Choices 13 "Borrowed Time"
Author: Mystic25
Email: yellowrubberduck31@hotmail.com
Summary: With Washington state going into total lockdown, the X5's living there leave for San Francisco, but the vacation turns ugly when they must save Max and Logan's daughter from a unspeakable fate
Rating: PG13 just to be safe for all the bad mouthing and violence
Disclaimer: You own them Mr. Cameron, otherwise "Hello Goodbye" wouldn't have been an episode, but I'll forgive you for that b/c of the awesome finale.
A/N: I just wondered what would've happened if I took Max and her sibs (meaning Zack, Krit, Jondy, Syl, Tinga and Zane) together with Alec ('cause he's an escapee too) along with Logan (like I'd make him stay if Max left) his and Max's children, Cindy (need her saucy attitude) Charlie (same situation as Logan 'cept with Tinga) Case, Asha (for Zack) and Max and Zane's dogs (not gonna leave them out either) and put them all together in the same place. I like playing with fire.
A/N #2: As many of you know the title is also the name of an actual DA ep, but it fits here too. I originally was going to call it 'Road Trip' but that didn't fit once I got the plot established.
*****
SEATTLE
2:36 AM
FOGGLE TOWERS
"Just grab whatever and go" Max brushed passed Logan shoving more things into an open bag on
their bed.
"That's what I'm doing sweetheart" Logan informed her, closing the bottom dresser drawer "Not like I'm going to be picky about what I bring for sneaking out in the middle of the night" he dropped some clothes into a black duffel bag. "Get the kids' stuff together, I'm gonna grab my computer" he passed through the open door.
Max opened the door to her son's bedroom "You all set baby?" she found him pulling one of his
shirts over his head
"Mommy?" Jess asked when Max kneeled down to help him "Why are we leaving?"
"There's just a lot of problems in town now, so we're going away for a bit" she smoothed the
cotton shirt over his body
"Will we come home?" he asked an honest question. This was the only world he really knew.
"We will" Max reassured, touching his head "Once things are better here" she started filling a small bag with about half of his clothes. She soon shut off the light in his bedroom and locked the door.
"Go wait with Kaja in the living room sweetie" Max ushered her son to the couch
She then headed into the nursery, and after filing up a carrying bag with diapers and extra clothes she picked up her daughter and brought her out into the living room.
"Momma's gonna bundle you up babe" Max threw an thick wool jacket over Lexi "It's pretty cool
out there" she buttoned it up and then headed to the office to find Logan.
She found her husband busily shutting down his Eyes Only mainframe, and encoding all his files
with an randomly selected numeric password of at least 12 digits. "I've got most of the files stored on my laptop" he patted the Hewlett Packard in his hand "What's leftover won't be enough reading material for a two minute ride"
"We're set" Max informed him "Rendezvous point is at Sector Five and Nine"
"Got in touch with Zack?" Logan switched off the light to his office
"He's at Asha's, leaving his Vulcan and their taking her Cherokee"
"Guess all ends are tied" Logan stated to her "Should get going then"
*****
SECTOR FIVE
"Call a taxi?" Max threw this out the window of her Impala
The door opened, blasting cool air into the car "Weather's a bitch outside boo" Cindy tossed her stuff on the floor by her feet. "Thanks for gettin' me outta here for lockdown"
"No prob" Max gunned out from the front of the building "Not a good place for anyone at a time like this"
*****
After a few minutes of driving, Max caught the sight of blinking headlights, just to the right of her car.
Max checked her rearview mirror "It's Tinga" the black Tracker pulled along side the Impala.
Tinga signaled Max to pull off to the shoulder after they passed the last Sector stop.
After Max accomplished that task, she realized that an empty parking lot stretched out in front of her, and a tall high rise building stood beside it.
The Impala's engine cut off, and Max climbed out, opening the back door to let Kaja out before her leather upholstery got messed up.
Kaja's barking soon was joined by another, slightly higher bark. Beside a little brown and white English Spaniel walked a tall figure.
"Did you get here okay with my directions?" Zane came out of the shadows.
"I missed the turn" Max made a joke of it, falling into the hug Zane offered
"You did bring him didn't you?" Zane asked, not seeing Logan with her.
"No Zane" Max began sarcastically "I'm busting out of Seattle because of the damn lock down
and thought what the hell, leave my husband home, he's a big boy" she paused "He's parked
back there" she nodded with her head back a little ways
"Didn't say a word Maxie" Zane said in his defense
"That'd be a first" Tinga soon emerged beside Max.
"First what?" another voice spoke out. Syl joined the already forming circle
"Nothing sis" Zane argued "I was just playin' around"
"So what else is new?" Syl shot out. She glanced over at Max "This is the Ultimate Real World Inner Circle" she referenced the old MTV reality TV challenge.
"I'm being voted off aren't I?" Max joked, she knew a little about the show. "Everyone make it here okay?"
"Good" Syl responded "Had to explain to my neighbor why she needed to watch my apartment for
a week-"
"Didn't tell her about the stash did ya?" this time the voice belonged to Krit "I maintain that honesty is the best policy big sister" his breath was visible in a puff above his black leather jacket
"Okay Cat-Man, first light that hits, go tell everyone that you're transgenic" Syl threw out in a challenge.
"Like I said, secrets are good" he looked around the circle of his siblings "Where's our CO? He
should be here before all of us"
"He's just running late" Max notified "Besides, we got one more sector stop before we meet up"
"What about that guy-494-" Krit couldn't think of the name
"Alec" Cindy finished. She had come out of the car, getting bored just sitting there "Boy runs late a lot. No different even with a situation like this"
"Okay then" Krit said in response "Cindy, you're looking good"
"Krit I appreciate it, but you gotta remember which way this chica swings aiight?" Cindy told him
"Original Cindy, Zane" Max introduced her "Zane, this is my girl"
"How ya doin'" Zane shook Cindy's hand "You don't mind hanging with a bunch of weirdoes?"
"Max has been my boo for years, and she's never been weird to me" Cindy told him "You'z
my girl's family, and I'm down wid that"
"Was talking about Krit" Zane finished with a smile "You're a good woman"
"We should get going" Syl broke in "Need to get outta Seattle before it gets too light, or we're stuck here for the duration"
Tinga nodded silently "Meet up again at 0800"
Zane turned to Cindy "Time to roll. Cindy, been a pleasure, and welcome to X5 hell"
he waved the air with his hand "Move it out guys"
*****
MARION CITY
TEN MILES AFTER WASHINGTON BOARDER
CALIFORNIA
8:35 AM
The Impala cut off again, this time stopping at a small town that had a sign that read:
Welcome to Marion City
Population: 750
Curfew: 12:00 AM
Max looked around at the scattered wooden buildings, and oak trees growing up behind them.
Marion may claim itself as a city, but it had a simpler atmosphere, not as dangerous as Seattle.
"Wake up" Max nudged Cindy in the passenger seat
Cindy yawned slowly, opening her eyes to the morning sun "How long we've been drivin'?"
"Five hours" Max told her "Just passed the California border 'bout a half hour ago"
Cindy stretched, "You drove that long?" she looked to Max "Shoulda let me take over
for a while"
"I don't sleep remember, it was fine" Max argued "Sides you didn't know the way"
Cindy looked out the car window "Place is really something, looks like that town my
grandma use to live in on our summer visits" she undid her seat belt "Gotta stretch, been
sittin' down too long" she climbed out of the car.
Max slammed the door on the driver's side, stretching the kinks out of her back. She looked around for Logan, finally finding his Aztec parked off to the side of some trees. She smiled when she found him asleep, leaning back against the headrest.
The door was locked, so she tapped on the window. After about a minute his eyes opened and he
popped the lock
"Morning sleeping beauty" Max leaned her head inside the car
"Man what time is it?" Logan tilted his neck back to get the knots out off it. He checked his watch "Damn, that was a long drive"
"Specially without sleep" Max informed, placing her hand behind his neck, rubbing the tight muscles there.
"Reminds me of college trips" Logan threw out "You're not the only one who's ever stayed up all night" he turned to face her.
"But I don't need sleep as opposed to you" Max argued kissing him soundly on the mouth.
She pulled back, seeing Jess wake up in the backseat "Morning baby" she spoke to her son.
She opened the back door "Sleep okay?" she gave him a kiss on his head
"Yeah" Jess returned, unbuckling his seatbelt himself "Is there a bathroom?"
Max stuck her head out of the car for a second, spotting a restaurant a few yards away "Yeah
babe, c'mon I'll take you-"
"Should take Lexi first," Jess pointed out "She didn't sleep very well"
"Ah sweetie" Max got what her son was telling her "I'm sorry, we should've stopped sometime
last night" she went around and unbuckled her daughter from her car seat.
"C'mon Jess" Logan spoke to his son "I'll take you to the bathroom so mommy can clean up your
sister"
Max stepped through the door Logan held for her, balancing her one year old on her hip. There
were about ten or so people in the diner, and soft elevator type music filled the place.
"Good morning Sir. Would you and your wife like a table?" a young waitress approached them, smiling politely, wearing a blue uniform and white apron
"Just looking for the facilities," Max told her
"It's straight back and to the right," the young woman answered, pointing to the location with
her hand
"Thanks" Logan returned
"No problem" she responded "Let me know if you need anything else" with that she disappeared to
take some orders.
Max found the ladies room relatively quickly. She changed Lexi on the built in table.
"Mommy, she doesn't know how to wait" a red haired little girl of four or five looked at Alexis
when Max was strapping on a fresh diaper
The girl's mother, an auburn haired woman laughed a bit "You were like that too honey, she's
still little" she smiled at Max, glancing at the little girl who was back in her mother's arms "She's beautiful"
Max returned the smile "Thanks" she looked at her daughter "Say thanks hun, you just got props"
she kissed her on the cheek, exiting the restroom
"Coffee please, black" Asha leaned on the red counter and waited for her order to be filled
"Hey" Max said, approaching the blonde "Long drive huh?"
"Defiantly" Asha agreed, "Zack did most of the driving after about four" she paid for her coffee, lifting the lid and taking a sip.
"Like the same thing she has" Max spoke up to the man behind the counter.
The man handed her the Styrofoam cup "You all aren't from here huh?" he handed Max back
her change.
"Just passing through" Asha told him
"On vacation?" the guy asked
"Something like that" Max returned grabbing her coffee off the counter, shifting the diaper bag further on her shoulder
"Where you headed?" the man was full of questions, not overly pushy, just curious.
"San Francisco" Max answered
"Family thing-" the man began again
"Don't you have a job to do?" Zack came up behind Max, glaring at the man behind the counter
The guy didn't say anything more, turning to head back into the kitchen.
After Logan emerged from the bathroom with Jess, they left the restaurant, heading back to their cars.
"You're late boo" Cindy had wandered down to the 'beach' that sat at a small lake about ten
feet from the parking lot.
Alec turned to face her "You didn't have to explain to Normal the reasons why three of his employees are taking leave. When we make it back to Seattle you had the stomach flu, and both Max's kids contracted chicken pox"
"And what was your cover?" Cindy asked crossing her arms
"Hung out with you two and got contaminated" Alec answered.
Kaja soon approached him, barking and throwing a stick at his feet.
"What?" Alec picked up the branch "Want to play with me?" he hurled the stick down the beach and Kaja sprinted after it.
"Hey Alec" Max walked down to the beach, she threw another branch his way "fetch"
"Max that's just wrong" Alec complained
"Sorry, but you left it open-" Max returned moving to stand beside Cindy.
"Let's just get going" Alec suggested "San Francisco's about another two hour's drive, and this
weather isn't good for the finish on my car" he glanced back at his old make cherry red convertible
"Actually sounds good to me" Max stated, to Alec's surprise "This place is nice and all, but Jondy's gonna start canvassing if we don't get there soon"
*****
PHIONEX APARTMENTS
LOBBY
SAN FRANCISCO
12:27 PM
"Here you go Jondy" the landlord of the building handed her a set of keys "Was thinking about renting this one out"
"Sorry bout that" Jondy apologized "But my brother's coming down for a while, and with all the
conventions and shit, their ain't no place to stay" Jondy fingered the apartment keys, exiting the lobby.
She headed up the stairs to the second floor of the five-story apartment. She inserted her key into the lock. The door creaked open. Jondy surveyed her brother's old digs. This had been Zack's place when he had been in Frisco on one of his moves. Technically it didn't belong to him anymore, but Jondy convinced the landlord otherwise. She had about twelve people coming, and had no way in hell to keep them all in her apartment, even with two extra bedrooms at her place.
Zack's apartment was only a two bedroom, but it also had a fold out couch. /Most of us don't
usually sleep anyways, so it's not like it'll be a problem/ Jondy flipped on some lights and beat the dust out of the leather sofa, which billowed out like smoke.
"Damn" Jondy coughed "And I thought I was messy"
"Jondy" someone called her name from outside
She shut off the bedroom light and came back out into the California sun.
"Hey Erik" she spotted the brunette man outside. They were more or less friends, but
Jondy felt that he liked her more then that, he was just too chicken to admit it "What is it?"
"Got some newbies," he pointed down at the parking lot at two cars pulling in.
"They aren't newbies Erik" Jondy corrected, seeing the red Impala and black Tracker pull in. Jondy didn't see Zane's hummer, or any other of her sibs vehicles, but they were probably parking in the back somewhere. It would just look like a convoy if everyone grouped up in the front. White had feelers everywhere, and it was better to be safe then experimented on.
"Wow, check out the brunette" he saw Max open her door and step out "She's a hot as you are"
"I wouldn't hold my breath Erik" Jondy argued, "She's taken"
Erik turned to her "How do you know?"
Jondy smiled when she saw Lexi being lifted up in Max's arms "Cause that's my niece she's got"
she ignored Erik's look and bolted down the stairs
"'Sup my sista?" Jondy stepped over to Max, locking her in a hug.
Max returned the gesture "Thanks again for hosting the X5 on the lamb tour"
"Not a prob" Jondy stated, "Where's my brother-in-law?"
"Right here" Logan spoke up coming from behind Max
"Wow, magic" Jondy joked, "I like it" she slapped him on the shoulder "How's it
going Logan?"
"Everything's fine Jondy" Logan kissed his sister-in-law
Jondy smiled at the peck "Maxie, think your man's puttin' moves on me"
Max just shook her head at Jondy's thinking. She spotted Erik standing at the railing on the
second floor "Whose the guy?"
Jondy glanced behind her for a second "That's Erik, he's a friend of mine. He's just curious.
Frisco's a big city, but not many people come knocking around this sect" she smiled at her nephew standing beside Logan "Hey kiddo, welcome to the city by the bay" she picked him up and kissed him "You are so big my man, hardly knew it was you at first"
"Can't forget me Aunt Jondy" Jess told her with a smile
Jondy laughed "Not a chance" she turned to Max "he's defiantly your kid" she glanced over at Erik again, motioning him to come down "Come down here loner, got people for you to meet"
Erik came down the stairs since the apartments had no elevator.
"Erik this is my sister Max" Jondy introduced "Logan" she introduced her brother-in-law,
"and my niece and nephew"
"Hey" Erik said in greeting "Jondy's been busy all morning prepping for this, kinda headless
chicken thing"
"I don't do headless chicken Erik" Jondy shot back
"Now why do you gotta lie to the man like that?" Syl joined the crowd
"I'm not lying" Jondy argued back, and at the disbelieving look on her sister's face she
added "Syl shut up"
Syl laughed, "I'm Jondy's big sister" she introduced to Erik
"Didn't tell me you grew up in a family of all girls," Erik stated, thinking that Max and Syl were the only sibs Jondy had
Jondy however found this amusing, and when she spotted her CO she had to say it "Yep,
family of all girls"
Krit overheard, and laughed at this "Zack, you're a woman? That explains so much" he ducked
when Zack whacked him one.
"Zack's a woman?" Zane got in on the act "My god, the standards of woman just dropped down
to ug-lay"
"Zane!" Jondy hadn't seen him in a while, longer then the rest of them "You made it"
she nearly knocked him over in a hug.
"Ease up on the grip little sister" Zane said around her death lock "You're lookin' good girl,
how long has it been?"
"Too damn long" Jondy returned, "I see you still have your horse appendage" she tugged on
his pony tail.
Zane made a move to do the same with her hair, but before he could Jondy grabbed his hand "Not if you value your balls bro" she looked around the group "Where's Tinga?"
"Comin' round the bend" Syl told her "Probably should hold off on the intros until everyone gets here"
"You mean there's more?" Erik sounded surprised. He had know idea that it would be this many people
"It's a big family" Max informed
"Defiantly" Tinga finally reached the front of the building along with Charlie and Case.
"Kay guys what do you say to savin the complete intro until things are settled?" Jondy suggested "All the parking lot's not a stage" she paused "Move it Cat-Man" she shoved Krit ahead of her
"Must I remind you I hate that name," Krit informed
Jondy smiled "I know"
*****
Jondy had gotten everyone inside her place for the time being, which was no small feat. "Kay now before 'settling in' gets under way I have intros to make" Jondy stood in the center of her living room, looking around at all the people there /Reminds me of barrack life/
"Take it off!" Krit shouted at her from his seat on the kitchen counter.
Jondy's aim on him with a couch cushion was dead on. "First the easy part" "Everyone this is Erik Paston, he lives down the hall." she paused "Erik these are my sibs Krit" she threw something else at him "Syl, Zane, Max, you met her husband, Jess and Alexis, their kids, Tinga, my second oldest sib, her man Charlie and my nephew Case, Original Cindy" she smiled at the woman sitting next to Max on the sofa "Maxie's girl, and big brother of all, Zack" she finished "The others I have know idea"
"Asha" Max introduced the woman with Zack "Zack's girlfriend, and man of mystery back there is
Alec"
"You say something?" Alec poked his head out from inside the fridge. "Nice Chablis" Alec commented, holding up the wine bottle "Score it off the Black Market?" he asked of Jondy
"Boy you already raiding the fridge?" Cindy asked with a raised eyebrow "You just got here"
"Best time" Alec raised the bottle "Jondy doesn't mind, do you?"
"Not anymore" Jondy stated "You put your mouth on it"
Alec saluted her with the glass bottle "Cheers"
Jondy just sighed, "Okay then, about bunk assignments..."
*****
30 MINUTES LATER
"Never doing this again" Jondy crashed on her couch with a sigh. "I'm not an OP, can't
be an OP-" she turned to Max "Shoulda just taken over a large warehouse."
The married couples had been given Jondy's two spare rooms, Syl didn't have her man with her so she offered the pull down on the couch in Zack's place, all the kids were in Jondy's room on her day bed, Cindy sharing her queen size bed. Zack and Asha at his old place, Zane in Zack's extra room and Alec not caring where the hell he threw his stuff, but Jondy had given him her pull down. Syl suggested it might not be good to put Zack and Alec in the same vicinity for a long time, blood and all that crap was a pain to clean up.
"That whole what if scenario" Max joked beside her "Wish I had my baby" she had to leave her Ninja behind
Jondy turned to her "Frisco's a good place to ride sis, get a rental. There's a place downtown"
"Cheat on my girl?" Max argued, "That's so wrong"
"She'll never know" Jondy told her "Buy her a carton of premium and it'll all be good"
*****
BARTON'S CYCLE RENTAL
DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO
"Looking for something ladies?" the owner came out and approached the counter, wiping off the
grease and oil that stood in puddles on the wooden surface
"My girl needs a temp set of wheels" Jondy spoke up
"What make?" the man asked
"Gotta be Ninja" Max informed "Nothing less then 650 cc, and at least a four inch ground clearance"
The man was impressed with her knowledge of bikes "Got just the thing in back"
He led them to a small warehouse behind the counter. Many cycles lined the area propped
up on stands.
"This beauty will be perfect for you" he touched the handles of a yellow bike "Kawasaki Ninja
ZX-6R, 850 cc, liquid cooling, four and a half inch clearence, all wrapped up in this sweet little studio yellow body"
"Needs to be dark" Max told him. Her Ninja at home was black, it made night riding easier.
"Then let me direct your attention to this lovely behind you" he stepped over to another
bike "Another Ninja ZX, same cc's and clearance but midnight black, perfect for sneak
attacks" he laughed at the "joke" he had just made
"How much?" Max asked
"Only 250 a week" the man replied "A good price for a sleek model like this"
"Too high sorry" Max turned. The bike itself was nice, but she didn't have that much
cash on her. /I like the wheels but I need to feed my children while I'm here slick/
The man was determined to make a sale "180," he leered at Max "cause you turn my head"
"100" Max threw out a number "and you get to keep your head"
"150" the man argued back on the price "I gotta make money on this sugar"
"101" Max went only a dollar higher then her previous price "I gotta KEEP money, can't feed
my family with a rented bike"
"Fine" the man finally settled on her price "Cash on the table, don't do checks"
Max slapped the money in his hand "Pleasure doin' business with ya" she undid the padlock that
was on the Ninja's wheels and slid the chain out from between the handle bars "Keys" she
stood back up looking at the owner "I could hot wire, but that'd make her harder to sell
later" she caught the keys to the bike when he threw them at her in an underhand throw.
Max revved up the Ninja's engine after she was outside "Gas is full" she proclaimed, looking at the gauge
"Surprised the guy didn't empty it and charge extra" Jondy threw out, mounting her own bike, a purple Honda 750 Shadow Spirit. "Let's open her up sis, see what she's made of"
Max threw a smile at her, cranking up the engine.
Jondy and Max drove through the downtown streets of Frisco, weaving in between the cars and trolleys. Soon the typical American scenery was replaced by the brightly colored banners and outdoor markets of Chinatown. Children came out into the streets to see the two women on the motorcycles. And several teenage boys catcalled at the X5's.
Jondy shook her head at the hormonal boys. Soon the bikes cut off. Max had stopped here when something in the window of a tattoo parlor caught her eye. On the outside window there were paintings of some of the designs the parlor offered, and right next to the Zen symbol for power was the pattern of a barcode.
Jondy shot Max a look when she saw it "What the hell-"
They quickly locked up the bikes and entered the parlor. There were three metal chairs standing in it's center, two of them occupied.
"Hey doll-" one man grabbed Max's ass when she passed
Max whirled around and gripped the tall; 190 lb man by the neck "Keep your hands to yourself!" she released him, shoving him back into his chair.
"Help you?" the owner of the shop approached them, a young African-American man with several black dragon tattoos on his arms.
"That one in the window" Jondy spoke out first "The barcode-"
"New idea" the guy told her "Didn't think it would be real popular, but there was this guy-"
"Someone came in with a copycat?" Max interrupted /Zack, is this the same place he tried to have his burned off at?/
"Wanted me to clean it off" the owner told them "That bitch wasn't movin'. Some of the hardest junk I ever saw. Used 80 power acid, and still there"
"What'd this guy look like?" Jondy asked
"Just some white dude" he responded "Young, had a few guns, boy thought he was all that"
Jondy had to repress a laugh at the man's description of Zack /Apparently I'm not the only one
who thinks he's full of shit 99.9% of the time/ "What'd you two fine ladies doin' askin' me bout that?"
"Nuthin'" Max reassured "Just thought it was different, but makes you feel like merchandise" she gave a fake shudder to add effect.
"You'd look better with snakes girl" the man told Max "Black cobra-"
"My husband doesn't like snakes" Max threw this out just to gauge his reaction on it
The man blew her off "He'd like it where I put on that body"
"Thanks just the same," Max told him straight out "But I pass. Late boy" she and Jondy turned to leave the building.
They passed the same group of people, who apparently didn't give up because one of them made a grab for Jondy
"See if you're easier to deal with then your friend baby-" he was cut short when Jondy pulled back his arm and pinned it against the back of the chair
"Fraid not" she released him abruptly, popping his shoulder slightly out of alignment.
As Max was heading towards the door, she heard some faint whispering,
"5,4, 3, 2..."
She and Jondy just about cleared the building, before hearing "1"
A pop was heard, then an earth shaking blast rocked the building, blowing out all the windows and engulfing the place in a fiery inferno.
*****
The force of the impact threw Max and Jondy to the ground, landing them just in front of what use to be the back door to the supply room
Max pulled herself up on her feet, coughing from all the smoke that filled the space. She turned behind her, seeing all the fire in the building.
"Maxie!" Jondy shouted to her. There was a stream of blood trickling from her hairline
"You okay?" Max called back to her. She saw the blood on her head.
"I'm good, mostly" Jondy answered back "Need to get the hell outta here. Don't know the power
of the blast, but this place's gotta be at least 104" flames now took the place of the two inner walls
"Can't just leave the people here," Max told her, coughing again at all the smoke. She saw the owner pinned under fallen pieces of the roof. Blood was on his face, and he wasn't moving.
Max used her night vision to see her way through the smoke over to him. She picked up the 15 lb piece of debris.
"Ahh!" Max was halted in her movements by pain. She flipped over her arm, seeing a three inch long piece of wood embedded lengthwise in her skin, blood oozing out.
"Jondy give me a hand!" she called out "Piece of shrapnel's in my arm, can't move it enough"
Jondy lifted the counter top from the man "You want me to get him out?" she looked at the unconscious man at her feet.
"No I got it," Max told her. She grabbed the piece of wood and ripped it out of her arm with one movement. "Shit!" she cursed at the pain it produced "Go get the others, bring'em out on the sidewalk"
Max lifted the man in a fireman's lift, shoving her way through all the debris. Feeling the sidewalk on her feet she flipped him over on his back with a groan. He still remained knocked out, blood and debris all over his clothes.
Jondy came out a few seconds later dragging the biker out of the fire "Shit tries to grab my ass, now I have to save HIS ass" she dropped him on the sidewalk and started coughing.
"That's everyone" Max looked back at all the flames, now as high as the roof. In the background were the sounds of fire engine sirens, and they were getting closer.
"Let's get outta here," Jondy stated "Everyone's clear. They'll be asking too many questions"
Max nodded silently. She picked up the bike from where it had been thrown. Thankfully nothing was knocked out or messed up in the blast so it still started. She revved up the engine and followed Jondy down the road.
*****
"So it's done?" the man in the black suit asked
The translator asked the same question in Chinese
The oriental man the long black leather jacket gave an answer
The suit turned to his colleague "It's been taken care of as ordered Sir"
"Wonderful" Agent White agreed, he turned to the man (spoken in Chinese) "You've
done a good service kid. Always nice to find reliable under grounders"
"Pleasure" he spoke a few words of English
*****
"Guys look at this" Alec was crashed out on Jondy's couch watching television, when the program was interrupted by a newsbreak.
(Women announcer standing outside of burning building) "We interrupt your programming to bring you this developing story. A fire races through a local tattoo parlor in Chinatown after what authorities claim was a pipe bomb explosion. San Francisco Police will not comment on a possible motive of the alleged bombing or who was responsible. This just happened moments ago (camera pans closer to the building) Firefighters are trying to get the blast under control, but as you can see the whole building is now engulfed. So far no one has been found inside. Some one pulled the people out(shot of the four men on the sidewalk being attended to by EMT's) but then they left. (Camera focuses on a few drops of blood on the sidewalk a few feet away from the rescue workers) As you can see there is a trail of blood leading away from the building. Police will not comment on the suspicion that this might be the person who detonated the bomb, maybe getting injured from the shock wave, but they are saying it's likely. We'll keep you updated on this as we learn more. In Chinatown this is Fara Wes-"
Alec shut off the TV before she could finish "Who would blow up a tattoo parlor?"
"Someone who wasn't happy with what they had" Krit was seated in a backwards chair, drinking a Coronas from Jondy's fridge.
"Disgruntled tattoo owner?" Alec asked
"Maybe" Krit agreed
Outside Tinga was challenging Logan to a pick up game in the court at the side of the apartment complex.
Logan made the shot from the three-point line, bouncing once off the rim before landing inside.
"Almost ties it up" Tinga commented. Her long braided hair was doubled up to keep it from slapping her back
"Yeah" Logan agreed "but 13 to 12 just means I can come back to win with two points" he checked it too her
"Not the way I see it" Tinga moved left, making a side shot "I can WIN with one point"
"Like this game huh?" Logan threw out to his sister-in-law
"Something like that" Tinga agreed "Game point" she checked, but when it came time to play they got interrupted.
"What is it?" Logan saw her go still
Tinga used her tunnel vision for a second, seeing her sisters coming in through the parking lot. "Holy shit-" she then caught sight of them better.
"What's wrong?" Logan didn't like her tone of voice. He then saw what Tinga saw "Max-" his sneakers pounded the pavement
Max killed the engine, wiping the blood out of her eyes. Some of it was hers, but mostly it belonged to the men she had to haul out of the fire.
"Baby what happened?" Logan panicked when he saw all the blood
"Blast downtown" Jondy answered his question "Blew out a tattoo parlor in Chinatown" she pressed a hand to the blood near her hairline.
Tinga moved her sister's hand away for a second, looking at the laceration "Lil nasty there baby sister"
"It's nuthin' Jondy shrugged "Only a pipe bomb, could've been worse" she hissed when Tinga wiped off some of the blood with her hand.
Max did a check over herself once she got off the bike. The gash in her arm was the only major injury she had, but there were a couple of smaller cuts from when the bomb blew out the windows, plus a few burns on her jacket from the impact. "Dammit, this is my favorite jacket"
Logan rotated her arm, making her wince. "Right now I'm more concerned with getting this taken care of"
****
"Damn" Max cursed again, sitting in one of Jondy's high back red dinning chairs as Cindy was dabbing at her wound with hydrogen peroxide and pulling out small pieces of plastic still embedded in it at the same time.
Cindy took her time, working slowly to make sure she left nothing inside the laceration to cause an infection. "Did you see the faces of the freak asses who did this so I do some smack downs?"
"Just heard the countdown," Max told her, hissing again "and then blast-off" she looked down at her arm, at the blood still oozing out.
"You must've hit a vein boo, it hasn't stopped bleeding" Cindy said straight up. "I ain't a doctor, but I can tell you that if I just wrap this it'll be soaked through in a hour"
"Probably needs a few sutures" Logan got in on the act, handing his wife a cloth so she could clean up the blood from her face.
"Yeah but I can't just parade into the hospital" Max wiped the blood off from her hairline with the blue hand towel "If I show up with shrapnel wounds after that blast they'll haul me in for questioning, and I'm not in the mood for lying to the AMA again"
"It needs to be taken care of" Logan informed "Otherwise you'd bleed out sweetheart, and I think you know that"
"I could do it" Alec spoke out from the couch "Once went on a deep cover assignment at this hospital. Doc thought I was a med student so I sewed up a few people"
"What was the mission?" Jondy stood near her kitchen counter, placing a bandage on her forehead.
"Took out the head surgeons" Alec confessed, "One was tied with Manticore, and they didn't want him to spill"
Everyone went silent at his remark.
"Ya know your basic deep cover thing" Alec threw this out to lighten the mood. "But seriously though I know how to do it-"
"Were those people alive you messed with?" Max threw out
"Not after I got done with them," Alec joked and when Max shot him a death glare he added, "They all made it through Max relax"
"Aiight" Max finally agreed, looking down at her arm and then back up to him "You got a deal"
"Okay then" Alec began "Gonna need some sort of needle and thread-"
"We aren't exactly into needle point Alec," Krit told him "I could get you some panem wire though"
"I've got some" Tinga disappeared into the bedroom and came out with a small travel sewing kit "Charile's mom gave this to me, just never take it out" she handed him a fairly large needle and black thread.
"Great, thank you nurse" he ducked when Tinga smacked him upside the head
Alec searched for a minute before finding what he wanted under the sink, bleach and a box of latex gloves. "Jondy you don't happen to have a camera in your bedroom do you?"
"Alec shut up" Jondy threw out "You'd be surprised how well those come in handy when you don't want to leave prints on things"
Alec didn't say anything dropping the needle in the bleach to sanitize it. "I'm assuming you have some sort of numbing agent around here, ambasol, something with lydocane"
"Something" Jondy threw out "Don't have a medicine cabinet in my bathroom so it should be in that drawer above your head"
In a moment Alec sat down at the circular table in the dinning room/kitchen with all his 'tools' He spread the dental numbing agent on Max's skin "This isn't gonna take the edge off much Max" he knotted the end of the thread.
"I'll bite down on a leather belt" Max remarked straight-faced. "Get this bitch started" It didn't hurt too badly when the needle went in because of the lydocane cream, but the long thread going through her skin burned all the way through. She cursed at those moments, squeezing Logan's hand, but restrained herself from doing it as hard as she knew she could which would result in her breaking her husband's hand.
"Will mommy be okay?" Jess had joined the adults in the kitchen/dining room and was worried about his mother.
"I'm fine sweetie" Max gave her son a reassuring smile, which came out to be more of a grimace.
"Just about don-" Alec began but Max cut him off
"Don't say a damn thing until your ACTALLY done Alec!" Max snapped back like a riled cobra. She bit back other remarks to keep from using any more profanity in front of her three year old.
After a few seconds Alec snipped the end of the thread with scissors. "There, that should hold the wound together while it heals. But since I didn't use real suturing thread you need to check it daily to make sure new skin hasn't grown to the stitches"
"That's disgusting" Max complained, "Just have to make sure that doesn't happen I guess" she paused "Thanks doc" she praised Alec with the fake title. Jondy had thrown the pack of first aid tape on the tabletop and Max uncoiled it from the roll and wrapped it around her arm in an over-and-over fashion.
"Send you the bill later Max" Alec referenced her earlier remark.
"See hun," Max showed Jess the bandage around her arm "It's all good now"
Jess kissed her arm then pulled her head down to his level to kiss the small cuts above her right eyebrow.
Max smiled, "Thanks baby" she returned his gesture, pulling him into her lap. "Guess gettin' some shit knocked out of ya isn't just a 'Seattle thing'"
"Wouldn't be nice if they didn't 'share'" Krit remarked
*****
8:35 PM
"Max have you seen-" Alec halted in his question when he came upon the scene in Jondy's spare room. "Should've at least locked the door," he informed the pair who before he came in were making out atop the covers.
Max pulled apart from her husband, where she had just gotten comfortable straddling his waist on the bed. "Ever heard of knocking?" she complained, not moving from her position.
"Didn't know it was hot and heavy in here Max" Alec stated
"What do you want?" Logan spoke out annoyed that he got interrupted. He sat up from his lying position
"Forgive for interrupting 'Love Fest 2021' Logan. Was looking for Jondy, she said she was gonna give me stats to that bar so I can get a little drink action going, maybe meet some women-"
"Is that all you think about?" Logan interrupted, sighing as he spoke this, not hiding the fact that Alec's timing basically sucked.
"Mostly yeah," Alec told him straight out, adjusting the collar on his leather jacket "Nothing wrong with meeting some hot looking chick, have a few drinks, maybe go back to her place, knock it up"
"See," Max told her husband "He doesn't JUST think about women, he goes deeper with meaningless sex-"
"Don't see a problem there Maxie" Alec interrupted "Not like Manticore shot off the best part of me, nothing wrong with livin' it up-"
"Jondy's over at Zack's" Max answered his question before he could go any further with his visual on the 'perfect night'
"Great. Then I'm gone" Alec headed out the door, but stopped in the doorway for a second "Not to downgrade you guys gettin' down on the domestic front, but Frisco's a great night city, take breaks once in a while" he patted the door frame twice with his hand and disappeared.
Max turned towards Logan after Alec left "He's got a point"
"Yeah" Logan remarked, rubbing her left arm "But unfortunately it doesn't result in us 'getting down on the domestic front' anytime soon" he borrowed Alec's phrase for sex.
"If we go club hoppin' with Alec," Max began "All that noise-"
"And those shitty men who'd be on you-" Logan stated
"Yeah but who CAN'T have me" she reminded, drawing her face closer to his "Might be fun to see how Frisco gets down before we do"
"Think it might be fun?" Logan questioned with a raised eyebrow
"I do" Max answered "Told Cindy I'd scope out places with her tonight" she paused "Tinga's already leavin' Case with Jondy's guy's grandmother-"
"Grandmother? You make it sound like we're family to these people. We don't even know her"
"Jondy's checked her out," Max informed "She's coo'"
"She's looked at her minimal knife selection and 'I have nothing to hide' phrases on samplers and figured this out?" Logan asked
"No I mean she's HAD her checked out. Did a background check with Zane's equipment. She's clean. Sixty years old, raised three kids on her own. Most outstanding thing about her is that she ran a ten k last spring to fight breast cancer"
"Can't believe she had her status checked" Logan said in disbelief.
"Hey I'm not leaving my babies with some psycho woman, just maternal instinct"
"With background checks" Logan finished "So I'm assuming then that the infamous Erik is doing something tonight too?"
"Goin' out with Jondy and us" Max answered "Thinks he's got the hots for my sista"
"Looks that way" Logan agreed, "So after we do this club thing" his voice became lower "Walls are kind of thin here-"
"Jondy doesn't sleep anyway" Max returned with a smile
*****
RIO'S BAR
23RD ST
SAN FRANCISCO
9:20 PM
"Place isn't bad" Cindy remarked, eating the marchino cherry in her black margarita "Not all snooty or over crowded. Just the right size" she paused for a moment "Kinda like that fine lookin' sista over there" she gave a nodd over to a tall brunette woman with hair about as long as Max's, dressed in a halter-cut scarlet mini dress with thigh high black boots. "Think this girl's gonna leave her heart in San Franciso" she made a noise of appreciation in the back of her throat.
"Find something worthwile, you should go for it" Max spoke up beside her.
"Don't even know if she kicks it my way boo" Cindy told her
"Never gonna find out unless you ask" Max responded to her friend.
"Yeah give it a shot," Alec agreed, leaning back into his chair, the one that was across the table from Cindy's. "No sense in being afraid"
"Boy I ain't afraid" Cindy snapped back "Aiight, I'll do it. If it turns-"
"Be her loss" Max finished
"Glad someone's night is hookin' up right" Alec said after Cindy left.
"Still haven't found your plaything?" Max questioned.
"Make it sound like I'm out for hire Max" Alec complained, "Not like I'll screw the first thing on two legs" he drank from his beer mug. He looked over to where Jondy was sitting in the booth across from the table with Erik. "Story with them?"
Max turned to where he was looking "Apparently he likes her" she stated the obvious.
"Deep Maxie" Krit told her "You were wasted at Manticore"
From across the bar Cindy was scorin' up points with the woman she had met.
"So what's a fine suga like you doin' here alone?" Cindy asked, leaning against the bar.
The woman smiled at her "Just out for some fun my sista" she smiled at her "Found some too"
The mood was broken when Alec emerged beside Cindy "Get a refill" Alec notified the bartender, sliding the empty pitcher across the wooden surface. "Ladies" he addressed the two women beside him, briefly glancing at them
Cindy rolled her eyes slightly at Alec trying to move in on her territory.
The woman beside Cindy watched Alec at the bar "Been a while" she addressed Alec, who turned to look at her in confusion
"Do I know you?" Alec asked to the woman hitting on him, the fine assed woman, but Cindy looked pissed that he was messing up her chances.
"Hey!" Max had left the table, stepping towards Alec "How long does it take to fill one pitcher?"
The woman shook her head at Alec's question "Just been a WHILE-" she licked her lips, not hiding the fact that she was bi-sexual.
"Yeah okay" Alec told her "Sorry, but I'm kinda in-between women right now, so-" he picked up the refilled pitcher "Thanks for stoppin' out" he ignored Max's look and headed back to the table.
"His girl's cute" the woman spoke out after Alec left, giving a nod up to Max.
"Max? No boo-" Cindy started to set her straight "They ain't together. See that hot boy with the glasses over there?" she pointed out Logan "That's my suga's man"
"Serious?" the woman looked over the crowd "Can't be true, they look so good together, that just doesn't happen anymore"
"You should see their kids boo" Cindy pointed out "They made some nice lookin' babies"
*****
PHIONEX APARTMENTS
APT #12
Erik's grandmother Mrs. Stedson, tucked one of her afghans around the little girl sleeping on her sofa. /Such a sweet child/ she flipped off the lamp on the end table, so it wouldn't bother her. Little Alexis had fallen asleep almost an hour ago, but the two boys were practically wide-awake. They weren't really causing any trouble; they just showed no signs of falling asleep.
The TV in front of her couch displayed the evening news. Mrs. Stedson, turned it down slightly so it wouldn't awaken the little girl.
"You two aren't tired yet?" she asked of the boys sitting on the floor in the bedroom, watching a cartoon movie that she had managed to scrounge up from the collection she kept when Erik was a child.
Jesse shook his head, "Movie's good Mrs. Stedson"
"Thank you sweetie, this was my grandson's favorite" she was amazed at how bright and clear the three year old talked. /They must read to him a lot/ "I'll be right out here dears if you want me okay?"
Both Jess and Case nodded. Mrs. Stedson closed the door.
A knock at her front door was heard, just as she was entering her living room. She was about to answer it, when Lexi woke up crying.
"What's the matter sweetie?" she picked up the little girl, resting her on her hip. She wiped off her tears with her hand "It's okay darling" the knock on the door grew more impatient.
"Coming!" the elderly woman called out /Damn sales people. Can't come by at sane hours/ She was old, but her mind was incredibly sharp and witty. "Come on little one, we'll go fend off the wolves"
She opened the door to a middle aged man with dark hair. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to bother you ma'am. I'm on my way to a meeting, and my car broke down about half a mile away. Cell's not working either" he paused "Probably sounds like a load of crap huh?"
"Not really" she responded, "My phone's back there if you want to use it" she pointed out her phone on an oak end table.
The man smiled "Thank you" he looked at the baby in her arms "She's cute. Is she your grandchild?"
She laughed "No son. My grandchildren are all grown. I married young. I'm babysitting her."
After they exchanged a few pleasantries, the stranger went to use the phone.
It turned out that Alexis had just missed her mother, and after Mrs. Stedson had told her that Max would be back shortly she set the girl back down on the couch to finish her nap.
The man finally finished his call, stopping in front of Lexi. He touched her neck with one leather glove, inserting something in her neck that Mrs. Stedson didn't see. "Hope my kids are as cute as her" he addressed the older woman "Thanks again for the phone"
"Your welcome dear" she told him, offering him a smile before he left.
*****
The men headed down the stairs, meeting a Black Ford Escort in the parking lot.
"It's been taken care of Sir" he informed the driver of the car.
White turned to look at him "How long until it takes effect?"
"Half an hour Sir." the man responded "It'll enter her bloodstream fast since she is small. After initial infection it'll be less then a day without the antidote."
White actually smiled at this.
"Do you think 452 will comply with our demands Sir?" White's fellow agent asked.
"452 may be a bitchy woman about a lot of things, but she won't sacrifice the life of her child. Mothers are strange that way."
"If you say so Sir"
*****
HALF AN HOUR LATER
Mrs. Stedson sat down next to Lexi to put the covers back on her that the child had kicked off. The girl's face was flushed in her sleep.
She touched the child "My God" the one year old was burning up. She went to retrieve a cloth. She wiped down Lexi's face with the cool cloth.
The girl awoke at the sensation "Momma?"
"Shh little one, your mommy's not home yet." she wiped her down some more. Something caught her eye on the back of the girl's neck. "Jesus Christ"
There were large, puffy, lines going vertical down the back of her neck. Each one swelled beside the other, some leaking out a weepy liquid. They created an odd pattern. Alarmed by this Mrs. Stedson, picked up the little girl. An ambulance would take too long, so she decided to drive to the nearest hospital herself.
She packed up the little boys. Case took one look at his cousin and said aloud "That's what I had"
Mrs. Stedson, didn't pay much attention to this, wanting to get Alexis to a doctor ASAP.
Once in her Acura, she picked up the car phone she was thankful her daughter talked her into installing and dialed Max's cell.
*****
RIO'S
"Yeah?" Max answered her phone when it rang.
"There's something wrong with the baby Mrs. Cale" Mrs. Stedson's voice was panicky.
"What do you mean?" Max's voice took on a tone of worry.
"I checked on her about an hour ago, and she was burning up with a fever, 101, and she has some sort of sores on the back of her neck. I'm on my way to the hospital with her"
"What do the sores look like?" Max's proclamation caught the attention of Logan and Alec.
"Like lines, that's the closet comparison. Some of them larger then others-"
"I'm on my way right now" Max broke in "What hospital are you taking her to?"
"What's wrong?" Logan became worried at Max's use of the word "hospital"
"It's called Mercy General. On 15th street, just after the exit to Golden Gate park"
"Take care of her until we get there" it wasn't a request.
"Lexi's sick" Max told her family. Erik's grandma said she has a high fever, and sores on the back of her neck. Described them looking like a barcode" she didn't try to hide the panic in her voice.
*****
MERCY GENERAL
ER
"My baby was brought here," Max informed the ER receptionist "She's one year old names Alexis Cale"
"What for?" the woman asked, "there are a lot of babies around here"
"I don't have a fucking clue!" Max pounded on the circular desk with rage "That's why you're here, so why don't you do your damn job!"
"Cale?" the receptionist tried to hide the aftershock of what Max said to her, "Dr. Hest is seeing her. Exam room four"
Max didn't say anything else to the woman, and hurried to find her daughter.
****
EXAM ROOM FOUR
Dr. Hest looked up from the chart at the sound of the door opening. "You the parents?" he asked the couple entering, a very beautiful young woman, and tall, light brown haired man with deep blue eyes. /I see where this little girl gets her eyes/
"Yeah" Logan was the one to answer as Max made a b-line for Alexis lying on the bed.
"Hey sweetie" she stroked her head, and kissed her, feeling the heat coming off her. The big, adult size hospital bed made her look so small. She opened her eyes a little at the contact, but not completely, and soon they drifted shut again.
"We've haven't be able to reduce her temp-" Dr. Hest notified "But it's stabilized for now."
"What about her neck?" Logan asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I've treated the abrasions and bandaged them, also I took a small tissue sample-" he paused when he saw Max shooting him a death glare because he hurt her baby. "We used anesthesia so we could run tests without hurting her. Ran the sample down for a culture so I can determine how she got the marks. But right now I'm more concerned that we can't reduce her temp. High fevers are particularly damaging to small children. We'll wait it out, keep giving her fluids to keep her hydrated."
"Can we be alone with her?" Max asked, still sitting on the bed
"Of course" the doctor agreed, handing her a card "That's my beeper number. Page me if anything changes, or you have any other questions" They both had the look Hest had seen hundreds of times before, the look of fear and uncertainty as their child lay sick before them.
After he left, Max picked up Lexi, who cried a little "Shh it's okay sweetie, mommy's right here" she quieted after she heard this. "Check her neck" she addressed Logan, who moved to sit beside her on the bed.
Carefully he pealed the sterile bandage that had been placed over the marks. The lines were no longer swollen; they were now black and straight edged at the bottom, the clear imprint of a barcode. "They formed into a barcode," Logan told her solemnly. "Like with Case"
"There's gotta be an antidote then" Max stated, wiping the sweat off Lexi's brow with her hand
"But where do we find it?" Logan touched his daughter's back "As far as I know Deck had the only one-"
"Someone else has to have some Logan" Max sounded like she was trying to convince herself of what she was saying. She rocked her sick child in her arms.
Her cell rang inside her coat pocket. She reluctantly handed Lexi to Logan before moving off the bed to answer the call.
"Yeah?"
"How is she 452?" White's voice was on the other line
"You son-of-a-bitch, what did you do to her?" Max's voice jumped from normal to pissed off in two seconds.
Logan looked up at what Max said, watching her pacing come to a stand still.
"Merely making a business proposition 452"
"What the hell is that?" Max stepped outside the room, where her family had gathered.
"You know the last time I had the pleasure of your company you eluded me, did the same today, when I found out you escaped that blast downtown"
"Your accommodations sucked White" Max spoke his name to let them know who she was conversing with. "No mints on the dead rat pillows so I didn't leave a tip. Now I wanna know what you did to my daughter"
"Something that can be eradicated if we strike a deal 452."
"I don't deal with the devil" Max shot back with venom
"That might change 452 after I inform you that if your daughter doesn't receive the antidote in 25 hours in counting, she'll become one with the earth."
"You rat bastard!" Max shouted into the phone, making several people stop and stare at her "If she dies from this I'm gonna rip your slimy ass apart and feed you to those snakes your sicko cult keeps lying around!"
"So we have a deal?"
Max sighed in the back of her throat, but it really came out as more of a growl "What is it?"
"125 Golden Gate Rd. Be there in an hour, bring only one other, I'll make the transaction, the antidote for you. Meet these terms exactly 452. You double cross me, she's as good as dead." the line cut off.
"What's he want Maxie?" Krit asked after Max disconnected the call
"Me" Max told him "Said if I don't show up in an hour, she dies. He infected her with the same crap Deck gave Case"
"She has a barcode?" Tinga spoke in hushed tones not wanting to draw more attention to them they already had. She got her answer at the look on Max's face.
"I'm assuming you want to screw White's plan huh Max?" Alec asked in more of a statement then a question "Unless you really think after he 'gets' you he won't just blow you away"
"I have to go thorough with it Alec" Max informed, "There's no other way to save her"
"He's gonna kill you Max." Alec went on "Ya know that's what he wants. Probably will just offer you the stuff, then shoot us down before anyone gets it. Called black mail."
"What the hell are you talkin' bout 'us'?" Max snapped back
"He wants one other there right?" Alec clarified "To get the drug back here. He sure as hell won't let you leave with it."
"So you volunteered?" Max's voice was edgy, her brain processing a mile a minute to think of a plan. "Fine then, we do this together. But that's my baby's life in the balance Alec, DO NOT mess it up"
"So what's the plan?" Jondy asked
"White's group is strong" Zack stated, "Two X5's are no match for them. "I say we tail"
"Gotta be a vehical White doesn't know" Syl spoke out
"My Hummer's out then" Zane stated "He'd recognize it"
"What about my Tracker?" Tinga volunteered, "It's big enough to carry some of Zane's arsenal. Max's dog too, she's an attack dog, might come in handy."
"What about communication?" Zane brought out
"That's easy" Alec threw out "Logan could rig something up here."
"I'll drive" Jondy notified "I know Frisco better then any of you. If I try to get there early, I can scope out the place beforehand. "I say it's me, Zack, Krit and Tinga. Zane and Syl should stay behind with Logan to make sure White's not gonna black mail us"
Max looked at her watch "We meet up again in 10 minutes"
*****
20 MINUTES LATER
"You getting this?" Logan spoke into his mic, sitting in the guest chair in Lexi's room. He went silent as a nurse hung another bag of fluid by his daughter's bedside. The young woman offered him a look of sympathy, and the confidence that the baby would be fine before leaving to attend other patients.
"You're fine" Max called back to him, driving her rented bike through downtown "Alec?"
"Loud and clear Max" Alec was in his car, driving beside her.
"It's ten miles till the turn sis" Jondy gave her directions via her own mic connection. "After it's straight driving for about fifteen minutes"
Max followed her directions silently, her thoughts always on her daughter.
"She'll be okay" Alec reassured through the mic "You gotta keep your head in the game Max. I know your worried about her, but don't let that mess up your judgment"
"I'll keep that in mind" Max informed, weaving in and out of the traffic. "She doin' okay Logan?"
"As good as she can be" Logan answered honestly, watching the liquid from the IV bag drip into his little girl's arm. "She hasn't gotten any worse" he tried to maintain a calm voice.
"She won't" Max informed matter-of-fact. "She's gonna make it baby, she's a fighter."
"Like her mother" Logan offered his wife. "Be careful Max" he voice had taken on the familiar tone it always did when he was worried about her "I want both my girls in one piece"
*****
MERCY CAFETERIA
Cindy and Asha had volunteered to take the two boys down to the hospital cafeteria; both needed a distraction. Cindy needed something to do instead of watching her pseudo-niece suffer, and Asha had to something to keep her mind off what could go wrong when Zack and the others encountered White.
They ordered, and sat in a both with the kids.
Asha screwed up her face at the so-called coffee "Government should approve this as a lethal weapon"
"Original Cindy agrees girl" Cindy pushed aside the Styrofoam cup, watching a few people pass by.
"Wonder if any of them knows that upstairs is a little girl dying by people who used her to insure they capture the transgenics they created, but would rather kill then live up to that fact." Asha watched the gaggle of people pass by.
"Don't think they wanna know boo," Cindy said straight up "Peeps in the big scope are stupid. Guarantee they won't care if my baby boo dies cause they'd be too busy bein' afraid"
"Why are they afraid of us?" it was Case who asked the question.
Cindy sighed, not really knowing how to answer, "People are just scared of stupid things baby boy. They think your moms and your auntie are bad because of where they came from. They can't see that their good women."
"Is Lexi gonna die?" Jess asked a hard question "Mommy and daddy are really scared"
Asha ruffled his hair from her seat beside him "They just worry about her. But things will be okay hun, you have to believe that."
"You too boo" Cindy directed this at Asha "Your boy was trained to be supah bad. He can handle himself"
Asha shrugged at getting caught "Gotta work on that transparency thing. Never thought I'd fall this hard"
Cindy smiled at this "Max said the same thing"
"Guess there's something to look forward to" Asha returned.
*****
125 GOLDEN GATE RD
10:05 PM
The location White told Max to come turned out to be an abandoned hanger, aged and pealing from the wind and weather. There was an airstrip in front of it, and it was empty save for two twin engine white bi-planes parked along its length. Directly behind it there was almost a picturesque view of the Golden Gate bridge.
This made a very ironic statement in Max's mind, given what she was here for. "Guys I'm at the drop off point"
"Copy that baby sister" Tinga stated "We're pulling back, be behind the level of trees west north west of the hanger." There was barking in the background "Kaja wants to get this show on the road"
"Let's not disappoint her then" Max cut off the engine to her bike
"Don't forget to ditch your hardware baby" Logan told her
"I'm on it" Max pulled the receiving device out of her ear, but the held the mic up to her mouth again "It's go time"
"We're lying in wait little sister" Krit told her, loading one of Zane's AK-47's "Just give the signal"
"Keep your head above water Maxie" that was Zack "Don't get dragged into his game."
"You can do this Max" this voice belonged to Logan "And hurry. I got a feeling White may be lying with the timeframe. Lexi's temperature spiked about ten minutes ago, they had to ice her down"
Max's heart stopped "She's not-" she didn't dare say the word she was shit afraid of saying
"No" Logan reassured "But I don't know how much longer she can hold out" Lexi's forehead under his hand felt more like an oven then a person's skin. "She's just so weak" he touched her little hand, wising she would open her eyes.
Now Max's heart was in her throat "I'll get it in time" this go around her voice wasn't as strong as it was before. "Tell her I love her kay?"
"I'm on it." Logan responded "and I love you"
"Me too" Max kissed two fingers and brushed them against the microphone.
Alec appeared beside Max "Get this bitch started" he paused after he got no answer "Max?"
Max ran both hands through her long hair in a jerky manner, growling low in her throat, tears evident on her face. "Yeah, just hang on a sec" she swiped at her eyes angrily
"It's okay." Alec touched her shoulder
"No it's not" Max whipped her head to face him, answering in all honesty. "C'mon got nuts to crack"
"S'what I'm talkin' about" Alec agreed following her.
The front entrance of the hanger had a large sliding aluminum door. The padlock had already been removed from it and the door itself was halfway open revealing a small amount of light from inside the hanger.
Max and Alec passed through the door, hearing the creaking of the hanger as it protested from years of neglect. The place was dimly lit from hanging florescent lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling. There was a second story above the first accessed by three winding metal stairways.
One of the lights sparked as a round from a gun was fired "So glad you could make it 452" White appeared out of the shadows, his hand locked around his silver Sig Sauer.
"I'm not in the practice of letting my children die," Max spat back approaching the man as he approached her.
Both X5's stopped about three feet away from White. Neither of them actually trusted him to completely honor their deal.
"Such a diligent mother 452-"
"And I'm impatient you son-of-a-bitch" Max growled, "Do you have it?"
White pulled a long silver object from his trench coat pocket, which Max recognized immediately as the thing Deck had given her to use on Case. "I honor my part 452-"
"Not true White" Alec informed, "You lied about how much time this little shit takes to kill people."
"That wasn't part of the deal 494" White told him
"Then get on with the fuckin' deal" Max spat "Slide it over"
"Remember the exchange 452-"
"Not until I get what I want" Max spat back
White slid the device at Alec's feet. He picked it up and tucked it away.
"Sorry White" Max returned after Alec safely had the antidote "But the deals off"
"Doesn't hurt me 452" he pulled out two handguns, aiming them at her and Alec "I wasn't going to honor it anyway"
"I just won the bet," Alec announced.
"And I'm going to win another 494" he broke off to look at his watch "There's exactly three hours left before 452 has to bury her daughter. When I said twenty-six hours, I lied," he took aim on Max "Going to be hard for your husband to loose a wife and a daughter all in one night-"
Max grabbed the gun from him before he could fire "That's why I'm not letting it happen" she flipped him on his back.
He came back up a few seconds later, just like she knew he would, leaping in the air and kicking her to the floor. "When are you going to realize that I can kick your Manticore ass anytime soldier" he put his knee on Max's chest, right on top of her sternum. "Shoulda never hired that kid to do my work." the gun was in her face "Killing you myself is so much more rewarding. Heard you dislike guns 452, not a good trait for a super warrior-"
Max threw him off her, and before White could get up Alec pinned him down, aiming a gun in his face "To bad I don't have a problem with it"
"Not really" White flipped him off in one motion. Alec tried to catch himself, but still wound up on his back. He flipped back up on his feet again.
Tinga, who was behind the closed side of the door, silently gave the signal for Kaja to attack. The German Shepard bared her teeth and took off in a run, leaping right on top of White.
White fought with the dog for a few seconds, before throwing her to the ground. She leapt at him again, going for his throat, but White fired at the last minute.
Kaja whined where she fell, blood coming out of the wound on her side. "Fun times over soldiers" he fired the guns at them.
Krit and Jondy ducked behind the building before firing back.
"This guys more annoying the Deck" Jondy said to Krit in-between shooting at White with an AK-47
"I know" Krit agreed, "Deck was easier to beat" he shot again, finally finding a target in White's leg.
White fell, stunned, but this injury wouldn't slow him down much. "You only have two hours and fifty minutes 452-"
"Shut up!" Max grabbed a long padlock chain and wrapped it around White and secured it to a pole "Now you sit tight like a good little asshole"
Alec backed away from White slowly, keeping the gun locked on him. Behind him, Tinga picked up the dog carrying her out.
Zack sild open the Tracker's passenger door when he saw his sister approaching "Anyone hurt?"
"One" Tinga set the dog on the floor of the tracker. She looked at the wound, shining a flashlight on it. "Just a nick, White's aim was off" she put some paper towels on top of the blood matted fur "She'll be okay"
"Give it to me" Max demanded, grabbing the antidote from Alec "I can get it there faster" she stuffed it into her jacket, jumping on her bike and speed off into the night
*****
MERCY
2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES LEFT
PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)
Logan came back into Lexi's room. He had been forced out by a team of doctors after Lexi had stopped breathing on her own.
A nurse was checking the oxygen levels flowing into the girl via the respirator. Dr. Hest had her moved into PICU after her breathing became weakened. Lexi was now connected to various tubes and IV's to fight the ravaging infection.
Logan touched her through the metal slits of the hospital crib, watching the clock. There were only two hours left, and Max still hadn't come back yet, nor had she contacted him. /Is she okay? Did White get to her?/ He looked at their daughter "You have to hold on princess. I know you can do it, don't give up on me now." In another ten minutes the nurse would ask him to leave. PICU had visitations in 30-minute intervals and his was almost up.
Rain slapped against the outside window. Logan glanced outside the glass doors seeing Zane and Syl at their posts, watching the halls. Zane kept one hand under his jacket, fingering the revolver tucked inside.
*****
Max spit water from another puddle out of her mouth. The drizzle that had started had turned into a downpour, shorting out her mic, so she couldn't let Logan know she was on the way. She looked down at her watch, wiping off the face to see the glowing hands. "Dammit" She was running out of time. She gunned the engine, going faster, but the front wheel suddenly caught on a piece of scrap metal in the road, unbalancing the bike, and throwing her off and into the road.
Tires squelched, as cars came to a halt to avoid hitting the downed woman.
"Max!" Alec was the first one to reach her, having to shout to be heard above the rain.
"There's a hole in the tire!" Max shouted, feeling the bike's tire with her hand, a slit had been made where the metal met rubber. She felt inside her jacket, finding the antidote still intact. "Can't run like this"
"Ride with me," Alec stated, rain dripping off his hair.
"I can't leave the bike in the middle of the road!" Max called out "Help me move it over"
Alec came around to the other side of the Ninja "One, two, three-" he lifted up the back end while Max had the front. They dropped the bike on the side of the road and climbed into Alec's car.
"Gun it!" Max barked
*****
White had ripped free of his bonds, and now was on his cell phone "There's a situation. Where's the girl?"
"Moved up to ICU Sir," the agent responded. "She won't survive much longer"
"See to that" White ordered
*****
1 HOUR AND 52 MINTUES LEFT
"Syl" Zane whispered beside her, "That guy, ten o' clock" he nodded to a tall man wearing a black trench coat, one who didn't look like he was here to visit a critically ill child.
"I got it" Syl responded, approaching the man "Hey ass, catch" she punched him in the gut, kicking him to the ground when he doubled over.
The man made a reach for his gun. Zane cocked his 47 in his face "Hands down shit. Make a move, I'll castrate you"
Syl grabbed his gun "Why don't you tell us what you're here for? Don't look like your hiding a worried wife and sick baby behind that shit ass g-man suit" she waited all of two seconds before talking again "Know what? Forget it" she punched him in the face, knocking him out "Wouldn't liked what you had to say"
*****
1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES LEFT
Alec's convertible screeched into the covered area by the hospital doors. Max raced out of the car and up to Lexi's room. The room was empty except for a nurse making up the bed.
"Where's the little girl who was in here?" her heart was beating out a conga against her ribcage /God no, please/
"Poor thing was taken up to the Peds ICU-"
Max didn't hear the rest because she was running to fast
******
PICU
10TH FLOOR
"Excuse me can I help you?" the receptionist asked, becoming suspicious at seeing Max enter soaking wet and mud caked in her clothes.
Max ignored her moving right passed her desk.
"Hey where are you going?" the woman chased after her.
Max went up and down every hall, looking, finally finding her at the in one of the last ones she checked.
She took in all the tubes and wires that she saw.
Logan stood up when he heard her enter "Max, are you okay?"
"I've got it" Max didn't answer his question. She fished out the metal piece from her jacket, at the same time looking at her watch "There's not much time"
Logan rolled their daughter on her side, exposing the back of her neck
"Back off the kid-" the alarmed receptionist had notified security.
Four guns cocked simultaneously from Zack, Krit, Syl and Alec
"You back off" Zack hissed.
Max passed the device over the back of Lexi's neck; it clicked and whirred for a few seconds. The barcode started to fade "C'mon baby" Max encouraged.
The mark faded completely soon, but Lexi still didn't wake up. "C'mon baby, you can do this" one tear splashed on Lexi's arm. "Please" she made this remark glancing at the ceiling, praying to Blue Lady.
Still nothing, then, a small noise in her throat, followed by half gasping noises as she fought against the machine.
Max removed the tube, having learned how to do it at Manticore. As soon as the long plastic piece was out of her mouth Lexi burst into a loud choking cry.
It was the most beautiful sound that either of them heard in a long time. "It's okay" Max picked her up, holding her tightly "You're okay sweeite" she couldn't fight back her own tears from all the emotions she was feeling.
Logan hugged them both, kissing Lexi first then Max.
The storm outside continued to rage.
*****
THE NEXT NIGHT
The large bon fire glowed brightly on the beach. Syl threw a piece of wood into the flames to keep them strong. The rain from yesterday had passed, and tonight stars peaked out of the clouds.
"That's the big dipper" Max pointed up in the sky, showing her kids the constellations. Lexi smiled in her lap, looking where her mother pointed. She had recovered completely from her ordeal, and the doctors couldn't see any reason to keep her so she was released.
Logan and Max had done a small sting on the hospital and removed the tissue samples Hest had taken from the labs.
"Stars look different here," Cindy said beside her "Guess cause Seattle's so drizzly most of the time." she looked at her boo "Finally feels like a vacation now huh?"
Max nodded, pulling Lexi closer to her. She glanced up, watching Logan toss a stick in the water and Kaja sprang to get it. She didn't seem to mind the water in her wound and quickly dragged the stick up to Logan again. The second time he threw it Millie got in on the act, chasing the stick down the beach with the other dog.
"Be back girl" Max lifted her daughter in her arms "Let's go meet up with daddy"
"Hey" she called out to him as she approached.
Logan turned "Don't just stand there ladies, take those shoes off and come here"
Max smiled at his words, remembering the last time he said that. She took off her black boots and removed Lexi's shoes, setting them aside before joining Logan on the sand.
"Feels nice huh?" Logan knelt next to the baby
"Cold" Lexi smiled squishing her toes in it.
He kissed her, and stood back up. "Let's for a walk"
They took their time, walking down the long strip of beach, jumping out of the way when Krit and Zane picked up Jondy by her hands and feet and threw her into the water.
Jondy came out of the waves soaking wet.
"Got some wet T-shirt action now!" Zane spoke, ducking when Jondy threw a stick at him.
She flipped Krit on his back and shoved sand in his face.
"Don't forget his pants" Zack called out from where he and Asha were sitting on the hood of her Cherokee.
Jondy shoved a clump of dirt by the fly in Krit's jeans.
"I just got very turned on" he wagged his eyebrows at his sister
"Cat-man your sick" Jondy returned, wringing her long brown hair right over his head.
Max laughed at the sight of her siblings. "Jondy, you never grow up"
"Life's a game Maxie" Jondy informed, climbing off Krit "and I'm wining" she smiled at her niece "Hey baby girl, you see me make that tackle?" she touched Lexi's nose with her finger "Uncle Krit got his assets kicked"
"No Uncle Krit did not" Krit defended, flipping back up, and unzipping his jeans to clean out the sand.
"Yeah Uncle Krit did Lexi" Zack called out to his niece "We all know how he lies"
"You guys normally going around referring to yourselves in the third person?" Asha asked beside him
"We're not normal" Zack pointed out "So it's allowable"
Asha climbed down off her car, and stood in the sand facing Zack "Is it allowable for me to make out with you on a beach at night? Kinda a regular activity-"
"Cheesy also" Zack threw out, but at the look she gave him he added "But so long as there's no sappy music blasting in the backround or overly bright sunsets, what the hell" he pulled forward and kissed her squarely on the mouth, feeling her wrap both arms around his neck.
"Whoo!" Zane cat-called "Bring it baby"
"Some night huh?" Alec sat down in the sand next to Cindy.
"Defiantly" Cindy agreed, "Wonder if Normal bought any of that lying crap you told him"
"Probably not" Alec said with a smile. He watched Max holding both of Lexi's hands and walking beside her in the sand. "Wasn't chicken pox. Wonder if he'd believe that a secret government bad ass infected Max's daughter with a toxin in order to lure her into a trap so he could kill her because she was one of the transgenics he was assigned to take down, so she had to turn herself in to save her kid from dying" he said this all in one breath, and looked at Cindy
"Not a chance in hell huh?"
"Original Cindy stands a better chance with getting down and dirty wid you right here in the sand"
Alec shot her a coy look "Really?"
Cindy hit him "Boy don't start" she threw a twig into the fire
"Joking, relax" Alec defended "So what made you go over to the all girls camp? Cause lets face it you got it going on, and your depriving the other half of your species"
"Just preference Alec" Cindy returned, "Appreciate the props and all, but ain't no goin' back after the time I had with my girls"
"You and Max ever try anything?"
Cindy looked at him with a 'say what?' gaze "My boo is straight Alec. Great body, great style but we don't swing that way. She's just my girl."
"Talkin' bout me?" Max appeared with Logan and Lexi in her arms
"You know it boo," Cindy said as Max took a seat in the sand.
Max stroked her daughter's hair. Lexi yawned and snuggled into Max's lap. Jess and Case were still out with Tinga and Syl walking the beach.
"There's Orion" Max pointed in the sky at the constellation visible in it's depth, and when she saw Zack and Asha approaching the bon fire she added "First thing you ever showed me on the tower"
Zack stopped walking and looked into the sky. "Kept me up there all night Maxie, got zero sleep"
Max shrugged "I never needed it so I didn't think of it" she looked at the sky again "Think Ben's up there with the Lady?" she asked this, effectively changing the topic.
Syl went quiet "Yeah, remember he said everyone goes there, except the nomalies. Bet Eva's up there too"
Zack sighed a heavy sigh at the mention of his dead sister's name. He felt responsible for her fate because he was the one who lead the escape.
"There's a lot to be said from stars" Logan draped an arm around his wife "Just glad she's didn't go to meet them tonight" he looked at Lexi now peacefully asleep before offering Max a kiss.
"Some vacation" Max shifted to face him
"It's not over yet" he reassured, pulling her and their daughter closer.
*****
(FADE TO BLACK)
*****
END
This took a while to finish because as I was writing I realized I had NO real plot, and since I hate that I had to think of a decent one. Couldn't just have them go on vacation and have everything be all fine and good. Dark Angel normal? *blowing it off*
About Alec's car, I know in the last eps of season two he was riding a bike, but I LIKED that car he had, sweet little cherry red thing, so I put it in here.
I couldn't remember what shape that device for Case's antidote was in 'Hit a Sista Back' I thought it looked like a sliver rod, but then I remembered that when Max held it up to Case it was some sort of box, so I just called it the 'device' in here.
Got plenty of ideas for the next installments, so I'll keep rolling them out. R/R on this please and thanks for reading.
Author: Mystic25
Email: yellowrubberduck31@hotmail.com
Summary: With Washington state going into total lockdown, the X5's living there leave for San Francisco, but the vacation turns ugly when they must save Max and Logan's daughter from a unspeakable fate
Rating: PG13 just to be safe for all the bad mouthing and violence
Disclaimer: You own them Mr. Cameron, otherwise "Hello Goodbye" wouldn't have been an episode, but I'll forgive you for that b/c of the awesome finale.
A/N: I just wondered what would've happened if I took Max and her sibs (meaning Zack, Krit, Jondy, Syl, Tinga and Zane) together with Alec ('cause he's an escapee too) along with Logan (like I'd make him stay if Max left) his and Max's children, Cindy (need her saucy attitude) Charlie (same situation as Logan 'cept with Tinga) Case, Asha (for Zack) and Max and Zane's dogs (not gonna leave them out either) and put them all together in the same place. I like playing with fire.
A/N #2: As many of you know the title is also the name of an actual DA ep, but it fits here too. I originally was going to call it 'Road Trip' but that didn't fit once I got the plot established.
*****
SEATTLE
2:36 AM
FOGGLE TOWERS
"Just grab whatever and go" Max brushed passed Logan shoving more things into an open bag on
their bed.
"That's what I'm doing sweetheart" Logan informed her, closing the bottom dresser drawer "Not like I'm going to be picky about what I bring for sneaking out in the middle of the night" he dropped some clothes into a black duffel bag. "Get the kids' stuff together, I'm gonna grab my computer" he passed through the open door.
Max opened the door to her son's bedroom "You all set baby?" she found him pulling one of his
shirts over his head
"Mommy?" Jess asked when Max kneeled down to help him "Why are we leaving?"
"There's just a lot of problems in town now, so we're going away for a bit" she smoothed the
cotton shirt over his body
"Will we come home?" he asked an honest question. This was the only world he really knew.
"We will" Max reassured, touching his head "Once things are better here" she started filling a small bag with about half of his clothes. She soon shut off the light in his bedroom and locked the door.
"Go wait with Kaja in the living room sweetie" Max ushered her son to the couch
She then headed into the nursery, and after filing up a carrying bag with diapers and extra clothes she picked up her daughter and brought her out into the living room.
"Momma's gonna bundle you up babe" Max threw an thick wool jacket over Lexi "It's pretty cool
out there" she buttoned it up and then headed to the office to find Logan.
She found her husband busily shutting down his Eyes Only mainframe, and encoding all his files
with an randomly selected numeric password of at least 12 digits. "I've got most of the files stored on my laptop" he patted the Hewlett Packard in his hand "What's leftover won't be enough reading material for a two minute ride"
"We're set" Max informed him "Rendezvous point is at Sector Five and Nine"
"Got in touch with Zack?" Logan switched off the light to his office
"He's at Asha's, leaving his Vulcan and their taking her Cherokee"
"Guess all ends are tied" Logan stated to her "Should get going then"
*****
SECTOR FIVE
"Call a taxi?" Max threw this out the window of her Impala
The door opened, blasting cool air into the car "Weather's a bitch outside boo" Cindy tossed her stuff on the floor by her feet. "Thanks for gettin' me outta here for lockdown"
"No prob" Max gunned out from the front of the building "Not a good place for anyone at a time like this"
*****
After a few minutes of driving, Max caught the sight of blinking headlights, just to the right of her car.
Max checked her rearview mirror "It's Tinga" the black Tracker pulled along side the Impala.
Tinga signaled Max to pull off to the shoulder after they passed the last Sector stop.
After Max accomplished that task, she realized that an empty parking lot stretched out in front of her, and a tall high rise building stood beside it.
The Impala's engine cut off, and Max climbed out, opening the back door to let Kaja out before her leather upholstery got messed up.
Kaja's barking soon was joined by another, slightly higher bark. Beside a little brown and white English Spaniel walked a tall figure.
"Did you get here okay with my directions?" Zane came out of the shadows.
"I missed the turn" Max made a joke of it, falling into the hug Zane offered
"You did bring him didn't you?" Zane asked, not seeing Logan with her.
"No Zane" Max began sarcastically "I'm busting out of Seattle because of the damn lock down
and thought what the hell, leave my husband home, he's a big boy" she paused "He's parked
back there" she nodded with her head back a little ways
"Didn't say a word Maxie" Zane said in his defense
"That'd be a first" Tinga soon emerged beside Max.
"First what?" another voice spoke out. Syl joined the already forming circle
"Nothing sis" Zane argued "I was just playin' around"
"So what else is new?" Syl shot out. She glanced over at Max "This is the Ultimate Real World Inner Circle" she referenced the old MTV reality TV challenge.
"I'm being voted off aren't I?" Max joked, she knew a little about the show. "Everyone make it here okay?"
"Good" Syl responded "Had to explain to my neighbor why she needed to watch my apartment for
a week-"
"Didn't tell her about the stash did ya?" this time the voice belonged to Krit "I maintain that honesty is the best policy big sister" his breath was visible in a puff above his black leather jacket
"Okay Cat-Man, first light that hits, go tell everyone that you're transgenic" Syl threw out in a challenge.
"Like I said, secrets are good" he looked around the circle of his siblings "Where's our CO? He
should be here before all of us"
"He's just running late" Max notified "Besides, we got one more sector stop before we meet up"
"What about that guy-494-" Krit couldn't think of the name
"Alec" Cindy finished. She had come out of the car, getting bored just sitting there "Boy runs late a lot. No different even with a situation like this"
"Okay then" Krit said in response "Cindy, you're looking good"
"Krit I appreciate it, but you gotta remember which way this chica swings aiight?" Cindy told him
"Original Cindy, Zane" Max introduced her "Zane, this is my girl"
"How ya doin'" Zane shook Cindy's hand "You don't mind hanging with a bunch of weirdoes?"
"Max has been my boo for years, and she's never been weird to me" Cindy told him "You'z
my girl's family, and I'm down wid that"
"Was talking about Krit" Zane finished with a smile "You're a good woman"
"We should get going" Syl broke in "Need to get outta Seattle before it gets too light, or we're stuck here for the duration"
Tinga nodded silently "Meet up again at 0800"
Zane turned to Cindy "Time to roll. Cindy, been a pleasure, and welcome to X5 hell"
he waved the air with his hand "Move it out guys"
*****
MARION CITY
TEN MILES AFTER WASHINGTON BOARDER
CALIFORNIA
8:35 AM
The Impala cut off again, this time stopping at a small town that had a sign that read:
Welcome to Marion City
Population: 750
Curfew: 12:00 AM
Max looked around at the scattered wooden buildings, and oak trees growing up behind them.
Marion may claim itself as a city, but it had a simpler atmosphere, not as dangerous as Seattle.
"Wake up" Max nudged Cindy in the passenger seat
Cindy yawned slowly, opening her eyes to the morning sun "How long we've been drivin'?"
"Five hours" Max told her "Just passed the California border 'bout a half hour ago"
Cindy stretched, "You drove that long?" she looked to Max "Shoulda let me take over
for a while"
"I don't sleep remember, it was fine" Max argued "Sides you didn't know the way"
Cindy looked out the car window "Place is really something, looks like that town my
grandma use to live in on our summer visits" she undid her seat belt "Gotta stretch, been
sittin' down too long" she climbed out of the car.
Max slammed the door on the driver's side, stretching the kinks out of her back. She looked around for Logan, finally finding his Aztec parked off to the side of some trees. She smiled when she found him asleep, leaning back against the headrest.
The door was locked, so she tapped on the window. After about a minute his eyes opened and he
popped the lock
"Morning sleeping beauty" Max leaned her head inside the car
"Man what time is it?" Logan tilted his neck back to get the knots out off it. He checked his watch "Damn, that was a long drive"
"Specially without sleep" Max informed, placing her hand behind his neck, rubbing the tight muscles there.
"Reminds me of college trips" Logan threw out "You're not the only one who's ever stayed up all night" he turned to face her.
"But I don't need sleep as opposed to you" Max argued kissing him soundly on the mouth.
She pulled back, seeing Jess wake up in the backseat "Morning baby" she spoke to her son.
She opened the back door "Sleep okay?" she gave him a kiss on his head
"Yeah" Jess returned, unbuckling his seatbelt himself "Is there a bathroom?"
Max stuck her head out of the car for a second, spotting a restaurant a few yards away "Yeah
babe, c'mon I'll take you-"
"Should take Lexi first," Jess pointed out "She didn't sleep very well"
"Ah sweetie" Max got what her son was telling her "I'm sorry, we should've stopped sometime
last night" she went around and unbuckled her daughter from her car seat.
"C'mon Jess" Logan spoke to his son "I'll take you to the bathroom so mommy can clean up your
sister"
Max stepped through the door Logan held for her, balancing her one year old on her hip. There
were about ten or so people in the diner, and soft elevator type music filled the place.
"Good morning Sir. Would you and your wife like a table?" a young waitress approached them, smiling politely, wearing a blue uniform and white apron
"Just looking for the facilities," Max told her
"It's straight back and to the right," the young woman answered, pointing to the location with
her hand
"Thanks" Logan returned
"No problem" she responded "Let me know if you need anything else" with that she disappeared to
take some orders.
Max found the ladies room relatively quickly. She changed Lexi on the built in table.
"Mommy, she doesn't know how to wait" a red haired little girl of four or five looked at Alexis
when Max was strapping on a fresh diaper
The girl's mother, an auburn haired woman laughed a bit "You were like that too honey, she's
still little" she smiled at Max, glancing at the little girl who was back in her mother's arms "She's beautiful"
Max returned the smile "Thanks" she looked at her daughter "Say thanks hun, you just got props"
she kissed her on the cheek, exiting the restroom
"Coffee please, black" Asha leaned on the red counter and waited for her order to be filled
"Hey" Max said, approaching the blonde "Long drive huh?"
"Defiantly" Asha agreed, "Zack did most of the driving after about four" she paid for her coffee, lifting the lid and taking a sip.
"Like the same thing she has" Max spoke up to the man behind the counter.
The man handed her the Styrofoam cup "You all aren't from here huh?" he handed Max back
her change.
"Just passing through" Asha told him
"On vacation?" the guy asked
"Something like that" Max returned grabbing her coffee off the counter, shifting the diaper bag further on her shoulder
"Where you headed?" the man was full of questions, not overly pushy, just curious.
"San Francisco" Max answered
"Family thing-" the man began again
"Don't you have a job to do?" Zack came up behind Max, glaring at the man behind the counter
The guy didn't say anything more, turning to head back into the kitchen.
After Logan emerged from the bathroom with Jess, they left the restaurant, heading back to their cars.
"You're late boo" Cindy had wandered down to the 'beach' that sat at a small lake about ten
feet from the parking lot.
Alec turned to face her "You didn't have to explain to Normal the reasons why three of his employees are taking leave. When we make it back to Seattle you had the stomach flu, and both Max's kids contracted chicken pox"
"And what was your cover?" Cindy asked crossing her arms
"Hung out with you two and got contaminated" Alec answered.
Kaja soon approached him, barking and throwing a stick at his feet.
"What?" Alec picked up the branch "Want to play with me?" he hurled the stick down the beach and Kaja sprinted after it.
"Hey Alec" Max walked down to the beach, she threw another branch his way "fetch"
"Max that's just wrong" Alec complained
"Sorry, but you left it open-" Max returned moving to stand beside Cindy.
"Let's just get going" Alec suggested "San Francisco's about another two hour's drive, and this
weather isn't good for the finish on my car" he glanced back at his old make cherry red convertible
"Actually sounds good to me" Max stated, to Alec's surprise "This place is nice and all, but Jondy's gonna start canvassing if we don't get there soon"
*****
PHIONEX APARTMENTS
LOBBY
SAN FRANCISCO
12:27 PM
"Here you go Jondy" the landlord of the building handed her a set of keys "Was thinking about renting this one out"
"Sorry bout that" Jondy apologized "But my brother's coming down for a while, and with all the
conventions and shit, their ain't no place to stay" Jondy fingered the apartment keys, exiting the lobby.
She headed up the stairs to the second floor of the five-story apartment. She inserted her key into the lock. The door creaked open. Jondy surveyed her brother's old digs. This had been Zack's place when he had been in Frisco on one of his moves. Technically it didn't belong to him anymore, but Jondy convinced the landlord otherwise. She had about twelve people coming, and had no way in hell to keep them all in her apartment, even with two extra bedrooms at her place.
Zack's apartment was only a two bedroom, but it also had a fold out couch. /Most of us don't
usually sleep anyways, so it's not like it'll be a problem/ Jondy flipped on some lights and beat the dust out of the leather sofa, which billowed out like smoke.
"Damn" Jondy coughed "And I thought I was messy"
"Jondy" someone called her name from outside
She shut off the bedroom light and came back out into the California sun.
"Hey Erik" she spotted the brunette man outside. They were more or less friends, but
Jondy felt that he liked her more then that, he was just too chicken to admit it "What is it?"
"Got some newbies," he pointed down at the parking lot at two cars pulling in.
"They aren't newbies Erik" Jondy corrected, seeing the red Impala and black Tracker pull in. Jondy didn't see Zane's hummer, or any other of her sibs vehicles, but they were probably parking in the back somewhere. It would just look like a convoy if everyone grouped up in the front. White had feelers everywhere, and it was better to be safe then experimented on.
"Wow, check out the brunette" he saw Max open her door and step out "She's a hot as you are"
"I wouldn't hold my breath Erik" Jondy argued, "She's taken"
Erik turned to her "How do you know?"
Jondy smiled when she saw Lexi being lifted up in Max's arms "Cause that's my niece she's got"
she ignored Erik's look and bolted down the stairs
"'Sup my sista?" Jondy stepped over to Max, locking her in a hug.
Max returned the gesture "Thanks again for hosting the X5 on the lamb tour"
"Not a prob" Jondy stated, "Where's my brother-in-law?"
"Right here" Logan spoke up coming from behind Max
"Wow, magic" Jondy joked, "I like it" she slapped him on the shoulder "How's it
going Logan?"
"Everything's fine Jondy" Logan kissed his sister-in-law
Jondy smiled at the peck "Maxie, think your man's puttin' moves on me"
Max just shook her head at Jondy's thinking. She spotted Erik standing at the railing on the
second floor "Whose the guy?"
Jondy glanced behind her for a second "That's Erik, he's a friend of mine. He's just curious.
Frisco's a big city, but not many people come knocking around this sect" she smiled at her nephew standing beside Logan "Hey kiddo, welcome to the city by the bay" she picked him up and kissed him "You are so big my man, hardly knew it was you at first"
"Can't forget me Aunt Jondy" Jess told her with a smile
Jondy laughed "Not a chance" she turned to Max "he's defiantly your kid" she glanced over at Erik again, motioning him to come down "Come down here loner, got people for you to meet"
Erik came down the stairs since the apartments had no elevator.
"Erik this is my sister Max" Jondy introduced "Logan" she introduced her brother-in-law,
"and my niece and nephew"
"Hey" Erik said in greeting "Jondy's been busy all morning prepping for this, kinda headless
chicken thing"
"I don't do headless chicken Erik" Jondy shot back
"Now why do you gotta lie to the man like that?" Syl joined the crowd
"I'm not lying" Jondy argued back, and at the disbelieving look on her sister's face she
added "Syl shut up"
Syl laughed, "I'm Jondy's big sister" she introduced to Erik
"Didn't tell me you grew up in a family of all girls," Erik stated, thinking that Max and Syl were the only sibs Jondy had
Jondy however found this amusing, and when she spotted her CO she had to say it "Yep,
family of all girls"
Krit overheard, and laughed at this "Zack, you're a woman? That explains so much" he ducked
when Zack whacked him one.
"Zack's a woman?" Zane got in on the act "My god, the standards of woman just dropped down
to ug-lay"
"Zane!" Jondy hadn't seen him in a while, longer then the rest of them "You made it"
she nearly knocked him over in a hug.
"Ease up on the grip little sister" Zane said around her death lock "You're lookin' good girl,
how long has it been?"
"Too damn long" Jondy returned, "I see you still have your horse appendage" she tugged on
his pony tail.
Zane made a move to do the same with her hair, but before he could Jondy grabbed his hand "Not if you value your balls bro" she looked around the group "Where's Tinga?"
"Comin' round the bend" Syl told her "Probably should hold off on the intros until everyone gets here"
"You mean there's more?" Erik sounded surprised. He had know idea that it would be this many people
"It's a big family" Max informed
"Defiantly" Tinga finally reached the front of the building along with Charlie and Case.
"Kay guys what do you say to savin the complete intro until things are settled?" Jondy suggested "All the parking lot's not a stage" she paused "Move it Cat-Man" she shoved Krit ahead of her
"Must I remind you I hate that name," Krit informed
Jondy smiled "I know"
*****
Jondy had gotten everyone inside her place for the time being, which was no small feat. "Kay now before 'settling in' gets under way I have intros to make" Jondy stood in the center of her living room, looking around at all the people there /Reminds me of barrack life/
"Take it off!" Krit shouted at her from his seat on the kitchen counter.
Jondy's aim on him with a couch cushion was dead on. "First the easy part" "Everyone this is Erik Paston, he lives down the hall." she paused "Erik these are my sibs Krit" she threw something else at him "Syl, Zane, Max, you met her husband, Jess and Alexis, their kids, Tinga, my second oldest sib, her man Charlie and my nephew Case, Original Cindy" she smiled at the woman sitting next to Max on the sofa "Maxie's girl, and big brother of all, Zack" she finished "The others I have know idea"
"Asha" Max introduced the woman with Zack "Zack's girlfriend, and man of mystery back there is
Alec"
"You say something?" Alec poked his head out from inside the fridge. "Nice Chablis" Alec commented, holding up the wine bottle "Score it off the Black Market?" he asked of Jondy
"Boy you already raiding the fridge?" Cindy asked with a raised eyebrow "You just got here"
"Best time" Alec raised the bottle "Jondy doesn't mind, do you?"
"Not anymore" Jondy stated "You put your mouth on it"
Alec saluted her with the glass bottle "Cheers"
Jondy just sighed, "Okay then, about bunk assignments..."
*****
30 MINUTES LATER
"Never doing this again" Jondy crashed on her couch with a sigh. "I'm not an OP, can't
be an OP-" she turned to Max "Shoulda just taken over a large warehouse."
The married couples had been given Jondy's two spare rooms, Syl didn't have her man with her so she offered the pull down on the couch in Zack's place, all the kids were in Jondy's room on her day bed, Cindy sharing her queen size bed. Zack and Asha at his old place, Zane in Zack's extra room and Alec not caring where the hell he threw his stuff, but Jondy had given him her pull down. Syl suggested it might not be good to put Zack and Alec in the same vicinity for a long time, blood and all that crap was a pain to clean up.
"That whole what if scenario" Max joked beside her "Wish I had my baby" she had to leave her Ninja behind
Jondy turned to her "Frisco's a good place to ride sis, get a rental. There's a place downtown"
"Cheat on my girl?" Max argued, "That's so wrong"
"She'll never know" Jondy told her "Buy her a carton of premium and it'll all be good"
*****
BARTON'S CYCLE RENTAL
DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO
"Looking for something ladies?" the owner came out and approached the counter, wiping off the
grease and oil that stood in puddles on the wooden surface
"My girl needs a temp set of wheels" Jondy spoke up
"What make?" the man asked
"Gotta be Ninja" Max informed "Nothing less then 650 cc, and at least a four inch ground clearance"
The man was impressed with her knowledge of bikes "Got just the thing in back"
He led them to a small warehouse behind the counter. Many cycles lined the area propped
up on stands.
"This beauty will be perfect for you" he touched the handles of a yellow bike "Kawasaki Ninja
ZX-6R, 850 cc, liquid cooling, four and a half inch clearence, all wrapped up in this sweet little studio yellow body"
"Needs to be dark" Max told him. Her Ninja at home was black, it made night riding easier.
"Then let me direct your attention to this lovely behind you" he stepped over to another
bike "Another Ninja ZX, same cc's and clearance but midnight black, perfect for sneak
attacks" he laughed at the "joke" he had just made
"How much?" Max asked
"Only 250 a week" the man replied "A good price for a sleek model like this"
"Too high sorry" Max turned. The bike itself was nice, but she didn't have that much
cash on her. /I like the wheels but I need to feed my children while I'm here slick/
The man was determined to make a sale "180," he leered at Max "cause you turn my head"
"100" Max threw out a number "and you get to keep your head"
"150" the man argued back on the price "I gotta make money on this sugar"
"101" Max went only a dollar higher then her previous price "I gotta KEEP money, can't feed
my family with a rented bike"
"Fine" the man finally settled on her price "Cash on the table, don't do checks"
Max slapped the money in his hand "Pleasure doin' business with ya" she undid the padlock that
was on the Ninja's wheels and slid the chain out from between the handle bars "Keys" she
stood back up looking at the owner "I could hot wire, but that'd make her harder to sell
later" she caught the keys to the bike when he threw them at her in an underhand throw.
Max revved up the Ninja's engine after she was outside "Gas is full" she proclaimed, looking at the gauge
"Surprised the guy didn't empty it and charge extra" Jondy threw out, mounting her own bike, a purple Honda 750 Shadow Spirit. "Let's open her up sis, see what she's made of"
Max threw a smile at her, cranking up the engine.
Jondy and Max drove through the downtown streets of Frisco, weaving in between the cars and trolleys. Soon the typical American scenery was replaced by the brightly colored banners and outdoor markets of Chinatown. Children came out into the streets to see the two women on the motorcycles. And several teenage boys catcalled at the X5's.
Jondy shook her head at the hormonal boys. Soon the bikes cut off. Max had stopped here when something in the window of a tattoo parlor caught her eye. On the outside window there were paintings of some of the designs the parlor offered, and right next to the Zen symbol for power was the pattern of a barcode.
Jondy shot Max a look when she saw it "What the hell-"
They quickly locked up the bikes and entered the parlor. There were three metal chairs standing in it's center, two of them occupied.
"Hey doll-" one man grabbed Max's ass when she passed
Max whirled around and gripped the tall; 190 lb man by the neck "Keep your hands to yourself!" she released him, shoving him back into his chair.
"Help you?" the owner of the shop approached them, a young African-American man with several black dragon tattoos on his arms.
"That one in the window" Jondy spoke out first "The barcode-"
"New idea" the guy told her "Didn't think it would be real popular, but there was this guy-"
"Someone came in with a copycat?" Max interrupted /Zack, is this the same place he tried to have his burned off at?/
"Wanted me to clean it off" the owner told them "That bitch wasn't movin'. Some of the hardest junk I ever saw. Used 80 power acid, and still there"
"What'd this guy look like?" Jondy asked
"Just some white dude" he responded "Young, had a few guns, boy thought he was all that"
Jondy had to repress a laugh at the man's description of Zack /Apparently I'm not the only one
who thinks he's full of shit 99.9% of the time/ "What'd you two fine ladies doin' askin' me bout that?"
"Nuthin'" Max reassured "Just thought it was different, but makes you feel like merchandise" she gave a fake shudder to add effect.
"You'd look better with snakes girl" the man told Max "Black cobra-"
"My husband doesn't like snakes" Max threw this out just to gauge his reaction on it
The man blew her off "He'd like it where I put on that body"
"Thanks just the same," Max told him straight out "But I pass. Late boy" she and Jondy turned to leave the building.
They passed the same group of people, who apparently didn't give up because one of them made a grab for Jondy
"See if you're easier to deal with then your friend baby-" he was cut short when Jondy pulled back his arm and pinned it against the back of the chair
"Fraid not" she released him abruptly, popping his shoulder slightly out of alignment.
As Max was heading towards the door, she heard some faint whispering,
"5,4, 3, 2..."
She and Jondy just about cleared the building, before hearing "1"
A pop was heard, then an earth shaking blast rocked the building, blowing out all the windows and engulfing the place in a fiery inferno.
*****
The force of the impact threw Max and Jondy to the ground, landing them just in front of what use to be the back door to the supply room
Max pulled herself up on her feet, coughing from all the smoke that filled the space. She turned behind her, seeing all the fire in the building.
"Maxie!" Jondy shouted to her. There was a stream of blood trickling from her hairline
"You okay?" Max called back to her. She saw the blood on her head.
"I'm good, mostly" Jondy answered back "Need to get the hell outta here. Don't know the power
of the blast, but this place's gotta be at least 104" flames now took the place of the two inner walls
"Can't just leave the people here," Max told her, coughing again at all the smoke. She saw the owner pinned under fallen pieces of the roof. Blood was on his face, and he wasn't moving.
Max used her night vision to see her way through the smoke over to him. She picked up the 15 lb piece of debris.
"Ahh!" Max was halted in her movements by pain. She flipped over her arm, seeing a three inch long piece of wood embedded lengthwise in her skin, blood oozing out.
"Jondy give me a hand!" she called out "Piece of shrapnel's in my arm, can't move it enough"
Jondy lifted the counter top from the man "You want me to get him out?" she looked at the unconscious man at her feet.
"No I got it," Max told her. She grabbed the piece of wood and ripped it out of her arm with one movement. "Shit!" she cursed at the pain it produced "Go get the others, bring'em out on the sidewalk"
Max lifted the man in a fireman's lift, shoving her way through all the debris. Feeling the sidewalk on her feet she flipped him over on his back with a groan. He still remained knocked out, blood and debris all over his clothes.
Jondy came out a few seconds later dragging the biker out of the fire "Shit tries to grab my ass, now I have to save HIS ass" she dropped him on the sidewalk and started coughing.
"That's everyone" Max looked back at all the flames, now as high as the roof. In the background were the sounds of fire engine sirens, and they were getting closer.
"Let's get outta here," Jondy stated "Everyone's clear. They'll be asking too many questions"
Max nodded silently. She picked up the bike from where it had been thrown. Thankfully nothing was knocked out or messed up in the blast so it still started. She revved up the engine and followed Jondy down the road.
*****
"So it's done?" the man in the black suit asked
The translator asked the same question in Chinese
The oriental man the long black leather jacket gave an answer
The suit turned to his colleague "It's been taken care of as ordered Sir"
"Wonderful" Agent White agreed, he turned to the man (spoken in Chinese) "You've
done a good service kid. Always nice to find reliable under grounders"
"Pleasure" he spoke a few words of English
*****
"Guys look at this" Alec was crashed out on Jondy's couch watching television, when the program was interrupted by a newsbreak.
(Women announcer standing outside of burning building) "We interrupt your programming to bring you this developing story. A fire races through a local tattoo parlor in Chinatown after what authorities claim was a pipe bomb explosion. San Francisco Police will not comment on a possible motive of the alleged bombing or who was responsible. This just happened moments ago (camera pans closer to the building) Firefighters are trying to get the blast under control, but as you can see the whole building is now engulfed. So far no one has been found inside. Some one pulled the people out(shot of the four men on the sidewalk being attended to by EMT's) but then they left. (Camera focuses on a few drops of blood on the sidewalk a few feet away from the rescue workers) As you can see there is a trail of blood leading away from the building. Police will not comment on the suspicion that this might be the person who detonated the bomb, maybe getting injured from the shock wave, but they are saying it's likely. We'll keep you updated on this as we learn more. In Chinatown this is Fara Wes-"
Alec shut off the TV before she could finish "Who would blow up a tattoo parlor?"
"Someone who wasn't happy with what they had" Krit was seated in a backwards chair, drinking a Coronas from Jondy's fridge.
"Disgruntled tattoo owner?" Alec asked
"Maybe" Krit agreed
Outside Tinga was challenging Logan to a pick up game in the court at the side of the apartment complex.
Logan made the shot from the three-point line, bouncing once off the rim before landing inside.
"Almost ties it up" Tinga commented. Her long braided hair was doubled up to keep it from slapping her back
"Yeah" Logan agreed "but 13 to 12 just means I can come back to win with two points" he checked it too her
"Not the way I see it" Tinga moved left, making a side shot "I can WIN with one point"
"Like this game huh?" Logan threw out to his sister-in-law
"Something like that" Tinga agreed "Game point" she checked, but when it came time to play they got interrupted.
"What is it?" Logan saw her go still
Tinga used her tunnel vision for a second, seeing her sisters coming in through the parking lot. "Holy shit-" she then caught sight of them better.
"What's wrong?" Logan didn't like her tone of voice. He then saw what Tinga saw "Max-" his sneakers pounded the pavement
Max killed the engine, wiping the blood out of her eyes. Some of it was hers, but mostly it belonged to the men she had to haul out of the fire.
"Baby what happened?" Logan panicked when he saw all the blood
"Blast downtown" Jondy answered his question "Blew out a tattoo parlor in Chinatown" she pressed a hand to the blood near her hairline.
Tinga moved her sister's hand away for a second, looking at the laceration "Lil nasty there baby sister"
"It's nuthin' Jondy shrugged "Only a pipe bomb, could've been worse" she hissed when Tinga wiped off some of the blood with her hand.
Max did a check over herself once she got off the bike. The gash in her arm was the only major injury she had, but there were a couple of smaller cuts from when the bomb blew out the windows, plus a few burns on her jacket from the impact. "Dammit, this is my favorite jacket"
Logan rotated her arm, making her wince. "Right now I'm more concerned with getting this taken care of"
****
"Damn" Max cursed again, sitting in one of Jondy's high back red dinning chairs as Cindy was dabbing at her wound with hydrogen peroxide and pulling out small pieces of plastic still embedded in it at the same time.
Cindy took her time, working slowly to make sure she left nothing inside the laceration to cause an infection. "Did you see the faces of the freak asses who did this so I do some smack downs?"
"Just heard the countdown," Max told her, hissing again "and then blast-off" she looked down at her arm, at the blood still oozing out.
"You must've hit a vein boo, it hasn't stopped bleeding" Cindy said straight up. "I ain't a doctor, but I can tell you that if I just wrap this it'll be soaked through in a hour"
"Probably needs a few sutures" Logan got in on the act, handing his wife a cloth so she could clean up the blood from her face.
"Yeah but I can't just parade into the hospital" Max wiped the blood off from her hairline with the blue hand towel "If I show up with shrapnel wounds after that blast they'll haul me in for questioning, and I'm not in the mood for lying to the AMA again"
"It needs to be taken care of" Logan informed "Otherwise you'd bleed out sweetheart, and I think you know that"
"I could do it" Alec spoke out from the couch "Once went on a deep cover assignment at this hospital. Doc thought I was a med student so I sewed up a few people"
"What was the mission?" Jondy stood near her kitchen counter, placing a bandage on her forehead.
"Took out the head surgeons" Alec confessed, "One was tied with Manticore, and they didn't want him to spill"
Everyone went silent at his remark.
"Ya know your basic deep cover thing" Alec threw this out to lighten the mood. "But seriously though I know how to do it-"
"Were those people alive you messed with?" Max threw out
"Not after I got done with them," Alec joked and when Max shot him a death glare he added, "They all made it through Max relax"
"Aiight" Max finally agreed, looking down at her arm and then back up to him "You got a deal"
"Okay then" Alec began "Gonna need some sort of needle and thread-"
"We aren't exactly into needle point Alec," Krit told him "I could get you some panem wire though"
"I've got some" Tinga disappeared into the bedroom and came out with a small travel sewing kit "Charile's mom gave this to me, just never take it out" she handed him a fairly large needle and black thread.
"Great, thank you nurse" he ducked when Tinga smacked him upside the head
Alec searched for a minute before finding what he wanted under the sink, bleach and a box of latex gloves. "Jondy you don't happen to have a camera in your bedroom do you?"
"Alec shut up" Jondy threw out "You'd be surprised how well those come in handy when you don't want to leave prints on things"
Alec didn't say anything dropping the needle in the bleach to sanitize it. "I'm assuming you have some sort of numbing agent around here, ambasol, something with lydocane"
"Something" Jondy threw out "Don't have a medicine cabinet in my bathroom so it should be in that drawer above your head"
In a moment Alec sat down at the circular table in the dinning room/kitchen with all his 'tools' He spread the dental numbing agent on Max's skin "This isn't gonna take the edge off much Max" he knotted the end of the thread.
"I'll bite down on a leather belt" Max remarked straight-faced. "Get this bitch started" It didn't hurt too badly when the needle went in because of the lydocane cream, but the long thread going through her skin burned all the way through. She cursed at those moments, squeezing Logan's hand, but restrained herself from doing it as hard as she knew she could which would result in her breaking her husband's hand.
"Will mommy be okay?" Jess had joined the adults in the kitchen/dining room and was worried about his mother.
"I'm fine sweetie" Max gave her son a reassuring smile, which came out to be more of a grimace.
"Just about don-" Alec began but Max cut him off
"Don't say a damn thing until your ACTALLY done Alec!" Max snapped back like a riled cobra. She bit back other remarks to keep from using any more profanity in front of her three year old.
After a few seconds Alec snipped the end of the thread with scissors. "There, that should hold the wound together while it heals. But since I didn't use real suturing thread you need to check it daily to make sure new skin hasn't grown to the stitches"
"That's disgusting" Max complained, "Just have to make sure that doesn't happen I guess" she paused "Thanks doc" she praised Alec with the fake title. Jondy had thrown the pack of first aid tape on the tabletop and Max uncoiled it from the roll and wrapped it around her arm in an over-and-over fashion.
"Send you the bill later Max" Alec referenced her earlier remark.
"See hun," Max showed Jess the bandage around her arm "It's all good now"
Jess kissed her arm then pulled her head down to his level to kiss the small cuts above her right eyebrow.
Max smiled, "Thanks baby" she returned his gesture, pulling him into her lap. "Guess gettin' some shit knocked out of ya isn't just a 'Seattle thing'"
"Wouldn't be nice if they didn't 'share'" Krit remarked
*****
8:35 PM
"Max have you seen-" Alec halted in his question when he came upon the scene in Jondy's spare room. "Should've at least locked the door," he informed the pair who before he came in were making out atop the covers.
Max pulled apart from her husband, where she had just gotten comfortable straddling his waist on the bed. "Ever heard of knocking?" she complained, not moving from her position.
"Didn't know it was hot and heavy in here Max" Alec stated
"What do you want?" Logan spoke out annoyed that he got interrupted. He sat up from his lying position
"Forgive for interrupting 'Love Fest 2021' Logan. Was looking for Jondy, she said she was gonna give me stats to that bar so I can get a little drink action going, maybe meet some women-"
"Is that all you think about?" Logan interrupted, sighing as he spoke this, not hiding the fact that Alec's timing basically sucked.
"Mostly yeah," Alec told him straight out, adjusting the collar on his leather jacket "Nothing wrong with meeting some hot looking chick, have a few drinks, maybe go back to her place, knock it up"
"See," Max told her husband "He doesn't JUST think about women, he goes deeper with meaningless sex-"
"Don't see a problem there Maxie" Alec interrupted "Not like Manticore shot off the best part of me, nothing wrong with livin' it up-"
"Jondy's over at Zack's" Max answered his question before he could go any further with his visual on the 'perfect night'
"Great. Then I'm gone" Alec headed out the door, but stopped in the doorway for a second "Not to downgrade you guys gettin' down on the domestic front, but Frisco's a great night city, take breaks once in a while" he patted the door frame twice with his hand and disappeared.
Max turned towards Logan after Alec left "He's got a point"
"Yeah" Logan remarked, rubbing her left arm "But unfortunately it doesn't result in us 'getting down on the domestic front' anytime soon" he borrowed Alec's phrase for sex.
"If we go club hoppin' with Alec," Max began "All that noise-"
"And those shitty men who'd be on you-" Logan stated
"Yeah but who CAN'T have me" she reminded, drawing her face closer to his "Might be fun to see how Frisco gets down before we do"
"Think it might be fun?" Logan questioned with a raised eyebrow
"I do" Max answered "Told Cindy I'd scope out places with her tonight" she paused "Tinga's already leavin' Case with Jondy's guy's grandmother-"
"Grandmother? You make it sound like we're family to these people. We don't even know her"
"Jondy's checked her out," Max informed "She's coo'"
"She's looked at her minimal knife selection and 'I have nothing to hide' phrases on samplers and figured this out?" Logan asked
"No I mean she's HAD her checked out. Did a background check with Zane's equipment. She's clean. Sixty years old, raised three kids on her own. Most outstanding thing about her is that she ran a ten k last spring to fight breast cancer"
"Can't believe she had her status checked" Logan said in disbelief.
"Hey I'm not leaving my babies with some psycho woman, just maternal instinct"
"With background checks" Logan finished "So I'm assuming then that the infamous Erik is doing something tonight too?"
"Goin' out with Jondy and us" Max answered "Thinks he's got the hots for my sista"
"Looks that way" Logan agreed, "So after we do this club thing" his voice became lower "Walls are kind of thin here-"
"Jondy doesn't sleep anyway" Max returned with a smile
*****
RIO'S BAR
23RD ST
SAN FRANCISCO
9:20 PM
"Place isn't bad" Cindy remarked, eating the marchino cherry in her black margarita "Not all snooty or over crowded. Just the right size" she paused for a moment "Kinda like that fine lookin' sista over there" she gave a nodd over to a tall brunette woman with hair about as long as Max's, dressed in a halter-cut scarlet mini dress with thigh high black boots. "Think this girl's gonna leave her heart in San Franciso" she made a noise of appreciation in the back of her throat.
"Find something worthwile, you should go for it" Max spoke up beside her.
"Don't even know if she kicks it my way boo" Cindy told her
"Never gonna find out unless you ask" Max responded to her friend.
"Yeah give it a shot," Alec agreed, leaning back into his chair, the one that was across the table from Cindy's. "No sense in being afraid"
"Boy I ain't afraid" Cindy snapped back "Aiight, I'll do it. If it turns-"
"Be her loss" Max finished
"Glad someone's night is hookin' up right" Alec said after Cindy left.
"Still haven't found your plaything?" Max questioned.
"Make it sound like I'm out for hire Max" Alec complained, "Not like I'll screw the first thing on two legs" he drank from his beer mug. He looked over to where Jondy was sitting in the booth across from the table with Erik. "Story with them?"
Max turned to where he was looking "Apparently he likes her" she stated the obvious.
"Deep Maxie" Krit told her "You were wasted at Manticore"
From across the bar Cindy was scorin' up points with the woman she had met.
"So what's a fine suga like you doin' here alone?" Cindy asked, leaning against the bar.
The woman smiled at her "Just out for some fun my sista" she smiled at her "Found some too"
The mood was broken when Alec emerged beside Cindy "Get a refill" Alec notified the bartender, sliding the empty pitcher across the wooden surface. "Ladies" he addressed the two women beside him, briefly glancing at them
Cindy rolled her eyes slightly at Alec trying to move in on her territory.
The woman beside Cindy watched Alec at the bar "Been a while" she addressed Alec, who turned to look at her in confusion
"Do I know you?" Alec asked to the woman hitting on him, the fine assed woman, but Cindy looked pissed that he was messing up her chances.
"Hey!" Max had left the table, stepping towards Alec "How long does it take to fill one pitcher?"
The woman shook her head at Alec's question "Just been a WHILE-" she licked her lips, not hiding the fact that she was bi-sexual.
"Yeah okay" Alec told her "Sorry, but I'm kinda in-between women right now, so-" he picked up the refilled pitcher "Thanks for stoppin' out" he ignored Max's look and headed back to the table.
"His girl's cute" the woman spoke out after Alec left, giving a nod up to Max.
"Max? No boo-" Cindy started to set her straight "They ain't together. See that hot boy with the glasses over there?" she pointed out Logan "That's my suga's man"
"Serious?" the woman looked over the crowd "Can't be true, they look so good together, that just doesn't happen anymore"
"You should see their kids boo" Cindy pointed out "They made some nice lookin' babies"
*****
PHIONEX APARTMENTS
APT #12
Erik's grandmother Mrs. Stedson, tucked one of her afghans around the little girl sleeping on her sofa. /Such a sweet child/ she flipped off the lamp on the end table, so it wouldn't bother her. Little Alexis had fallen asleep almost an hour ago, but the two boys were practically wide-awake. They weren't really causing any trouble; they just showed no signs of falling asleep.
The TV in front of her couch displayed the evening news. Mrs. Stedson, turned it down slightly so it wouldn't awaken the little girl.
"You two aren't tired yet?" she asked of the boys sitting on the floor in the bedroom, watching a cartoon movie that she had managed to scrounge up from the collection she kept when Erik was a child.
Jesse shook his head, "Movie's good Mrs. Stedson"
"Thank you sweetie, this was my grandson's favorite" she was amazed at how bright and clear the three year old talked. /They must read to him a lot/ "I'll be right out here dears if you want me okay?"
Both Jess and Case nodded. Mrs. Stedson closed the door.
A knock at her front door was heard, just as she was entering her living room. She was about to answer it, when Lexi woke up crying.
"What's the matter sweetie?" she picked up the little girl, resting her on her hip. She wiped off her tears with her hand "It's okay darling" the knock on the door grew more impatient.
"Coming!" the elderly woman called out /Damn sales people. Can't come by at sane hours/ She was old, but her mind was incredibly sharp and witty. "Come on little one, we'll go fend off the wolves"
She opened the door to a middle aged man with dark hair. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to bother you ma'am. I'm on my way to a meeting, and my car broke down about half a mile away. Cell's not working either" he paused "Probably sounds like a load of crap huh?"
"Not really" she responded, "My phone's back there if you want to use it" she pointed out her phone on an oak end table.
The man smiled "Thank you" he looked at the baby in her arms "She's cute. Is she your grandchild?"
She laughed "No son. My grandchildren are all grown. I married young. I'm babysitting her."
After they exchanged a few pleasantries, the stranger went to use the phone.
It turned out that Alexis had just missed her mother, and after Mrs. Stedson had told her that Max would be back shortly she set the girl back down on the couch to finish her nap.
The man finally finished his call, stopping in front of Lexi. He touched her neck with one leather glove, inserting something in her neck that Mrs. Stedson didn't see. "Hope my kids are as cute as her" he addressed the older woman "Thanks again for the phone"
"Your welcome dear" she told him, offering him a smile before he left.
*****
The men headed down the stairs, meeting a Black Ford Escort in the parking lot.
"It's been taken care of Sir" he informed the driver of the car.
White turned to look at him "How long until it takes effect?"
"Half an hour Sir." the man responded "It'll enter her bloodstream fast since she is small. After initial infection it'll be less then a day without the antidote."
White actually smiled at this.
"Do you think 452 will comply with our demands Sir?" White's fellow agent asked.
"452 may be a bitchy woman about a lot of things, but she won't sacrifice the life of her child. Mothers are strange that way."
"If you say so Sir"
*****
HALF AN HOUR LATER
Mrs. Stedson sat down next to Lexi to put the covers back on her that the child had kicked off. The girl's face was flushed in her sleep.
She touched the child "My God" the one year old was burning up. She went to retrieve a cloth. She wiped down Lexi's face with the cool cloth.
The girl awoke at the sensation "Momma?"
"Shh little one, your mommy's not home yet." she wiped her down some more. Something caught her eye on the back of the girl's neck. "Jesus Christ"
There were large, puffy, lines going vertical down the back of her neck. Each one swelled beside the other, some leaking out a weepy liquid. They created an odd pattern. Alarmed by this Mrs. Stedson, picked up the little girl. An ambulance would take too long, so she decided to drive to the nearest hospital herself.
She packed up the little boys. Case took one look at his cousin and said aloud "That's what I had"
Mrs. Stedson, didn't pay much attention to this, wanting to get Alexis to a doctor ASAP.
Once in her Acura, she picked up the car phone she was thankful her daughter talked her into installing and dialed Max's cell.
*****
RIO'S
"Yeah?" Max answered her phone when it rang.
"There's something wrong with the baby Mrs. Cale" Mrs. Stedson's voice was panicky.
"What do you mean?" Max's voice took on a tone of worry.
"I checked on her about an hour ago, and she was burning up with a fever, 101, and she has some sort of sores on the back of her neck. I'm on my way to the hospital with her"
"What do the sores look like?" Max's proclamation caught the attention of Logan and Alec.
"Like lines, that's the closet comparison. Some of them larger then others-"
"I'm on my way right now" Max broke in "What hospital are you taking her to?"
"What's wrong?" Logan became worried at Max's use of the word "hospital"
"It's called Mercy General. On 15th street, just after the exit to Golden Gate park"
"Take care of her until we get there" it wasn't a request.
"Lexi's sick" Max told her family. Erik's grandma said she has a high fever, and sores on the back of her neck. Described them looking like a barcode" she didn't try to hide the panic in her voice.
*****
MERCY GENERAL
ER
"My baby was brought here," Max informed the ER receptionist "She's one year old names Alexis Cale"
"What for?" the woman asked, "there are a lot of babies around here"
"I don't have a fucking clue!" Max pounded on the circular desk with rage "That's why you're here, so why don't you do your damn job!"
"Cale?" the receptionist tried to hide the aftershock of what Max said to her, "Dr. Hest is seeing her. Exam room four"
Max didn't say anything else to the woman, and hurried to find her daughter.
****
EXAM ROOM FOUR
Dr. Hest looked up from the chart at the sound of the door opening. "You the parents?" he asked the couple entering, a very beautiful young woman, and tall, light brown haired man with deep blue eyes. /I see where this little girl gets her eyes/
"Yeah" Logan was the one to answer as Max made a b-line for Alexis lying on the bed.
"Hey sweetie" she stroked her head, and kissed her, feeling the heat coming off her. The big, adult size hospital bed made her look so small. She opened her eyes a little at the contact, but not completely, and soon they drifted shut again.
"We've haven't be able to reduce her temp-" Dr. Hest notified "But it's stabilized for now."
"What about her neck?" Logan asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I've treated the abrasions and bandaged them, also I took a small tissue sample-" he paused when he saw Max shooting him a death glare because he hurt her baby. "We used anesthesia so we could run tests without hurting her. Ran the sample down for a culture so I can determine how she got the marks. But right now I'm more concerned that we can't reduce her temp. High fevers are particularly damaging to small children. We'll wait it out, keep giving her fluids to keep her hydrated."
"Can we be alone with her?" Max asked, still sitting on the bed
"Of course" the doctor agreed, handing her a card "That's my beeper number. Page me if anything changes, or you have any other questions" They both had the look Hest had seen hundreds of times before, the look of fear and uncertainty as their child lay sick before them.
After he left, Max picked up Lexi, who cried a little "Shh it's okay sweetie, mommy's right here" she quieted after she heard this. "Check her neck" she addressed Logan, who moved to sit beside her on the bed.
Carefully he pealed the sterile bandage that had been placed over the marks. The lines were no longer swollen; they were now black and straight edged at the bottom, the clear imprint of a barcode. "They formed into a barcode," Logan told her solemnly. "Like with Case"
"There's gotta be an antidote then" Max stated, wiping the sweat off Lexi's brow with her hand
"But where do we find it?" Logan touched his daughter's back "As far as I know Deck had the only one-"
"Someone else has to have some Logan" Max sounded like she was trying to convince herself of what she was saying. She rocked her sick child in her arms.
Her cell rang inside her coat pocket. She reluctantly handed Lexi to Logan before moving off the bed to answer the call.
"Yeah?"
"How is she 452?" White's voice was on the other line
"You son-of-a-bitch, what did you do to her?" Max's voice jumped from normal to pissed off in two seconds.
Logan looked up at what Max said, watching her pacing come to a stand still.
"Merely making a business proposition 452"
"What the hell is that?" Max stepped outside the room, where her family had gathered.
"You know the last time I had the pleasure of your company you eluded me, did the same today, when I found out you escaped that blast downtown"
"Your accommodations sucked White" Max spoke his name to let them know who she was conversing with. "No mints on the dead rat pillows so I didn't leave a tip. Now I wanna know what you did to my daughter"
"Something that can be eradicated if we strike a deal 452."
"I don't deal with the devil" Max shot back with venom
"That might change 452 after I inform you that if your daughter doesn't receive the antidote in 25 hours in counting, she'll become one with the earth."
"You rat bastard!" Max shouted into the phone, making several people stop and stare at her "If she dies from this I'm gonna rip your slimy ass apart and feed you to those snakes your sicko cult keeps lying around!"
"So we have a deal?"
Max sighed in the back of her throat, but it really came out as more of a growl "What is it?"
"125 Golden Gate Rd. Be there in an hour, bring only one other, I'll make the transaction, the antidote for you. Meet these terms exactly 452. You double cross me, she's as good as dead." the line cut off.
"What's he want Maxie?" Krit asked after Max disconnected the call
"Me" Max told him "Said if I don't show up in an hour, she dies. He infected her with the same crap Deck gave Case"
"She has a barcode?" Tinga spoke in hushed tones not wanting to draw more attention to them they already had. She got her answer at the look on Max's face.
"I'm assuming you want to screw White's plan huh Max?" Alec asked in more of a statement then a question "Unless you really think after he 'gets' you he won't just blow you away"
"I have to go thorough with it Alec" Max informed, "There's no other way to save her"
"He's gonna kill you Max." Alec went on "Ya know that's what he wants. Probably will just offer you the stuff, then shoot us down before anyone gets it. Called black mail."
"What the hell are you talkin' bout 'us'?" Max snapped back
"He wants one other there right?" Alec clarified "To get the drug back here. He sure as hell won't let you leave with it."
"So you volunteered?" Max's voice was edgy, her brain processing a mile a minute to think of a plan. "Fine then, we do this together. But that's my baby's life in the balance Alec, DO NOT mess it up"
"So what's the plan?" Jondy asked
"White's group is strong" Zack stated, "Two X5's are no match for them. "I say we tail"
"Gotta be a vehical White doesn't know" Syl spoke out
"My Hummer's out then" Zane stated "He'd recognize it"
"What about my Tracker?" Tinga volunteered, "It's big enough to carry some of Zane's arsenal. Max's dog too, she's an attack dog, might come in handy."
"What about communication?" Zane brought out
"That's easy" Alec threw out "Logan could rig something up here."
"I'll drive" Jondy notified "I know Frisco better then any of you. If I try to get there early, I can scope out the place beforehand. "I say it's me, Zack, Krit and Tinga. Zane and Syl should stay behind with Logan to make sure White's not gonna black mail us"
Max looked at her watch "We meet up again in 10 minutes"
*****
20 MINUTES LATER
"You getting this?" Logan spoke into his mic, sitting in the guest chair in Lexi's room. He went silent as a nurse hung another bag of fluid by his daughter's bedside. The young woman offered him a look of sympathy, and the confidence that the baby would be fine before leaving to attend other patients.
"You're fine" Max called back to him, driving her rented bike through downtown "Alec?"
"Loud and clear Max" Alec was in his car, driving beside her.
"It's ten miles till the turn sis" Jondy gave her directions via her own mic connection. "After it's straight driving for about fifteen minutes"
Max followed her directions silently, her thoughts always on her daughter.
"She'll be okay" Alec reassured through the mic "You gotta keep your head in the game Max. I know your worried about her, but don't let that mess up your judgment"
"I'll keep that in mind" Max informed, weaving in and out of the traffic. "She doin' okay Logan?"
"As good as she can be" Logan answered honestly, watching the liquid from the IV bag drip into his little girl's arm. "She hasn't gotten any worse" he tried to maintain a calm voice.
"She won't" Max informed matter-of-fact. "She's gonna make it baby, she's a fighter."
"Like her mother" Logan offered his wife. "Be careful Max" he voice had taken on the familiar tone it always did when he was worried about her "I want both my girls in one piece"
*****
MERCY CAFETERIA
Cindy and Asha had volunteered to take the two boys down to the hospital cafeteria; both needed a distraction. Cindy needed something to do instead of watching her pseudo-niece suffer, and Asha had to something to keep her mind off what could go wrong when Zack and the others encountered White.
They ordered, and sat in a both with the kids.
Asha screwed up her face at the so-called coffee "Government should approve this as a lethal weapon"
"Original Cindy agrees girl" Cindy pushed aside the Styrofoam cup, watching a few people pass by.
"Wonder if any of them knows that upstairs is a little girl dying by people who used her to insure they capture the transgenics they created, but would rather kill then live up to that fact." Asha watched the gaggle of people pass by.
"Don't think they wanna know boo," Cindy said straight up "Peeps in the big scope are stupid. Guarantee they won't care if my baby boo dies cause they'd be too busy bein' afraid"
"Why are they afraid of us?" it was Case who asked the question.
Cindy sighed, not really knowing how to answer, "People are just scared of stupid things baby boy. They think your moms and your auntie are bad because of where they came from. They can't see that their good women."
"Is Lexi gonna die?" Jess asked a hard question "Mommy and daddy are really scared"
Asha ruffled his hair from her seat beside him "They just worry about her. But things will be okay hun, you have to believe that."
"You too boo" Cindy directed this at Asha "Your boy was trained to be supah bad. He can handle himself"
Asha shrugged at getting caught "Gotta work on that transparency thing. Never thought I'd fall this hard"
Cindy smiled at this "Max said the same thing"
"Guess there's something to look forward to" Asha returned.
*****
125 GOLDEN GATE RD
10:05 PM
The location White told Max to come turned out to be an abandoned hanger, aged and pealing from the wind and weather. There was an airstrip in front of it, and it was empty save for two twin engine white bi-planes parked along its length. Directly behind it there was almost a picturesque view of the Golden Gate bridge.
This made a very ironic statement in Max's mind, given what she was here for. "Guys I'm at the drop off point"
"Copy that baby sister" Tinga stated "We're pulling back, be behind the level of trees west north west of the hanger." There was barking in the background "Kaja wants to get this show on the road"
"Let's not disappoint her then" Max cut off the engine to her bike
"Don't forget to ditch your hardware baby" Logan told her
"I'm on it" Max pulled the receiving device out of her ear, but the held the mic up to her mouth again "It's go time"
"We're lying in wait little sister" Krit told her, loading one of Zane's AK-47's "Just give the signal"
"Keep your head above water Maxie" that was Zack "Don't get dragged into his game."
"You can do this Max" this voice belonged to Logan "And hurry. I got a feeling White may be lying with the timeframe. Lexi's temperature spiked about ten minutes ago, they had to ice her down"
Max's heart stopped "She's not-" she didn't dare say the word she was shit afraid of saying
"No" Logan reassured "But I don't know how much longer she can hold out" Lexi's forehead under his hand felt more like an oven then a person's skin. "She's just so weak" he touched her little hand, wising she would open her eyes.
Now Max's heart was in her throat "I'll get it in time" this go around her voice wasn't as strong as it was before. "Tell her I love her kay?"
"I'm on it." Logan responded "and I love you"
"Me too" Max kissed two fingers and brushed them against the microphone.
Alec appeared beside Max "Get this bitch started" he paused after he got no answer "Max?"
Max ran both hands through her long hair in a jerky manner, growling low in her throat, tears evident on her face. "Yeah, just hang on a sec" she swiped at her eyes angrily
"It's okay." Alec touched her shoulder
"No it's not" Max whipped her head to face him, answering in all honesty. "C'mon got nuts to crack"
"S'what I'm talkin' about" Alec agreed following her.
The front entrance of the hanger had a large sliding aluminum door. The padlock had already been removed from it and the door itself was halfway open revealing a small amount of light from inside the hanger.
Max and Alec passed through the door, hearing the creaking of the hanger as it protested from years of neglect. The place was dimly lit from hanging florescent lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling. There was a second story above the first accessed by three winding metal stairways.
One of the lights sparked as a round from a gun was fired "So glad you could make it 452" White appeared out of the shadows, his hand locked around his silver Sig Sauer.
"I'm not in the practice of letting my children die," Max spat back approaching the man as he approached her.
Both X5's stopped about three feet away from White. Neither of them actually trusted him to completely honor their deal.
"Such a diligent mother 452-"
"And I'm impatient you son-of-a-bitch" Max growled, "Do you have it?"
White pulled a long silver object from his trench coat pocket, which Max recognized immediately as the thing Deck had given her to use on Case. "I honor my part 452-"
"Not true White" Alec informed, "You lied about how much time this little shit takes to kill people."
"That wasn't part of the deal 494" White told him
"Then get on with the fuckin' deal" Max spat "Slide it over"
"Remember the exchange 452-"
"Not until I get what I want" Max spat back
White slid the device at Alec's feet. He picked it up and tucked it away.
"Sorry White" Max returned after Alec safely had the antidote "But the deals off"
"Doesn't hurt me 452" he pulled out two handguns, aiming them at her and Alec "I wasn't going to honor it anyway"
"I just won the bet," Alec announced.
"And I'm going to win another 494" he broke off to look at his watch "There's exactly three hours left before 452 has to bury her daughter. When I said twenty-six hours, I lied," he took aim on Max "Going to be hard for your husband to loose a wife and a daughter all in one night-"
Max grabbed the gun from him before he could fire "That's why I'm not letting it happen" she flipped him on his back.
He came back up a few seconds later, just like she knew he would, leaping in the air and kicking her to the floor. "When are you going to realize that I can kick your Manticore ass anytime soldier" he put his knee on Max's chest, right on top of her sternum. "Shoulda never hired that kid to do my work." the gun was in her face "Killing you myself is so much more rewarding. Heard you dislike guns 452, not a good trait for a super warrior-"
Max threw him off her, and before White could get up Alec pinned him down, aiming a gun in his face "To bad I don't have a problem with it"
"Not really" White flipped him off in one motion. Alec tried to catch himself, but still wound up on his back. He flipped back up on his feet again.
Tinga, who was behind the closed side of the door, silently gave the signal for Kaja to attack. The German Shepard bared her teeth and took off in a run, leaping right on top of White.
White fought with the dog for a few seconds, before throwing her to the ground. She leapt at him again, going for his throat, but White fired at the last minute.
Kaja whined where she fell, blood coming out of the wound on her side. "Fun times over soldiers" he fired the guns at them.
Krit and Jondy ducked behind the building before firing back.
"This guys more annoying the Deck" Jondy said to Krit in-between shooting at White with an AK-47
"I know" Krit agreed, "Deck was easier to beat" he shot again, finally finding a target in White's leg.
White fell, stunned, but this injury wouldn't slow him down much. "You only have two hours and fifty minutes 452-"
"Shut up!" Max grabbed a long padlock chain and wrapped it around White and secured it to a pole "Now you sit tight like a good little asshole"
Alec backed away from White slowly, keeping the gun locked on him. Behind him, Tinga picked up the dog carrying her out.
Zack sild open the Tracker's passenger door when he saw his sister approaching "Anyone hurt?"
"One" Tinga set the dog on the floor of the tracker. She looked at the wound, shining a flashlight on it. "Just a nick, White's aim was off" she put some paper towels on top of the blood matted fur "She'll be okay"
"Give it to me" Max demanded, grabbing the antidote from Alec "I can get it there faster" she stuffed it into her jacket, jumping on her bike and speed off into the night
*****
MERCY
2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES LEFT
PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)
Logan came back into Lexi's room. He had been forced out by a team of doctors after Lexi had stopped breathing on her own.
A nurse was checking the oxygen levels flowing into the girl via the respirator. Dr. Hest had her moved into PICU after her breathing became weakened. Lexi was now connected to various tubes and IV's to fight the ravaging infection.
Logan touched her through the metal slits of the hospital crib, watching the clock. There were only two hours left, and Max still hadn't come back yet, nor had she contacted him. /Is she okay? Did White get to her?/ He looked at their daughter "You have to hold on princess. I know you can do it, don't give up on me now." In another ten minutes the nurse would ask him to leave. PICU had visitations in 30-minute intervals and his was almost up.
Rain slapped against the outside window. Logan glanced outside the glass doors seeing Zane and Syl at their posts, watching the halls. Zane kept one hand under his jacket, fingering the revolver tucked inside.
*****
Max spit water from another puddle out of her mouth. The drizzle that had started had turned into a downpour, shorting out her mic, so she couldn't let Logan know she was on the way. She looked down at her watch, wiping off the face to see the glowing hands. "Dammit" She was running out of time. She gunned the engine, going faster, but the front wheel suddenly caught on a piece of scrap metal in the road, unbalancing the bike, and throwing her off and into the road.
Tires squelched, as cars came to a halt to avoid hitting the downed woman.
"Max!" Alec was the first one to reach her, having to shout to be heard above the rain.
"There's a hole in the tire!" Max shouted, feeling the bike's tire with her hand, a slit had been made where the metal met rubber. She felt inside her jacket, finding the antidote still intact. "Can't run like this"
"Ride with me," Alec stated, rain dripping off his hair.
"I can't leave the bike in the middle of the road!" Max called out "Help me move it over"
Alec came around to the other side of the Ninja "One, two, three-" he lifted up the back end while Max had the front. They dropped the bike on the side of the road and climbed into Alec's car.
"Gun it!" Max barked
*****
White had ripped free of his bonds, and now was on his cell phone "There's a situation. Where's the girl?"
"Moved up to ICU Sir," the agent responded. "She won't survive much longer"
"See to that" White ordered
*****
1 HOUR AND 52 MINTUES LEFT
"Syl" Zane whispered beside her, "That guy, ten o' clock" he nodded to a tall man wearing a black trench coat, one who didn't look like he was here to visit a critically ill child.
"I got it" Syl responded, approaching the man "Hey ass, catch" she punched him in the gut, kicking him to the ground when he doubled over.
The man made a reach for his gun. Zane cocked his 47 in his face "Hands down shit. Make a move, I'll castrate you"
Syl grabbed his gun "Why don't you tell us what you're here for? Don't look like your hiding a worried wife and sick baby behind that shit ass g-man suit" she waited all of two seconds before talking again "Know what? Forget it" she punched him in the face, knocking him out "Wouldn't liked what you had to say"
*****
1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES LEFT
Alec's convertible screeched into the covered area by the hospital doors. Max raced out of the car and up to Lexi's room. The room was empty except for a nurse making up the bed.
"Where's the little girl who was in here?" her heart was beating out a conga against her ribcage /God no, please/
"Poor thing was taken up to the Peds ICU-"
Max didn't hear the rest because she was running to fast
******
PICU
10TH FLOOR
"Excuse me can I help you?" the receptionist asked, becoming suspicious at seeing Max enter soaking wet and mud caked in her clothes.
Max ignored her moving right passed her desk.
"Hey where are you going?" the woman chased after her.
Max went up and down every hall, looking, finally finding her at the in one of the last ones she checked.
She took in all the tubes and wires that she saw.
Logan stood up when he heard her enter "Max, are you okay?"
"I've got it" Max didn't answer his question. She fished out the metal piece from her jacket, at the same time looking at her watch "There's not much time"
Logan rolled their daughter on her side, exposing the back of her neck
"Back off the kid-" the alarmed receptionist had notified security.
Four guns cocked simultaneously from Zack, Krit, Syl and Alec
"You back off" Zack hissed.
Max passed the device over the back of Lexi's neck; it clicked and whirred for a few seconds. The barcode started to fade "C'mon baby" Max encouraged.
The mark faded completely soon, but Lexi still didn't wake up. "C'mon baby, you can do this" one tear splashed on Lexi's arm. "Please" she made this remark glancing at the ceiling, praying to Blue Lady.
Still nothing, then, a small noise in her throat, followed by half gasping noises as she fought against the machine.
Max removed the tube, having learned how to do it at Manticore. As soon as the long plastic piece was out of her mouth Lexi burst into a loud choking cry.
It was the most beautiful sound that either of them heard in a long time. "It's okay" Max picked her up, holding her tightly "You're okay sweeite" she couldn't fight back her own tears from all the emotions she was feeling.
Logan hugged them both, kissing Lexi first then Max.
The storm outside continued to rage.
*****
THE NEXT NIGHT
The large bon fire glowed brightly on the beach. Syl threw a piece of wood into the flames to keep them strong. The rain from yesterday had passed, and tonight stars peaked out of the clouds.
"That's the big dipper" Max pointed up in the sky, showing her kids the constellations. Lexi smiled in her lap, looking where her mother pointed. She had recovered completely from her ordeal, and the doctors couldn't see any reason to keep her so she was released.
Logan and Max had done a small sting on the hospital and removed the tissue samples Hest had taken from the labs.
"Stars look different here," Cindy said beside her "Guess cause Seattle's so drizzly most of the time." she looked at her boo "Finally feels like a vacation now huh?"
Max nodded, pulling Lexi closer to her. She glanced up, watching Logan toss a stick in the water and Kaja sprang to get it. She didn't seem to mind the water in her wound and quickly dragged the stick up to Logan again. The second time he threw it Millie got in on the act, chasing the stick down the beach with the other dog.
"Be back girl" Max lifted her daughter in her arms "Let's go meet up with daddy"
"Hey" she called out to him as she approached.
Logan turned "Don't just stand there ladies, take those shoes off and come here"
Max smiled at his words, remembering the last time he said that. She took off her black boots and removed Lexi's shoes, setting them aside before joining Logan on the sand.
"Feels nice huh?" Logan knelt next to the baby
"Cold" Lexi smiled squishing her toes in it.
He kissed her, and stood back up. "Let's for a walk"
They took their time, walking down the long strip of beach, jumping out of the way when Krit and Zane picked up Jondy by her hands and feet and threw her into the water.
Jondy came out of the waves soaking wet.
"Got some wet T-shirt action now!" Zane spoke, ducking when Jondy threw a stick at him.
She flipped Krit on his back and shoved sand in his face.
"Don't forget his pants" Zack called out from where he and Asha were sitting on the hood of her Cherokee.
Jondy shoved a clump of dirt by the fly in Krit's jeans.
"I just got very turned on" he wagged his eyebrows at his sister
"Cat-man your sick" Jondy returned, wringing her long brown hair right over his head.
Max laughed at the sight of her siblings. "Jondy, you never grow up"
"Life's a game Maxie" Jondy informed, climbing off Krit "and I'm wining" she smiled at her niece "Hey baby girl, you see me make that tackle?" she touched Lexi's nose with her finger "Uncle Krit got his assets kicked"
"No Uncle Krit did not" Krit defended, flipping back up, and unzipping his jeans to clean out the sand.
"Yeah Uncle Krit did Lexi" Zack called out to his niece "We all know how he lies"
"You guys normally going around referring to yourselves in the third person?" Asha asked beside him
"We're not normal" Zack pointed out "So it's allowable"
Asha climbed down off her car, and stood in the sand facing Zack "Is it allowable for me to make out with you on a beach at night? Kinda a regular activity-"
"Cheesy also" Zack threw out, but at the look she gave him he added "But so long as there's no sappy music blasting in the backround or overly bright sunsets, what the hell" he pulled forward and kissed her squarely on the mouth, feeling her wrap both arms around his neck.
"Whoo!" Zane cat-called "Bring it baby"
"Some night huh?" Alec sat down in the sand next to Cindy.
"Defiantly" Cindy agreed, "Wonder if Normal bought any of that lying crap you told him"
"Probably not" Alec said with a smile. He watched Max holding both of Lexi's hands and walking beside her in the sand. "Wasn't chicken pox. Wonder if he'd believe that a secret government bad ass infected Max's daughter with a toxin in order to lure her into a trap so he could kill her because she was one of the transgenics he was assigned to take down, so she had to turn herself in to save her kid from dying" he said this all in one breath, and looked at Cindy
"Not a chance in hell huh?"
"Original Cindy stands a better chance with getting down and dirty wid you right here in the sand"
Alec shot her a coy look "Really?"
Cindy hit him "Boy don't start" she threw a twig into the fire
"Joking, relax" Alec defended "So what made you go over to the all girls camp? Cause lets face it you got it going on, and your depriving the other half of your species"
"Just preference Alec" Cindy returned, "Appreciate the props and all, but ain't no goin' back after the time I had with my girls"
"You and Max ever try anything?"
Cindy looked at him with a 'say what?' gaze "My boo is straight Alec. Great body, great style but we don't swing that way. She's just my girl."
"Talkin' bout me?" Max appeared with Logan and Lexi in her arms
"You know it boo," Cindy said as Max took a seat in the sand.
Max stroked her daughter's hair. Lexi yawned and snuggled into Max's lap. Jess and Case were still out with Tinga and Syl walking the beach.
"There's Orion" Max pointed in the sky at the constellation visible in it's depth, and when she saw Zack and Asha approaching the bon fire she added "First thing you ever showed me on the tower"
Zack stopped walking and looked into the sky. "Kept me up there all night Maxie, got zero sleep"
Max shrugged "I never needed it so I didn't think of it" she looked at the sky again "Think Ben's up there with the Lady?" she asked this, effectively changing the topic.
Syl went quiet "Yeah, remember he said everyone goes there, except the nomalies. Bet Eva's up there too"
Zack sighed a heavy sigh at the mention of his dead sister's name. He felt responsible for her fate because he was the one who lead the escape.
"There's a lot to be said from stars" Logan draped an arm around his wife "Just glad she's didn't go to meet them tonight" he looked at Lexi now peacefully asleep before offering Max a kiss.
"Some vacation" Max shifted to face him
"It's not over yet" he reassured, pulling her and their daughter closer.
*****
(FADE TO BLACK)
*****
END
This took a while to finish because as I was writing I realized I had NO real plot, and since I hate that I had to think of a decent one. Couldn't just have them go on vacation and have everything be all fine and good. Dark Angel normal? *blowing it off*
About Alec's car, I know in the last eps of season two he was riding a bike, but I LIKED that car he had, sweet little cherry red thing, so I put it in here.
I couldn't remember what shape that device for Case's antidote was in 'Hit a Sista Back' I thought it looked like a sliver rod, but then I remembered that when Max held it up to Case it was some sort of box, so I just called it the 'device' in here.
Got plenty of ideas for the next installments, so I'll keep rolling them out. R/R on this please and thanks for reading.
