A/n: Again, many thanks for your reviews everyone.

When reading this, assume the whole thing with Seth never happened. I don't want to spoil the fluff with Logan telling Max about that.

Chapter 29: Confessions.

Max was just clinging to Logan, savouring his proximity. The mere sensation of having his arms around her made her feel warmer than ever before. A sound broke into her consciousness and her eyes snapped open, ready to defend him to the death. But it was only Brin, looking distinctly uncomfortable to have walked in on them.

"Brin," said Max, rising hastily. "We're in trouble. Lydecker's figured out Logan knows about Manticore; that he knows me."

"How? What happened?"

"He found Max's tryptophan in my apartment and made the connection, said Logan ruefully. "Which means that you have to leave. I tried to put him off but he'll be looking for you here now; for all three of us. And let's face it, we're not exactly an inconspicuous group."

"I'm not leaving, Logan. I have to protect you, help you like you did me. There's strength in numbers, remember, Max? This way Logan can have a 24-hour X5 bodyguard. And that doubles our chances of keeping him safe."

"Are all your siblings as stubborn as you, Max?" Both sisters turned to glare at him. "I'll take that as a yes. All right, we need to monitor Lydecker's progress with the search. I'll put the word out; I could hack in but it'd take too long. I also need to access the information on Renfro's laptop. Plus we need to run the X5 files past Zack and find out if Lydecker's close to any of the others…"

"Uhuh." Bling was standing in the doorway, shaking his head in disapproval. "The first thing you need to do is your ROM. Then I believe you promised to make Max lunch. And after that you definitely need to catch up on some sleep; you look exhausted."

"I'm fine. And there are more important things to be thinking about right now than wraps."

"He's right, Logan, said Max, amused by his petulance. "Go do your session with Bling and Brin and me will look over this place. We need to formulate escape plans in case we're found anyway. The computer can wait another hour or two."

Logan looked from Bling to Max, recognising when he was outgunned. "Fine. But it's your fault if we're found." He followed his physio into the temporary workout room that had been set up for him. Max watched him go with affection. That's my Logan, all right, she thought proudly.

"Max?" Brin waved a hand in front of her sister's face. "Anyone home?"

"Hmm? Oh. I was just thinking."

"You're very lucky to have him, you know."

"I know. Logan's one in a million." She snapped herself out of it. "Come on. We need to check this place out."

Thirty minutes later, Max stuck her head around the door of the therapy room to find Bling working Logan's useless legs. The patient lay flat on the table, eyes firmly closed. She looked closer and saw he'd actually fallen asleep.

"Looks like I'll have to make my own lunch," she said, in a loud stage whisper.

"Not in my kitchen," said Logan, opening one eye. "I'll be out in a minute."

"Works every time," she said, grinning at Bling. "Even at 4am when he won't leave the computer."

"You got skills, girl. I have to drag him away by the hair."

"So that's why it looks like that."

"I heard that," said Logan, propping himself up on his elbows.

"I know. Don't be too long or I might have to start the food for you."

After a very satisfying lunch made entirely by Logan, Brin headed upstairs for a nap. Bling went home to catch up on some of the sleep he'd missed out on in the last couple of days. Max and Logan were left alone in the living room.

"So, do you want to have that talk now, or should we wait until all this has blown over?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"Considering what usually happens when we wait for something, I'd say now."

"Come over to the couch, then. Might as well be comfortable."

"Aren't you tired? Manticore aren't exactly the most congenial hosts."

"You know me, I don't sleep much anyway. Got a few hours at the Lloyd's. Come on, it's ok." Reluctantly, Max stood and made her way over to the couch, suddenly needing the warmth of Logan's presence. She waited for him to transfer and then curled up beside him, as close as she could. Rather surprised – and concerned - that she should be showing such fragility, Logan wrapped his strong arms around Max and just held her close for a long time, waiting patiently for her to speak.

Max opened her mouth and began to talk. She told him everything, from the relentless training to the convict in the woods, and the nomlies in the basement to the blue lady. She told him about Ben, and Jack, and Eva. She told him about the escape, running through the snow in bare feet, falling through the ice into water so cold it burned her skin. She told him Hannah's story again in more detail, how she had met and been adopted by the Barretts. Her life after she left them, after the pulse. She even told him about her heat cycles. And then how she came to Seattle, all the way up to the night she met Logan.

Nervously, Max turned her head to look into his eyes, trying to gauge his reaction. The crystal blue orbs she'd always loved were filled with tears.

"Oh, god, Max…" he whispered hoarsely. "I never realised… I'm so sorry…"

"You're sorry? For what?"

"For everything you've been through… for making you relive it on my account…" he tightened his arms around her, drawing her closer still. Max relaxed in his embrace, feeling the acceptance and concern he couldn't put into words. Logan dropped a kiss onto the top of her head, damping her hair with his tears.

"You did a good thing, Max…" he murmured into her dark curls.

Max found herself crying too, but her tears were of joy. She'd told Logan the worst of her life and he still cared about her, maybe even loved her. After some time she met his eyes again, smiling irrepressibly.

"Thank you, Logan."

"You're thanking me? Why?"

"For being you, and not freaking out. I've never told anyone that much about myself before."

"Anytime," he replied, the love in his eyes shining through to dazzle her with its brilliance.

Long live ML fluff and shippyness. There's far too much MA out there at the moment. Tell me what you thought, anyway.