Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dark Angel, it belongs to Fox and some others. This is for entertainment – hopefully.
Authors note: Managed to write this chapter fairly swiftly, next chapter is already written, and so should be up pretty shortly. Depending on a few things. Like if I want too, and if I have time.
Story note: I think from here on in the characters are starting to slip a little, but I figured you need to have that. I mean if they were in the same character as in the show, well they would never get together, which they might be doing in this chapter or the next one. Might.
Also I am undecided how something should turn out, so at the end of this chapter is a little question. I am loath to putting unrelated story stuff at the bottom, but if I put it up here, well it would give away the entire chapter. So if you feel like responding to it, you may. Depending on the amount of responses for either case (it's a 'do this or do that' situation), then that is most likely how the following chapters will eventuate. Enjoy the chapter, it is far too long, but that's the way it turned out.
Special thanks: My incredible beta reader, Milla. Who manages to find the time to pour over these lengthy chapters, and find all my mistakes, which is good for all those who read it.
Chapter 7 – All things warm
Max had just woken up, her face was hanging limp, and it became obvious to her that she had been in a very deep sleep. Something she wasn't used to at all, but she enjoyed the feeling of waking up like this. Max looked up at Logan; it was early morning now so she had been asleep for quite some time. Logan looked peaceful and happy as he lay there sleeping, arm still around Max protectively. She slowly picked Logan's hand off her waist and sat up. Looking down at him again she smiled then regretfully got off the bed and walked out of the room.
Logan awoke shortly afterwards noticing that the bed had moved slightly and he wasn't as warm as he used to be. He then realised that his arm was lying beside him but there was no Max wrapped up in it. 'Oh man, I suppose I deserve this. I just wish she had stayed for a while, so we could talk. Hell, I just like her being here.' Logan thought, more depression sinking in. She had come again and saved his life, then just as quickly she had left once more. Logan held his good arm up and looked at it, it was still warm from Max's body. He then dropped it in frustration; it was such a powerful reminder of the wonderful girl who had spent the night there and he felt sharp needle-like pain stabbing his arm where it was cooling down from Max's warmth. He knew he didn't deserve Max, or for her to save his life. The way he had treated her was unforgivable, and he made a deal with himself that he was going to try to make it up to her somehow, but he felt there was nothing he could do to ever deserve an apology. As his mood was darkening and he was rethinking the way he had blown Max off, Logan heard the door to his room open. He didn't look up since he figured it would be Bling or the doctor.
Logan had never been more pleasantly surprised when Max perched herself on the end of his bed facing the window. She turned to him.
"Morning. How'd you sleep?" she asked lightly.
"Never better. You?" Logan responded.
"I don't sleep remember," Max replied.
"Well you slept last night that's for sure," Logan challenged. Max looked at him and raised her eyebrows.
"What proof have you got mister? I may have just been laying there with my eyes closed." Logan just smiled at her and pointed to a spot on the sheet.
"Do you generally drool when you're just lying down?" He asked, victorious and laughing a little. Logan watched as Max went a healthy scarlet.
"Whoops. I must have been pretty tired," she said, as she smiled at him. Then she turned back around and looked out the window.
Logan noticed she was doing something, and then it dawned on him.
"You're eating my food again aren't you?" Logan asked light heartedly.
"No, yours is over there, this belonged to some nasty old lady from down the hall," Max replied over her shoulder.
"But since you thought I was eating yours, and you didn't seem to mind too much…" She lent over and placed the empty container on the table and picked up Logan's.
"I might as well. I hate to disappoint." With that she began to eat Logan's meal.
"You've never disappointed me Max," Logan said, suddenly very serious. Max turned to look at him, her smile had gone and she was looking anxious and sad again.
"Logan I'm sorry I'm different, I can change…" Max began to tell Logan that she was willing to change for him; her voice was weak and quavering. Logan interrupted her exceptionally quickly.
"What? You have nothing to be sorry for. It's me who is the idiot. Look at how I treated you yesterday morning, and you were still willing to come back and help me out. Max, look at me." Logan gently grabbed her by the chin; she had turned away again when she was speaking. Logan was sitting up and had Max's chin between his forefinger and thumb, but as he pulled her around to face him, his hand flattened and he ran it along her cheekbone until he held the side of her face. Max couldn't help herself, she closed her eyes and leant into Logan's hand a little. Logan smiled when he noticed the effect he was having on her.
"You're not going to make it this easy for me are you?" He jested, this caused Max's lips to twitch slightly and she opened her eyes.
"Logan…" Max tried to speak again but Logan moved his thumb lightly her lips, causing her to stop speaking.
"I'm not finished yet," Logan stated.
"Max, there is nothing at all for you to be sorry about. Yesterday morning was completely my fault, I should have told you what was going on not just send you away." Logan was looking intently into Max's eyes; she could see the worry and apologies that kept flooding through his.
"And another thing. I wouldn't want you to change at all, you're amazing Max, and if you tried to change to please me in some way it would probably only upset me. You are remarkably unique individual, which is the way you always have been. I don't want you changing for me or at all." He stopped speaking and looked at her more intensely.
"You are perfect Max, just the way you are." Logan was done speaking, and searching fixedly Max's deep brown eyes for some form of positive sign. He got it.
When Max heard what he said – and had time to get over the initial shock and digest it – she beamed. Her eyes lit up and she couldn't hold back a huge smile that bared her brilliant white teeth, which she quickly tried to hide for reasons of embarrassment. She noticed Logan's hand was still on the side of her face, so she moved her hand on top of it and held it there.
"Thanks." she said quietly, embarrassed with the situation since she wasn't used to such serious compliments. She still had a big grin on her face though.
Just then the door noisily opened.
"Where the hell is that pathetic excuse for human life?" Cindy yelled as she stormed the room. Max couldn't help giggling when she saw the look of horror on Logan's face.
Original Cindy rounded the curtain and saw Max sitting on the end of Logan's bed. He was sitting up and it looked as if he had been talking with her. Probably doing the typical male thing and saying it was an accident and it will never happen again.
"What did you do to my boo?" she ranted as she walked over and grabbed Max off the end of his bed and held her protectively.
"I…" Logan began but was cut off by Max.
"It's alright now girl." Max tried to reassure Original Cindy.
"Oh no. No it ain't, I seen what this male did to you. He ain't gettin' out of it that easy." With this Cindy's eyes narrowed in the direction of Logan, then she quickly made her way to him and slapped him over the head.
Max swiftly grabbed Original Cindy's raised arm before she could land another strike, then guided her out of the room.
"But Max, he made you cry and Original Cindy knows home girl don't cry that much over anything. Are you just going to forget that?" Original Cindy turned to Max as they arrived at the outside of Logan's room.
"Yes," Max stated simply, closing the door.
"Uhh, what? Why?" Cindy looked completely dumbfounded; she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Because. I l…"
'love him. I do don't I? I'm not sure if I want to tell anyone this yet. I don't even want to say it yet, it can stay my dark secret for a while.' Max thought mid sentence.
"…like him, and he's a good friend. He just made a mistake because he was upset." Max ended with an attempt to conceal a smile. Original Cindy had noticed the slight pause in Max's sentence. She also now noticed the way Max looked. Not at all like she did yesterday, distant, hollow and deeply upset. She was happy now, happier than Original Cindy had ever seen her and she was bright and electric. Original Cindy could almost feel the aura now radiating from Max.
"Aiight boo, if you say so. Remember just because you… like him doesn't mean he can treat you bad. If he put you in a state like Original Cindy saw you in yesterday, I'm gonna do a lot more than just put a smack down on his ass." Max just smiled at Original Cindy's empty threat. She also noticed the pause around the 'like' situation, the same place she had paused herself. Max then noticed the small smile threatening to escape Cindy's stoic expression.
"Well I gotta bounce, got work soon," Original Cindy announced as she turned and started to walk off.
"Hey, wait for me," Max called after her, then remembered Normal had given her the day off. Before she could say anything Original Cindy stopped and turned to her.
"You got the day off 'member? Normal told me. How about I tell the man you are still in dark depths of depression and need another day?" Cindy asked Max. Max was taken completely off guard by this question. She thought Normal had given her the day off because of all the runs she had done. Well, she suspected it may be because she was upset but she didn't expect Normal to admit to anyone something like that.
"Normal told you he gave me the day off because I was upset?" Max asked Cindy, not really believing her.
"Yeah he did, must be going sweet on you or somethin'. Better watch out, might have another boy following you around all gooey eyed." Cindy jested, and she was smiling again.
"Yeah that'd be nice, thanks," Max said simply, ignoring the previous statement. She was a little shy in responding because she knew what it meant, and so did Cindy.
"You leave it to Original Cindy, you be havin' a nice extra long weekend now." Original Cindy was back to her full flavoursome self again. She smiled at Max then turned and walked down the hall.
'Wow, an extra long weekend with Logan now, if he wants too. Wait, even if he doesn't want too.' Max smiled to herself slightly at this thought as she turned and opened the door to Logan's room.
'And then another long weekend next week, and this time we are going away. Life's pretty good.' Max was finally back to the state of delirious happiness she had experienced only a few nights ago.
As Max closed the door she could hear Logan quickly sucking in a pained breath. She knew he shouldn't be in any pain, but she realised he would have heard the first part of Original Cindy's rant as she guided her outside.
'So he is nervous, anxious, upset with the way he treated you. He'll probably be falling over himself trying to apologise. I don't think I want to go through any of that again. This could still be fun though.' A wicked idea had come to mind, Max was feeling particularly playful.
Logan was dying; he had heard what Original Cindy had first started saying to Max. He knew he had stuffed up but it was only just starting to sink in how much he had actually upset Max with his latest stunt. He couldn't believe he had made her cry, and cry a lot if what Original Cindy had been saying was anything to go by. He was panicking a little as he heard Max softly pad towards his bed. There was a wrenching in his stomach, a pull from the deep pit of fear there. He had done something very wrong, but could see no possible way of making it better. What was worse, though, was that he'd made Max cry.
Max slowly rounded the edge of the curtain, head hanging low. She had to have it bowed so much to cover up the smile that just wouldn't leave her face for longer than 3 seconds.
Logan watched her approaching slowly, he saw her head hanging and knew she had just been reminded of his actions, the way she had felt when he told her to leave. He could see she was regretting coming back.
"Max, I'm so sorry…" Logan began to plead but was cut short by Max.
"Don't Logan, just… don't." She was acting well now, although she was sure she could hear the laughter behind her pained and sorrow filled reply.
Logan wasn't willing to interrupt, and he didn't want to do anything against her wishes at the moment. He realised that the sound of his voice probably sickened her. Max got to the edge of the bed and stopped, head hanging down again. Nothing was happening so Logan tried to speak to her again.
"Ma…" He hadn't even said her name when she jumped up on the bed, straddling him.
"I said don't," Max told him as she placed her finger on his lips, her face an inch from his. Her tone by this time was entirely sparkling. She couldn't help it. They were in that position for a few seconds, Logan lying like a stunned fish, Max on all fours over the top of him.
"I've had enough of an emotional roller coaster the past few days to last me a life time Logan, can we just stop it and be happy?" Max asked, and then before Logan could answer she bent her arm so her top-half lowered a little, allowing her head closer to his and her mouth to touch his. At first Logan was completely stunned so he just lay there not really knowing what was going on, but then after some gentle persuasion by Max's lips he realised he should be responding in some manner. He started to kiss her back, which Max had been waiting for, and she pushed her face closer to his, forcing the kiss to deepen. Logan automatically got his good arm and placed it on the small of Max's back, which was particularly curved due to the way she was kneeling over him and her top-half was almost lying on his. Just as Max had lowered her chest onto Logan's and was gently slipping her arms around his neck she heard a familiar sound and bolted upright.
"You know, if you two are just in a convenient business relationship then I'm quite glad my working relationship with Logan isn't convenient." Bling said, standing a few feet away from the bed with the same camera held to his eye. He took another picture, and this one was good. Max was straddling Logan, face flustered and intensely embarrassed.
"Bling!" Max and Logan yelled in unison, Logan sat up in bed at this moment, causing himself to come into contact with Max. Instinctively Max put her hand up to Logan's chest to push him away, then caught herself before she did. Max realised in this situation she should have gone with her instinct because Bling took another photo, before Max pushed Logan back down onto the bed. She looked down at him and spoke.
"Just stay down, or do you want him to take more photos?" Max commanded aggressively, Logan could tell she wasn't really angry just immensely embarrassed. As Max was looking down at Logan and speaking to him, her hand still on his chest; they heard the camera go off again.
"Bling!"
"You two are priceless. Well thanks for the photos, got to go and make some copies. Bye." Bling hurriedly made his way to the door, knowing that the two people behind him wouldn't want any copies of these photos lying around. He heard the bed creak, so he looked around a little, but was distracted by a swishing sound. When he looked back to the door Max was standing there, arms spread out defensively across the door frame behind her. This time she didn't look cool and collected, a soldier ready for any situation. She looked desperate, nervous and still highly embarrassed.
"Bling, give me that camera." Max said sternly.
"Once I'm done," Bling replied, lips still set in a grin.
"We can do this two ways. You give me the camera or I can take it from you. Now what's it gonna be?" Max had resolved herself a little now and was looking far more menacing. Bling knew it wouldn't be a good idea to mess with her; after all she was about 5 times stronger and quicker than he was.
"Spoil all my fun," he complained defeated as he handed the camera over to Max, then walked out the door, shoulders hunched in a huff.
Max began walking back over to Logan when she started to look through the photos, with the intention of deleting them. However when she got to the first shot, Logan and her in the shower, she didn't want to delete it. The photo brought back such great memories, she stared at it for a while and started going a little tingly. Now she had a picture of Logan, and even better she was with him in the picture. As she scrolled through she realised that she had more than one picture of Logan, and she was in all of them, the smile on her face was getting bigger.
"Max, give me the camera so I can get rid of those photos." Logan interrupted her perusal from the other side of the curtain divider.
"I didn't get it, he managed to slip past me," Max replied as she slipped the camera in her bag, which was sitting on the bed next to Logan's, behind the curtain screen.
"What do you mean he slipped past you, look at the size of him?" Logan was getting quite hysterical now; Max couldn't help from laughing a little. She gently pulled the curtain aside and walked over to Logan, placing her hand on his shoulder to lower him back to bed – he had been quite excited by Bling's exit and so was sitting up again.
"Just relax Logan. What damage can he do with those photos? It's not as if he is going to post them in the paper or anything," Max said reassuringly as she went to sit down on the end of the bed again. Logan looked at her completely baffled.
"You, you don't care that he has photos of you on top of me in a bed?" Logan asked seriously, still a little deranged from his panic.
"Well maybe a little, but we can always get them back later. Like I said, he isn't going to go around showing them to everyone on the street," Max replied, and she couldn't help from grinning when Logan mentioned the part about her being on top of him. Logan looked flustered and confused; he didn't understand why Max was taking this so lightly. Eventually he remembered that he needed to be nice to Max because of the way he had treated her, which was still eating at him, but only since Max had stopped kissing him.
"Okay, if you say so," Logan simply responded, sounding a little defeated but trying to be happy about it.
They both sat there for a little while, becoming embarrassed by their closeness and each of them didn't really no what to do. Finally Logan spoke.
"So where did Original Cindy go? I thought she'd be back in here to beat me around some more," Logan asked humorously.
"Oh, she went to work," Max replied, looking at Logan. Logan just stared back, an expectant look on his face. When nothing happened he spoke.
"You know, this is usually about the time in the conversation where you have to blaze, bounce or jet in order not to lose you job." Logan stated, looking at Max and smiling a little. Then he realised she might think he was waiting for that and so started to worry again.
"You trying to tell me something?" Max responded teasingly, hoping this would make Logan react quickly.
"No, no of course not," Logan quickly stammered.
'Perfect.' Max thought, as her smile increased.
"Normal gave me the day off, and it looks like I'll have tomorrow off too. So I get an extra long weekend. And at the moment I've got nothing better to do than sit here," Max said happily, whilst curling her feet up underneath her.
"Well as long as you have nothing better to do," Logan replied, playing along with Max. There was a small pause.
"So why did Normal give you the day off? I thought he was pretty strict with you guys." Logan asked pretty seriously, after he had time to think about it a little. This question caused Max to look down at her crossed legs, and then quickly around to the window; anywhere she wouldn't have to look at Logan.
"Um, no reason. Well, I did a lot of runs yesterday," Max replied, not very convincingly since she had avoided looking in the direction of Logan the whole time after he had asked the question.
"Really?" Logan asked, knowing there was something else and asking Max with the tone of his voice.
"Well… Look do I really have to tell you?" Max replied, still not looking at Logan and sounding a little desperate.
"No of course you don't. I was just interested, and concerned," Logan responded simply. Max quickly glanced around at him then went back to looking out the window.
"Okay, it was because I was upset and he could see that so he gave me yesterday afternoon off and today. But don't worry I'm not upset anymore so it doesn't matter." Max quickly admitted the whole reason she had been let off work. Logan had suspected something like this but it still tore at him when he heard it. He looked up at Max and found her looking at him again, her eyes keenly focused on his.
"Don't worry Logan. Remember what I asked you? Let's just be happy, that's all I want," Max said quietly.
"I know Max, but it's going to take me a while to get over what I did to you. Even if you say you don't care and it's all in the past, I still know what I put you through and I won't be able to forget it for a while. I still need to make it up to you some how," Logan quickly spat out before Max could interrupt him. Max just looked at him and smiled, she knew he would need some time to get over this. Funny that, she was the one crying like a baby all the time because of something he had done, yet he was the one that needed time to come to terms with it and recover. She put it down to the fact the he liked her a lot. That thought made her happy.
"Fine, you can make me a nice dinner. With no interruptions." She said, knowing Logan wouldn't be satisfied with just that but at least it was a good start, and she got dinner out of it, which was always a bonus. There was another pause.
"So why do you have tomorrow off then? You said you might. Is there a strike or something?" Logan asked. Max looked shyly down again but Logan could see the smile on her face.
"No. Original Cindy is going to tell Normal that I'm in such a state that I can't possibly make it in tomorrow." She confessed, looking up at Logan and smiling; he could see that she was embarrassed.
"Oh, right. So you don't feel uncomfortable deceiving your poor boss?" Logan jested. Max just looked at him and smirked.
"No, not this one time. But I can go back to work if it really bothers you," Max responded, again playing on Logan's attempts to make her forget about the other morning.
"No, don't go. I was just asking." Logan again stammered quickly. There was another slight pause, but this time Logan was getting a little cocky and feeling better about himself.
"So, you get a four day weekend? Sounds pretty good. What are you going to get up to?" Logan asked, looking directly at Max. Max reddened slightly and shifted nervously.
"Well I thought, that you and I could… hang out, you know and do stuff." Max felt like a complete idiot with that response, but at least she had told the truth. Logan was touched and incredibly pleased, he couldn't believe she wanted to spend the weekend with him, and then she actually admitted it.
"I think I can fit you in somewhere. Will be a good opportunity to catch on some Eyes Only stuff." Logan responded. Max looked at him, her features had dropped and her mouth was hanging open in amazement. Just as she was about to abuse him, Logan started speaking again.
"I'm only joking Max, I don't have anything on for the next four days, and if I do, I don't anymore." Logan said sincerely as he reached down and squeezed her socked foot, it being the closest body part. Max looked at her foot then at Logan and smiled shyly. It was everything she wanted.
"Cool," Max said. As her teeth were uncontrollably bared in a giant smile.
Just then a nurse with a clipboard walked in the room.
"How are we this morning Mr. Cale? Doctor Carr asked me to come in and check on you." She walked over to the side of the bed and observed the many pieces of equipment that were still attached to Logan in various places.
"Well…" She said clearly puzzled, and then rechecked all the machines.
"What's wrong?" Max quickly asked, the panic evident in her voice. Logan squeezed her foot again to try and comfort her, which got a small smile from Max but she was still distracted by the nurse. The nurse hadn't responded yet so Max was glancing nervously between Logan and the equipment the nurse was observing.
"Nothing, he's fine dear. It just amazing how quickly he has returned to health," the nurse stated, still a little puzzled and so having another look at the machines.
"Oh," Max quietly responded.
"Good blood," Logan said smiling, the nurse turned to him thinking he was talking to her, but when she faced him she noticed his eyes fixed on the girl on the end of his bed. Max looked at him and smiled weakly.
"Well it looks like you are ready to go home actually. So I'll just go fetch you a chair." The nurse interrupted their staring, and walked out of the room.
"Looks like you get to go home mister," Max said to Logan playfully.
"Yeah," Logan responded solemnly; it was just another reminder that he couldn't walk. Max picked up on this quickly; so bent in and kissed Logan on the cheek, hoping it would have some form of positive effect. Logan turned to her, face lighting up, and he had a big smile on his face.
"Thanks," he said, squeezing Max's foot again, which he hadn't let go of since the last time he grabbed it. Max got up and just finished packing their bags when the nurse came back in wheeling a chair in front of her. Logan looked at it disgusted; Max saw this and walked over to him.
"Don't be silly, you need to get out of here somehow. Come on, I'll even push you," Max whispered into his ear, and he smiled a little at the closeness. The nurse closed the curtain so Logan could throw on some clothes. Max had been entertaining the idea of Manticore giving them X-Ray vision at the time. Opening the curtain, he seated himself in the char, and the nurse walked up behind Logan and started to push him towards the door. Max didn't take too kindly to this, which Logan noticed and had to stifle his laughter.
'How dare she start to move my Logan around?' Max stopped here and thought on that for a second. 'My Logan, cool.' She didn't smile, however, but her features darkened as she moved towards the nurse. Max moved coolly over and placed her hands on the handles of the wheelchair while speaking.
"It's alright we can manage." She was trying to be calm and level headed, she knew it was the nurse's job but she still didn't like her being that close to Logan. Instead of moving away the nurse tightened her grip on the handles and looked at Max.
"No, I'll take him out, it would be my pleasure," she said, dripping with something Max didn't like.
'You bitch. Let go of Logan.'
"Really, it's alright, we can manage," Max said again, her tone hardening and grip tightening. Logan was having small fits trying to stem his laughter. The nurse glowered at Max, and then in a very stupid manoeuvre swung her hips to bump Max out of the way. Before the nurse's hip had a chance of coming into contact with Max's, Max had hooked her foot behind the nurse's leg and swept it up. The nurse didn't understand why she had fallen on her arse and that bratty girl was casually walking out of the room pushing the patient. Once in the hall Logan couldn't contain himself anymore. He burst out laughing.
"Thanks for sticking up for me back there. You know that could have been very quickly resolved if you just told that nurse where to stick it," Max said to him angrily as she pushed Logan quicker and quicker out of the hospital. She was expecting a humorous response from Logan, something along the lines of 'And miss out on that wonderful show', but instead she got silence, and she knew why.
When Logan had heard Max, the tone in her voice he knew he had disappointed her again, the cold chill and gut wrenching fear had torn through his stomach again and was sitting in his chest making it hard to breath.
"I'm… so sorry Max, I didn't meant to…" Logan was desperately depressed again and Max could hear the regret and sorrow in his voice.
"No big dealio, I was only joking anyway. It's nice to kick someone's ass every now and again." Max tried to convince Logan and lighten the mood, which she knew wasn't working.
"Logan I know you feel bad about the other morning, and I know you won't feel better until you make it up to me in some ridiculously over the top manner. But for now, to make me feel better don't be so gloomy. Remember all I asked was for us to be happy. Not just me and not just you, but both of us. And at the moment, you being all pissy and depressed is holding down your end of the bargain, so it looks like you'll have to stop or you'll just let me down more." Max finished, with a strange sense of logic that seemed to make sense. Logan smiled slowly when he realised what Max was trying to do.
"So you expect some huge over the top gesture as a form of apology?" Logan asked playfully.
"I don't care, as long as I get a dinner out of it somewhere," Max said as the walked out of the front door of the hospital.
"A dinner? The rate you eat I was expecting an entire gala day of food," Logan stated mischievously. They had just turned the corner and were going down the ramp into the car park.
"You know I can let go if you want? And with that busted arm of yours I don't see you stopping too quickly," Max retorted.
"I'll be good," Logan said smiling.
"Good boy," Max said, playfully patting him on the head. There was silence for a little while. This time, however, it wasn't unpleasant or embarrassing. Logan was thinking, and so was Max.
"You know…" Logan began.
"Yeah?" Max responded casually.
"You seem to always refer to me as a dog, which is kind of strange since you are mainly feline right?" Logan stated, his tone matching the peculiarity of what he had just said.
"Excuse me?" Max asked startled at the oddity of the sentence.
"Well you know, cats don't like dogs traditionally. So you should really not like me that much," Logan stated, not seriously, just making absent conversation.
"Are you trying to tell me that you don't like me either? I seem to recall this dogs and cats thing working both ways." Max played back, a slight inclination to her voice.
"Well dogs like to chase cats, and I must say I don't really mind following you around." The conversation had plummeted from light playful banter to underlying – but quite obvious – compliments. Max didn't mind, she just felt warmer, so decided to continue with it.
"You can chase me any time Logan. In fact, I welcome it."
"Really?" Logan's voice twinkled as he turned around and gave Max an incredibly cheeky grin. Max let go of the handles and let the wheelchair coast a little, since they were on level ground by now.
"Really," Max stated as she stopped walking and cocked her hips. She looked at Logan slowly rolling in front of her, a grin spreading across her face.
"So chase me. I need a run, I've been lying around for ages now, and my body needs a proper stretch." With this Max took off, not too fast. She had only gone a small distance when she realised the seriousness of what she had just done. Logan would still be sitting in the same spot, in the middle of the car park in his wheelchair, thinking he wasn't good enough because he couldn't walk. Max turned around to where she had left Logan and the wheelchair. What she saw took her breath away. There sitting in the middle of the car park was an empty wheelchair, with her and Logan's bags on the ground in front of them.
"Logan!" Max yelled, panicked as she rushed back towards the chair.
"Logan!" Max was becoming more frantic as she made her way towards the chair; she wasn't moving fast but trying to observe her surroundings a little more, listening for the sound of a car or a struggle. All of a sudden arms grabbed her from behind, Max swung around on instinct and hit the person in the middle of the chest, knocking them back into the pillar they had been hiding behind. Only as the body left the end of her fist did she realise who it was. It was too late, all she could do was look and desperately try and get to Logan as he went soaring through the air and hit the cement pillar with a dull thud and a slight groan. Max knew it was him before she saw him, she could smell him and feel him, but not soon enough. Max reached him just as he had almost hit the ground and caught him halfway. He already had his good arm clutching his chest, trying to regain some of the air that had been knocked out of him on impact.
"Logan. What the hell was that?" Max said, attacking him the way a mother scolds a child for playing near a road. It was purely out of concern, and anger that she could have lost him. Logan merely sucked in a breath and grinned weakly. Max was kneeling down in front of him and had her hands on his shoulders, supporting him against the pillar. She only then noticed that Logan had stopped clutching his chest and now had a solid grip on her ankle.
"Got you. I forgot that there is usually a little bit of violence between the cats and dogs. Problem is my cat is no normal cat, so I come off second best." Logan smiled at Max through gritted teeth, desperately trying not to show the pain in his chest, but still ecstatic he had won. He had chased her and got her and he still had her.
"What? That's what this is about?" Max asked him, bewildered and still a little angry.
"Well you told me to chase you. Who am I to disobey, I was just being a good dog." Logan now managed a full smile at Max, his eyes were sparkling and his skin was glowing. Max smiled back at him, relieved he wasn't injured, and stood up then patted him on the head.
"Good pooch. You just wait here while I get our stuff and your chair." Max hadn't even realised that Logan was at least 30 feet from where the chair lay. She hadn't thought about how he had come to be there. She turned to leave and nearly fell over, because Logan was still hanging onto her ankle.
"Hey, let go," Max turned and said to him. Logan smiled and shook his head.
"Nope. I've got you now, I'm not letting go."
'Wow! What the hell was that?' They thought simultaneously, both extremely shocked with what Logan had just said. Logan was nervous about it, thinking Max would get nervous and uneasy about the situation. Max on the other hand was going gooey on the inside.
"You sure do. But you can let go of my ankle," Max said to him, as she smiled big. Logan smiled back, a little nervously and slowly loosened his grip on her ankle. Max walked off towards their gear, buoyancy in her step like never before. Logan watched her go, happy that things were really coming together for him. Everything he wanted was happening and nearly all of it was Max, and all of it had to do with her. He got to his feet surprisingly quickly and followed her quietly.
Max had just got to the gear and was putting their bags on the seat to take back over to him. Logan reached out to tap her on the shoulder, but just before he touched her he started speaking.
"Don't hit me this time Max," he said jokingly as he lightly touched her shoulder. Max spun around amazingly quick, her face completely startled. She looked at him for a moment. Logan was standing behind her, bandages on one arm and the other in his pocket. He was standing, Max couldn't believe it. His legs were slightly parted and he stood completely erect, and he appeared like he hadn't been in a wheelchair ever in his life. His stance was so strong and steady; not like a few nights ago when he required the cane or he just couldn't move swiftly or smoothly. Even though he was stationary Max could tell purely by the way he stood that his step would be effortless and suave.
"What? Why, why didn't you tell me?" Max asked, her voice breaking a little. She was overcome with the situation.
"Oh you know, the usual. Wanted it to be a surprise and all. Also only just figured it out for myself a few minutes ago," Logan stated casually, although Max could hear the tone. He was excited and happy with life again. Max's reverie was interrupted as Logan continued to speak.
"Didn't you wonder how I managed to get all the way over there, when the wheelchair was still here?" Logan pointed casually over his shoulder towards the pillar he had only just recently been leaning against. Max blushed a little at the seemingly obvious fact Logan had just reminded her of. She had to try some kind of excuse none the less.
"Well, I nearly killed you, I figure that's a pretty good excuse for not realising something like that." She wasn't sad or upset about hurting him, just embarrassed from not noticing.
"Nearly killed me? Well I'll have to be more careful when I sneak up on you next," Logan said laughing a little whilst rubbing his chest with his good arm. As much as he was trying to ignore the pain, it was still there. Max smiled at him weakly and looked at the ground.
"Sorry about that," she said softly. Logan studied her for a moment, then his smile increased a little more.
"Well it's not as if I'm allowed to die on you anyway. You'd kick my ass remember?" Logan said inquisitively, whilst trying not to laugh at Max's face when she heard what he was saying. She looked up at him, her face embarrassed and flustered.
"You, you heard? And you just happen to be sitting on this information to spring on me later?" Max was blushing; she couldn't believe he had heard her say that, and hoping that he hadn't heard anything else she had said to his unconscious form. Logan smiled at her knowingly and his eyes twinkled, but suddenly a shadow crossed his face, as something else Max had said to him while he was unconscious was coming back. '…thanks a lot Logan, you've opened an emotional time bomb, all I can do is cry now.' His excellent mood had just been invaded and was steadily slipping. Max had just got the gear and was wheeling it back towards Logan, she saw his face and realised that he had heard everything she had said.
"Don't you dare," Max said threateningly as she approached him. Logan looked up at her and saw her face set in a determined expression, a look he had never seen before. He wasn't sure what was coming. Max was walking towards Logan, thinking about what she should do to make him realise.
'This guy is so dense; I need to get it through to him some how that I'm over it already. He needs to be.' Max had an idea. She wasn't sure if it would work but she had to try. It was a daunting idea but she had a feeling it might resolve the issue, so she strode towards him, face set in an unwavering manner.
Max walked up to Logan, long since leaving the chair behind, and grabbed him by the sides of his face and pulled him down to her lips. It was with this act, so blatant and obvious that Logan finally realised that Max did in fact like him, after everything they'd been through in the past few days. With this kiss he realised what it all meant. This was what the past few days had been leading too. They had admitted to each other that they liked each other, they had even shared moments of passion on several occasions, but this was different. It was so brutal, so delicate, so strong and so weak. There was no hesitation, no gentle lead up or emotional situation. It was just the ultimate expression of emotion. When Max had first grabbed Logan's face, he knew what was happening, so again forgot about everything, and he grabbed the back of her head, pulling her face closer to his as his fingers got tangled in her silken hair.
And just as quickly as it started it had stopped. Max was still hanging onto Logan's face, and he still had his hand on the back of her head, but this time there was no silent recognition, no small embarrassed whispers. Max quickly pecked him on the lips again, then gently slapped the side of his face, and smiled at him.
"Don't be an idiot." She turned and grabbed the wheelchair and started walking over to Logan's car and her bike, again side by side, like they always should have been. Logan stood there a little dazed for a while, and then ran to catch up with Max, smiling a little at how naturally his legs were working again.
"So, what do you want to do first on your long weekend?" Logan asked as he caught up with her." Max looked at him and smiled seductively.
"Oh, I can think of a few things," she said in a low sultry voice.
"Really?" Logan responded to the loaded question, leaning a little closer to her. Their banter was interrupted by the realisation they would probably be going home separately. Then Logan remembered his arm was still bandaged.
"Max, I can't drive with this arm," he said simply, leaving it open for Max to decide what to do. He didn't think she would want to leave her bike here for much longer as it wasn't very secure.
"No big dealio," she said lightly, then went around and opened the back of Logan's car. He wasn't quite sure what she was up to so he stood back and observed. After opening the back door Max walked over to her bike then wheeled it over to the back of his car. She lifted the front and placed the front wheel up in the back, then she bent down and picked up the rest of the bike and pushed it in. It fit perfectly. Logan just stood back amazed; he constantly forgot she was capable of things like that.
"Well, that solves that problem," he said lightly, as he walked over and got into the passenger side of the car.
Max had been driving for a while, both sitting in silence, until Logan spoke.
"This is weird," he said quite suddenly. Max got a little worried since she had been thinking about Logan and her, and thought it was going really well. In fact she hadn't been happier, something that seemed to be constantly happening in the past few days.
"What?" she snapped, not angry but a little worried. Logan looked over at her and smiled. At least he wasn't the only one worried about what the other one was saying.
"Being a passenger in this car, I'm not used to being on this side and not driving. It's just weird that's all," Logan said. He had actually found it a bit weird, sitting on this side of the car, with Max on the other side. He usually always drove her places. Logan looked over and saw Max's face was a little grim. He reached over and grabbed her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze then continued to hold it.
"You're not weird Max," he said simply, then kissed the back of her hand and continued to hold it. Max felt better and couldn't help but grin.
They walked back into Logan's apartment and Max dumped her gear on a chair, and then flopped down on the couch. Logan headed for the kitchen, fiddled around for a little bit then came back out. He walked up behind Max and gently massaged her shoulders with his good hand. Max murmured appreciatively and closed her eyes.
"Well I'm going to have a shower, try and remove some of this hospital smell," Logan announced. He was itching at the thought of suggesting Max join him again but knew it wasn't the right thing to do, not yet anyway. Max turned around and looked at him.
"What am I supposed to do then?" she asked, trying to sound like a bored little kid. Logan was already walking off toward his room.
"I'm sure you can think of something, you know this place pretty well by now," Logan replied, laughing slightly at Max's tone. Max sat there and wasn't sure if she was annoyed or glad that Logan hadn't asked her to join him in the shower again. She eventually decided she was glad; things can't happen that fast.
Max got up from the couch and walked around Logan's apartment slowly, she noted that there was a slight stain of blood in the middle of Logan's living room, and the glass coffee table was no longer there. 'Well that explains the arm.' she thought to herself as she continued walking around, looking through his books, when one particular volume caught her attention. 'How to waltz in 15 easy steps huh? Sounds interesting.' Max picked up the book and started flicking through it.
Logan got out of the shower and threw on some pants and a shirt. He noticed he had acquired quite a bruise from his encounter with Max. He didn't mind, in fact he kind of enjoyed seeing it there, like a scar that held pleasant memories. He knew it wouldn't last, so for the moment he just enjoyed knowing that Max had touched him, and that was enough. When he walked out looking for Max, he found her in the living room, with a book extended at arms length. She appeared to be concentrating very carefully on its contents and at the same time the position of her feet. Logan had to stifle a chuckle when he realised what the book was and what Max was doing.
"You know, it's a lot easier if you have someone show you how to do it," Logan said, interrupting her concentration and making her flush pink. Max looked at him and tried to remain cool, but it was hard. Logan was looking nice and fresh after his shower, and his damp hair was doing radical things, all of which seemed to be right according to Max. Not to mention she was embarrassed being discovered trying to dance with a book.
"Oh, really?" she responded, smiling a Logan slightly. Logan looked at her and smiled.
"Really. Miss Guevera, may I have this dance?" Logan asked, as he walked over to her and bowed low, sweeping her hand into his.
"I thought you were out of action with that arm of yours?" Max said, ignoring her own question as she moved closer to Logan, enclosing herself in his warmth. Logan looked at her and smiled.
"You know, it's the darndest thing. There are only a few little stiches in it, and none of them affect its ability to bend or function correctly." Logan replied, placing a hand on Max's hip – which caused her to involuntary shudder – then gathering her hand with his other. By now their eyes were locked, and there was nothing but them to see.
"Shouldn't we have music?" Max whispered to Logan, moving a little closer to him. Logan looked at her, and she noticed the twinkle in his eyes hadn't disappeared since the hospital, and seemed to be growing stronger.
"Yes we should. But it's all the way over there," Logan said, turning himself and Max, so their extended arms pointed to the sound system.
"So let us away Sir Cale," Max responded, Logan looking at her and smiling. He led them lazily over to the sound system. When they got there Logan looked at her.
"What son…"
"Sibelius," Max quickly said, before giving him a chance to answer the question. She looked down a little embarrassed at her eagerness.
"I was about to suggest that actually," Logan said, as he moved over to Max and assumed the dancing position again. Max smiled a little and went tingly from where he touched her.
Once the music had started Max rested her head against Logan's chest and closed her eyes. She let the music and the memories sweep her away, to a time long ago, when she only started to fully realise how much Logan meant to her. Very similar thoughts were going through Logan's head at the same time.
"Logan…" Max whispered, looking up into his eyes. He didn't respond but smiled at her.
"I like this," Max said quietly, and then placed her head back on his chest. Saying that had taken a lot out of her. Logan looked down at her head and smiled, he wasn't completely sure what she was talking about but had a fair idea, and there was one way to find out.
"Yeah, it's a nice song, and there isn't much to beat a nice waltz," he responded light-heartedly. Max looked back into his eyes, and he could see she was worried; no she was nervous about something. He knew then he had been thinking the right thing. After all, it was how he felt as well.
"No, this," Max said, indicating between herself and Logan.
"I like being close with you, it's… nice." Max had finally said it, she enjoyed being with him like a couple. She sighed slightly then placed her head back onto his chest, thinking if he didn't accept what she had just said, she better get something nice out of it first. Logan looked down at the top her head, a huge smile spreading across his face.
"Me too, more than anything," he replied, as he kissed her on the top of her head. A big smile spread on Max's face, and without knowing why, a single tear rolled down her cheek, coming to rest in her hair. The feeling was similar to something she recalled from a wedding, which they attended once. This time was better though.
After a small while their song had ended, so they didn't feel too much like dancing any more.
"You got some food for me?" Max asked as she pulled away from Logan. He smiled at her and chuckled.
"Of course I do. That's why you're here remember, meal-ticket." He didn't let go of Max, but held her around the waist and headed to the kitchen. Max couldn't remove the goofy grin on her face.
"So what do you want?" Logan asked, looking at Max, as she jumped onto the counter.
"I don't know, you usually just give me something and I eat it," Max replied, sitting there looking at Logan expectantly.
"Okay then, well I have an idea but it will take some time to make, so you might have to wait a while. In the mean time…" He went into the fridge.
"…you can have this," he said producing a large pitcher of red cordial. When Max saw the red liquid her face brightened, and she quickly grabbed a pair of glasses to fill. Once her glass was full she sat back on the table, watching Logan chop up various ingredients and simmer certain mixtures. The smell was starting to have an effect on her stomach, which made it self quite audibly known with a loud rumble. Logan looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm going as fast as I can," he said, walking over and patting her stomach. Max just shrugged at him, a little show of red in her cheeks, and then jumped off the counter and went to ransack his pantry. When she had just started to open the door, Logan came up behind her and playful smacked her on the bottom with a wooden spoon he happened to have handy.
"Hey!" Max practically squealed as she jumped around to face him. Logan looked at her sternly.
"Like I said last time, you'll spoil your dinner." Max looked back at him and pouted. Before she had a chance to speak Logan had crumbled.
"Fine you can have two cookies, and only two." He was trying to be assertive but he knew he had no chance against her pout. Max flashed him a smile.
"Thanks." Then she turned back to going through his pantry.
After dinner they had retired to the living room and were sitting on the couch, both pretty stuffed from the meal.
"That was really good Logan. So do you feel better yet? Now that you've given me a good meal without any interruptions?" Max asked looking over at him. Logan smiled weakly at her and shook his head.
"Max, that doesn't even count. There is going to be a lot more than just that in store for you," he responded, moving a little closer to her, resting his arm on her leg.
"Oh yeah?" she asked, and her voice had taken on a very sultry tone.
"Yeah," Logan replied, his tone becoming incredibly husky as he moved closer to Max again, his arm slipping around her waist. They lent in slowly and lightly kissed, then pulled back a bit and smiled at each other. They moved in again and kissed once more, this time with more passion and intensity. Soon Max had her hands in Logan's hair and Logan had one at the back of her head, and the other one slowly moved underneath the bottom half of her top, so he could feel the smooth skin of her belly. Max loved the sensation of his hand on her stomach. It was both smooth and prickly, gently soothing and exciting her skin as he moved it in small circles around her belly button. His hand then slipped around her side, so it caressed her waist, where his fingers could reach the edges of her back. Max was slowly moving her hands down so she could run them along his broad shoulders and down his back.
Logan was enjoying himself. It was incredibly nice, the feel of Max's skin underneath his fingers and the sensation of her lips on his and the gentle caress of her hands along his back. He loved being this close to her, he finally had what he wanted, and it was only Max; he only wanted to walk so he could have her. He didn't think she would want him when she knew he couldn't walk. But she had proved him wrong there, so now being able to walk again was a bonus.
They were in this position for a while, just enjoying the sensation of each other. Suddenly Max flipped Logan over and straddled him, quickly ripping his shirt from his body, and tearing it into several pieces. He looked up in her eyes and saw a strange glint there.
Max knew what was happening. She fought it and jumped off Logan and ran into the bathroom, telling herself she was going to stay there and not come out. She had told herself she didn't want this to be going any faster, so there was no way she could go back out there. Not now she was in heat.
Story note: Ok, here's the basic question. Should Max stay in the bathroom, or go out to Logan?