Disclaimer: You know I didn't create it. If I did, you wouldn't be reading it here, you would be watching my stuff on the FOX every Tuesday night at 9. Oh, and Logan would be in my bedroom, waving fans on me and feeding me chocolate. In his boxers. And nothing else.

A/N: Thanks to all the wonderful reviews I have gotten for this story. I NEVER expected this kind of wonderful response. You guys keep me going! Please, no silent readers! Oh, yeah, I know I said this chapter would be up Wednesday or Thursday, but work sucks, and it kept me busy all last week! :)

And another thing, this will also contain spoilers from Pollo Loco. This past week's episode was just too powerful not to use the flashbacks of when they were kids. Since that added greatly to the detail of Max's past, I am going to use that.

Special Thanks to: Meka, for being a wonderful beta reviewer, and a great author herself; BlackWolf for his helping me weapons and explosives; Zig for a wonderful plot twist idea; and once again, thanks to my readers, who are wonderful! :)

Special Thanks also to Starbucks, whose grocery store sold coffee helped me be very jittery for this chapter!

And now, without any more babble, Chapter 11!

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Chapter 11
Dreamscape

Max felt the pain pulsing through her, starting at the points on her temple where the pads were connected. The tingling went from there down to her fingertips and toes, seeming to singe every single blood cell on the way. She arched her back momentarily at the stinging, then forced herself back down to lay flat on the cot. The pain was subsiding, thank God. Just as she began to relax again, her surroundings around her faded, and her mind was filled with a tormenting image...

...Logan was coming after her. His body was battered and bruised, and blood oozing from small but deadly bullet holes could be seen in his chest. He looked almost zombie-like in the way he was walking, and his face was furious. He blamed her for his death.

'How could you do it, Max?' Logan asked, his voice getting louder as he drew menacingly closer. 'You watched me die, and you did NOTHING!'

'No!' She tried to reason with him, all the while slowly backing away. He looked like he could rip her apart with his bare hands. 'I couldn't do anything. I didn't want you to die! Please believe me!' Tears were streaming down her face as she pleaded with him.

'You lying bitch! You brought me here to let them murder me in cold blood!' Logan came after her, his hands reaching for her throat-

"NO!" Max snapped back to reality and opened her eyes. She looked coldly at Lydecker, who was standing at the foot of her bed. "It's not real," she growled at him. "It won't work! You can't make me yours."

"Really Max? Well, it worked wonders with Brin. She has been fully rehabilitated. Soon, you will be too." Lydecker kept his face devoid of any emotion as he breathed the words to her. The man was completely confident in his device's capabilities with Max. It may take some time, but in the end, she would be a true soldier- the way the X-5's were designed to be.

"Again," he ordered Dr. Stevenson. Stevenson immediately obeyed and once again the electric was sent through her. Max clenched her jaw and her eyes shut as her back came up in the air again. Her fist became tight balls by her side. Lydecker sauntered around the bed, intrigued with the process and her reaction. When he stopped to her left, she opened her eyes abruptly and spat on his face. She watched with satisfaction as he drew back in surprise, and lifted his hand to wipe her saliva off of his cheek

"Kiss my ass, Donald." She sneered, and prepared herself for the more intense shock she knew was coming.

"Higher," Lydecker ordered the doctor. Almost immediately, Max felt it, and this time, the imagery that accompanied it was more horrific and grotesque.

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Original Cindy looked at Zack and rolled her eyes.

"Well, getting Max and rich boy back is the plan, no doubt. But how?" she asked.

"First, I want to know exactly how Max and Logan were captured." Zack looked at Bling and waited for an explanation.

Bling told him the story of how Max had given Logan a transfusion a while back to save Logan's life. He explained how that transfusion had apparently began to heal Logan and that he had started to regain some feeling and movement in his legs. He went on to describe the negative affects that had started occurring when Logan's body began rejecting the foreign cells.

"Apparently, Lydecker must have gotten word out to doctors here in Seattle to notify him if they saw any patients any type of unexplainable phenomena. When we took Logan to his physician, Lydecker immediately came. If you ask me, the man has been lurking around Seattle. He must have figured Max was still here. Anyways, Logan's condition continued to worsen, and to be honest, I think he would have died within forty-eight hours if Max hadn't bargained with Lydecker to help him." 'He could be dead anyways with those monsters at Manticore', Bling couldn't help but add silently.

Zack's lips tightened in frustration, silently thinking that Max was too damn reckless for her own good. Especially when it came to wheel boy.

"Well, Logan and Max devised a plan. It's a pretty damn good idea too, if you ask me." Bling finished.

Bling proceeded to tell Original Cindy and Zack about the plan. Original Cindy listened with interest, and her eyes widened when Bling explained about the 'Eyes Only' equipment that Logan wanted to incorporate with his and Max's rescue.

"Damn," she whispered. "Original Cindy always knew roller boy was hiding some kind of secret. And I always thought he looked familiar, but I could put my finger on it. Damn."

"I don't like it." Zack stated, ignoring Cindy's musings about Logan being 'Eyes Only.'

Bling sighed. 'How did I know that was coming?' he thought. "What don't you like?" was what he said.

"I don't like the idea of getting the others involved. Not yet," Zack began. "We can get Logan back without having to call them, but when we go after Max, we'll definitely do that. I know where most of them are, but a couple of the others have moved since I last contacted them. I was out of touch after the accident, seeing as how I had such a close call with Lydecker. I needed to make sure he wasn't having me followed somehow, trying to see if I would lead him back any of them. Anyways, the facility that Logan is more than likely being kept at right now is not nearly as tightly secured as Manticore is. We get Logan back first, then he can help with some hacking that we will need when we go to Gillette."

"You mean Logan isn't in Wyoming with Max?" Original Cindy asked.

"Probably not," replied Zack. "Lydecker set up a small operation right outside of Seattle when Max and I had our run in with him. When we turned Brin in, he must not have like the fact that he couldn't give her medical attention until they returned to Wyoming. She was pretty bad when he got her." Zack's eyes clouded at the memory, still feeling guilty from having to give Brin back to Lydecker, even though he knew it was necessary to save her life. He paused to take a breath, and then continued on. "When I escaped after the helicopter crash, I was badly injured. He must have figured I couldn't go far, and he installed a medical facility there assuming that he would find me. This time, making sure that one of his 'kids' would be able to get proper treatment as soon as possible, before transferring them to Manticore headquarters. If Logan was in as bad shape as Bling here says he was, then they probably took him there."

Bling couldn't help but be thankful that Zack was here. Zack would no doubt take charge of any rescue attempts that they were going to do. No doubt his expert knowledge of Manticore and Lydecker would help him. He couldn't also help feeling a little relieved that the fate of Max and Logan was no longer solely on his shoulders. But he had to ask Zack the question that had been bothering him for the past twenty-four hours.

"Zack, what are the chances of Logan still being alive?" Bling said around the lump of fear in his throat, almost dreading the answer.

"Actually, I'd say they're pretty good. The only thing we can be thankful for is that Lydecker is, if nothing else, as dedicated a scientist as he a soldier. Also, Logan's come in contact with and obviously has a close relationship to one of his X-5's. He's going to want every piece of knowledge. Of course, when Logan's medical use is tired out and he reveals all of his secrets to Deck- and he will, let there be no doubt about that- then it's over. He knows too much. We don't have too much longer. I'd say two days, three tops. Lydecker doesn't like loose ends, and he won't hesitate to tie them up as soon as he's exhausted them." Zack's mind had been thinking almost non-stop about the plan he was devising for Logan's rescue. It was a bit risky, but it was a good one. They would just need to act fast. The sooner they got Logan, the sooner they could get Max. "I'm going to warn you now, the next several days will be tiring, physical, scary and you may be at your own funeral this time next week. But I'm not going to let you turn back on me now, because this can work. First thing we need to do is find some kind of armored vehicle. Bling, you are going to take me to a couple of junkyards in the city. One of them must have something." Zack was talking quickly, not waiting for any questions they may have. He didn't have time to answer them, or the patience. He focused on Original Cindy, his face now the mask of the soldier he was designed to be. "Cindy, hope you're up to being a doctor tomorrow."

"Whaddya mean?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at him skeptically.

"Well, it seems as if you are the newest member of the Manticore Medical Staff, and Logan Cale is one of your patients," he answered somberly.

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'Max, oh Max. What have they done to you?' Logan wondered as Andrews stared at him, waiting for a response. 'What did they do to you to get you to tell them I was Eyes Only?'

"Well, Eyes Only. You seem a little shocked that I know this information. Don't be. We have our ways. Now-"

Andrews was interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind him. A tall, blond and attractive female doctor walked in, along with a clipboard and some papers. Logan was still having trouble seeing clearly from the blood that was now drying and stinging his eyes.

"Hello, Dr. Paxton. How are you today?" Andrews asked, standing up to greet her.

"Why, I'm fine, Major Andrews. How is our patient today?" The woman turned her attention down on Logan. He could make out that her eyes we ice blue and piercing, seeming to stare right through him. Yet, at the same time they were blank and dull. It was an odd description, but accurate.

Logan answered her in the same fashion as he had been taking with Andrews. Sarcastically. "Well, I haven't eaten a thing since I've been here-obviously in some sort of starvation tactic. Little do you know that not feeding is far from torture for me. Hospital food is far from a fine cuisine. Rats get better rations from the dumpster." Logan attempted to shrug, but ended up wincing in pain instead. Andrews immediately issued a blow to Logan's weak solar plexus. Although he didn't want to, Logan couldn't help but clenching his fist to his stomach. He tried in futility to drag in breaths to offset getting the wind knocked out of him, but that also made the pain more acute. Dr. Paxton laid a well-manicured hand on Andrews shoulder.

"Now, now Major. We can't have our patient in here in this condition before we perform it on him. You've got to allow him to heal. We can't risk him dying just yet. Deck would be quite pissed if he did." Paxton cajoled Andrews. Andrews' eyes were dark and swirling with anger, obviously tired of playing cat and mouse with Logan.

While attempting to stabilize his breathing, Logan wondered what 'it' they were going to perform on him. It didn't sound good, and why would they need him in the best of condition? Unless there was already something very dangerous about 'it'. Logan felt the niggle of fear that had been just under the surface rise up full force again.

'So it begins here,' he thought. 'This is where it starts getting deadly.'

"Of course, Dr. Paxton, you're right. I shall finish with him today, because I can't say what else I would do to him." He turned toward Logan and continued. "My patience is wearing thin with you, Mr. Cale. But we will have all the information we need out of you by tomorrow evening. And then, you will be soundly disposed of. Enjoy the few hours you have left."

"Of course I will. I mean this is a lovely facility here. Wonderful relaxing environment." Logan smirked. Andrews went for the throat this time, thankfully pulling the punch right as he landed a millimeter above Logan's esophagus. It wasn't a hard hit, but the positioning of it was perfect. Immediately, tears burst out of his eyes on a reflexive action, and he struggled to breath. His throat was on fire, and for a minute he swore everything went black.

"Come on, Andrews" the lovely doctor said with annoyance coloring her voice. "Let's go. You've done quite enough. Now, I really want to be able to start this tomorrow, and I won't be able to if you don't stop, damn it!" She grabbed Andrews arm and pulled him out of the door, casting a blank stare at Logan as she walked out.

After about ten minutes, Logan finally felt the pain ease in his throat. He was thankful for that, but he was worried about what tomorrow would bring.

'Bling, where are you?' he questioned silently, wishing he could mentally force Bling to come through with the plan and practically have him or one of the X-5's walk through the door - preferably Max. He felt his eyes start to get droopy, and realized that they still must have the medication still in his intravenous drip. He didn't want to sleep anymore. He felt out of sorts because that's all he seemed to be doing is sleeping-or getting hammered by Andrews. Of course, in that case, he much preferred sleeping.

'Max. What hell you must be going through. You gave yourself back to these monsters to save my life- these unemotional, uncaring bastards. All for me, a man who has done nothing but manipulate you for his own selfish purposes. Oh, I tried to tell myself that I was saving the world, but all I was doing was making myself feel better - easing my own guilt because I happened to get lucky and have money. I used you. But you did everything I ever asked you to without fail, and put your ass on the line to save mine many times. Even giving yourself back to your own personal antichrist. You got guts. I always admired that about you.' A tear slid past his now closed eyes and rolled down his face, mixing with blood at his lip. He missed her so much, and he felt guilt slam into him. It was his fault. All because he wanted another damn transfusion so he could walk again. He compromised Max's most prized possession-her freedom.

In that instant, he knew without a doubt that he was totally and irrevocably in love with Max Guevara. If something happened to her, his heart might as well dry up and turn to dust; the world might as well stop spinning. The sun would no longer need to shine for him and there would only be eternal winters. There would be nothing to live for. If he got out of here alive, he would slay her the dragons of her sordid past and teach her how to love.

With thoughts of Max, he drifted asleep.

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A young Zack was coming after her. Blood was on his face, covering his mouth and tinting his teeth a pink color.

'Come here, Maxie. I just want to show you something. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to play in the woods. Can we play, Maxie? Let's play with the man in the woods. Like hide and seek. He just better hope we don't find him.' Zack snarled at her as he kept coming nearer and nearer.

'Get away from me!' she screamed. 'I'm not like that anymore! I've changed!'

'You'll never change. Never.' Zack said as he stepped closer. You'll always be the same girl. Now, I want to play with you Maxie. Forget the man. Why don't you run, and I'll try to catch you. Run!"

She turned and ran as fast as she could. But she wasn't fast enough. For every step she took, Zack took as many as three. He was catching up while she seemed to run in slow motion. She could feel his presence on her back, but she was too afraid to turn her head and see just how close he was. She tried to jump backward over him, but her enhanced abilities were none at the moment. As if she were just a regular human being.

'Nooo! Please!' she cried as she felt his strong hand grip her by the back of her neck. He turned her around slowly to face him. Instead of Zack this time, it was Logan.

'It was your fault I was in a wheelchair. You did that to me. You could have saved me that day. But you didn't. I hate you for that.' He opened his mouth and came near her lips as if to kiss her, but blood flowed freely down his chin as he did so. She shrieked and tried to back away as he drew close. She tried to hit him, but her punches held no force behind him. She was completely vulnerable.

Lydecker appeared by her side, whispering in her ear. 'I can help you Max. I can make them go away.'

She said nothing, and Logan grabbed her by the throat. He slowly started to squeeze the life out of her.

'Come on Max. I know you want me to help you.' Lydecker said in a soft manner. His voice reflected his desire to take her away from these awful images.

'Unnnnh...' Max moaned, unsure of herself. 'You can't help me.'

Logan's eyes started oozing a nasty green slime, and his face was becoming contorted. Then, his lips started turning blue and his hair seemed to go brittle. Almost as if his body was decomposing right before her eyes. He leaned in and kissed Max, leaving the trace of blood upon her own lips. She instinctively reached her tongue out to taste the thick liquid, for one second enjoying it's metallic flavor. Then, she screamed in horror.

'Logan, please! Don't do this to me. Please...I thought you cared about me. I didn't mean to kill you. You've got to know that!'

'Do I Max? Do I?' Logan sneered and leaned in for another morbid taste of her. She began crying and tried with no avail to twist away from him.

'I'm here, Max. All you have to do is ask for me. Say it, Max. Say you want my help.' Lydecker reached his hands toward her, offering them to her.

'Help me, please' she whispered.

'I will Max. I'll help you. Do you trust me?' he asked.

'Yes... I trust you. Just please, help me.' Max sobbed, and almost collapsed. Something started scratching at her memory, telling her that Lydecker was not her friend and she was making a grave mistake...

"NO! I don't trust you!" Max's eyes flew open and she jerked her head up. The pads came off her forehead with the movement. She saw the doctor's jerk with surprise at her sudden shift. To her side, Lydecker laughed delightedly. She herself was sweating profusely and tears slicked her cheeks. Max was absolutely disgusted with herself, and still very disoriented. She didn't know how much more she could take. And she knew Lydecker was just beginning with this sick little toy of his.

"You will Max. You almost did just now. You will. Now, Dr. Stevenson, turn it to the next level. Let's see how much more Max can take. She always was one of my strongest, and it will be quite interesting to see how she fights it." Lydecker leaned down by her ear as he replaced the pads back to their original position on her. She twisted as much as possible, but she was weak from whatever drug they were keeping her on. Then, she heard him whisper in her ear. "Trust me, Max." With that, the shock that came from the wicked device slipped her immediately back into a horrific dreamscape.

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A/N: Please R&R! There is no greater pleasure than seeing the people who read this give me their thoughts about it. I get happy and dance like a schoolgirl! :)