Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel and if I did, I'd be a millionaire by now and I'd be writing scripts instead of fanfics to satisfy my DA cravings :-)
Spoilers: Minor ones for all up to 'Hit A Sista Back'. And let's pretend that Max's transfusion cured Logan with no side effects, ok? Also, nothing after HASB happened :-)
Author's Note: I FINALLY got another chapter up!! I'm so sorry for the delay guys, I had my final exams this past week and I haven't been able to write much. This (last) chapter is a big longer than the others, so I hope it makes up for the delay :-)
Author's Note 2: I'd like to take this moment right now to thank everyone who have been reading/reviewing my story, you guys are truly amazing! Thank you very very much, and I hope you'll read the sequel to this as well!
Thanks to darkangel, JTR_Owned, Ashley, aegean, a reader, AJQuest, Silverstar1013, Courtney, kitten, goldapple57, bizkitprinzess and lily not my real name for reviewing!
* * * *
Mouths dropped open everywhere, except for Cindy, who only looked mildly surprised that she's finally telling everyone.
" You- you have a boyfriend?" Zach asked incredulously.
Alex grinned, " Yup. Brandon, this is Zach, Jondy and Max, my brother and sisters from Manticore. This is Logan, my adopted brother. He and Max are dating and you know Original Cindy."
" Hey Brandon," Original Cindy nodded in his direction.
" Alex, can I talk to you for a second?" Zach asked.
" Sure," Alex said, following him into the direction.
" What do you think you're doing, letting a total stranger know about Manticore?" Zach hissed, grabbing her arm.
" Ok, Zach, for one thing, you're hurting me," Alex said, yanking her arm out of his grasp, " Second thing, he's NOT a total stranger, we've been going out for about 5 months now. I trust him with my heart and soul."
" How do you know he's not one of Lydecker's goons?"
" Because not even the greatest actor in the world could fool a Manticore kid," Alex rolled her eyes.
" I fooled Max into thinking I was Sam when I first met her," Zach argued.
" That's different. He's dating me and love is something you can't fake. Zach, just trust me, will ya?"
" It's your ass on the line," he sighed dejectedly.
* * * *
" Bye Brandon, it was nice meeting you!" Max said to Brandon and shut the door when he left.
" He's nice," Jondy commented.
" He's the best," Alex smiled, " So you guys really liked him?" She asked hopefully.
" Definitely," Max smiled, giving her little sister a hug, " You chose a good one baby sister."
" Thanks Max. So did you," She grinned at Logan.
" I know," Max smiled, intertwining her and Logan's fingers together.
Logan kissed Max's hand and Alex rolled her eyes. " Uh oh. They're doing their lovey-dovey thing again. Jondy, Zach, why don't you guys crash at my place tonight? I'm sure you don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night by their intense cardiovascular work out," Alex said mockingly.
Max and Logan both blushed and Alex grinned. " Zach, Jondy, let's go." Original Cindy had long ago left, claiming she was spending the night at her newest 'lickety boo'.
" Night Lexie," Logan said, " See you guys later."
Max delivered hugs to both her sisters and said, " See you later."
Jondy raised an eyebrow, " Are you still mad at Zach? I mean, I know what he said was out of line, but it's ZACH. He's like that."
Max shot a death glare at Zach and said, " You won't ever say anything like that about Logan or I again?"
" Can't make any promises."
" You can rot in hell," Max said, and turned around.
" Max," Logan said, placing a hand on her back, " I told you, it's ok."
Max sighed. " I'm doing this for you," she whispered to Logan and turned around. " Zach, what time will you come in the morning?" Her version of forgiving him.
" 6," he said knowing she's forgiven him, " So get some sleep," he added on purpose.
" Can't promise anything," Max replied, shooting a wicked some at Logan and was graced with one of his own.
Zach, Alex and Jondy left and Logan encircled his arms around Max's waist, " So now it's just you and me."
" Yup," Max smiled, tugging gently on his bottom lip.
" I love you," he murmured against her lips.
" I know. I love you too," Max replied softly.
Logan pulled away and said, " Max, why don't you go take a bath or something?"
" Why?"
" I got a surprise for you."
" Oh really?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
" Yup. Give me an hour. I'll call you when I'm ready. Until I am, you are not to come out of that room."
" If you say so," Max said, walking into the direction of their room and the adjourning bathroom.
Logan smiled to himself and shut the bedroom door after Max and started cooking a fabulous dinner for her.
* * * *
Max sank into the luxurious bubble bath and gave a sigh of content. At this moment, life was perfect. She had been reunited with Jondy, her favorite sister ever and they had talked for hours about their lives. Alex and her had gotten extremely close during these past few months and she had the most wonderful boyfriend ever. Hell, Logan was perfect! He always knew how to make her smile, he loved her, cared for her and even understood why Zach could be such a bastard. She had wonderful friends, wonderful sisters, a wonderful boyfriend and a wonderful life.
But tomorrow is going to be a different story.
* * * *
" Logan!" Max called out, " Am I allowed to come out yet?"
Logan grinned to himself, " Hold on Max!"
He walked into their bedroom and saw Max sitting on the edge of their bed, swinging her leg impatiently. He chuckled at the sight and said, " Come here, I gotta blindfold you."
" What kind of weird fantasies are you going to fulfill with that?"
" Believe me, we're not fulfilling any of my fantasies right now."
" What does fulfilling your fantasies require?" Max asked devilishly.
Logan blindfolded Max and whispered in her ear, " For starters, it would involve the two of us naked and handcuffs."
Max raised an eyebrow and said, " Handcuffs? Well, aren't you a bad boy."
" You don't know what half of my fantasies are like Max."
Logan led her into the kitchen and sat her down. " You can take the blindfold off now."
Max ripped it off and Logan said, " Nothing special in here, but I didn't want you to see the living room yet. That's where the surprise is."
" Not fair."
" Life's not fair," Logan replied, " I promise we'll get to it after dinner okay?"
" Fair enough. What are we eating?"
" Pasta tricolore," Logan grinned devilishly.
Max pouted and teased; " And you didn't let me boil the water?"
* * * *
Alex picked up the phone and phoned Caroline. Caroline picked up after a few rings and Alex said, " Hi, Caroline? It's Alex…………. I'm so sorry but I can't make it to your wedding……………….. yeah, I know, I said I'd be one of your bridesmaids…… well, I'm sure Jessie and Helen are still available!…….. what, they're not coming now?….. Oh geez, Caroline, I feel so horrible! But something came up and I have to leave the country….. ok, thanks for understanding…….. I wish you and Brandon the best……"
Alex hung up the phone, smiling at the irony in that her and Caroline's boyfriend had the same name. //We really are alike// She thought.
" Where's Original Cindy?" Jondy asked.
" She's at her girlfriend's, remember?" Alex replied.
" Oh, right," Jondy said.
" Jondy, you can take my bed," Alex said, " it's in that room over there."
" Nah, it's ok, I'll take the couch," Jondy said, " I don't sleep much."
" Take it," Alex ordered, " We want to be well rested in the morning. Zach, it's the couch for you again."
Zach only grunted and Alex threw him a blanket, probably a little harder than she should've, but Zach could handle it.
" Now. What do you guys want for dinner?"
" Let's go get pizza or something," Jondy suggested. " Besides, we should probably scope the city out for Lydecker's men, just in case."
" Sounds good to me," Alex shrugged, putting her jacket back on. " Let's head out."
* * * *
Logan and Max finished their dinner and Logan said, " Ok Max, close your eyes."
Max sighed, pretending to look exasperated and closed her eyes. " What do you have up your sleeve now, Logan Cale?"
" You'll see," Logan smiled. He placed her in the middle of the room and whispered in her ear, " I'll be right back. No peeking."
" I won't," Max promised him.
Logan ran into their room and took out the ring. He ran back into the living room and turned on the stereo. Babyface's 'Every time I close my Eyes' played softly in the background and Logan slipped the ring into his pocket.
" Dance with me," Logan said softly to Max.
" Can I look now?" she teased.
" Yes, you can look now," he chuckled.
Max's eyes immediately flew open and she gasped at all the candles and beautiful flowers around the living room. " Logan… Oh my God…" she whispered.
Logan only smiled at her and asked again, " Dance with me?"
Max stepped into his arms and he rested his head on top of her hair.
In the middle of the song, Logan leaned back a little so he could look at Max's face and he said, " Max?"
" Mmm hmm?"
" I need to tell you something."
Max detected the serious tone in Logan's voice and she moved over to the couch and sat down. " What is it?"
Logan kneeled in front of her and said, " Max, all my life, I'd prayed for someone like you. You're the sole reason I wake up every morning and each and everyday, I thank my stars that I was lucky enough that you came crashing into my life." Max chuckled at the last part and beckoned him to continue. " Before you, my life was black and white and you brought the color and liveliness into it. I never knew what love was before you and I know I'd be lost without you. So Max Guevara," Logan took out the ring. " Will you marry me?"
Max was speechless for once and all she could do was nod and squeak out, " Yes."
Logan had tears of happiness in his eyes and he slipped the ring onto Max's finger. " I love you," he whispered and they embraced.
Logan stood up, pulling Max with him and Max said, " Oh my God. We're going to get married. We're going to get married!" Realization suddenly hitting her.
Logan chuckled, " Why, yes we are Max," he said teasingly.
" Come here," she said softly. She gave him a kiss that left him breathless and Logan murmured, " Let's move this into the bedroom, shall we?"
" Ok."
They went into their room and Logan kissed Max, " Max, I want you."
" Then have me," she whispered back.
" I want to make love to you. Not like last night. I want to REALLY make love to you. I want to prove my love to you."
* * * *
Logan laid on top of Max, kissing her lovingly and passionately. Max kissed him back with the same level of intensity and was extremely pleased at how he was making her body tingle. He touched her as if she was made of glass, as if the slightest touch would break her. He was so incredibly gentle and loving, it made her cry joyous tears.
Logan kissed her tears away and looked into her eyes. " I'm guessing you're happy?"
" Happier than I've ever been," Max murmured.
Logan started to remove himself from inside Max, but she wrapped her legs around him tightly, " No."
He looked at her questionably and Max said simply, " I want us to be joined for a while longer."
Logan understood and rolled the two of them over, so Max was now on top. " Didn't want to crush you," he whispered to her.
Max wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
" What's going to happen to us tomorrow Logan?" Max asked quietly, her voice quivering slightly.
Logan sighed and ran his hands up and down her back. " I don't know. Tomorrow's going to change everything."
" If I end up killing a whole bunch of people or something like that, will you still love me?"
" I'll love you always and forever, no matter what, Max. I love you more than life itself. You know that."
Max smiled to herself. " You're amazing Logan."
* * * *
Alex, Jondy and Zach walked out of Pizza Hut and Jondy said, " Thank God the Pulse couldn't manage to make pizza taste horrible. That would be an international crime."
Alex laughed and said, " I hear ya sister."
Zach was too busy looking around for bad guys to hear his sisters.
Jondy pointed this out to Alex and Jondy spoke a bit louder than usual to make sure Zach would hear her. " So anyways, I phoned Lydecker last night and invited him to the X5 reunion we're going to have next month. He was pretty psyched and he said he'd DEFINITELY be there and he'll bring a bunch of big bad helicopter guys-"
" You said what?" Zach hissed, grabbing Jondy's arm tightly.
Alex and Jondy laughed hysterically, " Gotcha Zach!" Jondy exclaimed gleefully.
" That's not funny Jondy," Zach said, narrowing his eyes.
" Relax Zach," Jondy said, still laughing, " You're too uptight. And would you mind letting me go?"
Zach let Jondy go and said, " You two have gotten too careless."
They walked around for a while in silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, Alex held out her hand. " You guys, listen," she said.
Zach and Jondy both enhanced their hearing and heard Hummers in the distance. Zach enhanced his vision in that particular direction and muttered, " Lydecker's men. Let's move out. Rendezvous at Logan's in 20 minutes. Try to throw them off course."
Alex and Jondy nodded to acknowledge Zach's words and they split up and took different routes to Logan's.
* * * *
" Max? I got something else for you," Logan said, reaching over to his nightstand drawer.
Max waited patiently as Logan took out a rectangular velvet box from the drawer. He gave it to Max and said, " Open it."
Max willingly obeyed and gasped when she saw what was inside. " Logan, this was your mom's. I can't take it."
" Yes you can," Logan said softly, putting it on around Max's neck, " She would've wanted you to have it."
" Thank you Logan," Max said, thoroughly touched that he was giving her something that was so precious to him.
" It looks beautiful on you," Logan admired the necklace on his beloved fiancé.
" And having me naked right now is helping it too, isn't it?" Max teased.
Logan chuckled, " You're beautiful with or without clothes on Max."
Max settled back down on top of Logan and smiled happily. " This and an engagement ring all in one day."
" Well, now all I got left to surprise you with is a carburetor," Logan said lightly.
" I'd take you over a carburetor any day."
" That's always good to know," he smiled.
Max gave a sigh of contentment and snuggled up to Logan, " I'm in heaven right now."
" You sleepy yet? You didn't get that much sleep last night."
" As I recall, neither did you."
Logan grinned. " Get some rest," he whispered, stroking her hair.
Logan waited for Max to fall asleep and then gently slipped out of her. Max whimpered and tried to cuddle even closer to him. " What did you do that for?" She asked sleepily.
" I didn't think it would be very comfortable for you to sleep with your legs wide open," he joked.
" My decision to make."
" Go to sleep, my love, you need it," Logan said soothingly, rolling her over so now she was lying beside him on the bed instead of on top of him.
* * * *
Zach broke into Logan's apartment and noticed all the lights were out. He listened carefully to make sure he wouldn't be walking into anything unpleasant and was pleased to hear the apartment was quiet.
" Max?" He called out.
He opened the bedroom door and grimaced at the sight. Logan and Max were sleeping naked in each other's arms.
* * * *
Logan's eyes flew open when he heard the door to their bedroom open. He made out a shape in the doorway and sighed. " Zach."
" Cale," Zach said coolly.
" What is it Zach?" Logan asked, glancing at the digital clock on his nightstand, " It's barely three in the morning!"
" Your little decoy didn't work," Zach sneered.
" What?"
" The decoy you planted in Southern California. It didn't work.
" It wasn't 100 % guaranteed he'd fall for it," Logan said, sitting up in bed, making sure the sheets covered him well. " So he's here now?"
" No shit genius," Zach rolled his eyes.
Max stirred and discovered Logan wasn't lying beside her. " Logan?" she called out, her eyes still closed.
" I'm right here baby," Logan said, taking her hand and kissing it.
" Max." Zach said in a commanding voice.
Max's eyes jerked open and saw Zach. " Zach," she said in a faint voice. " What are you doing here?" She asked, grabbing at the blankets, praying Zach hadn't seen her naked.
" Lydecker's here. We have to leave. NOW."
Max bit her lip. " Ok," she said in a barely audible voice.
" What?" Zach asked, surprised she agreed without a fight.
" I said ok!" Max repeated, this time louder. " Can I have 15 minutes?" She pleaded with Zach.
" Um, I guess. The others aren't going to be here for a while anyways."
" Thanks," Max said with a shaky smile.
Zach left the room and put her head on Logan's shoulder. " Please don't hate me," she said in a small voice.
Logan looked over at her, alarmed. " Why would I hate you?"
" Because I have to leave you right now."
" You've done nothing wrong." Logan said, putting his arm around her.
" You're the best," Max smiled to herself, hugging Logan. " What am I going to do without you by my side?" Max asked, her heart already aching at the thought of spending more than a night away from Logan.
" You'll do fine. You did fine before you met me and you'll keep on doing fine," Logan reassured her.
" It won't be the same. You've gotten under my skin."
" And you know you like it," Logan smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
" Besides, you know I'll phone you practically everyday."
" You better."
" You know I will," he squeezed her lightly.
Max relished in the comfort of Logan's arms around her for a second and then sighed, " Better get changed."
* * * *
Zach paced around the living room and muttered to himself, " Where the hell are Alex and Jondy? Damn, they better not be caught!"
" Don't get your undies in a knot Zach," Alex walked in, overhearing Zach talking to himself, " I'm right here."
" Thank God," Zach gave a sigh of relief. " Where's Jondy?"
" No idea. She'll be here soon, I've got faith in Jondy," Alex reassured her big brother.
Max and Logan walked out of their room hand in hand and Logan went into his computer room while Max sat down next to Alex, " Ok, so what's the plan?"
Zach pulled out a map out of his pocket and said, " Obviously, we can't use highways, so we're going to have to stick to back roads. And Lydecker will no doubt have people stationed at the border lines here, so we're going to have to drive southeast to throw that bastard off."
Logan reappeared from his computer room and in his hand were numerous sector passes. " First Class, No-Questions-Asked, sector passes," he explained. " Should get you out of the city with no problems at all."
" Thanks Logan," Max said softly, once again taking his hand.
" Anytime," he replied, kissing her hand, their eyes never breaking eye contact.
They heard the door slam shut and Jondy sauntered into the room. " Ok guys, let's get a move on!" She exclaimed.
Zach and Alex immediately got up and Max and Logan slowly got up. They walked silently to the door and Alex whispered, " Let's give them a moment alone."
Jondy nodded her agreement and they led Zach outside the door.
Max set her bag down on the floor and wrapped her arms around Logan, " I guess this is it."
" No, this is NOT it," Logan said, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face, " you're my fiancé and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you return to me."
Max buried her nose in the crook of his neck and inhaled deeply, memorizing the scent that was uniquely LOGAN. " I love you so much it hurts."
" Right back at you," he whispered, staring into the chocolate depths he loved so much.
Max broke out of her embrace and said, " I better go."
" Do you have the gun?"
Max rolled her eyes, " Yeah."
" Cell phone?"
" You think I'd forget something as important as that?"
Logan smiled and kissed her forehead, " Be careful."
" You never stop worrying, do you?" Max teased.
" I'm serious."
" I'll be careful," she smiled and kissed him back. " Promise you'll phone me first thing in the morning?"
" I promise."
Max leaned in for another quick kiss and said, " Ok. I'm going to leave now."
" Use the stairs," he advised to Zach. " You'll wake people up with the elevator and it'll stir suspicion."
Zach nodded to show he understood and Jondy held up the fake passports and id's. " Thanks for these."
" No problem," Logan gave a small smile.
" Bye Loogie," Alex said affectionately, giving her big brother a hug, " I'll miss you."
Logan laughed and hugged her back. " I'll miss you too." He leaned down and whispered, " Take care of Max for me, will you?"
" No worries there," Alex reassured him. " Is that an engagement ring I see on her finger?"
Logan grinned, " Yeah. I proposed to her after you guys left."
" I'm so happy for you guys!"
" Be good, ok?" Logan said, letting his sister go.
" You betcha," Alex grinned.
" Bye Jondy," Logan said. " Hope I'll see you again one day."
" You too," Jondy offered him a smile.
" Come on, let's go guys," Zach said gruffly, obviously not approving of all this talking at such a crucial time.
" Bye Logan," Alex said, giving him another quick hug.
" Bye Lexie," Logan said.
" Alex, come with me, we'll go hot wire a car," Zach said. Alex nodded and followed him down the stairs.
" Come on Max," Jondy said gently, tugging on her arm.
" Goodbye my love," Logan said softly, hugging Max tightly.
" Bye," she whispered.
Max turned to Jondy and said, " Let's go."
They moved quickly down the stairs and Logan got to his window just in time to see a car that was most probably there's, drive off.
//I miss you already// Logan thought, his fingertips tracing the rain drops on the window.
//I miss you already// Max thought, staring out the rain-streaked window.
* * * *
A/N #1: Was the ending ok? I thought it totally sucked, but I couldn't think of any other way to end it! I'm starting the sequel right now, but it might be a while before it gets up. I'm thinking of getting beta-readers for it, so anyone who wants to beta-read for me, please let me know in a review and include your email address.
A/N #2: Can I make one more quick request? If you've been a silent reader this whole time (which I suspect that's the majority of you), could you please leave me a little review and let me know you've been reading this? It'll mean a lot to me :-)
Spoilers: Minor ones for all up to 'Hit A Sista Back'. And let's pretend that Max's transfusion cured Logan with no side effects, ok? Also, nothing after HASB happened :-)
Author's Note: I FINALLY got another chapter up!! I'm so sorry for the delay guys, I had my final exams this past week and I haven't been able to write much. This (last) chapter is a big longer than the others, so I hope it makes up for the delay :-)
Author's Note 2: I'd like to take this moment right now to thank everyone who have been reading/reviewing my story, you guys are truly amazing! Thank you very very much, and I hope you'll read the sequel to this as well!
Thanks to darkangel, JTR_Owned, Ashley, aegean, a reader, AJQuest, Silverstar1013, Courtney, kitten, goldapple57, bizkitprinzess and lily not my real name for reviewing!
* * * *
Mouths dropped open everywhere, except for Cindy, who only looked mildly surprised that she's finally telling everyone.
" You- you have a boyfriend?" Zach asked incredulously.
Alex grinned, " Yup. Brandon, this is Zach, Jondy and Max, my brother and sisters from Manticore. This is Logan, my adopted brother. He and Max are dating and you know Original Cindy."
" Hey Brandon," Original Cindy nodded in his direction.
" Alex, can I talk to you for a second?" Zach asked.
" Sure," Alex said, following him into the direction.
" What do you think you're doing, letting a total stranger know about Manticore?" Zach hissed, grabbing her arm.
" Ok, Zach, for one thing, you're hurting me," Alex said, yanking her arm out of his grasp, " Second thing, he's NOT a total stranger, we've been going out for about 5 months now. I trust him with my heart and soul."
" How do you know he's not one of Lydecker's goons?"
" Because not even the greatest actor in the world could fool a Manticore kid," Alex rolled her eyes.
" I fooled Max into thinking I was Sam when I first met her," Zach argued.
" That's different. He's dating me and love is something you can't fake. Zach, just trust me, will ya?"
" It's your ass on the line," he sighed dejectedly.
* * * *
" Bye Brandon, it was nice meeting you!" Max said to Brandon and shut the door when he left.
" He's nice," Jondy commented.
" He's the best," Alex smiled, " So you guys really liked him?" She asked hopefully.
" Definitely," Max smiled, giving her little sister a hug, " You chose a good one baby sister."
" Thanks Max. So did you," She grinned at Logan.
" I know," Max smiled, intertwining her and Logan's fingers together.
Logan kissed Max's hand and Alex rolled her eyes. " Uh oh. They're doing their lovey-dovey thing again. Jondy, Zach, why don't you guys crash at my place tonight? I'm sure you don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night by their intense cardiovascular work out," Alex said mockingly.
Max and Logan both blushed and Alex grinned. " Zach, Jondy, let's go." Original Cindy had long ago left, claiming she was spending the night at her newest 'lickety boo'.
" Night Lexie," Logan said, " See you guys later."
Max delivered hugs to both her sisters and said, " See you later."
Jondy raised an eyebrow, " Are you still mad at Zach? I mean, I know what he said was out of line, but it's ZACH. He's like that."
Max shot a death glare at Zach and said, " You won't ever say anything like that about Logan or I again?"
" Can't make any promises."
" You can rot in hell," Max said, and turned around.
" Max," Logan said, placing a hand on her back, " I told you, it's ok."
Max sighed. " I'm doing this for you," she whispered to Logan and turned around. " Zach, what time will you come in the morning?" Her version of forgiving him.
" 6," he said knowing she's forgiven him, " So get some sleep," he added on purpose.
" Can't promise anything," Max replied, shooting a wicked some at Logan and was graced with one of his own.
Zach, Alex and Jondy left and Logan encircled his arms around Max's waist, " So now it's just you and me."
" Yup," Max smiled, tugging gently on his bottom lip.
" I love you," he murmured against her lips.
" I know. I love you too," Max replied softly.
Logan pulled away and said, " Max, why don't you go take a bath or something?"
" Why?"
" I got a surprise for you."
" Oh really?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
" Yup. Give me an hour. I'll call you when I'm ready. Until I am, you are not to come out of that room."
" If you say so," Max said, walking into the direction of their room and the adjourning bathroom.
Logan smiled to himself and shut the bedroom door after Max and started cooking a fabulous dinner for her.
* * * *
Max sank into the luxurious bubble bath and gave a sigh of content. At this moment, life was perfect. She had been reunited with Jondy, her favorite sister ever and they had talked for hours about their lives. Alex and her had gotten extremely close during these past few months and she had the most wonderful boyfriend ever. Hell, Logan was perfect! He always knew how to make her smile, he loved her, cared for her and even understood why Zach could be such a bastard. She had wonderful friends, wonderful sisters, a wonderful boyfriend and a wonderful life.
But tomorrow is going to be a different story.
* * * *
" Logan!" Max called out, " Am I allowed to come out yet?"
Logan grinned to himself, " Hold on Max!"
He walked into their bedroom and saw Max sitting on the edge of their bed, swinging her leg impatiently. He chuckled at the sight and said, " Come here, I gotta blindfold you."
" What kind of weird fantasies are you going to fulfill with that?"
" Believe me, we're not fulfilling any of my fantasies right now."
" What does fulfilling your fantasies require?" Max asked devilishly.
Logan blindfolded Max and whispered in her ear, " For starters, it would involve the two of us naked and handcuffs."
Max raised an eyebrow and said, " Handcuffs? Well, aren't you a bad boy."
" You don't know what half of my fantasies are like Max."
Logan led her into the kitchen and sat her down. " You can take the blindfold off now."
Max ripped it off and Logan said, " Nothing special in here, but I didn't want you to see the living room yet. That's where the surprise is."
" Not fair."
" Life's not fair," Logan replied, " I promise we'll get to it after dinner okay?"
" Fair enough. What are we eating?"
" Pasta tricolore," Logan grinned devilishly.
Max pouted and teased; " And you didn't let me boil the water?"
* * * *
Alex picked up the phone and phoned Caroline. Caroline picked up after a few rings and Alex said, " Hi, Caroline? It's Alex…………. I'm so sorry but I can't make it to your wedding……………….. yeah, I know, I said I'd be one of your bridesmaids…… well, I'm sure Jessie and Helen are still available!…….. what, they're not coming now?….. Oh geez, Caroline, I feel so horrible! But something came up and I have to leave the country….. ok, thanks for understanding…….. I wish you and Brandon the best……"
Alex hung up the phone, smiling at the irony in that her and Caroline's boyfriend had the same name. //We really are alike// She thought.
" Where's Original Cindy?" Jondy asked.
" She's at her girlfriend's, remember?" Alex replied.
" Oh, right," Jondy said.
" Jondy, you can take my bed," Alex said, " it's in that room over there."
" Nah, it's ok, I'll take the couch," Jondy said, " I don't sleep much."
" Take it," Alex ordered, " We want to be well rested in the morning. Zach, it's the couch for you again."
Zach only grunted and Alex threw him a blanket, probably a little harder than she should've, but Zach could handle it.
" Now. What do you guys want for dinner?"
" Let's go get pizza or something," Jondy suggested. " Besides, we should probably scope the city out for Lydecker's men, just in case."
" Sounds good to me," Alex shrugged, putting her jacket back on. " Let's head out."
* * * *
Logan and Max finished their dinner and Logan said, " Ok Max, close your eyes."
Max sighed, pretending to look exasperated and closed her eyes. " What do you have up your sleeve now, Logan Cale?"
" You'll see," Logan smiled. He placed her in the middle of the room and whispered in her ear, " I'll be right back. No peeking."
" I won't," Max promised him.
Logan ran into their room and took out the ring. He ran back into the living room and turned on the stereo. Babyface's 'Every time I close my Eyes' played softly in the background and Logan slipped the ring into his pocket.
" Dance with me," Logan said softly to Max.
" Can I look now?" she teased.
" Yes, you can look now," he chuckled.
Max's eyes immediately flew open and she gasped at all the candles and beautiful flowers around the living room. " Logan… Oh my God…" she whispered.
Logan only smiled at her and asked again, " Dance with me?"
Max stepped into his arms and he rested his head on top of her hair.
In the middle of the song, Logan leaned back a little so he could look at Max's face and he said, " Max?"
" Mmm hmm?"
" I need to tell you something."
Max detected the serious tone in Logan's voice and she moved over to the couch and sat down. " What is it?"
Logan kneeled in front of her and said, " Max, all my life, I'd prayed for someone like you. You're the sole reason I wake up every morning and each and everyday, I thank my stars that I was lucky enough that you came crashing into my life." Max chuckled at the last part and beckoned him to continue. " Before you, my life was black and white and you brought the color and liveliness into it. I never knew what love was before you and I know I'd be lost without you. So Max Guevara," Logan took out the ring. " Will you marry me?"
Max was speechless for once and all she could do was nod and squeak out, " Yes."
Logan had tears of happiness in his eyes and he slipped the ring onto Max's finger. " I love you," he whispered and they embraced.
Logan stood up, pulling Max with him and Max said, " Oh my God. We're going to get married. We're going to get married!" Realization suddenly hitting her.
Logan chuckled, " Why, yes we are Max," he said teasingly.
" Come here," she said softly. She gave him a kiss that left him breathless and Logan murmured, " Let's move this into the bedroom, shall we?"
" Ok."
They went into their room and Logan kissed Max, " Max, I want you."
" Then have me," she whispered back.
" I want to make love to you. Not like last night. I want to REALLY make love to you. I want to prove my love to you."
* * * *
Logan laid on top of Max, kissing her lovingly and passionately. Max kissed him back with the same level of intensity and was extremely pleased at how he was making her body tingle. He touched her as if she was made of glass, as if the slightest touch would break her. He was so incredibly gentle and loving, it made her cry joyous tears.
Logan kissed her tears away and looked into her eyes. " I'm guessing you're happy?"
" Happier than I've ever been," Max murmured.
Logan started to remove himself from inside Max, but she wrapped her legs around him tightly, " No."
He looked at her questionably and Max said simply, " I want us to be joined for a while longer."
Logan understood and rolled the two of them over, so Max was now on top. " Didn't want to crush you," he whispered to her.
Max wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
" What's going to happen to us tomorrow Logan?" Max asked quietly, her voice quivering slightly.
Logan sighed and ran his hands up and down her back. " I don't know. Tomorrow's going to change everything."
" If I end up killing a whole bunch of people or something like that, will you still love me?"
" I'll love you always and forever, no matter what, Max. I love you more than life itself. You know that."
Max smiled to herself. " You're amazing Logan."
* * * *
Alex, Jondy and Zach walked out of Pizza Hut and Jondy said, " Thank God the Pulse couldn't manage to make pizza taste horrible. That would be an international crime."
Alex laughed and said, " I hear ya sister."
Zach was too busy looking around for bad guys to hear his sisters.
Jondy pointed this out to Alex and Jondy spoke a bit louder than usual to make sure Zach would hear her. " So anyways, I phoned Lydecker last night and invited him to the X5 reunion we're going to have next month. He was pretty psyched and he said he'd DEFINITELY be there and he'll bring a bunch of big bad helicopter guys-"
" You said what?" Zach hissed, grabbing Jondy's arm tightly.
Alex and Jondy laughed hysterically, " Gotcha Zach!" Jondy exclaimed gleefully.
" That's not funny Jondy," Zach said, narrowing his eyes.
" Relax Zach," Jondy said, still laughing, " You're too uptight. And would you mind letting me go?"
Zach let Jondy go and said, " You two have gotten too careless."
They walked around for a while in silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, Alex held out her hand. " You guys, listen," she said.
Zach and Jondy both enhanced their hearing and heard Hummers in the distance. Zach enhanced his vision in that particular direction and muttered, " Lydecker's men. Let's move out. Rendezvous at Logan's in 20 minutes. Try to throw them off course."
Alex and Jondy nodded to acknowledge Zach's words and they split up and took different routes to Logan's.
* * * *
" Max? I got something else for you," Logan said, reaching over to his nightstand drawer.
Max waited patiently as Logan took out a rectangular velvet box from the drawer. He gave it to Max and said, " Open it."
Max willingly obeyed and gasped when she saw what was inside. " Logan, this was your mom's. I can't take it."
" Yes you can," Logan said softly, putting it on around Max's neck, " She would've wanted you to have it."
" Thank you Logan," Max said, thoroughly touched that he was giving her something that was so precious to him.
" It looks beautiful on you," Logan admired the necklace on his beloved fiancé.
" And having me naked right now is helping it too, isn't it?" Max teased.
Logan chuckled, " You're beautiful with or without clothes on Max."
Max settled back down on top of Logan and smiled happily. " This and an engagement ring all in one day."
" Well, now all I got left to surprise you with is a carburetor," Logan said lightly.
" I'd take you over a carburetor any day."
" That's always good to know," he smiled.
Max gave a sigh of contentment and snuggled up to Logan, " I'm in heaven right now."
" You sleepy yet? You didn't get that much sleep last night."
" As I recall, neither did you."
Logan grinned. " Get some rest," he whispered, stroking her hair.
Logan waited for Max to fall asleep and then gently slipped out of her. Max whimpered and tried to cuddle even closer to him. " What did you do that for?" She asked sleepily.
" I didn't think it would be very comfortable for you to sleep with your legs wide open," he joked.
" My decision to make."
" Go to sleep, my love, you need it," Logan said soothingly, rolling her over so now she was lying beside him on the bed instead of on top of him.
* * * *
Zach broke into Logan's apartment and noticed all the lights were out. He listened carefully to make sure he wouldn't be walking into anything unpleasant and was pleased to hear the apartment was quiet.
" Max?" He called out.
He opened the bedroom door and grimaced at the sight. Logan and Max were sleeping naked in each other's arms.
* * * *
Logan's eyes flew open when he heard the door to their bedroom open. He made out a shape in the doorway and sighed. " Zach."
" Cale," Zach said coolly.
" What is it Zach?" Logan asked, glancing at the digital clock on his nightstand, " It's barely three in the morning!"
" Your little decoy didn't work," Zach sneered.
" What?"
" The decoy you planted in Southern California. It didn't work.
" It wasn't 100 % guaranteed he'd fall for it," Logan said, sitting up in bed, making sure the sheets covered him well. " So he's here now?"
" No shit genius," Zach rolled his eyes.
Max stirred and discovered Logan wasn't lying beside her. " Logan?" she called out, her eyes still closed.
" I'm right here baby," Logan said, taking her hand and kissing it.
" Max." Zach said in a commanding voice.
Max's eyes jerked open and saw Zach. " Zach," she said in a faint voice. " What are you doing here?" She asked, grabbing at the blankets, praying Zach hadn't seen her naked.
" Lydecker's here. We have to leave. NOW."
Max bit her lip. " Ok," she said in a barely audible voice.
" What?" Zach asked, surprised she agreed without a fight.
" I said ok!" Max repeated, this time louder. " Can I have 15 minutes?" She pleaded with Zach.
" Um, I guess. The others aren't going to be here for a while anyways."
" Thanks," Max said with a shaky smile.
Zach left the room and put her head on Logan's shoulder. " Please don't hate me," she said in a small voice.
Logan looked over at her, alarmed. " Why would I hate you?"
" Because I have to leave you right now."
" You've done nothing wrong." Logan said, putting his arm around her.
" You're the best," Max smiled to herself, hugging Logan. " What am I going to do without you by my side?" Max asked, her heart already aching at the thought of spending more than a night away from Logan.
" You'll do fine. You did fine before you met me and you'll keep on doing fine," Logan reassured her.
" It won't be the same. You've gotten under my skin."
" And you know you like it," Logan smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
" Besides, you know I'll phone you practically everyday."
" You better."
" You know I will," he squeezed her lightly.
Max relished in the comfort of Logan's arms around her for a second and then sighed, " Better get changed."
* * * *
Zach paced around the living room and muttered to himself, " Where the hell are Alex and Jondy? Damn, they better not be caught!"
" Don't get your undies in a knot Zach," Alex walked in, overhearing Zach talking to himself, " I'm right here."
" Thank God," Zach gave a sigh of relief. " Where's Jondy?"
" No idea. She'll be here soon, I've got faith in Jondy," Alex reassured her big brother.
Max and Logan walked out of their room hand in hand and Logan went into his computer room while Max sat down next to Alex, " Ok, so what's the plan?"
Zach pulled out a map out of his pocket and said, " Obviously, we can't use highways, so we're going to have to stick to back roads. And Lydecker will no doubt have people stationed at the border lines here, so we're going to have to drive southeast to throw that bastard off."
Logan reappeared from his computer room and in his hand were numerous sector passes. " First Class, No-Questions-Asked, sector passes," he explained. " Should get you out of the city with no problems at all."
" Thanks Logan," Max said softly, once again taking his hand.
" Anytime," he replied, kissing her hand, their eyes never breaking eye contact.
They heard the door slam shut and Jondy sauntered into the room. " Ok guys, let's get a move on!" She exclaimed.
Zach and Alex immediately got up and Max and Logan slowly got up. They walked silently to the door and Alex whispered, " Let's give them a moment alone."
Jondy nodded her agreement and they led Zach outside the door.
Max set her bag down on the floor and wrapped her arms around Logan, " I guess this is it."
" No, this is NOT it," Logan said, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face, " you're my fiancé and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you return to me."
Max buried her nose in the crook of his neck and inhaled deeply, memorizing the scent that was uniquely LOGAN. " I love you so much it hurts."
" Right back at you," he whispered, staring into the chocolate depths he loved so much.
Max broke out of her embrace and said, " I better go."
" Do you have the gun?"
Max rolled her eyes, " Yeah."
" Cell phone?"
" You think I'd forget something as important as that?"
Logan smiled and kissed her forehead, " Be careful."
" You never stop worrying, do you?" Max teased.
" I'm serious."
" I'll be careful," she smiled and kissed him back. " Promise you'll phone me first thing in the morning?"
" I promise."
Max leaned in for another quick kiss and said, " Ok. I'm going to leave now."
" Use the stairs," he advised to Zach. " You'll wake people up with the elevator and it'll stir suspicion."
Zach nodded to show he understood and Jondy held up the fake passports and id's. " Thanks for these."
" No problem," Logan gave a small smile.
" Bye Loogie," Alex said affectionately, giving her big brother a hug, " I'll miss you."
Logan laughed and hugged her back. " I'll miss you too." He leaned down and whispered, " Take care of Max for me, will you?"
" No worries there," Alex reassured him. " Is that an engagement ring I see on her finger?"
Logan grinned, " Yeah. I proposed to her after you guys left."
" I'm so happy for you guys!"
" Be good, ok?" Logan said, letting his sister go.
" You betcha," Alex grinned.
" Bye Jondy," Logan said. " Hope I'll see you again one day."
" You too," Jondy offered him a smile.
" Come on, let's go guys," Zach said gruffly, obviously not approving of all this talking at such a crucial time.
" Bye Logan," Alex said, giving him another quick hug.
" Bye Lexie," Logan said.
" Alex, come with me, we'll go hot wire a car," Zach said. Alex nodded and followed him down the stairs.
" Come on Max," Jondy said gently, tugging on her arm.
" Goodbye my love," Logan said softly, hugging Max tightly.
" Bye," she whispered.
Max turned to Jondy and said, " Let's go."
They moved quickly down the stairs and Logan got to his window just in time to see a car that was most probably there's, drive off.
//I miss you already// Logan thought, his fingertips tracing the rain drops on the window.
//I miss you already// Max thought, staring out the rain-streaked window.
* * * *
A/N #1: Was the ending ok? I thought it totally sucked, but I couldn't think of any other way to end it! I'm starting the sequel right now, but it might be a while before it gets up. I'm thinking of getting beta-readers for it, so anyone who wants to beta-read for me, please let me know in a review and include your email address.
A/N #2: Can I make one more quick request? If you've been a silent reader this whole time (which I suspect that's the majority of you), could you please leave me a little review and let me know you've been reading this? It'll mean a lot to me :-)