A/n: Sorry, everyone! I know I said this would be up earlier, but I've been home from uni from the weekend and I forgot to put this story on my flash drive.

I'll try and post another chapter tonight to make up for it.

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Chapter 9: Old Friends

"Same old Logan," said Jake, stepping into the office where his old friend was working feverishly.

Logan spun around on hearing his voice. Jake looked exactly as he remembered; tall and lanky, seeming all elbows and knees. His dark hair was tousled as usual, giving him a slight mad professor air. "Not exactly, Jake," he said, managing a tired smile.

Jake's eyes widened at the sight of the chair. "What… when did this happen? Why didn't you tell us?"

"I was a little busy getting my head around it myself. Bullet. Almost a year ago."

"I'm sorry, Logan," Jake said, genuinely.

"You always told me my 'dumb save the world campaign' would get me killed; so far, you're half right. But that's not why you're here. Come look at this…"

When Chris arrived thirty minutes later, he found Jake on Logan's couch, head in hands. "Hey, Jake, what's wrong?" He asked. "Are you ok?"

"No, Chris, I'm not." Logan spun into the room from his office.

"Chris, glad you could make it." Chris had changed much more than Jake over the years. His bright ginger hair was combed back these days, his freckles fainter than Logan remembered. Always a little plump, he'd put on a bit more of a paunch; evidently he still loved junk food as much as in his youth.

"Didn't have much choice, Sebastian was very emphatic over the phone." Chris didn't look at all surprised to see Logan in the chair. "How're you doing?"

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you heard, considering your line of work."

"I like to keep an eye on the old gang. And you picked a very risky career."

"Yeah, well, I never was one for the safe option."

"What's all this about, Logan? Why are you bringing us here?"

"Sebastian's discovered some information about Maple. Come on, I'll tell you about it."

"Wow," said Chris, several minutes later. "That's… I mean… wow."

"That's what I thought," said Logan dryly. "You see why we called you over now?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Geez. How am I going to explain any of this to Francine?"

"The same way I'm going to tell Cathy and the kids; when I have to and no sooner," said Jake, entering the office.

"Good luck with that," said Logan, a flicker of pain crossing his face. "Anyway, we should get over to Sebastian's place; he's setting up a computer lab with enough terminals for the four of us. Should be able to find out exactly what Manticore did with our DNA."

"And if they used it to make transgenics? What then?" Asked Jake.

"Then we have a problem," said Logan. "And we'll have to deal with it."

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"Here we are," said Logan, parking the Aztec outside Sebastian's. "You guys go ahead; I have a phone call to make before I come in."

"Ok. See you in a few minutes, buddy," said Jake. He and Chris got out of the car and headed for the front door. "So what do you think? Work or woman?"

"Knowing Logan? Probably both," Chris chuckled.

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So, did you like?