This is A/U. Not for M/L fans, or M/Z fans. In fact, let me tell you that I don't plan on having ANY Zack or Logan action here. Got it? Good. And, of course, it'll be M/A.
Disclaimer: I have no clue who, at the moment, owns Dark Angel. But it's not me, so... don't sue.
"Hey."
"494."
"Come on, don't pull that. It's just me."
"Permission to speak freely?"
"Jesus... yes, 453. Permission granted."
"I hear the outside world's gotten to you, 494."
"Whoa. Straight to the point, then?"
"There's news on your mission status, that 579 gets from the guard."
"How's he doing? He pulling it?"
"He's a fine stand in alpha, but that's not the point."
"Relax, 453. I'm fine."
"Don't get cocky. It's never good."
"You know, I was just getting that lecture from the director."
"It's true. You know that. You don't want to go back to psy-ops, do you?"
"Hey, I won't. Don't worry. I've got it under control."
"I just... I need-- we need you. As a team, you know? We're not the same without you."
"I'm touched."
"And I'm serious. You keep this up, the director will send you back into med. After the last mission, I can't believe you're being this careless. I mean, I've been hearing that there's someone you've been getting to close too--"
"Max."
"What do you mean, Max-- wait, 452? 494, are you crazy? She's the main reason of this mission. I mean, even an ordinary would be better than one of the rouges, especially her. It's worse than the daughter!"
"I've got it under control."
"You're lying."
"I'm not. Just... be careful. What's your next mission?"
"Nothing big. I'm part of a few raids."
"Which ones?"
"You know I can't tell you, 494. You're on your own mission. I'm surprised the director even let me speak to you."
"Yeah, well--"
"Just promise me you're be careful too, okay?"
"I've got it under control!"
"Promise me, 494."
"453, I am your commanding officer. You have no right to command anything of me."
"Don't you dare pull rank on me, 494."
"Don't act above your position then."
"Just promise!"
"I have to go, 452. Dismissed."
*
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*****
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*
Zane and Krit ducked across the hall to the room inhabited by the girls, the thin walls of which were giving the entire floor clear dialogue of the fight.
"Gimme the boots, Jondy!"
"Make me!"
"They're my boots! GIVE THEM!"
There was a loud thump and a scream. "Jondy! Syl! Move it! You made me mess up my mascara!"
"Sorry," two voices rang out guiltily and slightly afraid at the murderous air of Tinga's voice.
"You could always give the boots to me..." a voice piped up hopefully.
"Shut up, Max."
Max snorted. "Hey, at least I'm not making a mess. And Tinga isn't mad at me."
"Max, don't encourage them!"
There was a louder thump. "Fuck, Syl--"
"GIVE ME MY BOOTS!"
"Take them, you bwitch!"
"Hey, Tinga, can I borrow that red dress?"
"Not unless you tell us where you're going."
"Fine, be that way. But then you can't borrow my stuff!"
Another thump, not as loud as the first or second but enough to drown out the scuffle over boots in the background.
"Max!"
"Tinga," Max's voice quavered dangerously.
"Oh, would the four of you shut up?" Brin sounded tired and annoyed through the door.
"Fine, take it... just give them back." Tinga sounded dejected.
Max's voice brightened, resuming perkiness. "Thank you!"
Krit and Zane exchanged looks, knocking.
Silence fell. "Hello?" Syl called out innocently.
Krit and Zane opened the door cautiously. "Dude," Krit said, "You guys ought to get a show on WWF."
Zane had no words, rare for a jaded college-age boy who lived with five girls and was bred to have X5 wit. Tinga stood over the bathroom sink, clasping what could only be assumed to be Max's tweezers. Brin lay on the bed, almost asleep. Max sat at her feet, wearing an oversized Wonder Woman t-shirt and looking over a red slinky dress. Syl and Jondy sat on the floor, Syl straddling Jondy's legs as she unlaced knee-high black leather boots.
Finally, he found words. "Nice shirt, Maxie."
She grinned. "Thanks, Zane." She waved a hand nonchalantly at the girls behind her. "They've got dates."
"Never woulda guessed."
"So, what's the reason for the visit?"
"Well, aside from the entire floor being about to call the police for disturbing the peace, just thought you might want to know that he's back from his thing."
"Who?"
"Haha, very funny. He's unpacking."
"So? Why should I care?"
"Whatever. Listen, we're going bar hopping tonight."
"Again... so? Who's we?"
"We are," Krit spoke. "Me and him and Alec, if he's ready. What are you five doing?"
Max turned around. "Tinga is going out to pick up a guy, Brin's going to a movie later, and Syl and Jondy are going on dates with some guys they met while shopping."
"And you?"
"I don't know yet."
"But you know you'll need a slinky red dress."
She smiled. "Just in case, you know."
Krit shrugged and walked out. Zane turned to her, grinning. "In case. Riiiiiight."
Max slapped his arm lightly. "Shut up."
He started singing under his breath as he walked out. "Max-ax-ax-ie is sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g..."