A Drift in the Deep
Disclaimer: In previous chapters.
A/N: Thanks always to my beta, Kasman. Big thanks again to those who have stuck with this story I know there have been long gaps in the writing and I apologize. I hope this chapter makes up for all that. The reviews have made writing this story a pleasure. Thanks to Kyre for providing such excellent transcripts.
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Chapter 10 Instructor
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The Approach to Alki Beach Seattle
Max had Al throttle back as she scanned the beach for any presence of witnesses to their arrival. She took her time, then nodded. "Run her in, but keep it down till the last second," she said softly.
Al opened the throttle a little too much, drawing a glare from the woman at the bow. "Sorry," he whispered.
"Uh-huh." Max re-focused her attention on the shore and guiding Al to the beach with hand signals barely visible in the pre-dawn dark.
Logan helped by passing on queries and orders. As they got closer to shore, he fell silent, staring up at the few stars remaining in the lightening sky.
Max looked surreptitiously over her shoulder every now and then. A worried frown creased her brow, unseen by Logan, who never took his eyes from staring above. "You'll soon be back in your tower," she commented. She saw the green eyes close for a second and turned away.
Logan opened his eyes, and looked at the now turned away head. It'll be good to be warm and dry, but it'd be a lonely place without you.
"Never look at the night sky much," she added.
Logan leaned over towards the dark shape at the bow. "Max," his tone subdued.
Max looked over her shoulder "We'll deal, Logan, now let me get us there without running into anything," she said softly. We all have to deal with the way things are, Logan.
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Flashback Lydecker's Durango SUV:
"She's getting weaker," Max said worriedly as she held Brin's wrinkled, mottled hand.
"We're together. Right now, that's all that matters," Zack replied as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"We can't just let her die," she countered in despair.
"Anything's better than going back. You said so yourself," Zack said firmly.
"I don't want to die. Please...don't let me die," Brin said weakly as she lay in Max's lap.
Max looked at Zack who returned her gaze his expression one of despair. Silently the decision was made.
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Where are you now, Zack? Did Lydecker keep his promise about Brin?
Logan leant back and stared at the sky once more.
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Flashback the penthouse:
Logan looked at the chair sitting next to his bed in distaste then, with a sigh, he transferred and pushed himself into the bathroom. After a few minutes, he wheeled himself into the kitchen where he made himself a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast and coffee.
He pushed himself towards his office, stopped in the doorway and stared at the equipment arrayed in front of him. Then, with a shrug, he pushed himself towards the computer on his desk. He caressed the keys for a moment then turned away and misjudged the turn. His leg hit the table, hard. The table shifted, Logan stopped and looked down at his inert, unfeeling appendage. His expression was bleak as tears slowly coursed their way down his cheeks and he pounded his fists onto his legs.
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"Hold on," Max called out.
Logan pulled himself upright and looked sharply at her. In the faint light, he swore he saw a grin of pure joy. There was a gleam in her brown eyes as she looked back at him, the slight breeze whipping her damp hair around.
Regrets and desires.
In the eyes of an angel
All will seem right at dawn's light.
At Logan's stare, Max cocked her head in inquiry. "Better grab hold, don't want you falling out," she said with a nod at the hand hold on the side of the boat.
Al opened the throttle of the engine a bit more and ran the boat as far up the shore as he could. At Max's urging, which included a very intense glare that even in the faint light he could make out, he dismounted the engine and let it drop into the cold water behind them.
"I can lighten the load…make my way up the beach," Logan finally said, reluctantly beginning to pull himself onto the side float.
Max looked around at the rubbish scattered on the beach. "Don't think so," she muttered. She grabbed the sack containing his chair and ran lightly up to the concrete boardwalk a short distance from the boat.
Al leaned over towards Logan, "How can she see in the dark so well?" he asked, puzzled.
Logan paused, "Plenty of…"
"Carrots," Max finished as she returned.
Logan nodded as the ghost of a smile twitched his lips. As Al stared at her, she indicated he should grab the handhold next to him. They dragged the small boat as far up the beach towards the boardwalk as they could with Logan sitting there wearing a disgruntled expression. Max used her superior strength sparingly, not wanting to draw Al's attention.
Max quickly assembled Logan's chair and, without another word between them, he transferred. As she turned to help Al with the inflatable once more, Logan uncharacteristically reached out and held her arm, "Thanks,"
"You're welcome." Max looked down at the hand still resting lightly on her arm and then at the eyes behind the glasses speckled with salt spray. "Better wipe your glasses, don't want you bumping into anything because you can't see."
Logan removed his hand quickly with an embarrassed look of apology, "Sorry," he mumbled. He reached up, removed his spectacles and peered at them critically.
Max moved off quickly, rubbing absently the spot where Logan had held her. Sorry for what, Logan? What do you want…hell what do I want? I know I'm never leaving you behind again. She turned and looked at Logan, "You still owe me," she said
Logan sighed, "I guess a gourmet dinner is not out of the question, I suppose."
Max smiled enigmatically, "That'll do for a start." She turned and headed back towards Al.
Logan looked at her retreating back. "Well, at least some of the old Quid Pro Quo is still in place," he whispered. There was a soft chuckle from the retreating dark shape.
Al standing beside the boat was peering out at Puget Sound in the general direction of the Sea Duck jumped slightly at the sound of mirth that came from behind him.
"Let's get this thing disposed of," Max said as she walked up, flicking her knife open.
Al held up his hand, "No need for that," he said and quickly leaned forward and opened one of the inflation valves.
Max stood there for a moment. If I can unload it I might finally get those spare parts I need for the Ninja, might even get something for the engine. She reached over and opened the valves on the other tube while Al undid the rest. The boat deflated quickly and Max and Al covered the shape with the larger debris and bits of wood lying around.
After a critical look at their attempt at camouflage Max and Al walked over to where Logan waited impatiently. Max glanced back at the Sound and cursed softly at what she saw in the dawn light. "Let's go," she said urgently.
Logan nodded, "Matt came through," he said following her gaze, trying to see what was happening with the Sea Duck out in Puget Sound.
"Yeah…or one of the crew called somebody."
Leaving the boardwalk, they continued along the pitted roadway and approached one of the rundown condos that had been built along the coast during the early part of the century. They ducked into the shadows. The wind, so strong it had forced the coast's original settlers to change the location that would become Seattle, began to gust. Logan shivered as the cold penetrated his damp clothing.
"We need some transport," Max said, noting his reaction to the wind. Damn, got to get him warm and dry fast, and nothing to steal around here.
Logan nodded and quickly dialed a number on his cell phone. "Our lift will be here in fifteen minutes," he informed them after a quick conversation.
Max took a quick look out towards the Sea Duck, now with a Coast Guard patrol boat alongside her. "Those guys are gonna spill what happened out there."
"I'll have somebody take care of it," Logan replied, looking up at her.
Max nodded, then looked meaningfully at Al.
"Him too," Logan added as Al looked on at the by-play between the man in the chair and the beautiful young woman. What I would give to have her as my girlfriend, dude…then, maybe not. He added to himself as the memory of an angry Max returned.
Max spent a tense fifteen minutes keeping an eye on the two boats out in the Sound and watching Logan for signs of hypothermia. Eventually a dilapidated van arrived at the front of the building and without any further ado they were in and heading back to the city with the cranky heating system on full blast at Max's insistence, despite Logan's protests of being fine.
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Logan's Apartment next day
Max walked through the front door, and sniffed, "Hmmm," she said in appreciation of the smells drifting from the kitchen. Pizza, home made.
As she walked past Logan's workspace, she glanced in but the owner was not in residence. With a slight twitch of her lips she headed for the kitchen but was distracted by the sound of the TV from the living room.
The mystery of the Sea Duck has both Marine Police and Coast Guard baffled this morning, with police lieutenant Gracey shot dead, two crewmembers badly beaten, a third dead and one missing, along with the owner, Krane. There have been unconfirmed reports that this maybe linked to the arms smuggling ring exposed by Eyes Only. The question this reporter is asking - is Seattle's cyber-vigilante becoming more pro-active?
With a snort, Max sauntered in, "Well, Matt kept our names outta it, but those two other goons are gonna talk eventually and they know your name, Logan," she said with a frown.
Logan looked over, startled for a moment, then shrugged. "Al settled in?" he asked switching off the TV. He pushed back and swiveled around to face Max squarely.
Max signaled with her thumb that their informant was safe. She continued to walk past Logan causing him to follow her movement until she stopped at the picture window. After a quick glance at the sparse traffic below, she turned to face Logan. "I could always take them out," she said casually.
He rocked back in shock, opened his mouth then closed it and gulped, "Max…" he began then caught the twitch of the lips, "You're kidding right?"
"Yeah, just proving the reporter was wrong," she said grinning.
"Matt has the information now and we've stopped a major inflow of weapons into the city," Logan responded, looking out the window for a moment.
Max shrugged, "Nice to know," she murmured. Taking those goons out was something you'd do for yourself in the past. Could you do it in cold blood Max since meeting this man - to protect him…
"You say something?" Logan asked looking closely at the woman silhouetted by the late morning light peaking through the last of the recent rain clouds.
"That pizza smells good. We gonna eat?" she said, turning to head towards the kitchen.
Logan hesitated then shrugged and followed a thoughtful expression on his face. Manticore…staying off the radar screen. You got her into this, Logan, you better find a solution.
At the kitchen entrance, Max reached into the pocket of the jeans jacket she was wearing. She half turned and tossed a set of keys towards Logan, "The Aztek's in her usual place," she said, then continued into the kitchen.
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Jam Pony later that day
Max sauntered down the ramp just as Sketchy came scampering up. "Watch your back; Normal's on the warpath," he said sotto voce.
"Get outta here, you moron!" Normal yelled, sticking his head around the edge of his cage. On seeing Max, "Nice of you to show up. What's the latest family or medical crisis?" he asked sarcastically, looking at his watch.
Max stopped in front of the counter, "Friend needed me to collect his car and drop it off."
Normal blinked in surprise, "Taking time off for personal errands? That's coming outta your pay, missy," he said, glaring at the slim woman in front of him.
Max looked at him innocently, her head slightly cocked to one side, and then a puzzled frown creased her brow. "Thought we were in the pick up and delivery business?"
"Parcels, letters, not…not cars," he spluttered.
"So it's okay if I keep the money he paid for services rendered," she said, casually holding up a hundred-dollar bill and waving it in front of Normal's nose.
He tried to snatch it but Max pulled it back quickly. "Okay, this time I'll allow it," he said, reaching forward as Max reluctantly handed it over, a look of disappointment on her face.
As Max turned away a smile twitched at her lips.
"Next time your friend needs a favor, you can tell him to use Jam Pony messengers at any time," Normal added, staring at the crisp green note in his hand.
You bet your sweet life he will, or, at least, I'll be using that excuse for as long as I need to. By the time Max reached her locker, she was almost doubled over with trying not to laugh.
"What's up, boo?" Original Cindy asked, looking at her friend with a puzzled frown.
Max could not contain herself any longer and burst out laughing.
"I'm not running a comedy club here, get to work!" came the shout from the counter toward the front of the building
"So, what's funny?" OC asked, trying to find the joke.
Max held up her hand while she caught her breath, "Normal just gave me the perfect excuse for taking time off," she finally said between the remaining mirth.
OC looked at Max critically, one eyebrow raised and her right arm on a cocked hip, "So, 'fess up, girl. What'd you do to Regan Ronald to make him so generous?" she asked, smiling in spite of herself, laughter, especially laughter from her friend, being so infectious.
"Paid him off…well, Logan did," she said with a final chuckle.
Original Cindy looked puzzled for a moment, "Thought you said…"
"We aren't," Max cut in opening her locker. Not sure what we are.
Behind her Original Cindy sighed, "'K, why did Logan pay off Normal and create an excuse for you to go see him more often?" she asked cautiously.
Max slowly closed her locker all mirth now absent from her demeanor. Knew this was gonna have a down side. Max turned and faced OC. "It just turned out that way. Logan went to a party and had to leave his car and he asked me to pick it up this morning. Gave me a hundred to smooth things over with our employer. Of course, being who he is, he offered our services as messengers at any time to this generous benefactor."
"Which, I'm taking, means you." OC said with a chuckle. The man went to a party?
Max returned the laugh, "Anything to avoid seeing that mug through the day," she replied tossing her head in the direction of their approaching employer.
"Hot runs! You two have wasted enough time around here," Normal said with a snarl, tossing packages at the two women, and walking away.
As Max and friend exited the building, OC looked sidelong at Max, "Were you at said party?"
Max without a glance at her replied, "Now why would I have been there?" She said as she rode off with a wave.
"Yeah, and I'll switch to the three legged team if there's nothing going on between you and hot boy," she muttered, riding after her best friend.
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Logan's penthouse a few days laterMax sauntered into Logan's exercise area to find Bling alone, rearranging towels and his employer's exercise equipment. "Hey, Bling, his joyfulness in?" She already knew the answer from her enhanced hearing that the man who seemed to be taking up a lot of her spare time was not around but still wanted to confirm things with the only other person who knew who and what she was - outside of the hunters on her tail.
"Hey, Max. Said he had to meet an informant," Bling said. Placing a couple of weights onto the exercise table, he glanced at his watch. "Should be back shortly, we've got a session scheduled but he said this was important," he added with a shrug.
"Yeah, everything seems to be super priority since Krane's operation went down." Max ran her hand along the edge of the table. Thought he'd changed a bit with what happened with Bronck and then getting the confidence to do something different by learning to dive. "Guess some people never change," she added ruefully.
Bling smiled softly, "You gave him back his confidence, Max."
"Yeah, and what has it got me?" she asked with a pout looking towards the front door as it opened, "Didn't even get to dive and see any octopuses," she added more loudly.
"It's octopi," Logan called from the small table where he was dumping his keys and cell phone.
As Logan appeared, Max flashed a quick grin at Bling and then turned to face Logan, with an aggrieved tone, "Yeah, whatever, still didn't see any yet," she said.
"There's always the Seattle Aquarium. I'm sure they still have some, despite cutbacks," Logan replied, throwing a silent query at Bling who shrugged, keeping a bland expression on his dark features. Logan looked back at Max, "I…ahh…maybe I can take you some time," Logan offered tentatively.
Max cocked her head to one side, a thoughtful expression on her face. "What about tomorrow? I got a day off," she said with a smile.
Logan looked a bit guilty. "Can't…not tomorrow." Logan pushed himself further into the room next to the table and locked his brakes. "I need you to take care of something for me."
The annoyance that she had been pretending flared into actuality, "You or Eyes Only?"
"Does it matter," Logan said off handedly quickly releasing his brakes and pushed himself past and towards his bedroom.
"Uh!" she grunted, clenching her fists in frustration and glared at his retreating back. She let her shoulders slump as Bling looked between her and his boss.
"I can still take you diving if you want," the tall physiotherapist offered with a shrug of his own.
Max turned her head slightly to look at him, then grinned, "Sure, I get whatever the man in the mask wants done and we'll go have some fun."
"Fun? Who's going to have fun?" Logan asked entering at the end of Max's comment. He was now in his sweats.
"Not something you seem to want," Max shot back and turned on her heel to leave.
"Max, I need to brief you," Logan called quickly, his tone annoyed.
"You still owe me dinner. Late," she called from the front door.
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Logan's Apartment two days later
"They got you good," Logan commented, looking at the scrapes and burn marks on Max's shoulder.
"I need to get my ass kicked once in a while. Just to keep me real," she replied trying to be blasé.
"These guys aren't going away, Max," Logan said worriedly.
"Kinda pesky like that," Max said off handedly.
"Max…"
"You don't have to tell me to be afraid. I'm already there." she said softly, a thoughtfully a sad look on her face. They'd have had me if you hadn't shown up.
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Flashback: Max in her bathtub on the phone:
"Where are you?"
"I was in heaven but you're bringing me right back down to earth with this whole 'urgent tone' thing."
"Are you—taking a bath?" he asked in puzzled wonder.
"Damn straight, and it took me an hour to boil twenty pots of water to fill this tub. Now I'm going to enjoy it."
"Rescuing this witness and keeping him alive to testify tomorrow is the only chance we have of bringing down Mayor Steckler once and for all," his tone irritated.
"I know."
"And I don't trust Witness Protection to protect him." Logan continued, even more irritated.
"I got it covered, Logan. Believe me, nothing's going down for at least another hour. It's not even dark yet." Max hung up on him. "This guy needs to relax," she muttered, just before sliding down under the warm suds.
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Getting under the water may be what you need…what we need.
"Logan, you think we might get away for a few days?" Max asked warily.
Logan paused, holding the dressing he was about to apply to her shoulder. "Max…yeah, sure, I guess Eyes Only can take a day off."
Max looked over her shoulder at him. "I think two or three is more what I had in mind," her voice even.
Logan took in the level gaze, then smiled slightly, "Fine, we'll get certified." May give your enemies the idea you've gone to ground. "Turn around so I can finish this." A look of sadness crossed his face as Max turned away. Well, it gives us a few days to figure out where is the best place for you to go.
As Logan gently taped the dressing, Max smiled. A warm feeling raced through her veins and the worried frown eased from her face. That was easier than I thought - some downtime from all the craziness…figure out what's happening between us.
"That should protect it till you heal."
"With all that good stuff Manticore cooked up in me, that'll be pretty damn fast," Max said sarcastically, beginning to stand.
Logan rolled back as she stood. "You're welcome to stay," he offered cautiously. As he saw the frown on Max's face he added hastily, "In the guestroom."
With a slight nod, Max pushed her chair under the table. "Sure, why not…got anything to eat?" she asked, rubbing her tummy and smacking her lips.
With a knowing grin, Logan swiveled and headed for the kitchen, "How does left over chicken in tarragon sauce sound?"
"Bring it on, this girls starving," Max said with glee.
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Basement Garage, Fogle Towers, early morning
Max placed the last of six Scuba tanks into the back of the Aztek then grabbed the first of two dive bags as the elevator doors opened and Logan pushed himself towards her. His hair was tousled and he still looked half asleep and he wore generally disgruntled expression. On his lap, he balanced an overnight bag, and at the back of his chair his rucksack bulged.
Max looked over at him and her grin died half-formed on her face. "You ready?"
"Uh," Logan grunted, stopping next to her as Max reached down and picked up a cooler box and put it into the trunk. "Without the latest sector passes, we won't be able to get out of the city;" he added.
"Yeah, guy responsible goes on vacation and nobody to cover for him," Max commented taking the bag from Logan's outstretched arm and jamming it next to the cooler.
"So why are we bothering?" Logan asked, his tone grumpy as he combed his hand through his hair.
"Were not leaving the city," Max replied with a glint in her eye as she tossed in the second dive bag and shut the trunk. "Let's move. We gotta be on time," she added, ignoring Logan's raised eyebrows and heading for the passenger side. Logan shook his head and went to the other side. He transferred, broke down his chair, stowed it and started the SUV.
"So, where are we going?"
Max glanced at him for a second. "Head south then take the West Seattle bridge to Sector 20."
Logan looked over at her just as she turned away. This girl is gonna do what she's gonna do, no matter what I or anyone else says. Two choices, Logan: enjoy yourself or be a pain. With a sigh, he drove out of the garage.
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Sector 20 along the pitted Harbor Avenue SW
"Next right," Max finally said. Her only other comment during the drive was to indicate the turn at the intersection onto the present pitted road surface.
Logan had glanced at her a few times but she seemed to be asleep. She never sleeps. But despite his trying to initiate a conversation she had just turned and snuggled into the seat, her head resting on the door pillar, a faint, irritating smile on her lips. He'd eventually sighed and, at each of the check points, had handed over their sector passes without disturbing her.
As Logan made the turn, he saw a faded sign that read "Seacrest Park."
Max pointed ahead to a parked van, the only other vehicle in the lot at this early hour. "There's our instructor," she said with a smirk.
Logan started as he saw the tall black man step out of the van and wave, a wide smile on his face. He turned to Max, a gamut of emotions flitting on his face, that finally settled to a rueful half smile. "When did Bling become an instructor?"
Max chuckled. "When he was away a few days back. Seems Fe also certifies instructors. Bling only had a few things to complete…" Max shrugged. "Guessed we should keep things amongst friends," she added softly.
Logan glanced at her for a moment then nodded. Friends…friends who keep secrets too well from each other. He thought bitterly. "No way out now with the two of them working together," he muttered under his breath.
"To right, I wanna see octopi," Max said, opening her door and stepping out into the crisp morning air. "Hey, Bling, you manage to get the stuff Al suggested?" she asked.
Bling glanced over at Logan, still sitting in the SUV, and smiled again as Logan lifted an eyebrow ironically, "Wasn't easy, but Fe put me in touch with a guy who had a few sets. They arrived last night." Bling turned his smile on Max. "Delivered by Jam Pony messenger," he said.
Max laughed. "We're here to serve." Must be the anticipation making me so cheerful.
As Max and Bling stood in front of the Aztek, Logan quickly assembled his chair and transferred. They planned this…for how long? Shut it, Logan, you wanted to do this…for whatever reason so finish what you started. "So, what's the plan?" he asked coming around to face the other two.
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A/N: I know, I know, they should be in the water already and I promise Logan and Max will go diving. But they wanted this chapter written first. All the best for Christmas and the coming year.
TBC