I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Thanks always to Kasman for the betas. You have kept me on the correct path as usual. Thanks again to those who have read and to those who have reviewed it is very much appreciated and have kept me writing. A big thanks to Kyre, who spent a lot of time researching the transcripts of the show, which I have used, without them I would never have been able to write this. We are at the end now.
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Chapter 19 Let There be Life
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A Street in Terminal City:
Zack is standing across the street with a pistol leveled at Logan. As Max stares at him, remembering every moment in her dream, and the bullets tear into Logan, her inaction lasts less than a second. Moving with blinding speed, Max, pushes Logan out of the line of fire. Two of the three rounds Zack fires slam into her as she tries to turn out of the way.
Hitting the ground hard, Logan winces in pain, then screams as he sees Max jerk with the impacts of the bullets. "No! Nooo! Not again!"
As Zack fires, Alec races out of the ally tackling him, causing the third bullet to hit the wall above Logan's head unnoticed. He reaches to pull the weapon from Zack's hand, but there's no need, he has dropped the gun in shock at what he's just done. As other transgenics race from around Terminal City towards the sound of gunfire, the police and National Guard troops, on the perimeter go on alert.
"Max! Max!" Logan shouts crawling to where she is lying in the road.
"Logan?"
"You'll be okay, it doesn't look bad," Logan says cradling her in his arms as he looks in dismay at the amount of blood seeping from Max's shoulder and the wound in her side.
"It hurts, dammit, it hurts real bad," Max says, the pain evident in her voice.
"They say that if it hurts then you'll live," Logan says, not believing in this banal saying, his voice breaking as he chokes back a sob,
Smiling slightly at his attempt to hold back his tears. "Logan...We've been here before..." Max says as her eyes close.
"Don't leave me Max...don't die on me or I'll kick your ass," he cries out in anguish.
Opening her eyes, Max smiles weakly up at Logan, looking into his green ones, "I'm not going anywhere...I...I love you," then closing her eyes, Max's head falls back over his arm.
»»»»»
Flashback, Forest Outside Secret Manticore Facility:
Standing in front of the converted van, Logan and Max face each other.
"I'd kiss you, but I have to keep my head in the game," Max says, with longing.
Logan strokes her hair. "Just come back."
Max nods and follows the others
»»»»»
I'm not letting you go this time, and I'm not staying behind. Tearing at the latex gloves with his teeth Logan eventually tears them off the fingers of his left hand, and brushes the hair out of Max's face caressing her cheek down to her lips and across them. Then leaning forward he kisses her eyes and full lips, the most expressive features of this singularly beautiful woman.
--- --- --- --- ---
Greg, the wolf-man transgenic, who along with an, X5 named Trick are the first to arrive. Holding Zack, who has not resisted, Alec, orders them to hold him. Turning, he sees Logan lean forward and kiss Max full on the lips as she lies limply in his arms. "Holy crap!" He shouts as he runs over to try and pull Logan away, even as he realizes that it's too late.
"Logan? Let me take her, we've got to get you to the infirmary before it's too late, buddy," Alec says gently as he kneels down by the couple.
Looking at Alec, a single tear runs down Logan's cheek as he shakes his head, "I'm not leaving her behind again." His voice is firm as he looks back down at Max lying in his arms.
"Logan, there's nothing you can do for her. She's gone - let her go."
Looking up suddenly at Alec, at the very words Lydecker had said the last time, he feels Max stir in his arms. Looking down, he sees her open her eyes and look at him. "Still here?" she asks softly, then grimaces with pain. "Can I get some medical attention here?" she asks sarcastically looking at Alec.
Alec, stares for a moment in shock at Max, then turning he shouts to an X5 in the crowd. "Get the medics! Stat!" Looking at another, he is about to tell her to find Joshua when the giant man-dog pushes through the crowd howling with sadness at the scene in front of him.
"Big guy, help me. We've got to get Logan to the infirmary and get you ready to give him a transfusion."
"Little fella?" Joshua asks sadly as he crouches next to Alec.
"Hey, big fella, I'm still here." Then Max realizes that Logan's bare hand is resting on her cheek. "God no, Logan, I've killed you!" she cries, distress and shock mixed together.
"My choice, Max, my choice," he says as he strokes her cheek again.
Joshua looks down at Logan. "Little fella is going to live and so are you, Logan. Joshua will make sure," and then down at Max, a smile on his determined canine features.
At that moment, Mary arrives with her team and starts to work on Max. Joshua turns to Mole and gestures that he should help. Shrugging, Mole steps forward.
As Mole and Joshua finally pull Logan away, he tries to resist the greater strength of the transgenics but fails. As they carry him away, Max has one last glimpse of Logan as he goes limp, and she grips Mary's arm, "Save him," she pleads as the tears begin to fall from Max's eyes. Before she loses consciousness, Don't leave me, Logan, because if you die on me now, I'll kick your ass, are her last thoughts.
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
As Mary and her team begin to transfuse Max and try to stem the bleeding, Joshua, with the reluctant help of Mole, lifts Logan away from Max's side and starts for the infirmary.
Looking back, Logan catches a final glimpse of Max motionless on the ground surrounded by the medical team, and goes limp, exhaustion, despair and defeat taking hold of his body and thoughts. I'm all right, just tired. Don't take me away from her. "Joshua, I'm all right...leave me—"
"No, Logan, we've to get you better. Joshua promised little fella." His features set in determination.
"Hey, if he says he's okay, why are we carrying him?" Mole asks in disgust.
"Because Joshua promised Max, so you help carry," he growls at the lizard man.
Snorting, "She's probably dead anyway," Mole mutters.
Hearing, Logan pulls himself out of Mole's loosened grip and looks him full in the face, "I'll see you in hell, Mole, if you ever say that again. Max is not going to die...not this time." His tone expressing all the fury and frustration he feels. Trying to pull away from Joshua's strong hold on him, he winces as he turns, "Ahhh!" He screams as he begins to fall forward.
Joshua sees, Logan sweating, pain etched on his face. "Logan...the virus bitch!" he shouts, as he holds Logan upright. "No time to waste," he growls looking at Mole in anger.
"No, It's my damn ankle, must've twisted it when...Max saved me," he says as the blood drains from his face. She saved me and is dying because of me – Zack was right. Thing is, we both killed her, the two who love her the most.
"Come on, let's get you to the infirmary. Mary said Bon and Kyre are there," Mole says, taking Logan's arm again. "I don't want Max kicking my ass if I let you die." he mumbles, puffing on his cigar furiously.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Terminal City, The Street:
"Come on, come on! Get the IV in and get her some blood, you first Jay, then Kas." Mary says pointing at two of the X5s standing in the crowd as her assistants prepare Max. Kneeling down, she begins examining the injuries of the young woman who has done so much for the transgenics, "You, stay with me," she says seeing the tears, as Max drifts into unconsciousness. Logan would seriously kick my ass if I let you die, as well as your other friends in here...we need you. Looking, up at Alec, she shrugs grimly at his unasked question. He better live as well or she'll kick both our asses.
"My boo, where is she?" Original Cindy asks frantically, as she pushes through the gathered crowd followed by Sketchy. Seeing Max lying on the ground in a pool of blood with the medics furiously working on her, she tries to push pass Alec, as tears stream down her face.
"They've got it covered, Cindy, let them do their work," Alec says grabbing her and holding up his other hand to stop Sketchy.
"Is she...how bad is it?" Original Cindy finally manages to ask around her sobs, ignoring Alec's grip in her distress.
Alec looks down at Max, then at their two friends. "It's bad, Zack hit her twice as she pushed Logan out of the way...I was too late." Regret and anger mixed in his tone.
"Zack?" Sketchy asks puzzled looking over to the side where Zack is still being held a look of despair on his face.
Looking around also puzzled "Where's Logan...was he?" Original Cindy asks.
Shaking his head, Alec looks in the direction of the infirmary, "He touched Max...he kissed her." Sorrow at another thing he did not prevent evident in his voice.
"Hell...is this some Romeo and Juliet dealio, we got to save him and my boo, because Original Cindy don't want to be wearing no black to no damn funeral for her friends!" Looking, over at Max she lowers her voice. "Does my home girl know?"
Following her gaze, Alec nods. "She knows."
"Dayum!"
»»»»»»
Flashback Max and Original Cindy's Crib Seattle:
As Max walks into the flat, Original Cindy looks up from the toenail she is painting, and smiles.
"So you and your boy beat the virus and got busy," she asks, a smirk on her face, which disappears as she sees Max's dejected look. "What happen girl? Logan had you out on some mission, or what? Too busy with Eyes Only to spend time with you?" she asks in disgust.
Max, shakes her head as she takes off her coat and sits down on the couch next to her friend, her arms clasped around her raised knees.
"So, where you been then?" OC asks, worry replacing her happiness of a moment ago
"I knew this would happen. We shouldn't have taken the chance. I only got a partial cure and then...spent the few hours we could have been together chasing some whacked out creature made in a Manticore lab."
"Damn girl? So what was Logan doing?"
Max just sits there, silent for a moment, her lips pursed. "He helped me take it down, then walked away...said he couldn't keep going on like this. He kissed me after the time had run out...he could have died, but he did it anyway..."
Original Cindy sits there silently watching her friend as she slowly rubs her hands up and down her arms as if chilled.
"The year we wasted, dancing around, afraid of admitting how we felt...I would do it so differently if I had that time back...he kissed me and said, 'I love you, Max.' I just sat there, until it was too late, I told him I love him, as he walked away," Max says in a whisper, "I don't blame him...he was saying goodbye." Finally looking at Original Cindy as a tear runs down her cheek "It hurts so much, OC, I just don't want to move."
Putting her arms around Max, she pulls her close. "He'll be back, boo. He said he loves you, he'll be back." And if I ever get my hands on him, I'll smack him so hard he'll wish he'd stuck around to hear those three words from my home girl.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Infirmary:
"Hey, Bon, we got an ordinary infected with some kinda Manticore virus...needs a transfusion from dog boy here," Mole shouts out as he walks into the front room of the infirmary helping Joshua support Logan who is limping.
"Mary called, we're ready. Just gotta do a quick blood test," Kyre answers, as she prepares a syringe and needle.
"Lucky they left behind so much test equipment so we could put together a working lab. It's fascinating the mutations that have been happening with the animals in Terminal City," the other X5 medic says, as he prepares the IV needles and tubing.
Logan looking at all the needles being prepared and grimaces. "I hate needles," he mutters.
All four transgenics look at him, Mole, with wicked glee, Joshua with sympathy and the two medics with pity.
Noticing the looks, Logan straightens his shoulders. "Let's get this over with so I can get back," he says grimly.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Street, Terminal City:
Dix walks up to Alec and indicates that they have to talk in private. Alec nods over to an open doorway away from the gathered crowd. Looking at Max and then at Alec, Dix shakes his head sadly, "We got the guy in charge outside on the line wanting to know what's going on. I stalled him but he doesn't seem to be a patient man at the moment."
"Well, he's going to have to be, because I'm not telling him anything till I know that she's going to live...in fact, if they're both going to live," Alec says looking off towards the infirmary and then over at Max. You've been trying to make me responsible, but if you die, Maxie, I'm out of here...any way I can.
"What about him?" Dix asks pointing at Zack.
"Secure him and we can deal with him later, one way or another...or Max and Logan can," Alec answers trying to inject some hope in his voice. "Meanwhile, lets get everybody back to work," he adds walking back to the gathered transgenics.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Infirmary:
As Kyre pushes the needle in, Logan winces and looks away, causing Mole to snort in derision. Looking over at Mole, Logan shrugs. If you only knew what pain was.
»»»»»»»
Flashback the street outside the Superior Court Building:
As Logan leaves the car cradling Sophy and shouting for Lauren to run, he feels the searing pain as the bullet tears into his back then nothing as he slips into unconsciousness a blessed relief from the pain tearing at him. Then, after a long time, hearing Sam tell him he would never walk again - not wanting to live. Then a voice...the voice of an angel.
"Nurses beat me to it." The voice comes closer. "Take a header into the deep end when the pool's empty, you're going to go splat. Law of gravity. And even Jesus Christ himself had to obey the law of gravity...for a while, anyway. The one I feel sorry for is the poor woman with the kid. She should have told you to stick it, like I did, but she bought your crap about doing what's right. And just so you know, I don't feel the slightest guilt about not watching her back. That's on you, hotshot, 100%."
The voice drifts away then comes closer and is above him as he moves or is moved, he's not sure which, but the voice is still there saying things, but seeming to mean something else than the words said.
"I probably ought to let him just finish the job. At least then more innocent people won't get kacked on account of you being a bored rich kid. On the other hand, you did lay that statue on me, which I was able to fence for a couple of bucks. I've been wanting to buy myself a new motorcycle." There is a loud explosion but he keeps moving, the voice of the angel still keeping him company. "Thinking about stepping up to a 1200."
Then the beautiful angelic voice is directly in his ear. "After saving you, you better live...how else will I know if you were worth it."
»»»»»»»
My angel, my dark angel, you better live, because you're worth it. The pain of loosing her the first time, Mole - nothing beats that. Logan suddenly grins savagely at Mole, who steps back at this sudden change in the man sitting in front of him. We're both going to live...there's no virus...I should be lying here dying by now.
At that moment, Mary rushes in, followed by Max on a make shift stretcher carried by her two assistants, heading for the surgery. As Logan tries to stand up, he grimaces and draws in a breath as he puts weight on his ankle.
"You have an injured ankle?" Bon asks as he takes the blood sample from Kyre.
"Hurt it when Max pushed me down," Logan replies distractedly as he looks towards Max lying on the gurney as Mary starts to operate.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Ballroom:
Sibelius' "Valse Triste" is playing in the background. There are little white lights all around the ballroom. Max is wearing a white gown, with her hair up, and Logan is wearing a suit.
"Dance with me," Logan asks, smiling down at Max who is sitting in a chair.
"I can't," she replies, rubbing her hands together.
"Sure you can. Mind over matter," he replies, holding out his hands towards her.
"See, my problem is there's this virus."
"I'm not asking you about a virus. Just to dance."
Max shrugs and then stands up and walks over to him taking his outstretched hands in hers as he pulls her into an embrace.
"Whose dream is this, anyway...yours or mine?" she asks, in wonder
"Does it matter?" Logan replies.
They continue to dance, staring into each other's eyes. Max eventually lays her head on Logan's chest, and closes her eyes.
"You okay?" He asks
"Yeah. I'm just a little dizzy."
"Do you want to stop?" Logan asks worriedly
"No. Don't let go," she says, looking up at him.
"I won't," Logan replies as he looks down into Max's eyes
"Promise?" she asks, dread in her voice.
"I promise," he says, holding her closer.
"Logan..."
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Max feels a light kiss on her lips as a hand brushes her forehead, and a murmured, "Don't leave me," is whispered in her ear.
"I wont, I promise," she replies softly, as she slowly drifts back to sleep and dreams of walking in the rain with a tall handsome man with green eyes.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Park:
As the rain comes down, Max and Logan slowly make their way towards an all night coffee shop. They go along, mostly in silence, until they reach a soft patch in the gravel path and Max puts her hand onto the back of Logan's chair to help him get through it. Turning to look at her, he smiles – a smile of companionship, seeming to accept her help tonight.
As they continue Logan is still smiling. "I used to watch a TV show called Dr.Who when I was a kid, none of the special effects of later shows, but it had some interesting stories about a time travelling—"
"Dr.Who?" Max asks puzzled. What's this got to do with the here and now.
Logan's smile widens into a grin. "He was a traveler in time and space, and he had a time machine shaped like an old British police box called the TARDIS, my three favorite episodes were The Masque of Mandragora, the Pyramids of Mars and Logopolis.
"Logan, I've no idea what you're on about. Why would the police in Britain have a box called a Tardis?"
"Not the police, Dr. Who had one called the TARDIS. The show sort of reminded me of us," Logan answers, looking at Max's hand still resting on his shoulder where she'd placed it after helping.
Following his look Max hastily removes it, "Ookay, so what's this got to do with us?" Max asks, as she tries to hide her feeling of embarrassment behind a tone of curiosity.
Shaking his head and looking at Max, his smile now wistful, "Oh nothing really, just that the TARDIS always got broken and the Doctor always had help from a friend to sort things out."
"We don't have a time machine to get busted..."
Max pauses and looks down at Logan in his wheelchair as he looks up at her, they nod slightly at each other in silent understanding, then Logan opens the door for Max to go into the coffee shop first, where she turns and holds the door open for him to enter.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Room:
Jerking awake, Max looks around the room, illuminated by the weak light from the late afternoon sun, at the various medical monitors connected to her, and finally towards the man sitting in a wheelchair, his head resting on the side of the bed, his hand holding hers. As she tries to pull away, his grip tightens.
At Max's awakening and movement, Logan tightens his grip on her hand, and shifts his head, running his free hand through his tussled hair. Then adjusting his glasses, he smiles at her.
"Hey you."
"Hey yourself. How are you feeling?" she asks puzzled as she tries again to pull her hand away, but she's just too weak at the moment to break his grip. I'm killing you, Logan, let go...please, let go. I don't want to see you die – not now.
"How are you feeling?" Logan asks ignoring her question, as once again he tightens his grip, now with two hands on hers so that she can't pull away.
"I don't feel a thing," Max replies, shrugging slightly, then grimaces in pain. "At least, not much," she smiles weakly, "Must be all the medication...Logan...where am I...am I dreaming?" she asks as she looks around the bare infirmary room, for some indication of where she is. As her gaze returns to Logan sitting in a wheelchair, his hand still clasping her's, refusing to let go, with no sign of the virus on his face. Have the last eight months been a nightmare? She wonders, half in hope, half in dread of what the answer maybe.
Looking at Max, his face bland, Logan slowly caresses her hand. "Supposing...just supposing...the virus has been cured?"
"Is this a hypothetical question, or are you being serious?" Max asks, trying to hide the hope in her voice, looking at Logan's bare hands caressing hers and then up into his eyes.
Nodding, Logan smiles, "We can touch."
Max looks soberly at him, "Are you sure this...this is not another temporary cure and we'll be back to where we started?" she asks.
"I'm 100 percent sure Max. I don't know how...it could have something to do with the runes and Sandeman's plan," Logan says, shrugging, "But I wasn't infected, and after Mary checked your blood an hour ago, there is no sign of the virus. Nothing. It's as if it never existed."
"I won't kill you?" Max asks again, as the hope and the pleasure she is feeling at the touch of Logan's hands on hers begins to flow through her, healing the ache and open wound of despair she has felt for so long.
"We're touching and nothing is happening."
"I don't know about nothing..." Max replies saucily, as a brilliant smile lights up her face.
Sitting back in his chair, a stunned look on his face as the implications of their new situation hits him, "Oh, Max...my..."
Her smile wavers a little as she sees the look on his face. "Guess we've gotta think about this, because if we take the next step, there won't be any turning back..." Looking at the wheelchair, she then looks at Logan. "It still doesn't matter to me you know," she says with feeling holding his eyes with hers.
With a wry grin, Logan lets go of Max's hand. He slaps the arms of the wheelchair and turns it sideways to the bed so he is facing her. "You put me here, so it should matter—"
"Logan, I should've—"
"Max, I'm talking about today...what's past is past. There's nothing to think about."
"Either it's being shot by my own brother has got me confused or you're not making a whole lot of sense right now," Max says indignantly, as Logan continues to grin at her. Worry suddenly replaces her other feelings. "Zack, what have they done with him? I've got to make sure nothing happens to him," Max says as she struggles to get out of the bed.
Putting his hand on her shoulder, "He's all right, Max. Alec and I have seen to that. Nothing's going to happen to him."
Relaxing at Logan's reassuring tone and his touch; she looks at the wheelchair again, "So today?"
Shrugging, Logan takes Max's hand in his again, "Busted my ankle when you shoved me out of the way," his tone conveying all the worry and fear he'd felt over the last few hours. "They found this old chair in a storeroom...better this than hobbling around on crutches...more practice," he adds neutrally.
"I'm sorry...for everything that's happened."
"No, Max, there's no need...if anything, I'm sorry for not listening to you when I should."
Suddenly laughing, Max, squeezes Logan's hand, "Look at us, a sorry busted up superhero and the sidekick."
"Well, I guess you're the superhero for stopping speeding bullets, and I must be the sidekick because every superhero needs one right."
"Not in my books, Logan, you'll always be the hero," and suddenly pulling him, out of the chair unto the bed, she kisses him full on the lips, her tongue pushing its way into his mouth as he returns her kiss passionately, running his hands up into her hair as she caresses the back of his neck.
After a long moment, they come apart for air and look into each other's eyes, brown into green, as they both run their tongues over their lips savoring the taste of each other.
"Happy anniversary," they say in unison. As Logan favoring his ankle and Max her wounds, lean towards each other, and just before their lips touch, a whisper of, "I love you," passes between them. This time, the kiss is a lingering one.
--- --- ---- --- --- ---
The End...not quite yet.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Thanks always to Kasman for the betas. You have kept me on the correct path as usual. Thanks again to those who have read and to those who have reviewed it is very much appreciated and have kept me writing. A big thanks to Kyre, who spent a lot of time researching the transcripts of the show, which I have used, without them I would never have been able to write this. We are at the end now.
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Chapter 19 Let There be Life
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A Street in Terminal City:
Zack is standing across the street with a pistol leveled at Logan. As Max stares at him, remembering every moment in her dream, and the bullets tear into Logan, her inaction lasts less than a second. Moving with blinding speed, Max, pushes Logan out of the line of fire. Two of the three rounds Zack fires slam into her as she tries to turn out of the way.
Hitting the ground hard, Logan winces in pain, then screams as he sees Max jerk with the impacts of the bullets. "No! Nooo! Not again!"
As Zack fires, Alec races out of the ally tackling him, causing the third bullet to hit the wall above Logan's head unnoticed. He reaches to pull the weapon from Zack's hand, but there's no need, he has dropped the gun in shock at what he's just done. As other transgenics race from around Terminal City towards the sound of gunfire, the police and National Guard troops, on the perimeter go on alert.
"Max! Max!" Logan shouts crawling to where she is lying in the road.
"Logan?"
"You'll be okay, it doesn't look bad," Logan says cradling her in his arms as he looks in dismay at the amount of blood seeping from Max's shoulder and the wound in her side.
"It hurts, dammit, it hurts real bad," Max says, the pain evident in her voice.
"They say that if it hurts then you'll live," Logan says, not believing in this banal saying, his voice breaking as he chokes back a sob,
Smiling slightly at his attempt to hold back his tears. "Logan...We've been here before..." Max says as her eyes close.
"Don't leave me Max...don't die on me or I'll kick your ass," he cries out in anguish.
Opening her eyes, Max smiles weakly up at Logan, looking into his green ones, "I'm not going anywhere...I...I love you," then closing her eyes, Max's head falls back over his arm.
»»»»»
Flashback, Forest Outside Secret Manticore Facility:
Standing in front of the converted van, Logan and Max face each other.
"I'd kiss you, but I have to keep my head in the game," Max says, with longing.
Logan strokes her hair. "Just come back."
Max nods and follows the others
»»»»»
I'm not letting you go this time, and I'm not staying behind. Tearing at the latex gloves with his teeth Logan eventually tears them off the fingers of his left hand, and brushes the hair out of Max's face caressing her cheek down to her lips and across them. Then leaning forward he kisses her eyes and full lips, the most expressive features of this singularly beautiful woman.
--- --- --- --- ---
Greg, the wolf-man transgenic, who along with an, X5 named Trick are the first to arrive. Holding Zack, who has not resisted, Alec, orders them to hold him. Turning, he sees Logan lean forward and kiss Max full on the lips as she lies limply in his arms. "Holy crap!" He shouts as he runs over to try and pull Logan away, even as he realizes that it's too late.
"Logan? Let me take her, we've got to get you to the infirmary before it's too late, buddy," Alec says gently as he kneels down by the couple.
Looking at Alec, a single tear runs down Logan's cheek as he shakes his head, "I'm not leaving her behind again." His voice is firm as he looks back down at Max lying in his arms.
"Logan, there's nothing you can do for her. She's gone - let her go."
Looking up suddenly at Alec, at the very words Lydecker had said the last time, he feels Max stir in his arms. Looking down, he sees her open her eyes and look at him. "Still here?" she asks softly, then grimaces with pain. "Can I get some medical attention here?" she asks sarcastically looking at Alec.
Alec, stares for a moment in shock at Max, then turning he shouts to an X5 in the crowd. "Get the medics! Stat!" Looking at another, he is about to tell her to find Joshua when the giant man-dog pushes through the crowd howling with sadness at the scene in front of him.
"Big guy, help me. We've got to get Logan to the infirmary and get you ready to give him a transfusion."
"Little fella?" Joshua asks sadly as he crouches next to Alec.
"Hey, big fella, I'm still here." Then Max realizes that Logan's bare hand is resting on her cheek. "God no, Logan, I've killed you!" she cries, distress and shock mixed together.
"My choice, Max, my choice," he says as he strokes her cheek again.
Joshua looks down at Logan. "Little fella is going to live and so are you, Logan. Joshua will make sure," and then down at Max, a smile on his determined canine features.
At that moment, Mary arrives with her team and starts to work on Max. Joshua turns to Mole and gestures that he should help. Shrugging, Mole steps forward.
As Mole and Joshua finally pull Logan away, he tries to resist the greater strength of the transgenics but fails. As they carry him away, Max has one last glimpse of Logan as he goes limp, and she grips Mary's arm, "Save him," she pleads as the tears begin to fall from Max's eyes. Before she loses consciousness, Don't leave me, Logan, because if you die on me now, I'll kick your ass, are her last thoughts.
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
As Mary and her team begin to transfuse Max and try to stem the bleeding, Joshua, with the reluctant help of Mole, lifts Logan away from Max's side and starts for the infirmary.
Looking back, Logan catches a final glimpse of Max motionless on the ground surrounded by the medical team, and goes limp, exhaustion, despair and defeat taking hold of his body and thoughts. I'm all right, just tired. Don't take me away from her. "Joshua, I'm all right...leave me—"
"No, Logan, we've to get you better. Joshua promised little fella." His features set in determination.
"Hey, if he says he's okay, why are we carrying him?" Mole asks in disgust.
"Because Joshua promised Max, so you help carry," he growls at the lizard man.
Snorting, "She's probably dead anyway," Mole mutters.
Hearing, Logan pulls himself out of Mole's loosened grip and looks him full in the face, "I'll see you in hell, Mole, if you ever say that again. Max is not going to die...not this time." His tone expressing all the fury and frustration he feels. Trying to pull away from Joshua's strong hold on him, he winces as he turns, "Ahhh!" He screams as he begins to fall forward.
Joshua sees, Logan sweating, pain etched on his face. "Logan...the virus bitch!" he shouts, as he holds Logan upright. "No time to waste," he growls looking at Mole in anger.
"No, It's my damn ankle, must've twisted it when...Max saved me," he says as the blood drains from his face. She saved me and is dying because of me – Zack was right. Thing is, we both killed her, the two who love her the most.
"Come on, let's get you to the infirmary. Mary said Bon and Kyre are there," Mole says, taking Logan's arm again. "I don't want Max kicking my ass if I let you die." he mumbles, puffing on his cigar furiously.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Terminal City, The Street:
"Come on, come on! Get the IV in and get her some blood, you first Jay, then Kas." Mary says pointing at two of the X5s standing in the crowd as her assistants prepare Max. Kneeling down, she begins examining the injuries of the young woman who has done so much for the transgenics, "You, stay with me," she says seeing the tears, as Max drifts into unconsciousness. Logan would seriously kick my ass if I let you die, as well as your other friends in here...we need you. Looking, up at Alec, she shrugs grimly at his unasked question. He better live as well or she'll kick both our asses.
"My boo, where is she?" Original Cindy asks frantically, as she pushes through the gathered crowd followed by Sketchy. Seeing Max lying on the ground in a pool of blood with the medics furiously working on her, she tries to push pass Alec, as tears stream down her face.
"They've got it covered, Cindy, let them do their work," Alec says grabbing her and holding up his other hand to stop Sketchy.
"Is she...how bad is it?" Original Cindy finally manages to ask around her sobs, ignoring Alec's grip in her distress.
Alec looks down at Max, then at their two friends. "It's bad, Zack hit her twice as she pushed Logan out of the way...I was too late." Regret and anger mixed in his tone.
"Zack?" Sketchy asks puzzled looking over to the side where Zack is still being held a look of despair on his face.
Looking around also puzzled "Where's Logan...was he?" Original Cindy asks.
Shaking his head, Alec looks in the direction of the infirmary, "He touched Max...he kissed her." Sorrow at another thing he did not prevent evident in his voice.
"Hell...is this some Romeo and Juliet dealio, we got to save him and my boo, because Original Cindy don't want to be wearing no black to no damn funeral for her friends!" Looking, over at Max she lowers her voice. "Does my home girl know?"
Following her gaze, Alec nods. "She knows."
"Dayum!"
»»»»»»
Flashback Max and Original Cindy's Crib Seattle:
As Max walks into the flat, Original Cindy looks up from the toenail she is painting, and smiles.
"So you and your boy beat the virus and got busy," she asks, a smirk on her face, which disappears as she sees Max's dejected look. "What happen girl? Logan had you out on some mission, or what? Too busy with Eyes Only to spend time with you?" she asks in disgust.
Max, shakes her head as she takes off her coat and sits down on the couch next to her friend, her arms clasped around her raised knees.
"So, where you been then?" OC asks, worry replacing her happiness of a moment ago
"I knew this would happen. We shouldn't have taken the chance. I only got a partial cure and then...spent the few hours we could have been together chasing some whacked out creature made in a Manticore lab."
"Damn girl? So what was Logan doing?"
Max just sits there, silent for a moment, her lips pursed. "He helped me take it down, then walked away...said he couldn't keep going on like this. He kissed me after the time had run out...he could have died, but he did it anyway..."
Original Cindy sits there silently watching her friend as she slowly rubs her hands up and down her arms as if chilled.
"The year we wasted, dancing around, afraid of admitting how we felt...I would do it so differently if I had that time back...he kissed me and said, 'I love you, Max.' I just sat there, until it was too late, I told him I love him, as he walked away," Max says in a whisper, "I don't blame him...he was saying goodbye." Finally looking at Original Cindy as a tear runs down her cheek "It hurts so much, OC, I just don't want to move."
Putting her arms around Max, she pulls her close. "He'll be back, boo. He said he loves you, he'll be back." And if I ever get my hands on him, I'll smack him so hard he'll wish he'd stuck around to hear those three words from my home girl.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Infirmary:
"Hey, Bon, we got an ordinary infected with some kinda Manticore virus...needs a transfusion from dog boy here," Mole shouts out as he walks into the front room of the infirmary helping Joshua support Logan who is limping.
"Mary called, we're ready. Just gotta do a quick blood test," Kyre answers, as she prepares a syringe and needle.
"Lucky they left behind so much test equipment so we could put together a working lab. It's fascinating the mutations that have been happening with the animals in Terminal City," the other X5 medic says, as he prepares the IV needles and tubing.
Logan looking at all the needles being prepared and grimaces. "I hate needles," he mutters.
All four transgenics look at him, Mole, with wicked glee, Joshua with sympathy and the two medics with pity.
Noticing the looks, Logan straightens his shoulders. "Let's get this over with so I can get back," he says grimly.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Street, Terminal City:
Dix walks up to Alec and indicates that they have to talk in private. Alec nods over to an open doorway away from the gathered crowd. Looking at Max and then at Alec, Dix shakes his head sadly, "We got the guy in charge outside on the line wanting to know what's going on. I stalled him but he doesn't seem to be a patient man at the moment."
"Well, he's going to have to be, because I'm not telling him anything till I know that she's going to live...in fact, if they're both going to live," Alec says looking off towards the infirmary and then over at Max. You've been trying to make me responsible, but if you die, Maxie, I'm out of here...any way I can.
"What about him?" Dix asks pointing at Zack.
"Secure him and we can deal with him later, one way or another...or Max and Logan can," Alec answers trying to inject some hope in his voice. "Meanwhile, lets get everybody back to work," he adds walking back to the gathered transgenics.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Infirmary:
As Kyre pushes the needle in, Logan winces and looks away, causing Mole to snort in derision. Looking over at Mole, Logan shrugs. If you only knew what pain was.
»»»»»»»
Flashback the street outside the Superior Court Building:
As Logan leaves the car cradling Sophy and shouting for Lauren to run, he feels the searing pain as the bullet tears into his back then nothing as he slips into unconsciousness a blessed relief from the pain tearing at him. Then, after a long time, hearing Sam tell him he would never walk again - not wanting to live. Then a voice...the voice of an angel.
"Nurses beat me to it." The voice comes closer. "Take a header into the deep end when the pool's empty, you're going to go splat. Law of gravity. And even Jesus Christ himself had to obey the law of gravity...for a while, anyway. The one I feel sorry for is the poor woman with the kid. She should have told you to stick it, like I did, but she bought your crap about doing what's right. And just so you know, I don't feel the slightest guilt about not watching her back. That's on you, hotshot, 100%."
The voice drifts away then comes closer and is above him as he moves or is moved, he's not sure which, but the voice is still there saying things, but seeming to mean something else than the words said.
"I probably ought to let him just finish the job. At least then more innocent people won't get kacked on account of you being a bored rich kid. On the other hand, you did lay that statue on me, which I was able to fence for a couple of bucks. I've been wanting to buy myself a new motorcycle." There is a loud explosion but he keeps moving, the voice of the angel still keeping him company. "Thinking about stepping up to a 1200."
Then the beautiful angelic voice is directly in his ear. "After saving you, you better live...how else will I know if you were worth it."
»»»»»»»
My angel, my dark angel, you better live, because you're worth it. The pain of loosing her the first time, Mole - nothing beats that. Logan suddenly grins savagely at Mole, who steps back at this sudden change in the man sitting in front of him. We're both going to live...there's no virus...I should be lying here dying by now.
At that moment, Mary rushes in, followed by Max on a make shift stretcher carried by her two assistants, heading for the surgery. As Logan tries to stand up, he grimaces and draws in a breath as he puts weight on his ankle.
"You have an injured ankle?" Bon asks as he takes the blood sample from Kyre.
"Hurt it when Max pushed me down," Logan replies distractedly as he looks towards Max lying on the gurney as Mary starts to operate.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Ballroom:
Sibelius' "Valse Triste" is playing in the background. There are little white lights all around the ballroom. Max is wearing a white gown, with her hair up, and Logan is wearing a suit.
"Dance with me," Logan asks, smiling down at Max who is sitting in a chair.
"I can't," she replies, rubbing her hands together.
"Sure you can. Mind over matter," he replies, holding out his hands towards her.
"See, my problem is there's this virus."
"I'm not asking you about a virus. Just to dance."
Max shrugs and then stands up and walks over to him taking his outstretched hands in hers as he pulls her into an embrace.
"Whose dream is this, anyway...yours or mine?" she asks, in wonder
"Does it matter?" Logan replies.
They continue to dance, staring into each other's eyes. Max eventually lays her head on Logan's chest, and closes her eyes.
"You okay?" He asks
"Yeah. I'm just a little dizzy."
"Do you want to stop?" Logan asks worriedly
"No. Don't let go," she says, looking up at him.
"I won't," Logan replies as he looks down into Max's eyes
"Promise?" she asks, dread in her voice.
"I promise," he says, holding her closer.
"Logan..."
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Max feels a light kiss on her lips as a hand brushes her forehead, and a murmured, "Don't leave me," is whispered in her ear.
"I wont, I promise," she replies softly, as she slowly drifts back to sleep and dreams of walking in the rain with a tall handsome man with green eyes.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Park:
As the rain comes down, Max and Logan slowly make their way towards an all night coffee shop. They go along, mostly in silence, until they reach a soft patch in the gravel path and Max puts her hand onto the back of Logan's chair to help him get through it. Turning to look at her, he smiles – a smile of companionship, seeming to accept her help tonight.
As they continue Logan is still smiling. "I used to watch a TV show called Dr.Who when I was a kid, none of the special effects of later shows, but it had some interesting stories about a time travelling—"
"Dr.Who?" Max asks puzzled. What's this got to do with the here and now.
Logan's smile widens into a grin. "He was a traveler in time and space, and he had a time machine shaped like an old British police box called the TARDIS, my three favorite episodes were The Masque of Mandragora, the Pyramids of Mars and Logopolis.
"Logan, I've no idea what you're on about. Why would the police in Britain have a box called a Tardis?"
"Not the police, Dr. Who had one called the TARDIS. The show sort of reminded me of us," Logan answers, looking at Max's hand still resting on his shoulder where she'd placed it after helping.
Following his look Max hastily removes it, "Ookay, so what's this got to do with us?" Max asks, as she tries to hide her feeling of embarrassment behind a tone of curiosity.
Shaking his head and looking at Max, his smile now wistful, "Oh nothing really, just that the TARDIS always got broken and the Doctor always had help from a friend to sort things out."
"We don't have a time machine to get busted..."
Max pauses and looks down at Logan in his wheelchair as he looks up at her, they nod slightly at each other in silent understanding, then Logan opens the door for Max to go into the coffee shop first, where she turns and holds the door open for him to enter.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
The Room:
Jerking awake, Max looks around the room, illuminated by the weak light from the late afternoon sun, at the various medical monitors connected to her, and finally towards the man sitting in a wheelchair, his head resting on the side of the bed, his hand holding hers. As she tries to pull away, his grip tightens.
At Max's awakening and movement, Logan tightens his grip on her hand, and shifts his head, running his free hand through his tussled hair. Then adjusting his glasses, he smiles at her.
"Hey you."
"Hey yourself. How are you feeling?" she asks puzzled as she tries again to pull her hand away, but she's just too weak at the moment to break his grip. I'm killing you, Logan, let go...please, let go. I don't want to see you die – not now.
"How are you feeling?" Logan asks ignoring her question, as once again he tightens his grip, now with two hands on hers so that she can't pull away.
"I don't feel a thing," Max replies, shrugging slightly, then grimaces in pain. "At least, not much," she smiles weakly, "Must be all the medication...Logan...where am I...am I dreaming?" she asks as she looks around the bare infirmary room, for some indication of where she is. As her gaze returns to Logan sitting in a wheelchair, his hand still clasping her's, refusing to let go, with no sign of the virus on his face. Have the last eight months been a nightmare? She wonders, half in hope, half in dread of what the answer maybe.
Looking at Max, his face bland, Logan slowly caresses her hand. "Supposing...just supposing...the virus has been cured?"
"Is this a hypothetical question, or are you being serious?" Max asks, trying to hide the hope in her voice, looking at Logan's bare hands caressing hers and then up into his eyes.
Nodding, Logan smiles, "We can touch."
Max looks soberly at him, "Are you sure this...this is not another temporary cure and we'll be back to where we started?" she asks.
"I'm 100 percent sure Max. I don't know how...it could have something to do with the runes and Sandeman's plan," Logan says, shrugging, "But I wasn't infected, and after Mary checked your blood an hour ago, there is no sign of the virus. Nothing. It's as if it never existed."
"I won't kill you?" Max asks again, as the hope and the pleasure she is feeling at the touch of Logan's hands on hers begins to flow through her, healing the ache and open wound of despair she has felt for so long.
"We're touching and nothing is happening."
"I don't know about nothing..." Max replies saucily, as a brilliant smile lights up her face.
Sitting back in his chair, a stunned look on his face as the implications of their new situation hits him, "Oh, Max...my..."
Her smile wavers a little as she sees the look on his face. "Guess we've gotta think about this, because if we take the next step, there won't be any turning back..." Looking at the wheelchair, she then looks at Logan. "It still doesn't matter to me you know," she says with feeling holding his eyes with hers.
With a wry grin, Logan lets go of Max's hand. He slaps the arms of the wheelchair and turns it sideways to the bed so he is facing her. "You put me here, so it should matter—"
"Logan, I should've—"
"Max, I'm talking about today...what's past is past. There's nothing to think about."
"Either it's being shot by my own brother has got me confused or you're not making a whole lot of sense right now," Max says indignantly, as Logan continues to grin at her. Worry suddenly replaces her other feelings. "Zack, what have they done with him? I've got to make sure nothing happens to him," Max says as she struggles to get out of the bed.
Putting his hand on her shoulder, "He's all right, Max. Alec and I have seen to that. Nothing's going to happen to him."
Relaxing at Logan's reassuring tone and his touch; she looks at the wheelchair again, "So today?"
Shrugging, Logan takes Max's hand in his again, "Busted my ankle when you shoved me out of the way," his tone conveying all the worry and fear he'd felt over the last few hours. "They found this old chair in a storeroom...better this than hobbling around on crutches...more practice," he adds neutrally.
"I'm sorry...for everything that's happened."
"No, Max, there's no need...if anything, I'm sorry for not listening to you when I should."
Suddenly laughing, Max, squeezes Logan's hand, "Look at us, a sorry busted up superhero and the sidekick."
"Well, I guess you're the superhero for stopping speeding bullets, and I must be the sidekick because every superhero needs one right."
"Not in my books, Logan, you'll always be the hero," and suddenly pulling him, out of the chair unto the bed, she kisses him full on the lips, her tongue pushing its way into his mouth as he returns her kiss passionately, running his hands up into her hair as she caresses the back of his neck.
After a long moment, they come apart for air and look into each other's eyes, brown into green, as they both run their tongues over their lips savoring the taste of each other.
"Happy anniversary," they say in unison. As Logan favoring his ankle and Max her wounds, lean towards each other, and just before their lips touch, a whisper of, "I love you," passes between them. This time, the kiss is a lingering one.
--- --- ---- --- --- ---
The End...not quite yet.