Together -- Chapter 76b

Disclaimer: The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Max, Zack, Logan, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show 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.).

“Hey,” Max greeted everybody as she re-entered Jam Pony.

“Hey, Max,” Alec said. “You just missed your lover boy.”

“Zack was here?” Max said, surprised. “Is he coming back?”

“Probably,” Wayne guessed. “Becky and Jeff went out on a run and Zack went along for the ride.”

“Normal didn’t burst a vessel when Zack came in?” Max said.

“Almost,” Wayne said. “Until Zack and Becky told him about Becky’s ‘accident’ being the reason that Zack left so suddenly.”

Max nodded and walked over to where Original Cindy was standing. “Hey, boo. You look like you’re in a pretty decent mood.”

“I am,” Original Cindy said. She smirked. “Went out for a run and got a possible new lickety-boo. Fine ass girl who works over at some dentist’s office on the other side of town. We’ve got a date for tomorrow night.”

“Good for you,” Max said.

“So, Maxie and Cindy, what are you up for doing tonight?” Wayne asked. “Crash, pizza, or neither? Alec’s out because he’s got Tony for the night and I’m pretty sure that Sketchy will be in for either one. How about the two of you?”

“I’m up for some pizza,” Original Cindy told him. “As long as you guys are going to go to a decent place. If you ain’t, then I’ll be up for Crash.”

“Maybe,” Max said.

“Are you gonna try to drag big bro along with you?” Wayne asked. He smirked. “That’d be a sight to see. Zack hanging out with people that aren’t his family or his girlfriend.”

“How about you ask him?” Max said sweetly. “If the proposition was coming from you, you wouldn’t have a chance of him refusing it.”

“Bite me,” Wayne said.

“Nah, go pick up another bimbo and ask her,” Max replied.

“Very funny,” Wayne said. “Just because I’m not in a steady relationship with somebody doesn’t mean that I have to be a complete wallflower. I’m exploring my options. Is it my fault that there are so many beautiful options in Seattle?”

“Just when Alec was starting to grow up a little, we get this guy,” Original Cindy remarked.

“Whatever,” Wayne said. “That reminds me, I need to return that book to Maggie that she swiped from her boss’ office.”

“What is it with you and her and you two actually liking medicine?” Max wondered. “You guys obviously both tested well for that area way back when but you still actually keep up on it in your spare time. That’s sick.”

“Hey, just because you didn’t like field med class doesn’t mean that you can rag on me,” Wayne teased. “Why do you think so many doctors decide to go into medicine in the first place?”

“Um…the money?” Max said sarcastically.

“Besides, who was it that I went with last week to get some new telecomm devices from the black market and who wouldn’t stop blabbing about how this one does that and how it would help her…” Wayne continued.

“Wayne, shut up,” Max said, rolling her eyes.

“Sibling rivalry is just a beautiful thing,” Alec said. “Don’t you think so, Cindy?”

“There are few things that bring tears to my eyes and this is one of them,” Original Cindy deadpanned. “You two have issues.”

“You think this is bad?” Max said. “You should see Syl and Rena go at it sometime. They’re close and they get along fine most of the time, but they can get a rise out of each other pretty quickly. It’s usually fun to watch, though, at least until we possibly have to separate them.”

“Who do you think topped the biggest sibling rivalry thing in our family?” Wayne asked. “Syl and Rena, Ben and Zack, or Jace and Jondy?”

“Tough call,” Max said. “What about your family, Alec?”

Alec shook his head. “I wouldn’t classify my unit as a family, unless we’re including dysfunctional ones. It’s a long story.”

“So spill,” Original Cindy said. “It sounds—“

“Oh, man, what could be so special that they have to cut into the music video?” another messenger whined.

“…thanks, Paula,” a news reporter said. “I’m here live in downtown Seattle where apparently a hostage situation has just taken place. Approximately ten minutes ago, several armed men broke into this grocery store on the first floor of the building located at 1009 Baker Street and are holding people hostage. Hold on a second…we’ve just gotten some information in on the hostages. There appears to be a total of ten hostages being held. The assistant manager, the cashier, two other employees, an elderly woman, an elderly man, a young man in his early-to-mid twenties, a young man and young woman both in their late teens, and a little boy no older than eight or nine years old. We…” Max heard Normal actually swear in the background and she turned to Wayne to ask what was going on. Wayne’s face had gone almost white and he turned to Max and gave the slightest nod and they both bolted out of there. Alec followed them, barely pausing to yell to Normal that he wanted to make sure that they didn’t do anything stupid.

“Shit, this isn’t happening,” Max said angrily. “Of all the dumb fucking luck…”

“Calm down,” Alec said. “Ranting about the situation isn’t going to help Zack and Becky and Jeff.”

Max sighed. “You’re actually the voice of reason. Hey Wayne, do you see pigs or monkeys flying overhead?” She took a deep breath. “You’re right. Get back to your apartments, get your motorcycles, and meet me at Terminal City. I’ve got some calls to make.”

“Who?” Wayne asked.

“People who’ll help,” Max said. She ran off towards her apartment and whipped out her cell phone and dialed a number.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end answered.

“Kyle, it’s Max,” Max said.

“Hey,” Kyle said. He sounded surprised. “What’s up?”

“We’ve got a situation,” she told him. “Have you been watching the TV?”

“Yeah, they were just…” Kyle’s voice trailed off and he swore when he figured out what was going on. “What do you need me to do?”

“Get the rest of your sibs in T.C. together and meet me there,” Max said. “I’ll be there as soon as I reach my other sibs.”

“Got it,” Kyle confirmed. “I’ll reach Maggie since she’s at work right now and Brin since she relocated here. I’ll also find Riley and let her know and she’ll get the rest of her and Jeff’s family that’s present together.”

“Great,” Max said. “I’ll see you in T.C. in a few.” She disconnected and dialed another number. “Krit? It’s Max…”

TBC