I'm Always Ready
Disclaimer: See the first chapter. I enjoy my dives in the world they created.
A/N: Thanks always to Kasman for the betas. Thanks again to those who have read and those who have reviewed each and every one is greatly appreciated. The phone code here is purely imaginary and the area code is probably not even for the location, I have taken some license here.
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Chapter 10 Further Meetings
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The Seattle Sewer System:
A figure splashes through some of the residual rainwater from the earlier storm, then steps on something that squeaks and runs off into the dark. "Damn!" Asha exclaims then continues to walk along the dimly lit tunnel. "Well, this was a bright idea, rushing off into the underworld to save the man you wanted to love you and his girlfriend, and the one you think you're falling in love with...real smart, Barlowe. It would've probably been faster walking to the front gate and knocking. Well, you're lost and if you don't find your way outta here you're not gonna be much good to Logan or Max...or even to that mule-headed, live-for-the-moment...damnit, Alec, why don't you answer—"
"Is talking to yourself a new craze or are you on your own with this?" a voice asks out of the gloom of a side tunnel Asha had not seen.
As she jumps at the sound and pulls out her gun, Alec is suddenly standing there. "That's a nice piece you have there," he says with a chuckle and puts his hand on the barrel, pushing it down. A faint smile slowly spreads across his lips as he stares into Asha's eyes.
»»»»»»
Flashback back room of a video game arcade, Sector 4:
"Let's clean this up," Asha says grabbing Alec's arm as he flinches and pulls away. "Stop being a baby...thought you were some kinda tough super soldier." she says sarcastically.
"Yeah, but you don't have to be so rough. It still hurts, ya know...anyway, it'll heal itself," he replies looking down at the wound being cleaned.
"Sorry...but I do owe you for taking my gun back when we first met," she mutters.
"Right...so, what's with you and Logan anyway? Ow!" Alec yelps as Asha slaps some more disinfectant onto the wound.
Quickly bandaging the wound, "There is nothing between me and Logan...we're just business acquaintances," she replies irritably, the note of regret barely noticeable.
"Hmm, well, that's a nice piece of field dressing there, Asha."
"Had a bit of practice with the group I belong to, the S1W. Not all our little actions go off without blood being shed," she replies as she packs away the medical supplies.
"Hey, I could use a drink or two you wanna stop by Crash with me?" Alec asks smiling brightly as he flexes his arm."
"'Nother time, Alec. I've got some stuff I gotta take care of tonight," she says, still looking at the medical supply box."
"I really could use the company tonight...just in case I go into shock," he says, a self-mocking grin on his face.
Looking up at Alec, Asha smiles faintly, "Sure, but don't be getting any ideas. I'm not interested in dragging you home."
"No, just a drink...and the company,"
»»»»»»
Oh, and giving you my phone number, which you never did write down, did ya. There, I'm running from my ghosts, my past right, smack into what could be my future...get real, Alec. Asha wouldn't want anything to do with you if she knew you killed the last woman you loved – It's safer if we never care...but it's lonely. "What are you doing down here, Asha?" Alec asks, still holding onto the gun.
»»»»»»
Flashback Alec's Apartment:
Asha slowly stretches under the blanket, then bolts up right, and looks around. Not hearing or seeing, Alec, she relaxes with a sigh, partially in relief partly disappointment. Quickly using the bathroom, Asha heads for the door and notices a note stuck to it: Gone with Max. Here's my number 555 4728.
What the hell? Weren't Max and Logan having dinner? What is she doing with Alec? Guess something came up...now the virus is cured, they'll have all the time in the world. Taking the note, Asha walks out.
»»»»»»
What was I doing at your place? What the hell am I doing down here? For the same reasons – I care about you. That mad woman could've been feeding me a lot of crock and I killed her. Sighing, Asha looks down at Alec's hand then up into the taunting smirk now on his face.
"I've got some information for Logan and Max about who's been manipulating the news coverage about the transgenics and the assassination attempt on Logan," Asha replies angrily.
"Yeah, we know all about White and Max's brother trying to take out Logan, but it didn't work." So maybe it's White who's been feeding stuff to the news hounds. Wonder where Asha learnt this? Well, it ain't my problem. "By the way, the virus is really cured," Alec says, his tone cutting.
With an in drawn breath Asha tries to step back, but Alec tightens his hold on the gun and pulls her towards him. "So, I bet that's messed up your little plan to show Logan how indispensable you are," Alec hisses.
"Alec...Alec, Logan and Max, I'm happy for them that's all either of them have ever wanted. I'm here because White, if that's the government agent who's been out to get them, has set some kinda trap for them if they leave Terminal City," Asha says tensely. What is your problem? Were you really after Max and now she's shoved you away for Logan again it's pissed you off...why do I keep falling for men who love Max?
"Well, you coulda called," his tone sarcastic, Alec's face is now grim.
"Well I did, but nobody seems to be answering their phones tonight," Asha says sarcastically, trying to mask the hurt she is feeling at Alec's attitude.
Suddenly looking embarrassed, Alec lets go of the gun and steps back. "Yeah, forgot to switch my phone on," he replies with a self-conscious shrug. "So what's this about a trap for Max and Logan?"
Putting her gun away, Asha stares at Alec, then shrugs. "I met with someone who claimed to be an ex-priestess of some cult. I'm guessing this White, belongs to it," getting only a raised eyebrow from Alec. "She claimed some pretty weird stuff...hold it should I be telling this to you at all?"
Ignoring Asha's question, Alec looks down the tunnel. This doesn't concern me anymore...
"Shouldn't we get going to Terminal City?" Asha says, "Ah hell!" she exclaims taking hold of Alec's arm as she slips on a patch of slime.
Instinctively, Alec grabs her around the waist as she slips, "Got ya,"
Looking sheepish, Asha smiles briefly at the surprise on Alec's face as he realizes what he's just done. Then he grins and tightens his grip. "You can let me go now, Alec," she says pushing away gently, "By the way, what are you doing down here...thought you hated the sewers," Asha says looking at him with a puzzled frown.
Looking away, "Yeah, but it's the only way to get around at the moment," he says shrugging. "Any chance of meeting your source?" he adds, as he stares down the tunnel again, a thoughtful look on his face. I'm gonna regret this, first Rachel, then Max and now Asha. Why do women keep turning my life upside down?
"No, she's dead," Asha answers bluntly. I killed a defenseless old woman and I did it to protect you, but would you even care?"
Looking quickly at Asha, Alec sees her look at him then quickly away. "Too bad, but sometimes you have to do what's necessary," Alec says, a note of understanding in his voice, then turning sharply heads off in the direction he was coming from. "You coming, or are ya gonna continue your conversion with the rats?" Seems you've got yourself a deputy for a while longer, Max – just gotta figure out how to prevent you from killing me for running in the first place. Forgive me, Rachel, but Asha does need me right now.
"Coming, but remember I don't see in the dark like you do," Asha calls as she tries to follow Alec's rapidly retreating form down the gloomy tunnel.
Stopping to wait for her to catch up, "By the way, I haven't met any mule-headed transgenics yet, but give it time," Alec says, grinning at the sour look Asha gives him.--.-..--.-..--.-..
In an SUV, Sector 10:
Logan is driving towards the south of Terminal City, looking for the address of a garage one of his informants he'd contacted had given him after leaving Ramon Clemente and Matt Sung at Oscar's Coffee Shop.
"Logan, about Zack," Max says turning to look at him.
Glancing over at Max with a frown, "Yeah, I was wondering, at the change," Logan says.
"It...it was something I remembered about denying who I am, what my family is – what we're fighting for is to be accepted, Logan. If I hadn't come clean with Clemente he'd'a never be backing our plan now."
Nodding, Logan slows and starts to turn into the entrance to the garage, "Right, family, the good and the bad. He was right, we have to stop Zack, but I wish we could end the threat of White and the cult as well." Logan says. "You wanna get the door?" indicating the touch pad on a pillar, the code's 6452."
Looking askance, at Logan "You're kidding me, right?" Max asks, a faint smile, playing on her face.
Looking puzzled, "Kidding you about what?" he asks tapping impatiently on the steering wheel when Max does not move.
"Fugheddaboudit," Max says. Jumping out she presses the number sequence on the control pad by the door, then with a quick grin, at Logan she ducks under the rising door.
Logan sits there as the door slowly rises, then reaching into his pocket, he takes out his cellphone and stares at the number and letter combination on the pad, and he breaks into a smile. Driving in, he sees Max standing there in the headlights her face lit up by a smile. Grinning back, Logan switches of the engine as Max slowly saunters towards the SUV her hips swaying.
»»»»»
Flashback Logan's Apartment:
"It's your move," Logan says. Looking up from the chessboard to see Max watching him he raises an eyebrow quizzically.
"Oh, just admiring a beautiful talented man," Max replies a faint touch of sadness in her voice.
"We will beat this, Max, I promise," Logan says, leaning back in his chair, as Max makes her move. "Aren't you the rocking, awesome chick," he adds with a grin.
"Right, who's just checkmated you," Max says. "You're getting better, four to one, not bad for a mere mortal."
"Yeah, with a little more practice..."
The phone ringing interrupts Logan's retort. Looking at each other Logan then looks at his watch and shrugs and turns to wheel over to the phone. "Hello, Mia," he says switching on the speaker, as Max walks over to him.
"Is Max there?" Mia's almost childish voice comes over the speaker as Logan mouths to Max, "How did she get this number?"
"How the hell should I know," she mouths back with a shrug. "Yeah, Mia, I'm here. How you and Dougie doing?"
"Were doing good, settled in nicely out here. Hope I haven't interrupted anything." she says breathlessly.
Looking at each other, Max realizes how close she is to Logan and steps away. Sighing he looks at her longingly but only gets a shake of the head. "No, Mia, things are the same as before," Logan replies.
"Sorry to hear that, but remember what I said. You two are gonna have the best life together. You're so perfect for each other," she says with a cheery note.
"Right," they say together, and then they both smile bleakly
"You'll see. Anyway why I called is to say that our number is 808-555-6452 here in Hawaii, and anytime you need to get away from the rain, you're welcome."
"Thanks, Mia, we will," Logan says watching Max as she paces the room.
"Max, Dougie and I are making it work, so can you. Always remember that, okay?" Mia says.
"I will Mia, you and Dougie take care, 'kay," Max says walking closer to Logan but still keeping her distance.
"Bye Max, Bye Logan,"
As Logan sits there tapping the handset against his chin a slow grin suddenly spreads across his face, and he gestures to Max to look at the numbers and letter combination of the handset.
"That's Psy-Ops for ya," Max says with a snort, "You want another game?" she says sauntering over to the coffee table and glancing back at Logan, picks up the black queen.
"Sure, take it I get white this time?"
"Hey, I'm giving you every advantage," Max says sweetly.
With a grunt as an answer, Logan wheels over and locks his brakes with a snap.
»»»»»
"So, ya remember now?" Max asks as she leans through the driver's window to switch off the vehicle lights.
As Max leans in Logan takes her head in his hands and gives her a long lingering kiss, which Max returns with fervor. Finally breaking away for air they look at each other.
"No more running away, Max."
"No more hiding, Logan."
After a moment, Max steps back as Logan opens the door and steps out. "Let's get going, my contact will make sure the money he gets for this monster goes to the right place."
"Jeez, Logan, I shoulda had you as my fence a long time ago," Max says shaking her head with a light laugh.
"I'm not a fence," Logan replies in a slightly pissy tone, then seeing Max, rolling her eyes at him. "I just know fences - big difference,"
"Right, whatever," Max says walking towards the roll doors of the garage.
Pressing the button to shut the door, Logan looks up at the sky, which is now obscured, by heavy dark clouds. "Looks like rain, we better get back before it fills the sewer system."
"Yeah, about two block's up there's a entrance we can use," Max says following Logan's gaze. I want to look at the sky without thinking I'll lose you.
"Let's go, then. I feel like we're close and I wanna get the translation program Sebastian sent working on those runes." I gotta get the camera system set up for the interview and broadcast with Max and Clemente then I've...
Taking Logan's hand, Max smiles up at him, "You still owe me some eats." Starting to obsess Logan?
"Never let it be said that Logan Cale didn't feed his date. How's Chinese sound? I know a little place around the corner." Logan says, giving Max's hand a squeeze.
"'Nother one a ya contacts," Max asks innocently with a faint touch of sarcasm.
"Nope, just a place I met contacts," Logan replies dryly.
"Let's go. I'm hungry and Terminal City leftovers are definitely not appealing." Grabbing his arm, Max starts walking down the road with Logan beside her, a smile on his face.
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Sector 9:
In an alleyway, a young woman is sitting on a motorcycle. That was some pretty smart old woman and some nice cake she baked. How am I gonna get to you, Max? I need you to find Zack. Damn, where is he? Kick starting her bike, Jondy kicks up the stand, revs the engine and roars out of the alley, heading south. There must be a way into Terminal City. Transgenics will be heading there...so am I. I should check in with Syl and Krit and Zane and the others to see if they're on their way.
»»»»»»
Flashback Buddy's Ranch:
"Hi Jody, Adam's round back with Buddy looking at the new stallion."
"Thanks, Mary. Mom said to tell you that the entries for the pie bakeoff are full so she'll meet you tomorrow for the judging."
"You entered this year?"
"Yeah, dad insisted, said I'd be a sure winner again, but Gail's in this year so I don't know.
With a snort Mary shakes her head. "When you get back, tell your ma I'll meet her at eleven. Now, you go see your boyfriend," she says with a smile.
"Were not like that," Jody says, a faint smile playing over her lips, then with a wave, she walks around the back of the house, towards the horse paddock.
As Jondy rounds the corner, she sees a beautiful gray stallion prancing in the paddock, and Buddy leaning against the railing watching as Zack, under his new name of Adam, approaches the horse, both moving seemingly in a dance. As Zack nears with a halter, the animal moves around him. Suddenly, Zack moves, and with lightning reflexes, has the halter in place and is up onto the back of the horse. The gray stallion freezes for an instant at this sudden change in the game. Then the horse starts to buck, trying to throw this strange presence off its back, with Zack using all his installed skill and instincts to stay on.
Walking over to stand by Buddy, Jondy watches with approval and pride in Zack's performance on the stallion. This is not what Manticore made us for, but our training and strength have their uses. Suddenly noticing Buddy looking at her curiously, Jondy straightens her face. "He's good, Buddy, looks like a natural," she says mildly.
Nodding slowly, Buddy looks at Jondy thoughtfully for another second, then back at Zack, who has now got the stallion under control and is cantering around the paddock. "Right, a natural," What did you see Jody? You can't even imagine what Zack...Adam is capable of, if what half Logan told me is true.
Seeing Jondy, Zack waves and jumps off the gray to let him slowly come to a stop. Walking over to the rail with a huge grin of joy and pride, "Hi, Jody, he's beautiful isn't he," Zack says, looking back at the stallion, who is now pawing the ground and tossing his head as if impatient to get back to the game he and Zack had been playing.
Smiling back, Jondy nods, "He is, Adam. I came over to see if you're free tonight. There's a dance over at the Corral with free beer for the first hundred. You wanna come?"
Giving Buddy a quick glance, he receives a nod and a smile in reply, "Go on, you kids, have a good time. I'll take care of the horse," he says, and climbs into the paddock as Zack hesitates. "Go on, young man, you only live once."
Leaping over the fence, Zack takes Jondy's hand and they head towards the small cabin in a grove of trees that Buddy had informed Zack was his.
»»»»»»
Zack said that Max had made some friends on the outside besides this Logan. He seemed to have liked a couple of them, in fact. Said they were always talking about a bar called Crash. Maybe they'll know how I can get to Max and Logan.
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Crash:
Sitting at one of the manhole tables, Original Cindy, Sketchy, Sky and Druid have a couple of pitchers of empty beer in front of them. "Well, my round, I guess," Sky says peering from the empty pitchers to his glass then around the table.
"Yeah, and hurry up I missed this stuff in Terminal City," Sketchy says a little too loudly.
"Shut it, fool," Original Cindy whispers tersely "You got no idea who might have ears in here," she adds looking around, and notices a young woman with brown wavy hair at the bar tense slightly. With narrowed eyes, she watches as Sky weaves his way to the bar and stop beside the young woman. God, she looks like Max from this distance. Is she another clone, or something else? I hope you and your boy are safe, boo.
"So, OC, Sketchy, what was it like with the freaks?" Druid asks leaning forward.
"They're not freaks," Original Cindy and Sketchy say together, and look at each other smiling faintly.
"Yeah, well, they freak me out, man. You guys had some guts to follow Max and Alec in there...by the way, the Logan guy helping Max out. They seemed to have a thing, but then, they didn't. What's the deal there?" Druid asks, leaning back against the rail.
Still watching Sky talk to the woman at the bar, Original Cindy frowns. "Ya know, Druid, you ask too many damn questions. Even Sketchy ain't as bad as you. What my boo does is her business, got me?" she says tersely, then tenses as Sky points across the bar to their table.
"Hey, OC, you tripping or what?" Sketchy asks, then follows Original Cindy's gaze. "Whoa, that's one hot piece a...hey, she looks a little like Max!" he exclaims starting to rise.
Grabbing Sketchy's arm, Original Cindy pulls him back into his seat as the woman walks towards the table with Sky, "Yeah, but she ain't, so sit and keep your mouth shut...both a' ya," Original Cindy says with a quick glare at the two men sitting with her.
"Hey, guys this is Jondy," Sky says putting down a pitcher of beer, a huge grin on his inebriated face.
Struggling to keep the shock off her face, Original Cindy, smiles slightly, "Hey, Jondy, you new in town?" she says looking up into a pair of startling blue eyes.
"Passing through, heard this was a good place to hang," Jondy replies with a faint smile of her own, glancing at Sketchy and Druid.
"Hi, Jondy, pull up a seat," Sketchy says with a lascivious grin on his face.
Standing up quickly, Original Cindy stares Jondy in the face, "Nah, I think sweet thing here and me better go have a private talk." Stealing a glance at the three now frowning male bike messengers, she grins slightly. "You boys enjoy yourselves while us girls get acquainted," she adds, then walks off towards the games area of the bar, followed, after a moment, by Jondy.
Shrugging, Sketchy breaks into a grin. "Why is it all the good ass play on the wrong team," he mutters.
"Yeah, like even the ugly ones would be interested in you," Druid says sarcastically.
"Hey, let me tell you about this fine transgenic..."
Glancing over her shoulder, Jondy sees the three men put their heads together. Noticing the focus of Jondy's glance, Original Cindy scowls, "Men and dogs, only one thing on their minds."
"Hmm, so you're Original Cindy?" Jondy asks turning to look at the woman beside her.
"And who might you be?" Original Cindy says stopping and leaning her hip against the pool table.
Looking at Original Cindy with a raised eyebrow, "Zack said you were Max's best friend. I can see why. I'm Jondy, her sister, and I need to get in touch with her in Terminal City."
"Right, and I'm Xena," Original Cindy says sarcastically crossing her arms across her chest.
"You want proof...sorry, no barcode, lasered off for this trip...Zack's missing, and I need Max to find him." Jondy retorts her blue eyes starting to take on a hard glint.
She looks a little like Max, and with them blue eyes, she sho' does resemble Zack. "So, where were you all them there years my boo was looking for you...needed you?" Original Cindy asks, a note of anger creeping into her voice. "Mah sistah tore her self apart looking for you all, and you only show up when you needed her, and then hurt her even more," the anger now evident in her stance.
Jondy continues to stare at Original Cindy then slowly nods. "I shoulda never left her that night. I thought she was dead...I want her help in finding Zack, but I need to apologize to Max for not being with her...sharing what I have with her," she says, a note of sadness evident.
Well, girl, decision time. "Yeah, well, I guess my boo will be happy to see ya...but you gonna have to know a few things about what your brother Zack's been up to, and getting you into TC ain't gonna be easy," Original Cindy says, holding Jondy's attention with her comments.
"Have you seen Zack?" a note of hope creeping into Jondy's voice.
"Yeah, I saw him, and he was making my boo and a friend very unhappy," Original Cindy says, a mixture of sadness and anger mixed in her voice.
"What happened with Max and Logan? What did Zack do?" shock now permeating Jondy's voice and stance.
"Oh, you know about hot boy?" Original Cindy asks, curiosity replacing her suspicions and anger for a moment.
"I heard about him from Zack before he lost his memory...do you know how that happened?"
"Shugga girl, you and your sistah gotta talk. Lets blaze and see if we can get you there tonight," Original Cindy says, then starts to walk towards the entrance of Crash.
Max has some good people covering her back. I'm closer...I missed you, Max, now I realize how much...
"I gotta make a call, and you betta be with me," she adds, looking over her shoulder at Jondy who has not moved.
"Sure," Jondy says putting down her glass and walking out with Original Cindy. What did you do to Max, Zack?
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TBC