I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Thanks again to Kasman for the betas you are super, and for the suggestion for the gift. Max really tries to surprise Logan. Thanks to those who have read and to those who have reviewed this keeps them alive.
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Chapter 13 Information and Misinformation
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Command Center, Terminal City:
Damn, Alec's still pushing. Why's he after Max? Is this another Zack thing - that I'm a danger to Max and she should be with her own kind?
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Flashback Logan's Apartment:
"Where is this place exactly?"
"Thirteen and a half miles northwest of here." Handing Zack a map, Logan continues to look at Zack's back, as he walks away, "FYI, it's a secure installation, as in lots of guys with guns. They're in it for the money, and they'll kill for it."
Turning back to face Logan, "This is what we do. We're soldiers. You really worried about Max? The biggest threat to her safety is you."
"How do you figure?"
"She should have gotten the hell out of Seattle a long time ago. She knows it's not safe here, but she stayed anyway, because of you. She ignored her training and let her judgement be clouded by feelings and emotions. And one day it's going to get her killed."
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Well, you did get killed, Max, but not over me, You came back because Zack's feelings and emotions saved you. I owe him for that. I'm not giving up on us; we've fought too hard to get to where we can be comfortable with each other again. Smiling slightly with grim humor. At...least some of the time. Looking at his watch Logan nods, as soon as Max is back, we'll call Buddy and see how Zack's doing.
Looking at the monitor covering the manhole entrance that the transgenics have been using to access the sewer system, he sees Max climb out, look up at the camera with a broad smile and give a wave as she moves out of sight. No, I'm not giving up on us now, Max.
Max walks into the Command Center with a bounce, calling out greetings to everyone. Sighting Logan sitting alone on the platform, she saunters over, while Logan looks on in appreciation at her beauty. She always looks beautiful, more so when things have gone the way she wants...or she's about to spring a surprise...I've got to know you that well. A stab of apprehension hits Logan.
Reaching Logan she deposits the sports bag onto the table in front of him and smiles...the smile of a barracuda about to snatch a meal, or, more appropriately, a cat getting ready to pounce.
"Well, back safe and sound, with the disks...so what's the dealio about White and traps?"
"I could ask you about scaring OC half to death by not checking in," Logan says staring at the sports bag, trying to avoid Max's piercing look.
"Only OC?" Max asks, rolling her eyes.
Trying to look as nonchalant as possible Logan cocks his head to one side and looks up at Max who returns his look, copying his head posture. Neither ready to admit first that they'd made a mistake.
"I forgot/I missed..." They both begin to say and pause.
"You know, this is getting to be a regular thing," Logan says with a look of encouragement for Max to begin.
"About not calling...I forgot, then found that a genetically engineered super soldier and cat burglar forgot to charge her cell phone...go figure," Max says, daring Logan to criticize.
"Go figure...about White, I found an invoice for the repairs to the file room door. I checked back, and found that White had authorized it to be sent to the Police Department for payment - which they refused. I was so busy looking for communications and security, I never thought to check on something like non-payment of bills for security work. The Feds installed a silent alarm.
"So you thought White had set a trap and hacked into the system. You had alarms going off all over the place..."
Seeing Logan shake his head, Max purses her lips, waiting.
"When you didn't check in, I thought White had set a trap," Logan says hesitantly, waiting for Max's angry response.
A quick flicker of guilt passes across Max's face, and is gone before Logan has even registered it. "Had a cop nearly come through the door as I was about to leave." She does notice the quick flicker of guilt that passes over his face, "A cry of help from his partner saved the day."
"Well, you're safe," Logan says, allowing a bit of his relief on seeing her creep into his voice.
"And grateful for the backup that was provided," Max with a look at Logan that speaks her wish to hug him.
With a quick nod and smile in understanding, "So we better see what's on those disks," Logan says holding out his hand which Max looks at in horror. Looking down at what she's looking at, he sees how close he is to touching her. Pulling his hand back hastily, he looks up at Max.
"We've got to find a cure for this virus...I don't want another accident to happen." Anger and frustration blaze in her eyes and in her stance as she looks at Logan.
"You're right Max...I'll try those geneticists again...try a different approach," Logan says with feeling.
"Well, till then we better stay apart..."
"No, Max, we can't...we have to do this together," Logan says slowly standing up as Max backs away.
Turning suddenly, Max heads for the platform stairs, "Well, this girl's hungry. I'm off to get some food." As she goes down the stairs, tears begin to slowly trickle down her cheeks, blurring her vision and causing her to stumble, just as Alec walks by and puts out an arm to steady her. Looking up Alec sees the anger and pain etched into Logan's face. Max follows his gaze and sees the same, but also the hate in his eyes, before he turns away.
Quickly pushing Alec away, Max heads for the door ignoring the stares of the other transgenics in the room.
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Outside the Command Center:
Max, walking rapidly, has no sign of her earlier tears, only worry and fear on her face. What have I done? I've made Logan hate. Not even that dirt bag Bruno seemed to raise that emotion in him...
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Flashback Logan's Apartment:
Bruno Anselmo is sitting blindfolded, in the chair where Max has shoved him.
"Well, that's assuming we can keep you alive."
Max leans over and whispers into Logan's ear, "Logan, you can't seriously be asking me to babysit this dirtbag!"
"He's the one who put me in this chair. If I can wrap my head around it, so can you."
"What chair?" asks Bruno, puzzled.
"Take a look at the fruits of your labor," Max says, removing the blindfold. "You might have an easier time recognizing him through the scope of a grenade launcher."
"Oh. Yeah, now I remember. I did this?" he says looking and then pointing at Logan
"Yeah," Logan replies.
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I got myself killed, and nearly destroyed Logan in the process, and when I come back I'm able to kill him with a touch, and now...now I've made him hate for no reason. I can and am destroying the man I love. Suddenly, Max doubles over holding her sides.
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Inside the Command Center:
What is it that Max and I have done to deserve this? If this is the Universe on course, it sucks. Alec had to be there, didn't he. When I can't even touch the woman I love, he gets to save her from breaking her neck. Hate? I've never hated anyone like this, even Bruno...he was part of the risk I accepted when I became Eyes Only, but...Alec he can be to Max all that I couldn't be while I was in the chair and can't now because of the virus. Picking up the sports bag, he is about to drop it to the floor. Damn, Max forgot to give me the disks. Putting the bag on the desk he opens it to see if she put them in there.
Looking in, he sees a plastic bag, which on a quick examination reveals women's jeans and the T-shirts with the pop singers' motifs. OC is going to like these, they were hot in their time. A black sweater and jacket. Lifting the bag out, Logan stops, A look of surprise and pleasure crossing his face. Carefully lifting the cellophane wrapped boxed set of three DVDs that are lying on top of the folded clothes at the bottom of the bag. Logan stares at the picture of the TARDIS, and the words 'Dr.Who' written across the spines. Looking at the titles Logopolis, Pyramids of Mars and Masque of Mandragora.
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Flashback Logan's Apartment:
"When is your birthday, by the way?" Logan asks after mentioning searching for Max's birth mother.
"I have no clue."
"What do you mean?"
"Manticore wasn't big on that sort of thing. What's yours?"
"November eleventh."
"I got you an early present," Max says handing Logan a paper bag.
Opening the bag Logan smiles. "A grapefruit! Wow. Haven't seen one of these in awhile
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The look in your eyes and the smile on your lips, remained with me for months. It was one of the things that kept me going when I thought you dead - the pleasure you got from that simple surprise.
Hastily putting the DVDs back into the sports bag, he takes the stairs down the platform two at a time, and almost running, heads out the door of the Command Center, ignoring the curious stares of the transgenics.
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Outside:
Max holding her sides slowly sinks to her knees, a slight mew of pain escaping her lips as she unzips her cat suit and grabs her stomach, God I thought I was finished with this, Logan said he had solved the runes.
As Logan steps out, he sees the faint rays of dawn trying to peak through the overcast sky. Unconsciously noting that it will be another wet April day in Seattle, he looks around to see if he can spot Max, and just makes out a black clad form kneeling on the ground rocking. Breaking into a run, Logan heads for the figure recognizing who it must be. In his concern to reach Max, he does not notice Alec follow him out of the Command Center.
What's happened? Has the virus backfired and now taken hold of Max, or have the seizures started again? Reaching her, he watches helplessly as she rocks back and forward, small sounds of pain escaping her lips as sweat pours down her face, her eyes shut. "Max, can you hear me? What's wrong?"
"The Runes, Logan, they're back...but something...something's wrong, it's as if they are trying to eat through my skin." Opening her eyes slightly, Logan sees the agony there, "Ahh!" with that scream Max falls on her side.
Reaching forward in his panic to help Max, Logan is grabbed from behind and spun away, "No, Logan, she'll kill you."
Staring at Alec, the hate he feels for the younger man evident now on his face.
"Let me help, it's the only way to save you both," Alec says with an intensity and seriousness few have seen.
Let it go, Logan, the woman you love needs help and it's here, he has saved Max before. He just saved you. Nodding assent "Let's get her to the infirmary, she need's to be looked at fast." All the hate draining from him as he looks with worry at the state of Max. Bending down quickly, Alec lifts Max and carries her towards the infirmary, Logan following as fast as he can to keep up with the burdened X5.
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An all night road-side diner, Oregon-Washington border:
Inside, there are a few stools occupied by truck drivers who have to make an early start on the road. Sitting in a booth near the back is a young man, well built, with blond hair and intense blue eyes. He is staring into a half-filled cup of coffee. His expression is that of someone in deep thought.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" which while seemingly a question, is more of a statement.
Looking up, the young man looks into the face of a short man, dressed in a dark suit, with mouse brown hair and what seems to be a permanent sneer on his face.
Looking around the room, he sees that all the other booths are empty and there are still several empty stools at the counter. Turning his gaze back to the stranger he shrugs his indifference.
The suited man sits down, and as the waitress comes across, he waves her away.
"I've been looking for you, X5-599, you've been elusive, but that little stunt you pulled yesterday, pulling that little girl from under that wreck on the highway...well, it rang some bells faraway from here."
Looking at the older man sitting in front of him the younger shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have a name, it's Adam...Adam Thompson.
Smiling faintly, the sneer never leaving his face, "Eyes Only really re- programmed you. You are an X5 series genetically engineered soldier, modified to handle cybernetics...which I see he's also had removed."
"You're crazy, I'm Adam Thompson, I work and live on a ranch with Buddy and Mary West in Oregon, and I'm up this way to drop off some horses to a friend of theirs." Standing up to leave, he glances down as the man shoves a picture at him, it shows a hoverdrone photograph of a man wearing glasses hugging a woman with wavy dark hair, standing on a gravel beach.
At the sight of the man in the picture Adam sways and then stiffens.
The seated man in the suit then pushes another photograph across the table, which is that of a beautiful young woman, staring intently at a camera with a slight scowl of contempt. "That's X5-452 a member of your unit, who has been betrayed by Eyes Only and his operative here, Logan Cale, into leading a rebellion against the US government."
Looking at the pictures, Adam grabs his head and sits down heavily in the seat of the booth. "I remember; I'm supposed to kill Eyes Only. This guy knows him...my name...it's Zack...hers is Max, we escaped...escaped from...where?"
"Eyes Only had you both as prisoners. You managed to escape. 452 was recaptured, Cale somehow managed to convince her that she loves him...we need you to rescue her and get her out of Terminal City and eliminate this operative of Eyes Only who is behind the rebellion of the transgenics in Seattle."
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Infirmary Terminal City:
Alec and Logan are standing looking at each other.
"It's just the runes, Logan...you heard her?"
Still looking at Alec without acknowledging his question, He just saved my life. If I'd touched Max, I'd be in there dying, and there'd be nothing anybody in here could do. I'm not even sure if another transfusion from Joshua would help...three strikes and you're out. Why? If I'd died, he would've had a clear shot at Max.
Clearing his throat, Logan looks at the man in front of him. "Alec, why did you just save me?"
Suddenly looking uncomfortable Alec looks towards the room where Max has been ordered to rest by the chief medic after being given some painkillers, then back, "Logan, despite what you think, I'm not interested in Max the way you assume."
Looking strangely at Alec, he turns and looks towards Max's room, worry crossing his features mixed with embarrassment. I want to ask, but I can't. Not here, not now. Besides, there is something more important to be done.
"Alec, somebody has to take command until Max is back up on her feet. As soon as Mole finds out she's down, he's going to try and take over. You know what that means."
"Look, Logan, I don't want this, and besides, who says Mole's wrong?"
"Come on, Alec, Mole will have blood running here in no time. He's determined to go down with a fight...the slightest wrong move and innocent people will die."
"Logan, who are you worried about? Ordinaries or us? I agree with Mole, we don't belong together...but it's we who are that danger," Alec says pointing to himself and around the room where the medics are standing, along with Gem holding her baby.
"How can you ask that? I've known Max for going on two years now. She's fought every instinct and pressure to be what Manticore wanted her to be...she's still fighting it. You know how I feel about her...a danger to people, no. We're a danger to each other with our prejudices and fears, transgenics have them too...there are others in here who think like Mole about ordinaries."
Stepping forward Gem looks at the both of them, "Alec, you're right, we are a danger. Logan's right as well. Because we're all people, despite what the hate mongers are saying...you have to take command...they won't listen to Logan, but you're like Max, you have ordinary friends, you have friends among us. They will listen to you."
Looking first at Gem then at Logan, Alec sighs. "I knew this was going to happen," he says ironically, with a slightly twisted smile on his face. "I better get over to the Command Center and fill in the others...I'll just say that Max is resting. She better be up on her feet quickly. I won't be able to hold Mole for long." With that, he heads for the door.
Looking at Gem, Logan smiles his thanks, then looking towards Max's room, he hesitates. "Go on, Logan, and here, put these on," Gem says, handing him a pair of surgical gloves.
Taking them, he looks down at CeCe resting in Gems arms. Alec better control Mole or innocents are going to die. Transgenic or others, it makes no difference. "Thanks, Gem." And turning walks into the room.
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Infirmary, Max's Room:
Logan is standing looking down at Max. How many times are we going to be in this situation with one of us lying there while the other worries? That's what we've signed up for, I guess. Reaching forward he brushes a strand of hair from her face.
At the light touch, Max opens her eyes, suddenly ablaze with fear, as she sees where Logan is standing and the position of his hand. In an instant she is off the army cot that she had been lying on putting it between her and Logan, "Keep back, Logan," she almost screams.
"It's okay, Max, I've got gloves on." Then looking from Max, he gestures to the medic standing in the doorway summoned by the sound of Max's voice that everything is okay Max nods her agreement.
As the medic leaves, Max looks over at Logan, "So how you feeling?" he asks, trying to distract Max from thinking about her display of weakness in front of a stranger.
"Well the pain's gone...don't feel like I'm being burnt from the inside out...Logan, I thought you said this rune dealio was solved."
Looking straight-faced at Max, "I haven't solved what you are to do...obviously, this maybe a part of the puzzle," he says, emphasizing each word. A look of worry mixed with curiosity crosses his face. "But why the pain?"
Logan's not telling me something, that's his 'I'm keeping secrets from Max' mode. I'll let it go for now, because I know you're not going to tell me, but you will sooner or later, Logan Cale...that's a promise.
"Don't know maybe to emphasize their importance. All I know is I never want to feel that bitch pain again. So we better have a look at these." Pulling the cat suit down, then reaching back she unzips the under shirt pushing it down to her hips. "This feels even more awkward than the last time," she says, embarrassment tainting her voice and stance. "You know with the virus and all," she adds. Standing with her upper body bare except for a black bra, she looks up at Logan who's standing there his face suddenly bright crimson, not sure where to look.
Smiling to herself at his discomfort, "You know, if Sandeman has any of these things show up in any intimate places, were going to be in trouble if you can't even look at me like this," Max says holding out her hands from her sides and doing a pirouette.
"Well, that would be a problem," he says stepping around the cot towards Max and touching her stomach lightly near the runes, "given our present situation," he adds, a note of sadness and longing in his voice.
As her stomach muscles contract from his touch and goose bumps appear on her skin, Logan looks into Max's deep brown eyes. Standing so close, breathing her scent, he sees for an instant something he had only dreamed of seeing again, but it's gone as soon as it appeared, masked by the worry and fear being held in check by this beautiful young woman with so much responsibility on her shoulders. She will not to break; I'll always be there to keep that from happening...I promise.
Clearing her throat, Max looks down where Logan's hand is resting. "The runes...we need to make a note of them, don't ya think?"
Following Max's gaze, "Hmmm...right." Logan slowly removes his hand with a light caress that sends shivers along Max's spine. He takes a piece of paper and a pen from a pocket.
Jeeezus, Logan, what are we going to do? The touch of your hand – even with that glove on...it was like a fire in my blood...a pleasant fire. This one, I want to feel all the time. A look of adoration appears on Max's face and lights up the deep brown pools of her eyes, as she looks down at the man sitting on the edge of the cot she had only just vacated in fear of his touch. I love you, Logan Cale, I always will.
Logan sitting on the edge of the cot, his concentration on the runes, doesn't see the look in Max's eyes or face. Max, I'm calling those geneticists, I'll make them find a cure. It's there, just as I knew it had to be. I saw it in your eyes, even if for only a moment. Whatever happened between you and Alec...'love conquers all.' Well, it did my hate. A look of contentment appears on his face. I love you, Max, I always will.
Standing looking through the slightly ajar door, a faint smile on her face, at this strange yet intimate moment between her home girl and her man, Original Cindy turns to leave them with this small peace. She hears Logan say something and then a clatter and Max screams.
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TBC