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 Fifteen

Settling In

Alec collapsed on to Logan's sofa as soon as they arrived at his apartment. His actions were rewarded with a glare from the owner. Alec smirked, but sat up straighter as not to offend the Ordinary any more than necessary.

"So where's he going to stay?" Logan asked turning away from the bad mannered X5.

Max shrugged, "I suppose he could stay with us for a while. I don't think OC'd mind too much."

"Where's who gonna stay?" Alec called out as he watched the two.

"You," Max snapped, "With us."

"Well don't I get a say in it?"

"Well you don't have any options."

"True," Alec nodded.

Max rolled her eyes. "He'll stay with us," she said turning to Logan.

"Ok . . . um do you want a coffee before you head off?"

"No we should probably get going," Max refused openly without even missing a beat, "Need to catch Cindy before she goes out. Don't want her to have a fright when she gets home. You know, 'weird transgenic girl back from the dead' and a 'never before seen typical chauvinistic male transgenic' in her home; could give her quite a scare."

Logan laughed but Max didn't even crack a smile. Turning, she went over to Alec and whacked him upside the head, "Come on Alec."

Alec's hand went up to his head as he rubbed it, "Do you always have to hit me to tell me to do something?"

"Just shut up before I have to kick your ass and make you shut up!"

Alec scowled at her back as he followed her out of the apartment. Their absence left Logan all alone with nothing but the tick of his wall clock for company.

Cindy dumped her plate into the sink. She looked from the sponge to the washing up liquid. Funnily enough, she decided she'd do the washing up later. She moved to leave the kitchen but was distracted by an oddly familiar noise. It sounded very much like the running engine of Max's Ninja. But it couldn't be could be?

Turning back around, her heart leapt figuratively two thousand feet at the sight of her beloved girl straddling her prized possession, "Miss me did ya?"

Cindy grabbed Max and hugged her fiercely, "Thank god you're alive!"

"Well since you're alive, I'm alive, everyone who's livings alive, why don't we kick ourselves a party?"

"Shut up Alec," Max snapped as she released Cindy.

"Alec?" Cindy asked.

Max stepped to the side, allowing the male X5 to come into Cindy's view.

Cindy's eyebrows shot up as she stared appreciatively at Alec. Max nudged her slightly in the side, "He's the wrong type for you, remember?"

"Well yeah I remember."

"Hey what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing idiot, except Cindy here bats for the other team, so don't go getting your hopes up."

Alec shrugged his shoulders. "Nice digs," he said walking into the room.

Cindy just stared after him, "Uh Max honey, care to explain?"

"He's another X5."

"Oh"

"Yeah, we're kinda on a mission together."

"Hang on, wait a minute, I though you escaped Manticore?"

"Uh, yes and no. I don't actually have to go back but I'm still with Manticore."

"Boo can you at least try to speak a language I understand?"

Max sighed, "Let's sit down, this is gonna take a while."
"Ok, well I think I get it," Cindy said, "but I still don't understand why you're going ahead with it."

"Manticore's the lesser of two evils. This way I'm outta Manticore but I'm also helping with the fight against the Familiars."

"It still don't explain 'hotboy' over there."

Max rolled her eyes at the remark. 'Hotboy' was currently ransacking all the kitchen cupboards, "You don't have any beer do you?"

The girls just ignored him, "Yeah Manticore wanted me to have a little buddy, just to make sure I don't do a runner."

"And you want him to stay here?"

"Just until he finds a place of his own."

"I dunno Boo, a damn fine specimen like him could hinder my chances with the better sex."

Max laughed, "Don't worry, he won't be any problems, right Alec?"

"What?"

"Nothing," Max sighed.

"What?" he yelled again.

"Nothing!" Max yelled louder.

"Oh ok."

Max groaned. Why was he just so damn frustrating all the time? OC laughed, "I don't have any problems with it, are you sure you don't?"

"What?" Max asked arching her eyebrows.

"Nothin' boo, nothin' at all."

"Hey do you guys have any pizza?" Alec called out from the kitchen.

Both girls rolled their eyes concurrently at the question. "This better not have to be for long," Cindy muttered.

Max nodded in agreement, "He'll find a place ASAP, I'll make sure of it."

"I love you 'n all girl, so I'm willing to do this for ya, but there's a reason I go the other way. Men? Fools the lot of them!"

Watching Alec from the corner of her eye, Max was inclined to agree with her.
A/N 2 – Ok, so that was the 'return of the Queen of Originalness.' Next up its 'return of the Sketchmeister and . . . Normal . . . in all his normalness.' I hope you liked the chapter, short as it was, please keep reviewing even though this chap probably wasn't one of my best! I'm not going anywhere for the summer, so I'm depending on lots of reviews to make it enjoyable! Thank you to all my reviewers, love you all:

Starr Light1 – I think I mentioned this before, but I haven't seen much of season one or past Fuhgeddaboutit in season two, so I don't know much about Biggs or Cece. Therefore I don't think I'll be using them cos I wouldn't want to portray them inaccurately. But thank you very very much for reviewing and I hope u liked this chap.

Aur – Max, Alec action will be coming but first I'm gonna get Alec settled and hopefully bring in the familiars!

Loralee – The thing about your Ben idea, is that Alec won't have met Ben in my story coz its basically set from 'designate this' onwards. Max and Ben have still escaped Manticore the first time around. Max figuring her feelings before Alec, however, is a definite possibility!!!!

Queen of the Myrmidon – Thanks!

Jade-k – lol, glad you liked, thanks for reviewing!

Lakergirl – no definitely not the end of Manticore and butt kicking action is on its way after a couple of chaps!

Jessica – lol! Logan and Alec don't get along! Glad u liked!

Nelita – hope u liked this chap and don't worry more Ginger is to come.

JeNsEnS wifey ChAdZ lover – see I agree, half the time on the show Logan looks really jealous of Alec, anyone else notice that? Anyways, I'm very glad that u liked it and I can't wait for your next update!

SmilinStar xxx