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

With Ben In Between

Leaning her head against the cool window, Max stared out as it poured down on Seattle. The dreary night was doing nothing for her mood, nor was this foo-foo party she was attending with Logan. He owed her major for this night. He begged and pleaded for her to be his date so he could interview some high fluent someone for a major article he was working on. Frankly she could've cared less, but she relented. But ever since they arrived, he was driving her insane with his posh attitude, and lack of attention paid to her.

Looking around the room, Max looked for someone who was at less than 20 years her senior, but no such luck. 'Why do I get myself into these things?' She thought miserably as she headed towards concessions, or the "ordure" table, in hopes of finding food she could recognize. While she was over there she heard some women giggling like schoolgirls. "I wish I was 10 years younger, I'd sweep him up as my own." One lady swooned.

"I know what you mean. We never had a stud like that when we were young, makes me jealous of any lucky lady who might capture his heart." Another giggled.

"All I k now is, if I can't have him for myself, I want him for my daughter." A third replied with a drunken giggle. Max just shook her head slightly and examined the so-called food in front of her. "Oh my god, there he is! He just walked in, single!" Max heard her exclaim, which followed the others to giggle excitedly. Whoever this guy was, she hoped he knew he had cackling ladies reaching the stalker level.

Seeing nothing appeasing, Max turned around to see who was this mystery stud was, but saw no one that could be put in that category. Looking for Logan, she saw him in a, seemingly, deep conversation with a guy who tried to grab her ass earlier in the evening. 'Again, why do I get myself into these things?' She asked herself.

Feeling hot, she weaved her way through the crowd to go and sit on the balcony. As she started to walk out, a beautiful melody began to play from the band that she hadn't really noticed before. 'Ben,' was her first thought when realizing it had been Ben's favorite classical piece. With that realization she felt waves of emotion threaten to become a tidal wave. But before that could happen, "Would you like to dance?" A deep voice came from the shadows, whirling around Max felt the breath leave her body and heart stop.