Chapter 7

Chapter 5

After all the introductions had been made, Aunt Wendy suggested something that caused the fragile calmness of the moment to completely dissapear.

"Logan, dear, why don't you take Max on a tour of the Estate, and Caitlin why don't you and Sam join them."

Not knowing the reasons behind his wife's words, Logan's Uncle was quick to agree, "An excellent idea, my dear. It's about time you young people get to know each other."

Before any of them could utter a single word of protest, the two meddlesome relations were gone in a whirlwind of fur and expensive suits. The four people stood mutely, the tension between them mounting by the second. Zack was the first to take action. He turned to Max and by an unspoken communication, they both headed towards the door. Caitlin's voice stopped them both dead in their tracks.

"STOP, or I swear to God, or whatever being watches over us, I will hurt someone. Now, we are going to sit down, and you are going to start explaining this whole situation to me. I can tell by Logan's face that he knows what's going on or at least part of it. So, would any of you care to fill me in ?"
The two X-5s exchanged glances, and Max shoots a quick look at Logan, who shrugs helplessly.

Zack reluctantly takes a seat next to his raging, would-be lover. Max ops to stand next to Logan. Caitlin's eyes are filled with such pain and confusion that inwardly Zack winces, but he knows, as always, that he must be strong.

" What do you mean Cat?" he says using the nickname he had adopted for her shortly after their first meeting. She turns to face him, her piercing gaze filled with confusion, fear, and love.

"What do I mean?" she retorted sarcastically. "The guy I'm falling in love with is a jumble of changing faces! One minute you're gentle and kind, the next you're a fierce warrior! So tell me, Sam or Zack,or whoever you are, did you just lie to me about your name or did you lie to me about everything, including your feelings for me? Zack had remained silent throughout her entire storm of emotion, and he looked at her now with a pain that almost matched her own.


" I did not lie to you about my feelings for you" he said softly
In the background Max stifled a gasp of surprise Zack admitting any emotion was rear but admitting love didn't that came under phony sentimentality? Caitlin whirled around to face the shocked X5.

" Where do you fit into all this Max?" her voice was boarding on hostile " I can see by they he looks at you that Logan is in love with you but is your connection to Sam/Zack?"

Initially stunned by Caitlin's claim that Logan with in love with her Max was unable to respond. Then her enhanced brain clicked back into focus, she stepped out from behind Logan she spoke softly with out faltering under Caitlin's intense gaze.

" We did not lie to you I am Zack's sister and what Logan told you was true we were ordered to separate and not to find each other" her voice held traces of her long buried pain, Logan placed his hand on her shoulder in support.

" But we did not tell you the whole story, I will do so now if you want me to" Max whirled around in shock and steered at her bother in open- mouthed astonishment. " Zack what the hell you doing" Zack walked up to his irate sister "she needs to know Max" he whispered "and that's an order solider" he added firmly. Max reluctantly nodded.

Zack walked over to Caitlin and gently took her hand "what I am about to tell will alter your entire view of me he warned I would understand if you never wanted to speak to me again"

" Yea it doesn't make the best topic of conversion on the wedding night its probably best you get out of the way now" Max said dryly.

"Zip it Max" Zack ordered harshly Caitlin winced at his tone but Max glared defiantly. "Leave now Max that's an order solider I am still your CO" Max stood stiffly to attention and left without a word Logan followed.

Once outside Max turned to the nearest wall and made a sizeable dent in it. "You know destroying priceless European paintings is not going to help" said a voice behind her. Logan walked up to her and said

" ya want to go for a walk and talk about it" he asked softly

Max smiled gratefully and nodded.