"Okay, Logan that's it

Disclaimer : Don't own them , don't make any money from them ….

A/N: This chapter is kind of slow but there is more action to come. Anyway shippers should like this one.

"Okay, Logan that's it. I'm going to kill him." Max was pacing the small living room of Logan's cabin while Logan sat on the couch watching her in amusement.

"What's he done?" he asked patiently.

"What's he done? What hasn't he done? He is the most selfish, spoiled aggravating person I have ever run across. He actually had the nerve to take my baby out without asking me. When he gets back here he is so dead." Logan sighed knowing how possessive Max was of her motorcycle. The night after they had made it to the cabin she and Alec had made a quick midnight trip back to the resort to pick it up from the parking lot and it had been sitting behind the cabin for two days. Evidently Alec had gotten bored this morning and decided to go for a ride.

"Would you have let him if he asked?" Logan inquired mildly.

"Are you kidding? No way." Logan smiled, in some ways Max would never change. He doubted she'd ever go easy on anyone who touched her bike without her permission. No doubt there would be some fireworks when Alec returned.

"Just do me a favor okay? Kick his ass outside. I don't want to have to replace half the furniture in this place because you two can't get along." Max glared at Logan, not entirely happy with his cavalier attitude and still angry with Alec.

"Oh I forgot you two are buddies now." Logan raised an eyebrow and gave her one of his patented smiles, one guaranteed to make her melt. Max sulked a moment more but was distracted by the ringing of Logan's cel phone.

"Hello." Logan listened for a moment then snapped the phone closed. Max looked a question at him.

"Should be clear to head back to Seattle. My contacts haven't picked up any sign of any suspicious activity around my place or around Jam Pony." Max smiled glad to hear they would soon be leaving the confines of the cabin. At one time she had dreamed about spending time here with Logan but in the present circumstances the close quarters had been difficult. Not to mention the irritation of having Alec around. 24 hours a day. Max had basically ignored him but he had cheerfully hung with Logan, discussing sports and such, things Max had never associated with Logan. Who cared about the Seattle Sonics or whatever they were called? Evidently Logan did and Max had to brush away thoughts that she was jealous of the easy camaraderie Alec seemed to have achieved with Logan. As a result she had spent most of the last two days outside polishing and tuning up her bike.

"Max? Earth to Max."

"Huh?" Max started as Logan's words interrupted her train of thought.

"I asked if you wanted some food before we head back." Logan was already in the kitchen area pulling out sandwich fixings from the refrigerator.

"Sure. I'd offer to help but…" Max replied. Since the near disaster with the sauce Max refused to come anywhere near any food that Logan might eat. Logan smiled at her knowing her fears.

"No problem. Maybe in a few days you can return the favor." Max caught her breath at the thought that they might actually have a cure for the virus in their hands. She smiled at Logan almost shyly, thoughts going to what else they might be able to do in a few days. Logan must have caught her train of thought as he often did because he gave her a look that confirmed he had more in mind than just lunch in a few days. "But I know cooking isn't really your thing so if there's something else you'd rather do to repay me that would be okay too."

Max turned away but not before Logan could have sworn he caught a blush on her face. The thought of Max blushing was mind boggling to him and he decide he'd better turn this conversation before things got a little too … heated.

"Here. One turkey and ham sandwich a la Cale." he slid the plate across the table to Max who waited until he released it to reach out for the sandwich. Quickly they were involved in their meal, passing the time with small talk. Finished, Max sent Logan out of the kitchen while she insisted on cleaning up. Logan let her and passed the time getting together the few things he had with him and making sure the cabin was ready to be closed up.

"Okay that's it. We can get out of here except that he hasn't brought back my baby yet."

Max was frowning. She was impatient to leave and get back to Seattle. Logan was as anxious as she but concealed it a little better. He wanted to get the notes he had into the hands of Sebastian and his people so they could get moving on the cure. He hesitated before making a suggestion that he knew Max was not going to like.

"We could always take the car and leave a note for Alec to head on back with the bike."

"What! Logan I am not leaving here not knowing where in hell he is with my baby." Max reacted just as Logan had expected.

"The longer we wait the less chance we get back today. I don't want t o hit the checkpoints at night. They tend to get a lot pickier about papers then. If Alec isn't back in ½ hour we either leave or wait until tomorrow." Max fumed silently for a few minutes acknowledging the truth in Logan's words.

"Fine. If he isn't back in half an hour we're outa here." She paused then continued, "But if something happens to my baby I am holding you just as responsible as him. If you hadn't gone off with him none of this would have happened."

"Yeah you're right And we wouldn't have a potential cure in our hands either." Logan's words were soft but Max stopped and looked at him unable to come up with a rejoinder.

"You know that's one thing I hate about you, Logan. I hate when you're so damn reasonable about stuff like this."

He smiled at her, eyes teasing. "You're the one trained to be the emotionless soldier not me." Max glared at him a moment then relaxed into a smile unable to resist Logan when he was intent on charming her out of her sulks.

"Okay I give up. You win. Alec is just the most charming, considerate dependable friend to have around." Her words dripped false sweetness and Logan laughed.

"I wouldn't go that far, Max. But he did help me out and we do have the cure. So cut him some slack. He had a bad upbringing."

"Yeah, whatever." Half an hour passed and there was still no sign of Alec and he didn't answer his cel phone. "Probably picked up some hooker and is shacked up in a sleazy motel somewhere for the day." Max muttered. "Okay that's it. Let's go Logan before I change my mind." Max was already out the door as she flung the words at Logan. He shrugged his shoulders and followed her out after making sure the cabin was locked up and a note left for Alec. Since the car had no hand controls and Logan preferred not to drive in his exoskeleton, Max climbed behind the wheel and Logan got into the passenger seat. Max shot him a glance.

"Max, don't worry so much. You're wearing your gloves; we both have on long sleeves and long pants. I think we're okay for the trip to Seattle.

"Just be careful, okay?"

The trip was uneventful and they arrived back in Seattle well before dark, breezing through the checkpoints with ease. Logan relaxed once they passed the last one, realizing he had been worried about someone connecting his name with the genetics conference but evidently his cover had held and they had no interest in him. He directed Max to pull the car into the garage of his building and when they got out to leave the keys in the car.

"Someone will be picking it up later. Want to come up for some dinner?" She hesitated but the urgings of her stomach won out and she rationalized that at this point it would be hard to pick anything up to eat.

"Sure. Might as well." Logan grinned to himself as they headed for the elevators. Somehow the events of the last few days had managed to break down the walls Max had been building between them ever since the virus from hell had struck him down. Forced to stay in the cabin together for several days she seemed to have realized that it was possible for them to be together without endangering his life. She had bitched about Alec's presence but Logan thought that Alec being there had actually helped them. There had been no question of romantic moments which might lead to dangerous actions and Max had almost seemed jealous of Alec at times. Logan hadn't minded because it had seemed to push her to be more open to him in order to secure his attention from Alec.

They acted like a highly competitive brother and sister both wanting the lions' share of attention. Max's relationship with Zack had been different; she had clearly looked up to him as more of a big brother. Her arguments with him had been in the nature of the rebellious younger sibling declaring her independence from the older. Alec was more her contemporary and the two of them were so much alike they couldn't help but step on each other's toes. Having Alec around would certainly make for some fireworks. Logan hoped not to be there when Alec returned Max's bike. He had a feeling that was going to be one hell of a fight.

"Need a ride home?" Dinner was over, Logan had scanned and emailed Dr. Mendoza's notes to Sebastian and Max was restlessly wandering the apartment.

"Since your buddy hasn't brought back my baby yet I'm without wheels" Max observed irritated once more and worried about her bike. Logan sighed to himself but he was getting concerned about Alec as well.

"Come on then." He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. Max followed and there was silence on the way down in the elevator.

"Max, I'm sure he's okay. You'll have the bike back tomorrow. He knows better than to hit the checkpoints at night."

"Yeah I guess so." By now they were in the car heading to Max's. "Hey change of plans. Drop me at Crash. I'm too restless to sit home alone and the gang is probably there."

Logan obligingly changed direction and in moments was parked outside of the bar. Max glanced at him and then slowly asked, sure he would refuse.

"Want to come in or a while?" She was already out the door turning to say "No problem" at what she was sure would be his refusal when she realized he had opened his door and was climbing out.

"Why not? My apartment gets lonely at night." Logan smiled at her and Max found herself giving an answering smile back. She felt a jolt of pleasure that Logan was here with her and at the thought of making a public claim to him. Together they made their was down the steps and Max spotted a small table for two. Leaving Logan to follow more slowly she quickly took possession of it. Once they were seated a waiter was there and Logan ordered them a pitcher of beer.

"What?" he asked her as she looked at him in bemusement.

"Sports, Crash, beer. This is a side of Logan Cale I haven't seen before."

"I'm a multifaceted individual, Max. What you see isn't exactly what you get." he responded.

"I'm starting to realize that." The waiter returned with their beer and poured out the first two glasses for them, leaving the pitcher on the table. Logan lifted his glass and giving Max a look, said simply

"To us." Max lifted her glass to touch his and they drank eyes locked. Max was so lost in his eyes that she jumped when he reached out and took the hand that was resting on the table in his.

"Logan!" Panicked she started to pull back but he refused to let go.

"Max it's okay. You have on your gloves and to be safe so do I." Looking down she realized that what he said was true. Logan had donned a pair of leather gloves and their hands were safely together, no actual contact of skin. She slowly relaxed and smiled at him wondering why they hadn't thought of such a simple thing sooner.

"Awww how touching." The mood was shattered as a familiar voice intruded. Scowling, Max turned to face Alec.

"Where the Hell have you been and how dare you take my bike without asking?" Logan kept tight hold on her hand hoping to avert a scene that might draw unwanted attention to the capabilities of the pair he was with.

"Max." he began.

"Logan stay out of this."

"Aw c'mon Max. All I did was give you some time alone with your boyfriend here. Your bike is just fine." Alec pulled over another chair and seated himself at the table.

"I am going to so kick your ass, Alec."

"Give it up, Max. You know you can't." Alec calmly motioned the waiter to bring another glass and poured himself some beer, sitting back and scanning the room. Logan muttered to Max,

"Max, not here. Exposure." and she relaxed somewhat but continued to glare at Alec.

"Hey, isn't that your little blonde friend over there?" Alec turned to Logan who looked in the direction he indicated. Asha was sitting at the bar, seemingly alone, in conversation with the bartender. Alec looked at Max who was continuing to glare at him. "Since I seem to be persona non grata here maybe I'll just go see how she's doing." Rising he picked up his glass and tossed the keys to Max's bike on the table. "Thanks for the loan of the bike, Max. Oh by the way I'm afraid I used up the gas. You'll need to fill it up before you go anywhere." With that he sauntered off leaving a fuming Max sitting there while Logan looked on smiling.