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.).

Notes: This is not actually the new chapter of this fic. The new chapter is actually the first one. The explanation as to why is in the author's notes for that chapter.

Max sat down on top of one of the taller buildings in Terminal City, lost in her thoughts. Sure enough, it had broken that night that her and Zack and Becky and Alec were transgenic. She didn't know what the public thought exactly and she didn't care all that much.

They'll be wanting me dead, she thought. No big dealio. I've only been wanted captured or dead for just over half of my life. I don't know these people. Their opinions don't matter too much to me right now, anyway. She bit her lip. Sketchy and Herbal and even Normal, though…their opinions do matter to me. Wait a second, what do I have to worry about? Original Cindy will either talk or smack some sense into them.

She looked downwards for a moment. Damn, I might never see her again. She's been my best friend for close to three years now and I didn't even say good-bye. That must make me some friend, doesn't it?

"Hey, there," Zack said softly. He walked up to Max and sat down next to her. "Krit said that you were up here."

"Hey," Max said. She let Zack put an arm around her shoulders and snuggled against him. "Just getting my thoughts together."

Zack nodded. "I don't blame you." He saw the expression on Max's face. "Don't worry, Maxie, everything's going to be fine."

"I know," Max said. "I'm just not very happy about not seeing Original Cindy and all of my non-transgenic friends again."

"You might see them again," Zack said. "This will all be over one of these days and we can get back to somewhat normal lives. Even before then, we'll be sneaking out at night to get money and supplies. I'm not saying this is the smartest idea because I know that it tactically is far from the smartest idea, but I know that you will try to sneak a visit to at least Original Cindy in. I trust you and I trust that you know what you're doing."

"Thanks," Max said. "Actually, I'm gonna have to make a run to my apartment one of these nights to get the rest of my things. Have Becky and Jeff and Alec and the others done the same yet?"

"Yeah," Zack said. "Everybody except for Krit and Syl has gotten their stuff and transferred it over here. I don't know why they insisted on using that truck last night so that they could get most of their furniture and appliances and those things from their apartments as well. That was too dangerous."

Max raised an eyebrow. "You've seen the places that they've settled into. The need for at least a few decent pieces of furniture and appliances took first priority, even for Alec."

"I can't believe he's sharing Brin's apartment here," Zack said.

"Relax," Max said. "It's mostly for the baby's sake than for anything else. They are sharing a room because it's only a two bedroom apartment, but they're sleeping in separate beds. And before you have a complete aneurism, it was Brin's idea. Remember?"

"If he hurts our sister…" Zack said. He sighed. "I know, I know, relax and breathe."

Max laughed a little. "Yeah."

They were silent for a little while. "It's amazing how different things are from a year ago," Zack said. "You and I thought each other was dead, Manticore was still alive but limping on its last legs, we were all separated…now we're together, Manticore is long gone, and most of our family is reunited."

"All that's missing is Zane and Jondy and Jace," Max agreed.

"Not for long," Zack admitted. "I called them before I came up here after you. Since I'm in effect stuck here, I won't be able to get to them as easily if they get into trouble. Zane should be here in a day or two and Jondy's going to pick up Jace and her daughter in Mexico and then the three of them are heading straight here. They should be here in about a week."

"I can't wait," Max said. "Our whole family, what's left of it anyway, together again for the first time in twelve years."

"It's about time," Zack agreed. "I never wanted to keep all of us separated from each other for all of these years. I wanted us to be safe."

"I know," Max said. "We all know that. We don't love you any less because you kept us separated."

"Now you guys don't but I'm pretty sure that one of the reasons that I had so much trouble initially with Rena after I'd found her after the escape was because she was angry with me because I'd separated her and Zane," Zack said.

"That's Rena for you," Max said. "Both her and Sasha can hold a grudge when they want to."

"Yeah," Zack said.

Max smiled and snuggled even closer to him. "Don't worry, neither of them hold a grudge against you now."

"I know," Zack said. He leaned down and kissed Max. They just held each other and stared out at the city for a long time before either of them moved or said anything. "We should be getting inside. I think Krit's going to try to pull a prank on Wayne tonight."

"Retaliation or just to stir things up?" Max asked, grinning.

"Just to stir things up," Zack said with a groan.

Max laughed. "Come on. Let's go save our brothers from killing each other." She and Zack got up and walked over to the stairs and headed back to their brothers and sisters.

The end!

More notes: Also, just so everybody knows, I re-uploaded these files from backups, so the notes where I had thanked my reviewers (before said that was a no-no) are no longer on the chapters.