A/N: Thank you for the feedback: )

"Love Letters"

Chapter 8

Max lightly pushed herself on the swing with her toes, her shoes connecting to the sandy ground that surrounded her. Helene and Jackie had long been gone; the night quiet and serene around her. The waves lulled gently to the pull of the half-crescent moon, and the breeze was cool on her skin.

Max thought about her mother and siblings. She learned very little about the concept of family at Manticore. That didn't matter because she got the most important lesson of all: families stuck together, no matter what. They took care of each other, and abandonment was never an option: ever. She led her life with this fundamental belief; and as soon as she got back to Seattle, she would help Zack to find Tinga.

In her youth, during the deepest sorrows of the night, Max held on to a tomorrow when she would find her siblings again. But several months ago, as an adult, she got through the lonely nights with a secret treasure in her heart: the knowledge that she had a mother who loved her. And Logan, she had Logan.

Max smiled at the thought of him, of the steps they danced as they hovered between friends and lovers. He was thoughtful, truthful and kind. The superficial part of her also acknowledged that he was very handsome. He had her trust and respect. If there was ever a man who she could love, it would definitely be him. Sometimes, when she was honest with her self, she thought that she was already there. Only sometimes.

Max walked back home, guided by streetlights. Logan had gone back an hour ago when Thomas and his family turned in for the night.

As she reached the cabin, Max saw shadows through the window and flickers of light inside. With furrowed brows, she wondered why Logan had candles when electricity was on.

Max's senses alerted her that there was something special going on before she stepped inside. It smelled of candles and incense when she opened the door. As she stepped in, she saw Logan with a nervous smile.

"Hey, Max." He held out a glass of champagne for her.

With a grin, Max made a sweeping look around the cabin, each corner was lighted with candles and an assortment of dips and chocolate were on the table. Max asked, "What's going on?"

Logan shrugged. "You and I never had a chance to celebrate the anniversary of you breaking in to my place."

Logan rolled towards the living room, Max followed. He took a cracker and dipped it in shrimp paste, offering it to Max. She leaned down and took a bite, grazing her lips across the tips of his fingers. She met his eyes, both aware of the contact. Logan cleared his throat. "I thought I'd deliver on a promise I made a few days ago about celebrating with plenty of mirth and good food."

Max chewed, licking her lips as she savored the last bite. Sitting across from Logan, she crossed her legs together and took a sip of her champagne. She smiled appreciatively, "Good."

Logan beamed. "I aim to please."

Max settled in more comfortably in her seat, "So, what kind of celebration have you got in mind?" She blushed as soon as her brain processed her words.

Chuckling, Logan wheeled himself to the stereo system that he fixed just moments ago. He turned it on and it played a collection of classic instrumental music. "How about, we'll start with a dance?"

Max raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile tugging her lips. The possibilities were endless, but Max leaned more towards sitting on Logan's lap while he rolled them back and forth to the music.

Max uncrossed her legs, but before she could stand, Logan stopped her. "Stay right there, I have a surprise for you."

Suspiciously, Max watched Logan wheel himself in front of her.

"Close your eyes." He commanded, "No peaking."

"Alright," Max wiggled back on her seat. She patted her hands on her lap "I already told you I'm partial to things that sparkle. I hope it's what I think it is!"

"Not quite." Logan took Max's hands in his, pulling her up.

Max's eyes flew open as sensations of being lifted up almost unbalanced her. She was greeted by wide shoulders and had to turn her head up to meet Logan's eyes, bright with bone-melting smile.

"Logan…how?" She held on tightly to Logan's hands, recovering from shock.

Logan stepped back and pulled Max in his arms. "Courtesy of our friend, Phil."

She pulled away. "But…"

"Hush." Logan whispered in her ear. "Let's enjoy the dance, okay?" He cradled her with his left hand on her lower back, pulling her until her curves fitted against him. He tucked Max's left hand in his right and pulled it close between them, leading her to a slow dance in the middle of the living room.

"Okay." Max conceded despite the many questions flying in her mind. She sighed, resting her head against his shoulder. She breathed in Logan's unique, and appealing, male scent. "You're tall." She murmured, leaning in Logan's comforting embrace and resisting the urge to nuzzle her nose against Logan's chest.

Logan chuckled, "You're beautiful."

Max laughed lightly, "You're full of it."

"Happy anniversary, Max."

A moment passed and Max whispered, "I've been searching for my family for as long as I left Manticore. When I met you, I thought you'd lead me to them."

Logan remained quiet, encouraging Max to continue.

"I found my sister, Logan, but Manticore took her away again. The only thing that makes that bearable is to know that even if she never found us, she had a family that made her happy, even if it was just for a little bit of time. She's had someone she loved and someone who loved her. I don't think we fully knew what that meant until we escaped."

Logan pulled Max closer and she felt his warmth along the length of her.

"Logan, if I were to go back to Manticore tomorrow…I'm grateful that I found you, and we have what we do."

"I'll always be here, Max. I won't let Manticore take you back." He looked into her eyes when he said, "I want to give you more, whatever you're ready for."

Candlelight made the room glow warmly, lulling both of them to a refuge where it was safe to feel vulnerable. The soft music in the background played one song after another, and they danced to each of them. Then, like lightning, sparks flew from below them and Logan landed with his bottom on the floor, his legs twitching uncontrollably.

"Damn."

"It's okay." Max looked helplessly as she kneeled beside Logan who was trying to turn off his device.

Finally locating the switch, Logan turned it off. He couldn't quite look at Max when he said, "I'm sorry."

Max's chest squeezed. She pulled Logan's hand and brought it to her heart. She then leaned in for a light kiss on his cheek. "There's nothing to be sorry for, it's never been about you being able to walk." With a soft smile, she added, "Or dance. Not for me."

Logan brought the hand that Max held up to his lips, kissing her knuckles. He laughed. "Hopeless, huh?"

"No." Max cupped Logan's jaw with the hand he just kissed. His stubble tickled her palm. "Never that." She leaned forward, he met her halfway, and their lips met. Logan's hand lingered around the back of her neck, entangled with her curls.

Max broke the kiss, stood up and walked slowly towards their bedroom. She paused before stepping through the threshold and looked halfway back with and inviting smile, "Come."

The phone rang incessantly; Logan pulled the covers over himself and Max. Unfortunately, sound traveled through thin fabrics.

"Logan, don't stop." She murmured, tugging him to a spot that brought toe-curling pleasure. "Umm…right there." Logan needed no direction; however, he loved hearing Max's pleas that he didn't have the heart to tell her that he knew exactly where to touch. Having spent the last few days in bed with Max, Logan had learned useful facts about her pleasure zones.

"Finally." The phone stopped. Logan kissed his way along Max's navel and up to the place that when tugged by his lips, created a warm puddle around her core. With the aid of toys from Original Cindy, Logan slid into Max's heat, eliciting a gasp from both their lips. The see-through lingerie, again courtesy of Original Cindy, had found a permanent place at the foot of the bed.

Max flipped them over, taking sheets and pillows tumbling with them. She giggled when the sheets got trapped behind Logan's back, locking her to him more fully. Then, playfulness was replaced by urgency as the two of them met each other, her legs supporting Logan's and her hips cradling him inside of her.

The phone rang again, but gasps and moans competed to win as they both found sweet release.

Max snuggled close to Logan's embrace. "You think we should answer the phone?"

Logan, catching his breath, rested one forearm over his eyes while his other one balanced Max on top of him. "I suppose we should, before whoever is calling send the police over here." He grinned. "We haven't talked to anyone for days."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Hey, I'm not complaining."

Logan reached for the phone when it rang again. "Hello." Logan wasn't sure if Max was using her enhanced hearing, but he hoped she didn't hear the teasing that Thomas gave him on the other line.

"Okay, thanks Thomas."

Max rested her elbows on Logan's chest, raising an eyebrow. Her breasts were pressed against him and her hair swayed softly against her face. Her mocha-colored complexion was an exotic contrast to his light coloring, and her skin was soft against his. Her eyes were bright, lips were full. He kissed her again, lingeringly, thinking that he'd never seen her more beautiful.

She bit her lip when he let her go, as if sensing his thoughts and slightly embarrassed by them. "What did Thomas say?"

Logan reached for the remote control on the night stand, flipping the television on. "He said to watch the news; Premier Leroux is making a statement."

"Welcome to Global News at Six. As promised, we have a full statement from Premier Leroux regarding a daughter that the public was not aware of. Linda Avares is live at City Hall."

"I have made mistakes in my past. I have made decisions that I regret every day. Yesterday, I was blessed with another opportunity to right a wrong that I've made. My daughter contacted me after more than thirty years. I couldn't be more grateful." Premier Leroux dabbed a tear at the corner of his eyes.

"I met Sophia Gomez when I was a young student, and I fell in love with her. Youth is not an excuse for poor behavior. I'm afraid that at that time, I succumbed to put my ambitions first before doing what was right. When I realized my mistake, it was too late. I couldn't find Sophia and the unborn child I created with her."

The camera switched to Premier Leroux's wife and children who stood behind him.

"I can't go back in time so I've spent most of my adult life compensating for the mistakes of my youth. Now that I have a chance, I'd like to make amends to my daughter, Helene. Please respect our privacy as we try to put our family back together. Thank you."

Max turned to Logan, "I hope Helene doesn't forgive him too easily, but I'm glad he's acknowledging her. I guess no one is perfect."

Logan tucked Max's hair behind her ear. "Don't you think I come pretty close?"

She swatted his shoulder. "Please, you're turning cocky, Logan. Imagine what a few more days of sex will do to you."

Logan pulled Max under the sheet again, "Well, let's find out."

THE END

A/N: Logan and Max are so fun to write, thanks for reading! As always, I am sincerely grateful to those who review : )