Disclaimer: I don't any of the characters in this story that appear in the hit syndicated TV show, Dark Angel, which are owned by James Cameron. I do, however, own the original characters featured in this story. If you wish to use them, please ask me.
Summary: Despite Logan's recent prediction, Max finds time to head out and party with her siblings – ending with a surprise from Alec.
A/N: Phooie, the weekend is over U_U (as of now as I write this, at least)
Happily Never After
By
Brin
"My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher." - Socrates (470-399 B.C.)
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Chapter 6: Between You and Me
"Okay, okay, okay… let me see if I got this. I have to get pregnant for this prophecy to come true… and not only that, but I have to get pregnant and be pregnant while I save humankind?" Max repeated weakly. Her face had long since lost all its color, but was now taking on an unattractive shade of green.
"Yes, it's all here in the runes. What's more, the symbol – the Caduceus – on your hand is a stick with two strings around it, right? Well, I'm assuming that you, Max, are the stick and that Alec and this baby are the two strings," explained Logan like a teacher talking to an insolent child. "You've gotta accept what's going on here, Max, because you are 'The One,' like in all those Pre-Pulse movies – and you're not getting out of it."
"But Logaaaan," she whined, "Are you sure you haven't… misinterpreted it?"
"Look at me, Max. I haven't slept or showered in a week. I think I've got the translation pretty much word for word, although I'm assuming it's not done yet because prophecies tend to be longer."
"You've been watching too many Pre-Pulse movies," complained Max. She turned to Alec with nervous eyes. "What do you think?"
"I think…" He leaned close to her. "I should go brush my teeth."
Max shot him a glare that would've made any normal person faint, but not Alec, and shoved him off the couch. "You idiot! This is all your fault!"
"What? You aren't even pregnant yet and you're already blaming the kid on me?!" he cried, eyes glittering with sarcasm.
"I hate you."
"No you don't. Why's it my fault?"
"Because—" Max poked him in the chest "—if YOU hadn't… hadn't…" She wracked her brain for an answer, but found none so instead she said, "It's just your fault because I say it is."
Alec laughed and put his arm around her shoulders. "Max, you're acting like a little kid. Come on, it's not that bad."
"I thought guys don't very much enjoy their first kid because it makes them feel like they're losing their manliness?" snapped Max, crossing her arms as Alec began leading her to the door.
The male X5 looked over his shoulder and mouthed 'See ya,' to Logan as they exited the penthouse and stepped onto the elevator. "I should be insulted. You don't want to have a little Alec running around?"
Max groaned. "Two of you…"
"Yeah, we'll drive ya crazy… and then there's Eddie. She and Pick have been getting awfully close lately. As a proper Mother, you'll have to plan their wedding and…"
"Shut up," growled Max as they reached the ground floor and got off. "I don't see how you find this humorous."
Alec moved forward and began walking backwards in front of her so that they were face-to-face. "Look, Maxie, you just gotta see the bright side of things. We get to save the world and have a kid together at the same time."
"Yes, Alec, but if our future baby is part of this big prophecy then the Familiars are going to be out to get kill him too."
Alec stopped walking, allowing her to run straight into his chest. "You just said 'him.'"
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"Did not, Alec!"
"You did too say 'him'! You think we're going to have a little baby boy, eh?" Alec put his hands on her hips. "Well, I bow to woman's wisdom."
Max laughed and briefly kissed him on the lips. "Let's go home."
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When they arrived at their apartment, Max opened the door and was surprised to find the living room pitch black. "That's funny," she commented. "I didn't close the blinds before I left…" She turned on the lights and—
"SURPRISE!"
Max shrieked and jumped into Alec's waiting arms.
"Happy birthday, Maxie!"
"Holy shit," said Max under her breath as Alec set her back down on the floor. She regained her composure as she looked at the people in the room.
Syl, Krit, Eve, Zack, Jondy, Pick, Eddie, Axle, Joshua, Pandora, Mole, Dix, Leg, Zane, Brin, and Ben.
"You guys… I'm going to kill you!" exclaimed Max with no seriousness whatsoever as she threw herself into Zack's open arms.
"Happy birthday, little sister!" He spun her around a few times, then handed her over to Krit, who did the same.
"All this for me? It's not even my birthday!" said the young X5 with a wide smile. "I can't believe you did this to me!"
"We all know how you love surprises," joked Jondy, hugging her sister tightly. "After the party, we're going clubbing," she announced mischievously. "I hear an X5 opened a new club down by TC. It's gonna be awesome, and for the grand opening transgenics get in free with fifty percent off on drinks!"
Max laughed. "Okay, whatever you say, Jondy. You're the expert on bars, after all."
Everyone exchanged hugs and then they sat down for Max to open her presents. She felt a little embarrassed as the center of attention, but this was the first normal birthday party she ever had – and she wasn't going to let her flushed cheeks ruin it.
Mole gave her a box of Cuban cigars. Dix and Leg gave her modified hovercrafts that had been programmed as watchdogs. From Jondy and Zack she received an "Econo-Toaster/Microwave/Food Processor In One" (it provided them all with a good laugh, since neither Max or Alec could cook). Brin and Zane gave her a new, better leather jacket. Krit and Syl gave her several hundred dollars. Eddie and Pick, being tight on cash, got her movie certificates. The last present she opened was Joshua's, and he had set it up on an easel at the back of the room. It had a blanket over it.
"Alright, Josh, whatcha got?" asked Max as he led her over to it.
"I-I-I painted Little Fella with Alec," replied the dog anomaly. He walked behind the painting and then proudly pulled the cover off.
Max's eyes lit up as she saw it. It was an oil painting of her and Alec standing together. Alec was kissing the top of her head. The painting, unlike some of Joshua's works of Annie, was mostly composed of black and amber-colored blotches that formed their faces.
"It's beautiful!" exclaimed Max, throwing her arms around the dogman's in a crushing hug. "Thank you, Joshua!"
Joshua smiled and replied, "Welcome, Little Fella."
The party lasted an hour or two more, then Mole, Dix, Leg, Joshua, and Pandora headed out. Pick stayed a little longer to make sure he had thoroughly given Eddie enough kisses to last her the night, along with an especially long good-night kiss, then he returned home. Eddie stayed up since she was going to baby-sit the children while the parents went out and had fun.
"Alright, so you've got all the emergency numbers and the bottles and everything?" repeated Syl for the umpteenth time as the other X5 females changed into their 'night clothes.'
Eddie nodded. "Yes. I have the numbers of the fire department, poison control, Dr. Shankar, the police department, the old lady who lives downstairs, your cell phone numbers, and the bar's number. In this baby bag—" She held up the particularly heavy blue bag with sheep all over it "—I have bottles, diapers, a pacifier, band aids, that powdered milk stuff, baby books, etc, etc. Don't worry, Syl, everything will be okay."
Though she looked unsure, Syl nodded and went over to Krit, who was hiding his amusement. "Evie will be fine," he assured her, wrapping his arms around her waist comfortingly. "Take deep breaths."
"We've never left her alone before," said Syl, looking down at their daughter as she rolled around in her playpen.
"Honey, Eddie is a cat. Imagine Evie is a kitten. Eddie will take care of her like a mother cat would okay?"
Syl narrowed her eyes at him. "You think this is funny, don't you?"
Krit laughed and held his hands up innocently.
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"You know Zack and I were thinking about having the wedding sooner," announced Jondy as she removed her shirt.
"Nice tattoo," commented Max nonchalantly of the angel wings across her sister's shoulder blades. "Why would you want it sooner?"
"Well," Jondy stepped out of her pants, "My biological clock is ticking. I feel older than I really am and I have finally convinced Zack to try and have a baby after the wedding. So the sooner the wedding…" She giggled like a schoolgirl and picked up a black halter top from the floor. "What's it like? Being a mom, I mean?"
Brin looked up from unbuttoning her shirt and shrugged. "I dunno. I imagine it'll be a whole lot better to have a baby with someone you actually have feelings for instead of a nameless X5." She removed her shirt and put on a tank top. "But anyway, it's great having a kid. You know how they always talk about 'unconditional love' on all those Pre-Pulse TV shows and stuff? Well, that's how much your kid loves you. They are totally oblivious to the world; the fact that I'm a genetically engineered killing machine, I had a baby out of wedlock, and I don't have a job won't bother him the least bit."
Jondy laughed and pulled on a tight pair of black pants. "So, how do I look?"
"Great," said Max as she put on a one-shouldered top and a pair of jeans. "So what's going on between you and Zane anyway, Brin?"
Brin, who had her back to them, pulled on a white t-shirt and tight pants. "I have no idea. One minute he's hot, then the next he's cold… I don't understand him."
"Eh, he's just scared." Jondy sprayed herself with some light perfume and then handed it to Max. "All guys go through that little phase. He'll grow up… eventually. Then you'll have him around your finger. Trust me on this."
"You guys are so lucky. You get happily ever after and everything before you're twenty-five," said Brin, turning around and pulling her hair up.
"Pfff, you call married to Zack a happily ever after?" joked Jondy. She applied some lipstick, then clapped her hands together triumphantly. "Alright, I'm ready to go."
"Me too," piped Max.
"Almost done." Brin put on some lip gloss, then hair-sprayed her hair into place. "Okay, let's go."
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Bright lights, loud music, beautiful people, and lots of drinks composed ninety percent of Free, the newest bar in Seattle – owned and managed by a male X5 named Twiggy. There were three bouncers, all of them dog anomalies, and they seemed to have only one preference – transgenics. It was unlikely that any Ordinary would dare go into the club, even with a group of friends to back them up, so basically almost everybody was allowed inside.
Not one transgenic in the entire nation didn't know the faces of the X5s that attended the grand opening party that night, and many of them took off their hats as the famous X5s passed, while others bowed or whispered thankful words. Max felt like a messiah – and didn't like the attention one bit. If it was going to be like this the entire night, she wouldn't have come in the first place.
"It's just a phase. It'll pass," whispered Alec when he sensed her tension, his large hands resting on her hips as the group maneuvered through the crowd towards the dance floor.
The band was nameless, the members X5s, and they had no songs of their own – they only performed Pre-Pulse requests. The band considered it an ode to the Pre-Pulse greats, and they had both a male and female lead singer for whatever song should arise.
Brin whispered something in Zane's ear and, holding hands, they wove their way through the crowd towards the booth where they could make requests. The others continued forward until they had successfully shouldered their way to the middle of the dance floor. The female lead singer was front and center with a guitar.
"Tell me,
Just what you want me to be
One kiss and boom you're the only one for me
So please tell me
Why… don't you come around no more?
Cause right now I'm
Cryin… outside the door of your candy store."
Max turned to Alec and smiled, both arms around his neck, foreheads resting together. "You know this is the only way I wanted to spend my 21st birthday."
"Hmm?" He put his arms around her waist as they swayed to the music.
"It just takes a little bit of this, a little bit of that
It started with a kiss now we're up to bat
A little bit of laughs, a little bit of painI'm telling you my baby it's all in the game of love…"
"With my family… with my one and only," she whispered, kissing him softly.
"You know a year ago I would've been lucky to get the time of day from you," replied the male X5 with a rakish grin. "Now look at us, eh? Did you imagine your life turning out this way?"
"I thought I was going to live happily ever after with Logan… until I fell in love with you and realized it would be a mistake."
"You make me sound like a home breaker…"
"More like my savior," she corrected him with a laugh. "Besides, you understand me better than anyone else."
"This, whatever you make it to be
Sunshine, set on this cold, lonely sea
So please baby
Try and use me for what I'm good for
It ain't sayin'
Goodbye. It's knockin down the door of your candy store."
"Hey Maxie?"
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking…"
"Did it hurt?"
"Very funny." Alec tickled her neck bemusedly. "Look, we've bullshitted our way through this subject enough. Where do you see us in ten years, Max?"
"It just takes a little bit of this, a little bit of that
It started with a kiss now we're up to bat
A little bit of laughs, a little bit of pain
I'm telling you my baby it's all in the game of love
It's all in the game of love."
Max closed her eyes. "I see us living a happy life somewhere where we won't be bothered by reality – out in the country, perhaps – with a big house with horses and cows and a golden retriever and a fat old tabby cat named Fluffy."
Alec chuckled and kissed her nose, continuing with, "I see kids playing in the fields with their nieces and nephews – Eddie's kids." His eyes twinkled mischievously. "And two happily married X5s sitting on the porch."
"Shit, this is definitely going down as a Kodak moment," mumbled Max, burying her face in his shoulder in embarrassment. "You got me started, now I'm going to cry…"
"Me too," said Alec with a laugh. He pawed at his eyes with one hand and chortled some more, "Oh this is pitiful. Two X5s reduced to tears by thoughts of living in the middle of nowhere with cows!"
Max laughed, hugging him tightly.
"You roll me, control me, console me
Please hold me
You guide me, divide me into what
So please tell me
Why… don't you come around no more?
Cause right now I'm
Dying… outside the door of your lovin store
It just takes a little bit of this, a little bit of that
It started with a kiss now we're up to bat
It little bit of laughs, a little bit of pain
I'm telling you my baby it's all in the game of love It's all in this game of love, it's all in the game of love."
"Hey guys, we're going to get a drink," said Jondy as she shoved her way through the crowd. "You up for some margaritas?"
Max looked at Alec and winked. "Hell yeah! Let's go!"
"Roll me, control, me
Please hold me
Now here am I on my own, on my own…"
The song ended and a wild applause erupted from the crowd. The band simply smiled back at them and switched singers to the male one. Immediately, they started up again.
"Somewhere there's speaking
It's already coming in
Oh and it's rising at the back of your mind
You never could get it
Unless you were fed it
Now you're here and you don't know why
But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen
Listen and wait for the
Echoes of angels who won't return."
"Four margaritas," Jondy said to the bartender.
"You know I'll never understand how you ended up becoming a bartender, Jondy. It's one of the most exposed jobs you could have," commented Max nonchalantly.
"I worked at gay bars, Max," replied the older X5 with mischievous eyes. "I didn't think Lydecker would be in one of those."
"You never know!" interrupted Alec.
The two women laughed, then handed the bartender some money as he gave them their margaritas.
"He's everything you want
He's everything you need
He's everything inside of you
That you wish you could be
He says all the right things
At exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you
And you don't know why
You're waiting for someone
To put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say."
"Hey, Zack and I are going to go play some pool, alright?" said Alec before giving Max a kiss on the head. "We'll be back in a few minutes."
"Alright, but we're heading over to Yansii block soon," replied Jondy, referring to the street in the west side of Seattle that was the equivalent to Burbon Street in New Orleans. "So don't be long!"
"We won't," said Zack as he followed Alec away.
Jondy and Max made their way over to a couch in a secluded area in the bar. Syl soon appeared from the crowd to join them, followed by Brin, who had a wide smile on her face.
"Tequila?" asked Jondy, pointing with her chin at Brin's glass.
"As if I would drink anything else," the other X5 replied. She took a seat on the overstuffed armchair opposite the couch, while Jondy, Syl, and Max, sat on the couch.
"What song did you request?" asked Max.
Brin winked at her and answered, "Something."
"But you'll just sit tight
And watch it unwind
It's only what you're asking for
And you'll be just fine
With all of your time
It's only what you're waiting for
Out of the island
and into the highway
Past the places where you might have turned
You never did notice
But you still hide away
The anger of angels who won't return."
"I'm really glad you guys are here," declared Max seriously. "I don't know if I could've done this without you."
"Aww… tear," joked Jondy, making a trail down her cheek with her finger. "Naah, I'm just kidding little sister. Group hug!"
The foursome laughed as they piled onto Max, giving her half-sarcastic kisses on the head and cheeks.
"No really, you guys! I was just so totally swamped with guys – Joshua, Alec, Logan, Mole, Dix, Leg – you guys are my savior from the nasty-smelling socks and territorial drama." Max pushed them away laughingly.
"Oh come on, Little Sister, you know you love it! Alec fawns over you, Logan wishes he could fawn over you!" exclaimed Jondy, munching on a cherry. "But I guess you could regard us as heroes if you wish… I don't have a problem with stardom…" She flipped her hair over-dramatically and batted her eyelashes.
"Shut up!" said Syl, pushing Jondy off the couch. "You're such a dork."
"I am everything you want
I am everything you need
I am everything inside of you
That you wish you could be
I say all the right things
At exactly the right time
But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why
And I don't know why
Why
I don't know."
"Ah yes, a dork… that'd be me." Jondy winked at them, then jumped up to sit on the arm of Brin's chair.
They were paying little attention to the music as it ended, but as soon as the next song started up –
"OMIGOD! Brin, you rock!" yelled Jondy at the top of her lungs as she rushed down to get Zack and drag him to the dance floor.
The alternative rock beat pulsated over the crowd, causing heads to turn and the dance floor to become flooded with people.
"This is who I am and this is what I like
GC, Sum, and Blink and MxPx is rocking in my room
If you're looking for me I'll be at the show
I can never find a better place to go
Until the day I die, I promise I won't change
So you better give up."
Max smiled and jumped up from the couch, dragging Syl and Brin with her. "Come on, this is our song!"
"I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
So you better give up
'Cause I'm not gonna change
I don't wanna grow up."
Jondy had successfully yanked all the men to the front stage and was currently sitting on Zack's shoulders, singing along at the top of her lungs. Alec was standing by, waiting for Max, while Krit and Zane were joining Jondy in what was quickly becoming a screaming contest.
"I like to stay up and spend hours on the phone
Hanging out with all my friends and never being at homeI'm impolite and I make fun of everyone
I'm immature but I will stay this way forever
Until the day I die, I promise I won't change
So you better give up."
Max took Alec's hand while Brin, Syl, Krit, Zane, Zack, and Jondy all sang along with the band while jumping up and down with their arms around each other's shoulders. Alec, not knowing the words, just kind of stood with Max, watching them sadly as he realized he wasn't a part of the 'family' – he was just some stranger with Ben's face.
"Just relax and enjoy the show," said Max so that only he could hear. She kissed him on the cheek and turned to the stage to sing along, sending him encouraging glances to join in.
"I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
So you better give up
'Cause I'm not gonna changeI don't wanna grow up."
Alec caught onto the chorus now, and started singing along in a tentative voice,
"I don't wanna be told to grow up
I don't wanna be told to grow up
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
So you better give up."
"Alright, this is the grand finale now. I want everyone to sing along, whether you know the words or not! It's Max Guevara's birthday tonight, and we got some transgenic pride to show her!" yelled the lead singer, sweat running down his face as he gave his wavering voice a rest from singing.
"YEAH!" replied the crowd, causing the ground to shake.
"Let's go!" continued the singer. "Happy birthday, Miss Guevara!"
"I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
I just wanna have funI don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
So you better give up
Cause, I'm not gonna change
I don't wanna grow up
'Cause I'm not gonna change
I don't wanna grow up
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don't wanna be told to grow up
And I don't wanna change
So you better give up
I don't wanna grow up 'Cause I'm not going to change! I'm not going to grow up!"
And so the band concluded its performance. They bowed a few times then left the stage. The crowd dispersed.
"Was that awesome or was it awesome?" yelled Jondy, still on Zack's shoulders.
"How's that for a birthday party, huh, Maxie?" said Krit, punching her on the shoulder lightly.
"You guys are great, thanks," replied Max, giving him a hug.
"So we're heading down to Yansii now? I know a few bartenders down there who'll get us in free," said Jondy, already striding purposefully towards the door.
"Um… I was thinking maybe I could spend a little time with Alec… you know, just because?" said Max cautiously.
Jondy froze mid-step and turned around. "Okay fine. Go be little bunnies. I understand." She winked and looped Zack's arm. "You guys, on the other hand, are not getting out of it so easily… Come on. Let's go!" So, now striding purposefully with Zack dragged along with her and the other two X5 couples close behind, Jondy headed out the door with a farewell, "See ya tomorrow, Maxie!" and several other 'byes' that were drowned out by the door shutting behind them.
Max looked at Alec and laughed. "Alright, so it's just you and me. Where should we go?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There are a kazillion bars and restaurants within walking distance and you choose to come to the Space Needle?"
Alec grinned and shrugged as he pulled himself up over the edge. "Max, you come here all the time. I need to figure out why it's so special. Come on, tell me the secret of the Space Needle."
Max grabbed his head and turned it out to face the city of Seattle, seemingly quiet and peaceful so many feet below them. There was no horizon tonight – the sky seemed to blend with the dark buildings of Seattle. Dark clouds that could barely be seen moved slowly across the sky. Wind drifted over the Space Needle, cooling the X5s' warm faces. Alec looked at Max, her hair whipping around her face and her dark eyes intently focused on the people below.
"Sometimes, if I stay up here long enough, I can imagine that I'm one of those people down there… going about my day without a care in the world besides the normal things. Before the whole Terminal City thing, I used to hope that if I was up here then my siblings would come and find me. We all loved high places because Ben told us that the higher we are, the closer we are to the Good Place. What do you think of it up here?" She turned her solemn milk-chocolate brown eyes to him.
"The view's great," he said with a crooked grin. "But, knowing me, I'd probably not find any use of this place… unless you were here. Remember that time… after you told me about Ben and all… when we sat up here until dawn?"
Max smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Of course I do. That was the first time… first time I felt attracted to you."
"Really? And here I thought you hated me up until you found out what a good kisser I am," he joked with a wink.
"You stooge," she replied.
Alec pulled her down to sit next to him. "Max, we need to talk."
"'Bout what?"
"About this." He kissed her lovingly, then grabbed her hand and slipped something cool onto it.
Max knew what it was even before she looked down and saw the diamond the size of a marble sitting on top. "Alec…" Her voice dissipated in her throat and she turned her eyes up to look into his hopeful emerald green orbs. "Alec, I…"
"Marry me?"
"I… I…" She stammered like this for about three minutes before reality came crashing down and hit her in the head like a baseball bat. "Of course I'll marry you!"
Alec broke into a grin that looked like it would stretch is face too far and threw his arms around her. "Yes! Yes, Yes! Max, I love you!" He turned to the city below and yelled at the top of his lungs, "I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They returned home to get some clothes (they were heading out immediately afterwards to check into a hotel) and smiled when they opened the door. Eddie was fast asleep on the couch with a Pre-Pulse purple dinosaur dancing around and singing ABC songs on the TV. Eva was laying on the anomaly's chest, also sound asleep, and baby Ben was lying in his crib next to the edge of the couch in much the same position as Eva and Eddie.
Max winked and kissed Alec on the nape of his neck as they moved into their room, quietly got a change of clothes and toothbrushes, then left Eddie a note on the door as they headed back out.
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TBC…
A/N: Almost over you guys… *laughs triumphantly*
Special Note: Okay, all you M/A-ers out there, this is an outrage! Scarlet recently got banned from ff.net for her story "Trauma" (which, btw, was THE BEST). If any of you have read it, you probably know their stupid reasons, but ff.net has gone too far in banning one of the best DA authors out there! I think we should start a petition against them to make them apologize to scarlet since she probably won't want to come back anyway. Email ideas to Gadzooks07@yahoo.com.
PS: I'm trying to figure out how to post the song "Grow Up" by Simple Plan (the song the X5s sang too) on the internet for easy download. Any ideas?