I detonate the plastique as soon as we're far enough away. It was too easy.
Logan's hugging Max. He won't let go of her and Max is smiling at him.
I'm sure as soon as we get back to Logan's, he and Max will spare no time in
getting to the bedroom. I break them up. "Max, you said Zack died. How?"

"My heart was badly damaged, and they couldn't fix it. Zack gave up his life
so I could live." There was a murmur of "That's Zack for ya" from everyone in
the van except Lydecker and Logan. Lydecker knew Zack loved Max and so did
Logan. I knew but I'm still shocked. Logan still holds on to Max.

"He made an amazing sacrifice."

"Yeah, he did," Max says and snuggles more tightly into Logan's arms.
"From now on I'm not taking anything for granted," Max says, staring right in
Logan's eyes.

"We should find a way to find the rest of the X5's," Krit speaks up.

"I'll get right on that when we get back," Logan says, yet again holding
on to Max. Zane's been quiet.

"No more running," Syl says.

"No more running," we all echo. Original Cindy finally speaks up.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Boo."

"Thanks, Cindy," Max says. Logan starts whispering in Max's ear and she
smiles. Max is healthy and happy. I'm surprised she isn't in shock, but I
guess love can get you through something like that.

Once we're back at Logan's, Max changes into clothes and out of the hospital
gown we found her in. "Jondy," she says, and pulls me to the side. "Thank
you. Logan told me everything that went down and I can't thank you enough."

"Just invite me to the wedding and name your first girl after me," I tease.

"I'll see what I can do," Max says and walks over to Logan. He instantly
puts his arm around her waist.

"So Jondy, you're like a fairy godmother now or something, right?" Krit
teases.

"Sure, Krit, I'm a fairy godmother like Zane's not on the verge of being
drunk right now."

"I am not on the verge of being drunk!" Zane protests. "I like the
occasional drink, but I'm not drunk at this moment," he says with a slight
slur. Syl comes over to us and has a suggestion.

"Maybe we should get out of here and let Max and Logan have a little free
time."

"Good idea," Krit and I say. Zane nods and I go talk to Lydecker.

"Jondy," he says in acknowledgement when I approach him.

"We're all getting out of here, so I'd move out if I were you."

"Okay. Jondy, you were a leader today. You did a great job."

"Thanks, Deck," I say and go over to Zane, Syl and Krit who are talking to
Max and Logan. Max and Logan seem happy. Hopefully theirs is a happily ever
after...not just a happily ever now.