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-Thank you so much, willow98002, for the idea on how to bring Logan back. It's perfect. ;o)

Chapter Fourteen-Mommy Dearest

"So what you're saying is...you were rescuing the transgenic, and this Mr. White shows up, correct?" Renfro questioned.

"Yes ma'am," Zack answered.

"He then proceeds to shoot at 452 and this is when you begin to fight?" she asks.

"Yes ma'am."

"And then he shoots 512, fatally wounding her," Renfro concluded.

"Yes ma'am."

"452 engages in a one-on-one battle with him and he seems unaffected when she attacks?"

"Yes ma'am."

"This clearly needs more investigation. Excellent work, Special Ops. I'll be sure to keep you informed of any new information we uncover. Dismissed," Renfro said. The transgenics begin to file out of her office. "Wait, 599 and 452. Stay here for a moment." Zack and Max stand at attention as the others left. "On this mission, it is my understanding that one of your former unit members joined you in the search for the missing transgenic, who also turned out to be a former unit mate. Is this correct?"

"Yes ma'am."

"And I understand that you brought both of them back with you, correct?"

"Yes ma'am."

"The rescued transgenic, X5-454 (A/N-I don't know Krit or Syl's actual designations, if anyone knows, please tell me) is currently being treated for his injuries and the other transgenic, X5-597 is in isolation until we decide on a unit for her. 454 will need a unit also. Because 597 helped with your mission, and as there is a opening in Special Ops, she is being thoroughly considered for the spot. And as Unit 6 is in need of a member, 454 will be placed there," Renfro explained. Max and Zack weren't sure how they were supposed to react to this so they kept their faces expressionless. "I assume this is to your liking?" Renfro smirked. Max fought the urge to smack her.

"Yes ma'am."

"Very well. You will be informed of the decision once it is made. Any questions?"

"No ma'am."

"Excellent. Dismissed," Renfro replied. Max and Zack left her office and headed for the Common room where they knew the others would be waiting.

Common Room...

"Why do you think Renfro asked Max and Zack to stay?" Kris asked. Valerie scoffed.

"Well, let's see...we just rescued their brother and in the process, picked up their sister as well. But I don't think Renfro thinks they're of any concern to Max and Zack," she replied sarcastically. Kris glared at her.

"Since when are you Miss Bitch?" she growled. Valerie narrowed her eyes.

"When do you think?" she replied in a dangerously low tone. Kris didn't answer. "Am I the only one that cares?" No one responded. "She was part of our freakin family! Why hasn't anyone said anything?!" Again no response. "Dammit, WHY!?"

"You actually think you're the only one?" Alec growled. Valerie gave him a look of exasperation.

"Well, considering the fact that no one is saying a DAMN thing about what happened, yeah, I think I'm the only one," she said.

"Then you're an idiot," Alec replied evenly. Valerie stared at him. "Yes, you're an idiot. We all cared about Jessica. She was a part of our 'freakin family' as you so delicately put it. People deal with death in different ways. Yours is obviously more open and judgmental."

"I am not judgmental," Valerie argued. Evan laughed bitterly. "What are you laughing at?" Evan shook his head.

"Nothin," he replied. "Just the fact that you're either blind or so stupid you can't understand what's going on right under your genetically enhanced nose." Valerie stared at him.

"Would you be so kind as to enlighten me then?" she bit out. He just smiled sarcastically.

"Why should I?" he asked. Valerie's eyes blazed.

"BECAUSE I ASKED YOU?!" she screamed. All the transgenics winced as the shrill sound reached their sensitive ears.

"See," Alec began quietly. "Judgmental. You're so self-involved you can't even begin to think about what you're doing. Well, I gotta news flash for ya Val, you are not the only one to grieve over a lost one. So act like a good little soldier and shut the hell up." Valerie's eyes blazed again and she lunged at Alec. She was yanked back a few feet before she reached him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Max asked angrily, still holding on to Valerie's shirt.

"That bastard insulted me," Valerie growled as she struggled against Max's grip.

"And your immediate reaction is to try and strangle him?" Max asked. Valerie didn't answer. "Interesting. I'll let go of you if you promise that you're gonna go sit on the couch like a good little soldier, aiight?" Valerie hesitated before nodding and Max shoved her toward the couch. "Good girl."Valerie glared at her.

"So someone gonna fill us in on what just happened or our we obligated to come up with our own versions?" Zack asked as he leaned against the wall next to Kris.

"Valerie was just being insecure about Jessica's death and sorta taking it out on us," Sean replied. Valerie sent him a death glare.

"Way to put it bluntly," Max muttered. "She looked like she was ready to kill Alec."

"Not that she could," Alec cut in with a smug look on his face. Max smirked.

"No, that job's reserved for me," she said. The smug look was replaced with a small grin. "Are we interruptin something or we come in?"

Max whirled around. Her eyes fell on a smiling Unit 6. She grinned broadly. "Of course. We weren't discussing anything that important." Valerie shot her a look. "That can't wait 'til later," Max mended. Valerie slumped against the couch again, satisfied that they would talk.

"How's my girl doin?" Cindy gave Max a hug.

"I'm aiight," she replied. Before she could elaborate she was picked up in a crushing embrace.

"Well that's good to know," she heard Blake's voice. She raised her head to look at him.

"And how are you guys?" she asked.

"Missing you still," he replied. Max smiled.

"Yeah, I have that effect on people," she said. Blake grinned. Biggs cleared his throat. They both looked over at him. He was standing, arms folded, next to Alec whose eyes were slightly narrowed.

"Didn't your mama ever teach you to share?" Biggs joked as he, too, hugged Max. Blake smirked.

"Sorry, Mommy Dearest wasn't big on that kinda thing. You should know," he retorted. Alec's eyes narrowed even more and he clenched his fists. Cindy tapped his arm.

"No good just gettin angry," she began as she gave him a hug. "Join in the fun."

"So you guys were like really close," Kris's voice interrupted the group's reunion.

"Of course," Lana replied as she let go of Alec, ignoring Max's death glares. Cindy received them as well.

Hah, fun achieved, Cindy thought happily.

"Oh, before I forget," Max began. "Renfo told Zack and me that Krit's gonna be joining your unit."

"Is he one of your brothers?" Justine guessed. Max nodded enthusiastically.

"He's actually related by blood though. The mission that we just got back from was to rescue him," she answered.

"Awesome," Lana began. "What's he look like?" Blake shot her a look. "What? I'm just curious...same as I was with Zack." Zack's head shot up at the sound of his name.

"What?" he asked, confused. Max smirked.

"Lana wanted to know what you looked like and boyfriend-Bwake got a wittle jeawous," Max replied. All eyes shot to her. "What?" she tried to look innocent but failed miserably.

"How did you know?"

"Blake and Lana are together?"

"Why didn't I know that?"

"WHAT?!"

"Aren't they brother and sister?"

"Not by blood," Max answered Zack's question. He rolled his eyes. "And please, it was painfully obvious. Especially after Blake got all twitchy when Lana wanted to know about Zack."

"See, it was just friendly affection he was showing her," Biggs whispered to Alec as the others argued. Alec sighed and smiled slightly.

"Good to know," he whispered back. Biggs smirked.

"Does this mean you're fessin up about how you feel about Max?" he asked.

Alec gazed at Max for a full 30 seconds before answering. "Guess I am."

"To just me or to everyone?" Biggs questioned, already knowing the answer. Alec shot him an alarmed look.

"Of course it's just you. I don't even know how she feels about me. I can't just walk up to her and say 'hey, I love you, wanna get some coffee'," he answered, exasperated. Biggs's eyes widened slightly.

"You love her?" he asked. Alec realized his slip.

"Well, um...no...I....um...okay fine I do. I love Max," he conceded.

"Well, I gotta get going," Max said. "Kinda need to get my thoughts together...and talk to Valerie." She sent her a pointed look. Valerie smiled weakly and got up off the couch. "It was great seeing you and we'll definitely..." she trailed off as she heard Alec say her name. She turned to look at him and his eyes widened slightly. She looked questioningly at him but didn't say anything.

"Max?" Natalie's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"What?" Max answered, startled. Everyone looked at her. "Oh right, I was saying that we'll definitely have to get together again soon...but something needs to be taken care of right now." She quickly said her good-byes before dragging Valerie off to their cell.

"Do you think she heard me?" Alec asked Biggs after Max left. Biggs shrugged. "Oh good. Nice comforting technique." Biggs smirked.

"I doubt it, Alec," he said. "She seemed to have other things on her mind. What was with that Valerie chick? Why'd Max drag her out?" Alec's eyes darkened.

"Jessica was killed on our mission," he said bluntly. Biggs stared at him in wide-eyed shock.

"What happened?" he managed to croak. Alec sighed and filled him in on the mission.

"My god..." Biggs breathed.

"Yeah..." Alec said. They both sat in silence, contemplating what changes the mission could cause.

"Talk," Max ordered simply as she nudged Valerie on to her cot. She fidgeted nervously.

"What do you want to know?" she asked hesitantly. Max sighed before sitting down next to her.

"I know what it's like to lose a friend...or a family member," she began. "I know what it does to you. I know what it can make you do...But I also know that you'll feel a helluva lot better if you just talk. So..." she gestured for Valerie to speak.

"I...I miss her...She was like a sister to me..." Valerie's eyes began to water. "And he just shot her like she was nothing." She turned to look at Max, her eyes suddenly cold. "What kind of heartless sonofabitch does that?" Max sighed.

"I honestly don't know," she replied. "But I meant what I said, back at the warehouse. Ames White will pay for what he did. I don't know how we'll do we're locked up like animals. But there's probably a plan just waiting to present itself." Valerie smiled slightly.

"Are you sure?" she asked. Max grinned.

"Never been more sure of anything in my entire life."

Back in Seattle (Jam Pony)...

"Hot run, beat it," Normal barked as he handed Original Cindy a package. She rolled her eyes and made no move to take it. "What? Does the package have germs that only you can see? Or do you have another excuse for not doing your job?"

"I'm on break," OC replied before turning to walk away. Normal rolled his eyes.

"Ah, very creative. I've never heard that before," he muttered before tossing the package to the first messenger to walk by. "Hot run, bip bip bip."

"Have you heard from Max yet?" Sketchy asked OCas she walked over to him.

"No. Guess she's been busy," she replied. Sketchy nodded but didn't look very convinced.

"Hey, Normal, right?" they heard a very familiar voice say. OC whipped around and saw him.

"Yeah, that's me," Normal said. "And you are?" Logan smiled.

"Logan Cale. I have a package I'd like to deliver to a friend," he answered.

"Right..." Normal began. "You do know you can just call and I'll send a messenger over to pick it up?" Logan nodded and handed Normal the package.

"I do, but I was in the neighborhood so I figured I'd just drop it off," he answered. Normal furrowed his eyebrows but took the eyebrows.

"Alright then. Hey, you!" he called to Sketchy. He looked over at him. "Got a package for you! Go deliver it!" he tossed it to Sketchy, who caught it.

"Hey Sketchy, OC, how's it going?" Logan greeted them after Normal left.

"Been better," OC answered expressionlessly. Logan looked at her questioningly. "I'm on break, gonna get some lunch. See ya." She walked away.

"Don't take it personally dude. She's been a little depressed since Max came by," Sketchy said, fiddling with the package. Logan stiffened, but Sketchy didn't notice and started to walk away. Logan's hand stopped him.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice tight. Sketchy just looked at him, confused. "Did you say Max came by?" Sketchy nodded slowly, not quite getting it.

"Yeah, didn't she come see you?" When Logan didn't answer, Sketchy paled slightly. "Oh dude...I'm sorry...I didn't know..."

"How long was she here? When? Was she okay?" Logan interrupted. Sketchy gulped.

"She was here for about a day...I think, at least, that was how long she was with OC. Two days ago. She was definitely healthy," he answered in a small voice.

"What'd she say? Did she say where she's been? Is she gonna come back?" Logan asked, eyes still pleading. Sketchy winced.

"She said she found a new job or something and she's been dealing with family issues...that's why she hasn't been able to contact us. I don't know if she's coming back...she said she'd write and stuff though..." he replied. Logan looked stricken. "I'm really sorry, Logan...but I gotta go...sorry..." he hurried out the door, leaving Logan.

Why didn't she come see me? Logan thought, bewildered. Is she still at Manticore? If she had actually escaped she would have stayed longer...she would never abandon her friends for a year unless something really bad happened....Was she on a mission? His eyes suddenly brightened and he quickly left Jam Pony. If she is, she'll need my help. I gotta get her outta there.... "Don't worry Max," he said aloud. "You'll be home soon...and I know just how to do it..."

A/N-Woo-hoo, another chapter done. I'll be ending this story soon but there'll probably be a sequel. Please review!

willow98002-Thanks again so much for the idea, it really helped. ;o)

lakergirl08-Thanks, I wasn't sure if I could actually write a good fight scene...or if I could introduce White in a believable way...I'm glad you liked it.

Guest type person-I only meant that it'll be a while before Max sees OC and Sketchy. Probably not til the sequel.

loralee-I'll probably bring back all the 09ers...I haven't decided yet...but I'm not sure if could bring Ben back...it might get a little confusing...but I might change my mind. What's the title of your story? I'd be happy to read it ;o)

less than angel-Max and Alec will be getting together very soon...hehe

babe-Thanks ;o) That really means a lot. I'm glad you like the story, I'll try to update sooner than I did for this chapter, school just got a little hectic...