Max felt the touch of a hand on her forehead and opened her eyes. It was Logan.
"Where..."
"You're in my room. Miranda is in the guest room resting and talking to her mother. You did it."
"Yes, but Cassi...where's Cassi?"
Logan reached across Max and moved the blanket. There she was, curled up in a ball, sound asleep.
"How has she been?"
"When Greg first brought her in, she cried for almost half an hour in her mother's arms. Then, she asked for you. We brought her in and she's been asleep ever since."
Max smiled at Logan. "She's meowing again. Just like old times."
"Not this time."
"What do you mean?"
"She said, Where's Max?"
Max stared at him in disbelief. "She spoke, actually spoke?"
Logan nodded. "It seems that she grew more quiet and strange after Miranda was gone. They thought it was just a progression of her genetic abilities. Turns out, a lot of it was her abilities reacting to the emotion and trauma of what she knew had happened. Her mind didn't know how to deal with it."
"Poor thing." Max said, stroking her hair. "She's been through so much."
"She's not the only one." Max felt his hand brush her hair out of her face. "You okay Max?"
"My shoulder will be fine. I heal fast."
"It's not just about your shoulder, Max. Miranda told us who was there."
Max tried to shrug then remembered her shoulder. "I'm okay. I just hate to see them do these things to more people. Miranda's baby..."
"Will be fine." Logan said. "She has her family to love her and she has someone special who will be able to understand her." His eyes were on her face. "She'll be fine."
"What if there are others?"
"Then we will help them one at a time. For now, you need to let yourself rest."
Max relaxed against the pillow but caught sight of something in Logan's hand. "What's that?"
Logan looked down. "It's a song that Miranda wanted me to give you. Want to read it?"
Max looked up at him. "Why don't you read it to me?"
Logan looked at the song and blushed, "Are you sure?"
She nodded, leaned back and closed her eyes.
Logan took a breath and began as she sat, letting his voice wash over her.
Baby, don't understand
Why we can't just hold on to each other's hands
This time might be the last I fear
Unless I make it all too clear
I need you so
Take these Broken Wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these Broken Wings
Baby, I think tonight
We can take what was wrong and make it right
Baby, it's all I know
That you're half of the flesh and blood makes me whole
I need you so
So take these Broken Wings
And learn to fly again
Learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Baby, that's all I know
That's you're half of the flesh and blood makes me whole
So take these Broken Wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these Broken Wings
You got to learn to fly
Learn to live love so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up for us and let us in
Max looked at him. "Nice song."
"Yeah, it is."
"So, how do you learn to fly if you have a broken wing?"
"You let it heal and you don't give up..." His eyes rested on her own. "and then we help others with broken wings."
"We?"
"Yes, we. You're not the only wounded one."
"You? The great Eyes Only, Mr. Logan Cale?"
"Yes, me..."
"So, I'm going to help you?" She said softly.
"And I will help you...if you'll let me."
"I think I just might." She said. "I guess we broken wings should stick together."
He extended his arm in invitation to her. "Yes, we should."
After a second's hesitation, she moved over and leaned against him with her head on his chest. His arm came around and held her. She closed her eyes and stayed there...Logan on one side, Cassi on the other.
Logan kissed her on the head. "Let's work on helping each other heal. Then we can go in search of the rest..."
Max reached out an arm and returned his embrace. "Just you and me and some broken wings. Sounds like a dream to me."
