Chapter Seven

Piercing rain that drowns. Your tears flow unchecked.  Sometimes all you hide.  Comes tumbling from inside.

Max slipped silently into his penthouse.  The door was hard and real as she pushed it open.  The sounds of clicking keys assaulted her ears.  Something was cooking in the kitchen.

Once more she pinched herself to see if it was real.  It was.

Silently she slipped up to the door of his office.  Watching, like the first time they'd met, he was now also doing an Eyes Only broadcast.

Max couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.  After all in a few moments there would be nothing to smile about.

Logan turned around in his chair and their eyes met.  Still after all the years there was that inescapable pull between the two.

Logan was the first to break away.  Standing up he walked past her without looking back. 

"Right.  Should have seen that one coming," she sighed to his back.  Max followed him to the kitchen, where he proceeded to ignore her and stir the sauce simmering on the stove.

As he moved over to the counter and started chopping vegetables Max decided to break the ice.

"For what it's worth.  I'm sorry."  It echoed lamely in her ears.  It wasn't nearly what it should have been.  She should have told him everything, but still she couldn't let him see. 

He had a very real potential to hurt her.  And she didn't know how much more hurt she could take.

Taking his silence to mean it wasn't worth much, Max sighed again.  She hadn't realized that he'd been so hurt.  She should have damn it.

"Logan, I know I don't deserve it.  I know it's entirely up to you.  But please, can you just say something.  Anything.  Tell me you hate me.  Tell me to leave and never come back. Or don't. I really don't care what you say."  Max pleaded.

"Just go."  Logan clipped without looking at her.

"I deserved that."  Max nodded fighting tears and quietly slipped out of his penthouse. 

Chalk that one up to defeat.  One visit left on her trip.

"Hannah, honey, I didn't want to-" Hannah cut Max's words off.

"Mom.  I've got a life here now.  I really would appreciate it if you'd just go."  Hannah braved.

"Sweetie I didn't. I can't..." finding words impossible under Hannah's harsh glare, Max nodded.

"I promise to visit."  Max offered weakly.  Hannah only nodded and threw out a comment about calling first.  Rafer and his wife had done a good job with her.  She was happy, she was healthy, and she was finally living the life she desired.

There just wasn't any room for her in that life anymore.

Shit that hurt.

As of yet, tonight she hadn't cried.  Max wondered if she'd ever be able to cry about it.

Sometimes tears didn't come; sometimes it just cut too deep.

Max tore through the streets of Seattle, fighting against the rain that pelted her in the face, fighting against the wind that tore through to her soul, fighting against the feelings that threatened to explode.

Somehow she ended up back at his place.  Somehow she ended up in his elevator, picking the lock on his door, stalking into his apartment and collapsing in a heap in front of him.

"Do you think it was easy for me?  Do you think I didn't remember everyday?  Do you think I didn't cry?  Logan." her voice broke.  "Logan. Logan."  The tears came then and in broken sobs she continued. "Hannah hates me...You hate me...Logan I don't think I can take this."

"Max." his voice was raspy and sounded as if he was on the verge of joining her in tears on his floor. "I don't hate you."

She only sobbed harder.

"Max." he tried again, not knowing what else he could do, he dropped to knees and offered her the comfort of his arms. 

"No."  Max said shakily as she pulled away from him. "No."  Standing up she backed away from him.  Too much.  She'd showed him too much.  This was not ok.

Logan knew she was going to run, he knew she'd never be back if she did.  And he wasn't about to lose her again.

Jumping to his feet he pulled her into his arms.  Max pushed against his chest trying to escape his comforting embrace.  No. She couldn't give in; he'd only hurt her later.  Escaping his arms she backed away.

Logan pounced, pushing her up against a wall and trapping her lips with his.  She had to understand.  Twelve years of longing, twelve years of need, twelve years of love, were poured into the brief dominating kiss he placed on her lips before she roughly shoved him away and smacked him in the face.

That would leave a bruise.  But hell it was worth it.  In fact maybe he should get a matching one for the other side.

How could he tease her like that?  She was more then a little pissed at the man standing in front of her rubbing his cheek where she'd hit him.  Good he deserved it. 

A flicker of a smile crossed his lips and she couldn't help but wonder what exactly he found so entertaining.  Well that and what would happen if she jumped him.

"Max." he growled.  She snapped and threw herself at him.  More then happy to comply with her wishes he picked her up as she wrapped her legs around him.   Slamming them both into the kitchen wall he continued his hurried assault on her lips.

Cherries, she tasted like cherries, she smelled like cherries.  He smiled against her lips.

"Logan I'm sorry I know it's late but I was wondering if...."  Asha didn't finish her comment and moved her hand to cover her young son's eyes.

The couple pulled away, embarrassed at being caught. 

"Logan, do you mind if I crash here tonight?"  Max asked quickly.  At his nod of acceptance Max disappeared into the bathroom and sounds of the shower began a few minutes later.

"Well that's new."  Asha offered.  Logan shrugged sheepishly and Asha only nodded.  "I'm putting Danny down, don't disappear." she ordered and then disappeared down his hall.

Shit, he'd really messed up now.