A/N: By popular request – fluff and shippiness.
The ride to Logan's apartment in his car was a silent one. It was as if, now that they had what they most desired within reach, neither of them knew quite what to do or say. Logan looked straight ahead concentrating on the non-existent Seattle traffic and Max stole sideways looks at his strong profile as they drove. Finally they arrived and pulled into the garage still in silence. Logan turned off the ignition and looked at Max.
"We're here." He wanted to kick himself for sounding like such an idiot but he was suddenly afraid. Afraid she would change her mind, afraid that he had built too many expectations up in his mind, afraid of what he didn't know.
"Yeah." Max wondered what was up with Logan. Had he changed his mind about things? Suddenly shy she looked away as she undid her seat belt and climbed out of the car. Logan was waiting still not saying anything but he reached out and took her hand and briefly smiled at her as they headed for the elevator. Another tenant climbed in behind them so the ride to Logan's floor was a silent one.
The elevator doors opened and Logan fumbled in his pocket for his keys, finally finding them and opening the door. He smiled at Max as he waited for her to precede him into the apartment. Max walked in and wandered over to look out the window as Logan took care of their jackets and then headed for the kitchen. Her mind was going in a thousand different directions as she looked out over the lights of Seattle. For once it wasn't raining and there was a clear view over the city.
"Max." Lost in her thoughts she hadn't heard Logan come up behind her and she jumped at his voice so close to her ear. She turned and at the same time she started to back away, pulling her hands behind her and then she realized what she was doing. Logan smiled at her reaction and softly said
"It's alright." The scene was so reminiscent of another one so many months ago that Max had to smile.
"What?" Logan asked her not catching on yet.
"No you're supposed to say 'Courtesy our crazy friend Phil'" she told him, suddenly relaxed. He looked at her for a minute then caught on.
"And then you say?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" she supplied looking deep into his intense blue eyes.
"I wanted it to be a surprise for last night an anniversary gift." He played the game with her remembering that night and the intense but short-lived joy of it.
"I'm sorry." She returned and he realized she was letting him know that she was sorry for all of the misunderstandings and distance of the last month.
"You have nothing to be sorry for or ashamed of…cause I know who you are." He paused then went on, "Now don't tell me I have to fall down here because that I'm not doing."
Max giggled and said "But then I don't get to tell you."
"Tell me anyway." She waited and he looked at her then softly said,
"I'm sorry." Sorry for Asha, sorry I haven't been there for you, sorry for everything I've ever done to hurt you.
"You have nothing to be sorry for or ashamed of." She looked at him expectantly enjoying this game they were playing.
"Would you look at us?" he responded on cue.
"Pathetic." She smiled at him, glancing down at his lips.
"Hopeless." He shot back returning the look.
"Good thing we hooked up." Her eyes were challenging him to continue as he had that long ago night that had ended so differently than it should have. Logan looked at her for a long moment and then whispered softly,
"Happy Anniversary." He leaned down and gently kissed her cheek brushing his lips across the softness, reveling in the feel of her skin once again. As she had that other time Max turned her head so their lips met and brought her arms up around his neck, running them through his hair. This time they were standing not sitting on the floor and Logan's arms went around her pulling her to him, locking her in so she couldn't escape. They kissed for long minutes making up for the months they had lost to Manticore and the virus. When he finally lifted his head from hers both of them were breathing unevenly and their hearts were racing. Their eyes locked and then for a moment Max rested her head on his shoulder as his hands traced circles on her back.
"So." Logan said looking down at the woman in his arms. Max nuzzled closer but didn't look up. Logan sighed and released her. "Guess we need to talk?" Max looked at him and nodded reluctantly. Taking her hand he led her to the sofa and lowering himself onto it pulled her down next to him. Max pulled her feet up and curled into the warmth of Logan's arm as he cuddled her close.
"Max. Look at me." Max turned her head and looked into Logan's eyes. "What is it?"
"I don't know." She responded slowly.
"Is it me? You've changed your mind about me?" Max looked at him shocked and he saw in her eyes that that wasn't the problem.
"Where do we go from here Logan? We've spent so much time thinking about being here but where is here? What happens now? I'm still what I've always been and now I have even more problems. The transgens aren't going to go away and I'm responsible for them." Logan was silent for a moment and Max's heart sank. Then he began to speak.
"Do you really think I'd turn away from you because of that? I told you, you did a good thing for them, letting them out. Walking away from them now wouldn't be something the Max I know would ever do. I know that. Just like I can't walk away from Eyes Only."
He was silent a minute thinking about what to say. "Zack asked me once what exactly was between us and I told him I didn't know but that there was something. I still don't know exactly what it is but I do know that I need to find out. We can take it as slow as you want, Max just as long as we take it somewhere."
"Logan," she said unable to believe that he knew her so well, knew her better than she did herself sometimes. "I want to find out too. About us I mean."
"So let's start tonight." He leaned down and kissed her lightly then rose from the sofa and held out his hand. "Dance with me Max" She smiled as she took it and let him pull her into his arms.
"There's no music."
"There's always music when I'm with you. Can't you hear it?" Max listened and she did seem to hear music.
"Valse Triste, Logan." He smiled and swept her into a graceful waltz to the music of their dream.
A/N: Reviews bring more chapters … grins evilly.
