"I knew you couldn't be one of them", smiled Tinga as Brin stopped the Humvee
"Just had to play along until I got the info, oh if they ever try to simplify you just concentrate on family and they don't get you", answered Brin as she got out of the Humvee and opened the back door
"What ever you say sis", said Tinga as Brin unlocked the hand cuffs then punched the partition screen so it looked like Tinga had been the one to escape
Logans Apartment
"Now they have two and Charlie's bumped up because of Manticore", whispered Max as she sat with Logan on his couch
"Things will work out you'll get your family back", comforted Logan
"Sentiment is weakness don't you remember that, if it wasn't for it Tinga wouldn't have sacrificed herself and you wouldn't have left Brin for Manticore", replied Zack as he walked into the room
"As I recall you were there too, it wasn't just baby sister", smiled Brin as she and Tinga stood next to the window
"How", asked Max
"I thought since I was stuck playing the good little soldier, I might as well figure out how to get Manticore out of our asses and I knew they were close to Tingas family so I waited for things to play out and here I am", stated Brin as Max hugged her sisters
"What do you think Zack, take down Manticore once and for all", asked Tinga
"Lets do the damn thing and live free for once", smiled Max
"Brin and Tinga come with me we'll contact the others and get weapons we'll be back in seven days. Max, you and Logan get info on just how many people are going to be at Manticore in eight days", instructed Zack
"Mommy", asked Case as he walked out of the spare bedroom rubbing his eyes
"Yah sweet heart everything's going to be okay", smiled Tinga as she hugged the boy
"They hurt Daddy but Aunty Max says he's going to be okay", replied Case
"Charlie and Case can stay here while you work things out", suggested Logan as he noticed Zacks killer look
"Let's go", said Zack as he headed for the door and Brin followed
"Listen baby, Mommy loves you and I'll be back soon", smiled Tinga as she kissed Case then walked out the door
"Hay Case why don't we see if Logan has anything to eat in his fridge", stated Max as she noticed the boy was about to cry
"Okay", whispered Case as Max took his hand
Day Three
"We'll be back in a few hours, dinner will be done in a haft hour so just take it out of the oven and enjoy", said Logan to Charlie and Case as he and Max exited the Pent house
"Thanks for dealing with them and keepin them safe but do we really have to do this chip thing tonight", smiled Max as she tried to stay as far away from Logan as possible
"It's no problem with the family and yes it has to be tonight if he gets the chip it's curtains for all. Are you okay Max", asked Logan as they entered the elevator
"I'll be fine just might be coming down with a cold or somethin", explained Max
"Damn, a brown out I guess we're going to be stuck here for a while", stated Logan as the lights went out, the car jerked to a stop and the emergency lights flickered on
"Why me, why me", asked Max as she sank to the floor
"Max what's the matter", asked Logan as he wheeled over to Max and went to touch her arm
"Stay back", warned Max as she shrank away into a corner
"Max what's the matter", insisted Logan his face etched with worry
"I should have just stayed home, you see I go through these phases", started Max
"Phases", repeated Logan
"Cause of my feline DNA, oh god this is something I so don't want to talk about, you know cats, mating cycles and right now I, I'm trying very hard not to jump your bone. I'm sorry, I'm sorry", said Max as she noticed she'd climbed onto Logans lap
"Oh", whispered Logan as Max got off his lap and crawled back into the corner
"This time it's different and it's screwing with me more, usually it's just any guy and it's easier to fight but this time I only want you. It's like I starting to think it's not ordinary cat DNA I think it might be lion or something lookin for the highest, the strongest", rambled Max as she started pacing the car
"I'd hardly say I was your strongest choice", stated Logan not knowing entirely what to say
"Yes you are and that's why I love you", replied Max as she found her way back onto Logans lap
"Max it's just the heat talking", reasoned Logan
"Not entirely", smiled Max as she kissed Logan
Two hours later when the car jerked back to life
"Oh god I'm so sorry Logan did I hurt you", asked Max as she found herself laying on the floor of the elevator with Logan
"I'm fine minus a headache, I sorry I took advantage of the situation", whispered Logan as the two got dressed in record time
"It's not your fault it's just my freak genes", answered Max as Logan got back in his chair and sent the car back up to the Penthouse
"It's not your fault either, come on we need to talk", stated Logan as the elevator doors opened and they entered the Penthouse thanking God Charlie and Case were already asleep in the guest room
"I'm sorry", whispered Max as she sat on the couch
"You have nothing to be sorry for or ashamed of. It's not your fault what they programmed you to do", comforted Logan as he rolled his chair in front of her
"But I, I do love you but I don't want to loose you as a friend because of my screwed up DNA", replied Max as she lowered her head
"And I love you and I don't want you to run away from me", said Logan causing Maxs tear streaked face to shot up
"I won't run", stated Max as Logan held out his arms and she climbed onto his lap
"Will you look at us", smiled Logan as he held Max tight to him
"Pathetic", laughed Max into Logans chest
"Hopeless", added Logan
"Lucky we hooked up", whispered Max as she looked up at Logan smiling