AS 2.07: Devil's Waltz by Star24

Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are copyright 2000-2002 Twentieth Century Fox Studios and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original fiction is copyright 2003 Star24.

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Chapter One

Jam Pony

Max sat glumly on the bench facing her locker. Normal had caught her slipping back late from lunch, and she had been forced to listen to one of his lectures on punctuality and responsibility. He'd finished it up by telling her to go wait until he had a run for her. Since the messengers were paid a minimum base salary and made extra based on runs completed, Normal had chosen a way to punish her that would actually hurt.

"Hey girl. That face on you is sour enough to curdle milk. What's the dl?" Original Cindy's voice broke into Max's reverie.

Max grimaced as she raised her head to look at her friend. "What've you got to be so cheerful about?" she retorted.

Cindy did look cheerful as she stood there regarding Max. She smiled smugly, "Last run Original Cindy happened to make a delivery to one fine chick. Who it turns out, just happens to play for the same team. And who just might be meetin' up with my fine self tonight at CRASH."

Max forced a smile for her friend. "Glad to see things are goin' good for someone."

"You and Logan had a fight?" Original Cindy asked getting right to what she considered the heart of the matter.

"Not exactly."

"Boo, if you don't spill it quick, his royal pissiness over there's gonna be kickin' us both out on runs. If you didn't have a fight with Logan, what did go down? 'Cause in my experience your boy is the only one who manages to put that look on your face," Cindy said knowingly.

Max sighed. "Last night his legs gave out, even though he was wearing the exoskeleton. I took him over to Metro Medical today. According to his doctor, his back is getting worse. He has to take it easy for a couple of weeks – no exo use and no strenuous activities."

"And bein' a male he's sulkin' over the fact that he ain't gonna get any, just when he thought you two were finally getting down to it." Cindy guessed shrewdly. "Max, men think with somethin' other than their brains 90% of the time. How many years I been tellin' you that? Logan's an ok guy for the male of the species, but the fact remains that he's a male. What'd you expect from him? He'll sulk a few days, then he'll start gettin' impatient, but once he gets the green light he's gonna be fine again. Hormones rule."

"Maybe, but it's kind of more than that. Sam says that his back is deteriorating. He can't predict how bad it's actually gonna get over time. Could be the exoskeleton might not even be an option for Logan anymore. And it could get even worse."

"Worse as in more paralyzed?" Cindy said.

"Yeah. I asked about treatment but Sam said that there isn't much that can be done. Not in this country anyway. And I can't help feeling that it's all my fault. If I had agreed to help Logan with Sonrisa to start with, he might never have been shot. It's on me. He's gotta be thinkin' that every time he looks at me, even if he won't admit it."

"Boo, the only thing that boy's thinkin' bout when he looks at you is what he wants to do with and to you, preferably in a bed and without clothes involved. Trust me on that one." Original Cindy gave Max a hug. "You projectin' your own guilt onto him."

"I'm not so sure of that." Max pulled away with a frown.

"Max, I saw him those months when he thought you were dead. For a while it looked like he was gonna kill himself over losin' you. That man loves you to distraction. Ain't nothin' you or anyone can say that's gonna convince Original Cindy different. No, it seems to me that someone else is havin' their own little sulk fit over what didn't happen between you two last night. So you need to get yourself out of your funk and get your butt over there to see him tonight." Cindy's voice was stern as she stared Max down. "You got an imagination. So does Logan. You two be better off seein' how you can use 'em until the doc gives the green light than if you sit around feelin' all sorry and sad for your fine selves. And if you ain't gonna do that, then Original Cindy don't wanna be hearin' about it." Cindy turned and walked away calling out to Normal, "You got any runs waitin' ?"

Max stared after her trying to process what Cindy had said and wondering if she was right.

"Missy miss you ready to do some work or you planning on taking vacation for the rest of the day?" Normal called to her, waving a package around. Max sighed and rose from the bench. Wordlessly she walked over to the cage and grabbed the package from Normal's hand. Within moments she was on her way out of Jam Pony, a grim look still on her face. Sketchy was just coming down the ramp, but Max walked right past him without a word, almost shoving him out of her way.

"Hey, what's with Max?" Sketchy wondered. "She looks like someone died or something."

Normal looked at him. "And that's your business, how? You planning on working or did you just drop in for a gossip session?"

Sketchy shrugged. "She's a friend, Normal."

"Keep it outside of work. Get this package out of here now." Normal threw a package at him. "Slackers…" he muttered under his breath. "Should have listened to Mom and went into accounting…."

End of Chapter One