A/N I'm glad you liked the Bloopers : ) I have some more, I'll post them after the Epilogue. The first two are from 'Angel Dance'. I decided for them to go to the restaurant instead of Max's place. The last one, I wanted Logan and Max to go near a lake but I took them to Florida instead, it's from 'Irreversible Times'.
It'll be the Epilogue next and that's it for Promises. Thanks for the encouraging reviews, I do appreciate them very much. It makes me so happy to see that 'Review Alert' in my mail : )
I can't seem to get a hold of my betas, so please forgive the mistakes, they're all mine.
**Part 17**
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Logan walked back to his car with fisted hands in his pockets. He felt his life slowly drain out of him, literally feeling the muscles in his body go weak. The weight of his leg got heavier with each step. It was like climbing a steep mountain in search of the highest, most glorious peak. Only this time he knew that when he got to the top, the earth would crack beneath him. Gravity would forcefully pull him down, knocking the air out of him and slamming him hard when he finally hit the charcoal black ground. No green grass would welcome him, only emptiness and withered leaves. Signs that life used to be there but was no more. The rain had deserted it, the promise of lovely roses and fragrant air all gone.
Logan got into his rented car and fumbled with the keys until the engine roared to life. He pushed on the gas pedal and watched the needle of the speedometer go from 0 to 10 to 50 to 100 to 140. He kept pushing his foot, his eyes locked on the meter, his hands gripping the stirring wheel as he flew straight on the outstretched road, aware that any moment he would pass by a curve, yet not caring at all.
An almost blinding light and a piercing honk from an oncoming car startled Logan out of his semi-conscious state.
"Fuck!" He murmured as he swiveled out of the other car's lane. He halted by the side of the road, aware of his heart beating so fast, pounding in his ears. Logan turned his head around and realized that Max's house was already out of sight. Then in the silence of the night, something penetrated his self-defense escape mode. He felt something tugging him, like an invisible rope, willing him to go back. It was like all the stars conspired to grant a mortal's wish. Muses were singing in the air, taunting him, whispering 'she's waiting for you'. But Logan knew it was all wishful thinking. Max was his past and nothing more. He heard her say the words.
Logan managed to find his way back to the pier and into an airplane that took him home. The initial shock and disappointment eventually wore off, only to be replaced by the aching sadness around his chest. Sadness that didn't go away with the rise of the sun or the reign of the moon. It was always there. It was his company for hopeless days and bright-less nights.
It didn't make sense. He was so sure that Max would want him to come for her. She made him promise. What went wrong?
"Logan you need to eat." He heard Lisa speak, a maid in the house even before Logan was born.
Logan gave her a questioning look, not comprehending what she said, his thoughts were far away.
"Eat, Logan!" The elderly woman snapped and shook her head. She had seen Logan's heart get broken before. High-society girls would parade him for his looks and dump him when the next rich boy came along. He always shrugged it off. This was different though - it was always better to lose a girlfriend than to lose a childhood friend, especially one that was so intricately connected to him.
"Oh." Logan blinked his eyes and knotted his forehead, as if in pain. As if it hurt for him to move.
"You can move on, or you can keep on moping around here." Lisa said as she took a handful of Logan's shirt and pulled him up. "Deal with this!"
When Logan gave her a blank look, she dragged him to the bathroom and shoved him in the tub.
With a puzzled look, Logan asked "What are you doing?"
"This." Lisa responded, turning the shower on.
Logan yelped in surprise when cold water hit him like a painful blow.
~~ End of Flashback ~~
Logan tightened his grip around Max's body. Hearing her whimper in sleepy contentment, he allowed himself to fall back to sleep. Secure that Max would be there when he woke up in the morning, knowing that never in his lifetime would he lose her again., aware that he would not ever relived those painful days when he thought that he had lost her forever.
Max woke up with a hand over her stomach and a lip pressed on the top of her head. Her whole body was leaning against warmth that she knew she would seek all the days of her life. The feel of Logan next to her was like an intoxicating drug. She was only supposed to have a taste, but she hadn't anticipated how good it would be. And she didn't have the will to stop and deny herself of it.
Leave now! Leave! Leave! Leave!
Untangle your legs from his.
Withdraw from his embrace.
Lift your head from the crook of his neck.
Don't respond to the feel of his chest under your palms.
Stop gazing at his lips.
Push away that gnawing need between your legs.
"I love you Max." Logan said in a soft whisper, his eyes still closed, perhaps dreaming in his sleep.
Max burrowed closer to Logan, her breathing deep, her thoughts heading off to a million directions yet always converging back to the fact that she could never leave him after last night. She would never want to. She didn't belong anywhere else but here. This was perfect. This was right.
Max always wondered what love was all about. Now she knew that it was this. It was a soft kiss on her forehead after their bodies wracked in sweet pleasure. It was Logan taking her hand and pressing the back of it on his cheek, looking into her eyes and pressing his lips on her opened palm. It was holding her close and feeling secure in his arms. It was about being fearless because she knew that at the end of the day, he'd be home waiting for her. It wasn't about the actions though, it was about how Logan made her feel when he did them to her. Loved. She felt loved and she liked it. It made all the tears and broken hearts worth the pain when Logan enveloped her with need, wanting and peace just by looking at her.
Max realized that the key in getting the most out of life was to know what she wanted from it and unquestioningly believe that she deserved it, however hard that may be. And she wanted Logan. She wanted to wake up in his arms every morning. No more asking for permission if she could. No more feeling guilty for wanting it. No more doubting if Logan wanted the same.
She would take and not apologize for doing so.
Max rested her weight on her elbow and looked intently at Logan's face. He slept peacefully like a sated lover. Max shook him a little until he woke up.
"Why didn't you ever come back for me?" She asked.
"Max, what is it baby?" Logan asked, slightly disoriented. He wasn't worried though, the look on Max's face showed no doubt. Only determination and compassion. Her lips were red and made perfectly to fit his. Her hair was tousled, inviting him to run his fingers through them again. Her eyes were big and brown and bright, mirroring the love in his. He wanted to have her again.
"Why didn't you come back for me? You promised that you will." She repeated, her voice soft, knowing that Logan's response would hurt her yet assured that she would love him nevertheless.
Logan closed his eyes and leaned forward to press his forehead against hers. "Oh, Max."
"It's okay Logan, I'm not mad. I just want to know." Max said reassuringly.
With a sigh, Logan looked directly at Max's eyes. "I did Max."
Max frowned, confused. "You what?"
Logan held Max tighter. "I did come for you."
Logan recounted the tale of his visit to Greece. He told Max about her uncle and the words he heard her say.
When Logan finished, Max sat up on the bed, clutching the sheet above her breast. She looked outside and saw the sun starting to rise. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. The little light that shone through Logan's window made everything glow with warmth. The bed was soft under her, the covers warm to her touch. Logan's hand was on the small of her back, comforting her, sending electricity to where they joined connected last night.
Her uncle manipulated her. Instead of anger, sadness came over Max. Why would he do such a thing?
"I didn't mean them you know. What I said." Max finally stated, her expression showed acceptance and sorrow. All these years she spent being angry and hurt, and she didn't even have to. What a waste of a good life. "He wouldn't let me go. He knew I'd been waiting for you."
Logan nodded and sat up as well, he positioned himself in front of Max, the sheet covered his lower half. He realized that all his pain was because of a manipulative man. Instead of feeling angry at Lydecker, Logan felt sorry for him. He didn't understand what kind of a man would purposely destroy two young lives. "I'm sorry Max."
"He knew how much it hurt me when each year passed by and you didn't come." Max shook her head, as if in disbelief. She should go over to her uncle and cause him all the pain he did to her. But that thought wasn't appealing, it brought no consolation. She just felt sick and sad, disappointed in humanity's capability for this kind of viciousness. "I'm sorry Logan. He didn't tell me. How could he do it?"
"I don't know." Logan grazed his knuckles on Max's arm, soothing her. There were goosebumps on her skin so he adjusted the blanket to cover her exposed back.
"How could he be so spiteful, Logan?" Instead of settling in the blanket, Max shifted position to sit at his side, swinging her legs over his lap and leaning on his shoulder. He pulled her close, his arm around her waist.
Logan didn't know, but there was one thing he was aware of, "He wants to keep you, Max. I guess in his own twisted way, that's how he loved you."
Finally knowing what love was, Max responded somberly "Keeping someone in chains with a pretense of need isn't love, Logan." Then Max added, "She left him, my aunt. He loved her and she left him. He didn't want me to do the same."
"I thought she died?"
"No." Max simply said. "She left and never came back. He has never been able to find her. Or forget."
***
As soon as Max saw the island from the boat, a nostalgic feeling came over her. The surroundings that greeted her were foreign and familiar at the same time. The mountains looked surreal, she immediately felt the connection she fostered there in her younger years. The water talked to her, it soothed her heart, just as it had done so many times in the past. Logan was quiet beside her, holding her hand.
When the boat reached the pier, Max stepped up and felt the warm air brush her cheeks.
"Do you mind if we walk?" Max asked Logan as she tamed her curly hair behind her ears. She needed time to clear her head.
"No, that's fine Max." Logan offered a supportive smile as he put on his backpack and carried Max's bag. He found out that Max was typically female. She wasn't a light packer, a fact that was made painfully known to Logan after an hour of exhausting walk up hilly paths and half-built roads.
Max noticed Logan lagging behind her, his forehead sheen with sweat. He used his sleeve to wipe his face and Max couldn't help but be smitten by the gesture. Logan was concentrating on his every step, his glasses perched on his nose. He had a look of maturity and dedication. And if her mind wasn't at the task of talking to her uncle, Max would have seduced Logan's sexy self right there and then. She grinned and called out, "Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm alright, " Logan lifted a hand half-way, to reach up further would be too energy consuming.
"Let me carry my bag." She paused and waited for him to catch up.
Logan stopped beside Max, leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips. "Come on, Max. Feed my ego a little and let me do this for you."
Max pressed her lips together. When Logan smiled sheepishly, she burst out laughing. "You think you're cute?"
"No. But apparently, you do." Logan responded, encouraged by Max's playfulness.
Max put a hand on Logan's shoulder and kissed his cheek. Leaning closer to his ears, she whispered, "No. But I do think you're sexy."
Logan had to swallow. Hard. So Max was a tease too. His face lighted up, he liked it!
Max shook her head and walked ahead of Logan again, this time making sure that her hips swayed just a little more for Logan's viewing pleasure.
"Hey!" Logan called out. "Somebody ever tell you you've got moves?"
Without looking back, Max threw out "Yeah. This morning, in fact."
Logan suddenly felt a lot warmer. He blew out a breath. Did she know what she did to him? "Do you know what you do to me?"
Max turned around this time and eyed Logan lustfully. She growled, teasingly "I've got some ideas."
The expression of childlike delight on Logan's face disappeared, clueing Max to the fact that they'd reach their destination. The light mood they shared suddenly dissipated at the sight of Lydecker's house.
Max walked up to the door and punched in the entry code. The receiving room hadn't changed at all. It still looked as flawless as one would find in a magazine. Expensive paintings hung on the wall. The furniture was perfectly arranged and dust free. Max realized how big and empty the place was. It was just a building with rooms, despite its majestic and imposing presence. It wasn't a home like the one she grew up in with her parents where couches had stains and toys lay on the floor.
Max now knew for a fact that people's houses were a reflection of their souls. And she was sad to find that her uncle's reflected a lonely and unlived one.
"Max."
Max turned around and saw her uncle standing by the staircase, a triumphant look on his face. She looked at him with sad eyes and his malicious smile slowly faded.
With a stern voice, Lydecker said, "I expected you to be back alone."
With all the love that Max felt for Logan, she willed herself to see her uncle in a less vindictive light. The lines around his eyes showed his age, the frown on his forehead showed a hardened heart. He didn't know loving and giving and unselfishness like she did. He wasn't lucky enough to have someone to share those with. She pitied him more than anything else.
Throwing away the hatred with every step, Max gave Lydecker a brief hug. "It's nice to be back, I've missed you."
For the first time in his life, Lydecker was speechless.
Max smiled. "Logan and I thought that we should visit you for a little while. I hope you don't mind."
Lydecker still said nothing, silently trying to determine what game Max and Logan were playing. Lydecker's gaze shifted to Logan. The younger man stood his ground, waiting for the elder one's reaction. Lydecker nodded. "Max's room is upstairs, the first door on your left. You can take your bags there."
Logan followed, leaving Lydecker and Max alone.
Max cocked her head to the side. "That wasn't a very nice stunt you pulled. Threatening Logan?"
"You belong here Max, with the Chamber." Lydecker stepped down and walked closer to Max. He said those words out of habit. He needed to give Max a reason to stay. Being with him wasn't enough. He knew that. He wasn't enough. Nobody wanted him.
She shook her head. "No. I belong to Seattle with Logan." Max started feeling defensive so she let out a breath before continuing. "You can't play this game anymore. I have my own life now."
"Your life is with me."
Max softened, fully understanding how emotionally barren and broken her uncle was. "You're a part of my life and I'll always love you." Lydecker's expression changed, like he was surprised to hear her say what she just did.
Taking a leap, Max added. "If you let me have my life with Logan, I promise not to leave you like she did." When she saw Lydecker's barriers slowly breaking, she hurriedly added, "We'll visit you here. And we'll love to have you in Seattle. Always."
Lydecker had a haunted look about him, seeing Max and being reminded of the woman whose eyes had been like hers. "I loved her."
"I'm sorry she hurt you." Max couldn't help but feel her uncle's agonizing struggle with the ghost and memories that plagued him.
It was going to take time, but Max would help him. She would help him pick up the pieces from his past's betrayal. Dealing with the fear and hurt of the past wasn't as hard as letting them eat away present and future lives. Max found that out. Now it was time for her uncle to learn the same.
*****************
A/N I know some of you might be disappointed with the ending. I didn't want to take this to Sci-Fi so Manticore and the Chamber are just subplots that exist in this AU and will not really be dealt with in this story. I'm sorry if the ending didn't live up to the expectations, especially after 3 months with no new posts. I think it's going to be a shippy fluffy epilogue though, hopefully I can redeem myself.
It felt so good to write this story again. I've forgotten how much I love it. Thanks for giving me a reason to find time to write my DA stuff : )
It'll be the Epilogue next and that's it for Promises. Thanks for the encouraging reviews, I do appreciate them very much. It makes me so happy to see that 'Review Alert' in my mail : )
I can't seem to get a hold of my betas, so please forgive the mistakes, they're all mine.
**Part 17**
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Logan walked back to his car with fisted hands in his pockets. He felt his life slowly drain out of him, literally feeling the muscles in his body go weak. The weight of his leg got heavier with each step. It was like climbing a steep mountain in search of the highest, most glorious peak. Only this time he knew that when he got to the top, the earth would crack beneath him. Gravity would forcefully pull him down, knocking the air out of him and slamming him hard when he finally hit the charcoal black ground. No green grass would welcome him, only emptiness and withered leaves. Signs that life used to be there but was no more. The rain had deserted it, the promise of lovely roses and fragrant air all gone.
Logan got into his rented car and fumbled with the keys until the engine roared to life. He pushed on the gas pedal and watched the needle of the speedometer go from 0 to 10 to 50 to 100 to 140. He kept pushing his foot, his eyes locked on the meter, his hands gripping the stirring wheel as he flew straight on the outstretched road, aware that any moment he would pass by a curve, yet not caring at all.
An almost blinding light and a piercing honk from an oncoming car startled Logan out of his semi-conscious state.
"Fuck!" He murmured as he swiveled out of the other car's lane. He halted by the side of the road, aware of his heart beating so fast, pounding in his ears. Logan turned his head around and realized that Max's house was already out of sight. Then in the silence of the night, something penetrated his self-defense escape mode. He felt something tugging him, like an invisible rope, willing him to go back. It was like all the stars conspired to grant a mortal's wish. Muses were singing in the air, taunting him, whispering 'she's waiting for you'. But Logan knew it was all wishful thinking. Max was his past and nothing more. He heard her say the words.
Logan managed to find his way back to the pier and into an airplane that took him home. The initial shock and disappointment eventually wore off, only to be replaced by the aching sadness around his chest. Sadness that didn't go away with the rise of the sun or the reign of the moon. It was always there. It was his company for hopeless days and bright-less nights.
It didn't make sense. He was so sure that Max would want him to come for her. She made him promise. What went wrong?
"Logan you need to eat." He heard Lisa speak, a maid in the house even before Logan was born.
Logan gave her a questioning look, not comprehending what she said, his thoughts were far away.
"Eat, Logan!" The elderly woman snapped and shook her head. She had seen Logan's heart get broken before. High-society girls would parade him for his looks and dump him when the next rich boy came along. He always shrugged it off. This was different though - it was always better to lose a girlfriend than to lose a childhood friend, especially one that was so intricately connected to him.
"Oh." Logan blinked his eyes and knotted his forehead, as if in pain. As if it hurt for him to move.
"You can move on, or you can keep on moping around here." Lisa said as she took a handful of Logan's shirt and pulled him up. "Deal with this!"
When Logan gave her a blank look, she dragged him to the bathroom and shoved him in the tub.
With a puzzled look, Logan asked "What are you doing?"
"This." Lisa responded, turning the shower on.
Logan yelped in surprise when cold water hit him like a painful blow.
~~ End of Flashback ~~
Logan tightened his grip around Max's body. Hearing her whimper in sleepy contentment, he allowed himself to fall back to sleep. Secure that Max would be there when he woke up in the morning, knowing that never in his lifetime would he lose her again., aware that he would not ever relived those painful days when he thought that he had lost her forever.
Max woke up with a hand over her stomach and a lip pressed on the top of her head. Her whole body was leaning against warmth that she knew she would seek all the days of her life. The feel of Logan next to her was like an intoxicating drug. She was only supposed to have a taste, but she hadn't anticipated how good it would be. And she didn't have the will to stop and deny herself of it.
Leave now! Leave! Leave! Leave!
Untangle your legs from his.
Withdraw from his embrace.
Lift your head from the crook of his neck.
Don't respond to the feel of his chest under your palms.
Stop gazing at his lips.
Push away that gnawing need between your legs.
"I love you Max." Logan said in a soft whisper, his eyes still closed, perhaps dreaming in his sleep.
Max burrowed closer to Logan, her breathing deep, her thoughts heading off to a million directions yet always converging back to the fact that she could never leave him after last night. She would never want to. She didn't belong anywhere else but here. This was perfect. This was right.
Max always wondered what love was all about. Now she knew that it was this. It was a soft kiss on her forehead after their bodies wracked in sweet pleasure. It was Logan taking her hand and pressing the back of it on his cheek, looking into her eyes and pressing his lips on her opened palm. It was holding her close and feeling secure in his arms. It was about being fearless because she knew that at the end of the day, he'd be home waiting for her. It wasn't about the actions though, it was about how Logan made her feel when he did them to her. Loved. She felt loved and she liked it. It made all the tears and broken hearts worth the pain when Logan enveloped her with need, wanting and peace just by looking at her.
Max realized that the key in getting the most out of life was to know what she wanted from it and unquestioningly believe that she deserved it, however hard that may be. And she wanted Logan. She wanted to wake up in his arms every morning. No more asking for permission if she could. No more feeling guilty for wanting it. No more doubting if Logan wanted the same.
She would take and not apologize for doing so.
Max rested her weight on her elbow and looked intently at Logan's face. He slept peacefully like a sated lover. Max shook him a little until he woke up.
"Why didn't you ever come back for me?" She asked.
"Max, what is it baby?" Logan asked, slightly disoriented. He wasn't worried though, the look on Max's face showed no doubt. Only determination and compassion. Her lips were red and made perfectly to fit his. Her hair was tousled, inviting him to run his fingers through them again. Her eyes were big and brown and bright, mirroring the love in his. He wanted to have her again.
"Why didn't you come back for me? You promised that you will." She repeated, her voice soft, knowing that Logan's response would hurt her yet assured that she would love him nevertheless.
Logan closed his eyes and leaned forward to press his forehead against hers. "Oh, Max."
"It's okay Logan, I'm not mad. I just want to know." Max said reassuringly.
With a sigh, Logan looked directly at Max's eyes. "I did Max."
Max frowned, confused. "You what?"
Logan held Max tighter. "I did come for you."
Logan recounted the tale of his visit to Greece. He told Max about her uncle and the words he heard her say.
When Logan finished, Max sat up on the bed, clutching the sheet above her breast. She looked outside and saw the sun starting to rise. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. The little light that shone through Logan's window made everything glow with warmth. The bed was soft under her, the covers warm to her touch. Logan's hand was on the small of her back, comforting her, sending electricity to where they joined connected last night.
Her uncle manipulated her. Instead of anger, sadness came over Max. Why would he do such a thing?
"I didn't mean them you know. What I said." Max finally stated, her expression showed acceptance and sorrow. All these years she spent being angry and hurt, and she didn't even have to. What a waste of a good life. "He wouldn't let me go. He knew I'd been waiting for you."
Logan nodded and sat up as well, he positioned himself in front of Max, the sheet covered his lower half. He realized that all his pain was because of a manipulative man. Instead of feeling angry at Lydecker, Logan felt sorry for him. He didn't understand what kind of a man would purposely destroy two young lives. "I'm sorry Max."
"He knew how much it hurt me when each year passed by and you didn't come." Max shook her head, as if in disbelief. She should go over to her uncle and cause him all the pain he did to her. But that thought wasn't appealing, it brought no consolation. She just felt sick and sad, disappointed in humanity's capability for this kind of viciousness. "I'm sorry Logan. He didn't tell me. How could he do it?"
"I don't know." Logan grazed his knuckles on Max's arm, soothing her. There were goosebumps on her skin so he adjusted the blanket to cover her exposed back.
"How could he be so spiteful, Logan?" Instead of settling in the blanket, Max shifted position to sit at his side, swinging her legs over his lap and leaning on his shoulder. He pulled her close, his arm around her waist.
Logan didn't know, but there was one thing he was aware of, "He wants to keep you, Max. I guess in his own twisted way, that's how he loved you."
Finally knowing what love was, Max responded somberly "Keeping someone in chains with a pretense of need isn't love, Logan." Then Max added, "She left him, my aunt. He loved her and she left him. He didn't want me to do the same."
"I thought she died?"
"No." Max simply said. "She left and never came back. He has never been able to find her. Or forget."
***
As soon as Max saw the island from the boat, a nostalgic feeling came over her. The surroundings that greeted her were foreign and familiar at the same time. The mountains looked surreal, she immediately felt the connection she fostered there in her younger years. The water talked to her, it soothed her heart, just as it had done so many times in the past. Logan was quiet beside her, holding her hand.
When the boat reached the pier, Max stepped up and felt the warm air brush her cheeks.
"Do you mind if we walk?" Max asked Logan as she tamed her curly hair behind her ears. She needed time to clear her head.
"No, that's fine Max." Logan offered a supportive smile as he put on his backpack and carried Max's bag. He found out that Max was typically female. She wasn't a light packer, a fact that was made painfully known to Logan after an hour of exhausting walk up hilly paths and half-built roads.
Max noticed Logan lagging behind her, his forehead sheen with sweat. He used his sleeve to wipe his face and Max couldn't help but be smitten by the gesture. Logan was concentrating on his every step, his glasses perched on his nose. He had a look of maturity and dedication. And if her mind wasn't at the task of talking to her uncle, Max would have seduced Logan's sexy self right there and then. She grinned and called out, "Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm alright, " Logan lifted a hand half-way, to reach up further would be too energy consuming.
"Let me carry my bag." She paused and waited for him to catch up.
Logan stopped beside Max, leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips. "Come on, Max. Feed my ego a little and let me do this for you."
Max pressed her lips together. When Logan smiled sheepishly, she burst out laughing. "You think you're cute?"
"No. But apparently, you do." Logan responded, encouraged by Max's playfulness.
Max put a hand on Logan's shoulder and kissed his cheek. Leaning closer to his ears, she whispered, "No. But I do think you're sexy."
Logan had to swallow. Hard. So Max was a tease too. His face lighted up, he liked it!
Max shook her head and walked ahead of Logan again, this time making sure that her hips swayed just a little more for Logan's viewing pleasure.
"Hey!" Logan called out. "Somebody ever tell you you've got moves?"
Without looking back, Max threw out "Yeah. This morning, in fact."
Logan suddenly felt a lot warmer. He blew out a breath. Did she know what she did to him? "Do you know what you do to me?"
Max turned around this time and eyed Logan lustfully. She growled, teasingly "I've got some ideas."
The expression of childlike delight on Logan's face disappeared, clueing Max to the fact that they'd reach their destination. The light mood they shared suddenly dissipated at the sight of Lydecker's house.
Max walked up to the door and punched in the entry code. The receiving room hadn't changed at all. It still looked as flawless as one would find in a magazine. Expensive paintings hung on the wall. The furniture was perfectly arranged and dust free. Max realized how big and empty the place was. It was just a building with rooms, despite its majestic and imposing presence. It wasn't a home like the one she grew up in with her parents where couches had stains and toys lay on the floor.
Max now knew for a fact that people's houses were a reflection of their souls. And she was sad to find that her uncle's reflected a lonely and unlived one.
"Max."
Max turned around and saw her uncle standing by the staircase, a triumphant look on his face. She looked at him with sad eyes and his malicious smile slowly faded.
With a stern voice, Lydecker said, "I expected you to be back alone."
With all the love that Max felt for Logan, she willed herself to see her uncle in a less vindictive light. The lines around his eyes showed his age, the frown on his forehead showed a hardened heart. He didn't know loving and giving and unselfishness like she did. He wasn't lucky enough to have someone to share those with. She pitied him more than anything else.
Throwing away the hatred with every step, Max gave Lydecker a brief hug. "It's nice to be back, I've missed you."
For the first time in his life, Lydecker was speechless.
Max smiled. "Logan and I thought that we should visit you for a little while. I hope you don't mind."
Lydecker still said nothing, silently trying to determine what game Max and Logan were playing. Lydecker's gaze shifted to Logan. The younger man stood his ground, waiting for the elder one's reaction. Lydecker nodded. "Max's room is upstairs, the first door on your left. You can take your bags there."
Logan followed, leaving Lydecker and Max alone.
Max cocked her head to the side. "That wasn't a very nice stunt you pulled. Threatening Logan?"
"You belong here Max, with the Chamber." Lydecker stepped down and walked closer to Max. He said those words out of habit. He needed to give Max a reason to stay. Being with him wasn't enough. He knew that. He wasn't enough. Nobody wanted him.
She shook her head. "No. I belong to Seattle with Logan." Max started feeling defensive so she let out a breath before continuing. "You can't play this game anymore. I have my own life now."
"Your life is with me."
Max softened, fully understanding how emotionally barren and broken her uncle was. "You're a part of my life and I'll always love you." Lydecker's expression changed, like he was surprised to hear her say what she just did.
Taking a leap, Max added. "If you let me have my life with Logan, I promise not to leave you like she did." When she saw Lydecker's barriers slowly breaking, she hurriedly added, "We'll visit you here. And we'll love to have you in Seattle. Always."
Lydecker had a haunted look about him, seeing Max and being reminded of the woman whose eyes had been like hers. "I loved her."
"I'm sorry she hurt you." Max couldn't help but feel her uncle's agonizing struggle with the ghost and memories that plagued him.
It was going to take time, but Max would help him. She would help him pick up the pieces from his past's betrayal. Dealing with the fear and hurt of the past wasn't as hard as letting them eat away present and future lives. Max found that out. Now it was time for her uncle to learn the same.
*****************
A/N I know some of you might be disappointed with the ending. I didn't want to take this to Sci-Fi so Manticore and the Chamber are just subplots that exist in this AU and will not really be dealt with in this story. I'm sorry if the ending didn't live up to the expectations, especially after 3 months with no new posts. I think it's going to be a shippy fluffy epilogue though, hopefully I can redeem myself.
It felt so good to write this story again. I've forgotten how much I love it. Thanks for giving me a reason to find time to write my DA stuff : )