Disclaimers: I don't own any of the Dark Angel characters they belong to James Cameron. I am merely amusing myself with stories involving them. Please don't sue me, because all I have is debt. (And you can have that if you want it). And now on with the show.
Author's Notes: Original publication date of this story, May 18, 2001.
"That was a culinary masterpiece, Mr. Cale," I tell Logan as I lay my napkin on the table.
"Thank you Miss Guevera," Logan says as he gives a mini-bow from his wheelchair. "I'm glad that my cooking skills pass muster."
"You know this is really nice," I remark as I sip my pre-Pulse wine.
"Yeah, it is," he replies looking at her across the table.
"No Eyes Only informants calling."
"No Lydecker chasing you."
"Nothing that has to be stolen from any high and mighty officials. Although that does help keep me in shape."
"There are other ways of keeping in shape, you know."
"Logan Cale," I say startled, "are you propositioning me?"
His face blushes and he quickly changes the subject back to the previous matter at hand. "No uninvited guests."
Nice way to avoid the subject. He must mean Zach, I think to myself. "So, how was your day?"
"The usual. Did my therapy. Conducted a little research. Cooked a 'culinary masterpiece' for a beautiful girl" his eyes twinkling as he looks at me. "Saved the world. Blah, blah, woof, woof. How about you?"
"Not tryin' to downplay that monster-sized ego of yours are you?" I love this man, I think to myself. "My day? Hmm, not as eventful as yours. Delivered packages, snapped at Normal, hung out with my friends, and then blew off work early so I could go change my clothes 'cause this great guy said he would cook dinner for me tonight." I reply trying to contain my laughter as I recall what my bedroom looks like right now.
Logan's curiosity gets the best of him as he has been observing my failing attempts to hold in my laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," I giggle. But he won't let it go, his eyes imploring me to continue. "Okay, I was just remembering what Original Cindy said after she walked into my room."
"Aren't you going to share with the rest of the class?"
"Okay I blew off work fairly early today," I say standing up and moving away from the table. "I was really nervous about tonight for some reason. Maybe because of everything that tonight isn't about."
"What do you mean?" Logan asks me, as he wheels over to my newly found perch on arm of his sofa.
"Well," I avoid looking him in the face. "This is our first real dinner since you tried to…to…you know. And I was just…"
"What, Max?" He asks softly cupping the side of my face.
"I was forced to re-examine my friendship with you tonight. You know, like why it was taking me two hours to pick out something to wear tonight, when normally I would have just come over in a pair of jeans. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"No, not really Max," Logan replies uneasily.
I can feel him tensing up, he must think I'm about to tell him that I'm glad we're friends. "I'm really fucking this up. What I'm trying to say is that I think I'm falling in love…"
"Max," Logan interrupts quickly, "I forgot about this phone call that I have to return. Bennett called me this morning to talk about Cale Industries, and I really need to call him back."
I stand up as he begins to wheel into his computer room. "I'll just clean up the kitchen and we can finish talking when you're done with your phone call."
"Um, why don't you go home," he replies without turning around to face me. "This call will probably take a while. Business."
"Sure," I say masking my hurt and anger. "Why don't I just leave you to your business. Maybe I'll drop by tomorrow after work."
"Tomorrow? Tomorrow isn't good for me Max…"
"You know what Logan. I was ready to tell you something very important tonight. Something that I have never told anyone before. But obviously you have other concerns at the moment," I say making my way towards the door. "Why don't you call me when buy a clue," I snap at him as I walk out the apartment. The tears are stinging my eyes, yearning to break free.