AS2.06: Paper Caper by Star24

Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are property and copyright Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is copyright 2003 Star24.

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Chapter Three

Fogle Towers

Max and Logan were only steps away from the door to the bedroom, when Logan's doorbell started buzzing. A frown crossed Logan's forehead as their eyes met.

"What the…" he began. He dropped her hand and started in the direction of the door.

Max quickly caught up to him and stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Who would be coming here at this hour?"

"I don't know. And I don't know how they got past the lobby without being announced." Logan walked to the door, but stopped and waited for Max before opening it.

"It's not any of my sibs. They wouldn't bother with the buzzer. Wait a minute before you open that door."

Max's demeanor had switched instantly to all business. She walked into the living room, retrieved her sweater from the floor and pulled it over her head. The doorbell continued to buzz insistently the entire time.  Once she was dressed, she headed back to Logan.  She positioned herself to Logan's right, flat against the wall next to the door and then nodded to him to open it, indicating that he should step back out of the line of the doorway as soon as he unlocked it.

Logan nodded grimly and then reached a hand to twist open the deadbolt. He pulled the door open slightly and then quickly stepped back and to his left, leaving the way clear for their visitor and for Max.  The door opened slowly and a girl stepped into the apartment. Within seconds Max was behind her, one arm around her neck ready to apply pressure and the other wrapped around her waist, effectively holding her immobilized.

"L-l-l-o-ogan?" the girl managed to get out. She looked terrified.

Logan stepped from behind the door. "Melanie?" There was a look of surprise on his face. "Max, its okay, you can let her go. This is my cousin, Melanie."

Max released the girl. As soon as she was free, she threw herself into Logan's arms, sobbing loudly. He stood there for a minute, patting her on the back. His eyes met Max's and he shrugged.  The two stood there waiting as she slowly calmed down. When her sobs had almost stopped, Logan said to her gently, "Mel, why don't you come on in and sit down. Then you can tell me what's going on."

She didn't answer, but she allowed Logan to lead her into the living room and get her seated on the couch.

"You want something to drink?" Logan asked her when she seemed settled.

She looked up at him and nodded. Max seated herself across from her and watched her carefully, as Logan went into the kitchen to get her a drink.

Max judged that the girl was about sixteen years old. She had dark blonde hair that was streaked with bright burgundy, and pulled up into a high ponytail on her head.  She was wearing a pair of tight jeans that were cut low, and her waist was circled by a wide leather belt. Her tank top was bright pink which clashed with her hair. Several necklaces hung around her neck, she had a tiny silver ring in her navel, and her right shoulder sported a butterfly tattoo. She could have passed for any one of thousands of girls her age who could be seen around Seattle, except that Max estimated that her clothing and jewelry had cost more than most of those girls could afford to spend in a year's time.

The girl was staring unabashedly at Max with hostility in her eyes. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"I'm Max." Max returned the girl's stare with one of her own.

"What are you doing here? You don't look like Logan's type. He goes for women with class." The girl's tone was insulting.

"You mean class like Valerie?" Logan's amused voice broke the charged atmosphere. "Stop being a brat, Mel."

Melanie looked up at Logan who was holding out a glass to her. She shot him a brilliant smile. "I'm sorry. It's just that you don't usually hang out with…" She stopped dead as Logan gave her a look.

"Max, this is my second cousin, Melanie. Melanie this is Max." Logan made the introductions and then went to perch on the arm of the chair Max was sitting in. "Max is a very good…friend." He paused before the word friend and looked down at Max with a smile, letting his fingers play in her hair. Max smiled back at him.

Melanie observed the byplay between the two and a frown crossed her face.

Logan looked up from Max and regarded Melanie seriously. "What happened this time?"

Melanie gave him a sulky look. "Why do you think something happened?"

"Because you only show up here when you've gotten yourself into some kind of trouble with your parents, and you're looking for me to bail you out."

"That isn't true. You're my favorite cousin." Melanie protested.

"Maybe so, but I also know you. What did you do this time?" Logan pressed.

"Nothing. It's mom and dad. They're arguing all the time. I think they're going to get a divorce or something. Tonight they had this huge fight and dad accused mom of cheating on him. I couldn't stand it so I jetted out of there. I didn't know where to go, so I came here."

Max and Logan exchanged glances. Something seemed off about Melanie's story and they could both tell.

"Max, can I talk to you?" Logan stood and headed into the kitchen. Max followed him readily.

"There's something going on with her." Logan said as soon as they were out of earshot of the living room.

"Who exactly is she?" Max wanted to know.

"She's my Cousin Janine's daughter. Janine is about eight years older than I am. Mel's always been kind of wild. Her parents fight like cats and dogs, always have, and I think it's her way of getting some attention from them."

"So if they fight all the time, why would it bother her so much this time that she ran away to you?" Max wanted to know.

"That's what seems off. She's shown up here once or twice before when she's done something stupid, but something seems off this time." Logan frowned.

"Well one thing that's off for sure is her timing." Max said meaningfully.

Logan reached over and pulled Max into his arms. "I know." He leaned in to kiss her. He took his time and when he lifted his head, he continued to hold her close. "I can't believe we finally get a night together, and this has to happen."

"You could put her in a cab and send her home." Max suggested.

"Look at the time. It's past curfew. And I can't send a sixteen year old girl out alone. You know the streets of Seattle."

Max laughed without humor. "How old do you think I was when I was fending for myself on said streets, Logan?"

Logan looked down at her. "She doesn't exactly have your skills, Max."

It was Max's turn to sigh. "So I guess it's a rain check for tonight then?"

"Do you really want to…with a sixteen year old in the next room? It's not exactly how I pictured things for us tonight." Logan's voice and eyes were heavy with regret. "Look, tomorrow morning I'll pack her off home. And tomorrow night, I promise, it'll be only us. If you still want to, that is."

"Damn straight I do, Logan Cale. You aren't getting out of this that easily." Max grinned up at him. "Even if I don't have the same class as your usual girlfriends."

"Max, she's a sixteen year old who's having a hard time. Forget she said that. Anyway, you've got more class in your little finger than anyone she's known in her entire life."

Max smiled, "You better believe it. And I gotta tell you, that sixteen year old looks at you as more than her favorite cousin. She's got a mad crush on you."

"Max, she's half my age." Logan protested.

"Logan, you can be completely oblivious sometimes. You got a lock on your bedroom door? 'Cause if you do, I suggest you use it tonight."

Logan just looked at her.

Max shrugged. "Logan, sixteen year olds get crushes on older men all the time. Take my word for it." This time it was her turn to pull him down for a kiss. She took her time about it and when she pulled back, the look in Logan's eyes sent jolts of heat chasing through her. "Hold that thought for tomorrow," she advised him as she stepped out of his arms.

"Max…" Logan protested.

"Gotta blaze. Tomorrow."  Max strode out of the kitchen and Logan heard the door close behind her.

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and headed in to get Melanie settled in the guest room for the night.

End of Chapter Three