Disclaimer: The usual.

Note: I knew this took me pretty long and I can just promise that I'll try to be faster...

Anyway, thanks to alaidh for betaing it and thanks to solanacea for reading in advance- I guess I haven't really changed much...sorry. Been too lazy I guess...

Hope you guys enjoy it- it's pure fluff and not very good I'm afraid, but I felt like i need to keep this going somehow.

***

For the next two days, Logan forced Max to stay passive. Alec had contacted them again from an airport in Spain and was on his way to their location now. As Logan had suggested, he took a train, as it would leave no records, in contrast to plane tickets.

*

Cindy was a lot quieter than she usually was, watching the couple struggle with their fates. She could see that Logan was having a hard time with the chair and all the perks coming with it. She was obviously worried about Max and her friends, but Logan's problems were much more present and painful- only Max was too preoccupied to notice. Cindy didn't blame her; Logan did a good job hiding it again. He didn't want her to worry about him as well.

But last night, when Max had been out, walking through the woods, trying to get rid of some of her energy and worry, Cindy had gotten up to get something to drink and had heard muffled groans from the other bedroom. She had sneaked closer and watched through the slightly opened door as Logan lay on his side, trying to massage out what had seemed to be a back spasm.

His handsome features had been twisted in pain and his t-shirt had been soaked with sweat- she had seen that even from her point of view. She had decided against offering her help, knowing from Max how sensitive Logan was about his paralysis and what came with it, but it had torn at her heart to see him in so much pain with nobody there to help him through.

*

Now she entered the living room with a mug full of steaming coffee and sank down in a cozy armchair across from the sofa where Logan was sitting, his legs outstretched in front of him, his head resting on the backrest. Her legs crossed, Original Cindy took a careful sip of the hot liquid, and then observed her fingernails thoughtfully before talking.

"Where's Max?"

Logan opened his eyes and turned his head slightly; he'd obviously been far away and hadn't noticed Cindy. "Running I guess," he mumbled.

Original Cindy nodded and took another sip. "Do you think she is dealing?"

"Isn't she always?" He tiredly smiled at the young woman.

"I guess. Ain't easy for her though."

"Yeah."

"Uhm, do you want some coffee, too?"

Logan sat up a little straighter, grimacing. "It's in the kitchen?"

"I can get you a..." Cindy was about to stand up.

"Don't bother, I can still get my own coffee," he insisted and prepared to transfer.

Cindy watched him, a worried frown on her face. This was not the Logan she knew. He was pale, had dark circles under his eyes and seemed exhausted to the core. "Logan, maybe you should..."

"I'm Ok." He shifted his body weight onto his arms and they started to tremble instantly, then he let out a loud scream and his arms gave out. He slipped from the couch and hit the footrest of his chair with the back of his head on the way down.

Cindy stifled a scream and bit her lip. She sat still for one long moment before she finally awoke from the momentary shock and hurried to kneel down next to Logan. "Are you aiight?"

Logan groaned and tried to sit up. "Damn it."

Cindy supported his back and helped him move so he could lean against the sofa. He tentatively touched the back of his head and checked his hand to see if there was any blood, but there was nothing.

"Logan, what's going on?" Cindy wouldn't back down. He obviously was having problems and if Max was too preoccupied to offer help, she would step in; she couldn't ignore it anymore. "I've watched for some time. Don't dare tellin' Original Cindy you're aiight."

Logan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, one hand reaching for his lower back, trying to massage it. "Back spasms. They're worse than ever and I don't have any meds to make them go away."

"Why didn't you say something?"

He opened his eyes and looked at Cindy. "We have more important things to worry about. I didn't want to bother Max with my stupid issues."

"You could've asked me to get something for the pain or anything. Oughta be a male thing," she sighed. The her voice turned softer again. " Besides, what's stupid about this?"

Logan cast his eyes down and Cindy knew there was something else. "Logan?"

"I..." He swallowed hard. "I can't do this. Max needs my help and I'm still so busy trying to deal with this damn chair again. I can't get it out of my head- and I can't support her the way I should..."

"This is crap."

"No, it's not. I promised to be there for her."

"You are. You gave up so much for her."

"But she doesn't need me. God, look at her, she's out there all day, hardly talking to me. Without me she'd be in Seattle digging in the ruins for her friends..."

Cindy shook her head. Her heart went out to him again. It was way too much for him to handle all at the same time, and Max wasn't there to help him either. Hell, usually people who suffered a life-changing injury like he had would get mental support and whatever else was necessary. Of course, Logan had been there before, had done it all. But still, those were definitely not the circumstances under which he could come to terms. He had lost so much the last few days, she should be the one to get support, but all he focussed on was to be supportive himself, ignoring his own pain and desperation to help his girlfriend in her grief.

"Don't talk like that. Nothing's your fault. You are in this together, but you gotta let her know how you feelin'. She doesn't blame you for anything, and she sure as hell doesn't want you to be in any pain. YOU are the most important part of her life- but as long as she takes for granted you have her back and are doing okay, she will focus on the other things. You know her, she ain't good at this relationship thing yet."

"No, she shouldn't have to put up with my shit." Logan insisted.

"Don't be so stubborn. She deserves to know. It won't get you two anywhere if you hide again." Cindy smiled encouragingly. "And now let's get ya on your stomach. Your back needs some relaxation and Original Cindy is your gal for that."

Logan forced a slight smile and then nodded his agreement. "Thanks."

Cindy worked on Logan's back until she finally was satisfied and decided that all the knots were taken care of for now. Logan had fallen asleep and she didn't have the heart to wake him, so she spread a blanket over his form, still lying flat on the floor, and retreated to the kitchen.

*

She still sat on the counter when Max returned half an hour later. "Hey."

"Hey Boo. How ya feelin'?"

"Better." Max filled a mug with milk and leaned against the counter next to Cindy. When her friend didn't answer, she looked at her. "What?"

Cindy shrugged. "Nothing."

"OC I know you. So what's up?"

"This is probably none of business," she eventually started. "But have ya thought about Logan lately?"

"Of course I have. What kind of question is that?"

Cindy shrugged again. "Just wondering..."

"Now come on, what's the matter?"

Cindy jumped from the counter and leaned against it as well. "He's not doing great, Max."

"Why? Is he sick? Where is he?" Max put her mug on the counter and turned to look for him, but Cindy grabbed her arm and stepped in her way, making her stop.

"His back bothers him..."

"We can get meds."

"Of course we can, but that's not the point. Max, he feels lonely and exhausted. He thinks you're blaming him for being here and not with the transgenics."

"We talked about that! It's not true!"

"Then let him know again. He knows you're havin' a hard time and he doesn't wanna be another burden, but I think he really needs you right now. He gave up walking for you, Max. And you know how much it meant to him that he was on his feet. He is scared and exhausted."

Max swallowed and felt a tear welling up. "Why didn't I see it?" She sank to the floor, holding her knees tight to her chest.

"Max, don't..." Cindy sat down next to her and put an arm around her friend's shoulders.

"No, what kind of person am I? I don't even see that the one guy I love is in pain. All I worry about is my own shit."

"I didn't mean to make ya feel bad, Max. I just wanted to know that Logan might need you. It's not your fault, of course you're pretty preoccupied with the things going on, and Logan is the last one to hold that against you. I just wanted to let you know what's going on."

Max nodded, wiping away another tear. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Cindy hugged her tight. "He's in the living room on the floor."

"On the floor?"

"His back didn't agree with a transfer and as he was down there anyway I had him stay there and endure a massage. He fell asleep."

Max bit her lips and forced herself to regain her composure, then she looked at her friend. "Thanks."

**

TBC...hopefully soon. Maybe some nice comments would help?!