I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. Still got no money. Won't get any for this either. Thanks to Sun Tzu and the Art of War
A/N: Thanks heaps to Kasman for the beta. It will not be forgotten. Thanks for the reviews everyone.
Spoilers: Freak Nation and a few other episodes try to guess.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
Chapter 6 What's in A Name?
~~~~~~~~~~
Command Center, Terminal City – mid-morning first day:
Logan is standing watching Max as she organizes and sends the transgenics off on various tasks, taking reports over her comm. set and checking on the various security monitors.
I don't know what happened earlier this morning with Max, but she seems okay now. I have to find out what it was made her so frightened and what she had to see Alec about. She's been avoiding me since she came back. Something scared her. Was she having another insight, like back at Jam Pony? Logan shakes his head. You once joked about not joining the Logan Cale Brigade.
»»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's apartment:
Max is sitting on the arm of Logan's new couch. Logan smiles at her.
"I always knew that underneath that bioengineered military-issue armor plating, there was a beating heart."
"Let's not go overboard here. I'm not signing up to join the Logan Cale Brigade for the Defense of Widows, Small Children and Lost Animals."
"You could be field commander."
"I think not. So what's for dinner? Max gets up and walks in the direction of the kitchen. You gonna feed me or are you gonna just sit there?"
»»»»»»»
Thing is, you never realized it, but that's exactly what you were, my field commander. Well, it's your brigade now and you're most definitely in charge. Lydecker would be proud one of his kids made good, but then maybe not, probably find something wrong. I'm proud to be a soldier in the Max Guevara Brigade...the transfusion is holding up so far, and I hope it provides some protection against the bio-toxins, because I don't intend leaving your side.
Luke and Dix walk over, "Hey, Logan, Max says you managed to save some disks when you escaped from Jam Pony."
"Yeah, left the laptop in the car, but had these in my pocket to give you guys if I got the chance."
"What's on them?" Luke asks as Dix takes the disks from Logan.
"Copies of the sewer system, pass words to get into the police systems and some DOD files and some stuff I dug up on Manticore."
"That's great It'll help us find ways around the blue suits and maybe help find out who else we might have to fight.
"If you know your enemy and you know yourself you need not fear defeat. Sun Tzu Chinese philosopher general." Dix says and shrugs when the other two look at him "I read."
"Thing is, I need my laptop. There's stuff on there that can be of some use here and...a few other programs that could help." Logan says.
Luke looks at Dix. "We may have a solution to that."
"Yeah, there was an X5 who was on his way to Jam Pony for a job when everything went FUBAR. He saw your stunt - thought you were an X5. Before he could follow you, he was locked out. We can contact him to pick up your stuff - don't know about the car though."
"There's a safe house Eyes Only has - he can leave that there, but the computer I need...how is he going to get in? The police have this place locked down and after this morning..."
A smile creases Dix's misshapen face. "Not the sewers yet, he'll just have to come in from further out."
"Thanks guys...hope I can be of some help."
Luke grinning, "For an ordinary...no offense, you've done plenty already, and we need somebody whose specialty is computer hacking."
Dix nodding, "Yeah we all have basic skills, but if what Max and Alec say...nobody here can touch you, so as long as you can stay, you'll be a help."
"I'll do my best, and trust me, I don't intend going anywhere else soon."
Dix and Luke look at each other and shrug. "We'll contact that X5 and arrange things."
"Will let you know when we get him. See ya." Luke says as the two walk away.
Logan looks over at Max and she turns and sees him and they smile.
A female X5 calls out. "Max, we need to get somebody over to the infirmary to help the Medics."
"What's up?"
"They're still working on the two wounded from this morning and they need the supplies from the ambulance you brought in, and there's nobody there to send."
"Okay, I'm on it...What's your name?"
"Felecia."
"Right. Go find Mole and tell him to get back here and keep an eye on things till I'm back."
Logan walks over to Max. "Hey, you."
"Hey, yourself."
"Question?"
"Yeah, what?" Max asks defensively.
Logan pauses for a second and looks at Max closely, "Why not send Mole to the infirmary?"
Max looks at Logan with a frown, "The dealio is he's still touchy that I took over at Jam Pony and he's more so that I convinced the rest of this lot to stay, so that's why." Smiling. "Besides I want to see Gem and the baby...see how they're doing."
Logan grinning "The Brigade commander of the lost, homeless, abused and deliverer of transgenic babies...you make me proud Max."
Max laughs "Ah, shut it. You want to come?"
"Would love to but after your praise of me to Luke and Dix, I better go and prove I have some use around here...see ya later?"
"Yeah, later."
Max watches Logan walk away. Thought you were going to ask about this morning and Alec...glad you said no about coming with me just now, until I find out if Zack is where he's supposed to be and out of the way, the command center is the only place we can be together. I still need your help, but what is it you need from me now...I have nothing to give you anymore Logan, either a slow death if you stay or a quick one if I touch you.
Sadly shaking her head, Max heads for the infirmary.
Watching from the computer terminals, Logan sees Max leave
Something is bothering you, and it's not the circus outside or the inmates in here. When I said I had a question, I could see your defenses going up. After nearly two years, I've gotten good at spotting the Max defense system, but what are you afraid I'm going to ask you about?
~~~~~~~~~
At the Infirmary:
She sees Original Cindy and Sketchy carrying medical supplies into the room.
"Hey, OC, Sketchy, wait up let me give you a hand."
"Hey, boo."
"Hey, Max."
"How come you knew they needed help here?"
"We were in visiting Gem and the baby when we heard them send the call for help, so we offered. Thought you were getting busy being the supreme commander of the Max Brigade?"
"Will everybody please stop that," sighing, "I'm only organizing stuff till somebody better qualified comes along."
"Huh-huh, so for now you're the organizer." Original Cindy says.
Max and OC look at each other and grin, Sketchy looks at them with a confused expression, "Organizer, I thought she was the commander?"
"Shut up, fool!" Max and OC say together and laugh.
"Aw, you're teasing me again."
"So what you doing here boo? Who's in charge?"
"Well, there's not much else going on, everything is mostly set up, and I left Mole in charge...besides, thought this would be a good time to check on Gem and the baby."
"Lizard Boy? He's going to cause trouble you know."
"Yeah, but hopefully when the time comes it'll be later...he realizes if we don't stick together we'll all be hung out to dry."
"Whatever you say."
Entering the infirmary, they see the two wounded transgenics, the medics and Joshua. One of the wounded is sitting in a chair getting his arm bandaged. The other is on a gurney with two of the medics working on his back: He is connected to Joshua by an IV tube, receiving a transfusion
"Hi, big fella donating for the cause?"
"Hi, little fella, yes donating...he needs Joshua's blood too."
"Right."
Max puts her supplies on a side table and walks over to the X5 in the chair.
"What's your name, friend?"
He tries to stand and come to attention, "X5-731 named Ritter."
"No need for that ten-hut stuff here, Ritter."
"But, ma'am."
"Were not at Manticore, this is Terminal City - different rules, okay."
"Yes ma'am."
"Not ma'am, my name is Max."
"Yes, ma—Max."
"Good. What happened?"
"Well Fred—"
"Fred?"
"The Nomlie, ma'am, sorry, Max, that's him over there." Pointing at the transgenic being operated on. "We were on our way here...figured we could sneak through the cordon and get through the fence. Us X5s look like ordinaries and Fred, well, he can pass, it's more in the way he is put together."
Max looks at the medic.
"His bones and skin can stretch or shrink, but it takes a lot out of him and he can go catatonic, thus rated a failure by our ex-employers. Who knows what they were thinking when they mixed his cocktail."
"Sorry, Ritter, go on."
"Well, as I said, we were nearly through, when all of a sudden this patrol comes running and opens fire. They hit Fred in the back. When I did the pick up they hit me in the arm. Luckily we were near a sewer entrance and we made it down. Don't know why we weren't followed, heard them arguing over the radio."
"You had some help from the guy in charge out there, he wants to keep a lid on things."
Ritter shakes his head, "I don't understand how they spotted us. I got straight As in evasion tactics."
"Were looking into that...we think they have some kind of tracking device."
Max turns to the medic and nods in the direction of the wounded Nomlie.
"Is he going to make it?"
"He lost a lot of blood but luckily due to bad shooting, his make up and Joshua's transfusion he should make it."
Max sighs, "Okay...is there anything else you need?"
"No, your two ordinary, sorry no offense, friends brought everything we need at the moment. We can strip the rest of the stuff out later. Tell them thanks for me."
Max looks around and sees that Original Cindy and Sketchy have left.
"Oh...can you tell me where Gem and her baby are?"
"Two rooms down, even an X5 needs some rest after childbirth...she might be awake might not."
"Thanks."
Max walks down the corridor.
Aside from me worrying about my nightmares, thank God Logan didn't come with me...seeing Fred on the table...would have brought back some nightmares for him. It brought back some bad memories for me, too.
»»»»»
Flashback Cale family cabin:
Max is awake leaning over the back of a soft chair suddenly she looks up startled. She looks back at Zack and then gets up and calls Logan's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Bling? What are you doing with Logan's phone?"
"Hey; Max:"
"Is he all right? Can I talk to him?"
"He can't talk right now."
"What's wrong?"
She hears a Hospital P.A.
"Why are you at the hospital?" Bling doesn't answer, "Tell me!"
"He's been having some problems lately. He collapsed this morning at home. They're operating on him now."
"What hospital?"
"Metro Medical. Listen, Max—"
»»»»»»
I loved you all the time, Logan, and I was nearly not there for you...kept trying not to have moments of weakness as Zack said. I wish I'd admitted how I felt. Maybe things would be different now. Yeah, and I would be a regular girl, right.
The door to the second room is slightly a jar. Max hears OC and Gem talking; she pushes it open and stands in the doorway. Gem is sitting on a bedroll feeding the baby and Orginal Cindy is sitting on an old crate.
Yeah, if I'd admitted my feelings maybe we'd have had a baby by now...what are you thinking, Max, get your head in the game.
They look over at Max.
"Sorry about the accommodations, Gem."
"Hi, Max, come on in. This is luxury compared to where Dalton and I were coming from to get here. OC was telling me about the excitement outside."
"Where's Sketchy?"
"Said something about needing a beer after all that work."
"We still got beer?"
OC shrugs her shoulders, "How are they doing out there?"
"Looks like they're both gonna make it...was close."
"Don't worry Max it's not your fault." Gem says as she shifts the baby to her other breast.
"But it's my fault...if I hadn't exposed Manticore."
"No! Max, you set us free...do you think we weren't dying already, every time we went on a mission, there was that chance. This is not your fault, it's just another part of the game."
"Yeah, some game."
Original Cindy looks at Max then Gem, "So you picked a name for this little lady yet?"
"No, but thinking of calling her Cindy or Max."
"This here chile don't need that name, she needs something really special." Original Cindy looks at Max.
"Hey, don't look at me, already got a nephew named Max, can you imagine at family reunions, hey, Max, hi Max, how's it going, Max, drive people crazy."
They all laugh. Gem looks at Original Cindy then at Max, "Would you like to hold her?"
Max steps back shaking her head and waving her hands in front of her.
Original Cindy grins, at her, "She won't bite, I held her earlier when Gem went to the bathroom."
"I don't know anything about holding babies, suppose I drop her?"
"Don't be silly girl, just hold her in your arms like this." She reaches over and Gem puts the baby in her arms and she slowly stands and turns to Max. "Here, take her."
Hesitating at first, Max then reaches out her arms and Original Cindy passes the baby over, who stretches then goes back to sleep snuggling into Max.
"She's so pretty, she really needs a special name." Max looking with a faint smile down on the small bundle in her arms.
»»»»»»
Flashback Manticore facility, Gillette Wyoming 2006
It's night in the barracks, block 12. Two hours after lights out, the room is dark but for the reflected light of search lights on the walls. Around one bed a group of children is gathered listening to another speak. He is telling them a story.
"All the people in the Good Place have names -"
"What are names?" One of the children asks.
"I think it's what the guards use when they talk to each other...you know after the rank and in the books."
Several of the others nod.
"I think we should have names," says a boy with piercing blue eyes, already showing the build and commanding presence he will achieve as a man. "I like Zachary, like that General Zachary Taylor, think I'll be Zack."
He looks around the group and fastens his gaze on a girl sitting next to the storyteller. She looks back, her dark brown eyes and already beautiful features have a thoughtful look.
"Max, my name is Max," she says with a finality that is absolute.
The storyteller looks from one to the other and says, "I like Ben. The ambassador to France, he liked stories."
Another girl speaks up "Eva, I like that I heard one of the guards say he didn't like it."
"Syl, short for Sylvia, like the captain in the battle for Havana in '05."
"Josh - heard a guard tell another he was joshing."
"Krit."
"Jondy, I just like the sound of it," she says shrugging her slim shoulders.
"Zane, like the dog that they have guarding the north fence. I like him." The other children shake their heads.
"Brin," an Asian looking girl says.
Another, with almost the same features, looks thoughtful for a moment. "Tinga."
"Jack, heard a guard say, 'Hi, Jack' sounded strange."
The self-naming continues until only one child, a girl, has not picked a name, darker than the rest and smaller. She is pretty like all the girls. After a moment she says, "Jace. I heard one of the guards say that was her name."
»»»»»»
"This is a new beginning for all of us. She shouldn't have to pick her own name but we should remember those who did, she needs something special...what do you think of CeCe, Gem?" Max asks gently looking at the baby sleeping in her arms.
"Yes, Max, that will do. When she's old enough to understand, I'll tell her what CeCe did. We shouldn't forget."
"Aiight," Original Cindy says with a smile trying to break the tension.
"Well, gotta to blaze and check on the rest of the troops. I'll drop by again when I can...thanks, Gem, for letting me hold Cece." Max kneels down and hands the sleeping baby to Gem.
"Anytime, Max, and next time, bring Logan."
Max looks at Gem and then at Original Cindy with a questioning look, "Yeah, we'll see."
"I'll go with you, boo. Later, sugah, let you get some rest."
Outside in the corridor Original Cindy notices Max frowning, "What's up, boo? If it's about telling Gem about Logan, she asked what the dealio was and Original Cindy figured you wouldn't mind me telling her, not the whole DL mind."
"No, OC, don't mind, figured she'd ask some time...I never wanted this, OC. All this responsibility, all I wanted was to be a regular girl, kicking with my home girl and finding my family, and look..."
"Well, girl, life never stays the same, things change, people change, that's the only certainty. Besides you want Mole or Alec in charge of this lot?"
Max smiles faintly, "I don't think so."
"Damn straight. So till things sort themselves out, you'll have to deal. I'll cover your back with the rest."
"Thanks, OC."
"No problem, that's what family is for. That reminds me, you know where Original Cindy can score a change outta this here black hat stuff? It's just not my thing."
"I'll see what I can do. I ain't exactly looking dignified myself." Looking down at her torn and dirty cat suit."
"Yeah, men notice that sort of thing, boo. Glad to see you and your man finally sorted things out."
"Right."
"Something you not telling me, sugah?"
"It's all good...later, OC. I better get back to the Command Center, make sure Mole hasn't sent everybody looking for spies in the vents."
"Right...later."
OC, you'd probably think me crazy if I told you about my dream about Zack hunting Logan. As for telling him the truth – he'd definitely never trust me again -- I can't deal with that. I don't want to lose him, especially now we're finding a way to deal with being around each other with the virus. Well, better check in and see if I can score some clothes.
As Max heads for the command center she smiles to herself. So you're proud of me Logan. Well you should be, it's your fault that I got a conscience.
***
To be continued
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. Still got no money. Won't get any for this either. Thanks to Sun Tzu and the Art of War
A/N: Thanks heaps to Kasman for the beta. It will not be forgotten. Thanks for the reviews everyone.
Spoilers: Freak Nation and a few other episodes try to guess.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
Chapter 6 What's in A Name?
~~~~~~~~~~
Command Center, Terminal City – mid-morning first day:
Logan is standing watching Max as she organizes and sends the transgenics off on various tasks, taking reports over her comm. set and checking on the various security monitors.
I don't know what happened earlier this morning with Max, but she seems okay now. I have to find out what it was made her so frightened and what she had to see Alec about. She's been avoiding me since she came back. Something scared her. Was she having another insight, like back at Jam Pony? Logan shakes his head. You once joked about not joining the Logan Cale Brigade.
»»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's apartment:
Max is sitting on the arm of Logan's new couch. Logan smiles at her.
"I always knew that underneath that bioengineered military-issue armor plating, there was a beating heart."
"Let's not go overboard here. I'm not signing up to join the Logan Cale Brigade for the Defense of Widows, Small Children and Lost Animals."
"You could be field commander."
"I think not. So what's for dinner? Max gets up and walks in the direction of the kitchen. You gonna feed me or are you gonna just sit there?"
»»»»»»»
Thing is, you never realized it, but that's exactly what you were, my field commander. Well, it's your brigade now and you're most definitely in charge. Lydecker would be proud one of his kids made good, but then maybe not, probably find something wrong. I'm proud to be a soldier in the Max Guevara Brigade...the transfusion is holding up so far, and I hope it provides some protection against the bio-toxins, because I don't intend leaving your side.
Luke and Dix walk over, "Hey, Logan, Max says you managed to save some disks when you escaped from Jam Pony."
"Yeah, left the laptop in the car, but had these in my pocket to give you guys if I got the chance."
"What's on them?" Luke asks as Dix takes the disks from Logan.
"Copies of the sewer system, pass words to get into the police systems and some DOD files and some stuff I dug up on Manticore."
"That's great It'll help us find ways around the blue suits and maybe help find out who else we might have to fight.
"If you know your enemy and you know yourself you need not fear defeat. Sun Tzu Chinese philosopher general." Dix says and shrugs when the other two look at him "I read."
"Thing is, I need my laptop. There's stuff on there that can be of some use here and...a few other programs that could help." Logan says.
Luke looks at Dix. "We may have a solution to that."
"Yeah, there was an X5 who was on his way to Jam Pony for a job when everything went FUBAR. He saw your stunt - thought you were an X5. Before he could follow you, he was locked out. We can contact him to pick up your stuff - don't know about the car though."
"There's a safe house Eyes Only has - he can leave that there, but the computer I need...how is he going to get in? The police have this place locked down and after this morning..."
A smile creases Dix's misshapen face. "Not the sewers yet, he'll just have to come in from further out."
"Thanks guys...hope I can be of some help."
Luke grinning, "For an ordinary...no offense, you've done plenty already, and we need somebody whose specialty is computer hacking."
Dix nodding, "Yeah we all have basic skills, but if what Max and Alec say...nobody here can touch you, so as long as you can stay, you'll be a help."
"I'll do my best, and trust me, I don't intend going anywhere else soon."
Dix and Luke look at each other and shrug. "We'll contact that X5 and arrange things."
"Will let you know when we get him. See ya." Luke says as the two walk away.
Logan looks over at Max and she turns and sees him and they smile.
A female X5 calls out. "Max, we need to get somebody over to the infirmary to help the Medics."
"What's up?"
"They're still working on the two wounded from this morning and they need the supplies from the ambulance you brought in, and there's nobody there to send."
"Okay, I'm on it...What's your name?"
"Felecia."
"Right. Go find Mole and tell him to get back here and keep an eye on things till I'm back."
Logan walks over to Max. "Hey, you."
"Hey, yourself."
"Question?"
"Yeah, what?" Max asks defensively.
Logan pauses for a second and looks at Max closely, "Why not send Mole to the infirmary?"
Max looks at Logan with a frown, "The dealio is he's still touchy that I took over at Jam Pony and he's more so that I convinced the rest of this lot to stay, so that's why." Smiling. "Besides I want to see Gem and the baby...see how they're doing."
Logan grinning "The Brigade commander of the lost, homeless, abused and deliverer of transgenic babies...you make me proud Max."
Max laughs "Ah, shut it. You want to come?"
"Would love to but after your praise of me to Luke and Dix, I better go and prove I have some use around here...see ya later?"
"Yeah, later."
Max watches Logan walk away. Thought you were going to ask about this morning and Alec...glad you said no about coming with me just now, until I find out if Zack is where he's supposed to be and out of the way, the command center is the only place we can be together. I still need your help, but what is it you need from me now...I have nothing to give you anymore Logan, either a slow death if you stay or a quick one if I touch you.
Sadly shaking her head, Max heads for the infirmary.
Watching from the computer terminals, Logan sees Max leave
Something is bothering you, and it's not the circus outside or the inmates in here. When I said I had a question, I could see your defenses going up. After nearly two years, I've gotten good at spotting the Max defense system, but what are you afraid I'm going to ask you about?
~~~~~~~~~
At the Infirmary:
She sees Original Cindy and Sketchy carrying medical supplies into the room.
"Hey, OC, Sketchy, wait up let me give you a hand."
"Hey, boo."
"Hey, Max."
"How come you knew they needed help here?"
"We were in visiting Gem and the baby when we heard them send the call for help, so we offered. Thought you were getting busy being the supreme commander of the Max Brigade?"
"Will everybody please stop that," sighing, "I'm only organizing stuff till somebody better qualified comes along."
"Huh-huh, so for now you're the organizer." Original Cindy says.
Max and OC look at each other and grin, Sketchy looks at them with a confused expression, "Organizer, I thought she was the commander?"
"Shut up, fool!" Max and OC say together and laugh.
"Aw, you're teasing me again."
"So what you doing here boo? Who's in charge?"
"Well, there's not much else going on, everything is mostly set up, and I left Mole in charge...besides, thought this would be a good time to check on Gem and the baby."
"Lizard Boy? He's going to cause trouble you know."
"Yeah, but hopefully when the time comes it'll be later...he realizes if we don't stick together we'll all be hung out to dry."
"Whatever you say."
Entering the infirmary, they see the two wounded transgenics, the medics and Joshua. One of the wounded is sitting in a chair getting his arm bandaged. The other is on a gurney with two of the medics working on his back: He is connected to Joshua by an IV tube, receiving a transfusion
"Hi, big fella donating for the cause?"
"Hi, little fella, yes donating...he needs Joshua's blood too."
"Right."
Max puts her supplies on a side table and walks over to the X5 in the chair.
"What's your name, friend?"
He tries to stand and come to attention, "X5-731 named Ritter."
"No need for that ten-hut stuff here, Ritter."
"But, ma'am."
"Were not at Manticore, this is Terminal City - different rules, okay."
"Yes ma'am."
"Not ma'am, my name is Max."
"Yes, ma—Max."
"Good. What happened?"
"Well Fred—"
"Fred?"
"The Nomlie, ma'am, sorry, Max, that's him over there." Pointing at the transgenic being operated on. "We were on our way here...figured we could sneak through the cordon and get through the fence. Us X5s look like ordinaries and Fred, well, he can pass, it's more in the way he is put together."
Max looks at the medic.
"His bones and skin can stretch or shrink, but it takes a lot out of him and he can go catatonic, thus rated a failure by our ex-employers. Who knows what they were thinking when they mixed his cocktail."
"Sorry, Ritter, go on."
"Well, as I said, we were nearly through, when all of a sudden this patrol comes running and opens fire. They hit Fred in the back. When I did the pick up they hit me in the arm. Luckily we were near a sewer entrance and we made it down. Don't know why we weren't followed, heard them arguing over the radio."
"You had some help from the guy in charge out there, he wants to keep a lid on things."
Ritter shakes his head, "I don't understand how they spotted us. I got straight As in evasion tactics."
"Were looking into that...we think they have some kind of tracking device."
Max turns to the medic and nods in the direction of the wounded Nomlie.
"Is he going to make it?"
"He lost a lot of blood but luckily due to bad shooting, his make up and Joshua's transfusion he should make it."
Max sighs, "Okay...is there anything else you need?"
"No, your two ordinary, sorry no offense, friends brought everything we need at the moment. We can strip the rest of the stuff out later. Tell them thanks for me."
Max looks around and sees that Original Cindy and Sketchy have left.
"Oh...can you tell me where Gem and her baby are?"
"Two rooms down, even an X5 needs some rest after childbirth...she might be awake might not."
"Thanks."
Max walks down the corridor.
Aside from me worrying about my nightmares, thank God Logan didn't come with me...seeing Fred on the table...would have brought back some nightmares for him. It brought back some bad memories for me, too.
»»»»»
Flashback Cale family cabin:
Max is awake leaning over the back of a soft chair suddenly she looks up startled. She looks back at Zack and then gets up and calls Logan's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Bling? What are you doing with Logan's phone?"
"Hey; Max:"
"Is he all right? Can I talk to him?"
"He can't talk right now."
"What's wrong?"
She hears a Hospital P.A.
"Why are you at the hospital?" Bling doesn't answer, "Tell me!"
"He's been having some problems lately. He collapsed this morning at home. They're operating on him now."
"What hospital?"
"Metro Medical. Listen, Max—"
»»»»»»
I loved you all the time, Logan, and I was nearly not there for you...kept trying not to have moments of weakness as Zack said. I wish I'd admitted how I felt. Maybe things would be different now. Yeah, and I would be a regular girl, right.
The door to the second room is slightly a jar. Max hears OC and Gem talking; she pushes it open and stands in the doorway. Gem is sitting on a bedroll feeding the baby and Orginal Cindy is sitting on an old crate.
Yeah, if I'd admitted my feelings maybe we'd have had a baby by now...what are you thinking, Max, get your head in the game.
They look over at Max.
"Sorry about the accommodations, Gem."
"Hi, Max, come on in. This is luxury compared to where Dalton and I were coming from to get here. OC was telling me about the excitement outside."
"Where's Sketchy?"
"Said something about needing a beer after all that work."
"We still got beer?"
OC shrugs her shoulders, "How are they doing out there?"
"Looks like they're both gonna make it...was close."
"Don't worry Max it's not your fault." Gem says as she shifts the baby to her other breast.
"But it's my fault...if I hadn't exposed Manticore."
"No! Max, you set us free...do you think we weren't dying already, every time we went on a mission, there was that chance. This is not your fault, it's just another part of the game."
"Yeah, some game."
Original Cindy looks at Max then Gem, "So you picked a name for this little lady yet?"
"No, but thinking of calling her Cindy or Max."
"This here chile don't need that name, she needs something really special." Original Cindy looks at Max.
"Hey, don't look at me, already got a nephew named Max, can you imagine at family reunions, hey, Max, hi Max, how's it going, Max, drive people crazy."
They all laugh. Gem looks at Original Cindy then at Max, "Would you like to hold her?"
Max steps back shaking her head and waving her hands in front of her.
Original Cindy grins, at her, "She won't bite, I held her earlier when Gem went to the bathroom."
"I don't know anything about holding babies, suppose I drop her?"
"Don't be silly girl, just hold her in your arms like this." She reaches over and Gem puts the baby in her arms and she slowly stands and turns to Max. "Here, take her."
Hesitating at first, Max then reaches out her arms and Original Cindy passes the baby over, who stretches then goes back to sleep snuggling into Max.
"She's so pretty, she really needs a special name." Max looking with a faint smile down on the small bundle in her arms.
»»»»»»
Flashback Manticore facility, Gillette Wyoming 2006
It's night in the barracks, block 12. Two hours after lights out, the room is dark but for the reflected light of search lights on the walls. Around one bed a group of children is gathered listening to another speak. He is telling them a story.
"All the people in the Good Place have names -"
"What are names?" One of the children asks.
"I think it's what the guards use when they talk to each other...you know after the rank and in the books."
Several of the others nod.
"I think we should have names," says a boy with piercing blue eyes, already showing the build and commanding presence he will achieve as a man. "I like Zachary, like that General Zachary Taylor, think I'll be Zack."
He looks around the group and fastens his gaze on a girl sitting next to the storyteller. She looks back, her dark brown eyes and already beautiful features have a thoughtful look.
"Max, my name is Max," she says with a finality that is absolute.
The storyteller looks from one to the other and says, "I like Ben. The ambassador to France, he liked stories."
Another girl speaks up "Eva, I like that I heard one of the guards say he didn't like it."
"Syl, short for Sylvia, like the captain in the battle for Havana in '05."
"Josh - heard a guard tell another he was joshing."
"Krit."
"Jondy, I just like the sound of it," she says shrugging her slim shoulders.
"Zane, like the dog that they have guarding the north fence. I like him." The other children shake their heads.
"Brin," an Asian looking girl says.
Another, with almost the same features, looks thoughtful for a moment. "Tinga."
"Jack, heard a guard say, 'Hi, Jack' sounded strange."
The self-naming continues until only one child, a girl, has not picked a name, darker than the rest and smaller. She is pretty like all the girls. After a moment she says, "Jace. I heard one of the guards say that was her name."
»»»»»»
"This is a new beginning for all of us. She shouldn't have to pick her own name but we should remember those who did, she needs something special...what do you think of CeCe, Gem?" Max asks gently looking at the baby sleeping in her arms.
"Yes, Max, that will do. When she's old enough to understand, I'll tell her what CeCe did. We shouldn't forget."
"Aiight," Original Cindy says with a smile trying to break the tension.
"Well, gotta to blaze and check on the rest of the troops. I'll drop by again when I can...thanks, Gem, for letting me hold Cece." Max kneels down and hands the sleeping baby to Gem.
"Anytime, Max, and next time, bring Logan."
Max looks at Gem and then at Original Cindy with a questioning look, "Yeah, we'll see."
"I'll go with you, boo. Later, sugah, let you get some rest."
Outside in the corridor Original Cindy notices Max frowning, "What's up, boo? If it's about telling Gem about Logan, she asked what the dealio was and Original Cindy figured you wouldn't mind me telling her, not the whole DL mind."
"No, OC, don't mind, figured she'd ask some time...I never wanted this, OC. All this responsibility, all I wanted was to be a regular girl, kicking with my home girl and finding my family, and look..."
"Well, girl, life never stays the same, things change, people change, that's the only certainty. Besides you want Mole or Alec in charge of this lot?"
Max smiles faintly, "I don't think so."
"Damn straight. So till things sort themselves out, you'll have to deal. I'll cover your back with the rest."
"Thanks, OC."
"No problem, that's what family is for. That reminds me, you know where Original Cindy can score a change outta this here black hat stuff? It's just not my thing."
"I'll see what I can do. I ain't exactly looking dignified myself." Looking down at her torn and dirty cat suit."
"Yeah, men notice that sort of thing, boo. Glad to see you and your man finally sorted things out."
"Right."
"Something you not telling me, sugah?"
"It's all good...later, OC. I better get back to the Command Center, make sure Mole hasn't sent everybody looking for spies in the vents."
"Right...later."
OC, you'd probably think me crazy if I told you about my dream about Zack hunting Logan. As for telling him the truth – he'd definitely never trust me again -- I can't deal with that. I don't want to lose him, especially now we're finding a way to deal with being around each other with the virus. Well, better check in and see if I can score some clothes.
As Max heads for the command center she smiles to herself. So you're proud of me Logan. Well you should be, it's your fault that I got a conscience.
***
To be continued