Choices-17 "Come Back and Slap You like the B*tch that You Are"
Author: Mystic25
Email: yellowrubberduck31@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Mr. Cameron..yep..cept I didn't cancel a good thing.
SUMMARY: Darren comes back to Seattle..hoping to make up for something. Apparently he
didn't learn the first time.
Rating: PG13 for all the potty mouthing.
A/N: After writing all those "Max hurt/save the world/family" chapters, I want to lighten
it up a little. This piece will have some elements of humor, but still retain the Thing
that made DA a good show to watch.
A/N #2: This chap is told in third person narrative, except for the first bit where
Original Cindy has the opening scene from her point-of-view at Crash. This piece is
all about the dissin' and defending Max and her 'crew' have for each other. After
all Cindy DID have her cross hairs on Darren..
*****
CRASH
Beat's boomin', air is hot, slick. Perfect night for a shack up. I'm all outfitted out in scarlet, the dress my boo gave me a while back when we still crashed together. Didn't know
she owned something so hot. Not that my girl ain't hot, she summons up fire engines ya know
what I'm sayin'? That hot smooth body and commanding voice, good skills in Original Cindy's books. Plus she's got that whole hot momma thing goin'. Just cause she made two great lookin' babies with her man don't mean she has to loose her style. Made her better I say, she
glows more now.
Da-am, place is hot tonight. Third time I've wiped my brow in five minutes. Think with a
hot spot like it is tonight up in here there'd be some hot girls to go with it. But just
my luck I got the regulars. Not that I don't love Sketchy, he's my boy. But he gets away
with so much covert shimmy shimmy behind his girl's back I'm surprised Natalie hasn't
dropped his ass long ago. She just takes his drunk self inside and loves him up,
she's a good woman, but if I swung with Sketch his ass and my foot would have met a
long time ago.
This dress is hot, but it's not breathin' for me. I'm sweating like shit under here.
I grab my margarita, cool against my hand and drink. Oh yeah that's good, tangy, smooth.
Dated a Marine who was just like that. When sistah decked out in her dress uniform she
looked so commando fine..mmm.mmm..she could order my self around anywhere she wanted.
Too bad it didn't last, but O.C. strong. She can deal with the breaks. Feel like I'm
the only one in this group that hasn't had a permanent try at the shack up though.
Kendra, sick as it is, is huggy bugged up with Walter, she seems happy. Makes me
wonder why she bribed the guy with MONEY all those years. Sketch has Natalie so long
as he can keep lyin' like a playa playa to her face. My sugah finally shut up and made
herself happy. Tell you if she hadn't told me and Kendra that Logan dropped a rock
on her I would've dragged the boy's ass over to the nearest mental health center.
Can't believe its been three years since, seems like the other day I was all made up for their festivities. My boo looked so fine in that silk dress. Made up for the fact I got stuck on the "groom's side" of the chairs. Some chick, Buffy, Biffy? -she kept ticking off the girls Logan SHOULD have been with. Had to hold my hand back more then once, smack down was hard to control tell ya that much.
"Cindy"
Now who's callin' me? And why does that voice sound so recognized? Not talkin' in a good way though. More like the sound of your mama's cousin's sister Susan, who you think is named
Suzanne, girl twice removed from your family for bein' a bitch, but who ya gotta act all
sweet to her face cause she's family.
"Hey-"
Person sat down next to me. Back up that comment bout bein sweet. What the heck is goin' down here? Did I miss the hell freezin' over event?
"Cat got your tongue?" hear the voice, but still don't believe the face. Darren, that chicken shit who dumped my boo with some whack ideas bout female fog banks.
"Whatcha want me to say Darren? Want me to voice props at seein' the looser who stomped on
my girl's heart?"
"Accent History" Darren drops that cave man line on me.
"Too bad I'm a historian up in here" take that. Boy's not gonna make it with me. Ain't
gonna act like he's on my top speed dial number of friends just cause he decided to drop
his self by O.C.
"Just got in today-"
"You say it like I asked boy"
Darren gives me some look, like he thinks he can sum up the 'uh huh' thing.
"So how are things?"
"You mean how's Max Darren" I correct reject Suave Man over here
"Not like its none of your business, by my girl's fine, has been ever since
she dropped you like the bad habit you were."
"Ouch Cindy" Darren acts all wounded "Why all the hard words? I just came to see how
things were with her. Max and I did have something there."
"Then explain to Original Cindy why the hell you broke it off if you two were so
hot and happy?"
"It was just one of those things"
"Spare me the three legged looser talk Darren-" got my hand up in his face now.
"You don't screw a sistah over just cause one of those "things" smack you upside the
head. And if you don't watcha self-" I pull my hand back "THIS thing is gonna smack
you next."
Darren ducks, still can put the fear of smack downs in him.
"She still living with Kendra?" boy just don't know when to shut it.
"Not like it's none of your business again but no. Kendra went out along time ago to
be with her badge wearin' boy toy."
"So Max lives alone now?"
"No boy Max don't live there either. It's MY crib."
"Then where the hell DOES she live?"
"Do I look like the Book of Answers to you Darren? I KNOW all these answers. But I'm sho'
not gonna give you the 411 on her locale just so you can dump yourself on her tonight."
"Not like I'm asking you too" Darren finished whatever the hell he had ordered for himself.
"I can find out some other way." He paid for his drink. Only smart thing he's done all night. "I'll talk to her when she goes to work tomorrow." He paused "she still works there right?"
"Boy get outta my face before I cut it off where it don't grow back" my voice is snarlin'
now. Askin' me all these questions. Can't even remember why Max hooked up with him to begin
with. Not even strong enough to move her furniture.
"Take that as a yes"
Good, Darren's leavin' Boy gets on my last nerve. I was skeptical at first bout Logan
wantin' more outta my girl, men are men, are men. But I got over it, cause he's down.
But Darren, always had this vibe with him, and it wasn't ever outta smack down range.
Now he think's he can make it back with my boo after all that? Fool's messed up.
Not like it would work now anyway. Don't think Max would jump at the chance of
leavin' satisfaction and hoppin' aboard the fifty-cent tour.
*****
JAM PONY
NEXT MORNING
"Bip Bip Bip!" Normal started randomly throwing packages at every person passing his desk.
"What no smart remark this time?" Max caught one of the boxes as it flew by her.
"That's gonna be your last run if I don't hear less talk and more walk" Normal warned.
Max ignored him and walked over to where Cindy was standing beside the lockers
Cindy was smiling at what she was looking at, two photos in her hands "Swear they get cuter
as their age progresses" she was looking at pictures of Jesse and Lexi taken a few days ago
by Bling. It had been a custom that Cindy would get copies of their pictures every year which
she proudly added to her photo album and tacked to the wall. "And this-" this time she held
up an image of Max and Logan done in black and white, also by Bling, who wanted to remind
them of his skills on the camera. They both were smiling, Logan behind Max with both arms
around her waist, slightly leaning into her shoulder "Is the best birthday present of all"
Cindy went on, holding the picture to the light. "Knowin' that my boo and her man are still bringin' the heat"
"Yeah well I'll give you a better one tonight by payin' for all the rounds at Crash"
Max told her.
Cindy turned to her "Thanks boo"
Max offered her a birthday hug.
"You guys have sex right before this thing was taken?" Alec leaned in closer to look at the pictures in Cindy's hand.
"Boy shut up" Cindy snapped at him "You come all the way from the corner just to drop that
dirty minded opinion?"
"What I can't wish you happy birthday?"
Cindy looked at him surprised "Don't tell me you knew that today was Original Cindy's
birthday?"
"Actually I heard it about three seconds ago" Cindy rolled her eyes at this remark "But still girl c'mon-" Alec held out his fist "Here's to the day you changed your momma's world"
Cindy banged fists with him "Thanks suga" she happened to look over to Normal's desk
then and her eye caught on someone. "Can't believe my eyes"
Max turned to look at what Cindy was looking at, confusion on her face. It cleared up a few seconds later however as she saw who Cindy was looking at. She whipped around to face her
"What's Darren doin' here?" she had that 'what the HELL is going on?' tone in her voice.
"Hell if I know boo" Cindy answered her "Boy came into Crash last night and ghosted Original Cindy into the next centaury. He was all doggy dog hung up on you. Kept actin' like it was
just a few weeks ago when you all connected-"
"I'm guessin' Darren's Max's old scandal" Alec cut in "otherwise you guys need to get some
new stories"
"Can't believe he came back" Max ignored Alec's remark, staring at the face of her ex-boyfriend. "Guess the fogged cleared-"
"Or you were a hit he hadn't completely X'd out on his player card" Alec made himself a
permanent part of the conversation
"People!" Normal's tirade voice echoed over the air "How many of you want to have a job
tomorrow? Huh? Where does it say in the employee handbook that these packages will suddenly sprout legs and deliver themselves? Move it!"
"Doggy dog better go find himself a new fire hydrant to sniff at" Cindy kept looking at
Darren "Cause my girl's spoken for."
Max stood there for a moment, thinking about what to do, like she was back at Manticore approaching a mission objective.
"You got a tactic in mind Maxie?" Alec stood behind her and asked her this
"Shut up!" Max returned, "You don't know anything about this. We broke up years ago.
Actually a better description would be he dumped me because he thought I was one of
those brainless body packages"
"Not brainless" Alec corrected "But still, nice package" he looked up a Darren
"So if you hate his nuts so much just go talk to him. You're all cozy and married now,
not like he can damage you-" he shut up as Darren approached them.
"Max" Darren's eyes didn't waver, but she could tell he was giving her a once over "Wow"
he finally spoke after a minute. "Great to see you again"
"Wish I could say the same" Max returned coldly. Female fog bank her ass
"C'mon Max, I didn't come here to fight" he sighed, as if searching for something. His eyes looked to Alec "So this is your boyfriend?"
Alec took this opportunity to sling an arm across Max's shoulders and plastered a
shit-eating grin on his face. "Too bad you didn't know what you'd miss-" he was cut
off when Max elbowed him in the stomach
Alec rubbed the spot with his hand; taking the hint "Tell ya the thrill is gone"
he wheeled his bike away.
"He's not my boyfriend"
"Oh so then you're single?" he actually sounded hopeful
"Why are you here Darren?" Max was loosing her patience "Because last time I checked YOU
dropped me down because it got too "foggy" for you"
"That's all in the past Max-"
"So I'm suppose to forget it ever happened?"
"Ever hear of forgive and forget?"
"Ever hear of 'bite me'?" she adjusted the shoulder strap her radio was attached to.
A flash of light caught Darren's eye "You're married?"
She didn't answer him
"You are aren't you?" Darren didn't wait for an answer like last time "Well congratulations"
"Thanks" Max's words were sarcastic "That means ever so much to me" she put a hand to her
chest in a dramatic gesture when she said this, walking away with her bike.
"Hey Fido"
Darren turned around slowly to look at Cindy
"Go suck a biscuit and leave my girl alone. You can't make up for lost times with crappy
promises like you use to play her up with"
"I kept my promises to Max Cindy" Darren told her.
"Cept for the one about bein' there through the foggy weatha'"
"You know this guy she's married to?"
"I do" Cindy was willing to give him that
"What's he like?"
"Better man then you'll ever be"
"Where do they live?"
"Now why would I tell you that? I made myself clear last night that I ain't givin'
you no 411 on Max"
"There ARE phone books in this city," Darren reminded her "I can find it with or without
your help"
"You go do that, and when you get done walkin' your fingers down every number of people
named Max in Seattle give Original Cindy a ring and I'll take you out and by you a
free drink" she shoved past him on her bike, mumbling "prick" under her breath.
*****
FOGGLE TOWERS
7:55 PM
"Something bothering you?" Logan was leaned over his IMAC in the living room, looking up
to Max who was sitting in one of the dining room chairs lacing up her shoe.
She shook her head "Coo'" she finished tying the shoe and lowered her foot on the ground
"You better shut down Mr. Eyes Only or we'll be late for my girl's swing"
"Daddy" Lexi came out of her room wearing baby girl blue jeans and an orange sweater,
her favorite color. "Do you know where Mr. Whiskers is?" she was talking about her
toy rabbit that Lucia had given to her as a belated birthday present, named for the
incredibly long whiskers coming out from it's pink nose.
"Isn't he in your room sweetie?" Logan asked his daughter
Lexi shook her head "I looked everywhere" her eyes gave away how upset she was to loose her favorite toy.
"Did you look under the bed?"
She shook her head again, this time indicating "no"
"Well then he might be under there" Logan closed his laptop and stood up "Why don't we go
look?"
Lexi was all for that idea, but Max stopped her.
"Need to fix those kicks baby" she looked down at Lexi's black shoes, one of which was
untied. "How bout we do that and daddy will go search out Mr. Whiskers?" she held out
her hand and Lexi walked to her.
Max picked her up and set her on top of the table "Kay let's do this"
"Look everywhere daddy!" Lexi was more concerned about her rabbit then her shoes
"I will sweetie" Logan called back before disappearing into her bedroom
"You all ready for Auntie's birthday dig?" Max talked to Lexi as she tied her shoe
Lexi nodded "Do I look pretty momma?"
"You're kickin' it sweetie" she smoothed some brown hair away from her face. Her hair
was now slightly down around her shoulders and tonight she had it pulled into a baby
ponytail. Max double knotted the bow "We're done"
Logan came out a few seconds later, pulling something from behind his back
"Look who was sleeping under the bed"
"Mr. Whiskers!" Lexi leapt off the chair and ran to scoop up the toy. She cuddled the corduroy rabbit, bouncing into her father's arms a few seconds later "Thanks daddy"
"You're welcome princess" he kissed her. "You have a jacket?"
"Daddy I'm wearing a sweater" she corrected him on this
"Oh sorry" Logan kissed her again and set her back down on her feet.
"C'mon Jesse!" Lexi shouted at her brother "We're saying goodbye!" that was her youthful
term for 'we're leavin' get your ass out here' She tucked Mr. Whiskers safely under
one arm
Max and Logan's oldest child emerged a few seconds later from his room in jeans
and his red hoodie that was starting to get too small for him, but it had a few more
months of wear at least.
"Everyone set?" Max slid into her leather jacket
"Set" Lexi agreed, hugging her rabbit "So is Mr. Whiskers"
"I've been set longer then you!" Jess threw out at his sister
"So?" Lexi returned
"So there dummy!"
"Jess don't call your sister a dummy" Max called out to them. She looked up to Logan
with a sigh "Remind me again WHY I said that I'm glad that their not babies anymore?"
Logan gave her a half smile in understanding.
"So yours or mine?" Max was asking on the decision of which one of their cars to take
to Crash. His Pontiac Aztec or her Chevy Impala.
"Does it matter?"
"Why else would I ask?" Max reminded
"Oh. Right"
"The car seats are in mine"
"No not all of them" Logan corrected "Remember when I took Lexi to see Aunt Jillian and
you had, "issues" and couldn't make it" Max's "issue" was that Aunt Margo was coming
there as well and she wasn't in the mood to run through her diss vocabulary. Jess had a
light case of some bug so Max opted to stay home with him, leaving Logan to take it
like a man alone with the devil in a Dior pantsuit.
"So we're right back where we started"
Logan dug into his pocket and pulled out a nickel "Heads or tails?"
"Are you serious?"
"You are," he told her "I mean I'M not the one who brought it up" he flipped the coin
"Call it"
"Tails"
Logan caught the coin and looked at it on his palm "You got it" he threw her the nickel,
which she caught in her right hand "Go with yours"
"Let's just take yours baby" Max stepped over to him "It's easier to hook up a seat
in the Aztec" she kissed the side of his face.
He turned and watched her walk past him "Then what the hell was all that for?
Just something to idle the time away?"
She didn't say anything, and slid her leather jacket on, looking towards her children
"Time to roll out guys" "You sure you're warm enough in that sweetie?" she pulled the
hood over Jess's head.
He nodded at her, and she picked him up. Logan still stood there. Finally he gave up
with a sigh, and went to retrieve his own jacket and car keys, stepping over to his
wife "You gotta put the other car seat-"
"Already did it when I came home" she smiled way too sweetly, checking Kaja's dog
dish to make sure it was full of water, which it was.
"Remind me again WHY you haven't driven me crazy?"
"Cause you're already crazy bout me baby" the sweetness had been replaced by her
smart-ass side, the real version of her.
"You're right about that," he agreed finally stealing a kiss from her. He bent down to
pick up their daughter "Okay think we're finally ready"
*****
CRASH
"Nother one pal?" the bartender stood poised with a pitcher staring at Darren.
He didn't answer, just slid his empty mug over to him. The glass was refilled in short
order and he downed it like he was in a frat house contest.
From the corner of his eye he saw Cindy. She was seated at one of the circular
iron tables with the jigged out carvings, tapping one brown high-healed boot in the
air, playing with the swizzle stick in her margarita.
Darren turned back to his drink, taking another sip before a voice broke his moody
thoughts.
"Woman of the hour" Max stepped over to her girl
Cindy smiled "Thanks for the big dealio suga"
"Least I can do"
"Happy Birthday Cindy"
This voice made Darren turn back around. He could see a man lean over and
kiss Cindy on the cheek, handing her a small box.
"Boy you didn't have to get me anything," Cindy argued, taking the wrapped present
from him"My boo already offered the unlimited hooch"
"That was from Max though" Logan corrected "This is from me personally"
Cindy looked at him, and held her hand in a dramatic move to her chest "You do love
Original Cindy" she smiled at him before lifting the lid to the black box with a red
ribbon tied to it. "Damn boy" Cindy lifted out a black laqueresque painted arm
bracelet with a silvery carved/brushed image of a Chinese dragon stretching the
entire length of the bracelet's triple looped coil. The whole bracelet was
outlined the same silver color. "This is hot. You steal from the Chinese Embassy
for this?"
"There's a shop in Sector Nine that sells all Asian jewelry. Passed it one day and
this was in the window, so I went for broke"
Cindy set the bracelet down in the box for a moment "Go for this next boo" she leaned over and offered him a light kiss on the side of his face "Usually only kiss shorties, but you can be the exception"
Logan put his arms around her in a light hug "Thanks for the compliment"
Cindy broke apart from the embrace, clasping the bracelet up on the bicep of her arm. "Now all I need is a honey as fine as silk, and I'm set"
"Night's still young" Max reminded
Darren was still observing them, and not even Max had noticed yet. He was sizing up Logan. /Okay, he's older then her, 11, 12 years..glasses, he spikes his hair too much, he's taller then me, but not by much, money, that jewelry doesn't come cheap, smooth talker, mushy romantic..glasses make him look like a token librarian or computer nerd, what does she see in him?/
"Happy birthday Auntie Cindy!" that was Lexi, calling out to Original Cindy.
Cindy smiled broadly and picked her up "Thanks baby boo" she kissed her on the cheek "Must say you're lookin' fine tonight girl"
Lexi smiled a little girl smile and giggled
"Yeah well she gets that from her mother" Logan notified
"Straight up" Cindy agreed, looking over to Max. "When sugah here grows up to be as sweet as
my boo, Logan's in for trouble"
"Too late" Max informed
Cindy smiled at her knowingly "Say we get this partay started?"
Lexi nodded excitedly in her arms
Cindy kissed her again "Kay, let's go"
"Happy birthday Aunt Cindy" Jesse congratulated her by her feet.
"Thank you my man" Cindy stated "You ready to celebrate?" she set Lexi down in a chair.
She was dwarfed by it since she was still so small.
"Guess we need a booster" Cindy looked around for something that would suffice,
since this was a bar and they didn't normally have kid necessities here.
She found some old phone books that would work.
"Gettin' to be a big girl now" Cindy set Lexi on top of three phone books.
Max slid out of her jacket, draping over the back of a chair "Free round for the
birthday woman is in order I say" a pause "And I'll see what I can round up for
the designated drivers" she ruffed up her kids'hair. "Sodas guys?"
They nodded
"Kay" she agreed "Be right back"
She leaned against the counter while waiting for her pitcher to be filled.
"So that's your husband?" Darren came over to her, talking to her and looking over at
Logan at the same time.
"What's it to you?" Max barked back "Last time I checked I didn't need an ex's
approval on who I marry"she paid for her pitcher.
"He's rich isn't he?" Darren looked at her
"What the hell does that mean?" Max was getting defensive
"Just that he's a bit older then you" Darren notified "Gotta be in it for
something other then just the basic thing of looks and sex"
Her pitcher came and she threw half of it in Darren's face, watching his reaction as beer splashed on his face, in his hair and seeped into his clothes.
"Need a refill here" Max slid the pitcher back to the barkeep, who refilled it after
she slapped some money in front of him.
Max grabbed the pitcher and her other drinks. "Here" she handed Darren a napkin from the dispenser at the bar "Got a little somethin' on your face"
"Sorry bout loosin' some of the free round" Max set the pitcher on the table
"S'okay boo" Cindy told her as Max slid into a seat "Wasn't a wasted procedure."
She watched, amused as Darren wiped himself off with a towel the barkeep had given him.
Logan was now looking over at this guy. "Max, who is that?"
Max didn't look where he was "No one."
"So "no one" pissed you off?"
"Can you drop it please baby?"
"Fine" he replied tartly. He stood up and held out his hand "How bout a dance?"
"Dance with my girl first" Max told him "Its her birthday remember?"
"Oh right" Logan corrected. He turned to Cindy "May I?"
Cindy smiled "Sho boo. You're the only man I'd share a dance with" she stepped down from her stool and followed Logan out on the dance floor.
"Wanna dance mommy?" Jess looked at her, one small hand held out.
Max smiled "Dance with Lexi baby. Momma's gotta guard the table." /that is so cute/
"But thanks anyway." She kissed him "stay around these tables, there's too many
people on the floor for you two." Each word was spoken like a true mother.
She watched her two kids link arms and do a version of a waltz around the small tables.
"Is this seat taken?"
Max glared at the face that the voice belonged to "Fortunately yes" she took a
sip of her beer.
Darren ignored her, sitting in Cindy's vacant seat. "You look as amazing as ever"
"Am I suppose to be flattered?" Max had to refrain from rolling her eyes at him.
There was a time when she appreciated his comments, because he was her first long-term relationship, and she wanted it to last even though everyone else saw Darren for the
fink that he was.
"You haven't changed at all" Darren told her
"Who I am" Max was getting pissed, and it was showing "I mean it was something I
always knew you liked, my attitude, my independent mind, the fact that I didn't
put out just because you wanted a hit. Oh wait I'm sorry-" she blew off her
statement sarcastically "Almost forgot who I was talkin' to" she sipped her
beer again.
"I always had respect for you Max," Darren argued
Max blew him off again "You can't do Aretha Franklin Darren so don't even try it"
"You can't tell me that we didn't have a good time Max"
"Depends on if good times means you dumping me and bein' with that chick hours after."
"I needed time to recoup."
"No you needed a screw and I wasn't available anymore. You're a prick, you bounce back faster then Super Balls."
"Why you gotta do me like that Max?"
"Payback's a bitch ain't it?" she wasn't smiling, each word were a direct cut to him.
"Hey" Logan's voice broke into their version of conversation. "Can I cash in on that dance?"
Max shot Darren an look before turning to face Logan "Love to" she held out her hand and
allowed him to pull her to her feet and lead her out onto the floor.
"Hey Looser Reject move outta my seat" Cindy was glowering at Darren.
Darren moved and Cindy quickly reclaimed her seat.
"You didn't tell me she had kids" Darren looked at the brother and sister duo still dancing around the tables.
"I don't got report my girl's status to you Darren" Cindy let him know Don't know why you're hangin' round Max again, but whateva ya plannin' ain't gonna work, and if you try and make it Original Cindy's gonna make sure parts of YOU don't work neither"
= = = =
"Are you gonna fill me in?" Logan looked down at his wife whom he was slow dancing with to
a song from the pre Pulse artist Luther VanDrose.
Max stole a glance at Darren moving over to the bar. "Nuthin' really"
"Some how I don't buy something is nothing if you get this pissed off"
"I'm not pissed off" she argued
"I'm sorry, I'm looking for my wife Max, maybe you've seen her"
"Logan it's nothing" Max tried again with this line of reasoning "It's just Darren"
"Darren? That ex boyfriend of yours that Cindy talks about mounting his head to her
wall as a trophy? Max that's SOMETHING, more then something actually."
"Why?" she looked him right in the eye as they continued dancing. "Am I suppose to be all flustered and upset because my ex boyfriend is trying to make me hot for him again?"
"Most women I've met are"
"Baby we've been married for three years and you're STILL not getting I'm not a normal woman?"
"Max I've had ex's too, you can't tell me that seeing him again doesn't cause you to feel SOMETHING"
"Like that I wanna leave you and go screw his brains out?"
"I mean things like anger" Logan interrupted "Just-" he lowered his voice "because you're transgenic doesn't mean you can't get pissed when the guy who dumped you suddenly tries to put the moves on you again three years later like nothing ever happened."
"Regardless" Max told him "It doesn't change anything. I'm with you now, and I'm glad I didn't try to stay attached to him otherwise look what I would've missed"
"Okay I'll give you that" he leaned down to kiss her, letting one hand wander to the
small of her back. He saw Darren watching them from afar, and although he was married to
an ass kicking super warrior, he was still a man and wanted to let Darren know that he
loved Max for all the things Darren didn't, and everything else in between. It was selfish,
but the punk deserved it.
*****
Darren was still hanging around when Max looked like she was about to head home. She wasn't tired, but her children looked like they were about to drop where they were sitting.
"Guess all the partying wore them out" Max picked up her son, who was almost half asleep
on the bar table.
"Funny how I didn't think that would start for a few more years" Logan lifted up their other child, holding the girl who had beat out her brother and had actually fallen asleep.
Max picked up something off the table "Can't forget Mr. Whiskers or she won't stay that serene for long." She tossed Logan the toy rabbit which he caught and tucked inside the nook of Lexi's arm. She curled around it in her sleep.
"Night boo" Cindy called out to Max, who stepped over to her and gave her one last birthday hug around her son resting in her arms.
"See ya at work tomorrow"
"Do my thing to keep Darren away from the goods"
Max looked over to her ex "Not on your birthday girl. I won't have it. Too much to deal with"
"Least I can do" Cindy informed, feeling a pair of eyes on her that weren't her girls'. She looked.
/What the hell is Darren all close encountered with me for?/ She looked back, a warning stare telling him that if he tried anything he would soon be in little pieces all over the floor.
/Damn, Max is so-domestic/ Darren watched his ex girlfriend leave with her husband. This was a role he never pictured her playing, a wife. She was too self absorbed to be into that.
She never gave him the attention his other relationships did. Sex was great, damn great,
and probably still great judging by the way she was held up underneath those clothes.
He snuck a peak, for old times sake, he told himself.
Cindy shoved by him, purposely being rough "Back off Fido or I'll have you neutered"
/he even squint the wrong way and that dawgs off to the hotdog factory/
Darren never did really like Cindy that much. She never meshed well with his style.
But she was Max's friend, so he had to fake nice in order to get the good stuff from
Max.
He reeled on her "why don't you just fuck off Cindy?"
Cindy did not like his tone, but her slap sure enjoyed the side of his face.
"You watch your smack Darren. I don't like the way you lookin' at my girl,
and I gotta a damn right to say so."
Darren glowered at her, he moved closer, like he intended on doing something else that
went beyond using smack talk.
"Hey!" the voice belonged to Alec, who came out of the Crash woodwork. "How many people
you want to bust you up tonight?" he stepped closer. "Why don't you back off like she wanted before one of us inflicts something on you that still stings in the morning"
Darren scowled again, but left, not wanting to deal with it.
Cindy watched him leave "Sector Cops not doin' their job if they let slime like that back
in the city." She turned to Alec.
"But when have they ever done their job?" he faced her as well
Cindy agreed silently "Thanks for the Shining Armor moment Alec, but I coulda taken care of myself. Darren's bite is as pansy as his bark."
"Yeah but I have all this charged up DNA and no outlet." He argued "It's either that, fighting street thugs or strippers."
This evoked a quiet chuckle from Cindy "Thanks. Gotta admit, you get one prop" She
held out her hand again like back at Jam Pony. Alec banged fists with her "Drama
aside I gotta be gettin' back to my crib and hit out a few z's"
"Need a bodyguard?"
"That was ONE prop boy." Cindy informed straight up "Not enough room in that swelled
head already for what's in it" a smile emerged a few seconds later "Late"
"Oh come on just one 'I'm the man'? Cindy?"
Cindy just shook her head and walked away.
*****
6:00 AM
THE NEXT MORNING
The phone rang, loud, blasting right into Max's ear.
/What the hell? I'm finally sleeping at night and shit like this happens-/
She picked up the cordless phone by their bed.
"Yeah?"
"Morning Merry Sunshine."
"Bling-" Max rubbed her eyes to adjust them to being open. "You got exactly three seconds
to come up with another reason for calling this early besides calling me "Merry Sunshine"
before I come through this phone and kick your ass"
There was chuckling on the other line. "Sorry bout the early wake up call Max.
Not like I wanted to be up at the crack of dawn either, but some guy, Darren,
I think's his name called me about ten minutes ago asking if I knew where you
lived, or your number."
Now Max was more awake "What'd you tell him?"
"I gave him all your information Max, including the 1-800 number for Manticore."
He blew it off with a pause "I don't know this guy, I didn't tell him jack.
Fool calls me up at five in the morning and wants information. What the hell is
he sniffing to think I would give it to him?"
"Same stuff he's been sniffing for years Bling" Max yawned on the last part of her
sentence.
"I don't know what the situation with you and this dude is Max, and it isn't
any of my business, but I just wanted to give you a heads up in case by some
miracle he tracks down your number."
"So nice and early of you"
"Yeah, I'm a real gentlemen" Bling responded sarcastically. "But listen I'm going to get
off so you and Logan can return to the land of Nod, along with me."
"Aiight" Max hung up.
"What Bling want so early?" Logan had been awake since the phone conversation started.
"Just wanted me to know that my ex called him" she answered him honestly.
Logan looked surprised "How'd he get the number?"
Max shrugged "Hell if I know. If I'd a known he'd be a stalker freak to me later on I'd a never dated him."
She turned to him "And don't tell me I shoulda known or I might point out Valerie to ya."
"I didn't say anything"
Max fell back on her pillow "Why do I always wind up dating freaks?"
"Hey" Logan looked at her "I take offense to that."
"That's not what I meant and you know it" she sat up, punched her pillow and laid back down
in a an angry movement.
"Are you going to be able to go back to sleep?"
"If I don't think about Darren I will." She told him "Which isn't gonna happen, so no."
He leaned over and kissed her "Then can I make a suggestion to kill the time?"
"Now?" she looked at him.
"Why not?"
She shrugged, and sat up.
"What are you doing?"
"Gonna go set up the chess board-" she felt him grab her by the arm and shove her back down,
not hard though.
He kissed her deeply.
They broke apart "Was it something I said?" she feigned complete innocence
"Why play? I've already got my queen."
Despite the over sappiness of his statement she smiled "Then be ready Good Sir."
Her smile became more seductive in the dark "You're about to be knighted."
*****
JAM PONY
"Someone got laid last night" Alec watched Max enter.
"Shut up" she told him heading over to her locker.
"Seriously Max" Alec went on, ignoring her last remark "I'm surprised you only have two
children with all the bunny luvin' you two dish out."
"And I'm surprised I haven't fired any of you yet!" Normal interrupted their conversation,
which was good for Alec cause Max was three seconds away from knocking him upside his head.
"I'm not running a lazy hour. If you want jobs, keep me from firing you. Alec-" Normal threw
a box at him "13 and Winchester, delivered on time or don't come back."
"Hey you got it" Alec threw him a fake smile. "Back to the salt mines" he looked at Max again
"I know a 'sex grin' when I see it"
"You would" she returned, "You do visit the streets a lot"
"Max"
"Oh hell no" Cindy looked at the source of the noise. Darren, standing there by Normal's desk
"Is he whacked out or somethin'? How many death wishes can a scank have?"
"Apparently not enough" Alec responded. He patted his package "Well ladies I'm off to be a lackey. Let me know how this turns out." Alec waked out of Jam Pony, passing Darren on the
way 'accidentally' running into him causing him to bump into Normal's desk. "Sorry man, my
bad" he left.
"There's no package in your hand kid" Normal informed Darren who for all he was concerned was doing nothing except taking up his floor space. "Why are you wasting my time?"
"I came to talk to Max"
"Yeah you and everyone else with something in his pants. I'm going to save you the trouble
and me the loss of sanity kid. She's married. My advice would be to stop trying to make it
with her, and especially stop wasting my time in the process. Now go-" he pointed towards
the door. "And don't come back unless you have a less 'think with your pants' reason for
walking into my business."
"Fine" Darren stated, but ignored Normal in the end, heading over to Max and Cindy.
"Boy what part of the whole 'get the hell away from my girl' dealio did you not get?"
"Why don't you let Max speak for herself this time Cindy!" Darren glowered at her. She glowered back.
"MAX is right here Darren" Max spoke out "And Cindy ain't tellin' you nuthin' that I wouldn't
be right now. So why don't you back the hell off? It ain't gonna happen the way you want"
"And what the hell is that?"
Max blew him off "The whole 'get me back' thing dipwad. You can't just stomp on me and except
to be luvin' me up later like nuthin' ever happened."
"And you can't say you're happy with what's his name. The guy's old enough to be your father."
"And I'm old enough to kick your ass Darren if you disrespect my man like that again."
"Give it up Max, you couldn't kick butter's ass. Why did you think I dated you in the first place? Well one of the reasons. You also put out well."
"Bout to be put out yourself if ya keep talkin'"
"Keep dreamin' Max"
"Funny you never told me you were a prick when we were hooked up." She was thrown back a
minute later when Darren slapped her hard across the face, knocking her against the lockers. Because it caught her off guard she didn't have time to react.
"Uh uh, helll no boy you did NOT just knock my girl!" Cindy got up in his face and
slapped him hard.
Darren grabbed one of her arms and banged her against the lockers.
"Hey!" Normal shouted from behind his desk "No roughhousing!" he didn't do anything to
stop it.
"I have had it with you bitch!"
Max recovered from the knock down and yanked Darren off Cindy, slamming him into the lockers
on the opposite wall. "Can't kick butter's ass? Well guess what, I'm butter" she locked her hand around his throat.
"I suggest you get your research in before you go spoutin' off bout my ability to kick your sorry ass. You are a prick. "P-" She squeezed his neck for emphasis, hearing him gasp. "R-I-C-K. You think I'll come crawlin' back cause you reemerged from the slime three years after you dumped me? You come here you screw with my life and I'm suppose to submit and go back and hump you happily?" she banged him against the locker again. "Now listen up cause I'm only gonna say this once. You ever knock down, disrespect, my girls, my man or anyone else I'm tight with again or if you get anotha lame ass idea to TOUCH me like you just did I'm gonna shove your balls so far up your ass you're gonna need a search party to fine'em. Can you wrap your head around that DARREN?" She released his neck and he gasped for air.
"Shoulda never gone out with you in the first place" Darren's voice was raspy, but still talkin' smack. "Never gave me what I needed"
Max still hovered inches from his face "It ain't about what you need" she knocked him hard
in the balls leg "it's about what I kneed" he slunk to the floor and she left him there.
"Back to work people!" Normal shouted at his employees who had stopped to watch Max knock the pee out of her ex. "Bip bip bip!" he went over to Darren and looked down where he was still laying. "I told you to back off kid."
"You aiight?" Max asked Cindy.
Cindy nodded "Am now that my girl took care of things" she touched Max's face, which was starting to form a red mark from where Darren had slapped her. "Mr. Skanky scank messed up my boo's face." She flinched
"Don't sting that much" Max told her.
Cindy stole a glance at Darren who was still writhing on the floor. "Boy ain't gonna mess wid you again that's fo' sure."
Alec walked through Jam Pony. He spied Darren on the floor "I get the feeling I missed something."
*****
FOGGLE TOWERS
LATER THAT NIGHT
Max hissed when Logan stuck a cold compress on her check.
"Sorry" he apologized
"S'okay" she took the compress from him and held it to her with her own hand. "Feel embarrassed that my lame ass ex boyfriend knocked me around so hard."
Logan slid into the empty dining room chair beside her "From what you told me Darren got knocked around more."
"Got me there" she admitted.
Logan looked at the mark on his wife's face "I can't believe he slapped you. How many people does he want jumping him?"
Max looked up them, catching his defensive, pissed off meaning. "Don't think he can count that high"
There was a knock at the door that made Max look up. "Whose callin' now?"
"I'll get it" Logan stated but Max stood up before he did
"Remember I ain't no damsel in distress" she dropped the compress on the top of the table "I never let a pansy slap stop me before." She dropped him a smile and headed to the door.
Kaja was already there, growling low. Max peaked through the peep hole and couldn't believe who was standing there.
"What the hell are you doin' here?"
"Max-"
Kaja interrupted Darren who had somehow found where she lived. The German Shepard barked furiously, like she was about to leave him in shreds on the floor.
Max silence Kaja's barking with a hand gesture "You got three seconds to run"
"Wait-" Darren held up his hand "Just hear me out." He glanced a the dog nervously for a moment "I was just pissed off back there, otherwise I wouldn't have done what I did"
"That suppose to excuse it?" she glowered at him
"Guy has a right to get angry" Darren defended "It happens"
"Wrong again" Max corrected, "Now I'm not sayin' that people can't get angry.
But there's a fine line between pissy and battery."
"Then what the hell do you call what you did to me?"
"One hundred percent genuine ass kicking" she spat back "You got screwed thinking you'd have a docile thing to try and slink back too."
"I just wanted another chance"
"That's a line you've used before" Logan now stood beside Max in the doorway, glaring at Darren. "See I checked your story out Darren. After you broke up with my wife you hooked up with a woman in San Diego. Her four-year-old son called the police on you after you smashed her head through
a plate glass window. You got arrested for battery. After you got out you met this other woman working at a diner here in Washington. She had you arrested for stalking her, and breaking her arm one night when you threw her to the floor after trying to rape her." Each word Logan said could cut through steel. "You plea bargained to a lighter sentence, six months" And since you were in the area you though 'what the hell' you could come back and try to work up Max again."
"Hey man what I do is a matter of private record!" Darren growled
"Not when it involves my wife!" Logan returned "You're an abuser you fuckin' little prick!
You come back to an old girlfriend years later, hoping that she still has some dependency
on you so you can swoop in and make it complete again. You beat on Cindy because you feel
that she was the one who got in the way the last time. She never liked you, and you
convinced yourself that it was because of her you never got your score with Max like you
did with the others" Logan stepped out into the hallway
"You've already had one member of this family beat you down one more won't hurt"
he drew back and slammed him in the face with a right hook. "You stay the hell away
from Cindy and you stay the hell away my wife. Cause I can ruin you in ways you can't
even imagine. Now you better get the hell away my house or I'll let Max finish what
she started"
Logan didn't even wait for Darren to react, he just slammed the door and locked it.
Both stayed by the door. "Is he gone?"
Max looked through the peephole, not seeing anyone there anymore "Crawled back under
the rock" she looked at her husband. "I was from Manticore, how the hell could I have
not know what he really was?"
"Because you wanted acceptance" Logan rationalized "You spend your life following orders.
When Darren came into the picture it felt nice to feel like someone was doing stuff for you.
So you ignored the signs to have that."
"And look what that got me" she said "A psycho boy on my tail years later"
"Can't say that's never happened before"
She shot him a look "Thanks for-"
"Being your hero?"
She blew him off
"Didn't think so" he responded with a smile "But you're welcome" he leaned over and
kissed her.
"Mommy! Jessie threw a spider on me!"
"It's not real! Baby!"
"I'm not a baby!"
Logan sighed, and Max shot him the same look that he was giving her "You ever think that
two kids isn't enough-"
"Not on your life" she responded, "Guess we need to go stop a war" she led the way to her children's bedroom.
"Jessie Trevon Cale, leave your sister alone and go back to bed"
"But I'm not sleepy-"
"Yes you are"
"Are you sleepy mommy?"
"Jess, mommy's not the one who needs sleep..."
*****
END
Long wait I know, but I had to think of a way to end this. There wasn't much of Darren
except in the first episode so I had to create some background, and this is the one that
came to me. He could never really abuse Max since she could beat his nuts in, but a
classic sign of an abuser is one who tries to make up with sour relationships by
basically stalking their ex's and cutting off ties with his or her friends so they
will only be dependant on that one person. If you or anyone you know is in a situation
like this get out of the relationship and seek help immediately. Domestic homicide is
one of the leading causes of death here in the U.S.
Logan was never really one to hit people in the show but I feel if he was pissed off
enough he would. I mean Darren was messing with his wife, what's he gonna do? Cook for him?
Hope Cindy's point-of-view at the beginning was okay. I wanted to do a fic from her view for
a while, but I couldn't keep it up that long, so she had the opening scene.
I know this was shorter then my other chapters, but I was hitting a brick wall with this
chapter. I had a inspiration moment for the NEXT chapter, but I didn't want to jip this completely. I wanted something a bit lighter cause the next piece has a bit more action..
R/R please
Peace
mystic
Author: Mystic25
Email: yellowrubberduck31@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Mr. Cameron..yep..cept I didn't cancel a good thing.
SUMMARY: Darren comes back to Seattle..hoping to make up for something. Apparently he
didn't learn the first time.
Rating: PG13 for all the potty mouthing.
A/N: After writing all those "Max hurt/save the world/family" chapters, I want to lighten
it up a little. This piece will have some elements of humor, but still retain the Thing
that made DA a good show to watch.
A/N #2: This chap is told in third person narrative, except for the first bit where
Original Cindy has the opening scene from her point-of-view at Crash. This piece is
all about the dissin' and defending Max and her 'crew' have for each other. After
all Cindy DID have her cross hairs on Darren..
*****
CRASH
Beat's boomin', air is hot, slick. Perfect night for a shack up. I'm all outfitted out in scarlet, the dress my boo gave me a while back when we still crashed together. Didn't know
she owned something so hot. Not that my girl ain't hot, she summons up fire engines ya know
what I'm sayin'? That hot smooth body and commanding voice, good skills in Original Cindy's books. Plus she's got that whole hot momma thing goin'. Just cause she made two great lookin' babies with her man don't mean she has to loose her style. Made her better I say, she
glows more now.
Da-am, place is hot tonight. Third time I've wiped my brow in five minutes. Think with a
hot spot like it is tonight up in here there'd be some hot girls to go with it. But just
my luck I got the regulars. Not that I don't love Sketchy, he's my boy. But he gets away
with so much covert shimmy shimmy behind his girl's back I'm surprised Natalie hasn't
dropped his ass long ago. She just takes his drunk self inside and loves him up,
she's a good woman, but if I swung with Sketch his ass and my foot would have met a
long time ago.
This dress is hot, but it's not breathin' for me. I'm sweating like shit under here.
I grab my margarita, cool against my hand and drink. Oh yeah that's good, tangy, smooth.
Dated a Marine who was just like that. When sistah decked out in her dress uniform she
looked so commando fine..mmm.mmm..she could order my self around anywhere she wanted.
Too bad it didn't last, but O.C. strong. She can deal with the breaks. Feel like I'm
the only one in this group that hasn't had a permanent try at the shack up though.
Kendra, sick as it is, is huggy bugged up with Walter, she seems happy. Makes me
wonder why she bribed the guy with MONEY all those years. Sketch has Natalie so long
as he can keep lyin' like a playa playa to her face. My sugah finally shut up and made
herself happy. Tell you if she hadn't told me and Kendra that Logan dropped a rock
on her I would've dragged the boy's ass over to the nearest mental health center.
Can't believe its been three years since, seems like the other day I was all made up for their festivities. My boo looked so fine in that silk dress. Made up for the fact I got stuck on the "groom's side" of the chairs. Some chick, Buffy, Biffy? -she kept ticking off the girls Logan SHOULD have been with. Had to hold my hand back more then once, smack down was hard to control tell ya that much.
"Cindy"
Now who's callin' me? And why does that voice sound so recognized? Not talkin' in a good way though. More like the sound of your mama's cousin's sister Susan, who you think is named
Suzanne, girl twice removed from your family for bein' a bitch, but who ya gotta act all
sweet to her face cause she's family.
"Hey-"
Person sat down next to me. Back up that comment bout bein sweet. What the heck is goin' down here? Did I miss the hell freezin' over event?
"Cat got your tongue?" hear the voice, but still don't believe the face. Darren, that chicken shit who dumped my boo with some whack ideas bout female fog banks.
"Whatcha want me to say Darren? Want me to voice props at seein' the looser who stomped on
my girl's heart?"
"Accent History" Darren drops that cave man line on me.
"Too bad I'm a historian up in here" take that. Boy's not gonna make it with me. Ain't
gonna act like he's on my top speed dial number of friends just cause he decided to drop
his self by O.C.
"Just got in today-"
"You say it like I asked boy"
Darren gives me some look, like he thinks he can sum up the 'uh huh' thing.
"So how are things?"
"You mean how's Max Darren" I correct reject Suave Man over here
"Not like its none of your business, by my girl's fine, has been ever since
she dropped you like the bad habit you were."
"Ouch Cindy" Darren acts all wounded "Why all the hard words? I just came to see how
things were with her. Max and I did have something there."
"Then explain to Original Cindy why the hell you broke it off if you two were so
hot and happy?"
"It was just one of those things"
"Spare me the three legged looser talk Darren-" got my hand up in his face now.
"You don't screw a sistah over just cause one of those "things" smack you upside the
head. And if you don't watcha self-" I pull my hand back "THIS thing is gonna smack
you next."
Darren ducks, still can put the fear of smack downs in him.
"She still living with Kendra?" boy just don't know when to shut it.
"Not like it's none of your business again but no. Kendra went out along time ago to
be with her badge wearin' boy toy."
"So Max lives alone now?"
"No boy Max don't live there either. It's MY crib."
"Then where the hell DOES she live?"
"Do I look like the Book of Answers to you Darren? I KNOW all these answers. But I'm sho'
not gonna give you the 411 on her locale just so you can dump yourself on her tonight."
"Not like I'm asking you too" Darren finished whatever the hell he had ordered for himself.
"I can find out some other way." He paid for his drink. Only smart thing he's done all night. "I'll talk to her when she goes to work tomorrow." He paused "she still works there right?"
"Boy get outta my face before I cut it off where it don't grow back" my voice is snarlin'
now. Askin' me all these questions. Can't even remember why Max hooked up with him to begin
with. Not even strong enough to move her furniture.
"Take that as a yes"
Good, Darren's leavin' Boy gets on my last nerve. I was skeptical at first bout Logan
wantin' more outta my girl, men are men, are men. But I got over it, cause he's down.
But Darren, always had this vibe with him, and it wasn't ever outta smack down range.
Now he think's he can make it back with my boo after all that? Fool's messed up.
Not like it would work now anyway. Don't think Max would jump at the chance of
leavin' satisfaction and hoppin' aboard the fifty-cent tour.
*****
JAM PONY
NEXT MORNING
"Bip Bip Bip!" Normal started randomly throwing packages at every person passing his desk.
"What no smart remark this time?" Max caught one of the boxes as it flew by her.
"That's gonna be your last run if I don't hear less talk and more walk" Normal warned.
Max ignored him and walked over to where Cindy was standing beside the lockers
Cindy was smiling at what she was looking at, two photos in her hands "Swear they get cuter
as their age progresses" she was looking at pictures of Jesse and Lexi taken a few days ago
by Bling. It had been a custom that Cindy would get copies of their pictures every year which
she proudly added to her photo album and tacked to the wall. "And this-" this time she held
up an image of Max and Logan done in black and white, also by Bling, who wanted to remind
them of his skills on the camera. They both were smiling, Logan behind Max with both arms
around her waist, slightly leaning into her shoulder "Is the best birthday present of all"
Cindy went on, holding the picture to the light. "Knowin' that my boo and her man are still bringin' the heat"
"Yeah well I'll give you a better one tonight by payin' for all the rounds at Crash"
Max told her.
Cindy turned to her "Thanks boo"
Max offered her a birthday hug.
"You guys have sex right before this thing was taken?" Alec leaned in closer to look at the pictures in Cindy's hand.
"Boy shut up" Cindy snapped at him "You come all the way from the corner just to drop that
dirty minded opinion?"
"What I can't wish you happy birthday?"
Cindy looked at him surprised "Don't tell me you knew that today was Original Cindy's
birthday?"
"Actually I heard it about three seconds ago" Cindy rolled her eyes at this remark "But still girl c'mon-" Alec held out his fist "Here's to the day you changed your momma's world"
Cindy banged fists with him "Thanks suga" she happened to look over to Normal's desk
then and her eye caught on someone. "Can't believe my eyes"
Max turned to look at what Cindy was looking at, confusion on her face. It cleared up a few seconds later however as she saw who Cindy was looking at. She whipped around to face her
"What's Darren doin' here?" she had that 'what the HELL is going on?' tone in her voice.
"Hell if I know boo" Cindy answered her "Boy came into Crash last night and ghosted Original Cindy into the next centaury. He was all doggy dog hung up on you. Kept actin' like it was
just a few weeks ago when you all connected-"
"I'm guessin' Darren's Max's old scandal" Alec cut in "otherwise you guys need to get some
new stories"
"Can't believe he came back" Max ignored Alec's remark, staring at the face of her ex-boyfriend. "Guess the fogged cleared-"
"Or you were a hit he hadn't completely X'd out on his player card" Alec made himself a
permanent part of the conversation
"People!" Normal's tirade voice echoed over the air "How many of you want to have a job
tomorrow? Huh? Where does it say in the employee handbook that these packages will suddenly sprout legs and deliver themselves? Move it!"
"Doggy dog better go find himself a new fire hydrant to sniff at" Cindy kept looking at
Darren "Cause my girl's spoken for."
Max stood there for a moment, thinking about what to do, like she was back at Manticore approaching a mission objective.
"You got a tactic in mind Maxie?" Alec stood behind her and asked her this
"Shut up!" Max returned, "You don't know anything about this. We broke up years ago.
Actually a better description would be he dumped me because he thought I was one of
those brainless body packages"
"Not brainless" Alec corrected "But still, nice package" he looked up a Darren
"So if you hate his nuts so much just go talk to him. You're all cozy and married now,
not like he can damage you-" he shut up as Darren approached them.
"Max" Darren's eyes didn't waver, but she could tell he was giving her a once over "Wow"
he finally spoke after a minute. "Great to see you again"
"Wish I could say the same" Max returned coldly. Female fog bank her ass
"C'mon Max, I didn't come here to fight" he sighed, as if searching for something. His eyes looked to Alec "So this is your boyfriend?"
Alec took this opportunity to sling an arm across Max's shoulders and plastered a
shit-eating grin on his face. "Too bad you didn't know what you'd miss-" he was cut
off when Max elbowed him in the stomach
Alec rubbed the spot with his hand; taking the hint "Tell ya the thrill is gone"
he wheeled his bike away.
"He's not my boyfriend"
"Oh so then you're single?" he actually sounded hopeful
"Why are you here Darren?" Max was loosing her patience "Because last time I checked YOU
dropped me down because it got too "foggy" for you"
"That's all in the past Max-"
"So I'm suppose to forget it ever happened?"
"Ever hear of forgive and forget?"
"Ever hear of 'bite me'?" she adjusted the shoulder strap her radio was attached to.
A flash of light caught Darren's eye "You're married?"
She didn't answer him
"You are aren't you?" Darren didn't wait for an answer like last time "Well congratulations"
"Thanks" Max's words were sarcastic "That means ever so much to me" she put a hand to her
chest in a dramatic gesture when she said this, walking away with her bike.
"Hey Fido"
Darren turned around slowly to look at Cindy
"Go suck a biscuit and leave my girl alone. You can't make up for lost times with crappy
promises like you use to play her up with"
"I kept my promises to Max Cindy" Darren told her.
"Cept for the one about bein' there through the foggy weatha'"
"You know this guy she's married to?"
"I do" Cindy was willing to give him that
"What's he like?"
"Better man then you'll ever be"
"Where do they live?"
"Now why would I tell you that? I made myself clear last night that I ain't givin'
you no 411 on Max"
"There ARE phone books in this city," Darren reminded her "I can find it with or without
your help"
"You go do that, and when you get done walkin' your fingers down every number of people
named Max in Seattle give Original Cindy a ring and I'll take you out and by you a
free drink" she shoved past him on her bike, mumbling "prick" under her breath.
*****
FOGGLE TOWERS
7:55 PM
"Something bothering you?" Logan was leaned over his IMAC in the living room, looking up
to Max who was sitting in one of the dining room chairs lacing up her shoe.
She shook her head "Coo'" she finished tying the shoe and lowered her foot on the ground
"You better shut down Mr. Eyes Only or we'll be late for my girl's swing"
"Daddy" Lexi came out of her room wearing baby girl blue jeans and an orange sweater,
her favorite color. "Do you know where Mr. Whiskers is?" she was talking about her
toy rabbit that Lucia had given to her as a belated birthday present, named for the
incredibly long whiskers coming out from it's pink nose.
"Isn't he in your room sweetie?" Logan asked his daughter
Lexi shook her head "I looked everywhere" her eyes gave away how upset she was to loose her favorite toy.
"Did you look under the bed?"
She shook her head again, this time indicating "no"
"Well then he might be under there" Logan closed his laptop and stood up "Why don't we go
look?"
Lexi was all for that idea, but Max stopped her.
"Need to fix those kicks baby" she looked down at Lexi's black shoes, one of which was
untied. "How bout we do that and daddy will go search out Mr. Whiskers?" she held out
her hand and Lexi walked to her.
Max picked her up and set her on top of the table "Kay let's do this"
"Look everywhere daddy!" Lexi was more concerned about her rabbit then her shoes
"I will sweetie" Logan called back before disappearing into her bedroom
"You all ready for Auntie's birthday dig?" Max talked to Lexi as she tied her shoe
Lexi nodded "Do I look pretty momma?"
"You're kickin' it sweetie" she smoothed some brown hair away from her face. Her hair
was now slightly down around her shoulders and tonight she had it pulled into a baby
ponytail. Max double knotted the bow "We're done"
Logan came out a few seconds later, pulling something from behind his back
"Look who was sleeping under the bed"
"Mr. Whiskers!" Lexi leapt off the chair and ran to scoop up the toy. She cuddled the corduroy rabbit, bouncing into her father's arms a few seconds later "Thanks daddy"
"You're welcome princess" he kissed her. "You have a jacket?"
"Daddy I'm wearing a sweater" she corrected him on this
"Oh sorry" Logan kissed her again and set her back down on her feet.
"C'mon Jesse!" Lexi shouted at her brother "We're saying goodbye!" that was her youthful
term for 'we're leavin' get your ass out here' She tucked Mr. Whiskers safely under
one arm
Max and Logan's oldest child emerged a few seconds later from his room in jeans
and his red hoodie that was starting to get too small for him, but it had a few more
months of wear at least.
"Everyone set?" Max slid into her leather jacket
"Set" Lexi agreed, hugging her rabbit "So is Mr. Whiskers"
"I've been set longer then you!" Jess threw out at his sister
"So?" Lexi returned
"So there dummy!"
"Jess don't call your sister a dummy" Max called out to them. She looked up to Logan
with a sigh "Remind me again WHY I said that I'm glad that their not babies anymore?"
Logan gave her a half smile in understanding.
"So yours or mine?" Max was asking on the decision of which one of their cars to take
to Crash. His Pontiac Aztec or her Chevy Impala.
"Does it matter?"
"Why else would I ask?" Max reminded
"Oh. Right"
"The car seats are in mine"
"No not all of them" Logan corrected "Remember when I took Lexi to see Aunt Jillian and
you had, "issues" and couldn't make it" Max's "issue" was that Aunt Margo was coming
there as well and she wasn't in the mood to run through her diss vocabulary. Jess had a
light case of some bug so Max opted to stay home with him, leaving Logan to take it
like a man alone with the devil in a Dior pantsuit.
"So we're right back where we started"
Logan dug into his pocket and pulled out a nickel "Heads or tails?"
"Are you serious?"
"You are," he told her "I mean I'M not the one who brought it up" he flipped the coin
"Call it"
"Tails"
Logan caught the coin and looked at it on his palm "You got it" he threw her the nickel,
which she caught in her right hand "Go with yours"
"Let's just take yours baby" Max stepped over to him "It's easier to hook up a seat
in the Aztec" she kissed the side of his face.
He turned and watched her walk past him "Then what the hell was all that for?
Just something to idle the time away?"
She didn't say anything, and slid her leather jacket on, looking towards her children
"Time to roll out guys" "You sure you're warm enough in that sweetie?" she pulled the
hood over Jess's head.
He nodded at her, and she picked him up. Logan still stood there. Finally he gave up
with a sigh, and went to retrieve his own jacket and car keys, stepping over to his
wife "You gotta put the other car seat-"
"Already did it when I came home" she smiled way too sweetly, checking Kaja's dog
dish to make sure it was full of water, which it was.
"Remind me again WHY you haven't driven me crazy?"
"Cause you're already crazy bout me baby" the sweetness had been replaced by her
smart-ass side, the real version of her.
"You're right about that," he agreed finally stealing a kiss from her. He bent down to
pick up their daughter "Okay think we're finally ready"
*****
CRASH
"Nother one pal?" the bartender stood poised with a pitcher staring at Darren.
He didn't answer, just slid his empty mug over to him. The glass was refilled in short
order and he downed it like he was in a frat house contest.
From the corner of his eye he saw Cindy. She was seated at one of the circular
iron tables with the jigged out carvings, tapping one brown high-healed boot in the
air, playing with the swizzle stick in her margarita.
Darren turned back to his drink, taking another sip before a voice broke his moody
thoughts.
"Woman of the hour" Max stepped over to her girl
Cindy smiled "Thanks for the big dealio suga"
"Least I can do"
"Happy Birthday Cindy"
This voice made Darren turn back around. He could see a man lean over and
kiss Cindy on the cheek, handing her a small box.
"Boy you didn't have to get me anything," Cindy argued, taking the wrapped present
from him"My boo already offered the unlimited hooch"
"That was from Max though" Logan corrected "This is from me personally"
Cindy looked at him, and held her hand in a dramatic move to her chest "You do love
Original Cindy" she smiled at him before lifting the lid to the black box with a red
ribbon tied to it. "Damn boy" Cindy lifted out a black laqueresque painted arm
bracelet with a silvery carved/brushed image of a Chinese dragon stretching the
entire length of the bracelet's triple looped coil. The whole bracelet was
outlined the same silver color. "This is hot. You steal from the Chinese Embassy
for this?"
"There's a shop in Sector Nine that sells all Asian jewelry. Passed it one day and
this was in the window, so I went for broke"
Cindy set the bracelet down in the box for a moment "Go for this next boo" she leaned over and offered him a light kiss on the side of his face "Usually only kiss shorties, but you can be the exception"
Logan put his arms around her in a light hug "Thanks for the compliment"
Cindy broke apart from the embrace, clasping the bracelet up on the bicep of her arm. "Now all I need is a honey as fine as silk, and I'm set"
"Night's still young" Max reminded
Darren was still observing them, and not even Max had noticed yet. He was sizing up Logan. /Okay, he's older then her, 11, 12 years..glasses, he spikes his hair too much, he's taller then me, but not by much, money, that jewelry doesn't come cheap, smooth talker, mushy romantic..glasses make him look like a token librarian or computer nerd, what does she see in him?/
"Happy birthday Auntie Cindy!" that was Lexi, calling out to Original Cindy.
Cindy smiled broadly and picked her up "Thanks baby boo" she kissed her on the cheek "Must say you're lookin' fine tonight girl"
Lexi smiled a little girl smile and giggled
"Yeah well she gets that from her mother" Logan notified
"Straight up" Cindy agreed, looking over to Max. "When sugah here grows up to be as sweet as
my boo, Logan's in for trouble"
"Too late" Max informed
Cindy smiled at her knowingly "Say we get this partay started?"
Lexi nodded excitedly in her arms
Cindy kissed her again "Kay, let's go"
"Happy birthday Aunt Cindy" Jesse congratulated her by her feet.
"Thank you my man" Cindy stated "You ready to celebrate?" she set Lexi down in a chair.
She was dwarfed by it since she was still so small.
"Guess we need a booster" Cindy looked around for something that would suffice,
since this was a bar and they didn't normally have kid necessities here.
She found some old phone books that would work.
"Gettin' to be a big girl now" Cindy set Lexi on top of three phone books.
Max slid out of her jacket, draping over the back of a chair "Free round for the
birthday woman is in order I say" a pause "And I'll see what I can round up for
the designated drivers" she ruffed up her kids'hair. "Sodas guys?"
They nodded
"Kay" she agreed "Be right back"
She leaned against the counter while waiting for her pitcher to be filled.
"So that's your husband?" Darren came over to her, talking to her and looking over at
Logan at the same time.
"What's it to you?" Max barked back "Last time I checked I didn't need an ex's
approval on who I marry"she paid for her pitcher.
"He's rich isn't he?" Darren looked at her
"What the hell does that mean?" Max was getting defensive
"Just that he's a bit older then you" Darren notified "Gotta be in it for
something other then just the basic thing of looks and sex"
Her pitcher came and she threw half of it in Darren's face, watching his reaction as beer splashed on his face, in his hair and seeped into his clothes.
"Need a refill here" Max slid the pitcher back to the barkeep, who refilled it after
she slapped some money in front of him.
Max grabbed the pitcher and her other drinks. "Here" she handed Darren a napkin from the dispenser at the bar "Got a little somethin' on your face"
"Sorry bout loosin' some of the free round" Max set the pitcher on the table
"S'okay boo" Cindy told her as Max slid into a seat "Wasn't a wasted procedure."
She watched, amused as Darren wiped himself off with a towel the barkeep had given him.
Logan was now looking over at this guy. "Max, who is that?"
Max didn't look where he was "No one."
"So "no one" pissed you off?"
"Can you drop it please baby?"
"Fine" he replied tartly. He stood up and held out his hand "How bout a dance?"
"Dance with my girl first" Max told him "Its her birthday remember?"
"Oh right" Logan corrected. He turned to Cindy "May I?"
Cindy smiled "Sho boo. You're the only man I'd share a dance with" she stepped down from her stool and followed Logan out on the dance floor.
"Wanna dance mommy?" Jess looked at her, one small hand held out.
Max smiled "Dance with Lexi baby. Momma's gotta guard the table." /that is so cute/
"But thanks anyway." She kissed him "stay around these tables, there's too many
people on the floor for you two." Each word was spoken like a true mother.
She watched her two kids link arms and do a version of a waltz around the small tables.
"Is this seat taken?"
Max glared at the face that the voice belonged to "Fortunately yes" she took a
sip of her beer.
Darren ignored her, sitting in Cindy's vacant seat. "You look as amazing as ever"
"Am I suppose to be flattered?" Max had to refrain from rolling her eyes at him.
There was a time when she appreciated his comments, because he was her first long-term relationship, and she wanted it to last even though everyone else saw Darren for the
fink that he was.
"You haven't changed at all" Darren told her
"Who I am" Max was getting pissed, and it was showing "I mean it was something I
always knew you liked, my attitude, my independent mind, the fact that I didn't
put out just because you wanted a hit. Oh wait I'm sorry-" she blew off her
statement sarcastically "Almost forgot who I was talkin' to" she sipped her
beer again.
"I always had respect for you Max," Darren argued
Max blew him off again "You can't do Aretha Franklin Darren so don't even try it"
"You can't tell me that we didn't have a good time Max"
"Depends on if good times means you dumping me and bein' with that chick hours after."
"I needed time to recoup."
"No you needed a screw and I wasn't available anymore. You're a prick, you bounce back faster then Super Balls."
"Why you gotta do me like that Max?"
"Payback's a bitch ain't it?" she wasn't smiling, each word were a direct cut to him.
"Hey" Logan's voice broke into their version of conversation. "Can I cash in on that dance?"
Max shot Darren an look before turning to face Logan "Love to" she held out her hand and
allowed him to pull her to her feet and lead her out onto the floor.
"Hey Looser Reject move outta my seat" Cindy was glowering at Darren.
Darren moved and Cindy quickly reclaimed her seat.
"You didn't tell me she had kids" Darren looked at the brother and sister duo still dancing around the tables.
"I don't got report my girl's status to you Darren" Cindy let him know Don't know why you're hangin' round Max again, but whateva ya plannin' ain't gonna work, and if you try and make it Original Cindy's gonna make sure parts of YOU don't work neither"
= = = =
"Are you gonna fill me in?" Logan looked down at his wife whom he was slow dancing with to
a song from the pre Pulse artist Luther VanDrose.
Max stole a glance at Darren moving over to the bar. "Nuthin' really"
"Some how I don't buy something is nothing if you get this pissed off"
"I'm not pissed off" she argued
"I'm sorry, I'm looking for my wife Max, maybe you've seen her"
"Logan it's nothing" Max tried again with this line of reasoning "It's just Darren"
"Darren? That ex boyfriend of yours that Cindy talks about mounting his head to her
wall as a trophy? Max that's SOMETHING, more then something actually."
"Why?" she looked him right in the eye as they continued dancing. "Am I suppose to be all flustered and upset because my ex boyfriend is trying to make me hot for him again?"
"Most women I've met are"
"Baby we've been married for three years and you're STILL not getting I'm not a normal woman?"
"Max I've had ex's too, you can't tell me that seeing him again doesn't cause you to feel SOMETHING"
"Like that I wanna leave you and go screw his brains out?"
"I mean things like anger" Logan interrupted "Just-" he lowered his voice "because you're transgenic doesn't mean you can't get pissed when the guy who dumped you suddenly tries to put the moves on you again three years later like nothing ever happened."
"Regardless" Max told him "It doesn't change anything. I'm with you now, and I'm glad I didn't try to stay attached to him otherwise look what I would've missed"
"Okay I'll give you that" he leaned down to kiss her, letting one hand wander to the
small of her back. He saw Darren watching them from afar, and although he was married to
an ass kicking super warrior, he was still a man and wanted to let Darren know that he
loved Max for all the things Darren didn't, and everything else in between. It was selfish,
but the punk deserved it.
*****
Darren was still hanging around when Max looked like she was about to head home. She wasn't tired, but her children looked like they were about to drop where they were sitting.
"Guess all the partying wore them out" Max picked up her son, who was almost half asleep
on the bar table.
"Funny how I didn't think that would start for a few more years" Logan lifted up their other child, holding the girl who had beat out her brother and had actually fallen asleep.
Max picked up something off the table "Can't forget Mr. Whiskers or she won't stay that serene for long." She tossed Logan the toy rabbit which he caught and tucked inside the nook of Lexi's arm. She curled around it in her sleep.
"Night boo" Cindy called out to Max, who stepped over to her and gave her one last birthday hug around her son resting in her arms.
"See ya at work tomorrow"
"Do my thing to keep Darren away from the goods"
Max looked over to her ex "Not on your birthday girl. I won't have it. Too much to deal with"
"Least I can do" Cindy informed, feeling a pair of eyes on her that weren't her girls'. She looked.
/What the hell is Darren all close encountered with me for?/ She looked back, a warning stare telling him that if he tried anything he would soon be in little pieces all over the floor.
/Damn, Max is so-domestic/ Darren watched his ex girlfriend leave with her husband. This was a role he never pictured her playing, a wife. She was too self absorbed to be into that.
She never gave him the attention his other relationships did. Sex was great, damn great,
and probably still great judging by the way she was held up underneath those clothes.
He snuck a peak, for old times sake, he told himself.
Cindy shoved by him, purposely being rough "Back off Fido or I'll have you neutered"
/he even squint the wrong way and that dawgs off to the hotdog factory/
Darren never did really like Cindy that much. She never meshed well with his style.
But she was Max's friend, so he had to fake nice in order to get the good stuff from
Max.
He reeled on her "why don't you just fuck off Cindy?"
Cindy did not like his tone, but her slap sure enjoyed the side of his face.
"You watch your smack Darren. I don't like the way you lookin' at my girl,
and I gotta a damn right to say so."
Darren glowered at her, he moved closer, like he intended on doing something else that
went beyond using smack talk.
"Hey!" the voice belonged to Alec, who came out of the Crash woodwork. "How many people
you want to bust you up tonight?" he stepped closer. "Why don't you back off like she wanted before one of us inflicts something on you that still stings in the morning"
Darren scowled again, but left, not wanting to deal with it.
Cindy watched him leave "Sector Cops not doin' their job if they let slime like that back
in the city." She turned to Alec.
"But when have they ever done their job?" he faced her as well
Cindy agreed silently "Thanks for the Shining Armor moment Alec, but I coulda taken care of myself. Darren's bite is as pansy as his bark."
"Yeah but I have all this charged up DNA and no outlet." He argued "It's either that, fighting street thugs or strippers."
This evoked a quiet chuckle from Cindy "Thanks. Gotta admit, you get one prop" She
held out her hand again like back at Jam Pony. Alec banged fists with her "Drama
aside I gotta be gettin' back to my crib and hit out a few z's"
"Need a bodyguard?"
"That was ONE prop boy." Cindy informed straight up "Not enough room in that swelled
head already for what's in it" a smile emerged a few seconds later "Late"
"Oh come on just one 'I'm the man'? Cindy?"
Cindy just shook her head and walked away.
*****
6:00 AM
THE NEXT MORNING
The phone rang, loud, blasting right into Max's ear.
/What the hell? I'm finally sleeping at night and shit like this happens-/
She picked up the cordless phone by their bed.
"Yeah?"
"Morning Merry Sunshine."
"Bling-" Max rubbed her eyes to adjust them to being open. "You got exactly three seconds
to come up with another reason for calling this early besides calling me "Merry Sunshine"
before I come through this phone and kick your ass"
There was chuckling on the other line. "Sorry bout the early wake up call Max.
Not like I wanted to be up at the crack of dawn either, but some guy, Darren,
I think's his name called me about ten minutes ago asking if I knew where you
lived, or your number."
Now Max was more awake "What'd you tell him?"
"I gave him all your information Max, including the 1-800 number for Manticore."
He blew it off with a pause "I don't know this guy, I didn't tell him jack.
Fool calls me up at five in the morning and wants information. What the hell is
he sniffing to think I would give it to him?"
"Same stuff he's been sniffing for years Bling" Max yawned on the last part of her
sentence.
"I don't know what the situation with you and this dude is Max, and it isn't
any of my business, but I just wanted to give you a heads up in case by some
miracle he tracks down your number."
"So nice and early of you"
"Yeah, I'm a real gentlemen" Bling responded sarcastically. "But listen I'm going to get
off so you and Logan can return to the land of Nod, along with me."
"Aiight" Max hung up.
"What Bling want so early?" Logan had been awake since the phone conversation started.
"Just wanted me to know that my ex called him" she answered him honestly.
Logan looked surprised "How'd he get the number?"
Max shrugged "Hell if I know. If I'd a known he'd be a stalker freak to me later on I'd a never dated him."
She turned to him "And don't tell me I shoulda known or I might point out Valerie to ya."
"I didn't say anything"
Max fell back on her pillow "Why do I always wind up dating freaks?"
"Hey" Logan looked at her "I take offense to that."
"That's not what I meant and you know it" she sat up, punched her pillow and laid back down
in a an angry movement.
"Are you going to be able to go back to sleep?"
"If I don't think about Darren I will." She told him "Which isn't gonna happen, so no."
He leaned over and kissed her "Then can I make a suggestion to kill the time?"
"Now?" she looked at him.
"Why not?"
She shrugged, and sat up.
"What are you doing?"
"Gonna go set up the chess board-" she felt him grab her by the arm and shove her back down,
not hard though.
He kissed her deeply.
They broke apart "Was it something I said?" she feigned complete innocence
"Why play? I've already got my queen."
Despite the over sappiness of his statement she smiled "Then be ready Good Sir."
Her smile became more seductive in the dark "You're about to be knighted."
*****
JAM PONY
"Someone got laid last night" Alec watched Max enter.
"Shut up" she told him heading over to her locker.
"Seriously Max" Alec went on, ignoring her last remark "I'm surprised you only have two
children with all the bunny luvin' you two dish out."
"And I'm surprised I haven't fired any of you yet!" Normal interrupted their conversation,
which was good for Alec cause Max was three seconds away from knocking him upside his head.
"I'm not running a lazy hour. If you want jobs, keep me from firing you. Alec-" Normal threw
a box at him "13 and Winchester, delivered on time or don't come back."
"Hey you got it" Alec threw him a fake smile. "Back to the salt mines" he looked at Max again
"I know a 'sex grin' when I see it"
"You would" she returned, "You do visit the streets a lot"
"Max"
"Oh hell no" Cindy looked at the source of the noise. Darren, standing there by Normal's desk
"Is he whacked out or somethin'? How many death wishes can a scank have?"
"Apparently not enough" Alec responded. He patted his package "Well ladies I'm off to be a lackey. Let me know how this turns out." Alec waked out of Jam Pony, passing Darren on the
way 'accidentally' running into him causing him to bump into Normal's desk. "Sorry man, my
bad" he left.
"There's no package in your hand kid" Normal informed Darren who for all he was concerned was doing nothing except taking up his floor space. "Why are you wasting my time?"
"I came to talk to Max"
"Yeah you and everyone else with something in his pants. I'm going to save you the trouble
and me the loss of sanity kid. She's married. My advice would be to stop trying to make it
with her, and especially stop wasting my time in the process. Now go-" he pointed towards
the door. "And don't come back unless you have a less 'think with your pants' reason for
walking into my business."
"Fine" Darren stated, but ignored Normal in the end, heading over to Max and Cindy.
"Boy what part of the whole 'get the hell away from my girl' dealio did you not get?"
"Why don't you let Max speak for herself this time Cindy!" Darren glowered at her. She glowered back.
"MAX is right here Darren" Max spoke out "And Cindy ain't tellin' you nuthin' that I wouldn't
be right now. So why don't you back the hell off? It ain't gonna happen the way you want"
"And what the hell is that?"
Max blew him off "The whole 'get me back' thing dipwad. You can't just stomp on me and except
to be luvin' me up later like nuthin' ever happened."
"And you can't say you're happy with what's his name. The guy's old enough to be your father."
"And I'm old enough to kick your ass Darren if you disrespect my man like that again."
"Give it up Max, you couldn't kick butter's ass. Why did you think I dated you in the first place? Well one of the reasons. You also put out well."
"Bout to be put out yourself if ya keep talkin'"
"Keep dreamin' Max"
"Funny you never told me you were a prick when we were hooked up." She was thrown back a
minute later when Darren slapped her hard across the face, knocking her against the lockers. Because it caught her off guard she didn't have time to react.
"Uh uh, helll no boy you did NOT just knock my girl!" Cindy got up in his face and
slapped him hard.
Darren grabbed one of her arms and banged her against the lockers.
"Hey!" Normal shouted from behind his desk "No roughhousing!" he didn't do anything to
stop it.
"I have had it with you bitch!"
Max recovered from the knock down and yanked Darren off Cindy, slamming him into the lockers
on the opposite wall. "Can't kick butter's ass? Well guess what, I'm butter" she locked her hand around his throat.
"I suggest you get your research in before you go spoutin' off bout my ability to kick your sorry ass. You are a prick. "P-" She squeezed his neck for emphasis, hearing him gasp. "R-I-C-K. You think I'll come crawlin' back cause you reemerged from the slime three years after you dumped me? You come here you screw with my life and I'm suppose to submit and go back and hump you happily?" she banged him against the locker again. "Now listen up cause I'm only gonna say this once. You ever knock down, disrespect, my girls, my man or anyone else I'm tight with again or if you get anotha lame ass idea to TOUCH me like you just did I'm gonna shove your balls so far up your ass you're gonna need a search party to fine'em. Can you wrap your head around that DARREN?" She released his neck and he gasped for air.
"Shoulda never gone out with you in the first place" Darren's voice was raspy, but still talkin' smack. "Never gave me what I needed"
Max still hovered inches from his face "It ain't about what you need" she knocked him hard
in the balls leg "it's about what I kneed" he slunk to the floor and she left him there.
"Back to work people!" Normal shouted at his employees who had stopped to watch Max knock the pee out of her ex. "Bip bip bip!" he went over to Darren and looked down where he was still laying. "I told you to back off kid."
"You aiight?" Max asked Cindy.
Cindy nodded "Am now that my girl took care of things" she touched Max's face, which was starting to form a red mark from where Darren had slapped her. "Mr. Skanky scank messed up my boo's face." She flinched
"Don't sting that much" Max told her.
Cindy stole a glance at Darren who was still writhing on the floor. "Boy ain't gonna mess wid you again that's fo' sure."
Alec walked through Jam Pony. He spied Darren on the floor "I get the feeling I missed something."
*****
FOGGLE TOWERS
LATER THAT NIGHT
Max hissed when Logan stuck a cold compress on her check.
"Sorry" he apologized
"S'okay" she took the compress from him and held it to her with her own hand. "Feel embarrassed that my lame ass ex boyfriend knocked me around so hard."
Logan slid into the empty dining room chair beside her "From what you told me Darren got knocked around more."
"Got me there" she admitted.
Logan looked at the mark on his wife's face "I can't believe he slapped you. How many people does he want jumping him?"
Max looked up them, catching his defensive, pissed off meaning. "Don't think he can count that high"
There was a knock at the door that made Max look up. "Whose callin' now?"
"I'll get it" Logan stated but Max stood up before he did
"Remember I ain't no damsel in distress" she dropped the compress on the top of the table "I never let a pansy slap stop me before." She dropped him a smile and headed to the door.
Kaja was already there, growling low. Max peaked through the peep hole and couldn't believe who was standing there.
"What the hell are you doin' here?"
"Max-"
Kaja interrupted Darren who had somehow found where she lived. The German Shepard barked furiously, like she was about to leave him in shreds on the floor.
Max silence Kaja's barking with a hand gesture "You got three seconds to run"
"Wait-" Darren held up his hand "Just hear me out." He glanced a the dog nervously for a moment "I was just pissed off back there, otherwise I wouldn't have done what I did"
"That suppose to excuse it?" she glowered at him
"Guy has a right to get angry" Darren defended "It happens"
"Wrong again" Max corrected, "Now I'm not sayin' that people can't get angry.
But there's a fine line between pissy and battery."
"Then what the hell do you call what you did to me?"
"One hundred percent genuine ass kicking" she spat back "You got screwed thinking you'd have a docile thing to try and slink back too."
"I just wanted another chance"
"That's a line you've used before" Logan now stood beside Max in the doorway, glaring at Darren. "See I checked your story out Darren. After you broke up with my wife you hooked up with a woman in San Diego. Her four-year-old son called the police on you after you smashed her head through
a plate glass window. You got arrested for battery. After you got out you met this other woman working at a diner here in Washington. She had you arrested for stalking her, and breaking her arm one night when you threw her to the floor after trying to rape her." Each word Logan said could cut through steel. "You plea bargained to a lighter sentence, six months" And since you were in the area you though 'what the hell' you could come back and try to work up Max again."
"Hey man what I do is a matter of private record!" Darren growled
"Not when it involves my wife!" Logan returned "You're an abuser you fuckin' little prick!
You come back to an old girlfriend years later, hoping that she still has some dependency
on you so you can swoop in and make it complete again. You beat on Cindy because you feel
that she was the one who got in the way the last time. She never liked you, and you
convinced yourself that it was because of her you never got your score with Max like you
did with the others" Logan stepped out into the hallway
"You've already had one member of this family beat you down one more won't hurt"
he drew back and slammed him in the face with a right hook. "You stay the hell away
from Cindy and you stay the hell away my wife. Cause I can ruin you in ways you can't
even imagine. Now you better get the hell away my house or I'll let Max finish what
she started"
Logan didn't even wait for Darren to react, he just slammed the door and locked it.
Both stayed by the door. "Is he gone?"
Max looked through the peephole, not seeing anyone there anymore "Crawled back under
the rock" she looked at her husband. "I was from Manticore, how the hell could I have
not know what he really was?"
"Because you wanted acceptance" Logan rationalized "You spend your life following orders.
When Darren came into the picture it felt nice to feel like someone was doing stuff for you.
So you ignored the signs to have that."
"And look what that got me" she said "A psycho boy on my tail years later"
"Can't say that's never happened before"
She shot him a look "Thanks for-"
"Being your hero?"
She blew him off
"Didn't think so" he responded with a smile "But you're welcome" he leaned over and
kissed her.
"Mommy! Jessie threw a spider on me!"
"It's not real! Baby!"
"I'm not a baby!"
Logan sighed, and Max shot him the same look that he was giving her "You ever think that
two kids isn't enough-"
"Not on your life" she responded, "Guess we need to go stop a war" she led the way to her children's bedroom.
"Jessie Trevon Cale, leave your sister alone and go back to bed"
"But I'm not sleepy-"
"Yes you are"
"Are you sleepy mommy?"
"Jess, mommy's not the one who needs sleep..."
*****
END
Long wait I know, but I had to think of a way to end this. There wasn't much of Darren
except in the first episode so I had to create some background, and this is the one that
came to me. He could never really abuse Max since she could beat his nuts in, but a
classic sign of an abuser is one who tries to make up with sour relationships by
basically stalking their ex's and cutting off ties with his or her friends so they
will only be dependant on that one person. If you or anyone you know is in a situation
like this get out of the relationship and seek help immediately. Domestic homicide is
one of the leading causes of death here in the U.S.
Logan was never really one to hit people in the show but I feel if he was pissed off
enough he would. I mean Darren was messing with his wife, what's he gonna do? Cook for him?
Hope Cindy's point-of-view at the beginning was okay. I wanted to do a fic from her view for
a while, but I couldn't keep it up that long, so she had the opening scene.
I know this was shorter then my other chapters, but I was hitting a brick wall with this
chapter. I had a inspiration moment for the NEXT chapter, but I didn't want to jip this completely. I wanted something a bit lighter cause the next piece has a bit more action..
R/R please
Peace
mystic