Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters do not belong to me. This fan-fiction had been written purely for entertainment purposes. No infringement intended and no profit had been made out of this.

A/N: Next chapter's up! Okay, after this chapter, things are going to go much faster as far as Zane is concerned. I'm now finally satisfied with all that background and Max/Zack thoughts, lol!

Doza – Thanks for reviewing. You're probably wise to be skeptical about the story, hehe! You don't have to wait much longer to find out which one of your theories is correct…just one or two more chapters! As for being a precog…that's definitely possible in your case, lol!

Calistra – Thanks for reviewing. Still stagnant this chapter. I'm trying to progress the MZ bit of the story, which proves to be a bit of a challenge.

Ankari 238 – Yeah, I know Zane's a bit off, and you're right in saying that there's something more. I can't say what it is now but you'll see in the next chapter or so what's with him. As for Max's choice of X5 male, she would make up her mind in this chapter (grins). Thanks for reviewing

HoneyX5-452 – Lol! Not many MZ stories around, huh? Wonder why… Zane's weird for a good reason (I think!). You'll see in Chapter 8. Thanks for reviewing.

X5898 – Thanks for reviewing. Yup! Max's trademark denial has surfaced, lol! But not for long this time. Zack being responsible for his unit made him seem like a father, lol! How true, hehe! Poor guy could have no peace at all. He definitely have a problem with Max and Zane being the way they are.

Angelofdarkness78 – Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you still like the story. Hehe, there's seems to be a lot of theories about Zane. In reality, its really simple, but you'll have to wait another chapter to find out. This chapter is more MZ than Zane. Enjoy!

Roxyroo – Thanks for reviewing. I was thinking about the heat as well at one point, but then I realized that Max had just had her heat just recently, so the timeline doesn't tie in with the episodes (sighs). But you're right, it would have made things more fun!

Rules Can Be Broken - Chapter 7

(by elle6778)

Max watched silently as Zack tended to Zane's bandages, checking to see if the injured transgenic had healed enough for them to travel. Her eyes followed his hands as they carefully peeled off the bandages. She noticed that for someone who has such strong hands, his movements were gentle as he went on to replace the bandages.

A stray image wandered into her mind, an image of those hands against her skin, doing something more than tending wounds. Max felt herself flush as the image evolved into something more erotic.

Blinking rapidly, she forced the thoughts away, appalled at herself. What was wrong with her that she kept thinking of Zack THAT way?

Because you like him THAT way, you dolt, the devilish voice in her replied cheerfully.

Right, like I believe that, Max thought, snorting inwardly.

Yeah, denial is always good as well, the voice said sarcastically.

I don't like him THAT way, Max insisted.

Why else would you be thinking of him all the time? And those thoughts you've been having are definitely not sisterly. Face it, Max. You can deny it all you like but the truth is right there in front of you, the voice pointed out smugly.

Max stiffened as she processed the information. It was too early for her to say for sure, but the signs were all there for her to see, just that she did not wanted to believe it. Being infatuated with Zack would cause a whole lot of problems.

First, the guy was still firmly entrenched in his Manticore role. That meant that he still viewed her from a CO's point of view, which made personal relationships impossible. Other than those of the sibling kind, of course. Zack did not seem to have a problem with sibling relationships.

Second, Zack felt that these sorts of stuff were what he called phony-sentimentality. He would always shy away from these things if he could help it, and Max was not sure if she could convince him otherwise. Since he was a kid, he had always been that way.

Third, how could anything happen when Zack wanted them to split up? Go chase after him? That was just impractical.

But was it? The voiced questioned annoyingly.

Max frowned. Chasing after Zack?

Somehow that idea appealed to her mischievous side. She knew that having her after him would annoy him to no end, and the thought made her grin inwardly. And if she succeeded, that would hopefully mean that Zack would be happy for them to stay together instead of splitting up.

But it would all end it tears if he did not return her feelings, she realized as the voice of reason came back. Not only that, it would basically destroy whatever sibling or non-sibling relationship they have now. Max was not sure if she wanted to risk it.

Max wondered since when she had started to think so thoroughly on an issue before acting. Her mode of operation had always been shoot first and ask questions later. Her choice of words made her cringe as she remembered her aversion towards guns.

Bringing herself back to the question at hand, she realized that she needed to make her mind up soon, it was uncharacteristic of her to keep mulling over something like this. Should she follow her instincts or her head? She has got a lot to lose if it went all wrong, but if things went as planned, the reward would be more than worth the effort.

Her instincts never let her down before.

"Max? Max!" Zack's voice penetrated her thoughts. He was looking at her strangely.

Startled, she replied sharply, "What?" Wondering if he had caught her staring, she forced her expression to remain impassive.

Instead of Zack, Zane said, "You seemed to be so out of it a second ago. Completely in your own world. What are you thinking about?" he asked curiously.

Grinning, Max said, "You're seeing things. Must have knocked your head harder than you thought, bro."

"At least I have an excuse. What about you? Just born with it?" Zane retorted.

Max rolled her eyes. "Whatever you need to tell yourself."

"I knew there was a reason why I kept you all apart," Zack muttered under his breath. "And you two need to grow up."

Eyes twinkling, Zane ran his eyes up and down Max's body before he said, "She's pretty grown up from what I can see."

"What the hell are you doing checking me out? You're supposed to be my brother, remember?" Max said, a mock-offended expression plastered over her face as she laid her hands on her hips.

"I can't help having eyes, sis. If you parade that body in front of me, I would have to be blind not to notice," Zane threw back with a grin.

"It's kind of sad in a very deprived way. Sorry to disappoint, but I don't think you should continue looking. It's grossing me out," Max said, twisting her face to show her disgust.

"So long as we don't have children, I think it would be fine," Zane said, waggling his brows.

Max snorted, "You need to wake up from that dream world of your soon, you know."

Giving her a dreamy look, Zane said with a sigh, "If you're in it-"

"That's enough, Zane," Zack snapped, his irritation evident for all to see. He shot a glare at Zane before he strode stiffly to the door.

As the door slammed shut, Zane and Max exchanged a confused look.

Max did not know what Zane was thinking, but she was pretty sure that he had just been joking. Zack's reaction and tone of voice made him sound almost…jealous. Her heart-rate picked up as realization dawned. It was too good to be true and the strangeness of it all had her mind reeling.

Was Zack actually interested in her?

Now, she definitely knew what she needed to do.

Zack leaned his forehead against a tree outside the cabin, barely noticing the increasing darkness of the sky above the leafy trees as he tried to calm his breathing.

You idiot, that was a stupid thing to do… the rant went on in Zack's head as he realized that he had over-reacted.

He had always prided himself on being able to remain in control, at least outwardly. But somehow, something inside him just exploded when he saw Zane looking at Max that way. The saner part of him knew that they had just been kidding around, but the insane, unreasonable part of him refused to stay low. Hence the outburst.

Zack groaned. Storming out of the cabin that way would surely send Max and Zane into a heated debate as to what caused it. There was no doubt in his mind that they were now discussing his uncharacteristic behavior.

Zack did not mind them discussing, as long as they did not stumble across the truth.

He could no longer deny it. His actions today confirmed that somewhere along the way, he had grown a very un-brotherly attraction to Max. The signs were all there; just that he had repeatedly refused to acknowledge it.

Maybe that was why he had never approached her in all these years. Maybe that was why he had not given her his number the way he had given it to the rest of his siblings. Maybe somewhere inside, he had known that something like this would happen. He had to admit that even when they were young, he had to try harder to distance himself from her emotionally than the others.

Getting emotionally involved with Max would not be the right thing to do. Zack refused to entertain the idea. So what if he was attracted to her? Realising his feelings did not mean that he had to do anything about it.

Steeling his resolve, Zack told himself that he would keep this from her even if it killed him. There was no way he was getting involved with Max.

However much his heart told him otherwise.

Pushing himself off the tree, he turned around to make his way back to the cabin. Zack frowned as he tried to think of a believable excuse to justify his actions to Zane and Max, but came up with nothing.

As he was about to reach out his hand to the doorknob, the crunching sound of tires rolling over gravel and twigs in the distance made him freeze.

Shit, it can't be Lydecker, can it? Zack thought as his level of alertness shot sky-high. But who else could it be? And how the hell did he find us here so fast?

Not wasting another second wondering, he pushed the door open and ran in.

Barely registering the look of surprise on Max and Zane's face, he snapped out urgently, "Lydecker's here. We've got to move out."

Standing up abruptly, Max asked, a small frown creasing her brows, "How did he find us? Are you sure it's Lydecker?"

"No. But I'm not going to risk it by hanging around. We still have time," he said, grabbing his rucksack. Hurriedly stuffing the rucksack with his belongings, he ordered, "Zane, you're coming with me. Max, if we get separated, head to the place where we discussed before, not Seattle. I'll find you there. Let's go now."

"Zack, I told you I don't want to-" Max's protest was cut off.

"Max, this is really not the time to argue. Is it so hard for you to follow a simple order?" Zack snapped irritably as they rushed out of the door.

When Max looked as if she was about to protest again, Zane interjected calmly, "Just listen to him, okay. I thought he was supposed to be our CO."

Letting out a resigned sigh, Max said, "Fine." Mounting her bike, she started the engine.

"Finally!" Zack muttered as he and Zane got on his bike and started it.

Pulling up next to Max, Zack noticed the stubborn set of her chin. He scowled as he wondered how she could look so good even when she was pissed off. Outwardly, he said shortly, "Let's go."

The events of that night set the tone for the next two days. Wherever they went, Lydecker seemed to be not far behind. They had barely stopped at all the entire trip, except to grab a quick bite and to refuel. Transgenics or not, they were beginning to feel the strain from their lack of rest.

Luckily for Max and Zack, Zane had recovered enough to ride, hence they were able to rotate such that one of them could rest for a few hours at a time. Without that, Max was not sure that they would have managed it. Zack must feel worse than me, she thought, knowing that he did not have shark DNA, unlike her.

The entire situation was bizarre. Surely Lydecker's men, being ordinaries, needed to sleep much more than the transgenics. How they had managed to track the three of them for more than two full days was beyond Max. They were now practically halfway across the state.

As she caught sight of a small diner in the distance, Max's stomach signaled its need for food. Turning to Zack, who was taking his turn to rest behind Zane, she yelled over the wind, "Pit stop! I've gotta grab some grub."

Nodding, Zack said with a yawn, "Okay, I could do with some coffee."

"Tell me about it. And I think we need to refuel again," Zane grumbled as he guided Zack's bike towards the diner. Brown dust churned behind him as he turned right sharply.

"Good thing we actually have money," Max said as they turned into the parking area in front of the diner. The fuel shop was just right beside it, she noted with relief. She handed over a few bills to Zane, gesturing at the shop.

Taking the money, Zane asked curiously, "Where did you get all that cash, anyway?"

Max grinned. "A well-paying side job."

Zack raised his eyebrows and snorted, "Right."

Looking confused, Zane asked, "What?"

Max turned to Zane, suddenly realizing that he did not remember anything. "Nevermind. Tell you later."

Zane just shrugged and went into the shop for the fuel.

"I wish he could remember stuff," Max said to Zack as she watched Zane disappear into the stop. But even without his memory, she had found Zane to be quite fun to be with. It was a shame he did not remember, she thought.

"Yeah, I wanted to know who's responsible for all that injury he's got. Zane's very good at hand-to-hand, so I'm surprised that someone got him so bad."

"But at least we found him in time before Lydecker got to the hospital," Max said as they walked into the diner.

A young waitress came to them, her eyes traveling over Zack appreciatively. Max narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to Zack. Seeing the look Max shot her, the waitress straightened and asked politely, "Ready to order?"

Seemingly oblivious to the effect he had on the waitress, Zack said with a smile, "Three large portions of today's special, please."

"Sure, honey. Won't be a second," the waitress said, writing the order down as she popped her gum. She avoided looking at Max when she turned to head back to the kitchen.

Going back to the topic, Zack said, "I've been thinking about that. It's strange that Lydecker knew where to find him so fast. That old man must have a good network of contacts."

Max nodded thoughtfully. "If Logan's contact could find out, I suppose it can't be too hard for Lydecker."

"Funny thing is, I've always managed to evade them, but this time, they just wouldn't go away. It has been two days and we still can't shake them off," Zack said irritably.

"But I suppose those times you're alone, right? It's easier to hide if you're a smaller target," Max grinned, "At least, that's what they used to tell us, remember?"

"You know, something else had occurred to me about all this. When you and I ran off that day, Lydecker didn't manage to track us down. But ever since Zane's been with us, Lydecker seems to be not far behind," Zack noted softly.

Max froze at Zack's implication. "What are you saying, Zack? That Zane's Lydecker's spy?"

"I know it sounds weird. But the thing keeps nagging at me. Also, some of the things Zane remembers worries me."

"Like what?"

"He remembers how to shoot but he said he doesn't know how to fight. But when you two were fighting that day, you said that he kicked you right across the room. And those sudden freak-outs where he attacked you sound suspicious. Zane had not seen you for a decade, so even if he remembered sparring with you, he should remember you as a kid, not an adult. So why should he want to spar with you?"

"Zack, the guy has a problem with his memory. What do you expect?" Max reasoned. What Zack had just said made sense, but Zane could be innocent for all they knew.

Zack sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "I don't know, Max. I have this feeling that something is going on, just that we don't know what it is."

t.b.c.

A/N: So what do you think? A few more chapters to go, then we're done! Please review! I'm craving it!