I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. Still got no money
A/N: Thanks heaps to Kasman for the beta I owe you
Spoilers: Freak Nation and a few other episodes try to guess.
~*~~*~~*~~~*~~*~
Chapter 3 Let's Play Marbles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Jam Pony:
Everybody is standing around in shock and fear. Logan is standing behind Max as she lowers Cece's body to the floor and stands up. Mole begins ordering everybody unto the floor and to stay there.
"They killed her," Original Cindy says, looking down at CeCe.
Another one of my family to die in my arms - will it ever stop?
"Go take care of Gem," Max tells her
Joshua gesturing towards CeCe, "Why did they do this. We did everything they wanted."
Mole strides over saying to Max that this was her fault for trusting the cops.
"It wasn't the cops. It was White," Logan tells them.
The others turn and look at him in surprise.
Why? What's he playing at? Max thinks, "They screwed the whole thing up on purpose to escalate the situation."
"Yeah, well it, worked."
Well thanks, Alec, for that little bit of wisdom. Of course it worked...but only if we let it continue to...
Mole storms over and grabs Sketchy to shoot him to prove he means business. Max and Logan grab Mole and Sketchy.
"Let him go," Logan tells him, trying to pull Sketchy away.
"I don't take orders from your kind."
Max holding Sketchy, "No, but you take orders from me. Now let him go."
"No! We gotta show them we mean business, or we're dead!"
"That's a good idea. Start shooting people, 'cause that's what White wants, and then you can prove you're the monster people think you are," Logan says sarcastically
Max quickly looks at Logan. That's it! This has nothing to do with the cover up it's the cult. White wants us dead if he can show that we are monsters he and his friends will get whatever they want.
"Shut up! You're not one of us!" Mole shouts at Logan.
"No, I'm not. But I'm standing here with you, aren't I?"
Behind them, Joshua looks up and is about to say something then looks down. Logan is one of us. I gave him my blood, he thinks to himself.
Max looks at Logan. Do you realize what you said Logan? The reason you're standing is because you are one of us.
Looking at Mole and then at the others, "All right people, listen up! If we don't stick together, we don't get out of here alive." Then back at Mole. "You understand that?"
Mole releases Sketchy who steps behind Logan. He threatens to take out anybody who comes near the building, then walks away, "Come on Joshua."
Joshua looks at Max
"Joshua..."
Joshua turns and walks away up the stairs after Mole. Sorry, little fella, Joshua must make Mole understand about Logan.
"Joshua!"
Max looks at Logan and then walks away towards CeCe's body, scratching her head.
Mole is such an ass...croc and ass in his cocktail - a real Manticore joke. Thanks, Logan, but what are you doing standing so close? Don't you even realize we could have touched? When you checked CeCe's pulse, and just now when we grabbed Sketchy and Mole. I said no heroics - do you think because you have transgenic blood in you, the virus won't kill you? Damn! I've enough to worry about now without thinking if we make a mistake I'll kill you like I just did with CeCe. Still given the givens, I'm glad you're covering my back, Mole doesn't realize how dangerous you can be.
Logan is looking down at the floor.
Well that went as well as expected. Yeah I'm one of them now thanks to Joshua. I'm playing a dangerous game here staying so close to Max, but having her come to Joshua's this morning, with the smell of her hair, and all the things that make her what she is – it makes me feel alive again. I'm not letting you go, ever.
"Logan?"
"It's okay, Max I'll carry her. Where do you want to put her?"
"In there," pointing to the package room.
~~~~~~~~~~
Original Cindy sitting with Gem looks over at Logan and Max.
Well, hot boy and sista girl in the same room again. Despite all that's just gone down, I know we're gonna get out of this okay. Nobody can beat them when they're together. Like that comic book super hero team...Supergirl and...what was the guy in the lair...yeah, Batman. Hope they get real with each other soon.
~~~~~~~~~~
Package Room:
Max looking sad and pensive, Logan beside her.
"Wasn't your fault."
"This is all my fault. I let these people loose in the world. But there's no place for us out here. There's no place anywhere."
"You gave them freedom, Max. The thing about freedom...it's never free."
Max leaning on her hand still looking pensive.
"Max, I have something to tell you."
Slowly she turns to look at him.
"Logan—"
"Wait, Max...you set me free too...well you and Joshua...I can walk without the exoskeleton, the transfusion I got to cure the virus, it cured my spine. But getting that freedom cost me you."
"I know...OC told me."
Logan turns and looks angrily towards OC, "I made her promise she wouldn't. I was the one to tell you."
"Logan, no it wasn't her fault...when Alec went over to see you with the computer spares that day we thought he had told you—"
"Told me what Max? What was he going to tell me?"
"It's...over between me and Alec...It just couldn't work...he just looks too much like Ben...Logan, I never told you what happened to Ben."
»»»»»
Flashback forest near fertilizer factory south of Seattle:
Ben is looking at Max pleading for the one thing she must do to save them both. Her face falls.
"Ben, I can't."
"Please. You know what they'll do to me. They'll put me down there with them...the Nomlies. Please."
"Tell me about the Good Place," Max asks.
"Where no one ever gets punished."
"And no one ever gets yelled at."
"And nobody disappears. And when you wake up in the morning, you can stay in bed as long as y—"
»»»»»»
Tears start to run down Max's cheeks and Logan reaches for her, Max backs away quickly staring in fright at him.
"Sorry Max...I won't again, I promise. Tell me about Ben."
Looking down at her hands and then up into his eyes "I killed him Logan...I killed him with my own hands...like I could have killed you right now. I'm death to everyone around me."
»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's Apartment that night:
Max is staring out the window at the thunderstorm outside, her hair wet and pulled back, wearing a red bathrobe. Bling hands Logan an envelope from Lydecker.
He is looking at the photos of the blood splattered X5s and the last one of Max, thinking of what Lydecker said about them only needing a trigger to become killers. He puts them away as Max walks over, before she can see them.
"Hey. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I've been shutting you out lately, and...I appreciate you not hitting me with a whole bunch of questions."
"No problem."
Max goes over and sits on the couch, turns her head and looks at Logan who is staring at her.
»»»»»»
"No Max, it's not your fault the cops are out there waiting to kill transgenics, you can't blame yourself for the hatred out there against you all, and it's certainly not your fault that you could kill me with a touch. It's the bigots who want to deny that you and yours are human. It's the fault of Lydecker and Renfro and the rest at Manticore with their twisted minds who turned children into killers, created so called monsters and in the name of national security have turned the police on you to hide the fact. And let's not forget White and the cult and their agenda."
"But I'm responsible for letting them out...if I had only believed Renfro when she said she would burn the place to the ground if they were exposed."
"Max, if you hadn't, I would have...fate has a funny way of playing with us, you just have to play with the cards you're dealt."
Max suddenly smiles, "Or change the deck and the hand."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Still smiling at Logan, "Long story, but I promise if we get out of this I'll sit down and tell you...deal."
Logan smiles back, "It's a deal when, not if, we get out of here."
"Right...when. Better get back out there or the others will wonder what's going on back here."
"Yeah, I can see Mole glaring this way and OC's got a big grin on her face...do we have a truce Max?"
"Whatever...thanks for covering our backs out there."
Logan shakes his head. "Sorry I didn't spot White's snipers sooner." He points to CeCe's body.
"Yeah and if you hadn't none of us would be standing here. So forget it."
"But not CeCe."
"Never."
As Max and Logan leave the room Sketchy comes over
"Ah Max?"
"What now? It better not be a damn photo or a story."
"No! Not that, not now...it's just some of us would like to pay respects to CeCe...you know her being one of us...I mean one of our own...you know Jam Pony, if that's okay with you."
Max looks at him in wonder, "Yeah, Sketch, that would be okay...thanks."
"No need...you and Alec...you know?"
"It's okay, just go."
Sketchy walks over to the other messengers and they all get up and follow him, Sky is right behind him as they file into the package room.
Max walks over to Gem and OC shaking her head. Logan heads toward the back window.
"Wiggy can surprise us at times, can't he."
Max looks back at the messengers gathered around CeCe, "Yeah he can, he has a good heart...and a friend."
"Straight up boo, as are all of us...or at least most." Looking over at Normal who has not followed the others. He turns his back avoiding their eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Jam Pony:
Night has fallen and Max has ordered the lights switched off to prevent them being seen from outside. Later in the night, the police turn on searchlights, which sweep the outside of the building and occasionally shine through the locker barricade at the broken window. Max is leaning against a pillar alternating between watching the news reports on the TV and Gem in heavy labor.
Well at least he told me about his legs, but why didn't I tell him the whole truth. It could have been so easy - guess I'm afraid he would finally walk away. How could he trust me again – I fear that now more than...more than having lost Zack or any of my family, what have you done to me Logan? I have to get you and the rest out of here safe.
Looking over at Gem who is breathing hard and moaning.
Poor Gem, I wonder how many more X5s and other transgenics are out there, pregnant and alone. At least she has us to cover her back. That's all we can do. Not one of the skills Manticore thought we would need. I can kill somebody a hundred different ways, but can't even bring one small life into this world.
"Push. Push. That's it girl. Yes Push! Push." Original Cindy is telling Gem.
Shaking his head Normal stands up from the steps to the lunch area and joins OC and Gem. Max looks at him in puzzlement. He tells OC she knows nothing about birthing babies and starts telling Gem gently what to do. He then looks under her skirt.
"Okay. Okay, you're fully dilated. You're in a late second stage. It's not going to be long now, I want you to breathe, from your diaphragm, okay."
"And you know this how?" Original Cindy asks.
"Dad was a dairy farmer. I know my way around the inside of a heifer better than you do." Gem pushes him away.
Max walks over to them. I can't believe Normal is actually doing this and even more strange he seems to know what he is talking about. Well it's more than anyone else here does. She takes Gem's hand.
"I need a weapon."
"You're out of this fight, soldier." Max replies.
Gem tells Max that she and her baby are getting out of Jam Pony alive.
"You get that baby into this world. We got your back. Okay?"
"Just breathe, honey." Normal tells Gem.
Max walks away past Logan and Joshua standing at the dispatch counter and stands between them and the door.
Something is wrong why haven't the police tried to contact us? Has White managed to take control? This does not feel right. Turning she walks back to where Logan and Joshua are standing with their backs to her looking at Gem.
"It's me White wants. I'm going out there."
"No way" Logan tells her.
"He wants this thing to end as badly as possible, and I'm not gonna let that happen."
"Max, You're not going out there."
Logan, you're not thinking with your head but your heart. This is the only way I can save you and the others. How can I tell you that? You would only insist on coming too. She looks at Logan and then at Gem and the others across the room.
"I have to."
No, Max, I won't let you. You're not going out there, even if I have to lie to stop you.
"Max, listen to me. After you left, I translated the new runes on your skin." Showing her a piece of paper,
"Is that the message from father?" He hands it to Joshua.
"That's right. I think it's complete now. The symbols have multiple meanings, but the gist is something like, "When the shroud of death covers the earth, the one whose power is hidden will deliver the helpless."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means something really, really bad—like maybe biblically bad—is going to happen."
"And you're the one who's going to stop it."
Thanks, OC. It's fortunate that none of you can read the runes. The first sets of runes say that passage, but whether Max is the savior or not I don't know, but if it stops her from giving herself up to White, then the lie is worth it. I hope that search I left running finds the answer and we live to find out.
Max looking at Logan. I can't believe you are really saying this, but White and CJ were freaked with what the earlier runes were saying. Sandeman did create me for something, he did pick me up and say I was his special one - whatever the hell that means and if it was him.
Mole turns and walks over saying that if it's Max White wants, she should go. Logan denies that she should.
"Wake up, chimp! We're out of options here!"
If you think I'm letting Max go out there to save your scaly hide, which it won't, think again. Besides, if there's a chance my lie turns out to be true and she is a savior of millions, we should be protecting her not the other way around.
"No, you wake up! If she is the key to saving millions of people from some kind of apocalypse..."
"Your people or my people."
Why can't you see it? Damn, you're as bad as White and the rest out there.
"People! Human beings, like you and me!" Logan angrily replies.
Max has turned away while they argue and stands staring at the sliding door, all her senses are on full alert but something is different this time.
I can feel them, I can hear their heart beats, their thoughts it's as if I can see them through the walls – so you did give me some kind of X-ray vision after all – White and his killers are coming to take us all out even the innocent. No Way!
Turning back around
"They're coming. They're coming. Carry Gem. Come on, let's go."
Mole and Alec after checking with Dalton argue with her that they don't hear anything,
"Don't argue with me. Dalton lets go. Come on, I need everybody upstairs right now. Let's go." Max orders.
Logan is the only one who doesn't argue, immediately supporting Max in getting everybody moving upstairs. Joshua carrying Gem.
~~~~~~~~~~
Upstairs Jam Pony:
Max leads the messengers to the back of the room, "Hey Sketchy, keep them quiet and keep them down." She then takes cover behind a pillar.
There is an explosion and gunfire from the Jam Pony office and Alec and Mole appear locking the connecting door to downstairs ahead of White and some of the Phalanx.
She looks over at Logan and Alec, who has taken cover near him.
I'm glad I told you both about Ben. About me and Alec - I'm scared of loosing you, Logan, if you knew the whole truth. At least you have some ammo – that'll stop familiars, and the exoskeleton may give you a chance, and even if it fails, you won't be helpless. Alec better cover your back if something happens to me.
"Wait for my signal. We hit hard, we hit fast, and we don't back off. This is for all the marbles people." I love you Logan.
Logan looking at Max. Well, for a thief who didn't care about anybody or anything, here you are leading a bunch of desperadoes against a group of super human weirdoes to protect ordinary people and an unborn child...No, that's not fair. You have always tried to help the ones you loved, no matter what the cost. I'm glad it's over between you and Alec, for whatever reason.
There is the breaking of glass. Damn should have changed clips...a soldier I am not...too late now.
Max gives her orders by hand signals and all give the thumbs up in return.
Take care Max, I love you.
~~~~~~~~~~
Trying to quiet Gem who is grunting Normal whispers, "Shhh. Wait. Wait."
As the Phalanx close in on the office where they have heard Gem's muffled moans Mole, Alec and Max drop from the roof knocking their rifles away, while Joshua attacks from the side. Logan stands up and fires 3 rounds into a fifth Phalanx who falls back.
Logan begins to try and reload, meanwhile Mole has finished off his opponent and grabs an SA80 assault rifle and begins firing at White, but he is grabbed from behind and shoved into a shelf by another Phalanx.
Alec is shoved through a glass partition by a female Phalanx. While Joshua bashes his opponents head into a column then throws him across the room with little effort.
As Max twists her opponent around the helmet comes off revealing another female Phalanx, the leader Thula.
"452."
Max looks at her in contempt and thinks. Five thousand years and all they can produce are big butts and muscle bound Amazons. "Just bring it."
And they start throwing punches and kicks at each other.
Mole knocks away his second Phalanx as White kicks him in the chest.
Max and Thula continue to fight. Max lands several blows, but Thula just shrugs them off and kicks Max to the floor and then, grabbing her by the shoulders, throws her through a glass partition. She jumps on a desk and leaps wrapping her legs around Max's neck and flips her to the ground.
This bitch is pissing me off, Max thinks in annoyance.
Just as Logan is finished changing clips, the Phalanx he shot gets up and grabs him pulling him through the glass partition and onto a desk, and leaps up and starts punching him.
Joshua knocks out his opponent and grabs Mole's Phalanx and slams him into a column and then away.
Logan is thrown through the glass again where he lands on the floor and starts getting punched again. Joshua strides in and grabs the Phalanx's arm, who looks round in shock, Joshua picks him up and throws him across the room.
Meanwhile, Thula has shoved Max headfirst through a glass partition and then swings a chair at her, she ducks and this breaks the glass partition of the office, covering Gem and the others in broken glass. Normal takes cover under Gems dress.
Behind the desk Normal is telling Gem the baby is coming while the fight between Max and Thula still rages, and White has knocked Mole down and starts kicking him. Joshua grabs White and shoves him against a wall, and then realizes who he has and roars in rage. He starts to bash him against the wall and slams him into a shelf.
Alec is not having a good time with his opponent, who swings a mannequin at him, which he ducks. They slam through a glass partition. Across the room, Normal tells Gem to push as he can see the baby's head.
Alec gets a kick to the head and goes down. The Phalanx lifts the leg of a mannequin to hit him, when Logan strides over and kicks her hard and with the exoskeleton, sending her flying across the room to land next to Gem, who knocks her out with the strength of an X5 and of a woman giving birth.
That felt good. Logan and Gem think.
Original Cindy and Dalton sit on the Phalanx and cuff her. Across the room, Joshua smashes a desk over White and grabs him again.
Go! Push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push! Normal, head under Gems dress, tells her.
Thula is repeatedly punching Max who is underneath her on the floor.
Those look handy. Max thinks seeing handcuffs in a pocket on Thula's vest.
She sneaks the handcuffs out and gets one end around Thula's left wrist, who then stands up pulling Max with her, she begins to choke Max. Using a column Max performs her favorite maneuver and flips over Thula's head, breaking the chokehold and lands behind her. She swings Thula by the arm. Thula ends up wrapped around a column. Max handcuffs her other wrist. She struggles and tries to kick at Max but can't reach her.
Max looks at Thula with disgust. Big butts, muscle bound Amazons and no brains. No wonder they try and breed with normal women. What a whack bunch, but we kicked their asses.
Joshua throws White through a thin wall, picks him up and throws him again.
Picking up a rifle, Logan gives Alec a hand up.
"You all right?"
"Yeah."
Logan checks the rifle is loaded and orders a Phalanx to stay down.
Alec and Mole tell Max, it's all clear.
Turning she sees Joshua about to snap White's back.
"Joshua, no. Joshua, no!"
Running over grabs his arm to stop him.
"Joshua, no!"
"He deserves to die! He killed Annie."
Max pulling at Joshua's arm, "No. He deserves to die, a lot. But if you kill him now, the only thing people will remember about today is how some transgenic killed a human being in cold blood...and then they'll never stop hunting us."
Joshua considers what Max says about killing White and being hunted. Yes little fella he will die but not by my hand, not, today. Dropping White he places his foot on his chest to hold him.
Max leans over White "Bring on your muscle queens anytime," looks up at Thula, "I'll be happy to kick their ass."
"We are not finished."
"Fe'nos tol, bitch." Flicks him on the nose and heads over to join Gem and the baby who comments that there is no bar code.
"She is free."
"Not yet she ain't."
You're right, Mole, we have to get out of here before she'll be free. Using the uniforms, we can probably get past if no one notices the differences. Need Logan again, he's probably the only one of us who can pull this off right now.
"Mole, you Alec and Joshua get three of the men to strip we need the uniforms."
"Alec you and Sketchy—"
"On it, Maxie, just hope nobody notices the difference."
Original Cindy grabs Max's arm. "I'm going with you boo, three guards won't be as noticeable a difference as only two and besides you will need somebody along to keep Gilligan straight."
"Hey! I'm straight, you're the one that's bent."
"Shuddup fool!"
Shaking his head "Why do I let myself be pushed around?" He walks off towards Alec skirting around Mole who glares at him.
"Logan—"
"I'm going with you."
"Whoa, I know, I wasn't going to stop you. I need you to lead us out of here, they might have seen Alec, and Sketchy and OC don't exactly look like special ops."
"Hmm. Don't you think the cops got more than a glimpse of me outside?" Then smiling at Max. "Besides this is the second time White has seen me at your side. He must be figuring I'm your transgenic boyfriend after the stunt I pulled outside earlier."
Max smiles back, "Funny, I'd the same thought back when."
Logan looks at Max with a puzzled expression.
"You were there, when Sam and White were all tied up."
"Hmm."
"Hmm, what?"
"Just hmm."
"I wish you'd stop doing that!"
Logan just grins at Max.
"Whatever." Max stands there, after a moment, turns and walks off towards the others guarding White and his troops. Sky has brought some rolls of packing tape to tie them up.
Logan stands and watches her walk away. I missed watching you walk, the way you move not a wasted movement, must be the cat DNA in your cocktail. I can still make you smile and irritate you at the same time. Maybe there is hope for the two us after all.
Shaking his head he walks over to the pile of uniforms and picks up one that looks like his size, and walks over to one of the side rooms and begins to change. He doesn't notice that Max can see him from where she is standing.
Jeez Logan you're still hot...Don't go there Max, remember the virus, but it feels good seeing you. Having you smile at me, even if it's your irritating 'I know something you don't expression.' Well, we can now be in the same room without being awkward about it, especially if he keeps his promise...I'll try. That'll just have to do for now.
A/N: If you have enjoyed it so far stick with me, it does go beyond FN.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. Still got no money
A/N: Thanks heaps to Kasman for the beta I owe you
Spoilers: Freak Nation and a few other episodes try to guess.
~*~~*~~*~~~*~~*~
Chapter 3 Let's Play Marbles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Jam Pony:
Everybody is standing around in shock and fear. Logan is standing behind Max as she lowers Cece's body to the floor and stands up. Mole begins ordering everybody unto the floor and to stay there.
"They killed her," Original Cindy says, looking down at CeCe.
Another one of my family to die in my arms - will it ever stop?
"Go take care of Gem," Max tells her
Joshua gesturing towards CeCe, "Why did they do this. We did everything they wanted."
Mole strides over saying to Max that this was her fault for trusting the cops.
"It wasn't the cops. It was White," Logan tells them.
The others turn and look at him in surprise.
Why? What's he playing at? Max thinks, "They screwed the whole thing up on purpose to escalate the situation."
"Yeah, well it, worked."
Well thanks, Alec, for that little bit of wisdom. Of course it worked...but only if we let it continue to...
Mole storms over and grabs Sketchy to shoot him to prove he means business. Max and Logan grab Mole and Sketchy.
"Let him go," Logan tells him, trying to pull Sketchy away.
"I don't take orders from your kind."
Max holding Sketchy, "No, but you take orders from me. Now let him go."
"No! We gotta show them we mean business, or we're dead!"
"That's a good idea. Start shooting people, 'cause that's what White wants, and then you can prove you're the monster people think you are," Logan says sarcastically
Max quickly looks at Logan. That's it! This has nothing to do with the cover up it's the cult. White wants us dead if he can show that we are monsters he and his friends will get whatever they want.
"Shut up! You're not one of us!" Mole shouts at Logan.
"No, I'm not. But I'm standing here with you, aren't I?"
Behind them, Joshua looks up and is about to say something then looks down. Logan is one of us. I gave him my blood, he thinks to himself.
Max looks at Logan. Do you realize what you said Logan? The reason you're standing is because you are one of us.
Looking at Mole and then at the others, "All right people, listen up! If we don't stick together, we don't get out of here alive." Then back at Mole. "You understand that?"
Mole releases Sketchy who steps behind Logan. He threatens to take out anybody who comes near the building, then walks away, "Come on Joshua."
Joshua looks at Max
"Joshua..."
Joshua turns and walks away up the stairs after Mole. Sorry, little fella, Joshua must make Mole understand about Logan.
"Joshua!"
Max looks at Logan and then walks away towards CeCe's body, scratching her head.
Mole is such an ass...croc and ass in his cocktail - a real Manticore joke. Thanks, Logan, but what are you doing standing so close? Don't you even realize we could have touched? When you checked CeCe's pulse, and just now when we grabbed Sketchy and Mole. I said no heroics - do you think because you have transgenic blood in you, the virus won't kill you? Damn! I've enough to worry about now without thinking if we make a mistake I'll kill you like I just did with CeCe. Still given the givens, I'm glad you're covering my back, Mole doesn't realize how dangerous you can be.
Logan is looking down at the floor.
Well that went as well as expected. Yeah I'm one of them now thanks to Joshua. I'm playing a dangerous game here staying so close to Max, but having her come to Joshua's this morning, with the smell of her hair, and all the things that make her what she is – it makes me feel alive again. I'm not letting you go, ever.
"Logan?"
"It's okay, Max I'll carry her. Where do you want to put her?"
"In there," pointing to the package room.
~~~~~~~~~~
Original Cindy sitting with Gem looks over at Logan and Max.
Well, hot boy and sista girl in the same room again. Despite all that's just gone down, I know we're gonna get out of this okay. Nobody can beat them when they're together. Like that comic book super hero team...Supergirl and...what was the guy in the lair...yeah, Batman. Hope they get real with each other soon.
~~~~~~~~~~
Package Room:
Max looking sad and pensive, Logan beside her.
"Wasn't your fault."
"This is all my fault. I let these people loose in the world. But there's no place for us out here. There's no place anywhere."
"You gave them freedom, Max. The thing about freedom...it's never free."
Max leaning on her hand still looking pensive.
"Max, I have something to tell you."
Slowly she turns to look at him.
"Logan—"
"Wait, Max...you set me free too...well you and Joshua...I can walk without the exoskeleton, the transfusion I got to cure the virus, it cured my spine. But getting that freedom cost me you."
"I know...OC told me."
Logan turns and looks angrily towards OC, "I made her promise she wouldn't. I was the one to tell you."
"Logan, no it wasn't her fault...when Alec went over to see you with the computer spares that day we thought he had told you—"
"Told me what Max? What was he going to tell me?"
"It's...over between me and Alec...It just couldn't work...he just looks too much like Ben...Logan, I never told you what happened to Ben."
»»»»»
Flashback forest near fertilizer factory south of Seattle:
Ben is looking at Max pleading for the one thing she must do to save them both. Her face falls.
"Ben, I can't."
"Please. You know what they'll do to me. They'll put me down there with them...the Nomlies. Please."
"Tell me about the Good Place," Max asks.
"Where no one ever gets punished."
"And no one ever gets yelled at."
"And nobody disappears. And when you wake up in the morning, you can stay in bed as long as y—"
»»»»»»
Tears start to run down Max's cheeks and Logan reaches for her, Max backs away quickly staring in fright at him.
"Sorry Max...I won't again, I promise. Tell me about Ben."
Looking down at her hands and then up into his eyes "I killed him Logan...I killed him with my own hands...like I could have killed you right now. I'm death to everyone around me."
»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's Apartment that night:
Max is staring out the window at the thunderstorm outside, her hair wet and pulled back, wearing a red bathrobe. Bling hands Logan an envelope from Lydecker.
He is looking at the photos of the blood splattered X5s and the last one of Max, thinking of what Lydecker said about them only needing a trigger to become killers. He puts them away as Max walks over, before she can see them.
"Hey. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I've been shutting you out lately, and...I appreciate you not hitting me with a whole bunch of questions."
"No problem."
Max goes over and sits on the couch, turns her head and looks at Logan who is staring at her.
»»»»»»
"No Max, it's not your fault the cops are out there waiting to kill transgenics, you can't blame yourself for the hatred out there against you all, and it's certainly not your fault that you could kill me with a touch. It's the bigots who want to deny that you and yours are human. It's the fault of Lydecker and Renfro and the rest at Manticore with their twisted minds who turned children into killers, created so called monsters and in the name of national security have turned the police on you to hide the fact. And let's not forget White and the cult and their agenda."
"But I'm responsible for letting them out...if I had only believed Renfro when she said she would burn the place to the ground if they were exposed."
"Max, if you hadn't, I would have...fate has a funny way of playing with us, you just have to play with the cards you're dealt."
Max suddenly smiles, "Or change the deck and the hand."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Still smiling at Logan, "Long story, but I promise if we get out of this I'll sit down and tell you...deal."
Logan smiles back, "It's a deal when, not if, we get out of here."
"Right...when. Better get back out there or the others will wonder what's going on back here."
"Yeah, I can see Mole glaring this way and OC's got a big grin on her face...do we have a truce Max?"
"Whatever...thanks for covering our backs out there."
Logan shakes his head. "Sorry I didn't spot White's snipers sooner." He points to CeCe's body.
"Yeah and if you hadn't none of us would be standing here. So forget it."
"But not CeCe."
"Never."
As Max and Logan leave the room Sketchy comes over
"Ah Max?"
"What now? It better not be a damn photo or a story."
"No! Not that, not now...it's just some of us would like to pay respects to CeCe...you know her being one of us...I mean one of our own...you know Jam Pony, if that's okay with you."
Max looks at him in wonder, "Yeah, Sketch, that would be okay...thanks."
"No need...you and Alec...you know?"
"It's okay, just go."
Sketchy walks over to the other messengers and they all get up and follow him, Sky is right behind him as they file into the package room.
Max walks over to Gem and OC shaking her head. Logan heads toward the back window.
"Wiggy can surprise us at times, can't he."
Max looks back at the messengers gathered around CeCe, "Yeah he can, he has a good heart...and a friend."
"Straight up boo, as are all of us...or at least most." Looking over at Normal who has not followed the others. He turns his back avoiding their eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Jam Pony:
Night has fallen and Max has ordered the lights switched off to prevent them being seen from outside. Later in the night, the police turn on searchlights, which sweep the outside of the building and occasionally shine through the locker barricade at the broken window. Max is leaning against a pillar alternating between watching the news reports on the TV and Gem in heavy labor.
Well at least he told me about his legs, but why didn't I tell him the whole truth. It could have been so easy - guess I'm afraid he would finally walk away. How could he trust me again – I fear that now more than...more than having lost Zack or any of my family, what have you done to me Logan? I have to get you and the rest out of here safe.
Looking over at Gem who is breathing hard and moaning.
Poor Gem, I wonder how many more X5s and other transgenics are out there, pregnant and alone. At least she has us to cover her back. That's all we can do. Not one of the skills Manticore thought we would need. I can kill somebody a hundred different ways, but can't even bring one small life into this world.
"Push. Push. That's it girl. Yes Push! Push." Original Cindy is telling Gem.
Shaking his head Normal stands up from the steps to the lunch area and joins OC and Gem. Max looks at him in puzzlement. He tells OC she knows nothing about birthing babies and starts telling Gem gently what to do. He then looks under her skirt.
"Okay. Okay, you're fully dilated. You're in a late second stage. It's not going to be long now, I want you to breathe, from your diaphragm, okay."
"And you know this how?" Original Cindy asks.
"Dad was a dairy farmer. I know my way around the inside of a heifer better than you do." Gem pushes him away.
Max walks over to them. I can't believe Normal is actually doing this and even more strange he seems to know what he is talking about. Well it's more than anyone else here does. She takes Gem's hand.
"I need a weapon."
"You're out of this fight, soldier." Max replies.
Gem tells Max that she and her baby are getting out of Jam Pony alive.
"You get that baby into this world. We got your back. Okay?"
"Just breathe, honey." Normal tells Gem.
Max walks away past Logan and Joshua standing at the dispatch counter and stands between them and the door.
Something is wrong why haven't the police tried to contact us? Has White managed to take control? This does not feel right. Turning she walks back to where Logan and Joshua are standing with their backs to her looking at Gem.
"It's me White wants. I'm going out there."
"No way" Logan tells her.
"He wants this thing to end as badly as possible, and I'm not gonna let that happen."
"Max, You're not going out there."
Logan, you're not thinking with your head but your heart. This is the only way I can save you and the others. How can I tell you that? You would only insist on coming too. She looks at Logan and then at Gem and the others across the room.
"I have to."
No, Max, I won't let you. You're not going out there, even if I have to lie to stop you.
"Max, listen to me. After you left, I translated the new runes on your skin." Showing her a piece of paper,
"Is that the message from father?" He hands it to Joshua.
"That's right. I think it's complete now. The symbols have multiple meanings, but the gist is something like, "When the shroud of death covers the earth, the one whose power is hidden will deliver the helpless."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means something really, really bad—like maybe biblically bad—is going to happen."
"And you're the one who's going to stop it."
Thanks, OC. It's fortunate that none of you can read the runes. The first sets of runes say that passage, but whether Max is the savior or not I don't know, but if it stops her from giving herself up to White, then the lie is worth it. I hope that search I left running finds the answer and we live to find out.
Max looking at Logan. I can't believe you are really saying this, but White and CJ were freaked with what the earlier runes were saying. Sandeman did create me for something, he did pick me up and say I was his special one - whatever the hell that means and if it was him.
Mole turns and walks over saying that if it's Max White wants, she should go. Logan denies that she should.
"Wake up, chimp! We're out of options here!"
If you think I'm letting Max go out there to save your scaly hide, which it won't, think again. Besides, if there's a chance my lie turns out to be true and she is a savior of millions, we should be protecting her not the other way around.
"No, you wake up! If she is the key to saving millions of people from some kind of apocalypse..."
"Your people or my people."
Why can't you see it? Damn, you're as bad as White and the rest out there.
"People! Human beings, like you and me!" Logan angrily replies.
Max has turned away while they argue and stands staring at the sliding door, all her senses are on full alert but something is different this time.
I can feel them, I can hear their heart beats, their thoughts it's as if I can see them through the walls – so you did give me some kind of X-ray vision after all – White and his killers are coming to take us all out even the innocent. No Way!
Turning back around
"They're coming. They're coming. Carry Gem. Come on, let's go."
Mole and Alec after checking with Dalton argue with her that they don't hear anything,
"Don't argue with me. Dalton lets go. Come on, I need everybody upstairs right now. Let's go." Max orders.
Logan is the only one who doesn't argue, immediately supporting Max in getting everybody moving upstairs. Joshua carrying Gem.
~~~~~~~~~~
Upstairs Jam Pony:
Max leads the messengers to the back of the room, "Hey Sketchy, keep them quiet and keep them down." She then takes cover behind a pillar.
There is an explosion and gunfire from the Jam Pony office and Alec and Mole appear locking the connecting door to downstairs ahead of White and some of the Phalanx.
She looks over at Logan and Alec, who has taken cover near him.
I'm glad I told you both about Ben. About me and Alec - I'm scared of loosing you, Logan, if you knew the whole truth. At least you have some ammo – that'll stop familiars, and the exoskeleton may give you a chance, and even if it fails, you won't be helpless. Alec better cover your back if something happens to me.
"Wait for my signal. We hit hard, we hit fast, and we don't back off. This is for all the marbles people." I love you Logan.
Logan looking at Max. Well, for a thief who didn't care about anybody or anything, here you are leading a bunch of desperadoes against a group of super human weirdoes to protect ordinary people and an unborn child...No, that's not fair. You have always tried to help the ones you loved, no matter what the cost. I'm glad it's over between you and Alec, for whatever reason.
There is the breaking of glass. Damn should have changed clips...a soldier I am not...too late now.
Max gives her orders by hand signals and all give the thumbs up in return.
Take care Max, I love you.
~~~~~~~~~~
Trying to quiet Gem who is grunting Normal whispers, "Shhh. Wait. Wait."
As the Phalanx close in on the office where they have heard Gem's muffled moans Mole, Alec and Max drop from the roof knocking their rifles away, while Joshua attacks from the side. Logan stands up and fires 3 rounds into a fifth Phalanx who falls back.
Logan begins to try and reload, meanwhile Mole has finished off his opponent and grabs an SA80 assault rifle and begins firing at White, but he is grabbed from behind and shoved into a shelf by another Phalanx.
Alec is shoved through a glass partition by a female Phalanx. While Joshua bashes his opponents head into a column then throws him across the room with little effort.
As Max twists her opponent around the helmet comes off revealing another female Phalanx, the leader Thula.
"452."
Max looks at her in contempt and thinks. Five thousand years and all they can produce are big butts and muscle bound Amazons. "Just bring it."
And they start throwing punches and kicks at each other.
Mole knocks away his second Phalanx as White kicks him in the chest.
Max and Thula continue to fight. Max lands several blows, but Thula just shrugs them off and kicks Max to the floor and then, grabbing her by the shoulders, throws her through a glass partition. She jumps on a desk and leaps wrapping her legs around Max's neck and flips her to the ground.
This bitch is pissing me off, Max thinks in annoyance.
Just as Logan is finished changing clips, the Phalanx he shot gets up and grabs him pulling him through the glass partition and onto a desk, and leaps up and starts punching him.
Joshua knocks out his opponent and grabs Mole's Phalanx and slams him into a column and then away.
Logan is thrown through the glass again where he lands on the floor and starts getting punched again. Joshua strides in and grabs the Phalanx's arm, who looks round in shock, Joshua picks him up and throws him across the room.
Meanwhile, Thula has shoved Max headfirst through a glass partition and then swings a chair at her, she ducks and this breaks the glass partition of the office, covering Gem and the others in broken glass. Normal takes cover under Gems dress.
Behind the desk Normal is telling Gem the baby is coming while the fight between Max and Thula still rages, and White has knocked Mole down and starts kicking him. Joshua grabs White and shoves him against a wall, and then realizes who he has and roars in rage. He starts to bash him against the wall and slams him into a shelf.
Alec is not having a good time with his opponent, who swings a mannequin at him, which he ducks. They slam through a glass partition. Across the room, Normal tells Gem to push as he can see the baby's head.
Alec gets a kick to the head and goes down. The Phalanx lifts the leg of a mannequin to hit him, when Logan strides over and kicks her hard and with the exoskeleton, sending her flying across the room to land next to Gem, who knocks her out with the strength of an X5 and of a woman giving birth.
That felt good. Logan and Gem think.
Original Cindy and Dalton sit on the Phalanx and cuff her. Across the room, Joshua smashes a desk over White and grabs him again.
Go! Push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push! Normal, head under Gems dress, tells her.
Thula is repeatedly punching Max who is underneath her on the floor.
Those look handy. Max thinks seeing handcuffs in a pocket on Thula's vest.
She sneaks the handcuffs out and gets one end around Thula's left wrist, who then stands up pulling Max with her, she begins to choke Max. Using a column Max performs her favorite maneuver and flips over Thula's head, breaking the chokehold and lands behind her. She swings Thula by the arm. Thula ends up wrapped around a column. Max handcuffs her other wrist. She struggles and tries to kick at Max but can't reach her.
Max looks at Thula with disgust. Big butts, muscle bound Amazons and no brains. No wonder they try and breed with normal women. What a whack bunch, but we kicked their asses.
Joshua throws White through a thin wall, picks him up and throws him again.
Picking up a rifle, Logan gives Alec a hand up.
"You all right?"
"Yeah."
Logan checks the rifle is loaded and orders a Phalanx to stay down.
Alec and Mole tell Max, it's all clear.
Turning she sees Joshua about to snap White's back.
"Joshua, no. Joshua, no!"
Running over grabs his arm to stop him.
"Joshua, no!"
"He deserves to die! He killed Annie."
Max pulling at Joshua's arm, "No. He deserves to die, a lot. But if you kill him now, the only thing people will remember about today is how some transgenic killed a human being in cold blood...and then they'll never stop hunting us."
Joshua considers what Max says about killing White and being hunted. Yes little fella he will die but not by my hand, not, today. Dropping White he places his foot on his chest to hold him.
Max leans over White "Bring on your muscle queens anytime," looks up at Thula, "I'll be happy to kick their ass."
"We are not finished."
"Fe'nos tol, bitch." Flicks him on the nose and heads over to join Gem and the baby who comments that there is no bar code.
"She is free."
"Not yet she ain't."
You're right, Mole, we have to get out of here before she'll be free. Using the uniforms, we can probably get past if no one notices the differences. Need Logan again, he's probably the only one of us who can pull this off right now.
"Mole, you Alec and Joshua get three of the men to strip we need the uniforms."
"Alec you and Sketchy—"
"On it, Maxie, just hope nobody notices the difference."
Original Cindy grabs Max's arm. "I'm going with you boo, three guards won't be as noticeable a difference as only two and besides you will need somebody along to keep Gilligan straight."
"Hey! I'm straight, you're the one that's bent."
"Shuddup fool!"
Shaking his head "Why do I let myself be pushed around?" He walks off towards Alec skirting around Mole who glares at him.
"Logan—"
"I'm going with you."
"Whoa, I know, I wasn't going to stop you. I need you to lead us out of here, they might have seen Alec, and Sketchy and OC don't exactly look like special ops."
"Hmm. Don't you think the cops got more than a glimpse of me outside?" Then smiling at Max. "Besides this is the second time White has seen me at your side. He must be figuring I'm your transgenic boyfriend after the stunt I pulled outside earlier."
Max smiles back, "Funny, I'd the same thought back when."
Logan looks at Max with a puzzled expression.
"You were there, when Sam and White were all tied up."
"Hmm."
"Hmm, what?"
"Just hmm."
"I wish you'd stop doing that!"
Logan just grins at Max.
"Whatever." Max stands there, after a moment, turns and walks off towards the others guarding White and his troops. Sky has brought some rolls of packing tape to tie them up.
Logan stands and watches her walk away. I missed watching you walk, the way you move not a wasted movement, must be the cat DNA in your cocktail. I can still make you smile and irritate you at the same time. Maybe there is hope for the two us after all.
Shaking his head he walks over to the pile of uniforms and picks up one that looks like his size, and walks over to one of the side rooms and begins to change. He doesn't notice that Max can see him from where she is standing.
Jeez Logan you're still hot...Don't go there Max, remember the virus, but it feels good seeing you. Having you smile at me, even if it's your irritating 'I know something you don't expression.' Well, we can now be in the same room without being awkward about it, especially if he keeps his promise...I'll try. That'll just have to do for now.
A/N: If you have enjoyed it so far stick with me, it does go beyond FN.