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.

Huge THANK YOU to Maria for making time to Beta this no matter how hectic her RL gets.

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Enter Jondy, part 7

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A few hours later …

Max woke, warm and secure in Logan's arms. It was so unusual to not wake up disoriented, cold or scared. I could get used to this, she thought as she snuggled in for the rest of the night.

Logan's penthouse, 8 am

The shrill sound of the alarm awoke Logan, who was only momentarily confused by the weight on his chest that prevented him from rolling over to turn it off. He smiled at Max as she immediately started hitting every button on the top of his alarm clock. Fortunately, the alarm clock decided to be quiet before she started hitting hard enough to do permanent damage. Logan had to smile as he realized she had unbuttoned his pajamas to touch him skin to skin.

"Morning," he said, his voice deep and husky, still close to sleep.

Max looked to Logan, seeking verification that he was OK with everything. She found it in his smile and gave him a smile in return. "Good Morning," she clarified.

Very good, they thought, unaware that they were both thinking the same thing is so many, many ways.

Max leaned in to kiss him, but Logan stopped her. At her hurt look Logan explained, "The alarm goes off to remind me that I have to go to the bathroom."

"Oh, okay." Max pulled the covers back and jumped out of his way. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Logan shook his head and transferred back into his wheelchair. Max waited impatiently while he did whatever it was he did in there. Max had a vague idea of what was involved, and if he had not taken just as long last night then she would suspect that he was stalling. When Logan did finally come out of the bathroom he had left his shirt.

"Hey." Max smiled in appreciation.

"Hey." Logan fidgeted under Max's frank admiration.

"It's morning."

"Yeah."

"Anything particular you had in mind?" Max smiled suggestively, wondering what Logan would want.

"Coffee?" Logan asked nervously.

Max's face clearly showed her disappointment. "If that's what you want." She slipped off the bed pulled her jeans back on. She walked past Logan to grab a clean shirt from her 'after missions' stash.

Logan reached out and took her hand as she walked by. "Max. I … What do you want?"

Max kneeled in front of him. "Whatever you're comfortable with, Logan. Nothing more."

"You are right about options. Bling tried to talk to me about … options. I wouldn't let him. I didn't think I would ever need to know."

How could you think no one would ever want you again! Suddenly Max realized the depths of his pain and insecurities. How can I fix this?

"I'll … ask when he stops by today. I am sure that he will be thrilled that I am finally … "

Max interrupted Logan's obviously uncomfortable confession with a long, slow kiss. By the time she broke the kiss she had an idea, which while not guaranteed to reassure Logan, was at least worth a shot. "No hurry. Don't take this the wrong way, because I love touching you and kissing you and being held by you. More than I ever imagined possible. But, 98.28 of the time, I don't actually desire … sex." Max hesitantly looked up at Logan to see how he was taking this. At least I've taken his mind of HIS abnormalities. "So, don't do anything … drastic or invasive and forget about those pills that can cause heart problems. If they could make you feel something then it might be worth it but, as it is, they are not!"

Logan smiled. "You've done some research."

"Cats. Curiosity. WAY too much feline in my cocktail."

"98.28 is a very precise number."

"X5's are precise." Max paused, unsure of how to continue. "WAY too much feline in my cocktail."

"Max, what about the other 2 of the time."

"1.72" Max corrected. Logan just continued to stare at her, patiently. "Two, usually three times a year, for about fifty hours … I do want … sex."

Logan continued to wait, patiently.

"Cats…y'know … mating cycles…" Max started. She could see comprehension burst onto Logan's handsome features.

"So you go into … Wow!"

"I'm not right now. But, I do have a couple of hours until I have to be at work. Up for a shower? I could use someone to get those spots I can't quiet reach."

She's trying to change the subject. Logan attempted to reassure Max with a smile. "Not quite. Why do I get the feeling you know more about my injury than I do?"

"Because I have really awesome memory?"

"Hmmm." Logan shook his head.

"Because I did a ton of research on biology to try and figure out what is wrong with me?"

"Uh-uh"

"Because you've been to busy ignoring your injury to learn about it?"

"No."

"Hmmm," she murmured. Max leaned in to Logan, taking him in her embrace. "How about , because I care about you more than you do?"

Their kiss was long and slow and sweet.

"I'm going to go make breakfast. Want anything?"

"Yes," replied Max as she looked at Logan with such longing it made him ache.

"Max." Logan knew what she wanted. Rationally he knew she had to know what he was, or more specifically, was not capable of, but he still could not quite accept the idea of being intimate with someone when he couldn't … be intimate. He gathered her into his arms and held her.

"Can I at least get breakfast before I have to run off to work?"

"Of course." Logan released her and preceded to the kitchen to prepare a feast to make up for all that, in his own mind, he couldn't give her.

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Shortly after Max left Jondy strolled in. Logan had just started putting away the leftovers when he heard an "Mmm" from behind him.

"You expecting a convention?" Jondy asked, eyeing the food.

Logan almost laughed. He wondered briefly if all X5's had such appetites. Probably. Food certainly wouldn't have been a problem for Manticore. Not that Biology was his strong point, but he supposed it made sense that they had to consume a lot of calories to 'pay for' all their abilities. "Just a couple of X5's."

It was so odd to Jondy, talking openly about being an X5, but she adapted quickly. "So … I can have some?"

"You can have as much as you like. I have some papers ready for you."

"Thanks. Yummmmm." Jondy looked delighted as she consumed the last orange scone. "Wow, you are good. No wonder Max is crazy about you." Jondy didn't realize she was automatically on Logan's good side just by being Max's sister; even so the comment had the exact desired effect.

Logan smiled, pleased with the confirmation of what he meant to Max. "Any preference on a background? Any special skills or certifications that you would like?"

"Nah. I'm trying to keep a low profile. And, somehow, I suspect you will provide more than enough in the way of adventure. Actually I was thinking of swinging by Jam Pony. See if they have an opening."

"Going to go work with Max?"

"That, and I don't suspect he checks anyone out. Not that your paperwork wouldn't stand up to inquiry," Jondy amended hastily when she realized she might have given offense. "I'll get a sector pass and nobody pays attention to … messengers. They are so … proletarian. So, what do we know about this Normal guy that passes out the invisibility passes?"

"That's a good question. I have no idea."

"Supposedly his real name is Reagan Ronald. How long would it take you to do some basic recon?"

"Five minutes."

"Way faster than me. You win. I'll just finish up here." Jondy stuffed the last of the bacon in her mouth.

Logan smiled and turned away to go to his computers. How much could there be on Reagan Ronald?

To Be Continued….