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: Thanks for all the great reviews for the last chapter. It is now beta-ed and re-posted if you want to read it again. For all the people who ask me to keep going with this story: don't worry. I will finish this story one way or another. I just take my dear time with it as I'm sometimes not sure where to take the story next. So I thank you for your patience. So here comes another chapter. Thanks Sammi for the beta work. Await more work shortly.

Chapter 10: A long night's wait

They could wait that long. And tomorrow would take care of itself. Come what may.

Manticore, Seattle HQ:

Lydecker paced his office. He still had a few minutes until he could question 493. He hoped the more aggressive indoctrination method he had ordered didn't cause any permanent damage or erase his memory completely. Suddenly his intercom buzzed.

"Colonel Lydecker. 599 checking in sir." The leader of the observation lab informed him.

"Put him through." Lydecker said absentmindedly.

"Yes Sir." The soldier confirmed and transferred Zack through to Lydecker.

"What have you got 599?" Lydecker asked him, hoping he had some valuable information about Eyes Only for him so he wouldn't have to lay all of his hopes on 493's interrogation.

"Sir. Suspect's and 452's evening was uneventful. They separated at 452's place. I'm observing suspect's place right now sir. He's pacing in the living room. No computer activity. Sir." Zack reported, annoyed at Logan, annoyed at Max and annoyed at himself for he could not report anything substantial to Lydecker.

"I figured that much." Lydecker said and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Abort your observation at suspect's place. We can get everything we need via the cameras and audio devices in the penthouse. Keep an eye on 452. You'll be more useful there. Report back tomorrow. Over." Lydecker said and turned the intercom off.

"Let's see what you've got 493." Lydecker muttered and left his office to go question Ben.

Across from FogleTowers

Zack hurriedly packed up his equipment from the building across from Logan's penthouse. He had received orders to observe Max. As much as he hated not keeping an eye on that Cale guy, he was glad to finally have a challenge. It wouldn't be quite as easy to observe Max. They were both trained to feel the presence of someone watching them.

Now it was his turn to outsmart her. To be superior. To be a soldier. He wouldn't let his feelings for her interfere with his mission. His love for her wouldn't lead him to make a mistake like Max's love for Cale lead her to make one mistake after the other. Once she was back at Manticore she would be his. He could wait that long.

With one last look at Cale he shouldered his backpack and hurried down the stairs eager to get to Max.

Logan's penthouse:

It was well past one in the morning, but sleep was the last thing Logan wanted right now. After coming home he had changed into more comfortable clothes. He had switched on his computers intending to work all night, but he couldn't really concentrate on anything else but the doctor's appointment at 9 o'clock.

7 ½ hours to go.

And sleep wouldn't come. He knew that. Was sure of it.

With a frustrated groan he switched the computers back off. Usually he could lose himself in his work. Sit there and type away for what felt like a few minutes to him but were several hours in reality. But not tonight. He got up from his office chair, switched the lights off in the computer room and went to the kitchen for a way past midnight snack.

After getting all the ingredients out to prepare himself a huge sandwich, he realized that he wasn't really hungry. He stored everything back in the fridge and stood there for a minute not knowing how to occupy himself. He went over to the wine rack to select a bottle that would hopefully help him relax. But for every bottle he pulled out he could think of a better occasion to drink that one than to just relax himself. Okay, all the better occasions included Max, but pre-pulse wine was hard to find these days and he didn't want to waste one on himself.

So he grabbed a glass and walked over to where he kept his liquor. He poured himself a generous amount of Whiskey and moved over to the living room. He sat down and took a long drink from his glass. He felt the liquor run down his throat and felt the heat expand in his belly. He closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself to relax. But it didn't work. So, glass in hand, he got back up and walked around the living room, stopping here and there to look at a painting or a statue.

For the next ten minutes he walked around his penthouse like a person wandering around a museum on a rainy Sunday afternoon. He stopped in front of the mirror and remembered the night he had stood there with Max. He had been such a jerk then. Manipulating her. Playing her. He had been too obsessed with his plan to recruit her for his Eyes Only mission that he didn't even notice how affected she was by him. Too self-involved to notice how affected he was by her. He could have kissed her that night and she wouldn't have shoved him away. He could have been more sensitive. They could have been together from the start. But he had blown it.

He tore himself away from the mirror and walked back to the kitchen to refill his glass. He had to think about something other than Max. Or their past mistakes. With a now refilled glass in hand he continued to walk around the penthouse. He stopped briefly in front of the guest room but knew that he would only think of Max if he went in there so he walked past the door and into his own bedroom.

He almost stumbled over the guest bed that still stood unfolded next to his bed. Glad to finally have something to do, he placed his glass on his dresser and started folding the bed back together. If things went well in the morning he might not have to ever unfold it again. He smiled at that thought but started to groan in frustration as his senses were assaulted with an overdose of Max-scent when the bed folded together.

"Jesus Cale, get it together." He growled at himself while pushing the bed towards the exercise room to store it away. Satisfied that the bed was stored away properly he walked back to the bedroom. He took another sip of whiskey and looked around in the room. Soon Max would be here with him. And this time he wouldn't wake up to find out it was just another dream.

the night before

"Comfortable?" He asked after watching her cuddle up in the bed.

"Very much." She said and finally settled in a comfortable position that allowed her to see Logan and was cozy enough to fall asleep in.

"Let's hope we don't have to do this anymore next week." Logan said with a mischievous grin.

"Logan Cale." Max said and faked shock. "You think that just because we beat this bitch, I'll fall in your bed a second later?"

"Yes." Logan replied playfully but also truthfully. Max pretended to ponder that thought for a minute and when Logan gave up the idea that she was going to reply to this she did.

"Yeah. I guess so too." Max said with a seductive grin and hugged her pillow tighter. Logan gave her one last smile and then turned off the lights.

end of flashback

Maybe she would be here sooner than he dared to hope. /Better be prepared. You never know./ Logan thought and walked into the living room to grab some nice and scented candles he could put in the bedroom.

Dr. Richmonds office:

After a few dinners, a movie, a motorcycle ride, a basketball game and long very deep conversations they sat again in the doctors office, nervous about the results of the blood tests. They had learned a lot about one another in the previous week and they didn't even know everything yet. It was really comfortable which neither expected it to be. But both were eager now to touch and kiss. The doctor entered the office and both Max and Logan, jumped out of their seats, signaling him that he probably shouldn't stall them any longer and cut right to the chase.

"Congratulations you two. You've officially beaten that virus. Feel free to touch." Max and Logan looked at each other but hesitated.

"Of course," Dr. Richmond said, "you want to be alone. I understand. So take your time. Goodbye. I hope we will see each other again – maybe under better circumstances than a deadly virus." The Doctor joked but knew it was time for him to leave them alone.

Max and Logan still stood there looking at each other. Well that was it. Now they could touch. Logan made the first move and walked over to Max but then hesitated an inch away from her. So Max spread her arms, encouraging him to take the last step towards her. He did in a heartbeat and they finally hugged. Finally touched. They just stood there hugging. Her arms around his waist her face buried in his neck. One of his arms pressed her even closer to him and the other was lightly stroking her hair. They were standing there for almost 15 minutes, just hugging and not moving. Taking in the each other's scent. Listening to their increased heartbeats and quickening breaths. Enjoying the feeling of the other's body. Thinking about how great it felt but also feeling scared what would happen after they broke the embrace. Scared it wouldn't work. Scared it could work. Scared that the high expectations were too high.

Finally Logan backed up a little so he could see Max's face. He closed both hands around Max's face and leaned down to kiss her. A soft, careful and shy kiss. But only for a few seconds. Then he kissed her more passionately, more urgent and harder. Hungry. Having longed for that moment for so long. Having imagined it for so long.

With his tongue he demanded access to her mouth. Max hesitated at first but as he ran his hand gently over her back she automatically opened her mouth for him. Their tongues met and Logan groaned at the sensations that rocketed through his body. She tasted so good, her mouth was so soft and if he had known how good it felt to kiss her he would have done it much earlier – fuck the virus. No sweeter death could possibly exist. Logan pulled Max closer and she pressed herself greedily against his strong body. Neither wanted to end this kiss. They ate each other up like two hungry wolves. The kiss grew more and more passionate. Max pressed against him and discovered his mouth with her tongue and his body with her eager hands– Logan's body reacted.

She felt him hard on her thigh and she pressed her body even closer. Logan moaned at this reaction. God it has been so long for him. He wanted her right now. He tried to take a few steps and find a more comfortable spot. But as they tried not to end this kiss, they stumbled and fell over the two chairs they'd been sitting in before.

They landed on the floor hard and were forced to break the kiss. Both seemed a little distracted. They finally realized that they were still in the doctor's office and decided that this wouldn't be the right place. They got up and realized that they'd spent an hour in there alone. Now it wasn't even the right time anymore, for Max had to go to work.

They straightened their clothes and left the doctors office. Outside Logan leaned down to kiss Max. "Have a nice day at work honey. Maybe this interruption was a good thing. We have all the time in the world. Come over after work and I'll fix a romantic candle light dinner for the two of us."

"Sounds wonderful, I can't wait. I'll see you tonight." She gave him a quick kiss and rushed off with her bicycle. She slowly cooled down a bit and grinned in anticipation of tonight's events.

Later that night:

Max walked through the door. The whole apartment was filled with candles. The table was set and there was slow music in the background. There was an incredible smell and Max followed it to the kitchen where Logan was giving the dish the final touch. She walked up behind him and put her arms around his waist.

"Smells wonderful." Logan turned around with a smile and gave Max a long and soft kiss.

But the cook in him forced him to back off and he declared "dinner is ready" and with a real sexy and seductive voice he added "I hope you're hungry."

Max grinned back at him, knowing where he was going and whispered, "I'm starving."

They sat down for dinner. Held hands and locked eyes. Enjoying the meal and each other's company. Finally they were able to do what they always wanted. They ate, occasionally kissed and stared into each other's eyes that held the promises of the most wonderful and romantic night ever.

After dinner he asked her to dance and they both floated, closely embraced, to the slow music. Max rested her head on his shoulder and Logan gently stroked her back. This moment was perfect and neither one of them wanted it to end. They started kissing softly, still dancing.

Why rush, they had all night. This night was supposed to be special. So they kept on dancing, kissing, touching one another softly. They shared smiles and gentle loving glances. They kissed again and knew both that the tip toeing was over. They intensified the kiss and felt both the same passion rising up just like this morning in the doctor's office.

Logan pressed her closer and slipped one hand under her shirt. Her skin felt so soft. He bent down to kiss her neck and to nibble on her ear. He then picked her up and started walking toward his bedroom – still kissing her. As they reached the bed he gently laid her down on it. He looked at her as she lay in front of him. He was overwhelmed with love and passion for Max, his Max. Just as he lowered himself to join her on the bed and to kiss her and hold her and love her…..

..…Max woke up.

"Jesus fucking Christ." Max almost screamed as she said upright in bed, panting, sweating. A dream. A fucking dream. She actually fell asleep. How could she fall asleep?

She quickly got up from her mattress and walked to the bathroom. She studied her face in the little mirror over the sink. She looked sweaty and flushed, her pupils were dilated and her chest was heaving. She turned on the faucet and splashed some ice cold water in her face and let it run down her neck as if she could wash away her vivid memories of the dream.

"God I never sleep. Why tonight?" Max muttered to herself as she dried her face with a small towel and walked out to make some coffee.

After Logan had dropped her off more than 3 hours ago she had busied herself with everything she could think of. She made some coffee and a small snack, then changed the oil on her motorcycle. Afterwards she busied herself with boiling water for a relaxing late night bath. She was actually glad that Cindy wasn't there so she didn't have to be quiet. After a long hot bath, during which she unsuccessfully tried to get Logan out of her head, she decided to enjoy her momentarily relaxed state a little longer and lay down on the bed. She didn't consciously notice that she had closed her eyes. She never even considered that she had fallen asleep and it was all a dream until she was ripped out of it.

Now she was even more nervous than before. Her hand was almost shaking when she poured her coffee and she knew that it wasn't another seizure. She was scared. She. The genetically engineered killing machine was scared that she wasn't able to kiss the man she loved in a few hours.

More than 5 hours to go with nothing to do. She could take her baby out for a ride, maybe go up to the Space Needle for a while but it was way beyond curfew and she didn't want to risk getting into any trouble. Not tonight. So she just sat there on the stool in her kitchen, sipping coffee and nervously tapping her leg to an unheard rhythm.

/God this isn't helping./ Max thought setting her cup on the counter and walking to her closet to get dressed. Maybe Logan was still awake. And if not she could at least hang around his place. She could think of a few things to keep herself busy with there. She grinned and wheeled her baby out of the room to go over to Logan's.

AN: Ha. Did I get you there? Yes I know I'm a tease. Eventually we get there – I just thought I give you a little taste of what is maybe going to happen soon. When I say maybe I mean it. I don't know what's going to happen. So stay tuned. Please drop a review. Thanks.

Lfbrox