March 5th

After spending a restless night on the space needle, Max waited until dark came again, before risking going back to Login's apartment. Going into his bedroom, she broke down for the first time. There was his wheelchair--his glasses--his gun. Sobbing, Max picked up the gun slowly. ((I can't live without him...it's my fault he's gone....)) She lifted the gun up to her head, prepared to end her life, if it could not be lived with Logan. Not thinking strait, she failed to sense a figure moving closer. At the last minute, the gun was kicked from her trembling hands. Falling unto her knees, she peered up at the form through her tears. "Zack"

"Get a hold of yourself Max" he told her roughly. Then crouching down next to her, he wiped away a tear. "Hey" he said gently, lifting up her chin.

Leaning into him, Max sobbed "He's gone Zack. And it's all my fault!. I should have stayed and fought for him..." collapsing into his arms she cried hysterically.

Hating to see her in so much pain, Zack vowed to himself that he would do anything. Anything, to make her happy once again. Even if that meant rescuing Logan......

"Where can we use a computer?" Zack asked, after Max had calmed down a bit.

"I'll show you" she replied, getting up and taking him to Login's computer room. Most of which was trashed.

"Somehow we need to contact the others...they'll help us. We'll need someplace safe to stay too."

Pulling herself together, Max said "We could use Logan's parents cabin...and I could rig up an Eyes Only hack."

"Great. I'll see if there's anything here we will need." Going off Zack thought ((this will be the perfect opportunity for Max and I to be alone...)) he sighed ((get with the program man, she LOVES Logan. You're just a brother to her and always will be.)) Zack entered the computer room once again, as Max was finishing up the hack

"...Peace. Out." turning around she said, "That's done"

Nodding his approval, Zack tossed her a duffel bag full of clothes and other things they might need. The force of the throw, while it would have normally been nothing, made Max stumble backwards. Quickly going over to her, Zack asked "What's wrong Max?"

"Nothing" she said, trying to fool him

"You're sick, aren't you?" he said, more of a statement then a question.

Still trying to hide it from him, Max lied again "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine"

Knowing something was up, but not what, Zack kept quiet and took Max's bag, continuing out the door. Expecting her to follow, he didn't stop till the elevator. Instead of being behind him, Max was still inside. Going back, and losing patience he said "Come on Max, we have to get out of here"

"I...I should leave a note for Bling..." she said, searching for some paper and a pen. Finding some by the phone, she reached for it, only to stop short, staring transfixed at a picture that was also on the table. It was one she had given to Logan a few weeks ago. It was of both of them, Logan at his computer, and Max leaning over his shoulder as Logan looked up at her. Bling had snapped it when they weren't paying attention, and later had given it to Max. ((oh Logan!)) her eyes began to get hot. Grabbing the photo, she quickly wrote the note and ran out the door, locking it behind her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where is she?" the interrogator demanded of Logan once again

"I told you, I don't know where she is." he answered weakly.

Nodding to nearby soldier, the interrogator left the room. Logan began to relax, until he saw the soldier approaching with a nasty looking instrument....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Cabin}

Zack practically had to carry Max into the cabin, she was so weak. Setting her down on the couch, he said "Max, Tell me what's going on. What's wrong with you?"

sighing, Max gave in. "I have influenza"

"Big deal"

"That's not all. It only affects the X-5's. It was developed by Manticore."

"Great" he said sarcastically

"Zack...I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"For everything...."

Realizing she was on the verge of breaking down again, Zack gently shushed her "It's ok baby sister. I understand"

((does he? really?)) "Do you? Do you understand that I can't let Logan die? That I love him?"

Zack cringed at the word "love" ((but I love you Max! more then he ever could...)) jealousy rising in his mind, he did all he could not to show it.

"It's late. We better get some rest"

"Yeah" she agreed

"You can take the bed, I'll sleep on the couch." he said, getting up ((I'd do anything, give anything for her to love me. Instead she loves that rich, spoiled...)) not even able to think Logan's name, Zack lay down on the couch, his thoughts trailing off, as Max went into the bedroom.


{Cabin} March 6th

The next morning Zack woke up to hear Max running to the bathroom. Sitting up on the couch, he waited for her to come out. She had been doing this all night, run to the bathroom, 5 minutes later he would hear the toilet flush, then she would come out. This time he was going to find out what was up. As she came out of the bathroom yet again, he called out "Good Morning"

"Is it?" she replied

"How are you feeling?"

"Other then the headache, vomiting, fever and body aches, I feel peachy" she said sarcastically

Changing the subject, Zack asked "What did you say in the hack?"

"In anyone heard it, we'll be meeting at Crash tonight."

"Crash? Max! That's back in the city! Lydecker must have his people all over looking for you! You remember, bad guys with guns?"

"Are you scared?" she asked, knowing what buttons to push

Zack's eyes narrowed and he asked "What time?"

"Nine."

"Fine."

"Fine"

"Fine." he said, glaring at Max

Returning the glare with one of her own, Max said "We should get there around 8. I told Cindy I would meet her first."

"Oh no you don't. You're not going anywhere Max"

"You can't tell me what to do"

"I can. And I am. You are staying here."

"Try and stop me" she said, taking a step closer to him

Zack just smirked and looked down at her "That wouldn't be too hard." then, continuing, his voice lost it severity "You know you can't go out like this. It would jeopardize the mission." he said, brushing a curl out of her face. Max stepped back, away from the caress. Getting dizzy, Max stumbled, and tried to catch herself. Zack reached out to help, but she pushed him away. The dizzy spell passed and Max stood up again.

"We should get something to eat. It's going to be a long day."

Zack sighed, but took the hint, going into the kitchen to fix something up. Hearing a crash a few minutes later, he went to check it out. He found Max laying on the floor, unconscious, with a pool of blood quickly forming around her head. Rushing over to her, he tried to wake her up, but to no avail. Gathering he up in his arms, he took her into the bedroom where he proceeded to clean the blood away as best he could, as to get a better look at the wound. ((This is bad...it's really deep....what should I do!!??)) Then, trying to calm down, Zack searched in the bathroom for some needed supplies. As he was looking through the cabinets, he heard Max call for him. No, she called for Logan! Jealous rage burned in him, as he returned to her side. Without warning, Max began to seize. Not knowing about the new medication that she needed, Zack forced her to swallow some Tryptophan. After 20 minutes the seizure was still going strong and Zack began to worry. Remembering he had seen Max with a different bottle of pills earlier, he searched through her bag, finding the Typthrotatin. Once again forcing her to take a pill, he sat back and waiting for it to take effect. Once or twice for a brief minute or two Max would wake up, always slipping away again. As 8 'o clock rolled around, Zack had to make a decision. Go. Or stay. He knew he really only had one choice, but he hated leaving her like she was. Making sure she had everything she might need on a table close at hand, he slowly pulled the door shut, and locked it behind him. Then, he was off for the city.