Disclaimer: I do not own any of the shows ideas, characters etc. etc. etc. I've had rich and famous people try to convince me of otherwise, but what do they know? I do, however, own Dali, Dominic, Justin, Dali's family and X-siblings, but sharing is caring, and I care to share…after you ask that is.
Time-frame: post-Freak Nation
A/N: Hi everybody (Hi Dr. Nick!) Ok. First, I want to say, thank you all you lovely reviewers. You definitely helped; I've changed the settings for the anonymous reviews, so if you wanna review anonymously, knock yourself out. Here's the 15th installment, no charge. Read at your leisure, review at your leisure…keeping in mind the whole time that the more reviews I get, the faster I write (evil laughter ensues…) Enjoy.
Chapter 15
Homeward Bound
They headed off down the street, Max and Dali in front, Dominic hanging a little farther behind, but running very fast nonetheless. Dali glimpsed back at him.
"Put the speed on, lil brother, we're running for our lives here." The next thing she knew, he had passed her, and threw himself at Max's bike.
"Can I drive?" he asked breathlessly.
"Hell No!" Max and Dali answered simultaneously. Max would have thought the situation funny, if not under the circumstances.
"Wait," he asked. "How are we all gonna fit?"
"We're not," Dali responded sarcastically, "I was thinking apparently, you're faster than either of us. You should just run alongside."
Dominic rolled his eyes.
"Now is not the time people!" Max interrupted them. "White's on our tail. We've got to put some road between him and us, and I'm thinking now would be good." She hopped on the front of the bike. Dali picked her brother up by the arms and sat him behind her. Then she squeezed on behind him.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything," Dominic grunted, "but I can't breathe."
"Pass out," Dali snapped at him, "then at least you won't feel it."
"Just hold on!" Max yelled back at them. The bike started, just as they could see some TAC team officers hurrying down the street towards them, and Max roared off into the night.
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To Dominic, it seemed like forever since they had left his home, before they stopped, just inside the Illinois border. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, and Dominic looked around at the diner they had stopped at. There were only 2 other cars and another motorcycle there. Probably other people traveling like themselves. Dali ushered the boy inside.
"Hurry up, munchkin, we may not be stopping again for awhile, so eat, have your fill, take a leak, and we're getting on the road." Dominic sighed and led them over to a booth, and slid inside. Dali began to sit down.
"I want to sit next to Max," Dominic glared at her. "She likes me."
Dali huffed, but then said, "Fine, I have to go to the little ladies room anyway." Max just shook her head, and slid in next to the young boy. Dali headed off towards the women's room. She came out a few minutes later, only to bump into a guy who was heading towards the men's room. His keys fell to the ground, and Dali bent over to pick them up and hand them back to him. As their hands touched, she took a good look at him. He was young, probably in his early twenties, dark brown hair, mysterious eyes…he reminded her very much of Alec…and Justin.
"Sorry," she whispered, gazing into his eyes intensely, never removing her hand from his.
"It's ok," he whispered back, taking his hand from hers. "Just watch where you're going next time." He stalked off towards the lavatory. Dali watched after him, shocked. How rude! Then she smiled to herself and went back to the table.
"What are you smiling about?" Max asked her. She just shook her head, and sat down. They ordered, and the food came. Dali made Dominic go to the bathroom, even though he swore up and down that he didn't have to. They paid, and left, stepping through the door out into the bright sunlight, and brisk Illinois winter air. Dali took a deep breath and smiled again.
"And I ask again, what's with the Cheshire cat grin?" Max looked over at Dali. This time, Dali reached in her pocket, and pulled out a single key on a chain. "What's that?" Max wondered.
"The car key from the cute-but-clueless guy back in the diner."
"You didn't…" Max started. "Tell me you didn't…"
"Oh, but I did. He was being rude, and I figured the least he could do was give us a ride."
"You mean give us his ride," Dominic, who'd been listening to the whole conversation, exclaimed. "Dalianna Lichelle Korman! That is grand theft auto! We could get life in prison!"
Max raised an eyebrow furtively at Dali. "Lichelle?" she grinned.
"Shut up Max," Dali responded. "And you too Dom. We won't go to jail if we don't get caught. And we're gonna get caught if you keep posting the news to everybody within a mile hearing distance."
Dominic sighed and looked away, but didn't say anything else. If nothing else, he knew his parents had taught Dali better than to steal, especially cars. And she picked up on his line of thinking right away, and knelt down in front of him. "Look, we are running for our lives. I've been at this a lot longer than you. Trust me. When we get back to Seattle, I'll see if I can get Logan to find a way to get the bike back here, without causing too much suspicion. Ok?"
Dominic shrugged. "Whatever. Who's Logan?"
"No wonder you got busted by Manticore so many times Dali," Max interrupted them again, "you guys move slower than a snail on crack. Let's move!"
"Which car is his?" Dominic asked. Dali looked around, and her eyes landed on the motorcycle sitting a few feet away.
"Ten bucks says it's that one," she replied with a cunning grin on her face. She sauntered over to it as if she owned it, sat down, and turned the key in the ignition. The bike roared to life. "And behind door number 1…," she smiled at them.
"I'm riding with Max," Dominic said, and without giving either of them the chance to protest, he ran over to her bike, and swung a leg over it. "Come on, let's go!" Max gave Dali one last wary look.
"Just keep up with me."
"Don't worry about me," Dali replied, revving the engine. "Maybe you should try keeping up with me."
Max approached her bike, and turned it on, pulling out of the parking lot. Dali took one last look back at the diner, as the owner of the bike came running out of the door.
"Thanks for the ride," she yelled, blowing him a kiss. Then she pealed off after Max. The guy could do nothing but stand there and shout into the emptiness.
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They rode on throughout the day. Stopping again in Iowa so Dominic could use the bathroom, and get a quick snack; and then again for gas at a truck that was selling further down the road. The ride for Dali this time was less stressful. Sure, they had a crazed psycho whack-job looking out to kill them, but at least her brother was safe…for the time being anyway. The wind rippled through her hair, as she concentrated on the road in front of her. She knew better than to daydream while behind the wheel. Years ago, she'd almost caused an accident, when in the car with Justin teaching her how to back up. She'd spaced, and nearly hit a tree. He never let her live it down.
The drive continued, on through South Dakota, and into Montana. The sun was beginning to set low in the sky, and Dali signaled to Max that she thought they should stop soon so Dominic could get some sleep. Max nodded, and just as they crossed the Idaho border, she pointed out a small lone Motel sitting on the side of the road. Unsurprisingly enough, they were the only patrons there. They strode up to the service desk of the small office at the end of the building, and rung the bell. A young nerdy looking guy emerged from a side door.
"Can I help you?" he asked in a bored nasal voice, before seeing who was there. When he finally did catch a glimpse of Max and Dali, his breath caught in his throat, and he pulled out an inhaler and took a few puffs before calming down. "Sorry, how can I help you ladies," he asked again in a voice only slightly less nasal than before.
"We need a room," Max replied.
"Sure thing," he answered, and turned behind him to pull a key off the rack. "Sign in the book here," he shoved a book towards them. He then approached the front of the counter. "Allow me to show you to your room," he said, placing a hand on Dali's shoulder and gripping a little too tightly for her liking. Max raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't say anything. Dominic on the other hand, couldn't contain himself.
"Hey!" he shouted up at the desk clerk, who looked down, seeing the boy for the first time. Dominic reached up and with surprising strength, pulled the clerk down to his level by the collar of his shirt. "You tryin to cop a feel on my sister?" The clerk's eyes grew wide as he quickly shook his head.
"No, sir," he sputtered.
"Good!" Dominic spat back at him, tightening the grip on his collar. "Now give me my damn key and get outta my sight." Max could barely hold in her laughter as the clerk fumbled for the key in his pocket, and held it out to the young boy, who snatched it from him. Like brother, like sister.
"Room 121. Last room on the left."
Dominic eyed him. "Thank you," his voice returning to normal. "Now you have a good night. Let's go ladies." He released the clerk, who quickly yanked at his tightened collar, and pulled out his inhaler.
As soon as they had set foot outside the door to the office, the three of them burst into laughter. They couldn't stop laughing until they were in their room, with the door locked tightly behind them.
"Thanks Shorty," Dali smiled at him. "That was sweet of you."
"Anything for a pretty lady," he said with a smile.
"Where'd you get strength like that?" Max asked him.
Dominic's smile left his face. "It's in the genes," he said simply and turned back to Dali. "Anyway, Dad said a guy always has to look after his ladies…and since Justin's not here, I figured I'd better step in." Dali's eyes widened and she flinched at the sound of Justin's name. "Where is he anyway?" Dominic asked her, his eyebrows knitted. "He promised a little one-on-one the last time I saw him. And I gotta show him my moves." He began pretending as though he was dribbling a basketball, weaving it in and out of his legs, and doing all kinds of spin moves.
Dali's eyes filled with tears, as she sat on the end of one of the beds. "Uh, Shorty, I have to talk to you." She absolutely dreaded having to relive the whole experience, even more so than having to be the one to tell her little brother, who she remembered was quite close with her best friend. He was like an older brother to the young kid.
Dominic hadn't heard a word she said, he was too busy practicing his moves. "And Korman goes up for the foul," he said, pretending to make a shot. "Oh…it bounces off the rim…"
"Shorty," Dali interjected, but he still hadn't heard her.
"But he's got it back! And he's taking it down the court…there's no one there to stop him! Where's Miles? He's eatin my dust…"
"Shorty," Dali said a little more forcefully.
But the young boy was stuck in his own world. "And Korman goes up for the shot…it's good! And that's the buzzer, end of the game!"
"Dominic!" Dali yelled at him. "Would you please just listen?"
Dominic stopped, having finally heard his sister yelling to him. He knew it was serious…she hardly ever used his full name. He looked over to her, finally seeing the tears pooled in her eyes, and crossed the room to stand in front of her, and placed both his hands on her knees. "What's the matter, Dalianna?" His voice took on a worried tone.
Max, who had been standing nearby listening, mumbled some excuse about having to make a phone call, and stepped outside, closing the door behind her. She had seen the little boy, his strength, his speed; and she didn't want to be anywhere near him when that bomb was dropped. She headed down towards her bike and sat on it, before pulling out the cell phone Logan had given her just before they left. She dialed his oh-so-familiar number, and put the phone to hear, listening to the ring. He picked up on the second ring.
"Max?" he answered.
She smiled, "Well, technically, you're supposed to say 'hi', but since it is me, I won't hold that against you."
She could hear him chuckle on the other side. "Thanks. So what's the situation?"
"Well," she started, "we found Dali's brother. Turns out everyone in the family's a Familiar."
"Are you serious?"
"Yup, had White there waiting for us and everything, but we made it out ok."
"Where are you?" he asked immediately. "I'm coming to get you."
"No," she replied adamantly, "we're just inside the Idaho border. We should be there by noon tomorrow. No worries, we're not being followed, I checked."
"Ok," he said reluctantly. Then he groaned. "Be careful!"
Max raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"Uh…I'm having Original Cindy put some ointment on my back. Apparently, I've got some pretty deep scratches…you should really cut your nails you know."
Max could hear the smile in his voice, and looked down at her nails. She smiled to herself, thinking of them together. "Funny, you weren't complaining the other night."
Logan laughed. "Yeah, I kinda didn't notice…In fact, if Mole hadn't made a comment on it when seeing me coming from the shower yesterday, I probably wouldn't have even known…well, at least until the pain got really bad."
Max laughed, and then her face sobered as she thought of the kids in the room. "Well, I left Dali to tell Dominic about Justin."
"Ooh, harsh blow." Logan said, his voice full of concern. "How's he taking it?"
She looked over to the door to their room. "Well, nothing's exploded, so I better go check and make sure they're both still alive," she replied, only a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Logan nodded, though she couldn't see it. "Ok, well, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Bright and early," she smiled. "Good night Logan."
"Good night, Max," he replied.
Max closed the phone, and looked up at the sky. Though it was free of clouds, the wind was as brisk as ever, and she couldn't wait to get back inside. Slowly, she headed toward the door to the room.
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After Max had left, Dali looked into her brother's eyes.
"Dalianna, what's the matter?" he asked again. He cocked his head to the side, eyes boring holes through hers. Suddenly, he stiffened, his own eyes now filling with tears. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No, it's a lie."
"I'm sorry," Dali whispered to him. "I'm so sorry. It's entirely my fault, I should've protected him."
Dominic grew angry. "Why didn't you? Everyone we've ever loved is dead, and you couldn't protect him? You let our whole family die! Who do we have left? We don't have anyone. You always run away. He loved you…he loved you, and you couldn't protect him."
Dali slid to the floor, the tears finally spilling over, as her little brother voiced every thought she'd ever had. "I'm sorry," she whispered over and over again. "I tried; I wanted to…I'm so sorry."
The anger left Dominic's eyes as he saw his sister, lone and vulnerable sitting on the floor. He walked over, and sat in her lap, his head on his shoulder, and she held him tight, as he finally let the sobs overtake him.
That's how Max found them when she opened the door. She crossed the room to them, and sat down, embracing them both, and letting tears of her own fall. Tears for the family she never had that she wished she had, tears for the family they lost, tears for all the troubles and tribulations that they had to overcome.
Dominic fell asleep, and Dali lifted him slowly, and placed him on the bed, covering him up. "I'll protect you with my last dying breath, little brother," she whispered. "I promise."
Max put a hand on her shoulder. "You sure you can keep that promise?" she asked gently.
Dali didn't look up at her, but nodded. "I only live by 3 rules: don't make promises you can't keep; love and lose before love loses you; and I always say good-bye meaning to say hello again." She looked up at the older girl, and gave her a half-smile. "It's when I say 'see-ya around' that you know something's up."
Max smiled down at her, and patted her shoulder. "Why don't you try to get some rest? It's been a long day." To her surprise, Dali nodded slowly, and laid down next to her brother, wrapping an arm around him, she slipped into the subconscious.
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Max sat watching out the window until the sun began to peek over the horizon. She had refused to sleep, knowing that White could burst into the room at any second and take them all out. Not to say that she wasn't tired. No matter how much shark DNA she thought she had, she was still part human, and that meant she did have to have some sleep. And she hadn't slept a wink since leaving Terminal City. Only the thought of running to Logan's arms kept her alert enough to keep watch through the night.
As the sun began to rise in the sky, Max quietly woke Dali and Dominic, who rose without a word, and prepared themselves for the final leg of the trip. It wasn't long before they were back on the road, speeding through Idaho in a record amount of time, and crossing over the Washington border. It was a pain in the neck going through checkpoints. Max still had her Jam Pony checkpoint, and Dali had the one she'd taken from Sketchy just before leaving Terminal City, but that didn't really account for Dominic. He started opening his mouth to tell off the sector police, when Dali shut him up with just a few words. She explained that now that he was out of school for Christmas break, there was nowhere for her to leave him, if she didn't work, then they didn't have money. Eventually, they made their way through the heart of Seattle. And after having traveled for almost 4 days, and going through the trip from hell, Dali finally saw the high rises of the buildings in Terminal City looming ahead of them.
Home, sweet, home, she thought, and they headed toward the gate.
Post: Hey guys, thanks again for all the great reviews. You guys rock! Get that? R.O.C.K.!
