Freedom on the inside
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own anything to do with Dark Angel. They apparently belong to some guy who is most definitely in need of a brain check. What was he thinking when he decided to axe the show? Oh well, I guess when I'm rich enough I'll just have to buy the rights to the programme and then we'll finally get a third season. I wouldn't count on it though.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: M/A (eventually!)
Summary: What if Max never escaped Manticore in 'Designate This' and didn't get the chance to infect Logan? Logan and everyone else in Seattle thinks she's dead and Renfro's still alive?
Author's Note: I know there's been a lot of 'what if she never escaped stories?' but this is my shot at what could have happened. Please read and review!
Chapter Eleven
The Manticore Way
"Max I can't believe you're asking me to do this!"
Logan's disbelief came out louder than Max had first anticipated; even Alec winced.
Max tried to open her mouth to argue their case but was cut instantly short by Logan,
"I thought you hated Manticore, they killed you for crying out loud-"
"Last I checked, she's alive and kicking," Alec interrupted with his usually cockiness. Logan just dismissed the remark,
"How can you even want to follow this through?"
"Because it's important," Max sighed.
"Right these familiars."
Max nodded, "I really think Lydecker's telling the truth. He hates Renfro after she killed Tinga and I don't see him working with her, unless this is all true."
"Who's Tinga?" Alec asked.
Max ignored him much like Logan had done earlier, "Please Logan, I can't escape even if I wanted to."
Logan blew out a heavy sigh, "Ok, I'll come with you guys, even though I sure as hell don't understand it." Max smiled gratefully at him.
Alec watched the exchange of strained smiles between them with a mild interest. He knew Max had had some sort of relationship with the cyber journalist, but he had never expected the electricity in the air to be so sparkless on their re-unification. He could not for the life of him see what Max saw in Logan, but the situation nevertheless, made him unexpectedly uncomfortable.
"Hate to be the one to break up this love fest, but we really need to get going," Alec said getting up.
"So who are you again?" Logan replied turning away from Max to look at Alec with nothing but annoyance.
"For a man who's supposed to be soooo intelligent, I'm surprised you even use sarcasm; the lowest form of wit."
Max noticed the shift in atmosphere even before the two males had begun speaking – it had turned hostile and unfriendly; not that she should have expected much more with Alec being here.
"This is Alec, 494, like I said my commanding officer."
"Hang on, wait a minute, 494?" Logan asked; the numbers sounding familiar but alien at the same time.
"Ben's twin."
"So you're practically another brother?" Logan asked Alec with relief pouncing from God knows where.
Max's face shrivelled up with disgust, as did Alec's. "No way!" they yelled in unison.
Both turned their heads to each other before turning to look at Logan in complete synchronisation. They even started talking at the same time,
"He's not my brother!"
"She's so not my sister!"
And then everything fell into an awkward silence as both transgenics looked anywhere but at each other.
In that moment, Logan decided that he definitely didn't like Alec, but he wasn't going to admit just yet that it was suspicion and jealousy that had helped him make up his mind. "So when do we head off?"
They had been driving for at least an hour. Max was behind the wheel, Alec in the front passenger's seat and Logan was in the back. Snoring. He had fallen asleep about ten minutes ago; not that either one of the transgenics blamed him; it was something past three in the morning and they were all exhausted.
"Can't we just stop here," Alec groaned.
"We may as well keep going, Manticore's not much further."
Alec didn't reply, he just sat with his head back and eyes closed. Max watched him from the corner of her eyes. He looked so peaceful, without worries and hurt, which only helped give rise to guilt as she remembered their last few days at Manticore. She had apologised but he had been so angry, she didn't think he had even heard her say it.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?" Alec asked still with his eyes closed.
"For the things I said."
"I provoked you."
"Even so."
The car fell into silence again, apart from Logan's much quieter snores and the whir of the engine.
"Her name was Rachel."
Max said nothing.
"I was posing as her piano teacher."
Max's mind flashed back to the time she had caught him in one of the observation rooms; he had been playing the piano at the time.
"What happened?" Max whispered.
Alec stared out the side window of the car, "Her father was showing an unhealthy interest in Manticore's work. They sent me to kill them both."
"So you just went along with it?"
Max expected the answer to be yes. Alec was a typical Manticore soldier who followed orders to the exact but somehow she wasn't surprised when he had answered no.
"I tried to warn her but she slapped me and ran off. To be honest I don't remember much after seeing the car blowing up in flames. It was straight to psy-ops and re-indoctrination after that."
Max knew Alec didn't want sympathy or pity, so she squashed the rising feeling fast.
"So are we ok?"
"Hey we're more than ok, we're just dandy."
Max laughed, "You're an ass."
"You wouldn't have me any other way."
Max shook her head, smiling despite herself. Without warning she slammed her foot fast down onto the brakes, jerking the car forward. "Looks like we're here," she said with an evil grin.
"I think I left my neck somewhere back there," Alec moaned as his hand came up to his throat.
"Yeah well I think Logan's worse off than you."
Max and Alec looked through the gap of the seats towards the back of the car. Logan had fallen with a thump on to the car floor and miraculously, he was still fast asleep. It was either that or brain dead.
"Congratulations Maxie, you just knocked your boyfriend out cold!"
Max smacked him upside the head, "He was already out cold and anyway it's your fault he's on the floor!"
"You're the one that slammed on the brakes, not me."
"Yeah but you're the jackass, so everything's your fault and as a result you're going to help carry him in."
Alec turned to plead with Max but there was no arguing with her, "Great, that's just great."
A/N 2 – Well I hope you all found that at least mildly amusing. This chapter was on the short side but this was just about getting Logan to agree with going with them, to get Alec to open up to Max and get them back on friendly terms. I hope you all liked and thank you to all my lovely reviewers:
Lakergirl – Max did debate whether or not to involve Logan but I think she thought that it must be important if Renfro and Lydecker are working together. I think she's always gonna be cautious though. I'm starting to drop M/A hints but as I'm sure you can tell this is gonna be a long story!
Senorita-DLH – Yep you're right no virus but that don't mean it's gonna be M/L! No worries about reviewing your story, it's great and I can't wait for more!
Chaosti – Thank you! That has got to be the funniest review I've ever had! I can see how your dialogue could replace mine, thank you for making me laugh!
Grumpy2348 – Wow! Well done for reading it in one go. I've done that before with other stories and my eyes kill by the end of it but I'm glad you read and liked it! Thanks for reviewing!
Loralee – No I wouldn't do that! Alec and Max physically fighting; I do believe that's in the next chapter! Hehe!
JeNsEnS wifey ChAdZ lover – There you go I updated! Hope you liked, and once again thanx 4 the help.
Kristibella – welcome to the world of reviewing! I'm glad you like my story and the answer to your question: White is most definitely on his way! I couldn't leave him out, he's one heck of a bad guy!
Black Rose9 – lol, glad you liked it!!! Thanks for reviewing.
SGOU – Max is still in love with Logan but things are changing . . . I'm sorry that this is gonna go slowly but I think it might work better that way. Thanks for reviewing!
Aotearoa Hiphop Grl – That's exactly what I thought, in the show she's too wrapped up in Logan that I thought it wouldn't make sense to quickly change her feelings to Alec. Anyways glad you're liking it!
Nelita – Lydecker's on renfro's side (at least for now). His role is in the fight against the familiars. Update your story soon and I'm glad you liked the chapter, thanks 4 reviewing.
Once again thank you to my reviewers, I love reading them, so please good, bad, let me know!
SmilinStar xxx