Together -- Chapter 20

Disclaimer: All of the characters that appeared on the TV show Dark Angel (Max, Zack, Logan, etc.) belong to their respective owners, not to me. No money is being made off of this fic. I only own the original characters (Becky/X6-405, etc.).

Zack pulled into the gas station and stopped at a pump and started to fill his motorcycle. He looked around, sighed and rubbed his eyes.

I hate sitting down in one place for too long, even if I am riding on a motorcycle up the highway. Even when I stay in a town for more than a day, I've got to be doing something. He looked over at the pump and removed it from his bike. Krit or Zane or Max would tell me to switch to decaf if I told them that. Like Krit has room to talk, he's the one who's actually hyper at times. Just what the world needs, a hyper X5. Zack looked down when he heard the gas stop flowing into the tank. He unhooked the pump and went inside the convenience store to pay. "Five gallons of regular for my bike."

"Twenty dollars, please," the cashier said cheerfully.

"Here you go," Zack said, handing the girl a twenty dollar bill. He went back outside, got back on the bike, and rode to a nearby diner for some lunch. He chained the bike up to a lamppost and went inside and sat at the counter. "Just a cheeseburger and a coke, please."

"Coming right up," the waiter said.

"Thanks," Zack said. He turned around on his stool and saw a young couple sitting at a booth. The young woman was giggling as her boyfriend whispered something in her ear. The boyfriend grinned and kissed her, neither of them aware or caring about any of the people watching them. Zack turned away at stared at his place setting. That should be me and Max. It will be one day, it has to be.

"Here's your burger and soda," the waiter said, setting Zack's lunch in front of him.

"Thanks again," Zack said. He picked up his cheeseburger and ate and thought about the conversation he'd had over the phone with Becky a few days ago.

"I'm glad that everything's okay on your end. Thanks again for giving Xavier my cell number, I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem. I know you'd do the same for me."

"That's right."

"How's life in Seattle? New apartment working out?"

"Yeah, Max is fine and no, Logan hasn't done anything fancy."

"What?"

"Come on, Zack. We both know that subtlety when it comes to Max isn't your strong point. Don't bother dancing around the subject."

"Okay, I won't. Are you sure Cale hasn't made any kind of major move with her?"

"Pretty damn sure. It's not like I've got my eye on him twenty-four-seven, but I still drop by his place with Max on occasion and Max and I do talk a lot. He still wants to get things moving more quickly in their relationship but Max still wants to take things fairly slow. Besides, as much as you and probably I would like to think so, Logan's not totally stupid. He knows that if he tried to put any kinds of moves on Max, first Max would kick his ass, then I'd kick his ass, and then you would kick his ass."

"Saving the best for last."

"Yeah, that's it. Don't worry. You've still got time to make your move when you're ready. Besides, I'm not sure that Max really wants to take things further with Logan."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I think she knows subconsciously that she's really in love with you and not Logan. It's a lot of little things that let me know, like how she always keeps just a little bit of distance between them, even when they're right next to each other or holding hands, she doesn't like to kiss Logan for more than a moment or two..."

"Becky..."

"Or grope him in one spot for more than a minute..."

"Becky, quit it."

"Just kidding about that last one. I couldn't resist. You know what I mean, though. Plus, she gets this look in her eyes whenever your name is mentioned. She's sure as hell not aware of it, but I am and I'm pretty sure her friend Original Cindy is, too."

"That girl's one of the most perceptive people I've ever met."

"I know. She's one of the best friends I've ever had, but back to the subject. Sooner or later and hopefully for both of your sakes sooner, Max is going to realize how she actually feels about you. Just promise me that when you visit her, you guys won't make out when I'm in visual range."

"You're almost as bad as Zane sometimes."

"Gee, thanks. Is that a complement?"

"Yeah, it is. I should get going. Take care of yourself?"

"I will. You take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

Zack shook his head and took a sip of his soda and smiled slightly. Good ol' Becky. He reached for his burger again when his cell phone rang. He looked at the number and answered the call. "Yes." His smile disappeared in less than a blink of an eye and his voice became deadly serious. "When? How many others and who are they? Damn, they are. Two-and-a-half hours out, tops. I'll be there. Call her." He disconnected, threw some money onto the counter, and was back on his motorcycle, heading north to Seattle.

TBC