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.
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Chapter 12 Cold and Wet
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Command Center, Terminal City:
"Yeah, Max, it's me. Sorry after all this time it's gotta be like this, but—""Jondy, you're in Seattle, that's what matters. You stick with Original Cindy and I'll find ya, 'kay." Max says staring off into space.
»»»»»»
Flashback the woods surrounding Manticore:
Max and Jondy are running through the snow. They make it to the fence and start climbing it. A soldier takes aim at them, but Zack attacks him from behind. Soon Zack is surrounded by soldiers and falls to the ground under the onslaught of their tasers. For a moment Max looks back, but Jondy tugs on her arm and they continue to run until Max steps on thin ice and falls through.
"Max!" Jondy calls, then looking up, she starts to run again.
Go, Jondy, get away, survive and live for the rest of us.
»»»»»»
Where have you been, Jondy? None of the others knew what happened to you – Logan put himself on Manticore's radar giving that broadcast. You just disappeared.
"Max, I've got to find Zack.""I'm looking for him too. I'll meet you soon," Max says sadly.
"I wish it were now, little sister. I gotta go. Original Cindy says that the fool is getting curious."
"Yeah, Sketchy, he can be perceptive at times, but harmless. give me Original Cindy, please."
"Later, Max."
"Hey, boo. What you want me to do?"
"Keep Jondy close. Everything's set with Clemente. Me and Logan are busting out soon. Be seeing you."
"See ya soon, boo."
Max stands there for a moment, a stunned expression on her face. Jondy here in Seattle looking for Zack. How the hell did she know he was up here? I gotta see Logan, rain or no rain. Walking back across the room to Luke and Dix, "Hey guys, I gotta go check something out. If Alec shows up tell him to meet me at the lab where we found the snake," Max says and heads for the door, leaving the two transgenics looking at each other with puzzled expressions on their faces.
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Abandoned Apartment Building Seattle:
Alec and Asha are standing in the doorway watching the downpour, "So what's plan B?" Asha asks looking at Alec with a skeptical expression on her face.
"Ya know, I think those guys upstairs need some medical attention," Alec says, turning back to go up the stairs.
Asha stands there, a look of shock on her face, "Alec?"
Pausing Alec looks back and grins, "Plan B. You coming? We need a cellphone that can't be traced. Let's hope one of those goons has one."
"Right, you did bash one into the wall and broke the other's leg."
"Hmm, and let's not forgot the damage you did to number three," Alec says teasingly.
"Shut it, Alec, and let's go. We have to get to Terminal City," Asha retorts peevishly.
Asha brushes past Alec. Grinning behind her back he follows Asha up the stairs.
In the apartment where they had left the toughs they quickly search the three unconscious men, removing various articles but no phone, "Damn," Alec says taking out his phone.
Reaching up, Asha stops him, "I can always get a new one," she says, her voice flat
Taking the phone from Asha, Alec nods in gratitude, "Hello, I got three injured men in an abandoned building just outside Terminal City, looks like they were in a fight."
"Sir, can I have your name please,"
"It's Special Agent Ames White, NSA"
"Mr. White can you stay on the line in case we need any further information?"
"Listen, I'm too busy to wait around. Just get an ambulance around here. It's number thirty-four," Alec says grinning and laying the phone down on the body of the largest tough, "Let's see how fast they can get here," he mouths at Asha.
Leaving the apartment, they head back down the stairs to wait.
--.-..--.--..--.-..
The Hideaway:
Logan finally leans back, rubs the back of his neck and lets out a slow breath. We need to warn people...I need something to drink. Standing up, Logan takes a step and stops as his right leg begins to spasm. Shit! This can't be happening. Quickly sitting down again, he starts to massage his leg. Finally the spasm stops and Logan stands up flexing his leg, and wipes away the cold sweat that had broken out on his brow.
"Hey, Logan, how soon..." Max stops as she sees Logan standing there, his face pale and drawn.
Turning, Logan smiles wanly at Max. "As soon as you want...I've got everything we need. You're right, Max, the cult's been waiting for a meteor," he says walking purposely towards his computer and stands there, ignoring Max's penetrating look.
"It's nice to know you're right sometimes...you got anything else to tell me, Logan?" Max asks, her voice low.
Finally looking up to meet Max's gaze, Logan nods slightly, "I had a spasm in my leg...nothing serious—"
"How serious is nothing serious? When I came in you looked terrible, Logan," worry taints Max's voice as she steps towards him.
»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's car after leaving South Market:
"You okay?" Logan asks."Yup. We used to play this game all the time at Manticore--escape and evade." Max replies with a smile.
"You were always good at it," Zack replies with a faint smile.
Max looks back at Zack and smiles then turns to look at Logan. "You okay?" Max asks a note of curiosity in her voice
"Yeah, fine," Logan replies evasively.
"You don't look so good," Max says continuing to look at Logan a faint note of concern in her voice.
"I was up late. So, my family has a cabin about thirty miles north of here. You guys can stay there tonight." Logan says evasively.
»»»»»»
"I don't know, Max...it could be anything. Joshua's transfusion, the nanocytes or with all the running around tonight, I'm just tired." Logan says, shrugging, then takes the hand Max holds out to him. "I'll talk to Sam as soon as I can, okay," Logan smiles weakly at her.
"Okay, and I'm going with you this time," she says, giving his hand a squeeze, a wicked smile on her face.
"Fine...you want to know what I found out about our friend Jonathan the Sky Man?" Logan asks raising an eyebrow.
"Sure, the Sky Man?" Max asks looking at the computer screen.
"That was his nickname at college...anyway I got into his files. Funny, it was really easy considering, but here it is, a meteor is headed this way. Every 5,000 years or so it swings this way, and this time, according to Sky Man it's coming for its closest pass. Guess the cult figure there will be a last minute panic and they can take over."
"Something doesn't fit, Logan. Why would Sandeman make me, and put in this cryptic code about the shroud of death and all the rest? Add to that, why is it panicking White and his wacko buddies that I exist?" Max says letting go of Logan's hand and starting to pace the room. I'm supposed to be the special one. What did you create me for, you bastard, what?
Watching her for a moment Logan then glances down at his computer screen, "Max, somehow we have to get this out—"Something's not right. I got into those NASA files too easily.
Stopping her pacing, Max looks across at Logan. "What about our sky man, there," Max asks nodding towards the laptop.
"He's dead, killed soon after the pulse in a riot at the space agency. A backlash because the terrorists used an air burst. It was rumored they had help from space scientists. Soon after, that department was shut down for lack of funding...Max, the guy he sent the memo too in Europe also died two days after he received it - in a car accident," Logan says looking up and meeting Max's eyes.
"The cult," they both say together.
Max walks over to the couch and sits down on the back, and looks up catching Logan smiling at her, "What?" she asks raising her eyebrows.
"Just remembered the first time you did that; the second time you came to my place and you were telling me about the escape. The arrogant playboy and the genetically engineered punk kid - we've come a long way, Max," Logan says, walking over.
"Hmm."
"Yeah. What's on your mind, Max?"
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out. "Jondy's here in Seattle looking for Zack," Max says. She shifts down to sit next to Logan as he sits down.
"You're sure it's her?"
"Well, I only talked to her on the phone. She mentioned about me falling through the ice," Max says leaning against Logan's shoulder.
Logan, putting his arm around her shoulder, "Yeah, but she could have been briefed on that," he says skeptically.
"Only three people knew what happened that night...me, Jondy and you," Max says looking up into Logan's green eyes. That night I told you more about me than I'd ever told anybody or ever wanted to. Somehow, deep down, I trusted you.
"Where's she been and how does she know about Zack's reappearance?" Logan asks as he slowly caresses Max's arm. Unless she told Zack what happened after the escape; he did know where she was for a time.
"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Max says, straightening up, "Where the hell are Alec and Asha?"
"Asha?"
"Yeah, he met up with Asha outside Terminal City...and they were in a fight."
Pulling away from Max, "Asha and Alec are fighting?" Logan asks, puzzled.
Sighing, Max stands up and starts to pace. "No, they were in a fight together. What I can't figure is why when Alec seemed to be settling down, at the first sign he has to take some responsibility in his life he runs...but why to Asha?"
Watching Max pace for a moment, Logan finally stands up, "One question, Max. A year ago, what would you have done?"
Stopping Max turns and glares at Logan over her shoulder, You just like being right don't you. "Whatever."
"Right. I'm wondering why Asha is on her way here with Alec," Logan says softly, ignoring Max's new glare.
"Yeah. Guess we'll be ready to roll as soon you've had some rest and I've kicked Alec's ass for leaving this place to the tender intrigues of Mole."
"Hmm, us mere mortals do need some down time. Everything's set with Matt and Clemente. They're meeting us at the RV. We do the interview, and it gets fed back here and broadcast later," Logan says as he starts to shut down his computer. "You packed?"
"Got nothing here I need to take...but I'd like to collect my baby and drop it off at my place...Jondy's with OC."
"You're thinking of taking her along, aren't you," Logan says a skeptical tone in his voice.
"She could be an asset—"
"If she's who she claims to be," Logan interrupts walking over to Max, and smiling wistfully at her. When it comes to your family, you always become the optimist.
"I'll know...I know it's her, Logan." Max snaps peevishly.
Pulling back, Logan looks closely at her, "I'm just saying, until we know about how she found out about Zack, we need to be careful...White's already used two of your family against you, Max," Logan says with a note of sympathy.
Taking note of the sympathy in Logan's voice, Max nods. "Aren't I always," she says with an ironic smile.
"Huh-huh. We waiting here for Alec and Asha, or at the Command Center?"
"Here. Guess he's gotta figure out how to get back in...you want some coffee?"
Stepping closer to Max, Logan, takes her hands in his and leans down and kisses her on the lips slowly, then as she responds, deeper until their bodies are pressed together.
Pulling back slightly, Max looks into Logan's eyes, which have a mischievous twinkle in their depths, "You need to rest Logan,"
"And a cup'a coffee would help how?" Looking into Max's brown pools, he sees the regret. "I will, but only if you stay with me...for a while," he says softly running a finger over her full lips.
"Always," Max whispers softly as she pulls him towards the bed.
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An abandoned warehouse in Sector 4:
A man is standing in the gloom of the warehouse, water dripping off him onto the dusty floor as he looks at two sets of footprints. He walks over to the dimly lit office off to the side. Walking in, he stops and looks at the contorted body there, the smell of death heavy in the air. Too late, but this was not the work of an assassin. Carefully avoiding the blood on the floor, the man walks over to the body and searches the woman's robe, finally pulling a small piece of paper from it. Quickly reading it, he puts it back. Got you. Without a glance at the body, he leaves. Outside, he jumps into a car, which drives away as soon as he has shut the door.
--- --- --- --- ---
Command Center Terminal City:
Alec and Asha walk in both soaking wet. As Asha looks around, she stays close to Alec, trying not to stare at the fantastic forms she sees around her. "Hey, Alec, where you been? Little fella is back," Joshua says striding up with a scowl on his dog like features.
At the sight of Joshua, Asha starts to reach for her gun. "I wouldn't do that ordinary," a voice growls behind her. Turning, she comes face to face with Mole, who is standing there, his shotgun leveled at her.
"Hey, Mole. See you're still trying to charm the girls" Alec says sarcastically, "You can put the gun down. She ain't gonna shoot anybody...isn't that right, Asha?" Alec says staring at Mole, his hand resting over Asha's.
Relaxing, Asha smiles weakly, "Nope, no intention to...thought he was gonna kick your ass," she says glancing from Joshua to Alec as Mole lowers his gun.
Both Alec and Joshua stare at her. Finally, Joshua barks a laugh, causing Asha to jump, and eliciting a snort from Mole. "It's little fella who's gonna be kicking Alec," Joshua says grinning and pushing some strands of his long hair out of his face.
"You joining the rent-a-cops, pretty boy?" Mole asks, blowing cloud of cigar smoke towards them, while he runs his reptilian eyes over the police uniforms Alec and Asha are wearing.
»»»»»
Flashback abandoned apartment building near Terminal City:
Finally, after ten minutes, an ambulance followed by a squad car pulls up in front of the building. As the two paramedics run towards the building, the two sector cops nonchalantly approach the building.
"Hey, ain't this White the Fed who got his ass kicked by the trannies at Jam Pony a few days ago?"
"Yeah, think it's the same guy. Looks like he got kicked in the nuts again."
Laughing, both sector cops enter the doorway and come face to face with a pretty blonde haired woman pointing a gun at them. She waves them into the shadows where they are quickly knocked unconscious by Alec, who dumps them next to the already unconscious paramedics. Stripping the uniforms, they begin to change.
"Hey, keep your eyes to yourself," Asha says peevishly turning her back on him.
"What, it's dark back here," Alec says innocently.
"Right...you ready?"
"Let's go. Using these uniforms and the car should get us close to the east fence."
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As Asha shifts slightly, Alec tightens his grip on her hand. "Ya know, Mole, one day those things are gonna kill ya," Alec says turning away and looking around the Command Center. "Where's Max and Logan?" he asks looking back at Mole and Joshua, who both shrug.
"Max and Logan busy," Joshua says after a moment with a nod.
"Hey, Alec, Max said to meet her at the place you found the snake..." Dix says walking up.
"Thanks, Dix. Come on, Asha, we better get over there," Alec says, walking towards the door, ignoring the curiosity evident on the faces of the three other transgenics.
As Alec and Asha leave, Mole snorts in disgust, "Another ordinary hanging around."
"Alec's new girlfriend?" Dix asks.
"Nah, old friend but maybe getting busy now," Joshua says with a grin.
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The Hideaway:
Max is sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chin, watching Logan sleep, his face relaxed and looking almost boyish. Who'd a thought we'd be trying to save the world – well, at least you were always trying. I guess the day I tried to lift Bast she had her plans for us.
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Logan's apartment:
"Oh. So...what, you liked it 'cause it was shiny," Logan says sarcastically.
"No, because it's the Egyptian goddess Bast. The goddess who comprehends all goddesses, eye of Ra, protector, avenger, destroyer...giver of life who lives forever." Max says, while Logan's lips curl slightly into a smile.
»»»»»
"Hey you," Max says noticing Logan watching her, the shadows and candle light making the slight smile on his face both amusing and sad at the same time.
"Hey yourself," Logan says continuing to look at Max without moving, watching the candlelight flickering in her eyes.
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Flashback Logan's apartment:
Logan stares out the picture window of his apartment as Max sits on a cushion on the floor looking at him as rain streams down the pane.
"What's gonna happen to him Logan?"
Logan opens his mouth then shuts it, sighing. At last, Logan looks over at Max, his green eyes intense. "I arranged for Jude to live with a doctor friend of mine...but to be honest, Max, without Tanaka's treatments, I don't know...I hope it'll turn out okay."
"Yeah, we can hope," Max says sadly, her brown eyes reflecting the candlelight.
»»»»»»
He only lasted a year. Max said nothing when I told her, just left. Guess she went to the Needle. I wished she'd stayed, but we were dealing with the virus by then.
Sitting up at last, Logan pats the bed. "Come here."
Standing up in one lithe move, Max saunters towards the bed, then stops, her head cocked, "Damn...Alec's here with Asha." Grabbing Logan's pants and shirt off the floor, Max tosses them to him. "I'll go deal while you get dressed," Max says grabbing her own pants and pulling them on quickly then heads for the hidden door. "What's she doing here? Is she missing Logan?" she mutters to herself.
--- --- --- --- ---
Outside the Hideaway in the Advanced Recombinant Genetics lab:
Alec and Asha wonder around the empty lab. Alec wanders over to the oven on the lab table and cautiously opens it to look in. With a faint sigh of relief, he closes the door. Walking over to the narrow door in the wall, he tries the handle but it's locked.
"Wonder where they are," Asha says running her hand over the sign on the wall.
As Alec turns to look at her the door opens and Max walks in. She leans against the lab counter, one arm across her body the other by her side.
"Hey, Max, nice hidyhole," Alec says attempting to introduce some levity.
Ignoring him, Max looks at Asha, "Hey, Asha, you're risking your health coming here."
"I had to, Max...I had to pass on some information to you and Logan," Asha says, then smiles as Logan walks out the narrow door.
"Hi, Alec, Asha. Good to see you. What's so important that you have to risk killing yourself coming here, though?" Logan asks, worry lacing his question, as he walks up and stands beside Max.
Looking irritably at Logan for a second, "Yeah, the phone woulda been safer," Max says.
"I tried," Asha says glancing from Logan to Alec, who picks up an old beaker and looks into it.
"Hmm, must've been no coverage," Max says with a faint touch of sarcasm.
With a raised eyebrow and quick glance at Max, "So, you want a cup of coffee and to get dry?" Logan asks. Are you jealous of Asha?
"Sur...atchoo! Sorry," Asha says, wiping her sleeve across her nose.
"Whoa, we better get you dry and fast. Don't want you keeling over before we find out what dragged you in here," Logan says.
"Alec, you go get some dry clothes for Asha and get back here. You've got five minutes...and no disappearing this time," Max says her voice mild but belied by the fire burning in her eyes as she looks at him. Still got to kick your ass.
"Right, five minutes," Alec says backing away.
"Five minutes, Alec."
"Come on Asha," Logan says taking her arm.
As Logan walks past Max and shows Asha through the narrow door into the office, Max stares at him with narrowed eyes. "What?" Logan mouths at her.
Waving her hand in dismissal, she follows. Why are you taking her into the hideaway...our place?
--- --- --- --- ---
Inside:
Logan goes into the kitchenette leaving Max and Asha in the outer room. Max walks over to the couch, reaches down, and picks up the blanket lying there. She holds it out, and stands there while Asha walks over to the couch and hesitates. "There's a bathroom over there. You better strip outta those wet clothes," she says, her tone emotionless.
"Max...Max, nothing ever happened and never would," Asha says looking Max straight in the eyes a long moment, then takes the blanket and walks towards the bathroom.
"What was that all about?" Logan asks from the doorway of the kitchenette, a look of curiosity on his face.
"Just getting some things straight...the coffee ready?" Max asks sauntering over to Logan and giving him a kiss on the cheek. Logan pulls back and cocks his head to one side in bemusement as Max continues into the kitchenette.
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TBC