A/N: Thanks to everybody and their lovely reviews! Thanks as always to Sorrow, she helped me jump start this chapter last night! Hope you all enjoy!

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Chapter 10 - Goodbye

"I can not tell you how much better that feels!" Alec came out of the cabins bathroom, followed by an engulfing cloud of steam.

Callie, the X-5 that had been assisting Logan earlier, suddenly rose to attention. She tried to tame her eyes from travelling across her superior's bare, almost red raw chest.

Max couldn't help herself, she had to laugh, although very quietly. She walked over to Callie and patted her on the back.

"Down soldier. Have you got everything ready to head home?"

Callie nodded.

"Good."

Max picked up a fresh shirt and threw it at Alec. He walked across to Callie as he put it on.

"So, I was thinking that maybe later you could attend my wounds?"

He nudged her slightly and she fell to the floor. She stood up as quickly as possible and tried to talk, but was interrupted.

"Don't answer him." Max brought a hand across the top of his head. "He's just being a jerk." She then whacked him in the stomach. "What's with the redness? Trying to scrub your sins away?"

"Sins of a clown baby." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked across the room. He whispered quietly in her ear. "And the clowns name was Eyes Only."

She shook her head and pushed him away.

"Or polyester."

He lifted his shirt and rubbed across his stomach again. As they walked into the next room, they heard the muffled sound of Callie falling to the ground once more.

************************

"So how's Luthor Corp, Lex?"

Alec couldn't help himself. He didn't think that he'd be thanking the heavens for the hairdo he had to wear earlier, but the sudden sight of Logan's bald head made him do just that. He subconsciously ran a hand through his hair, making sure is was actually still intact.

Max gave him a confused look. She had no idea what he was referring to, but she figured it deserved a swat in the shoulder, so she gave him one. Logan turned in his seat as she did so. Avoiding her eyes, he looked at Alec.

"You've seen Superman?"

Alec's extensive knowledge of film continued to amaze Logan.

"No, Smallville." Logan nodded, pretending to know what he was talking about. "I've actually been thinking that maybe they could make a show about us. You know, genetically enhanced soldiers, walking through everyday life, saving people's lives while constantly having to look out for their own kind. Protecting them from the big bad government."

Max's brow scrunched further than it ever had before.

"That would be stupid."

Alec shrugged his shoulders at her comment.

"Yeah, well. I figured some big shot director would come in and blow it for everyone anyway."

Max and Logan nodded in agreement.

"Or the main actors would get all pissed off when the new guy stepped in and stole the lime light."

"What are you going on about?" Max gave Alec a shove and snapped him out of it. "When we get back to TC, I'm taking away you television privileges!"

He was about to object but Logan spoke up.

"So you're going back to Terminal City?" He finally brought his eyes to Max's.

The question took a while to register. Both men waiting for her to answer.

"Yeah." She moved forward slightly. "The others are getting ready to head back now. Alec and I will return after them. Better to not draw attention to the area."

Logan understood.

"We'll be back in the morning though." Max's voice remained soft as she spoke. "To make sure you get out ok. That your safe."

Logan smiled softly at her words. After all that had happened over the last week, she was still willing to look out for him. Still willing to make sure that he was safe. He took in a long deep breath whilst he stared contently at the woman before him.

It was at that moment that he realised how much she had changed since he first met her. How much she had grown as a person and even more as a transgenic. Logan could see the determination in her eyes. She was no longer confused about who or what she was. No longer ashamed or disappointed. She was where she belonged now. With family, with friends. His eyes moved across to the towering frame that stood protectively behind her. With Alec.

Alec hopped it wasn't some horrible side effect to impersonating the man all day, but he could have sworn he was reading Logan's thoughts. He was officially letting go. Alec bit his bit his bottom lip then gave Logan a slight smile.

"I'm ah…" Alec turned and motion to the main room. "Gonna see how everything's going."

He gave Max a quick smile and exited the room.

"So…" Max moved across to the bed and took a seat at its edge, her hands resting in her pockets. "Are all your papers in order?"

"Yeah they are but…"

"But what?" Max knew they had everything prepared.

"Richard Cranium?" Logan raised his new passport with a questioning look. "Alec pick the name?"

"No, Mole did. I'm sorry about that. We kinda did everything in a hurry and left that stuff to him."

Max was fidgeting and avoiding Logan's stare.

"I guess if I get stopped they'll be too busy staring at the name to look at the photo."

Max let out a small laugh. Mole had taken Dix aside and they had manipulated Logan's ID photo as the others planned the assault on the precinct. They had made him bald, gave him the thickest black rimmed glasses you had ever seen and some horrible protruding front teeth.

"We got the glasses, but I don't think you need to worry about the teeth." Max pointed to the table where a small bag was resting, the glasses obviously inside. "You can just tell them you went to the dentist."

"Yeah."

Logan sat in silence for a moment.

"Max I'm sorry."

"I know." She spoke softly, looking down to the floor. "So am I."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for Max." He drew his seat closer to the bed side. "I was being a complete jerk and not just that day. I'm a human and as much as I like to think I understand what's going on with the transgenics, I can't. I get that now. If I really did, you'd think I would have thought to do the broadcast Alec did."

Max sat, now staring up at him.

"But I grabbed that gun from you, without even thinking. I could have-"

"But you didn't. I was cured."

"I didn't know that."

They both took the answer in with a deep breath. Logan spoke first.

"I pulled a gun on him Max. I don't know if I would have actually done it, but I threatened to shoot him. You protected who you had to. Who you needed to."

Max curled her mouth around words that didn't form, only small sounds escaping her throat.

"Sure, you ended up shooting him yourself."

They both laughed. Slowly the sound faded out of the room and they were once again engulfed in silence.

"I…ah…" Max couldn't get her words out. She took a deep breath and started again. "I'm glad you're ok."

She moved her hand slowly over his, gently taking hold. It had been forever since they had touched each other. Skin to skin. It felt strange now, because they both knew that it was saying goodbye.

They smiled softly at each other.

"You know what's strange?" Max turned her head questioningly as Logan spoke. "Somehow, even before this last week, I knew this day was coming. I think we both did, that's why this doesn't feel wrong."

Max smiled and sighed slightly. She knew he was right. She felt it too.

She listened as Logan continued.

"Maybe that's what sent me over the edge. Not wanting to actually let go. Then finding out that for so long we could have touched, not having to tip toe around one another." He paused as Max's eyes moved to the floor. "But you know, I think we would have anyway. Tip toeing I mean. Even when we did have the chance, we only danced around each other." He paused once more. "I guess that some how we knew this would never work. We'd gotten all the signs."

"The virus." Max spoke softly as she returned her eyes to his.

"The virus." He nodded and turned his head to the door. "And I think something else changed, became another sign."

Max's expression confirmed that she knew what Logan was talking about. Who he was talking about.

"He has a lot to do with this. Doesn't he?"

Logan knew the answer, but he needed to hear it from her.

Max stood from the bed, sucking in as much air as possible and releasing it slowly, giving her more time to carefully select her words. She wrapped her arms around her body and moved across the room, peering out the door and seeing the man in question assisting the others. She turned slowly and began to speak.

"You know, a while ago my answer would have been a fast, flat no. But I honestly can't say that now." She paused, too many words gushing to her mind. She finally spoke again. "He does have something to do with it now."

Logan rose from his seat and moved across to her. Max not noticing as she watched Alec through the door.

"Just how much, I don't know."

She was startled when she felt Logan's hand touch her arm.

"You will."

She produced a thankful smile and took in a deep breath as she let Logan take her hand and bring it to is mouth, kissing it lightly. He let go slowly and they both knew it had happened. They didn't say the words, but they knew that that simple gesture had closed the book on a relationship that had never come to pass.

Max remembered something and produced a piece of paper from her jacket. She slipped it into Logan's shirt pocket and rested her hand there, patting the paper inside.

"What's that?" Logan was confused by Max's sly smile.

"Asha's number. When you're ready, I think she'd really like to hear from you."

He gave her a smile and the two embraced, only breaking apart when they heard Alec clear his throat from the door.

"Ah sorry, but they're ready to go Max."

She nodded towards him and moved to the door. Alec stepped aside and let her through. He stood there for a moment and was about to leave the room when Logan called to him.

"Alec."

"Yeah Logan." He quickly turned to face him, then stepped into the room.

"Take care of her."

A smile moved across Alec's face.

"Already at the top of my list."

He was about to leave again when he remembered something. He produced a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Logan.

"What's this?"

"Asha's number. She'd like to hear from you."

Logan laughed and shook his head. "Yeah."

Alec gave him a nod and left the room.

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"Ok, so we'll see you in the morning." Max spoke to Logan from the door, Alec waiting for her just outside.

"Yep, in the morning."

Logan moved to the door, the three standing awkwardly in silence. Alec finally broke.

"Come on, the whole 'So Long Farewell' dance can come tomorrow. We have to get back." He patted Max on the shoulder.

"You've seen The Sound of Music." Logan looked at him questioningly.

"The hills are alive Logan, the hills are alive." He turned on his heal, arms outstretched as he spun in a circle. "Actually they have a couple of X6s stationed in them, just for an hour or so. Be sure no one was waiting for us to leave." He smiled and headed down the front steps of the cabin.

Max shook her head at him, then turned to Logan. "There's a phone in the bag. I'm on speed dial if you need anything."

With that she turned quickly and Logan stood watching, as the two X-5s disappeared into the cool, dark night.

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The cool air sifted through his hair as he floated backwards, smoothing across his skin in a calm, peaceful rhythm. The sudden crunch as he landed against the wall was not so rhythmic.

"Geeze Max," he smoothly lifted himself from the ground and back to his feet. "How much spinach have you been eating?"

"I don't eat spinach." The Popeye analogy was lost on her. No surprise there.

Her legs were positioned firmly on the ground, hands fisted against her body. Her chest rose slowly as she inhaled much needed oxygen. She shook a stray hair from her face and bit at her lip, ready for his counter move.

Alec stalked closer to her and slowly slipped into her mirror stance. His eyes were glistening as he watched her need for air. The blow to him took a lot out of her.

He saw her eyes move to his chest, watching as it barely moved.

"You promised."

She began to circle around him. He took her cue and did the same, eyes never leaving hers.

"You're still holding back."

She had regained control of her breath and the two of them were in unison. Breathing together, moving together.

"I asked you not to do that."

Alec brought a hand to his face, brushing a lone bead of sweat from under his nose.

"You sure?" A smirk moved across his face.

"Absolutely." She returned the gesture, with a little more attitude.

They danced around each other for a few more moments. To each of them, it was as though the room was circling around them and they were standing still, not the other way around. Both of there bodies felt solid against the floor, power surging from within.

"You ready?"

"Always."

Max made what she thought was the first move, but Alec was right there with her. Their arms swooped at one another, each blow blocked with timed precision.

Legs rose and fell as they both prevented the others connection. It was as though they were dancing a well rehearsed performance, each move taken out with such perfection.

Max's body screamed in pain as his movements got faster. She ignored her muscle's cries and forced herself to keep up. She knew that White was going to come after them and she had to be at the top of her game. That meant training. Learning. The familiars didn't feel pain, so Max would learn to ignore hers.

Alec thought it was time to step it up a notch. He knew the exact time Max's next punch would be coming. He quickly ducked the move and swept a foot across her legs, causing her to crash to the ground. She immediately brought her hands above her head and flicked her body upwards, her feet connecting just under Alec's chin, causing him to stumble backwards.

He smiled as he regained his footing. Max did the same.

This was much better.

Alec's hand swooped across Max's head as she ducked and connected three swift blows to his side. He drew his knee up, knocking her next attempted blow away. He then extended his leg and caught her on the shoulder, knocking her backwards. She locked her elbows and supported her weight on her hands, lifting her legs and hooking them around his calves. She twisted in a way that no girl ever should and brought Alec to his back.

He was surprised by that one.

He released his legs from hers and flipped to his feet. He gave her a few seconds to catch her breath before continuing his assault.

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White sat watching as the last X6 left the perimeter. He snickered to himself.

Pilicks!

Did they honestly think they could fool him? He was happy to watch them leave, because they had much worse coming to them. Much, much worse.

He stepped out of his car and narrowed his eyes as he looked at the structure before him. An evil smile drew across his face as he walked toward the cabin.

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Logan was slowly drifting asleep in his chair, his mind and body relieved to be safe. The days events played across his mind, happiness drawing across his face, with how things had turned out with Max.

He was startled awake by a creak outside.

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Max and Alec sat, backs leaning against the wall, bodies drenched in sweat. Alec slowly looked across at her.

"You ready for another round?"

Max started to get up, but slipped back down the wall.

"Few more minutes?"

Max nodded a tired yes.

"Ok, good."

Alec knew he could use them too. He drew his knees from the ground and rested his wrists against them. He let his head lean back against the wall and closed his eyes.

Max looked across at him, eyes closed, face so obviously tired.

"Maybe we should call it a night. Don't want to be too tired tomorrow. In case…"

He turned his head to face hers.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

He pushed himself up from the floor and offered Max a hand. She took it lazily and groaned as he helped her to her feet.

"You ok?"

"Nothing that a long hot bath won't cure."

"You don't have a bath Max. Only a shower."

She began to fake a cry, her whines making Alec laugh. He brought a hand across her shoulder.

"Would it help if I washed your back?"

She didn't have enough energy to push him off her.

"Yes."

He stopped dead, mouth wide open as she continued to walk off.

She knew that would work.

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White came bounding down the stairs of the cabin, a satisfied smile on his face. He looked down at his suit and brushed a troubling stain away.

He strolled across the road to his car, too enthralled in his thoughts. A vehicle came speeding toward him, collecting him off the ground and causing him to tumble over the bonnet and onto gravel.

White spat out blood, as two large figures stepped out of the vehicle and moved towards him. He looked up to see two large hands coming down and grabbing him by the shoulders. He was dragged to the car and thrown into the backseat. One of the figures moved to Whites vehicle and hopped inside. The other brought a steel pole down on Whites head, rendering him unconscious.

The two vehicles turned around and sped off down the road.

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Max and Alec decided to go it alone the next morning. They felt that it was safer that way. Not for them, but for everyone else.

Max pulled her bike to the curb, Alec moving across behind her. They both turned off their engines and moved the bikes into the nearby bush.

They headed for the cabin when Max stopped suddenly.

"You go ahead, I forgot to grab something."

Alec nodded to her as she ran back to her bike and retrieved the hat she'd found for Logan. The days were getting cooler and he would need it to warm his newly shaved head.

She ascended the stairs and came face to face with Alec, his pale features causing her heart to skip a beat. He was closing the door quickly behind him and pushing Max back.

"No Max."

She brushed his hand away and scrunched her face.

"Stop it."

His hand returned and he continued to try and force her backwards. She swatted his arm away more forcibly.

"I said stop it!"

She raised her voice as she tried to push passed him, darkness beginning to rise from the pit of her stomach. Alec grabbed at her arm and tried to pull her back. She turned around and shoved him hard, causing him to crash into the railing.

She opened the door and suddenly felt all the air being sucked out of the room. Her eyes widened and her body began to shake.

Before her, held by a steel cord, hung Logan's lifeless body. His clothes stained with red, a large puddle of blood on the floor.

Max had never done so before, but at that moment she screamed. A scream that could be heard for miles.