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
AN: Here you go. An update. I haven't finished this fic, so it might take a little longer than a week to update. And depending what's going on in my life even longer. But if you know me you also know that I will definitely finish this one too. So thanks for your patience and thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it.
Also thanks to Sammi, my wonderful beta who brought to my attention that some things are not so clear in this fic.
So lemme try to resolve some of that confusion. You have to suppose that this fic starts after "Hit a sister back". So the whole Lydecker and X5's versus Manticore didn't happen. Also Max didn't die, she was only captured somehow (I leave that somehow up to you). Thus, Lydecker didn't switch sides, Renfro didn't die, Manticore lab didn't blow up. Also suppose that all the X5's that have escaped (including Ben) are still on the run (All but Brin who actually got captured and turned.), plus some other X-series that escaped with Max on her second escape. Let's also suppose that Logan's body didn't reject Max stem cells and he can walk without the exo. So suppose Max escapes with the help of EO (I leave that one up to you too). So now Lydecker and Renfro are after her and after EO – so the virus is really there. (Lets suppose they got Logan's blood when he rescued Max from Manticore). Oh and about White. I feel free to throw him in the mix whenever I feel the need arises.
I hope that helped and that I didn't confuse you even more. I know it's a lot of supposing and that I probably should have mentioned that in the beginning (I promise I go back and post it in the first chapter too). I didn't think some things would cause so much confusion. But sometimes you have to alter the reality a little to get where you want.
Lemme know if there is anything else you want to have cleared up. Thanks.
Chapter 7: Enter the bitch
Zack carefully stuffed the package into his backpack and left to deliver the package he had gotten from Normal. Because he was disciplined. He could wait until after work to open the package and figure out how to install the device in Logan's penthouse.
Jam Pony:
The morning seemed like weeks for OC, Sketchy and Herbal. They had each finished their first run just before noon and dragged their tired and sore bodies back to Jam Pony for an hour of rest after their hard day's work. With a quick nod in Normal's general direction, they dropped their bikes and fell down on the bench next to their lockers so Normal couldn't see them. Sketchy fell asleep almost immediately. OC and Herbal were satisfied with just resting and not having to move.
"Hey guys. You up for lunch?" Max asked them cheerfully. She had to work more to compensate for her friends' laziness but it couldn't spoil her good mood. Tonight she would see Logan, and the thought alone brought a smile to her face.
"No Boo. Food is the last thing on Original Cindy's mind right now." Cindy groaned and had to close her eyes from the pain it caused to hear her own voice.
"Great." Max huffed. All her friends were pretty much out cold. Alec and Zack were still out on runs, and she didn't feel like hanging with any other messengers in her lunch break.
She decided to skip lunch and work through her break so she could maybe leave an hour earlier. She was just on her way to Normal's counter to get another package when she saw Logan stroll in. Their eyes met and the smiles they already wore on their faces brightened immediately.
"Hey, what brings you here?" Max asked him walking past Normal towards Logan.
"Well, it's one of those rare sunny days in Seattle. I figured you might want to have lunch with me outside." Logan said and pointed to the paper bag he carried.
"Like I would say no to food." Max said, leaning her bike against a nearby wall.
"Oh so my food is welcome." Logan said feigning a hurt expression.
"Yep." Max said with a twinkle in her eye. Then she motioned for the exit. "Let's go."
Logan shook his head. Why do I have to get the feisty one? He thought as he followed her outside to find a spot to eat and enjoy the sun and each other's company.
Manticore, Seattle HQ:
"I don't know why you are making this such a big deal Donald." Elizabeth Renfro asked Lydecker, a little unnerved with his antics.
"Because it is a big deal. I've been after them for the past 10 years. I've been able to capture and reindoctrinate 5 of the 12 X5's that escaped in 09. The hardest thing was finding them. The capture was a standard procedure without too much trouble. 452 is different. She always manages to slip from my grasp. She has a network of powerful friends that always help her out." Lydecker explained, still frustrated that Max managed to fool him every time.
"Friends?" Renfro snorted. "They weren't meant to socialize. They weren't created to build relationships. To trust anybody else but themselves." She told Lydecker.
"452 is different." Lydecker argued.
"Shall we add this to your incredibly long list of failures Deck?" Renfro remarked sarcastically.
"After 599 has planted the hearing device we will find out how 452 operates. And maybe we will be able to find out who this Eyes Only guy is." Lydecker explained, ignoring Renfro's comment.
"We will see Deck. Do it your way. If you fail again I will show you how it's properly done." Renfro concluded and focused her attention back to a file that lay on her desk, dismissing Lydecker non-verbally.
Outside of Jam Pony:
"Oh come on Max. Consider yourself lucky that you get tips. No matter how little." Logan teased her after listening to one of Max' stories.
"She let me wait for 15 minutes in front of her door and hands me a dime Logan. I could have made another run in that time and would have made 10 times as much." Max complained.
"Why is that?" Logan asked after taking another bite of his sandwich and pouring more coffee for them.
"Normal cut our weekly-pay and instead we're getting paid according to how many runs we make." Max said a little unnerved.
"So you're being paid per package?" Logan asked and had to laugh at Max's annoyed expression.
"Yeah. What's up with that?" Max answered, not getting what was so funny.
"So you actually have to work, huh?" Logan explained and now even Max had to grin.
"I guess so. We make a 5$ per package. And with all the packages I delivered today I think I will get my highest weekly pay ever." Max said, after calculating and seeing the advantages in Normal's new system.
"I guess Cindy, Sketchy and Herbal can't say the same thing for themselves." Logan chuckled.
"Which is a good thing I guess. The less money they make the less they can spend on drinking." Max said and could only imagine her friends' faces after they looked at their pay this week.
"What are we gonna do tonight?" Logan asked changing the subject.
"I don't know. The weather is great. We shouldn't stay inside tonight." Max said finishing her lunch and leaning back to enjoy the warm sun.
"Hmm. Let me think." Logan said, watching Max in amazement. He thought she looked good in candle light, or any light that is. But the sun light made her look even more angelic. The golden glow that illuminated her accentuated her olive skin and perfect features.
"Logan." Max suddenly said, bringing him out of his reverie.
"Hmm?" He simply asked, not sure if she had said anything more than his name.
"My lunch break is almost over. It would be really helpful if you could postpone your staring and think about what we could do tonight." Max said with amusement.
"Oh. Right." Logan said still a little distracted. "Couldn't help myself." He explained with a shrug and a sheepish grin. Then he concentrated on making plans for the evening.
After a few minutes of hard thinking he came up with the perfect idea. But he decided not to tell Max in case he had some trouble arranging everything.
"What?" Max asked curiously.
"Nothing. How about you just come over after work. I have to run a few errands." Logan said and gathered the leftovers together suddenly in a hurry to get going.
"Aren't you gonna tell me what your plans are?" Max asked. She hated surprises.
"Nope. It's a surprise. Just come over as soon as you can. Okay." Logan answered already standing and ready to leave.
"This better be good." Max said and glared at him.
"Trust me. You'll love it. And now go and hurry back. The sooner you start working the sooner you can be over at my place tonight. See ya." Logan said and hurried away without waiting for a reply dialing Alec's cell phone number as he moved.
Max stared after him. She tried hard to be annoyed with him for, once again, being so mysterious. But the thought of him arranging a surprise for her made her insides melt. Why does he have to be so cute all the god damn time? She thought, but did as she was told – obeying Logan's instructions for once – and hurried back to work, trying to be a good little bike messenger and not piss Normal off.
Logan's penthouse, 2 hours later:
Logan had just finished recording his latest streaming freedom video and programmed it to air later that night when he heard a knock on the door. He switched off his monitors and checked his watch. 3 pm. That can't be Max already… He wondered, and answered the door.
"Zack?" Logan said in surprise. Zack never came by his place, especially not in the middle of the afternoon. "What's wrong?" Logan asked, gesturing for him to come in.
"Hey." Zack greeted him and took a shaky step inside.
"Are you okay?" Logan inquired, noticing his unstable walk and color-drained face.
"It's a seizure." Zack said, trying hard to make his voice sound as shaky as his body looked. "I'm out of tryptophan. I couldn't find Max and figured you might have some."
"Sure. Here sit down on the couch and I'll go and get some." Logan said after helping Zack to the couch.
"Thanks Logan." Zack said, sinking down on the couch.
"No problem. I'll be right back." Logan answered and hurried to his bathroom to get some tryptophan from the stash he kept there.
It took Logan a good minute to get the pills but that was enough time for Zack. As soon as Logan was out of sight he shot off the couch and, in a whirl of motion, deposited 3 bugs. One in the kitchen, one in the living room and one in his computer room. By the time Logan came back from his bathroom Zack was already sitting on the couch again.
Zack accepted the pills, swallowed a couple, and slid the rest of them in the pocket of his jacket. Logan brought him a glass of milk and than sat across from him on a chair waiting for the tryptophan to kick in.
After only 10 minutes Zack seemed to be back to normal. "Thanks Logan. I'm better now. It wasn't a real bad seizure. Guess the tryptophan stopped it dead in its tracks." Zack said, getting up from the couch.
"Good. You sure you're okay? Maybe you should rest for little longer." Logan offered but rose to his feet as well.
"No thanks. I'm good." Zack said and started walking towards the door. "I should get back to work."
"Yeah. I heard about your new pay-system." Logan said, trying to lighten the mood. He didn't know why, but he always felt a little uneasy around Zack.
"Right." Zack said and with a quick nod he let himself out, happy to have accomplished his task.
Jam Pony, 5 pm
"Here you go Normal." Max said and handed over her signature board.
Normal gave it a quick glance and then looked up at her in surprise. "What do you want?" He asked, eying her suspiciously.
"Hmm?" Max asked not sure what he meant by that.
"Your slacker friends over there each only managed to make 2 runs today and you come in with 16 signatures." He explained, still eying her. "So what do you want Missy?"
"Nothing. I'm just done for the day and want to leave on time." Max explained, figuring that giving him a snappy answer would result in her having to do another run.
"That's it?" He asked her, irritated by her lack of attitude.
"Yep. That's it. So can I go now?" She asked, still no trace of sarcasm and attitude in her voice.
"Yes you can go." Normal replied hesitantly. She never asked for permission to leave. She always did as she pleased. Despite the urge to ask her what was going on he just nodded at her and turned around to yell at some other slacking messengers.
Max turned on her heel and headed over to her locker. Maybe it pays to be a little friendly to him. She mused but dismissed the possibility that it would happen ever again. It was just too much fun pissing him off.
"Hey OC. How ya doin?" Max asked as she stuffed her backpack in her locker and grabbing her leather jacket.
"Is the day over yet?" OC asked from her spot on the bench having lost track of time.
"Well it is for me boo. But I think you should go home too." Max chuckled as she watched Cindy trying to sit up.
"You gonna help me home boo?" Cindy asked weakly after managing to get up.
"Sorry OC." Max said while helping Cindy to put on her jacket. "But I'm heading over to Logan's right now. Can you manage to get home without running into a car?" Max asked with a little concern in her voice.
"Yeah. Go ahead. Original Cindy will just wait here for Alec or Zack. Go and have some fun with your squeeze." Cindy said, trying to wave Max away but unable to do so as her arm felt too heavy to lift up.
"Okay. I'll see you later. If you're still awake that is." Max said, waved at her friend and left. Original Cindy mobilized all her energy to come up with a witty line she could fire after Max but soon gave up her efforts and concentrated on keeping her eyes open while she waited for Alec to take her home.
Logan's penthouse:
Max arrived at Fogle towers after one of her fastest rides ever. She pushed her bicycle into the elevator and rode up to Logan's place. Great. If I leave my bicycle here tonight then I'll have to come back tomorrow morning to get it. And after work I have to come back here to get my baby. Funny. How did this start? I've left my baby here before. Max thought with amusement.
She rolled her bike out, picked the lock and went inside.
"Honey. I'm home." She yelled, carefully leaning her bike against one of his plastic room-separators. She felt so playful tonight and was excited beyond words about what he had planned for them.
"Wow. You did get out early." Logan greeted her once she arrived at his kitchen.
"I've been a good girl today so even Normal couldn't help himself and he sent me home." Max said, jumping on the counter to watch Logan fix some sandwiches.
"Well, as you've been such a nice girl today I guess you deserve a reward." Logan replied playfully.
"Yep, I agree." Max said and hopped off the counter to grab one of the sandwiches.
"Hey." Logan complained. "I didn't make those to eat here."
"Sorry." Max mumbled around a mouthful of her sandwich.
"You're forgiven." Logan gave in. How could he stay mad at her when she looked so cute?
"So you're ready to go?" Logan asked while packing up a bunch of sandwiches and a bottle of wine.
"Sure. Where we going?" Max asked, grabbed her jacket and followed Logan to the elevator.
"Don't know. I thought I'd let you decide." Logan answered, still not giving away the surprise.
They arrived at his parking garage and Max was surprised that Logan walked past the Aztec to where she had parked her baby. She was even more surprised when she saw two motorcycles standing there.
"I figured we should make the best of the weather and take a little spin." Logan said by way of explanation. Max was still speechless. How does he always know exactly what I need? She thought and smiled at him.
"Where did you get this?" She asked pointing at the motor cross machine Logan had just mounted.
"I called Alec today and bribed him with a couple of bottles of pre-pulse Whiskey so he would lend it to me." Logan explained.
"This is so great Logan." Max said and resisted the urge to run over and hug him.
"I'm glad you like it." Logan smiled back glad to have made her smile and see her eyes light up. "But you have to drive slower than usual. I haven't done this in a while and don't want to embarrass myself by landing on my face." Logan said and jump started his bike.
"No problem. Where do you wanne go?" Max asked, starting her baby.
"That's up to you. Just lead the way." Logan said and, without any further thoughts about how this evening could end, sped off after Max.
Manticore, Seattle HQ:
Renfro made her way towards the communication lab after Lydecker had asked to see her there. She was annoyed as hell because she could think of a dozen things that were more important than Lydecker's stupid hide and go seek game with 452. She wanted them all and couldn't comprehend why Lydecker made such a big and lengthy deal when it came to one single X5.
"What is it Donald?" She asked while entering the room, not wasting a second with greetings.
"499 reported the successful installment of the audio devices. I've got a team here to analyze and compress all information necessary for 452's capture." Donald explained.
"And you asked me to come here so I could pat you on the back?" Renfro asked incredulously. He was wasting her time.
"No." Lydecker replied coldly. "We had a possible sighting of X5-493 in the woods outside of Seattle. I have a team ready and we're leaving in 5 minutes. Get everything ready until we get back here. We need to start reindoctrination ASAP." Lydecker explained, grabbed his jacket and left the room, fed up with Renfro's arrogance.
Somewhere in Seattle
Max and Logan raced the streets of Seattle. Sometimes Max would lead the way and sometimes Logan took over. He had long lost track in which part of the city they were and didn't care in the least. All that mattered to him was how much fun he was having with Max.
Max was having just as much fun. She felt the wind in her hair while she sped away on her ninja. Felt the powerful engine hum between her legs. Feasted her eye on Logan who skillfully managed to keep up with her and look good while doing so. He wore tight washed-out blue jeans and a leather jacket she didn't know he owned. He wore a helmet but she was still able to make out his eyes. And she could tell he loved this just as much as she did. Every once in a while he would look over at her and even though she couldn't see his mouth she knew he was smiling at her.
She always thought that driving her baby around Seattle was her way of clearing her head. Her way of dealing with problems and making her forget for a while. She never knew how much fun it was riding her baby when she was deliriously happy. Maybe because she was never as deliriously happy as she was now. Sharing something you love with someone you love and seeing how much that someone loves it was a new experience in her life.
Logan started to slow down and turned his head signaling for her to ride up next to him. "Wanne hit the waterfront and grab a bite?" Logan yelled over the roar of the engines.
"Yeah. Last one there has to do the serving." Max said and before Logan could reply she revved up her engine and sped off towards the waterfront.
When Logan arrived there Max's baby was already parked and she sat on an old tree trunk waiting for him. He killed the engine, dismounted his ride and walked towards her.
"You know that wasn't fair Max." He said in an accusing tone. But the sparkle in his eyes belied his seriousness and Max just shrugged her shoulders and patted on the spot next to her.
He sat down and reached for the bag of food Max had retrieved from the back of her baby. "We should have brought a blanket." Logan thought out loud while he unpacked the sandwiches and produced two plastic cups, the bottle of wine and a cork screw, which she handed to him.
"Next time." Max said and gave him a bright smile that indicated she wanted to do to this a lot more often. She liked it when Logan's playful and carefree side came out and she intended to bring it out a lot more.
"Yeah. Next time." He agreed and poured the wine. "Well. I guess it's served." He announced and they dug into their sandwiches hungrily.
"Maybe you could get your own bike." Max suggested while enjoying her food.
"You think so?" Logan asked, not sure if he should.
"Definitely. Then you wouldn't have to bribe Alec every time you and I want to go on a little tour. Or maybe we could even go on a big tour someday." Max said eagerly.
"You think so?" Logan repeated, amused and touched to see Max making plans for their future so excitedly.
"Yeah. We'll pack just the necessary stuff and hit the road. We can even go camping we don't have to stay in motels." Max said, her mind was already busy planning the details of their trip.
"Camping?" Logan asked and cringed involuntarily.
"What? Logan Cale too spoiled to sleep on the ground?" She teased, taking a swig of her wine.
"No. I just think I'm a little to old to sleep on the ground." Logan replied truthfully.
"Too old? You gotta be kidding me Logan. You'll have to come up with a different excuse." Max told him, determined not to give him an out.
"Okay. I'll think of something." Logan shot back, knowing what ever he said wouldn't good enough to get out of her plans.
"Fine. I'm sure once the virus is cured I can come up with something to convince you that there are good reasons you should be sharing a small tent with me." Max said seductively.
"Oh. In that case count me in." Logan replied and received a hit in the shoulder from Max's gloved hand.
"Jeez Logan. Who would have thought? There really is a guy in you." Max laughed finished her dinner.
"What can I say? You bring out the best and the worst in me." Logan shot back and they both fell into a comfortable silence sipping their wine, watching the water and the full moon and starlight sky.
"Hey. Isn't this our fourth date?" Logan asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Ahm. No. It's number 3." Max said after thinking about if for a second.
"Are you sure?" Logan asked. "If I didn't lose track of time our first date was dinner, the next day we went out for drinks and a movie. The third date would be the picnic in my apartment during the rain. The way I figure this is number 4." Logan counted for her.
"Well that is what we did the last four nights, but on the first night we decided that we would date so it doesn't count. We have one more date and 2 more nights after that we decided to not spend together." Max clarified.
"Oh okay. How about you spend tomorrow with Cindy and we'll see each other the night after that." Logan suggested.
"Why. Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Max asked him curious why he didn't want to see her tomorrow night.
"No. I don't have plans. But if we see each other tomorrow night then we wouldn't be seeing each other after that for 2 whole days. I just thought it would be nice to set the date in between those two days." Logan explained feeling a little silly. Did I just admit to her that I can't stand to spend two days without seeing her? She must think I'm a whack job without friends. Logan thought.
"Who says we can't see each other? We made those rules, we can brake them right?" Max answered, thinking it was cute that Logan wanted to spend so much time with her.
"Right." Logan agreed and they resumed their previous activity watching the moon mirroring in the water.
AN: There you go. I hope you liked it. I plan on writing the next chapter sometime this weekend – depends on my muse. So if you have any suggestions on where they should go or what they could do on their next dates please give me a buzz. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Lfbrox