Disclaimer: DA and all it's characters don't belong to me.

Paring: M/A

Timing: Just over six months after Borrowed Time

Summary: Max has been on the run from her most recent batch of demons these past six months but a couple days ago her money finally ran out and she had to stop in a small roadside town to gain some more cash. Maybe it would have been better if she had keep moving because one night a stranger shows up in the bar asking for her… by name. Who can this stranger be and what could he want? These are the questions Max asks as this chapter begins.

A/N: well I think that this chapter is crap but I wouldn't mind your feed back. Hope you liked it better then I do.

Revised Borrowed Time,

Chapter 10,

A hurtful past:

Review:

"Max I need you to listen to me. We need to talk. A lot has happened in six months." Max nodded her head to the last part.

"A lot has." She agreed. "So what do you suggest?"

Biggs cocked an eyebrow obviously confused he asked. "Suggest what?"

"Well we could always talk here but Tina gets off in half an hour and I don't think we'll be down by then. Besides I got a kid to get home to. If you want to talk then follow me." Max knew she was taking a big risk by trusting this guy but the mention of Alec's name had had a strong effect on her. For some reason she felt like she should trust him and it was with that since that she lead him back to the sleazy motel her and Ray had been living in the last couple of nights.

End Review

Biggs surveyed the parking lot as Max fished in her pocket for the room key. His hands jammed in his pockets as he bounced a little on his toes trying to stay warm in the slight rain that had began as they walked towards the hotel. As Max finally got the door open Biggs looked past her into the tiny room.

A single, double bed, sagged against the wall opposite to a long counter. On the counter sat a small black TV and a few take out boxes one with some food still in it.

"Max!" A little boy called from the back of the room. "I hide just like you told me to." He said smiling as he ran up to hug his aunt. From the other side of the door way Biggs watched silently as Max scooped the child up into her arms and held him tightly.

"Ray, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine from back home." She said softly as she set the little boy down. "Biggs this is Ray. Ray this is Biggs."

The dirty-blond haired child turned around with Max to face the strange man standing in the half-light of the parking lot. "Hello." He said shyly from the safety of Max's slender arms.

"Come in" Max said to Biggs as she took Ray's hand and led him away from the doorway. "Baby I thought I told you to clean up when you were done with dinner." Max scolded, releasing Ray's hand to pick up the food containers and depositing them in the trashcan at the far side of the counter.

"Nice place you got here." Biggs mumbled lightly kicking a child's shoe aside as he walked over and sat on the end of the bed.

"It's the only thing we could afford when we got into town." Max said from the bathroom where she was helping Ray get ready for bed.

"How long ago was that?" Biggs asked once again surveying the room.

"Just a couple of days ago." Max shrugged. " Did you brush your teeth sweetie?" Ray nodded and Max told him to show her his teeth. "Yea right kiddo. Brush up and then hop into bed. Me and Biggs are gonna do some adult talk. Ok?"

"Ok Maxie." Max smiled wanly as she ruffled the boy's hair.

"See ya in a sec Baby." The transgenetic whispered as she disappeared out of the bathroom door.

"Cutie kid." Biggs commented as Max strode out of the bathroom.

"Sometimes." Max replied taking a seat in the chair by the door.

"Where'd you find him? No body said anything about you leaving with a kid."

"Well not to long after I left Seattle I stumbled across this small town with this creepy school. It was a school for this snake cult thing anyways I went out to the school to check it out, and well, I saw Ray. Logan had been trying to find him for the kid's mother but it turns out she had been killed soon after Ray disappeared. I didn't know that until after I got Ray." At this point Max bowed her head and shook it slightly. "I thought he was gonna die. Poor kid had a high fever from some kind of ritual they were doing to him. It was a miracle that he survived. I mean it didn't effect me at all but the kid." She shook her head again. "I don't know why I'm telling you all this." She laughed and looked up into Biggs eyes. "It's been a long time since I've seen another transgenetic. It's been weird."

Biggs nodded in understanding just as Ray emerged from the bathroom and crawled into the bed on the side closest to the bathroom. "Max do I get a kiss?" The little boy asked as he pulled the sheets up to his chin.

"Of course baby." Max replied, getting up from her chair and walking casually over to Ray's side of the bed. The beautiful young woman leaned over the boy placing a kiss on his forehead before pulling back. "Did you want a bed time story to night sweetie?" Max asked as she tucked the sheets tightly in around the child. Ray shock his head, giving Biggs one glance before turning towards the wall and quickly dropping off into slumber.

"What are you gonna do with him?" Biggs asked softly as Max came to sit besides him.

"I don't know. The kid's had it rough the past couple of months. I mean he was taken away from his mom and put into that school. His dad's a psycho." Max sighed. "I'd like to think that he's been getting better since he's been with me but… I don't know. He has such bad nightmares." Max laughed softly. " I'm doing it again." She said sitting back in the chair so that her face was shadowed. "It's been so long since I've had someone to talk to." She whispered absently. "So long."

"Why'd you leave Max?" Biggs asked softly, his hands folded in his lap, his legs spread wide, and his body slightly leaning forward.

The feral X5 looked away from her questioner her eyes clouding with memories. " I had to." She answered simply.

"Why did you have to?" Biggs asked a little more persistently, his dark eyes trying to read the clues her body was giving off.

"Why'd you have to find me?" Max asked an edge of anger to her low voice.

"Because you're needed." Biggs said matterfactly. "Alec needs you."

"He's never needed anyone before why would he need me now. After all I was a b to him." Max confessed, her heart clenching as she did. It had taken her a long time to come to turns with all she had but Alec through. From that very first day that they had meet all the way until the afternoon that they had said good-bye. Six months ago….

"Max I don't know what it is about you but after you left things began to happen. The violence between norms and trangenetics escalated and finally about two months ago we all became trapped in Terminal City. Police watch the perimeter day and night. Supply runs are deadly and there's hardly enough supplies to go around but our leader tries his best to get everyone what they need. We're preparing for a war here Max and for some reason Alec thinks that you could help us. I've never seen him so adamant about something." Biggs's eyes gazed curiously at Max trying to detect just what it was Alec saw in this girl. To him it seemed like she was just like all the rest. Nothing special…. But then again he had never know his co to be wrong before. If he said Max could help then she could.

"You said you left four months ago though." Max stated looking over at Biggs for the first time in a long time.

"I left before things got to bad." Biggs said. "Alec told me to try and find you and get back before things got to bad. I know I failed him but at least I've finally found you."

"Why does he want me?" Max asked helplessly, her eyes misting slightly with tears.

"Honestly Max I have no idea. All I was told was to find you and I did. Now I need you to come back to Seattle with me."

"I can't do that." Max answered quietly, her head shaking slightly. "Believe me Biggs you guys will be better off without me."

"Max it doesn't matter what I think… Alec says he need you, doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Sighing deeply Max looked into Biggs's eyes for the first time that night and as his were caught by her's he stiffened, overcome as he was by the myriad emotions raging in those vivid brown orbs.

"Biggs, I'm not saying that I've been though more then anyone else in this world but as it stands now I'm safe and everyone else is safe to. As soon as I go back to my old life it'll be just like it was. Everyone that I've ever loved, or even cared for has meet horrible fates. I can't protect them and so I don't understand why Alec would want me back. I mean if he really did why didn't he come looking himself?" Max asked a touch of hurt and anger in her voice.

"I can't answer that 452." Biggs said. "All I know is what I was told. Honestly I never even really expect to find you." And with that the dark featured man rose for the end of the bed. "If you want I'm going back to Seattle tomorrow. I'll be eating breakfast in the dinner at the edge of town if you decide to change your mind. If not maybe someday I'll see you around again." And with that the male X5 departed from the little motel room leaving Max alone with her thoughts and her memories.

How could he want her back? She thought as she went through the motions of going to bed. The question plagued her as she slid beneath the sheets besides Ray. It was amazing the child hadn't stirred at all that night. No bad dreams, no nothing for once a peaceful sleep.

And then as the sky began to grow light with the first rays of the day Max finally closed her eyes for a little catnap. She was sorry to let Alec down once again but in her heart she knew that it just wasn't right to go back now. She still had something to do or someone to find and until she did Seattle would just be what Manticore had always been to her. A series of Painful memories that she could never erase.

A/N: More on the way soon if I can help it. Homework now so please leave me a review.