Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Dark Angel, I only own Alex.
Spoilers: Minor ones for all up to 'Hit A Sista Back'. And let's pretend that Max's transfusion cured Logan with no side effects, ok? Also, nothing after HASB happened :-)
Author's Note: It's been 2 months since I started this story! I can't believe it's been that long already!
Thanks to Courtney, Ashley, *dying from the cliffhanger*, Silverstar1013, a reader, AJQuest, Darkangel and goldapple57 for reviewing! (Everyone else: Where have you been?!)
* * * *
" CINDY!" Alex called out as she and Zach walked into Jam Pony.
" She's out on a run, which is what you should be doing right now, Missy!" Normal snapped at her.
" What crawled up your ass and died?" Alex asked, " When's Cindy going to be back?"
" I don't know. Take this package and get out of my sight."
" Gladly," Alex said, walking away without taking the package.
" Hey! I said to take this package! Can't you people follow one simple instruction accurately?"
" You gave out 2 instructions, I followed the most recent one, which was 'get out of my sight'," Alex said as she walked away with Zach.
Normal, finally noticing Zach, said, " Well, well, well, look who it is. You know Sam, I thought I could expect more from you, but you just turned out just like the rest of those bums."
" Bite me," Zach said, rolling his eyes and walking out the door with Alex.
They waited outside for Cindy and when she finally came, Cindy squealed with delight, " Alex! Have you been to my boo's yet? Did she and Moneybags finally get it on?"
Alex grinned, " Yup. This morning and last night too, I think."
" Oh, Original Cindy is so happy!" Cindy exclaimed. She noticed Zach and said, " What are you still doing here? As if you contaminating Original Cindy's couch isn't enough."
" I'm here to get Max and Alex out of Seattle," Zach said through gritted teeth.
Cindy's mouth dropped open, " What? Alex, you're leaving?"
Alex nodded, " I'm sorry Cindy," she said, leading Cindy to a quiet corner, where they won't be heard, " But Lydecker's closing in on us," Alex whispered, " we have to get out of here."
" But… Max and Logan… you and Brandon…?"
" With any luck, Max and Logan will break up," Zach grumbled.
Alex picked up on what he said and threw him against the wall by his neck again, " Zach, shut up. What did I say about ruining Max's happiness?" Alex snarled.
" Let me go," Zach said, his voice deathly quiet.
Alex let him drop to the ground and Original Cindy's eyes widened, " Whoa. Sometimes I forget you're the same dealio as Max."
" Thanks," Alex smiled, " You coming by later to see Max?"
Cindy nodded, " Yeah, I'd like to talk to my home girl. I'll come by in an hour or so."
" Great," Alex said, hugging Cindy, " See you later then. Let's go Zach," she said in a stern voice.
Zach followed Alex without a word and when they got into the car, Zach asked, " Where are we going now?"
" I have a friend I'd like to see before we leave," Alex said airily.
* * * *
Logan sat in his car, smiling happily to himself as he looked down at the platinum and diamond ring he just purchased for Max. He gently ran his finger over the engraved writing: 'Max- You are my everything- Love Logan'.
Logan had never loved someone as much as he loved Max; she was the sole reason he got up every day. He had gotten the ring made a week ago, deciding to propose on their anniversary. But the jewelers had phoned and said it wouldn't be possible to get it done until the day after their anniversary, so Logan settled for proposing tonight. He had accidentally let it slip this morning that he wanted to marry her and quickly covered it up by saying he didn't think they were ready to get married yet. It was a pretty good cover up too, since he found out that Max wanted to marry him as much as he wanted to marry her. Now, he just hoped that his proposal would be a complete surprise for her.
" Hope she likes it," Logan murmured to himself and pocketed it.
* * * *
" Go back to Logan's place. I'll come back by myself," Alex said, slamming the driver's seat door shut.
" What are you doing here?" Zach asked, sticking his head out of the window.
" None of your damn business," Alex said, starting to walk into the apartment building, " See you later."
Alex fidgeted nervously on the elevator ride up to Brandon's apartment. What was she going to tell him? //God, this is why I should never ever get a boyfriend again.// Alex frowned to herself.
Alex had met Brandon about 5 months ago, at Crash, and despite her best efforts, she found herself falling head over heels in love. They just clicked so well, like soul mates. But she still hadn't informed anyone, not even Logan and Max, that she had acquired a boyfriend for herself. Only Cindy knew because she had put all the pieces of the puzzle together and figured it out on her own.
**FLASHBACK**
" Hey there. Can I buy you a drink?" Brandon sat down next to Alex next to the bar.
" I don't drink," Alex said, turning back to Original Cindy. " So anyways, Normal was totally bitching at me today just because I took an hour to get to 34th Avenue. I mean, hello? 34th Avenue is like, 10 miles away!"
" How about a dance?" Brandon interrupted Alex's talk with Cindy, " You can't tell me you don't drink or dance when you come to a place like this."
" No," Alex said.
" Oh, come on, one dance isn't gonna kill you."
" Hey, she said no, bitch!" Cindy pitched in to help Alex.
" I didn't ask you to dance, I asked her. So what's your name?" Brandon asked.
" For me to know, you to find out," Alex rolled her eyes, " Cindy, let's roll."
" You got that right boo," Cindy said, putting down her drink.
* * * *
" Hey, are you the person in charge here?" Brandon asked Sketchy.
" Even I'm not a big enough of an idiot to consider being the boss of this shit hole," Sketchy snorted, " Park to that fool," he pointed to Normal.
" Thanks man," Brandon said.
Brandon went up to Normal and said, " Hi. I'm looking for someone by the name of Cindy?"
" Over there," Normal said, pointing in the direction of the lockers.
" Thanks," Brandon said. He saw Alex there and smiled to himself. //Ah, there's the pretty lady!//
" Hey," Brandon said, walking up to Cindy and Alex.
Alex groaned, " Oh God, not you again. What do you want?"
" For starters, your name," Brandon shrugged.
" Are you some psycho stalker or something? How the hell did you find out where I work?"
" Uh, NO I'm not a stalker and you just told me where you worked," Brandon said.
" What are you talking about? How did you find me?"
" Your friend," Brandon said, jabbing a thumb in Cindy's direction, " I saw the logo on her jacket last night and figured out this must be where she worked. And I overheard her name."
" You really are a psycho stalker, bitch," Cindy said, raising an eyebrow at him.
" Hey, all I want to know right now is your name. And maybe lunch," Brandon said hopefully.
" Get bent," Alex rolled her eyes.
" Normal!" Alex called out, " Got a package for me?"
" Well, well, well, it's time you people showed some enthusiasm for work! Here, hot run to 14th Avenue," Normal said, throwing the package at her.
" I don't have any enthusiasm for this lame excuse of a job, I just want to be rid of this idiotic guy," Alex pointed at Brandon, " Get rid of him, will you?"
" You expect me to get rid of someone who makes you get your work done?" Normal scoffed.
Brandon grinned at Normal, " Thanks man."
" You know, you might as well leave now, because I'm never going to go out with you," Alex said, hopping onto her bicycle.
" Well, I'm not leaving until you agree to go out with me," Brandon said, hopping up onto a rail.
" Well, you're going to be sitting there for a very long time," Alex said, riding off.
Brandon had been so stuck on getting a date with her that everyday for a week; he had showed up at Jam Pony in hopes she'd finally agree to go out with him.
Normal was finally getting irritated with Brandon showing up every day and ordered Alex, " Get rid of that guy. He's distracting all the workers."
" Good for him," she said, grabbing another package, " I don't give a shit."
" Yeah, well, you better get rid of him or you'll be looking for a new job."
" Hate to break it to you Normal, but we're all looking for a new job," Alex said, handing in her last signature sheet.
" Consider yourself fired then, Missy, unless you tell that guy to get lost!" Normal exclaimed.
" Relax Normal, don't have a cow! I'll get on it," Alex rolled her eyes.
Alex walked over to Brandon, " Ok, so what's it gonna take for you to get lost?"
Brandon grinned, " A date."
Alex gave an exasperated sigh, " Fine. When?"
" Friday. 8 o'clock."
" I'll meet you at Crash, at the bar. If you're not there by 8 o'clock, SHARP, I'm leaving. You only get one chance with me."
" Fine. So what is your name?"
Alex hesitated at telling him, " Alex."
" Cool name," he grinned.
**END FLASHBACK**
Alex didn't even notice she was now standing in front of Brandon's door. She smiled unconsciously to herself at how shocked she had been that she actually enjoyed herself that evening and it shocked her even more how she wanted to get to know him better.
The door opened and there was Brandon, smiling at her, " I thought I heard someone out there," he said, giving her a hug and a quick kiss, " Come on in."
Alex went in without a word and Brandon asked, " What's wrong? You haven't spoken a word yet. That's so unlike you," he gave a small laugh.
" I have to leave," Alex said quietly, her eyes on the floor.
" What?" Brandon asked, his mug shattering onto the ground.
" I have to leave," Alex repeated, daring herself to look him in the eye.
" Why?" He finally managed to ask.
" I can't explain it," Alex said, " I wish I could, but I can't tell you."
" You've been keeping secrets from me? I thought we told each other everything," he looked crushed.
" Oh sweetie," Alex said, caressing his cheek gently, " I want to tell you so badly, but it'll change your whole view of me and it'll put you in serious danger. I can't do that to you."
" What are you, some runaway from a secret government project?" Brandon said sarcastically.
" Well…" Alex said, getting a bit uncomfortable.
" You're a runaway from a secret government project?" Brandon's mouth dropped open.
Alex took Brandon's hand and led him to the couch, " Swear you're going to guard this secret with your life?"
" I swear," Brandon said.
* * * *
" So that's why I have to leave," Alex said in a quiet voice, " Lydecker's closing in on me."
" Wow," Brandon whistled, " So you're not even human."
Alex visibly tensed and she said stiffly, " Yeah."
" Oh geez, I'm sorry Alex, I didn't mean for it to come out that way," Brandon apologized.
" It's ok. I know it's a lot to take in one day," she said, looking down.
" It is. Wow," he repeated, sinking back against the couch.
" Does this change everything?" Alex asked quietly, a tear descending from her eye, " I understand if it does."
" It does change a lot," Brandon began. Alex bit her lip to prevent crying out loud. " But one thing it doesn't change is my love for you."
Alex looked up in surprise, " Really?"
" Really," Brandon said, " Because the way I see it, you're still the same person I fell in love with, only now I learned more about your past."
" You're not freaked out about having a science-experiment-gone-wrong for a girlfriend?" Alex asked incredulously.
" Hey, are you saying I'm prejudiced?" Brandon objected teasingly.
" Of course not," Alex smiled, " It's just that you don't see… people like me everyday."
" Which makes you even more precious to me," Brandon kissed her forehead. " So is there a number or something that I can contact you at?"
Alex shook her head, " My brother gave me a cell phone, but he's the only one who knows the number. I'll call you."
" Ok. You ever gonna come back?"
" Once things die down, I'm pretty sure I will. But I might not. It depends. My sister and her boyfriend are leaving the country once everything blows over. Seems like the safest thing to do."
" Well, if you decide you want to leave this country, I'm going with you. I'm not letting the best thing that ever happened to me leave."
* * * *
" Max?" Original Cindy called out as she stepped into Max and Logan's apartment. Normal had let her off of work early only because she said she was having her period; every man's nightmare, especially Normal's.
" Cindy?" Max asked, stepping into the foyer.
" Hey boo," Cindy said, putting her bag down.
" What are you doing here?"
" Oh, you got some nerve asking what I'm doing here, considering you're leaving in less than 24 hours," Cindy raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip.
Max bit her lip, " Sorry. I was going to come over later. My sister's here, so I kinda forgot."
" Another sister?" Original Cindy asked, " Do I get to meet her?"
Max grinned, " Sure. Come on."
Max led Cindy to the living room and Max began the introduction, " Jondy, this is Original Cindy, my best friend. Cindy, this is Jondy, my sister."
" Hey Jondy," Cindy said flirtatiously.
" She doesn't swing that way Cindy," Max said, amused at her friend's flirting.
" Oh," Cindy said, disappointed, " Well, nice meeting you anyways."
" Hi Cindy," Jondy said, offering a friendly smile.
" Hey," Cindy repeated, " So what brings you to Seattle?"
" She knows," Max said quietly to Jondy.
Jondy nodded understandingly and said, " I had a close call with Lydecker in San Francisco. Zach told me he would be here with Alex in Seattle, so I came here. Alex told me Max was here and I came to visit, which of course, Zach didn't approve of."
" That guy is just too demanding for Original Cindy's liking," Cindy rolled her eyes, " Always bossing Max and Alex around and commanding them to 'leave the city' and all that BS. They got minds of their own."
" I know they do, but they don't use them," Zach said, walking into the living room, " Especially Max."
" The devil himself," Cindy commented.
" Where's Alex?" Max asked.
" She said she was visiting a friend and she'll come back later."
" Aiight," Max shrugged, " And what are you talking about, I don't always use my head?"
" Wild guess," Zach rolled his eyes, settling down on the couch.
" Logan."
" Bingo."
" What's wrong with me having a life and a boyfriend?"
" You can have a life. You can have a boyfriend. I'd just rather you not have a boyfriend that keeps you in Seattle."
" I stay in Seattle because I want to Zach. It's my home," Max said as calmly as she could.
" No, you stay in Seattle because of HIM," Zach objected, " It's always been about him. Logan this, Logan that and I'm SICK of it! When are you going to realize that he's just a bastard who just inflicts more danger on you?"
" Just WHAT do you have against my boyfriend?" Max exclaimed, standing up, " He's smart, he's sweet, he's caring, he accepts me for who I am and he loves me more than life itself. Why can't you just be happy for your little sister who has someone that loves her that much?"
" Because he keeps taking you away from me."
With that, Max ran into her and Logan's bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Cindy stood up, her eyes blazing, " Now you've done it," she said angrily, " You upset Original Cindy's home girl." And Cindy went after Max.
" Zach, Max is right. Why can't you just keep your feelings to yourself and be happy for Max?"
Jondy went into Max's bedroom, where Cindy was comforting her. " Boo," Cindy said gently, " You ok?"
" Why can't he just accept Logan and I?" Max asked tearfully, hugging a pillow. " His acceptance means so much to me. I've tried to be a 'good little soldier', but that's not who I am. He's still back at Manticore."
" I know Maxie," Jondy said soothingly, joining Max and Cindy on the bed. She stroked her hair and said, " But Zach's in love with you."
" I wish he wasn't," Max mumbled.
" It's hard for him to accept Logan when he loves you so much. I know it's wrong and disgusting and all that, but it's true. He loves you and feels that Logan got in the way of you loving him."
" Even if Logan wasn't part of the picture I could never love him in that way. NEVER," Max said firmly.
* * * *
Logan walked into his apartment and saw Zach sitting on the couch looking grouchy. //Well, but what else is new? Zach's always grouchy.//
" Hey Zach," Logan said, closing the door, " Where are the girls?"
" Bedroom," Zach said.
" Nice talking to you too," Logan said under his breath. He heard the sound of someone crying in the bedroom and he asked, " Zach, what's going on?"
" Find out for yourself."
Logan sighed and opened his bedroom door. He saw Max curled up on the bed, crying, with Original Cindy and Jondy comforting her and he rushed forward and asked, " Max, what's wrong?"
Max crawled into Logan's lap and snuggled up to him, " Jondy, you tell him."
Jondy filled Logan in on what happened and Logan kissed Max's forehead and whispered, " It's all right baby."
" No it's not. He has no right to criticize you like that."
" No, he doesn't," Logan agreed, " But we both know that what he said is partly true."
" You're not a bastard."
Logan chuckled, " No, I don't think I am. But I do inflict more danger on you than necessary."
" I don't care."
" But I do," Logan said, tilting her chin up so she would look at him, " You're still going to leave in the morning Max. I'm not going to allow you to stay here with me."
" I don't want to leave you, especially not when I have to leave with the biggest grouch in the world."
Jondy and Original Cindy giggled quietly and Logan had to grin. " Well, you know that if it gets to rough for you, you can always call me."
" I'd be on the phone 24/7 then. Logan, I really am going to miss you a lot."
" Me too, Max, me too," he whispered.
* * * *
Brandon drove Alex back to Fogle Towers a few hours later and he whispered, " Alex, I don't want you to leave."
" I know sweetie," she said, kissing him softly, " But I have to if you want to stay safe. I promise I'll phone you once I get over the border, ok?"
" Ok," he nodded, " Be careful. Take care."
" You wanna come up and meet my siblings?"
" Yeah, sure," Brandon smiled. He put the car in park and followed Alex up to Logan's penthouse.
Alex led Brandon into the penthouse apartment and called out, " Logan? Max? Jondy?"
" In here Lexie!" Logan called out from the living room.
" Come on," she smiled at Brandon.
" Guys," Alex said, walking into the living room. " This is my boyfriend, Brandon."
* * * *
A/N: How's everyone going to react? Read and review and you'll find out!
Spoilers: Minor ones for all up to 'Hit A Sista Back'. And let's pretend that Max's transfusion cured Logan with no side effects, ok? Also, nothing after HASB happened :-)
Author's Note: It's been 2 months since I started this story! I can't believe it's been that long already!
Thanks to Courtney, Ashley, *dying from the cliffhanger*, Silverstar1013, a reader, AJQuest, Darkangel and goldapple57 for reviewing! (Everyone else: Where have you been?!)
* * * *
" CINDY!" Alex called out as she and Zach walked into Jam Pony.
" She's out on a run, which is what you should be doing right now, Missy!" Normal snapped at her.
" What crawled up your ass and died?" Alex asked, " When's Cindy going to be back?"
" I don't know. Take this package and get out of my sight."
" Gladly," Alex said, walking away without taking the package.
" Hey! I said to take this package! Can't you people follow one simple instruction accurately?"
" You gave out 2 instructions, I followed the most recent one, which was 'get out of my sight'," Alex said as she walked away with Zach.
Normal, finally noticing Zach, said, " Well, well, well, look who it is. You know Sam, I thought I could expect more from you, but you just turned out just like the rest of those bums."
" Bite me," Zach said, rolling his eyes and walking out the door with Alex.
They waited outside for Cindy and when she finally came, Cindy squealed with delight, " Alex! Have you been to my boo's yet? Did she and Moneybags finally get it on?"
Alex grinned, " Yup. This morning and last night too, I think."
" Oh, Original Cindy is so happy!" Cindy exclaimed. She noticed Zach and said, " What are you still doing here? As if you contaminating Original Cindy's couch isn't enough."
" I'm here to get Max and Alex out of Seattle," Zach said through gritted teeth.
Cindy's mouth dropped open, " What? Alex, you're leaving?"
Alex nodded, " I'm sorry Cindy," she said, leading Cindy to a quiet corner, where they won't be heard, " But Lydecker's closing in on us," Alex whispered, " we have to get out of here."
" But… Max and Logan… you and Brandon…?"
" With any luck, Max and Logan will break up," Zach grumbled.
Alex picked up on what he said and threw him against the wall by his neck again, " Zach, shut up. What did I say about ruining Max's happiness?" Alex snarled.
" Let me go," Zach said, his voice deathly quiet.
Alex let him drop to the ground and Original Cindy's eyes widened, " Whoa. Sometimes I forget you're the same dealio as Max."
" Thanks," Alex smiled, " You coming by later to see Max?"
Cindy nodded, " Yeah, I'd like to talk to my home girl. I'll come by in an hour or so."
" Great," Alex said, hugging Cindy, " See you later then. Let's go Zach," she said in a stern voice.
Zach followed Alex without a word and when they got into the car, Zach asked, " Where are we going now?"
" I have a friend I'd like to see before we leave," Alex said airily.
* * * *
Logan sat in his car, smiling happily to himself as he looked down at the platinum and diamond ring he just purchased for Max. He gently ran his finger over the engraved writing: 'Max- You are my everything- Love Logan'.
Logan had never loved someone as much as he loved Max; she was the sole reason he got up every day. He had gotten the ring made a week ago, deciding to propose on their anniversary. But the jewelers had phoned and said it wouldn't be possible to get it done until the day after their anniversary, so Logan settled for proposing tonight. He had accidentally let it slip this morning that he wanted to marry her and quickly covered it up by saying he didn't think they were ready to get married yet. It was a pretty good cover up too, since he found out that Max wanted to marry him as much as he wanted to marry her. Now, he just hoped that his proposal would be a complete surprise for her.
" Hope she likes it," Logan murmured to himself and pocketed it.
* * * *
" Go back to Logan's place. I'll come back by myself," Alex said, slamming the driver's seat door shut.
" What are you doing here?" Zach asked, sticking his head out of the window.
" None of your damn business," Alex said, starting to walk into the apartment building, " See you later."
Alex fidgeted nervously on the elevator ride up to Brandon's apartment. What was she going to tell him? //God, this is why I should never ever get a boyfriend again.// Alex frowned to herself.
Alex had met Brandon about 5 months ago, at Crash, and despite her best efforts, she found herself falling head over heels in love. They just clicked so well, like soul mates. But she still hadn't informed anyone, not even Logan and Max, that she had acquired a boyfriend for herself. Only Cindy knew because she had put all the pieces of the puzzle together and figured it out on her own.
**FLASHBACK**
" Hey there. Can I buy you a drink?" Brandon sat down next to Alex next to the bar.
" I don't drink," Alex said, turning back to Original Cindy. " So anyways, Normal was totally bitching at me today just because I took an hour to get to 34th Avenue. I mean, hello? 34th Avenue is like, 10 miles away!"
" How about a dance?" Brandon interrupted Alex's talk with Cindy, " You can't tell me you don't drink or dance when you come to a place like this."
" No," Alex said.
" Oh, come on, one dance isn't gonna kill you."
" Hey, she said no, bitch!" Cindy pitched in to help Alex.
" I didn't ask you to dance, I asked her. So what's your name?" Brandon asked.
" For me to know, you to find out," Alex rolled her eyes, " Cindy, let's roll."
" You got that right boo," Cindy said, putting down her drink.
* * * *
" Hey, are you the person in charge here?" Brandon asked Sketchy.
" Even I'm not a big enough of an idiot to consider being the boss of this shit hole," Sketchy snorted, " Park to that fool," he pointed to Normal.
" Thanks man," Brandon said.
Brandon went up to Normal and said, " Hi. I'm looking for someone by the name of Cindy?"
" Over there," Normal said, pointing in the direction of the lockers.
" Thanks," Brandon said. He saw Alex there and smiled to himself. //Ah, there's the pretty lady!//
" Hey," Brandon said, walking up to Cindy and Alex.
Alex groaned, " Oh God, not you again. What do you want?"
" For starters, your name," Brandon shrugged.
" Are you some psycho stalker or something? How the hell did you find out where I work?"
" Uh, NO I'm not a stalker and you just told me where you worked," Brandon said.
" What are you talking about? How did you find me?"
" Your friend," Brandon said, jabbing a thumb in Cindy's direction, " I saw the logo on her jacket last night and figured out this must be where she worked. And I overheard her name."
" You really are a psycho stalker, bitch," Cindy said, raising an eyebrow at him.
" Hey, all I want to know right now is your name. And maybe lunch," Brandon said hopefully.
" Get bent," Alex rolled her eyes.
" Normal!" Alex called out, " Got a package for me?"
" Well, well, well, it's time you people showed some enthusiasm for work! Here, hot run to 14th Avenue," Normal said, throwing the package at her.
" I don't have any enthusiasm for this lame excuse of a job, I just want to be rid of this idiotic guy," Alex pointed at Brandon, " Get rid of him, will you?"
" You expect me to get rid of someone who makes you get your work done?" Normal scoffed.
Brandon grinned at Normal, " Thanks man."
" You know, you might as well leave now, because I'm never going to go out with you," Alex said, hopping onto her bicycle.
" Well, I'm not leaving until you agree to go out with me," Brandon said, hopping up onto a rail.
" Well, you're going to be sitting there for a very long time," Alex said, riding off.
Brandon had been so stuck on getting a date with her that everyday for a week; he had showed up at Jam Pony in hopes she'd finally agree to go out with him.
Normal was finally getting irritated with Brandon showing up every day and ordered Alex, " Get rid of that guy. He's distracting all the workers."
" Good for him," she said, grabbing another package, " I don't give a shit."
" Yeah, well, you better get rid of him or you'll be looking for a new job."
" Hate to break it to you Normal, but we're all looking for a new job," Alex said, handing in her last signature sheet.
" Consider yourself fired then, Missy, unless you tell that guy to get lost!" Normal exclaimed.
" Relax Normal, don't have a cow! I'll get on it," Alex rolled her eyes.
Alex walked over to Brandon, " Ok, so what's it gonna take for you to get lost?"
Brandon grinned, " A date."
Alex gave an exasperated sigh, " Fine. When?"
" Friday. 8 o'clock."
" I'll meet you at Crash, at the bar. If you're not there by 8 o'clock, SHARP, I'm leaving. You only get one chance with me."
" Fine. So what is your name?"
Alex hesitated at telling him, " Alex."
" Cool name," he grinned.
**END FLASHBACK**
Alex didn't even notice she was now standing in front of Brandon's door. She smiled unconsciously to herself at how shocked she had been that she actually enjoyed herself that evening and it shocked her even more how she wanted to get to know him better.
The door opened and there was Brandon, smiling at her, " I thought I heard someone out there," he said, giving her a hug and a quick kiss, " Come on in."
Alex went in without a word and Brandon asked, " What's wrong? You haven't spoken a word yet. That's so unlike you," he gave a small laugh.
" I have to leave," Alex said quietly, her eyes on the floor.
" What?" Brandon asked, his mug shattering onto the ground.
" I have to leave," Alex repeated, daring herself to look him in the eye.
" Why?" He finally managed to ask.
" I can't explain it," Alex said, " I wish I could, but I can't tell you."
" You've been keeping secrets from me? I thought we told each other everything," he looked crushed.
" Oh sweetie," Alex said, caressing his cheek gently, " I want to tell you so badly, but it'll change your whole view of me and it'll put you in serious danger. I can't do that to you."
" What are you, some runaway from a secret government project?" Brandon said sarcastically.
" Well…" Alex said, getting a bit uncomfortable.
" You're a runaway from a secret government project?" Brandon's mouth dropped open.
Alex took Brandon's hand and led him to the couch, " Swear you're going to guard this secret with your life?"
" I swear," Brandon said.
* * * *
" So that's why I have to leave," Alex said in a quiet voice, " Lydecker's closing in on me."
" Wow," Brandon whistled, " So you're not even human."
Alex visibly tensed and she said stiffly, " Yeah."
" Oh geez, I'm sorry Alex, I didn't mean for it to come out that way," Brandon apologized.
" It's ok. I know it's a lot to take in one day," she said, looking down.
" It is. Wow," he repeated, sinking back against the couch.
" Does this change everything?" Alex asked quietly, a tear descending from her eye, " I understand if it does."
" It does change a lot," Brandon began. Alex bit her lip to prevent crying out loud. " But one thing it doesn't change is my love for you."
Alex looked up in surprise, " Really?"
" Really," Brandon said, " Because the way I see it, you're still the same person I fell in love with, only now I learned more about your past."
" You're not freaked out about having a science-experiment-gone-wrong for a girlfriend?" Alex asked incredulously.
" Hey, are you saying I'm prejudiced?" Brandon objected teasingly.
" Of course not," Alex smiled, " It's just that you don't see… people like me everyday."
" Which makes you even more precious to me," Brandon kissed her forehead. " So is there a number or something that I can contact you at?"
Alex shook her head, " My brother gave me a cell phone, but he's the only one who knows the number. I'll call you."
" Ok. You ever gonna come back?"
" Once things die down, I'm pretty sure I will. But I might not. It depends. My sister and her boyfriend are leaving the country once everything blows over. Seems like the safest thing to do."
" Well, if you decide you want to leave this country, I'm going with you. I'm not letting the best thing that ever happened to me leave."
* * * *
" Max?" Original Cindy called out as she stepped into Max and Logan's apartment. Normal had let her off of work early only because she said she was having her period; every man's nightmare, especially Normal's.
" Cindy?" Max asked, stepping into the foyer.
" Hey boo," Cindy said, putting her bag down.
" What are you doing here?"
" Oh, you got some nerve asking what I'm doing here, considering you're leaving in less than 24 hours," Cindy raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip.
Max bit her lip, " Sorry. I was going to come over later. My sister's here, so I kinda forgot."
" Another sister?" Original Cindy asked, " Do I get to meet her?"
Max grinned, " Sure. Come on."
Max led Cindy to the living room and Max began the introduction, " Jondy, this is Original Cindy, my best friend. Cindy, this is Jondy, my sister."
" Hey Jondy," Cindy said flirtatiously.
" She doesn't swing that way Cindy," Max said, amused at her friend's flirting.
" Oh," Cindy said, disappointed, " Well, nice meeting you anyways."
" Hi Cindy," Jondy said, offering a friendly smile.
" Hey," Cindy repeated, " So what brings you to Seattle?"
" She knows," Max said quietly to Jondy.
Jondy nodded understandingly and said, " I had a close call with Lydecker in San Francisco. Zach told me he would be here with Alex in Seattle, so I came here. Alex told me Max was here and I came to visit, which of course, Zach didn't approve of."
" That guy is just too demanding for Original Cindy's liking," Cindy rolled her eyes, " Always bossing Max and Alex around and commanding them to 'leave the city' and all that BS. They got minds of their own."
" I know they do, but they don't use them," Zach said, walking into the living room, " Especially Max."
" The devil himself," Cindy commented.
" Where's Alex?" Max asked.
" She said she was visiting a friend and she'll come back later."
" Aiight," Max shrugged, " And what are you talking about, I don't always use my head?"
" Wild guess," Zach rolled his eyes, settling down on the couch.
" Logan."
" Bingo."
" What's wrong with me having a life and a boyfriend?"
" You can have a life. You can have a boyfriend. I'd just rather you not have a boyfriend that keeps you in Seattle."
" I stay in Seattle because I want to Zach. It's my home," Max said as calmly as she could.
" No, you stay in Seattle because of HIM," Zach objected, " It's always been about him. Logan this, Logan that and I'm SICK of it! When are you going to realize that he's just a bastard who just inflicts more danger on you?"
" Just WHAT do you have against my boyfriend?" Max exclaimed, standing up, " He's smart, he's sweet, he's caring, he accepts me for who I am and he loves me more than life itself. Why can't you just be happy for your little sister who has someone that loves her that much?"
" Because he keeps taking you away from me."
With that, Max ran into her and Logan's bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Cindy stood up, her eyes blazing, " Now you've done it," she said angrily, " You upset Original Cindy's home girl." And Cindy went after Max.
" Zach, Max is right. Why can't you just keep your feelings to yourself and be happy for Max?"
Jondy went into Max's bedroom, where Cindy was comforting her. " Boo," Cindy said gently, " You ok?"
" Why can't he just accept Logan and I?" Max asked tearfully, hugging a pillow. " His acceptance means so much to me. I've tried to be a 'good little soldier', but that's not who I am. He's still back at Manticore."
" I know Maxie," Jondy said soothingly, joining Max and Cindy on the bed. She stroked her hair and said, " But Zach's in love with you."
" I wish he wasn't," Max mumbled.
" It's hard for him to accept Logan when he loves you so much. I know it's wrong and disgusting and all that, but it's true. He loves you and feels that Logan got in the way of you loving him."
" Even if Logan wasn't part of the picture I could never love him in that way. NEVER," Max said firmly.
* * * *
Logan walked into his apartment and saw Zach sitting on the couch looking grouchy. //Well, but what else is new? Zach's always grouchy.//
" Hey Zach," Logan said, closing the door, " Where are the girls?"
" Bedroom," Zach said.
" Nice talking to you too," Logan said under his breath. He heard the sound of someone crying in the bedroom and he asked, " Zach, what's going on?"
" Find out for yourself."
Logan sighed and opened his bedroom door. He saw Max curled up on the bed, crying, with Original Cindy and Jondy comforting her and he rushed forward and asked, " Max, what's wrong?"
Max crawled into Logan's lap and snuggled up to him, " Jondy, you tell him."
Jondy filled Logan in on what happened and Logan kissed Max's forehead and whispered, " It's all right baby."
" No it's not. He has no right to criticize you like that."
" No, he doesn't," Logan agreed, " But we both know that what he said is partly true."
" You're not a bastard."
Logan chuckled, " No, I don't think I am. But I do inflict more danger on you than necessary."
" I don't care."
" But I do," Logan said, tilting her chin up so she would look at him, " You're still going to leave in the morning Max. I'm not going to allow you to stay here with me."
" I don't want to leave you, especially not when I have to leave with the biggest grouch in the world."
Jondy and Original Cindy giggled quietly and Logan had to grin. " Well, you know that if it gets to rough for you, you can always call me."
" I'd be on the phone 24/7 then. Logan, I really am going to miss you a lot."
" Me too, Max, me too," he whispered.
* * * *
Brandon drove Alex back to Fogle Towers a few hours later and he whispered, " Alex, I don't want you to leave."
" I know sweetie," she said, kissing him softly, " But I have to if you want to stay safe. I promise I'll phone you once I get over the border, ok?"
" Ok," he nodded, " Be careful. Take care."
" You wanna come up and meet my siblings?"
" Yeah, sure," Brandon smiled. He put the car in park and followed Alex up to Logan's penthouse.
Alex led Brandon into the penthouse apartment and called out, " Logan? Max? Jondy?"
" In here Lexie!" Logan called out from the living room.
" Come on," she smiled at Brandon.
" Guys," Alex said, walking into the living room. " This is my boyfriend, Brandon."
* * * *
A/N: How's everyone going to react? Read and review and you'll find out!