Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel
A/N: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know i said till march 5 but i had fcats and sem. Exams! I nd to maintain striaght A's to be able to continue w/ dancing/singing/volleyball/piano/mallwithfriends/or LIFE! Aaaaanyway, so sorry 4 my ramblings... here's the story:
Chapter three:
"Hello, Ames."
For the first time in his life, White was scared. He was scared of something no son should ever be; his father. He fought hard to keep the emotions from his face. What he'd give to be a transgenic right now. Despite their shortcomings, hiding emotions was something that they've excelled in all their lives.
"Hello, Sandeman," he said, remembering to keep his voice cool and detached.
The old man only looked amused. "So it's Sandeman now, huh? After all I've done for you," his voice suddenly rose, "that is how you treat me?" His mouth formed a sneer. "Like one of your subjects?"
And just like that, White forgot all about the meaning of calm and collected. He burst, "All you've done for me? And what exactly, pray tell, is it that you've done for me? Huh? Could it be forcing me to kill my wife? Holding that scum 452 above your own son?!"
But his father only laughed mirthlessly. "You are so predictable, Ames. If you're the cult's finest then it's no wonder the transgenic race haven't destroyed you already," he rasped.
Ames lost all patience. Seeing red, he charged for his father. His fist came out of nowhere...only to be held back by a force equal, if not greater, than his. He looked back, terrified. Behind him, stood a dirty-blond haired young man with impressive build and a face worthy of a pre-pulse fashion magazine. Behind him, without a doubt, stood a Manticore born and bred assassin.
He glowered at him, subdued. "You have a transgenic bodyguard?" He queried his father with malice.
"Only because I needed it."
"Now," Sandeman continued, straightening his shoulders, "I came here to discuss, eh, business."
White smirked cockily. "What makes you think I'd work with you?"
But Sandeman only smiled, a slow, evil smile that chilled White to the bone. "Because I have your son." Those were the only words he'd needed to hear.
1 hour later:
White sat, shocked. He had no idea his father was this...evil. Sure, White was cold pitiless, and cruelly efficient. But in his own twisted way, he did it for a belief, a belief that the Familiars were a truly superior race, and, therefore, better equipped to rule the world.
Truth was, White already had a plan before his father came. He'd only been keeping quiet to try and bring down the transgenics' guard. His plan was simple; kill 452 and let the humans destroy the transgenics themselves. But Sandeman...
Sandeman was just evil. But the worst part was that White had to go with the plan because he had no choice. You see, unlike his father, he loved his son.
Miles away, little did White know that others were also having a family reunion, albeit a happier one.
Max's P.O.V
'I must be dreaming,' I thought distantly as I gazed at the handsome face of my brother. It was no mistake; even after ten years she'd have known that face, that flaxen hair anywhere. Then he smiled, and it made his face, if possible, even more handsome.
"Hello? You in there, Maxie?"
I could only gaze at him, speechless.
"I can'—Zane—Oh!" I did what words could not express; I hugged him. He responded, enveloping me in a gentle caress. That one simple gesture seemed to unclog my throat. 'Nice, Max. You finally meet your brother and you don't even know what to say.'
"Oh, God, Zane! I can't believe you're here! I've missed you so much!" Much better.
He looked at me tenderly. "Me too, Maxie. Me too."
"Just for the record; were you, um, rolling down the hill?" His voice was close to my ear, mockingly condescending.
"Long story."
I shook my head. This was all too hard to digest. It was hard to believe that after ten years of fruitless searches and the general feeling of hopelessness, my brother had come to me. This was certainly an odd (but not unwelcome) turn of events.
"Let me take a look at you!" I exclaimed, pulling out of his arms.
Wow. Manticore sure made 'em well.
A well-built young man of 6' 5 replaced the lanky boy that I used to know. His face was now chiseled, his jaw well defined.
But it was his eyes that caught and rendered me speechless.
After years of hardship and fear usually associated with a person who literally has to run for their life everyday, (courtesy of Manticore) his marvelous green eyes still held the mischievous spark from our earlier years.
"Looks like Manticore did something right," he said impishly. Some things never change. I punched him gently on the shoulder. The action reminded me so much of Alec that I almost winced.
Zane must have noticed the sudden change of mood because he tipped my head to meet his face. "Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't frown, Maxie. It makes you look old. Well," he paused, "older." I grinned. It amazed me that after all these years Zane could still read me like a book.
"Psshht! You'reat least 2 years older than me," I retorted with an elegant snort.
"What? Me? Ol—"
I hastened to interrupt his ravings.
"Come on," I said roguishly, pulling him towards the direction of my bike, "it's time for you to meet the rest of the family."
Alec's P.O.V:
I looked impatiently at the clock. Max has been missing for 30 minutes now. Thirty whole minutes! 'Maybe she ran away. She could have skipped tow—' I stopped myself, feeling ashamed. I'm regarding Max in the same manner she's treated me. It was so easy to forget what you really think, to be carried away in the heat of the moment by insecurity and self-doubt.
'Huh,' I though ironically, 'this must be how Max felt.'
My self-contemplations were interrupted as Mole came barging in my apartment transgenic style: without knocking.
"Pretty Boy, get your ass out of bed. Max's here with her boyfriend."
Instantly, my self-recriminations were replaced by anger. 'I cannot believe Max left us here to hang with Logan. Making us worry for nothing. Huh. I guess Cecile was right, after all. 'Well,' I amended, 'I've been the only one worried.' Mole seems to think she'd just needed time alone. Nothing to worry about. Besides, he'd argued, she was an X5. She can take care of herself. Hmmm. Maybe I'm overreacting. I mean, she talks to Logan all the time and it has been pretty stressful. No big deal. Right. I stood up and erased all trace of emotion on my face. I glanced at Mole.
He was frowning. Nothing new. Still I had to wonder...
"What?" I asked worriedly. "Do I have something on my face?'
He burst into laughter. "You are such a—"
"Such a what, Mole," I intercepted with a raised brow. He gave me a smirk. "Someone's sensitive today."
I kept my brow raised.
"Let's go to command," he answered, relenting but still with that damned smug grin on his face.
"Thought so."
Mole glared at me with defiance. "What did you say, Pretty Boy?"
I didn't answer, alternatively, opting to blur to command instead.
I didn't stop...that is, until I felt a solid mo' fo' of a chest stop me. I let out a loud oomph before falling ungracefully to the ground.
Looking up, I saw Max trying very hard not laugh. But apparently not hard enough.
"You should—have seen—your face!" She managed to get out in between guffaws.
I tried to keep my heart cold, but the sight of Max was so damned beautiful and her laughter so infectious it was hard not to join in on the fun. With a Manticore mask, I approached Max, stance predatory.
It wasn't long before she noticed and her eyes widened. Without warning, I pounced on her, tickling her to the ground and causing her to erupt in a fit of uncontrollable giggles. I was just about to get flipped over by Max, who'd soon gotten the upper hand, when we heard two distinct 'ahems'. Max and I froze, realizing for the first time that we were in H.Q and in front of 30 or so transgenics. And Logan. Whoops.
My insecurities soon returned, especially after noticing the well-built X5 that I'd bumped into earlier. To her credit, Max was neither blushing nor timid. She took one look at everyone and shrugged. "We're part cat, after all." Everyone let out a relieved laugh and she looked content. That was before she noticed Logan.
Her eyes narrowed, showing her surprise and displeasure and her back became stiff as a rod. That was certainly...uncharacteristic of her. But apart from that, she showed no outward signs of perceiving him.
The X5, however, she apparently saw. Giving him a sheepish look, she took his hand and dragged him forward, or rather, to the center of attention. Now, it was my turn to narrow my eyes.
Grinning, Max looked around the room and said in a loud, clear voice, "Everyone meet Zane."
There were collective, "Hi, Zane's" around the room. Zane mock-saluted in greeting. With an impish smile, he said, "Gentlemen, hi! Ladies, how you doin'?" (A/N: think of Joe from "Friends")
Almost all the transgenics, who were devoted fans of the boob tube, like myself, caught the reference and gave a little chuckle. I, too, found the man funny. 'Too bad he's stealing my mate,' I thought darkly after catching the devoted and appreciating glance Max gave his way. Whoa. I love Max as a friend but even I know that we're never going to be like that.
"All right you guys," Max said in a firm but obviously amused tone, "I believe we have a meeting to attend to.
'Oh boy,' I thought after getting a glimpse of Logan who was giving Max a determined stare, 'this is gonna be a long night.'
During the meeting:
"Alright, Mole, what's the stats on weaponry?" Max was all business.
"Ohmph shugha buga."
Max sighed in exaggerated exasperation. "It would help if you get that stick outta your mouth."
Mole smirked. "I don't know about you, Princess, but no stick ain't ever comin' near my mouth." Max in the most mature way I've ever seen, just gave him a look. And then she blew a spit wad at him. Nice.
Mole was fast, but not fast enough. It landed with a loud 'tchack' smack dab on the middle of his forehead, a drop of saliva rolling down his nose. The lizard man stood up threateningly. But Max just kept her ground, head cocked, with a hand on a jutted hip. The moment was shattered, however, by another 'ahem.' We all looked expectantly towards the source. It was Logan...looking like he just saw Lydecker getting busy with Renfro.
"We should get started on the meeting?" It was supposed to sound like an order but it came out more like a pathetic plea.
Max straightened and ignored him. "So, Mole, what's up with the firepower?"
"Well, we're low on ammo, zip on grenades and rocket launchers, and I need more cigars."
"Cigars?" It was Logan. Again.
"Yep. Got a problem with that?"
No answer.
"Thought so."
Max cleared her throat, ignoring Logan's hurt look. I kinda felt for the guy. I mean, he's not the only one pining for 'The Chose One.'
"How about you, Dix?"
"Well, we're gonna need a, uh, newer modem."
"There's a Pentium234 on sale at Office Depot for a couple hundred," Logan offered.
I snorted, Max looked pained, and Mole just looked pissed. Zane was off to the side, looking at Logan curiously. Then, slowly, his gaze went to me and then back to Logan again. A grin graced his faces and his eyes lit up in understanding. Okay, he's obvioulsy on something...
"No problem. I'm sure Alec and me can get one for you...one that cost less than a couple of hundred," Max said deliberately. She spoke not unkindly but her eyes told of the anger she tried valiantly tried to suppress.
I quirked, hearing her mention my name. This is pathetic. I'm supposed to be the one mad at her, not the other way around! I shook my head, forcing myself to pay attention.
At this point, Logan had stood up, enraged. "You're going to steal it aren't you?" His tone was 100 percent patronizing.
Max looked like she was about to strangle him
I smoothly intercepted. "Alright. Everyone Out!" Max shot me a grateful look and I almost melted then and there. But I forced myself to sport a Manticore mask. Alec out, 494 in.
"Look, Logan, I know what you're trying to do here, okay? But it's not going to work this time, you hear?" Max bit out.
"I'm not trying to do anything. You're the one breaking the law here!"
"Breaking the law? Well, guess what? It's TOO LATE FOR THAT! I'm already 'breaking the law' by being a transgenic!" Max bit out.
Logan just stood there, speechless. "How can you think that? Us, humans, are better than you give us credit for." He looked at her meaningfully. "I have the cure. That's why I was here." He glared at me, and looked around the derelict room with disgust. "We can finally be together... and you just yell at me," he finished reproachfully.
But Max just looked at him. "What do you mean us humans? You don't think we're humans?"
"Well, I know you are." He looked at me reluctantly. "Even Alec. But you gotta admit...The Lizard-Guy isn't exactly advertising 'Homo sapien'."
Oh. My. God. It was dead silent.
Then Max spoke, "Leave the cure. But get the hell out!'
"But Max--"
"Get out!" She took a paperweight (a new one) and held it up threateningly.
"I LOVE YOU!" The paperweight dropped with a clang. Thankfull, it didn't shatter. I had the foresense to get a titanium one.
She just looked at him disbelievingly. "I don't think you even know what love is, Logan." She sighed. "When I first broke up with you, I convinced myself that it was because there was no cure and it would be better this way. I also convinced myself that this was just all temporary; I mean, we're meant to be together, right?"
"Of course, hon—"
"I'm not finished. But then as time went on and I got more into thinking, I realized something; I'm—was in denial...but not anymore. We're not over because we never were together in the first place." The last words were met with stone-cold silence. No one moved, or even dared to breathe. Logan, though, was hyperventilating. I could see his vein on his neck pulsating and sense his anger coming out in waves.
"You bitch!"
Okay, I'll admit that was unexpected. Also unexpected was the response that it seemed to instill in me: pure, unadulterated anger. How dare that s.o.b call Max a bitch? Just as I was about to blur toward him, I felt a strong hand restraining me from behind. I looked back; it was Zane.
"I want to kill him, too. But this is Max's fight, not ours," he whispered in a low tone. His words were logical. But that didn't mean I had to be happy about it.
"I don't want us to say things we both will regret... I think it's best you leave." The words were harsh but Max's eyes were unrelenting.
He still shook with anger, but it was slowly dissipating as the seconds, and the silence, dragged on. Composing himself, he marched out of T.C, head held high.
I motioned for Zane to give Max and me a moment. He went obligingly.
"You all right, Max?" I tried to keep my voice as gentle as possible when all I really wanted to do was hug her until the end of time. She looked up at me, eyes watery. That's it. Without another word, I took her in my arms and she held on for dear life. There were no tears, only a sigh that seemed to come from within her soul and carry with it all her burdens. I stroked her hair with my fingers.
After a while she spoke. At first, I'd thought she was going to talk about Logan, but she surprised me once again. "Question is: Are we alright, Alec?"
I was about to say yes when she blurted, "I'm sorry for all the things I said. Logan was right; I am a bitch." She looked so sad and desolate that I'd have done anything for a smile, even the teeniest one.
I stared at her intently. "You're are not a bitch. Well, at least not always." She gave a tiny smile and my heart leaped.
"Look, I know you're sorry and I forgive you...So how about we get outta here and go bug Mole?" She grinned. 'Hark the herald angels sing...'
"Thanks, Alec." And with that said, we strolled hand in hand out of the room.
A/N: Okay... I know most of you r probably wondering: What is the dealio w/ the whole Logan scene? Well, it's cuz although I don't necessarily hate logan, he's not my fave character so I wanted to get him out of the picture...This was the only way I could think of getting him out without resorting to death. Chances are this is his last appearance. I promise I'll be more informative in the nxt chapters... Also it's spring break so that's a lot of time to make up for my shamefully long absence. bows head in shame Aaaaanyway, I'M SORRY!