Thank you again for the reviews, I'm glad you find it worth coming back for.

Athena80 - Thanks hun, but don't be too hard on Loggie, he's just REALLY into helping people. Also Leo is a bit like a male Max; at least he certainly has a 'bitchy' streak. ;) (I tried to imagine his looks and thought of J. August Richards (Gunn on Angel) but with blue contact lenses, lol, just random)

elle6778 -You're better than you think, its nice when you get a detailed review, it's how I can know what parts were most liked. Also I'm glad you think the characters are true to the show as that was my intention. Thanks again for reading.

HoneyX5-452- Lol, I know and I like your style, but I'm afraid I have to keep my chapters long in order to tell this story as fully as I want. Sorry if it's a pain but just think of them as episodes or separate stories linked into one.

Everyone else, thank you for taking time to review.

3. "Reunion"

The street outside of Jam Pony was bustling with activity despite the gruesome weather. Messengers rushed about in a hurry to get out of the rain, none of them aware of the commotion going on just behind the corner until a police car flew by and then another, their sirens piercing the air.

Sketchy looked down hatefully at the pile of packages in his hands, cursing silently at the people who would pick such an awful day for sending in correspondence. To his relief he caught sight of OC who had just come in from a run. Just the excuse I need. He thought with a grin.

"So how is it out in there in water world?" He asked as soon as he found her by the lockers. Original Cindy gave him an irritated look.

"You really want me to answer that?" She demanded tensely, removing her hat, which made her damp curls stick out in different directions. Sketchy couldn't help himself. "Yeah go on, laugh it off. I look like a wet sewer rat."

"A cute sewer rat though." He cut in. "All you need are some fluffy ears."

"And all you need is a brain. Now how about doing some work like the rest of us?" He was about to reply when Normal called everyone to attention, increasing the volume on the TV.

"…authorities are on the lookout for a female transgenic apprehended after an attack on the sector police in Sector 3." The picture changed to one of a young red haired woman. "She had escaped custody this morning and was last seen in sector nine. Authorities are currently closing all checkpoints and putting a perimeter guard around the Terminal City compound as that is where the suspect is expected to be heading."

"This is bad." Cindy let out. "Just when things were beginning to calm down a bit."

"I'm sure Max is on it, they can get her to safety in no time." Sketchy tried to reassure but the other shook her head.

"If they can get to her in time, didn't you hear? They shut down all the checkpoints" He looked at her.

"So what can we do?"

OC didn't get a chance to answer as one girl cried out staring at the entrance. "Nobody moves" The woman from the newscast commanded, looking around frantically, the gun in her hand searching for a target.

"Not this again." Normal whispered before following the example of his employees and raising his hands.

White strode into the NSA headquarters, ignoring the surprised looks of the operatives. He was gone a week, that's how long it took him to get reinstated. They were reluctant but he persisted until they allowed him another chance, his last chance perhaps. There could be no failure this time.

"You're back just in time sir, we have a new development." Otto said as he saw him. The familiar nodded.

"So I've heard. Have they located the target?"

"She is hiding out in sector nine; the police are searching the area right now."

"Take your men and get down there," White ordered, "find her before they do, use whatever means possible."

"Very good sir." He hesitated. "There's one more thing. Her barcode, she's been ID." White took the snap-shot from him and smiled coldly.

"Good work Otto." There was nothing like knowing your enemy's weakness and family was one he and 452 had in common. 'Time to make it personal'

The atmosphere in Terminal City was more than hectic as the same newscast made its way around the headquarters. Mole strode into the main section by the conference table and saw Joshua, Luke, Dix and a few others watching the TV screens. Leo stood some distance away, arms crossed, face unreadable.

"Does Max know?" Mole asked him stiffly. The two didn't like each-other much but not to the point of being uncivil. The X5 motioned towards the upper platform.

"Yeah, can't you hear the yelling? They've been at it for the past twenty minutes." No need to clarify, Mole simply shrugged.

"If that girl's smart she'd find a place to lay low till the heat's off. Then we can go get her." He commented, knowing full well that was not the scenario their leader was likely to follow. At that moment a door opened with a bang and Max stormed down the stairs followed by Alec.

"We're going now!" She retorted loudly at him. Alec made another attempt.

"Max the sector is sealed off, every policeman in the area is in there, we can't possibly get in and out unnoticed."

"We've gotta try anyway, I'm not leaving her there for White." Her voice was shaking and she hated that his was so calm.

"That's not what I'm saying, but sending a group in right now is too risky." She stared at him and her dark eyes hardened.

"Then I'll go alone." She said, resolve setting in.

"Max..."

"Don't argue with me on this. Logan's already looking, I can meet him there and we'll try to locate her before anything bad happens." Alec sighed, 'she's already gone' he realized 'no use waisting my breath'.

"Fine, what do you want me to do?" He asked resignedly.

"Stay here; wait for my call in case we need backup." With that she was out of the door without a second thought. Alec glanced at those watching him and shrugged.

"At least I tried."

"What did our kind benefactor say." Leo inquired. They all knew that Bartley called as soon as the news came through, that Max talked to him alone and that it was part of the reason why she was so pissed off.

"That officially he can't interfere but will do what he can." The blond X5 replied. Mole grumbled something abusive at that and walked off while Alec leaned back against the wall. There were few things in this world he hated more than waiting.

"On the floor." The woman motioned with her free hand while walking fully inside. No one moved. Police sirens blared again on the street, much closer now. "Do it!" Her voice grew tense. Original Cindy made a few steps forward, deciding that the girl needed to be set straight, for her own sake.

"Put that thing down suga, you're among friends." She said calmly and found herself staring at the tip of the gun.

"I've got no friends here." The transgenic retorted. She was tall and slender, with pale skin, shoulder length auburn hair and steely grey eyes.

"You were heading to Terminal City right?" Cindy tried again. "I can help you out."

"Why?"

"Cause you're part of Max's family and that means mine too." The girl's eyes widened. At that moment they heard the sound of feet and shouting. A loud and familiar voice rang through the speaker "The building is surrounded, come quietly and you won't be harmed."

"De ja vu anyone?" One messenger whispered, a veteran of the first 'siege'. The transgenic turned towards the entrance and then back to OC, her hand lowered.

"Can you get me out?" she asked, quietly now. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Cindy looked over at Normal who nodded in understanding.

"Come with me." Grabbing her hand she led them to the room behind Normal's office and to the hatch that led to the sewers, the same one Sketchy once used to escape from a fake bio-hazard disaster. The lanky youth followed after them. "Stay back, fool." OC hissed.

"No way am I missing this, it could be my next headline."

White couldn't believe his rotten luck as he eyed the familiar building with disdain, memories of his recent failure here causing tremors in his otherwise impregnable confidence. What's worst the man now coming towards him had been a witness to it all.

"Special agent White, we meet again" Detective Clemente didn't hide the look of satisfaction on his face. "I assume you're here to take over the prisoner."

"I have the authorization." White replied through his teeth.

'I'm sure. Unfortunately we don't have her."

"What?"

"We searched the whole building, she ain't there. According to the man who owns the place she was in and out the back door before we got here." The detective made this report with such serenity that it was obvious the transgenic's escape was no big disappointment for him. The familiar sprang forward.

"He's lying." He growled but the other held him back, still calm.

"I'll notify you if there's any progress." Clemente said firmly before walking away. White restrained the urge to do something violent and pulled out his cell.

"Did you find her?"

"Still looking sir but its only a matter of time." He told himself to be patient, turning around to scan the crowd. He was sure 452 was here as well and the thought that he might get two birds with one stone made the wait worth-while.

Max pulled her hood lower on her face as she sat in Logan's car, watching her old work-place from a distance. She had gotten there as quickly as she could but was apparently too late for the rescue attempt. Seeing White only made her more worried. Feeling her unease Logan put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright, they don't have her yet, which means we still have a chance." He knew what was at stake, saw the same snapshot White had seen. The transgenic they were looking for was more than family, she was one of Max's own.

"Not if White has his people here with those heat detection things." she replied, anxious but glad he was by her side, despite the fact that their relationship was a bit awkward lately his presence was soothing.

"Do you have any idea where she could have gone?" He asked. The X5 shook her head. "Is there another way out of the building?"

"No...maybe," something OC told her, she remembered laughing, "a hatch, there's a hatch that leads to the basement and the sewers." Logan checked something on his portable computer.

"There's a group of tunnels running here, and across to sector 5. If we go down now we have a good chance of cutting them off." He moved to get out of the car but she stopped him, her eyes following the familiar figure of their enemy as he walked off the scene at a brisk pace. 'they found her' she was sure of it.

"I have a better idea."

"So you're an X5?" Sketchy asked in a half whisper. They were walking down another tunnel, keeping to the wall, the transgenic girl leading the way. She nodded slightly in reply. "What made you pick Jam Pony as a target?" OC, losing patience smacked him on the head. "Just asking, my readers will be curious."

"I saw Max there in that newscast about a month ago, when they found me it was the only place I could think of." Now it was Cindy's turn to ask a question.

"So you know my boo?" In the dark tunnel she thought she saw a small smile on the transgenic's delicate face.

"Since we were children." She said and turned to look at the other girl. "My name's Jondy." At that moment they were stopped by the sound of voices and lights flashing up ahead.

"This is getting boring." Leo commented. They were still in the main room watching the story unfold on the monitors and waiting for news. "We can still go in after them." Alec shook his head.

"We won't know where to look." He said, trying to hide his own worry. At that moment they heard a noise from the door that led outside into the parking area. Bo and Riva, two cat-like transhumans posted on guard duty came in leading someone.

"Sorry sir, this guy says he needs to see Max." The guest shook off their arms and straightened himself. Leo made a sour face.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, recognizing the arrogant youth who was Bartley's assistant.

"Boss said you needed help." X6 821 replied, peering around with unmasked curiosity.

They were walking as quietly as they could, Max keeping her eyes focused on the figure that moved in front of them in the distance.

"Max we should call for backup." Logan said softly, the idea of going after White leaving him more than anxious. The X5 shook her head.

"There's no time, I have to get to her before he does." She replied stubbornly and heard him sigh. Logan knew her well enough to know there was no point arguing.

"Where is he headed, the street's a dead end." He asked instead.

Max narrowed her eyes and pointed up ahead. There was an old storage building to the left of them. White was definitely making for the entrance. "They must have cornered them there." Logan continued, thinking aloud.

"Them?" He wished he didn't have to tell her.

"I checked before you came, OC and Sketchy weren't inside when the police arrived and only someone from Jam Pony would know about the sewer exit." Max felt her heart beat faster.

"What do we do now?" Sketchy asked, his face a mixture of fear and excitement. The X5 didn't bother replying, all her attention focused on the place where the sound of voices could be herd. They were surrounded in the tunnel and had to climb up the closest hatch which led to a street with a dead-end and only one place to hide. Now she tensed hearing someone approach from the entrance.

"You sure she's in there?" Otto nodded.

"The thermo-detectors confirm an above average impulse coming from inside."

"Have you blocked all the exits?" White asked as he surveyed the scene.

"Yes sir."

"Alright, move in. I want her alive." He smiled expectantly. She had followed him, he sensed it, despite all her best efforts at keeping out of his sight. A little more patience and 452 will be his.

Jondy heard them enter, flashlights searching, guns poised and ready to fire at the slightest movement. Her instincts told her the only option was fighting, something she hasn't done in years, and hoped would never have to do again. She glanced back at the other two.

"Stay here." She told them steadily. The young woman, Max's friend, grabbed her hand.

"What about you?" She asked anxiously.

"I'm gonna try and get through, give you a chance to get away." The X5 replied already looking ahead but the other regained her attention.

"No, you don't know these guys, they're dangerous." OC urged, knowing too well the damage White could do and his vehement hatred of Max and all her kind.

"I know." The X5 whispered back. She moved forward suddenly, blurring, catching the men off guard but only for a few moments. Just as she took out her third one the other twelve had her surrounded.

Max was trying to reach the building through a side door, leaving Logan to watch the front but just as she disposed of the two men guarding it gun shots erupted from the inside and she ran in without hesitation.

"You have nowhere to go." One of the men, probably the leader, stated holding the transgenic at gunpoint. Jondy looked around and realized he was right, there were too many of them. Still she wasn't gonna let them have her that easily, not after what happened to Zane. Lifting her hands up as if in surrender she suddenly jumped up, grabbing on to a loose water-pipe and swinging forward to take out the three men in front, half expecting to feel the sting of a bullet as the others went after her. But none came. She swung around to see that they were engaged by another figure, a slim brunette that was raising havoc among her attackers. 'Max' she thought with relief but then a strong arm seized her around the neck.

"Stop 452, or your sister's dead." A sharp voice commanded

Max turned in mid swing, and met his eyes. Cold dark eyes filled with fury and triumph. Letting the unfortunate next to her slide to the ground, she stepped towards the man who had ended the lives of so many of her kind and was now threatening to end another.

"Let her go." She said quietly. Jondy was looking at her, a silent apology in her eyes.

"Sure, as soon as you give yourself in." He replied taking his time." You know 452 I thought you were smarter than this, coming here on your own," The X5 didn't answer, his words giving her a bit of hope. 'He thinks I came alone, he doesn't know about Logan, if I can stole him he'll get help,"

"You never told me about your big evil plan, you know, the one you need me dead for." She could hear a murmur of confusion from the operatives behind her. White tensed.

"You'll be brought in for questioning, 452, there some things we must discuss."

"I can tell you right now, I don't know where Ray is" She retorted. The look of frustration on the familiar's face was evident.

"Enough." He barked. "Surrender quietly and I'll set her free." At that moment there was a loud crash as several tiny objects flew in through the narrow windows at the top, smoke filling the small storage space as they hit the ground. Taking advantage of her attacker's moment of surprise Jondy kicked back with all her strength and feeling his arm slip slightly lunged forward, disappearing in the white cloud and hearing a loud curse at her retreat. A few steps and she hit someone, but instead of lashing out her heart skipped a beat as he took her hand and pulled her to the side making a motion for silence.

"Ben?" the X5 asked hesitantly.

"What are you doing?" Sketchy demanded in a half whisper as he observed OC starting to inch forward from their hiding place

"I can't just sit here anymore, we gotta get help." She shot back. Sketchy didn't say anything more as he felt a hand close around his mouth.

"No need, help's already here." A familiar gruff voice said.

Max peered around trying to see through the thick air in the room and assess the situation. White was still somewhere up front, his men were momentarily stunned looking for a target in the white smog. Whatever this thing was, now was her only chance of getting her sister out. She moved forward, searching for the familiar but instead got dragged to the side by some one equally strong who pushed her towards the now open exit door. Light filtered through it and she recognized the person by her side immediately.

"Get in the car princess." Leo, wearing an odd disguise of hood and shades, ushered her into a black van parked right outside and she saw both OC and Sketchy with Mole sitting behind them. Her best friend got up to hug her and over her shoulder she found Logan giving her a reassuring smile from the driver's seat.

"What's going on?" The X5 demanded, turning back towards the building and seeing the smoke filtering out, a moment later Alec and Jondy appeared, he pushed her inside, shut the door and Logan hit the gas pedal. Max found herself going from one hug to another as the sister she hasn't seen for over ten years and thought would never see again put her arms around her in a silent embrace. "I'm sorry I put you in danger Maxie." She said softly.

'It's ok J, everything is ok now." The other replied then looked up at Alec. "I thought I told you to stay put." He grinned.

"Now aren't you glad I never listen."

An hour and a couple of narrow escapes over Sector check-points later they were home, puling up into the wide dimly-lit parking area of Terminal City. As Max slid the doors of the van open she could see that maybe half of the place had gathered to welcome them and she was quickly crushed as Joshua half dragged her out in a bear hug. "Easy big fella." The X5 protested half-heartedly. Alec Leo and the lizard man were already exchanging stories of their newest adventure.

"Max find sister?" The dog-man asked one arm still around her. Max smiled and motioned for Jondy to join them. The red head looked around shyly, conscious of so many people but was quickly overcome as Joshua hugged her as well. "Family now." He told her.

Max moved away from them, telling the dog man to take Jondy to go see Luke for a medical check up despite the X5's protests. She turned back to the people in the van." Thanks, for everything." Max said, feeling guilty for dragging her friends into trouble again. OC smiled at her.

'No problem boo, you know we always got your back."

"Yeah, besides, with this story my boss will love me." Sketchy added and got dangerous looks from both the females. Logan looked at her silently as she walked over to him.

"Well the day is saved." He said quietly.

"Yeah." They looked at each-other for a moment, forgetting all the past hurts and disagreements for a moment. Logan smiled a bit.

"You should go to them." He said with only a touch of sadness in his voice. Max hesitated.

"Are you gonna be alright?" He nodded, his eyes still soft.

"Call me later." She nodded and watched as the van drove out into the outside dark. Turning slowly she spotted Alec talking up some girl, most likely with an impressive tale of today's heroic rescue.

"You're right, I'm glad you didn't listen." She told him, pulling him away without much consideration.

"Is that supposed to be a thank you?" He asked, only slightly miffed.

"So how did you know where to look?"

"Thanks to Wiz."

"Wiz?" He grinned.

"You're not the only one who gets to give names." Then he told her everything that happened while she was away, about the X6 sent to help them and how he managed to hack into the same system White's NSA buddies used to track transgenics and tell them their location.

"Our familiar friend is gonna have a load of trouble after today." He finished with a look of satisfaction that clearly told he felt it his personal victory. Max looked thoughtful, remembering the look of pure hatred in White's eyes and feeling that this meeting of theirs was not the last, that somehow he would find a way to hurt her.

"You know what this means brother." The man standing in front of him was feared by nearly everyone in the Conclave. Marius, son of Marcus, next in line to be the head priest turned to face his opponent. His sharp features and cold dark eyes were a mask of calm.

"I will argue my case." White said stiffly.

"That would not be wise Ames. Today's failure was inexcusable, for any one else the punishment would have been death but you are an old friend and have served the cause with loyalty."

'That means what."

"You can leave willingly. Your post with the NSA has been compromised; your standing with the elders is more than shaky. All I can do is give you this chance, think about it." As White left the room he knew he had no choice, that if he didn't take the offer they would come after him with a vengeance. Yet his exile would not last long, like any other organization the Conclave was all about power, a struggle for a higher place in the hierarchy and there were more than one way to come out on top.

Hope you're still reading. Sorry, about not updating for a while but I had a friend over and he needed undivided attention. Two more chapters to come very soon. :)