Disclaimer: I don't own them because if I did we never would have gone through the agony of the "virus." Honestly people there were plenty of other ways to keep the sexual tension going strong—just look at Mulder and Scully.

AN: I hope this is acceptable reading material. Not much M/L in this chapter, but I promise some shippery stuff in the upcoming chapters. Feel free to email me any ideas or suggestions—I'd really like to know where you all want this story to go.

Chapter Nine

Ben glanced over at the opening elevator doors, and then went back to practicing his judo routine. "Got some information for you."

Max nodded, not really paying attention to her brother. She walked across the room and began fiddling with the radio station. She didn't need the classical sounds of Beethoven, she needed something fast and furious. Finally, she ceased her channel hopping as a loud, pulsing rhythm filled the room.

"Need to work off some frustration?" Ben asked, forgoing his routine. "Let me guess," he said with an air of mock sympathy, "Zack isn't pleased with you for some reason."

"When, pray tell, is our brother ever pleased with anyone?" Max questioned as she squared off against Ben.

"Never, but you already knew that."

Max ducked the right hook Ben threw at her. "All too well," she replied, as she nixed the conversation and focused her energy on the fight at hand. Ben was a good opponent, not as great as Zack, but still good.

After thirty minutes of intense battle, Ben flopped down on the mat, breathing heavily. "Okay, enough. I surrender."

Brushing a sweaty curl from her face, Max looked down at him and laughed. "Haven't I told you before, girls kick ass."

"I believe it," Ben chuckled before a subtle move of his leg sent Max airborne and laid her out beside him on the mat. "Gotcha."

"Why you little…"

"I gotcha good," Ben drawled, not the least bit afraid of provoking his sister's notorious temper.

"So you have information for me," Max stated, changing the conversation.

Ben nodded, quickly switching gears. "As I suspected, Lana Smith did not exist until approximately three weeks ago, when she entered the country via New York City."

"Who was she before?"

"Still working on that one, but I did find something of interest."

Max rolled her head to look at him.

"Uncle Jonas has been a real bad boy," Ben said in a chiding voice.

"Logan's uncle?" Max asked intrigued.

"The Russian mafia aren't the only ones who are after him. He's on the shitlist of the IRS and our dear Uncle."

"Really?" Max asked, sitting up on the mat. "What about Logan?"

Ben folded his hands behind his head and continued looking up at the ceiling. "I haven't found any proof that Logan's dirty. Honestly, I don't expect to. The boy's golden, otherwise Zack wouldn't have gotten messed up with him."

"You know who he is."

"Have for some time."

"And you just failed to mention this all to me?"

"You never asked, but Zack should have told you before you took the assignment." Ben looked up at his sister, "You've fallen for him, haven't you?"

"Now why does everyone think that I'm not to be trusted around Logan Cale?"

"You have," Ben grinned, "I knew you would. As soon as I started digging up information on him, I knew you would like him."

"Just because I like him, doesn't mean I'm in love with him," Max said standing, quietly holding out a hand to help Ben up.

Taking the hand, Ben pulled himself up, "Who said anything about love?"

Max cocked her head and rolled her eyes.

"Gotcha again, didn't I?" Ben asked as he followed Max across the room to the showers.

Ben didn't even recoil at the nasty look Max shot him as she walked into the women's shower area. "Yep, I gotcha good."

"Send the information up to the computer in my suite," Max called over shoulder.

"Already waiting for you," Ben tossed back at her still smiling.

Author's Notes: I just wanted to apologize for keeping you all waiting on this story, but like I said, I'm a sporadic updater. My father ended up back in the hospital, I found out I was not an acceptable kidney donor, blah blah woof woof. I'm actually working on another story right now (also DA), but not to worry I don't plan on publishing it until it's finished, and yes I will be continuing Out of the Shadows. Thanks so much to all of you who are reviewing, you guys rock.