Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters. The bad people who messed around with Zack do.

Summary: Zack's back after AJBAC. Max needs to find out who she truly loves. Logan or Zack? MZ

A/N: This is my first fic ever so plz rr and give me constructive criticism. Hope you like. P.S. Zack is soooooo hot! LOL

Another Day In Hell

"Eyes front!" the trainer shouted.

Max stood stick straight, obeying the trainer's orders but inside she was really pissed. 'God, if he says that again I'm gonna kick his ass!' She considered telling him to shove it but she remembered what happened last time.

Flashback

"Well, if we don't have a little traitor among us. Alright, 452, can you tell me what you filthy 09'ers are worth?"

"Screw off."

The trainer was outraged. "Guards! Take 452 to the pit for a week! Don't give her any food or water while you're at it."

She came back a week later cramped and sore, dirty and so hungry she felt like her stomach was a big, empty hole. She figured she would play their little game but they could never turn her.

End Flashback

The trainer stopped in front of her. "State your designation."

"X5-452" she replied tonelessly.

"I can't hear you!" the trainer shouted at her.

"X5-452!" she said with a little more force.

"That's more like it," the trainer said, satisfied. "Maybe you've turned over a new leaf, but somehow I strongly doubt it."

'Keep on doubting then,' she thought. She had to resist the urge to snort. 'Turned over a new leaf, my ass. God, this guy's such a moron.'

The trainer turned away for a moment to pick on some other transgenic and she relaxed her stance slightly.

'I can't believe I'm even putting up with this crap,' she thought. 'But I have to play good little soldier until I find a way to escape.' Escape. The one word was what kept her going. That and the fact that she had to get back to her friends; O.C., Sketchy, Herbal, hell even Normal. And Logan…

Logan. She wondered what he was doing right now. The strange thing was, she didn't feel her heartbeat quicken at the thought of him. 'I wonder why that is?' Then her thoughts drifted to Zack. 'I have to keep going for him too. He gave up his life for me. I have to live. For him.'

She suddenly became aware that the trainer was calling her name – No, her designation. Her name was Max.

"X5-452! Are you deaf now too?! Get yourself on this mat before I drag you here myself!" The trainer was almost purple with the effort it took him to shout at her. He was a chubby man, with a double chin and a very short temper.

'Yeah, yeah. Don't get your panties in a twist,' she thought as she stepped onto the mat. She studied the transgenic before her. His designation was X5-637. She had learned by watching him that he was a little cocky and went more for the stylish moves than the effective ones.

He smirked at her. "Do you want me to go easy on you? Wouldn't want to mess up your pretty face just because you're inexperienced and can't fight back."

'Inexperienced?' she thought, outraged. "The only thing I'll be inexperienced with is what shape your face is supposed to be when I screw it up," she shot at him.

He looked surprised for a moment, then said plainly, "we'll see."

'You bet we will.' She shot forward and punched him in the stomach. Her fist made perfect contact because he wasn't expecting it and he doubled over in pain but quickly recovered. His leg shot out to sweep her feet out from under her but she jumped and blurred behind him. She kicked at his shins, knocking him down but he caught her arm and pulled her down with him. She did a double back flip to get out of his grip and kicked him again in the stomach pushing him down and winning the fight.

She leaned down next to him and whispered in his ear with a feral glint in her eye. "Just to let you know, it's dangerous to play with fire. I'm the fire, and believe me, I can burn." She straightened and walked away with her head held high, enjoying the shocked look on his face that an 09'er had beaten him.

After all classes were over, she went to have her dinner then retreated to her cell. The guard came by to tell her that it was lights out, then she was alone.

Once more, images of her friends and family came to her again. She missed O.C.'s sassy attitude, Sketchy's weirdness, Herbal's odd way of talking, Logan's cooking, even Normal's bips. She remembered the broken promise to Case, telling him that she would bring his mommy back. She remembered the brief time when she saw Krit and

Syl and… Zack. Why was it her thoughts always led to him? Just then a bunch of flashbacks overflowed her.

Flashback

Max around 8 or 9 kneeling at the side of Zack's bed.

"What's the matter Maxie?" he mumbled still half asleep.

"I have nightmares again," she told him.

He moved over and she slipped in beside him. He gently kissed the top of head and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "You'll always be safe right here," he whispered to her.

End Flashback

Max started seizing as another flashback took her over.

Flashback

"What's the matter Maxie? You're quiet today."

Zack walked over to her and put an arm around her.

"I miss Jack. Why did they take him away?"

Zack looked into her eyes. They were so full of pain and knowledge that she shouldn't have had at her age. He'd do anything to make the pain go away. "I don't know Maxie," he told her truthfully.

"I'm scared. What if they take me away too? I have seizures just like he did."

Zack held her tighter. "They'll never take you," he promised. "I'll never let them."

And he meant it.

End Flashback

Max started shaking even more as tears flowed down her face. The flashbacks were coming quicker now.

Flashback

Zack holding her.

Flashback

Zack kissing the top of her head.

Flashback

Zack soothing her when she got her seizures.

Flashback

Zack rubbing her back when the trainer whipped her.

Flashback

Zack coming back bloodied from taking a punishment meant for her.

Flashback

"They'll never take you Maxie. I swear."

Flashback

"I'll keep you safe forever.

Flashback

"I love you baby sister…"

End all flashbacks

Max lay seizing violently on her bed, crying as memories of Zack engulfed her.

So, how did you like it? RR plz and no flames. It's only my first fic. Don't worry, Zack's coming real soon. Thanks to all the guyz who reviewed. It helped me a lot. I'll try to update faster but I have a lot of work at school. P.S. Review and I'll take less time to update.

Suki-The-Psychic – Thanks for your review. I tried to make this chapter a lot longer for you.

ZombieGurl98 - I've got a vague idea on how to get Max and Zack 2gether. Just wanted to ask, why don't you want Zack to welcome Max back with open arms? Thanks though 4 ur review.

Gabbie760 – Thanks for your review. It gave me more confidence since this is my first fic.

babyb26 – Thanks 4 your review.