Reasons
Summary: Zack's reasons for not giving Max the contact number.
Authors Note: This is my first fanfic (short though it is) so any constructive criticism would be appreciated :)
Disclaimer: I dont own Dark Angel or its characters, they all belong to Cameron/Eglee etc etc.
Zack quietly watched Max shopping at the South Market from where he stood across the street, careful not to be seen. This wasn't the first time he had come to 'visit' her, in fact, he had returned to Seattle every few months or so since he had located Max. Only she didn't know about it. He had debated approaching her, but had always decided against it. Zack tried to tell himself that it was because Max didn't play by the rules, because she had settled down in one place and had made friends, but he knew it was only a lie to comfort himself. The real reason was because Max had the ability to make him change his mind about what the rules really were.
Zack smiled as he watched Max happily making her way around the stalls buying fresh foods. Maybe she was the one who had gotten it right. After all, the reason they escaped was to be able to live a better life, wasn't it? Zack shook his head to clear the thought. No, as long as Manticore still existed they were on the run. Max was defiant, but it was a defiance that would get her killed. And Zack wanted nothing to do with it. He knew that he couldn't change her mind, and so it was better off leaving things the way they were: with Max living her life in Seattle, oblivious to the other X5s, and they living their lives on the run. Zack contemplated giving her the contact number he had recently set up, so she could reach him in case of emergency, but he knew it was too risky. She was a sitting duck to put it simply, sitting and waiting for Lydecker to come find her. If Max had the contact number, she might give it up under questioning. If Lydecker got a hold of that, he may be able to trace calls. Well he wasn't going to compromise the others for her stupidity. It was his responsibility to look out for them and he wasn't going to let Max jeopardise that.
His decision made, Zack took one last look at Max before he left to check up on Zane. Max looked so happy, like a regular person, oblivious to the world around her. Perhaps he could have a life like that...no, that would have to come later. For Zack, family came first.
