All Fairytales End – Chapter Two

Disclaimer: As for Chapter One. I don't own the lyrics from "If Walls Could Talk." They belong to Out of Pocket Productions and are off the CD, Celine All The Way…A Decade of Song.

Summary:

Spoilers/Timeframe: Occurs after 'Designate This'. Sorry if I mucked everyone up. But since I don't know much about season two, I thought I'd better just stick to basics.

Rating: PG-13

A/N:

Thank you Pari106, you're a legend. You've stuck with me through all my posts and I really appreciate your comments.


Boy he hated mornings. This morning particular morning was no exception, his head throbbed and his eyes hurt like hell. Fumbling for his glasses on the bedside table, he grabbed them and slipped them on his nose. After blinking, a few times he turned his head to read the alarm clock. What? Only 5:48 am. Something was wrong with his body, what the hell was it waking up for at this ungodly hour? Taking his glass off he dropped them back onto the table. Logan groaned, his body still felt like a truck had gone over it and reversed a few times for good measure. Fate sure knew what cards to deal him, although Sam assured him that the infections he contracted had caused no permanent damage, Logan was sure it had. Max had disappeared again, not that it was any great surprise. When things got too hot to handle she ran. Closing his eyes, trying not to remember what happened in the last three months.

She was dressed in a light blue t-shirt and black jeans. Standing there like that, she almost looked shy but Logan knew better. Underneath that innocent and beautiful exterior lay a hardened soldier. Her hair was pinned in a messy pile atop her head and loose curls brushed her ears. In the sunlight, her dark hair shone the blood red streaks standing out. She chewed on her bottom lip and before she could open her mouth to speak, he had gathered her up in his arms and held her tight. There was no way in the world that he was going to let go again. He had thought he'd lost her forever after their blotched Manticore raid, and then one night she'd disappeared without a word to anyone. Not fully believing that she was in his grasp, he had asked, "Tell me this is real." She had answered him plainly and simply.

"I'm here, Logan."

She had gone on to explain what she hadn't contacted him and why she'd stayed away, it wasn't anything he hadn't already concluded himself. At that moment, he hadn't cared about her reasons, just that she was there. He'd even been crazy enough to say, "We'll find a way Max. I promise." What kind of dumbass promise was that? He'd obviously never learned anything in their time apart. Never make promises you just can't keep.

Logan had spent three days in a coma with a high fever and everyone; especially his doctor, feared he wouldn't make it. But after a further few days, he was airlifted to Seattle and transferred out of intensive care. Sam seemed to dodge having to speak to Logan directly, sending messages through Bling or Asha and conveniently checking on him whilst he was asleep. For weeks, he almost couldn't move at all. He could barely lift his arms and he struggled to feed or relieve himself. The most frustrating thing had been the fact that he was now worse off than he had been after the gunshot to the back. He'd become bitter and he'd taken it out on the people closest; the people who stuck around when they didn't have to, the very people who didn't deserve it.

"Just shoot me, Bling." He'd do it himself if he could but he couldn't manage to get off the bed, let alone go traipsing off to grab a firearm. When Bling just stood there glaring at him, Logan pressed further. "Look at me. I'm worse than a cripple. At least before I could manage on my own, I wasn't an invalid. Just look at me." He practically spat; his fury was spiralling out of control. He just wished he could rip something apart or break it. Better yet, just end his pathetic life.

"I'm looking Logan and I don't see a cripple anywhere. You should be thankful that girl didn't kill you. Sam told me the report came back from that doctor in Dallas. What's her name? Josie Lu." He moved across to the window. Staring out at the gray sky, dark clouds were gathering, another storm and more acid rain. Bling looked over his shoulder at Logan. He'd settled somewhat but he still looked mighty sorry for himself. "Do you want to know what it said?" Logan didn't respond, he just sat there and pretended to look indifferent. Bling knew better than to buy that act. "You know what. Feel sorry for yourself, you know how many children die from Meningitis. It's rare for adults to contract it but you did and you survived, count yourself lucky that you don't have any brain damage." He held back from mentioning Logan's spine, it was still too early to tell if there where any repercussions in that department. "The report says that in both blood samples tested, there where streptococcus bacteria and it said something about Max's blood- "

"Why do you come?" Logan cut in. Bling faced him with a hurt expression on his face, it was quickly masked but Logan had seen it and immediately regretted his words. "I…"

Bling grabbed his bag and was already at the door before Logan could think up an adequate apology but before he exited his sent one last look in Logan's direction.

"Maybe I should tell Asha not to come tonight, save her from getting her head bitten off. You want to get back on your feet, get your act together first." He left Logan to think about his actions.

Bling must have made good on his warning and told Asha what an ass he was being, because she stayed away. They both did for the rest of his stay in the hospital. On the day of his release, he called Bling and apologised. His friend had forgiven him and helped him settle in back home and for a while, everything returned to normal. Well, as normal as they could be without Max around.

Knowing it was still early, Asha opened the door as quietly as she could and dropped her grocery bags on the kitchen counter.

Pulling out the ingredients she needed she packed the remaining groceries into the cupboards and the fridge. For a moment, she stood in the middle of the kitchen, deliberating whether it was worth starting breakfast if Logan was still asleep. She got her answer when she heard the sound of water running. So he was up, must be a good sign considering he usually hated getting out of bed in the morning. Asha rummaged through her backpack and pulled out her CDs, walking to the lounge she pushed the power button on the stereo and opened the CD tray. She was about to change one of them when she noticed that one of the discs was by Celine Dion. What was Logan doing with mushy pre-pulse music? Despite her usual distaste for emotive junk, she pushed the tray back in and hit play. It must have been pre-programmed because the stereo jumped to track eleven and started playing.

It started with a funky beat and the singer's voice was pretty nice. Asha collected a pot from the cupboard and partly filled it with water and set it to boil. As the words filtered through from the lounge, her heart skipped a beat.

These walls keep a secret

That only we know

But how long can they keep it

Cause we're two lovers who lose control

We're two shadows chasing rainbows

Behind closed windows

Behind closed doors

How long had she wished that she could shout to the world that she loved Logan and for a while he had been hers? Within these walls they had shared many nights; dancing, laughing, watching old movies and making love late into the night.

If walls could talk- oh

They would say "I want you more"

They would say "hey- never felt like this before"

And that you would always be

The one for me

Just two people making memories

Just too good to tell

And these arms are never empty

When we're lying where we fall

We're painting pictures, making magic, taking chances,

Making love…

No matter how much she wished that Logan was her's, she knew that would never be true. There was only one woman that held Logan's heart and even though she'd almost killed him. He still hadn't let go of her. Asha blindly reached for the oatmeal and a wooden spoon. Pouring the meal into the boiling water, she stirred slowly. She stared deep into the pan almost as if she could see through it. Like her life was mirrored in the lumpy creamy porridge. She continued to listen to the song, unconscious of the tears that were blending in as she stirred.

…If the walls had eyes- my

They would se the love inside

They would see- me

In your arms in ecstasy

And with every move they'd know

I love you so…

Realising that her face was a wet sloppy mess, she wiped her sleeve across it. Why did she have to go and turn that stereo on? As if she really needed reminding of how pathetic, her life really was. She'd thought that she could let it all go, obviously not. Just hearing some sentimental crap had sent her over the edge and back into the same pit she'd just pulled herself out of.

Hearing the bedroom door open, she panicked. She couldn't let Logan see her like this. He'd start asking questions and it wouldn't take an Einstein to figure out what she'd been all teary over. Turning the burner on low, she frantically collected her jacket and dashed for the front door.

As he stepped out of the bedroom, Logan distinctly heard a scuffle, then the front door slam. Weird? He shook his head and walked into the kitchen. He noticed the pot bubbling on the stove and Asha's backpack in the hall. So she'd come early and started breakfast, had she forgotten something? It took him several moments to realise that the stereo was playing. It was playing his mother's favorite album. Going to the stove, he picked up the spoon and began stirring. Looking closer, he noticed that there were a few little droplets around the pan and on the counter. Running his finger through a few, he placed his finger in his mouth. The moisture tasted slightly salty, wasn't water. But why would Asha have been crying? He made a mental note to try to find out when she came back. He hated to see her cry; something about seeing a woman upset unnerved him.