AN: Why? Why? Why? Why does this chapter hate me? This isn't the chapter I wanted. I tried everything in my power to make it be, but it isn't. I'm sorry.

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Chapter 38

In the Dark

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Her eyes opened slowly in the dark. Confusion wrapped around her brain, the alertness usually present completely absent. Logan's room, no Logan beside her. It was still dark, but her eyes clearly saw the clock across the bed, 1:23. Zack was long gone, but the question was, where the hell was Logan

She heard movements in the kitchen, so she closed her eyes again. She wasn't getting up to go check up on him, she didn't have the energy. Two days with almost no sleep and barely touching the food that had been repeatedly offered to her had caught up with her quickly in her present state.

Her ears suddenly took notice of the fact that she was hearing two sets of movement in the kitchen. Then angry hushed whispers.

She shot up, swinging her legs over the side in one easy movement knowing that those voices were of Zack and Logan's. She swayed as the nausea rolled within her. A hand shot out to brace herself and the other covered her stomach. "Come on" she softly muttered. She didn't have the time for this, even though it was her own damn fault. An empty stomach and exhaustion, pretty much a guarantee to make the nausea that was almost non-existent at this point make a return appearance.

"You're gonna get her killed." She grimaced hearing Zack's voice suddenly way above a whisper.

"Keep your voice down." Logan's returned words were slightly elevated themselves. She would have smiled at the concern in his voice except for the fact that he was speaking to her brother and her weaknesses and Zack were never a good combination.

"No, let Max wake up. Then we can get the hell out of here."

She groaned and pushed herself up to get out there before they completely went at it like school kids. She ignored the dizziness and made her way out into the kitchen still only wearing the black underwear and tank Logan had stripped her down to just over an hour ago, she matched his attire of only gray boxers as he and her brother were apparently involved in a stand off.

"Neither of you are going to blink." She said rolling her eyes.

"Geez Max," Zack said swinging his attention over to her, "you look like shit."

"I tried to tell you that." Logan interjected, his point having been proven by her appearance, "Max just go back to bed."

Zack's attention returned to Logan and he glared, "No Max, go get dressed we're leaving."

"Look at her Zack; she's in no condition to go anywhere."

Max walked further into the room and braced herself on the counter, she should really be getting involved, but…

"You know, I've known Max a hell of a lot longer than you have…I think I know what she's capable of."

Should have just stayed in bed and let them fight it out, she thought as her eyes briefly closed and she tried to ignore the aroma of the coffee percolating. Who freakin makes coffee at 1:30

"She's barely eaten or slept for the past two days."

"This is Max; she doesn't need either of those." Their voices both kept just below a yell as they ignored the fact that she was even in the room with them.

"You said it yourself, she…" Suddenly Logan's eyes glanced back over at her to make his point and he noticed her swaying even though she was holding on to the counter. "Are you okay?"

"Max?" Zack's gaze turned to concerned too.

"I'm fine." She said shaking her head.

"You know what you need Maxie?" Zack moved across the kitchen, "A nice strong cup of coffee so we can get the hell out of here."

The mug was being poured even before she could react; the scent filled the room, hitting her almost instantly. She had a brief moment where she was strong enough to ignore it, she was wrong.

She didn't have a choice; it was either throw up at their feet or in the bathroom. They both called out after her, though thankfully didn't follow her. She didn't want to think about what was being said in the kitchen.

They were both staring at her as she reemerged. She'd almost stayed in the bathroom, but she knew lingering would make whatever she was facing worse.

Zack looked at her concerned, Logan just looked stunned.

"Sorry guys." She said trying to wrack her brain for a reason.

"Max" Zack began.

"Zack, I think Max proved she isn't up to going anywhere tonight." Logan said simply.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Zack cut her off, "It's fine Max. Go back to bed."

She nodded and turned, exhaustion didn't give her a chance to think about what had just happened.