Reliving Manticore

Disclaimer-I don't own anything that can be found on Dark Angel. The only things I own are some of the transgenics and the parts of the storyline that I make up. So don't sue!

Summary-Max was captured at the end of season 1 but in my story she wasn't shot in the heart and Zack didn't shoot himself, but he was captured as well. And Max never escaped or burned Manticore down. So basically this story is about Max being back at Manticore with missions, transgenics and all. M/L at first but it will become M/A.

A/N- I had to repost this chapter because my computer was saying it didn't exist...so if there are mistakes or something different in it, sorry, but I couldn't remember what I had written before...I think the reviews also got deleted that were for this chapter...so sorry again...the next chapters will have responses from your reviews though, I promise...as long as my computer stays normal. ;o)

Chapter Seven-The Party & A Few Surprises

"Are you sure I look okay?" Max asked worriedly as she looked at herself for the millionth time in the mirror. Cindy rolled her eyes.

"Girl, ya look hot, aiight?" she said impatiently. "Stop stressin." Lana nodded her agreement.

Max was wearing a blood-red strapless dress. Her hair was pinned up with a few strands framing her face. (A/N-Picture her dress from "Art Attack")

Lana held up two different flavored lip glosses. "Cherry or Raspberry?" she asked. Max pointed to the cherry and Lana handed it to her.

Max turned to face the mirror again and Cindy whistled softly. "Suga, you gonna be attractin every male eye in the room." Max smiled nervously.

"The last time I was in a dress was for a wedding last year. I guess I'm just not used to it yet," she explained after getting confused looks from Lana and Cindy. "Where are my shoes?" She looked around and then jumped back when they were shoved in her face.

"These things?" Blake asked. He held the satin red shoes up and examined them. "Nice."

Max smiled and put the shoes on. "Thanks. And did you consider knocking?"

"Nah. I'm just a little impatient," he replied and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. He looked at Lana who was also in a dress. But a light blue one instead of red like Max's. "You look good, too." He smiled. Lana just rolled her eyes and slipped her arm around his to lead him out.

"Come on Max," she said and the three of them headed to Biggs/Alec's room after saying good-bye to Cindy. Alec was just coming out. He froze when he saw them. Max had slipped her arm around Blake's other one. Alec felt his eyes narrow slightly.

"Well don't you girls look all pretty?" he cleared his throat as he spoke to both of them but he only looked at Max. Lana rolled her eyes and Max smirked.

"It's what comes naturally," she replied before releasing Blake's arm as they reached the party.

Before Alec could say anything else, Max turned around and was soon lost in the crowd, looking for Callaway.

"Alright, keep an eye out for the target," Alec ordered before he also was lost in the crowd. Blake rolled his eyes.

"And make sure Max doesn't have to get too 'distracting'," he muttered mockingly. Lana bit back a laugh.

Alec pretended not to have heard Blake but thanks to his enhanced hearing, he did. They are so wrong, he thought stubbornly. I don't care about Max anymore than I should. She's just someone in my unit...but probably not for long. She supposedly is going to try out for Special Ops soon...Thinks she's such a great fighter. Maybe I should try-out too just so she knows she isn't better than me... Alec wouldn't let his mind tell him that this wasn't the only reason for wanting to join Special Ops. He probably just wasn't ready for it.

As Alec was thinking, he wasn't paying attention to where he was walking. He bumped into a man with spiky blonde-brown hair and blue eyes behind small glasses. "Sorry," he apologized.

"No problem," the man said before walking on. Alec saw him go to a young woman with short blonde hair before he turned around and faced the bar.

He ordered a scotch. "So what's up?" he talked quietly into his earpiece.

"Nothing much," Biggs's voice crackled. "Still looking. I'll let you know when we've found something."

"Alright," Alec replied. "Hey Max? Blake? Lana? Everything going okay with you?"

Lana and Blake replied yes but Max didn't say anything. "Max?" Alec asked again. Then he heard her voice.

"So Mr. Callaway, how did you find out about this hotel? It's such a beautiful place," she was using a sugary sweet tone. Alec grimaced slightly. Guess she's doing her part, he thought bitterly. She better not go too far.

Lana and Blake had heard part of Max's conversation as well. "God I hope the others find something soon. This is a drag," Lana said, sipping her drink. Blake nodded.

"The way Max looks tonight I doubt Callaway will be able to leave her side," he said jokingly. "Which might result in a huffy CO." Lana smiled.

"You should try to remember to turn your earpiece off before gossiping, soldier," Alec's voice said mockingly. Lana and Blake looked at each other, embarrassed.

"Sorry, sir," Blake muttered.

While this was happening, the other transgenics were still hacking into Callaway's computer.

"Damn, this guy has so much useless crap. Where the hell is all the Manticore info?" Biggs growled impatiently. Justine rolled her eyes as she rifled through some folders.

"Calm down Biggs," she said. "We'll find something soon." Biggs froze.

"What is it?" Natalie asked. Biggs didn't answer.

"Biggs?" Nick asked worriedly. The others walked quickly over to the computer.

Cindy read the screen over Biggs's shoulder. "Damn, I was hoping we wouldn't have to hurt the man," she sighed heavily. Biggs whipped his head around.

"It's not really that bad," he said. Cindy raised her eyebrow.

"Suga, you saw the same thing I did. You tellin me that this man ain't dangerous with all that info?" she said surprised. Biggs just looked at her.

"Alright, tell Alec we got what we needed. But we need a new plan to fix this," he said, gesturing to the computer. The others nodded.

"Yeah, I don't think Max is gonna kill anyone. And Alec may be able to figure something else out..." Justine said. "Hey Alec," she said into her earpiece.

"Yeah?" he answered gruffly.

"We've got some info from Callaway's computer," she paused. "And none of us really want to hurt this guy...so..."

"We'll figure something out then. Once Max is done with Callaway," he paused as he thought of what that sentence could mean.

"Alec?" Biggs's voice asked.

"Yeah? Oh, right," Alec answered. "Once Max is done talking to Callaway, her and I will come up to my room." Another sentence with many meanings, he thought. "Get Blake and Lana up there too so we can figure all this out."

Meanwhile, Max was still talking to Callaway. "So you must be really smart, huh?" she said airily. God this guy is dull, she thought. I hope the others figure out what this guy knows soon. It's a shame transgenics can't get drunk. She sipped her drink and scanned the room while Callaway's voice continued to bore into her brain. Then she saw someone that made her inhale quickly. Oh my god. Is that...LOGAN?!

"Excuse me? Ms. Glasser?" Callaway's voice interrupted her thoughts. She continued to watch Logan and just muttered an apology. Alec's voice came on her earpiece and she was thankful for a reason to finally leave the stupid geek. But what am I going to do about Logan? She thought worriedly. What am I thinking? This could be my way out. But wait! What about Zack? And I can't just leave the others...Crap. What if he sees me?!

Max hurriedly said good-bye with an excuse that she wasn't feeling well and walked briskly to the bar where she had seen Alec go earlier. She didn't know where Lana and Blake were. She kept one eye on Logan as she quickly sat down next to Alec.

"Hey Maxie," Alec said. "We got the info we needed. We should go back to the room to figure out our next move." Max just nodded. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost or something." Max looked at him.

"I'm fine," she said, but her voice wavered slightly and Alec quickly noticed.

"Max what's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed. Max suddenly tensed.

Logan was in clear view. He could see Max if he just turned his head around. "Oh shit," Max swore softly. She whipped around to fully face Alec. He looked surprised. Max's mind spun as she tried to figure a way out. She could only think of one thing. But she really didn't want to do it...did she? "Alec, put your arms around me." She figured she didn't have choice. Alec's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Max would have laughed if she wasn't seriously scared out of her mind. "Just do it. I'll explain later."

Alec awkwardly put his arms around her. "Now what?" he whispered in her ear. Max ignored the shiver it sent down her spine. She just needed to get out of there.

"Shield my left side and walk out to the elevator. But don't attract attention," She said quickly. Alec smirked.

"That'll be a little hard don't you think, considering?" he said smugly. Max shook her head.

"Alec, please, just do it," she pleaded. Alec frowned.

"Alright, here we go," he said. He shielded her left side and just as they passed Logan, he turned his head. Max tensed even more and Alec unconsciously rubbed her shoulder. She relaxed a little.

She let out a sigh of relief when they reached the elevator. But she inhaled sharply when she saw Logan's face turn towards her direction. Thankfully, she noticed his eyes didn't focus on her. Instead, they were on a young blonde woman with short hair. Max felt her eyes narrow as the elevator doors closed.

Alec didn't say anything until they reached their floor. "Okay, what was that about?" he asked. Max didn't look at him. "Max?" he prodded.

"I just...I saw...um..." Max couldn't finish her sentence and she was thankful when they reached Biggs/Alec's room. "Hey guys!" she said as she opened the door.

"Hey," they said solemnly. Max frowned.

"We have a problem," Biggs said.

"What is it?" Max asked worriedly. Justine looked at Alec for permission. He nodded.

"We need to terminate Edwin Callaway," she replied in a monotone. Max swallowed.

"Why?" she croaked.

"He has too much information on Manticore. And he definitely has negative intentions, just like Renfro said," Biggs answered.

"Isn't there another way?" Max asked, her voice wavering. Alec smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," he said. Max whipped her head around to look at him.

"What will you do?" she asked incredulously. Alec just looked at her.

"When?" Justine asked. Alec looked away from Max.

"Tonight," he said. "Would be the best time."

"Please tell me you won't hurt him?" Max said softly.

Alec looked at her. Her eyes seemed to be pleading with him. "Don't worry, I know what I have to do and it doesn't involve killing him, alright?" he said in a reassuring tone. Max nodded and without another word, she went into her room. Alec watched her go with a slightly wistful expression on his face.

"Hello?" Biggs waved his hand in front of Alec's face.

"What?" he asked. Biggs just looked at him pointedly. "Oh right. I may need help with Callaway so Biggs come with me." Biggs nodded and they both headed for Callaway's room.

Max walked into her bedroom, slightly in a trance. She picked out shorts and a tank top for bed and then went to take a shower. Cindy and Lana were on the couch in the living room.

"Wow," Cindy simply said. Lana nodded.

"She seemed a little distracted," she noted. "Tomorrow we can ask her about it right?" Cindy nodded her head.

When Max finally got out of the shower, Cindy and Lana had gone to bed. Max sighed and flopped down on the couch to watch tv.

A while later there was a knock on the door. Max's stomach knotted but she got up to answer it anyway.

Alec was on the other side. "Hi," he said tentatively. Max cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah?"she asked tiredly.

"I just wanted to tell you that it was done," he answered. Max's face went blank.

"Great," she said blandly. "You didn't kill him did you?" Alec shook his head. Max breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Does that mean we go home tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Alec answered. "But since when do you think of Manticore as 'home'?" Max shrugged.

"Got no where else to call home. And I figure I'll be there for a while. Might as well get used to it," she replied bitterly. Alec nodded.

"I guess this is good-night then?" he said, smirking. Max nodded, a small smirk also on her face.

"Night," she said, then closed the door. She turned off the tv and then got in her bed.

Why? She thought sadly. Why did I just hide from Logan? And with Alec no less. I'm so glad he didn't kill the guy...Hopefully he just scared him a little...Guess I'll find out tomorrow. And what was that shiver thing about when he whispered to me? Max groaned. I don't know what to think about that...Least I'll be leaving his unit soon. Special Ops duty calls. Then why do I feel so sad about leaving? It's probably just 'cause I'll miss Cindy and the others...Max's eyes snapped open. Right?

A/N-Hehe. I hope you liked it. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to have the Callaway guy dead or not...so I just wrote that maybe Max's presence is changing what the other transgenics think about killing people...I also felt the need to add Logan in. But I didn't feel like giving him much lines. It also gave me a chance to bring Alec and Max just a little bit closer. Next chapter is Max going into Special Ops. Which means Zack will back! ;o) Review please!