Thanks to all those wonderful people who reviewed the last chapter, you
guys were really sweet!! Thanks again and I hope you enjoy
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The unnerving sound of clattering bikes, coupled with the irritatingly high pitched squealing of Normal's voice, welcomed Max as she strode into work. She'd gotten little sleep last night and as a result she was in a dark mood, which was only blackened further by her greeting. The incident was constantly replaying in her mind, and with ever viewing the possible repercussions became more and more frightening. After all, she had no clue who the girl was. Just that she'd been at one of her favorite hangouts and was able to bring down Alec. To her it seemed fairly likely that her cover had been blown and that they were chasing her down that very second.
"Well if it isn't Miss 'I like to show up late and expect to be paid'" Normal began glaring at her. Max upturned her lip curtly in response and wheeled her bike into the building. It was the normal routine. It wasn't as if she meant to be late, but things always seemed to happen to her. She couldn't help it if she was a transgenic trouble magnet. Normal just had to give her crap about it anyway, like it was his job.
"And look, she's half an hour late, again, perhaps you would prefer us to start half an hour later, is that better for you?" He asked trying his best to embarrass her. Unfortunately with his geeky hair, and irritating voice, he never seemed to be able to get it right.
"Why Normal, such a difference it would make, what an extra hour sleep in," She smirked, her full pink lips pulled tightly across her face. The look on Normal's face was priceless. He's cheeks shone bright red and his eyes bulged out of their sockets, Max was sure that any second his head would explode. She laughed beneath her breath and walked over to rack her bike.
Jampony seemed oddly empty. Usually there were people walking across the building floor and out the door every second, bikes and parcels in tow, every minute. Yet not today. Max looked around and noticed the staff were congregated around the small TV, and were sitting vigilantly, shushing and nudging one another. Max groaned inwardly.
"Here it is," She heard a relatively new employee whisper to the edgy crowd. She watched intensely, and new her fear was a reality when the words "hostage situation" flashed onto the screen of the small television. Groaning again she strode purposely towards the TV, dodging those who sat on the floor in front of her.
"Last night, in a relatively quite sector of Terminal City an entire club was held captive by a woman posing as a member of a band." The news reporter began.
"Guys this is rubbish," Max exclaimed turning the television off, her brow furrowed in confused anger. The crowd of devoted watchers, moaned angrily and told her to put in back on. Max was about to continue, with a 'don't you have something better to do?' but it was clear they did not for a piece of popcorn hit her in the forehead leaving remnants of butter and salt in its wake as it fell to the floor. Sometimes she felt sorry of the normal people of post pulse Seattle, very little went on now days that the public knew of anyway. There lives had become nothing more than a struggle to exist. Working three jobs wasn't uncommon for a father and an education was something very few children were privy to. But this knowledge didn't squash her desire to be one of them. To forget all about the darkness and to be blissfully unaware of the evils that lurked in the hearts of the powerful.
"Come on Boo, it's just a little curiosity," Original Cindy pressed. She like the rest of the crowd just wanted to know what had happened at Crash.
Max arched an eyebrow slightly and her jaw tightened as she directed a "you better stay out of this one" glare at her friend. Cindy groaned and slumped back into her chair. She wasn't angry just annoyed at Max's paranoia. As far as Cindy saw it they were going to find out someway, why not just let them rather than look conspicuous and refuse them the information they so desired. In her mind Alec had the right idea. He was sitting in front of the crowd with a bucket of popcorn pretending he too was intrigued by the incident.
"Max you made us leave and you don't tell." Sketchy began, but faltered as Max's eyes widened. He wasn't generally the shutting up type, but Max didn't generally look fearfully into his eyes. The audience began to whisper quietly.
"HOT RUN!" Normal called out, Max stood frozen in front of the television.
"Max," Alec said, looking up at her from his position on the floor. "How about you take the steam off that package." He insisted under the guise of mockery. Snapping back to reality Max walked over to Normal, relieved him of the package and retrieved her bike.
"And I expect some customer satisfaction this time missy," Normal snapped as she began wheeling her bike out of the "office." She stopped abruptly and turned to Normal, her eyes glowing.
"Yeah well next time hire him a hooker," she snapped back. Her last "Hot Run" had wanted slightly more satisfaction than the fast delivery of his package.
"But Max from what I've heard." Alex began a mischievous smile blazing across his face, as he remembered the night they had found the Manticore Merpeople in the mens bar.
"Don't start!" she snarled holding the package out at him warningly. "Or your little secret will be revealed." Alec smiled cheekily, holding his hands up in a mock submission, and pushed her no further. He couldn't help but stare as she retreated. Clad in three quarter length black sports pants, and her tight fitting jacket she still managed to look stunning. Perhaps it was her soft black hair, her wide eyes, or perhaps it was her perfectly shaped buttocks that always mad him wish he had had sex with her when he had had the chance.
Outside the sun beat down, through her dark hair onto the back of her neck, warming her to the core despite the cold mood she was in. Slipping her cap on, she mounted her bike and checked the address once more. It wasn't far from the office, the job would probably take her no more than thirty minutes and it took her through some familiar parts of town. With the sun on her back she found it pleasant especially in contrast to the incident the night before.
There had been no warning. The night had stated out so well. Her friends had been enjoying themselves, reveling in the night's pleasant entertainment. She'd almost forgotten she was different, even if she had only been there a few minutes. Sketchy's enthusiasm was like a drug, he always manage to make her forget her woes if only for an instant. It was unexplainable and then this woman came along and blew up all the normality she had left. She put Max in the limelight again, not only in the public's eyes, but the eyes of her friends. Sure Cindy already knew, and sometimes she thought it would be a relief to tell Sketchy. But with his obsession about Manticore and his unstable nature she had no clue as to what he would do with the information. No it was definitely better kept a secret.
The electronic screaming of Max's beeper woke her from her thoughts. She skidded to a stop by the side of the road and hooked it from her belt. She smiled as she realized it was Logan's number flashing across the screen. She looked up at the street ahead. Before her was a crossroad. The hot run address existed just another ten or so minutes ahead, where as Logan's house was two three minutes to the left. She rolled her tongue in her mouth. Maybe seeing Logan would do her good. Perhaps he could brighten her mood.
Having made her decision she mounted her bike and turned the handlebars before pedaling into the street that lead to Logan's. It was sort on the way she justified and would only take her a few minutes anyway. Then she would go and deliver the package, no sweat. It would only be a few minutes.
Max often wondered about the best way to get up to Logan's apartment. What if when she toughed the lift button, she left something and when Logan touched the same button later he contracted the virus. Indirect contact had resulted in contraction before. She sighed, such was the chance he took each time he invited her over. But even so, it didn't make it any easier for her.
The lift doors opened and Max stood on the threshold of the apartment, before her lay a series of black luggage bags. She looked at them quizzically. Her heart skipped a beat. Was he leaving? The thoughts speed through her mind. Surely he wasn't. Everything he owned, everything he was, existed here. She existed here. Perhaps that was why he was leaving. She'd been the cause of so much heartache for the both of them. Maybe it would be better this way. Max shock her head. "Your jumping to conclusions," she told herself.
The Lift door closed. "Is that you Max?" His soft voice called from his "office." She shock off and stepped over the bags and into the doorway to his office.
It was immaculate as usual; every piece of paper had its place, every expensive ornament its display space. She smiled there had been so many more when she'd first met him, when she'd first attempted to steal from him. Before he'd pawned them all, to finance Eye's only, and for her. She'd miss judged him horribly that night. Logan wasn't a "bad guy," quite the contrary he was solely saving the world. Well at least taking a step in the right direction anyway. And he'd saved her.
"In the flesh," she smiled, poised with gloved hands on her hips. He chuckled. Max's smile widened and she stepped forward into the room. Light heartedness barely existed between the two of them now days with all the pressure and the virus. So such moments were precious.
"So what's up? What little old problem can I fix for you today?" She smirked cheekily.
Logan smiled. He felt like reaching out and pulling her into his arms. There was nothing more beautiful than Max's cheeky smile, and he was so tired of dancing around her with a ten-foot pole. Sometimes he wondered if life would have been easier if she had have died that night. The morning was painful, but so was the living. It was just a question of which one hurt more. He smiled, his eyes gleaming behind his glasses.
"Ever heard of a Mr. Vincent Zalmstra?" He asked her not really expecting a response. Turning back to his computer he pulled up a file.
"No but let me guess, ultimate bad guy hell bent on destroying the wonderful society as we know it?" Max answered off handedly.
"Close," Logan smirked slightly. "He is the head of Seattle's Home for Parentally Challenged Boys,"
"Oh that orphanage in Sector 3." Max nodded.
"Yes, well, I've just received information that he's selling children." Logan always sounded so distantly cold when explaining the evils of a persons character, but he didn't fool Max. She knew that beneath the airy tone, she knew Logan was itching to see this man punished.
"Selling children?" Max asked mixed between confusion and disgust. "What for?" She asked unnecessarily. Tiny creases began to form in the corners of her eyes. 'The luggage Logan,' she thought to herself.
"That's what I need you to find out. There is a big banquette at Zalmstra's house tonight. I want you to." Max shook her head.
"Go in and check it out." she interjected. "Yeah whatever I'll be there." Neither of them had mentioned the luggage. Max was growing tense. If he was going surely he would have mentioned it by now. Max's thoughts began to turn irrational. 'What if they weren't luggage but a bomb planted without his knowledge. She was getting tense he hadn't mentioned the bags, did that mean he really was leaving.
The anger and confusion must have been clear in her eyes for Logan looked up and asked what was wrong. Max shock her head. "Nothing," she murmered.
"Come on Max," He asked. Max shrugged. "Its nothing, I'm just curious about the bags." She muttered.
"Bags?" He asked confused. Max's apprehension escalated, as she gestured towards the bags in the hallway.
"Oh those bags," Logan half laughed, half shuddered. "They belong to my cousin Carbon." he smiled knowingly as the tiny creases on Max's face disappeared. "She's staying with me while I help her find her parents." He said simply, Max nodded, finding it hard to conceal her relief.
Logan had a cousin. What else didn't she know about him? She wondered what she was like, whether she was in on the whole Eyes Only deal, or if she was another Cale bad girl. Either way Max wanted to meet her. "Well where is she? I mean if your working with her shouldn't she." Max saw Logan's face fall, and she trailed off.
"She down at the gym, Training." He replied simply. Max just nodded, not wanting to push it any further.
"Okay Zalmstra's should be easy enough, there will be security but no guest list as such, so you should be free to walk in and out as you please. I printed these off." He paused as he picked some papers up from the printer. "Floor plans, and a picture of the man himself."
"Thanks," Max said simply as she took them from Logan's out stretched hand, making sure her hands didn't come in contact with his. She looked down at him. He was so genuine, so giving, and in those eyes she always found comfort. No more than that, a part of her stirred.
"I've gotta blaze," she said, gesturing to her backpack. Oh god how she hated the creeps at Manticore. Logan nodded and Max made her way out of the apartment.
As she returned to the crossroad she couldn't help but wonder what she was going to do about Logan. She knew deep in her heart that she loved him. It was he who had kept her going during her return to Manticore. It was the hope that she would see him again that kept her alive. But despite the undeniable love, Max knew it just wasn't possible, not after what Manticore had done to them. She turned back onto the street and started towards her new destination.
Meanwhile back at Jampony Alec sat in a dark corner, trying not to be seen and sent out on a run. It wasn't that he didn't need the money, quite the contrary but he was mesmerized by the shinning metal piece engraved with the number.
He trailed his fingers over it, feeling the groves beneath his fingertips. He knew what it would seem like to an onlooker. Alec finally head over heals over a girl but nothing could be further from the truth. She intrigued him, her beauty had little to do with his fascination, though he did not deny an instant sexual attraction. But he wanted to know who she was, and her agenda, but if all this searching lead to a form of gratification, well he wasn't adverse to the idea. He looked up from his corner, the shadows falling across half his face as he surveyed the building. No was paying any attention. While Alec was intrigued with the girl subconsciously he was angry. The girl had beaten him and his pride was wounded but worse she appeared normal. He couldn't stop the thoughts that swam into his mind. 'Was he loosing his touch. How could a young girl beat him so badly.'
Reaching into his inside pocket Alec retrieved his small mobile phone and snapped it open. Looking from the blank screen to the engraved barrel and back again, he sighed once more and relaxed his tense shoulders. The keys glue an eerie yellow and as he pressed them a high pitched beep echoed through his head. Was this the right thing to do?' he thought. Perhaps he should seek out Logan's help in determining the origin of the number first, and whether it was potentially harmful.
He shrugged dismissively. 'Why ask Logan?' It was he who had the number. It was he who was trained. He didn't need Logan's help. Alec nodded and hit the call button. "I can do this," he said confidently as he held the phone up to his ear. But he couldn't quell the growing apprehension. For all he knew he could be ringing into a trap. Maybe the blue haired girl was working for White. He was contemplating hanging up the phone as it clicked into life.
"Hello," he heard her gasp through heavy breaths over the stereo that blasted pre-pulse metal down the phone line. He laughed inwardly as his mind flicked over all the possibilities, of what she could have been doing; happily settling on the fantasy that he'd interrupted her while in the middle of an intimate situation.
"Hi," He said coolly, his voice smooth. "Who am I talking to?" He asked, noting that her heavy breathing had slowed down, 'that was fast' he thought.
"Well that depends on who you are looking for" she teased provocatively. Alec smiled. Games where his specialty, this one was easily sussed or so he thought.
"I'm looking for the gorgeous owner of a beautiful piece of weaponry." He complimented. The laughter he could hear from the other end put him on edge.
"Ah, the peoples savior." she said, her voice carrying the shadow of a smile but her response was coated in sarcasm. Alec relaxed slightly.
"Yes," he replied simply. "And you are?" He prompted. Alec's mystery girl laughed once more.
"Why your fox of course," she retorted. Alec rolled his eyes. This was proving to be more difficult than he had expected.
"My fox what do you mean," he asked, suddenly loathing the game.
"You'll work it out," she teased and the phone went dead. Alec removed the phone from his ear and looked down at the display. "Women," He muttered before snapping it shut. Perhaps Logan would be his best bet after all.
When she'd arrived, Max realised the address was nothing swanky, just a block of apartments lit by an eerily familiar green light. She strode though the corridor, package and clipboard in hand, until she found it.
The door gave no clue was to who was inside. It was the same peeling brown of every other on this floor. She raised her hand and rapped gently on the door.
"Hang on," Came the smooth male voice.
"Jampony messenger." Max called through the closed door. Footsteps penetrated her mind as he hurriedly walked towards the door and began fumbling with a series of locks.
Suddenly the door flung open and there he stood, his dark hair hanging messily on his head, his uniform crisp and clean.
"Max," He said in mock shock.
"Rafer."
The unnerving sound of clattering bikes, coupled with the irritatingly high pitched squealing of Normal's voice, welcomed Max as she strode into work. She'd gotten little sleep last night and as a result she was in a dark mood, which was only blackened further by her greeting. The incident was constantly replaying in her mind, and with ever viewing the possible repercussions became more and more frightening. After all, she had no clue who the girl was. Just that she'd been at one of her favorite hangouts and was able to bring down Alec. To her it seemed fairly likely that her cover had been blown and that they were chasing her down that very second.
"Well if it isn't Miss 'I like to show up late and expect to be paid'" Normal began glaring at her. Max upturned her lip curtly in response and wheeled her bike into the building. It was the normal routine. It wasn't as if she meant to be late, but things always seemed to happen to her. She couldn't help it if she was a transgenic trouble magnet. Normal just had to give her crap about it anyway, like it was his job.
"And look, she's half an hour late, again, perhaps you would prefer us to start half an hour later, is that better for you?" He asked trying his best to embarrass her. Unfortunately with his geeky hair, and irritating voice, he never seemed to be able to get it right.
"Why Normal, such a difference it would make, what an extra hour sleep in," She smirked, her full pink lips pulled tightly across her face. The look on Normal's face was priceless. He's cheeks shone bright red and his eyes bulged out of their sockets, Max was sure that any second his head would explode. She laughed beneath her breath and walked over to rack her bike.
Jampony seemed oddly empty. Usually there were people walking across the building floor and out the door every second, bikes and parcels in tow, every minute. Yet not today. Max looked around and noticed the staff were congregated around the small TV, and were sitting vigilantly, shushing and nudging one another. Max groaned inwardly.
"Here it is," She heard a relatively new employee whisper to the edgy crowd. She watched intensely, and new her fear was a reality when the words "hostage situation" flashed onto the screen of the small television. Groaning again she strode purposely towards the TV, dodging those who sat on the floor in front of her.
"Last night, in a relatively quite sector of Terminal City an entire club was held captive by a woman posing as a member of a band." The news reporter began.
"Guys this is rubbish," Max exclaimed turning the television off, her brow furrowed in confused anger. The crowd of devoted watchers, moaned angrily and told her to put in back on. Max was about to continue, with a 'don't you have something better to do?' but it was clear they did not for a piece of popcorn hit her in the forehead leaving remnants of butter and salt in its wake as it fell to the floor. Sometimes she felt sorry of the normal people of post pulse Seattle, very little went on now days that the public knew of anyway. There lives had become nothing more than a struggle to exist. Working three jobs wasn't uncommon for a father and an education was something very few children were privy to. But this knowledge didn't squash her desire to be one of them. To forget all about the darkness and to be blissfully unaware of the evils that lurked in the hearts of the powerful.
"Come on Boo, it's just a little curiosity," Original Cindy pressed. She like the rest of the crowd just wanted to know what had happened at Crash.
Max arched an eyebrow slightly and her jaw tightened as she directed a "you better stay out of this one" glare at her friend. Cindy groaned and slumped back into her chair. She wasn't angry just annoyed at Max's paranoia. As far as Cindy saw it they were going to find out someway, why not just let them rather than look conspicuous and refuse them the information they so desired. In her mind Alec had the right idea. He was sitting in front of the crowd with a bucket of popcorn pretending he too was intrigued by the incident.
"Max you made us leave and you don't tell." Sketchy began, but faltered as Max's eyes widened. He wasn't generally the shutting up type, but Max didn't generally look fearfully into his eyes. The audience began to whisper quietly.
"HOT RUN!" Normal called out, Max stood frozen in front of the television.
"Max," Alec said, looking up at her from his position on the floor. "How about you take the steam off that package." He insisted under the guise of mockery. Snapping back to reality Max walked over to Normal, relieved him of the package and retrieved her bike.
"And I expect some customer satisfaction this time missy," Normal snapped as she began wheeling her bike out of the "office." She stopped abruptly and turned to Normal, her eyes glowing.
"Yeah well next time hire him a hooker," she snapped back. Her last "Hot Run" had wanted slightly more satisfaction than the fast delivery of his package.
"But Max from what I've heard." Alex began a mischievous smile blazing across his face, as he remembered the night they had found the Manticore Merpeople in the mens bar.
"Don't start!" she snarled holding the package out at him warningly. "Or your little secret will be revealed." Alec smiled cheekily, holding his hands up in a mock submission, and pushed her no further. He couldn't help but stare as she retreated. Clad in three quarter length black sports pants, and her tight fitting jacket she still managed to look stunning. Perhaps it was her soft black hair, her wide eyes, or perhaps it was her perfectly shaped buttocks that always mad him wish he had had sex with her when he had had the chance.
Outside the sun beat down, through her dark hair onto the back of her neck, warming her to the core despite the cold mood she was in. Slipping her cap on, she mounted her bike and checked the address once more. It wasn't far from the office, the job would probably take her no more than thirty minutes and it took her through some familiar parts of town. With the sun on her back she found it pleasant especially in contrast to the incident the night before.
There had been no warning. The night had stated out so well. Her friends had been enjoying themselves, reveling in the night's pleasant entertainment. She'd almost forgotten she was different, even if she had only been there a few minutes. Sketchy's enthusiasm was like a drug, he always manage to make her forget her woes if only for an instant. It was unexplainable and then this woman came along and blew up all the normality she had left. She put Max in the limelight again, not only in the public's eyes, but the eyes of her friends. Sure Cindy already knew, and sometimes she thought it would be a relief to tell Sketchy. But with his obsession about Manticore and his unstable nature she had no clue as to what he would do with the information. No it was definitely better kept a secret.
The electronic screaming of Max's beeper woke her from her thoughts. She skidded to a stop by the side of the road and hooked it from her belt. She smiled as she realized it was Logan's number flashing across the screen. She looked up at the street ahead. Before her was a crossroad. The hot run address existed just another ten or so minutes ahead, where as Logan's house was two three minutes to the left. She rolled her tongue in her mouth. Maybe seeing Logan would do her good. Perhaps he could brighten her mood.
Having made her decision she mounted her bike and turned the handlebars before pedaling into the street that lead to Logan's. It was sort on the way she justified and would only take her a few minutes anyway. Then she would go and deliver the package, no sweat. It would only be a few minutes.
Max often wondered about the best way to get up to Logan's apartment. What if when she toughed the lift button, she left something and when Logan touched the same button later he contracted the virus. Indirect contact had resulted in contraction before. She sighed, such was the chance he took each time he invited her over. But even so, it didn't make it any easier for her.
The lift doors opened and Max stood on the threshold of the apartment, before her lay a series of black luggage bags. She looked at them quizzically. Her heart skipped a beat. Was he leaving? The thoughts speed through her mind. Surely he wasn't. Everything he owned, everything he was, existed here. She existed here. Perhaps that was why he was leaving. She'd been the cause of so much heartache for the both of them. Maybe it would be better this way. Max shock her head. "Your jumping to conclusions," she told herself.
The Lift door closed. "Is that you Max?" His soft voice called from his "office." She shock off and stepped over the bags and into the doorway to his office.
It was immaculate as usual; every piece of paper had its place, every expensive ornament its display space. She smiled there had been so many more when she'd first met him, when she'd first attempted to steal from him. Before he'd pawned them all, to finance Eye's only, and for her. She'd miss judged him horribly that night. Logan wasn't a "bad guy," quite the contrary he was solely saving the world. Well at least taking a step in the right direction anyway. And he'd saved her.
"In the flesh," she smiled, poised with gloved hands on her hips. He chuckled. Max's smile widened and she stepped forward into the room. Light heartedness barely existed between the two of them now days with all the pressure and the virus. So such moments were precious.
"So what's up? What little old problem can I fix for you today?" She smirked cheekily.
Logan smiled. He felt like reaching out and pulling her into his arms. There was nothing more beautiful than Max's cheeky smile, and he was so tired of dancing around her with a ten-foot pole. Sometimes he wondered if life would have been easier if she had have died that night. The morning was painful, but so was the living. It was just a question of which one hurt more. He smiled, his eyes gleaming behind his glasses.
"Ever heard of a Mr. Vincent Zalmstra?" He asked her not really expecting a response. Turning back to his computer he pulled up a file.
"No but let me guess, ultimate bad guy hell bent on destroying the wonderful society as we know it?" Max answered off handedly.
"Close," Logan smirked slightly. "He is the head of Seattle's Home for Parentally Challenged Boys,"
"Oh that orphanage in Sector 3." Max nodded.
"Yes, well, I've just received information that he's selling children." Logan always sounded so distantly cold when explaining the evils of a persons character, but he didn't fool Max. She knew that beneath the airy tone, she knew Logan was itching to see this man punished.
"Selling children?" Max asked mixed between confusion and disgust. "What for?" She asked unnecessarily. Tiny creases began to form in the corners of her eyes. 'The luggage Logan,' she thought to herself.
"That's what I need you to find out. There is a big banquette at Zalmstra's house tonight. I want you to." Max shook her head.
"Go in and check it out." she interjected. "Yeah whatever I'll be there." Neither of them had mentioned the luggage. Max was growing tense. If he was going surely he would have mentioned it by now. Max's thoughts began to turn irrational. 'What if they weren't luggage but a bomb planted without his knowledge. She was getting tense he hadn't mentioned the bags, did that mean he really was leaving.
The anger and confusion must have been clear in her eyes for Logan looked up and asked what was wrong. Max shock her head. "Nothing," she murmered.
"Come on Max," He asked. Max shrugged. "Its nothing, I'm just curious about the bags." She muttered.
"Bags?" He asked confused. Max's apprehension escalated, as she gestured towards the bags in the hallway.
"Oh those bags," Logan half laughed, half shuddered. "They belong to my cousin Carbon." he smiled knowingly as the tiny creases on Max's face disappeared. "She's staying with me while I help her find her parents." He said simply, Max nodded, finding it hard to conceal her relief.
Logan had a cousin. What else didn't she know about him? She wondered what she was like, whether she was in on the whole Eyes Only deal, or if she was another Cale bad girl. Either way Max wanted to meet her. "Well where is she? I mean if your working with her shouldn't she." Max saw Logan's face fall, and she trailed off.
"She down at the gym, Training." He replied simply. Max just nodded, not wanting to push it any further.
"Okay Zalmstra's should be easy enough, there will be security but no guest list as such, so you should be free to walk in and out as you please. I printed these off." He paused as he picked some papers up from the printer. "Floor plans, and a picture of the man himself."
"Thanks," Max said simply as she took them from Logan's out stretched hand, making sure her hands didn't come in contact with his. She looked down at him. He was so genuine, so giving, and in those eyes she always found comfort. No more than that, a part of her stirred.
"I've gotta blaze," she said, gesturing to her backpack. Oh god how she hated the creeps at Manticore. Logan nodded and Max made her way out of the apartment.
As she returned to the crossroad she couldn't help but wonder what she was going to do about Logan. She knew deep in her heart that she loved him. It was he who had kept her going during her return to Manticore. It was the hope that she would see him again that kept her alive. But despite the undeniable love, Max knew it just wasn't possible, not after what Manticore had done to them. She turned back onto the street and started towards her new destination.
Meanwhile back at Jampony Alec sat in a dark corner, trying not to be seen and sent out on a run. It wasn't that he didn't need the money, quite the contrary but he was mesmerized by the shinning metal piece engraved with the number.
He trailed his fingers over it, feeling the groves beneath his fingertips. He knew what it would seem like to an onlooker. Alec finally head over heals over a girl but nothing could be further from the truth. She intrigued him, her beauty had little to do with his fascination, though he did not deny an instant sexual attraction. But he wanted to know who she was, and her agenda, but if all this searching lead to a form of gratification, well he wasn't adverse to the idea. He looked up from his corner, the shadows falling across half his face as he surveyed the building. No was paying any attention. While Alec was intrigued with the girl subconsciously he was angry. The girl had beaten him and his pride was wounded but worse she appeared normal. He couldn't stop the thoughts that swam into his mind. 'Was he loosing his touch. How could a young girl beat him so badly.'
Reaching into his inside pocket Alec retrieved his small mobile phone and snapped it open. Looking from the blank screen to the engraved barrel and back again, he sighed once more and relaxed his tense shoulders. The keys glue an eerie yellow and as he pressed them a high pitched beep echoed through his head. Was this the right thing to do?' he thought. Perhaps he should seek out Logan's help in determining the origin of the number first, and whether it was potentially harmful.
He shrugged dismissively. 'Why ask Logan?' It was he who had the number. It was he who was trained. He didn't need Logan's help. Alec nodded and hit the call button. "I can do this," he said confidently as he held the phone up to his ear. But he couldn't quell the growing apprehension. For all he knew he could be ringing into a trap. Maybe the blue haired girl was working for White. He was contemplating hanging up the phone as it clicked into life.
"Hello," he heard her gasp through heavy breaths over the stereo that blasted pre-pulse metal down the phone line. He laughed inwardly as his mind flicked over all the possibilities, of what she could have been doing; happily settling on the fantasy that he'd interrupted her while in the middle of an intimate situation.
"Hi," He said coolly, his voice smooth. "Who am I talking to?" He asked, noting that her heavy breathing had slowed down, 'that was fast' he thought.
"Well that depends on who you are looking for" she teased provocatively. Alec smiled. Games where his specialty, this one was easily sussed or so he thought.
"I'm looking for the gorgeous owner of a beautiful piece of weaponry." He complimented. The laughter he could hear from the other end put him on edge.
"Ah, the peoples savior." she said, her voice carrying the shadow of a smile but her response was coated in sarcasm. Alec relaxed slightly.
"Yes," he replied simply. "And you are?" He prompted. Alec's mystery girl laughed once more.
"Why your fox of course," she retorted. Alec rolled his eyes. This was proving to be more difficult than he had expected.
"My fox what do you mean," he asked, suddenly loathing the game.
"You'll work it out," she teased and the phone went dead. Alec removed the phone from his ear and looked down at the display. "Women," He muttered before snapping it shut. Perhaps Logan would be his best bet after all.
When she'd arrived, Max realised the address was nothing swanky, just a block of apartments lit by an eerily familiar green light. She strode though the corridor, package and clipboard in hand, until she found it.
The door gave no clue was to who was inside. It was the same peeling brown of every other on this floor. She raised her hand and rapped gently on the door.
"Hang on," Came the smooth male voice.
"Jampony messenger." Max called through the closed door. Footsteps penetrated her mind as he hurriedly walked towards the door and began fumbling with a series of locks.
Suddenly the door flung open and there he stood, his dark hair hanging messily on his head, his uniform crisp and clean.
"Max," He said in mock shock.
"Rafer."