AN: Oooh, long chapter :D Yay! I think my Max/Logan romance is a bit flat, but I'll work on that. 10 and a half pages of this fic should keep you all outta mischief, right?

****~~~~****** When everyone else left for Joshua's (except Logan, Max and I; Syl and Krit were having 'fun' in the guestroom), I decided that I'd been working especially hard at whatever I'd been doing this last week and deserved some relaxation, for being so wonderful. I curled up on Max and Logan's couch, with Tinga's Discman and a Spice Girls CD.

Oooh, what's happening in the kitchen? I'm embarrassed to admit, yes, the volume on the Discman went way down when I saw Max and Logan congregated in the kitchen. I really need to join Eavesdroppers Anonymous, I think I have a serious problem.

"This is so bad," Max sighed, frowning. "Why us, Logan? We're good people, I think. I mean, I only steal from the rich or really annoying, so that's okay. But why us?"

Logan moved towards her. "Max, this is apart of our past. Just like Christmas dinner with Aunt Margot is my past coming back to haunt me. We'll deal with it and move on. You've got Jondy back here, which is a positive sign. And Jace. Your whole family is ready to help you. It'll work out. I promise."

"What if they get Evie? Or someone gets killed? Not after losing Ben, I can't lose someone else. Or the new baby - what if something goes wrong?"

Logan's arms wrapped around Max, as he kissed her hair. "I won't let anything happen to anyone. And Zack would rather admit he likes me than let anyone he loves get hurt." Very true statement there, Logan.

"You know what?" Max smiled as she looked up at Logan. "You are the singularly most fantastic man I know. I love you."

"I love you too." Okay, so there was kissing, passionate kissing, mastication of each others mouth, Max was being pressed against the fridge and there were wandering hands . . .

Okay, things were getting a tiny bit too comfy for me. . .though, I should be desensitized by now, I've walked in on Syl and Krit so many times.

"Don't forget you aren't the only two in the apartment," I bellowed from the couch, hitting play on the Discman until Max tried to smother me with a couch cushion.

"Sisters are evil. Jondy, sometimes I swear that your father was Satan," Max yelled at me, before we both dissolved into giggles.

"Do you and Logan want me to make a hasty exit?" I couldn't suppress a saucy grin before Max gave me a shove.

"No. Go call Brin. Zane wrote the number on the paper near the phone," Max leaned back, closing her eyes for a few moments. I hadn't noticed she looked so drawn, tired, pale, listless. She can't be getting much sleep, with being pregnant, worry and stress; Evie and, of course, her after hours 'fun' with Logan. X5 hearing is truly a curse. I leant back next to her.

"Rough couple of days.weeks?" I asked her.

"Hell yeah. Evie's a bundle of energy," Max grinned, opening her eyes. "Wouldn't trade her for the world, though."

"Yeah. If I had children," I paused. "Guess I wasn't ready for my own kids before now - but spending so much time with Rain, Maxa and Evie makes me realize that it's all completely worth it. "

"I can't wait to have more. Just eight more months," Max sighed contentedly. "Oh, um, yeah," she looked at me, blushing. "I'm kinda. . . "

"Pregnant," I nodded. "I sort of worked it out with Logan awhile ago. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Max grinned, her eyes shining with excitement. "I'm sort of hoping it's a boy - oooh, or twins."

"Twins," I nodded, grinning like an idiot. "Perfect. What are you going to call them if you have a boy and a girl?"

"For a girl, I was thinking maybe Marie, after Logan's grandmother. Or Dinah or Lilly. For a boy, I like Joseph, Marc or Elliot. I don't want anything too. . . you know? Any ideas?" Max asked, rubbing her stomach.

"For a boy, how about.Levi? Funky and classy, yet unique. For a girl, I really like Lillie - but spelled L-i-l-l-i-e, it looks pretty. But for a girl, something short and really girly - like Evie."

"Um, how about April?" Max asked.

"Beautiful. I can imagine it now - Levi Elliot Cale and April Marie Cale," I looked at Max. "Okay, okay, I'll call Brin. You and Logan go get cozy in your room." I jumped out of the way as Max aimed another cushion at the back of my legs. "Losing your touch, big sister.

"Go. I am serious. When is the next time you and Logan are gonna get another chance at alone time? I'll make the calls and go to Joshua's."

Max looked at me uncertainly. "If you're really sure. . ."

I smiled and nodded. "Of course I'm sure. I wouldn't be offering if I weren't. Now, have fun, Maxie," I winked at her and went to Logan's desk. Charlie and Case first. A lot simpler, as in that situation I am merely a spectator. The messenger, if you will.

Doesn't that old saying go, Don't shoot the messenger? Ugh.

And if I remembered Brin correctly (which I do), she could be damn as hell stubborn and would put up a brilliant argument.

I dialed Charlie's cell phone number.

"Hello, Charlie Smith speaking."

"Charlie. It's Tinga's - Penny's - sister, Jondy. We were just wondering how far away you were."

"Um, around about another four hours - a few hold ups, but we're currently making good time. So, we should be there around dinner time."

"Excellent. Did Max give you the address last time you spoke to her?" I know for a fact Tinga hasn't spoken a word to Charlie since he left.

"Yes. And left Max and Tinga or whoever know we'll be there soon. Oh, and Case says hello."

I smiled. I haven't seen Case since he was three. "Tell him we love him and miss him; I probably won't see him for awhile. Has Max explained everything?"

"Yeah. Case and I trust you - you're all professionals. You'll save the day."

I laughed. "Well, yeah, but even superheroes like us can majorly screw up."

"Nah. I trust you all, even if I am scared shitless about seeing you all in the hordes," Charlie's voice became joking. "Zack strangled me, Brin had live grenades on her when she stayed with us, Ben scared Penny some how. . .and you were the tall thin girl, with the light brown hair, who stayed with us before Case was born. You were the one who threw Zack down the stairs."

I winced. I remember that day. "Yeah, that's me."

"Great. So far, I think I've put names to all of Tinga's siblings' faces."

"Very cool of you Charlie; Zack might even be impressed," I said. Somewhere in the apartment, a lamp or vase smashed. Damn, between Syl and Krit (I hadn't seen Syl since she went AWOL at breakfast - man, she and Krit had been busy), and Max and Logan. . . . Huh. I am the only one in this apartment who isn't getting some. What a depressing thought.

"Ugh, Charlie, I gotta go. Controlling the masses, army marches on its stomach, yada, yada, yada."

"Okay. We'll see you soon. Bye."

"Bye." I hung up the phone. I totally wonder how many seconds its been since I last had sex. Um 3600 seconds in an hour multiplied by 24 hours in a day, by . . . ugh, how many days. . .

Oh. My. God.

Oh. Dear. God.

Oh. Holy. God.

Far, far too long. That's a very big number. It's too early for numbers like that at 11:32 a.m. Life is so unfair. Like, very, very unfair.

Okay, okay. Now, I need to call Brin.

Cell number . . .08 . . . 27433. . . 821.

"Hello?" Her voice was blank. Not dull or cheerful; or hurried or bored. Just polite and even.

"Brin?"

"Who is this?" Her voice was snappy and hissy all of a sudden; like the cat she is.

"Jondy. Please, please don't get mad," I said hurriedly.

"Okay. You've got sixty seconds. Talk." "Brin," I sighed and took a deep breath. "Max's daughter, Evie, Jace's daughter, Maxa and Tinga's son, Case, are tying to be captured by a Manticore-like company. Syl's in heat, Max is pregnant and we can't find the X8 we need. We're down 3 people and we really, really, really need your help - otherwise I wouldn't ask for your help on something like this. Bust please, please, please, Please help us," I finished in pretty much one breath. "Please."

Brin sighed. "Look, Jon. I'm trying to be as normal as possible. I can't. . . I've tried so hard."

I swallowed. "Please Brin. This isn't about me or you or any of the others or the fact it was Zane's fault you got shot, not mine - he had a crush on Eva and it was all. . . This is about 4 innocent children being attacked for being themselves and who their parents are. If this were about Syl or Tinga getting captured, it would be different. But these are kids.

"Now, if you actually have a heart, and care about your nieces and nephew, and want to help, come to Foggle Towers in Sector 9. We're family, Brin."

And I hung up on my big sister. Damnit. Brin did get on my nerves a little, since the whole Zane, Brin and I thing when I was five. I slung the phone back on the charger and gazed outside. Raining. Ugh. And I had to go and entertain myself in the pouring rain - because Joshua's was not my idea of fun, it's not a huge house.

I should've argued with Brin longer. D-A-M-N.

And what is with people answering the phone, and giving people they don't want to speak to 60 seconds to talk. Why not 96 or 21 or only one breath?

But Gone in 60 Seconds was a bitchin movie.

I heard something splinter, smash and a thump. I winced. Ewww. Replacing the broken items would cost Logan a bundle.

Okay, I'm gonna eat some cold Chinese food, paint my nails in.oooh, 'Smitten Pink', and possibly watch some nice pop-music videos, I'm sure a nice rendition of, hmm, 'Do It With Madonna' or maybe Nikki Webster would definitely kill the mood of both couples - heat or no heat.

I got my carton of Chinese, the nail polish and the turned the TV up loud - some of the noises from both the bedrooms were turning me off my lunch. Oooh, Holly Valance. . .

Pre Pulse music was probably the best around about 2003. You had the quality, Holly Valance, Las Ketchup, Delta Goodrem and Avril Lavigne - and all those annoying people vanished. As Original Cindy keeps telling me that was the year the likes of Britney Spears, Good Charlotte and the Carter brothers saved our ears and left us the hell alone. Unfortunately, Good Charlotte reappeared again. I have the best collection of pre-Pulse music this side of the border.

It wasn't until later that afternoon Max came out for food (I guess Logan was sleeping). Syl and Krit also took a box of cold pizza back to the guestroom, ignoring all my jokes about stamina and such. Sometimes I really am an evil younger sister.

Later on still, after I had had my fill of breezy luminous music videos, and was watching 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' reruns, when Tinga came back.

"Hey," She called out to me. "Did you call Brin?"

"Yeah. I kinda gave her an ultimatum," I winced, even though Tinga couldn't see my face. "And please tell me you brought some sort of sustenance."

"Um, yeah I did - pizza ingredients. Turn off the TV and come explain while I make them."

"If I must."

"You must."

I groaned, and dragged myself off the couch. I switched off the TV and went into the kitchen, sitting on a stool. "So, how is Joshua's?"

"Crowded. Joshua loves it, of course," Tinga laughed, chopping up ingredients. She motioned to a bag of corn chips on the counter and I ripped into them.

Something else smashed and I rolled my eyes. "Syl and Krit - or possibly Max and Logan. Take your pick."

"Poor Jondy. Scarred for life," Tinga sniggered.

"Umm, actually Max and Logan's 'quality time' was kinda my suggestion," I made a face. "Do you know how long its been since I got some?" I wailed, banging my head against the marble counter top.

"Way too long from the look on your face," Tinga said.

"The number was evil in nine different ways. It was like Satanic," I sighed.

"Wanna compare that number with mine, J?" Tinga warned. "But you know, there is always Zack, if you really want to lower that number." She offered me a chip.

"Tinga," I rolled my eyes and took a chip. "Please stop."

"Jon, I've been watching Zack for years. Without you, he was totally miserable. Since you've been back, he's been heaps happier. And just recently, you both just seem to. . ." Tinga sighed. "Jondy, you have a man who loves you and knows virtually everything about you. You are so lucky. Don't lose him, or I'll never forgive you."

"Tinga, he broke my heart," I took another handful of corn chips. "And. . ."

"You've forgiven him, Jondy. You thought he was asleep and he heard. He old me, Jon," Tinga nodded, wisely.

I closed my eyes. "Damn. Like usual, my timing sucks."

"Jondy, be honest. What are your feelings towards Zack?"

I looked at Tinga, her brown eyes following my every move. "Um, there could possibly be something that I feel for him, maybe. Um, maybe frisson? Maybe we could have a second chance a something. But from, like, the first date sort of thing again."

Tinga smiled at me, looking pleased, and came around to give me a hug. "Finally. Now, the next step in this process is being able to tell this to Zack."

I went pale. "No, not happening. Nada, nope, zilch, zip. That is something I'll need to procrastinate over for awhile longer."

"That's a given, baby sister."

The rest of the pizza-making-process conversation was way more light- hearted.

Around about six-ish, the doorbell rang. We both exchanged looks. Tinga stood up, her face bright with laughter. "Zack or Alec probably don't have their keys."

No. It definitely wasn't Alec and Zack. I should've told her. The conversation, well. . . poor Tinga.

"Hello Penny."

"Charlie."

"Mom."

"Hey baby."

"Well it's certainly been a long time, Penny," Charlie sounded tired, mentally and physically.

"Charlie, please call me Tinga. That's my name. And don't feed me that crap; any 'loss of time' is entirely your fault." Tinga's tone was sharp and defensive.

I decided to save Charlie from Tinga's wrath and stood up from the table, walking out to the hallway. "Tinga, we need Charlie and Case to go Joshua's - you know, safety and protection issues, yada, yada, yada. Anyway, could you tell Zack and Alec to head over here? Oh, and that Logan will be hanging around here for a while. Yeah, but Alec and Zack need to be here for back up. Staying here is risky, Tinga."

Tinga nodded, making a face at me when Charlie and Case weren't watching, and grabbed her jacket, keys and phone. "Talk to you soon, Jondy."

I nodded and locked the door behind her. You can never be too careful. Okay, down to business. I went to Max and Logan's bedroom, and knocked on the door.

"I hope you're decent or Logan can pay for my therapy!" I yelled and walked in. They were in each others arms, cuddling. "Tinga just left with Charlie and Case. You should probably get down there too, Max. Safety in numbers and all."

"Your spider sense goin' off, baby sister?" Max sat up.

"It's never been wrong before," I smiled. "And it hasn't 'gone' off in ages."

"Yup. Okay, I better not risk it," Max ran her fingers through her hair.

"Good. While you two get dressed in a strictly non-touchy-feely sense, I'll order food, cause you'll need food, and Alec and Zack will probably be starving, so I'm ordering out," I smiled sweetly. "Any suggestions?"

"Pizza," Max said. "I've been dying for some hot pizza all day."

"Big sister, if I never see another slice of pizza," I began to threaten, but stopped at the kicked-puppy look Max gave me. "Fine, pizza."

"What about Syl and Krit?" Logan asked.

"Busy," I began to laugh. "Incredibly busy."

Max smothered giggles. "Their timing is totally priceless."

"This is teasing and joke ammunition for the next ten years," I agreed, leaving Max and Logan to get dressed. Max didn't leave till after seven (leaving Logan in the bedroom), passing Zack ad Alec on the stairs. We gorged ourselves on left over pizza (I didn't even dare knocking on the guestroom door to offer the leftovers) and random cans of beer, Pepsi and Sprite.

"So, do we have any weapons?" Zack asked. "In the apartment? Because this is the most unorganized mission I've ever had."

"Three under the couch - like, literally strapped to the bottom of it, two with Syl and Krit and one in the master bedroom. Oh, and one in Logan's desk," I recited from memory.

"Okay, so we're armed," Alec nodded, "We can do this."

"We're superheroes," I grinned. "At least, according to Charlie and Case we are."

"You are completely nuts," Alec rolled his eyes.

"You are a big meanie," I pouted. "Zack still wuvs me." I leant over, throwing my arms around Zack, burying my face in his shoulder.

"Of course, Jondy," Zack chuckles.

I grin at Alec, and stand up, picking up the dirty plates and glasses, and walking back to the kitchen to pack the dishwasher.

As I began slipping the plates and glasses in the dishwasher's racks, the electricity went out.

"Damn," Logan's voice, slightly blurry with sleep, came. "Light some candles, Jondy?"

"Yup. . .oof," I grunted as a body - heavy and quite broad - knocked me sideways. Onto the dishwasher. I felt plates crush, glasses smash up and the racks bend, as I tried to regain my balance. My eyesight was fast adjusting and I kicked hard out at the figure's leg. Once, twice and then I heard the snap-crack of the leg breaking.

I leapt to my feet, shards of china and glass wedged in my back, legs and palms of my hands. "Zack? Alec? Logan?" I called out, my hand resting on a bread knife resting on the counter. If Syl was in heat, Krit would rip anything threatening her apart.

"We're all cool, Jondy," Alec called in reply. "But help would be good."

I slipped into the lounge room. Zack and Alec were holding their own against about six soldier types (their fighting technique gave them around.) One had a crossbow like device. I kicked him hard in the chest, twice, and successfully broke his nose. I ripped his crossbow from his grip, and then his gun from his other hand, hearing his shoulder dislocate. A harsh crack to his temple using the gun and he collapsed in a heap.

Several gunshots went off and another soldier managed to throw me onto the glass top coffee table. It shattered and splintered under my weight. Owwwwwwwwwww, pain. Well, I can now tell you what having a large shard of glass feels like when lodged into your hip. It rather hurts. Oh, and one in my back. And there was something running down my neck.

Luckily, before the soldier could aim his gun at me (he had night vision goggles, how one sided was this fight?) and blow my brains everywhere, a short blonde figure, wearing not much more than a terrycloth robe, raced over, and flung the soldier against the wall.

"Thank God for Syl," I mumbled, my entire body aching, almost a lost cause. I knew if I did get back in the fray, I'd be a liability. My vision was slightly hazy. More bullets were flying around the room. And there were too many soldiers for me to be benched.

I clambered to my feet, and three kicks, two punches and. . . Well, the soldier was pretty dazed, if not a bloody pulp. My head ached and there was something sticky running down my back - sweat or blood, I didn't want to know. Damn, I'm unfit. And I can sense I'm going to have a seizure.

"Get down, Jondy," came an almost-forgotten voice, as someone grabbed me around the waste and pushed me against the overturned couch. As bullets flew nearby, I could smell lily perfume. . .my big sister, Brin. "Stay down, Jondy, or you'll hurt yourself worse."

I stayed still. Finally, one last blow, smacking of flesh and Logan went to the electricity box in the kitchen. Light flashed above and hurt my head worse. I struggled to my feet.

Ow.

Well, the apartment was in shambles - blood splattered everywhere, furniture and such everywhere. There was six bodies lying around the room, plus the dude who got one over me in the kitchen. What the hell were we going to do with the bodies?

A single bullet shot echoed through the apartment, and Zack reappeared, wiping a gun. "The guy in the kitchen would've run and told. Much cleaner if all their men just vanish."

Then Zack laid eyes on me. "Logan, could you get the trytrophan and first aid kit, please."

"What the hell was that?" demanded Krit, his arm around Syl's waist.

"An attack. We knew it would happen, but we weren't prepared," Zack said, pulling the couch upright, and motioning for me to lie down. "It's good to see you, Brin."

Brin nodded, with a small smile on her face. "I'm doing this for the kids."

I lay back in the couch cushions, as Syl took the stuff from Logan and began cleaning me up. "What are we going to do about the apartment?"

Alec looked at Zack and Logan. "Call Lydecker, he'll clean this one up. And he owes me."

Logan nodded and went to his desk, to do our bidding. I relaxed and popped a handful of trytrophan. I really am out of shape.

"Are you okay, Jondy?" Zack asked me, his eyes lit with the tiniest bit of concern..

"I will be," I waved away his concern.

All of a sudden, Krit's cell phone burst into song. Krit answered it, his face going grave and serious. We all waited until he hung up.

Krit sighed. "Sorry, Jon, no recovery time for you. They attacked Joshua's - no idea how they found out. Joshua is injured and back at Terminal City."

"And," Krit continued, as Logan came back into the room. "They got Jace, Case, Max and Evie."

We all froze.

"Max is back at Manticore?" Logan asked softly.

"This time," Syl spoke up, sounding and looking more determined than I have ever seen her, "no one gets left behind. All or nothing. We go in and we get them all out. I just got my whole family back and I'm not losing anyone."

I stood up. "Third time lucky, Syl. We left people behind in '09, Max and Zack got caught in '19. This time we all get out."

It's a shame my lucky number always has been 63.

*~*~*~*~* Well, that took the best part of my day to write. It was hell to end this chapter but I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Anyways, my goal for this fic is to reach the illusive 100 reviews (or more, of course.) So, tell me what you think! Cause I'd love you for it :D