AN: Oh no, you say. Not another author's note. The readers run screaming from the room at the thought.
Hold up and let me explain. The PN has recently received several veiled (and some not so veiled) inquiries as to who exactly she might be. Now the answer to that took a bit of thought. After all do any of us really know who we are? Are we even sure this thing we call real life is all that real? Ah, to get into some wonderful deep philosophical discussion here…
What? What's that you say, China Girl? What do you mean it isn't a philosophical question? What is it then? They think the PN is someone else? Some other writer? WHAT other writer ?!!! That one? And that one?? And that one as well ??? Oh, that one's okay. Well. I didn't realize that was what those emails meant. Let me get this straight right now. The PN has not and will NOT EVER write a fiction in which Max is raped, graphically tortured, or sleeps with anyone but Logan. Same thing goes for Logan, except he of course will sleep with Max. Did I cover it all China Girl? Are you sure? Now as for torturing her readers, the PN has no issues whatsoever on that front…
I'm glad that is now cleared up so I can get back to our dysfunctional couple and their issues. They're enough to make a writer pull out her hair. Maybe I should switch to an easier show? Nah. That wouldn't be any fun… PN
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Chapter Seventy-Four: Points of No Return
In which our hero and heroine pass several mileposts…seen and unseen…
Logan hadn't been kidding about being tired. He was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Max smiled as she watched him and listened to his faint snores. She wondered what he had been going to say when the email had interrupted, and sighed. Interruptions seemed to be the norm between them. She shifted in the bed and Logan stirred and mumbled something He reached an arm out and pulled her close to him, burying his face in her hair. Max smiled and curled into his arms.
At least he admitted he wants you here with him, even if you aren't having sex. That's something. Now you need to figure out what you want.
Max closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. When she woke up Logan was looking down at her.
"Morning."
She smiled shyly up at him. "Morning, yourself."
Logan made no attempt to move from the bed. Instead he continued to look at her.
"Do I have something on my face?" Max asked.
"Other than the normal eyes, nose and lips?" Logan teased. "Not that I can see."
Max stretched and started to sit up.
"Going somewhere?" Logan asked casually.
"I wasn't planning on spending the day in bed."
"I could make it worth your while."
"Really?"
"Really."
Max stared at Logan feeling herself falling under his spell once again. Then before she could lose her courage she opened her mouth and blurted out. "I don't want this to be just sex anymore, Logan."
Logan was leaning in to kiss her but he stopped dead at her words. For a moment he just stared at her. Be honest with her. She deserves it. He took a deep breath and jumped. "It stopped being just sex a while ago, Max. For me anyway." He held his breath waiting for her response.
"Oh." She was at a loss for words. You started this conversation, girl. Now you better finish it. "For me too, Logan," she said so softly he almost couldn't hear her. When he remained silent she continued on, "Where do we go from here?"
"I'm not sure, but I'd like to find out. If you would."
At least he's honest. Maybe not exactly what you wanted to hear, but honest.
"Yes."
They stared at each other both aware that somehow a turning point had been reached and passed. Logan pulled her to him and kissed her softly. "I want to make love with you."
Max nodded wordlessly as she melted into his embrace.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was several hours before the two emerged from Logan's bedroom. When they did they found a note left on the counter, propped against the coffeemaker.
Didn't want to disturb you two lovebirds but I figured you might want some coffee when you came up for air. Logan, give me a call when you want me to come in to work. Bling
Max blushed slightly when she read it but Logan just grinned and tossed it over his shoulder into the trash basket. "Coffee, Max?"
She shrugged. "Since it's made."
Logan poured them each a cup and they sat at the counter sipping it companionably. Logan had pulled out some frozen Danish and heated it in the microwave and they made quick work of it.
"I'm going to see if Sebastian has an address for me for our little excursion today." Logan walked into the computer room. Max followed and watched as he opened up his email. "Nothing yet."
"Do you think he'll find one?" Max asked anxiously. "Which X5 does he think it is?"
"He'll find one." Logan stated with complete confidence. "Let me see if he gave me a number. He pulled up the email from the previous night and scanned it. "Nope nothing here. Guess we'll have to be patient."
"In case you haven't noticed patience isn't exactly my strong point."
"Oh well." Logan teased her. Max was about to reply when the familiar email notification popped up on the screen. "You might be in luck." Logan opened the new email. "Here it is, 1273 Clemson."
"But not who." Max was disappointed.
"We'll know soon enough. Ready to go for a ride?"
"Never readier."
Logan reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a gun. He made sure there was a full clip in it and slipped it into his pocket as he stood up. Max frowned.
"Do you have to take that?"
"Clemson is gang turf. Better safe than sorry."
"You've got me."
"Yeah well I like to take extra precautions as well."
Max shrugged as she realized that Logan wasn't going to give up on the gun. "Let's go then.'
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Logan was right. Clemson was in a rough neighborhood. Dealers openly plied their trade on street corners and they hadn't seen a sector patrol for blocks.
"Don't the Sector police come here?"
"Not if they value their lives. Pull over there." Logan pointed to a spot half a block up from them. When Max pulled the bike to a halt, several dirty urchins ran over and stared at them. Logan sized them up and pulled a coin out of his pocket. He tossed it to the largest one. "If anyone tries to touch this you come and get us. Do a good job watching the bike and you'll get another when we leave."
The urchin caught the coin neatly and nodded eagerly. "It's on me, man. Yo wheels safe.'
Max smiled at him as she followed Logan up the steps of 1273. The building looked deserted and the door at the top of the stoop was hanging on its hinges.
"You sure this is right, Logan?"
He shrugged. "Never known Sebastian to be wrong before. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the gun, releasing the safety. Then he slowly pushed open the door. The two walked cautiously into a dim and dirty hallway. There was a skittering sound as they entered and Max grimaced.
"Rats. Yech. I hate them."
"Who doesn't?" Logan asked mildly. "Seb said third floor." He led the way toward a stairwell.
When the two reached the third floor he put his hand to his lips to caution silence. Max looked at him for a moment. When he started to walk down the hallway she reached out and stopped him. She pointed to her ears. Logan waited as she glided slowly and silently down the hall. He noticed once again the fluidity of her movements.
Max reached a door halfway down on the left and paused, listening intently. Then she looked back at him and signaled for him to join her. He started to speak when he reached her, but she pressed a finger to his lips and shook her head. Then she stepped in front of the door. With one swift hard kick she had it open.
Logan was hard on her heels as she entered the grimy room.
Max stopped dead.
A young man in his early twenties stood in front of them in a fighting stance. He was only a few inches taller than Max with a muscular build. His blonde hair hung in a hank down over his eyes. He and Max stood staring at each other. She was the first to break the silence.
"Zack?"
End of Chapter Seventy-Four…TBC…
