It seemed like hours that they stood by the window and Logan was starting to think that whatever Max and Alec were up wasn't going to work when Alec let out a soft exclamation

Disclaimer: Not mine, don't make any money from them…..

It seemed like hours that they stood by the window and Logan was starting to think that whatever Max and Alec had in mind wasn't going to work, when Alec let out a soft exclamation.

He turned to see Alec leaning out of the window motioning with his hand. Within minutes a pair of black boots followed by two very shapely legs encased in black spandex appeared and then Max was there, hanging on a harness outside the window. She passed another harness to Alec who motioned to Logan to raise his arms so he could place it on him. There has a hook on the front with a short rope attached and Alec proceeded to clip that to a hook on the front of Max's harness. The he helped Logan climb into a sitting position on the window ledge facing Max.

"Hold on. I can't…"Logan protested.

"It's okay Logan – put this over your face." Max handed him a surgical mask and showed him her gloved hands. He noticed she had pulled on a mask herself and her head was covered by a hood. "No actual skin contact, no inhalation of my breath. It'll be okay. I'd let you go down with Alec but I only had one real line – the one he's using will work for him but it'll never support the weight of you both and we have no time to switch off harnesses."

As she said the last Alec shoved Logan into her arms and grabbed the other rope she was holding, pushing himself out the window. As they swung away from the building and rapidly descended on the lines, Logan looked back and saw fire leaping through the windows of the room they had just vacated. Then his attention was drawn back to Max and the fact that they were actually in each others arms once more, separated by gloves and masks true, but he could feel her body against his and look into her eyes, not from across a room but from inches away.

The descent was too swift. In seconds they were landing on the pine needle covered mountain slope underneath the hotel building, Max taking the impact of the fall and bracing Logan as they hit. For a long moment they stood there, locked in a bittersweet embrace, eyes speaking to each other.

"Touching as all this is I suggest we get out of here." Alec's dry comment was underscored by a piece of flaming debris that landed just a few feet away from the trio. Max reached up and unsnapped the rope attaching Logan and herself and then reached back and unsnapped the main line from her harness. Unwilling to give up the little contact they had she grabbed Logan's hand in her gloved one and pulled him behind her as Alec led them away from the danger zone. Once safely away they slowed their pace and continued to make their way through the trees, working their way up the slope and towards the front of the resort.

When they were almost there Max stopped and turned to look at Logan. For long moments their eyes met and then he quickly reached out and gave her a hug before stepping back, being careful not to come into any skin to skin contact. That done he pulled off his mask and she did the same. Then they made their way quietly to the parking lot, ignored by the crowd in front of the burning lodge. It was obvious that the building was a total loss and there would be many casualties. They found Logan's car and he pulled out an extra set of keys.

"Ah. I thought I was going to have to hot wire this baby." Alec approved taking them from Logan who raised his eyebrows. "I enjoy driving especially a sweet thing like this," he offered as explanation as he climbed behind the wheel. Max climbed into the back seat leaving Logan to take the other front seat. He wished he could climb in back with Max but enough chances had been taken for one day.

There was silence for a few moments as they left the lodge but then Max broke it.

"What in the hell were you two doing?" Not giving them a chance to answer she continued. "I would have thought you already had your experience with a Manticore doctor Logan and you should have known that there'd be assassins out to dispose of him." The last to Alec.

"Wait a minute. This guy wasn't from Manticore, he's a research professor from Chicago." Logan protested.

"And a Manticore consultant which I knew as soon as I saw his name and I'm sure Ale here did too." Max snapped.

Alec shrugged. "Hey I was there wasn't I? Didn't let him run off alone which he would have done if I hadn't come along."

"Yeah right. Did it ever occur to you to let me in on this little excursion?" She glared at them both but they remained silent. "Oh right. Macho male bonding going on here. Well boys did it further occur to you that if I hadn't figured it out and headed out here there would have been no one to get your back and get you out of there? Tactical ops 101, make sure your backup is in place. Did you miss that lesson 494 while you were out hustling up your cigars or vitamins or whatever?"

"Max. It's all good. We're okay and I apologize for not letting you in on this." Logan tried to soothe her and direct her anger away from Alec. "I was going to go alone and Alec insisted I at least let him come."

"Yeah right. Whatever." Max settled in to glare at them both. Logan turned in his seat and smiled at her.

"It was worth it." he said softly reaching into his jacket pocket, thankful he had placed Dr. Mendoza's notes there instead of in his briefcase which was probably now reduced to ashes. He handed the papers to Max who quickly read through them. When she looked at him there was a light of hope in her eyes.

"Logan, is this what I think?"

"He said it was the answer. I'm going to give this to Sebastian to see if he can have his medical people do the engineering. We'll need another blood sample from you."

"No problem, Logan." Max was happier than he had seen her since her return and Logan's heart leapt at seeing her smile again.

"We don't know for sure but he seemed confident." he cautioned.

"Logan it's the best chance we've had so far." Unspoken promises were exchanged as they looked steadily at each other.

"So where to kiddies?" Alec broke in impatient with the direction of the conversation. He glanced in the rearview mirror and let out a curse at the same time stepping on the accelerator. Max turned around and saw the black SUV bearing down on them. "Hang on to your hats this is not going to be a fun ride. Good thing this baby has horsepower."

They were now flying down the twisting and turning mountain road. Logan was glad the X5 was at the wheel – he didn't think he would have the reaction time to control the vehicle at the speed they were going on this road. Unfortunately the SUV was keeping pace with them, not gaining but not losing ground either. Logan thought quickly.

"Alec, up ahead this road curves then dips and we should be out of their sight for s few seconds when it does," he instructed Alec.

"And your point is?" Alec asked sarcastically. Max shot him a glare annoyed at his attitude and wishing she could do more than sit in the back seat as a passenger.

"Immediately after the curve there's an old logging road. If you can control this thing and swing into it we should have enough time to get out of sight before they get to it. They'll think we're still ahead on the road and immediately past the dip there's a fork. Whichever way they take, when they don't catch us they'll think we took the other." As he finished they came up on the curve.

"Sweet. Hang on here she goes." As he spoke Alec rounded the curve and spotting the

overgrown logging road made a sharp turn into it. For a minute it seemed like he was going to lose control but he managed to keep the car in his control and quickly pulled it off into the cover of some overgrown shrubs. As the car stopped Max was out speeding back to the main road to check on their pursuit. Alec flung open his door and followed leaving Logan to wait for their return. He wasn't about to attempt to trail two X5's in a hurry through the rough woods in the exoskeleton.

It was quiet in the woods and he listened carefully for sounds that would indicate Max and Alec had run into trouble. He had pulled his gun out of its holster when they stopped and held it at the ready. In only moments the two returned, jogging quickly but calmly back.

"It worked Logan. They went right past and never even noticed this road. I'd hug you…but." Max exulted.

"Not bad Cale," was Alec's more casual reply but he continued to be impressed by Logan. The guy thought on his feet. He was starting to get an inkling of why Max had become involved with him. Still, norms were not his thing other than for a casual fling here or there. Involvement wasn't his thing either; Max and Logan were just good backups for him out in this dysfunctional world. At least that was how he rationalized it to himself not wanting to admit that it was lonely away from the routines of Manticore.

"If you continue up this road we'll come to a side road that we can take to my family cabin. Might not be a bad idea to lay low there for a day or so while we make sure it's clear to head back to town." Alec rolled his eyes at the thought of being cooped up with these two for any amount of time but had to admit it was probably a smart idea. He and Max climbed back in and they were soon on their way.

The roads were rough and they had to drive slowly to avoid destroying the car but by sundown they were pulling up in front of the cabin. Max climbed out and stretched, reluctant for a moment to go inside, remembering the last time she'd been here with Zack. Sadness was evident in her eyes as she looked around. Logan, sensitive to her feelings, smiled at her and reaching out briefly held her still gloved hand.

"He'd want you to go on and be happy Max. Remember that."

"Thanks, Logan. If you don't mind I'm gonna walk down to the lake a minute. Need to be alone. K?" He nodded and motioned to Alec to follow him inside.

"What was that all about?" Alec asked once Max was out of hearing range.

"Zack."

"Huh? Oh X5-599? The one who offed himself for her?"

"Like I said, Zack. And if I were you I'd watch what you say about him in front of Max. Of course it might be interesting watching her kick your ass again. Last time I wasn't quite in shape to appreciate it." Logan turned and left Alec to follow him in, but not before looking towards the lake where he could see Max's solitary figure silhouetted by the setting sun.