Finding Love
Max sat in the corner of the bar, watching the game of pool. Alec enjoyed the game, prolonging it as much as possible, even losing from time to time to give his opponent a sense of victory, until the big money was on the table. 'Maybe I should sneak out. I really don't want to be here. I need to walk around the area to see if I can sense 'his' presence. I wish I knew more about him than I do, at least his name. Friday is fast approaching and I haven't dreamt of him again. But, so far, there hasn't been a chance to roam the city. Alec has been quite attentive this past week, since he heard about the Manticore threat. The scout out here looking for us, 'Logan Cale.' The name does sound familiar. Probably someone I knew from Manticore but can not remember.'
"Hey there, Max."
"What? Yeah, did you win?"
"No, not this time. Could you fill up the pitcher for us?" He walked to her and looked in her eyes and kissed her. "You feeling OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Where's the empty pitcher?"
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Cindy hadn't planned on going out tonight. Logan had been emotionally upset lately. 'Maybe that's why I feel I have to get out tonight, to see the gang.' She opened the door and started to descend the steps. As always, she stands on the landing to survey the area. 'I wonder who's here tonight? Who can I...'
Cindy stares. In the back of the bar, by the pool tables, it's Max, shorter hair, but its Max. Cindy starts to walk in her direction, until she sees 'him.' He walks over to her and puts his hands on her. They talk and he kisses her. 'How can she...?' Cindy backs up against the wall. 'How can she...?' Slowly she makes her way up the stairs. Upon exiting the bar, she runs back to the apartment.
Logan hears the door open and slam shut. He moves away from the computer. "Cindy, Zachary is asleep, you know better than..." He sees her, panting, her back up against the door she just slammed shut. Her eyes are wild. "What is wrong?"
"I saw her... I saw Max... She's at Crash... I saw her..."
"Cindy calm down. Sit down. Did you talk to her? To Max?"
"No, Logan she is one of them... She is Manticore."
"Tell me what happened."
"He was with her, the other transgenic."
"Who? Cindy, calm down and start from the beginning."
There was a pause, Cindy sat on the couch and breathed deeply before relating the story. Logan let her finish before asking any questions.
"I walked into Crash and saw her by the pool tables. She was with another transgenic. I got scared and came back here."
"She was just sitting there... or playing pool?"
"She was sitting, he was playing pool."
"How do you know they were together?"
"He walked over to her, put his arm around her and kissed her."
"...Ah... a 'brotherly' sort of kiss on the cheek?"
"No way. A full on the mouth, lets get a room type kiss... oh... sorry Logan... Not a brotherly kiss."
"So... um... how do you know he was Manticore? You see a barcode?"
"No... he was the one... he..." She starts to cry. Logan holds her hand and is patient for her to calm. Quietly, she continues. "He is the one that escorted me to Manticore, when they wanted to bring Max back."
Logan took in the information. "Logan, she is with that other transgenic... with him... They can't be up to any good. He has to be after Zachary."
Logan took her hand. "Cindy, they were in a bar playing pool, that doesn't sound like part of an action plan to find and retrieve a baby."
"But he is the one that kidnapped me."
"Cindy, he was following orders at the time. He was Manticore, 'at the time.' That doesn't mean he is working for them now."
"That may be true, but it sure is disheartening to see her with him."
"I agree. Did you try to talk to her or make eye contact?"
"No, I got out of there."
"OK. Here's what we will do. You stay here. I will go see if I can talk to her."
"Don't tell her about Zach."
"Not until I know for sure."
Logan changed into his brace, and left for 'Crash.' He entered, and following Cindy's description. He looked, and saw her in the corner.
'I should just go... I don't want to be here. I can handle myself with anyone that Manticore might send, even this 'Logan Cale' that Alec is all worried about. I should...' She looked up and saw him standing at the door. She saw those eyes... Staring at her. She saw those deep blue, sparkling eyes from her dream. They came to her, here in this bar. He was looking at her too. He must know her. He made a movement that meant to join him at the bar. She rose to follow him.
"Where are you going?"
"Alec, get off my case. I will be in the ladies room. You want to follow me in there too? You forget, I know how to handle myself."
Max walked away.
"Come on Alec, your turn." Alec turned back to the game.
Max walked past the bar in the direction of the rest rooms, keeping her sensors on Alec. When he returned to the game, Max doubled back to the bar. There he was, standing there. 'Be cool Max, you really don't know who he is.' She slid up to the bar, next too him. She was careful not to touch him, if he were psy-ops, he could use a touch to his advantage.
"You want a drink?"
His voice was clear and smooth, a lot calmer than she felt. "No, thanks. Just want to talk."
"Want to talk here or outside where it is quieter?"
"Yes, outside. I will meet you outside... 5 minutes."
Logan left her at the bar, a bit curious about their encounter. 'I am obviously familiar to her, but she does not want to be seen with me in public. That's not very good for the old self-image, Logan. Or, she doesn't want her partner to see me with her. But that still doesn't tell me whose side she is on.'
Max strolled back to Alec. The game seemed to be pretty intense at the moment. There was a moderate amount of money on the table. "Hey Alec, I am going to take off. I'll meet you at home."
"I can't leave now Max, I am down about $200. I need to..."
"Don't worry, like I said, I can take care of myself." She walked away and felt his eyes on her. At the stairway she turned. He was back at the table taking his turn. She slipped out.
She looked around for him; 'he was another dream,' was the fleeting thought until he called out.
"Max, over here." She turned and followed his voice.
'He is real; the blue eyes, sandy hair, glasses, all real.' Something inside made her want to kiss him, but she thought better not. They stared at each other for a while until Max spoke. "Not here either... Let's walk a bit. There is a park up and around the corner, we could sit and talk."
"OK" was all Logan could say before she took off. Logan did his best to keep up with her tempo. After a mile he finally spoke up. "Hey Max, slow down. Not everyone has the speed of an X5."
She turned around, waiting for him to catch up. 'There is no one following us, at least.' "How do you know about X5?"
"I have been following Manticore's antics for around five years now."
"You are working for them?"
"Who, Manticore?"
"Yes, who the hell do you think were talking about?" Max took Logan by the collar and pinned him to the wall. 'OK Max, the man is not Manticore. His responses are slow and he has no strength, and his legs...' She slowly releases him. Quieter, she says, "What's wrong with your legs?"
Max's emotional swing messed up Logan. From 'psycho-girl' one minute to considerate the next. Logan straightened his shirt. "Can we start over?"
"We could do this backwards. I will tell you who I thought you were and you can tell me the same." Then to herself, 'that way I can find out what he knows about me.'
Logan thought, 'that's a good way not to reveal too much.' "OK, I will go first. You are Max. I have known you for five years. We are... ah... friends. I know about Manticore, I know you are X5 and I don't know why you don't remember me, or if you don't remember, why you are back in Seattle."
Max listened to him. 'He knew me; he has known me for five years. I have a friend. Could this be the friend that was kidnapped that Alec told me about once?'
"OK, my turn. I had two thoughts originally. One, that you were Manticore, probably psy-ops. I have since dismissed that theory. You have no barcode and you are weak. My second theory seems closer. I was hoping you knew me before I returned to Manticore. Someone who could help me with my memory."
"How did you recognize me in the bar if you don't know me?"
"You were in a dream. I don't normally sleep, but you and a small boy were in my dream, looking for me. What's wrong with your legs."
"What? Oh... just after we first met, I was shot and the bullet lodged in my spine. I wear a special brace so I can walk. What happened to you? Why can't you remember?"
"Its mostly blurry. I can tell you for sure only what I have been told. I awoke in the foothills around Manticore property to find it destroyed. I have had nightmares from time to time that I think are memories, but they are really only bits and pieces of a memory. Alec has really gotten me through this. He is the one that suggested we come to Seattle..."
"He is the other X5 you were with?"
"Yeah, do you know him too?"
"I don't, but another friend of mine does."
"I am afraid that we will not be here very much longer. Alec thinks we are being tracked. He has had contact with others in his squad and they have told him that Manticore has sent out scouts to the bigger cities. That's why I wanted to find you, but really didn't think I could..."
"Why not, from what I remember, you're an excellent tracker."
"Normally, but I wasn't sure you were real. I saw you in a dream, but not for very long. When you called to me... When you said my name, I woke up. I have tried to sleep every night since, but... no dreams. When I saw you at Crash, and you obviously knew me... well... I took a chance. Um... I still don't know your name."
"I guess you took quite a chance then, coming out here, alone, with me, not knowing who I was."
"I can pretty much take care of myself."
"Yes, I am sure of that. Nonetheless, my name is Logan Cale." Logan holds out his hand to shake hers in greeting. Max looks at him and backs away.
"Logan Cale? You are Logan Cale?"
"Yes, Max... What is wrong?"
"Alec told me. You are Manticore's tracker. You are... Logan Cale."
"I do not work for Manticore."
"How did you get into my dreams?"
"Well that is a little bit hard to understand... but I am not..."
"Max backs up more. "Get away from me. I will not go back there." She turns and runs.
Logan yells and tries to run after her. "Max, No... you don't understand. Its not true." Then, realizing the futility of his actions, stops yelling. 'She said his name was Alec. He is the key. He lied to her. I have to ask him why.'
Max ran, knowing this man could not catch up to her. 'I already determined he is not Manticore. There is no way. He didn't have any communication equipment on hand. He's not calling for backup.' Max hid in the shadows and watched for the man. When she determined that Logan was not following her. She decided to follow him. She caught up to him on his way back to the bar and she hid from his view.
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Logan entered Crash. It was quite easy to pick out Alec at the pool table. 'He is the young, confident, athletic and handsome one that holds Max's heart in his hand.' The fact that he did little to hide his barcode made the identification that much easier. Logan walked over to the table.
"Are you Alec?"
"Yeah, who's asking?"
"I think we need to talk outside."
Alec moved into an offensive stance. "I said who's asking?"
Logan did his best to stand his ground, knowing of course, that Alec could crush his skull without much effort at almost any time. "My name is Logan Cale." At this information Logan watched Alec's demeanor change, if only for a moment. "Like I said, we need to talk outside."
Alec looked around the room. "Where's Max?" He took Logan by the neck and for the second time this evening, Logan was pushed up against a wall. "Where is Max?" Alec yelled.
"She went home about an hour ago, Alec." A buddy supplied. The bar manager walked up. "Look guys, there will be no fighting in here today. I will call the cops if you don't take this outside.
Alec released Logan's neck and took him by the shirt. "Outside Cale." Alec ordered.
Logan, straightening up, said quietly, "Didn't I suggest that in the first place?"
Alec followed him out. Logan stepped out into the night air already a crowd had gathered. He realized, too late, that Alec was directly behind him.
Alec pushed Logan into the parking lot. Logan's footing slipped and he went down hard onto the blacktop. "I said where is Max?"
Logan looked at him, carefully covering his fear. Slowly returning to his feet. "She ran off after I told her my name. If you hadn't lied to her I would know where she was."
"I will lie to her again and again to keep her away from you. She is mine now." Alec hit Logan. Logan fell backward, this time tasting blood on his lip.
Logan stood again. "You can not lie to her. She will find out the truth. She will find out that I will not hurt her."
"I will not give her a chance to find out." Alec punched Logan in the stomach. Logan doubled over, but Alec held him up. Alec swung his arm back to strike again. Before he made contact to Logan again, his legs were swept out from under him, from behind.
Alec dropped Logan, swung around and jumped up to face this new attacker. "Max, what are you doing?"
"Stopping you from hurting him more."
"Max, this is Logan Cale, he is here to take us back."
"This man is not Manticore. You lied to me."
"You are with me Max. We were made for each other. I will not allow you to leave me. I will keep you away from him, even if I have to kill him."
"Alec, you do not have any say over my life, or his. I will not allow you to hurt him any more." Max moved to stand between the fallen Logan and Alec the aggressor. "Go home Alec, calm down and we will talk later."
"Max, I did this for you."
"Alec, I don't need a babysitter. I told you that before we left. You are doing this for you. Now go away, before you get us in trouble."
Alec left and Max went over to Logan. She knelt at his side and placed her hands on his body, arms and legs. "You are bleeding. Should I take you to a doctor? I don't feel any broken ribs or bones."
"No, I just need to get home."
"I will help you." Max lifted Logan and put his arm around her neck. Tentatively he stepped. Although he ached with each step, he found himself smiling as he instructed Max on how to take him home. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Max helped Logan into the Lobby of his apartment and pushed the button on the elevator. When the doors opened Max helped Logan inside.
"Here Max, you need to use the key." Max inserted the key and pressed a button. Realizing she had not been told which button to press, she looked at Logan. "Well, you have been here before," he said.
The door opened and Max helped Logan to the apartment door opened it and led him inside, placing him on the couch. "Where are the alcohol and the bandages? I will get..."
"Logan what happened?" Max saw her enter the room and immediately backed away from Logan. "Logan you are hurt. Are you OK?"
"Cindy, I will be fine." Cindy looked up at Max, who was almost to the door.
"Did she hurt you?" Max could feel the obvious fear this woman had toward her.
"No, she did not hurt me. Cindy get the alcohol and some bandages."
"Then he did, the other X5." Cindy stared directly at Max. Max had backed up to the door.
She spoke to the girl. "Yes, that was Alec. I will deal with him... We won't... harm you." Max felt her knees weaken. She leaned against the door to keep from falling. She felt scared and alone and these feelings filled her mind. She looked at the girl again. "I think you better check on your baby. He is crying for his mommy." Max quickly opened the door and left the apartment, using the stairwell instead of waiting for the elevator.
Logan and Cindy stood, astonished and watched her leave. Logan called out, "Max, don't go... Max."
Zachary started to cry. "Mommy, mommy..."
Cindy rushes to him and carries him out of his room. "Logan, I didn't mean to scare her off."
"I don't think you did. I think she felt Zachary and didn't understand. She will be back." Then to himself, 'I hope.' -----------------------------------------------------------------
He found her, in her 'thinking spot.' The Space Needle was an excellent place for an X5. The din from the city was far below and an X5 could see everything. Up here, he felt humbled by the expanse of the world. This was the only place he felt humble. His training did not allow those feelings. But Max had taught him otherwise. Now, he must swallow the pride he'd been encouraged to use for 26 years, to speak to this angel.
"Alec, you lied to me, why?"
She spoke first. Her voice, full of the disappointment he felt inside. "I loved you Max, I do love you, I don't want you to leave me. I had to protect you."
Max stood and faced Alec. "Protect me? From whom? Logan or myself... How many times did I tell you? I don't want to be babysat and I don't need protection. Why could you never understand that?"
"Because I love you. You don't understand. I fell in love with you the day you were placed in our barracks. Everyone else thought of you as the returned traitor. I saw your spirit and courage and I fell in love with that. You taught me things that Manticore never could."
"What else did you lie about?"
"Nothing, just Logan. I thought if I kept you away from him, you would always stay with me. Every time you returned, you would talk about his strength and dedication. The more you remembered about him, the further you got from me."
Both were quiet, emotionally drained and searching for a kind word.
"Max, I know you are upset with me. Words will not change that. I am sorry I lied and I am sorry I hurt your friend, but I am not sorry for loving you. I will always love you. But, I will let you go. I talked to Anya, one of the team leaders at Manticore. She is in Los Angeles and I will go visit her for a while. The apartment is yours, Max. Keep it, sell it, whatever you want. Please Max, what ever else you do, know that you can call if you need me. Be careful with Logan. Outsiders wear their heart on their sleeve and he could easily hurt you Max."
"Thank you Alec, I need some time by myself to straighten things out. As for Logan, he has already moved on. He has a wife and a child. He doesn't want me around."
"I don't know about a wife or a kid, Max, but the man I met tonight is 100% in love with you. He stood up to an X5 and wouldn't back down."
"I met the girl. Pretty, a bit taller than me."
"What was her name Max?"
"Cindy."
"Max, that was the girl you were rooming with. She was taken to Manticore to get you to return."
"But the baby..."
"Max, put your mind at ease, stake out the place. Find out what is going on before you give up. Use your Manticore given talents."
"Thanks Alec."
"Well, I will be leaving now. Max... call me... someday... when you think you can forgive me."
Max walks over to Alec, kisses him on the cheek. "I will miss you Alec." She touches his cheek and he turns and leaves. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Max sat near the skylight overlooking the balcony of Logan's apartment. She found Logan sitting in a wheel chair, holding the baby, telling him a story.
"...So the reporter and the beautiful thief ran away together to protect the baby. The beautiful thief knew that she had to leave, to rescue her friend, so she returned to the evil workshop. The reporter was sad, but he knew she had to go, to protect the baby and retrieve her friend. So the reporter and the baby were alone, until the day the friend arrived, but not the beautiful thief. The reporter soon thought he had lost the beautiful thief for good... Zachary... good finally asleep. Let's put you in bed."
Max watched Logan wheel through the apartment to the child's room. She entered the apartment through the skylight. She looked around. Other than Logan in the child's room, there was no other movement in the apartment. The room was nicely furnished, and objects of value were placed on high shelves, obviously away from tiny toddler hands. Max noticed something on the mantle and walked toward it. 'The statue.' Max said to herself. She reached out, touched it and looked at it. It felt so familiar in her hands. She placed it back on the mantle.
"I thought I had cured you from breaking into my apartment." Logan said.
Max turned around and met his laughing eyes. "If you don't want guests, why do you leave your skylight open?" Max points up and both look at the slightly ajar window.
"Max, I am on the ninth floor, the only 'guests' I get through the skylight are X5... You know, considering the X5 traffic I have had over the past five years, maybe I should close and lock it."
"Well, maybe I will try to remember to come to the door next time."
"Next time? Does that mean you will be returning?" Logan looked at her intently.
"I suppose... if I am welcome... I have so many questions..."
"Welcome? You are always welcome here, and I will answer any questions you have. We can start now, if you like."
Logan pointed Max toward the couch. She sat and Logan wheeled next to her. She began.
"I know you are not Manticore. What about the girl... your wife?"
"Who... Cindy? No, we are not married. Cindy is your friend. She was kidnapped by Manticore; you followed her back there. When she returned and you didn't, we just sort of stayed together. She has been a big help with Zachary."
"She is not Manticore?"
"No."
"Who then... How did you get into my dream?"
"Ahh... OK... That would be Zachary."
"The baby? Neither of you are Manticore... How..."
"Max, the baby is yours."
"But, I am X5, I don't have psy-op skills..."
"You were inseminated with X7 sperm. I can tell you what I know, but only what you told me before he was born... Before you went back to Manticore."
"My... baby?" Max took some time to grasp the information. She continued to ask questions, well into the night. Until both Logan and Max were yawning.
"Its late Logan... You are practically asleep. I will leave and let you get some sleep."
"Max. Stay here. You can sleep on the couch. Cindy and Zachary will be happy to see you in the morning."
Max agreed and Logan went to his bedroom and Max lay down on the couch. All the realizations she had this evening spinning around her head.
The apartment and all its occupants were still asleep when Zachary awoke. He got out of bed and moved quietly out of his room. He knew there was something different, a new presence in the apartment. He saw her sleeping on the couch and smiled as he moved over to her. He crawled up into the couch and worked his way between her arms, cuddling up next to his mommy. He lay in her arms, his back snuggled into her stomach and he returned to sleep.
Max stood facing a young man, approximately 16 years old.
"Hello mother. Do you know me?"
"You are my son, Zachary."
"Yes, do you want to remember?"
"Remember... what?"
"Everything that Manticore took from you. I can help you remember. Do you want that?"
"Good things and bad things?"
"Memories are not good or bad. It's our emotions that make them so. Do you want to remember?"
"Yes."
Zachary approaches Max and takes her into a hug. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Logan awakes to the smell of coffee and the sunshine streaming into his room. He groggily pulls himself out of bed, anxious to get back to Max, Zach and Cindy. He washes his face and goes through his morning routine then wheels out of the bedroom to the kitchen. Once there, he sees Cindy drinking coffee and reading the paper. "Late night?" She asks.
Logan smiles, "Yeah, we talked for quite some time... Zach not awake yet?"
Cindy points to the couch. "They looked so comfortable, I didn't want to disturb them. What do you know about this?"
Logan turns and sees Max and Zachary cuddled on the couch, both asleep.
"You know Logan, this is the best I have ever seen both of them sleep. What do you think they are dreaming about?"
"Zachary told me he could 'fix her.' I hope he is helping her remember." ----------------------------------------------------------------
EPILOGUE: A number of days later. Evening time. Max is in Logan's apartment, perched on the balcony rail.
"One day, you are going to fall from there."
"Have you ever known me to fall?" She steps down onto the balcony and faces him.
"Good point. Pretty soon, though, both you and Zach will be up there. I will have to reinforce the rail." Max moves to sit near him. Logan hands her a glass of wine.
"I started this toast a little bit over a week ago and now I am glad I didn't finish it. Max, we have known each other for five years. You are an important part of my life. I am so happy that you are finally back." They 'clink' the glasses together and kiss, lightly, before taking a sip.
"Logan, are you sure you want me back? I have left you at least four times now. I have hurt you at least that many times. Why would you want me back?"
"I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. You have been a part of my life since then. I need you in my life. Being together should be easier now that Manticore is gone."
"Yes, it should be."
Together they laugh and kiss. Once more they begin, or continue, their journey of life and love together.
The End.
A/N: Hope you have enjoyed this story. I have a few others also included on the fan fiction network. Please read them and enjoy.
Thanks for all you great responses and reviews.
Maxie.
Max sat in the corner of the bar, watching the game of pool. Alec enjoyed the game, prolonging it as much as possible, even losing from time to time to give his opponent a sense of victory, until the big money was on the table. 'Maybe I should sneak out. I really don't want to be here. I need to walk around the area to see if I can sense 'his' presence. I wish I knew more about him than I do, at least his name. Friday is fast approaching and I haven't dreamt of him again. But, so far, there hasn't been a chance to roam the city. Alec has been quite attentive this past week, since he heard about the Manticore threat. The scout out here looking for us, 'Logan Cale.' The name does sound familiar. Probably someone I knew from Manticore but can not remember.'
"Hey there, Max."
"What? Yeah, did you win?"
"No, not this time. Could you fill up the pitcher for us?" He walked to her and looked in her eyes and kissed her. "You feeling OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Where's the empty pitcher?"
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Cindy hadn't planned on going out tonight. Logan had been emotionally upset lately. 'Maybe that's why I feel I have to get out tonight, to see the gang.' She opened the door and started to descend the steps. As always, she stands on the landing to survey the area. 'I wonder who's here tonight? Who can I...'
Cindy stares. In the back of the bar, by the pool tables, it's Max, shorter hair, but its Max. Cindy starts to walk in her direction, until she sees 'him.' He walks over to her and puts his hands on her. They talk and he kisses her. 'How can she...?' Cindy backs up against the wall. 'How can she...?' Slowly she makes her way up the stairs. Upon exiting the bar, she runs back to the apartment.
Logan hears the door open and slam shut. He moves away from the computer. "Cindy, Zachary is asleep, you know better than..." He sees her, panting, her back up against the door she just slammed shut. Her eyes are wild. "What is wrong?"
"I saw her... I saw Max... She's at Crash... I saw her..."
"Cindy calm down. Sit down. Did you talk to her? To Max?"
"No, Logan she is one of them... She is Manticore."
"Tell me what happened."
"He was with her, the other transgenic."
"Who? Cindy, calm down and start from the beginning."
There was a pause, Cindy sat on the couch and breathed deeply before relating the story. Logan let her finish before asking any questions.
"I walked into Crash and saw her by the pool tables. She was with another transgenic. I got scared and came back here."
"She was just sitting there... or playing pool?"
"She was sitting, he was playing pool."
"How do you know they were together?"
"He walked over to her, put his arm around her and kissed her."
"...Ah... a 'brotherly' sort of kiss on the cheek?"
"No way. A full on the mouth, lets get a room type kiss... oh... sorry Logan... Not a brotherly kiss."
"So... um... how do you know he was Manticore? You see a barcode?"
"No... he was the one... he..." She starts to cry. Logan holds her hand and is patient for her to calm. Quietly, she continues. "He is the one that escorted me to Manticore, when they wanted to bring Max back."
Logan took in the information. "Logan, she is with that other transgenic... with him... They can't be up to any good. He has to be after Zachary."
Logan took her hand. "Cindy, they were in a bar playing pool, that doesn't sound like part of an action plan to find and retrieve a baby."
"But he is the one that kidnapped me."
"Cindy, he was following orders at the time. He was Manticore, 'at the time.' That doesn't mean he is working for them now."
"That may be true, but it sure is disheartening to see her with him."
"I agree. Did you try to talk to her or make eye contact?"
"No, I got out of there."
"OK. Here's what we will do. You stay here. I will go see if I can talk to her."
"Don't tell her about Zach."
"Not until I know for sure."
Logan changed into his brace, and left for 'Crash.' He entered, and following Cindy's description. He looked, and saw her in the corner.
'I should just go... I don't want to be here. I can handle myself with anyone that Manticore might send, even this 'Logan Cale' that Alec is all worried about. I should...' She looked up and saw him standing at the door. She saw those eyes... Staring at her. She saw those deep blue, sparkling eyes from her dream. They came to her, here in this bar. He was looking at her too. He must know her. He made a movement that meant to join him at the bar. She rose to follow him.
"Where are you going?"
"Alec, get off my case. I will be in the ladies room. You want to follow me in there too? You forget, I know how to handle myself."
Max walked away.
"Come on Alec, your turn." Alec turned back to the game.
Max walked past the bar in the direction of the rest rooms, keeping her sensors on Alec. When he returned to the game, Max doubled back to the bar. There he was, standing there. 'Be cool Max, you really don't know who he is.' She slid up to the bar, next too him. She was careful not to touch him, if he were psy-ops, he could use a touch to his advantage.
"You want a drink?"
His voice was clear and smooth, a lot calmer than she felt. "No, thanks. Just want to talk."
"Want to talk here or outside where it is quieter?"
"Yes, outside. I will meet you outside... 5 minutes."
Logan left her at the bar, a bit curious about their encounter. 'I am obviously familiar to her, but she does not want to be seen with me in public. That's not very good for the old self-image, Logan. Or, she doesn't want her partner to see me with her. But that still doesn't tell me whose side she is on.'
Max strolled back to Alec. The game seemed to be pretty intense at the moment. There was a moderate amount of money on the table. "Hey Alec, I am going to take off. I'll meet you at home."
"I can't leave now Max, I am down about $200. I need to..."
"Don't worry, like I said, I can take care of myself." She walked away and felt his eyes on her. At the stairway she turned. He was back at the table taking his turn. She slipped out.
She looked around for him; 'he was another dream,' was the fleeting thought until he called out.
"Max, over here." She turned and followed his voice.
'He is real; the blue eyes, sandy hair, glasses, all real.' Something inside made her want to kiss him, but she thought better not. They stared at each other for a while until Max spoke. "Not here either... Let's walk a bit. There is a park up and around the corner, we could sit and talk."
"OK" was all Logan could say before she took off. Logan did his best to keep up with her tempo. After a mile he finally spoke up. "Hey Max, slow down. Not everyone has the speed of an X5."
She turned around, waiting for him to catch up. 'There is no one following us, at least.' "How do you know about X5?"
"I have been following Manticore's antics for around five years now."
"You are working for them?"
"Who, Manticore?"
"Yes, who the hell do you think were talking about?" Max took Logan by the collar and pinned him to the wall. 'OK Max, the man is not Manticore. His responses are slow and he has no strength, and his legs...' She slowly releases him. Quieter, she says, "What's wrong with your legs?"
Max's emotional swing messed up Logan. From 'psycho-girl' one minute to considerate the next. Logan straightened his shirt. "Can we start over?"
"We could do this backwards. I will tell you who I thought you were and you can tell me the same." Then to herself, 'that way I can find out what he knows about me.'
Logan thought, 'that's a good way not to reveal too much.' "OK, I will go first. You are Max. I have known you for five years. We are... ah... friends. I know about Manticore, I know you are X5 and I don't know why you don't remember me, or if you don't remember, why you are back in Seattle."
Max listened to him. 'He knew me; he has known me for five years. I have a friend. Could this be the friend that was kidnapped that Alec told me about once?'
"OK, my turn. I had two thoughts originally. One, that you were Manticore, probably psy-ops. I have since dismissed that theory. You have no barcode and you are weak. My second theory seems closer. I was hoping you knew me before I returned to Manticore. Someone who could help me with my memory."
"How did you recognize me in the bar if you don't know me?"
"You were in a dream. I don't normally sleep, but you and a small boy were in my dream, looking for me. What's wrong with your legs."
"What? Oh... just after we first met, I was shot and the bullet lodged in my spine. I wear a special brace so I can walk. What happened to you? Why can't you remember?"
"Its mostly blurry. I can tell you for sure only what I have been told. I awoke in the foothills around Manticore property to find it destroyed. I have had nightmares from time to time that I think are memories, but they are really only bits and pieces of a memory. Alec has really gotten me through this. He is the one that suggested we come to Seattle..."
"He is the other X5 you were with?"
"Yeah, do you know him too?"
"I don't, but another friend of mine does."
"I am afraid that we will not be here very much longer. Alec thinks we are being tracked. He has had contact with others in his squad and they have told him that Manticore has sent out scouts to the bigger cities. That's why I wanted to find you, but really didn't think I could..."
"Why not, from what I remember, you're an excellent tracker."
"Normally, but I wasn't sure you were real. I saw you in a dream, but not for very long. When you called to me... When you said my name, I woke up. I have tried to sleep every night since, but... no dreams. When I saw you at Crash, and you obviously knew me... well... I took a chance. Um... I still don't know your name."
"I guess you took quite a chance then, coming out here, alone, with me, not knowing who I was."
"I can pretty much take care of myself."
"Yes, I am sure of that. Nonetheless, my name is Logan Cale." Logan holds out his hand to shake hers in greeting. Max looks at him and backs away.
"Logan Cale? You are Logan Cale?"
"Yes, Max... What is wrong?"
"Alec told me. You are Manticore's tracker. You are... Logan Cale."
"I do not work for Manticore."
"How did you get into my dreams?"
"Well that is a little bit hard to understand... but I am not..."
"Max backs up more. "Get away from me. I will not go back there." She turns and runs.
Logan yells and tries to run after her. "Max, No... you don't understand. Its not true." Then, realizing the futility of his actions, stops yelling. 'She said his name was Alec. He is the key. He lied to her. I have to ask him why.'
Max ran, knowing this man could not catch up to her. 'I already determined he is not Manticore. There is no way. He didn't have any communication equipment on hand. He's not calling for backup.' Max hid in the shadows and watched for the man. When she determined that Logan was not following her. She decided to follow him. She caught up to him on his way back to the bar and she hid from his view.
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Logan entered Crash. It was quite easy to pick out Alec at the pool table. 'He is the young, confident, athletic and handsome one that holds Max's heart in his hand.' The fact that he did little to hide his barcode made the identification that much easier. Logan walked over to the table.
"Are you Alec?"
"Yeah, who's asking?"
"I think we need to talk outside."
Alec moved into an offensive stance. "I said who's asking?"
Logan did his best to stand his ground, knowing of course, that Alec could crush his skull without much effort at almost any time. "My name is Logan Cale." At this information Logan watched Alec's demeanor change, if only for a moment. "Like I said, we need to talk outside."
Alec looked around the room. "Where's Max?" He took Logan by the neck and for the second time this evening, Logan was pushed up against a wall. "Where is Max?" Alec yelled.
"She went home about an hour ago, Alec." A buddy supplied. The bar manager walked up. "Look guys, there will be no fighting in here today. I will call the cops if you don't take this outside.
Alec released Logan's neck and took him by the shirt. "Outside Cale." Alec ordered.
Logan, straightening up, said quietly, "Didn't I suggest that in the first place?"
Alec followed him out. Logan stepped out into the night air already a crowd had gathered. He realized, too late, that Alec was directly behind him.
Alec pushed Logan into the parking lot. Logan's footing slipped and he went down hard onto the blacktop. "I said where is Max?"
Logan looked at him, carefully covering his fear. Slowly returning to his feet. "She ran off after I told her my name. If you hadn't lied to her I would know where she was."
"I will lie to her again and again to keep her away from you. She is mine now." Alec hit Logan. Logan fell backward, this time tasting blood on his lip.
Logan stood again. "You can not lie to her. She will find out the truth. She will find out that I will not hurt her."
"I will not give her a chance to find out." Alec punched Logan in the stomach. Logan doubled over, but Alec held him up. Alec swung his arm back to strike again. Before he made contact to Logan again, his legs were swept out from under him, from behind.
Alec dropped Logan, swung around and jumped up to face this new attacker. "Max, what are you doing?"
"Stopping you from hurting him more."
"Max, this is Logan Cale, he is here to take us back."
"This man is not Manticore. You lied to me."
"You are with me Max. We were made for each other. I will not allow you to leave me. I will keep you away from him, even if I have to kill him."
"Alec, you do not have any say over my life, or his. I will not allow you to hurt him any more." Max moved to stand between the fallen Logan and Alec the aggressor. "Go home Alec, calm down and we will talk later."
"Max, I did this for you."
"Alec, I don't need a babysitter. I told you that before we left. You are doing this for you. Now go away, before you get us in trouble."
Alec left and Max went over to Logan. She knelt at his side and placed her hands on his body, arms and legs. "You are bleeding. Should I take you to a doctor? I don't feel any broken ribs or bones."
"No, I just need to get home."
"I will help you." Max lifted Logan and put his arm around her neck. Tentatively he stepped. Although he ached with each step, he found himself smiling as he instructed Max on how to take him home. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Max helped Logan into the Lobby of his apartment and pushed the button on the elevator. When the doors opened Max helped Logan inside.
"Here Max, you need to use the key." Max inserted the key and pressed a button. Realizing she had not been told which button to press, she looked at Logan. "Well, you have been here before," he said.
The door opened and Max helped Logan to the apartment door opened it and led him inside, placing him on the couch. "Where are the alcohol and the bandages? I will get..."
"Logan what happened?" Max saw her enter the room and immediately backed away from Logan. "Logan you are hurt. Are you OK?"
"Cindy, I will be fine." Cindy looked up at Max, who was almost to the door.
"Did she hurt you?" Max could feel the obvious fear this woman had toward her.
"No, she did not hurt me. Cindy get the alcohol and some bandages."
"Then he did, the other X5." Cindy stared directly at Max. Max had backed up to the door.
She spoke to the girl. "Yes, that was Alec. I will deal with him... We won't... harm you." Max felt her knees weaken. She leaned against the door to keep from falling. She felt scared and alone and these feelings filled her mind. She looked at the girl again. "I think you better check on your baby. He is crying for his mommy." Max quickly opened the door and left the apartment, using the stairwell instead of waiting for the elevator.
Logan and Cindy stood, astonished and watched her leave. Logan called out, "Max, don't go... Max."
Zachary started to cry. "Mommy, mommy..."
Cindy rushes to him and carries him out of his room. "Logan, I didn't mean to scare her off."
"I don't think you did. I think she felt Zachary and didn't understand. She will be back." Then to himself, 'I hope.' -----------------------------------------------------------------
He found her, in her 'thinking spot.' The Space Needle was an excellent place for an X5. The din from the city was far below and an X5 could see everything. Up here, he felt humbled by the expanse of the world. This was the only place he felt humble. His training did not allow those feelings. But Max had taught him otherwise. Now, he must swallow the pride he'd been encouraged to use for 26 years, to speak to this angel.
"Alec, you lied to me, why?"
She spoke first. Her voice, full of the disappointment he felt inside. "I loved you Max, I do love you, I don't want you to leave me. I had to protect you."
Max stood and faced Alec. "Protect me? From whom? Logan or myself... How many times did I tell you? I don't want to be babysat and I don't need protection. Why could you never understand that?"
"Because I love you. You don't understand. I fell in love with you the day you were placed in our barracks. Everyone else thought of you as the returned traitor. I saw your spirit and courage and I fell in love with that. You taught me things that Manticore never could."
"What else did you lie about?"
"Nothing, just Logan. I thought if I kept you away from him, you would always stay with me. Every time you returned, you would talk about his strength and dedication. The more you remembered about him, the further you got from me."
Both were quiet, emotionally drained and searching for a kind word.
"Max, I know you are upset with me. Words will not change that. I am sorry I lied and I am sorry I hurt your friend, but I am not sorry for loving you. I will always love you. But, I will let you go. I talked to Anya, one of the team leaders at Manticore. She is in Los Angeles and I will go visit her for a while. The apartment is yours, Max. Keep it, sell it, whatever you want. Please Max, what ever else you do, know that you can call if you need me. Be careful with Logan. Outsiders wear their heart on their sleeve and he could easily hurt you Max."
"Thank you Alec, I need some time by myself to straighten things out. As for Logan, he has already moved on. He has a wife and a child. He doesn't want me around."
"I don't know about a wife or a kid, Max, but the man I met tonight is 100% in love with you. He stood up to an X5 and wouldn't back down."
"I met the girl. Pretty, a bit taller than me."
"What was her name Max?"
"Cindy."
"Max, that was the girl you were rooming with. She was taken to Manticore to get you to return."
"But the baby..."
"Max, put your mind at ease, stake out the place. Find out what is going on before you give up. Use your Manticore given talents."
"Thanks Alec."
"Well, I will be leaving now. Max... call me... someday... when you think you can forgive me."
Max walks over to Alec, kisses him on the cheek. "I will miss you Alec." She touches his cheek and he turns and leaves. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Max sat near the skylight overlooking the balcony of Logan's apartment. She found Logan sitting in a wheel chair, holding the baby, telling him a story.
"...So the reporter and the beautiful thief ran away together to protect the baby. The beautiful thief knew that she had to leave, to rescue her friend, so she returned to the evil workshop. The reporter was sad, but he knew she had to go, to protect the baby and retrieve her friend. So the reporter and the baby were alone, until the day the friend arrived, but not the beautiful thief. The reporter soon thought he had lost the beautiful thief for good... Zachary... good finally asleep. Let's put you in bed."
Max watched Logan wheel through the apartment to the child's room. She entered the apartment through the skylight. She looked around. Other than Logan in the child's room, there was no other movement in the apartment. The room was nicely furnished, and objects of value were placed on high shelves, obviously away from tiny toddler hands. Max noticed something on the mantle and walked toward it. 'The statue.' Max said to herself. She reached out, touched it and looked at it. It felt so familiar in her hands. She placed it back on the mantle.
"I thought I had cured you from breaking into my apartment." Logan said.
Max turned around and met his laughing eyes. "If you don't want guests, why do you leave your skylight open?" Max points up and both look at the slightly ajar window.
"Max, I am on the ninth floor, the only 'guests' I get through the skylight are X5... You know, considering the X5 traffic I have had over the past five years, maybe I should close and lock it."
"Well, maybe I will try to remember to come to the door next time."
"Next time? Does that mean you will be returning?" Logan looked at her intently.
"I suppose... if I am welcome... I have so many questions..."
"Welcome? You are always welcome here, and I will answer any questions you have. We can start now, if you like."
Logan pointed Max toward the couch. She sat and Logan wheeled next to her. She began.
"I know you are not Manticore. What about the girl... your wife?"
"Who... Cindy? No, we are not married. Cindy is your friend. She was kidnapped by Manticore; you followed her back there. When she returned and you didn't, we just sort of stayed together. She has been a big help with Zachary."
"She is not Manticore?"
"No."
"Who then... How did you get into my dream?"
"Ahh... OK... That would be Zachary."
"The baby? Neither of you are Manticore... How..."
"Max, the baby is yours."
"But, I am X5, I don't have psy-op skills..."
"You were inseminated with X7 sperm. I can tell you what I know, but only what you told me before he was born... Before you went back to Manticore."
"My... baby?" Max took some time to grasp the information. She continued to ask questions, well into the night. Until both Logan and Max were yawning.
"Its late Logan... You are practically asleep. I will leave and let you get some sleep."
"Max. Stay here. You can sleep on the couch. Cindy and Zachary will be happy to see you in the morning."
Max agreed and Logan went to his bedroom and Max lay down on the couch. All the realizations she had this evening spinning around her head.
The apartment and all its occupants were still asleep when Zachary awoke. He got out of bed and moved quietly out of his room. He knew there was something different, a new presence in the apartment. He saw her sleeping on the couch and smiled as he moved over to her. He crawled up into the couch and worked his way between her arms, cuddling up next to his mommy. He lay in her arms, his back snuggled into her stomach and he returned to sleep.
Max stood facing a young man, approximately 16 years old.
"Hello mother. Do you know me?"
"You are my son, Zachary."
"Yes, do you want to remember?"
"Remember... what?"
"Everything that Manticore took from you. I can help you remember. Do you want that?"
"Good things and bad things?"
"Memories are not good or bad. It's our emotions that make them so. Do you want to remember?"
"Yes."
Zachary approaches Max and takes her into a hug. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Logan awakes to the smell of coffee and the sunshine streaming into his room. He groggily pulls himself out of bed, anxious to get back to Max, Zach and Cindy. He washes his face and goes through his morning routine then wheels out of the bedroom to the kitchen. Once there, he sees Cindy drinking coffee and reading the paper. "Late night?" She asks.
Logan smiles, "Yeah, we talked for quite some time... Zach not awake yet?"
Cindy points to the couch. "They looked so comfortable, I didn't want to disturb them. What do you know about this?"
Logan turns and sees Max and Zachary cuddled on the couch, both asleep.
"You know Logan, this is the best I have ever seen both of them sleep. What do you think they are dreaming about?"
"Zachary told me he could 'fix her.' I hope he is helping her remember." ----------------------------------------------------------------
EPILOGUE: A number of days later. Evening time. Max is in Logan's apartment, perched on the balcony rail.
"One day, you are going to fall from there."
"Have you ever known me to fall?" She steps down onto the balcony and faces him.
"Good point. Pretty soon, though, both you and Zach will be up there. I will have to reinforce the rail." Max moves to sit near him. Logan hands her a glass of wine.
"I started this toast a little bit over a week ago and now I am glad I didn't finish it. Max, we have known each other for five years. You are an important part of my life. I am so happy that you are finally back." They 'clink' the glasses together and kiss, lightly, before taking a sip.
"Logan, are you sure you want me back? I have left you at least four times now. I have hurt you at least that many times. Why would you want me back?"
"I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. You have been a part of my life since then. I need you in my life. Being together should be easier now that Manticore is gone."
"Yes, it should be."
Together they laugh and kiss. Once more they begin, or continue, their journey of life and love together.
The End.
A/N: Hope you have enjoyed this story. I have a few others also included on the fan fiction network. Please read them and enjoy.
Thanks for all you great responses and reviews.
Maxie.