Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don't have ownership of any of these characters. They belong to their respective creators, including Cameron/Eglee Productions and 20th Century Fox Studios. The story is not for sale or resale it is written solely for Dark Angel fans. No money is being made from the use of these characters.

Summary: Eva/Zack sex. Music: One Night - The Corrs
Spoilers/Timeframe: Occurs after "Designate This".
Rating: R
A/N: Thanks so much for the really supportive reviews. They are what inspire me to keep writing. Trust me, I don't get much positive feedback from my brother. He says it's all crap unless it's full of smut, well Dean, this chapter's for you.


It was getting dark and Eva was still alone in the apartment. No one but Max had turned up. Not even Snuffy had shown.

She picked at the cold potato salad that she'd found in Logan's fridge. Where the hell was everyone? Max would have long since left for Oregon by now and she was still feeling edgy about it. Her baby sister was going to break into a highly secure government facility on her own. Eva stopped herself thinking about it, there was nothing that she could do now but wait.

Eva let her thoughts drift back to the previous night, when Max had turned up at Crash to collect her. Even in her Manticore induced haze she could've sworn that she remembered seeing Zack. Maybe she'd just imagined him, but she never remembered having such a vivid imagination. She hadn't seen Zack since he was just a boy; a good inch shorter than her with cropped hair back at Manticore. But the man she'd seen last night had been tall, with long blond hair and a gorgeously toned body. Her brain registered that it had to be Zack. She didn't know anyone else with those eyes -sharp clear blue eyes. They looked like they were charged with electricity. She was sure she felt sparks coming from them last night.

Strange how all these years had past but nothing had changed. She'd still put her life on the line to save Max or Zack. But for Zack her feelings were a little different. With Max she felt protective of little sister. She felt as though Max was her sole responsibility, even though Max had been one of the strongest of all the X5s. And Zack. Well, with Zack it seemed that her world would stop if he weren't in it. During those first few months when she thought that she was alone, the most pain came from the thought that maybe Zack was dead. It was much later that she realized that he and the others were free. That thought alone gave her the courage to go on, even if it meant her living under Manticore.

No one had ever told her what love was, or what it meant. She'd seen people around her 'fall in love' and it seemed so complicated, sometimes so debilitating and heartbreaking. If what she felt for Zack was love, then it was both a curse and a blessing. Because somewhere deep down, she knew that he'd probably never feel the same way.

"Hey."

It was almost as if she'd dreamed him into reality. He was standing beside her bedroom window, looking completely casual yet his agitated impatience was simmering just below the surface. He appeared completely unannounced yet immediately seemed to be taking authority of the situation. So like Zack. He was completely unconventional, always unpredictable but yet the most reliable person she'd ever known. How could you even begin to describe the enigma that was Zack -the man who stood before her now? Being so engrossed in her thoughts she hadn't even heard him come into the room.

"Eva, how are you feeling?" Zack found it hard to speak. Did he dare go near her? It was over, wasn't it? He was sure that her cycle had passed. He could only smell the remnants of it in the room, nothing strong radiating for her.

"Zack." She wanted to confirm that he wasn't a dream that he was real. She moved close to him and put her hand to his face. "You're really here?"

Zack felt his skin tingle when her skin met his. A soft smooth hand was caressing his rough cheek. A day's worth of stubble had already started to show but Eva didn't seem to care. Her lips seemed to be getting closer. The whole time she'd moved toward him, he had stopped breathing. Perhaps if he didn't move, didn't speak - maybe she'd stop. 1-2-3, four seconds. With his thought process in shambles he realized if he didn't do something soon she would be a hair away from kissing him.

"Eva..."

His words were silenced as her lips met his.

When Zack pulled away, Eva gripped his shirt and held him fast. Her warm breath fanning his flushed face. 'Don't. Stay with me. Please just for tonight.'

Zack fought to control his warring emotions. His body was screaming for release, to claim this sweet body and mold it to his own. But his head was sounding like a siren, 'Don't, you'll regret this later. She'll regret it later.'

"I know that you don't love me, Zack. But let me love you. I want you."

Zack just let himself get lost in her eyes, deep and dark. She pulled his head down for another passionate kiss. Pushing way all the doubt and caution and letting it fly away. They'd live for tonight. One night, together, who knew what tomorrow would bring?

Eva knew that she'd gotten her wish. She felt his resistance fade with each passing second. He was returning her kiss, and his mouth opened, inviting her in. Their tongues met in slow discovery. Tasting, touching, and he was soon leaving her breathless. She sensed his body radiating a heat as strong as hers, and they were both being consumed by it.

Having him close wasn't enough. Exploring his mouth, tasting his desire was sending her body into overdrive. It seemed like their clothes just dissolved, their hands were frenzied, both wanting to touch and explore everywhere at once. Wanting to trace and feel each other's bodies, as if transcribing them to memory for all time.

Zack let his tongue trail a path down Eva's neck, dipping low and traveling between her breasts. His lips followed where his tongue had been and Eva arched her body to his sweet onslaught. His lips caught a pink nipple and sucked, it puckered in his mouth and he bit gently on it. Eva moaned and arched against him, pushing more of her breast into his mouth while he lavished it with his lips and tongue.

Eva walked Zack towards the bed, still rumpled and unmade. The back of his knees felt the edge of the mattress and he fell backward, pulling her with him. He hit the mattress, the cool sheets giving relief to his aching body for barely a second. She lay sprawled on top of him, and for what seemed like the longest time they just stayed like that, looking into each one another's eyes, asking questions but not really wanting answers.

"I'm only asking for tonight, Zack. I won't ask you to promise forever."

That's all he needed to hear. Because even though he'd always cared for Eva, he knew that it wasn't to the same extent that she did for him. He had too many responsibilities, so many depended on him, and he could tie himself to her. He couldn't promise anything.

Eva felt him harden against her thigh and smiled wickedly. She was about to move to straddle him but he quickly flipped her onto her back.

"It will be better like this." He caught her legs up and rested the arch of her knees on his shoulders. He hesitated like that for a moment. The tip of his throbbing hardness just touching the entrance of her slick wet heat.

Eva reached out and closed her fingers around him, stroking him till the veins on his neck were pronounced and sweat beaded on his forehead. She pumped his length without mercy until he growled at her. He flicked her bundle of nerves with the pad of his thumb till she lost her rhythm. Her hand fell away and she clutched at the sheets beneath her. He pushed into her and as she arched in response, he slid all the way home.

He nearly lost it right then. She'd already brought him to the brink with her rough play and he had to squeeze her legs to keep her from bucking against him. He held them immobile, fused together intimately. She was fluttering and squeezing him lightly. He could see bright spots behind his lids at the delicious pain she was inflicting on him.

Eva didn't want to go slow but she let him have this moment, he obviously needed it to regain some semblance of control, his whole body was rigid and damp with sweat. His arms were trembling under the strain of his exertion.

Then he was moving again. Deeply and with drawn out strokes. Eva felt the penetration and as he continued to move inside her, she felt her body grow weightless. Every nerve ending in her body was coming alive. Inside her womb a flame was building and with each stroke it seem to be getting hotter. Her spine tensed and as he thrust into her harder and she could feel her heart hammering in her chest and her muscles stretching, as though at any moment it was going to explode right out of her chest. Her head felt hazy like she was in oxygen overload.

Zack squeezed her thighs and kissed the insides of her knees. He felt his body tightening. He was using all his control. He tried not to give into the sensations sweeping his body. It was incredible, sex with Eva felt so different to his other experiences. Her muscles fitted around him and it was like he could feel everything. All his nerve endings were on hyper alert. They fit together so perfectly. Her inner walls caressed his length with every withdrawal and he could barely hold himself together each time he pushed back in her glove like sheath.

Through half closed eyes Eva watched Zack's body move. He wasn't slowing his pace at all. His eyes had shuttered in concentration and his hair had darkened with sweat. Beads of perspiration glistened against his tanned skin, and his cheeks were flushed with a healthy glow.

Her body tightened and she felt a rush of pleasure explode through her starting in her womb and washing over her from her nipples to her toes.

Zack felt her climax and her walls clenched around him and he managed one last thrust before his own orgasm tore through him. Shaking and pumping into her body with abandon, he collapsed heavily against her damp body. His release came powerful and fast, his seed spilling into her body, his head twitching against her the warm core.

Eva body continued to convulse around him, squeezing him gently, the tremors continuing from deep inside her and awakening feelings she didn't know she was capable of experiencing. She thought she must have spontaneously combusted she felt so weighted and drained yet never so alive at the same time. White lights danced in her vision and she closed her eyelids, feeling deliriously happy. Even in her dreams, she had never imagined she could feel this good or so completely whole. Nothing could ever replace this feeling because having him resting so peaceful against her, holding his strong perfect body while still inside her was real. It wasn't a dream and she'd give anything for it not to end.

Eva fell asleep in his arms. He listened to her breathing until it became deep and steady. Soon she would be in R.E.M. It would give him time to think about things. Sure it had been great sex, but that's all it was. He wouldn't allow himself to dwell on everything she had awoken inside him. He quelled the desire he had to hold her and fall asleep with her against his chest. He hoped that she would understand why he couldn't stay. He hadn't changed his mind, he couldn't stay with her in Seattle and they couldn't be together. It was just far too risky. He'd leave in a few hours, it would be better that way. No awkward looks or worse, regret. He wouldn't have to see the look on her face once he told her he would be leaving. In a way he had to admit to himself that he didn't want to see the disappointment in her eyes. Because whether he'd ever acknowledge it or not, he'd never regret what they just shared and Eva would always be special to him.


"Hey, wake up, sleepyhead."

Eva turned over, ignoring the person shaking her. She was blissfully peaceful and she felt warm and safe. She had never been able to sleep like this. The only other occasion she'd been out like a light was after she'd been shot. Then again, that was like being brought back from the dead. This feeling was because she felt alive and she didn't want it to end. But she knew even before she opened her eyes that Zack was gone.

She groaned and rolled onto her back. Bright sunlight struck her in the face and she threw her hands over her eyes.

"Max!" She grabbed the sheet up and pressed it to her body, realizing just how severely under dressed she was for company. More to the point, undressed period. The clothes she'd been wearing, Logan's clothes, were still all over the floor.

"Hey, there's nothing you got that I don't have, too."

Eva blushed. And something twigged in Max's brain. Something had happened here. She picked up a pair of shorts of the floor.

"Are these Logan's?" Max didn't notice that her voice came out a little wobbly.

"Max, I borrowed them. I didn't have any clean clothes." Eva got out of bed and wrapped the sheet around her; it was then that she noticed a bit of paper sticking out from under the pillow. She snatched it up.

Eva,

Sorry, but I had to go.
Max will help you get out of Seattle, I'm sure Logan will work something out.
Take care of yourself.

Zack

Max had read over her shoulder. She hadn't meant to pry but she let her curiously get the better of her. She saw a single tear escape Eva's eyes and roll down her cheek.

Eva folded the note and put it back on the bed, she'd known what would happen.

One night. That's all she'd wanted. Wasn't it?

"You don't have to tell me but I'm here if you want to talk." Max rested a hand on Eva's shoulder, she was kicking herself now, she'd asked Zack to stay with Eva to make sure that she would be all right. She hadn't wanted Eva to be alone while she went to Oregon and heaven only knew where Logan had disappeared too.

"I asked for this, Max, I knew how he felt and I asked anyway. Now I don't know what I feel."

You feel empty, alone. You'll live with memories for the rest of your life because that's all you'll ever have.

Eva promised herself she'd be okay, she was a grown woman and she'd made a choice. She wouldn't cry over it and she certainly wasn't going to regret.

"Max, promise me that you'll never talk about this to anyone."

Max nodded and hugged her sister. "Now I've got a surprise for you."

Max dragged the heavy metal box across the floor, it was leaving a trail of scratch marks. Great, Logan's gonna kill me. "You know I swear this thing weighs a ton. Do you know how hard it was trying to ride and balance this at the same time?"

Eva laughed and Max laughed with her. "I can only imagine."

She knelt down and dialed in the combination. The lock clicked open. Eva pulled open the heavy lid and started lifting out the contents. There were all sorts of gadgets, parts of something, needles, vials, bottles, files but two things stood out amongst all the scientific clutter.

One was a glove that had wires and cables attached to it, the other was a steel object that looked like a gun.

Max picked up the instrument that was shaped like a gun and held it up. Eva turned just in time to see Max about to test the trigger.

"Be careful with that. It's a laser." Eva took it from Max. "Give me your hand."

Max held out her hand, Eva pricked her finger and smeared the blood on a glass slide. She then went back to rummaging through the box. She found what she was looking for and stood up.

"If Logan has a razor grab it and meet me in the kitchen."

When Max returned to the kitchen, Eva had a microscope set up on the bench. Scattered around where some empty vials and needles.

"Here, is this better." Max dropped a bloody tissue on the bench.

"Yeah that's great." It was dried but it didn't matter. She just needed to be able to differentiate between Max's and Logan's DNAs. She went back to studying her sample. Eva took the tissue and rubbed it across a clean slide, she put a cover over it and replaced the sample she was looking at and took a look at the new one.

"So, are you ready?"

Max looked surprised. "What, now?"

Eva laughed, "It will take me a few minutes to prepare the stuff I need but, yeah, you'll be feeling different after this."

Max watched as Eva mixed different solutions together, she was boiling a pot of water on the stove--sterilizing instruments and putting little bits of cloth in the water.

"Go lie down on the couch and make yourself comfy, I'll be there in soon."

A few minutes later Eva came into the lounge carrying a large metal tray. "Max, I have to warn you, that it probably didn't hurt when they messed you up but it's going to hurt like hell now."

"Thanks for telling me." Max tried a small smile but failed, she trusted Eva but inside she was still freaking out.

While talking to Max, Eva had plunged the needle full of sedatives into her arm and in seconds it would be coursing around her body and pull her into unconsciousness.

A few hours later Max awoke. Her head felt like it was made of lead, she tried turning it and a shearing pain shot trough her skull. Eva wasn't kidding when she said this would hurt. Her lids felt like sandpaper against her sensitive eyes and she resigned to keeping them closed. The rest of her body felt numb. She couldn't feel anything from the neck down.

"You'll feel terrible for awhile. You're body has to accept the change. There was a virus that attached itself to you genetic code. It altered everything in your body. It was a deadly virus designed for a specific DNA. I had to extract it from your DNA. In doing so your body had to shut down and in a way be reborn. You'll feel better by tomorrow. I gave you a shot to help speed up the recovery process. I'll give you another dose in a couple hours, for now just rest."

Max didn't open her eyes again. She just let herself drift between consciousness and sleep. Every now and then she would feel a cool cloth covering her eyes or a warm hand touch her cheek. A feather light touch brushed her arm, she was slowly regaining the feeling of her body. It was a welcome sign.

The next time she woke up it was to the slamming of the door.

"You know I don't know why you have to persist so much, Asha. It's not like we can do everything…Max?"

Logan froze the second he saw Max lying on the couch, he the dropped the bag he was carrying. Both her forearms were wrapped in gauze and a cloth covered her eyes. She didn't move when he said her name. Thinking the worst, Logan raced over and gathered her in his arms.

"Logan, don't!" Asha was beside him. "You can't touch her." She tried to pull Logan away but she didn't succeed.

Logan hadn't even thought rationally. His whole being was shaking with fear, what had happened, why was she all limp in his embrace?

"Logan." Max said sleepily. Was she dreaming or was he holding her. Alarm bells sounded in her head. Was he mad? She tried to pull away from him but she was still weak. "No…Eva, help." She was sobbing now. She felt so helpless.

Eva was there in a flash. "What's going on?" She took Max way from Logan and forced him to move back. "She needs her rest. I promise you she's fine, now go clean yourself up, you look like hell."

Logan looked at Eva with weary eyes. "If you say she's alright…"

Eva silenced him with a look and turned her attention to Asha. Who was still staring at Max. Something was going on here. Logan was still standing, he wasn't paralysed and dying on the floor.

"What happen to her?"

"She died for Logan. Died, so she could save him."

Asha went pale, she knew about Logan and Max. She knew the reason why they couldn't be together, but something about the way this woman spoke made her realized that it was all about to change. "Will she be okay?"

"She'll be fine in the morning. I trust that you're a friend of Logan's? If you are then you know how much Max means to him." Eva watched Asha's face closely, "What they mean to each other."

You were hurting her, hurting her by being close to Logan. Well, now she's free to be with Logan and the chance you thought you had is gone.

Eva hated her thoughts but her baby sister deserved to be happy. And she knew that Logan would make her happy. She saw it in the way they looked at each other. The way that they'd say each other's name, the unspoken love was in every little thing they did. And it was time that they had the chance to show it openly.

Asha said goodnight and left the apartment. Watching the retreating figure Eva had a feeling that the woman wouldn't be back in their lives any time soon.