{Elevator} morning of March 4th
Logan woke up slowly, stiff and sore from sleeping on the elevator floor. Propping himself up on his elbow, he studied Max's face intently. As the minutes wore on, she woke up.
"Hey" he said, still staring at her
Blinking several times, Max replied "Hey"
"I actually got up before you" he said teasingly
"Yeah, well, don't count on it happening too often." she said, her lips lifting up into a somewhat half hearted smile.
"About last night..." he began
"No, it's ok, I over reacted..." she started
"Max, I would never want anything to happen to you...I had to do something..."
"And I could let something happen to you? It would have made things easier if you had taken me with you in the first place."
"You were sick, I couldn't have put you in danger...."
"Mr. Eyes Only, protector of the weak and downtrodden" she said sarcastically
Voicing feeling and thoughts that he hadn't thought he would ever say, "Why? Why'd you come back for me? What good am I to you in this chair....?"
Surprised at the way he felt, Max let loose, trying to jolt him back to reality "Can't you get it through your thick head? I don't see you as some poor cripple in a wheel chair! Whether you're in a chair or not, I couldn't care less.!"
"But I thought, since the accident..." not quite managing to say it all...
"What? That your less of a man?" she asked sarcastically., continuing in a gentler tone: "Logan, don't get me wrong, I want you to stand more then anyone...but it won't change anything between us, for better or for worse, if you did." Still laying on the floor under him, Max realized what a vulnerable position she was in ((Lydecker would be so proud...)) she thought bitterly.
Logan was off in his own little world, trying to find the deeper meaning in her words...
((I don't want her pity..))
Then trying to get her point across, Max slowly reached up, and with both hands on either side of his head, drew him towards her. Coming out of his day dream, Logan at first resisted, not fully aware of what was happening. Then, he focused on her eyes, and let himself be pulled down. Max kissed him deeply, fiercely, telling him without words how strongly she felt for him. Returning the kiss wholeheartedly, Logan didn't hold back the thoughts he had hidden in the back of his mind, any longer. ((if she weren't here, I wouldn't have any reason to wake up in the morning...I couldn't live without her...))
Breaking away, Logan looked deep into her eyes, eyes that had seen things an adult shouldn't have to deal with, let alone a 9 year old. Eyes, that at the moment were dark with unspoken emotion. Taking a deep breath, he plunged in "Max. I realized something just now.".....
to be continued....