A/N: Spoilers for DA through Hit a Sista Back.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter Two – After
Seattle, WA 2020
He hadn't heard the door open, but he sensed her. He thought part of it had to do with her having caught him writing poetry. His psyche didn't want to receive a second blow. And the other part… he wasn't exactly sure. Maybe she couldn't surprise him because, in a way, he was always looking for her. He'd gotten used to having her around.
Not a bad thing to get used to.
"Logan!" came Max's sharp call.
Logan smiled. Somehow this greeting sounded better to him than any version of "Hello, Logan. It's nice to see you today. You're looking well" could. Logan gripped his wheels and turned slowly as Max entered his computer room. A sly grin slowly appeared as he looked at her and said, "S'up, my sista?" The grin widened and threatened to turn into laughter as the light look on her face turned into a sour glare that was half annoyed and half… really annoyed.
"I spent a full day with hoodlums and when I try to find the one semi-civilized person I know in this crap shoot of a city we live in what do I find?" Max plunked herself in a chair nearby. "Another hoodlum."
Logan couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out. "Sorry," he apologized, not sorry at all. "I couldn't help myself. Original Cindy called and warned that you were on a warpath against society today. She told me that if I didn't find something to, and I quote, 'pull your transgenic ass out of the whacked out funk' you've been in, she'd be looking for a new roommate. That was the best thing I could come up with on short notice." Which was not the same thing as what Original Cindy actually suggested he do, but he wasn't sure Max would be quite open to that idea.
Max sighed and slumped a little in the seat, glancing away. "I guess I could have been a little more…. agreeable at work today. Sketchy and Herbal weren't any worse than those two punks usually are. But somehow it was just all too much. I've reached my dealing limit. I'm not sure how much more I can take."
The downcast look on her face echoed through Logan. Wheeling himself a little closer to her, he reached out and nudged her chin up until she was looking him in the eyes. He dropped his hand slowly, the warmth from her face tingling in his fingertips. "It's been a rough few weeks for you. Lots of sibling stuff."
"Yeah. Stuff," she echoed. Max turned her head slightly and gave a quick, quirky smile. "So mind if I trounce you at a few games of chess to work out my issues?" She rose, walking towards where he had the set stored.
Logan nodded. "Of course. Far be it from me to let your issues stir around in that enhanced brain of yours. Except, I'm feeling lucky tonight."
Max paused in her stride and rose a brow at him. "Oh, really?" she said in a slightly sultry tone. She took a step towards him. "In that case-"
A bright flash overtook the room.
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