Early on a Sunday afternoon three weeks later, Max was alone at home with the kids. Logan had gone out earlier to tie up a few loose ends with a case Eyes Only was working on. The penthouse was unusually quiet and Max was doing laundry in the laundry room. She had become quite domesticated over the past few years. To her, being able to cook food that was edible was enough of a duty, and being able to do a proper load of laundry was a sometimes an added bonus. It didn't come easy for her; she really had to work at being a regular girl. Life with a six year old and a toddler deemed the laundering schedule to be a never-ending cycle. As she folded clothes, Max could decipher with her keen sense of hearing that Jaden and Atley were in the living room playing together. As she tossed the next load of laundry into the washing machine, she heard the phone ring. Max hurried to pick up the phone in Logan's office.

Looking at the caller ID, Max didn't recognize the number. She answered anyway. "Hello?" Her attitude ever present. When Max heard nothing on the other end of the phone line, she asked again, louder. "Hello?!" Still she heard nothing. She ended the call and walked into the living room where both kids looked up at her when she entered.

"He stinks, Mom." Jaden stuck her finger out and pointed at Atley with a disgusted look on her face. Max laughed and at that moment she was so happy that she had become a mother all those years ago. Max and Logan decided early on in their official relationship that they did want to have children someday. After an unexpected but pleasant surprise that Max was pregnant, all of her priorities changed. She softened, she stayed out of precarious situations, stopped being such a daredevil on her motorcycle, and quit her job as a bike messenger at Jam Pony a couple months after finding out she was expecting. Being pregnant and giving birth to she and Logan's daughter brought Max a deep love that she didn't know she was capable of feeling. When Jaden was born both Max and Logan navigated their way through her first few years with caution, as new parents often did. Atley came along after they had tried unsuccessfully for four years to have another child. The payoff was worth it though, and Max loved being a mother. She had not known what having a mother was like when she was younger, and she made sure to be a good one for her children.


Logan returned to the apartment a little while later to a bustling household. The toys were no longer contained in each of the children's rooms but were scattered on the glossy hardwood floor in every direction. The kids were no longer playing quietly together in the living room. Logan watched as Atley screamed and chased Jaden around. Jaden was too fast for him and he often stumbled and fell while he was in pursuit, but being the tough and half genetically enhanced toddler that he was, he got right back up and started chasing after her again. Neither of the kids noticed Logan as he passed by them. He chuckled as he took off his jacket and went to look for Max.

"Max! I'm back." Logan called as he wheeled towards the kitchen. When he didn't find her there, he looked around. Logan went to the bedrooms where he found Max standing at the dresser in Jaden's room, rummaging through a drawer.

"Hey." He poked his head into the room, curious about what she was doing.

"Hey yourself," she said, her annoyance apparent. "I heard you come in." Max looked up at him then again at the drawer where she started to toss clothing items over her shoulder and onto the floor. Logan watched the items of clothing fly through the air and then land on the ground. He cleared his throat.

"What, uh, are you doing?" He reached up and scratched the back of his head.

"What do you think? I'm looking for something!" Max's brow was furrowed and her hair was a mess. She was on edge and Logan watched her closely.

"Oh... right," Logan nodded, treading lightly. "Can I help?" He wheeled closer as Max kept tossing items. "What exactly are you trying to find?" He stopped next to her and bent forward to pick up some clothes that had been tossed aside. He was surprised to see Max so out of character. She normally kept a cool head and never let the small things get to her. This time was an odd change.

"Your daughter says she just has to wear all blue tomorrow at school. Some activity…" Max waved her hand around. She referred to the children as only Logan's when she was upset as a way to not take responsibility for them when they got on her nerves.

Logan nodded. "So...?" He piled the clothes onto his lap.

"Blue shirt with red stitching. We're looking for a blue shirt with red stitching!" Max's frustration was increasing. She dropped down to pull out the bottom drawer and started sorting through it. Logan stayed quiet and watched her. He listened and could hear that the kids sounded as though they were having fun in the other parts of the apartment.

"Logan, would you please go see if they've hurt themselves yet?!" Max's closed her eyes. Her hands were clenched around two bunches of clothes and she shook them with exasperation.

"Sure." he said calmly. Logan took the pile of clothes from his lap and tossed them onto the bed before leaving. While he was making his way to the living room he heard the kid's laughs coming from behind and he spun his chair around. Putting out his arm, he caught Jaden around her middle and he caught Atley who was trailing right behind his sister.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Logan still held both of the children. They were out of breath and both giggling. "Slow down you two, alright?" He said through a laugh. He released Jaden who sprinted back to the living room. Atley watched her go and wanted to follow so badly, but Logan still had a hold on his hand.

"Listen, little man," Logan leaned down to his son and spoke with seriousness. "You've gotta play nicely, okay?" Atley wasn't in the mood for listening and showed it by swatting Logan's forearm with his free hand. Somehow Logan let go of him and Atley started off for the living room to continue the fun with his sister. "Atley!" Logan called after him. The toddler didn't turn around but kept moving forward. Logan sighed as he leaned back in his chair and shook his head. Max came from the hallway fully dressed; holding her leather jacket.

"I'm going out," she said as she passed. "Be back in a little bit." Logan didn't question her and stayed where he was until he heard the front door slam. Their two small children were a lot to handle sometimes and Logan knew Max needed some time to clear her head. He pushed off toward the living room in search of the kids.


Max didn't know where she was going; she just had to get out and in a hurry. It wasn't often that she thought she couldn't take it anymore. Being a mother to small children took work and she was frustrated with herself for letting it get to her. She exited Fogle Towers through the lobby downstairs and began to walk. As Max made her way through the semi-crowded sidewalks she had a weird feeling. Something didn't feel right. Something was off. She tried to process it while she moved down the city streets and away from home. Max wondered if she had forgotten to do something that day, or if they were supposed to be somewhere. She was trying to make sense of the feeling she had when she was shaken from the thought.

Max had been looking ahead as she walked and was almost knocked over by someone ramming right into her shoulder. "Hey! Watch it!" She turned to see who bumped into her. She stepped back a few feet when she turned and saw that the person was standing behind her, waiting.

"I just knew you'd still be in this city." The man raised his head to reveal a sly smile.

"Alec?!" Max said, shocked. "What are you doing here?" She questioned as she stepped closer.

Alec hadn't left on good terms seven and a half years ago. After the Terminal City debacle, he wanted Max to leave Seattle but she had refused. Alec thought it would be better to get out and stay out of Seattle no matter the cost. They had stayed in Terminal City until the last of the transgenics were out safely and then the Manticore alum went their separate ways. Logan decided to stay in Seattle, because he thought that the hunt for Eyes Only was miniscule compared to the other issues plaguing the world. Max convinced herself that she was not staying around for Logan, although she knew that she loved him and he loved her. She reasoned that Seattle was her real home and that it was the place she had been in longest. She didn't want to give that up yet, not for some promise of a new life. Max was beginning to really like the one she had already made for herself; the life she lived in Seattle. Alec left town without looking back and without a way to contact him. Max and Logan grew closer after they found a permanent cure for the virus and they were able to move on together without any interference for once. They had been together ever since. Max often wondered about Alec, and the rest of the transgenics, and she was surprised that he never tried to reconnect. She let it go, however, and dismissed the thought that she had considered him family. In that moment, Alec's reappearance in Seattle was astounding to Max.

"Eh, I got sick of Boston. I have to say that I'm surprised you stuck around though." He slid his hands into the pocket of his dark pants.

"Yeah, well," Max nodded, not letting her guard down. "I'm surprised to see you, too." She responded, her tone tight.

Alec grinned and looked around. "Well, here I am." He looked back at Max.

"Wait," she stepped even closer to him. "It was you. On the phone. You called the apartment earlier…" Max's eyes were narrowing. She put the pieces together.

Alec chuckled. He nodded before answering. "Knew I'd find you there also…" He tilted his head forward. "Some things never change."

"Oh, but they do." Max replied, annoyed.

Max and Alec stood in silence for a moment. Alec shifted on his feet and looked at Max. "Yeah," He said trying to break the growing tension. "You wanna go get a drink or something?" He shoved his hands into the pockets of his light jacket and shifted on his feet.

"A drink or something?" Max asked; her tone dry. When Alec nodded she shook her head. "No, I'll pass." She didn't break eye contact.

"Maybe take a rain check?" Alec raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe." Max was indifferent. She drew her lips together.

"So, instead of waiting for you to come bounding out of Logan's building, I should just call you there?" Alec's smirked.

Max looked down then at Alec again. "Why would you need to call me?" She was annoyed with his showing up and was distant. She shifted her eyes and looked at the people passing them by.

"What?! Are... are you kidding me? So we can catch up, Max." He studied her face.

"Catch up?! You've had over seven years to catch up!" Max was angry. "I didn't know if you were alive or dead!" She shouted at him. Max paused and watched Alec.

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I, Max?" Alec replied, his tone cocky.

"Just so you know, Alec... I'm not looking to get myself into trouble anymore. A lot has changed." She stepped back from him.

"No shit, Max. A lot has changed. It's like you're a different person." Alec looked her up and down. "What's wrong with you?!" He shook his head.

"Whatever, Alec." Max rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, before leaning to one side and thrusting out her hip.

"Hey, I'm only stating the truth here. Almost eight years and it's a whole new Max. What the hell happened?! Aren't you happy to see me?" Alec said without smiling.

Max had listened to enough. She took a step closer to him and poked a finger into his chest. "I have responsibilities now. That's what happened." She spoke through gritted teeth.

Alec raised his eyebrows. "Responsibilities. Right." He mocked. "That's fine." He raised his hands and started to walk backward. "I come back for a nice visit and it looks like you couldn't even care." He turned to leave but Max jerked his elbow and spun him around.

"Hey! I have children, Alec! Okay?!" Max's face was inches from Alec's. She let go of his arm and stepped back. "You know what? No. I don't need to explain myself to you. You're the one who left."

"You have children? As in kids?" Alec said in disbelief. He leaned back and stifled a laugh. "Hm. Wait, and let me guess..." He paused and raised a finger to his chin. "Logan's the father." He laughed. "You two finally got it on, huh?" Alec scratched his forehead and attempted to contain his laughter.

Max stood silent and watched him. "Are you done?" She raised her eyebrows; not amused in the least.

"When are you going to introduce me to them?" Alec looked up.

"Right…" Max stepped back and crossed her arms. "Like that's gonna happen. They don't know about you... or anything else relating to the past for that matter. And that's how it's going to stay." Her voice became even more edgy.

"Fine. Have it your way." Alec began to back up. "I'll be here until Thursday if you want to talk."

Max stood still with her arms crossed as he walked away.

"I'm staying at the Red Light Motel downtown. I'm sure you know where it is." Alec said as he turned around.

Max watched him leave before walking forward again. She was more frustrated than she was when she left the penthouse. She grumbled under her breath as she turned a corner and headed a few blocks down to the place that she most often went to in seek of comfort; Original Cindy's apartment.


"That was it! Alec. Him showing up like that! I felt something weird all day." Max shook her head as she spoke to Original Cindy while they sat with pillows in their laps on the comfortable couch.

"You got some senses, boo, that's for sure." Original Cindy nodded.

"The nerve of that guy! Ugh!" Max vented.

Original Cindy nodded in support as Max spoke. Time seemed to fly by as the two talked, and Max appreciated the conversation she had with her close friend. The two continued to chat for a while. While Max continued to rant about the surprise visit from Alec and about frustrations at home, the sun began to set. Max looked towards the window and sighed. She felt better with her head cleared and she threw the pillow aside and both she and Original Cindy stood up from the overstuffed couch.

"Thanks for talking, OC. I appreciate it." Max reached out and hugged Original Cindy.

"No big dealio, boo. It was good to see ya." Cindy smiled.

"I better get home; they're probably waiting on me to eat dinner." Max walked over to the kitchen and grabbed her jacket that she had deposited when she walked in.

"Tell those babies Auntie C miss them, aiight? And tell Logan that I'm free for one of his fancy dinners any time now. This girl's overdue." Original Cindy laughed.

"I will. You know you're welcome anytime though." Max smiled. Cindy grabbed her jacket from a chair and her bag from the kitchen counter as she was preparing to go out also. Max and Original Cindy walked out into the hallway together. They rode the rickety elevator down to the ground floor.

"See you later. Thanks again." Max said as she pushed through the door to the sidewalk.

"No problem. You're my girl - always have been, always will be. See ya." Cindy smiled and they parted ways.

Once she was back out on the street, Max headed towards the direction of Fogle Towers. After walking a few blocks, she noticed that the streets were unusually crowded. It was nearing 6:30 in the evening and there were people rushing around, talking on their cell phones. Max wondered what the rush was all about. The streets seemed to be busier than normal. Looking up she saw a huge black cloud of smoke rising against the darkened sky from atop an area that she estimated to be about three miles away. She slowed her pace and listened closely to man talking on a cell phone a couple yards ahead of her. She walked behind him for several feet and took in every detail of the conversation he was having.

"No, I'm fine. And no, I wasn't near it," the man seemed as though he was trying to keep his voice calm.

Not quite knowing what had occurred, Max looked around and noticed two women with tears in their eyes. She realized the street full of people and cars was growing into a state of panic. She knew then that something had gone down that she didn't know about. Max hadn't heard or felt anything while she was at Original Cindy's apartment. She whirled around in hopes of spotting Original Cindy as they had both just left the apartment building. With more quickness in her step, Max went back to the direction she thought Original Cindy was heading. Running, Max darted in between people on the sidewalk and slowed her pace to try and spot Cindy's curly brown hair. When she knew Cindy wasn't nearby, Max gave up the search and turned back.

"Dammit," Max muttered through gritted teeth when she felt the pocket of the jacket she wore for her cell phone, realizing she had forgotten it in her haste to leave home earlier. Growing more concerned, she spun around again and started to jog back to Fogle Towers. Almost knocking people down on her way, Max started to sprint when she looked up and saw the windows of the penthouse floor. People were standing in the streets in front of the building, looking up at the sky. Max knew without looking that they were staring at the black smoke that was billowing up from somewhere not far away. Darting through the door to the lobby, Max ran straight by Felix, the building guard. He shouted to her as she went by.

"Elevator is out! At least for right now!" He stood up from the stool he was perched on and cupped a hand around his mouth so his voice would be more audible. Max heard him clearly and she bounded up the stairs.