The Moon is Not Enough

AN: Don't drop in shock – the Noodle is back! Real life intervened in a big way in the last month but it seems things are getting back on track and it's gonna be all good, all the time now….

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chapter 34: Putting it on the Line

In which our couple takes a chance on a sister…

"Hold on just a minute, Logan." Max protested. "You're gonna trust her, knowing that she's been working for the Colonel all along?" She shot a deadly glare at Jondy.

"She didn't turn you in to him." Logan pointed out mildly. "That means something."

"Yeah, that she hadn't figured out the best way to get mileage out of it." Max retorted.

Jondy had been sitting there silently since Logan had dropped his bombshell, but now she opened her mouth to protest. Before she could say anything, Max gave her another glare.

"I'm not interested, sister." With that parting remark she left the room.

"She's right. Why would you trust me knowing I've lied to you all along?" Jondy looked at Logan curiously.

Logan smiled at her. "What I said. Why didn't you turn Max in to the Colonel?"

Jondy was silent for a few minutes. "Maybe I was figuring out the best angle."

"I don't think so. I've been watching you. I think you would like to be free of the Colonel and just haven't figured out how to do it. You escaped with Max; how did you get picked up again anyway?"

"After the escape I managed to get to Portland. I lived on the streets for about five years. It wasn't pretty but I survived. Then I hooked up with this guy. He ran a gang. I started to steal for him. We were doing okay but he got ambitious. He decided there was big money in arms dealing and he wanted to play with the big boys. He sent us in to what was supposed to be an abandoned military arms depot to pick up some stuff. Only it wasn't abandoned. Manticore was using it. They had X series there and to make a long story short, I got caught and ID'd. You can just imagine how happy the Colonel was to welcome me back home."

Logan nodded at her story.

"You already knew all that didn't you?" Jondy stared at him.

"I have my sources. I wanted to see if you were going to give me the truth. You did." He smiled at her. "If you want out from Manticore I can help you. "

Jondy felt a jolt as she took in Logan's mega watt smile. A brief feeling of regret that he was already taken washed through her. "Max is lucky," she said softly. "I kind of wish that she wasn't who she is and that you two had really been split. You wouldn't happen to have a brother would you?"

Logan laughed "Only a cousin and he's pretty much taken."

"I'd like to get away from Manticore, and if you need me to help you with something in return. I'm in."

"I have something I could definitely use your help with, and in the process I think we can get you off of Lydecker's radar screen." Logan replied. "Why don't you relax while I go talk to Max."

"She doesn't trust me at all." Jondy said. There was a hint of sadness in her face and voice.

Impulsively Logan leaned over and gave her a hug. "She'll come around. She's hurt that you lied to her but give her time." Jondy sighed and leaned against him for a moment, enjoying the feeling of security Logan seemed to radiate.

"Don't let me interrupt anything." Max said icily.

Jondy jumped back, but Logan turned and said to Max in a calm voice. "You weren't."

Max glared at him. "What, the idea of a menage a trois interests you? Forget it. I'm not into sharing. Not even with a so-called sister." She turned and headed back to their bedroom. Logan sighed.

"I'll be back." He left Jondy standing looking after them. "You're going to need some different clothes for what I have in mind, Jondy. Why don't you call Kendra and see if she's free to go shopping with you later today?" The door to the bedroom closed behind him and Jondy smiled as she went to make the call.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Logan entered the bedroom, Max was standing staring out of the window with her back to him. He could tell by the rigid set of her shoulders that she was not happy. Without words he strode to where she stood and stopped behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him. Max remained stiff in his embrace.

He smiled to himself and leaned in and blew a soft puff of air into her ear. She refused to respond. Still without words, he began to nibble down her neck, burrowing gently under her long hair. Max remained rigid for a moment, but then he felt a soft shudder run through her as she relaxed into his embrace, against her will. She sighed.

"You taste like more." Logan whispered to her.

Max turned in his arms and sent a searching look at him. "Why do you believe her?" She asked point blank.

"You mean, am I thinking with my head or with my hormones?" Logan said bluntly.

"She is beautiful and sexy and smart. You're a guy." Max pointed out.

"A guy who has all he can handle, and all he wants standing right here in his arms." Logan leaned in to kiss her.

"She's blonde." Max said avoiding his lips.

Logan stopped, taken aback by her remark. "Is that what's bothering you?"

Max flushed in annoyance. "No. It's just, how can you trust her when she's lied to us all along? For all you know she's out there right now calling in the Colonel and his troops."

"I've known what she is all along." Logan said. "She could have turned you in but she didn't. She wants to be free just as much as you, Max. She wants to be your sister." This time he managed to catch her lips before she could pull away.

Max melted into his kiss and he could feel the tension draining out of her. "You're everything I want and need, Max. I'm in love with you. Not with Jondy or anyone else." His voice was husky in her ear.

"God, I'm in love with you too, Logan." Max let her head fall back as Logan began to drop soft kisses on her throat and neck. "It scares me how much."

"I know…" Logan was kissing the valley between her breast now and his hands were roaming over her back. "I want you. Now. Again. Always."

In answer Max reached down and untied the belt of her robe. "Yes," she whispered. "always."

"Always, Max." He drew her to the bed and pulled her onto it with him…

End of Chapter Thirty Four…TBC…