Disclaimer: See chapter 1… The character of Jack is used by permission of "a fan" from the Cale Diaries
Feedback: Please! Please! Please! I thrive on the feedback, plus I don't know if I should continue or not if I don't hear anything…
Author Notes: Sorry for the long delay between this chapter and the last one… Major writers block and real life (i.e. Halloween costumes to be made, Thanksgiving, Xmas shopping) all conspired to keep me away from the keyboard. For those of you who wanted and NC-17 chapter… I actually have an NC-17 version of the entire story.
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Logan dreaded mornings and the ensuing depression that awareness brought. In the early months of his injury he would awaken in a panic, startled at the lack of sensation in his lower half. Dreams were his escape, in his dreams he walked, he danced… He was whole. It was in his first few moments of consciousness, before he had a chance to raise his shields that Logan was at his most vulnerable, when he was swamped by a tidal wave of sorrow and regret. Willfully, Logan pushed those thoughts aside, instead focusing on the warm weight on his chest. Max's head was resting on his breast, her hot breath tickling his chest, her arm thrown across his ribcage, holding him tight, her leg wrapped around his. He could feel her pressed closely, allowing no space to come between them. Leaning down he pressed a reverent kiss to her scalp, inhaling deeply, he was pleased by the scent that was uniquely Max.
Max began to waken, groaning slightly, she rocked her head, from side to side, as if in denial, as if she too dreaded the reality that morning brought. Stretching, she reached up and nipped him on the chin.
"Morning sexy" she sighed, her voice still husky from sleep.
"MMMmmm…." Logan replied, gently rubbing his hand across her cheek, and through her hair. "Hungry?"
"As if you need to ask…" She grinned.
Logan's hand was cupping her bottom, his other hand resting on her breast. "And what would my sleeping beauty like?"
With a low growl Max drew her over his body. "Whatever you're offering would be just fine."
Dropping her head she brought her lips to his, her tongue lazily exploring the contours of his mouth.
"You're a wicked woman, Max." Logan stated breathlessly. She just continued to grin.
"Yeah, but you like it" she returned cockily. "Now… what's for breakfast?"
"First and foremost, coffee… This is Seattle you know." Logan replied as he valiantly pulled himself from the sensual haze engulfing him.
Max jumped up, her perfect figure drawing an admiring gaze from Logan. "I know I've got some clothes I've left here, any idea where they might be?"
"Top drawer of the dresser… Don't have too much use for that one myself… While you're up, want to grab me some boxers?" Logan queried. At her inquiring look he replied, "Dresser, third drawer down."
Max prowled over to the dresser, first grabbing Logan's shorts and tossing them to him. "Wow… I didn't realize I'd left this much over here… All the choices, what's a girl to do?" She asked as she pawed through the drawer.
Finally deciding on a tight gray t-shirt and a pair of black track pants, she bent over sliding in to her bottoms, providing Logan with the most interesting view of her derriere. He enjoyed the show as he shimmied into his boxers, and transferred to his chair. Max finished dressing and turned to see Logan rolling to the closet with a most delicious grin on his face. Max followed, availing herself to the sink within.
"You have an extra toothbrush around here, or should I just use yours?" Max asked as she finished washing off her face.
"There's probably an extra under the sink." Logan mumbled as he pulled his shirt over his head. "Or you can use mine, whatever works."
Max scrounged beneath the cabinet, and found a toothbrush, still fresh in the wrapping. "Wow, real toothpaste even." She said around a mouthful of toothpaste. Max finished rinsing her mouth and dried off her face. Standing back up she surveyed Logan thru the mirror. Damn, looking good Cale. Max turned, following Logan to the kitchen.
"Want me to start the coffee?" Max asked.
Remembering her last effort Logan grimaced, "that's OK, and I'll do that."
She stuck her tongue out at him, "Will I ever live that down? So, anyway what's for breakfast?" Max inquired as she rummaged through the fridge.
"How about an omelet? Ham and cheese?"
"Sounds great to me. By the way, what's the plan for today?"
Logan hesitated, "I have a basketball game later, other than that I'm free." Absolute silence greeted his announcement, Max just continued shredding cheese. Logan knew she was waiting for an invitation to join him, but something held him back. He wasn't too sure how he felt about having Max, his super-girl, watching him struggle off the court. She'd caught the tail end of a game before, but just the end…
She might think it foolish how hard they all pressed to win… She might not understand how empowering it was for them all to be on an even playing ground, even if just for a few hours of the week… All these reasons and more held Logan back as his mind and heart battled over the situation… She had told him he didn't need the mask though, and to let her in… Granted he had let her in somewhat… Inviting her to the game would be letting her in… Taking a risk… Allowing her to see him struggle… Well, What the hell, in for a penny in for a pound…
"Yeah, I thought you might like to come… to the basketball game…" Logan said as he finished cracking the eggs.
Her face broke out in a huge grin, as she finished off the cheese. "I'd love to." Max said, and then added "just so you know, had you not invited me, I would have followed you anyway!"
Logan just shook his head. Trust Max not to let him hide. "I usually go a bit early, shoot around a bit… we should just have enough time to eat and run… does that work for you?"
"Not a problem, pass me a plate and let's eat."
Max wolfed down her food, "Delicious, as usual." Picking up her plate and Logan's she took them to the sink. "You run along and get yourself ready, I'll take care of the dishes." She called after his rapidly departing back.
Logan rushed off to the exercise room and switched chairs. Finding his pack he threw in his leg strap and a few basketballs, and placing it on his lap rolled out to the door to see Max ready and waiting, a ball cap pulled low over her eyes. She preceded Logan out and called the elevator while he locked up. As he came up along side her his large hand came to circle around her inner thigh. She gave him a warning look, he just continued to smile. Logan was most disappointed when the elevator arrived and he had to remove his hand.
They exited to the street, Max's hand resting on his shoulder. He appreciated her need to touch him, and dropped a soft sweet kiss on the back of her hand as they made their way to the park. When they reached the court, there was only one other there. Logan pulled his duffel from his lap and set it on the bench, rummaging around for his leg strap; he called to the other player.
"Max, I'd like you to meet Jack, he's the one that helped get back into the game. Jack, this is my… girlfriend, Max." Max lit up with Logan's admission, she reached for Logan's arm and turned on her mega watt smile, dazzling both men.
Jack could see the love and support so easily shared between these two. He'd seen Max once before, at the end of a game, but something had definitely changed between them, the uncomfortable tension was gone. Seeing something out of the corner of his eye, Jack turned and called "Be right back" and rolled fast to the path at the far side of the court. Max watched him approach a small blonde, and taking her cooler brought her over to the court.
"Max, Logan, this is my wife, Anne… Our two rug-rats are at home, causing havoc no doubt." He added the last with a grin of paternal pride.
"It's nice to meet you Logan, I've heard a lot about you… all good, I promise." Anne said as she extended her hand. Logan was momentarily taken back; shaking hands and having people address him directly were a part of his old life, and not something many people did anymore. "And Max, I'm sure I will be hearing a lot about you too… at least I better." She said, holding a hand out to Max and swatting at Jack with the other, as he made a playful pinch at her behind.
Anne was an openly friendly petite blonde, who was extremely adept at making people comfortable around here. She was one of those people that others just naturally gravitate to. Anne had the easygoing beauty of the girl next door, but underneath she possessed a core of strength that belied her easygoing personality.
Anne and Max relaxed on the bench, chatting about trivial matters, as the men
rolled out to the court and started shooting around.
"You're a lucky man, Jack"
"Yeah, I know" he replied, shooting a glance at his wife. "You've got a great thing going there yourself. Don't let her go."
"Yeah, she's not going anywhere without me, she's kind of drilled that into my head by now" Logan chuckled.
As the rest of the players showed up Anne was careful to introduce Max to each of them, making sure they were clear that she was Logan's girl. Logan was impressed watching her, the wheelchairs really didn't bother her, and she was just as easygoing with the guys as she would have been meeting anyone else. The guys for their part were impressed; they too were use to the accompanying awkwardness of introductions. As the men separated into teams Logan received many comments on Max. "She's a keeper." "Don't let that one loose." Logan swelled with pride; he didn't realize until that moment how important their acceptance of Max was.
Logan's play during the first quarter was lackluster at best; he hadn't even broken a sweat. Jack pulled him aside, "Logan, what's up? You're not really into the game… You're not your usual aggressive self." At Logan's rising flush Jack guessed the cause. "Man, you can't really think that Max is going to think any less of you seeing you sprawled on the court… Personally she seems to be the kind of girl that would get pissed if she knew you were holding back."
At that comment Logan's eyes popped up. "You're probably right; it's just… hard sometimes…"
"Trust me, I know…" Jack replied his eyes finding Max and Anne, "but you have to drop that if you want something lasting… don't hold her at arms length… I almost lost Anne by doing that… Let her in… on all of it… something tells me, that girl can handle it… Now, ready to PLAY?"
Logan took Jack's words to heart, and played hard. During the second quarter he scored 8 points, and got 2 offensive rebounds, he was having a hell of a good time and forgot to be concerned with his image in Max's eyes. Max in turn got much more into the game, joining Anne in her hooting and hollering, cheering on both teams.
At half time the guys all came over to the bench. Anne passed out chilled water bottles from the cooler and Max passed out towels to dry up the pouring sweat. Max approached Logan last, and pressed the cloth to his face, dropping a kiss to his forehead.
"Nice playing out there." She whispered into his ear.
Logan reached up and pulled her to his lap, "I'll show you some even nicer moves later" he whispered into her ear. Forgetting where they were, Max arched back and ran her lips along his neck, earning a round of applause from the gathered men. Startled and embarrassed Max tried to stand, only to be held by Logan's steely grip. "Later." He promised in a voice meant for her ears only. Logan lifted her off his lap and in a much louder voice called, "Game time."
In the first few minutes of the 3rd quarter what Logan had been dreading most happened. He was leaning out for a rebound, when he felt himself falling. Max for her part stifled a squeal, the game went on and she wanted to run out and help Logan. Anne recognized the urge and placed a staying hand on her shoulder. "He'll be OK. It happens all the time; if there were any concern over serious injury they'd stop the game. Just let him do it… he needs to do it… and whatever you do, don't mention it… it's just part of the game… Trust me… the first few games I watched of Jack's nearly killed me… I had to sit on my hands…" Anne spoke softly to Max, almost as if chanting a mantra, until she could see Max relax. "Now put that smile back on your face girl… otherwise he'll think he seeing pity… men can never get pity and concern straight… I still have to set Jack straight on that one every now and again." she sighed.
When Logan got back into his chair he looked over to Max, and was relieved to see her still watching the game, still cheering. He wondered why he had been dreading it so much. In the 4th quarter the intensity picked up even more, there were several more falls, and more hooting and hollering from the sidelines. Logan fell out of his chair late in the fourth. This time was easier for Max, but she still had to force herself to remain on the sidelines. As the game ended the guys came back over towards the bench, finishing their water and wiping down their sweaty faces and hands.
At a signal from Anne, she and Max went for a walk. "They usually have a bit of a gripe session after each game, kind of like a support group, as if they'd ever admit it… so I usually leave them to it… I think our presence would just hamper the conversation…" Anne explained.
"Do you go to all the games?" Max asked curious
"Not all of them, but I try, I love watching Jack… there's an edge to him on the court that I don't get to see anywhere else."
"I know what you mean… I don't think I've ever seen Logan so… I don't know how to explain it."
"It brings out their competitive spirit… I think we're safe to head back now."
Jack and Logan were the only two left as Anne and Max returned. As they gathered up their respective gear Anne pulled Jack to the side. After a few minutes of whispered conversation Jack nodded his head.
"Hey Logan, Why don't you and Max come over for a barbeque tonight?"
Logan looked to Max for confirmation before answering. "Sounds great, we'll bring the steaks, about what time?"
"Well, it's going on 2 now, how about around 5:30 or 6:00?"
"Sounds good." The men exchanged addresses and said their farewells as Anne and Max finished packing up. Max deposited the bag back on Logan's lap and leaned over to give him a kiss, her nose wrinkling in distaste.
"You definitely need a shower before we go anywhere." Max grinned.
Anne dropped her cooler into Jack's lap and smiled, "I'm sure the same goes for you too."
Smiling the couples headed off in their separate directions, Jack and Anne back to their SUV, Logan and Max headed out to the street, her hand resting lightly on his neck.
"To the market first?"
"Hell no, I wasn't kidding Logan, you really need a shower."
As they waited for the light to change Logan again held onto Max's leg, his thumb caressing her inner thigh. She looked down into his wickedly gleaming eyes, and flushed at the direction of her thoughts. Logan grinned, immensely please at the way her thoughts were headed.
"You didn't honestly thing I was planning on showering alone did you?" He asked with a leer.
After that comment they couldn't make it back to Logan's apartment quick enough. As they entered the elevator Logan dropped his bag to the floor and pulled Max to his lap, his lips finding her neck, alternately biting and kissing the area below her hairline. As the elevator door opened Max stood on unsteady legs and picked up the bag. Logan fumbled for his keys, and in a rush threw open the front door. Max was hot on his trail, dropping the gym bag to the floor and following Logan directly to the bathroom, shedding clothes as she went. Logan had stripped out of his shirt and was working on his shoes as Max entered, dressed in nothing save her thong.
"Wow, each time I see you I'm put in awe all over again." Logan said with a reverent sigh. Max's eyes dilated with desire, seeing his ripped chest and arms. "Hey Max, can you do me a favor? I need my other chair… it's in the exercise room."
As Max was grabbing the chair Logan finished undressing himself and slid into the shower. "How hot do you like it?" he asked as Max returned.
"Steamy…" She replied, the look of the devil in her eyes.
They stayed in the shower, washing and loving each other till the water turned cool.
"We really should get moving… we don't want to be late…" She sighed breathlessly.
"Yeah…" Logan agreed, and with a final nip to her neck he reluctantly released her.