A/n: sorry, everyone, I've reshuffled this a bit. This chapter isn't going to advance the plot much. So I'm going to work very hard and sort out the next chapter to be posted ASAP.

Watch this space!

Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.

Chapter 6: Brunch With Brin

Logan was still sitting in his chair, pounding head resting in his hands, when Brin brought in a tray of food.

"Hey, Brin," he said, looking up and smiling at her.

"The Director sent me with your rations."

"Thanks." He took the tray from her and began to eat. Brin stayed to take the tray back. After a long pause, she spoke.

"Why… why do you call me by my designation in front of the Director, but by my name when she is not there?"

"Because I figure she doesn't approve of you having a name and I don't want to get you in trouble."

"Why do you care? I knocked you out."

"I don't want any harm to come to anyone if I can avoid it. I've seen way too much suffering already."

"Suffering? What can you know about suffering? You're rich, you've always had everything you ever wanted."

"Oh, and a bullet in the back was always top of my wish list. But I'm not talking about myself. Regular people on the street go through things I could never deal with every day."

"And what would you know about it? I was there, I saw that apartment you live in. How many regular people do you know?"

"More than you'd think. I have a lot of contacts from my work."

"Why are you so interested in my welfare? You'll be back in your normal life this time tomorrow."

"I wouldn't count on it. In fact, I'll probably be dead. My uncle doesn't like me much. If it's a choice between a healthy profit and his least favourite nephew, let's just say I'm not optimistic."

"You aren't afraid?"

"My mother always said the universe is right on schedule, everything happens the way it's supposed to. I've had seventeen surgeries on my back so far; any one of them could have killed me. I count myself lucky to have survived this long. If I die because Jonas doesn't like me I'll be just as dead as I would be if I died from being hit by a bus. Might as well do some good for people while I can. There's no point in holding grudges, life's too short."

"You really believe that?"

"Nearly dying puts things in perspective, you figure out just what's important. I once met the guy who did this to me. I saved his life."

"Why?"

"Like I said, I don't hold grudges. Not for myself, anyway." Logan gave Brin a few minutes to absorb what he'd said before he spoke again.

"You're way too young to have to deal with all this. You can't be more than what, 20?"

"Correct."

"How did you get mixed up in all this anyway? Don't you want out?"

"This is my home. Where I belong. Why would I want to leave?"

"So you enjoy being ordered around by the Director?"

"I do not enjoy. Emotion is weakness."

"Oh, no. That's where all these military types have it wrong. Emotion is strength. People achieve extraordinary things to protect the ones they love. I knew a guy once who had to give up his sister to save her life. He cared for her so much he did everything in his power to keep her safe."

"What was his name?" Brin had gone very still.

"He called himself Sam. Thanks for the food."

"Gratitude is…"

"Unnecessary, yeah, I remember. Just… think about it, Brin. If this is what you want, following orders for the rest of your life, fine. If it's not… don't waste too much time figuring it out."

Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.

If Brin questioning Manticore doesn't work for you, feel free to pretend that she was never in TKAA and snatching Logan was her first trial mission since she was recaptured.