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!

Author's Note 2: For apologies see below!!!!!

Chapter Nineteen

Ginger AKA Agony Aunt

"Hey I wanna go too!" Alec whinged at Max as she mounted her bike.

"Alec, it's my turn to go. You can give the update next time."

"How comes you get to decide what order we go in?"

"Because Alec . . . I just do," Max shrugged.

"You're such a bitch."

"I have feline DNA, not canine," Max replied as she revved up her engine.

"Ok, fine you're a . . . a . . . what's a female cat?"

Max laughed as she rode off, "I'll be back soon."

"You better, it's your turn to do the washing!"

The ride to Manticore had been exactly what Max had needed to clear her head. It would be an understatement to say that Max was slightly confused; she was incredibly confused and had no understanding of why. It was something to do with either Logan or Alec or maybe it was the both of them. Hopefully, Ginger, or maybe even Joshua, could help her sort out her thoughts. But first, it was time to go and see good old Renfro.

"So do you believe this Ames White to be the 'leader' of these Familiars?" Renfro asked looking directly at the seated Max.

"Well I don't know if he's the leader of the whole cult but he certainly seemed to be the one in control."

"You couldn't get any information from them?"

"No ma'am. They were faster and stronger. If we hadn't abandoned the fight, we may not have gotten out alive."

Renfro sighed heavily, "At least we have a better idea of what we're up against."

Max sat silently as Renfro stood up and paced the room. She didn't even move her head as the door to the office opened.

"Hello Max," Lydecker called out as he entered the room. Renfro gave him a disapproving glare for his unprofessional friendly tone. Lydecker dismissed it completely as he sat down in her chair.

"So do we have anything?"

"No," Renfro answered, "As 452 has reported, they were out classed by the Familiars."

"Well we did suspect that would happen."

Another stretch of silence followed.

"Hmmm," Lydecker pondered, "Maybe we've got to fight fire with fire."

Renfro stopped pacing to face Lydecker; both females now giving him their undivided attention.

"We obviously can't match them physically, not without more gene testing and transgenic development, so maybe we should try another type of warfare . . ."

Max knocked on the metal door, as she had done numerous times in the past. And as before, the same voice called, "come in."

Opening it just enough so that she could fit her head through, Max watched her best friend lying on her bunk staring at the gloomy and uninteresting ceiling.

"Hey Ginger," she whispered.

On hearing Max's voice, Ginger instantly shot up from her sleeping position and stared at Max with her green eyes wide open in surprise.

"Max?"

"The very same," Max smiled as she opened the door further to finally let herself in, "How you been?"

"Good," Ginger replied pulling Max into a hug, "You?"

"Not bad," Max said as they both sat down on the bed.

"How's the case going?"

"Hmmm . . ." Max said smiling, "I don't really know."

"What d'you mean you don't know?"

"Basically we're still at square one."

"Oh," Ginger nodded, "Anyway, less of this official business. How's it going back on the outside."

Max sighed, "Confusing."

Ginger arched her eyebrows, "Well come on spill to Aunty Ginge. You know she has a knack for solving everyone else's problems but her own." Her tone was sarcastic but without a shred of self pity. That was another thing Max loved about Ginger; she was strong. She handled everything Manticore threw at her and never indulged in the art that was feeling sorry for oneself.

"What's up with you?" Max asked.

"Nuh uh, you first."

"Ok, fine, it's Logan."

"Well I guessed that."

"Actually, it's Logan and Alec."

Ginger gave her a knowing smile.

"What?" Max asked hitting her lightly on the arm, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing . . . it's just that I could see this a mile off."

"See what a mile off?"

"You, Logan, Alec; a perfect example of what goes on in those hideous 'chick flicks' Ordinaries seem to love."

"Excuse me?" Max asked clearly baffled.

"Come off it Max. You're confused because you've developed feelings for Alec."

"What? No!"

Ginger laughed, "See what I mean, you're already getting worked up!"

"No, no that's only cos' you've got the wrong end of the stick completely!"

"Oh have I now?"

"Yes!" she snapped adamantly.

"Well what I do know," Ginger continued, "Is that during your time here, the sparks between you and Alec kept everyone here very entertained."

"Sparks? What sparks? The only sparks were when we were utterly pissed and arguing!"

Ginger just smiled.

"Am I hearing this right. You think arguing equals attraction?"

Ginger shrugged, replacing the phrase 'duh!'

"Think about it Max. You two argue over the most trivial of things, if that doesn't ooze sexual tension, what does?"

"Puh lease," Max said with disgust on her face. "Alec? Idiotic, egotistical Alec?"

"Ok fine you tell me otherwise. Shoving denial right to the furthest corners of your mind, tell me right here right now that you aren't at least a little attracted to Alec, his repulsions also put aside."

Max opened her mouth but no sound came out; no response was formulated.

"Go on then, flat out deny it!" Ginger pushed.

"I . . . "Max stammered.

Ginger pinned her to the spot with her glare, giving her no option but to finish her sentence.

"I . . ." Max now looked significantly worried. "I . . . I have feelings for Alec."

The silence between them seemed to expand a lifetime, as Max mulled over what she had just admitted.

"Damn, you're good," she finally sighed.

Ginger smiled, "I know. You know maybe in another life I could get a job as an agony aunt for Cosmopolitan or something."

"Cosmopolitan?" Max asked.

"A magazine that Ordinaries read."

"Yeah, I know what it is, but how do you?"

"One of my missions," she replied quietly. Something about the way she said it caught Max's attention, "You wanna talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Maybe I can help, the way you helped me," Max suggested desperately, wanting her to agree so she could pay back her friend.

"Some other time," Ginger smiled, "In the mean time, what are you going to do?"

"That my friend, is a very good question."

A/N 3 – I'M SOOOOOO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I realise it has been a millennium since I last updated and for that I am truly sorry! I had problems with my internet and so I guess over waiting for it to get fixed, I kind of lost my muse for this story. I'm also constantly bogged down with work since starting my A-levels and so I haven't really written more of this. Hopefully my muse will return and I will update again, but I don't know how often I can update. It might be a while before I update again, so please bear with me.

Thank you to all those people who had reviewed the last chapter, it was so long ago, you've probably actually forgotten all about this story but if you are reading, let me know what you thought and whether I should bother continuing.

Anyway, once again, I apologise!

SmilinStar xxx