AS209 Much Ado About Something Chapter Five, a dark angel fanfic

AS2.09 Much Ado About Something by Star24 and Lelu2

Chapter Five

Bling pulled up to the curb and jumped out of the car. Before he could reach the door, a procession of store employees paraded out, carrying bags and boxes of clothing and shoes. They were followed by Logan, Max and Claire Townsend.

Claire turned to Max. "Miss Guevara, it's been a delight to serve you. We have an appointment Wednesday for a final gown fitting." Turning to Logan, she said. "It was wonderful to see you, Logan. I hope it's not another sixteen years before I see you again."

"It was all my pleasure." Logan smiled and continued. "I might be seeing you more often. You seem to have given Miss Guevara the shopping bug." Logan's eyes crinkled as he grinned over at Max.

Max grinned back. "It was fun, and tomorrow's going to be even more fun."

Logan's look soured, as if he'd had the perfect glass of lemonade and found a fly at the bottom of the glass. "I'm sure Harvey's can just send something over. I don't really need to go to the shop."

"You have an appointment at eleven o'clock sharp," Claire said. "Don't be late."

"I wouldn't let him miss it for the world." Max winked at Claire.

Claire smiled broadly and took Max's hand. "Good for you." She then directed her staff to put the bags in the trunk that Bling popped open. After seeing the bags appropriately stowed, Claire smiled one more time, and then retreated with her staff into Vanessa leaving Logan and Max standing on the sidewalk.

Bling discreetly cleared his throat and opened the car door. "I take it the shopping trip was successful."

Max twirled around like a ballerina for Bling's perusal. He whistled and asked rhetorically, "You sure you don't want to dump this guy and run away with me?"

Max laughed as Bling helped her into the car, followed by Logan, who graced him with a withering look. Bling got in the front seat pulled and pulled away from the curb. Curiosity getting the better of him as he drove, he asked, "What's happening tomorrow at eleven?"

Max said happily, "Logan is getting an update on his wardrobe tomorrow at somewhere called Harvey's".

"Ahh, no wonder the moroseness. No more baggy sweaters with holes and pants that have seen better days." Bling shook his head sadly. He saw Max looking at him through the window and winked slyly at her.

"There's nothing wrong with my wardrobe," retorted Logan indignantly. "It suits me fine."

"True, there's nothing wrong with your wardrobe that a little lighter fluid and a match won't cure. When was the last time you bought clothes?" Bling came back at him.

Max watched the exchange between the two men quietly. It was fun to watch Bling draw Logan out. Bling could say things to Logan that she couldn't. Bling was a guy, she reasoned, but she realized quickly that wasn't the reason. Bling didn't have the capability to hurt Logan the way she did. What ever they had, it was still fragile and she was afraid to tread too deep, so she watched.

"Logan, you need new clothes if you plan on going anywhere with Max." Bling continued reasonably, "Think of it as a disguise."

That stopped Logan short; he thought for a moment then grudgingly said. "You're right, I need to play the part and if it takes a few new clothes, then okay."

"Good!" came the voices of Bling and Max together.

Logan looked ruefully over at Max and started smiling, knowing they had neatly boxed him into a corner with only one-way out. Shaking his head, he gave in gracefully. "Tomorrow, at eleven," he said, resigned to his fate.

It took three trips to bring Max's clothes up to the penthouse. They were deposited with a flourish in the guest room. Max looked at the packages, and then looked at Logan. "Wow, I guess I went a little wild. I didn't break the bank or anything, did I?"

"Hardly, but I may need to put off buying the new servers I was planning for." Logan winked at her. "While you're putting your things away, I'll check to see if the decryption on those discs is complete. I've got a lot of work to do. Stay for dinner?"

"Sure, I'm starved," Max, said brightly as she turned and began to put away her new clothes.

Logan grinned as he walked down the hall, loosening his tie. She's putting things away here.

Max found him an hour later, totally engrossed in the discs. "I thought we were going to have dinner."

"Dinner, right...will takeout be okay? I got busy." Logan glanced up at Max, and then turned back to the computer. "There is some very credible information here I need to process."

Max grabbed the phone, "Lo mein okay?"

"Fine."

While they were eating, Logan brought Max up to speed on what he'd learned. Apparently of the four members of The Fund For Children's board of directors, two have financial trouble. One of them we can rule out."

"Why's that?"

"Because it's Bennett. I know everything about the Cale finances, and he's good."

"That's what you thought about your Uncle Jonas," Max quipped without thinking. She cringed inwardly as she saw Logan wince and a shadow cross his face. God, Max, way to go. This is how to make him trust you for sure.

"Logan, I didn't mean it...it just popped out."

Logan shrugged and said, "It's okay Max, but Bennett isn't his father." He let go of the tension and relaxed visibly. Turning to Max, he smiled. "It really is okay."

Max let go of the breath she hadn't known she was holding. "So who's this other guy you think might be skimming the charity," she said a bit too nonchalantly.

"His name is Kip Masters, we've known each other since we were children. Apparently he hasn't managed the family fortune well. He's been borrowing heavily from Master's Construction, which just happens to have the contract to build the new children's wing at Metro Medical. He's the host of the weekend, and the ball will held at the Master's estate. We got lucky. The info on the discs was very helpful, but it's incomplete. So all we have to do is create a diversion so I can create a backdoor into his computer system. Then Eyes Only is set."

Logan leaned back in his chair and smiled with satisfaction. He glanced over at Max, raised his eyebrows and grinned. "With the clothes you got today I don't think a diversion will be a problem."

"Which reminds me, you have an appointment tomorrow at eleven. Can't have Logan Cale looking like a poor cousin at this party."

"Don't remind me," he replied sourly.

Max laughed. "It won't kill you. I'll see you in the morning."

Logan looked up just in time to see her disappear through the door. He sighed, walked to the window, and stared out over the city lost in thought.

~~~~

Logan opened a bleary eye and reached over and turned off the alarm clock. He usually didn't set his clock, but today he was going to an execution, his own. He hated buying clothes with a passion. It was akin to a death sentence and he didn't know why he'd agreed, except, it was getting harder and harder to refuse Max anything.

Sighing, he dragged himself out of bed and headed for the shower.

An hour later, he was in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee when the door opened and Max walked in.

"Hey," she said as she walked over to pour herself a cup of coffee. "All ready for your shopping trip?"

"I'd rather have all my fingernails pulled out," Logan replied dourly. "How did I get roped into this?" he asked.

"Well Your Crankiness, it's because you need new clothes. If you want to play the part, you have to look the part. So get over it," Max replied testily. "I need to change clothes." She put down the coffee and walked down the hall, clearly irritated.

Logan looked after her, sighed, walked to the window and stared moodily out the window.

When he heard her come out of the guestroom, he turned to her

"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time.

"Listen, Max, I'm sorry. I hate doing this kind of stuff. It reminds me of a life I've tried to leave behind."

"I know, I should have realized. I didn't mean to push you. Truce?"

"Truce. Should we get going?"

"Yeah, we'd better or we'll be late."

"Okay, then," Logan held out his arm. Max took his arm, smiling, and together they walked out the door.

Max expected Bling to drive them again but she was surprised when Logan pushed the button for the parking garage.

"We're not taking Bessie...are we?"

Logan grinned and said nothing. When they got to the garage, Max gasped. Sitting in Bessie's spot was a vintage red Ferrari Scaglietti. Logan raised his eyebrows. "Will this do?"

"Oh wow, this is amazing. Where did you get this car?"

"It belonged to my father. Shall we go?" Logan opened the door for Max. She slipped inside and watched as he walked around and climbed in. He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Logan pulled out of the parking spot and twelve cylinders thundered as he drove out of the garage on the way to Harvey's.

Max kept glancing Logan's way during the drive. He expertly put the car through its paces, avoiding the worst of the traffic. As they got closer to their destination, she noticed Logan's shoulders tensing up. Logan, what happened to you when you were a kid? You had it all. Her reverie stopped as she saw him pull carefully into a reserved parking spot.

Logan got out of the car and came around to open the door for Max. He looked at the door to Harvey's, then at Max. Smiling resolutely, he straightened his shoulders, turned and marched toward the door like a man going to his execution.

Logan opened the door and followed Max through. The store manager, a distinguished man of about sixty, with a shock of white hair, immediately greeted them. He held out his hand for Logan to shake, "Mr. Cale, it's been a very long time. It's good to see you."

"Good to see you again Mark," Logan replied as he returned the handshake.

Mark turned to Max and said, "You must be Miss Guevara. I'm delighted to meet you. May I show you to the waiting area?" He guided Max to the right-hand side of the shop. Max looked around. It looked the way she thought a men's club would look like. Deep leather chairs graced the area, along with a large selection of the latest women's magazines.

"I hope you will be comfortable. If you need anything, Cara will assist you. I've taken the liberty of ordering lunch."

"I'll be fine. Just take care of Logan," she replied.

~~~

Mark Justice was a master at taking care of the recalcitrant shopper and Logan Cale was the most recalcitrant of shoppers. He sighed and prepared for battle.

"I do not need six ties and I refuse to wear that!" Logan said heatedly.

Terrance Davis looked at Logan. "Mr. Cale," he said as if speaking to a small child, "it's the latest fashion from Italy. You need some color in your wardrobe. This adds color without being garish." He glanced at the pile of rejected clothing.

"I am not wearing a pink and orange checked tie; end of story." Logan stalked out of the fitting room and headed toward Max. "Max, lets go. I'm done."

"What did you get?" Max asked, confused. She had expected him to model his wardrobe for her.

"They can send over a tux."

"You mean you haven't bought anything," Max declared flatly. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Logan like a cat eyeing a mouse.

Mark Justice hurried over followed by Terrance. "Mr. Cale, is there a problem? I was just stepped out to get some suitable shoes."

Logan looked at him. "I think it would be best if you just sent something over."

"At least let us measure you for your tuxedo. We don't have your current measurements on file. We just have to fit and alter it for you. It's Armani-Zigna as usual."

Logan rolled his eyes and snapped, "Fine. Lets get it over with." He stalked back to the fitting room, followed by Terrance.

Mark turned to Max and sighed. "Gentlemen can be so hard to manage sometimes."

"Tell me about it," Max muttered.

Mark smiled at her. Then he turned and walked toward the fitting room.

"Tattersals and checks are out. No round collars and no loud ties," Logan commanded as he gave in to the inevitable.

Two hours later, he presented himself to Max. He wore a dove gray double-breasted suit, with a subtlely striped pale blue shirt, and a navy tie with a dark purple check. The pants broke at just the right point over the shoes. Max caught her breath as she looked at him. He looked every bit the patrician. He even carried himself a bit differently.

"Satisfied?" he asked, smiling at Max. He'd seen the way she'd looked at him and thought, Maybe this wasn't such a bad thing after all.

"Not too shabby," she replied nonchalantly.

Logan returned to the fitting room. "This will do," he told Terrance. He glanced around the room. "Send the rest of the clothing to my apartment."

"Very well, sir. I will send it all when the tuxedo is finished." Terrance scurried from the room.

Logan changed clothes and stopped to speak to Mark before rejoining Max. "Thanks for putting up with me." He said self-consciously. "I know I can be a pain." He glanced over at Max.

"It was my pleasure, Mr. Cale," Mark answered smoothly. "Please come back soon."

"Thank you again." Logan replied as he and Max walked out the door toward the car. "Over my dead body," he muttered.

Max just laughed and said, "I think we're ready to go to a party." She took Logan's arm in hers and they walked together down the street.

End of Chapter Five