Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel

A/N: first attempt. Sorry for spelling mistakes… Enjoy!

Thanks to:

calistra: Glad you liked the naming, I wasn't sure about it... Thanks for reviewing!

lakegirl08: Maybe they will. I really don't know, I have some ideas as to what can happen, you will just have to wait and see...;) Thanks for reviewing

Alana84: I see everyone liked the naming...Good, I wasn't entirely sure about it...Glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!

wildsky: Max and Alec will be o.k don't worry. As for the X6s I'm glad you liked them. Read on to find more interesting things that happen to Max and Alec, and Jess too ;) Thanks for reviewing!

A/N: Don't forget to review when you finish reading!

Chapter 9 – Learning New Things

Alec couldn't believe what just happened. 'X6s came here to give Joshua food. That sounds a bit strange I must say. And apparently Josh told them about what had happened. O.k, I guess nothing bad can come from that, after all they did help Joshua. But even before that. Max and I being here and talking again. That was kind of cool, until she decided to insult me. I know she didn't mean it in that way, but there will be time to joke about it… like when we are not in pain because of that! That girl is so out of here. Wait. She really did spend half her life out of here, so it's kind of true. It was all good, until they started to talk about me. I mean, those X6s didn't know I was here, so it wasn't their entire fault. But Max, she knew I was here, so why didn't she stopped them? Maybe because she has to stick her nose everywhere, that's why. I guess it isn't her entire fault, she is partly cat, and cats are curious. But what did that X6 mean about me changing? I mean, I was a bit different, a trip to Psy Ops can do that to a person, but what is his problem? And with that thought he began eating one of the apples they gave him.

Max also was a bit shocked with the things that took place just seconds ago. 'Alec had a name? I had no idea. When we first met he told me his designation's 494. If he had a name he would have told me, like I told him mine. No he wouldn't, Manticore doesn't allow names and he is the best soldier, he wouldn't tell me a secret of his. How can he trust an 09er right? That's not true! I must be going crazy, I'm talking to myself, great! Hey, don't blame me you have unsolved issues. Whatever. I can't treat him like this, I mean, he helped me escape, and now he is captured, and he is in so much pain, and I say he doesn't trust me. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. The one thing I know for sure is that he helped me when I asked him so I can't blame him for hating me now, because it was my idea to run. And with that thought Max started to eat her apple.

Joshua didn't know what to do. Here they were, at the starting point. All three of them back in the basement. But this time they were all hurt, physically and emotionally. Although the pain, Joshua was happy to find his friends again, and having new ones too. But when he heard Max and Alec speak between them he was sad to see that they were a bit angry at each other, although it didn't seem that bad. 'I'll have to help them see that they shouldn't be mad at each other.' And with that thought Joshua began eating his apple.

"Apple good isn't it?" Joshua said. Trying to start a conversation so Max and Alec will talk to each other.

"Yeah. I've been a bit hungry too, after all I have been through if you know what I mean" said Alec, answering Joshua's question. 'I am mad at Max, not at Josh so no need to hurt him'

"Yeah, those X6s are really nice to help you and us." Said Max. She was glad that Alec was talking too. Maybe he will explain things she doesn't understand, like why he cried…

"Yes! They help me when I was hurt and took care of me! Very nice of them!" said Joshua

"So tell me, how come they helped you. I mean, don't take it personal, but they could have gotten in a lot of trouble if someone found out." Said Alec 'those X6s aren't afraid of anything, nomalies, Renfro...'

"I don't know. Jess help with wounds. Very nice to me. Ben too. But David I don't know. He didn't help me, I think he is a friend so he is good too." Said Joshua

"Hey Max! Isn't Ben the name you called me when we first met. You know 493's name?" asked Alec

"Yeah…" said Max. She really didn't want to talk about Ben, especially now. "Those X6s said you visit Psy Ops a lot, but also said you are the best soldier. Now how can that be right?"

"I can't believe you just asked that right now. But if you want to know I will tell you." said Alec 'I can't believe this, she wanted to know, so I'll tell her, hope she doesn't get 'oh it's all my fault' like.' "You see first time I was 11 years old. Now what can an 11 years old boy can possibly do to make him be punished?" asked Alec. She wanted to know and he wasn't going to make it easy for her.

"What?" asked Max. She was a bit worried to where this is going.

"Well, I didn't do anything. Actually it was you and your unit. You see, you all ran away, and since I'm 493's identical twin, they wanted to make sure running away wasn't genetic. That was the first trip. The second was because Manticores an ass. The third was because 493, or like you say, Ben, decided to go all psychic. Now, again we are twins so they had to make sure it isn't genetic. And so my life went on, with too much time spent in Psy Ops, not even because of me, and that X6 David doesn't understand why I have changed! So Max, why do you think I have changed? Why do you think I am not so happy all the time like I used to be before?" Alec said. After realizing that it wasn't really her fault, that he just wanted someone to blame he said "Sorry…" and resumed eating his apple.

"Alec I… why are you sorry?" Max was really confused from his behavior. First he is angry at her, and then he is sorry?

"I shouldn't have burst like that at you. It's not your fault. I just… lost it for a moment…" said Alec

"Well, you shouldn't be sorry. And I don't blame you for being mad at me or at Ben." she said and she thought that maybe now, after he got his feelings off his chest, things will get better between them, and maybe in general too, hopefully...

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

David, Jess and Ben were walking back to their dorms when Ben began talking.

"So, you think they have some unfinished business?" he said half joking

"Some? I think it's more then some." Said David

"Well, you can't blame neither of them. Look where they are." Said Jess, feeling sorry for them

"Can you believe it? Meeting 494…I mean Alec in isolation. And he told me not to call him 'sir'." Said David, the whole situation was weird.

"I didn't see you laughing when you found out he heard what you said about him!" said Ben, "it was hilarious! Your face turned all red!" he said laughing quietly.

That shut David's mouth.

"Hey! You would be the same in his position!" said Jessica

"Yeah, whatever. I'm going to sleep." He said and went in their dorms. David and Jessica were left outside.

"We should probably get in, don't want to get caught by the guards." Said David.

"Yeah… I'm not tired at all though. Not only do I have shark DNA, I'm also full with adrenaline from what happened. It's just so… unreal, don't you think?" said Jess

"Yeah. Unreal can describe it pretty well. I'm not tired either. Shark DNA can suck sometimes. The others really don't appreciate enough the fact that they can fall asleep easily." Said David. They were the only ones with shark DNA in their unit.

"Say, do you want to go to the gym and practice a bit. Tomorrow we have training in combat fight and I can't quit do that flip kick yet…" said Jess

"Yeah, sure. Let's go." Said David and they started to walk toward the gym.

When they entered the gym through the door Jess said "thank god they are stupid enough to keep the doors unlocked"

"Yeah, well. The security inside isn't really that good. But outside it's a whole new story." Said David.

"Good for us. But bad for those trying to run away…" said Jess and walked toward the mattresses. "So, where do we start?" she asked David.

"Lets just practice for a while and then we will correct each others mistakes." He said

"Sounds good to me." Said Jess and they both got into a fighting stance.

They circled each other a few times and then they started the fight. The longer they fought, the faster it was until they were blurring so fast, it was hard to see who was fighting. Most of the times they blocked each others moves, but they did manage to hit each other several tines. When Jess finally decided to try the flip kick David blocked it. He grabbed her leg and twisted it. She landed face down on the mattress. She rolled to her back, but didn't get up. They were fighting for about 15 minutes, and it was intense. She thought a break wouldn't heart them. But when she didn't get up, David was worried.

"Are you o.k?" David asked very much concerned, he didn't want to hurt her. He wanted to help her.

"Yeah, of course, why not?" she asked him, not understanding why is he so worried about her.

"It's just… you didn't get up so I thought you were hurt…" he said, and sat on the matress next to her.

"Nope. Just a little break. But don't think I get tired so fast." She said

"Oh no? Then what should I think?" he asked in laugh

"Think whatever you want. Just don't think I get tired so fast because of you!" she replied

"Yeah right! I can make you beg me to stop if I want to!" he said in a playful tone

"Really? Let's see then." Said Jess and stood up in a fighting stance ready for what ever he will bring.

"O.k. just remember, you asked for it!" he said and got up.

They circled each other a few seconds. And then Jess tried to punch him but he blocked her move. He grabbed her arm and started to tickle her. Jess lost control, and wasn't able to get away from him, even though his grip on her wasn't so strong. She began laughing without control, barely able to speak.

"Stop…hehehe… don't… hihihi… not fair! Hehehe…" she managed to say.

"Manticore always said 'use your opponent's weakest spot against him' " he said in a playful tone.

He continued to tickle her, and then she stumbled backwards, and she fell on her back, with him on top of her. Now, he stopped tickling her and they both looked deep into each others eyes. Jess was breathing rapidly because of the tickling, but David's breath was slow. Their lips only a few inches apart. David's hands on each side of her head. His body on hers. He looked into her eyes and he noticed something change in them, they were soft and inviting. He lowered his mouth to hers. He was an inch away from her moth when suddenly the door was opened.

A/N: So? What do you think? Tell me what YOU think should happen! Just press that little button below that says SUBMIT REAVIEW GO :)