A/N: Okay, people, here it is. I am not a poet. I'll never be a poet. My poems bite the bad monkey in a big way. BUT... some silver tongued peeps talked me into using this sad little poem in this story, so I have to apologize for it. In advance. Many many times over. Please forgive me? I swear that after this you'll never be inflicted with my poetry again.
It'll definately be at least a few days before the next part goes up as I haven't exactly even started it yet. LOL Sorry about that, but, hey, I have Sunday off work, so if my muse is being co-operative, perhaps it won't be too long before part six is ready. :P
Gods, I love you all with your wonderful reviews. I swear my muse is a review vampire, she survives soley on the kind words you wonderful people see fit to shower upon her. LOL I thank you for breathing life into her, as she needs all the help she can get. She's such an evil, nasty thing, but she seems to be going strong for now, and that's all thanks to you. :)
One major thanks goes to Aquila for all her help. The poor girl has put up with phone calls, emails, and desperate messages pleading for help on this fic. So, thanks, girl, without you I have a feeling I'd still be stuck half way through this chapter whining about where I'm supposed to be taking this. **G** Now, wtf am I doing with the next one?? LOL
As always, reviews here or by email are welcomed, encouraged, and desperately craved. I'm only doing a base beta on these first chapters until the story is better situated in my mind, but things should be fairly well checked over. Also, any ideas that you may have regarding small M/L scenes for future parts would be greatly appreciated as well. I don't tend to write fun stuff, I tend more to dwell on the traumatic psychological fun, so ideas for fluffy parts are always welcome. :)
They're so obviously not mine. I just like to borrow them sometimes and mutate their inner voices. What can I say? It's fun. Meanwhile, Cameron, Eglee and Fox are still getting all the cash.
Fight or Flight
Part Five: Soon Enough
By: Danae Bowen
Email: logansfox@rogers.com
When Max arrived at Logan's penthouse just over an hour later, she stood outside the door feeling suddenly ridiculous. It wasn't that she'd done anything special for their evening; she wore her normal hip hugging jeans and tonight had a black form-fitting sweater clinging to her body, but she'd allowed Original Cindy to add soft curls into her recently straightened hair. Max was actually pleased with the softening effect the curls had on her face, hiding the shadow of doubt that existed in her eyes.
When she'd looked into the mirror after Original Cindy finished with her hair, Max had been surprised to see a nearly familiar face peering back, a face she hadn't seen since before she'd returned to Manticore. Her time back at the compound had toned her body, wearing away what little flesh existed on her beautiful frame. Her face had thinned out and she'd lost the somewhat cherubic visage to which she'd grown accustomed. When she'd first returned, it took a long time to get used to the stranger that mirrored her challenging gaze in all reflective surfaces; her body visualized the loss she felt deep inside. She'd never been what could be called innocent, but anything pure she'd managed to hold onto throughout her life had been drained from her in her months at Manticore. The new layer of muscle toning her body was again a visual conception of the war within her heart; the Max Logan knew before did still exist, but was buried under the layers of protection she'd built around her. Two things had kept Max sane while captured, whether through endless hours of training or through the long week she'd spent in the dark: hungry, thirsty, willing herself not to break and give Renfro the satisfaction of knowing Max would be hers. Two things had kept Max from becoming 452 and forgetting the world that existed outside the compound walls. One of those two things was waiting for her behind the thin door that Max now faced. The other was the woman Max had become through her years of freedom.
Her fingers nervously smoothed her sweater over her body and she opened Logan's door, quietly moving inside. Max knew that Logan cared for her, but she worried that he was in love with who she'd been a year ago. She'd grown up in three months; she could only hope that Logan would be able to see past this harder version of herself, and realize that the girl still existed within the soldier.
She stood in the hallway in silence, amusing herself with the sound of Logan as he passed from his bathroom to his bedroom. Her footsteps made no noise as she slipped up to his bedroom door, a small smile crossing her features as she watched shirt after shirt sail onto his bed from the direction of his closet. Her eyebrows lifted and her breathing deepened when he rolled into her sight, his back to her, and she was greeted by his naked shoulders. Strong muscles rippled beneath his flesh as he lifted his arms over his head, pulling on an off white sweater, staring indignantly at the stack of abandoned clothing that hid his expensive comforter.
Max brought a hand to her mouth to smother the fit of laughter threatening to overwhelm her, grateful, however, for the distraction of humor from growing desire. She turned silently, then, making her way into the living room, sitting back on the sofa, masking her emotions with a well-practiced expression of calm. She watched the hallway, waiting long minutes for Logan to appear, and when he did, she smiled softly.
"Hey."
Laughter ruined her calm demeanor as Logan's body leaped, his unmoving lower half the only thing keeping him firmly in his chair. "Christ! Max, how long have you been sitting there?"
She shrugged, relaxing her expression back into a small smile. "A while."
"Why didn't you say something? You scared the shit out of me!"
"You seemed... otherwise occupied." She winked at him softly, her smile widening. "So, what's for dinner?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Since I wasn't expecting you to be here so early, you're going to have to help yourself to a glass of wine while I slip into the exosuit."
"S'cool." She flashed him another grin, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "No hurry, tho. I've kinda missed the chair. Makes me feel taller."
He snorted. "You just like pushing me around."
"Damn straight." Her soft laughter sent his pulse racing, and a low shiver traveled through him. They'd rarely engaged in teasing about his paralysis, the lack of movement in his lower body always being a sore subject for him, but somehow, tonight, he couldn't bring himself to mind. Anything was worth Max's laughter.
She climbed to her feet, pausing to smile down at him as she passed him by. "You want wine?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
"Just hurry up and change. It's pathetic to drink alone."
He chuckled once again. "You're anything but pathetic, Max."
She grinned ruefully. "Only in your eyes. To the rest of the world, I'm just a pathetic science experiment gone wrong."
"Maybe." She snapped around, her eyes widening in surprise, not expecting him to agree with her. His sparkling blue eyes twinkled merrily as he popped the chair up, slowly rocking back and forth before turning and making his way down the hallway. "But you're a science experiment gone wrong, with great hair." He turned back and winked at her. "Missed the curls."
Max swallowed her laughter, her heart swelling as Logan teased her. It had been far too long since they were this comfortable around each other. Logan didn't miss the look of pleasure that filled her eyes as he glanced over his shoulder at her, surprised and touched by the moisture making her dark eyes shine in the low light of his home.
If his legs could move, Logan would have kicked himself for being so stubborn as to push her away far enough to hurt her as deeply as he obviously had. When something small like a joke about her hair made her so happy, Logan knew things had gone too far. He cursed himself silently but vowed also to make it up to her, no matter how long it may take.
****
An hour later found Max and Logan sitting across the dinner table from each other. Every so often, Logan would find his gaze traveling upwards, his eyes taking in the shadows cast across Max's features by the flickering candlelight. He smiled slightly whenever she'd glance up and catch his admiring glances, her skin deepening in color as she half blushed and lowered her eyes once again. It still amazed him how, after so much time had passed, they could still play this game of disbelief. Logan had long come to terms with his feelings towards Max; the problem was making up for the past months, and letting Max in on his great epiphany in a way that wouldn't have her running for the border. His fingers moved nervously as he pondered his next move, knowing what waited in the other room, but wondering if it was still too early to show Max.
His mind had been overactive since finding out that the virus was no longer standing between them. Lying in bed, he couldn't free his mind of thoughts of Max; sitting at his desk was the same, as was cooking, working, writing and everything else. She dominated both his conscious and his subconscious so much that when he'd put pen to paper in the last days, the words had written themselves and were centered solely on Max.
It hadn't been long since he'd introduced Max to his poetry, giving her a small taste of the words that filled his mind when his thoughts turned to her, but his book of musings had grown since that night. For the first time in quite a while, Logan felt ready to share part of those thoughts with her, and again he glanced up at her, swallowing nervously as he prepared himself for what was to come.
When they finished with dinner, Logan stalled for a few minutes longer, clearing the table and setting the dishes to soak before he joined Max in the living room. As usual, he found her staring out over the city, her thoughts darkening her eyes as she sighed deeply before turning at the sound of the exoskeleton's hum.
"The world that bad, Max?" He gave her a soft smile as he flicked his gaze towards the window and then back to her.
"No worse than usual."
"Then why the dark expression? No offense, Max, but you look like you're expecting the ceiling to fall in on us."
Max's lips curved upwards but her gaze was hard. A tinge of bitterness edged into her voice as she spoke. "At this point, it wouldn't surprise me."
"What does?"
"Things going right."
Logan sighed. Somehow during their journey through the last months, he'd missed the day that Max left behind her "it's all good" attitude and began to let things get to her. Her sarcasm was sharper these days, her bitterness more biting and her pessimism was slowly growing. Logan was beginning to wonder if he hadn't waited too long to let Max in on the secrets of his heart, but at this point there was no turning back. Max would either accept everything that Logan had to say and do over the days to come, or she wouldn't and they'd be back at square one. Either way, Logan had to know that, late or not, he'd at least tried to let her know that she is loved.
"So, I guess I promised you a surprise, didn't I?" He gave her a quick wink and a warm smile, making her lips curve into a genuine grin.
"I thought the picture was it. I'm gettin' more?"
He shrugged. "A little tonight, maybe even more tomorrow if you're good."
She grimaced. "Ugh, I have to be good?"
He chuckled softly as the sparkle returned to her eyes, and once again Max relaxed. "Well, we'll see." He moved towards the doorway, Max following closely. He paused and turned, holding up a hand, making her stop in her tracks. "Just give me a minute, I'll meet you back out here."
She shrugged and pouted, making her way back to the sofa and thumping down onto it, pulling her feet underneath her body. "Don't keep me waiting long."
He laughed and shook his head. "Never."
Logan moved into the computer room, pulling open the desk drawer and retrieving his book of poetry. His fingers clutched at the hardened cover compulsively as he suddenly began to doubt his choice of gifts. It was his latest poem that he wanted Max to read most desperately, a gold leaf bookmark placed upon the page it was located, and yet, again, he feared her reaction. He knew he couldn't back down, he'd promised himself that he would do everything possible to show her how he felt, but his poetry was a part of him very few people shared. He wanted her to read the poems and understand what he was trying to say, he wanted her to know the depth of emotion he felt towards her, but he also had to brace himself for the flight that would come. He knew that this time Max would run, he wasn't trying to convince himself otherwise, he just wondered if he was strong enough to finish the chase.
He drew in a deep breath, pulling the book to his chest as he walked with a determined step towards the living room. Max glanced up immediately, raising her eyebrows and biting down on her lower lip as she scanned him for signs of her surprise. He couldn't help but chuckle at the look on her face as he grew closer, his thoughts shifting again, telling him that no matter how she reacted, he was ready to see this through till the end. He took a moment to ponder how confusing human thought patterns could be, conflicting from moment to moment, but Max's outstretched hands returned his thoughts to the moment.
"Well?" She held her hands out expectantly, both eagerness and slight trepidation showing in her eyes, but she'd learned well from this morning, and she needed to know what it was Logan wanted to give her.
He hesitated momentarily, biting the inside of his lower lip as his fingers caressed the book in his hands. He cleared his throat, and swallowed. "You once expressed an interest in my poetry," he cleared his throat again, shifting nervously. "If that interest still stands, I, ah, want you to have this." He lowered the book into her waiting hands, backing away once again, sitting across from her and running his fingers through his hair.
Max glanced down at the book in shock, her own fingers playing across the cover in a delicate touch as she altered her gaze from the poetry to the man. "You're... you're giving me your poetry?"
He nodded, shifting in discomfort. "That is if you, ah, still want it." Logan forced himself to swallow further words, forced himself to not allow her an out. He'd done what he'd intended, he'd given her the poetry and he refused to try and take it back. //Never get anywhere in this world without risks, Cale.//
Uncertainty flashed across Max's features, a tinge of fear, and then something that Logan couldn't name began to grow in her eyes, spreading across her face until she very nearly glowed. It was then that she smiled, a beautiful, radiant smile, as she clutched the book to her chest. "I... I... thank you." Max found herself at a loss of words as she tried to find something to say to express what she was feeling, but when she looked into Logan's eyes and watched his own fear melt into relief and pleasure, she knew he understood. "Do you want me to read one now?"
His eyes traveled down to the book, and he nodded slowly. "There's a bookmark."
Max allowed her fingers to play across the golden leaf that marked the page, swallowed deeply, and then opened the book.
~~~
Soon Enough
When darkness descends
Comes my dark angel
To the circle of awareness
That is my life.
She brings with her
Beauty
Pleasure
Need
Passion
She lifts me out
Of the chair that confines me
Frees me from bonds
That a bullet created.
When I'm with her I can
Dream
Love
Dance
Live
Impossible has no meaning
When she is near
Even while we're separated
By invisible walls.
Her touch means everything
Pain
Desire
Life
Death
They can't poison our hearts
As they have our bodies
We're stronger than they know
Tomorrow is soon enough.
~~~
Max read the poem in silence and then read it once again, allowing the words to sink in before she looked up to meet Logan's concerned gaze. Logan, for his part, was not unaware of the tension that built in Max's body as she sat in silence, and he prepared himself, once again, for Max to run.
When she said nothing, merely staring at him with a thoughtful gaze, Logan shifted in his chair. Seconds passed, possibly a minute, possibly an hour, possibly a lifetime; Logan couldn't be sure how much time went by as he forced himself to keep meeting her gaze, all he knew was that one way or another, he wished she'd react so he could begin to cope.
End Part Five
It'll definately be at least a few days before the next part goes up as I haven't exactly even started it yet. LOL Sorry about that, but, hey, I have Sunday off work, so if my muse is being co-operative, perhaps it won't be too long before part six is ready. :P
Gods, I love you all with your wonderful reviews. I swear my muse is a review vampire, she survives soley on the kind words you wonderful people see fit to shower upon her. LOL I thank you for breathing life into her, as she needs all the help she can get. She's such an evil, nasty thing, but she seems to be going strong for now, and that's all thanks to you. :)
One major thanks goes to Aquila for all her help. The poor girl has put up with phone calls, emails, and desperate messages pleading for help on this fic. So, thanks, girl, without you I have a feeling I'd still be stuck half way through this chapter whining about where I'm supposed to be taking this. **G** Now, wtf am I doing with the next one?? LOL
As always, reviews here or by email are welcomed, encouraged, and desperately craved. I'm only doing a base beta on these first chapters until the story is better situated in my mind, but things should be fairly well checked over. Also, any ideas that you may have regarding small M/L scenes for future parts would be greatly appreciated as well. I don't tend to write fun stuff, I tend more to dwell on the traumatic psychological fun, so ideas for fluffy parts are always welcome. :)
They're so obviously not mine. I just like to borrow them sometimes and mutate their inner voices. What can I say? It's fun. Meanwhile, Cameron, Eglee and Fox are still getting all the cash.
Fight or Flight
Part Five: Soon Enough
By: Danae Bowen
Email: logansfox@rogers.com
When Max arrived at Logan's penthouse just over an hour later, she stood outside the door feeling suddenly ridiculous. It wasn't that she'd done anything special for their evening; she wore her normal hip hugging jeans and tonight had a black form-fitting sweater clinging to her body, but she'd allowed Original Cindy to add soft curls into her recently straightened hair. Max was actually pleased with the softening effect the curls had on her face, hiding the shadow of doubt that existed in her eyes.
When she'd looked into the mirror after Original Cindy finished with her hair, Max had been surprised to see a nearly familiar face peering back, a face she hadn't seen since before she'd returned to Manticore. Her time back at the compound had toned her body, wearing away what little flesh existed on her beautiful frame. Her face had thinned out and she'd lost the somewhat cherubic visage to which she'd grown accustomed. When she'd first returned, it took a long time to get used to the stranger that mirrored her challenging gaze in all reflective surfaces; her body visualized the loss she felt deep inside. She'd never been what could be called innocent, but anything pure she'd managed to hold onto throughout her life had been drained from her in her months at Manticore. The new layer of muscle toning her body was again a visual conception of the war within her heart; the Max Logan knew before did still exist, but was buried under the layers of protection she'd built around her. Two things had kept Max sane while captured, whether through endless hours of training or through the long week she'd spent in the dark: hungry, thirsty, willing herself not to break and give Renfro the satisfaction of knowing Max would be hers. Two things had kept Max from becoming 452 and forgetting the world that existed outside the compound walls. One of those two things was waiting for her behind the thin door that Max now faced. The other was the woman Max had become through her years of freedom.
Her fingers nervously smoothed her sweater over her body and she opened Logan's door, quietly moving inside. Max knew that Logan cared for her, but she worried that he was in love with who she'd been a year ago. She'd grown up in three months; she could only hope that Logan would be able to see past this harder version of herself, and realize that the girl still existed within the soldier.
She stood in the hallway in silence, amusing herself with the sound of Logan as he passed from his bathroom to his bedroom. Her footsteps made no noise as she slipped up to his bedroom door, a small smile crossing her features as she watched shirt after shirt sail onto his bed from the direction of his closet. Her eyebrows lifted and her breathing deepened when he rolled into her sight, his back to her, and she was greeted by his naked shoulders. Strong muscles rippled beneath his flesh as he lifted his arms over his head, pulling on an off white sweater, staring indignantly at the stack of abandoned clothing that hid his expensive comforter.
Max brought a hand to her mouth to smother the fit of laughter threatening to overwhelm her, grateful, however, for the distraction of humor from growing desire. She turned silently, then, making her way into the living room, sitting back on the sofa, masking her emotions with a well-practiced expression of calm. She watched the hallway, waiting long minutes for Logan to appear, and when he did, she smiled softly.
"Hey."
Laughter ruined her calm demeanor as Logan's body leaped, his unmoving lower half the only thing keeping him firmly in his chair. "Christ! Max, how long have you been sitting there?"
She shrugged, relaxing her expression back into a small smile. "A while."
"Why didn't you say something? You scared the shit out of me!"
"You seemed... otherwise occupied." She winked at him softly, her smile widening. "So, what's for dinner?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Since I wasn't expecting you to be here so early, you're going to have to help yourself to a glass of wine while I slip into the exosuit."
"S'cool." She flashed him another grin, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "No hurry, tho. I've kinda missed the chair. Makes me feel taller."
He snorted. "You just like pushing me around."
"Damn straight." Her soft laughter sent his pulse racing, and a low shiver traveled through him. They'd rarely engaged in teasing about his paralysis, the lack of movement in his lower body always being a sore subject for him, but somehow, tonight, he couldn't bring himself to mind. Anything was worth Max's laughter.
She climbed to her feet, pausing to smile down at him as she passed him by. "You want wine?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
"Just hurry up and change. It's pathetic to drink alone."
He chuckled once again. "You're anything but pathetic, Max."
She grinned ruefully. "Only in your eyes. To the rest of the world, I'm just a pathetic science experiment gone wrong."
"Maybe." She snapped around, her eyes widening in surprise, not expecting him to agree with her. His sparkling blue eyes twinkled merrily as he popped the chair up, slowly rocking back and forth before turning and making his way down the hallway. "But you're a science experiment gone wrong, with great hair." He turned back and winked at her. "Missed the curls."
Max swallowed her laughter, her heart swelling as Logan teased her. It had been far too long since they were this comfortable around each other. Logan didn't miss the look of pleasure that filled her eyes as he glanced over his shoulder at her, surprised and touched by the moisture making her dark eyes shine in the low light of his home.
If his legs could move, Logan would have kicked himself for being so stubborn as to push her away far enough to hurt her as deeply as he obviously had. When something small like a joke about her hair made her so happy, Logan knew things had gone too far. He cursed himself silently but vowed also to make it up to her, no matter how long it may take.
****
An hour later found Max and Logan sitting across the dinner table from each other. Every so often, Logan would find his gaze traveling upwards, his eyes taking in the shadows cast across Max's features by the flickering candlelight. He smiled slightly whenever she'd glance up and catch his admiring glances, her skin deepening in color as she half blushed and lowered her eyes once again. It still amazed him how, after so much time had passed, they could still play this game of disbelief. Logan had long come to terms with his feelings towards Max; the problem was making up for the past months, and letting Max in on his great epiphany in a way that wouldn't have her running for the border. His fingers moved nervously as he pondered his next move, knowing what waited in the other room, but wondering if it was still too early to show Max.
His mind had been overactive since finding out that the virus was no longer standing between them. Lying in bed, he couldn't free his mind of thoughts of Max; sitting at his desk was the same, as was cooking, working, writing and everything else. She dominated both his conscious and his subconscious so much that when he'd put pen to paper in the last days, the words had written themselves and were centered solely on Max.
It hadn't been long since he'd introduced Max to his poetry, giving her a small taste of the words that filled his mind when his thoughts turned to her, but his book of musings had grown since that night. For the first time in quite a while, Logan felt ready to share part of those thoughts with her, and again he glanced up at her, swallowing nervously as he prepared himself for what was to come.
When they finished with dinner, Logan stalled for a few minutes longer, clearing the table and setting the dishes to soak before he joined Max in the living room. As usual, he found her staring out over the city, her thoughts darkening her eyes as she sighed deeply before turning at the sound of the exoskeleton's hum.
"The world that bad, Max?" He gave her a soft smile as he flicked his gaze towards the window and then back to her.
"No worse than usual."
"Then why the dark expression? No offense, Max, but you look like you're expecting the ceiling to fall in on us."
Max's lips curved upwards but her gaze was hard. A tinge of bitterness edged into her voice as she spoke. "At this point, it wouldn't surprise me."
"What does?"
"Things going right."
Logan sighed. Somehow during their journey through the last months, he'd missed the day that Max left behind her "it's all good" attitude and began to let things get to her. Her sarcasm was sharper these days, her bitterness more biting and her pessimism was slowly growing. Logan was beginning to wonder if he hadn't waited too long to let Max in on the secrets of his heart, but at this point there was no turning back. Max would either accept everything that Logan had to say and do over the days to come, or she wouldn't and they'd be back at square one. Either way, Logan had to know that, late or not, he'd at least tried to let her know that she is loved.
"So, I guess I promised you a surprise, didn't I?" He gave her a quick wink and a warm smile, making her lips curve into a genuine grin.
"I thought the picture was it. I'm gettin' more?"
He shrugged. "A little tonight, maybe even more tomorrow if you're good."
She grimaced. "Ugh, I have to be good?"
He chuckled softly as the sparkle returned to her eyes, and once again Max relaxed. "Well, we'll see." He moved towards the doorway, Max following closely. He paused and turned, holding up a hand, making her stop in her tracks. "Just give me a minute, I'll meet you back out here."
She shrugged and pouted, making her way back to the sofa and thumping down onto it, pulling her feet underneath her body. "Don't keep me waiting long."
He laughed and shook his head. "Never."
Logan moved into the computer room, pulling open the desk drawer and retrieving his book of poetry. His fingers clutched at the hardened cover compulsively as he suddenly began to doubt his choice of gifts. It was his latest poem that he wanted Max to read most desperately, a gold leaf bookmark placed upon the page it was located, and yet, again, he feared her reaction. He knew he couldn't back down, he'd promised himself that he would do everything possible to show her how he felt, but his poetry was a part of him very few people shared. He wanted her to read the poems and understand what he was trying to say, he wanted her to know the depth of emotion he felt towards her, but he also had to brace himself for the flight that would come. He knew that this time Max would run, he wasn't trying to convince himself otherwise, he just wondered if he was strong enough to finish the chase.
He drew in a deep breath, pulling the book to his chest as he walked with a determined step towards the living room. Max glanced up immediately, raising her eyebrows and biting down on her lower lip as she scanned him for signs of her surprise. He couldn't help but chuckle at the look on her face as he grew closer, his thoughts shifting again, telling him that no matter how she reacted, he was ready to see this through till the end. He took a moment to ponder how confusing human thought patterns could be, conflicting from moment to moment, but Max's outstretched hands returned his thoughts to the moment.
"Well?" She held her hands out expectantly, both eagerness and slight trepidation showing in her eyes, but she'd learned well from this morning, and she needed to know what it was Logan wanted to give her.
He hesitated momentarily, biting the inside of his lower lip as his fingers caressed the book in his hands. He cleared his throat, and swallowed. "You once expressed an interest in my poetry," he cleared his throat again, shifting nervously. "If that interest still stands, I, ah, want you to have this." He lowered the book into her waiting hands, backing away once again, sitting across from her and running his fingers through his hair.
Max glanced down at the book in shock, her own fingers playing across the cover in a delicate touch as she altered her gaze from the poetry to the man. "You're... you're giving me your poetry?"
He nodded, shifting in discomfort. "That is if you, ah, still want it." Logan forced himself to swallow further words, forced himself to not allow her an out. He'd done what he'd intended, he'd given her the poetry and he refused to try and take it back. //Never get anywhere in this world without risks, Cale.//
Uncertainty flashed across Max's features, a tinge of fear, and then something that Logan couldn't name began to grow in her eyes, spreading across her face until she very nearly glowed. It was then that she smiled, a beautiful, radiant smile, as she clutched the book to her chest. "I... I... thank you." Max found herself at a loss of words as she tried to find something to say to express what she was feeling, but when she looked into Logan's eyes and watched his own fear melt into relief and pleasure, she knew he understood. "Do you want me to read one now?"
His eyes traveled down to the book, and he nodded slowly. "There's a bookmark."
Max allowed her fingers to play across the golden leaf that marked the page, swallowed deeply, and then opened the book.
~~~
Soon Enough
When darkness descends
Comes my dark angel
To the circle of awareness
That is my life.
She brings with her
Beauty
Pleasure
Need
Passion
She lifts me out
Of the chair that confines me
Frees me from bonds
That a bullet created.
When I'm with her I can
Dream
Love
Dance
Live
Impossible has no meaning
When she is near
Even while we're separated
By invisible walls.
Her touch means everything
Pain
Desire
Life
Death
They can't poison our hearts
As they have our bodies
We're stronger than they know
Tomorrow is soon enough.
~~~
Max read the poem in silence and then read it once again, allowing the words to sink in before she looked up to meet Logan's concerned gaze. Logan, for his part, was not unaware of the tension that built in Max's body as she sat in silence, and he prepared himself, once again, for Max to run.
When she said nothing, merely staring at him with a thoughtful gaze, Logan shifted in his chair. Seconds passed, possibly a minute, possibly an hour, possibly a lifetime; Logan couldn't be sure how much time went by as he forced himself to keep meeting her gaze, all he knew was that one way or another, he wished she'd react so he could begin to cope.
End Part Five