I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Thanks heaps to Kasman for the beta I will owe you for a long time. Sorry for taking so long to post but I have been visiting the fish in the Red Sea. Thanks again for the reviews they do keep Max and Logan alive.
Spoilers: Freak Nation and a few other episodes try to guess.
Chapter 7 Hidden Truths.
Command Center, Terminal City - Lunch Time
Max walks into the command center where everybody is watching the TV.
"Hey, Max, come check this out, our former boss is on being interviewed," Alec says, waving her over. Logan is sitting to one side watching as well.
"Tell us about your captors. What are these creatures like? Is it true you delivered a transgenic baby?"
"Yes, I did indeed. And a beautiful, bouncing baby girl she is."
"So you're saying they're not all monsters, then."
"Monsters? No. No more than you and me." Normal, turns towards, two messengers clowning for the camera, "Hey! Let's go, there, Sparky. Not a country club. Bip, bip, bip! Move."
Well, that's another one I won over, maybe. Normal on our side. Who woulda thought? OC said things change but not all at once. He's still as bossy as ever. I owe you, Normal, for what you just said and did for us. I'll pay you back, but never so you'll know.
"Hey, Maxie, who would've thought Normal would come out with that?" Alec says, shaking his head.
Dix looks over, "Well they do say having children changes people, maybe delivering one changed him."
Max, looking at the TV with a sour look, "Oh, I shudder at the thought. Normal being normal that's too much of a change for me." She walks over to Logan who has turned back to the computer.
"Hey you."
"Hey."
"How's it coming?"
"Just a moment...bingo...we're in. We can now monitor the sewer system. Well, at least with what monitors we have and I've just managed to download the GPS tracking for the cops that I had on me, but that's only for around Terminal City. I need to get my laptop here for the rest of the city."
"We can always try and get you out so—"
"Stop! I told you, I'm not leaving and anyway Luke and Dix have somebody on it, an X5 who was near Jam Pony and saw the whole thing go down. He's taking Bessie to a safe house and bringing my bag and the laptop here."
Max looks at Logan thoughtfully. Yeah, if I got you out, I would certainly not let you back in - right, I'd miss you too much, and would you be any safer? At least here I can watch your back, I suppose.
"Pity he couldn't score some clothes for me and OC. Black hat clothes aren't her thing ...and as for me..." Running her hands down her torn and dirty clothing.
"Yeah, I can see your point...ah, you could ask Luke to contact him and he could swing by Joshua's place...pick up some stuff for you—"
"Whoa, Logan, don't tell me when your place got trashed you'd time to grab the clothes I had stashed there?"
Logan looks away, "Well...I didn't want them to know there was anybody else using the place...figured you might need them sometime...you know."
"Thanks...thanks."
Logan looks back at Max, "You're welcome...you better go find Luke or Dix and arrange it. They're in a blue bag in the bedroom. I still have a lot of stuff to do here...later.
"Yeah...later."
As Logan turns back to the computer Max stands there for a moment then walks away.
How could I tell you why I grabbed your clothes? Sure they would have known I have a girlfriend...had one – but the real reason...they were the only things I had left that belonged to you. Your reaction when you thought I had been through your stuff that first time...
»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's apartment nearly two years before:
Max has shown up after finding the statue of Bast in her room.
"Like following me around and pestering the people I work with was bad enough, but breaking into my apartment?"
"It was open."
"You got a lot of nerve."
"Me? You're the one who tried to rip off this place."
"I steal things in order to sell them for money. Its called commerce. But some stranger sneaking into a girl's apartment is bent."
"Bent?"
"Bent."
"I left you a present."
"Am I supposed to be grateful?"
"That would not be inappropriate."
"How am I ever supposed to sleep there again knowing some stranger's probably touched everything I own?"
"Well, if you're that nervous, you're welcome to stay here."
»»»»»»
Wonder what you would have said if Peter hadn't interrupted? But you were really upset at what I'd done. Your defenses were on full. And now, after you tell me it's over between us I take the time to grab your clothes when guys are on the way to kill me. You'd really think me a whack job if you knew the real reason – they reminded me of you, that you came to trust me and for a short time love me. Well, better get back to trying to figure out how they're tracking transgenics, and as soon as I get my computer, here I can start working on figuring out those runes.
Why did you just brush me off? I know you're trying to prove yourself here and you get wrapped up in your searches. Still the old Logan there. Bet you miss Eyes Only. You seemed like you were embarrassed to have my clothes. Were you expecting me to be upset about that? Not that I expected you to have them, but after all we've been through since that night I called you a whack job for going through my stuff, I trusted you enough to leave them there. I fell in love with you and still do. If I ask, you aren't going to tell me, just have to wait till you do in your usual round about way. It's nice you were still thinking about me for whatever reason.
Terminal City, the workshop:
Luke is working on a water pump.
"Hey, Luke."
"Hiya, Max."
"Logan says you have an X5 bringing stuff for him."
"Yeah, his laptop and a bag he saw Logan drop outside Jam Pony, why?
"Well, he has some clothes of mine stashed at Joshua's in a blue bag in the bedroom. Could you ask him to pick it up...he does know where it is?"
"No problem, he knows it and I didn't want to say it, but yeah, you do need some new clothes."
"Don't remind me...oh, could you ask him to grab some other stuff as well? A spare pair of glasses for Logan...tell him to put it all in a separate bag."
Luke looks at Max with a puzzled expression, "Don't like people going through my stuff," she replies.
"Okay, I'll tell him."
"Well, going to make the rounds, later."
"Not going anywhere soon."
Waving she leaves. You're right there, Luke. We've got to get this bitch sorted out sooner rather than later.
Outside:
Max heads for the gate where they entered the night before. The police have set up a barrier of police cars. She slowly moves forward into some cover behind some junked machinery where a transgenic guard with wolf like features is hidden watching the gate.
"Ma'am."
"It's Max, remember Greg."
"Sorry, Max, old habits die hard."
"'Kay, anything new with our watchers?"
"Nope, not since this morning when that cop you asked us to keep an eye out for, the one in charge, came down and spoke to the guys here. Couldn't make out what he said but sounded kind of pissed."
"Yeah probably telling them to keep their fingers off their triggers."
"Well, they are still a bit jumpy. Must be worried about all us super killers and monsters coming out and attacking them."
"Which we won't. I want this to end nice and peaceful like."
"Mole's saying you're wrong, you're more worried about the ordinaries."
"Greg, I'm worried about everybody, Mole's just letting off steam."
"Glad to hear. Rather have you in command."
"Right, off to check the other posts. Later."
Greg nods in answer, his eyes scanning the police outside.
What a mess. Here I let all these people out of Manticore, some of whom would give me bad dreams, and the others are still stuck with their ten-hut- how-high-do-I-jump ma'am, mentality. Guess I can't blame them, it's been only eight months since we escaped...of hiding and dying, and as for me and Logan – if I were having a nightmare this would be it.
Command Center:
Logan is sitting at a computer terminal shaking his head.
This computer is so ancient, can't get into half the systems I could even with the stuff I had at Joshua's I really need the laptop. Maybe Sebastian can secure some more up to date hardware...at least legally. Ah... in, finally. Let's see if our friends have anything mentioned on how they are tracking transgenics. With a few quick taps he starts to go through the police database.
"Hmm." That's funny, all the files of comms between the Seattle police and other agencies have been deleted. They must have left some tracks, though. Damn, just got booted out. He tries to get back in. "Double damn." Logan quickly shuts off the computer when he notices a trace has commenced. They have something to hide and want to know if anybody's tracking them. There must be back up files somewhere. Max will love this.
Standing up Logan walks over to Dix who is watching a re-run of the interview with Normal.
"Hey, Logan, that was Max's and Alec's boss right?"
"Yep, a really uptight rightwing guy...at least until the baby."
"What'd you think? Could he help us out with getting supplies?"
"I'd give him time. Mole didn't actually win a friend there, and he and Max...lets just say it's a bit of a like-hate thing between them. Given the givens, who knows. If we approach it right, Jam Pony could be an asset."
"Well, despite the feelings of a few others around here, I have nothing against you ordinaries, no offence."
"None taken...Dix, if you don't mind me asking, you're what the others call a Nomlie?"
"Yeah, one of those that failed, too valuable to dispose of...lucky me."
"Sorry, didn't want to bring up bad memories."
"It's okay, Logan, Max freed us. I have no problem staying here in Terminal City; I know what I look like...never be accepted on the outside. But this place has possibilities, and it's better than the cage I had at Manticore. What you want to know?"
"You're obviously smart, you're a leader...how come you haven't challenged Max? You were helping run things here before she showed up."
"No, we were just surviving. It was Max who got us organized. Before, it was X5s over on Oak Street, and us freaks here, and everybody else scattered around with their own kind. She brought us together...there are still tensions, but on the whole, we're better off working together." He nods towards a X5 and another transgenic with distinct feline features.
Logan looks around the command center and sees all the different Manticore creations going about their tasks with a quiet efficiency. You did this Max, I knew you were capable but this...This is amazing, what you've done in such a short time. I was right when I asked you to help me after we met.
»»»»»»
Flashback Logan's Apartment two years before
"Your friend has reason to worry. Lauren's prepared to testify that she was working for one of Edgar Sonrisa's managers, and I'm sure you're aware of the lengths he'll go to keep her quiet.
"Which affects me how?"
"I've arranged to put Lauren into witness protection. If you were to go with her..."
"I didn't make it this far by looking for trouble."
"She's put her life on the line and her faith in me."
"Her first mistake."
"But if she was with someone like you, with your background and training, the risk goes way down."
"Are you high? I've got people looking to either put me in a cage for the rest of my life, turn me into a science project, or kill me. Probably all three. Now I've managed to drop off the radar screen and I plan to keep it that way."
"Max hear me."
"I've heard enough."
»»»»»»
I've wondered what would have happened that day if you'd been there, but I've never regretted meeting you - not once.
Logan shakes his head and turns to Dix, "Think I'll head over to the mess hall and see if I can get something to eat, you coming?"
"Maybe later. Still trying to get hold of that X5. He left a number but hasn't answered, probably scouting a way in for later."
"Does he know Joshua's old place?"
"Yeah he mentioned it once. Why?
"Well Max needs a change of clothes...she left some with me awhile back. They're in a blue bag in the bedroom, and if he could throw in some stuff for me also there's a spare pair of glasses beside the bed. Throw them in as well."
"Sure thing."
"Thanks, Dix, later."
"Later, Logan."
Outside the Command Center
Logan is walking towards the mess hall when he sees Max coming from the other direction. At the same moment, she sees him and stops and starts looking around.
Go back, Logan, don't come near me, stay away. Please let it only have been a nightmare.
Logan notices her looking around. What's she looking for? She seems ready to bolt. What's frightened her?
"Hey you, whatcha looking for?"
"What? Oh hey, just thought I heard a hoverdrone, must've been nothing, forget it."
He looks at her more closely, "Something wrong, Max?"
"No...I said forget it...you know how I hate being shut up. Must be getting to me, being in here. Starting to hearing things"
Logan gives her a questioning look, "I do know...you want to go get something to eat? We missed breakfast this morning and it's well after lunch time."
"Right, let's go."
Turning so fast she leaves, Logan standing in surprise, he then follows her to the mess hall door trying to catch up.
She must be hungry or this place is really getting to her. At least we'll have a little time together away from the job. Funny, I was the one obsessed with saving the world, still am really, but now it's not just the good citizens of Seattle from corruption, a lot more is at stake here. I have to figure out how they're tracking transgenics, and these runes...I've a feeling times running out.
As Max enters the mess hall ahead of Logan, she glances back and sees him following.
Great, Logan was with me out in the open - Something I've avoided all day. At least in here he'll be safe and we can have a little time away from the circus. He's gonna want to walk with me, either to the command center, or on my rounds. Hope he has something important to do, or I can find an excuse.
As Logan catches up with Max inside he looks over at her "So, how were Gem and the baby?"
"Fine, CeCe is really pretty, never realized they could be."
"Who? What?" Logan asks puzzled.
"Oh, we decided that the baby should have a name. Most of us back at Manticore had to pick our own, although it was discouraged...except Alec, I named him." She shrugs her shoulders and smiles, "Good thing because my other choice was Dick."
"Back up Max, so who called the baby CeCe? What's this you naming Alec instead of Dick?"
"Sorry, Logan, just talking ahead of my thoughts. Got a lot on my mind."
"'S okay, just straighten me out."
"I suggested to Gem that we name the baby CeCe as an honor to the original and as a break from what we had to do when we weren't free."
"And Alec?"
"Oh him, when we were supposed to be breeding partners, he'd so many schemes going on with the guards that I called him Alec as in smart aleck and he liked it. I was thinking of calling him Dick."
At the mention of Alec being Max's breeding partner Logan's face clouds over.
"You never mentioned that...he was your partner?"
"Logan—"
"Just remembered I left a program running back at the command center, trying to find how they are tracking transgenics. Better go and check on it." Logan turns and walks out the door.
"Logan! Nothing happened between us." But the door shutting behind him cuts off the last part of her sentence. "Nothing happened, then and nothing since." Max says in a whisper.
Damn, why did I have to bring up that breeding partner thing? I never told him because it didn't matter. Thing is he, thinks it matters now. Had I been thinking straight and not worrying if Zack was hunting him, I would never have mentioned it. He did have to ask about the baby's name. Really gotta sort this out. OC is right, we're not concentrating on the big picture with this hanging between us. Well, I'm still hungry...would've been nice to have kicked it with Logan for awhile. I'll take him something to eat as a peace offering and sort this mess out.
To be continued...