Chapter 6
"It's just so hypocritical! He keeps telling me that we can't fall in love! We're soldiers! Emotions are weak, but here he is giving away trade secrets to the first woman that catches his eye!"
Logan listens patiently as Max began another outburst. "I mean, we're in enemy territory for God sakes…" At this point, Logan decided it would be best to interrupt before she could enter another full-fledged tirade.
"You don't think he could have genuine feelings for Caitlin?" Logan's voice was full of concern for his cousin. He could see that she really loved Zack, and he didn't want her to be heartbroken again. He would not let the wayward X-5 play with his cousin emotions.
"I honestly don't know Logan. At the base, we were trained to be emotionless soldiers, and Zack, Jondy, and I were always star students." Max's face lit up at the thought of her long-lost sister, and she turned around and embraced her stunned companion. "I almost forgot! Zack's found her! Logan, he's found Jondy!"
Logan smiled at Max as she pulled away. "Where is she? Maybe Eyes Only can host an X-5 reunion."
Max beamed. "No need. Hey, you know Michael Jones? The guy you sent me here to check out? He's Jondy's adopted father. Jondy's coming with him tomorrow."
Logan smiled and placed his arm around her shoulder. "That's great Max," he said as he leant down and gently kissed her on the forehead.
Max tensed up at the contact. "What the hell is he doing?" she thought frantically. The last thing she need was a curve ball in their already stubbornly indefinable relationship. Caitlin's earlier claims that Logan was in love with her came flooding back.
Logan gazed into her troubled eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Max looks into his eyes and shook her head. "Don't be," she whispered back. Like moths to flame, their lips met. They both knew and feared the consequences of their relationship moving to that level, but for that one moment they didn't care. They stayed there for seem like forever. Zack, Manticore, Eyes Only, none of it mattered. Max suddenly jerked back, her super hearing picking up the sound of approaching footsteps. With a feeling of dread, she turned at face her enraged brother.
"Look who's being hypocritical now, little Maxie," he said mockingly as he strolled up to them. "Did you forget that you're not the only one with super hearing?" Behind him walked Caitlin, looking shell-shocked. Max faced him without replying. Caitlin attempted to defuse the situation by stepping between the infuriated siblings, but to no avail. Zack took his eyes away from Max momentarily, looking at Caitlin with his cold and expressionless gaze. "Stay out of this Cat," he said tensely.
Max turned to Logan and whispered, "This is between us. Don't interfere." Zack pushed past Caitlin as Max walked up to them. The two X-5's began to circle each other. In the next moment, Zack lunged at Max, and she dodged this him with ease.