I'm sorry it took me so long, my muse had just left me, and this is not my best work either, I'm afraid. But I figured I should try to continue this rather than abandon it unfinished. Criticism and encouragments are both highly welcomed, just don't be too harsh!!!

**

The ride in the train wasn't half as bad as Logan had feared. His friends had happily agreed on letting them stay at the cabin, they had even offered to pick them up at the station and drop them off there. So Logan, Max and Cindy left the train after a long and boring ride in anticipation of a nice place to stay.

"Max? You can give me my bag, I can carry it," Logan insisted.

"Sure." Max simply dropped the bag in his lap and preceded to the exit. "What do I have to look for?"

"Tall blond girl and a darkhaired guy about my height, standing up," Logan smirked. "Actually, they don't know about...you know."

Max sighed. "You have done a damn good job not talking to any friends over the past two years, haven't you?"

"I guess you could say that. It's not something you casually mention on the phone: Oh, and by the way, I got my spinal cord shot out..."

"No, you don't. Instead you should have called them BECAUSE of it. It's not fair, you know. They will act weird, and you can't blame them." Max chided him, a serious note in her voice.

"Ok, Mom," he shot back, sarcastically. "I'm sorry."

"Don't have to tell me," Max shrugged and walked through the revolving door, holding it open for Logan to wheel through.

"They are over there," Logan had finally seen them, they were looking out for someone but clearly didn't pay any attention to the guy in the wheelchair. Logan nervously gripped the rims of his chair and yelled out, waving slightly and insecurely. "Daniel! Jenny!" The two people turned towards them and stared at Logan, obviously shocked. They were both about Logan's age and Max instantly liked them. Despite the surprised clear in their faces, they didn't show pity or awkwardness. And after a second they made their way over, obviously happy to see Logan.

"It's great to see you, man. But what the hell are you doing down there? Too lazy to walk?" Daniel winked and bent down to embrace his old college buddy.

"Long story, but I'd actually prefer to walk," his voice wasn't as bitter as Max had feared it would be.

"Hi, Logan." Jenny gave him a peek on the cheek, then turned towards Max and OC. "Nice meeting you, I hope you had a good trip. I'm Jenny, and that's Danny."

"Max and Cindy." Max shook the other woman's hand and friendly winked at Daniel who had grabbed the bags of the girls and grinned at her.

"We thought you might grab a bite to eat and do some grocery shopping before we drop you off at the cabin. What do you think?"

"Sounds good." Logan agreed, his stomach was rumbling, he hadn't eaten much all day, not having felt quite comfortable in the train. Now, that the tension eased he was hungry.

"Car's over there."

**

The five spent the next two hours together, catching up and Logan reluctantly shared the less sci-fi-ish aspects of the past two years.

"Listen, guys," he concluded. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just didn't know how. I had a hard time coming to terms and an even harder one sharing. I hope it wasn't too much of a shock."

Jenny shook her head. "Don't worry. Of course we are sad you didn't let us in, we might have been able to help. But you seem to be copying now, that's what counts. You just have to forgive if we looked shocked back at the station. We didn't quite expect something like that."

Max decided to end the discussion. "Now that we covered that, you think we could go to that cabin? I'm really tired."

Logan looked up at her in surprise, a little bit of worry in his eyes, but Max shrugged. She was eager to settle down and try to get in contact with anybody back in Seattle. The cabin was probably safe enough to give it a shot.

**

Half an hour later Danny parked the car in front of a stonehouse, it reminded Max of the cabin Logan owned back in Washington. It was probably a little smaller, but seemed cozy and secure.

Danny and Jenny walked ahead to open the door and then returned to help the others with their luggage. Max observed the entrance. "Is there a backdoor on level with the ground?" Two steps created an obstacle for Logan.

Jenny understood immediately. "I'm afraid there's not, but in the shack there should be something that we can use as a ramp. Danny?"

"Got it covered!"

Two minutes later the guy reappeared, carrying something. He set it down on the steps and questioningly looked over at Logan who had waited next to the steps while the girls had already entered the cabin.

"Great, that should do. Thanks." He wheeled up the ramp and entered the house, followed by Daniel.

Jenny just explained the arrangements. "There are two bedrooms on the second floor, but there is a sleeping couch in the living room, and abathroom down here as well. Small though." She looked at Logan's chair. "You will have to check it out, otherwise..."

"It's gonna be Ok, don't worry," Logan assured her.

"Yeah. Anyway, we are outta here. We are invited to a party tonight. Tomorrow we'll pass by in the morning and bring you a spare car, ok?"

"Thank you so much." Max smiled warmly at the two gentle new friends. Cindy agreed, then excused herself and ran up the stairs.

A moment later Max and Logan were alone. She looked around before sinking down on the couch. "I like it here, seems safe for now."

"Yeah." Logan sighed. "Now? Want me to try and contact Bling?"

"Only if you think it's safe..."

"I'm pretty sure, I'll use a secure line."

Max nodded. "Do you think it was right to leave everybody behind, all on their own?"

"You couldn't protcet all of them, Max. That was too big a task even for you."

"I know, I still feel guilty..."

"I know, and I'm sorry."

Max patted the spot next to her. "I think I have to live with it, I finally had to think about myself- and you." When he had transferred to the couch she embraced him tightly and laid her head on his strong chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

They stayed like that for another few minutes, both drawing strength from the closeness. Finally Max sat up though. "Think you can do your thing?"

"Get me the laptop and plug it in," Logan responded.

He connected to the internet and then to the cell phone he had left with Bling.

"Bling? This is Logan. Can you hear me?"

"Logan? Are you guys doing fine?" The transmission was a little unstable, but they could make out Bling's reliefed voice.

"Yeah, we are. Far away."

"Is Max with you?"

"Right here."

"Hi, Max. Listen, I can't explain what's going on right now. But things are pretty intense since last night. You might wanna check out a Seattle news channel, I'm sorry, but..."

Suddenly there was static. Logan tried to re-establish the connection, but failed.

"Don't bother. Switch to the news channel." Max leaned agains the back of the couch and stared at the screen. She didn't even notice Cindy stepping next to her.

The screen came to life and all three of them gasped in shock. "Oh my God..." Max paled. "Damn it!"

**

TBC...

I'm sorry I have to leave you guys like this, I'll try to continue asap. Life's kinda busy right now! Be patient and review :-)

And if you have some spare time, please check out NEW HORIZONS. It's a rather new story, updated frequently, and written by solanacea and myself- together, so lots of M/L shippiness!!!