Disclaimer: No infringement intended. Not affiliated in any way with anyone. Nothing to sue here people, move along. I don't own anything here. I am not making any money on this.

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Enter Jondy, part 6

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Logan put the finishing touches on Jondy's paperwork. He'd stayed up too late, again, but this was important. He supposed that he should have spent more time asking her what kind of a background she wanted. Logan stifled a yawn, and then took his glasses off to rub his eyes. Bed or work? Bed or work?

"Okay, Spill it," said Max.

Logan jumped. "Spill what?"

Max looked at Logan for a moment, concerned. "Earlier, I said that you never let your injury stop you from doing anything. You got really … sad and said it did." Max feigned a disinterested shrug. "What does it stop you from doing?"

Logan blushed. Max arched one brow as she quietly absorbed this new clue, a small suspicion growing in the back of her mind.

"It's nothing," Logan eventually mumbled as he quickly turned his wheelchair to go into the bedroom.

Max moved quicker to intercept. "It isn't nothing. Logan I said something that hurt you. You must have known going into this …" This what? Are we in a relationship? What am I to him? Other than a soldier? " … us, that I can be … blunt … and kind of …. clumsy socially."

"Max." Logan again wondered how fair this … whatever they had… was to Max.

"I didn't mean to hurt you Logan."

"I know."

"So explain to me what is going on so I can not do it again!" The two most stubborn people in Seattle stared at each other for some time.

Eventually Logan had to relent. "Max, I have to go to the bathroom."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'WHY'?" Logan knew she had missed a few of the social subtleties, but jeez!

"Why do you have to go the bathroom?" Max repeated calmly, as if it was an everyday question.

"I refuse to believe that you are not aware that 'have to go to the bathroom' is a polite euphemism for 'have to go urinate'!"

"I thought you had a complete break."

"I do. How did you know that?"

"It was in your chart. That usually means you can't feel stuff like that."

That surprised Logan. "I can't. I have a schedule I need to keep or risk infection and … other repercussions. I'm already late. Please let me go."

Max moved out of his way and thought over the clues she had picked up. He didn't think I knew about his injury. It's embarrassing to him. This couldn't be about … us, could it? Unbidden Jondy's words earlier "It is better to have loved and lost" sprang to mind. All the reasons to not risk their current, comfortable relationship whirled in Max's mind. I almost lost him again tonight. I almost lost him, and I've never …

Max took a deep breath, gathered her courage, left her coat on his computer desk and went to wait for Logan on his bed.

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Logan finally finished in the bathroom. He didn't notice Max laying on his bed. He had changed into dark navy pajamas. He started back to his computer with every intention of telling Max that he was too tired for talking or thinking and needed sleep.

"Took you long enough. You're almost as bad as O.C." she quipped, startling Logan.

"Max!" Logan gasped.

"Logan," Max said softly. With her usual feline grace she slipped down from his bed and stalked over to him. Logan sat motionless, transfixed by the sexy sway of her hips and the soft padding of bare feet towards him. Max straddled Logan and lowered herself gently onto his lap, her breasts just barely brushing against his chest. She took his face gently in her hands and raised it so that she could look him deeply in the eyes. "Logan, tell me." Max paused, but when he would not answer, she continued. "I am sorry I said something to hurt you and I want to make it up to you. Tell me what you want to do and we will figure out some way that we can do it. I don't ever want to hurt you."

A soft laugh escaped Logan at the sheer irony. He wrapped his arms around Max and pulled her to him. She came willingly, eagerly, joyfully, and with a soft sigh of contentment she wrapped her arms around him too. "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose, Max."

Max held Logan while he fought his personal demons. His grip on her tightened as his fear grew that, if she really knew how little of him was left, this would be the last time he would be able to hold her in his arms. Max waited patiently for Logan to decide how they would proceed. She ran her fingers through his unruly hair. The tip of her nose grazed lightly over his ear as she reveled in his touch, his scent, his arms...

Logan's fear gained the upper hand. He released her from his embrace. "Max, I'm very tired."

Max pulled back to stare at him. "Perfect time for an interrogation. Tell me, and I'll let you go to bed." Max replied ruthlessly, completely shocking Logan.

"Max! I said I am too tired for this right now."

"And I said you could go to bed as soon as you tell me."

"Nothing, Max. It's … nothing."

"Logan, I want to help you. I want. … I need you to be honest with me, Logan."

The two most stubborn people in Seattle continued to stare at each other. Eventually, Logan's longing gained the momentary upper hand over his fears. "I thought my injury was the reason we hadn't … made love," he blurted out before he can stop himself.

"No," Max said as she rose from his lap. "It is not."

Logan felt the cold where Max's warmth used to be. Isn't this exactly what he knew would happen, if he expressed desire for her? Pain, panic and regret nearly overwhelm Logan so that he does not notice Max moving him to his bed. Suddenly he stopped next to his bed and noticed that Max was setting the brakes on his wheelchair.

"Max?" Logan asked, as she pulled back the covers.

"I told you that you could go to bed as soon as you answered my question, and you can, but … I still have a couple more things that I need to say." Max looked up at Logan uncertainly as she bit her lower lip.

Logan nodded and slowly, arduously, transferred himself into his bed under Max's steady gaze. He had just pulled himself away from the edge, when an extensively unclad Max dashed in beside him. She had, at some point, removed her sweater and pants. What kind of a man could not notice Max taking off clothes? I really am pathetic, Logan thought wretchedly. Max is crawling into bed with me wearing only a thin cream colored camisole and tiny matching panties that look like they are only held on with a little ribbon bow, and I am unhappy. What is wrong with me? Oh, yeah. I can't DO anything about it.

Max shoved Logan's unfeeling legs into what she hoped was a comfortable position and slid into bed next to him. She didn't quite have the confidence to look at him while she told him what she needed to say, what he needed to hear, so she buried her face against his throat. Logan enfolded her slight, slightly clad from in his strong arms. She took a deep breath and risked humiliation for the man she loved. Her words came out in a rush as she tried to get everything out before she lost her courage.

"Logan, your injury is the reason we haven't had sexual intercourse, the reason we may never be able to. I know that you probably can't get an erection. Intercourse is way overrated anyhow. Just ask O.C. The prospect of doing without it for the rest of my life doesn't bother me."

The rest of her life? She's thinking of forever? Logan wondered in awe.

Oblivious to how amazed Logan was, Max surged onward. "Making love is about emotions and intimacy and openness and there are so many things we could do!" Max's courage ran out. Her voice broke. Her eyelashes fluttered against his cheek as she tried to blink away the tears she could feel threatening her brave façade. "If you want to be with a …me."

She was going to say 'a genetically engineered killing machine'. Suddenly realizing Max's insecurities galvanized Logan into action. He tightened his arms around Max, pressing her body against his. "I want you more than anything."

"Really?" Max said in a shaky voice, her eyes glistening in the dim light.

"Really!" Lowering his mouth to hers, he gazed into her eyes. "I am in love with you Max." Please, please, don't run away from me, not now, he prayed.

Her full lips grazed over his as she told him, "You're the only man I've ever loved, Logan. The only one I ever will."

Logan's hand pulled her ample lips to his for a fiery kiss, pleasure and warmth radiated outward, and suddenly she was all that mattered in the world. Logan knew she was too young to make such a declaration of eternal love, but he needed her more than air right now. She's never seen how love can die. The reason came to him instantly, because she has never had love before. He needed to soothe all her worries about where she was from, what she was. He needed her to feel his acceptance and let her acceptance soothe all his fears and insecurity about his condition.

Max writhed and moaned in joy at his touch. Logan's hands roamed every inch of Max's flesh that he could reach. He noted that she kept her hands where he could feel her, her touch more reassuring than he could explain. She knows where the injury line is. She knew it was complete. She knows …everything, and she is still here. Please, don't let it be because she doesn't think anyone else would want a genetically engineered soldier. Logan grappled his insecurities again as Max clasped him to her.

Max could pick up something was wrong, but for once underestimated it. She tore her lips away from his and trailed hot shivery kisses all the way to his ear. Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine as it ran over his ear. "I know you're exhausted. It's alright. Whenever you are ready, Logan. Whatever, whenever, I'll be here."

"Tomorrow," Logan murmured sleepily. "Tomorrow morning." Grateful for the respite and hoping his quick wits would be back after some sleep, Logan willed himself to go to sleep. Max laid her head on his chest and he gently petted her hair until he fell asleep.

When Max was certain that Logan was sound asleep she gently unbuttoned his pajama top and, using all her skills as a pickpocket, slipped inside so that her skin touched his skin without waking him. Contentedly, she nuzzled the soft sprinkle of hair on his chest. Instinctively, Logan held her to him. Feeling safe and warm and … wanted, she drifted off to sleep herself.

To be continued….