EPISODE 1: AVOIDING HOPE!

Refer to Chapter 1 for all disclaimer details.

A/N: Sorry about the slow progression of the chapters, I'm not to well at the moment, I've had one of my teeth taken out and I'm a bit discomforted at the moment. At least I don't stutter when I write!

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Logan knocked on the door. "Ladies, its 7:20 and we need to be seated by 7:30 so we better get a move on." Max snapped out of her trance and grabbed her bag. Jondy did the same and Max was out the door headed for the front door.

"Hey!" Max spun around in response to Logan and Jondy's call in unison.

"Max, I think you have forgotten a significant part of the evening routine. You haven't allowed your own boyfriend to comment on your dress. Gosh girl, you really are the tomboy!" Max was obviously taken aback with Jondy's plans to help find the cure.

"I'm...sorry, I just think we should get a move on. Logan knows he scrubs up good, he doesn't need me to tell him that." Logan didn't know if he should feel great because of the compliment or concerned because Max was avoiding any contact with him. Actually, the avoidance wasn't new.

"Max, at least let him tell you that you look like the biggest hottie. That part is the reason a girl dresses up." Jondy obviously didn't expect Max's response to be one of avoidance. Jondy only told Max of her plans so Max would stop avoiding Logan, the plan backfiring with Max's avoidance doubling. Max won't even look in Logan's eyes.

"Jondy, it's okay. We should get going." Logan was hurt, he was very subtle in his approach to hide his feeling but at the same time was a horrible liar. Logan was first out the front door and Max following with plenty of distance between them leaving Jondy to lock up the dorm.

"Great. This evening is going to be fun." Jondy silently spoke to herself as she locked the door and headed for the lift.

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Logan sat next to Jondy and Max was next to Jondy in the conference room viewing area. Jondy seat was vacant as she was taking questions from the media in the conference room. She looked so nervous as she spoke of her findings and was constantly being flashed at by photographers. The desk in front of her was filled with microphones, tape recorders and other audio equipment recording everything she says. Logan tried to concentrate on the conference and not on Max, but like always anytime she was in the room meant he could think properly on anything but her.

Max looked so incredible; the red streaks mixed with the sexy dress made Max look so gorgeous. Anytime she moved Logan could feel his heart race. But every time he allowed himself to think that way he was always nipped in the butt with the way Max was acting tonight. Logan could understand that Max didn't want to get hurt, but what he didn't understand was why she would dress so beautifully and then totally give him the cold shoulder. Did Max want to make Logan jealous by flirting with other guys tonight? That didn't make sense, Max had only spoken when she needed to tonight, she wasn't making any moves on any guys. Logan couldn't figure Max out and it troubled him because he got the feeling that something was something concerning their relationship, and Max had clearly wanted to avoid everything on that subject, or did she? Logan was so confused. He had to confront her.

"Max, is everything okay?" Max almost grimaced when Logan spoke to her.

"Sure, why wouldn't they be?" Logan was so used to the attempted 'gotta blaze' tone Max was accustomed to.

"Max, I don't get you tonight. You tell me you want to have some space and I get that and I respect that, but then you come out and look gorgeous, then you avoid me, I do get it. I'm getting mixed messages."

"Jondy said she may be able to help us. With the cure." Max turned and looked at Logans face, a face that almost was tired with hope.

"Okay. When did she tell you this-"

"Right before you knocked on Jondy's door. Logan, I'm sorry but a couple of months ago I would of been skipping around your apartment with the hope that we could be together, but now I'm just tired of being let down and I don't want to get my hopes up just for them to be shattered again. I don't think I could go on like that." Max seemed like she was pleading to Logan.

"I understand. Max, I get how you're feeling cause I'm feeling it to, but you keep shutting me out, if there is one thing your good at that's shutting me out and I can't stand that. Max, the only thing we got right now is words so you've got to talk to me, we've got to feel this through together. Max, we are going to get through this cause we are meant to be." Logan put a hand on Max's knee and Max shuddered then realising Logan's hand was gloved.

"I'm just so tired of all this, I need you so much, this is killing me Logan. The fact I love you is killing me." Logan quickly switched seats to Max's and tried to comfort Max the best way he could without making contact with her skin.