DA: Season 3

This Fic picks up during the season 2 finale and is what I hoped that season 3 would be, with some original and surprising twists.

*I began writing this story years ago and experienced some serious cringe inducing writing upon re-reading it. It has now been edited and re-uploaded. I hope you all enjoy the story, and don't forget to leave me a review, I will do my best to reply to all of you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel or any of the characters because let's face it if I did Logan would be long gone and the show wouldn't have ended with two seasons.

Chapter 1: Me and Mine

It's nightfall which means that Max is predictably, wide awake. Her nights are a little busier now that her 'missions' are undertaken on behalf of a beleaguered transgenic population that lay in hiding. When Renfro threatened to blow up the Seattle facility, Max thought she was bluffing, Manticore would do anything, say anything to get what they wanted. When Max released the Eyes Only video revealing the location of Manticore's facility, instinct drove her back to them. An instinct that was quickly validated when the first explosion shook the ground. The exposure of Transgenics and their blind release into a world most of them knew nothing about was due to Max's actions and her association with Logan. Therefore, the responsibility to protect them lies heavy on Max's conscience and heart.

Nothing prepared her for the hatred and fear from peers and the population at large when it was discovered that she was now considered different or other. A freak, a monster. It was the proverbial lighting strike, a natural progression to the growing storm of opposition for transgenics. Day after day, she worked alongside Alec and Biggs to track down supplies and safely locate, rescue, and escort emerging transgenics into TC. If she stopped to think about their situation for too long, she was liable to drown in worry. Her saving grace came in the form of allies and partners that were being built with her fellow transgenics. It reminded her of the family she and her brothers and sisters had built for themselves so many years ago. Although she still grieved for them, she was slowly filling the void of their absence with people she knew they would have loved to know.

Yes, even Alec. She was even begrudgingly thankful for Alec.

She still remembers the first time she saw him. Remembers seeing the face of her lost brother. She remembers Alec's confused response when she called him Ben, and the crushing disappointment that followed soon after. Although revolted (highly revolted) at the thought of being forced to be a breeding partner, a smirk plays around the edges of her mouth as she remember's Alec's response to her disgust: "This isn't exactly a plumb assignment for me either. You've spent half your life out there in filth and degradation. I could catch something." (s.2, Ep. 1. 13:58). Alec was an idiot, but a useful idiot. The second pivotal moment in their odd relationship was when she encountered him in the abandoned barn where the scared group of sixers were taking refuge. She clearly remembers how seamlessly she and Alec worked together to calm the group and cauterize Bullet's wound. Sure he ended up leaving them, but when it mattered, he did rescue her from White and helped her take out the satellite. Then there was the whole debacle with him hunting transgenics for White, attempting to kill her, and ruining all chances for her and Logan to ever be together. Yet despite the moments of hatred, contention, and annoyance that plagued their association, Alec was one of the only people in Max's life capable of understanding her history and her actions. If she's honest with herself, (which she tries to be every so often) the reason she has bullied and criticised Alec's actions more often than not is because deep down inside she recognizes that they are similar to her own. Once she accepted that difficult truth, she discovered how refreshing it is to be completely herself around someone who understands her so deeply.

As Joshua's flag was being raised Max found her hand encompassed in Logan's strong grip. It felt nice to have this connection to reality when everything else was crashing down around her, but it was the owner of the hand locked in hers that was cause for discomfort. Max knew that this habit of running back to Logan had to stop. Their lives were like orbiting planets, always present within one another's sphere, but never quite meeting. She knew that their tentative relationship could never lead to anything more, even if they did magically find a cure that allowed them direct contact to one another. Max is not a quitter, she spent years searching for her siblings and trying to take down Manticore. It's not that she was giving up on her and Logan being together, more like she was moving on. When she thought about it she knew she had never loved him, she was in love with the idea of him, of having a normal life. But that's just it, she wasn't normal, never was. She needed to be with her own kind and find a way to lead them. It was a sad realization and she knew that she had to cut him loose once and for all, no lies, no pining, just the truth.

Gathered beneath the unfurling flag, the symbol of their plight and hope, the population of Terminal City took a moment to meditate on the moment before taking their leave. If they hoped to create a stronghold for themselves, there was plenty of work to be done. Amidst the shuffling crowd Max's gaze found that of Alec and Joshua and she sent them a small smile taking no notice of the speculative glance they gave her joined hand. They subtly returned her greeting, one of them cutting a glance to his neighbor wondering why Max wasn't celebrating with him, and the other releasing a resigned sigh.

Max turned to the man at her side, taking a fortifying breath before broaching her request. "Logan can you stay back with me? We need to talk."

"Of course, Max," he said while turning to her, eyes bright. "Joshua's flag is really something huh?"

"Yeah, it's great," she said distractedly. "Look Logan I have some things I need to say and I don't want you to interrupt, just listen, ok?" she asked softly, worrying him. He nodded his acceptance, eyebrows drawing together in concern.

"I don't think we can be together Logan," ste started. She saw him straighten and begin to speak and quickly pressed forward. "We're too different, and not just because I'm a transgenic. My life, my experiences, my being captured by Manticore, it's changed me from the girl you first met. That girl was naive and searching for normal when the truth is that nothing about me has ever been normal. It's difficult to explain but, I feel like I have finally accepted who I am and found where I belong. I choose to be a shield for all of my brothers and sisters, they need someone to lead them and as scary as it is to admit aloud, I think that person is me. You've been an incredible friend to me Logan, but I think that's all we should be, friends."

Her speech was met with silence as Logan absorbed her words. His shoulders began to shake and she moved forward to comfort him only to be shocked by his laughter. Not the happy chuckles she is fond of, but a disconcerting, mocking laughter.

"Friends Max?" he spoke, face pulled tight in anger. "I've invested my considerable time and money into you. I refused to stop searching for you when everyone believed you were dead. Hell, you call and I come running like your little b****! I grant all the favors you leach from me for your pathetic little 'family', and now you want to say 'screw you' and prance off to lead your little band of freaks?" Max felt as though each word he spat out was a physical attack, there was so much venom behind them. For the girl who always had a quick come-back, she was at a loss for words, but that didn't seem to be an issue for Logan.

"-Oh, wait that's right because you have Alec now. The screw up that ruined everything for us. First he tries to kill you and Joshua, then he ruins our chances of getting the cure, not to mention you're always having to bail him out. What, is it because you're sleeping with him? I should've known you were a slut. I bet he took advantage of your 'caring heart' the spineless bastard-." His head snaps to the side as Max's hand collides with his cheek forcefully and shocks him into silence. Max's entire body is shaking with the force of her rage and her hands clench repetitively, attempting to restrain her impulse to attack.

"What on Earth do you think gives you the right to degrade me and mine?" She seethes. "You want to talk about using people, how about all the 'missions' you would send me out on without any regard to my life or need for absolute secrecy. How about all the times you would demand my presence, invade my life, and pull me away from my friends? How about the emotional manipulation you used to force my hand? You're the one who put me back in Lydecker and White's crosshairs. You're the reason my brother Zack is gone, the reason we've all been put in danger. Yes, you pulled strings and worked miracles to help me, but I always made sure to repay the favors. I don't owe you anything! I suggest you get out. If I ever see an Eyes Only broadcast about transgenics or TC, if I ever see you here again, you won't like what I do to you. That's a promise." With a final glare she turns and stalks away. "I trust you can find your way out.

Max storms into the ramshackle apartment building where she's found a semi-liveable home and makes her way into what used to be a makeshift gym. It's run down but parts of it are salvageable. The remnants of gym mats cover the floors and in a darkened corner hangs a lackluster punching bag. Making her way to the bag she began to vent her emotions until the only sound that fills the air are the thump-thump-thump of her fists, each hit accompanied by a shout of fury.


So she thinks she can throw me out like I'm worthless, we'll see about that. She'll see that she never should have crossed me, should never have left me for these animals or that worthless mutt Alec. I'll be back Max. Are Logan's final thoughts.


In search of Max, Alec makes his way to the building that houses her apartment first, figuring she might be in need of privacy as anytime she is among the general public everyone is clamoring for her advice and attention. Upon entering the building he hears muffled thuds and labored breaths. Glancing about, nothing seems out of place, but as transgenics are public enemy number one, he'd be remiss not to investigate the odd sounds. His enhanced senses guide his path, and once he catches a whiff of a familiar scent, his steps speed up. He arrives at what might have been a gym but now resembles a dumbbell's final resting place, however it's the woman not the room that draws his eye. Shadowed in a corner, completely unaware of her surroundings is Max, attacking a punching bag for all she's worth, tears glistening in the light with her every move.

Alec makes his way towards her carefully, not wanting to startle her. Contrary to popular opinion, and the way in which she carries herself, Alec knows that Max's bravado hides a vulnerable woman. Her behavior scares him because he's never seen her so broken. Her pain sends a flash of anger through him and he suddenly wants to rip through whoever or whatever caused her to feel this way. He remembers seeing her standing with him on the roof and feels his anger increase. Of course, Logan. Wait till I get my hands on him. Approaching her from behind so that she cannot evade him, he reaches out and takes hold of Max's wrists, using them to pull her into his chest. He can feel her petite body shaking from the force of restraining her sobs and in that moment, holding one of the strongest women he knows, Alec's heart breaks. Just like the night their friendship evolved in her kitchen when she opened up to him about Ben, he holds her close burying his face in her hair and breathing in the scent that is so uniquely Max. Because of the feline mix in their DNA, their sense of touch is vital to them, the feeling of their 'pack'. And so Alec holds her, directing her breathing silently, urging her heart to beat in time with his, neither saying a word.

Max sensed Alec as he stood in the doorway thanks to her keen sense of smell, and wondered what he would do. When she feels herself being gathered in his arms, she is immensely relieved that he's the one who found her. She can't stomach the thought of appearing weak or vulnerable around others as they are looking to her to be strong, a leader, but she knows that Alec won't judge her. After all they've been through together, he has cemented himself in her life as one of the only people she can fully trust to watch her back. Not only physically, but also emotionally, as he did that night in her apartment when she broke down in front of him and he simply held her.

It takes some time for her tears to subside and her gasping breaths to even out but eventually she calms. Shuffling about, she manages to turn around in Alec's grasp, her cheek coming to rest on his solid and warm chest, listening to the steady thump thump of his heartbeat.

"What happened Maxie, what did he do?" Alec asks quietly. She backs away from him (much too soon in Alec's opinion) in order to see his face. She takes some time to wipe away the remnants of her tears and he waits for her patiently. Just when he thinks she will refuse to answer him, she begins to speak.

"I asked Logan to stay back so we could talk. I broke things off with him for good." Alec feels as though a band that had been wrapped around his chest has broken free. Unsure why he should be feeling relief at knowing that Alec and Logan were no longer, and refusing to dissect those emotions now, he schools his features. Right, she'll be sad for a while but then she'll go back to him, she always does. God, why am I even thinking about Max and her seesaw relationship? I'm turning into a female with all this relationship crap. Beer, think about beer and chicks. Yeah that's manly. Finally, realizing that she is still speaking, he redirects his attention back to Max.

"-realized just how different we were and why it would never work. I thought we could talk it out like mature adults but I never expected that he would respond in the way he did." At her claim, his senses were instantly on the alert.

"Wait, what happened Max, did he hurt you?" He questioned, taking hold of her elbows and looking her over as though searching for any minute difference to her person.

"I'm fine, he didn't touch me," she reassures him quickly. "It's not what he did, it's what he said."

"Tell me," he requests, the determined set of his face telling her that he will not let up until she tells him what he wants to know. Sighing deeply, Mac proceeds to repeat her conversation with Logan back to Alec verbatim. By the time she is finished, they have reversed rolls, and it is now Max's turn to calm Alec.

"Alec, calm down. I'm fine and I set Logan straight. With any luck, I'll never see him again."

"You can't just brush this off Max, the things he said, he had no right."

"I know. But it's over now. Right now our survival is the most important issue, that's what we should be focused on."

"I get that. But Max, hear me out first. You are many things: mean, high-strung, and a total pain in my ass but you are not any of the things that coward called you. Logan not being able to deal with the facts you laid out to him is on him, not you. You deserve to be with someone who is going to see and respect the real you...regardless of your smart mouth and abusive tendencies" he teased, breaking the air of seriousness that surrounded them.

Taking a moment to observe the difficult man before her, Max reads the sincerity in his eyes, present even as he attempts to jostle a smile out of her.

"Thank you Alec," she whispers, conveying more with her eyes than she ever could with words. Shaking his head, as though to regain his focus, he smirks down at her before stating, "I think it's sweet that you felt the need to defend my honor Maxie and kick Logan out for talking about little 'ol me." He says in a teasing tone. And he's back, thinks Max groaning.

"Get over yourself. I just figured if anyone's going to insult you it's going to be me," is her snappy retort before exiting the gym and heading toward HQ, Alec at her side.

"That's cold Max."

"I'm sure you have plenty of female company to keep you warm," she sasses back, eyes narrowing.

"You know, jealousy is a good look on you Maxie. If you feel the need to get in any girl on girl fights over me by all means, go ahead" he crows winking at her.

"Don't call me Maxie," she says, slapping him on the back of the head.

"Geez, easy on the hardware," he grunts while rubbing his head. "You're really abusive, you know that?"

"Don't be such a baby," she mutters as she enters the room that serves as their command center. Joshua and Mole, with his ever present cigar, are sitting at a corner table polishing guns while Luke and Dix are manning the computers and cameras that make up their security and communications.

"What was that Max, did you call me baby? We're doing pet names now? Nice! Now to find one for you," he says, tapping his chin with a finger, deep in thought. "Ooh, how about snuggle bunny...sugar lips? Hmm no, oh Kitten!"

"Shut up!" she says while turning to punch his shoulder, much to the amusement of everyone in the room.

"Bunch of disruptive kids," mutters Mole while an excited and bashful Luke reports their progress to Max.

"We're going to need a lot more equipment in order to be able to monitor all of TC." He tells her.

"Ok, we'll get a group together to scrounge the sector for parts. Mole, your combat skills and smarts are going to be useful to us, I'll need you by my side to plan tactics and strategy."

Mole simply nods, taking everything in stride as usual.

"I haven't forgotten what you said about needing gas for the generator, blankets, bedrolls, food, weapons…" Seeing Mole's lifted hand, she gives him a good natured eye roll before continuing. "And yes, I didn't forget your cigarettes."

"Good. Just so long as you don't forget them and we'll have a good working relationship."

"Man, you are cheap!" Alec jokes.

"Shut up, Alec." Max and Mole respond simultaneously.

"Geez, tough crowd."

"I thought it was funny," Luke whispers to him, cheeks pink.

"Yes! thanks Luke. Finally, someone shows a little appreciation for my wit."

"Anyway," Max charges forward, only too used to Alec at this point. "The safety and defense of our kind is a huge task and I'll need all the help I can get. While I am assigning titles, I'd like to make Alec my second in command." At her revelation all traces of teasing leave his face.

"Max, are you sure?"

"Who else would I choose? Besides, we've been through a lot and I trust you to have my back."

"Always," is his sincere reply.

"Good. Now that we have the chain of command taken care of, the first thing I want us to do is make a log with the names, designations, and skills of the people we have here. Next step will be to divide them into groups to scavenge for supplies. TC takes up twenty city blocks and was abandoned suddenly, there have to be cars or work vehicles that survived, we can siphon gas from those first. I want to limit our presence outside of TC as much as possible." Her declarations were met with a resounding endorsement of agreement.

"That makes sense," Alec responds. "We got lucky in that TC was closed off by the government. I'd say we take a few days to reinforce the fences, make sure we close up any hidden entrances, that includes the sewers. Let's not make it easy for just anyone to get in."

"I agree. That's gonna be a big job, do you have someone in mind to help you lead the project?" Max inquires.

"Yeah, Biggs."

"Of course, I don't know why I didn't think of him. Can someone go and track him down? He should be here for this," she asks the room at large.

"I'll go," says Luke, before sprinting out of HQ.

"Joshua and I will lead a group in scoping out liveable quarters for everyone. If they need some work in order to be functional, we'll use the tools available to get that done. Finally we'll need to set up a medical area. Once we have a log of medic trained residents, we'll let them assign leaders to head up the process of finding, setting up, and stocking a med bay. Anyone have anything to contribute?" Max asks.

"You have a good start, but you're forgetting the most important thing. Weapons." Mole pipes up.

"Of course," she concedes. "Being our resident expert, I'd like you to spearhead the acquisition of weapons."

"You got it," he says, pleased with his assignment. Their conversation is halted when the door opens and Biggs steps in. After exchanging greetings, they catch him up to speed.

"Alright, everyone has their assignments. Let's get to work."

"I'll start working on making a record of everyone in TC," said Alec.

"Good," said Max. "Joshua and I will start apartment hunting." She looks at him for confirmation and he nods enthusiastically.

"Yeah, Joshua help little buddy."

"All right, report back here this evening."

With affirmative nods they set off to complete their tasks with military efficiency.


Meanwhile in California:

Lydecker had been watching the news when he Saw 452 caught on camera flying on a hover drone. He has been keeping an eye on the escalating situation in Seattle and after seeing that the Manticore escapee's have created a stronghold in Sector 7 he knows it's time. Seeing Tinga's brutal death gave him incentive to defect from Manticore. It had only been a matter of time, he didn't like Renfro or the way she was managing things, managing him or his kids. While on the outside he had used his many resources to gather intel and what he discovered was beyond anything he imagined. He learned that Sandman was involved with the familiars before leaving them to create genetically enhanced beings that would be immune to the lethal pathogen brought on from 'the coming', he was trying to find a way to save mankind. Lydecker always knew that his kids were important but the complete puzzle had never been revealed to him until now. He had to gather the group if there was going to be a chance for survival. It hadn't been easy and he had taken quite a few trips to the emergency room but he had tracked down Zane, Krit, Syl, Brin, Seth and Jondy. He sought out Krit and Syl first, after their mission to take out Manticore's DNA lab he knew they would be more susceptible to his presence especially once they learned that they would be looking for their siblings. Much to his annoyance because they understood that he was no longer a threat they assumed it gave them license to run their mouths. Needless to say they provided him with a constant headache and not that he would ever admit it but he had missed their childish antics and was looking forward to their reunion. Once he had their added numbers and skills they gained access to the Manticore facility in Wyoming where they had landed the biggest shock of all. Tinga, Ben, Jack, and Eva were alive and well. Renfro had not wanted to risk the original X5-656 and had used Tinga's double in the experiment that had led them to believe she was dead. Ben or 493 had been brought into the Manticore labs and revived, he had also been re-indoctrinated and confined to psy-ops where he was 'cured'. Jack or 417 who was believed to have died from a seizure had actually been taken in for experimentation and when the 09'ers escaped he was re-indoctrinated and assigned a new unit and designation. Eva, who Lydecker had shot for defending Max the night of their escape had not died and was re-integrated in the same manner as Jack, they were all much too valuable to be given up. Unfortunately Kavi and Vada had been hunted down and killed, a fact that saddened the other 09'ers. Lydecker knew that Max and Zack had been taken in together the night they blew up Manticore's DNA lab and assumed they were together now. The kids had been training and preparing, they were also insubordinate and restless but this is what they had been waiting for, they were going to unite their family and take down a few bad guys in the process. Brought out of his musings he calls the X5's into their makeshift command room and begins to play the media broadcast from Seattle.

"Geez is that Max? That is badass!" comes from Zane.

"Awesome!" Krit and Syl say in unison. Brin gives a grunt of approval. Jondy, Tinga and Eva all release exclamations of wonder at seeing their baby sister alive and in action. Meanwhile Ben smiles quietly to himself, after the way he and Max left things before his 'death' he is eager to see her again, eager to make her laugh and be her protector again. Most of all he wants to ask her forgiveness. He had confessed everything to his siblings and they were able to forgive and comfort him, but he was missing one important person. His baby sister.

"Max and I are so doing that when we meet up," says Seth and reaches to high-five Zane's outstretched hand.

"Hell yeah."

"She grew up nice," said Jack, his eyes perusing Max's form on the grainy screen. His comment caused his sisters in the nearby vicinity to all slap him. "Hey, It's a compliment! God, you guys should only be allowed to be around us one at a time, three against one is not fair."

"Behave," says Tinga, eyes sparkling with mirth. Jack just sticks his tongue out at her which causes them all to laugh.

"Ahem." They all turned to see Lydecker frowning at their antics. They all grew quiet when they saw how serious the situation was and all the vile things people were spouting about their kind. When the broadcast was over the mood in the room was somber.

"Max and the other escapees have taken over sector 7 and are surrounded by local police, the military and most importantly White and the Familiars." Said Lydecker. The X5's made noises of distaste before Zane spoke up.

"So what's the plan?"

"We are going to build a convoy and stock up on rations, ammo and medical supplies for them. Right now they'll be training and building defenses, but they'll have no way to get the amount of supplies they'll need. Jack, Zane, Seth, Ben and Krit you'll be in charge of acquiring the trucks for transport. Syl, Brin, Jondy, Eva and Tinga, you all will be responsible for gathering the supplies, make as many runs as you have to, we can stop to re-supply while on route, but I'd prefer to get to Seattle as soon as possible. I will try to make contact with Zack or Max and use my contacts to get us any documents we might need to make it through the state borders. Get in, get out, understand?"

"Yes, sir." Was the resounding reply. They split up to plan their assignments, none of them knowing that they would not be the only surprise visitors that Max and the unsuspecting residents of TC would be receiving.


Back in TC:

Luke, one of the sixers assigned to guard duty, was the first to spot the hunched over form of a woman creeping along TC's western perimeter, out of sight from the countless squad cars that had been camped outside their front gates since yesterday.

"Dix, do you see this? Someone get Max and Alec out here? Dispatch some of the X's on patrol to see if she's a threat." The others in HQ ran to do his bidding.

Outside two X-6's Trix and Sniper approached the woman warily eyeing the covered bundle in her arms. "Who are you, are you transgenic?"

"No," she responds, looking at them with desperate eyes. "I need to see X5's 452 and 494 immediately. I know they're here. I saw them on the news."

"Whoa lady," said Sniper. "What do you want with them?"

"Just get them, I need to speak with them, I need to see them!" Her voice was rising now and the bundle in her arms started squirming and Trix and Sniper could hear a soft mewling sound coming from it.

"What are you carrying?" asked Sniper, pulling forward his weapon.

The woman carefully removed the blanket and revealed a tiny sleeping baby drawing gasps from the two transgenics.

"I need to see X5-452 and X5-494. This is their child."

That's it for now. Read and Review. Can't wait for Alec and Max to meet the newest little addition.

Thanks for reading, be sure to leave me a review!