Disclaimer - Not mine, never will be.

A/N - Its been brought to my attention that my story might be in bad taste due to the recent tragedy that struck our nation. Please realize that what I'm writing has absolutely no correlation in my mind with what happened. I simply saw a movie and thought it would make a neat fic. If people have a major problem with this please say so and I will discontinue the story, I have no desire to offend anyone.......please review.

Chapter 2 - Fateful Introductions.

The three walked into the restaurant, and immediately Max saw the pretty blonde woman sitting at a table alone.

'Oh, wonderful Julias already here" She said with a smile.

"Oh ya, just wonderful." Zack grumbled under his breath.

"You behave yourself"." Max said loud enough for only Zack to hear. "And be nice to her, she was very nervous about this, this afternoon."

"Oh, and I'm not?" Zack asked sounding slightly irritated.

"Suck it up solider boy, your on a date." Max said with a cocky grin. She had won the argument, what else was there to do but gloat a little.

Logan glanced at them a little strangely. It was obvious that they were having a conversation, and it was also obvious that they didn't want anyone else to hear it. Max noticed that Logan was looking at them and turned to face him. She smiled, and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Sorry darling, looks like X5 dating service will need some more willing" she shoots a glance at Zack. " and socialy adapt clients. Which would be any of my siblings, except for Zack" " She said with a smile and a little laugh. Zack simply glared at her.

"Julia, I'm so glad you could make it." Max said with a smile when they got to the table.

"So am I" Julia said with a little laugh. "Normal was really riding my ass today, I wasn't sure if I was going to get out in time." As Julia talked Max noticed that she was checking Zack out, and from the small smile on her face Max was pretty sure the girl liked what she saw.

"Julia" Max said as she gestured towards Zack, who was standing behind her "This is my brother Zack. Zack, this is my friend Julia."

"Hello Zack" Julia said offering him her hand. Zack simply stood and stared at her. Max elbowed Zack in the ribs, none to discreetly, jolting him back to the present.

"Hi Julia"" Zack said takeing her hand and offering a rare smile.

"Wow you even better looking when you smile." Julia said looking him right in the eye. She laughed lightly at his startled look. "Max didn't happen to mention that I tend to say whatever comes to mind, did she?"

"Umm...no I don't think she did." Zack mumbled.

The rest of the dinner progressed uneventful. With conversation between Max, Logan, and Julia, but with Zack saying very little. Max noticed that Julia kept looking at Zack and trying to engage him in the conversation, but he was being his normal anti-social self. Julia was looking a little discouraged, but Max could tell that he was very into her by the quick little glances he kept giving her. But thanks to the wonderful folks at Manticore they were way to quick for her even to pick up on. Max felt bad for the girl, so when dinner was over Max stood up,

"I have to use the restroom, Julia?" She gave Julia a little look that said, please come.

"Um, sure Max." She said standing up.

They made their way to the bathroom, upon getting there Julia pushed herself up to sit on the counter.

"I don't think Zack likes me very much." She said quietly, looking at her feet.

"Oh no girl, trust me the boy has it bad for you. Max said coming to stand in front of Julia.

` "Well then he has a really funny way of showing it." Julia said looking at little upset.

"Look, Zack is.......kind of.....well I guess......well actually he's an anti-social army brat. He's not good at expressing his feelings, I mean he's never even had a girlfriend."

"You mean that Zack is the same as you?" Julia asked getting a little wide eyed.

"Yup he's born and raised Manticore child." Max said a with a little smile. "Your also not really seeing Zack as he really is. This isn't really Zack. Zack is army boots and roaming the country. He's uncomfertable and that not helping his already lacking communication skills.

"So your saying that maybe we should go back out there and see what happens?" Julia asked perking up a little.

"Sounds wonderful." Max said with a smile.

When they got back to the table Logan and Zack both stood up. Logan reached out and offered Max his hand.

"Dance with me?" He asked a smile dancing on his lips.

"Always." Max said as she took his hand and alowelled herself to be led out onto the dance floor. Zack looked at Julia and simply held out his hand. She looked him in the eyes and could see that he wanted her to accept his simple invitation. She took his hand and moved out to the dance floor with him. On the dance floor he put his arms around her and she swore she had died. He held her a little stifly, as if he were araid he would break her. But still she was amazed at the warm....safe feeling, that spread through her when he placed his hand on her back and took her hand in his. She had never had such an immediate reaction to mearly dancing with a guy before. From the look on his face she guessed he was having a similar reaction to her. They danced silently for a few minities before the silence became to much for Julia.

"They make a great couple, don't they?" She asked gesturing towards Max and Logan.

"Yes they do." Zack answered simply, glancing at the couple behind him.

"Max looks lovely." Julia said quietly.

"Yes she does" Zack answered, but he never took his eyes off Julia as he said it. Julia felt her face grow a little warm. She couldn't help but smile, the way he looked at her was melting her from the inside out. The rest of the evening passed as a blur of dancing and conversation. Julia found that ounce Zack got to know her a little better, he was rather talkative. A few short hours latter they were standing outside Julia's apartment building.

"I had a wonderful time tonight Zack." Julia said with a smile as she looked into his ice blue eyes.

"I did to Julia." Zack said smiling back

"Can I see you again?" Julia asked, a little nervous that he would say no.

"I would like that a lot." Zack said looking almost a little nervous. Zack bent down and kissed Julia softly on the lips. "I would really like that." And with that Zack turned and walked away into the dark Seattle night.