Disclaimer: I don't own any Dark Angel characters…unfortunately.

Rating: PG

A/N: Hey pplz!  I'm a newbie at this and this is my first fan fic ever!  Hope you like my story…please read and review coz your opinions really matter to me!  Also, no flames please – if you think it's bad, tell me why and how I can improve it.  Enjoy!~

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If love was a bird then we wouldn't have wings
If love was the sky we'd be blue
If love was a choir, you and I could never sing
'cause love isn't for me and you
If love was an Oscar, you and I could never win
'cause we could never act out our parts
If love is the bible, then we are lost in sin
Because it's not in our hearts

SEPARATED – Usher

His throat screamed in protest as the burning liquid swished around in his mouth.  The pain, however, was nothing compared to how he was feeling inside.  One question revolved in his head, echoing over and over again.

Why?  Why did you have to go?

His phone rang, but in his drunken state he did nothing to stop it.  The machine beeped and he heard his voice.

"Hi, you've reached Logan Cale's apartment!  I'm not in at the moment, but leave a message and I'll get back to you ASAP."

Was that really him?  That voice?  He sounded so…happy.  It felt like a lifetime since he'd been happy.

The answering machine beeped again.  His stomach gave a lurch as he heard the voice.

"Logan, it's Max.  I know you're home.  Just pick up the phone, OK?  I'm worried about you."

I didn't think you cared, Max.  You didn't give a damn before, why start now?

"Logan, please.  Pick up.  You're scaring me."

I'm scaring you?  I'm scaring you?  You're the one who dumped me like yesterday's garbage for Alec, of all people.

"Logan.  If it means anything I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you.  It's just the way-"

Her voice was replaced by a robotic voice.

"Your message has reached its time limit."

Logan dropped his now empty bottle of Vodka.  It smashed on the ground, and broken pieces of glass flew everywhere. 

You didn't mean to hurt me?  How can you say that?  You left me.  We were meant to work through everything.  We were meant to beat that virus.  But you decided I…we…weren't worth it anymore.  How could you, Max?

He stood up shakily, and swore under his breath as a small shard of glass imbed itself slightly into the heel of his foot.  He raised his foot, using the kitchen bench top for support and pulled it out, ignoring the flash of pain.  He made his way to his kitchen, leaving a trail of blood.  He opened the door of a cupboard and smiled as he saw the bottles lined up neatly.  He swiped blindly at a bottle and unscrewed the cap, not even caring what the contents were.  He chugged back the liquid, once again ignoring the searing pain. 

I don't need you either, Max.  I don't need you.  I don't need you.

He was still thinking that when he collapsed in a heap on the ground, glasses skittering across the wooden floor and bottle clutched firmly in his right hand.

~*~*~*~

Asha let herself into his apartment using the key he'd given her.  Her jaw dropped as she saw the state of the penthouse.  Broken glass littered the ground and empty bottles were scattered around the place.  She saw his glasses on the ground and carefully picked them up.

"Logan?" Asha called cautiously.  "Logan?"

A groan was her only response.  She followed the sound to the kitchen and saw a heap lying on the ground.

"Logan?" she breathed disbelievingly.

Logan was obviously in a bad state.  His clothes were rumpled and his hair tousled.  His normally brilliant green eyes were now dull, and a five o'clock shadow covered the lower part of his face.

"What…"

Asha rushed over to him, dropping her backpack on the ground.

"What happened?"

Logan propped himself up shakily, running a hand through his hair making it even messier.

"I…I don't know," he stammered hesitantly.  His breath stank of alcohol and Asha wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Seems to me you tried to drown your sorrows in vodka, Logan."  She blew a stray strand of blonde hair from her face and helped Logan stand up.

"Yeah," was his only response.  He seemed very disoriented.

"Let's go get you cleaned up," Asha sighed.

"OK."

Logan walked unsteadily to his bathroom and slammed the door shut.  Minutes later, Asha could hear the sounds of vomiting.  She walked over to the door and knocked gently.

"You OK?"

"Yeah.  Peachy keen."  More vomiting.

Asha shook her head slowly looked grimly around the penthouse.  It would take at least an hour to clean up this mess.   She grabbed a garbage bag and started collecting the broken glass.  As she bent down to pick up a bottle, she heard the sound of running water.  She looked in the direction of the bathroom and found her thoughts wandering.

Oh, Logan.  What I wouldn't give to be in that shower with you right now.  She shook herself free of her daydreaming and continued to clean up the apartment.  He wasn't ready yet, not right now, not when he was so hurt and vulnerable from Max's news.  Suddenly she noticed how quiet the penthouse was.  The water had stopped.

The door to the bathroom opened and Asha's breath caught in her throat.  Logan looked better; no, he looked fantastic.  His damp hair was a fresh change from his usual spiky hairstyle, but it was his toplessness that grabbed her attention.

He walked over to her in his black jeans.

"Have you seen my shirt?" he asked, voice cold and face void of emotion.

Asha could only shake her head as she bent down to pick up another shard of glass.

"Ow!" she exclaimed as the corner of the glass cut her thumb.  "Oh, great."  She started sucking on the tiny gash as the first drop of blood appeared.

Logan's hard face softened.

"Hey, let me have a look at that.  I have some bandages in the bathroom."

He took her hand gently in his and Asha's heart gave a leap.  This guy was perfect in everyway.  He was kind, considerate, caring, strong-willed.  The list could go on and on.  She couldn't understand why Max would let such a great guy go.  The smell of his hair drew her unconsciously closer to him.  Before she knew what she was doing she had placed her forehead against his.  She could tell Logan was surprised.  He dropped her injured hand.

"Asha, we –" he began.  He was cut off when her mouth covered his.  Her hand found it's way around his neck and she pulled him even closer.  For a while he didn't respond, but then she felt him lean back into her.  He wrapped his arms around her waist.  Just as they were both beginning to enjoy the kiss, Asha felt Logan's whole body tense.  He pulled away quickly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.  His eyes were wide and they were fixated on a point behind her.

She began to turn to see what he was staring at, but the word he uttered with absolute horror stopped her.

"Max."