AN: Here goes another part. So Kate died last Thursday on German TV. But I'm still going to end this story, with Kate being alive.

Hope you like this one. The original one was too long so I cut it. The next one will have another surprise for you. Now on with the story.

Part 19

On Monday Max and Tony went to Seattle in a Cale Industries private jet. It would be easier to transport Joshua this way.

First thing they did landing in Seattle was going to Jam Pony to see Max' friends. Tony waited outside while Max went inside.

"Hello Normal, where is OC?" she asked her former boss.

"Max, nice you pay us a visit. You got one week, that was about three months ago. I told your guy that you are fired."

"Normal, no need to worry. I know that I'm fired and I'm not here to get my job back. I just need to see Original Cindy. So where is she?"

Normal was speechless. He fired his subordinated about twice a week and they always ask to get their job back. Why should it be any other this time? Normal nodded forward the lockers and Max went there where she found OC, together with Sketchy and Herbal.

"Just the guys I was looking for." Max said leaning against one of the lockers.

OC spun around hearing that voice. "Max, you are back?"

Max just nodded.

"You know, I'm angry with you. You just leave without telling me where you are going and how long you are away. And I thought we are friends?" OC was really angry with Max.

"I'm sorry OC, but I just had to find someone. When I left some of my friends from Terminal City were missing, Alec being one of them."

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you. Did you find him?"

"Actually someone else found his body. Alec is dead. He was captured by Lydecker, again. He and a girl tried to flee and drowned." Max explained.

"Oh Max, I'm sorry. I know he was your friend. Speaking of friend, guess who was calling? Some hints? Wheelchair, very handsome, you were in love with him, he left two years ago."

"Oh, Logan called? Well, that's sure a surprise, but I don't need him anymore." Max said and was positive that her friends would like to see her company. They followed her outside of the building, where Tony was still waiting.

"I'm proud to present you me fiancé Mr. Anthony DiNozzo." Max said and Tony turned around to face his old friends.

"Hi folks, long time, no see." He smiled one of his famous smiles.

Sketchy was the first to speak. "You look like an old friend of us. Are you related to one Logan Cale?" he asked.

"Not really. Tony DiNozzo and Logan Cale are one and the same person. When I left Seattle, I had to change my name, but that's a long story. How about we tell you tonight at dinner? I would love to cook for you but the last I remember of my penthouse is that it was totally ruined. How about the Crash? It's my turn to pay."

They all agreed. "How about we see Joshua now?" Tony suggested. Together they went to 'father's house', where Joshua was still living.

"Hi big fellow. I'm back." Max shouted into the house while entering.

"Max' back? Joshua missed Max." Joshua said giving Max a bear hug.

"I missed you, too. But Tony and I, we found a house big enough to take you in. Do you still wanna live with us?"

"Joshua likes that. Living together with Max and Logan."

"That's right, but there is only one little problem. Logan had to change his name when he left Seattle. His real name is Anthony DiNozzo now. Do you think you can call him Tony, like all his friends?" Max asked.

"Hello Tony." Joshua said, smiling at Tony.

"Hi big fellow."

"Joshua gonna live with you, Tony." He stated.

"Yeah, and I'm happy about that, so you can keep Max company."

In the evening Max and Tony went to the Crash. The gang was already waiting for them.

"Where have you been? We were waiting for you!"

"Sorry guys, we lost track of time while being with Joshua."

"That's okay. It's good you are back. I missed you, Max."

"I missed you, too Boo. But I had to find Alec. Unfortunately it turned out not the way I hoped."

"You said you needed to tell us something." Herbal asked.

"Yes, there are a few things I need to tell you. It's not going to be easy." Max said and took Tony's hand.

OC noticed. "Max, are you out of mind? You are touching him! Do you want him to die? You know how you were feeling when he left? You were unhappy. Do I need to remind you?"

"No Cindy, you don't have to remind me but nothing will happen. The virus is gone, we finally can be together. I told Tony that I'm in love with him and that I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

OC was happy. "Finally you are together. I'm so happy for the both of you. So you are coming back, Tony?" OC addressed him.

"Well, that's the problem. I'm working for the Government in Washington, DC. It's a good job where I can help to make the world a bit safer. I would have quit, but Max told me to stay there. She's working there, too."

"That means, that you are not coming back to Seattle, are you?" Sketchy asked.

"Yes, I'm moving up to DC. My place is at Tony's site and Tony's place is with NCIS. He's happy there, and I'm happy there, too. But that doesn't mean that we are not going to see as anymore. You are still my best friends, guys."

"You can visit us as often as you like and we are going too spent much time here together with you. You know, I have a private jet you can use for traveling." Tony explained.

"That's sure a surprise but I'm happy for you. You deserve some luck and happiness."

"Thanks OC, but that's not all. There are still some things we need to tell you."

"Okay Max, go ahead. We are still shocked, so just tell us so we can get over it at once."

"Okay, so we tell you everything. First like we told you, Max is going to move to Washington, DC. We bought a house there and we are going to take Joshua in. We can't leave him here alone. Second topic, we are going to marry but we don't have the exact date yet. But you all will get an invitation. Your turn Max." Tony smiled at her.

"There is one last thing. OC, how about becoming a godmother?" Max asked looking at Tony for allowance. He nodded.

"I don't know, why do you ask?"

Max stepped away from the table and opened her jacked. Under her tight top her friends could see her baby-belly, not that she was showing much, just a little bit.

"You are pregnant?" OC asked.

"Yes, it came kind of surprising for us. But I'm happy. I love this baby, even I'm afraid of all the responsibility we are going to have. So will you be god-mother?"

"Yes, of course I will. That are some things you had to tell us. We can't leave you alone for some weeks. Look, you engaged and pregnant." OC smiled. All others have to laugh knowing about Max tendency to be a rebel. Now she was acting like a rebellious teenager.

The rest of the night they spent celebrating. On the next morning Tony and Max visited Terminal City to see Ava. Dix guarded the gate.

"Hi Dix, how are you?" Max asked approaching the gate.

"Max, good to see you again. Is our hero coming back?" he asked.

"No, your hero isn't coming back, just to visit someone. Are we allowed to enter?"

"Of course you are, you ever will. We have to thank you that we are able to live here."

"Dix, you all have thanked me more than necessary in the past two years. I'll start a new life together with Logan, but you will ever be a part of my life. You are my family, after all." Max said and entered Terminal City.

"Where can we find Ava? She's still here, isn't she?" Tony asked.

"Ava is still here. Lots to do for her with all the guys. She's back in the kitchen building, where she has her examination room or something like that. Is there a problem since you are asking for her? Something I have to worry about?" Dix asked concerned.

"Nothing to worry about, but thanks Dix. Come on Tony, we still have some business to take care of today." Max said and dragged Tony after her toward the kitchen building.

Terminal City, a former factory had once been a dump for poison waste. Normal human beings couldn't stay long there without getting sick. It was just perfect for the Transgenos. Humans were afraid of this place so they could live their life in peace, sort of.

After a ten minute walk they reached the room Ava was in.

"Ava, do you have some minutes for us? I got a problem I need your help with." Max asked entering the room.

"Nothing to do, so you are free to enter. What problem do you have, Max?"

"Not quiet a problem, just a situation I'm not sure I can handle. I'm pregnant."

"Congratulation Max and where is the problem?"

"I'm moving up to DC and there are no docs I can see. I can't just walk in there and tell them 'Hi, I'm pregnant and I have some cat genes so take your exam'. I want you to check me and tell Tony that everything is all right. He is quite worried about us."

"I sure can do this." Ava said and began to examine Max. Tony had to wait outside. About 20 minutes later Tony was allowed back in.

"What took you so long? I was worried!" He said giving Max a kiss.

"Hello to you, too. Thorough work needs time." Max said smiling.

"Tony, would you please sit down." Tony did like told. "So, there is no need to worry about Max or the baby. Both are very healthy and just the way they should be. I think there will be no problems. Everything looks just fine to me. You have still 6 months left, I would say. Do you have any friends in DC you trust enough to tell them your story. Perhaps one of them is doctor?" Ava asked.

"Yes, there would be one person. He already knows about my cat genes and he was the one how told me I was pregnant. I just wanted to see someone more familiar with strange genes."

"Thanks Max, but there is really no need. Go see him in about a month. If he has any question he can call me every time. You know we don't need much sleep. And there is no need for you to travel all the way just to see me. And you can call me, too. What are friends for?"

"Thanks Ava. You made my day. Perhaps Tony will be less caution toward me. It's really sweet but I'm not used to it. Hope to see you soon."

The two of them left Terminal City and went back to the 'normal life'.

"Max, can we go and see my old penthouse? I would love to see what had happened to it."

"Of course we can see it. I haven't been there since you left, to much pain you know. All the time we spent there, happy and unhappy. It was just too much for me." Max explained and they went to Tony's old home.

From the outside the apartment complex looked just like the one he left two years ago. But he was curious to see what his apartment looked like. The last time he was in there, they were held capture by Ames White and his guys. There were lots of gunfire involved and several deaths. Well, the flat didn't look that nice when he left.

Two years of totally absence wouldn't help either.

Ramirez, the doorman remembered Tony from old days.

"Hey Mr. Cale. You are back? Where have you been this long?" he asked, seeing Tony and Max entering.

"Ramirez, you are still here? I thought you were going to study."

"I will. That is just a way to earn some money for college. So where have you been. You haven't been here in what, two years? Yeah, that would do it. I just started to work here when you disappeared. And this lovely lady hadn't been around, too. Good to see you two again. You look both very happy, by the way."

"We are happy, Ramirez. I just will take a quick look at my apartment. Won't be long. Are you coming, Max?"

So they went to the elevator and got up to the top floor.

"I don't know if I still want to see the penthouse. You know, perhaps I should remember it the way I lived in there. Not destroyed like it will be."

"Tony, we got this far and we will have a look at it. I'm sure it's not that bad at all. I can take a look first, if you want."

Tony nodded. Together they left the lift and Max went into the penthouse to take a look. Tony waited at the elevator, afraid of what he was going to see.

Max returned short time later. Her face expressionless.

"That bad?" Tony asked. Max didn't answer but took his hand and pulled him toward the door.

"Close your eyes, Tony." Tony did like told, not sure about the reason. Perhaps Max was going to shock him on the most efficient way. Tony could tell that they were standing in the middle of his former living room. Right next to the spot where once his leather sofa was placed. He still knew his penthouse by heart.

"Open your eyes, darling." Max said, standing in front of him. Tony opened his eyes slowly and took a look around. It wasn't like the way he had left it, but it looked better than he had imagined. Actually it looked like someone had been decoration in there.

Tony walked around in his former home. There were no hints on what had taken place two years ago. No shot-holes, no blood, nothing. Even the shattered furniture had been replaced. He took a closer look at the now present leather-sofa. It looked like his old model; just the color of the leather was different. Actually most of the things looked like his old staff, just a few things had changed.

"Max, what had happened in here? When I left the penthouse was a real mess. Nobody would have been able to live in here. And now look at that, it looks just the way it has. Care to explain?" Tony asked Max, who had been following him close.

"Tony I swear, I have no idea what had happen. Like I told you, I haven't been here since you left. But someone had done a very good job. But there are some folks I can think of being responsible for this."

"OC, Herbal and Sketchy?" Tony guessed.

"Who else? Let's go and find out."

So they went back to Jam Pony to wait for the gang. It didn't last long until they showed up, eager to take their new assignment.

"Good you are all here. Is there something you want to tell me?" Max asked.

"I don't know what you are talking about, boo." OC said.

"Well, we just were at Tony's old penthouse. You want to tell me something now?"

"Okay, you got us. I decorated the penthouse. It was a shame to let it the way it was. Joshua helped me very much. He is very talented. Well, I thought if you ever came back you would need a place to stay. And Max told me lots about your crib. Did I do something wrong? I just would do something nice for the both of you." OC explained.

"No, you didn't do something wrong. Actually, you did a good job. When we first arrived there, I was afraid to go in there. I was afraid of the way the penthouse would look like after the fight with White. When I saw it the first time I was impressed. It just looks like in old days. Thanks, OC."

"Good, I was kind of frightened by the way you asked about it. Great that you like it."

"I like it very much. Do you still live it that apartment you had together with Max?" Tony asked.

"Yeah, of course. It's hard to get a home here."

"But it's really great there. I mean, the rent is cheap, but it's not very safe there. And there is still the cop you have to bribe, isn't it so?"

"Yeah, he's still there and the rent is not that cheap either. But better than no home at all."

"You ever thought about a move to a nicer area? Like my old home?" Tony asked.

"No, I never thought about that. You know, it's kind of expensive there. I don't have the money to even look at one of those homes, Tony."

"How about I give you my penthouse? I can't use it anymore and it's a shame for it to be without a person to live in, now you put so much time in decoration it. You are up to it?"

"I told you, I can't afford it. There is no way for me. But thanks for the offer."

"I wasn't speaking about a rent. You can live there without rent. The penthouse is owned by Cale Industries, which means me and I can do whatever I want. And I want you to live there. It's safer there, Max won't worry about you. So you take my offer?"

"OC, I know I was ever dreaming of living in an area like that. So just take the offer."

"Do I have alternatives?" OC asked grinning. So the deal was perfect, OC would move to the penthouse.

Max and Tony went back to Joshua who was packing things up for his own moving. They helped him with this task. Their flight back was scheduled for Thursday evening, so they would have enough time to help Joshua unpacking his things before they had to work again.

TBC...

So, how did you like this one? I promise there are more to come soon. And there is still a wedding to take place. And please leave a review. Thanks a lot.