Disclaimer: Return to previous chapters.

Thanks: To everyone who reviewed. I'm sorry I don't have all your names down this chapter, along with thanks to every one of you, but I'm sort of in a rush. I'm terribly sorry it took so long to update but I've been very busy. I will however try to finish this story, and Heat Encounter by the end of the summer. Ciao, for now, until next time. And Please review!

X-X-X-X-X

Max sped away on her motorcycle, it was good to be home. Home, it was strange, she had left her home because of a man. She had sworn a long time ago that she would never be controlled by anyone; it was why she had finally convinced Zack to take down Manticore. Her life had been dictated by them even after the escape, always having to hide. However she had left without a second thought because of a guy, a guy! Well, she could dwell on her previous stupidity later on, for now she had to go see her home girl.

She parked her ninja right outside of Jampony messenger services. She carefully made sure that the chain attaching her bike to the rack was as tight as possible. Too much time spent with her siblings had ensured that she make it difficult enough so she had time to get out of bed and stop them before they tried to steal a ride on it.

And then she walked into Jampony, only to have a body flung upon her and suddenly hug her. Sketchy pulled away as Original Cindy elbowed him out of the way. "Max, I am so glad you're back! Did you see my latest article?"

Sketchy had convinced the magazine he'd worked for to go pro-transgenic. He had said that being the only magazine without that view, they would have the monopoly of the market and be able to capitalize on peoples interest. When his editor had agreed, Sketchy had managed to get interviews with several transgenics, including Max herself, by sneaking into Terminal City at great risk to his own health, to help not only the transgenic cause, but his transgenic friends. He had also set up interviews with countless soldiers who owed their lives to the young transgenics for helping them out on their missions, and rich people whose children they had saved. Sketchy didn't bother to talk to the relatives of those whom they had assassinated. And step by slow, agonizing atep, they turned the publics opinion around.

Original Cindy meanwhile was squeezing the life out of Max with her hug, as she muttered "I missed you so much boo, so much. It's damn lonely without you in Seattle, even with Sketchy Sketch and Doggy boy over here. You are not leaving for another few months at least! Y'here?"

Max let out a rich throaty laugh as she hugged her boo back. "I hear ya boo, I hear ya loud and clear. I missed you too." Then she gently entangled herself and turned back to Sketchy to give him a brief hug, "Yeah I did, actually. I have to admit it was a shock reading about Brin in the paper, but great job generating sympathy for our cause, going into more detail about the '09 escape. How did you get the details on Brins reindoctrination, 'cause I know I never went into it?"

Sketchy waved the comment aside dismissively, "Someone at T.C." Although she didn't show it, Max knew he meant Alec. Sketchy would never be that dismissive if it wasn't him, he was too proud of doing great work and making a difference to be like that otherwise.

Alec, Max felt a sharp pain at her heart at the thought, but quickly pushed it away. The petite brunette had gone away for awhile to give her time to get over him, and if not erect the walls around her heart, necessary to distance herself from him, from the situation, and to protect herself. She wouldn't give in to her desire, to her lo- no, her lust. That was that, she would communicate with him, stop pushing him out of her life, but at the end of the day, there would still be her and Alec, separate. End result one protected heart that was slowly cracking.

Satisfied with her resolve Max turned away to face Normal as he came up to greet her with his usual, exasperated "Missy miss." But this time it was accompanied by a hug which she gladly returned.

Barely two years ago, Max would have choked first rather than hug Normal. But today, after all he had done for them, it not only seemed natural, it seemed right. Normal had run an underground of supplies to Terminal City, sending it with all the messengers willing to help. Medical supplies, food, iodine tablets, electronic equipment, money, even –occasionally- weapons, although they normally tried to take care of that themselves through arms dealers they knew could be trusted. Over time, Normal and Max had grown closer, what with her not being underfoot all the time. They started to understand the other, both being in leadership positions, no matter how drastically different their situation was. And eventually they became friends, of a sort. Although that had meant Max would never go back to working for him!

"Hey Normal."

And then she was pulled away into the Jam Pony crowd. She talked late into the day with Sketchy and Original Cindy, and she felt like she had regained a small part of her life.

X-X-X-X-X

Seeral days later Max walked into her apartment in Terminal City. She had spent the day talking with her non-transgenic friends, and felt happy to have seen them again. Then later that day Max had danced and had fun at the birthday party T.C., Original Cindy, and Sketchy had thrown for her.

Deciding to actually try and sleep for a couple of hours that night, she walked over to her bed. However her bed, was not how she had left it. On her bed was some sort of brightly coloured, paper folded animal. To her shock upon closer inspection she realised that it was a phoenix. Well- more like a peacock-phoenix but nevertheless a phoenix. Around its neck, was some sort of ring. Upon closer inspection this proved to be a phoenix made of coloured glass designed to resemble the fiery colours of the phoenix. It was a ring, the wing tips touched and the tail wrapped around her finger until it just barely reached her knuckle. The ring was surprisingly comfortable, and fit on both her middle and ring fingers on either hand. Eventually deciding to put it on a silver chain she had lying around, Max put it on and wore it as a necklace. Suddenly she noticed that the peacock-phoenix was sitting on a note.

Dutifully Max decided to open the note. Black swirls made with a fountain ink pen bordered the paper, and written in elaborate calligraphy, that cleverly disguised the persons true handwriting, was the message.

Dear Max,

Happy Birthday.

Yours Truly,

Your Secret Admirer.

In shock Max allowed to slip from her fingers and onto the floor. A secret admirer? Her?

Carefully putting the paper phoenix away on her dresser, Max went to sleep with the vague sense that yes, the universe had turned around on its head, and Lydecker was doing the cancan.