The Moon is Not Enough by ThePekingNoodle

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Chapter Twenty-One: False Apperances

In which both our hero and Jondy are deceived by appearances… or are they…

Logan took care of his business in town quickly and was on his way back to the cabin in no time, accompanied by a freshly baked chocolate cake and an apple pie. He had been lucky and managed to catch the mail pickup for the day. Sebastian would receive Jondy's hair by the next day, and with any luck they'd have results the following day. The day after that they needed to be back in Seattle for the party. Logan hoped there wouldn't be any delays in the DNA analysis that would prevent their attendance.

He pulled up to the cabin and looked around for Max and Jondy. He didn't see them immediately, but he heard grunts and what sounded like blows coming from behind the cabin. Without hesitating he pulled out the gun he kept in his glove compartment and switched off the safety. Gun in hand, he climbed from the SUV and made his way around the side of the cabin.

He half expected to see Max and Jondy taking on a troop of Manticore soldiers, but instead his mouth dropped at the sight in front of him. The two X5s appeared to be locked in a deadly combat with each other. Their movements were so quick that he could barely follow them as they spun and leaped, blocking and parrying blows with incredible speed and strength. He held his breath as Jondy picked up a tree branch and swung it at Max. Max leapt in the air and somersaulted over Jondy's head. When she landed she picked up a branch of her own and when Jondy spun to face her, the two engaged in a bizarre swordplay until both branches ended in splinters.

The two circled each other warily but before either one could make a move, there was the sound of a gunshot. They spun simultaneously to face Logan who stood aiming the gun straight at Jondy.

"Max, get back." Logan warned. "I have her in my sights. The next one won't be in the air, Jondy."

The girls' mouths dropped open and to Logan's shock they both doubled over in laughter. He slowly lowered the gun and glared at them as understanding hit him,

"Logan…" Max gasped between laughs, "it's okay…we were…"

"Sparring." Jondy got in when Max couldn't finish.

Logan didn't bother to answer. Instead he turned without a word and headed around the cabin.

Max and Jondy sobered.

"I don't think he thinks it's very funny." Jondy said ruefully.

"No." Max said.

"It's sweet actually, how he was protecting you." Jondy offered.

Max grinned, "Don't tell him that. I don't think sweet is what he wants to hear right now."

"So what do I say?" Jondy wanted to know.

"Nothing might be your best bet. Come on. I need to go soothe his male ego." Max led the way back into the cabin. Logan was in the kitchen and he turned as they entered.

"I'm, uh, gonna go clean up." Jondy said and she hurried down the hall to the bedrooms.

Max walked over to Logan and put her arms around his waist. He just looked down at her. She tried a tentative smile but he didn't respond.

"Thanks for defending me." She then offered.

"And giving you a good laugh?" Logan retorted.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't laughing at you. It's just it's been so tense lately…" Max floundered. "I guess I just kind of needed the relief."

Logan's face softened as she looked up at him. His hands came up to tangle in her hair. "You know I can't resist you when you give me that look," he said just before his mouth came down on hers.

Max responded eagerly, still feeling the effects of the adrenaline from her sparring session with Jondy.

Her hands crept under his shirt and she stroked his back and then let them drop to his waist. Her body was pressed against his and Logan felt his own breathing begin to quicken. As the kiss continued he reached down and scooped Max up into his arms.

"Logan…what… Jondy…" she protested weakly as he headed to their bedroom.

"She's in the shower. I can hear the water running. We have some time…"

They were in their bedroom and he dropped Max onto the bed and then followed after her. She protested for a moment but her hormones were running strong and she quickly gave in to his seeking hands and mouth. As soon as he felt her yielding, Logan picked his head up and grinned at her.

"Have I ever shown you how much fun quickies can be? Not to mention the thrill of possibly being caught…"

"Logan!" Max began to squirm under him.

"Shhh. I estimate we have about fifteen minutes before Jondy finishes in there…" His hands were very busy indeed and Max subsided as he proceeded to demonstrate his points.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was more than fifteen minutes and Jondy had finished her shower and was sitting in the living room, leafing through an old magazine that she had found somewhere in the cabin, when Logan emerged from the bedroom.

"Hey, Jondy. Ready for some lunch?" he grinned at her, appearing very smug and not at all embarrassed by the gun incident earlier.

She smiled knowingly at him. "I'm starving. Where's Max?"

"Taking a shower. She wanted to clean up after her exercise."

Jondy just gave him a look but refrained from any comment. She trailed after Logan to the kitchen.

"Need any help?" Her offer was a surprise to him, used as he was to Max's complete disinterest in anything culinary.

"Why don't you put the salad together." He directed her to something he figured was safe, since he had no idea of what kind of kitchen talents she might have.

Jondy didn't comment, but set to work slicing and dicing the vegetables Logan had set out on the counter.

"Nice place here." She observed idly. "Of course the walls could use a bit more insulation but…"

Logan met her look blandly. " Something keep you awake last night?"

"Nah. Just thought I heard some odd noises while I was getting dressed. Sounded almost like a cat and its tom. Must have been in the woods, you know, X5 enhanced hearing and all."

"Must have been. I wouldn't mention it to Max, though. She'll be out there hunting them down or something. She wouldn't want her sister disturbed by some wild cats making noise."

"Sure."

Their eyes met and Jondy shrugged in acknowledgement of Logan's refusal to let her bait him. He smiled back at her and the two settled into a comfortable silence as they worked on the meal.

"Hey, you two." Max greeted them cheerily, fresh from her shower.

"Hey, you." Logan met her eyes, and Jondy smiled to herself as she saw the unspoken connection they seemed to share. "Trust you to come out when all the work is done."

"Of course." Max winked. "I'm starving."

She seated herself at the table and the other two joined her.

After a few minutes Max looked at Logan, "So what's our agenda for the next few days."

Logan was silent for a moment and then he said slowly. "Assuming the DNA test comes back clean, I was wondering if your sister would like to join us at my aunt's party on Saturday night. It could be interesting."

Max smiled, "Yes it could be at that."

End of Chapter Twenty-One…TBC…