A/n: Thanks again for your reviews everyone. This is the longest chapter I've posted so far, so I hope you enjoy it. I have a lot of betaing to do at the moment though so the next one could be a couple of days.

Oh, and just to make it absolutely clear, those of you following my S2 fic Seattle Blitz: I promise I am going to continue it as soon as I've finished this one. Honest!

Chapter 24: Awakening

"Max?" Said Logan, trying to extricate himself from his dream. He sat up a little, blinking owlishly.

"Hey, you," she replied, smiling softly. "How're you feeling?"

"Confused. Last thing I remember I was in the kitchen and Janey was looking at my head. Did I black out?"

"Uh huh. From what Brin said it was mostly exhaustion. When was the last time you slept?"

"Um, well, my cell wasn't too comfortable… and I was working last night and lost track of time… and the night before I was trying to hack Federal Corrections…"

"How long, Logan?"

"Three days, more or less."

"Three days? Dammit, Logan, you know you can't do that! Even I get more sleep than you. Oh, Bling is so going to kick your ass when we get back."

"Only if you tell him." He favoured her with one of his most charming grins; made all the more powerful by his missing glasses and sleep-dishevelled hair. "Please?"

Max flushed slightly, and then rolled her eyes. "Oh, all right, I won't say anything, in the interest of keeping your ass in one piece. But only on the condition you promise not to do it again."

"Ok, I promise I'll get more rest in future. That good enough?"

"It'll have to be. What about your head? Any other injuries?"

"I'm fine, Max, check for yourself if you don't believe me. They were quite nice to me, for Manticore anyway."

"What, you mean apart from abduction, assault and death threats?" Max sat beside him on the couch and examined his wound.

"Like I said, nice for Manticore." Logan was trying very hard not to think about how close she was; the sensation of her fingers running through his hair was very distracting.

"Looks like the swelling's gone down from last night," Max said, absently.

Logan looked up into her eyes. "Last night? What time did you get here?"

"Around midnight. I didn't want to risk breaking curfew, so…" she shrugged. "Besides, it was getting dangerous around your place. Lydecker and a full containment unit moved on your apartment around 9 last night."

"Did Bling get away? What about my equipment?"

"Yes and yes. Matt warned him about the convoy; he was long gone with your computers by the time they got there."

"Good." Logan became aware of how close they were, her arms still around his neck, their lips only a couple of inches apart. Suddenly something in Max seemed to crumble. She hugged him tightly, pressing her warm skin against his.

"I missed you," she whispered, fearfully. "I don't know what I would have done if…"

Logan returned the gesture, wrapping his strong arms around her slender form. He stroked her hair with one hand, gently, almost a caress. She leaned even closer in response, sighing deeply. "I missed you too," he replied. "And not just the last couple of days. I've been hiding something from you…"

Max turned so she could look into his eyes, brought up a hand and pressed a finger wistfully against his lips. "I know. I found the photographs. I can't say I'm happy about you talking to Lydecker, but I can understand why you did it."

"I'm sorry, Max, I should never have betrayed your trust like that. I was just so scared that something would happen to you..."

"It's ok. I don't blame you for being freaked out. I am too. I guess I should go."

"Go? Why?"

"Because you know what I've done, what I'm capable of. I'm a killer, Logan, I don't expect you to be able to deal with that." Reluctantly, she began to move away. Desperate to stop her leaving, Logan took drastic action. His hands tightened on her body, pulling her close again, and he pressed his lips firmly, but with unmistakable tenderness, against hers.

Their lips parted and Max and Logan were once again gazing into each other's eyes.

"You are not a killer, Max. You are a beautiful, independent, compassionate woman who will risk everything for the people she cares about. You have fought against being a killing machine your whole life. You are… unique."

Max allowed the ghost of a smile to form on her features. "When you say that I can almost believe it's true."

"Maybe because it is."

"I'm going to need a little more convincing."

"I think I can do that. You can tell me anything, I won't judge you for it."

"You can't say that yet, Logan. You don't know what I've done."

"But I know who you are. Trust me?"

"More than anyone. I… I want to tell you, but if I do you won't want to know me any more." Max sighed, pressing herself a little closer to him. "How do you do it, Logan?"

"Do what?"

"Make me talk to you. I've told you things I've never told anyone before, and I still know less about you than I did when we met."

"Years of experience worming evidence out of informants, mostly. Gets to be a habit after a while. But… if it would make you feel better, maybe I could fill in a few blanks for you."

"As in a quid pro quo? I get to hear about your messed up past if you get to hear about mine?"

"Why not? It's worked out ok so far."

"Guess so." They just smiled at each other for a moment, before the sound of footsteps on the stairs reached their ears. Max stood up hastily just as Maria crept into the room.

"Max! You're here already! And Logan's awake. Are you feeling better now?"

"Much, thanks, Maria. Is Brin still sleeping?"

"Yes, I think so. Do you need anything?"

"Some water would be great, thanks."

"I'll get you some. Then, later I can show you my pony."

"Looking forward to it already." Max smiled at the girl. It gave logan a deep sense of satisfaction to know he'd made Max happy by helping her. Maria left to fetch the water, leaving Max and Logan alone again.

"We'll have to talk when we get back, I guess," said Max, smiling gently. "Where we won't be interrupted."

"Yeah. Later. Could you get my escape kit from the car, please? I really need a change of clothes."

One of her eyebrows shot up. "Ordering me around already, Logan?"

"No, just asking nicely. Pretty please?" He grinned at her again. Max threw up her hands.

"Ok, fine, I'll get it," she said, turning to leave. On her way out heard her mutter something that sounded very much like "Dimples should be banned."

Did you like? I won't know unless you tell me…