Title: Created to Kill: PART ONE
Name: X-318
Rating: PG-13 but may turn into an R later on in story.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters involved in this story, except for Beth. They are the property of James Cameron and Fox.
Summary: I'm sorry this chapter is late in getting posted, I've been having trouble with my computer, fingers crossed that it's fixed now so I can post more often. At the moment I'm suppose to be doing a load of Art coursework to be handed in tomorrow, but I didn't want you to think that I had upped and disappeared on you. Guess it will be an all nighter for me. I've been hearing a lot that people are scared to review stories because they think the writer will stop, its very upsetting when that happens, but I promise that will not happen with me. I will try my hardest to put up a chapter every week, so please don't stop reading. Thank you so much for all your reviews, I was over the moon when I saw them, please keep it up cause it reassures me knowing that you like the way it's going. I will be writing what you've all been waiting for very soon, with Max and Logan's relationship – I hope you like it I've been working on it for ages now. In answer to Lolly81, I will try my best with the torture of Renfro, and maybe to the premonitions, don't want to give too much away- thank you so much for your review the longer the better J. Hi to gtwallichs its nice to know new people are reading my story. Its great to see the regulars are still reading, idlehands452 trust me you'll get your M/L action I love those stories myself. PeachyKeen your review was great and reassuring, thanks. Anyway on with the story!
Chapter 6: Lady Luck.
As Alec rounded the corner in Terminal City, after leaving his sleeping quarters, he collided straight into a woman. His first thought was that she must have been a transgenic. The amount of them lately that just kept flooding through the doors was unbelievable, but this one he didn't recognise. As he came face to face he reached out on instinct to steady himself and the woman in front of him. On closer inspection he realised that he had never seen her around these parts before. She had long black hair that flowed down her body almost to the small of her back. She had a dark tan, not to different to that of Max's, and her height was slightly shorter than Max's.
The look on the intruders face resembled that of a child's after been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Alec still held a firm grip on her forearms as she struggled to get free. "Who the hell are you?" he asked not too politely.
The woman continued to ignore him, instead she was trying to think of a way out of the situation. She didn't want anyone knowing she had been here, and she especially didn't want to be bombarded with a load of questions either. Socializing wasn't one of her strong suits. She looked down at the floor as to avoid eye contact with the transgenic.
"Hay I asked you a question!" Alec said letting go because he could feel how uncomfortable she was becoming. But he remanded standing in front of her as to stop her from running. As Alec stood there still receiving no response, something in the back of his head was bugging him, but he couldn't quite figure it out. "Not very talkative are yah?" he said bending down to try to see her face.
"Will you just let me pass", she said, maintaining her view of the floor.
"What's your problem? All I wanna know is why you're in Terminal City… Are you a new comer to the band of freaks? Cause you're all to welcome if so", Alec said giving one of his dazzling smiles, he had spent way too much time in this joint and a female companion wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
"Same old 494", she whispered disgusted at the thoughts she knew were running through his head. She could remember Alec from Manticore and she never really clicked with him there either, he always had a way of repulsing her.
Alec could hardly pick up on what she had said, "What was that?" he questioned.
"Don't you ever shut up?" she barked looking up to see his face properly for the first time since they had bumped into each other.
Then it all clicked Alec remembered where he had seen her before, and surprise surprise it was from Manticore. As his hopes were immediately dashed of getting anywhere with this female, he tried his best to stay cool. "I remember you now, you're from Manticore. You're the one who told Renfro about my dealings on the side, what was your problem anyway?" Alec asked stepping back slightly so that they were no longer standing so close.
Manticore Headquarters, Wyoming, 2020
"Shut up you still have another 200 press-ups", Beth shouted standing over Alec as he pushed up off the ground. They had been in this cell for ages now and the thought of spending even more time with this guy sicken her to the pits of her stomach. She was always trained to act like a solider, and the way Alec acted after returning from a mission a while back was not how they were trained. He was sarcastic, witty, and always about the fun.
"When did you get so mean? You need to chill out babe", Alec said as he did another press up. Not affected by the vigorous workout in the least.
"If you stopped talking we would both be out of here a lot quicker you know".
"Maybe I'm enjoying myself", Alec said flashing her a smile on the way up from another push up.
"Really", Beth said placed her foot on top of Alec's back to make it more difficult for him. "Still enjoying it now? Baby".
"Could you answer me one question?" Alec asked as sweat started to drip from his forehead, after he received no answer he went ahead and asked anyway. "Do you have a hint of K9 DNA that makes you such a bitch?" First of all pleased with his comment but soon regretting it as Beth kicked him square in the side of his chest. He collapsed to the floor ignoring the pain so she wouldn't know she'd won.
Beth applied even more pressure on his back making it hard for him to push up from the floor.
"At least you know that if being a soldier doesn't work out for you, you could always go work in a house of pain", Alec said not giving up just yet.
"Don't you ever shut up", Beth pleaded for silence, why was it she had to baby-sit this loser. She'd rather have been anywhere else than here with 494.
"Not really, it's part of my charm".
"Well it doesn't seem to be working on me".
"That's because I'm not aiming any of it at you", Alec said ignoring her reaction as he continued his punishment. Alec had done another 50 press-ups and sweat was stating to appear on his chest shocking through the fabric of his t-shirt, he had already done 1000 before hand.
"May I ask why you were selling those cigars and drugs in the first place?" Beth asked, interested in why he would want to go through all this if it wasn't necessary.
"No you may not", Alec said all the banter and sarcasm distinguished from his tone. "Someday I will see you again and you'll be sorry for this".
"I'm shaking in my boots 494".
-
"Ok now you've had your epiphany, can I leave now?" Beth demanded pulling Alec out of his thoughts.
"Looks like I'm finally getting my own back on you for squealing on me", Alec said smiling to himself and folding his arms over his chest, thinking of where he could take this. "Now I have you where I want you I'm gonna milk this for all its worth".
Beth having enough of the chitchat took her opportunity to walk away whilst Alec was deep in thought. But just as she had gained a few feet in distance she felt his hand wrap round her wrist. Her immediate instinct took action as she jammed her heal into his foot, and whilst he was busy hopping on one foot, she spun round and connected the palm of her hand with his nose, causing him to fly back and land flat on his back. She walked over to him looking down at what she was pleased to have caused.
"Did no one ever teach you to play nice", Alec asked readying himself to stand. But as she turned to leave an overwhelming impulse took over as his hand reached out grabbing her ankle. Next thing he knew she was lying face down on top of him, a look of shock evident on her face. "If you wanted to be on top honey, you only had to say so," Alec joked, "But don't you think we're moving a little fast seen as though we've only just meet?"
Beth decided there would be no harm in playing along a bit, so she reached up stroking her hand up his bare arm, she could feel the hairs on his arm stand up. The look of shock on his face was well worth it, "You know what maybe I've been to hasty. Now that I look, you've got the most gorgeous eyes", she continued searching his face for a response.
His body had gone stiff beneath her and she was trying her best to not burst out laughing. He was obviously all talk but when it came down to it he couldn't handle the heat. She moved her hand between their bodies moving constantly south as Alec's eyes started to bulge from his head. As her face started to move closer to his own, Alec decided he had had enough of the fun and games. Rolling over so he was now on top, their bodies so close they could feel each other's heat radiating. Now he could see the shock transfer to Beth's face she hadn't expected him to do that, all she had planned was to mess with his head a bit. As his lips grew even closer Beth's heartbeat started to speed up, was it that he was about to kiss her, or was it that her plan had gone so horribly wrong and she was now trapped. But all she could really think about was, why wasn't she bothering to move.
Get a grip, she shouted to herself, finally finding the strength to push him off her as their lips slightly brushed past each other's. She jumped to her feet running her hands through her hair and straightening her clothes. Alec got up pleased at how things had worked out in the end.
Beth looked at him not knowing what to say next so instead opting to leave, she hurried down the corridor trying her hardest to get as far away as possible.
"Hey! Where you going?" Alec said following.
"No where in particular", Beth said sounding as normal as she could after something like that had happened. Was she getting feelings towards 494? She thought but quickly pushed it a side, she had never felt like this around anyone before, not even her boyfriend back in Canada, was that wrong of her, was it something to do with their DNA.
Alec decided it would be best to change conversation, the silence was starting to bug him. "If you're looking for Max, she's not here", he said finally catching up with her. Thinking she may have seen Max on TV when the hostage situation t Jam Pony was broadcast.
"I know she's with Sandeman", refusing to make eye contact. Am I in heat or something? Nah can't be…well then what the hells wrong with me, just raise your head and look at him.
"How did you know that?" Alec asked confused.
"Because I've just left them alone at Sandeman's to talk, I wasn't in the mood for some soppy family reunion".
"So you're the woman Max followed the other day".
"Well done Sherlock," Beth said being sarcastic and trying her best to concentrate on the conversation instead of his body on top of hers.
"The name's Alec", he said stretching his hand out.
Beth ignored his gesture, she didn't need to be shaking his hand after what just happened. "Beth, she said plainly not slowing down.
"How come you know Sandeman? No one knew him at Manticore".
"He always visited me and we've keep in contact since the place got burnt down".
As they approached the media centre Alec decided that he should introduce her to the guys, just encase they saw her around and were wondering who she was. Before Beth knew what was going on Alec had draped his arm round her shoulders and was escorting her into the room closest to them, "Hey everybody listen up this is Beth she's a transgenic like us", Alec announced catching the attention of almost everyone in the room.
All of a sudden Beth felt incredibly uncomfortable with at least twenty pairs of eyes focused on her, "You know what Alec I really have to get going", she whispered squirming out from under his embrace.
Alec ignored her comment and instead grabbed her by the hand pulling her further into the room.
Before she knew it she was surrounded, Geez they mustn't get a lot of visitors, Beth thought as she tried to listen to what this transgenic was saying to her. He was obviously one of the earlier batches from the looks of his face, he had only a few hairs present on his head and his face had growths protruding from it. "Nice to meet you Beth", Dix said as he extended his hand to shake with hers.
Alec and Beth went to sit down over by Mole, "So where've you been hiding?" Mole asked.
"I've been in Canada, until Sandeman called me back".
"What's so great about Canada? Everyone seems to be disappearing over there", Alec piped up.
"Well at least it's not a dump like this place", Beth couldn't hold herself back from saying it.
"Excuse me, but this is our home you're insulting", Mole said chewing on his cigar.
"Sorry but it's not exactly the Ritz is it".
When Max, Logan and Joshua arrived back at Terminal City, Logan killed the engine as the car fell into complete silence. Joshua looked back and fourth between Max and Logan and decided to give them some time alone, he climbed out the car after thanking Logan leaving Max and Logan to talk, he always felt like he was in the way.
Logan turned in his seat to look at Max. She had a smile tugging on the ends of her lips and was staring out the window not focusing on anything in particular. "So that went well", he said searching her face in order to determine what she was thinking about. This was the first time in a while he had seen her so happy about how things were working out. He could have sat there all day just looking at her sitting beside him. It didn't feel like there was a barrier between them anymore, except for the obvious one that stopped them from touching.
"Huh!" Max said turning to look at Logan she had been too busy daydreaming about how things would be if Sandeman found the cure. She hadn't realised that she was smiling like an idiot, "What did you say?" she asked looking into Logan's beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes that had been broadcast over so many peoples televisions but only she knew the real person that they belonged to, those eyes she could look at all day long. If this cure worked, she didn't know how she would tear herself away from them.
"Doesn't matter", Logan said unable to hide his smile after seeing Max so happy again, like old times.
Max returned the smile giggling when she realised how stupid they had been for taking so long to get back to this comfortable environment. "Why are you smiling at me like that?" Max asked keeping eye contact.
Logan decided to bite the bullet and go for it, "I was thinking about how beautiful you look when you're happy", he said not regretting that he had said it. A few months ago he would have been too scared to say something so out there encase she would have ran from the emotions, but at this moment it felt right.
Max looked down at her lap, hoping Logan wouldn't see her blush from his compliment. She felt his gloved hand reach under her chin and tilt her head up, so their eyes meet for a second time. She had never felt this way about anyone before, when they had found the temporary cure to the virus and she was dancing with him. She had gone weak at the knees, he was the only person she had ever felt comfortable enough to let her guard down enough to allow them in. He had a power over her that even when she had lied to him about her relationship with Alec, she still couldn't stay away.
Max shifted position so she was facing Logan head on, one leg under the other, "Is it just me? Or do you think this has all been a little too easy?" Max asked changing the subject.
"It's about time we have a little luck on our side", Logan said happy Max didn't run when he touched her. "Do you want to come by mine while we figure out how we're going to find this Beth character?"
"You know I'd love to…" Logan could sense the, but coming on, "…but I should probably check in on what's new in the transgenic underground, the problems with being the one in charge". When she saw the look of disappointment on Logan's face she decided she shouldn't leave it there, "But I'll swing by straight after, you can count on it", she flashed him one of her smiles as she saw his face light up once more.
"I better get going", Max said realising she wouldn't be able to sit there all day, as much as she would love to.
"Yeah I suppose so".
Max opened the door and climbed out. After closing the door behind her she leaned in through the window, shifting from each foot unable to actually tear herself away from him. Their eyes meet once again as they smiled at each other tentatively. Her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much but she couldn't help herself, she felt giddy and excited to be there.
"Guess I'll speck to you soon then", Logan said enjoying her company so much he didn't want her to leave.
"You can count on it", Max said still unable to leave this place she found so relaxing. "This will all work out, won't it", she asked her smile slowly fading at the thought of it not.
Logan reacted to her change in mood by reaching out to hold her hand in his. Max's eyes drifted down and she placed her other hand over his, making it impossible for him to move away. Their heads started to inch forward after seeing how Max had responded, once they were only inches apart and Max could feel his breath on her face, her stomach started to do back flips causing her heart to beat faster. If only she could erase the distance left between them with a simple touch of their lips. She could see Logan's lips moving but the words weren't reaching her ears, she tried to concentrate on what words his mouth was formulating. "I'm not going to let it happen any other way", he said stroking his thumb over her leather-encased hand.
They could have stayed there in that position all day if it weren't for the sound of her mobile going off in her jacket pocket, "They always have a way of ruining our moment", Max said pulling her hands free from Logan's warm ones. "I better go before they send out a search team to look for me", she joked, "But I'll most defiantly swing by later". Max started to retreat from the car still unable to brake eye contact until she arrived at the entrance to Terminal City, when she turned and ran off to catch up with Joshua.
Logan started up the engine and drove off round the corner in order to park the Aztec. He didn't have far to go to arrive at his destination seen as, his new apartment was the other end of Terminal City.
When Max court up with Joshua in the tunnel they headed straight for the media centre. Max still unable to shift the grin on her face.
"Did Max ask father for help?" Joshua questioned seeing how happy his friend was.
"Yes Joshua but don't tell Logan if it doesn't work out I don't want him to get his hopes up to just have them be crushed again like before", Max said the seriousness back in her voice. That would be the worst thing in the world to see Logan hurt again on account of her.
"What about Max's hopes?"
"Doesn't matter I've been through it before I can handle it again. Don't worry Joshua I'm not giving up that easily".
Joshua reached out placing a firm hand on her shoulder for reassurance, "Joshua not give up either, Joshua here for Max".
They turned the corner and collided into Dix, as he dropped the papers he had been carrying all over the floor "Have you seen Alec?" Max said, thinking he could help find this girl.
"Yeah sure he's in the media centre with our new friend", Dix said, busy picking up his papers.
Max bent over to help him, a curious look on her face, "New friend?" Max questioned, handing over a pile of tatty papers.
"Yeah, Beth she arrived when you went out".
This day was just getting better and better according to Max, she didn't think anything could change her mood now, "Thanks Dix, you're a life saver", Max wrapped her arms around Dix causing him to wobble a bit and nearly loss his balance, Max got up and ran off before anything else could be said. All he could hear was Max shouting back to him as she disappeared round the corner, "I'll catch you later".
"Sure thing Max", Dix said probably more to himself than anyone. His face started to turn a deep shade of red from Max hugging him, he had blushed from the welcoming gesture, and no one had ever been that genuine with expressing emotions towards him before and didn't quite know how to take it.
"Well that was easy", Max thought to herself. When she arrived the first thing she saw was Alec, Mole and Beth sitting round the table in the corner. Mole throw some cards down and shouted, "Not again I'm not gonna have any cigars left at this rate", he was not pleased at how things had worked out, no one had beat him before at this game, and the anger was evident on his face.
Max walked over to the group, "Well, well, well nice way to welcome are guest?" she said not sounding happy in the least. "Who's idea was this?"
"Actually it was mine", Beth said, "It's been a nice friendly game of poker hasn't it boys", she asked looking round at the array of faces that looked like they were either going to cry or attack her.
"I hope it's not strip poker", Max said, a look of disgust as the image flashed through her head. It was not a pretty sight, as she shook her head to rid her mind of the disturbing picture.
"No what do you take me for?" Beth said, taking offence to Max's comment.
"It's not you I'm worried about", Max gave Alec a look, as he just smiled right back at her kicking himself inside for not thinking of the idea, which would defiantly have livened up the atmosphere. But then again the thought of Mole crept into his head, he jumped up in his seat as everyone turned to look at him. He just brushed it off with one of his thousand dollar smiles before everyone went back to what they had been talking about before he interrupted them.
"She's taking all my cigars instead", Mole said as he got up to walk off, he wasn't in the mood to play nice anymore.
"What do you need cigars for?" Max asked, giving Beth a look of interest.
"To sell obviously," Beth said before diverting her attention back to her winnings, "Hey! Where do you think your going you owe me", she shouted over to Mole, who was trying his best to creep away un-noticed, with was a hard task to do when you were over six feet tall, and with striking features no one else possessed.
"Don't worry I'm not going far, where would I go?" Mole said turning back for a brief second before pretending he had more important things to do around this place.
"Max this is Beth", Alec said, forgetting his manners for a moment as he introduced their new member of the gang.
"I know".
"How do you know? I don't remember every telling you", Beth said, feeling uncomfortable when people knew things about her that she hadn't told them already. It was probably something to do with her training back at Manticore, they were taught to keep a low profile, if any information got into the wrong hands she would have to pay for it.
Max could see the uncomfortable look on her face, she could remember being that paranoid all the time not allowing anybody in, "You didn't Sandeman did", she finished.
"That's great thanks for the family reunion an' all, but I better be going", Beth said a hint of sarcasm in her voice that all three transgenics knew all too well. Maybe Logan was right about them all having some kind of Manticore wit encoded in their DNA.
Max was so busy thinking about Logan she only noticed at last minute as Beth was walking out the door, "No wait," Max said running after her, "I need you to help me with something". She slowly down as she caught up, turning round for a second to see that Alec had followed her.
"What's that?" Beth pitied her not sounding interested in the slightest.
"To decode the markings on my back".
"And why should I obey you?" Beth asked folding her arms waiting for the excuse to come about them being family, or something along those lines. But when it never came her arms dropped back down to her side. It was then that she noticed Alec was standing by her side almost too close for comfort after what had happened in the hall way before, she stepped to the side to create a larger distance.
"Because it's what Sandeman wanted", Max said knowing that would soften her and make it impossible for her to say no.
Beth felt a pang of guilt at the mention of the man she saw as her only father figure, "Fine then, where?"
"Follow me, we can do it at Logan's", Max continued down the corridor expecting her to follow.
"Who's Logan? Your boyfriend, I think I'm going to puke", Beth said being her usual delightful self.
"He's not my boyfriend", Max said the usual line she said to everyone to get them off her back.
"We're not like that", Alec said mocking the same old denial that came out Max's mouth. He started to laugh to himself at his attempt to wind Max up.
"Where do you think you're going?" Max asked not turning round to see the fruits of his labour, of getting to see the annoyed look on her face.
"I was gonna join you lovely ladies on your expedition to Loooogan's" Alec said attending the Logan to piss her off even more.
Max stopped in her tracks turning round to see Alec and Beth standing behind her. Beth was starting to think that Alec annoyed Max as much as he did her, at that thought she relaxed knowing it wasn't just her. "Oh no, you're not coming with us, you're gonna march your ass back to the media room and keep an eye out for any going ons", Max said in a matter of fact tone.
Alec tried the best, hurt face he could muster, "But…" he complained like a child.
"But nothing Alec, it's an order", Max said knowing she had him now.
Alec turned round and headed back in the direction he came. Both girls could hear him muttering to himself obviously not pleased that he couldn't tag along, as they both burst out laughing. The rest of the journey was in complete silence, but there was nothing awkward about it.
When they arrived at Logan's Max opened the door knowing Logan would have left it open expecting her to turn up at some time, she allowed for Beth to go first into the hall and closed the door behind her. "Wait here", Max almost whispered wanting to surprise Logan instead of let him know that she had arrived with her usual, hey as she normally would to make him aware of her presence. She wanted to see the look on his face when he saw that she had already found Beth. Walked off to look for Logan leaving Beth on her own to wonder round and make herself comfortable.
Beth instantly started nosing around, it was part of her nature. Looking at Logan's possessions and admiring his taste in fashion, when she saw something in the corner of her eye, it was probably the shininess of the object and the magpie in her DNA that drew her to take a closer look. When she was close enough to pick it up, she did so and marvelled at its expensive look about it. As she calculated in her mind how much she could get for this pair of white gold cufflinks, she heard footsteps approaching from behind, she turned to come face to face with a tall handsome man. His hair was spiked up and he had great taste in fashion, which helped explain the decor of the apartment. Her eye's drifted up and stopped to look into the bluest eyes she had ever seen.
"Were you all trained to steel at Manticore?" Logan asked the rhetorical question on everyone's lips, as his eyes fell to her hand at which he saw her holding his property. He took a step closer recognising this young woman from the one that had left Sandeman's house in an urgent manner to get as far away as possible.
"So you must be Logan", Beth said extending the hand she had his cufflinks in to shake hands, "Not that bad", she said raising an eyebrow at his handsome features.
"Excuse me", Logan said questioning what he had heard, whether he had heard correctly or not.
"So you're Max's other half, shame, all the good ones get away", she said still with her hand extended waiting for him to make a move.
Max walked up behind Logan, taking a quick glance over this body noticing he had changed into a pair of tight fitting black trousers, which showed off all the right places. Max eyes drifted to his ass as a twinkle sparkled in her eyes at the pleasing view before her. She quickly diverted her eyes noticing that he had put on his pale blue turtleneck that defined his chest muscles that much more. She could see that he had an arrangement was her favourite foods on the counter as she had gone to find him, he was obviously planning something for later and now she had ruined his surprise. "This is Beth", she said startling him, with her calm voice from behind.
Logan turned round to see Max had still not been able to budge the smile on her face, "That was quick", Logan said referring to Max finding Beth so quickly.
"You know me I don't like to waste time", Max joked, continuing their comfortable moment with some banter they used to knock back and fourth all the time before the virus. She thought they was no need in making everything depressing anymore she might as well enjoy the time she did have with Logan not knowing what may happen next.
"And your Logan, nice to meet you", Beth said reaching out to shack hands again. Logan stepped forward and shook hands with her, when he went to let go Beth kept her grip. Logan started shacking his hand to get her off but nothing.
Max didn't like what she was seeing, no one flirted with her man, if possible a hint of green could be seen in her eyes, the markings of jealously. As she stepped forward as close to Logan as she could physically get without hurting him. "You can let go now", Max threatened giving Beth a look, that if looks could kill, she would have been lying on the floor dead a while ago.
Beth let go and walked off to take a look at the rest of the place, getting the hint when she was not wanted.
"The cufflinks?" Logan asked as she walked past him. Beth just turned round and handed him the items before swinging her hair in his face as she walked off. "Oh and try to keep your hands to yourself!" Logan shouted out knowing it was a waste of time though. "Max, how did you find her?" Logan asked turning his full attention back to the only one he really wanted there.
Max was about to answer when they heard Beth shout from the other room.
Beth may have walked off but she keep her hearing up, just to be nosey, "She didn't, I was already at Terminal City when she got back", Beth shouted from another room. It sounded like she was in his office and Logan started to panic realising she may start snooping where she was not welcome, that's the last thing he need for her to find out he was eyes only.
Max placed her gloved hand on Logan's arm pulling him out of his thoughts and calming him down as well, Logan looked down at Max, her brown eyes meeting his blue ones, "Has good hearing too", he whispered.
"It's my DNA", Beth shouted, not allowing a whisper to stop her from hearing anything.
"I thought we may as well get this translating thing done out the way as soon as possible", Max said, so we can focus on more important things, Max's thoughts got away from her as a devilish grin appeared on her lips. Both knew what the other one was thinking and all Logan wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and never let go.
"Yeah wouldn't want to waste any time", Beth said popping her head round the corner of the partition, sarcasm seeping into her words. She came back to where Logan and Max were, taking her position right next to Logan as she brushing her hand against his arm.
Logan cleared his throat and saw the anger building in Max again, it felt good to have her possessing over him, he also knew that if he didn't change the conversation soon they would have a death on their hands. "Do you need anything Beth?" Logan asked politely.
"Yeah a drink would be great", Beth said leaning against the wall behind her.
"I mean for the translation", Logan continued, standing firmly by Max's side so that she wouldn't leap on this woman and rip her to shreds he could tell Max's patience was wearing thin on this girl.
"No," Beth said, "But could I still have that drink, I'm parched".
Logan walked off to the kitchen shouting back over his shoulder, "You can do this in the exercise room if you like". Max lead Beth to the room allowing her to enter first, Max sat down on the edge of the table and took her top off placing it in front of her bra as she slid down on the table to lye face down, holding the garment tight against her. Beth stared at her, looking at the symbols on Max's skin. New ones had appeared since Logan had taken the photos of the ones from before, and Max didn't think it would be wise to go through that again without jumping him.
"Cool", Beth interrupted her thoughts
"Yeah right, but what does it mean?" Max asked wanting this to be over as soon as possible.
"I can't tell there's some information missing".
"Well that's just great, how longs this gonna take", Max asked breathing in a shallow breath.
"Do you have some paper and a pen I could write these down on, to show Sandeman, there's something strange about it".
"You can say that again", Max said pointing over to the table where there was some paper and other stationary, "Can you hurry up, I wanna get this over with before Logan returns", Max said tightening her grip on her top in front of her chest.
"Why hasn't lover boy seen Max in all her glory?" Beth asked, giggling to herself. Max flashed her one of her looks that immediately warned her to back off. "Okay, ok nearly done", Beth said just as Logan knocked on the door.
"You almost done in there?" he asked polity waiting for a response from Max before entering.
"Yeah hang on a sec", Max said hastily pulling her top over her head. Logan could see the silhouette of Max's body through the frosted partition, he could see her curvaceous form so diverted his gaze to give her privacy. "Ok Logan, you can come in now", he heard Max say.
Logan entered after a minute to collect his thoughts, handing over the drink for Beth, "Hope you like pre-pulse wine, it was either that or coffee".
"This is just fine", Beth said downing the glass in one and extending her hand for Logan to take the empty glass. Logan was shocked to see how quick she had drank it, but took the glass never the less.
Max started to feel a little awkward for being almost naked in Logan's apartment with him only a room away, "We better get going", Max said shifting her gaze from Logan to Beth.
"Can't you stay a bit longer you've only just got here", Logan pleaded.
"Not really got things to do you know how it is", Max said, she headed for the door with Beth. It probably looked like she couldn't have got out there quick enough.
Logan thought Max felt uncomfortable with the situation, he hoped this wouldn't have happened so soon, she always did this when things became too much for her to handle. He wanted things to go back to how they were only a second ago. "Yeah", Logan allowing her to take as much time as she needed as long as she'd come back. As Max was half way out the door Logan asked "Could you come by later, I was thinking we could have a meal", Logan waited for her response.
Max was standing still with her back to Logan thinking on the opportunity for things to go back to how they were in the car. She turned round meeting his eyes with her own, "I'd love to, say eight o'clock", and she smiled up at Logan seeing he was happy with her answer.
"Can't wait", he said watched her walk off yet again to catch up with Beth.
Beth turned to Max as they were walking down the tunnel a deadly silence filling the walls, "So what's up with you and Logan?"
"It complicated".
"Well de-complicate it then".
"I have this virus Manticore gave me that doesn't allow us to touch", Max said not wanting to go into to much detail, the fact was it hurt her too much to face up to the truth, she was used to running from her past and this last year, it had been about facing up to that. Logan had helped her face her fears even if it distressed him in the process.
"Why did they do that?" Beth asked wanting to know more, carving for information.
"Because their mean, vicious, heartless creatures who like hurting and killing people", Max said with a fake smile on her face. Allowing all the things she thought about that place escape from her mouth, it actually helped to say it too.
"There must have been a good reason for it".
"No, they just like to ruin my life".
"Give Manticore a brake they're not that bad, I kinda liked the place".
"You must be kidding", Max said not believing her ears. How could anyone have liked that place, what they did was unbelievable. They hurt innocent people in the process of their own greed, all they thought about was themselves and that was the plain truth about it.
"It's better than out here at least you never had to pay bills in Manticore".
"That's not the point!"
"Whatever".
They arrived at the gate, "So here we are", Max said, a last free to go about her usual day now without having to baby-sit this girl any longer.
"Yeah I better go show Sandeman what I've found", Beth said, she jumped over the fence in one leap and ran off in to the darkness. Max just stood there disbelieving how Beth had said she felt about Manticore. But then again Max had had more time out in the real world to realise that Manticore was all wrong. This Beth still acted like she was back at Manticore, obeying Sandeman's orders.
As Beth walked down the street she had the feeling someone was following her, so she turned round but there was no one there except a car parked on the curb. She carried on walking and realised the car behind her was keeping at a slow pace. She wondered if it was following her and if so who was in it. Beth stopped and turned round and the car stopped automatically. She couldn't see through the windows because they were blacked out. These fools mustn't have known who they were messing with Beth thought to herself so she decided to play a game with them. She turned round and carried on walking so the car started up again she walked a little further then ran round the corner hiding in the alleyway. The car came round the corner but drove straight past her. Beth knew they were defiantly following her by now because the car had stopped, idiots she thought to herself. Before leaping over the fence at the end of the alleyway to continue on her journey, she'd have to deal with them later.
A/N: Okay there you go, hope you like, I enjoyed writing it. Next chapter will be up soon, please review to let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!