AS2.06 Paper Caper by Star24

Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are property and copyright 2001-2002 Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is copyright 2003 Star24.

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Chapter Thirteen

Logan's Apartment

Max strolled out of Logan's bedroom wrapped in the red terry robe that she had come to regard as her own. Her freshly washed hair hung in wet strands down her back, and her feet were bare. Logan was busy at his keyboard when she glanced into the computer room, so she made a stop in the kitchen before heading in to check on his progress.

"Thought you might like this."

Logan looked up to see Max standing next to him, holding out a cup of steaming coffee. He inhaled the aroma appreciatively, and reached out to take it from her.

"Thanks." He took in a deep draught of the coffee and then set the cup down on his desk, well away from his keyboard.

"How's the hacking coming along?" Max asked as she perched on the desk and sipped from her own coffee mug. One bare foot swung idly and Logan found himself watching in fascination as her robe parted to reveal a slender leg.

"I'm almost there." Logan glanced at the screen. "In about five minutes or so I should be able to read the encrypted stuff on our friend's PDA."

"Let's hope it's more than a list of his conquests." Max said sardonically. "I do not want to have to deal with that scumbag again. Had to brush my teeth three times to get the taste of him out of my mouth."

Logan regarded her with raised eyebrows. "You know, that's an image I could do very well without."

"Tough. You sent me in there to play the bimbo with the guy, you should at least have to share some of the yuck factor." Max shot back at him.

"Believe me, I endured my own form of torture listening to him make moves on you." Logan said wryly.

"So is that the real reason you arrived to play heroic rescuer? Your male ego needed to plant one on him?"
Max probed.

Logan took another drink of his coffee and a small, satisfied smile crept across Max's face. She waited him out. He was saved from having to answer her by a beeping from his computer.

"That should be it."

Max watched as Logan pressed a sequence of keys. His printer began to hum and then spit out sheets.

She walked over and pulled them off and began perusing them.

"Geneva Fitz Williams…likes it rough, Janine Cale Van Arden…needs to be dominated…"

Logan frowned and reached for the papers. Max let him take them and burst out laughing as he read them and frowned at her. "Very funny."

"Logan, after what I endured tonight I need some levity. Next time you can be the one who has to put up with the groping and suggestive remarks. I'm gonna stick to kickin' ass from now on. It may be tough on a girl's manicure but at least I don't feel grimy after it."

Logan reached for her and pulled her down onto his lap. "Point taken. I owe you big time for tonight."

Max smiled, "You better believe it and you are so going to pay."

Logan pulled her in for a quick kiss and she let him, but after a moment she pulled back and rose from his lap. "We aren't going to finish this bitch up if we spend our time making out."

Logan sighed and looked back at the papers. He scanned the first page and flipped through the next several before he came to what he was looking for. "Here it is. A complete listing of the objets d'art Carlos has 'acquired' in the last month along with their disposition."

"And the manuscript?"

"It's listed. He dropped it off at Sky Blue's offices today. It's scheduled to be shipped out two days from now to a collector on the East Coast."

"So I guess you're gonna be asking me to do some B&E for you?" Max said.

Logan gave her one of his crooked smiles. "You said you wanted to stick to kickin' ass. Here's your opportunity."

"I want complete plans of their offices and a full rundown of their security system, including armed guards." Max was immediately all business.

"You'll have it. When do you plan on doing the job?"

"I'm thinking during the day. First thing if possible. Just in case our friend, Carlos, has more smarts than we think, and starts putting two and two together."

"A day job has more associated risks." Logan pointed out.

Max smiled. "A grubby Jam Pony messenger arriving to deliver a package isn't really noticed.Gets me past building security and once I'm inside and on the right floor, it's a piece of cake to lift the manuscript from wherever they have it stashed."

"I think a delivery could easily be arranged. Just make sure Normal gives it to you."

"I'm all over that." Max smiled. She suppressed a yawn.

"Now that's a surprise." Logan said.

"What?"

"You yawning."

Max shrugged. "I need to crash every couple of days. I'm about due. Not to mention that whatever Carlos the Creep put in that drink was pretty strong. If you don't mind, I'm going to catch some sleep." She started to walk over to the couch in the living room.

"Take my bed if you want," Logan said over his shoulder. "I'm probably going to be up for the rest of the night, getting you the information you wanted, and arranging for the delivery in the morning."

Max raised her eyebrows. "Aw. For a minute I thought that you had something else in mind with that offer."

Logan turned to look at her. Their eyes met as he said softly. "What I have in mind for you deserves nothing less than my full and complete attention, not to mention no time limit."

Max felt a frisson of heat deep in her belly as he ran his eyes over her. Logan undressing her with his eyes was worlds away from Carlos doing the same thing. She smiled slowly. "I'm gonna hold you to that once we finish this job."

"Damn right you are." Logan smiled back. "Get some sleep. I don't want you doing this job tomorrow at less than your best."

"Yes, mother," Max had the last word as she sauntered from the room, leaving Logan chuckling to himself.

End of Chapter Thirteen