Max's Perspective

"What did you want Zack?" He seems like he has really been distracted lately. I wonder what's so important that he isn't focusing. This isn't like him at all.

"I've got a lead on Jace. One of my contacts said he saw someone that fit her description in Los Angelus

Johndy and Tinga look up a bit surprised. They were about ready to give up on her. It would be great if she could help us and all, but she has a baby to worry about. She probably isn't going to want to go crusading around and leave a baby behind.

Johndy and Tinga agree to go and track Jace down while Zack and I stay here and continue to formulate a plan. Our plan is pretty much good to go; Zack just likes to go over it time and time again. I don't know whether he is trying to assure himself that it is going to work, or just make sure we know what's up.

I look across the room and see Johndy and Tinga packing a few things. On her way out, Tinga comes over and gives me a hug to make sure I'll be okay. I assure her I'll be fine. "I've got my big brother here, ... don't worry about me." She gives me a look that means I better be right, then they are out the door. They'll be back in a couple of days whether they find Jace or not. Our plan to take down Manticore is somewhat dependent on timing. We go in during the monthly staff change and hope to pass off as new staff members. It seems simple enough. We find Brinn and then blow some things up. Same old, same old.

The plan is good; however, it depends a lot on variables. If the timing isn't just right we could get caught. Now that would end our fun real fast. Damn, ... now I'm starting to sound like Zack, or at least the overly concerned Zack that used to bug me about going to Canada with him.

He has really changed over the past couple of months. It's almost like his out look on life is different.

I look up at Zack and he has a look of concern on his face again. Well, when doesn't he have that look on his face. I probably should say something to him but last time I did I got yelled at and he didn't talk to me for a couple days. I don't know what his delio is but it's really getting annoying.

I decide I better try to talk to him again, "Zack what's up? You need to talk about something?" As usual, he rolls his eyes. He walks over to another table, the one where the Manticore floor plan is. Leave it to Zack to change the subject like that. It looks like he's all business now.

I follow him over to the table hoping to get some information out of him. He starts going over the plan again. I nod my head and pretend to be listening. Really I'm trying to figure out how to initiate a conversation with him. I'm trying to figure out what's on his mind. After Zack is done going over the plan, he asks if I have any questions. I say, "Just one, when are you going to tell me what's bugging you?" As expected, he gets really annoyed and walks away from me. Instead of just letting him leave I follow. He walks out side and sits on the stone closest to the edge of the cliff.

The place we're staying is beautiful. There is a cliff that looks out over the ocean and thick forest all around. No one would even know this place existed unless they were looking for it real hard. I walk up behind Zack quietly and ask, "Why won't you talk to me big brother?" He just sits there in silence looking out over the water. I wish I could get him to tell me what is on his mind.

A few minutes later, he motions for me to join him. So I sit down beside him. For a second he acts like he is going to say something, then looks out over the water once again. I guess he knows that this time I'm not taking his silence for an answer.

I wish I knew what was going on inside his head. It hurts me that he doesn't trust me enough to tell me what is going on. But at least I can offer him some comfort; I continue to sit there with him in silence and pretty soon I'm also looking out over the water staring into the nothingness.

I'm really surprised at how calming it is just to sit here. I could stay here all day. It's so beautiful; I now understand why it is Zack's favorite spot. I turn to Zack; he puts his arm around me and starts talking.

Tinga's Perspective

I feel so bad for Max, I know I have no idea what she is going through, but I try to understand. I do the best I can to offer her comfort. She is still so afraid; she let's the nightmares continue to haunt her. I am afraid for her and I don't know how to help.

As I see Zack walk into the room, my thoughts wonder to how strange he's been acting.

I think to myself, "What the hell is up with Zack." He has been acting really strange toward Max lately. I know he is worried about her; we all are. But he's letting it get to him and that is definitely not the Zack I used to know. I know I wasn't filled in on everything; all I know is Logan is dead and Max feels responsible. Some how I can't help but wonder if something else happened too, something between Zack and Max. I just feel like I'm missing the bigger picture.

After a few moments of staring at Max, Zack walks up and says he has a lead on Jace. That's the best news I've heard in a long time. I'm up in a second. I was really hoping we would find her. We could use all the help we can get. I excitedly state, "I'll go after her!" Johndy is right there with me as usual. I'm really glad about that; we work great as a team. We grab our lock picks and a few daggers just in case, then we're ready to go. We start to leave, but I feel I need to check to make sure Max will be okay. I couldn't in good conscious leave her if she wasn't alright. I walk over to her and give her a hug making sure she'll be fine. "You going to be okay?"

"Yeah I've got my big brother here, ... don't worry about me."

I'm still going to worry about her, but that puts my mind to rest. I've just got to keep telling myself that Zack won't let anything happen to her, even if he does look a bit distracted. I look over to Johndy signaling to her I'm ready to go. A few minutes later, we're out the door and on our way.

It's such a beautiful day out; the sun is shining and there isn't a cloud in the sky. We hop onto our motorcycles and head for the first check point. The ride seems to last forever. My thoughts drift from Max to Jace and then to Brinn. I worry about Max so much, I feel sorry for her. I lost my husband to a car accident a few years ago, after I escaped from Manticore. I guess it helps knowing that I have a son out there somewhere that loves me, even if I have no clue where he is. I know someone loves me and cares about me outside of my brothers and sisters. She knows what it is like to love and be loved in return, she should be happy that a least she was able to expierence a little happiness in her life.

And Jace, she knows what love is too. She has a child. It's wonderful to wake up to a little version of yourself each morning. It always made me feel like it was worth it to keep running, and it didn't matter what happened in my past because I had a family that I could call my own. I would love to be able to help Jace raise her baby.

Brinn, poor Brinn. She had to go back to Mnticore in order to save her life. I don't even want to know what Lydecker is doing to her. It is probably terrible. He could be torturing her and mind washing her.

I think to myself, "I'm going to get you out of there girl. Just hang on a little longer."