" His voice was a bit higher when he spoke. Her tone matched his.

"I just do, so pill."

What had started as a friendly conversation was quickly heating up. It was good the house was so far away from town, cause yelling could be seen coming in the near future. Zack couldn't understand why she was being like this. She had always been strong headed, but she usually followed his orders no questions asked. Cat, on the other hand, was giving up to her feelings of anger and pain that had been stored for so long. She just couldn't take it any more. He had gone and done stupid things in the past while she was left behind to mourn. She wouldn't let him do that to her again. She was making sure of it.

"You are completely out of line soldier. I'm the CO and you shouldn't question my decisions". His tone was harsh, but hers was even harsher when she spoke back.

"No! I am the CO. You left, you abandoned your duty and your comrades. You let yourself be blinded by your feelings for Max and it put us all in danger. You aren't CO anymore. I had to take over when you chose her over us. So don't you dare come back here and expect everything to be ok. You left us, now face the consequences. You will answer to me, you are not fit to lead."

That honestly hurt, even more coming from her. His game face was on, but inside he was crumbling. He never thought it could be possible, feeling like this, so lost. His worst nightmare was coming to life in front of him, to haunt him in the face of his sister. In the face he trusted the most. He had let her down, all of them. She was right, but he wasn't prepared to admit that. He lunged to her. She blocked him efficiently and send some punches and kicks of her own. He blocked them too. They continued fighting while they tried to hurt each other even more with words. By this time none of them was thinking clear, they were just trying to work out their frustrations and fears.

"You think you are tough enough? You think you can handle being CO?. The sacrifices it requires, the look of disappointment and anger your siblings can direct at you when you make a hard decision?. You think you can do a better job than I did?."

Kick, block, punch, block, blur, jump, elbow, block.

"A better job?. Yes, of course. I won't kill myself looking for someone's love and recognition. What happened to you?. You used to know the life of one is not worth the lives of many. I love Max, she is my sister, but I would have let her die if that meant protecting the rest of us. Not so long ago, you would have too."

"I don't think you would. I don't think you are as strong as you want to believe."

This time his elbow on her stomach wasn't blocked, she was too shocked by his words. She stumbled to the ground, she was having problems breathing. He took this opportunity to place himself directly on her face, with each of his hands holding her arms to the ground at each side of her head. He was so close she could feel his breath on her own lips. He was still yelling, willing her to understand.

"I didn't leave you alone. I didn't put her life over yours. I knew you would be just fine. I knew you would take care of them. I had to save Max, I loved her but she was also my responsibility. She was dying. The rest of you were ok and with you watching over them, they didn't need me. For the first time in my life, it wasn't a hard decision to take. I knew I was making the right one, I knew I could let myself trust another person with my duty. And that person was you. I trusted you, I still do."

Now she was crying. He had never seen her cry before. It scared him because he was responsible for those tears.

"Don't you dare put your death on me." Even through her tears she sounded angry.

His voice was merely a whisper. " I don't. I'm just saying I trust you. I'm saying you are the only person in the world I trust my siblings with. And you know you guys are the most important thing to me. You are important to me."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not only his words but the fact that he was saying them. He never showed his feelings, he never spoke them out loud. But he was doing it right now, to her. She didn't realize what she was doing till it was too late to take it back. She moved upwards and placed her lips over his. At first, it looked like he was about to respond to the kiss but a second later, he was on his feet with an odd look on his face.

"What was that for?"

She felt her cheeks turn red but quickly thought of a way to correct her mistake. She couldn't believe what she'd just done. Was she insane?. Yes, it was the only explanation.

"Just a peace offering, no big deal"

"Are you sure?". He wasn't convinced.

"Yes, of course. Don't get all paranoid on me"

He decided to believe her. It wasn't the first time she'd done something crazy and knowing her, it wouldn't be the last. So, he just let it slide.

"Are we ok then?", she asked sheepishly.

"Yes, but we still need to talk. Truly understand what all this was about. I need to know everything is fine."

"It is. This was just an outburst on my part. I was angry about you leaving and hurt by your death. I just exploded now, there's nothing more to it. I know I was wrong. I understand now why you did it and I'm sorry for everything I said. I shouldn't have talked to you that way, I didn't mean any of it. I was just trying to hurt you." She left out the small detail of her feeling for him. He wasn't cleared for that kind of information yet, probably never would.

"Ok. No problem. It just hurt having you say that. And I know on some point you are right, I shouldn't have left you with all the responsibility. It isn't your place, is my mission."

"No Zack, it's fine. I loved doing it, helping them. I always thought you did too much for us. It's about time you let someone else take over, sacrifice for you for a change."

He was about to respond to that when she disappeared into her room in a blur.

"What are you doing?. What happened?". But he needed no answer. The moment he spoke, he smelled her. The pheromones. She was in heat.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- A/N: Heat, long lost characters, Zack´s secret. It's all coming up, so keep reading and review. please?