Author Update: For all those who have been asking, the next chapter deals exclusively with Max and her experiences at Manticore. Be patient, it's coming! : )

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Dr. Leo Abrams finished suturing the wound on Cam's head. Nearly six inches in length, the bullet had entered behind her right ear, dug a groove into the skull, and exited above her right temple.
Logan stood nearby, watching. He had driven straight to Leo's, rather than taking Cam to a hospital. He knew that Manticore, or whoever had tried to kill him, would be watching the area hospitals. Leo was a friend, he had helped Eyes Only in the past and Logan knew he could be trusted.


Putting aside his needle, Dr. Abrams sighed and wiped his hand over his face. Squinting up at Logan, he said, "Well, I have to say this girl was extremely lucky. Sometimes bullets can be fickle...they do strange things once they enter the body. By all rights, she should be dead, instead of just having a concussion and 35 stitches."
Logan sagged against the counter, relieved. "I'm so glad you were home, Leo. I wouldn't have known who trust with this..."
Leo waved him off. "Think nothing of it, Cale. You got me in touch with Eyes Only and managed to clear my name in that organ harvesting scandal. Without you, I would've been rotting in jail for something I didn't do...I owe you my life." Gesturing at Cam, he said, "This is the least I could do to repay you."


Logan nodded absently, staring at Cam. She was beginning to regain consciousness. He moved to the side of the exam table and leaned down, speaking softly. "Cam? Can you hear me? Cam?"
Her small, pink tongue snaked out, licking her lips. Slowly, Cam's eyes fluttered open and she stared up at Logan. He started, something about her gaze reminded him of Max. It wasn't the eyes...Max's eyes had been a dark, smoky brown, whereas Cam's eyes were bright hazel, the left iris bisected, half hazel, half brilliant green. Shaking off the moment, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Wha...what happened? My head hurts..." she trailed off weakly.

Dr. Abrams took over, "You were shot, ma'am. Can you tell me your full name?"

"Camille Johnson...everyone calls me Cam."

"Well, everyone-calls-me-Cam, you are an incredibly lucky young lady! Other than a good-sized scar, you'll make a full recovery."


Selecting a small flashlight from his tray of instruments, Dr. Abrams checked Cam's pupils. "You do have a concussion, so your head will hurt for a few days. There'll probably be a little vertigo, but nothing really to worry about." Clicking off the light, he prepared a sterile gauze pad and some surgical tape. "Keep the dressing on for the first 24 hours, then let the wound breathe. No showers, no washing your hair, not for awhile. The stitches can come out in 10 to 14 days. Got all that?"

Cam nodded, wincing from the pain. Finished with the bandage, Dr. Abrams stepped back, "Do you have family or friends in the area? You need to keep off your feet for a few days."
"No...no one close...my brother was the last family I had left." Eyes tearing up, she turned her face away.

Logan looked at Dr. Abrams, then it Cam, her thin form shaking as she wept. He laid his hand on her shoulder, "You can stay with me...I have a guest room, so space isn't a problem."

Without looking at him, Cam said, "No, I couldn't put you to the trouble...you don't even know me!"

"It's no trouble at all. If it wasn't for me, none of this would've happened. It's the least I can do..."

"But..."

"No," Logan cut in, "I insist...no arguments, no apologies."

Cam looked at him warily, as though she were trying to figure out his motivation for the offer. Raising both hands to shoulder level, Logan stepped back.

"I promise I'm not a psycho or a pervert, nothing of the sorts!"

A weak smile came over Cam's face, "Yeah," she said, "you're just a good Samaritan, that gets shot at occasionally."

Logan smiled back, "Something like that.", he answered.



Half an hour later, after Dr. Abrams had printed out the Codeine prescription and drilled Logan on the care and keeping of Cam's wounds, the two strangers were on their way.
They were silent for a time, Logan concentrating on the road, Cam leaning back in the passenger seat, eyes closed.

"You awake?"

"Yeah," Cam replied, her voice thick, "I got such a headache...I couldn't sleep if I wanted to."

"Good," Logan said, "remember, you have to stay awake for a while because of the concussion."

"I remember..." opening her eyes, Cam turned her head to look at Logan. "So, are you going to tell me what all that was about? Back at the cemetery?"

Logan sighed, "I was afraid you would ask...it's a long story, rather complicated really."

"Well, give me the condensed version."

"Condensed, huh? okay...I fell into a situation, brought to light some info the government would rather have kept secret, and pissed off whole bunch of people. Now they want me dead...simple as that." He glanced at Cam, trying to gauge her reaction.

With a completely confused look on her face, she said, "Okay...scratch the condensed version...give me the whole story."

"I'd rather not go into it right now...like I said...its long and complicated."

"Oh, I see," Cam said defensively, "you don't think you can trust me! Well, Mr. Cale! I nearly got my head blown off because of you and your 'complicated' story! So I think I deserve to hear what's going on!" Her eyes flashing, she folded her arms and stared out the window.

Logan was amazed by Cam's sudden anger. She reminded him of Max, the way she was pouting, refusing to look at him. ' and in a moment, ' he thought, ' she's going to explode again. Then she'll apologize and act like nothing happened. '

Cam didn't disappoint him. She twisted in her seat and spat, "And another thing! The doctor said I can't go to sleep, I have to stay up so I've got the time! Why won't you tell me?"

She took a shuddering breath, suddenly contrite, she added, "I'm sorry I yelled you...God, he must think I'm a nut..." raising her hands, Cam gingerly massaged her temples, taking care not to touch her bandage.

"No, that's OK, you've been through a lot today...you obviously needed to vent. I don't mind..."

"How did you get to be so nice?" She asked in wonder.

"I honestly don't know...look, why don't you relax, will be in the city soon. I promise that I'll tell you what I can once we get to my place."

"All right... that sounds fine..." leaning back, she closed her eyes again.

Logan stared straight ahead...what was going to tell her? How much is too much, he wondered. What does she need to know and why do I feel so strongly that I should tell her everything? Is it because she reminds me of Max? God, I'm confused...get a grip on yourself! I'll figure out what to do what I...we...get home.