Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel or any characters featured in either of the seasons.

AN: Sorry about the updates and lack of chapters to show for them. I accidentally deleted the chapters already posted so I re-submitted them.

Fashion Stunt

They were laughing, and couldn't seem to stop. They were comparing stories of their agencies, people they knew, or just silly stuff they had encountered in their life. "Well just to warn you, my agent director, Normal," Alec raised an eyebrow at the name, "I know weird, but he has a special place in his heart for you." Alec opened his eyes wide, "He talks about how he's had Gladiator dreams-"

"Check!" Alec beckoned the waitress when seeing where the 'Gladiator dreams' was going. Max just laughed at him. "Come-on they're closing up, wanna go for a walk before we head back to the hacienda?" Max nodded and took one last sip of her beer.

"So what's it like at Manticore now?" Max asked as they walked slowly down the coast towards their dwelling.

"Same as before you left, just stricter contracts and control over your image." Alec answered looking at the sand. "You know Renfro is still fuming about you leaving?"

"Really?" Max was surprised, Renfro had hated her guts from the beginning, but had said she was "special."

"Yeah, and when this whole dealio came up, she jumped at it. I guess she thinks I'll lure you back to Manticore with my wonderful charm!" He exaggerated with a bad imitation of Dracula.

"Keep dreaming pretty boy. So they still making you get the tattoos?"

"Yep, proof of purchase in ink." Alec pointed to the back of his neck. In the low light of the night, Max could see the black ink against his skin. "Can't ever be said that Manticore Fashion Agency isn't all about black and white! You still have yours?"

"Yeah, I keep if covered at all costs. I started to get it removed once and it felt like my skin was being peeled off of my bones. After that I just decided makeup and hair would cover it." Alec nodded at her logic, "What about you? Do you have other tattoos?"

"Yeah a couple, but I always have them covered, not because I'm ashamed of them or anything. It's kind of a personal thing and feel like everything else is on display, I can at least have something that isn't. Do you have any others?"

"Yeah some ancient runes. My siblings and I got them together when my sister Sam and I were 18. They looked unique so we got a few matching ones." They lapsed into a nice silence. Max began to think that maybe O.C. was right, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Alec began to think the same as he looked out of the corner of his eye.

"So how did you end up at Manticore in the first place?" Alec asked.

"I was looking for a job in New York, and someone walked up to me and asked if I had ever wanted to be a model. I said sure, and they handed my a card that said Manticore Fashion Agency. I went and met with a representative, then Renfro and I was in. At first I was in heaven, I was working and making money and then I felt like I was a prisoner instead of model. So I left, and got a contract with Jam Pony. Now I just annoy the hell out of Normal and don't feel like I'm a slave to do everyone else's bidding. What about you?"

"I left home and needed a job. They were doing a casting in the city I was in and checked it out. They hired and the rest is history."

"Do you ever want to leave?"

"Yeah, but I can't until my contract is up. And when that happens I want to be able to have a back-up plan." Max nodded. "Until then I'll be the studious little solider who continues to try and lure back the former top model of Manticore." Alec gave a cocky grin to Max, who just reached up and slapped the outside of his head. "Like it rough?"

"You're an ass you know that?"

"You like my ass?"

"You're annoying," and with that Max walked ahead of her laughing companion.