Title: Harm's Way
Author: Bent137
Chapter: Two
Rating: R, Violence, Language.
Genre: Angst, Humor
Pairing: M/A Friendship with undertones, M/L angst
Summary: Max finds out how Seth came to die, and she's none too pleased.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything at all to do with Dark Angel, if I did it would still be on the air.
Author's Note: First, Thanks to Adrolien for taking a chance an unknown and new writer and betaing. This is a response to a challenge posted at NWP. It's the "After Seth" challenge posted by Vanessa_TaleWeaver, and includes spoilers for the entire run of the show and the first book "Before The Dawn."
Challenge: Here are the parameters:

1) Can be set anytime season 2, after freak nation, or in an alternate universe.

2) Alec and Joshua must help Max work through the fall out. OC would be nice too, but that's not compulsory.

3) Sketchy must make an appearance, in which he shows he's not as dumb as he usually acts. (long or as short as you want.)

4) Max must confront Logan about not telling her about Seth, and they need to have a rip-roaring fight.

5) Someone needs to point out to Logan that the deal he made with Max was extremely heedless of her safety, given what happened to Seth.

6) Logan cannot be portrayed as stupid or maliciously selfish. Narrow-minded, blinkered, and not nearly as accepting of Max's special abilities as he pretends to be, sure!

7) One of Max's other siblings must be mentioned. Living or dead, real-time or flashback, mentioned in passing or full-blown guest appearance - anything goes.

8) Whether Max forgives Logan or gets together with Alec is up to you. BUT she cannot blame any part of this mess on Alec, and they must be friendly, at least, at the end. Hot love and steamy sex are always preferred, however.

9) Alec cannot be the one to tell Max about how Seth died. He can be the first to know, but he cannot be the one to actually tell her.

Chapter Two: I Didn't Sleep At All Last Night

When Original Cindy walked out of her bedroom the next morning, the sight she saw almost made her faint. It wasn't the fact that Max was there, she knew that. It was that Max was up and ready for work before she was. "Boo, what are you doing?"

Max looked up from the skillet she had on the stovetop, "Makin' breakfast. You want some?"

"Uh, yeah sure, but I meant, what are you doing up and ready like that. Are you trying to give Normal a heart attack by being on time?"

Max grinned a little and shook her head, "Not really. It's just, it's my first day back and I guess I'm anxious to see everyone."

OC nodded, "A'ight, so what are you cookin' us up for breakfast?"

"Just eggs and toast."

"Hey, it's better than eatin' cold cereal alone."

Max smiled at her.

*

Max took a deep breath when she stepped into Jam Pony, intending to soak up the atmosphere, but choking on the scent of sweat, and some undeterminable stink coming from the open bathroom door. She looked around the place, it was fairly empty this early, and Normal had his back turned to the group. She made her way over to the desk. "Hey Normal."

Normal spun around, "Well, well, what did the cat drag in, late as usual I presume?" He glanced at his watch, assuming he'd lost track of time. "You're early." He looked up in surprise.

"That I am, I guess I just couldn't wait to get back here and terrorize you." She grinned a little.

"Well it is good to have you back. Golden Boy is coming back with you isn't he?"

"Right here Normal," Alec said appearing behind Max.

"Well, I never thought I'd say it, but it's good to have you both back."

"Thanks," Alec said.

"Yeah," Max added, "and thanks for your support."

Normal waved them off, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah." He pulled out two packages. "Sector 8 and Sector 5, bip, bip."

Alec and Max exchanged a smile before making their way to the lockers. "Hey Sketch, man," Alec called.

Sketchy turned around with a smile on his face, "Hey guys!" He tried to hug them but decided that a nod and a pat on the shoulder might be safer… especially around Max's mood swings. "It's so good to see you."

"It's good to see you Sketch," Max said with a smile.

"Hail, Hail the gang's all here," Sketchy said, dancing a little jig. OC rolled her eyes while Max struggled not to laugh. Alec just smirked.

"It's almost like nothing's changed," Alec said holding up his package, "Normal's already got me runnin' my ass halfway across Seattle."

"I guess you'll just have to resurrect the whole Moto-Pony thing," Max commented. Max and Alec were silent a moment, remembering Biggs.

"I better get going," Alec said, turning to leave.

"Yeah me too," Max said. "See you guys later."

"Later Boos," OC said, while Sketchy waved.

*

Later that day Alec returned to Jam Pony after finishing a run and noted that OC and Sketchy were out but Max was back at her locker. He walked up to her, "Hey." She didn't even look at him. "Max?" Still no response, she was just staring into her opened locker. He looked over her shoulder to see what was captivating her so much, but there was nothing different there. "Earth to Maxie?"

"Huh?" Her head whipped around to look at him.

"You okay? I talked to you twice and you didn't answer."

"I was just thinking." She turned back to her locker and shut it.

"About?"

"Is it okay if I tell you later?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Yeah sure, but I'm going to hold you to it."

She nodded, "Okay. Later then." She walked up to Normal and took a package before leaving.

*

It was almost quitting time and Max had just returned from a run. OC and Sketchy were congregated by the lockers. She walked up to them. "Hey guys, what's up?"

"Not much, Max," Sketchy greeted.

"Yeah, Boo," OC added, "Me an' Sketch were just discussing celebrating your and Alec's return by congregating at Crash tonight."

Max shrugged, "I'm in."

"Me too," Alec said coming up behind them, "I just got a stop to make first."

"Oh yeah me too," Max said, "Actually I have two."

"A'ight," OC said with a nod, "See you around seven thirty?"

"Sure," Max said.

"Fine by me," Alec added. "I better head out."

"See you later man," Sketch said.

"I better go too," Max said, "See you guys later."

"Later boo," OC said as Alec and Max walked away.

Once they were out of the building Alec looked at Max, "Where you going?"

"Terminal City."

"Me too, wanna go together?"

"Sure, I just have to swing by the apartment and pick up my bike."

Alec nodded, "I'll meet you at your place then."

"Yeah, sure," Max agreed absent mindedly as they went their different ways.

*

Max and Alec strolled into Terminal City's headquarters side by side, Max deep in thought. Dix and Mole looked up as the two X's came in.

"Well, well," Mole began, straightening and pulling his cigar out of his mouth, "the prodigal son returns."

Alec rolled his eyes, "You knew I'd be back."

"Wasn't talkin' 'bout you pretty boy."

Max resisted the urge to roll her eyes and settled for giving Mole a quick glare. "Any news?" she questioned.

"Some, but amazingly very little," Dix responded. Max moved to join Dix at the computer as Alec and Mole discussed, well, whatever it was they discussed in low voices. Max figured it was Mole's need of cigars or perhaps payment issues.

"Fill me in," Max said as she sat next to Dix.

"Well, everything's pretty minor, a few squabbles with some norms and local law enforcement, but nothing monumental. There was a minor altercation earlier involving Starr and Wood," Dix told her, referring to two X5's whom had helped Max and Alec immensely during The Coming.

"What happened?" Alec asked coming up behind them.

"There was a robbery at a sector point early this morning, around five," Dix told them, double checking the info with a paper he had.

"Did they?" Max started to ask.

"No," Dix laughed. "They were out getting an early start on their job hunt and came across the scene. Apparently after saving the asses of two sector police and stopping the robbery they found their jobs. They're the two newest members of the Seattle Police Department. They're down at the station now getting things all settled. They should be back anytime, they're supposed to come in and give me the whole story."

Max nodded, "If you don't see them by seven-thirty send someone to check it out." Dix gave her a funny look. "Better safe then sorry."

"Well if it works out good for them. So is that all on the news front?" Alec broke his silence.

"Yeah, that's it."

"Great buddy. Mole's getting me a list of things needed here you got anything to add?"

"It's already on the list."

Max watched Alec and Dix talk, hoping she'd get a moment alone with Dix. That moment came when Mole reappeared and called for Alec to come look at the list. Max turned to Dix. "Can you do something for me Dix?" She kept her voice low, "and keep it on the down low."

"I can try."

"A few years back, a transgenic was here, in Seattle, and got killed. I'm not sure what he was doing in the city, but there was a new piece that the cops thought he was working with Eyes Only, and I was wondering if you could maybe dig something up on that."

"Why don't you ask Logan?"

"I will, but, I want to have back up. Just, maybe if you could find that news piece archived somewhere and check it out and maybe you could see if there's any other footage anywhere."

"I'll try, Do you know his designation or name?"

"His designation was 694, but he went by Seth out here."

"So an '09 escapee?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"That may make it slightly easier."

Max smiled, "Thanks Dix."

"Hey Max," Alec called from below, "We'd better get going."

"Yeah, I have to stop by Logan's though." She began making her way down to him. "Bye Dix, Mole."

"See you later Max," Dix said after her.

"Bye guys," Mole said, "Alec, don't forget what I told you."

"No worries Mole." Max and Alec walked out of headquarters and to their bikes. "Mind if I tag along to Logan's, or is this a booty call?"

Max rolled her eyes as she straddled her ninja. "It's not a booty call, and you just want to raid his fridge."

"True enough, but can I still come."

Max sighed, "Yeah sure why not."

*

"Logan?" Max called as she walked into his apartment.

"In here Max," Logan called as he began walking towards the door. Max began to follow the sound of his voice with Alec behind her. Logan wore a big smile when he stepped out from behind a wall. The smile faded when he saw Alec, "Something wrong?"

"Huh?" Max was confused before she remembered Alec was with her and realized that the unannounced arrival of the two transgenics could symbolize a problem. "Oh, nothing's wrong, we were on our way to Crash and I just wanted to stop and say hi and ask you something." She shot a pointed look at Alec.

"I'll be in the kitchen, raiding your fridge, pretending to give you some privacy." Alec walked into the older man's kitchen and the refrigerator could be heard opening.

"What's up Max?" Logan asked.

"I was wondering if you'd look into something for me. Especially since it has to do with you."

"What do you mean?"

"One of my brothers was on the news, before I came to Seattle, and they thought he was in a league with Eyes Only." Logan fish mouthed and Max pressed on before he could say anything. "I know you would have told me, which is why I want you to look into it. I want to know if he was in a league with someone, and such." This was the point at which Alec began to overhear their conversation. "I know he's dead, I watched him die. I just don't know why he was there. It could be completely innocent and he was just there for the score and you may not find anything, but I'd still like you to look."

"Um, designation or a name?"

"Designation 694, his name was Seth." Logan paled and Alec paused.