Thank you once again for reading and reviewing!
My thanks to Alaidh, once more, for all her work.
A/N: My apologies to Bob, who has kindly reviewed this work, for the dog's name!!! I named the dog without thinking - sorry!! At least he was a very clever dog!!
Chapter 11
"Logan, forget it," Max stated, hands on hips, watching Logan as he transferred to his wheelchair from the training table, as Bling held it steady for him.
"Consider it a business expense," he urged her, lifting his legs on to the footrest, while Bling stowed the weights in place.
"I got it covered," she insisted, looking very uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going.
"Max." He said her name deliberately, looking at her seriously for a moment before putting his glasses on.
"I could leave you to be thrown to the lions all by yourself," she threatened.
He smiled knowingly. "But you wouldn't."
"Damn straight I would."
He still smiled, and it infuriated her that he was particularly attractive when he looked like that.
"Logan, my mind's made up," she insisted, forcing herself to look away. "Look at the paintings, the floor, look anywhere!" she told herself.
"What about your friend?" he asked her, wheeling through to the kitchen, and turning the faucet on for a drink of water.
She looked at him, confused. "You spacin' again?" she demanded.
He looked up at her. "I mean the one in my fridge," he said innocently.
Max looked at him with a sudden inkling of where he was going with this.
"Logan Cale," she threatened.
"What?" he asked, surprised. "I'm just suggesting a business proposition."
"Stinks to me like blackmail!" she retorted.
"I know the reputation of Eyes Only is held in disrepute by some given the current situation, but I'm deeply hurt to think that you would condone such libelous statements."
"Cut the crap. What do I need to do to get my chicken?" she asked dangerously.
"You simply have to chose a dress for the cocktail party tonight, and phone me when you've found the right one, and I'll have it charged to my account."
He saw the stubborn look on her face.
"Max," he said, trying a different tack. "It's hardly fair for me to ask you to a fancy cocktail party for an Eyes Only mission, and not reimburse you the cost of a dress. And," he added, taking a quick gulp of water, "if you don't agree to my demands, I'll place a ban on the cooking of all chickens in my kitchen."
"Or I simply kick your ass," she reasoned.
"You could of course," he agreed, but playing his trump he said, "but then you'd never get the succulent taste of fresh chicken basted with white wine with a stuffing of garlic and herbs..."
He had her, and she knew it.
If only he hadn't smiled that smile, she was sure she could have held out.
*************************************
"Logan, this chicken is a masterpiece," said Max.
"So is the wearer of the dress," thought Logan.
Not being entirely sure of what to wear to a 'cocktail party', Logan had suggested which shops she should go into, tell them the function she required a dress for, and they would be able to advise her.
Apparently a 'Cale' function was high enough on the social scale to have shop assistants falling over themselves to help her.
The result was nothing short of spectacular.
She had chosen a very simple black cocktail dress that clung to her curves as if she'd been poured into it.
Getting changed at Logan's because they were going to eat the long awaited chicken for dinner, and she could hardly ride her ninja dressed as she was, Max was more than pleased with herself when she saw her reflection in the mirror in the guest room.
However, her pleasure doubled when she saw the admiring smile she received from Logan when she walked out.
"Perhaps there should be more of these Eyes Only type missions," he suggested.
"I'll wait till I taste the chicken before I pass judgement," Max answered, not sure she was quite ready to forgive him.
Logan had outdone himself with the chicken, having felt a reasonable amount of pressure to come up with something spectacular considering the situation.
Max savoured every mouthful, "Mmmm." With a sigh of contentment, she put her fork down, then not-so-subtly eyed his plate.
"You know, I would have been probably perfect if they'd only thought to add the genes of the best chef in America," Max mused out loud. "You gonna eat that bit?" she finally asked, unable to bear seeing him poke around at the food on his plate a minute longer.
"Here, it's all yours," said Logan, pushing it across to her.
She looked at him as he studied the glass of wine in his hand.
"I can see you're really looking forward to the latest Cale family gathering."
"Oh I'm sure it will be an enlightening evening. I so hate not knowing that I shouldn't be wearing puce, or what I should have invested in but didn't, and why John Smith's wife is sleeping with her husband's partner and now they've both fled the country after embezzling his fortune," he finished bitingly.
She thought his unease was due to more than that, but instead said admiringly, "Wow, can't wait for the sequel."
He looked across at her, smiling suddenly.
"Before anyone else beats me to it, I want to be the first to tell you how beautiful you look."
Max smiled self-consciously, then jumped up saying, "We'd better get goin'."
**********************************
Bennett and Marianne's new house was in the most affluent part of Seattle. Private guards patrolled the perimeter of the estate twenty-four hours a day to keep out the unwanted riff raff and protect their properties.
It appeared if you wanted to build a house in this area it had to be at least two storeys high, and have a minimum of three garages. The look was generally old-world genteel, with plenty of columns and attic windows, and gardens with grass worthy of a golfing green.
"Just a family affair?" queried Max with sarcasm, as they took in the parked cars lining the street in every direction.
Logan made a face, pulling into the circular driveway and parking out front as Bennett had called and arranged for him to do.
Max reflected that Logan probably delighted in the fact that unlike the pristine condition of the other cars, innumerable layers of dirt covered the blue paintwork of the Aztek.
Waiting for Logan to get out, Max couldn't help but be impressed by the grandeur of the house, reflecting that this could have been the type of life Logan could have lead if he'd chosen.
"Logan!" called Bennett, coming forward with outstretched hand to greet them as they came in the door.
"Bennett, you remember Max?"
"Of course," Bennett replied with a smile.
Logan looked around at the crowded rooms filled with men in tailor made suits and women in designer dresses. There was no sign of the pulse for these people.
"A small affair?" he asked Bennett, eyebrows raised.
"Well, that's what Marianne and I intended, but Dad thought this was a perfect opportunity to do some 'networking'." He looked around in some disgust. "It's turned into a 'who's who' of everyone in Seattle. I wouldn't be surprised if Eyes Only himself were here somewhere!!" he laughed. "Although he's hardly 'de rigueur' on people's invitation lists at the moment though, is he?" he finished conversationally.
Max felt her smile plastered on her face, and stole a quick look at Logan to see his reaction, but he'd simply slipped into his 'party persona' as she had seen him do at the wedding, where, for the sake of good manners and good breeding, you simply smiled and laughed benignly at any comment so as not to give offence. She'd been surprised at Bennett's wedding to see how adept he'd been at it.
Catching her eye, he gave her one of his wide grins, but was saved from having to remark to Bennett's comments when a young man walked up to them and held his hand out to Logan, briefly saying 'Hello' but obviously only intent on speaking to Max.
"I'm Logan's cousin Martin. I remember you from the wedding," Then after a pause he added, "Max," boldly staring into her eyes as he did so.
"It's typical of Logan," he continued, not taking his eyes from her face, "he doesn't even bother to shave, and he turns up with the most beautiful girl at the party."
Max looked at a younger version of Bennett, although instinctively she could tell he didn't have Bennett's kind nature, but perhaps followed more in his father's footsteps. She gave him one of her polite, half- smiles. She hadn't liked the slightly sneering note in his voice when he'd referred to Logan.
"Come through and I'll show you where the drinks and refreshment are," Martin said, putting a hand to her back and pulling her slightly in the direction he intended her to go as if assuming she had said 'yes'.
Max felt herself stiffen instinctively, and she looked to Logan to see what he wanted her to do. She knew what she would 'like' to do.
"That's great Martin," said Logan easily, "I'll just be through here," he said to Max, indicating the room to the right of the spacious tiled entrance where they now spoke.
"Fine," she agreed a little tightly.
Bennett wandered away and Logan wheeled through to the room he'd indicated. The ground floor was open-planned, each room leading onto the next, with a minimum amount of walls, making it ideal for a party.
Stopping here and there to greet people who said hello to him, Logan looked around to see if he could see Melody anywhere, his one aim being to speak to her and leave, but he hadn't reckoned on the amount of people in the room and he had no hope from his wheelchair of finding anyone unless they were eight feet tall or standing right in front of him. He had sent Max off with Martin thinking that Melody would probably speak more openly to him if he were by himself.
"Logan."
"Gerard." He said, turning to find himself baled up by an old boyhood friend who seemed intent on reliving old times, starting in great detail about the time they'd taken Jonas's brand new car for a joy ride. Logan could only be pleased Max wasn't around to hear about his misspent youth.
************************************
Max had been temporarily abandoned by Martin, who'd been asked by his mother to find Bennett for her, as they needed some more cases of champagne.
He had unwillingly left Max's side, with the promise he'd be back soon.
Max breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring, "Don't rush," and rehearsed a few lines she'd let loose on Logan when she caught up with him.
Sipping her champagne, she casually wandered away from the bar to find Logan, when her ears picked up someone saying the word 'Logan'. Suddenly very attentive, she moved over to the wall as if admiring a huge painting.
With her sensitive hearing she was able to be far enough away from those talking without them realizing she was blatantly eavesdropping.
"So, what does he do, Jonas?"
She heard Logan's uncle laugh derisively, "Very little I'd say, other than living off Cale money."
It was easy to discern one of the speakers to be Logan's Uncle Jonas, but the other man she didn't recognize.
"I thought I'd heard somewhere he was a journalist?"
Jonas snorted. "I'd hardly call him a journalist. More like a muck- raker, touting his left-wing anarchy. He doesn't usually turn up at this sort of affair - he counts himself a bit above the rest of us. I'm surprised to see him here tonight."
From her vantage point, she could see the other man discreetly looking around the room.
"You haven't told me Mac, why all the interest in my nephew?" Jonas asked the other man shrewdly.
"His name came across my desk the other day. I recognized the surname, thought I'd check him out," he finished easily.
"Well you can't miss him. He's the only one here in a wheelchair."
Max could see the other man's look of surprise.
"Got himself involved in some shooting or other about eight months back, ended up a paraplegic."
His total lack of feeling disgusted Max . "Is the painting that bad?" asked Martin Cale, returning at that moment.
Forcing her features into something resembling a smile she said, "Could you get me another drink?"
Slightly disappointed, but willing to oblige the goddess in black, Martin hurried off to do her bidding.
Turning her attention back to Jonas and 'Mac', Max was disappointed to find they'd moved onto discussing something else.
Feeling vaguely uneasy about what she'd just heard, she looked around for Logan, slowly making her way to the other room through all the people, barely aware of the many admiring glances that came her way.
Finally, she spied Logan across the room, talking to an attractive brunette. He laughed suddenly at something she said and Max paused and looked at him admiringly for a moment.
He was wearing a black suit as the majority of all the other men in the room were wearing, but very few would have been able to get away with the hair that he'd simply towel dried and thought no more of, and his slightly, scruffy unshaven look.
"He's always been incredibly sexy," said a voice at her elbow.
Startled, and annoyed to find a betraying flush of red covering her cheeks, Max turned to face Melody Banks.
"So, are you and Logan an item? I remember seeing you at Bennett and Marianne's wedding."
"We're just friends," replied Max, a hint of steel to her voice. Max came to the conclusion that, whereas before she'd simply disliked Melody Banks, like the small beginnings of a forest fire, it had now fanned to a full- grown hatred.
"Right," the blonde drawled slowly, perfectly shaped brows rising in unison.
"Oh well, my timing's always been off when it came to Logan Cale," she said regretfully, no sign of her reporter persona in sight. "First Daphne, then Val, and I can't remember all the ones in between, and now you," she finished sweetly, turning to Max.
"And to think with that long list you couldn't even get a foot in the door," wondered Max out loud.
Catching sight of Logan coming towards them, Max was pleased to see a flash of fire in the other girl's eyes.
Unexpectedly, Martin Cale returned at that moment. "Here you are," he remarked, coming up to her. "Thought I'd lost you." His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the rigid stances of the two women, and the man they both now watched approaching.
A smart intuitive man in business, so too was he in personal matters. "I think I see which way the wind is blowing here," he commented, the faintest touch of bitterness to his words. He gave Max her drink, acknowledged Melody with a nod, then turned to Logan. "It's almost exactly like old times," he remarked, his focus resting briefly on Logan's wheelchair before he turned away.
Max couldn't believe that Logan hadn't understood the barbed comment, but he showed no sign of doing so, merely smiling at Melody.
"Mel, it's been a long time."
"You're looking well, Logan."
The word 'rattlesnake' came strongly to Max's mind.
There were so many people going back and forth, that they had to wait for someone to pass before they could resume their conversation.
"Let's find somewhere quieter," said Melody, indicating for them to follow her.
Melody led them to a small study off the main entrance. It was refreshingly cool and quiet in there, away from the endless hum of conversation and music in the other rooms.
"You don't have a drink, Logan," admonished Melody.
"I'm fine, thanks," he replied.
"The Logan Cale I knew always had a drink in his hand," she insisted.
"The Logan Cale you knew didn't need two hands to push a wheelchair," he replied.
Max, detecting a note in his voice that told her he had indeed understood his cousin's meaning, thought she'd take great pleasure in kicking Martin's ass.
Melody laughed to cover her confusion.
Not having meant to make her feel uncomfortable, Logan said smoothly, "So, you're the one with story of the year."
"Story of the century," she contradicted dryly, with a hint of pride.
"You must be pretty damn sure of your source," Logan said admiringly.
She almost completely covered her hesitation.
"You are sure of your source?" pressed Logan, leaning forward slightly.
"What journalist ever is," she answered evasively.
Logan shot a look at Max.
"So just what has Eyes Only done to piss you off so badly?" asked Max bluntly, not quite able to keep the sneer out of her voice.
"I'm a journalist. I report what makes news."
"The Melody Banks I knew reported the truth," said Logan, reiterating her earlier remark.
"Yeah, well nothing's the same any more, is it Logan?" sneered Melody, downing her drink in one gulp then looking around wildly as if there'd be another one somewhere close at hand.
Max thought she looked like someone whose conscience was completely whacked.
"The pulse hit and all the old rules changed, didn't you know that?" She got up and restlessly walked to the window.
Logan wheeled over to her. "The rules haven't changed, just the people," he told her.
"You on another crusade Logan - save Eyes Only? He's had his day," she finished flatly. "Give it another few months and no one will even remember him."
"What about all the good that Eyes Only has done. Do you want to see that destroyed for the sake of a headline?"
"What do you care Logan?"
A little more temperately, Logan replied, "I admire the work he's done. I'm just surprised that you'd run with a story like this without irrefutable evidence."
Looking at her, Logan wondered how hard to press without exposing his own interest.
"I need another drink," said Melody, walking past Logan without looking at him, and heading for the door, where she turned back to him saying, "It's just a job Logan, you know?" and left the room.
"It's just a job Logan," mimicked Max viciously in a deep whisper, mindful of where they were. "Gimme some time alone with her," Max pleaded, "an' I'll show her what a real 'job' is."
Logan gave her a look that told her what he thought of that idea.
"I could put an end to this crap," Max insisted.
"I'm not trying to pay truth to the rumours," he whispered back at her exasperatedly.
"Have it your own way," she retorted. "I'm headin' to the buffet. You want some food?"
"In a minute," he said, gazing into the distance.
"You want me to wait?" she asked with a gentler note.
He looked up at her, but obviously his thoughts were still miles away.
"I'll bring you back some cake," said Max, making up his mind for him.
***********************************
Waiting patiently among the other guests, Max finally made it to the heavily laden tables, selecting an assortment of delicacies for them to try.
Heading back to Logan, she was disturbed to find him no longer in the study but back in the entrance area in conversation with Uncle Jonas and the man called 'Mac'.
Grimacing, she realized that, with all the fuss with Melody, she'd hadn't had a chance to tell Logan about the conversation she'd overheard. She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt it was very important to get him away from that man.
At that moment Melody, accompanied by Bennett and Marianne and a few others who were obviously preparing to go, entered the area and started saying their 'goodbyes'.
"I've got us a whole bottle of French Champagne to have to ourselves," said a voice at Max's elbow.
Frowning slightly, she looked into the face of Martin Cale.
Max thought it looked like he'd had quite a bit to drink in the short while since they'd seen him.
"Will you share it with me?" he whispered in her ear.
His movements had attracted Logan's attention.
Max, with the two plates of food in her hands, gave Logan a meaningful look that said, "Don't interfere."
"I'm just taking this food over there to Logan," she excused herself.
"Let him get his own food," Martin insisted, putting an arm around her waist.
Desperate for once to not make a scene, but hampered by the plates of food in her hands, Max tried to politely decline, very aware of Logan's eyes in her direction.
Thankfully, Martin let go in order to open the champagne, which he did with a great flourish and managed to spray everyone in the area with the expensive liquid.
Logan, who had excused himself from Jonas and his friend, had been heading towards them and ended up with a face full of champagne.
With an annoyed look he took off his glasses and grabbed a napkin from a nearby table to wipe them.
Martin seemed to think the whole thing was hilarious, himself grabbing a napkin and proceeding to attempt to wipe the champagne from Max's breasts.
Quickly transferring the two plates to one hand, Max was in the act of dissuading Martin from such an action when her glance took in two things.
Firstly was Logan's intent expression, his glasses in his hands, obviously less than impressed by his cousin's actions.
The second expression she witnessed was one that made her feel like she'd been kicked in the stomach.
While everyone else had their eyes trained on Martin and his clumsy attempts to wipe the champagne, one person's eyes were trained on Logan, without his glasses, those expressive green eyes exposed to the world.
In that instant, Max witnessed a flash of recognition and understanding in the blue eyes that made her genetically engineered heart thump heavily in her chest, and instilled within her a burning desire to get Logan out of there.
Walking away from Martin in mid-wipe, she headed straight for Logan saying, "Here's your food." Leaning down slightly as she gave it to him, and very aware of Melody's scrutiny she said unobtrusively, but with vehemence, "Put your glasses on."
His green eyes meeting hers with a slight frown, he did as she requested, taking the plate and at the same time saying quite naturally, "Thank you Max."
Bennett was now ushering Melody out the door.
Looking past Bennett as she turned to go, Melody's glance swept to Max, her blue eyes meeting the challenging stare of Max's brown eyes as she stood next to Logan.
********************************************
It was some time later before they were able to get away, and it had seemed like an eternity to Max.
Every time the door opened, she looked up, half expecting sector police to come and arrest Logan and announce to the world that he was Eyes Only.
Eventually she leaned down and said in his ear, "We gotta go."
He looked up at her quizzically, knowing that something bothered her, but not quite sure what.
With Melody gone, he had no particular desire to stay longer anyway, so he took his leave of the happy couple in their new home, and headed to the car.
Max was so keen to get away, she didn't wait for him to stow his wheelchair himself, but as soon as he was in the car, she took it and stowed it in the back.
"You wanna tell me what this is all about?" Logan asked her, as they headed back towards town.
"She knows, Logan," Max whispered, her dark eyes wide with fear.
Logan looked at her, wondering if she meant what he thought she did.
"Melody. She knows you're Eyes Only, and I don't think we'll be able to buy her off with S'mores."
TBC
My thanks to Alaidh, once more, for all her work.
A/N: My apologies to Bob, who has kindly reviewed this work, for the dog's name!!! I named the dog without thinking - sorry!! At least he was a very clever dog!!
Chapter 11
"Logan, forget it," Max stated, hands on hips, watching Logan as he transferred to his wheelchair from the training table, as Bling held it steady for him.
"Consider it a business expense," he urged her, lifting his legs on to the footrest, while Bling stowed the weights in place.
"I got it covered," she insisted, looking very uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going.
"Max." He said her name deliberately, looking at her seriously for a moment before putting his glasses on.
"I could leave you to be thrown to the lions all by yourself," she threatened.
He smiled knowingly. "But you wouldn't."
"Damn straight I would."
He still smiled, and it infuriated her that he was particularly attractive when he looked like that.
"Logan, my mind's made up," she insisted, forcing herself to look away. "Look at the paintings, the floor, look anywhere!" she told herself.
"What about your friend?" he asked her, wheeling through to the kitchen, and turning the faucet on for a drink of water.
She looked at him, confused. "You spacin' again?" she demanded.
He looked up at her. "I mean the one in my fridge," he said innocently.
Max looked at him with a sudden inkling of where he was going with this.
"Logan Cale," she threatened.
"What?" he asked, surprised. "I'm just suggesting a business proposition."
"Stinks to me like blackmail!" she retorted.
"I know the reputation of Eyes Only is held in disrepute by some given the current situation, but I'm deeply hurt to think that you would condone such libelous statements."
"Cut the crap. What do I need to do to get my chicken?" she asked dangerously.
"You simply have to chose a dress for the cocktail party tonight, and phone me when you've found the right one, and I'll have it charged to my account."
He saw the stubborn look on her face.
"Max," he said, trying a different tack. "It's hardly fair for me to ask you to a fancy cocktail party for an Eyes Only mission, and not reimburse you the cost of a dress. And," he added, taking a quick gulp of water, "if you don't agree to my demands, I'll place a ban on the cooking of all chickens in my kitchen."
"Or I simply kick your ass," she reasoned.
"You could of course," he agreed, but playing his trump he said, "but then you'd never get the succulent taste of fresh chicken basted with white wine with a stuffing of garlic and herbs..."
He had her, and she knew it.
If only he hadn't smiled that smile, she was sure she could have held out.
*************************************
"Logan, this chicken is a masterpiece," said Max.
"So is the wearer of the dress," thought Logan.
Not being entirely sure of what to wear to a 'cocktail party', Logan had suggested which shops she should go into, tell them the function she required a dress for, and they would be able to advise her.
Apparently a 'Cale' function was high enough on the social scale to have shop assistants falling over themselves to help her.
The result was nothing short of spectacular.
She had chosen a very simple black cocktail dress that clung to her curves as if she'd been poured into it.
Getting changed at Logan's because they were going to eat the long awaited chicken for dinner, and she could hardly ride her ninja dressed as she was, Max was more than pleased with herself when she saw her reflection in the mirror in the guest room.
However, her pleasure doubled when she saw the admiring smile she received from Logan when she walked out.
"Perhaps there should be more of these Eyes Only type missions," he suggested.
"I'll wait till I taste the chicken before I pass judgement," Max answered, not sure she was quite ready to forgive him.
Logan had outdone himself with the chicken, having felt a reasonable amount of pressure to come up with something spectacular considering the situation.
Max savoured every mouthful, "Mmmm." With a sigh of contentment, she put her fork down, then not-so-subtly eyed his plate.
"You know, I would have been probably perfect if they'd only thought to add the genes of the best chef in America," Max mused out loud. "You gonna eat that bit?" she finally asked, unable to bear seeing him poke around at the food on his plate a minute longer.
"Here, it's all yours," said Logan, pushing it across to her.
She looked at him as he studied the glass of wine in his hand.
"I can see you're really looking forward to the latest Cale family gathering."
"Oh I'm sure it will be an enlightening evening. I so hate not knowing that I shouldn't be wearing puce, or what I should have invested in but didn't, and why John Smith's wife is sleeping with her husband's partner and now they've both fled the country after embezzling his fortune," he finished bitingly.
She thought his unease was due to more than that, but instead said admiringly, "Wow, can't wait for the sequel."
He looked across at her, smiling suddenly.
"Before anyone else beats me to it, I want to be the first to tell you how beautiful you look."
Max smiled self-consciously, then jumped up saying, "We'd better get goin'."
**********************************
Bennett and Marianne's new house was in the most affluent part of Seattle. Private guards patrolled the perimeter of the estate twenty-four hours a day to keep out the unwanted riff raff and protect their properties.
It appeared if you wanted to build a house in this area it had to be at least two storeys high, and have a minimum of three garages. The look was generally old-world genteel, with plenty of columns and attic windows, and gardens with grass worthy of a golfing green.
"Just a family affair?" queried Max with sarcasm, as they took in the parked cars lining the street in every direction.
Logan made a face, pulling into the circular driveway and parking out front as Bennett had called and arranged for him to do.
Max reflected that Logan probably delighted in the fact that unlike the pristine condition of the other cars, innumerable layers of dirt covered the blue paintwork of the Aztek.
Waiting for Logan to get out, Max couldn't help but be impressed by the grandeur of the house, reflecting that this could have been the type of life Logan could have lead if he'd chosen.
"Logan!" called Bennett, coming forward with outstretched hand to greet them as they came in the door.
"Bennett, you remember Max?"
"Of course," Bennett replied with a smile.
Logan looked around at the crowded rooms filled with men in tailor made suits and women in designer dresses. There was no sign of the pulse for these people.
"A small affair?" he asked Bennett, eyebrows raised.
"Well, that's what Marianne and I intended, but Dad thought this was a perfect opportunity to do some 'networking'." He looked around in some disgust. "It's turned into a 'who's who' of everyone in Seattle. I wouldn't be surprised if Eyes Only himself were here somewhere!!" he laughed. "Although he's hardly 'de rigueur' on people's invitation lists at the moment though, is he?" he finished conversationally.
Max felt her smile plastered on her face, and stole a quick look at Logan to see his reaction, but he'd simply slipped into his 'party persona' as she had seen him do at the wedding, where, for the sake of good manners and good breeding, you simply smiled and laughed benignly at any comment so as not to give offence. She'd been surprised at Bennett's wedding to see how adept he'd been at it.
Catching her eye, he gave her one of his wide grins, but was saved from having to remark to Bennett's comments when a young man walked up to them and held his hand out to Logan, briefly saying 'Hello' but obviously only intent on speaking to Max.
"I'm Logan's cousin Martin. I remember you from the wedding," Then after a pause he added, "Max," boldly staring into her eyes as he did so.
"It's typical of Logan," he continued, not taking his eyes from her face, "he doesn't even bother to shave, and he turns up with the most beautiful girl at the party."
Max looked at a younger version of Bennett, although instinctively she could tell he didn't have Bennett's kind nature, but perhaps followed more in his father's footsteps. She gave him one of her polite, half- smiles. She hadn't liked the slightly sneering note in his voice when he'd referred to Logan.
"Come through and I'll show you where the drinks and refreshment are," Martin said, putting a hand to her back and pulling her slightly in the direction he intended her to go as if assuming she had said 'yes'.
Max felt herself stiffen instinctively, and she looked to Logan to see what he wanted her to do. She knew what she would 'like' to do.
"That's great Martin," said Logan easily, "I'll just be through here," he said to Max, indicating the room to the right of the spacious tiled entrance where they now spoke.
"Fine," she agreed a little tightly.
Bennett wandered away and Logan wheeled through to the room he'd indicated. The ground floor was open-planned, each room leading onto the next, with a minimum amount of walls, making it ideal for a party.
Stopping here and there to greet people who said hello to him, Logan looked around to see if he could see Melody anywhere, his one aim being to speak to her and leave, but he hadn't reckoned on the amount of people in the room and he had no hope from his wheelchair of finding anyone unless they were eight feet tall or standing right in front of him. He had sent Max off with Martin thinking that Melody would probably speak more openly to him if he were by himself.
"Logan."
"Gerard." He said, turning to find himself baled up by an old boyhood friend who seemed intent on reliving old times, starting in great detail about the time they'd taken Jonas's brand new car for a joy ride. Logan could only be pleased Max wasn't around to hear about his misspent youth.
************************************
Max had been temporarily abandoned by Martin, who'd been asked by his mother to find Bennett for her, as they needed some more cases of champagne.
He had unwillingly left Max's side, with the promise he'd be back soon.
Max breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring, "Don't rush," and rehearsed a few lines she'd let loose on Logan when she caught up with him.
Sipping her champagne, she casually wandered away from the bar to find Logan, when her ears picked up someone saying the word 'Logan'. Suddenly very attentive, she moved over to the wall as if admiring a huge painting.
With her sensitive hearing she was able to be far enough away from those talking without them realizing she was blatantly eavesdropping.
"So, what does he do, Jonas?"
She heard Logan's uncle laugh derisively, "Very little I'd say, other than living off Cale money."
It was easy to discern one of the speakers to be Logan's Uncle Jonas, but the other man she didn't recognize.
"I thought I'd heard somewhere he was a journalist?"
Jonas snorted. "I'd hardly call him a journalist. More like a muck- raker, touting his left-wing anarchy. He doesn't usually turn up at this sort of affair - he counts himself a bit above the rest of us. I'm surprised to see him here tonight."
From her vantage point, she could see the other man discreetly looking around the room.
"You haven't told me Mac, why all the interest in my nephew?" Jonas asked the other man shrewdly.
"His name came across my desk the other day. I recognized the surname, thought I'd check him out," he finished easily.
"Well you can't miss him. He's the only one here in a wheelchair."
Max could see the other man's look of surprise.
"Got himself involved in some shooting or other about eight months back, ended up a paraplegic."
His total lack of feeling disgusted Max . "Is the painting that bad?" asked Martin Cale, returning at that moment.
Forcing her features into something resembling a smile she said, "Could you get me another drink?"
Slightly disappointed, but willing to oblige the goddess in black, Martin hurried off to do her bidding.
Turning her attention back to Jonas and 'Mac', Max was disappointed to find they'd moved onto discussing something else.
Feeling vaguely uneasy about what she'd just heard, she looked around for Logan, slowly making her way to the other room through all the people, barely aware of the many admiring glances that came her way.
Finally, she spied Logan across the room, talking to an attractive brunette. He laughed suddenly at something she said and Max paused and looked at him admiringly for a moment.
He was wearing a black suit as the majority of all the other men in the room were wearing, but very few would have been able to get away with the hair that he'd simply towel dried and thought no more of, and his slightly, scruffy unshaven look.
"He's always been incredibly sexy," said a voice at her elbow.
Startled, and annoyed to find a betraying flush of red covering her cheeks, Max turned to face Melody Banks.
"So, are you and Logan an item? I remember seeing you at Bennett and Marianne's wedding."
"We're just friends," replied Max, a hint of steel to her voice. Max came to the conclusion that, whereas before she'd simply disliked Melody Banks, like the small beginnings of a forest fire, it had now fanned to a full- grown hatred.
"Right," the blonde drawled slowly, perfectly shaped brows rising in unison.
"Oh well, my timing's always been off when it came to Logan Cale," she said regretfully, no sign of her reporter persona in sight. "First Daphne, then Val, and I can't remember all the ones in between, and now you," she finished sweetly, turning to Max.
"And to think with that long list you couldn't even get a foot in the door," wondered Max out loud.
Catching sight of Logan coming towards them, Max was pleased to see a flash of fire in the other girl's eyes.
Unexpectedly, Martin Cale returned at that moment. "Here you are," he remarked, coming up to her. "Thought I'd lost you." His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the rigid stances of the two women, and the man they both now watched approaching.
A smart intuitive man in business, so too was he in personal matters. "I think I see which way the wind is blowing here," he commented, the faintest touch of bitterness to his words. He gave Max her drink, acknowledged Melody with a nod, then turned to Logan. "It's almost exactly like old times," he remarked, his focus resting briefly on Logan's wheelchair before he turned away.
Max couldn't believe that Logan hadn't understood the barbed comment, but he showed no sign of doing so, merely smiling at Melody.
"Mel, it's been a long time."
"You're looking well, Logan."
The word 'rattlesnake' came strongly to Max's mind.
There were so many people going back and forth, that they had to wait for someone to pass before they could resume their conversation.
"Let's find somewhere quieter," said Melody, indicating for them to follow her.
Melody led them to a small study off the main entrance. It was refreshingly cool and quiet in there, away from the endless hum of conversation and music in the other rooms.
"You don't have a drink, Logan," admonished Melody.
"I'm fine, thanks," he replied.
"The Logan Cale I knew always had a drink in his hand," she insisted.
"The Logan Cale you knew didn't need two hands to push a wheelchair," he replied.
Max, detecting a note in his voice that told her he had indeed understood his cousin's meaning, thought she'd take great pleasure in kicking Martin's ass.
Melody laughed to cover her confusion.
Not having meant to make her feel uncomfortable, Logan said smoothly, "So, you're the one with story of the year."
"Story of the century," she contradicted dryly, with a hint of pride.
"You must be pretty damn sure of your source," Logan said admiringly.
She almost completely covered her hesitation.
"You are sure of your source?" pressed Logan, leaning forward slightly.
"What journalist ever is," she answered evasively.
Logan shot a look at Max.
"So just what has Eyes Only done to piss you off so badly?" asked Max bluntly, not quite able to keep the sneer out of her voice.
"I'm a journalist. I report what makes news."
"The Melody Banks I knew reported the truth," said Logan, reiterating her earlier remark.
"Yeah, well nothing's the same any more, is it Logan?" sneered Melody, downing her drink in one gulp then looking around wildly as if there'd be another one somewhere close at hand.
Max thought she looked like someone whose conscience was completely whacked.
"The pulse hit and all the old rules changed, didn't you know that?" She got up and restlessly walked to the window.
Logan wheeled over to her. "The rules haven't changed, just the people," he told her.
"You on another crusade Logan - save Eyes Only? He's had his day," she finished flatly. "Give it another few months and no one will even remember him."
"What about all the good that Eyes Only has done. Do you want to see that destroyed for the sake of a headline?"
"What do you care Logan?"
A little more temperately, Logan replied, "I admire the work he's done. I'm just surprised that you'd run with a story like this without irrefutable evidence."
Looking at her, Logan wondered how hard to press without exposing his own interest.
"I need another drink," said Melody, walking past Logan without looking at him, and heading for the door, where she turned back to him saying, "It's just a job Logan, you know?" and left the room.
"It's just a job Logan," mimicked Max viciously in a deep whisper, mindful of where they were. "Gimme some time alone with her," Max pleaded, "an' I'll show her what a real 'job' is."
Logan gave her a look that told her what he thought of that idea.
"I could put an end to this crap," Max insisted.
"I'm not trying to pay truth to the rumours," he whispered back at her exasperatedly.
"Have it your own way," she retorted. "I'm headin' to the buffet. You want some food?"
"In a minute," he said, gazing into the distance.
"You want me to wait?" she asked with a gentler note.
He looked up at her, but obviously his thoughts were still miles away.
"I'll bring you back some cake," said Max, making up his mind for him.
***********************************
Waiting patiently among the other guests, Max finally made it to the heavily laden tables, selecting an assortment of delicacies for them to try.
Heading back to Logan, she was disturbed to find him no longer in the study but back in the entrance area in conversation with Uncle Jonas and the man called 'Mac'.
Grimacing, she realized that, with all the fuss with Melody, she'd hadn't had a chance to tell Logan about the conversation she'd overheard. She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt it was very important to get him away from that man.
At that moment Melody, accompanied by Bennett and Marianne and a few others who were obviously preparing to go, entered the area and started saying their 'goodbyes'.
"I've got us a whole bottle of French Champagne to have to ourselves," said a voice at Max's elbow.
Frowning slightly, she looked into the face of Martin Cale.
Max thought it looked like he'd had quite a bit to drink in the short while since they'd seen him.
"Will you share it with me?" he whispered in her ear.
His movements had attracted Logan's attention.
Max, with the two plates of food in her hands, gave Logan a meaningful look that said, "Don't interfere."
"I'm just taking this food over there to Logan," she excused herself.
"Let him get his own food," Martin insisted, putting an arm around her waist.
Desperate for once to not make a scene, but hampered by the plates of food in her hands, Max tried to politely decline, very aware of Logan's eyes in her direction.
Thankfully, Martin let go in order to open the champagne, which he did with a great flourish and managed to spray everyone in the area with the expensive liquid.
Logan, who had excused himself from Jonas and his friend, had been heading towards them and ended up with a face full of champagne.
With an annoyed look he took off his glasses and grabbed a napkin from a nearby table to wipe them.
Martin seemed to think the whole thing was hilarious, himself grabbing a napkin and proceeding to attempt to wipe the champagne from Max's breasts.
Quickly transferring the two plates to one hand, Max was in the act of dissuading Martin from such an action when her glance took in two things.
Firstly was Logan's intent expression, his glasses in his hands, obviously less than impressed by his cousin's actions.
The second expression she witnessed was one that made her feel like she'd been kicked in the stomach.
While everyone else had their eyes trained on Martin and his clumsy attempts to wipe the champagne, one person's eyes were trained on Logan, without his glasses, those expressive green eyes exposed to the world.
In that instant, Max witnessed a flash of recognition and understanding in the blue eyes that made her genetically engineered heart thump heavily in her chest, and instilled within her a burning desire to get Logan out of there.
Walking away from Martin in mid-wipe, she headed straight for Logan saying, "Here's your food." Leaning down slightly as she gave it to him, and very aware of Melody's scrutiny she said unobtrusively, but with vehemence, "Put your glasses on."
His green eyes meeting hers with a slight frown, he did as she requested, taking the plate and at the same time saying quite naturally, "Thank you Max."
Bennett was now ushering Melody out the door.
Looking past Bennett as she turned to go, Melody's glance swept to Max, her blue eyes meeting the challenging stare of Max's brown eyes as she stood next to Logan.
********************************************
It was some time later before they were able to get away, and it had seemed like an eternity to Max.
Every time the door opened, she looked up, half expecting sector police to come and arrest Logan and announce to the world that he was Eyes Only.
Eventually she leaned down and said in his ear, "We gotta go."
He looked up at her quizzically, knowing that something bothered her, but not quite sure what.
With Melody gone, he had no particular desire to stay longer anyway, so he took his leave of the happy couple in their new home, and headed to the car.
Max was so keen to get away, she didn't wait for him to stow his wheelchair himself, but as soon as he was in the car, she took it and stowed it in the back.
"You wanna tell me what this is all about?" Logan asked her, as they headed back towards town.
"She knows, Logan," Max whispered, her dark eyes wide with fear.
Logan looked at her, wondering if she meant what he thought she did.
"Melody. She knows you're Eyes Only, and I don't think we'll be able to buy her off with S'mores."
TBC