CHAPTER 16

The hospital

"What happened after that?" Alec continued to question, trying to get straight answers.

"Well I uh…I was walking away and he pulled out a gun and shot me…next thing I remember was waking up here." Zach finally put down his glass still half full with water, giving into Alec's line of questioning.

"White must have had motive. Come on Zach, he wouldn't just pull a gun out unless he knew the person or was trying to hurt someone he knew or wanted to…"

"Unless he wanted to…what?"

"Wanted to capture them. Was that what happened with you? Did White know it was you and want to capture you?"

"No, I swear, he didn't know it was me!" Zach fake-yawned trying to get Alec to leave finally. Alec, of course knew better then that, but decided not to argue it any longer.

"Alright, I'll let you rest and I'll be back later." Alec shut the door behind him and waited.

Logan and Max's apartment

"Are you comfortable?" Logan asked, staring at Max, and a very wide smile.

"Yes, Thank you Logan." Max answered, trying to hide her fear from Logan. I'm still so worried Logan; I wish I could tell you everything I want to. Max ate the rest of her dinner and put her dishes by the sink.

"Max, are you sure you are alright?" Logan asked, noticing Max's silence.

"Yeah, I guess I'm just tired." Max answered smiling.

Max lay was awake most of the night. Wondering what was going to happen. Is this baby going to live? How will Logan take care of it? What if I can't take care of it instead of Logan? How will I be able to tell Logan if it doesn't survive? With all the thoughts running through Max's head, she started to feel the emotion flooding back. Refusing to give in, she grabbed her running clothes and shoes and threw them on to go for a run and clear her head.

The hospital

Zach started throwing some of his clothes back on. Grabbing the rest of his stuff and shoving it into a bag, he opened the door to his room to find Alec standing there glaring at him.

"I knew you would try to run. Remember we both came from Manticore." Alec smirked.

"Look Alec, I can't stay here, White still might be out there." Zach answered, out of breath.

"I thought you said he didn't know it was you? How would he know where you are then?" Alec's expression didn't falter. Knowing full well that Zach had been lying the whole time he didn't move an inch from the door.

"He doesn't know it was me, but he gets hospital records and I don't want my name to come up and have him coming after me. Please get out of my way!" Zach tried to push his way through, but still Alec didn't move, "No, I can't let you put Max in danger. I'll stay here and make sure that White doesn't come after you."

"No, get out of my way!"

Max's special place

She had been coming here for years now. Ever since moving to Seattle, she called this place her own secret hide out. It's where she came to think, came to talk to the ones she had loved at Manticore and lost. She came to clear her head, when she couldn't talk to anyone else about any her problems. Now all she could think about was this baby. How it would survive. Would it survive? Will the baby have this virus? Thoughts swirling around in her head, the thoughts of motherhood, the thoughts of concern a mother has when she feels her baby is in danger. I will go and see the doctor tomorrow, because I can't take this anymore. If I don't do something so, I'll go crazy thinking about it. Finally deciding on a plan of action and being content with it, she finally felt relaxed.

Heading back she thought about Logan. Being with him was the best thing that had ever happened to her, but this virus was keeping them apart. And the one cure they had was only temporary and they would have to ask for Alec's blood. How could she ask Alec for that? How is this going to work? Shaking her head, she tried to rid herself of these thoughts. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, so for now, I'm not going to worry and I'll put it aside. Smiling, she reached the door to her new apartment with Logan. Stopping, she held the doorknob and stared for what felt like several minutes. I can't believe that Logan and I are living together. I never thought this would happen. I thought this virus would ruin our lives together, but maybe it will work out after all. A grin playing at the edges of her mouth, she turned the knob and walked in.

Logan and Max's apartment

There was a knock on the door at 2 am. Max turning to look at the door from the living room couch was startled by the sudden thump of the knock. Opening the door she was surprised to find Zach standing on the other side.

"Zach! What's wrong?" Max concerned at the way he looked, had panic filled eyes. Still wearing his hospital gown, he was slumped against the doorframe and with his eyes half closed, and collapsed on the floor before he could answer.

Max had quickly called for Logan. They had lifted him up onto the couch in the apartment and Max had run to get some cool towels because he was running a very high fever.

"Oh Zach, why did you leave the hospital?" Max asked aloud. Not really talking to Zach, but at the same time talking to him.

Logan walked in with another bowl of warm water.

"So how is he doing now? Any change?" Logan asked. Max shook her head as it dropped. Logan wanted so badly to comfort her, hug her, kiss her, hold her, but dropped his head at the realization that it may never happen again. Logan handed her the bowl, careful not to touch her skin.