Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Avoidance

It had been days since Logan had washed his hands of Maxie. It felt like he had been released from some kind of ball and chain. He hadn't realized how deep he had gotten without even knowing it. And that was very unusual for him.

"But now I'm free!" he said out loud to no one, as he walked the docks. "No one to be beholdin' to."

Good riddance.

As he entered Kelly's, he sauntered over to his usual stool, ordering a coffee from the most delightfully pleasant Georgie. Of course, the delightfully pleasant part was missing. It had been missing since he came to Port Charles. What? Did he smell?

Logan knew Georgie had labelled him trouble the moment he got involved with her big sister and Coop. It was slightly amusing, since it should have been the other way around. Maxie looking out for little sis. Of course, with Maxie nothing was ever the norm.

"Here's your coffee," Georgie said through a plastered smile and gritted teeth. She wouldn't have bothered, but the manager of the little restaurant had caught Georgie snipping at him and warned her about that kind of customer service. The smug jerk had this smirk on his lips that made it even worse. She knew he was basking in the fact that she couldn't ream him out as usual.

"Why, thank you Miss. Georgie," he replied, quite cheerfully. "I'll definitely have to mention this kind of service to the manager of Kelly's."

"Oh, please do." Georgie rolled her eyes and bit back the urge to add to her reply. Grabbing a wet towel, she walked away from the troublemaker and went to bus some tables that had just left.

Logan sipped his coffee and spun his stool around to observe the local patrons. There were the usuals, who always came in at the same time he did. A few obvious tourists were staring at the menu trying to decide what to get, but nothing too exciting. Just the way he liked it. A calm start to his hectic day.

He knew Sonny would be getting in a few shipments today and he would need to be on his toes. Lately, Sonny had seemed to trust him with a little more responsibility. It was quite amazing, since he never thought the day would come. However, he still was not up to par with the likes of a Max, or a Jason. But he would get there. Slowly, but surely he would get there.

Turning around, he was about to request another cup of jo from Georgie when he heard an all too unwanted voice.

"I can't believe you did that!" Maxie giggled, slapping Coop playfully on the arm. "If my Mac knew, he'd totally put you on desk duty."

"Well, what he doesn't know won't hurt him, right?"

Logan closed his eyes and shuddered internally; he had skillfully managed to avoid the blonde wanna-be princess for several days. Actually he had almost mastered the art of avoiding Maxie Jones. From previous history, he knew what times Maxie usually would come to Kelly's for coffee or lunch. It had grown less frequent since their encounter. He had hoped it was in an effort, also on her part, to avoid him. But alas, there had to come a day when this would happen.

He refused to watch the saccharine sweet couple dote on each other. Coop probably caved two seconds after he had vowed to his best friend not to meddle in his love life. However, Georgie must have caught his disdain for the couple and perked up quite happily.

"Maxie! Coop! It's good to see you together again," Georgie smiled, leaning forward slightly so that she could rub it in Logan's face.

"Hey, Georgie," Coop greeted, while settling down on the stool beside Logan. "Maxie and I just bumped into each other at the docks."

"Is it your day off?" Georgie motioned to his civilian wear.

"It is," Maxie chirped, as she slipped her arms around Coops neck and let them drape there. "And we are going to go for a picnic today, so we just came to pick up some lunch."

"I think I took that order. I think we have your order almost ready," Georgie said. "I'll check in the back."

We're just going for a picnic! Logan rolled his eyes and kept his eyes straight ahead. He would not watch the horrible display that was happening beside him.

"Hey, earth Logan," Coop nudged him in the shoulder. "You haven't said two words since I came in. What? You mad at me for something?"

"Just sittin' here mindin' my own business," he replied curtly.

"Oh, let's just leave the big baby in the corner," Maxie said in a mocking child-like tone. "We've got better things to do."

"Is something wrong, Logan?" Coop leaned forward on the counter, so he could catch Logan's eye.

"No, I'm fine. Just dandy." Silently he prayed Georgie would get the food and get them out of here.

"You don't sound fine," Coop replied concernedly. "Why don't you come with us?"

"Wh-What?" Logan choked on his coffee, turning and looking at his friend.

"I'm pretty sure we ordered enough food for three," he motioned to Georgie who had just pushed through the swinging doors to the kitchen, "so why not come along?"

Logan glanced at Maxie, who seemed extremely put out at this suggestion. She was glaring at him as if warning him of impending doom if he were to accept.

It made him want to accept.

"No," he shook his head, resisting the urge to antagonize the uptight princess. That would be like getting sucked back into the vortex that was Maxie Jones. "I'm due at the warehouse soon. Sorry."

"Aw, that's too bad," she feigned disappointment. However her lack of disappointment was evident to everyone at the counter. "Maybe next time."

"If you're sure," Coop hesitated. "But if you change your mind..."

"Just go," he dismissed them with a wave of hand and turned back to his coffee.

"All right," his friend replied, grabbing the take out bag and getting up from his seat. "We'll see you guys later."

"Yeah," Logan waved, without looking back.

"Hm, Logan," Georgie eyed him curiously, "that was very unlike you." She thought for sure, he'd take up Coop on his offer of the picnic just to irritate her sister.

"I have better things to do than to meddle in those two's love life," he scoffed, slurping the last of his coffee. "Besides, it's not fun anymore."

"Right," Georgie said, frowning. It was weird because his demeanor had changed when Logan had heard her sister's voice. She hadn't noticed it at first because she was just giddy at the fact that Maxie's presence had suddenly irritated Logan. And so naturally she was pleased since the jerk was a pain in her side whenever he was in Kelly's. "I'm sure the only reason you didn't go was because Sonny would totally have your hide for not showing up for work."

"No, I'm pretty sure I'm done with your sister," he replied, while pulling out a wad of cash. "Those two were made for each other."

Georgie frowned as she watched Logan drop a fiver and walk out the door. If she didn't know better, it sounded like he was upset about the idea of Coop and Maxie together. And for some reason she got the feeling it wasn't because Maxie wouldn't sleep with him.

Oh this is not good.

--&--

"So this thing we're doing," Maxie said subtly, trying not to sound too eager. "What are we going to call it?"

Coop had been trying to decipher his feelings for Maxie. It was hard. There were definitely sides he did not like about Maxie. Most of the time it usually had to do with Lulu and her unnatural hatred of the woman. It was justified in a way, but still, he wished she would just get over it. Georgie had gotten over it, why couldn't Maxie?

"I guess dating?"

"Really?"

She had been feeling the progress she had been making in convincing Coop to give her another chance. The chances had definitely increased since the disappearance of Logan from their relationship as well. But Maxie could still feel a slight resistance. She knew they still hadn't gotten over several hurdles by the fact that they hadn't even kissed since beginning this process of getting back together.

"Look, Maxie," Coop sighed, turning to face her. "Honestly, I'm still having a hard time trusting you to tell me everything. You always find excuses to keep things from me. And maybe that's the way it's always going to be."

"Coop, believe me I'll never lie to you again," she promised, putting her hand on top of his. And she meant it. Maxie would never lie to Coop again. Sans the fact that she didn't plan on telling him that she slept with Logan.

"Maxie," he replied. "I know you mean it now, but when things get hard..."

"I promise you that I won't let it get too hard to tell you the truth."

She didn't want to lose this second chance that seemed to be hovering in front of her. Maxie would not let Logan Hayes be the reason her happiness was taken from her. He just would not be the reason.

--&--

"Lulu!" Logan saw the feisty blonde standing at the docks as he was passing by.

"Logan, just go away."

"Lulu, please," he pleaded. "Just let me explain."

"How can you explain what you did to me?" she exclaimed angrily. "There's nothing you can say that can make this any better."

"I was a jerk!" he admitted guiltily. "I was. I wasn't thinking about you or your feelings at the time. But you have to know that after I got to know you I knew it wasn't right."

"So I'm supposed to feel special?" she spat, disgusted by him. "I was enough of a special girl that you hesitated bedding me? What? If you hadn't felt like that, you wouldn't have had second thoughts?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

"YOU are scum of the worst kind."

"I know I deserve that," he said humbly. "But I've changed."

"Oh really?" she scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.

"When you found out, I felt disgusted with myself. I don't even know why I did it," he muttered. He had never done something like that. He had used women before, but they had always known that it was what it was. It was only until Maxie came onto the scene that he found himself making such an absurd deal. "I realized I made you feel like Scott did to my mother."

The realization was a hard one for him to swallow. The feeling of betrayal and worthlessness his mother had to deal with so many years. Even now, he didn't think she had still dealt with it.

"And all of that is true," Lulu yelled. "Like father like son."

"I'm sorry Lulu," he said, the remorse eating him inside. "You know how much I hate Scott for what he did to me and my mother."

"Then why did you do it?"

"I don't know!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "I just got so caught up in Maxie's little world. It's such a messed up place, that I guess I got turned around."

"I just thought you were smarter than that...to get involved with that skank. She messes people's lives up. Just look at my brother and Liz?"

"I don't know that I can ever forgive you for hurting me like that," she said, tears trickling down her face. "I trusted you. I defended you to everyone I know. And they warned me about you."

"Lulu," Logan nodded, "I understand. I don't deserve to be forgiven, but I'm hoping you will be able to someday. You were a really good friend and I hate to lose that."

"I thought we were," she said softly. "But now, I don't think we really ever had that." Lulu met Logan's gaze and spun on her heel and walked away.

--&--

"You look down there, buddy."

Logan looked up to see a scruffy man, with long black hair and a khaki jacket sidle up beside him. "What's it to you?" he growled, nursing a shot.

"Girl problems, huh?"

Logan was not in the mood. He looked around at the nearly empty bar. "What, is this Cheers?" he retorted, downing the shot. "I didn't come here to talk about my problems, if I had any."

He looked up at Cole for a little assistance, but he just shrugged and walked off to the end of the bar drying a glass.

After his encounter with Lulu, he was just not in the mood for Kelly's. There was a definite need to get pissed drunk. He was nowhere near that.

"Women are always trouble," the stranger lamented. "Don't I know it."

"Do you mind, buddy?" Logan was hoping the guy would take the hint.

"Oh no," the stranger shook his head, "I don't mind you unloading on me. I'm a good listener."

"Don't take this the wrong way, or well, take it anyway you'd like," he huffed, turning and face the man. "But I don't want to talk to you. I don't want anything to do with you. I came here to get drunk and that's all!"

"Yeesh, no wonder you're having woman problems." The stranger shook his head and chuckled, patting him on the back as if he knew Logan.

"Hey, back off buddy!" Logan pushed the man's arm off from around his shoulder. He stood up and got in the man's face, just so he would get the message. "If you touch me again, I'll break your arm."

"All right there!" The man raised his hands as a mark of surrender. He slid over one stool and ordered a whiskey. "I was just trying to help a guy out," he muttered loudly. The stranger pointed at the bartender. "Did I deserve that?"

"Not getting in the middle of this, you guys."

"Just leave me alone and we'll do just fine," Logan stated, raising his shot glass for the bartender to fill.

"Well, I knew this woman," the stranger said, pointing to the bartender. "She was a feisty one. Always trouble. Stubborn and independant and never backed down from a challenge."

Logan groaned inwardly. All he wanted was to get drunk alone. How hard should that be in a small town like this? Instead he was going to have to listen to this lunatic ramble on about his love life.

"But she was like good whiskey," he went on, "she burned on the way down, but made me feel good in the end."

Logan knew the guy wasn't going to shut up. He just knew it. It was the story of how his entire day had went. First seeing Maxie and Coop this morning and then the blow off by Lulu and the horrible memory of being compared to Scott.

He slapped down a fifty to cover his tab and and a bottle of vodka. After safely nursing the smooth clear bottle in the crook of his arm, he stumbled off the stool. Obviously he would just have to nurse his wounds in his motel room. "So long, stranger," Logan slurred slightly. "Maybe another bar would be better for your tendency to hand out advice."

"You sure you're all right?" the stranger asked, stopping Logan and steadying him a little. "Do you need a ride home?"

"No," he shook his head vehemently, "your advice was enough."

Like that was what he needed. The guy following him home and knowing where he lived.

"All right," he shrugged, letting go of Logan. "But let me tell you something: The women in this town will get you everytime."

"Don't I know it," Logan replied. "And that's why I plan to stay far away from them."

"That's what they all say."

"I've got a job with Sonny Corinthos!" Logan declared. "I could get any woman I want."

"Oh really?" he asked curiously. "Corinthos. Hm, that sounds familiar."

"Well let me return some friendly advice about Sonny. You don't want to know the name. If you do, then it's probably not good news for you."

"I'll think about that."

"Trust me. It's never good news."

"Then why do you work for him."

"Uh, it's good money and you get the respect that most people don't get around here. Especially if you're my father's son," Logan informed bitterly. "I'm headed out. Later, Cole."

--&--

Maxie stirred her iced cappacino as she strolled through the park, sipping as she went. She was excited about her day. Looking back, Maxie hadn't expected her day to turn out as great as it did. First bumping into Coop and then their picnic in the park? Definitely on the list of one of her better days. Logan had even managed to avoid tagging along or any kind of snarky remarks that was his usual M.O.. Definitely a day she wanted repeated.

"I'm telling you...sshhhhhe is ssstraight trouble."

Maxie knew that voice. It sounded familiar, though possibly a little inebriated.

"Firssst, never make a deal...a deal," he paused, "a deal with the devil. She is very very verrrry tricky."

As Maxie rounded the corner of the pathway, she held her breath hoping she was wrong. But as she looked around the corner, there was Logan slumped against an oak tree, his one arm slung around it like it was his friend and the other clinging to a half empty bottle of vodka. Just keep walking. Her muscles tensed as she lifted her cappacino cup up in front of her face, hoping he wouldn't notice her.

"That'sssss her!"

Maxie froze.

"Max-zeee Jonessss!" he bellowed, patting the tree trunk. "Ssstay away from her. Bad newssss bear." He laughed at his little joke.

She relaxed slightly as she saw him pointing to a lilac bush. He wasn't talking to her, so maybe she could just slip away into the night without having the jerk paw at her in his drunken state and possibly throw up on her designer blouse or shoes.

"Though I will h-hadmit shhhhe was GREAT in bed," he said loudly, slapping the trunk as if it was a real person.

Maxie's eyes widened. Glancing around, she was hoping there was no one else she knew wandering around this park. "Damn it. Why me?"

"Owww," Logan pouted. He shook his hand with this glazed look on his face, as if he had no idea why his hand was now hurting. Then a frown appeared on his face. "Are you sh-trying to sstart somthung buddy?"

In complete horror, Maxie watched as Logan looked like he was preparing to fight the innocent tree trunk. "Logan!" she said his name in a hushed tone, trying to catch his attention without drawing attention to herself - hiding slightly behind a bush. "Lo-gan!"

He seemed to realize someone was speaking his name, spinning around trying to see who it was. When he didn't notice her, he continued with the notion that the trunk was trying to start a fight with him.

Maxie knew there was no way for her to get him to go somewhere inconspicuous without physically getting him there. "Logan!" she yelled a little bit louder this time, stepping from behind the bush. This time he saw her. "Get your nasty butt over here."

His expression was one of confusion at first.

"Lo-gan," she said slowly, as if she were speaking to someone who was mentally challenged. "Get. Your. Butt. Over here." With one sharp motion she pointed her finger in front of her.

"Who is that?" Logan jabbed his elbow into the tree, all the while the vodka bottle still in hand.

"Logan, I swear I will kick your butt all the way to China if you don't move it."

"Bossy, isn't she?"

Maxie marched across the lawn and grabbed the clear glass bottle from his hand and dumped it on the lawn. His jaw dropped and he grabbed at the bottle, which she held out of his reach. "I would leave you here to pass out, like the pathetic loser you are," she said matter-of-factly. "But for the fact that apparently you can't keep your yap shut when you're intoxicated."

"Lulu?"

Oh, he didn't just say that!

"I'm sorry Lulu," he blubbered. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Oh god, please. I don't look anything like Lulu Spencer. Was this the reason he was three sheets to the wind? Maxie rolled her eyes as she grabbed his one arm and flung it around her shoulder, bearing most of his weight. "C'mon, we're going to get you home before you make a bigger ass out of yourself than you already are."

"It's jusst Max-zee, she was hot, ya know?" He was pointing his finger in her face, his breath stunk like booze. "And I whass going to tell you jussst before s-she told you."

"Oh really," Maxie said, grimacing under his weight as he dragged his feet slightly. "Your conscious got the better of you?"

"But then sshe got dumped by Coop and sssh-ee came over..."

As he rambled on, Maxie tried to keep them away from the most used pathways in the park. Cutting across the grass and through unused trails that only a few knew of. Once and a while they came across a few runners but no one they knew.

"Where are you taking me?"

"I'm taking you back to your place," she said exasperated as she had been listening to him drone on for what seemed like hours. "So you can sleep this off and we can forget this entire thing happened."

"Do you forgive me? I know you don't want to, and you sh-said earlier...," he seemed to lose his train of thought, "You know I hate Schott."

"Mhmm," Maxie grunted, as she felt him getting drowsier and therefore heavier. "We're almost there."

She counted the seconds as they stood at the walk-light. They just needed to make it across the street. And she would be home-free.

"Mahx-zee, it's just hard to get her out, ya know?" he said, his eyes half-closed. "There's just shomthng about her."

Maneuvoring his body in front of her, she leaned his body against his motel door. "Okay, Logan, where are your keys?" she asked, cupping his chin and forcing him to look into her eyes.

"Lulu, I thought you were not going to have anysching to do wissh me," he muttered. "I'm schoh lucky to have you ash a friend."

Maxie felt around in his pockets for keys. She closed her eyes while doing it, feeling dirty touching him at all. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she said under her breath. "You sooo owe me big time."

"I wuff you for doing this," Logan chuckled, swing his arms around her neck, launching his full weight on top of her. "I'm sooo lucky."

Maxie's eyes widened as she felt herself tottering backwards. Shifting her body left and then right, she managed to keep herself from getting crushed by the drunken loser. "Okay, let's stop the lovefest and find your keys."

He fumbled around his pockets trying to find the keys, not managing to even insert his hands in any of them. "Are you lost?"

Maxie rolled her eyes. He just wasn't even coherent or helpful anymore. She reached around to his back pockets, inserting her hands one at a time. Her left hand hit metal. "Jackpot," she exclaimed happily. "Finally."

"Max-zee?" Logan frowned with a confused expression on his face. "When did you get here?" he asked. "And what did you do to Lulu?"

She just ignored him and proceeded to fumble with the keys, trying to find the right one for the door. "C'mon," she muttered. "Where are you?"

"Max-zee," Logan laughed. "Are you talking to my keys?"

"You," she pointed at him, "shut up."

Finally she managed to locate the right one to open the door and turned the knob. Fortunately, Logan wasn't aware of this and he stumbled back and fell on his butt. Maxie just smiled and stepped over his groaning body.

He just lay there. Logan groaned and moaned, but didn't move.

Maxie sighed and stood over him, her hands on her hips. "You're actually going to make me help you up, aren't you?" she said irritated. Bending down, she slipped her hands under his arms and helped him up to his feet. "You definitely can't handle your liquor."

Logan moaned again as he leaned back against her. She took a few steps back to gain her balance and slipped his arm around her neck again. "If I had known what kind of trouble you were, I would have done a double take on making that deal with you," she muttered, as she led him to his bed.

"You know you want me," Logan breathed, as he turned to face her. He clumsily kicked off his shoes. "You want to join me in bed again cause you liked it so much the first time.

"Oh my god," she coughed, repulsed by his breath. "You stink."

"You want all of this," he said, trying to sound coy in his drunken state. In the end he just sounded arrogant. "I know you've been thinking about me like I've been thinking about you."

"I do not want you..." Maxie did a double take. "What?" she hesitated. "What did you just say?"

"I said you probably have been thinking about me all day every day," he answered, as his index finger attempted to trace the line of her lips. "Because I am so hot."

"Hot, huh?" Maxie glanced over her shoulder, towards the bathroom. "You think you're hot, do you?" she asked, mischievously.

Logan nodded his head and smiled.

"I think, you're right."

"Seeeee, I knew it," he giggled like a drunk schoolboy.

"But I think I have something to remedy that," Maxie said, guiding him towards the bathroom. Turning him around, so that his back was towards the bathroom, Maxie backed him into the tiled, small pale green room. "Something that will get rid of some of that hotness..."

"Oh yeah?"

Maxie reached behind him and opened the glass door and turned the shower on. "Oh yeah, something you really deserve."

Then with one swift push she shoved him into the shower and closed the glass door on him. The shocked yowl he made as the icy cold water was music to her ears. With a gleeful clap, Maxie listened as Logan began cursing as the freezing cold knocked the wind out of him. "That should cure you," she yelled over the howls. "I know it made me feel better."

--&--

Maxie ran out of the bathroom as the glass door flung open with a crash. She knew she had gone a little far with the cold shower, but he deserved it. The guy had ruined her perfectly good day. "Hey!" she shrieked slightly. "Watch it!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Logan roared, as he chased Maxie out of the bathroom. The shocked expression on her face made him feel slightly better. Then the adrenaline subsided and his head began to throb.

"Ohhh."

"Hah!" Maxie jumped up and pointed at him with a smirk. "Serves you right."

Logan winced as he looked around the room for a towel, as he was soaking wet from head to toe. "You're lucky my head is throbbing right now or I'd..."

"You'd what?" she said defiantly.

Logan couldn't think of anything horrible enough at the moment because the whole room was spinning. "Give me a minute," he said, nursing his head. "I'll think of something."

She watched as he began to totter slightly, his upper body weaving from slide to side. It was amusing. For the first time he wasn't able to get in her face with sharp retorts. Maxie bit her bottom lip as she watched as he stumbled back to the bathroom, following him a few steps behind (just in case he was faking) to make sure he didn't crack his thick skull on anything.

Before Maxie got to the door, Logan came stumbling out with a towel half covering his head while the other half he was attempting to use to dry the rest of himself. It wasn't quite working.

"You know that's not going to work," she commented, shaking her head laughing. The towel fell off of his head and was dragging on the floor as he stumbled from side to side trying to dry off his soaking pants. "In fact, I think you're missing the whole point."

"I'm doing just fine," he barked, as he stumbled to his right and fell onto the bed.

"Yeah, I can see that."

Logan did not need this. His head was spinning and he felt like he was about to pass out. And here was Miss. Know-it-all yappin' in his ear. It made him want to shoot himself. "I never asked you to be here," he bellowed, throwing his hands up in the air while wincing because of the volume. "What is with everyone dispensing advice and being so utterly and uselessly helpful?"

"Well if you would've been an incoherent drunk, then I wouldn't be here," she retorted, folding her arms across her chest. "But you wouldn't shut up to your pal the tree about the one-night-stand. So obviously I couldn't just leave you in the park screaming to the world how you slept with me."

"I don't remember any of that," he said, rubbing his temples.

"Therefore the reason I needed to lug you back here."

"I don't believe you," Logan replied, closing his eyes. "You're just making it up."

Maxie's eyes widened at his stupidity. Walking over to the bed, she took great delight in kicking him in the shin.

"OW!" Logan jumped slightly, grabbing at his leg, but slumped back onto the bed on his back unable to sit up because of the nausea.

"You think I'm here just for a good 'ole time?" she exclaimed in disbelief. "No, I was just fine until you showed up to ruin my night."

"I didn't force you to show up to my rescue."

"Do you get it?" Maxie yelled, throwing her arms up. "I didn't want to rescue you. I just wanted to shut you up so you didn't spill the secret to someone who might tell, I don't know, someone like Coop?"

Logan winced again at her shrill voice. She really wasn't pleasant while drunk. Which was a misconception he had. He imagined Maxie Jones would have been easier to take completely sloshed. "Okay," he groaned. "Could you maybe tone down the yelling?"

"Just as long as you promised never to do this again," she demanded, grabbing his hands which were shielding his eyes from the fluorescent lights. "Because I never want to do this again."

"So you're ordering me never to get drunk again?" Logan scoffed in disbelief, as he looked up at her through squinting eyes. "Yeah, keep dreamin'. If I want to get thrashed who's going to stop me? You?"

Maxie felt herself pulled down slightly, her body bent at the waist as Logan tried to free himself from her grasp. "I don't care if you get piss-blind drunk," she spat, breathing hard. "But you'd better do it in a locked room or in another town."

"Get real."

"Look," Maxie said calmly, hoping to rationalize with Logan rather than have a full on fight. Though in this state, she probably could win. "You said you had washed your hands of this whole situation. You don't care about me and Coop. And I know you value your friendship with Coop, so why not do us all a big favor and control yourself enough to keep it that way."

Logan was amazed at how the woman could make it sound beneficial to everyone, when in reality it was all about her. Women like her gave women a bad name. "You know what darlin', Coop is my friend and I believe that he will one day see what a high-maintenance brat you really are and dump you. That's the only reason I don't see the reason to expose our little mistake," he explained, watching as she roll her eyes at every word. "But if the day comes, I'll take what I've got comin' to me."

"What," she eyed him with concern, "do you mean by that?"

"You see," Logan whispered, turning the tables and with a slight of hand grabbed her wrists and lifted his head slightly. "I don't have as much to lose as you do."

"You!" Maxie pulled back but she found herself now under his control. Though he was still incapacitated to a certain extent, the strength in his arms still surpassed hers. Instead of freeing herself, she stumbled forward and fell on top of him. "Are a jerk," she screeched, feeling the wetness from his soaking clothes begin seeping into her clothing. "I can't believe I even slept with you."

Logan felt the adrenaline rush through his veins as she came into contact with him. She was screaming and trying to free herself from his grip, which suddenly amused him. It was like the adrenaline had become a miracle cure for his throbbing head. Before he knew what he was doing, Logan let go of one arm and wrapping it around her waist, flipped Maxie onto her back until he was on top of her. "You know, you talk a lot for someone who doesn't have anything nice to say," he breathed, his heart pounding against his chest. Her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth gaped a little. "That's better."

"What do you think you're doing?" she blurted out, her heart racing.

"I don't know," he whispered, locking gazes with her. "What am I doing?"

The question swirled through his head. He had sworn to himself he would forget her. But it hadn't been as easy as he had convinced himself it was. After a few days he thought tht he had gotten her out of his system, but as soon as he was in the same room with her he could feel his blood pressure rise.

Maxie didn't know what kind of game Logan was playing with her. She had thought she had him figured out, but now she wasn't so sure. Obviously there had been this instant kind of chemistry between them. They knew how to push each other's buttons.

He was also a bad boy, so that always added an attraction factor.

"Logan," she said, carefully choosing her words. "I think we'd better stop here before we do something we regret again."

"Right." He knew she was right. It would be as simple as getting up and letting her walk out of his motel room. "That sounds like a plan." Except he didn't move a muscle.

"Logan," she said, as her hands were braced against his chest. She could feel his muscular chest under his wet shirt, which clung to him. "You're not moving."

A drop of water fell from his wet hair and onto her cheek. Without thinking, Logan reached down and gently wiped it away with his thumb, before letting it trail to her mouth.

It really was beautiful. So full and pouty, yet they could light up room with a flash of a smile.

Maxie swallowed hard, as she watched his gaze linger upon her lips. She felt their intense scrutiny, and it made her heart pound against her chest. Unconsciously, her tongue flicked out to lick her dry lips.

"You know, you're just not good for me," he said, looking into her eyes.

She wasn't sure whether that was directed at her or whether he was just thinking out loud.

However Maxie had no time to ponder that question before she felt his lips crash down on hers, parting them and sucking gently upon her bottom lip. Her head was swirling as she felt his once tense body melt into hers. I can't... Whatever part of her conscious that tried to protest was silenced as she felt Logan's left hand trail up the side of her waist sending shudders through her whole body. Reflexively, her left leg wrapped around his as her back arched under the heat of his fingertips as his hand slipped underneath her blouse. "Oh god," she whispered as her lips moved against his. "Logan."

Logan couldn't describe what hearing his name come from her lips did to him. In his head, all he could hear was, 'Stop!', but something else was driving him. Being with her, his body entangled with hers felt so right. He couldn't describe it.

His tongue dived into her mouth, mingling with hers. She could still taste the lingering flavor of vodka. One hand ran through is hair as the other slid under his arm, pulling him closer against her.

"God, I want you," he muttered as his kisses trailed along her jaw and down her neck. His fingers ran through her hair, lifting it away from her neck so he could suck the nape of her neck. She smelled of grass and dew.

The man knew how to make her feel wanted and it drove her crazy. Her fingers found their way to his wet shirt, and she began to undo the buttons, working her way down until they were both tearing it off of his body.

"Why do I want you so much?" he asked, tipping her chin up so that her eyes met his.

There was a moment where nothing was said, just a fearful pause between them where both knew the answer could have deeper repercussions than either wanted.

Before she could say anything, his lips crashed down on hers again. Closing her eyes, she let the kiss erase any thoughts of why this was happening. Maxie didn't want to know why, she just wanted to feel this...She wanted to feel him again.

Her fingers ran down his nicely sculpted muscles, glistening from the previous shower, slowing down as she reached his six-pack. Maxie let her fingers slide to a stop at the washed out denim material, darkened by the water. His breathing had become shallow as her fingers began to slip between the button fastener. Maxie looked up, their eyes meeting, knowing there would be no turning back from this point.

Just as she was unbuttoning his jeans there was a knock at his door.

"Logan!"

Maxie jumped, sliding from underneath him as he tried to clamor off of her. "What is she doing here?" Maxie hissed. She would know that voice anywhere. "Why is Lulu knocking at your door at 2 a.m. in the morning?"

Logan gave her a bewildered look. He had no idea why Lulu would be at his door.

--&--

"Logan," Lulu yelled again. "I know you're in there."

Maxie spun around, trying to figure out where she could possibly hide.

Logan pushed her towards the bathroom, closing the door behind him. "Who's there?" he asked, feigning confusion.

"You know who it is," she replied through the door. "Open the door."

Logan wiped his lips and mussed up his hair, though it didn't need much help and tried to pretend he was just waking up. "Lulu?" He opened the door, rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?" he asked, yawning.

"I couldn't sleep," she said, walking right into the motel room without a word from him. "I kept replaying our conversation over and over again from tonight."

Suddenly his head began to throb again. "What about it?"

"I am so mad at you for what you did to me," Lulu said throwing her hands up in the air. "And I can't believe you did all of things you did."

"I thought we already established I was a complete jerk," he frowned, not wanting to relive that part of the night over again. "You think I'm like my father, which makes sense. I mean, I do come from his genetic make up."

"That's just it," she breathed, folding her arms across her chest. "I don't think you're all to blame. I mean, as much as I loathe what you did to me, I still don't think you're your father."

Logan was stunned.

"I think what you said to me today really sunk in."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I believe what you said about Maxie getting your head all turned around in all of this," she explained. "I mean she's screwed with so many other guys' heads she should be an expert at it right now right? I shouldn't be surprised you fell for that too."

"I don't know if that's true," Logan hesitated, glancing over her shoulder towards the bathroom door which was slightly ajar. He knew Maxie was listening to every word. "I mean, I agreed to do it."

"But Maxie's persuasive in a twisted way," Lulu blurted out. "And like you said, you were planning on telling me the truth, right?"

"I was," he breathed. As glad as Logan was that Lulu seemed ready to forgive him, it was the worst timing ever.

"Maxie just beat you to the punch," she said, as if trying to explain it to herself. "So you see, you aren't like your father."

"Okay," he said slowly. "Thanks for telling me you believe that."

"I...I just sometimes make harsh judgments about people. And someone today just reminded me today that I've made my share of mistakes and hurt people in the process."

"But it probably wasn't intentional..."

"Oh it was," Lulu said distractedly. "And what was worse was I did it out of this stupid idea that it was for love."

"Well," he paused, seeing Maxie's head peek out the door. She was making a gagging motion with her finger. "I'm glad you can see that no one's perfect."

"But that doesn't mean I forgive you," she said, pointing her finger at him. "What you did was a scummy thing, just like all of the things Maxie does. But what I'm saying that the 'never' has turned into a maybe."

"I'm glad you'll consider it," Logan said genuinely. "Because you are a good friend, Lulu. I'd hate to think that I would have lost that forever."

"I'll think about it," she said, walking towards the door.

He was glad she was almost done her late night tangent. Logan knew that if Lulu didn't leave soon he would be pulling the two women apart. "Great."

"Okay, well," she said, frowning as her hand reached for the door. "Sorry for barging in this late."

"That's okay," he dismissed, his arm resting on the door blocking the view to the bathroom. "Sleep's overrated anyways."

"Right," she said. But just as she was almost out the door, Lulu spun around and look at him up and down. "Um, right. Uh, but can you explain to me why you're soaking wet?"

Logan froze.

"Your hair is wet and so are your jeans." She looked at him suspiciously, glancing around him into the room again.

"Did I interrupt something?" Lulu asked. "I thought you said you were sleeping when I got here."

"Uh, no," he blurted out, racking his brain how to explain this. "Well yeah, I was sleeping."

"Really?" Lulu didn't seem to buy it.

"Well, the truth is," he said, hanging his head low as if ashamed. "I was sleeping. Actually more like passed out."

Lulu tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, as if debating whether she believed him or not. "And the wet clothes?"

"Well, I was in the park tonight and got completely plastered," he explained slowly. "And from what I can remember, there might have been an incident in the park fountain?"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah."

"So how did you get back here?" Lulu questioned warily.

"All I can think of is that some person decided to be a good Samaritan tonight," he offered, shrugging.

"Huh," she said, shaking her head. "Interesting."

"Yeah, well after our fight, I couldn't get it out of my head. The idea that anyone thought of me as my father's son just got under my skin."

Lulu's expression turned soft. "I can understand why," she scoffed. "I mean, he's a creep."

"Yeah, I know."

Lulu exhaled slowly and nodded once. "Well," she said. "I suppose I should let you sleep off that hangover you're probably going to be nursing in a few hours."

"Thanks," he said, relieved Lulu bought his half true story.

Lulu walked to the door, and stopped to face Logan once more. "I really hope you are being honest about wanting to actually be a friend," she commented. "Because I'm willing to possibly give you a second chance to redeem yourself."

"I do," he replied sincerely. "I do want to be friends."

"Well, then," she said, looking him in the eyes. "Start by telling the truth. Don't lie to me again, Logan."

With that she turned around and left, closing the door behind her.

--&--

"You've got to be kidding?" Maxie appeared from the bathroom, her expression agitated and bewildered. "She's got some nerve to blame me for your choices!" she exclaimed angrily. "What a bi-..."

"Hey," Logan cut her off, "don't be like that."

"Are you seriously taking her side?" Maxie was livid.

"I'm not taking her side," he said carefully. "I'm just saying she has a right to want to blame this on you. I mean, it was your bet."

"Wow," she scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "You're certainly whistling a different tune since Lulu came and went."

"What do you mean?" Logan closed the distance between them.

"You went from wanting me to becoming part of the Lulu fanclub," she said distastefully, glaring at him. "I guess I know where I stand."

"Wait," Logan said, reaching out to take her hand. But Maxie pulled away. "Don't be like that."

"Don't be like what?" Maxie said curtly. "Like a complete stranger?"

Logan did not like where this was going. He could feel her walls going up again. "That wasn't what we started just before Lulu got here was about," he protested, grasping her shoulders. "I know..."

"You don't know anything," rebuked Maxie, pulling away from him and heading towards the door. "Tonight was nothing. A slight moment of weakness."

"You're not telling the truth." Logan caught her wrist before she was able to make it to the door. "I know you felt something," he whispered, pulling her towards him so her back was against him. "There's a pull between us."

Maxie closed her eyes and shook her head. This wasn't what she wanted. What she wanted was what Coop could offer. "You're not what I want," she said stiffly.

He can't be.

"You just aren't what I want." And walked out the door.