Sorry it took me really, really long to continue this. I just didn't like my original plotline anymore and couldn't really come up with anything else. I hope this is gonna work though. I'm in the middle of my finals and sport's keeping me busy too, but I'll try and keep writing from now on!

Have fun!


Chapter 16

When Max returned with Jenny and Dan, Logan and Original Cindy were already waiting in the living room.

"Alec called." Logan announced. "He's at the airport and will try and get here asap."

Max took a deep breath. "Great."

"When did he call?" Max nervously paced through the living room. Logan watched her from where he sat on the sofa, his laptop on his knees.

"It was only two hours ago, he is gonna be here soon. Nothing will happen to him over here."

Jenny and Dan had left after an hour when they realized that Max was nervously anticipating the arrival of her brother, as Logan had awkwardly introduced Alec.

"I'll make coffee. You want some?" Logan tiredly transferred to the awaiting chair. His arms and shoulders ached from pushing the wheelchair 24/7. Life had been so easy, he had almost forgotten to appreciate it. Well, that was not going to happen again. 'Don't go there, Logan,' he warned himself.

Max had secretly watched him while, a worried frown on her face. That was not good. It took me way too long. She told herself that he just would have to get used to it again, that he had to build up arm muscles again, remember all the techniques- he just didn't have the time to do so. Because of her weird life, her issues, he was suffering. She would have to take the time to confront his problems, she promised herself.

"Hey." Logan smiled up at Original Cindy who was sitting at the kitchen table, browsing through an old fashion magazine she had found somewhere.

"He's not here yet?" She knew the question was redundant.

"Nope." He knew she already knew the answer.

"What's gonna happen next?"

Logan sighed and looked directly at Cindy. He thought to see something like fear or discomfort there. Of course this was hard for her as well. She had not signed up for any of this. And now she was right in the middle of some movie like chase. Logan situated his chair at the table and set his brakes. "I don't know. I guess we will have to wait for what Alec can tell us, if he knows anything."

"Do you think it's safe to go back for Max?"

"Not right now, no matter what, I won't let Max go back there." His voice as full of determination.

"Good." Cindy smiled. "You know, she is very lucky to have you."

Logan snorted.

"Original Cindy ain't sayin' things she doesn't mean."

"Look, I know you really think so, but I still don't think this is going to work out, not with me in the chair."

"Whoa, deja-vu. Logan, you're an idiot."

"Thanks." He smirked.

"Really. Max knew what she was getting into, she never cared about that chair- never."

"Logan! Cindy!" Max' voice interrupted the conversation.

"Guess our hotshot's here." Logan grinned.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that somebody was behind his. We did find explosives in Terminal City, somebody must have brought it there."

"Any ideas who could be behind this?" Max sat on the couch, her hand naturally on Logan's knee.

Alec shrugged, the plate of pasta he had emptied three times while telling the story of how he barely escaped the burning city and of how he lost touch with the others, tried to find out what has happened and then, when he realized that now that the transgenics were forced out of the safe haven they were mercilessly being chased down, he had made a run for the border.

"You know, the day before it happened, there was a group of government folks were in Terminal City, claiming they wanted to talk about future peace offerings."

"You'd remember the faces if you saw them again? We could go through the government files, see where they came from, assuming they were government," Logan suggested.

Alec shrugged. "Worth a shot."

An hour later they had browsed through the files, with no success. Logan rubbed his face with his right hand, suppressing a yawn. "We can still go through those who no longer work there."

"Just lemme see." Alec had told Max all he knew about the other transgenics while he had checked the pictures running on the screen at an incredible speed.

"And you are sure Joshua might still be alive?"

"Max, it was pure hell, all I know is that he made it out with me. He is a clever fellow, I'm sure he…Stop!" His hand grabbed Logan's arm. "That's one of them!"

"Agent Jack Parker. He was fired about two months ago, no reasons specified. Whereabouts unknown, last address, Brooklyn, New York." Logan typed in some orders. "Okay, there are some reports and articles on his case. Apparently he has been fired for pretty common reasons, he stole money, used his position for private matters…Max!" He held his breath. "Damn."

He leaned back so Max and Alec could have a close look at the photo of a group of man, all dressed in dark suits, Logan had enlarged on his computer. "The guy in the background look familiar?"

"White," Max whispered.

"Weird coincidence."

"We need to find that guy," Max stated. "Last address, New York, you said?"

"Yeah." Logan shifted uncomfortably, his eyes suddenly locked on some letters. But he caught himself before the others noticed.

"I guess the States will soon have us back." Alec stretched out his arms over his head. "But first of all I'm gonna catch some sleep. See ya in the morning."

Original Cindy, who had sat in the background silently, stood up, too. "Original Cindy doesn't really know what this is all about, but no matter what you're gonna do, I'm game. You just come up with a good plan. Night."

Eventually Max and Logan were alone in the living room, the only light coming from the computer screen and a single small lamp on the drawer.

"What is it?" Max asked carefully.

"I…I don't know if it's sucha good idea to go back, Max."

"It's the other end of the continent. Nobody will expect us to be in New York."

"I guess."

"There's something else, isn't there?" Max looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"No…I mean, no, nothing else. I'm fine."

"Logan, if you don't think you are up for this right now, say so. We can take it slower." She gently put her hand on his, caressing it slowly.

"No, I'm fine. No need to worry. It's just…" He let the sentence hang n the air.

"It's just what?"

He couldn't tell her about New York, this was ridiculous! It was just a personal thing that should not even stand in the way. What would a soldier like Max think about him being that weak? He was incredibly mad at himself that a single name under an article had caught him off guard like that.

"Nothing." He smiled at her, squeezing her hand. "Let's just get some sleep, and tomorrow we'll prepare all we need to go back."

"Okay." Max hesitantly agreed. She knew there was something bothering him, but she also knew him well enough not to press. He was just as stubborn as she was. She would find out eventually.

TBC

I promise to finish this story, I'm just not sure when. But I'm working on it! Keep hanging in there!