Disclaimer: I'm bored and poor. I don't own the characters and the people
who do are bums to have canceled the show so I decided it was fair game. I
can dream can't I?
Title: Looking at My Future
*Story told mostly from Max's Point of View so don't get confused.
Chapter 1: Dream Come True
"Max, wake up. Our flight leaves in an hour." I heard Logan say as he gently shook me awake. I don't remember my mumbled response but after I glanced at the clock I was wide-awake.
"Shit! We are going to miss our flight." I yelled as I began to get dressed. Logan was apparently already dressed and had checked to make sure that we had everything.
"Calm down Max. You're going to stress the baby. Just get dressed and we'll leave Bling is already here to take us to the airport. I'll load the bags while you get ready." Oh yeah I better calm down or the baby might go into shock. its really weird being pregnant cause I hafta watch my stress level. Too much stress and the baby will end up hurt.
I hurriedly got dressed and went to Bling's car. "Thanks for the ride Bling we don't know how long we'll be gone and we don't want to leave the Aztec at the airport for too long." Logan slapped Bling on the back.
"You two just be careful in D.C. I want you to come back to a transgenic friendly Seattle." Bling pulled out of the garage.
As we drove my thoughts turned to how much my life had changed since we started our stand for freedom. White and his familiars had challenged us straight on. We had a few casualties but we beat them in the end. A few weeks later we beat the virus.
**************************Flashback****************************
"Bip Bip Bip people. I don't pay you to sit on your asses." normal shouted to the messengers at Jam Pony.
"You don't even pay us well for what we do do." I yelled back at him as I turned back to my conversation with Alec about Terminal City.
"Hot run. Max you've got a package. And by the way Transgenic or not you still have to work for your money. Sign." He handed me a clipboard. I signed and he handed me a small package.
I opened the package to find a note and a small vile. The note read: Max, you are working so hard to help your fellow transgenics. This quality and love was not allowed by me, but I hope you will forgive me and as an apology and a thank you for taking my work from Renfro I give you this. It is the cure for that virus that bitch put in you during your stay. Please invite me to the wedding. After you inject this in your veins your seizures will start. Do Not take the tryptophane it will counteract the drug. Wish you the best I will contact you again in a week. Donald Lydecker.
I gasped audibly. Alec heard with his super hearing and came running. "What's wrong Max?" he asked quickly.
This brought original Cindy running over I showed them the note and Cindy gasped then hugged me. Alec stared at the signature. "Why on earth would Deck help you after you destroyed Manticore? Wouldn't he want to kill you?" Alec asked me in disbelief.
"No cause the first attack was suggested and planned by him. Me and my sibs are the only reason he isn't dead." I quickly filled in the blanks for him."
I hurried over to Logan's after OC told me she would cover my runs. Normal didn't look too happy but that had never stopped me.
When Logan read the letter he was exited but nervous. "What if it is a plan to kill you? I couldn't stand to lose you again."
"You won't lose her again. You see I have never wanted to hurt any of my kids. Max especially. That was because my wife was her surrogate. She was one of the youngest X5s to break out in '09. My wife fought to keep Max but before I could let her or help her escape they drug her out of the room. I never found out what happened to her. All I knew was that you were her baby. Hence you were sort of favored by me." Lydecker had just walked in the door.
"You're saying that I am sort of you're daughter. Gag. God and I thought you just liked my personality. Anyway you are saying that this won't kill me. Ok get your ass over here and inject me as soon as I call Alec. I want him here to kill your ass if I die and to keep Logan from doing himself in. Also good to have around if it doesn't work and Logan does get sick." Just as I finished my sentence Alec walked in.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Alec proclaimed at the sight of Deck.
Deck injected me and about a minute later I felt a seizure coming on. I began to shake violently and Alec moved me to the couch so he could keep me from hurting myself. The seizures lasted about 15 minutes before I finally quit shaking. I felt my body already shutting down like always after one of my seizures. Before I fell asleep I grabbed Logan's head and pulled him down for a kiss. Then all was black.
I woke to Logan holding my hand and sat up. "It worked!" I yelled in triumph. Logan nodded and kissed me gently. Deck and Alec walked in.
"Wanna go to Crash and tell the others?" Alec offered.
Logan broke the kiss laughing. "Your family just doesn't want us to be together do they? First Zack, then Zack again, then Alec, now both Deck and Alec. We are so doomed."
"We aren't. They are if they keep interrupting. Anyway I should tell OC. Let's go. Alec just for interrupting us we'll race you there. Two per bike. I get my man you get Deck." I walked past deck to the elevator.
"Does this mean you aren't mad anymore?" Lydecker called to me.
"I am still creeped out that you are legally my father but yeah you've made up for your crimes somewhat. Come on I'll buy you a drink."
*******************************End Flashback****************************
I smile at the memory. A few weeks later Logan proposed to me. The proposal was interrupted by Zack walking into Jam Pony. I told him yes before Zack could say anything to ruin the moment then when big brother did interrupt my I'm gonna get married kiss I kicked his ass. Logan's right we are cursed.
At least that wasn't as bad as on our Honeymoon. We ran into Jondy on our way to our room and she insisted that we keep it down or she would blow up my bike. We didn't make too much noise but I almost killed Krit when he popped out of nowhere the next morning and woke us.
Of coarse they have popped in so many times at meal times that Logan has started making an extra plate out of habit. Strangely enough the food never goes to waste. An army marches on its stomach, as Deck likes to say.
We got to the airport in record time. All my sibs had already driven there or hopefully got a different flight. I love my sibs and all but I would like to spend some time without them as five of them have apartments in Seattle and practically live at ours. Brin had finally been convinced that freedom was good and had moved to an apartment down the street from OC. Tinga (who didn't die it turns out) had found Charlie and Case lived in the sector next to the one I lived in. Zane and Krit found apartments a few blocks from Jam Pony where Normal hired them as part of his new `I support Transgenics so don't kick my ass' program. Then there was Jondy my closest sib. She lived about two buildings down cause she liked Logan's cooking so much. After the first week of her eating every meal with us Logan started dropping by everyday to deliver three meals to get his peace from her. Jondy has yet to understand why Zack doesn't like Logan. Zack dropped by occasionally but he still refused to settle down.
We said our goodbyes to Bling who had sort of bonded with me after a few visits and now was like part of the family. Then we boarded the plane. Sadly we almost collided into who but Mr. Paranoia himself, Zack.
"I thought you two would have left a few days ago. Too many of us on this plane is dangerous." Zack started lecturing me.
"There are two of us and you aren't going to be sitting near us if I have to kick your ass and store you in the cargo hold so don't worry about it." I stated pushing him out of the way.
"There are four of us on this plane Maxie. Too many and why don't you want me near you are you actually worried about exposure." Zack replied wisely ignoring the fact I challenged him. Don't mess with the pregnant X5, she can kick your ass with just her hormones.
Logan sensing a fight stepped in. "Zack we just want some time without anyone bothering us. It's a wonder that Max is even pregnant as someone is always dropping in at the worst moments. She's stressed enough without having to fight you for some peace and quite. As for the exposure part you are about to tell the world that you are transgenics on television and fight for your rights so give up the exposure paranoia." Logan obviously had guts standing up to my CO. Oh shit did he just tell Zack I'm pregnant?!
As if reading my mind Zack looked at me. "You're pregnant Maxie? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Cause I wasn't ready to. Will it get me some time alone with my husband? By the way who else is on the plane?"
"Krit and Syl. I think I'll go see what they are doing." Zack left. We sat down finally. I immediately lifted the armrest and moved closer to Logan.
"Much better. No interruptions just me and you for the whole three hour trip." I said closing my eyes to fall asleep. Not that I needed sleep I was just really comfortable.
I heard the tapping of keys on Logan's laptop. "Whatcha doing?" I asked sitting back up and looking at the screen.
"Seeing how many people have actually checked into the hotel we are staying at. Jace, Tinga and Charlie, Alec, Brin, Zane, Jondy, Jack, and Stan. Apparently we are the last bunch. What's this I just checked my e-mail?" Logan's eyes widened as he read the e-mail. Then he swore.
"What's wrong?"
"Aunt Margo. She sent me an official invite to a family reunion at Christmas. She sent it five months ahead of time so I could have nothing planned. If there is one thing I've learned from other members of the family its you can't refuse an official invite. Believe me I've tried."
"Sadly. We can claim an emergency. I can break my arm the day before or we can have Zack break in and trash the place giving us just cause to stay."
"Tried both. They wanted me to be there so that they could sign my cast and they said they would pay someone to file the report for me and replace everything. Damn them and their money that I love to spend even though I didn't earn it."
"You broke your own arm?" I grinned. "I can't wait to meet the relatives. Let's see how much they like me. Especially after tomorrow. Plus I'll be almost full term so I'll be all hormonal and edgy. Ah it will be a time to remember."
"It will be interesting and if you're wondering I jumped off the roof landing on my arm. It wasn't very high and wouldn't have killed me but my arm hurt like hell and I had to put up with the family too. So you have you're speech planned out?"
"Of coarse. I plan to tell them of our treatment and escape and our attempt to destroy the place and of Mantacore's final destruction. Plus add some of the feelings, fear, anger, aggression, shock, etc. I have the whole speech memorized so no real worries. Tell me about your relatives."
For the rest of the trip Logan told me horror stories about his family mixed with a few nice relatives. When we got off the plane we were surprised to see Original Cindy and Bling waiting for us. "How the-" I started.
"We have our secrets suga. Come on we have a car waiting. Or rather van."
When we got to the receptionist looked at Logan as if he was the only sane one there. (That might have been because Syl and Zack were fighting about something and me and Krit were laughing at them. "What can I do for you?"
"Actually we have rooms reserved but I rather take the biggest suite and a lot of pillows and blankets instead. We can all stay in one room. It might actually be fun." He stated handing her some money.
"Right this way sir." She showed us to the biggest suite. "I will see that you are not disturbed.
"I like your husband Maxie. He is smart." Krit stated as we walked into the suite.
"We have lived around you for way too long for him to think we would spend this night alone." Syl left to gather the others while we sat around the room. Now we need something to do the last, "I glance at my watch,"16 hours before we show our faces to the world. Any suggestions?"
"Food!!!" Jondy shouted from the door. She had just walked in.
"I am not cooking Jondy. We can order pizza. Lots of pizza. Like fifteen pizza's. Who wants to run out to buy drinks? I'll give you money." Logan stated.
Alec's hand went out in front of Logan. "Give me enough for, he paused and looked around, "two kegs. We don't want to be drunk in the morning or have a hangover." Logan handed him the money and he left. I ordered pizza and it arrived around the same time as Alec came back. We all dug in. I drank water and soda (sadly when my husband just bought two kegs of beer for my sibs.)
OC noticed this almost immediately. "What's wrong boo? You ain't drinkin'."
That brought silence to the room apparently Zack didn't tell. "You'll find out eventually." I sighed, "We're gonna have a baby."
Everyone began smiling and patting me on the back. "Hey boo as we need something to do lets play truth or dare." OC called to me.
"Isn't that a child's game?" Logan asked me.
"Not really and I never had a childhood so I get to play without being judged okay?" I replied. "OC why don't you go first."
"Ok. Max truth or dare?"
"I fear your evil idea's for a dare so truth."
"You are so not fun but I have been wondering this since you came back. How did you meet/name Alec?"
At this Alec turned red. "Max is right you are evil. I don't think Logan even knows this story." he shuddered at the thought of the story. "By the way I never apologized for the rude things I said about you that day. So sorry."
"Don't worry bout it. And yes you and I are the only ones in this room that know the story. I still think my other name would have been better. First off after I got shot and transplanted with some weird extra X5 heart and after recovery and all I was sort of sent for reeducation. Damn fools thought they could make me forget my friends and my life out here and go back to being a drone. Anyway since me and Zack had blown the DNA lab they needed some way to create more little soldiers so they paired everyone up with `breeding partners' mine just happened to be Mr. All annoying. Of coarse I wasn't about to have sex with him and I told him so. Then he told me he wasn't exactly happy about it either cause he didn't know what kind of diseases I might have gotten out here in the real world. Told me orders were orders and that it was my fault that we had to anyway cause I blew up the lab. Kicked his ass across the cell. Eventually we were talking and I asked him what his name was. He stated his designation so I offered Alec as in smart alec. My other suggestion was Dick but he took Alec. Next morning I almost killed Refro without thinking of the consequences. Alec answered when she asked how many times we had done it he said two then she brought up Logan and I was pissed. Alec caught me working on my escape route that night and I escaped. My turn," I saw Logan's face looked shocked. I grinned as I looked around. "Krit truth or dare?"
"Dare even though I know you are evil." he started looking nervous.
"Damn straight. Knowing that you and Syl kinda left the whole brother sister relationship along time ago I dare you to make out with Syl."
"I hate being right and how on earth did you know that anyway? Oh well gotta admit she is the hot one of the group." Krit leaned over from his spot next to Syl and they started kissing. About a minute later he stopped and looked around. "Jack, truth or dare?"
"That's a tough one cause I think everyone here is evil. Um dare I think it's less risky. I think."
Before Krit could think of a dare I spoke up, "Is it hot in here to anyone else?" For the last few minutes it had been getting more and more noticeable.
All the female X5s looked at me. "You're kidding right Max. It's freezing in here." Zane commented from the corner.
"I'm not kidding I'm sweating over here."
Jondy put her hand on my forehead. "Max you are running a Temp. This has got to be the worst time ever for you to be going into heat. Syl get your hands off Krit for a second and help me drag her into my room before she ends up jumping one of our brothers. Or anyone else besides her husband." she shuddered at the thought. They drug me out into the hall and into Jondy's room.
Syl was wiping my forehead when she suddenly gasped. "Jondy. We all usually go into heat around the same time. Two days of fevers, drooling over anything male, and we are spending time with our brothers and friends and have to make a speech to congress tomorrow. A speech that will be shown on T.V. This couldn't get any worse."
"Sure it can. I'm not sure how but it can." Jondy said from the freezer. She put an Icepack on my forehead and left. Syl soon followed. I began to get the stronger urges and went in search of Logan. Here's hoping I don't run into a guy on the way.
**********************************Cindy's PoV************************
Max's sisters sure dragged her out in a hurry. Logan left as soon as they came back in. One of Max's sisters whispered in his ear before he left and he just nodded and continued out the door.
"What did they tell him?" I asked Alec.
"To get there quick before she breaks the wall down to find a guy who won't end up to be him. She also told him to make sure and get it out of her system now cause she can't have that urge in the morning."
I gave him a skeptical look. "What I told you what she meant. Basically she said `Maxie's in heat and you had better go get her out of it before she gets us all outlawed.'" he sniffed the air. "Oh shit."
"What now?" I ask impatiently.
"Someone else is in heat. Two others...three...all of them. Dang they do all go into heat at the same time. We are so doomed." Alec stated looking around at the other X5 guys.
Poor Bling and Charlie they have no clue. At least Charlie and Logan are used to it but Bling. I shook my head. "I'm going out to a club. We obviously aren't going to finish this game." Bling made to follow me but was grabbed by one of the girls. He realized what was happening and calmed down. He led Jondy to one of the rooms.
Gotta remember to smack him later. Just as I was leaving Alec caught up with me. "Mind if I join you?" he asked sweetly.
"Thought you'd be taking advantage of this situation."
"Nope, been there before. I have seen the after effects. Bling will be sorry in the morning."
*************************Max's PoV*********************************
I woke in a bed that wasn't mine in a room that wasn't mine and with a warm body next to mine. I turned slightly to make sure it was Logan. Yes no more uncontrollable urges. I took a shower and got dressed before I woke Logan.
"Hey we have that thing in two hours. Wakeup." I whispered in his ear. I went to go wake the others as Logan got ready. To my surprise only OC and Alec were in the big suite. I woke them and asked where the others were.
"Apparently Manticore found a way to make you all go into heat at the same time. Check the other rooms." Alec answered me with a yawn as he went to go get ready.
I went to one of the rooms and knocked. When I got no answer I quietly slipped the door open. Tinga and Charlie were sound asleep in the bed. I gently shook Tinga awake. "Hey wake up its time to earn our freedom." I whispered. Tinga opened her eyes and looked at me.
"Feeling better?" she asked. I nodded and went to wake the next couple. I wasn't really surprised to find Krit and Syl in the next room. They were up quickly and were apparently dreading facing the others jokes.
Bling and Jondy seemed to have hit it off well I thought as I woke them. The last two couples apparently only had had sex to stop the urges from taking over today. They were casual about it. Stan and Zack were used to their sisters in heat by now and had just done what was necessary. Jack had run off into another room to avoid one the girls in heat. (he had a girlfriend at home) I reentered the main suite to get out my clothes for the day. I had been asked to address the senate and have a few other transgenics to speak as well. Hence my family and Alec. I came out of the bathroom to the smell of breakfast. Mmmm food.
I walked into the kitchen to find Jondy already trying to take the food from Logan. He glared at her which made me laugh cause Jondy was afraid of nothing. "Morning Jonny Dee. Morning sweetheart. Pass the food on over here." I kissed Logan good morning and he passed me a plate of food.
"Hey how come you get food and I don't?" Jondy asked.
"Because you aren't the one who made love to him all night long plus its one of many advantages of wearing this ring on my finger." I responded starting to stuff my face. Logan handed Jondy a plate and she still beat me at finishing it.
"Jondy it might also have something to do with the fact that that baby needs the nutrition more than you do." Logan told her when the others began coming into the room. Logan set a big dish full of scrambled eggs and a plate of toast on the table. It was gone before he could get some. An army marches on its stomach. I looked around and saw OC was missing. Just as I was about to ask where she was she came in balancing somewhere around five dozen donuts.
I grabbed a box away before anyone could starve the normal people. I handed the box to Logan and nabbed about half a box from a group of my sibs. There now I can eat.
We got to the Senate building about twenty minutes early. I took Logan and OC aside. "I want you too in the spectators not up on stage with us. If someone decides to target us, I don't want you involved." I saw Logan was about to object so I gave him a pleading look as I continued. "I just don't want to lose you. We have been trained to defend ourselves since we learned how to walk I don't want you in the line of fire. Plus I can't look behind me for support so I need you in front of me to encourage me."
He finally gave in, albeit reluctantly, but he gave in all the same. I kissed him and OC, Charlie, and Bling followed him to a seat.
"Ready Maxie?" I heard Zack ask. "You have to start us off. We are leaders in the road to freedom. Time to get on stage."
I smiled at him. We were led onto a platform where Zack stood slightly in front of the others who stood in ranks. I was introduced and took my spot at the podium.
"Good morning to all who are either present or watching this on TV. My birth `name' is X5-452 but my actual name is Max. Before I begin my speech let me introduce my other representatives or in other words my family." I walked over to the ranks and stood in front of Zack. "X5-599 or Zack my oldest `brother' and commander. My sister and second in command Tinga or X5- 626. Brin or X5-387, Jondy X5-398, Jace X5-520, Krit X5-491, Syl X5-734, Stan X5-955, Jack X5-121,Zane X5-856, and Alec X5-494 who is here not as my brother but as my friend who just happens to be my brothers twin."
I moved back to the podium. "We are here to represent all of the transgenics as we are the longest to have the freedom we have. We don't wish to have any special treatment just the same rights as everyone else. It is not our fault that we were created. We stand before you today to show you why we want to be just like everyone else." I turned around and lifted my hair to show my barcode. "This is a symbol of my birth, I didn't ask for it was programmed in my DNA so that no matter what I try I can't get rid of it." I let my hair drop and turned back around.
"Does this mean that I don't have feelings of fear or hope? No. just cause they put barcodes on our necks doesn't mean that. I do fear things believe it or not. I have had hopes and dreams since I was a child just like every other living being on this earth. I may not have had a normal childhood but I was once a child just like everyone else. In fact I came to see the real world when I was only nine years old. Let me tell you my story."
I caught Logan's gaze and he nodded in encouragement. "Opposed to what everyone believes about transgenics being born wanting to kill that is very untrue. I was a particularly special `project' cause they made my DNA perfect. My DNA contains no junk unlike everyone else in the world. My `mother' tried to escape with me before I was even born and was most likely killed after she gave birth to me. From the time I was born they have experimented on me. From what I know I the majority of the animal DNA that I have is Shark and Cat with a few other animals in the mix. I have perfect memory and can remember all the way up to about the age of two. My hearing, smell and sight are better than a normal person.
"When I learned to walk and enough speech to say Sir I was placed in a company which is where I met my siblings. My first word was not Mommy or Daddy like normal children but was `yes sir'. Our minds are highly advanced and by the age of three I could name any gun with just a glance. We learned hand-to-hand combat at a very young age. By the time we were five we were so 'disciplined' we could out do any military company in most maneuvers and followed orders much better than normal people who were given a choice. This came at a great price though for if we disobeyed orders we were beaten or put in isolation and my brother used to tell me if we were really bad they would lock you in the basement with the nomalies who at the time we thought they ate children. They don't but it kept us from messing up to badly. Regardless of how strict the training or brainwashing sessions were we were still just kids. At night my brother Ben who died a few years ago would tell us stories about life outside the gates. He would tell us stories about being loved and cared for. He told us stories of the Blue Lady and how everyone goes to the good place where there is no more pain and you can do whatever you want."
I paused to compose myself. "I watched my sister die in one of our training sessions by the gun in our psycho creator's hand. I was eight years old at the time. Unlike what they thought, I wasn't perfect I get these seizures and so many times I was drug into the operation room to be worked on. They would cut me open and start working on me without even knocking me out. We all had bones broken to see our pain taking skills and healing rate, which are both superior to normal standards. There were a few side affects to some of our animal genes. For example, Cats go into heat where they have this instinct or urge to mate that is extremely strong. I have a heat cycle that is really, really annoying as I want to mate with the first guy I see during that cycle." I shuddered involuntarily.
"My siblings and I decided we wanted out so one cold snowy night we broke through the windows and ran. twelve of us escaped that night. I remember hiding under the ice of a nearby lake while watching the guards pass. We could hold our breath for around 20 minutes, which we were trained to do by being chained to the bottom of a pool for so long. A few transgenics died trying to survive that. After we escaped we didn't see each other for ten years. I didn't even recognize my brother when he found me. Zack kept in contact or at least a close watch on all of us. Slowly I found out what had happened to each one. Then we decided to take down Manticore for good. We succeeded in blowing up the DNA lab but Zack and I were captured."
I looked at Logan again. "I had been shot through the heart Zack in the shoulder but luckily they had a heart left from a X5 who had died in the most recent underwater training so I received an implant. They tried to reeducate me but I had been in the real world too long and had experienced love and friendship. Eventually I escaped again and after I found out that they planted a virus in my body that was targeted to kill my love if I touched him I went back and got the antidote to save his life and freed everyone who was going to burn since the place was burning cause Eyes Only had reveled its whereabouts. That `VA hospital' that was burned down by the S1W was no VA hospital and it was burned down by the people who built it."
"Since Manticore burned down letting us all out into the world we have been feared, outlawed, hunted, and killed by either this psycho cult group or regular people. Most of us don't want to hurt anyone. We just want to live our lives and such. Those who do want to hurt people are just like ordinaries who go out on killing sprees and if I ever catch them hurting my friends they will have their ass kicked by me. I am tired of running and hiding so now its time for America to stand up for what it created. I only ask that you let us live our lives and not be hunted or feared. We mean no one any harm. That hostage situation about a year ago was brought on when some normal people smashed our transport and threatened the occupants, which consisted of a desert soldier, canine soldier, a kid and a pregnant X5 headed for safety. they were headed to meet another transgenic to get a transport and head to terminal city. Police tried to shoot them so they ran for cover inside the building and we couldn't let everyone leave cause then the police wouldn't have any reason to keep from busting in and killing everyone. If you ask the hostages they should tell you no one was hurt except for one of our own."
I looked to Zack. "That's about all I ha-" I cut off as I felt dizzy. My hands started shaking. Zack didn't seem to notice. Logan did. He stood up and headed towards the front. Zack came running when I hit the floor and began shaking violently. Logan was stopped by security from coming onto the platform. Alec ran to tell the guard to let him through.
My shaking was getting worse and I was afraid it was going to hurt my baby. Logan finally got to me and pulled out my pill bottle.
"Max open your mouth." he told me. I couldn't I tried but I couldn't. I felt hands prying my jaw open. I was having flashbacks of some of my other seizures. Some that would knock me out during one of our training sessions and would end me up in the medical ward.
"Swallow Max swallow." I heard Logan's voice. I still couldn't control my body and I couldn't stop shaking or swallow the pills. Alec forced his way backstage and searched my bag. He pulled out a syringe and a bottle of liquid tryptophane. He brought it over to me and told Zack and Zane to hold me down knowing my reaction to needles. My eyes saw the needle coming at my arm I tried to hit it away as pure reflex. He injected me and my seizures slowed to a stop. My vision cleared and I slowly sat up. "Thanks." I said to Alec.
After about a minute I stood and walked to the podium once more. "Told ya I wasn't perfect. That was all I had planned to say so I'll leave you in the capable hands of my family as I go take a nap. Those seizures are very exhausting. I can come back tomorrow if you want for questions." Without another word I walked off the stage Logan following behind. When we got to the parking lot I finally spoke. "We need to go to the hospital. That seizure might have hurt the baby." I turned around so he couldn't see the tears in my eyes but he did anyway. He pulled me towards him and hugged me tight.
"Its alright. It'll be okay. We just need to check and maybe take it easy a little while." he whispered in my ear.
"I don't think I could handle it if the baby is hurt or dies because of what I am. I already love it so much Logan. I can't lose it now. In there I wasn't fighting for my rights I was fighting for our child's rights. We were made to be a secret but I don't want my baby to have to hide all the time."
He wiped a tear from my cheek. "He or she will be fine. Our child is a fighter just like its mother. It will be ok." He rubbed my back soothingly.
********************************about a week later*****************
"Nice of you to finally show up missy miss. You are late what's you're excuse this time." Normal said.
"I had a doctors appointment. I had to have them check to make sure the baby was alright after that seizure and I am not doing any runs till after the news. Today is the day they vote on whether to accept us or not. You gonna try and stop me from watching it?" I told him turning on the TV.
"Actually I wanna see that too. Your baby is ok right. That was a pretty bad seizure you had in front of the world." he asked me and for a moment it seemed that he actually was concerned about me.
"Yeah baby is fine, you watched the press conference? I thought you'd be concerned with getting these packages delivered."
"Max have you ever had a seizure on the job?" He finally asked wanting to know if she had been hurt on a run.
"Yeah but I always have my meds nearby. They aren't usually that bad. Usually a few pills and I'm back to normal. You seem to be fishing for something. What?" I gave him a curious look.
"I want you to have a desk job till you have that baby. I never knew how hard everything was on you both as a child and as an adult. This baby must mean everything to you and I don't want you to work too hard while you are pregnant. Look the news is starting. As soon as its over I'll get you set up over here." I watched as Normal walked away the shock evident on my face.
"Today the senate will be voting on how to deal with the transgenic population after much consideration. All the votes have been counted and we should have the results in a few minutes. First lets look at some of the highlights of the transgenic leader's speech. The highlights will be commented on by James Aken and Julia Morrow." the TV anchor stated as a clip of Max's speech was put onto the screen.
"You guys can still work here if you don't get the rights you deserve. I won't turn you in." Normal stated out of the blue.
"Did I hear you right? You are going to break the law for us? I don't know what is harder to believe that you are be nice to me and didn't even yell at me for being late or that you are willing to break the law to employ us."
Alec and the other Transgenic employees joined me in front of the T.V. and OC and Normal soon joined the group. Soon enough no one in jam pony was working (not that that is a new thing) all were watching the news.
The clip was one of Max's declarations that transgenics do have emotions no matter what they were programmed to feel. "She feels nothing you can see she's not nervous and she isn't looking at the camera pleading for mercy but shows no feelings at all." James stated.
"I disagree. She was trained to be a warrior so she automatically hides her feelings just like a man who was always told it's not right for a man to cry won't cry in front of anyone. Later in the speech you can see she is overcome by emotion when she thinks about her deceased brother. You can also see fear in her eyes during her seizure especially when the needle is being put into her arm. Throughout the speech she kept glancing at someone in the crowd who I assume was the man who ran up on stage when she started seizing up." Julia spoke up defending Max. "The others also show it at around the same times. I think this shows that they do have feelings just like everyone else."
"Now we all know Max has emotions even without the whole fear and pain look during the speech. Does anybody here think Max is emotionless?" Alec asked the crowd.
No one spoke up. They had all seen me angry or really happy or depressed and confused. Especially ticked off and usually that was because of Alec.
The debate ended when the anchor cut the feed to announce that the results had arrived. "The decision has taken just over six days and the results are that these transgenics are granted rights given to everyone when born in the United States." I let out a yell in triumph. "The vote was won by a three-fourth majority. Congratulations to all the transgenics that can now show their faces and be protected by the law. Now for sports with -" The TV. switched off.
"Bip Bip Bip people you had your break now back to work. Max time for you to learn to dispatch the packages." Normal became all business again.
I followed him toward the counter and was shocked when an arm pulled me back. Soon I was being twirled in the air. When I was back on my feet I found Logan standing in front of me. "I just heard on my way over. I came as soon as I could. Max you finally got what you have always wanted, freedom. This is great and our baby will be free." Logan hugged me.
Alec walked over. "Hey Logan. Max you may have just got promoted but whatever soft spot he had is growing harder by the second. Get over there before he fires you or takes that promotion back. Oh party at six tonight at Crash to celebrate I'll pick up Joshua and Mole. Don't let your private celebration interfere." He winked as he left walking his bike out the door.
"You got promoted?" Logan asked with surprise evident in his voice.
"No Normal just has a soft spot for the kid so he gave me dispatch duty till after its born. Worried about me losing the kid I guess."
"Wow so you do have a heart Ray. Mind if I take Max for the rest of the day you can have her again tommorow." Logan turned to Normal.
"I don't think I have much of a choice. Go. I know you need to celebrate or you'll kick my ass. Take your siblings if you'd like they are just as much a pain in my ass." Normal said as he saw Krit and Zane hugging Max.
"Hell no you keep them this is my celebration time with Logan I can celebrate with them at Crash." Max grabbed her coat out of her locker and headed off with Logan.
That night at Crash
"Look who finally showed up!" Alec yelled as me and Logan entered the bar.
"We aren't that late. Traffic was bad at the sector stop. Just for saying that you can pay for the drinks tonight." I shot back.
"Little Fella! We are free! And it's thanks to you." Joshua yelled hugging me.
We walk over to our little section of the bar. "Coke and a beer for Logan." the bar tender filled the order looking at Max strangely. "Sure you don't want a beer?" The bartender asked having known her for a long time.
"I'm sure don't want to mess this kid up before its even born." she told him.
"Hey quite down everyone!" The bartender yelled. "Tonight as my way of congratulating the Transgenics on their freedom all drinks are free if you are transgenic." the crowd cheered.
I leaned over the bar. "You just made a huge mistake. The X5 series alone can take in double their body weight before they get drunk." She smiled at the barkeep's shocked look. I turned when the room suddenly went silent.
Lydecker had just walked in. I could hear Zack crack his knuckles reflexively. My whole family was in town and that was not good news for Deck.
"Look all of you. I'm sorry I treated you like garbage but it made you into the people you are today. Congrats on your freedom and rights. Mind if I join in the celebration?" Deck tried to get back on their all of our good sides.
I watched as Zack walked up to him. Deck was on the floor holding his jaw before he knew what happened. "Now you are forgiven. I've wanted to do that since I was three and you first hit Maxie. She was only a year and a half old you jerk." Zack walked off and deck stood up.
I shoved a beer in his hand. "You got off easy. Be happy."
I watched as Zack went to talk to a woman. This of coarse got Krit's attention. "And here I thought the CO was gay." Krit whispered to Syl. He motioned to Zane. Zane soon approached and they walked over to Zack.
"How dare you cheat on me! I thought you loved me. You lied to me you never loved me!" Krit began as Zane watched from a few feet off.
I was trying to contain my laughter as the woman smacked Zack and walked off. Zack glared at Krit. "I'm gonna kill you!' he yelled as he lunged at Krit but Zane tripped him.
"Krit and Zack sitting in a tree..." Zane began to sing. I could no longer control my laughter burst out laughing as Jondy started teasing Zack as well.
"Zack you know that's illegal. Dating your own brother. We just got our rights today and now you are already breaking the law. Incest is such a crime. Well we aren't actually related but Syl is gonna kill you for taking her man!" Jondy began to tease.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Deck shake his head. I made my way toward him. "This is who we are. Our favorite game is pick on Mr. Uptight CO. We're happy. We used to goof off in training when you weren't looking seeing who would be the first to get caught."
"I used to forget you were just kids. I took your childhood and I have never regretted anything more but look at you now. By the way congrats on the baby." Deck responded to my comment. I left to join in the fun. Logan was playing pool with Alec, Mole, and Syl. No offense to my man but he's gonna lose. Syl will kick all their asses as that was how she and Krit won money for food and rent before they were old enough to get jobs. Mole and Alec spent day after day in terminal city playing pool. Poor guy didn't stand a chance.
Brin and Stan were catching up on old times and laughing at Zack, Krit, Zane, and Jondy's antics. Jace was talking to Sketchy and Jack was wondering around looking for a girl. I decided to play fooseball with OC.
"So my girl finally got what she wanted. How's it feel boo?" OC asked her as they started their game.
"Good. We can all have lives now and I get to see my sibs run around chasing each other again. It feels so good to know this kid of mine won't have to hide. Of coarse my life is never going to be normal but at least its coming closer." I glanced over at Zack who had pinned Krit to the floor and heard Krit say "I'm sorry Zack but I have a girlfriend. I don't swing that way. Try pinning Zane he might be gay and want to do it with you in the middle of a public bar." Zane kicked him in the head. "You ass."
Zack sat on his chest until Krit gave which didn't happen as Jondy tackled Zack from behind. "CO is getting slow huh Cat Man."
"Yup and if you ever call me that again Jondy you'll be hanging from Max's balcony." Krit responded.
"Kiss my genetically engineered ass Jondy." Zack said as he threw her off him.
"No thanks I'm not the weird one, ask Alec to he seems the type." Jondy shot back.
"I heard that Jondy!" Alec yelled from the pool table.
"You were meant to!" she yelled back.
I smiled and finished the game deciding to join in the fun. "Hey Zack why don't you try Alec for the whole I'm gay scenario he at least hasn't seen you naked like the rest of us." I yelled at Zack. "He won't know what he's getting."
"Good one Baby Maxie!" Tinga yelled from where she was kicking Charlie's ass at pool with Joshua and Jack.
"I'm gonna kick your ass Max. Pregnant or not cause I sure as hell ain't gay and even if I were I wouldn't be desperate enough to go for Zack." Alec yelled to her earning him a smack over the head from Logan's pool cue.
"Kick my ass? Last time I checked I was the one who kicked your ass. Boy Jondy could kick your ass! And did you just admit you were gay?" I yelled back. OC was laughing now and Sketchy was joining in on the laughing having barely noticed what was going on.
He was hitting on Jace so I figured I should warn him about her son(she had had a boy). "Hey sketch if your hitting on my sister you should know she has a son and a really over-protective family. hence you break her heart I break you. Well more likely Zack breaks you." I warned from where I stood.
Jace smiled at his shocked look. "You have a kid?" he asked stunned.
"Yup. He's three years old and his name is Max after his aunt who helped me escape with him. He's staying with a friend of mine right now but he has a grip that could probably bruise a normal person." Jace announced proudly. "I'd be more worried about Zack if I were you he would have killed Logan already if it wasn't for Max."
"Ain't that the truth." I mutter but Jace still hears it and starts laughing. "Actually Maxie I was thinking of moving here I think we should all live in Seattle. Even better we can all get jobs at that place you work at."
"Great idea hey Zack why don't you settle down here. It's not like anyone is hunting us. The familiars are gone we have legal rights in this country so why don't we all live here?" I asked.
"We could give it a try but if it doesn't work out we can still keep in contact." he answered.
"it'll work as long as my place doesn't get visits from you guys everyday. Jondy that means you'll have to cook for yourself a lot more." I said. Jondy hung her head.
Logan looked up from the game. "Does that mean we get meals to ourselves?" he asked catching my last remark.
I smiled. It was going to be interesting at Jam Pony now. Extremely interesting.
A/N: Please Review. Flames are accepted. will be laughed at but will be accepted all the same. This is my first Dark Angel fanfic so if it sucks I'm sorry.
*Story told mostly from Max's Point of View so don't get confused.
Chapter 1: Dream Come True
"Max, wake up. Our flight leaves in an hour." I heard Logan say as he gently shook me awake. I don't remember my mumbled response but after I glanced at the clock I was wide-awake.
"Shit! We are going to miss our flight." I yelled as I began to get dressed. Logan was apparently already dressed and had checked to make sure that we had everything.
"Calm down Max. You're going to stress the baby. Just get dressed and we'll leave Bling is already here to take us to the airport. I'll load the bags while you get ready." Oh yeah I better calm down or the baby might go into shock. its really weird being pregnant cause I hafta watch my stress level. Too much stress and the baby will end up hurt.
I hurriedly got dressed and went to Bling's car. "Thanks for the ride Bling we don't know how long we'll be gone and we don't want to leave the Aztec at the airport for too long." Logan slapped Bling on the back.
"You two just be careful in D.C. I want you to come back to a transgenic friendly Seattle." Bling pulled out of the garage.
As we drove my thoughts turned to how much my life had changed since we started our stand for freedom. White and his familiars had challenged us straight on. We had a few casualties but we beat them in the end. A few weeks later we beat the virus.
**************************Flashback****************************
"Bip Bip Bip people. I don't pay you to sit on your asses." normal shouted to the messengers at Jam Pony.
"You don't even pay us well for what we do do." I yelled back at him as I turned back to my conversation with Alec about Terminal City.
"Hot run. Max you've got a package. And by the way Transgenic or not you still have to work for your money. Sign." He handed me a clipboard. I signed and he handed me a small package.
I opened the package to find a note and a small vile. The note read: Max, you are working so hard to help your fellow transgenics. This quality and love was not allowed by me, but I hope you will forgive me and as an apology and a thank you for taking my work from Renfro I give you this. It is the cure for that virus that bitch put in you during your stay. Please invite me to the wedding. After you inject this in your veins your seizures will start. Do Not take the tryptophane it will counteract the drug. Wish you the best I will contact you again in a week. Donald Lydecker.
I gasped audibly. Alec heard with his super hearing and came running. "What's wrong Max?" he asked quickly.
This brought original Cindy running over I showed them the note and Cindy gasped then hugged me. Alec stared at the signature. "Why on earth would Deck help you after you destroyed Manticore? Wouldn't he want to kill you?" Alec asked me in disbelief.
"No cause the first attack was suggested and planned by him. Me and my sibs are the only reason he isn't dead." I quickly filled in the blanks for him."
I hurried over to Logan's after OC told me she would cover my runs. Normal didn't look too happy but that had never stopped me.
When Logan read the letter he was exited but nervous. "What if it is a plan to kill you? I couldn't stand to lose you again."
"You won't lose her again. You see I have never wanted to hurt any of my kids. Max especially. That was because my wife was her surrogate. She was one of the youngest X5s to break out in '09. My wife fought to keep Max but before I could let her or help her escape they drug her out of the room. I never found out what happened to her. All I knew was that you were her baby. Hence you were sort of favored by me." Lydecker had just walked in the door.
"You're saying that I am sort of you're daughter. Gag. God and I thought you just liked my personality. Anyway you are saying that this won't kill me. Ok get your ass over here and inject me as soon as I call Alec. I want him here to kill your ass if I die and to keep Logan from doing himself in. Also good to have around if it doesn't work and Logan does get sick." Just as I finished my sentence Alec walked in.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Alec proclaimed at the sight of Deck.
Deck injected me and about a minute later I felt a seizure coming on. I began to shake violently and Alec moved me to the couch so he could keep me from hurting myself. The seizures lasted about 15 minutes before I finally quit shaking. I felt my body already shutting down like always after one of my seizures. Before I fell asleep I grabbed Logan's head and pulled him down for a kiss. Then all was black.
I woke to Logan holding my hand and sat up. "It worked!" I yelled in triumph. Logan nodded and kissed me gently. Deck and Alec walked in.
"Wanna go to Crash and tell the others?" Alec offered.
Logan broke the kiss laughing. "Your family just doesn't want us to be together do they? First Zack, then Zack again, then Alec, now both Deck and Alec. We are so doomed."
"We aren't. They are if they keep interrupting. Anyway I should tell OC. Let's go. Alec just for interrupting us we'll race you there. Two per bike. I get my man you get Deck." I walked past deck to the elevator.
"Does this mean you aren't mad anymore?" Lydecker called to me.
"I am still creeped out that you are legally my father but yeah you've made up for your crimes somewhat. Come on I'll buy you a drink."
*******************************End Flashback****************************
I smile at the memory. A few weeks later Logan proposed to me. The proposal was interrupted by Zack walking into Jam Pony. I told him yes before Zack could say anything to ruin the moment then when big brother did interrupt my I'm gonna get married kiss I kicked his ass. Logan's right we are cursed.
At least that wasn't as bad as on our Honeymoon. We ran into Jondy on our way to our room and she insisted that we keep it down or she would blow up my bike. We didn't make too much noise but I almost killed Krit when he popped out of nowhere the next morning and woke us.
Of coarse they have popped in so many times at meal times that Logan has started making an extra plate out of habit. Strangely enough the food never goes to waste. An army marches on its stomach, as Deck likes to say.
We got to the airport in record time. All my sibs had already driven there or hopefully got a different flight. I love my sibs and all but I would like to spend some time without them as five of them have apartments in Seattle and practically live at ours. Brin had finally been convinced that freedom was good and had moved to an apartment down the street from OC. Tinga (who didn't die it turns out) had found Charlie and Case lived in the sector next to the one I lived in. Zane and Krit found apartments a few blocks from Jam Pony where Normal hired them as part of his new `I support Transgenics so don't kick my ass' program. Then there was Jondy my closest sib. She lived about two buildings down cause she liked Logan's cooking so much. After the first week of her eating every meal with us Logan started dropping by everyday to deliver three meals to get his peace from her. Jondy has yet to understand why Zack doesn't like Logan. Zack dropped by occasionally but he still refused to settle down.
We said our goodbyes to Bling who had sort of bonded with me after a few visits and now was like part of the family. Then we boarded the plane. Sadly we almost collided into who but Mr. Paranoia himself, Zack.
"I thought you two would have left a few days ago. Too many of us on this plane is dangerous." Zack started lecturing me.
"There are two of us and you aren't going to be sitting near us if I have to kick your ass and store you in the cargo hold so don't worry about it." I stated pushing him out of the way.
"There are four of us on this plane Maxie. Too many and why don't you want me near you are you actually worried about exposure." Zack replied wisely ignoring the fact I challenged him. Don't mess with the pregnant X5, she can kick your ass with just her hormones.
Logan sensing a fight stepped in. "Zack we just want some time without anyone bothering us. It's a wonder that Max is even pregnant as someone is always dropping in at the worst moments. She's stressed enough without having to fight you for some peace and quite. As for the exposure part you are about to tell the world that you are transgenics on television and fight for your rights so give up the exposure paranoia." Logan obviously had guts standing up to my CO. Oh shit did he just tell Zack I'm pregnant?!
As if reading my mind Zack looked at me. "You're pregnant Maxie? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Cause I wasn't ready to. Will it get me some time alone with my husband? By the way who else is on the plane?"
"Krit and Syl. I think I'll go see what they are doing." Zack left. We sat down finally. I immediately lifted the armrest and moved closer to Logan.
"Much better. No interruptions just me and you for the whole three hour trip." I said closing my eyes to fall asleep. Not that I needed sleep I was just really comfortable.
I heard the tapping of keys on Logan's laptop. "Whatcha doing?" I asked sitting back up and looking at the screen.
"Seeing how many people have actually checked into the hotel we are staying at. Jace, Tinga and Charlie, Alec, Brin, Zane, Jondy, Jack, and Stan. Apparently we are the last bunch. What's this I just checked my e-mail?" Logan's eyes widened as he read the e-mail. Then he swore.
"What's wrong?"
"Aunt Margo. She sent me an official invite to a family reunion at Christmas. She sent it five months ahead of time so I could have nothing planned. If there is one thing I've learned from other members of the family its you can't refuse an official invite. Believe me I've tried."
"Sadly. We can claim an emergency. I can break my arm the day before or we can have Zack break in and trash the place giving us just cause to stay."
"Tried both. They wanted me to be there so that they could sign my cast and they said they would pay someone to file the report for me and replace everything. Damn them and their money that I love to spend even though I didn't earn it."
"You broke your own arm?" I grinned. "I can't wait to meet the relatives. Let's see how much they like me. Especially after tomorrow. Plus I'll be almost full term so I'll be all hormonal and edgy. Ah it will be a time to remember."
"It will be interesting and if you're wondering I jumped off the roof landing on my arm. It wasn't very high and wouldn't have killed me but my arm hurt like hell and I had to put up with the family too. So you have you're speech planned out?"
"Of coarse. I plan to tell them of our treatment and escape and our attempt to destroy the place and of Mantacore's final destruction. Plus add some of the feelings, fear, anger, aggression, shock, etc. I have the whole speech memorized so no real worries. Tell me about your relatives."
For the rest of the trip Logan told me horror stories about his family mixed with a few nice relatives. When we got off the plane we were surprised to see Original Cindy and Bling waiting for us. "How the-" I started.
"We have our secrets suga. Come on we have a car waiting. Or rather van."
When we got to the receptionist looked at Logan as if he was the only sane one there. (That might have been because Syl and Zack were fighting about something and me and Krit were laughing at them. "What can I do for you?"
"Actually we have rooms reserved but I rather take the biggest suite and a lot of pillows and blankets instead. We can all stay in one room. It might actually be fun." He stated handing her some money.
"Right this way sir." She showed us to the biggest suite. "I will see that you are not disturbed.
"I like your husband Maxie. He is smart." Krit stated as we walked into the suite.
"We have lived around you for way too long for him to think we would spend this night alone." Syl left to gather the others while we sat around the room. Now we need something to do the last, "I glance at my watch,"16 hours before we show our faces to the world. Any suggestions?"
"Food!!!" Jondy shouted from the door. She had just walked in.
"I am not cooking Jondy. We can order pizza. Lots of pizza. Like fifteen pizza's. Who wants to run out to buy drinks? I'll give you money." Logan stated.
Alec's hand went out in front of Logan. "Give me enough for, he paused and looked around, "two kegs. We don't want to be drunk in the morning or have a hangover." Logan handed him the money and he left. I ordered pizza and it arrived around the same time as Alec came back. We all dug in. I drank water and soda (sadly when my husband just bought two kegs of beer for my sibs.)
OC noticed this almost immediately. "What's wrong boo? You ain't drinkin'."
That brought silence to the room apparently Zack didn't tell. "You'll find out eventually." I sighed, "We're gonna have a baby."
Everyone began smiling and patting me on the back. "Hey boo as we need something to do lets play truth or dare." OC called to me.
"Isn't that a child's game?" Logan asked me.
"Not really and I never had a childhood so I get to play without being judged okay?" I replied. "OC why don't you go first."
"Ok. Max truth or dare?"
"I fear your evil idea's for a dare so truth."
"You are so not fun but I have been wondering this since you came back. How did you meet/name Alec?"
At this Alec turned red. "Max is right you are evil. I don't think Logan even knows this story." he shuddered at the thought of the story. "By the way I never apologized for the rude things I said about you that day. So sorry."
"Don't worry bout it. And yes you and I are the only ones in this room that know the story. I still think my other name would have been better. First off after I got shot and transplanted with some weird extra X5 heart and after recovery and all I was sort of sent for reeducation. Damn fools thought they could make me forget my friends and my life out here and go back to being a drone. Anyway since me and Zack had blown the DNA lab they needed some way to create more little soldiers so they paired everyone up with `breeding partners' mine just happened to be Mr. All annoying. Of coarse I wasn't about to have sex with him and I told him so. Then he told me he wasn't exactly happy about it either cause he didn't know what kind of diseases I might have gotten out here in the real world. Told me orders were orders and that it was my fault that we had to anyway cause I blew up the lab. Kicked his ass across the cell. Eventually we were talking and I asked him what his name was. He stated his designation so I offered Alec as in smart alec. My other suggestion was Dick but he took Alec. Next morning I almost killed Refro without thinking of the consequences. Alec answered when she asked how many times we had done it he said two then she brought up Logan and I was pissed. Alec caught me working on my escape route that night and I escaped. My turn," I saw Logan's face looked shocked. I grinned as I looked around. "Krit truth or dare?"
"Dare even though I know you are evil." he started looking nervous.
"Damn straight. Knowing that you and Syl kinda left the whole brother sister relationship along time ago I dare you to make out with Syl."
"I hate being right and how on earth did you know that anyway? Oh well gotta admit she is the hot one of the group." Krit leaned over from his spot next to Syl and they started kissing. About a minute later he stopped and looked around. "Jack, truth or dare?"
"That's a tough one cause I think everyone here is evil. Um dare I think it's less risky. I think."
Before Krit could think of a dare I spoke up, "Is it hot in here to anyone else?" For the last few minutes it had been getting more and more noticeable.
All the female X5s looked at me. "You're kidding right Max. It's freezing in here." Zane commented from the corner.
"I'm not kidding I'm sweating over here."
Jondy put her hand on my forehead. "Max you are running a Temp. This has got to be the worst time ever for you to be going into heat. Syl get your hands off Krit for a second and help me drag her into my room before she ends up jumping one of our brothers. Or anyone else besides her husband." she shuddered at the thought. They drug me out into the hall and into Jondy's room.
Syl was wiping my forehead when she suddenly gasped. "Jondy. We all usually go into heat around the same time. Two days of fevers, drooling over anything male, and we are spending time with our brothers and friends and have to make a speech to congress tomorrow. A speech that will be shown on T.V. This couldn't get any worse."
"Sure it can. I'm not sure how but it can." Jondy said from the freezer. She put an Icepack on my forehead and left. Syl soon followed. I began to get the stronger urges and went in search of Logan. Here's hoping I don't run into a guy on the way.
**********************************Cindy's PoV************************
Max's sisters sure dragged her out in a hurry. Logan left as soon as they came back in. One of Max's sisters whispered in his ear before he left and he just nodded and continued out the door.
"What did they tell him?" I asked Alec.
"To get there quick before she breaks the wall down to find a guy who won't end up to be him. She also told him to make sure and get it out of her system now cause she can't have that urge in the morning."
I gave him a skeptical look. "What I told you what she meant. Basically she said `Maxie's in heat and you had better go get her out of it before she gets us all outlawed.'" he sniffed the air. "Oh shit."
"What now?" I ask impatiently.
"Someone else is in heat. Two others...three...all of them. Dang they do all go into heat at the same time. We are so doomed." Alec stated looking around at the other X5 guys.
Poor Bling and Charlie they have no clue. At least Charlie and Logan are used to it but Bling. I shook my head. "I'm going out to a club. We obviously aren't going to finish this game." Bling made to follow me but was grabbed by one of the girls. He realized what was happening and calmed down. He led Jondy to one of the rooms.
Gotta remember to smack him later. Just as I was leaving Alec caught up with me. "Mind if I join you?" he asked sweetly.
"Thought you'd be taking advantage of this situation."
"Nope, been there before. I have seen the after effects. Bling will be sorry in the morning."
*************************Max's PoV*********************************
I woke in a bed that wasn't mine in a room that wasn't mine and with a warm body next to mine. I turned slightly to make sure it was Logan. Yes no more uncontrollable urges. I took a shower and got dressed before I woke Logan.
"Hey we have that thing in two hours. Wakeup." I whispered in his ear. I went to go wake the others as Logan got ready. To my surprise only OC and Alec were in the big suite. I woke them and asked where the others were.
"Apparently Manticore found a way to make you all go into heat at the same time. Check the other rooms." Alec answered me with a yawn as he went to go get ready.
I went to one of the rooms and knocked. When I got no answer I quietly slipped the door open. Tinga and Charlie were sound asleep in the bed. I gently shook Tinga awake. "Hey wake up its time to earn our freedom." I whispered. Tinga opened her eyes and looked at me.
"Feeling better?" she asked. I nodded and went to wake the next couple. I wasn't really surprised to find Krit and Syl in the next room. They were up quickly and were apparently dreading facing the others jokes.
Bling and Jondy seemed to have hit it off well I thought as I woke them. The last two couples apparently only had had sex to stop the urges from taking over today. They were casual about it. Stan and Zack were used to their sisters in heat by now and had just done what was necessary. Jack had run off into another room to avoid one the girls in heat. (he had a girlfriend at home) I reentered the main suite to get out my clothes for the day. I had been asked to address the senate and have a few other transgenics to speak as well. Hence my family and Alec. I came out of the bathroom to the smell of breakfast. Mmmm food.
I walked into the kitchen to find Jondy already trying to take the food from Logan. He glared at her which made me laugh cause Jondy was afraid of nothing. "Morning Jonny Dee. Morning sweetheart. Pass the food on over here." I kissed Logan good morning and he passed me a plate of food.
"Hey how come you get food and I don't?" Jondy asked.
"Because you aren't the one who made love to him all night long plus its one of many advantages of wearing this ring on my finger." I responded starting to stuff my face. Logan handed Jondy a plate and she still beat me at finishing it.
"Jondy it might also have something to do with the fact that that baby needs the nutrition more than you do." Logan told her when the others began coming into the room. Logan set a big dish full of scrambled eggs and a plate of toast on the table. It was gone before he could get some. An army marches on its stomach. I looked around and saw OC was missing. Just as I was about to ask where she was she came in balancing somewhere around five dozen donuts.
I grabbed a box away before anyone could starve the normal people. I handed the box to Logan and nabbed about half a box from a group of my sibs. There now I can eat.
We got to the Senate building about twenty minutes early. I took Logan and OC aside. "I want you too in the spectators not up on stage with us. If someone decides to target us, I don't want you involved." I saw Logan was about to object so I gave him a pleading look as I continued. "I just don't want to lose you. We have been trained to defend ourselves since we learned how to walk I don't want you in the line of fire. Plus I can't look behind me for support so I need you in front of me to encourage me."
He finally gave in, albeit reluctantly, but he gave in all the same. I kissed him and OC, Charlie, and Bling followed him to a seat.
"Ready Maxie?" I heard Zack ask. "You have to start us off. We are leaders in the road to freedom. Time to get on stage."
I smiled at him. We were led onto a platform where Zack stood slightly in front of the others who stood in ranks. I was introduced and took my spot at the podium.
"Good morning to all who are either present or watching this on TV. My birth `name' is X5-452 but my actual name is Max. Before I begin my speech let me introduce my other representatives or in other words my family." I walked over to the ranks and stood in front of Zack. "X5-599 or Zack my oldest `brother' and commander. My sister and second in command Tinga or X5- 626. Brin or X5-387, Jondy X5-398, Jace X5-520, Krit X5-491, Syl X5-734, Stan X5-955, Jack X5-121,Zane X5-856, and Alec X5-494 who is here not as my brother but as my friend who just happens to be my brothers twin."
I moved back to the podium. "We are here to represent all of the transgenics as we are the longest to have the freedom we have. We don't wish to have any special treatment just the same rights as everyone else. It is not our fault that we were created. We stand before you today to show you why we want to be just like everyone else." I turned around and lifted my hair to show my barcode. "This is a symbol of my birth, I didn't ask for it was programmed in my DNA so that no matter what I try I can't get rid of it." I let my hair drop and turned back around.
"Does this mean that I don't have feelings of fear or hope? No. just cause they put barcodes on our necks doesn't mean that. I do fear things believe it or not. I have had hopes and dreams since I was a child just like every other living being on this earth. I may not have had a normal childhood but I was once a child just like everyone else. In fact I came to see the real world when I was only nine years old. Let me tell you my story."
I caught Logan's gaze and he nodded in encouragement. "Opposed to what everyone believes about transgenics being born wanting to kill that is very untrue. I was a particularly special `project' cause they made my DNA perfect. My DNA contains no junk unlike everyone else in the world. My `mother' tried to escape with me before I was even born and was most likely killed after she gave birth to me. From the time I was born they have experimented on me. From what I know I the majority of the animal DNA that I have is Shark and Cat with a few other animals in the mix. I have perfect memory and can remember all the way up to about the age of two. My hearing, smell and sight are better than a normal person.
"When I learned to walk and enough speech to say Sir I was placed in a company which is where I met my siblings. My first word was not Mommy or Daddy like normal children but was `yes sir'. Our minds are highly advanced and by the age of three I could name any gun with just a glance. We learned hand-to-hand combat at a very young age. By the time we were five we were so 'disciplined' we could out do any military company in most maneuvers and followed orders much better than normal people who were given a choice. This came at a great price though for if we disobeyed orders we were beaten or put in isolation and my brother used to tell me if we were really bad they would lock you in the basement with the nomalies who at the time we thought they ate children. They don't but it kept us from messing up to badly. Regardless of how strict the training or brainwashing sessions were we were still just kids. At night my brother Ben who died a few years ago would tell us stories about life outside the gates. He would tell us stories about being loved and cared for. He told us stories of the Blue Lady and how everyone goes to the good place where there is no more pain and you can do whatever you want."
I paused to compose myself. "I watched my sister die in one of our training sessions by the gun in our psycho creator's hand. I was eight years old at the time. Unlike what they thought, I wasn't perfect I get these seizures and so many times I was drug into the operation room to be worked on. They would cut me open and start working on me without even knocking me out. We all had bones broken to see our pain taking skills and healing rate, which are both superior to normal standards. There were a few side affects to some of our animal genes. For example, Cats go into heat where they have this instinct or urge to mate that is extremely strong. I have a heat cycle that is really, really annoying as I want to mate with the first guy I see during that cycle." I shuddered involuntarily.
"My siblings and I decided we wanted out so one cold snowy night we broke through the windows and ran. twelve of us escaped that night. I remember hiding under the ice of a nearby lake while watching the guards pass. We could hold our breath for around 20 minutes, which we were trained to do by being chained to the bottom of a pool for so long. A few transgenics died trying to survive that. After we escaped we didn't see each other for ten years. I didn't even recognize my brother when he found me. Zack kept in contact or at least a close watch on all of us. Slowly I found out what had happened to each one. Then we decided to take down Manticore for good. We succeeded in blowing up the DNA lab but Zack and I were captured."
I looked at Logan again. "I had been shot through the heart Zack in the shoulder but luckily they had a heart left from a X5 who had died in the most recent underwater training so I received an implant. They tried to reeducate me but I had been in the real world too long and had experienced love and friendship. Eventually I escaped again and after I found out that they planted a virus in my body that was targeted to kill my love if I touched him I went back and got the antidote to save his life and freed everyone who was going to burn since the place was burning cause Eyes Only had reveled its whereabouts. That `VA hospital' that was burned down by the S1W was no VA hospital and it was burned down by the people who built it."
"Since Manticore burned down letting us all out into the world we have been feared, outlawed, hunted, and killed by either this psycho cult group or regular people. Most of us don't want to hurt anyone. We just want to live our lives and such. Those who do want to hurt people are just like ordinaries who go out on killing sprees and if I ever catch them hurting my friends they will have their ass kicked by me. I am tired of running and hiding so now its time for America to stand up for what it created. I only ask that you let us live our lives and not be hunted or feared. We mean no one any harm. That hostage situation about a year ago was brought on when some normal people smashed our transport and threatened the occupants, which consisted of a desert soldier, canine soldier, a kid and a pregnant X5 headed for safety. they were headed to meet another transgenic to get a transport and head to terminal city. Police tried to shoot them so they ran for cover inside the building and we couldn't let everyone leave cause then the police wouldn't have any reason to keep from busting in and killing everyone. If you ask the hostages they should tell you no one was hurt except for one of our own."
I looked to Zack. "That's about all I ha-" I cut off as I felt dizzy. My hands started shaking. Zack didn't seem to notice. Logan did. He stood up and headed towards the front. Zack came running when I hit the floor and began shaking violently. Logan was stopped by security from coming onto the platform. Alec ran to tell the guard to let him through.
My shaking was getting worse and I was afraid it was going to hurt my baby. Logan finally got to me and pulled out my pill bottle.
"Max open your mouth." he told me. I couldn't I tried but I couldn't. I felt hands prying my jaw open. I was having flashbacks of some of my other seizures. Some that would knock me out during one of our training sessions and would end me up in the medical ward.
"Swallow Max swallow." I heard Logan's voice. I still couldn't control my body and I couldn't stop shaking or swallow the pills. Alec forced his way backstage and searched my bag. He pulled out a syringe and a bottle of liquid tryptophane. He brought it over to me and told Zack and Zane to hold me down knowing my reaction to needles. My eyes saw the needle coming at my arm I tried to hit it away as pure reflex. He injected me and my seizures slowed to a stop. My vision cleared and I slowly sat up. "Thanks." I said to Alec.
After about a minute I stood and walked to the podium once more. "Told ya I wasn't perfect. That was all I had planned to say so I'll leave you in the capable hands of my family as I go take a nap. Those seizures are very exhausting. I can come back tomorrow if you want for questions." Without another word I walked off the stage Logan following behind. When we got to the parking lot I finally spoke. "We need to go to the hospital. That seizure might have hurt the baby." I turned around so he couldn't see the tears in my eyes but he did anyway. He pulled me towards him and hugged me tight.
"Its alright. It'll be okay. We just need to check and maybe take it easy a little while." he whispered in my ear.
"I don't think I could handle it if the baby is hurt or dies because of what I am. I already love it so much Logan. I can't lose it now. In there I wasn't fighting for my rights I was fighting for our child's rights. We were made to be a secret but I don't want my baby to have to hide all the time."
He wiped a tear from my cheek. "He or she will be fine. Our child is a fighter just like its mother. It will be ok." He rubbed my back soothingly.
********************************about a week later*****************
"Nice of you to finally show up missy miss. You are late what's you're excuse this time." Normal said.
"I had a doctors appointment. I had to have them check to make sure the baby was alright after that seizure and I am not doing any runs till after the news. Today is the day they vote on whether to accept us or not. You gonna try and stop me from watching it?" I told him turning on the TV.
"Actually I wanna see that too. Your baby is ok right. That was a pretty bad seizure you had in front of the world." he asked me and for a moment it seemed that he actually was concerned about me.
"Yeah baby is fine, you watched the press conference? I thought you'd be concerned with getting these packages delivered."
"Max have you ever had a seizure on the job?" He finally asked wanting to know if she had been hurt on a run.
"Yeah but I always have my meds nearby. They aren't usually that bad. Usually a few pills and I'm back to normal. You seem to be fishing for something. What?" I gave him a curious look.
"I want you to have a desk job till you have that baby. I never knew how hard everything was on you both as a child and as an adult. This baby must mean everything to you and I don't want you to work too hard while you are pregnant. Look the news is starting. As soon as its over I'll get you set up over here." I watched as Normal walked away the shock evident on my face.
"Today the senate will be voting on how to deal with the transgenic population after much consideration. All the votes have been counted and we should have the results in a few minutes. First lets look at some of the highlights of the transgenic leader's speech. The highlights will be commented on by James Aken and Julia Morrow." the TV anchor stated as a clip of Max's speech was put onto the screen.
"You guys can still work here if you don't get the rights you deserve. I won't turn you in." Normal stated out of the blue.
"Did I hear you right? You are going to break the law for us? I don't know what is harder to believe that you are be nice to me and didn't even yell at me for being late or that you are willing to break the law to employ us."
Alec and the other Transgenic employees joined me in front of the T.V. and OC and Normal soon joined the group. Soon enough no one in jam pony was working (not that that is a new thing) all were watching the news.
The clip was one of Max's declarations that transgenics do have emotions no matter what they were programmed to feel. "She feels nothing you can see she's not nervous and she isn't looking at the camera pleading for mercy but shows no feelings at all." James stated.
"I disagree. She was trained to be a warrior so she automatically hides her feelings just like a man who was always told it's not right for a man to cry won't cry in front of anyone. Later in the speech you can see she is overcome by emotion when she thinks about her deceased brother. You can also see fear in her eyes during her seizure especially when the needle is being put into her arm. Throughout the speech she kept glancing at someone in the crowd who I assume was the man who ran up on stage when she started seizing up." Julia spoke up defending Max. "The others also show it at around the same times. I think this shows that they do have feelings just like everyone else."
"Now we all know Max has emotions even without the whole fear and pain look during the speech. Does anybody here think Max is emotionless?" Alec asked the crowd.
No one spoke up. They had all seen me angry or really happy or depressed and confused. Especially ticked off and usually that was because of Alec.
The debate ended when the anchor cut the feed to announce that the results had arrived. "The decision has taken just over six days and the results are that these transgenics are granted rights given to everyone when born in the United States." I let out a yell in triumph. "The vote was won by a three-fourth majority. Congratulations to all the transgenics that can now show their faces and be protected by the law. Now for sports with -" The TV. switched off.
"Bip Bip Bip people you had your break now back to work. Max time for you to learn to dispatch the packages." Normal became all business again.
I followed him toward the counter and was shocked when an arm pulled me back. Soon I was being twirled in the air. When I was back on my feet I found Logan standing in front of me. "I just heard on my way over. I came as soon as I could. Max you finally got what you have always wanted, freedom. This is great and our baby will be free." Logan hugged me.
Alec walked over. "Hey Logan. Max you may have just got promoted but whatever soft spot he had is growing harder by the second. Get over there before he fires you or takes that promotion back. Oh party at six tonight at Crash to celebrate I'll pick up Joshua and Mole. Don't let your private celebration interfere." He winked as he left walking his bike out the door.
"You got promoted?" Logan asked with surprise evident in his voice.
"No Normal just has a soft spot for the kid so he gave me dispatch duty till after its born. Worried about me losing the kid I guess."
"Wow so you do have a heart Ray. Mind if I take Max for the rest of the day you can have her again tommorow." Logan turned to Normal.
"I don't think I have much of a choice. Go. I know you need to celebrate or you'll kick my ass. Take your siblings if you'd like they are just as much a pain in my ass." Normal said as he saw Krit and Zane hugging Max.
"Hell no you keep them this is my celebration time with Logan I can celebrate with them at Crash." Max grabbed her coat out of her locker and headed off with Logan.
That night at Crash
"Look who finally showed up!" Alec yelled as me and Logan entered the bar.
"We aren't that late. Traffic was bad at the sector stop. Just for saying that you can pay for the drinks tonight." I shot back.
"Little Fella! We are free! And it's thanks to you." Joshua yelled hugging me.
We walk over to our little section of the bar. "Coke and a beer for Logan." the bar tender filled the order looking at Max strangely. "Sure you don't want a beer?" The bartender asked having known her for a long time.
"I'm sure don't want to mess this kid up before its even born." she told him.
"Hey quite down everyone!" The bartender yelled. "Tonight as my way of congratulating the Transgenics on their freedom all drinks are free if you are transgenic." the crowd cheered.
I leaned over the bar. "You just made a huge mistake. The X5 series alone can take in double their body weight before they get drunk." She smiled at the barkeep's shocked look. I turned when the room suddenly went silent.
Lydecker had just walked in. I could hear Zack crack his knuckles reflexively. My whole family was in town and that was not good news for Deck.
"Look all of you. I'm sorry I treated you like garbage but it made you into the people you are today. Congrats on your freedom and rights. Mind if I join in the celebration?" Deck tried to get back on their all of our good sides.
I watched as Zack walked up to him. Deck was on the floor holding his jaw before he knew what happened. "Now you are forgiven. I've wanted to do that since I was three and you first hit Maxie. She was only a year and a half old you jerk." Zack walked off and deck stood up.
I shoved a beer in his hand. "You got off easy. Be happy."
I watched as Zack went to talk to a woman. This of coarse got Krit's attention. "And here I thought the CO was gay." Krit whispered to Syl. He motioned to Zane. Zane soon approached and they walked over to Zack.
"How dare you cheat on me! I thought you loved me. You lied to me you never loved me!" Krit began as Zane watched from a few feet off.
I was trying to contain my laughter as the woman smacked Zack and walked off. Zack glared at Krit. "I'm gonna kill you!' he yelled as he lunged at Krit but Zane tripped him.
"Krit and Zack sitting in a tree..." Zane began to sing. I could no longer control my laughter burst out laughing as Jondy started teasing Zack as well.
"Zack you know that's illegal. Dating your own brother. We just got our rights today and now you are already breaking the law. Incest is such a crime. Well we aren't actually related but Syl is gonna kill you for taking her man!" Jondy began to tease.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Deck shake his head. I made my way toward him. "This is who we are. Our favorite game is pick on Mr. Uptight CO. We're happy. We used to goof off in training when you weren't looking seeing who would be the first to get caught."
"I used to forget you were just kids. I took your childhood and I have never regretted anything more but look at you now. By the way congrats on the baby." Deck responded to my comment. I left to join in the fun. Logan was playing pool with Alec, Mole, and Syl. No offense to my man but he's gonna lose. Syl will kick all their asses as that was how she and Krit won money for food and rent before they were old enough to get jobs. Mole and Alec spent day after day in terminal city playing pool. Poor guy didn't stand a chance.
Brin and Stan were catching up on old times and laughing at Zack, Krit, Zane, and Jondy's antics. Jace was talking to Sketchy and Jack was wondering around looking for a girl. I decided to play fooseball with OC.
"So my girl finally got what she wanted. How's it feel boo?" OC asked her as they started their game.
"Good. We can all have lives now and I get to see my sibs run around chasing each other again. It feels so good to know this kid of mine won't have to hide. Of coarse my life is never going to be normal but at least its coming closer." I glanced over at Zack who had pinned Krit to the floor and heard Krit say "I'm sorry Zack but I have a girlfriend. I don't swing that way. Try pinning Zane he might be gay and want to do it with you in the middle of a public bar." Zane kicked him in the head. "You ass."
Zack sat on his chest until Krit gave which didn't happen as Jondy tackled Zack from behind. "CO is getting slow huh Cat Man."
"Yup and if you ever call me that again Jondy you'll be hanging from Max's balcony." Krit responded.
"Kiss my genetically engineered ass Jondy." Zack said as he threw her off him.
"No thanks I'm not the weird one, ask Alec to he seems the type." Jondy shot back.
"I heard that Jondy!" Alec yelled from the pool table.
"You were meant to!" she yelled back.
I smiled and finished the game deciding to join in the fun. "Hey Zack why don't you try Alec for the whole I'm gay scenario he at least hasn't seen you naked like the rest of us." I yelled at Zack. "He won't know what he's getting."
"Good one Baby Maxie!" Tinga yelled from where she was kicking Charlie's ass at pool with Joshua and Jack.
"I'm gonna kick your ass Max. Pregnant or not cause I sure as hell ain't gay and even if I were I wouldn't be desperate enough to go for Zack." Alec yelled to her earning him a smack over the head from Logan's pool cue.
"Kick my ass? Last time I checked I was the one who kicked your ass. Boy Jondy could kick your ass! And did you just admit you were gay?" I yelled back. OC was laughing now and Sketchy was joining in on the laughing having barely noticed what was going on.
He was hitting on Jace so I figured I should warn him about her son(she had had a boy). "Hey sketch if your hitting on my sister you should know she has a son and a really over-protective family. hence you break her heart I break you. Well more likely Zack breaks you." I warned from where I stood.
Jace smiled at his shocked look. "You have a kid?" he asked stunned.
"Yup. He's three years old and his name is Max after his aunt who helped me escape with him. He's staying with a friend of mine right now but he has a grip that could probably bruise a normal person." Jace announced proudly. "I'd be more worried about Zack if I were you he would have killed Logan already if it wasn't for Max."
"Ain't that the truth." I mutter but Jace still hears it and starts laughing. "Actually Maxie I was thinking of moving here I think we should all live in Seattle. Even better we can all get jobs at that place you work at."
"Great idea hey Zack why don't you settle down here. It's not like anyone is hunting us. The familiars are gone we have legal rights in this country so why don't we all live here?" I asked.
"We could give it a try but if it doesn't work out we can still keep in contact." he answered.
"it'll work as long as my place doesn't get visits from you guys everyday. Jondy that means you'll have to cook for yourself a lot more." I said. Jondy hung her head.
Logan looked up from the game. "Does that mean we get meals to ourselves?" he asked catching my last remark.
I smiled. It was going to be interesting at Jam Pony now. Extremely interesting.
A/N: Please Review. Flames are accepted. will be laughed at but will be accepted all the same. This is my first Dark Angel fanfic so if it sucks I'm sorry.