A/N- I just want to thank the people who reviewed my last two chapters. Thank you to Ting and Jemma452! It really helps to keep me motivated when I see those reviews! Keep 'em coming guys! I also wanted to apologize if it seems like it takes awhile to get into the "decision" I mentioned in the summary. I wanted to write a few chapters that establish relationships between Sam and everyone. I promise it'll be worth it though. Things that are coming up in the next few chapters: Sam meets Original Cindy, the party at Crashed, Alec realizing his feelings, and a surprise for Sam. =) Enjoy!

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A Changed Man

Max heard the knock on the door. Original Cindy was attempting to fix some coffee on the stove they'd found in the apartment. She was only staying temporarily. She, Logan, and Sketchy would come and go to avoid overexposure to the radiation in TC.

"Who is it?" Max yelled while walking to the door. She already knew who it was though.

"JamPony messenger," Alec joked.

Max smirked and opened the door. Alec may be annoying but atleast he could make her smile this early in the morning.

"Your package was delivered as promised," Alec said while, once again, putting his arm around Sam's shoulder.

"Thanks Alec. Don't forget...Crashed...tonight 7:00...I'm counting on you to tell Sketchy and Joshua. Now goodbye Alec!" Pulling Sam inside, Max shut the door in his face.

"What...no tip?" Alec sighed and left to find Joshua.

Max's place was larger than Alec's, but that was because Original Cindy was constantly there, too.

"Sam, this is Original Cindy. Original Cindy, this is Sam."

"Hey boo," Original Cindy said smiling from behind the stove.

"Oh hi." Sam looked puzzled."What series are you?" she questioned.

"Do what?" Original Cindy looked at Sam confused.

"Oh...I umm...forgot to tell you," Max began to explain about Cindy not being one of them. Once she was done, Sam looked amazed.

"So there are actual normal humans who are willing to risk their lives to help us?"

"Hell yeah boo...and I ain't the only one." Original Cindy walked to the sofa with three mugs of coffee. "Sketchy...Logan..We're all here for ya'll."

Max smiled at the mention of Logan's name, but it was a short lived moment of happiness as she remembered the virus. She snapped back into reality. Turning to face Sam she asked, "You hungry?"

A girlish grin spread across her face. "No, Alec made pancakes for breakfast."

Original Cindy crossed her arms. "Pancakes? I'm going to have to raid that boy's fridge. Where did he get pancake mix?"

Max laughed. Pancakes would've tasted good right then. Any nice hot meal would've tasted good. "So, anyways, what'd you do after the escape?"

Sam became serious and more composed. "Well, back after you and your brothers and sisters escaped, Manticore was even harder on us. Your twins all thought they were treated badly, but it was nothing compared to the torture we went through...especially me. They figured that since you and Zack had escaped that I was double the flight risk. I was spit upon, locked up for days, and beaten repeatedly by the gaurds. My group and I wanted out. We wanted to escape like you guys had done. We even tried a few times...sadly it didn't work. We never even made it out of the compound. That's why I was so grateful to you for coming back and releasing us all. The outside is so amazing. Unfortunately, I haven't got to enjoy it nearly as much as I'd like to. I was constantly running away. It was never safe anywhere. I lived on the streets until I saw you on the television in one of the stores. That's when I set out for Terminal City. The perfect paradise. It's home."

"It's not exactly paradise, but it works," Max said.

For the next few hours they exchanged stories about everything. Topics ranging from the escape; the virus; and, of course, Zack were all brought up. It was only when Original CIndy looked at the clock that their conversation stopped.

"We only have two hours till we're supposed to be at Crashed and you still have to get dressed!" Original Cindy pointed one long manicured finger at Sam.

"Dressed? This is all I have to wear," Sam said, embarassed by the ragged clothes she was wearing.

"Not a problem. OC, hook her up with some of my clothes. They should fit her perfect." Max smiled at Sam. It was nice to have a new member of the family around.

Original Cindy locked Max out of the bathroom while rambling about transgenics and manicures. "Boo, you just go get your pretty lil' self all ready to see your boy. I got a miracle to work in here!"

"He's not my boy," Max said, but still laughed and went to her room. An hour later she knocked on the bathroom door, "How's it going in there?"

"We've got the ghetto Cinderella story going on in here. Give us a few minutes!"

Inside the bathroom, Original Cindy was curling Sam's below shoulder-length hair. It was the first time Sam had ever had her hair fixed. She'd also just recieved her first manicure and exfoiliating mask.

"So what's up between you and your boy, Alec?" Original Cindy interrogated.

"He's not my boy." Sam quickly denied.

"No!...I hear enough of that crap from Max and Logan. Don't forget...I have a hella hot iron in my hand. Don't make me smack you with it! Now, it's obvious there must be something going on between you two. I know Alec. First, he gives you a place to stay. Then, he gets up early just to fix you pancakes. #1..We usually can't get Alec to wake up before noon. #2..Pancakes aren't an everyday thing around here. #3...Suga, he's into you. Ain't no denying it."

The hot iron in Cindy's hand was threatening, but it made Sam smile. What if he did have feelings for her? She was amazed at how fast she'd grown attached to him. She did like him, but she had to know if he felt the same way. He'd have to make the first move.

"Ok boo! You ready?" Original Cindy yelled out to Max.

"Heck yea! Let's see what fairy godmother Cindy can do!"

Original Cindy opened the door and Sam walked out. Max's jaw dropped and then she grinned wildly.

"You..look..amazing!" Max managed to get out. Compared to Sam, Max thought she herself looked pretty plain.

Sam looked herself over in the mirror. Curls cascaded down her shoulders. Her makeup and nails looked perfect. Max's jeans, extra pair of black boots, and black muscle tank hugged her just as they would Max. Sam couldn't believe her eyes, and she kept twirling infront of the mirror just to get a look from every angle.

She ran and gave Original Cindy a hug."Thank you so much! It's amazing!"

Original Cindy laughed."Anytime suga! But we better not keep your boy waiting."

This time Sam didn't correct her. She liked the sound of it anyways. They were out the door and off to Crashed.

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A/N - Yay! Chapter 3 is done. Sorry these are so short, but I like to end them in these specific places. Stay tuned..Chapter 4 will be up sooner than you think!