Reaching for the Moon by ThePekingNoodle

A/N: This is a long chapter to sort of wrap up Part One of this story.  I thought of breaking it into 2 parts but it didn't make sense that way. This is not the end of Max and Logan's adventures…it's only the beginning.

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Chapter 10: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

…is it really goodbye or only until we meet again?

Logan arose early the next morning but there was no thought of joining Max. His flight was scheduled to leave early as he had been away from Seattle for too long already. Annette had planned a breakfast for him with the family, so as soon as he was showered and dressed he headed down to join them.

The food was good, but somehow those other breakfasts shared with Max in the kitchen had been better. Logan played his part at breakfast, but he couldn't help thinking of what Nathan had disclosed the night before, as his eyes rested on Max. She was quieter than normal, and while she was friendly enough there was a reserve in her manner when she spoke to Logan.

All too soon, breakfast was over and the limousine was waiting outside for Logan. Nathan and Annette rose to walk him to the door.  Logan leaned over intending to kiss Annette lightly, but she turned it into an embrace, hugging him hard and whispering in his ear. "I know Nathan told you. Thank you for your promise, Logan."  Logan hugged her back realizing for the first time how much she reminded him of his own mother.

Nathan gave Logan one of his customary bear hugs, and then shook his hand heartily. "If you aren't back here by the holidays, I'll be sending someone to fetch you."

Logan looked around, meaning to say goodbye to Max, but she was nowhere to be seen. He felt an odd sense of hurt but quickly suppressed it. He knew his words to her the day prior had been harsh, and it was probably just as well for her sake that she seemed to be keeping her distance from him.

Nathan and Annette had re-entered the house and Logan was about to climb into the back of the limousine, when a small whirlwind tore down the steps and grabbed him in a strong embrace. He found himself holding an armful of Max as she hugged him fiercely. Logan laughed and gently freed himself after a moment. "That's certainly a goodbye."

Max looked up at him, "I'll miss you. Come back to see us soon." Her words were nothing out of line, and even her hug had been regarded with amused fondness by the staff, who were obviously used to her exuberance. But, unseen by anyone else, her hand found his and she pressed something into it.  Without looking down at their clasped hands she whispered to him, "Remember me." Before he could respond, she was gone as quickly as she had arrived and he was seated inside the limo as it pulled away from the steps.

* * * *

The return trip to Seattle was different from the trip out had been. This time there was no young female flight attendant to distract Logan. When he asked the young man who was present about her, he learned that Nathan had given her a long weekend and he was filling in for her for the day. He briefly wondered about the coincidence but decided it was nothing more than that. Logan was sure that Nathan had no interest in or care for his personal liaisons.

He hadn't looked at what Max had slipped into his hand while in the car, not wanting to risk the chauffeur's curious gaze, but once they were in the air he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small envelope. When he tore open the flap a wallet sized picture fell into his lap. He turned it over and as he had guessed, it was of Max. Her hair framed her beautiful face, and she smiled up at him with all of that sparkle and zest for life that she had in abundance. She had signed it as well and the two words touched something in him that he had thought was long dead. Love, Max. She probably wrote the same thing on all the pictures she gave to her friends but that didn't matter. He smiled as he took out his wallet and carefully placed the picture behind another one. For some reason he didn't want casual eyes seeing it, even though he preferred to keep it close to him.

* * * *

From her vantage point on the veranda, Max watched the limousine pull away, and she sighed. She had wanted to ask Logan if she could have a picture of him but she knew he probably didn't have one with him, and she bet he wouldn't give her one anyway. He was clearly determined that he was too old for her, and thought he was acting in her best interests. Max knew differently. She knew she was different from all of her friends and she knew no ordinary boy her own age would ever understand her. Logan did, even thought she had accused him otherwise. Besides, Logan was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on in her life, and she wanted him for her own.

Max could be patient when the prize was worth it, and she had decided that Logan was very definitely worth the wait. In a few years she would be grown up enough that he couldn't brush her off as a young girl anymore, and would have to acknowledge her as a woman. She thought of how she would have her motorcycle by then. She would surprise him one day as he walked down a Seattle street, by pulling up next to him and offering him a ride. She hadn't missed his reaction to her black leather and she fully intended for him to see her in it once more when he couldn't run away from her.

The thought that another woman might snap Logan up before Max had her opportunity briefly crossed her mind but she pushed it aside. If that happened, Max would take care of it …somehow. In her mind Logan was already hers, and woe betide anyone who got in her way.  Max smiled to herself in satisfaction, and headed off to the gardens to find a spot where she could daydream about Logan without any interruptions.

Sea Tac International Airport: Several hours later

Logan strode out of the small private aviation building in the section of the airport that catered to corporate and private jets. A uniformed porter followed with his luggage on a handcart.  Waiting at the curb was a fire engine red Ferrari convertible, complete with a beautiful redhead leaning against it.

Logan smiled at her, "Thanks for coming to pick me up, Val. Nice car."

"It's daddy's new play toy. I thought you'd like it." Valerie smiled up at him as she raised her face for him to kiss her. Logan complied, leaning down to give her a quick kiss. Valerie pouted. "Is that all I get after a week away?"  She put her arms around his neck and pulled him in for more.  Logan kissed her more thoroughly, but then reached up and gently pulled her hands down from around his neck.

"The world is watching, Val. You coming up when we get to my place?"

Val shot him a sexy smile. "Is there something worth coming up for?"

Logan looked at her and raised his eyebrows, "You can ask that? I'm insulted." He held out his hand and Valerie dropped the car keys into it. Logan tipped the porter who had been observing their by-play with interest.

The man smiled at the amount of the tip and winked at Logan before he walked away, after sending a knowing look in Valerie's direction. "Thank you, sir. Enjoy the rest of your day."

* * * *

Fogle Towers Penthouse A

Logan lounged in the rumpled bedclothes, hands clasped behind his bed. Valerie was showering so he had a few moments to himself. Physically he felt replete, and he told himself that this was all he had needed.  His untoward reaction to Max had simply been the result of physical needs too long denied. Since he had turned twenty-two, he hadn't gone for more than a few days without a willing woman in his bed, and his body had simply been looking for what it was accustomed to. That bizarre attraction to a fifteen year old girl had been a basic physical reaction and nothing more. At least he knew he wasn't turning into a pervert.

The sound of the water stopped, and a few minutes later Valerie walked out wearing a fluffy robe with her hair wrapped in a towel. She sat on the edge of the bed and ran a teasing finger down Logan's bare chest. "Nice to know you missed me, Logie."

Logan caught her hand and returned her smile, "Nice welcome home, Val."

Valerie pulled her hand away and rose from the bed. Logan watched her as she walked over to the small bar in the corner of his room and poured herself a shot of scotch. "Isn't it a little early for that, Val?"

She turned to face him, glass in hand, and gave a brittle laugh. "It's never too early for a celebration. I missed you. Want some?"

Logan shook his head and frowned as he watched her down the scotch in two quick gulps. Valerie looked up and saw the frown. She pulled the towel off of her hair and let it fall, and walked toward the bed, pulling her robe open as she did. When she reached the side of the bed she let the robe drop and stood smiling down at Logan.

"Time to celebrate some more…" she whispered as she allowed him to pull her back into the bed with him.

Logan banished a sudden thought of shining dark hair and flashing brown eyes as he pulled Valerie to him. He made himself forget soft sweet lips that tasted faintly of cherries rather than scotch, as he began to make expert love to Valerie…

Coeur D'Alene Airport: Two Months Later

"All the luggage is loaded sir."

"Thank you." Nathan pressed a tip into the porter's hand and climbed the stairs to the luxurious cabin of the Guevara Industries Boeing Business Jet. His wife and daughter were already inside, strapped in and ready to go. Nathan smiled at them as he seated himself on the couch next to Annette. "We're off my dears."

The flight attendant closed the doorway and swung the latch closed as the engines revved.  The plane began to taxi down the runway and within moments was in the air.

Annette smiled at Max. "Sweetheart, you're going to love Switzerland."

Max looked back at her uncertainly, "It's so far away, mama. I'll miss you and Daddy when you leave me there."

Nathan smiled at her, "You'll be so busy the time will pass before you know, and you'll be back home with us again."

"But why do I have to go to a school that's so far away?" Max was pouting now. "I won't even get to come home for holidays anymore."

Annette frowned at her and exchanged a glance with Nathan. "It's the best thing for you right now, Max. Things are very uncertain in the States and we want to be sure you're safe until things settle down again."

Nathan nodded and Max realized that they were determined on this course. There would be no appeals. She sighed and settled down to look out the window and dream about a tall blonde man with laughing blue eyes…

End of Chapter Ten…TBC…