leave7

Okay, final installation. I hope everyone likes the ending (except for a certain rude girl who has been insulting me personally via e-mail). Zack is always getting the rep for being cold and distant, but I'd like to think he would want his family to be happy, too. I'm debating whether to write a Tomb Raider/Dark Angel crossover (don't ask) with Zack in it.
Enjoy!
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Logan? Logan! Max called.

Zack hung back. Head down, hands in his jacket pockets, this was a homecoming for Max and a funeral for him.
Logan walked out of his study.

Max, why are you here? Is something wrong, is the baby o- he couldn't get the rest of it out because Max was kissing him. She broke it and stepped back.

Zack told me what you said. Then she punched him in the jaw.

Logan sprawled on the floor. He sat up and touched his split lip.
What the hell was that for?! he demanded.
She bent down and glared at him.
How dare you think that you can make decisions like that for me! It is my life, Logan Cale, I ran for ten damn years to make it my own. If I want to risk everything because I love you and I want to stay with you; it's wonderful that you care but it's my damn choice! You have no right to treat me like a child. And you lied to me, you know how few people I can telll the truth to!
She stopped and pulled him up off the floor. Max tucked herself into his arms.

Logan, I thought you didn't love me, and it was the most horrible feeling. I was scared, and lost, and worried, but I was so numb. That's what real heartbreak feels like, and if there is any chance we can avoid it, we have to try. I can't be without you.

Logan may have said something in response, Zack didn't know. He quietly slipped out the door. Max wasn't his to love, but he had made her happy. That was about a third as good.


Three Years Later, Seattle

Zack nervously rapped on the door of the address he'd found in the city databases. It was a charming townhouse, three stories. This was supposedly Max's home know, her and her family. Zack had been too afraid to visit her. He'd missed the birth of her baby, her wedding (he assumed), everything. Zack feverently hoped she wasn't mad at him. The cherrywood door opened to reveal a woman, standing with an infant in her arms. Zack almost gasped. When he had left, Max was a frightened teenage girl, now she was a true woman.

she breathed.

He smiled.

She leaned over to hug him with one arm. Only then did Zack see the baby.

Uh, shouldn't he be older by now? he asked carefully.

Max laughed. No, this is baby No. 2. Born, entirely coincidentally, ten months after our honeymoon. C'mon, Aubrey is inside. You caught me on a good day, I just got back from Rio so I took the day off.

Zack followed her into the cozy, sunny space. It was a modest house, but with all the best furnishings. He noted toys on the stairs, the painted (not wallpapered) walls, the oak-and-chrome kitchen. The place was so damn cheerful.

Max saw his face as he looked around. Yeah, I know. I guess I'm a sucker for a cheerful childhood enviroment. Planned the whole place after my anti-Manticore dreamhouse.

Max placed the baby in a playpen. A toddler came dashing into the kitchen.

Mama, can I play with Lily? I'll be careful, please. she said, tugging at Max's leg.

Yes, Aubrey, just be careful with her head and don't take her out of the playpen.

The little girl ran off again, not even noticing Zack.

That was what made you send me back to Logan. Aubrey Catherine Cale.

Zack swallowed. She has your eyes. Your hair.

Yeah, well thank God she needs to sleep. No problems with seizures, yet. But she's so advanced for two.

Max looked at him and smiled. Lily's middle name Zachary.

Zack hugged her suddenly, clutching at whatever of the Max he had known there was left. No longer was the cold, steely baby of Manticore looking over her shoulder, deflecting hope with wise-ass remarks and a swift uppercut. She didn't need him for support, she had her husband, her daughters, her job. Max was not his. He'd wanted so badly to make her what he needed to love her. Zack had lost his sister without ever knowing her. He stepped back and looked around again. This was not his place. Not his children. But Max smiled so radiantly at him, Zack tried to pretend it was all okay..

he began tell me everything.

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Thank everyone again, although I am very afraid of several of you! Please let me know what you think of the last chapter!