Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel. No money is being made.

This story takes place sometime after "Freak Nation". I apologize ahead of time for any grammatical errors. I'm not the best with grammer. Also, I don't have Microsoft Word on my computer..which complicates things. I wrote this story for my own personal enjoyment, but thought I might share it with you. It's my first ever fan fic and I spent many hours in a bathtub with a notebook writing it. =) Enjoy!

Summary: Sam, the result of a combination of Max and Zack's DNA, reaches Terminal City to be with family. When she meets Alec things immediately spark causing Alec to rethink his "only looking out for myself" attitude....but when something goes wrong on the outside he has a big decision to make.

A Changed Man

Sam stood outside the gated perimeter of Terminal City with her hood covering her head. It was late, and most of the rioters were heading back to their homes. The Sector Police felt they had nothing to worry about and a few even lit up a cigarette. It didn't take Sam long to find a section of the gate that wasn't gaurded. She jumped it swiftly and entered her new life.

-=-

Max had been on the roof standing gaurd as usual. It was always easier for her to think when she was up there alone. She could think about the escape, the others, the virus standing between her and Logan, and what her and everyone in Terminal City's future would hold. She had let them out. She'd put them into this mess. She was responsible. Atleast...that's what Alec was constantly reminding her of. Ugh! Alec! She wasn't even going to think about him now. He was always harping about something.

As she was scanning the east side of the perimeter something caught her eye. A girl, who had to be around her own age, had just cleared the fence that seperated Terminal City from the rest of the world. On her way out of the building, Max ran straight into the one person she really didn't want to see.

"Whoa! Where you going so fast? I thought you were standing gaurd protecting our fine citizens," Alec smarted off. That's exactly why she'd named him Alec...he was such a smart-alec! Now she wished he'd passed up that name just so she could call him Dick. He grabbed her arm to stop her from running off again. She couldn't wrench free. Boy he's persistant she thought.

"New transgenic...jumped the east perimeter." His grip loosened and she pulled herself free.

A look of curiosity spread across his face. "I'm coming with you." He took off sprinting behind her.

-=-

Sam spent a few minutes wandering the street she was on. Where was everyone? Abandoned buildings loomed overtop of her and it was awfully quiet. She wasn't sure what she'd expected would happen when she jumped the fence, but a family reunion would've been nice.

"Hey!" came a voice from behind her. She turned quickly to see Max and Alec behind her.

She sighed with relief and grinned. "You...you're Max...you're the one I've been searching for."

"Huh?" Max was confused. Nowadays it had been White looking for her, but a transgenic? Who was this chick? Max still couldn't see the girl's face for the hood and mess of dark brown hair.

"I saw you ride the hover drone on television," Sam began to explain, "and I knew I had to find you. We are sort of family..." she bit her lip. "I guess I should explain."

"Yeah that would be a good idea," came Alec's interruption. However sarcastic he may be, he was still intrigued by this newcomer. If only she'd take off that stupid hood...

Sam ignored him and continued, "Back at Manticore, they decided they would combine DNA from the top two soldiers from each training group in the X-series. From your group it was you and your brother Zack. Manticore thought that if they combined the top soldiers they could get a super soldier. Instead, they got me and a handful of others. We were just like the rest...nothing special."

It was then that Sam took down her hood that had covered her long brown hair and barcode. It was obvious to both Max and Alec that she'd been telling the truth. Her eyes were that of Max's. Alec was the first to quickly note that she had the figure and curves like Max, too. Max stepped closer to get a better look. She could see it now...Zack...his nose..his lips..plain as day.

Max stared blankly. Her mind flashed back to Zack. A vision of him being wheeled away in a wheelchair. His memory gone, he could enjoy his new life. She hoped he was happy.

"So what's your name?" Max asked once she returned to the real world.

"Samantha. Everyone calls me Sam. Once I saw that all the transgenics had fled to Terminal City, I knew I had to get in. Having a barcode out there," she paused,"it's like just asking to get shot. I don't know what would have happened if I'd stayed out there any longer."

Max knew the feeling. Always having to look over your shoulder....never knowing who you could trust. It was how she'd spent the years since the first escape. She could see the fear in the girl's eyes, her own eyes.

"There's no need to worry anymore. You're safe here. You're with family," Max said. Slowly she hugged Sam. She knew that, after all the girl must've gone through on the outside she needed a hug. "Welcome home little sis."

-=-

A/N- short little chapter to get this thing started...please review! If you want send me an email at darkangelfan452494@hotmail.com