Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are copyright 2001-2002 Twentieth Century Fox Studios and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is copyright 2003 Star24.
Epilogue
Outside of Kent, WA
The battered Aztek pulled up to the familiar farmhouse where three people, a man, a woman and a girl, stood waiting on the porch. Logan, Max, and Mina opened the doors and climbed out of the car. As Mina came into view the girl ran down the steps and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so happy you're here. I'm Maria and I've always wanted a little sister." Maria took the hand of a stunned Mina and pulled her along with her up the steps, chattering the entire time. "This is Mom and Dad…"
Max and Logan exchanged smiles as they watched the four embrace. After a few minutes, James disengaged himself and came down the steps to join the two of them.
"I can't thank you enough…" Logan began.
"Logan, we've wanted another child for a while now. We're the ones who can't thank you, first for Maria and now for Mina." James was having none of it. "Can you and Max stay for dinner?"
"It's getting late and we really need to get back to Seattle. Maybe another time?" Logan demurred. "Anyway you should have this time together to get Mina settled in." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope which he handed to James. "Here are all of her papers and the money I told you about."
James accepted the envelope and shook Logan's hand. "The invitation is open anytime. For both of you." He smiled at Max and she returned his smile with one of her own.
"Daddy, we need you." Maria called out.
James quickly headed up the steps to join the rest of his family.
"Shall we?" Logan turned to Max but she had already climbed into the car. He followed suit and the four on the porch waved as the Aztek pulled away.
There was silence in the car as Logan negotiated the rutted driveway back to the main road. Once they reached smoother pavement, he reached over and took Max's hand. Max regarded their joined hands with a slightly startled look but didn't make a move to pull away from Logan's grasp. After a few minutes of driving, Logan slowed and released her hand as he turned the car into an old scenic overlook. He pulled to a stop and killed the engine.
"Logan, is there a reason we're stopping here?"
"So I can do this." Logan reached out and cupped her face between his hands gently. For a moment he gazed into her eyes, but then he leaned toward her, simultaneously pulling her to him until their lips met in a long deep kiss.
"I love you, Max.," he breathed when he finally broke the contact. "I may be the world's biggest idiot about it sometimes, but never doubt it's true."
Max stared at him as sweet memories of the night before crowded into her mind. "I love you too," she whispered.
Logan continued on, "I can't say I'm completely okay about my legs yet, and I can't promise I'm ever going to like that I owe Manticore for them, but I don't want that to come between us."
"I can live with that." Max sighed, "Especially since I'd like to take Deck's head off for what he pulled, and if I ever get the chance I just may do it."
Blue eyes met brown as they smiled at each other.
"It's not gonna be easy." Logan warned. "Us I mean."
"You mean because you can be the most pigheaded person I've ever met?" Max responded teasingly.
"Actually I was kind of thinking that about you." Logan shot back.
Max frowned at him, "You could always hook up with one of your society girls instead."
Logan pretended to consider her suggestions, "My aunt would probably be happy to set me up with one."
"That would be a shame." Max said, her voice oozing sweetness.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. 'Cause then I'd have to seriously damage her pretty face just to let her know who you belonged to."
Logan let out a shout of laughter and pulled Max to him once again. When they broke apart this time, Max looked at him with a mischievous look in her eyes.
"You know I really don't think we're gonna make it back to Seattle before curfew."
"You're probably right." Logan agreed.
"I saw a motel on the way here. It'd probably be safer than trying to run checkpoints at night."
"Max are you suggesting that we…"
"…not to mention it's a hella lot closer than Seattle." Max finished ignoring his interruption. "And I seriously don't think I want to wait to finish up what we started this morning. Patience is not one of my strong points."
Logan smiled as he started the engine and pulled back onto the road. "Come here." He reached over and pulled Max closer to him, settling his arm around her shoulders.
Max snuggled contentedly against him as he guided the car down the lonely road. Soft music played and the two in the car relaxed, enjoying the brief moment of peace in the middle of their chaotic lives.
End of Pong