Title: anything and everything

Author: sue

Rating: PG

Show: DA

Genre: Angst/Romance/Adventure

Type: WiP

Summary: under the chaos of a failed mission, somehow Logan had managed to do the impossible- infect Max with the virus. Now, it's up to Alec to stop her from taking an unplanned journey across the tunnel that ends with the bright lights. And he won't stop at nothing to make sure of that..

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again, thanks to heather for the wonderful beta job :)

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Chapter 3- Mission Gone Awry.

The trip to Logan's apartment was one of the worst she had ever taken. Frankly speaking, she was torn into two different directions. She didn't want to be with Logan right now, but she couldn't possibly go back to Crash either. Arghh, why did she agree to this? If one of her hands were free she would've slapped her forehead in frustration. But then, it wasn't, so she just contented herself with a low growl. To go or not to go, that was the question. While she had been busy debating with herself, Fogle Towers loomed nearer, like a specter from a one's overworked imagination. Looming and towering over unsuspected and innocent souls. Max shook these depressing and ridiculous thoughts away and entered.

Logan was busy poring over some blueprints when she got there. Max stared silently, prolonging the moment before she had to announce herself. Seconds sped by and yet Logan was still studying the plan, oblivious to everything around him.

'Whether you like it or not Maxie, it's time to move,' she muttered under her breath and started walking towards Logan, making as much noise as possible to alert him of her presence.

Logan turned and smiled as he saw it was her, and motioned for her to come forward. He shuffled a few papers on his desk before turning and giving her his full attention.

'Hey, it's been awhile,' he said as he leaned his hips against his desk, staring at her intently.

'Well, yeah. Sorry about that, but you know how it is now. Gotta lay low for a while,' she shrugged, wishing Logan would stop beating around the bush and go straight to the point.

Logan watched as myriad emotions chased one another across her flawless face. He stiffened in denial as one thought invaded his mind and refused to leave. Did she wish that she was somewhere else doing something with someone like…Alec? Nah, it's not possible, she loved going on one of his missions. Speaking of his mission, he'd better move along. He turned and slid into his desk and started typing. A couple of documents popped up and Logan began talking.

'Ever heard of Stephen Kirlington, Max?' he said, opening a few files on the said subject.

'Kirlington? A very rich and a very powerful businessman. Heard he's getting into politics,' her interest piqued, she took a couple of steps forward. Dared she hoped that Logan was planning on stealing from Kirlington? Why not, this guy could afford loosing a couple of things. And Logan must have needed the money for Eyes Only. She could almost envision all the pretty things she could fence.

'Yeah, I've been trying to nail this guy for ages. Despite that nice image, he's one of the biggest criminals in the whole nation. And the least known too,' he added noticing her surprised look, 'He deals in every imaginable crime. Drugs, prostitution, smuggling, the list goes on and on. But tonight I may have a lead. Something I could use to take down this guy,' Logan finished his speech with a huge smile.

Max felt like a balloon that had suddenly been punctured. Of course Logan wouldn't resort to stealing, he was too…uptight for that.

'What exactly do you have?' she asked, not quite believing that he had the means of taking down a guy who was obviously very big and very important.

'I thought you'd never ask,' he grinned excitedly, 'seems like Kirlington's accountant had been collecting some papers and other very important evidence over the years. He had it stashed somewhere, and now I know where it is.'

'I don't know Logan. Something doesn't feel right. Are you sure your contact can be trusted?' she asked, a bit reluctant to believe this as a lucky break.

'Of course he is, Max. Look, the papers are all here,' he pulled the blueprint and pointed to a small room, 'don't worry, I've gone through the plan twice. Minimum guards, actually only two of them. The place was almost in the middle of nowhere, after the pulse it was deserted. I guess that's why the accountant chose the place, Kirlington wouldn't have expected it to be hidden in plain view. The last place you would've guessed right?'

'It's an easy job. A one man job. Get in-retrieve-get out. Easy as pie. By this time tomorrow, Stephen Kirlington will be behind bars,' Logan coaxed, knowing she'd do it.

*

Half an hour later, both of them were in Logan's car, speeding towards their destination.

*

It was very dark, which suited Max perfectly. She crouched behind a tree, scanning the area for the two guards. Both of them were obviously preoccupied with the game shown on TV. She turned to look at the fence. Not very tall, she thought, only about 8 feet or so. She jumped and silently landed on her feet, then blurred towards the building. She grabbed one of the pipes and started climbing slowly until she saw a window in the second floor. Quickly she hoisted herself through the window and landed on the cold floor. Now she was in a large empty room, with doors on both side of the wall which she assumed would lead to smaller offices. Recalling the blueprint, she walked to the furthest door on her left. That's where Logan said the papers would be. Her hand reached out to open the door and strangely it opened easily. Without warning, her heartbeat doubled. Must be the adrenaline, she thought, pushing the door slowly. And found herself facing her worst enemy.

'Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,' Special Agent Ames White drawled, smirking gleefully. Now that he finally had her, he'd make sure that he got his son back. The gun he was pointing at her almost gleamed in the darkness.

'White, didn't know you missed me that much. What brings you here?' Max said pleasantly, but her eyes were busy looking for a way out.

'Why, you of course, 452. Didn't think you'd fall for this set up. But there you go, proves that transgenics,' he almost spat out the word, 'never had a brain to begin with.'

'Aww White, you almost hurt my feelings. Didn't know you were related to Kirlington,' she said, a bit desperate as she slowly inched backward. It was too far to run.

White laughed smugly, as if he knew something she didn't know.

Suddenly the pieces fit together perfectly. 'He's a Familiar too, isn't he? You knew Eyes Only was after him, so you set this all up,' she said furiously. And I fell for this trap, she almost groaned with frustration.

'You impress me 452. Not bad for a transgenic,' he said, slowly walking closer. 'I was hoping 494 would tag along, since you're inseparable and all.'

'What can I say, he had other plans for tonight,' Max took the opportunity, and walked slowly away from the door until she was in the middle of the room. She had to distract him somehow before she could make it to the window. She glanced around the empty room, but couldn't find anything to use.

White shook his head in amusement, 'If I were you, I wouldn't do that. Not while you're outnumbered that is.'

The closed door suddenly opened and four more Familiars appeared, until she was completely surrounded.

'Just give up 452, you won't make it,' White grinned, his eyes gleaming with the sweet taste of victory that was suddenly within grasp.

Not on your life, Max thought as she spotted something. Quickly she jumped upward, caught the overhead pipes and swung herself hard, landing softly beyond the circling Familiars. She was quick, she knew that, but then so were White and his band of Familiars. But she had surprise on her side, and for a few seconds it worked. But by the time she was jumping through the window, they were fast approaching. She blurred as fast as she could towards the fence, and from her ear piece she heard Logan saying that he was behind the trees by the fence. Behind her White and the gang started shooting. She avoided them easily, but the one second she took before jumping the fence was all it took before one of the bullets savagely pierced through her shoulder. Max groaned in pain as she almost fell headfirst into the dirt. She caught herself and jumped quickly, landing haphazardly on the other side, all signs of feline grace disappeared with the bleeding wound. She picked herself up and blurred towards Logan's car amidst raining bullets.

From the distance, she could see Logan speeding towards her and when he was near enough, the car screeched to a halt and she quickly jumped into the backseat as Logan speed off into the night. She glanced behind them and saw that the Familiars weren't too far behind. A couple of them were hanging from the window, shooting round after round into their direction. Logan took a few sharp turns in his effort to lose them. She lay down, trying to avoid the flying bullets, and also because of her spinning head.

*

Logan turned for a second and saw that she was curled up on the backseat. Then he saw the hand that was holding her shoulder was covered with blood.

'Oh my god, she's injured! How could this happen?' he muttered furiously under his breath, 'I can't believe it was a trap!'

Quickly he removed his outer shirt and with hands that were dripping with sweat threw it towards her. 'Max, use it for your wound,' he barked and took the next turn.

*

Feebly Max took the shirt and held it against her shoulder, as the car hurtled through the night.

to be continued..

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