Disclaimer: As always
A/N: This is it. There is a short epilogue but this is essentially the end of this story. Hope it was worth the wait.
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Logan sat at his computer feeling completely at a loss as to what to do. Zack, Zane and Max had returned without Tinga. When he had asked them what had happened Zack had grunted something unintelligible and Zane had simply said,
"Max will fill you in. We've gotta go. Thanks for your help." Then they were gone leaving Logan with a Max who had him seriously worried. To his untrained eyes she almost appeared to be in shock.
"Max, what can I do for you?" he had asked.
"Nothing, Logan. I need a shower." With that she had vanished into his bathroom only to emerge much later, wrapped in her red robe looking like a lost waif. Logan wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and tell her everything was okay but it was obvious it wasn't. She reminded him of the way she had been after the episode with her psychotic brother, Ben. Deciding she had had time enough to brood he proceeded into the living room where she sat on the couch.
"You need to eat, Max and then you need to talk." Max looked at him with dull eyes and shrugged.
"I'm not hungry, Logan."
"So then talk to me. Damn it Max what happened out there? You have to get it out or you'll explode.
Believe me I know." Max sat quietly for a minute more then began to speak in a low voice.
"Brin was there guarding the convoy. I knew she was reprogrammed but I never thought she'd…"she broke off a catch in her voice.
"She'd what?" Logan asked gently afraid he already knew.
"She had an automatic weapon. Tinga came up to her and she didn't even hesitate. She shot her in cold blood, Logan. She killed her own sister. Tinga's dead." Tears were running down Max's cheeks. Logan said nothing but instead reached out and took her hand. Max clung to him then went on. "Tinga was married did you know that? She told me that night she was here. She had a husband and the most adorable little boy. She shouldn't even have gone on this mission but she wanted to be free. She wanted to be able to enjoy her family without fear of Manticore coming after her and her son. Now she's dead."
Max fell silent and Logan moved from the chair onto the couch next to her. He dropped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. For a few minutes Max stayed there resting her head on his shoulder. Then she sat up and looked away from him.
"It's my fault Logan. I should have been out there not her. Now her family's lost her and they don't even know."
"Max she wanted to be there. She chose to do what she did. Maybe she felt that if she didn't take her stand Manticore would catch up with her anyway someday. You can't blame yourself."
"I know, Logan, I've told myself all that. But all that doesn't change one thing." Logan felt a chill of premonition run down his spine. "Zack was right. We can't be normal, have families. Our lives don't allow for that."
"So you're saying that we…"
"Can't be together. Not that way. Not now maybe not ever." Tears were running down her face and Logan felt sick.
"So you're going to leave Seattle?" Max gave a bitter laugh.
"No I can't do that. Lydecker knows Eyes Only is involved with the X5's and he may know who Eyes Only is. If I leave he has a clear shot at you. I can't do that to you Logan. But I can't stay and be with you either not the way I hoped I could be."
Logan was at a loss for words. There was a finality to Max's voice that told him her mind was made up. He felt like he was losing his life all over again. Finally finding his voice he said to her.
"What about our business partnership? Are you ending that too?" Max regarded him evenly.
"If I thought that would get you to quit Eyes Only I would but I know it wouldn't. So, no I'll continue to work with you. I'll even come over for dinner if you still want me to. But I can't do anything more, Logan. Not now."
Logan nodded feeling a faint hope. Max was hurting now that was obvious and she was feeling not a little guilty over Tinga. He realized she needed time, time to heal, time to realize that they had to be together. He was willing to give her that time. He laughed bitterly to himself, at least the chair had taught him one thing, patience. He had a feeling he was going to need it in the weeks and months to come. But there was one thing he needed to say to Max.
"Max I'll live with your conditions. For now. But there will come a day when we are going to be together not just as business partners or friends but as lovers and partners in life. I'll wait for that time to come but when it does I won't take no for an answer from you. That's my condition."
"If that day comes Logan I won't give you no as an answer" Logan wasn't satisfied but he realized it was the best he was going to get that night. He felt relief that she wasn't going to run from him, as he had initially feared. Lydecker I owe you a vote of thanks. She's staying because of you. How ironic. Someday you'll pay for Tinga though and for keeping Max from me.
As a rare full moon rose over Seattle for once not hidden by clouds, its light shone on the two sitting together on the couch through the long night. "Brought together by chance, partners by choice embarking on the greatest adventure two people can share." Good or bad they were in it together and in their hearts both of them knew it.
As the sun rose Logan gently reached down and kissed Max then let her go as they prepared to get on with the business of their lives.