Chapter Three: Return of the Ex
Bleh… for disclaimer and spoilers, look in first chapter. I'm too damn lazy!!
Author's Notes: Ahh!! I'm so proud of myself, I got this out in *6* days!! It usually takes me more than a week to get a chapter out!! Thanks a whole bunch to my awesome, wonderful, terrific beta-readers, lareina_Selena and PreciousJax!! You guys totally helped me through my writer's block, however minor it was :-)
* * * *
Logan quickly collected his jaw off of the floor. " Val? What the hell are you doing here? It's 1:25 in the morning!!"
Valerie bit her lip. " I know. My… ex-husband and I had a huge fight and we got evicted from the apartment for vandalizing the property. I wouldn't have come here, but I ran out of options. I know that… there was no one in the world that I hurt more."
" You said that last time Val. And look what happened," Logan said bitterly, turning around and walking away from her.
Valerie put her bags down and followed Logan. " I mean it this time. I never ever meant to hurt you the way that I did. Back then, I was reckless and too much in love to see clearly."
Logan sighed and muttered to himself, " I know the feeling."
Valerie stood up close to him and brought her hand up to his shoulder and ran her hand down his chest and abs. " Maybe we could start over again," she said seductively.
Logan took a step away from Valerie, " Val, a lot has changed since you last saw me."
" I don't see it. You're still the same, handsome man I fell in love with," she said coyly.
" Val, I'm engaged."
" Oh," Valerie said, quickly turning uncomfortable. " To who?"
" Max."
Valerie frowned, " But she's so young! What is she, 18?"
Logan visibly stiffened; he had always known Max and his age difference was large, but no one had ever really pointed it out. He said through gritted teeth, " Age doesn't matter as long as we're in love, which we are."
" I guess so," Valerie said. " So, think I can stay for a while?" she pleaded.
Logan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. " How long do you need?"
" A week, tops," Valerie grinned happily.
" Ok," Logan said very reluctantly. " One week. That's it." //Oh dear God, what have I gotten myself into?//Logan wondered to himself. //Max is going to kill me when she finds out//
* * * *
" Thank God we're finally here!!" Max exclaimed, flopping down on one of the beds in the small house they had rented, located in the countryside just outside Ottawa.
" You three girls mind sharing this room?" Zach asked, poking his head in. " It's bigger than the other one and I doubt one of you wants to share with me."
" We're fine Zach. Thanks," Jondy smiled.
Zach exited the room and Max said, " Alex, why don't you phone Brandon? Shouldn't he be home right now?"
" What time would it be there?"
" Around 9 in the morning," Max answered, " Seattle is 3 hours behind us."
" I'll ask Logan to get him to a secure line next time he phones."
" Ok," Max shrugged.
Jondy held up the newspaper. " Better start looking for jobs. Logan's money isn't going to last us very long."
" I am definitely NOT taking a job as a bike messenger," Max snorted, " I don't think I can handle another Normal."
" Bip bip bip, you lazy bums, or you're all fired!" Alex imitated.
Max dissolved into giggles, " That's a pretty good impression of him!"
" Thank you, thank you very much," Alex grinned, now imitating Elvis.
Two pairs of confused eyes stared at Alex, silently asking her to explain.
" Elvis," Alex answered, " Haven't you guys ever heard of him?"
Max and Jondy looked at each other and shook their heads. " No…" Max said slowly. " Are we supposed to?"
" Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll?" Alex asked. When she saw their puzzled looks, she groaned, " Oh my gosh, have you two got a lot to learn!!"
" Well, I don't really care for rock and roll, so whatever," Max said, opening the newspaper up to the classified section.
* * * *
Valerie was still sound asleep in the guestroom. Logan had finally agreed to let her stay, but only for a week. Even though she had played him twice already, he didn't have the heart to turn someone away in their time of need.
Logan went into his office and sighed. //Guess I'm not going to be making Eyes Only broadcasts for a while// he thought as he shut down the all the computers except for his main one. //Besides, Max isn't here to do the legwork//
He picked up the picture of Max that stood beside his computer and chuckled to himself as he thought of that day.
* *FLASBACK* *
Logan got out of bed quietly and was careful not to wake Max up from her much needed sleep. Max hadn't had a good night's sleep for almost a week and a half and she had exhausted herself the night before from doing legwork for Eyes Only.
After Logan finished making breakfast, he went back to their bedroom to check on Max and was surprised to see her still deeply asleep. He smiled to himself at how peaceful and innocent she looked; her hair fanned out all around her on the pillow like a halo, her long eyelashes brushed her high cheekbones and her luscious lips curled up in a tiny smile, as if she was having a wonderful dream.
Logan made his way noiselessly to the bureau and got his camera. He quickly snapped a picture of Max and lowered the camera, still mesmerized by her sleeping form.
Max finally woke up, having the feeling of someone staring at her. She saw Logan leaning against the bureau at the opposite end of the room and smiled. " Hey," she said sleepily.
" Right back at you," he answered with that sexy little smile of his.
" How come I didn't wake up with you by my side?" Max pouted.
" Because you needed the sleep and today, I didn't."
Max's eyes wandered down and saw the camera in his hands. Her mouth dropped open, " You didn't."
Logan grinned, " I did," he said, raising the camera for effect.
" I'm going to kill you!" Max cried out in shock. " Couldn't you have at least waited till I brushed my hair to take a picture of me??" She complained.
" Aww, then what's the fun in that?" Logan teased, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
" Give me the camera," Max demanded, trying unsuccessfully to grab the camera from him.
" No way!" Logan exclaimed. " Believe me, you looked beautiful."
" I did not," Max pouted.
" You did too," Logan said, silencing her with a soft kiss. " Now get out of bed, I made you breakfast."
"I love a man that can cook," Max grinned, scrambling out of bed.
" My uncle Jonas can cook. Do you love him?" Logan pouted, pretending to be hurt.
Max wrapped her arms around Logan. " The only man I love has these really amazing eyes, a scruffy little beard, this great smile that makes me melt, little glasses that make him look all sexy and intellectual and is an amazing kisser," she tugged gently on Logan's lower lip playfully for effect.
" Must be one hell of a guy," Logan grinned, wrapping his own arms around his beloved.
" Oh, he is," Max giggled and kissed him.
" Let's forget about breakfast," Logan murmured when they broke apart from their kiss.
" Never, *ever* say those words to me," Max said, slapping his chest lightly.
" So if you could choose between sex and food, what would you choose?"
" Depends," Max said, leaning closer to his face with a mischievous smile on her face. " We could always combine the two."
Logan grinned and stood up, " I'll get the whipped cream."
" I'll get the strawberries."
* *END FLASHBACK* *
" Hey, you were never much of a computer guy back when we were married," Logan heard Valerie's voice, " even for your little articles, you'd always rather working with a pen and paper. I was starting to wonder if you were Amish or something."
Logan whipped his head in the direction of the door and said, " Oh, hey. You're up."
Valerie nodded, " Yup. So what's with the computers?"
" Oh, nothing important," Logan said, quickly getting up from his seat and ushered Valerie out of the door. He locked his office and walked briskly into the kitchen.
" Are you planning on looking for an apartment today?" Logan asked.
" I can't really look for an apartment until I find a job," Valerie said.
" Have you ever even worked before?" Logan wondered.
Valerie laughed, " No. After college, I moved in with you. Then after we divorced, I moved in with Robbie."
" Ah. Robbie," Logan said, recalling the pain he had felt when he found out Val had cheated on him.
" He's in the past Logan," Valerie said quietly, touching his arm. " If it's ok with you, I'd like for us to try and become friends. I truly am sorry about the way I hurt you."
Logan gave Valerie a sad smile. " I know you are."
" So you wanna give the friendship thing a try?"
" Yeah," Logan said after hesitation. " I'd like that."
Valerie gave a full-blown grin and gave him a friendly hug. " Thank you."
Logan quickly broke apart from her hug " I'm not really comfortable with hugging you right now," he said bluntly.
Valerie bit her lip, " It's ok. I guess I understand." She started at Logan for a few moments and then asked, " Oh my gosh, I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier. How'd you get out of the wheelchair?"
" Long story," Logan said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the issue.
The phone rang and Logan said, " Excuse me."
" I'll make breakfast," Valerie called out as Logan picked up the phone.
" Hello?"
" Hey hun."
Logan smiled happily, " Hey Max."
" Guess what? Actually it's two 'guess what's."
" What's the first one?"
" I found a job."
* * * *
" You found a job? That's great!" Max heard Logan say to her. Jondy, Alex and Zach were already out at their jobs. It was really quite fortunate that they had all found jobs on such short notice.
" Where are you working?"
" I start work tomorrow at Starbucks."
Logan laughed, " It figures, you're such a coffee fanatic."
" A coffee fanatic you love," Max said playfully.
" Very, very much too," Logan agreed. " What's the second 'guess what'?" He asked, moving into his bedroom for privacy.
" I really, really, really miss you. I haven't slept at all since I left. And that's not really good because we -ahem- used up a lot of energy our last night together," Max grinned. " I think I've gotten too used to falling asleep in your arms."
" Really? Because I've gotten too used to falling asleep with you in my arms. I only took one short nap the morning after you left."
Max frowned, even though Logan couldn't see it. " You should get some rest. It's been," she checked her watch, " more than 2 days! Logan, your body can't handle it."
" I know I know," Logan sighed, " It's just hard without you here."
" I wish you could've came with me," Max said quietly.
" Me too. But someone's gotta look out for the downtrodden, right? Blah blah woof woof?"
Max laughed, " Right."
* * * *
Valerie poked her head in the doorway of Logan's room and said, " Logan, you're out of eggs. What would you like instead?"
" Logan? Who's that?" Max asked, hearing a woman's voice.
* * * *
A/N: Heehee, next chapter should be fun to write!! Please read and review, it's disturbing how excited I get when I see I get a review ;-)
Bleh… for disclaimer and spoilers, look in first chapter. I'm too damn lazy!!
Author's Notes: Ahh!! I'm so proud of myself, I got this out in *6* days!! It usually takes me more than a week to get a chapter out!! Thanks a whole bunch to my awesome, wonderful, terrific beta-readers, lareina_Selena and PreciousJax!! You guys totally helped me through my writer's block, however minor it was :-)
* * * *
Logan quickly collected his jaw off of the floor. " Val? What the hell are you doing here? It's 1:25 in the morning!!"
Valerie bit her lip. " I know. My… ex-husband and I had a huge fight and we got evicted from the apartment for vandalizing the property. I wouldn't have come here, but I ran out of options. I know that… there was no one in the world that I hurt more."
" You said that last time Val. And look what happened," Logan said bitterly, turning around and walking away from her.
Valerie put her bags down and followed Logan. " I mean it this time. I never ever meant to hurt you the way that I did. Back then, I was reckless and too much in love to see clearly."
Logan sighed and muttered to himself, " I know the feeling."
Valerie stood up close to him and brought her hand up to his shoulder and ran her hand down his chest and abs. " Maybe we could start over again," she said seductively.
Logan took a step away from Valerie, " Val, a lot has changed since you last saw me."
" I don't see it. You're still the same, handsome man I fell in love with," she said coyly.
" Val, I'm engaged."
" Oh," Valerie said, quickly turning uncomfortable. " To who?"
" Max."
Valerie frowned, " But she's so young! What is she, 18?"
Logan visibly stiffened; he had always known Max and his age difference was large, but no one had ever really pointed it out. He said through gritted teeth, " Age doesn't matter as long as we're in love, which we are."
" I guess so," Valerie said. " So, think I can stay for a while?" she pleaded.
Logan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. " How long do you need?"
" A week, tops," Valerie grinned happily.
" Ok," Logan said very reluctantly. " One week. That's it." //Oh dear God, what have I gotten myself into?//Logan wondered to himself. //Max is going to kill me when she finds out//
* * * *
" Thank God we're finally here!!" Max exclaimed, flopping down on one of the beds in the small house they had rented, located in the countryside just outside Ottawa.
" You three girls mind sharing this room?" Zach asked, poking his head in. " It's bigger than the other one and I doubt one of you wants to share with me."
" We're fine Zach. Thanks," Jondy smiled.
Zach exited the room and Max said, " Alex, why don't you phone Brandon? Shouldn't he be home right now?"
" What time would it be there?"
" Around 9 in the morning," Max answered, " Seattle is 3 hours behind us."
" I'll ask Logan to get him to a secure line next time he phones."
" Ok," Max shrugged.
Jondy held up the newspaper. " Better start looking for jobs. Logan's money isn't going to last us very long."
" I am definitely NOT taking a job as a bike messenger," Max snorted, " I don't think I can handle another Normal."
" Bip bip bip, you lazy bums, or you're all fired!" Alex imitated.
Max dissolved into giggles, " That's a pretty good impression of him!"
" Thank you, thank you very much," Alex grinned, now imitating Elvis.
Two pairs of confused eyes stared at Alex, silently asking her to explain.
" Elvis," Alex answered, " Haven't you guys ever heard of him?"
Max and Jondy looked at each other and shook their heads. " No…" Max said slowly. " Are we supposed to?"
" Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll?" Alex asked. When she saw their puzzled looks, she groaned, " Oh my gosh, have you two got a lot to learn!!"
" Well, I don't really care for rock and roll, so whatever," Max said, opening the newspaper up to the classified section.
* * * *
Valerie was still sound asleep in the guestroom. Logan had finally agreed to let her stay, but only for a week. Even though she had played him twice already, he didn't have the heart to turn someone away in their time of need.
Logan went into his office and sighed. //Guess I'm not going to be making Eyes Only broadcasts for a while// he thought as he shut down the all the computers except for his main one. //Besides, Max isn't here to do the legwork//
He picked up the picture of Max that stood beside his computer and chuckled to himself as he thought of that day.
* *FLASBACK* *
Logan got out of bed quietly and was careful not to wake Max up from her much needed sleep. Max hadn't had a good night's sleep for almost a week and a half and she had exhausted herself the night before from doing legwork for Eyes Only.
After Logan finished making breakfast, he went back to their bedroom to check on Max and was surprised to see her still deeply asleep. He smiled to himself at how peaceful and innocent she looked; her hair fanned out all around her on the pillow like a halo, her long eyelashes brushed her high cheekbones and her luscious lips curled up in a tiny smile, as if she was having a wonderful dream.
Logan made his way noiselessly to the bureau and got his camera. He quickly snapped a picture of Max and lowered the camera, still mesmerized by her sleeping form.
Max finally woke up, having the feeling of someone staring at her. She saw Logan leaning against the bureau at the opposite end of the room and smiled. " Hey," she said sleepily.
" Right back at you," he answered with that sexy little smile of his.
" How come I didn't wake up with you by my side?" Max pouted.
" Because you needed the sleep and today, I didn't."
Max's eyes wandered down and saw the camera in his hands. Her mouth dropped open, " You didn't."
Logan grinned, " I did," he said, raising the camera for effect.
" I'm going to kill you!" Max cried out in shock. " Couldn't you have at least waited till I brushed my hair to take a picture of me??" She complained.
" Aww, then what's the fun in that?" Logan teased, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
" Give me the camera," Max demanded, trying unsuccessfully to grab the camera from him.
" No way!" Logan exclaimed. " Believe me, you looked beautiful."
" I did not," Max pouted.
" You did too," Logan said, silencing her with a soft kiss. " Now get out of bed, I made you breakfast."
"I love a man that can cook," Max grinned, scrambling out of bed.
" My uncle Jonas can cook. Do you love him?" Logan pouted, pretending to be hurt.
Max wrapped her arms around Logan. " The only man I love has these really amazing eyes, a scruffy little beard, this great smile that makes me melt, little glasses that make him look all sexy and intellectual and is an amazing kisser," she tugged gently on Logan's lower lip playfully for effect.
" Must be one hell of a guy," Logan grinned, wrapping his own arms around his beloved.
" Oh, he is," Max giggled and kissed him.
" Let's forget about breakfast," Logan murmured when they broke apart from their kiss.
" Never, *ever* say those words to me," Max said, slapping his chest lightly.
" So if you could choose between sex and food, what would you choose?"
" Depends," Max said, leaning closer to his face with a mischievous smile on her face. " We could always combine the two."
Logan grinned and stood up, " I'll get the whipped cream."
" I'll get the strawberries."
* *END FLASHBACK* *
" Hey, you were never much of a computer guy back when we were married," Logan heard Valerie's voice, " even for your little articles, you'd always rather working with a pen and paper. I was starting to wonder if you were Amish or something."
Logan whipped his head in the direction of the door and said, " Oh, hey. You're up."
Valerie nodded, " Yup. So what's with the computers?"
" Oh, nothing important," Logan said, quickly getting up from his seat and ushered Valerie out of the door. He locked his office and walked briskly into the kitchen.
" Are you planning on looking for an apartment today?" Logan asked.
" I can't really look for an apartment until I find a job," Valerie said.
" Have you ever even worked before?" Logan wondered.
Valerie laughed, " No. After college, I moved in with you. Then after we divorced, I moved in with Robbie."
" Ah. Robbie," Logan said, recalling the pain he had felt when he found out Val had cheated on him.
" He's in the past Logan," Valerie said quietly, touching his arm. " If it's ok with you, I'd like for us to try and become friends. I truly am sorry about the way I hurt you."
Logan gave Valerie a sad smile. " I know you are."
" So you wanna give the friendship thing a try?"
" Yeah," Logan said after hesitation. " I'd like that."
Valerie gave a full-blown grin and gave him a friendly hug. " Thank you."
Logan quickly broke apart from her hug " I'm not really comfortable with hugging you right now," he said bluntly.
Valerie bit her lip, " It's ok. I guess I understand." She started at Logan for a few moments and then asked, " Oh my gosh, I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier. How'd you get out of the wheelchair?"
" Long story," Logan said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the issue.
The phone rang and Logan said, " Excuse me."
" I'll make breakfast," Valerie called out as Logan picked up the phone.
" Hello?"
" Hey hun."
Logan smiled happily, " Hey Max."
" Guess what? Actually it's two 'guess what's."
" What's the first one?"
" I found a job."
* * * *
" You found a job? That's great!" Max heard Logan say to her. Jondy, Alex and Zach were already out at their jobs. It was really quite fortunate that they had all found jobs on such short notice.
" Where are you working?"
" I start work tomorrow at Starbucks."
Logan laughed, " It figures, you're such a coffee fanatic."
" A coffee fanatic you love," Max said playfully.
" Very, very much too," Logan agreed. " What's the second 'guess what'?" He asked, moving into his bedroom for privacy.
" I really, really, really miss you. I haven't slept at all since I left. And that's not really good because we -ahem- used up a lot of energy our last night together," Max grinned. " I think I've gotten too used to falling asleep in your arms."
" Really? Because I've gotten too used to falling asleep with you in my arms. I only took one short nap the morning after you left."
Max frowned, even though Logan couldn't see it. " You should get some rest. It's been," she checked her watch, " more than 2 days! Logan, your body can't handle it."
" I know I know," Logan sighed, " It's just hard without you here."
" I wish you could've came with me," Max said quietly.
" Me too. But someone's gotta look out for the downtrodden, right? Blah blah woof woof?"
Max laughed, " Right."
* * * *
Valerie poked her head in the doorway of Logan's room and said, " Logan, you're out of eggs. What would you like instead?"
" Logan? Who's that?" Max asked, hearing a woman's voice.
* * * *
A/N: Heehee, next chapter should be fun to write!! Please read and review, it's disturbing how excited I get when I see I get a review ;-)