Chapter 4

"Cute guy?" Max blushed. "What about him? And what are you doing up here?"

"What am I doing? Looking for you. From the way you acted when you left, I figured you wouldn't go far. I saw the size of that skylight, and I thought you'd have to be up here, checking him out. And I was right, too," Jondy teased. "As for the guy – is he yours? He ought to be. He's gorgeous."

God, I wish he was, thought Max. "No. I met him three years ago, but tonight was our first d… Date." "…our first dinner together."

"Three years? Wow!" Jondy wiggled her eyebrows. "I probably would have mauled him by now! You've got patience."

Suddenly Max heard the faint sound of Logan's chair moving in the apartment beneath them. He was coming toward the skylight. She stifled a giggle and signaled Jondy to silence.

Jondy nodded and tilted her head toward the eastern side of the building; that was where she'd climbed up. Silently Max retrieved her own equipment and they descended together to the streets of Seattle.

"I hope he didn't spot us," said Max.

"We weren't exactly hard to spot," Jondy laughed. "Everything Manticore taught us about stealth and reconnaissance, totally forgotten. Oh man, recon 101. Don't speak." She let out a giggle.

Max didn't laugh back. "I'm trying very hard to forget everything Manticore taught us, period,"

"Yeah," said Jondy. "But some of it's still useful, you know?"

"Especially for cat burglary," Max said with a wry grin. "So. When did you get to Seattle? Where are you staying? You got a place to crash?"

"Couple months ago," said Jondy. "I've got an apartment just down the street."

Max was impressed. "Wow. Teaching yoga pays better than I thought. I think I should do something like that. Where'd you live before here?"

"In San Francisco. I had a great place with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, but Zack ordered me to move on." Jondy said with sadness on her face. "I really liked it there. The bridge especially."

Max gasped. "Zack made it? He's alive?"

"You didn't know?" Jondy was surprised. "It seems we have a lot of catching up to do. Let's go back to my place and talk."

"I haven't heard anything since the escape," Max said as they walked together. "Did everyone make it?"

"I know nine of us did. Everybody else Zack, me, Krit and Syl – Zack says they're an item now, by the way – and then Tinga, Zane, Raine, Brin, and you. So far as I know all of them are still free. But Jace … she fell back, and she never made it out."

"She's out now," said Max. "Lydecker used her to try to trap me, but I found out and helped her escape. I know someone in Manticore and ... they tell me things." Max spoke cautiously, even with Jondy.

There were footsteps close behind them, and then someone spoke. Instinctively, both Max and Jondy spun around, falling into a combat stance.

A tall blond man stood there laughing at them. "Hey, Jondy. I see you found our wayward sister."

"Shit!" shouted Jondy. "Zack, don't you know you can get hurt doing that? Two against one – we could have beaten the hell out of you, you dickhead. And you'd deserve it. Maybe we should do it now."

"Zack? Is it really you?" Max's voice was a whisper of disbelief.

"Yeah, it's really me," he said, hugging her tightly, "I've been looking for you for years, little sister. Where the hell have you been?"

"Here in Seattle, mostly," Max said. "Listen. I think we better get off the streets. It's almost curfew."

"Oh, that's right," said Jondy. "I'm still not used to being in lockdown mode again. We're okay, I think. My place isn't far."

As they walked the last few blocks to Jondy's apartment, Zack walked between them, his arms around his sisters' shoulders.

Logan was looking into the old wallet, trying to remember that night three years ago. It's empty. I can't remember when I didn't have money in my wallet, especially when Valerie and I were together. God, she was high-maintenance. Even after we were married, she was high-maintenance too. When the divorce was final, that was it. Then his thoughts went back to Max. She had my temperature rising… and other things. After all this time, I can still feel myself sinking into those deep brown eyes. I could drown in them and be happy. And then Bitsy had to – I could just –I know she means well, but if she messed up my chances with Max… He growled. He was brooding again. He'd check the security cameras and go to bed.

The surveillance camera had caught two people on the roof less than three hours ago. He recognized them instantly. They'd been guests in his apartment that same evening, not long before they climbed up to look in on him from the skylight. The thought of the height made him quiver. Why would anyone do that? He had to know what they wanted with him.

It was late, but still early enough to make a phone call. He had to know why Max would be watching him. He paged her.

Having gotten a page Max motion to Crash to use the phone. Since she didn't think her sister had one yet. In this economy, it was very very hard to get a phone. Max thought, Well, she could do like I did for awhile and tap into someone else's...

It wasn't long before she called back. "Max here. Who is this?

"It's me, Logan. Logan Cale."

"Oh. What do you want at this time of night, Logan Cale? All your company leave?"

"Uh, yeah. Listen, you wouldn't by chance want to come over again, would you?" Logan asked hesitantly.

"Twice in one night – how flattering. But no, sorry. I'm singing – just a little gig, trying out some songs for tomorrow night. They're calling me now. Gotta blaze." She hung up and turned to her siblings saying, "You wonna grab a beer while were here before I start singing? .

First she sneaks around on my roof, then she hangs up on me. Logan was more than a little put out. The caller ID showed that she'd called from someplace called Crash. When he called back, a man answered. In the background was the sound of a noisy bar on a weekend night, plus Max singing. She was telling the truth about that, at least. "Sorry," said Logan. "Wrong number."

If she wouldn't come to him, he'd go to her. He found the address of the bar and headed out.

Just outside the entrance to Crash, Logan lost his nerve. He pulled out his cell phone and called Bling. Bling wasn't far away, and it wasn't long before he arrived in the alley outside the club. He had Sarah with him. "What's the deal, man?" Bling said.

"Max is singing here, or at least she was an hour ago." Logan was in a hurry now. To his relief, he heard Max's voice the moment the door opened. She was still on stage.

"Man, she sounds really good," said Bling. "What do you think, Sarah?"

"Yes. Quite lovely. She sounds like ... I don't know. I've heard her somewhere before. Hmm." Sarah looked thoughtful.

There were a few tables open. Logan chose one in the corner. The view of the stage wasn't good, but that meant Max wouldn't have a good view of them, either. Bling and Sarah followed him and sat down.

Max was introducing her next number. "I'd like to sing this song for a friend of mine, someone I hadn't seen in a long time. He's not here tonight, but I'm hoping maybe these words will float his way."

She started a country number, a bit unusual for Crash, and for Max. A hush fell over the club.

Max sang the sensual song and when she finished, she silently put the mike back in its stand, and slipped into the shadow at the edge of the stage.

The crowd exploded in applause; cheers and hoots followed from everywhere. The sheer volume must have taken Max by surprise; she returned to the stage, blushing.

Logan on the other hand was so moved; he felt butterflies in his heart. He had never experienced that one thing. Max had moved him in such a way that he was unable to bring his glass of beer down much less speak. Bling had to nudge him to get a reaction from him. Bling just smiled. He knew it was only a matter of time.

"This is a fun number and I'd like my brother and sister to help me," she said to the audience. "Is that okay with you?"

The audience roared with applause and approval. A guy at the back of the packed room shouted, "Yeah! Go for it, pretty lady!" loud enough to be heard over everyone else.

Two people joined her on stage amid the cheering. One of them was a tall blond man Logan had never seen before. He recognized the other one – she was Bitsy's yoga teacher, Jessica. Why didn't Max say they were related? Max started an old Dinah Ross song. When she began to dance, her brother and sister joined her. They moved with astonishing grace, perfectly synchronized. Max beamed, waving to the crowd to sing along; even at a distance Logan could see that her face was flushed with excitement.

Love is a losing game,

love can be a shame,

I know of a fool you see,

for that fool is me.

Tell me why, tell me why,

Why do birds sing so gay, and lovers await the break of day?

Why do they fall in love?

Why does the rain fall from up above?

Why do fools fall in love, why do they fall in love?

Why does my heart skip a crazy beat

For I know it will reach defeat?

Why...do fools...fall in love?

The three joined hands, bowed, and left the stage. They were laughing and talking a mile a minute. None of them noticed Logan or Bling.

As soon as Max started moving through the crowd toward the bar, Rafer appeared at her side. He was saying something – ordinary pleasantries, she thought – but in the noise of the club, she couldn't really tell. She said something polite back, took Jondy's arm, and headed for a quieter corner. Zack followed them.

"Who was that guy? You're not into an ordinary, are you?" Zack asked, frowning.

"What do you mean, 'ordinary'?" Max looked at her sister. "Jondy, what's he talking about?"

Jondy shrugged. "He doesn't like what he calls 'phony sentimentality crap'. He's been going on about it forever. "No connections. We're soldiers. We're not like them. It's how he is."

" Well, for twelve years, all I've known is ordinaries. I don't think there's any difference, Zack. You mean you haven't been involved with anyone all this time?" Max stated a fact.

"No. It's better not to get attached to anyone or anything. It's the best way to keep ourselves safe from Lydecker and Manticore. Jondy's got it. We have to keep moving, and that means no emotions, no involvement, no connections."

"That's just what it was like at Manticore, Zack," Max said sadly. "That's why we left. We wanted to know what the outside world was like, to be something besides soldiers . You're living as if you were still there."

Zack flinched. "Sorry," said Max. "I didn't mean it that way, big brother. Let's forget I brought it up?"

"Yeah, let's have another round and go home, okay?" said Jondy. "Zack, your turn to buy."

As Zack headed to the bar, Jondy leaned close to Max. "Zack had a pretty bad spill about three years ago. Met this girl and fell head over heels for her. So it's hard to break the walls around his heart. He really did love her ... she, she was killed, Maxie. Lydecker's men did it. They thought she was one of us, and they had her trapped in a burning building. Lydecker figured she was an X5, so obviously she'd jump to save herself. But she didn't, because she couldn't, and they just watched her burn to death. You can see why Zack doesn't want to get close to anyone again. Especially not an ordinary."

"Oh, God." Max breathed. "What Zack do? Did he retaliate?"

Jondy nodded grimly. "Yes. Lydecker knows he was wrong, and he has the scars to remind him. Anyway, don't let Zack know I've told you."

"How about you? You with anyone?" Max wanted to know.

"Well, yeah, kinda sorta. I haven't seen him since I left L.A.. It doesn't worry Zack, because … well, when I was living with the guy, I told Zack he was gay. We've known each other for years ... I mean, as little kids. So we just grew up together. Not like brother and sister – we just know each other, you know?" Jondy drank the last of the beer in her glass. "I know I'm not making any sense. All I do know is I miss him very much. So are you interested in Logan?"

"That's a tough one. A few years ago, I was performing at a lot of parties. Mostly I was a distraction. I'd sing while the guys I was with worked the crowd picking pockets, ripping people off. It was fun for a while. Then at the last gig, I met Logan, and I've had a feeling about him all this time. I saw him at a performance, but I never really talked to him until I delivered a package to his apartment today." Max paused. "He didn't have the chair when I met him. Do you know what happened? Did Bitsy tell you anything?"

"Yeah. She said gangsters shot him while he was trying to protect a woman and her kid. He's a journalist, kind of a crusader, and the woman was a witness in a trial. It was that … what's the name… the Sonrisa case, the thing with the mayor and the drugs. Anyway, the gangsters came after them before Logan could get them into Witness Protection. He was lying on the little girl shielding her and got shot in the back. It was pretty big news, from what Bitsy said. Were you not here?" Jondy said.

"No. I just came back a few months ago. I had to lay low after that party thing. Especially since I kind of knocked my boss out before I left, which wasn't good for my career if you know what I mean."

"Yeah," said Jondy. "Man, where's Zack? A person could dehydrate with him around. Oh, there he is – with that blond over there. Now that's interesting. It's kind of good to see him interested in another girl. Listen, I do want to show you my pad. Want to just blaze and let Zack hang here?"

Max agreed. "I'll come back with you, but I'd better go home after that or my roommate OC will call out a search party. OC's cool. You ought to meet her. You know, she's always trying to get me to do all kinds of girly stuff – you could come over this weekend and we could all get girly together. Paint our fingernails, curl our hair, stuff like that. And tomorrow night I'll be singing at the Gilded Lady – that's my other job – if you want to come." Max was overjoyed at the chance to do something with her big sister.

"Sounds good, " said Jondy. "I've got yoga classes tomorrow, but just during the day. I better see what Zack's got planned before we leave."

They picked up their coats and threaded their way through the crowd to the bar.

"Hey, big brother," said Jondy. "You know, a person could die of thirst. It's okay, though. Max and I are heading out. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Jondy eyed the blonde and added quietly, "Have fun, Zack."

"Wait. You don't think I'm ... uh, with her do you?" Zack said in surprise.

"So?" Max said curiously.

"Well, it does seem interesting," Jondy commented

"It seems sick. Yuck. She's Syl. Don't you recognize your own sister? You didn't think I ... no, that's just disgusting." Zack gagged and Syl giggled.

"I am not disgusting," laughed Syl. She looked warmly at Jondy and Max. "So… you've grown up pretty good. And having this jackass breathing down your neck doesn't seem to have been too bad for you. I assume he's been treating you the way he treats me, always pushing you to move on just as soon as you're unpacked?"

Zack answered. "Yes and no."

"What?" asked Syl. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"He means he hasn't been ordering me around, because he just found out where I was," Max explained.

"Oh! So you've missed out on the nomadic lifestyle, then. Good for you. Where are you heading now?"

"My place," said Jondy. "You want to come? How about you, Zack? Or is that just too many girls?"

"No. It's too many X5s in one place," Zack said solemnly. "I'll follow you a ways, and I'll see you in the morning. Be careful. All of you."

The X5s must have been lost in the joy of their reunion, because none of them had noticed the three people who had been patiently eavesdropping from the corner.

Logan looked across the table at Bling and Sarah. "Bling, can you – would you follow Max to see where she lives?"

Bling rolled his eyes. "Why?"

"I just want to know, okay?" Logan pleaded.

"Bling, would you follow Max to see where she lives? I... I just want to know, okay?" Logan asked pleading.

"Yeah, I guess," said Bling. His tone was frustrated and resigned.

Smoothly and quietly, the three of them left by the back door. As they reached Logan's car, Bling slipped into the shadows of the street and disappeared.