Facing Death
By: lfbrox
Story: Set in early second season. Logan can walk (just because I like him to). And lots of transgenics are on the run and the other X-series are all out too. Lydecker, Renfro and White are the enemies – as a team this time.
Rating: R (or more for later chapters)
AN 1: Yet again a very uneventful chapter. I hope you don't mind. But I always looked forward to the easygoing banter between Max and Logan in each – or almost each – episode. No drama, no tears no emergencies. Just Max and Logan. They not only fight the bad, they not only have sexual tension between them – they are also friends.
AN 2: Havok. I might have to change my name from lfbrox to porn girl. Whaddayathink? Don't want the powers that rule ff.net to pull a havok on me J
Chapter 3: A rainy afternoon
Jam Pony, 11:30 am:
"So you're off at noon, boo? I thought you and Logan are about to jump each others bones pre-maturely if you spend just another date with one another. And now you take half the day off, because spending the whole evening with your soon-to-be-squeeze is not enough. Explain that to Original Cindy." Cindy asked Max as they were approaching Jam Pony on their bikes.
"Slow down OC. If I get in there too early, Normal makes me do another run. And I don't want to be late. I have no idea what Logan has planned. But supposedly "there is no time like right now"." Max finished, stopping her bike to avoid arriving in Normal's sight too soon.
"So you don't know what he has planned?" OC asked, slowing down too – the colleague that she is.
"Nope. No Idea. But I hope it involves a lot of fresh, cold air and a lot of people around us", Max finished with a wink while slowly pushing her bike inside as it started to rain a little.
OC looked up into the quickly clouding Seattle sky and exhaled deeply and loudly. "Yeah, you go girl. Spend a nice and cozy afternoon with your squeeze and let your homegirl paddle around in this fucking weather."
"Sorry OC", Max apologized while changing out of her cycling gear and into her custom jeans and T-Shirt. "But I don't think my day is going to be too cozy. But I have to admit, it's going to be better than anything else I could imagine doing today. Just take some long breaks boo and the day'll be over before you know. See ya." Max said with a smile as she grabbed her backpack and walked by Cindy who just frowned at her. She wanted to reply something when she heard Normal biping at her – so she rolled her eyes and her bike to the desk to pick up some packages and head back into the rain that kept on falling a little harder now.
*******
Max hopped on her bike, put her Jam Pony cap on and tried to cycle faster than the rain to Logans penthouse. Which didn't really work. By the time she arrived there and had locked her bike, she was already soaking wet. But even that could not shadow her good mood one bit, so she hopped (– no Max doesn't hop -), she quickly went inside and waited impatiently for the elevator.
She was as nervous as she was exited to see Logan. She just wished he wouldn't wear anything tight or anything cute or any cologne. God she wished he wouldn't wear anything at all. She had to grin thinking about how it would be after the virus was cured. She would take a rainy afternoon off and go to Logans' hoping he would not wear anything. And if he happened to be dressed she sure would find a way to change that. Then they would spend all day in his bedroom, making love, talking, sleeping and cuddling. She smiled again as she rode up to the penthouse in the elevator, enjoying her daydreaming. Then she realized, that she had never seen his bedroom. She had to change that today. She had to make those fantasies of hers as real as possible. And how could she imagine a perfect day in his arms in his bed when she had never seen his room.
She let herself inside his penthouse and looked around. Maybe he was in his bedroom? She wondered. That would be neat. Then she would see the bedroom and could stop wondering what it looked like. But no such luck. She found him standing in the living room gazing out the window. He had his back to her so she could not see his face, and she feared that something might be wrong. In the past, she only found him doing that 'staring out the window' thing, when something was bad.
"Logan", Max announced her presence.
He turned around in surprise. He did pick up on the worried tone in her voice and as he turned around he saw her standing there. Soaking wet, her clothes clung to her body and she looked seriously worried. His smile with which he wanted to greet her faded and he took a step toward her but decided he better stop.
"Max", he said his voice now equally worried.
"What's wrong?" Max and Logan asked at the same time.
No one started talking. Each was waiting for the other one to start talking.
"Max", Logan tried again. "Tell me. What's the matter, What's wrong?"
"What do you mean? What is wrong with YOU?" Max asked confused.
"Nothing. What's with YOU?" Logan sounded as confused.
"Nothing", Max said exhausted then had to laugh. Seemed like there was really nothing going on, nothing to worry about.
"Then why do we both act all freaked out Max?" Logan asked her and relaxed completely after seeing Max laugh.
"I guess we're just used to something or someone spoiling our precious little down-time", Max replied while shrugging her soaking jacket off and throwing it over a chair to dry.
Logan's gaze followed the wet jacket as it landed on his expensive chair and he turned to her to ask her to put it somewhere else to dry so it would not ruin his chair and drip all over his hardwood floor. But as soon as he had turned around he saw Max standing there. Her hair wet so it looked almost curly again. Her face was glistening and a drop of water from her wet hair rolled down her cheek – further down. Logan stood there mesmerized and followed that single drop with his eyes as it proceeded to drip from her chin, down her throat, rolling down her collarbone and disappearing in her rain soaked, tight black tank top. He swallowed hard. That was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. She looked like a goddess. He couldn't help himself and let his eyes travel further south.
Even though she wore a jacket, she was soaked through and through. He stopped briefly at the exposed skin between her jeans and her tank top. It shimmered golden and all he wanted to do was to get down on his knees and trace her firm muscles there with his tongue. His gaze briefly wandered over her figure in her tight, wet jeans that clung to her like a second skin. Then he made a u-turn and traveled back up.
Max noticed him staring. It wasn't even subtle, he really took himself time. It took almost 45 seconds to travel down and she realized, that he intended to make his way back up. Unashamed staring. She just stood still. She could feel his eyes on her like they were his hands. She knew every second where his eyes were. She thought she even heard him growl low in his throat once or twice. But she wasn't sure if those noises weren't coming out of her throat instead. If it was her she wasn't ashamed of it. She did not feel vulnerable. Didn't feel like a piece of meat – a sex object. She saw the look of awe and admiration in his eyes. She could see his longing, his excitement. And she felt the same arousal. Felt the same longing and urgency.
Logan was back at her firm belly but forced himself to move on. He knew he was staring and he wanted to look her in the eyes to apologize and see what she felt. So he forced his eyes higher. But at the sight of her breasts he stopped. He could almost imagine how they looked naked. The wet and tight top left nothing to the imagination. He noticed her nipples hard through her tank top and this time they both heard the growl that Logan could not stop anymore. He noticed her rapid breathing and his heart jumped at the thought that she found his desire for her exciting.
But they couldn't act on it. At least not now. So this had to stop. His eyes shot up to her face just in time to see her tongue shoot out of her mouth and wet her luscious, full lips. He cleared his throat and looked in her dark eyes that were filled with desire. He cleared his throat again he wanted to speak.
"Max", he rasped. His mouth felt suddenly very dry. Which he found funny because he would describe the sight in front of him mouthwatering. But he needed to get her out of those wet and tight clothes and put her in something warm, fluffy and oversized. If only he could find his voice again.
"You're all wet", he managed to stutter while staring in her eyes.
"Oh, I definitely am. What are we gonna do about that?" she asked breathlessly.
"Take your clothes off", he answered, having missed the double meaning in their previous sentences.
He saw Max grin devilishly and her hands found the first button of her jeans and unbuttoned it. Logan's eyes widened in shock. No he didn't mean it like that. She opened the second button and he could see the black underwear shimmer through. No, he really didn't mean it like that. He thought again. If only his mouth would open and say those words. But that would mean that she would stop and Logan wasn't sure if he could handle that.
Pop. The third button opened and Max grin widened seeing the battle inside Logan display itself all too clearly on his face. He was torn between doing the right thing and doing the right thing. No matter what she did next. If she stopped or continued. It would not be wrong. But it would definitely make it a lot harder on them to survive those next dates.
Max had opened the last button on her jeans and Logan still stood there fighting his inner battle. She wasn't sure what to do next. Take them off? Make him snap out of the state he was in? She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her jeans when Logan finally regained the ability to speak.
"Max", he almost shouted. "I did not mean it like that. Why don't you grab some dry clothes out of my room and change?"
"Jesus Logan. Took you long enough. I really thought you would let me do a striptease here." Max replied.
"You don't have to strip to be a tease Max", Logan replied honestly. "You have no idea what you're doing to me. So, ahm, please. Go and change. I'm begging you."
"I guess I'm having a pretty good idea what I'm doing to you Logan. So give me some clothes then – if you are comfortable walking that is." Max teased.
Logan blushed a little at that. Sometimes it sucked to be a guy. So he gestured towards his room. "Just grab something from my closet. I'm sure you'll find something that is not too big."
"Great", Max beamed and turned to walk towards the master room. That's great, she thought. Now she got to see the master bedroom and the master bathroom. And she got to wear his clothes. This day seemed to get better and better.
***********
After Max disappeared into his bedroom, Logan rushed to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of ice-water from the freezer and downed it in big gulps. That wasn't exactly what he had planned for the day. He stood there thinking if it was good or bad. Yes, he stared at Max, almost poked her with his errection and stuttered like a little schoolboy. But Max did not seem to mind. How could she. She was almost as affected by him as he was by her. So now she is standing naked in his bathroom putting on his clothes. He had to remember what it is she was wearing. He would never wash it. Logan shook his head. Did he just think that? He asked himself. Now he really sounded like a schoolboy. No time left to worry, as Max emerged from his bedroom.
She wore a cozy pair of grey sweatpants and on of his long-sleeved shirts. It was a little too big, but she had adjusted it with a little rolling up, pulling down and tucking. She looked cute and she looked very comfortable as she strolled towards the kitchen where he was still standing with his empty glass in hand.
"That better?" he asked.
"Much. And you. Better?" She asked innocently.
"Yeah. I'm cool." He replied and hoped that it didn't sound too forced. He did feel more relaxed. But cool? In her presence? Guess that'll never happen.
"Good. So what have you planned for us today?" she asked while taking a seat on his counter.
"Well," he said while looking over her shoulder and out of the window at a full blown rain storm, "I actually had planned a little trip outside of Seattle. See something new, do a little hiking and a little picnic. But considering the rain. I don't know. Guess we just have to stay here then." He replied. Too bad. He'd planned everything, even packed a little basked with all of Max' favorites. "Sorry. I know how hard it is for you to get half a day off. I really wanted to do something special." Logan apologized.
"What are you apologizing for? That I'm not out there delivering packages in a fucking rain storm instead of sitting here in your cozy penthouse with you sipping hot chocolate? In that case: you are forgiven." Max answered in her usual sarcasm.
"Well, I'm glad", Logan replied with one of his trade-mark Logan Cale smiles. "I take it you want hot-chocolate then?"
"You bet", Max grinned and hopped off her chair. "I'll wait in the living room."
She turned and was gone. Logan went to the fridge and 'got milk?'
This was going to be an interesting afternoon after all.
*************
The streets of Seattle, 1 pm:
"You guy's are genetically engineered. You don't mind cold, rainy weather. Plus you are super fast. Why don't you do you're sisters homegirly a favor and make her runs while Original Cindy goes home and treats herself to a nice hot coffee and a session of good old pre-pulse talk shows. God knows I covered your asses often enough when the big spooky black helicop guys were on your ass." Cindy asked while sitting with Alec and Zach in a little coffeehouse on one of her long breaks.
"I don't know Cindy. Most of the time I have to take all the blame when something goes wrong. Okay. Most of the time it is my fault, but still. Do your own runs." Alec answered and grimaced after sipping the bad black coffee they sold there.
"Fine. Don't count on Cindy the next time you get your lazy ass in trouble. What about you Sam…errr……I mean Zach?" Cindy turned to the quiet X5 who still had to get used to hanging out with people. He also had to get used to the way Cindy talked, but it wasn't as bad as Herbal, so he was glad he wasn't there. And Sketchy. He didn't understand him either. And not because of the way he talked. Max had interesting friends. Strange friends but they accepted him without asking too many questions. Cindy was the only one who knew what he, Max and Alec were. And she never took advantage of that. So he guessed he owed her one.
"Okay. I guess I could do that. Where is Max anyway?" Zach asked.
"Thanks bro. I see my boo has at least one fine brother", OC answered while glaring at Alec who just shook his head. Zach had a lot to learn if he wanted a good life in this jungle.
"She's at hot-boy's crib. Prob'ly enjoying herself stupid while we have to work. Well. I guess that is, while you boys have to work. I'm outta here. See ya tonight at Crash?" Cindy asked while putting her wet raincoat back on.
"Yeah. Maybe", Alec replied while getting ready to go back to work.
"Maybe. Will Max be there?" Zach asked.
"Wouldn't count on it bro", OC answered while mounting her bike. "Very busy with her squeeze y'know. See ya." She waved and paddled home to get some of that coffee and Jerry Springer.
Zach and Alec pushed their bikes out in the pouring rain.
"I don't know. This Logan guy. Do you think it's smart that Max hangs out with him so much?" Zach asked Alec as they paddled towards Jam Pony to get more packages.
"Come on Zachary", Alec teased. "Let little Maxie have some fun. Maybe she'll get off of my ass for once if she blows off all that steam with Logan." Alec never understood why Zach was so over-protective when it came to Max. Before Zach showed up Max was doing just fine. If one of them needed a baby sitter it would be him. But Alec would never say that out loud. He waved at Zach and made a right turn. This military correctness got on his nerves, and even though they were sort of brothers – or at least that's what Max always said – he wasn't too keen on spending time with Zach alone. He wanted some fun, and decided to have a little drink to warm him up before going back to work.
******************
Logan's penthouse, 2 pm:
The rain was pouring against the windows of the penthouse. The wind that picked up on intensity howled. Max was stretched out on the couch with a big fluffy blanket sipping her hot chocolate. Logan, who sat on the chair next to her was now crouched on the floor next to his TV set going through his selection of DVD's to pick a movie for the night.
"How about 'As good as it get's'?" Logan asked.
"Logan, why do you keep asking me? I don't know any of those movies. Just pick something you like", Max said and turned to look at Logan.
"Well, I don't know what you like", Logan said tearing through his collection.
"What is your favorite movie?"
"I don't know. Depends. What genre do you like? Action, comedy, romance?" Logan asked helplessly.
"Pick Logan or I'm gonna end it for you" Max warned him playfully.
"Fine", Logan said and got ready to pick. He didn't want to pick something too sad or something that would bring back any bad memories for Max and for him. Nothing too sexy. Nothing too violent. Nothing too intellectual. He had a lot of movies he liked. But which one would be the best for the night.
"I got it", Logan got up and held a DVD in his hand.
"What it is?" Max sat up on the couch and looked expectantly. She always loved their movie nights. Logan picked a movie and they sat together on his couch, eating popcorn and watching the movie. Max was always amazed. She never heard of any of the movies he showed her but he always carefully chose something he knew Max would enjoy. Things most people took for granted were all new for Max. So she really was excited to see what he picked today.
"It's one of my favorites. And don't get the wrong idea here, but it's about and it's called "Threesome". Very funny. But let's have dinner first." Logan said and moved back to his chair taking a sip of his hot chocolate.
"Threesome, huh?" Max said with a wink.
"It's a good movie. Wait till you see it." Logan defended his choice.
"Okay. Let's eat. What do we have?" Max asked and got off the couch to help Logan in the kitchen – or at least keep him company.
"Over here Max", Logan stopped Max who was already half way to the kitchen. "I planned a picnic today, and even though we don't get to enjoy it after a hike and with a great view, I think we should still enjoy it. Grab a blanket, Let's do this right. What about here? We still have a view over the city." Logan said and pointed at a spot in front of the window in the living room. Max remembered the first time they sat there on the floor. It was a good time – if only Zach wouldn't have interrupted. She stored the memories back in her head intended to make new memories. She grabbed the blanket from the couch and together with Logan they arranged it on the floor.
"Put some music on and I'll go and get the basked and some drinks", Logan said and moved to the kitchen while Max made her way over to the stereo, inspecting Logans CD collection.
As Logan returned with the picnic basket and some wine glasses the room was filled with a slow bluesy tone. He sat down on the blanket and Max grabbed some of the big pillows from the couch and settled down next to him, handing him a pillow and finding a comfortable spot herself. He opened the basket and retrieved the bottle of red wine. While he opened the bottle and poured them some glasses, Max eagerly checked what goodies Logan had packed and spread everything on the blanket.
"Chocolate covered strawberries! Logan you really outdone yourself", Max said and could not resist munching on the desert before even starting with all the other main courses in appetizer form.
"Glad you like it", Logan said and started his own feast.
"But we still have to do that little road trip and hiking thingy", Max said between bites of salmon, ham and garlic bread.
"Definitely. How about a real vacation? We could go away for a week or so, just hang out, have fun and enjoy ourselves for once", Logan answered and handed her a glass of wine.
"That would be awesome Logan. God knows we deserve it." Max said and grabbed another strawberry. She was a sucker for sweet stuff.
"We could go to my uncles cabin. There's a lake and woods and some hiking trails."
"Sounds great. Let's just wait for the test results and then we can get going", Max replied. She felt deliriously happy now. She had Logan, great food and they were making plans for the future. The near future – but still the future.
"It's a deal then", Logan beamed at her. "And for the long trip I have a present for you." He handed her a plainly wrapped box which Max opened feverishly. A present for her.
"A coffee mug?" Max asked after unwrapping it. It was a large chrome-like coffee mug with a lid. She had no idea what to make of it.
"Yeah. For the car. I know you don't have a car, but I figured you should have one. Everyone has one of these." Logan explained his choice of a gift.
"Thanks. I still don't get why everyone needs a car cup, though." Max said and made herself comfortable on the blanket and the pillow looking at Logan.
"I don't think it's about the cup or the coffee", Logan answered cuddling into his own pillow gazing into Max eyes. "I guess in this fucked up world, where you cannot choose what kind of job you would like to and where even at home there is no time to relax in order to survive that's what they have left. I mean you get in your car with your cup of coffee, turn on the music and drive to work where you know they gonna ride your ass good. The only time you have for yourself and where you can do what you want are those 15 or 20 minutes in the car on your way to work. You listen to music, you sip your bad coffee and you just feel like yourself, the time you tank energy for the shit you know is definitely going to come that day." Logan finished his musing.
"So the cup is kinda a symbol for freedom and own will?" Max asked loving the way Logan always tried to explain her the simple joy's of life.
"Yeah, sort of. I just figured you should have that too." Logan said loving Max' interest in life.
"Did you ever have that? I mean driving to work worrying feeling with your coffee mug?" Max asked.
"Not like everyone else. I mean I was rich and I did not have to worry about money. And I did not dislike my job. But I always had to go back to my uncle Jonas' place after work. So I really enjoyed the peace and freedom in my car. It was pretty much the only time I could be myself and no one was telling me what a burden and failure I was. That's why I always enjoyed it." Logan answered truthfully.
"And then you move out married Valerie and started Eyes Only?" Max asked propping herself on her elbow looking at Logan.
"No. I moved out way before Valerie. And Eyes Only started after our divorce. When I met Valerie I was still working at my uncle's company. After the marriage I quit the job to work as a freelance journalist. That's how I saw all the misery and injustice in the world. But I thought I could change the world by writing articles about this injustice. After Valerie left I just wasn't satisfied anymore writing articles. I knew I reached the people, but nothing changed. So I decided to use my contacts to do something about it." Logan explained.
"That's how Eyes Only started?"
"No. The cable hacks came later. First I just reported everything to the cops and hoped I could dig up enough evidence to lock the bad guys up. But I soon realized that the cops were as criminal as any other mainstream criminal on the street."
"Then you started the hacks?"
"Yeah. I figured I could reach people just like with my articles, make the bigger guys aware of the problem, and leave the cops no other chance than to act on it."
"Or the people would've gotten suspicious about them. Smart move."
"Thanks. That's what I thought. I never believed I would get myself in so much trouble." Logan replied.
"Like meeting a genetically engineered killing machine who left you paralyzed, heartbroken and on the most-wanted-list of the worst of the worst people?" Max asked.
"Well, if it wouldn't have been for that sexy genetically engineered killing machine I would have been dead or worse for quite a while now." Logan replied with a grin.
"Well, if it wouldn't have been for that sexy genetically engineered killing machine you wouldn't have been in the situation of loosing your life", Max answered sadly.
"Max. I'm older than you and even though I can't even fathom what you've been through all your life, I have had a lot of really bad experiences myself. And I had a lot of good experiences too. I lived a very good life – financially and professionally. But I always felt empty and depressed. YOU are the best thing ever happened to me. Without you I probably would have thrown the towel a long time ago. You gave me the hope back that everything might not be all bad. To be your friend was more than I could ever ask for. To love you and have you love me back makes me feel greater than life. It's about time be both get those stupid thoughts out of our heads that we are bad for each other. That we would be better off without one another. Because it's simply not true. I cannot speak for you – but you make me strong, you make me the person I am, you make me feel like everything is worth it." Logan finished with conviction in his eyes. It was about time someone said it.
"I guess it would be easier to run away and see the fact that it is dangerous if we keep being together. But I guess it would be even harder to ignore what we have found in one another." Max mused.
"Okay. Guess we agree on that one. No more running." Logan said and lifted his glass to toast to that.
"No more running", Max said touching her glass with his.
They relaxed back into their pillows and glanced out of the windows for a while, totally content that everything was cleared. They sipped their wine and just enjoyed the music, the company and the rain and the storm outside.
After the wine was gone and most of the food had vanished Max rolled to her side.
"So you gonna start the popcorn soon?"
"You want me to move now?" Logan answered and sat up.
"I would suggest we get the movie started and cuddle up on the couch – but given the givens – let's just start the movie." Max replied and sounded both, sad that she could not cuddle now, and happy – for they had a future full of cuddling ahead of them – so god will.
"So you don't share the couch with me?" Logan asked while getting up to go to the kitchen and make some popcorn.
"I guess we could share the couch. Go make popcorn and I get the couch and the movie ready." Max said getting up, gathering the blanket and the pillows and arranging them on the couch.
****************
AN: Yet another uneventful chapter. That's what happens when you already have the end planned but you start writing and find no way of getting to that end. But I hope you like it anyway.
IMPORTANT: If you have not read "Limited Time" yet, please do so. I have a sequel in the works. No plot - just fluff. So get yourself ready – I might post the first chapter next week. You don't want to be unprepared, now do you?