I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. I still only own my dive gear, which is pretty old, the computer belongs to somebody else, and I'll never earn any money from writing this.
A/N: Thanks always to Kasman for the betas. You have kept me on the correct path. Thanks again to those who have read and to those who have reviewed it is very much appreciated. We are nearing the end now, I think. I have changed this story to a PG because of the images in the first part of this chapter. If you think it should be higher let me know.
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Chapter 17 Confessions
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Atrium, Terminal City, Late Evening:
Max is sitting on one of the few remaining benches in the Atrium. The tears that had run down her cheeks are now dry, but the sorrow in her dark eyes is still evident as she stares at the heavy clouds obscuring the night sky.
I've just accused Logan of the very thing every other guy has done, but would he have been like the others? He's so in control. Maybe he's right - I'm afraid of what I am...what I become when this bitch comes on...
»»»»»»
Flashback San Francisco 2014:
Max is lying on the floor of an abandoned house, curled in a ball, her only covering a worn blanket. Tears are streaming down her face and she shakes with silent sobs.
"Hey, that was great, not every day I get them fresh. Must do this again some time." The young man, not much more than a boy but hardened by life on the streets in the new post-Pulse America turns and leaves.
Max slowly stands and wipes away the tears, a look of grim resolve on her face. Never will any man walk away from me if this happens again. This is some whack thing Manticore has given me and I won't let anybody control me when it happens.
»»»»»»
I've been in control - as much as this bitch lets me...I've never let anybody walk away again.
»»»»»»
Flashback a dingy motel near Portland:
"Hey, kid, if you ever need a ride again give me a call," the young biker, sleepily calls out from the bed to Max, as she walks out the door.
Suddenly, he's fully awake as he hears the roar of a motorbike racing out of the parking lot. Racing to the door he sees his brand new Kawasaki Ninja 650 disappearing north along the pitted highway, a slim figure with dark wavy hair blowing in the morning breeze astride it.
»»»»»»
My baby, the extension of my soul, my shame, my escape and my freedom. How could I let Logan see that? Experience that...seeing me become an animal with no shame. I was afraid he would reject me - well, it's too late now. Thing is, what am I going to do when this thing comes over me again. It's going to happen soon and now I can't even go near Logan. Even if I could, after seeing what it does he won't want me near him.
»»»»»»
Flashback Jam Pony:
"I'm not gonna just hit it with some guy. That's how I hooked up with Leo and Darren and Eric, almost. Total disasters that never would've happened if I wasn't a teenage Frankenstein created by people at Manticore," Max says with a worried and frustrated look and tone as she and Original Cindy walk through Jam Pony towards the entrance
"Fine, so you don't wanna be 'bout it with just anybody. What about Logan?" Original Cindy asks as Max whirls around to look at her, she continues "Somebody you're into."
"That's not what I want to happen with us. We're not even like that."
"Whatever you say," Original Cindy replies in disbelief.
"Can we stop talking about scratching? I wanna beat this bitch. You got my back?" Max asks even as she thinks of Logan.
Original Cindy rolls her eyes. "Who's your girl?
»»»»»»
No, Logan wouldn't have been like the others. Guess now this solves the problem of me k'....
"Hey boo, heard what just happened in the mess hall...you okay, where's Logan at?" Original Cindy looks closely at Max noticing the dried tears as she looks around for Logan. Looking up at her friend, "How'd you hear, Gem, I suppose?" Max asks with annoyance at the other X5's telling of her troubles to OC.
"No. Original Cindy has other sources."
"You've only been here two days and you got sources?"
"Hey, OC's a good listener even if she don't have genetically enhanced hearing. So give. What's wrong with you and where is hot boy? Don't tell me he's just experienced the heat bitch for the first time and has pushed you away after all he said back when?" Original Cindy's tone gets angrier at each question.
Taking a deep breath. "No. The other way 'round, told him to get lost...I wouldn't blame him, though, he was angry that I hadn't let him see this side of me...I was afraid I'd lose him then, and now I have. I can't be with him, and even if I could, all he'd see is this...this animal." As Max looks away, the tears begin to flow again.
Sitting down by her friend, Original Cindy reaches out and takes her hand "Max, you're wrong. I've never seen anybody look at another the way your boy looks at you...and the worrying he does about you."
"Yeah, whatever. But Logan doesn't need me anymore. He can walk, thanks to Phil and now Joshua. He can have the pick of any woman he wants...I've seen other X5s and even a few X6s watching him and they don't have the excuse of being in heat and they certainly don't have a virus that can kill him."
"You think hot boy could even be interested in any other genetically engineered females but one? That man loves you...even if he tries to hide it. You for sure love him, despite all the, 'we're not like that's.' It was pretty damn obvious to everybody else, girl."
"We had issues, OC, you know that."
"Yeah, one being this bitch heat, but you told him about it, and he forgave you—"
"I'm not so sure now, OC. That's why it was so easy for him to accept my lie about Alec...why it hurt him so much...why I hurt him so much."
"But he's forgiven you about that too—"
Noticing Max is shaking her head and is looking down at the ground, Original Cindy's tone sharpens. "What, you didn't tell Logan about you and Alec? I thought back at Jam Pony...you know?" she finishes softly remembering CeCe.
Finally looking at her friend. "I told him Alec and I had broken up...I was afraid, OC. I'm supposed to be this genetically engineered killing machine with no feelings, yet I was...I am afraid of losing him—"
"Its called love," OC says interrupting.
"I do love him, but he'll have to leave here and get back to his other life sometime...he certainly doesn't need some freak cooked up in a lab, with some kind of holy destiny to fulfill, that can kill him with a touch," Max slowly answers.
Letting go of Max's hand, Original Cindy stands up with her hands on her hips. "Sugah, you're so wrong. Logan needs you even more than ever. Do you think he'll be safe out there now with the po-pos hunting him, and don't forget White. He's seen Logan with you too many times not to make some connection. He'll be hunting him, either to get at you, or he may have guessed that he's the man behind the red, white and blue mask."
Looking up at OC with a new fear in her eyes, Max stands up, "He needs—"
"Foh' sure he needs you – although, he needs a smack now and then to remind him...and you certainly need him. So you two better sort things out. I told you Original Cindy would put the word down on you again if you didn't," OC grins at Max.
Slowly grinning back, Max hugs Original Cindy and then steps back. "So with your sources can you tell me where he is...I think I owe him an apology."
"If I was to make a guess? Where does he go to find you nowadays?"
"Thanks, OC, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't covering my back."
"Yes you do. You'd be talking to hot boy. Now go find him and straighten things out...I'm done listening to you today. There're some fine lickity transgenic chicks around here who need what Original Cindy can give."
About to walk off, Original Cindy stops and looks at Max, all humor gone form her demeanor. "Boo, when this bitch comes on again, I've got your back, okay."
Touching fists. "Aiight," Max and OC say in unison.
Max stands there a moment as Original Cindy walks off with a wave.
You and Logan both – my friends and my family. How could I have ever thought about leaving you two behind?
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Command Center:
Logan is sitting in front of a computer idly pecking at the keys.
So, that was heat. Again Alec had to step in to save me from it...or maybe that night never happened between them. Max, this is hard - what's going to happen when you go into heat again? I love you and I certainly don't think you are an animal. "Hmm." How did they control it at Manticore? How did Tinga and Sam control it? Max, and I've got to figure this out. Another damn thing to keep us apart. Is the universe trying to tell me something? No, if that was so we would never have met...
»»»»»
Flashback Wedding Reception of Bennett and Marianne:
Max enters the room and stands across from Logan, holding his speech.
"When Bennett first told me that, uh...that he'd fallen in love with...oh...a beautiful, wonderful woman. Uh..."
Max mouths "Marianne," to Logan
"Marianne..."
Max mouths again "I told him that..."
"I told him that..."
Max continuing to mouth "He was lucky..."
"He was lucky...to have found someone to share his life with."
Max mouthing "They crossed paths by fate..."
"They crossed paths by fate..."
Together, Max mouthing and Logan saying "...but became partners by choice,"
Logan continues on his own, "And together, they are embarking on the greatest adventure two people can share."
As everybody applauds, Max and Logan smile at each other.
»»»»»»
Yes, we're on an adventure, and they're never easy. We are partners, Max, and we'll beat this too, but we need some help here.
Still idly looking at the screen on which he has displayed the new runes he'd copied off of Max's stomach and scanned, he starts to see a pattern forming.
"Logan, we have to talk," Max says softly, standing behind him.
"Hmm...can it wait Max? I'm working on something here," he answers distractedly.
Her tone sharpening, Max repeats her statement, "We have to talk now...whatever you're doing can wait...this won't take long," she ends with a note of sadness. Either you're going to walk away from me, or you'll stay and we'll beat this virus and the rest of the whack stuff that's being thrown at us. I want us to be partners in this adventure were on.
Looking around at the sadness he hears in her voice, "Okay...where?"
"The roof, lets go." Turning away abruptly, she heads for the door.
Logan follows with a final look at the computer screen. There is something there, I hope this doesn't take long so I can figure this out.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
A Rooftop Terminal City:
Max is standing, but she is anything but still there is a nervousness to her stance, as she looks over the roof towards the police and National Guard troops, outside the fence surrounding Terminal City.
"Max, what's so important that we have to come out here? I thought we...you'd said what you had to back at the mess hall." Max winces at Logan's tone and words. "I've something important I have to do—"
Sweeping her arm towards the outer fence and the barriers beyond that. "Yeah, I noticed, and I haven't forgotten that they're waiting to take us animals out of here to either be lab experiments, lock us up or just plain kill us...but this is important."
This time it's Logan's turn to wince, as he steps up to stand beside Max. "I've never thought of you as an animal Max...none of you," he says, the hurt Max caused him with her accusation evident in his voice."
Looking up, Max sees the Space Needle towering in the distance. "I used to go up there to think on things. It was like I could forget what I really was - up there above everything, I would feel like a regular girl sometimes...you know what I mean."
Following her gaze Logan says quietly, "Yeah, I know...Max—"
"Wait, Logan...I know I told you that Alec and I were over...thing is, we were never together. Not at Manticore, not with the heat and not that night I infected you...I lied Logan, I'm sorry." Max's whole stance was that of someone waiting for rejection, yet determined to show that it really does not matter.
Logan's face is totally void of any expression as he looks at Max. "You lied...about you and Alec...did he know? Of course he knew...why, Max? Was this some cruel joke you and he cooked up?" Logan asks, in disgust.
"Joke? I did it to protect you...It's no joke that I can kill you...that night it was too much...I don't want you dead, Logan," Max replies in indignation.
"Protect me? Did I ever ask for that? You lied to protect yourself—"
"How can you say that? I could kill you with the slightest touch," Max interrupts, angrily staring at Logan.
"Yeah, and at the moment there are a bunch of cops outside, not to mention White and company who would gladly do the same," he says dryly.
Sighing, Max looks over the wall at the police cars. "Right, and I'm the one that wants to protect you, The one he wants..."
"Max, when you didn't deny there was something between you and Alec, after what I saw—"
"Logan—"
"Let me finish...It tore my heart out when you walked away that night. It was like hearing I would never walk - no it felt worse. It was like loosing you all over again - a part of me gone forever. Funny thing is, all I could think of was that you'd finally realized that I was no use to you...you had your family. Why did you need me?"
A tear slowly runs down Max's cheek. "I'm so sorry. Do you hate me now?" Her voice breaking.
"Hate you? I owe you my life...after that day when you met me at the door...when I came so close...you saved me Max...countless times. Just knowing you were around saved me," Logan replies, all the anger at being tricked and the disgust that Max would play him for a fool dissipating as he hears that break in her voice and sees the tear falling down her face.
"Saved you...I thought by pushing you away I would be protecting you and...maybe you're right...I just couldn't face the pain of seeing you die." Suddenly laughing grimly, Max looks around at Logan. "And now look where you are. In a toxic waste dump with a biohazard girlfriend." Smiling with a look of hope in her eyes." I do mean that last part...if you still want me?" she adds shyly.
"Want you, Max...from the first moment I laid eyes on you, I've been wanting, needing and caring what happens to you...what happened earlier, I would never have treated you like you think. I know what you are and where you came from and I don't care. It's never mattered to me," Logan says with a faint smile, Then looking at Max "I love you Max Guevara," he says with all the feelings he has penned up for the last two years.
Max's smile is so brilliant that, for a moment, Logan is so lost in the vision of this beautiful woman in front of him, that he almost misses, her response, "And I love you Logan Cale, with all my heart and soul."
But he hears it, and his smile widens, reaching to his green eyes even as he sees the same in Max's brown pools.
"I know, Max."
"I've wanted to say it for so long. And earlier...I am sorry for that too...it's just—"
"I understand, Max, but they must have controlled it at Manticore and on missions. You left before you found out, we'll just have to find out how."
"Yeah; I never thought of that." Hope rising in Max's voice and plain in her stance.
Letting out his breath slowly, Logan looks away. "Max, I have a confession as well...I lied about the runes at Jam Pony...what I told you was only the first part. The rest was being translated on the computer at Joshua's." Taking a deep breath when he sees Max raise an eyebrow, "That's why I need my laptop, the computer here just won't link...age, I suppose. And as for the new ones, I started seeing something when you came in earlier."
"So I may not be this holy savior of mankind? You lied to protect me, right?" Max says a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"Ironically, yes. Although the first ones do mention something like that," Logan replies shrugging his shoulders, refusing to rise to Max's challenge.
Turning away from him, Max looks up at the Space Needle again. So that's your big secret. You lied to protect me despite what you thought I'd done. How can I not love you, Logan? Thing is why do you love me?
Logan follows her gaze. "We'll have to get up there some day again, Max."
"We? I thought you were afraid of heights, I remember the last time we were up there. I so wanted you to put your arm around me, but you were holding so tightly to the roof..." Max turns and smiles at Logan.
Smiling back at Max, "Well, that and the fact you were sitting on my hand I would have. I really wanted too you know." Logan replies.
"I sat on your hand and you said nothing. We were up there for what seemed like an age."
"Tell it to the hand," trying not to smile at the look of embarrassment on Max's face. "Well, next time will be different. I'm cured of that phobia, When I thought you dead I spent many nights up there thinking about what we had and could have had...yet I never quite believed you were gone...that you were out there some where," Logan says, his voice revealing the emotion he felt at losing Max, but also the hope he had that she still lived.
"That's what kept me going at Manticore...the thought of getting back to you...that and OC and the rest...but mostly you. Then I got back and things just didn't seem to be going right - how they should. Despite everything, you were always there. Every time I thought I'd driven you away, there you were when I most needed you...I don't know how this is going to end, but I'm glad you're with me."
"Me too, Max...me too. I wouldn't want to be with anybody else. I'm glad you're back."
»»»»»
Flashback Seattle waterfront:
Logan is sitting on the beach, watching the man and woman with gills. Max joins him. The man and woman smile at her; the woman waves. Max waves back and they walk farther out into the water. Max sits down next to Logan.
"Well, you got the ending you wanted," Logan says looking intently at Max
"They're together. That's the way it should be."
"Yep. That's the way it should be," Logan replies.
Max looks at him quickly and they smile at each other and then turn and watch the man and woman swim away under a full moon.
»»»»»
As Max and Logan stand side my side looking at the Space Needle each aware of the others presence, comfortable in the knowledge of their love, yet fully aware that a touch could kill, they stand apart, separate but one.
Well, I guess this is what OC said I should do - straighten things out with my man. He took it pretty well considering what I just laid it on him...but then, if I know anything about Logan, he probably figured I lied and was just waiting for me to confess. Smiling to herself, Max steals a glance at the man standing next to her, his face set in a thoughtful frown. We're together, that's the way it should be. You better start wearing gloves; no way am I going to let you die from some stupid retrovirus now.
Well, you finally confessed. Did it to protect me. Asha was right, you really don't know about relationships...as if I'm any expert. You took my lying about the runes pretty well. I guess you must have figured I was keeping something back. We do what we must too to protect the ones we love. Glancing at Max, he sees her looking at the Space Needle, a thoughtful look on her face. We're together - that's the way it should be. I better start wearing gloves, although I hate the things, wouldn't want to die from some fancy retrovirus when there are a lot more mundane people and things around here waiting to do that.
As they stand there, a slight drizzle starts, slowly getting heavier.
Turning at the same time Max and Logan look at each other and their closeness, almost touching.
"You/I need—"They say together and smile, "To start wearing gloves," they finish together.
There is a brief silence between them.
"We never had dinner," Logan says stepping towards her slightly.
"Not hungry," Max replies unmoving.
"Me neither. It's late anyway."
"Yeah, way too late."
"You tired?"
"No, you?"
"Me neither. Want to go for a walk?"
"It's raining," Max says, cupping her hand to catch some of the falling water.
"I don't mind," Logan replies a smile spreading across his face.
Returning his smile, "Me neither," Max replies and lets the water run from her hand.
As they turn together to walk towards the stairs, their hands brush slightly, unnoticed.
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TBC
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. I still only own my dive gear, which is pretty old, the computer belongs to somebody else, and I'll never earn any money from writing this.
A/N: Thanks always to Kasman for the betas. You have kept me on the correct path. Thanks again to those who have read and to those who have reviewed it is very much appreciated. We are nearing the end now, I think. I have changed this story to a PG because of the images in the first part of this chapter. If you think it should be higher let me know.
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Chapter 17 Confessions
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Atrium, Terminal City, Late Evening:
Max is sitting on one of the few remaining benches in the Atrium. The tears that had run down her cheeks are now dry, but the sorrow in her dark eyes is still evident as she stares at the heavy clouds obscuring the night sky.
I've just accused Logan of the very thing every other guy has done, but would he have been like the others? He's so in control. Maybe he's right - I'm afraid of what I am...what I become when this bitch comes on...
»»»»»»
Flashback San Francisco 2014:
Max is lying on the floor of an abandoned house, curled in a ball, her only covering a worn blanket. Tears are streaming down her face and she shakes with silent sobs.
"Hey, that was great, not every day I get them fresh. Must do this again some time." The young man, not much more than a boy but hardened by life on the streets in the new post-Pulse America turns and leaves.
Max slowly stands and wipes away the tears, a look of grim resolve on her face. Never will any man walk away from me if this happens again. This is some whack thing Manticore has given me and I won't let anybody control me when it happens.
»»»»»»
I've been in control - as much as this bitch lets me...I've never let anybody walk away again.
»»»»»»
Flashback a dingy motel near Portland:
"Hey, kid, if you ever need a ride again give me a call," the young biker, sleepily calls out from the bed to Max, as she walks out the door.
Suddenly, he's fully awake as he hears the roar of a motorbike racing out of the parking lot. Racing to the door he sees his brand new Kawasaki Ninja 650 disappearing north along the pitted highway, a slim figure with dark wavy hair blowing in the morning breeze astride it.
»»»»»»
My baby, the extension of my soul, my shame, my escape and my freedom. How could I let Logan see that? Experience that...seeing me become an animal with no shame. I was afraid he would reject me - well, it's too late now. Thing is, what am I going to do when this thing comes over me again. It's going to happen soon and now I can't even go near Logan. Even if I could, after seeing what it does he won't want me near him.
»»»»»»
Flashback Jam Pony:
"I'm not gonna just hit it with some guy. That's how I hooked up with Leo and Darren and Eric, almost. Total disasters that never would've happened if I wasn't a teenage Frankenstein created by people at Manticore," Max says with a worried and frustrated look and tone as she and Original Cindy walk through Jam Pony towards the entrance
"Fine, so you don't wanna be 'bout it with just anybody. What about Logan?" Original Cindy asks as Max whirls around to look at her, she continues "Somebody you're into."
"That's not what I want to happen with us. We're not even like that."
"Whatever you say," Original Cindy replies in disbelief.
"Can we stop talking about scratching? I wanna beat this bitch. You got my back?" Max asks even as she thinks of Logan.
Original Cindy rolls her eyes. "Who's your girl?
»»»»»»
No, Logan wouldn't have been like the others. Guess now this solves the problem of me k'....
"Hey boo, heard what just happened in the mess hall...you okay, where's Logan at?" Original Cindy looks closely at Max noticing the dried tears as she looks around for Logan. Looking up at her friend, "How'd you hear, Gem, I suppose?" Max asks with annoyance at the other X5's telling of her troubles to OC.
"No. Original Cindy has other sources."
"You've only been here two days and you got sources?"
"Hey, OC's a good listener even if she don't have genetically enhanced hearing. So give. What's wrong with you and where is hot boy? Don't tell me he's just experienced the heat bitch for the first time and has pushed you away after all he said back when?" Original Cindy's tone gets angrier at each question.
Taking a deep breath. "No. The other way 'round, told him to get lost...I wouldn't blame him, though, he was angry that I hadn't let him see this side of me...I was afraid I'd lose him then, and now I have. I can't be with him, and even if I could, all he'd see is this...this animal." As Max looks away, the tears begin to flow again.
Sitting down by her friend, Original Cindy reaches out and takes her hand "Max, you're wrong. I've never seen anybody look at another the way your boy looks at you...and the worrying he does about you."
"Yeah, whatever. But Logan doesn't need me anymore. He can walk, thanks to Phil and now Joshua. He can have the pick of any woman he wants...I've seen other X5s and even a few X6s watching him and they don't have the excuse of being in heat and they certainly don't have a virus that can kill him."
"You think hot boy could even be interested in any other genetically engineered females but one? That man loves you...even if he tries to hide it. You for sure love him, despite all the, 'we're not like that's.' It was pretty damn obvious to everybody else, girl."
"We had issues, OC, you know that."
"Yeah, one being this bitch heat, but you told him about it, and he forgave you—"
"I'm not so sure now, OC. That's why it was so easy for him to accept my lie about Alec...why it hurt him so much...why I hurt him so much."
"But he's forgiven you about that too—"
Noticing Max is shaking her head and is looking down at the ground, Original Cindy's tone sharpens. "What, you didn't tell Logan about you and Alec? I thought back at Jam Pony...you know?" she finishes softly remembering CeCe.
Finally looking at her friend. "I told him Alec and I had broken up...I was afraid, OC. I'm supposed to be this genetically engineered killing machine with no feelings, yet I was...I am afraid of losing him—"
"Its called love," OC says interrupting.
"I do love him, but he'll have to leave here and get back to his other life sometime...he certainly doesn't need some freak cooked up in a lab, with some kind of holy destiny to fulfill, that can kill him with a touch," Max slowly answers.
Letting go of Max's hand, Original Cindy stands up with her hands on her hips. "Sugah, you're so wrong. Logan needs you even more than ever. Do you think he'll be safe out there now with the po-pos hunting him, and don't forget White. He's seen Logan with you too many times not to make some connection. He'll be hunting him, either to get at you, or he may have guessed that he's the man behind the red, white and blue mask."
Looking up at OC with a new fear in her eyes, Max stands up, "He needs—"
"Foh' sure he needs you – although, he needs a smack now and then to remind him...and you certainly need him. So you two better sort things out. I told you Original Cindy would put the word down on you again if you didn't," OC grins at Max.
Slowly grinning back, Max hugs Original Cindy and then steps back. "So with your sources can you tell me where he is...I think I owe him an apology."
"If I was to make a guess? Where does he go to find you nowadays?"
"Thanks, OC, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't covering my back."
"Yes you do. You'd be talking to hot boy. Now go find him and straighten things out...I'm done listening to you today. There're some fine lickity transgenic chicks around here who need what Original Cindy can give."
About to walk off, Original Cindy stops and looks at Max, all humor gone form her demeanor. "Boo, when this bitch comes on again, I've got your back, okay."
Touching fists. "Aiight," Max and OC say in unison.
Max stands there a moment as Original Cindy walks off with a wave.
You and Logan both – my friends and my family. How could I have ever thought about leaving you two behind?
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Command Center:
Logan is sitting in front of a computer idly pecking at the keys.
So, that was heat. Again Alec had to step in to save me from it...or maybe that night never happened between them. Max, this is hard - what's going to happen when you go into heat again? I love you and I certainly don't think you are an animal. "Hmm." How did they control it at Manticore? How did Tinga and Sam control it? Max, and I've got to figure this out. Another damn thing to keep us apart. Is the universe trying to tell me something? No, if that was so we would never have met...
»»»»»
Flashback Wedding Reception of Bennett and Marianne:
Max enters the room and stands across from Logan, holding his speech.
"When Bennett first told me that, uh...that he'd fallen in love with...oh...a beautiful, wonderful woman. Uh..."
Max mouths "Marianne," to Logan
"Marianne..."
Max mouths again "I told him that..."
"I told him that..."
Max continuing to mouth "He was lucky..."
"He was lucky...to have found someone to share his life with."
Max mouthing "They crossed paths by fate..."
"They crossed paths by fate..."
Together, Max mouthing and Logan saying "...but became partners by choice,"
Logan continues on his own, "And together, they are embarking on the greatest adventure two people can share."
As everybody applauds, Max and Logan smile at each other.
»»»»»»
Yes, we're on an adventure, and they're never easy. We are partners, Max, and we'll beat this too, but we need some help here.
Still idly looking at the screen on which he has displayed the new runes he'd copied off of Max's stomach and scanned, he starts to see a pattern forming.
"Logan, we have to talk," Max says softly, standing behind him.
"Hmm...can it wait Max? I'm working on something here," he answers distractedly.
Her tone sharpening, Max repeats her statement, "We have to talk now...whatever you're doing can wait...this won't take long," she ends with a note of sadness. Either you're going to walk away from me, or you'll stay and we'll beat this virus and the rest of the whack stuff that's being thrown at us. I want us to be partners in this adventure were on.
Looking around at the sadness he hears in her voice, "Okay...where?"
"The roof, lets go." Turning away abruptly, she heads for the door.
Logan follows with a final look at the computer screen. There is something there, I hope this doesn't take long so I can figure this out.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
A Rooftop Terminal City:
Max is standing, but she is anything but still there is a nervousness to her stance, as she looks over the roof towards the police and National Guard troops, outside the fence surrounding Terminal City.
"Max, what's so important that we have to come out here? I thought we...you'd said what you had to back at the mess hall." Max winces at Logan's tone and words. "I've something important I have to do—"
Sweeping her arm towards the outer fence and the barriers beyond that. "Yeah, I noticed, and I haven't forgotten that they're waiting to take us animals out of here to either be lab experiments, lock us up or just plain kill us...but this is important."
This time it's Logan's turn to wince, as he steps up to stand beside Max. "I've never thought of you as an animal Max...none of you," he says, the hurt Max caused him with her accusation evident in his voice."
Looking up, Max sees the Space Needle towering in the distance. "I used to go up there to think on things. It was like I could forget what I really was - up there above everything, I would feel like a regular girl sometimes...you know what I mean."
Following her gaze Logan says quietly, "Yeah, I know...Max—"
"Wait, Logan...I know I told you that Alec and I were over...thing is, we were never together. Not at Manticore, not with the heat and not that night I infected you...I lied Logan, I'm sorry." Max's whole stance was that of someone waiting for rejection, yet determined to show that it really does not matter.
Logan's face is totally void of any expression as he looks at Max. "You lied...about you and Alec...did he know? Of course he knew...why, Max? Was this some cruel joke you and he cooked up?" Logan asks, in disgust.
"Joke? I did it to protect you...It's no joke that I can kill you...that night it was too much...I don't want you dead, Logan," Max replies in indignation.
"Protect me? Did I ever ask for that? You lied to protect yourself—"
"How can you say that? I could kill you with the slightest touch," Max interrupts, angrily staring at Logan.
"Yeah, and at the moment there are a bunch of cops outside, not to mention White and company who would gladly do the same," he says dryly.
Sighing, Max looks over the wall at the police cars. "Right, and I'm the one that wants to protect you, The one he wants..."
"Max, when you didn't deny there was something between you and Alec, after what I saw—"
"Logan—"
"Let me finish...It tore my heart out when you walked away that night. It was like hearing I would never walk - no it felt worse. It was like loosing you all over again - a part of me gone forever. Funny thing is, all I could think of was that you'd finally realized that I was no use to you...you had your family. Why did you need me?"
A tear slowly runs down Max's cheek. "I'm so sorry. Do you hate me now?" Her voice breaking.
"Hate you? I owe you my life...after that day when you met me at the door...when I came so close...you saved me Max...countless times. Just knowing you were around saved me," Logan replies, all the anger at being tricked and the disgust that Max would play him for a fool dissipating as he hears that break in her voice and sees the tear falling down her face.
"Saved you...I thought by pushing you away I would be protecting you and...maybe you're right...I just couldn't face the pain of seeing you die." Suddenly laughing grimly, Max looks around at Logan. "And now look where you are. In a toxic waste dump with a biohazard girlfriend." Smiling with a look of hope in her eyes." I do mean that last part...if you still want me?" she adds shyly.
"Want you, Max...from the first moment I laid eyes on you, I've been wanting, needing and caring what happens to you...what happened earlier, I would never have treated you like you think. I know what you are and where you came from and I don't care. It's never mattered to me," Logan says with a faint smile, Then looking at Max "I love you Max Guevara," he says with all the feelings he has penned up for the last two years.
Max's smile is so brilliant that, for a moment, Logan is so lost in the vision of this beautiful woman in front of him, that he almost misses, her response, "And I love you Logan Cale, with all my heart and soul."
But he hears it, and his smile widens, reaching to his green eyes even as he sees the same in Max's brown pools.
"I know, Max."
"I've wanted to say it for so long. And earlier...I am sorry for that too...it's just—"
"I understand, Max, but they must have controlled it at Manticore and on missions. You left before you found out, we'll just have to find out how."
"Yeah; I never thought of that." Hope rising in Max's voice and plain in her stance.
Letting out his breath slowly, Logan looks away. "Max, I have a confession as well...I lied about the runes at Jam Pony...what I told you was only the first part. The rest was being translated on the computer at Joshua's." Taking a deep breath when he sees Max raise an eyebrow, "That's why I need my laptop, the computer here just won't link...age, I suppose. And as for the new ones, I started seeing something when you came in earlier."
"So I may not be this holy savior of mankind? You lied to protect me, right?" Max says a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"Ironically, yes. Although the first ones do mention something like that," Logan replies shrugging his shoulders, refusing to rise to Max's challenge.
Turning away from him, Max looks up at the Space Needle again. So that's your big secret. You lied to protect me despite what you thought I'd done. How can I not love you, Logan? Thing is why do you love me?
Logan follows her gaze. "We'll have to get up there some day again, Max."
"We? I thought you were afraid of heights, I remember the last time we were up there. I so wanted you to put your arm around me, but you were holding so tightly to the roof..." Max turns and smiles at Logan.
Smiling back at Max, "Well, that and the fact you were sitting on my hand I would have. I really wanted too you know." Logan replies.
"I sat on your hand and you said nothing. We were up there for what seemed like an age."
"Tell it to the hand," trying not to smile at the look of embarrassment on Max's face. "Well, next time will be different. I'm cured of that phobia, When I thought you dead I spent many nights up there thinking about what we had and could have had...yet I never quite believed you were gone...that you were out there some where," Logan says, his voice revealing the emotion he felt at losing Max, but also the hope he had that she still lived.
"That's what kept me going at Manticore...the thought of getting back to you...that and OC and the rest...but mostly you. Then I got back and things just didn't seem to be going right - how they should. Despite everything, you were always there. Every time I thought I'd driven you away, there you were when I most needed you...I don't know how this is going to end, but I'm glad you're with me."
"Me too, Max...me too. I wouldn't want to be with anybody else. I'm glad you're back."
»»»»»
Flashback Seattle waterfront:
Logan is sitting on the beach, watching the man and woman with gills. Max joins him. The man and woman smile at her; the woman waves. Max waves back and they walk farther out into the water. Max sits down next to Logan.
"Well, you got the ending you wanted," Logan says looking intently at Max
"They're together. That's the way it should be."
"Yep. That's the way it should be," Logan replies.
Max looks at him quickly and they smile at each other and then turn and watch the man and woman swim away under a full moon.
»»»»»
As Max and Logan stand side my side looking at the Space Needle each aware of the others presence, comfortable in the knowledge of their love, yet fully aware that a touch could kill, they stand apart, separate but one.
Well, I guess this is what OC said I should do - straighten things out with my man. He took it pretty well considering what I just laid it on him...but then, if I know anything about Logan, he probably figured I lied and was just waiting for me to confess. Smiling to herself, Max steals a glance at the man standing next to her, his face set in a thoughtful frown. We're together, that's the way it should be. You better start wearing gloves; no way am I going to let you die from some stupid retrovirus now.
Well, you finally confessed. Did it to protect me. Asha was right, you really don't know about relationships...as if I'm any expert. You took my lying about the runes pretty well. I guess you must have figured I was keeping something back. We do what we must too to protect the ones we love. Glancing at Max, he sees her looking at the Space Needle, a thoughtful look on her face. We're together - that's the way it should be. I better start wearing gloves, although I hate the things, wouldn't want to die from some fancy retrovirus when there are a lot more mundane people and things around here waiting to do that.
As they stand there, a slight drizzle starts, slowly getting heavier.
Turning at the same time Max and Logan look at each other and their closeness, almost touching.
"You/I need—"They say together and smile, "To start wearing gloves," they finish together.
There is a brief silence between them.
"We never had dinner," Logan says stepping towards her slightly.
"Not hungry," Max replies unmoving.
"Me neither. It's late anyway."
"Yeah, way too late."
"You tired?"
"No, you?"
"Me neither. Want to go for a walk?"
"It's raining," Max says, cupping her hand to catch some of the falling water.
"I don't mind," Logan replies a smile spreading across his face.
Returning his smile, "Me neither," Max replies and lets the water run from her hand.
As they turn together to walk towards the stairs, their hands brush slightly, unnoticed.
-------------------
TBC