James Cameron and Charles Eglee own Dark Angel. My use is in no way meant to challenge their copyrights. This piece is not intended for any profit on the part of the writer, nor is it meant to detract from the commercial viability of the aforementioned (or any other) copyright. Any similarity to any events or persons (either real or fictional) is unintended.

Farewell and Adieu

"How are you feeling?" Logan asked, taking his computer from his lap and placing it on his nightstand as he gathered up several pieces of paper, making room next to him on the bed as Max shuffled her feet into his room. She had returned from the attack on Rico's residence almost a full twelve hours before, but had yet to say a single word. Not that it made a difference, she knew. During the day, while she had sat silently in the dark guestroom, Logan had pieced together the entire story from his various contacts. Max knew that Logan was concerned about her, but she also had no desire to tell her friend what had happened, to actually relive events through her own words. Somehow she felt that the longer she put off saying that Rory was dead, the longer she could keep her brother alive in some way.

"I'll be okay," Max muttered as she crawled into the bed and lay at Logan's side, just a hair's breadth from actually touching her body against his. "I just didn't expect anything like this to happen. Rory was supposed to be there for me if I needed someone to talk to."

"I'm still here," Logan pointed out.

"I know," Max said, "and I appreciate it, but there're just some things you can never really understand, at least not like another X-5 can." There, I finally said it, Max thought, surprised that she had, at long last, been able to speak the words that had always hung in the back of her mind. She cared a great deal for Logan, and she wanted to get close to him once again, but this time he had to understand from the beginning that the two of them were different in more than just the obvious ways. As much as he might want to, he would never truly understand her, and without that he wouldn't be able to help her in the way she needed when things became tough.

"I know I'll never really know what it's like to be you," Logan admitted. "It's the same way with you, how you'll never really know what it's like to live your life without your legs. But I know that if something is ever wrong, you'll at least be there to listen to me. Sometimes that's really all a person needs, whether they're trans-genetically engineered or not." Max smiled at his words, knowing that to some degree he was right. "Do you think you can help me out of bed?" he asked, gesturing toward his wheelchair. "It's past time for me to get to work."

"Can't you just take the night off?" Max asked, finally sidling her body against Logan's, leaning against him for support. Her skin instantly warmed as their bodies made contact, and Max wanted anything but to have to move.

"I don't know if you heard, but some major events took place last night," Logan said, a tinge of sympathy in his voice. "I think this is something that Eyes Only should report."

"Oh," Max replied. "Do you think you could include the fact that Justice died last night?"

"Did she?" Logan asked, his brow rising in surprise. "I thought Honor was the one that fell."

"No, you're mistaken," Max said. "It was Justice that died. Honor will be taking over the city now." Max felt a lone tear find its way out of the corner of her eye, making it past the dam of resolve she had tried to build up to stop it. Rory might have died, but Honor didn't, she promised herself. He died so that I could finally find my true self. I won't ever forget that.

"You sure you up to doing things the new way?" Logan asked.

"I'd better be," Max commented. "I don't want to piss off my new boss."

"Who's that?"

"Eyes Only," Max replied, looking at Logan with a steady, unnerving gaze. She wanted to make sure he had no choice but to take her on as a sidekick.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Logan said.

"It makes perfect sense," Max retorted. "You report the real news, exposing the criminals that are depriving the city's citizens of peace and happiness. Honor has the same goals, and she'll be far less... ruthless... than Justice ever was. Eyes Only will be able to work with her, I guarantee it. In fact, it really won't be too much different from the way it used to be. You target the bad guys just like you always did, and I'll take them down. The only real change will be that people will finally have a second name to attach to yours."

"I see."

"You're not being a glory-hound, are you?" Max asked.

"No, not at all," Logan said with a smile. "Are you?"

"It's just that I have a lot to make up for," Max admitted, reminding herself of the atonement she needed to undertake. "I broke laws on a nightly basis and killed people when I administered justice on my own. I owe the city and its residents. I owe the police. I owe you. And I owe myself."

"Well then consider yourself hired," Logan said. "Just make sure that Justice never makes a reappearance."

"Don't worry about it," Max said. "I said goodbye to her when I decided to try to save Rico's life. We won't be seeing her again."

After Logan had gone, Max lay alone in his bed for almost an hour, tossing thoughts around in her head until she finally heard Logan begin his report. "Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a Streaming Freedom Video bulletin. The cable hack will last exactly 60 seconds. It cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped, and it is the only free voice left in the city." Max recoiled for a brief moment at the sound of the Eyes Only introduction, having recently developed a bit of a negative reaction to the customary introductory speech. Too often it had seemed that Logan had ended up reporting on Justice, and part of Max had always cringed in shame when she realized just how much her friend had looked down on her because of her activities. But that won't happen this time, Max reminded herself. You're not Justice anymore. You can look yourself in the mirror again, and Logan can finally respect what you do.

"In a violent bloodbath last night, two of Seattle's greatest criminals met their ends," Logan reported. "The first was Ricardo Rico, who so recently had attempted to strong-arm his way to the top of Seattle's underworld. His recent crimes, including the murder of seven police families, earned him a death sentence from the city's sinister vigilante, Justice. Fittingly, Justice also met her own end, incinerated in a fire and buried under tons of rubble. Out of the ashes of Justice, however, has arisen a new vigilante who calls herself Honor, and who has personally sworn to me not only to defend the lives of Seattle's citizens, but to also abide by a code that will prevent the types of depredations perpetrated by her predecessor. So for today, at least, Seattle knows peace and quiet on its streets. Perhaps this trend will continue." Max heard the feed for the hack cut off, and she closed her eyes as she curled her arms around Logan's pillow, inhaling deeply to enjoy his body's scent on the sheets.

Rory was right, she realized. Everyone deserves a little happiness. Mine is here, with Logan, fighting the fight I know I have to, but doing it in a way that lets me look myself in the mirror. Thanks for the lesson, Rory, she thought, realizing that she was now helpless against the flow of tears that was increasing with every passing second.

To be concluded.............................