The Moon is Not Enough by ThePekingNoodle

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Fork in the Road

In which good-byes are said and new possibilities open up…

Several days later Logan, Max, and Jondy sat together in Logan's living room. Logan was looking over paperwork while the two women watched impatiently. Finally Max couldn't stand sitting still any longer. She jumped up and began to pace restlessly.

Jondy looked at her and then cocked an eyebrow at Logan in inquiry. "Is she always so restless?"

Logan looked up and smiled as he took in Max. "Always. I thought it was her X5 DNA that caused it."

Jondy shrugged, "Not that I'm aware of. But then again, each one of us is a slightly different mix."

"I heard you two." Max said coming to stand over them. "Logan, haven't you reviewed Jondy's papers enough times?"

"We can't afford any slip ups, Max." Logan said calmly. He folded the papers and slipped them into an envelope, which he handed to Jondy. "They seem to be in order."

""Thanks, Logan." Jondy took the envelope and slipped it into the overnight bag, which was sitting on the floor next to her.

"You set on the story?" Logan asked.

"Yep. I managed to convince you that I have an extensive expertise in human technology engineering, most notably in the field of nanotechnology. You've been worried about what's going on in your labs so you decided to send me out to check up on them for you."

"And once you get there, there will sadly be an explosion that not only destroys the labs and the records of their work, but most unfortunately kills you." Max said.

"But only after I've reported back to Lydecker that the work there appears to have headed off in the wrong direction, and isn't going to be of any use to the X program." Jondy added.

"And then you head off into Canada using those papers and your new identity. In about six months or so I'll contact you and set you up in a new permanent identity. You get the Colonel off my back, and I get you out of Manticore for good. Everyone ends up with what they want." Logan finished.

Jondy's eyes met his. "Not quite everything they want, but it'll do." There was a tinge of sadness in her voice and expression. Max looked from one to the other and dropped down to sit on the arm of the couch next to Logan. He dropped a hand on her knee and squeezed it reassuringly.

"You'll be good, Jondy." He gave her a smile.

"I'm made to be good." Jondy said. "Maybe next time my timing won't suck like it did this time."

She stood and picked up the overnight case. "I better get going if I'm going to catch that flight you arranged."

"The car is waiting downstairs." Logan said.

Max and Logan walked with Jondy to the doors of the elevator. She looked at Max with a question in her eyes. Max hesitated but then she stepped forward and gave Jondy a hug. "Take care…sis."

Jondy smiled and hugged her back. "You too. And take care of Logan. You're lucky."

"I know."

Jondy stepped back from Max and turned to Logan. "Thanks, Logan."

He smiled down at her. "Anything for Max's sister. You're one of the family now. If you need anything you have the emergency contact information."

"Engraved on my memory." Jondy smiled. On impulse she reached up and pulled Logan down to her. She gave him a swift kiss and then before Max or Logan could respond, she stepped into the open elevator.

Logan looked at her in bemusement, and Max sympathetically.

"Take care of each other. And if you need another X5 to kick some butt, you just have to call."

The elevator doors closed on Jondy, and Max turned to Logan.

"Max…I…" he began.

Max smiled. "I know. You can't help it. I'm just happy I met you before my sister did."

Logan dropped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Interested in going for a ride before dinner?'

"What did you have in mind?"

"It isn't raining for once and I thought the Ninja could use a workout. Want to hit the Needle?'

"You hate heights."

Logan shrugged. "You don't. I just thought you might like to head up there since it's been a while."

Max grinned. "How about I change and you pack some food to bring along? We can make a picnic out of it?"

"Sounds like a plan."

End of Chapter Thirty-Five…TBC…