Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Dark Angel characters. I am merely amusing myself with stories involving them. Please don't sue me, because all I have is debt. (And you can have that if you want it).

Author's Note: This series began on June 5, 2001 and was completed on September 4, 2001.

CHAPTER ONE

Manticore

As I open my eyes I immediately realize that I am back at Manticore. I glance around the room as I gingerly move my limbs, finding that they are tied down. That's when I hear her. The blonde bitch. She tells me that Zack died for me. I suppose that's some sort of whacked irony—he gave into that phony sentimentality to save me. My brother died for me, the ultimate sacrifice from a soldier. I briefly recall him telling me to fight. Promise me Maxie. Promise me, you'll fight them. I will fight them big brother. And I have been.

I have everyone here convinced that I am back amongst them. I am X5452, a genetically enhanced killing machine. Fuck them. I've had freedom. I've had friends. Most of all, I've had love. And I want each of those back in my life.

They started my training while I was still in the hospital bed. I was watching hours of war clips filled with the words, "fight," "kill," "destroy." Every night, when I knew that I was alone I would cry. Me. The girl that has never in her whole life shed tears. Well, that's not really fair, I have shed tears. But this time I was crying for myself and for all that I have lost. I don't do the whole self-pity thing. I have to get out of here. I did it before; I know that I can do it now.

"X5452, how are you feeling this morning?" Asks the young lab technician.

Hmmm. This is new, someone asking me how I'm feeling at Manticore. "Ready to report for duty, sir." I answer going into full military mode.

"I bet you can't wait to get back out there and kill more innocent civilians. Being in this cage must be a helluva lot better than living in Seattle."

This startles me out of my current mode. "What?!"

Carefully, the technician glances around the barracks, leaning closer he whispers, "I'm Victor."

I pull back, stunned from his confession. So this is Victor. Yeah, I can see why Jace went for him. He is kind of cute if you like that tall, dark and mysterious thing. I don't, I like them sandy-blonde and out to save the world.

"I can help get you out of here, I think. But you have to give me a few days to get everything in order. I've been working on a plan since I found out that they had you back. I know what you did for Jace, and for our baby. I want to do the same for you." With that said, he draws some blood and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

Two months. It has been two months since I was recaptured. Two months since Zack died for me. Two months since I saw my friends. Two months, three days, twelve hours, twenty-three minutes and ten seconds since I last kissed Logan. I just want to go home. I want to feel Logan's arms around me. I want to feel safe. I remember the last time I was in his apartment. If Zack hadn't walked in, we would have been banging the gong, as Kendra would say.

There is no fucking way that I am going to stay in this hellhole for a minute longer than I have to. Logan, don't give up on me. I am coming home to you. I love you. I only wish he could hear me.

Fogle Towers

"I can't take this anymore!" Logan screams to his apartment. He picks up the goblet that had been set on the table earlier and hurls it across the room, taking joy in the sound of breaking glass. He strides into the computer room and rifles through his desk drawer, finally removing a small lock box. Methodically he removes the gun from the box and places a single bullet inside. "I'm sorry Max. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you in this world. I can't live knowing that you're gone. I'm sorry." Logan whispers to the silence of the room as he places the gun next to his temple. "I'm sorry I failed you." As his finger begins to pull the trigger, he hears her voice.

"Logan don't give up on me."

"Max?"

"I am coming home to you. I love you."

"Max? Where are you?" Logan asks as he drops the gun onto the floor, accidentally causing it to discharge. His world fades to black.