Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Sorry to disappoint all you sue-happy scavengers out there.

Hero On the Run:

All was silent in the railroad yard. Zack had always been excellent when it came to stealth. He couldn't look back… his only indication that Max had actually left was the persistently growing emptiness spreading through his mind and body. Every step felt foreign, misguided somehow.

He headed back to his quarters, alert as ever. After a thorough examination of the area, he was convinced enough that the coast was clear. He didn't have much time.

Quickly, he made his way to the room. The places was in an even greater state of chaos than when he'd left. They sure had a field day ransacking this place… bastards. he thought.

With a soft sigh he began gathering up his meager belongings into a black duffel bag. He produced a garbage bag and disposed of everything that was unnecessary. Soon, he found himself holding the surveillance photographs he had taken of Max.

He couldn't let go. They would only drag him down… they were evidence. He had to burn them along with all the other refuse. But he couldn't let go. With a groan, he placed the pictures inside the lining of the duffel bag. This is ridiculous… he thought. I can't even take out the trash anymore without her interference.

After he had condensed his belongings adequately, he set out to sterilize the place. He pulled out some cleaning supplies he'd picked up on his way into Seattle, and scrubbed every inch of space. It'll have to do for now, he thought.

Wordlessly, he slung the black duffel bag over his shoulder, checked his .38 caliber, and walked out of the room.

It was a clear night. Everything was still, or as still as it got post-pulse. It was just a little too superficial for his liking. As thoroughly as possible, Zack studied his surroundings. He spotted a hobo to his left, and two men that had absolutely no reason to be here to his right. Great… Lydecker's still got a few men around. You'd think they'd learn to be a little bit more inconspicuous, though… he thought. Quickly, he tossed his bag across his motorcycle and withdrew his gun.

He took a shot at one of the men to his right, who had decided to lunge after the X5. Idiot. There was a rapidly-growing stain of blood gathering on the man's chest, dead center on the location of his heart.

Obviously angered by their fellow lackey's demise, the other two attempted to surround Zack. In response, the genetically-engineered killing machine sent a roundhouse kick to the man he was facing. Lydecker's soldier stumbled back for a moment, just long enough for Zack to send a vicious uppercut to the other man's jaw.

As the second man went reeling back, Zack turned his attention back to the first. He had recovered enough to send a kick to Zack's ribcage. Zack flinched and drew his hands to his stomach, then looked up at his opponent, eyes flaring.

Mouth set in an unforgiving line, a glare set on his face, Zack spun around. He kicked into the second man's shin with a sickening crack, then thrust his elbow back into the first man, making sure he hit a kidney.

With the first man doubled over, he ground the heel of his shoe into the second man's face, which was currently on the ground, contorted with pain. "Tell Lydecker that he can fuck himself. None of us are going to that hell-hole that he would have us call 'home'. Not while I'm alive," he spat out, eyes still full of fury.

The first man was on his hands and knees, coughing violently. Zack glared at him in disgust, then kneed him in the stomach for good measure. He turned to glare violently at the bum, who quickly turned and began rummaging through a nearby pile of trash.

Satisfied, Zack walked back to his bike, mounted it, and sped off towards San Francisco. Little did he know, the "bum" had pulled out a cell phone as soon as he was out of sight. "Deck… one of your kids just beat up his babysitters. Yep… he took off. Southbound. Thought you'd want to know."

*~*

The next morning, Zack pulled up to an apartment complex very close to the Golden Gate Bridge. He walked up a set of stairs to room 210, bag in hand, and smiled slightly as he knocked at the door.

After a few moments, an attractive blonde opened the door. "Hey, Jondy. Long night?" he asked her, gesturing to the knife she held in her right hand. "Zack!" she exclaimed, dropping the knife and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Long time, no see," they said in unison. Jondy laughed as she pulled away and beckoned him inside. "What are you still doing out there?" she asked playfully. "Get inside!"

Zack stepped into the apartment, scanning behind himself quickly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jondy do the same. Good girl, he thought protectively.

She closed the door behind him and gestured to the couch. Zack set his bag next to the couch, sat down, and took a look around. There were posters of classic rock bands and photographs everywhere. "I like what you've done with the place," he commented idly. "You look great, Dee."

Jondy smiled broadly at her nickname, then rolled her eyes. "Please, Zack… you didn't come all the way from wherever the hell you were just to tell me that."

Zack smiled a little. "I saw Max again," he replied quietly, looking down at the floor.

Jondy's features softened. "Did you talk to her this time? Or did you just play stalker again?"

Zack laughed bitterly and shook his head, raking a hand through his hair. "No… I did it this time."

"And?"

"And? And she's just as stubborn as ever. She's gonna get herself killed… soon. Lydecker's on to her," he said worriedly, blue eyes clouding over.

Jondy nodded and moved closer to him, tucking her legs under herself comfortingly. Zack just turned away from her, lost in thought. She looked down, almost sadly, and stroked his arm.

"What am I gonna do, Jondy?" he asked, making eye contact with her. All she could do was shrug and trace the lines of his face.

"First of all… you've got to realize that Max is Max. She's been looking for you… for us… for ten years. Knowing you, you probably blew her off when she asked about us. Now, I know that's not what you meant to do," she added, seeing the protest written across his features. "I know that you are just trying to protect us. But you have to understand… she's been all alone for all this time."

"But that's no reason to make deadly choices! She knows that staying in one location for extended periods of time will only result in exposure!" he exclaimed, hitting the couch in frustration.

"Zack! You're going into Manticore mode… again. It's no wonder she shut you out! You're just making her remember everything that she… we… went through back in that prison camp," the younger X5 said bluntly, grabbing Zack's shoulders.

Zack's tensed body relaxed a little, and he buried his face in his hands. "She's beautiful, you know. Strong, too. I know that she can take care of herself, believe me I do…"

"Do you? Because you sure don't sound like it, big brother," Jondy retorted.

At a loss for words, Zack stood up. He started to move towards the door, only to be intercepted by a blur of motion that was Jondy.

"Move, Dee," he commanded.

"Zack… you know I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm just trying to help you understand. Don't run away... not again," she pleaded.

He stared into her eyes, searching for something… anything. Finally, he sighed and walked back into the center of the room. "You got somewhere I can crash? I've been awake for at least thirty-six hours. I know that doesn't bug the likes of you, but us normal freaks need our rest," he teased.

Jondy smiled, relieved, and pointed to the bedroom. "Right in there… get some shut eye, then we can catch up, alright?"

Zack nodded and moved his bag into the bedroom, barely mustering the energy to take off his jacket before collapsing on the bed.