Reaching for the Moon by ThePekingNoodle
---------------------------
Chapter Eighty-One: Love Hurts
In which our hero is faced with an impossible choice…
Max stared at Logan in consternation. "What do we do? Can you really find Zack based on the information that Lydecker sent to you?"
"Probably," Logan stated with calm confidence.
Max waited. When he didn't expand on his statement she said, "Logan, you can't give him up."
Logan gave her a sharp look. "Do you honestly think I would?" Max picked up on the tension in his voice and noticed his hands clenching.
"No." She smiled and reached over to take one of his hands. "I trust you, Logan." She watched the tension ease out of his shoulders.
"Thanks." He looked at the screen, back to his all-business mode. "The key is to make The Colonel believe that I've given him what he wants but to still leave a window open for Zack to get away. It's going to be tricky."
"What if you can't pull it off?"
"Either Zack gets caught or I do." Logan's calm voice belied the import of his words.
"What do I do in this?" Max wanted to know.
Logan didn't hesitate before answering, "Nothing."
Max gave him an incredulous look. "Logan, I won't sit here and do nothing."
"I won't let you expose yourself." Logan refused to yield an inch.
"But it's okay for you to expose yourself?" She challenged him.
The two stared at each other, caught in an impasse. Logan turned and closed down the screen he was in, and abruptly rose from the desk. Without a word he walked into the kitchen. Within moments cabinets started slamming and pots started banging.
Max followed him and watched as he threw ingredients into a bowl and began to beat them with a savage intensity.
"I think they're already dead," she observed.
Logan looked up at her briefly, but he didn't crack a smile. He continued with what he was doing. "Max, now isn't a good time to talk to me."
Max refused to leave. "When is? After it's all over and either Zack is in a cage or you are?"
"You don't think I can pull it off." Logan's anger was evident in his voice.
"I think you need to let me help." Max felt the first stirrings of temper.
"I don't." Logan looked away from her in clear dismissal.
It was Max's turn to walk away. Her anger was evident in the set of her shoulders. Logan stared after her and then he took the wooden spoon he was holding and threw it against the wall, splattering batter where it hit and leaving a small dent in the paneling.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Max sat on the roof of Fogle Towers looking out over Seattle. Her knees were bent and her arms were wrapped around them as she brooded. The day was cloudy and a light drizzle was falling so she couldn't see much of the city, but she didn't notice. She didn't notice the damp either, or the fact that her hair and clothing were getting wetter and wetter. Her internal struggle took all of her attention.
You knew this was going to get complicated sooner or later.
He's being ridiculous. It's all male ego. He knows I can help with this.
Ridiculous or scared? Maybe he really does want to protect you. He said he loves you.
Not so I could hear it.
He said it and you did hear it.
I don't care. I don't need protecting. And what about him? He doesn't understand who he's going up against. He could end up dead… or worse.
So? Without him your life would be simpler. Do what Zack said. Escape and evade. Get out of this town.
Go somewhere far away.
So…I can't.
Why?
Because I love him too. And I can't let him do this by himself.
What are you going to do?
I don't know…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the penthouse Logan had abandoned his cooking. He left the spoon lying on the floor where he had thrown it and the bowl of ingredients sitting on the island and went back to the computer room. He opened the windows he had been looking at earlier, but instead of working he sat and stared at them.
Why can't she understand that it's too dangerous for her to be involved? Lydecker knows where she is. If he ever guessed who she is, it would be all over. They'd be breaking down the door and she'd be gone.
Maybe it's time then.
Time?
You said you'd send her away when it got too dangerous for her here.
I love her. How can I give her up?
You'd risk her safety because of your own selfishness?
I can't do that either.
Good thing that you never told her you love her. Just tell her it was all a mistake and you've realized that the two of you aren't going to work out.
She'll hate me for it. Think I've been just using her for the sex.
That's probably for the best.
Yeah, probably.
When are you going to do it?
I don't know…
End of Chapter Eighty-One…TBC…
