Zack ran up the stairs as fast as he could followed by Cece and Alec. Just as they arrived on the level of Logans pent house and could clearly see his door, there was a male figure standing in the entrance, Logan.

Logan heard foot steps running and turned to his left to see. Alec, Zack and Cece running towards him. Logan instantly ran in the other direction. All three transgenics stopped in the door way where they could clearly see a motionless Max.

"Max" Zack whispered standing in the door way.

"No, Maxie" Cece wrapped her arms around Zack who was stunned.

"Roller boy will pay. Zack get Max and take her back home. Cece and i will handle the bastard" Alec hissed and tapped Cece on the shoulder to follow him as they ran after Logan.

Zack suddenly came back to reality and rushed over to Max. "Max can you hear me?" Zack asked as he rushed to untie the rope binding her to the chair. He then checked her pulse..it was faint. Zack pulled her into a hug as she was cold. Max still motionless her head rested on Zacks shoulder and her arms hung by her side.

"Max can you hear me? Come on baby please speak to me?" Zack whispered as he rubbed her back and trailed soft kisses over her face and neck but didn't get a reaction. Zack looked at Maxs cuts and winced in pain for her. He lifted her up into his arms just as Cece and Alec dragged Logan into the apartment as he struggled to be free of their grip and failed terribly.

"Zack is she.." Cece couldn't finish her sentence.

"She needs a blood transfusion and rest. Then we'll have to wait an see" he answered tears clearly visible in his watery eyes.

"What will we do with him?" Alec asked throwing Logan roughly into the penthouse.

"Whatever, i don't care. I just wanna get Max home and make sure she and the baby are okay" Zack answered

Logan made a run for the door Alec and Zack stood by "Where do you think your going?" Cece called before hitting him hard on the head to knock him out.

"How about we tie him up and wait to see if Max is okay then decide what to do with him?" Cece suggested looking at her fellow X5's.

"Okay, i'll see yous later" Zack agreed and left.

As soon as Zack got home he cleaned Max wounds and dressed them with bandages. He carefully changed her into her favourite pyjamas short and top the top said 'Women half the population, all the brains' Then he placed her down on the double bed and gave her a blood transfusion. Zack lay next to her watching her face then looked down to her stomach where he just wanted to place his hand on her stomach and rub it better but he held back the urge incase he'd hurt her. Soon after Zack fell asleep.

While Zack was asleep Cece and Alec had arrived to check on them. Cece sat next to the the bed in a luxurious padded red seat. Cece un hooked Zack and Max so they would stop sharing blood while Alec made coffee. Zack began to stir then quickly sat up when he sensed someone else was in the room.

"It's okay, Zack. It's just me and Alec." Cece reassure a sleepy Zack

"Hey Cece. Where's Logan?" Zack asked

"In his apartment locked in the storage room, don't worry he can't get out we chained him to the wall and pad locked the door" Cece answered

"Good, i don't want him anywhere near Max from now on." Zack looked down at his pregnant mate.

"She'll be okay Zack. Max is strong and i'm sure the baby will be aswell" Cece walked over and hugged him.

"I hope so." Zack hugged her back.

"Hey bro, want a cuppa coffee?" Alec appeared in the door way holding three cups of ready made coffee. He handed one to Cece and held a cup to Zack.

"Thanks bro" Zack took the mug from Alec. "What should we do with Logan?" he asked

"I really don't know" Cece answered

"I think we should keep him in the storage room for now until Max wakes up, then ask her why he tried to kill our baby. I sure as hell don't want him near her and i'm willing to do what ever it takes but i'm not sure Max will like that" Zack added

"I can tell you why he tried it..he loves Max" Alec answered and was kicked in the shine by Cece.

"Ouch" he muttered looking at Cece who smiled innocently at him.

"Alecs right Cece, i think Logan has feelings for Max" Zack looked at them.

"Yeah but you don't exactly want to hear that at a time like this" Cece commented.

"We should go and let you and Max rest. We'll pop in tomorrow and see yous kay bro?" Alec suggested

"Sure thanks guys your the best" Zack smiled weakly.

"If you need anything just give us a call" Cece told him and Zack nodded.

Once everyone had left Zack felt alone, worried, hurt, afraid, guilt, scared, helpless all these emotions ripped him up inside and Zack looked down at the emotionless Max. Now there was no one to be strong from. Zack thought as a leader he had to hold the pack together he was being strong for Alec, Cece and Cindy. Even though she's not a transgenic Zack felt like she was part of their pack and they all accepted that. But now there was no one to be strong for Zack fought against the feelings and quickly lost as tears streamed down his face, he sobbed harder and harder. The kind that makes you stomach feel like someone is squeezing it tight over and over again. Zack was totally lose in this painful emotion he hasn't felt before and he didn't know how to control it.

"Max i'm so so sorry. I made a promise to you..a promise to protect ot son and i didn't. I wasn't there to protect you when i should have been. Please please wake up Max..wake up" Zack cried then carefully placed a hand on Max stomach wanting, no needing to feel the baby kick and let him not he and Max was okay.

"Please forgive me Max, Give me another chance and swear i won't let you down. You mean everything to me and i need you to be in my life and our son i need yous. Please don't leave me. I'm not supposed to be this needy but i am. Max please come back to me..i..i beg you." Zack whispered as he hung his head in shame then his gaze shot up to his hand the baby had just kicked him through Max. this gave him hope.

"Max..Maxie can you hear me. Please wake up. Wake up and let me know your okay. I love you and our baby" Zack searched her face over and over for a sign that she was gaining consciousness.

"Zack" Max muttered as she slowly opened her eyes as soon as she did her eyes were locked with him.

"Max" Zack smiled as he leaned down and gently kissed her on the forehead. "Are you okay? The baby?" he added placing a hand on the side of her face.

"Yeah, we're okay." Max answered as she looked around her. "What happened?" Max asked

"You don't remember? Just you rest and i'll fill you in when it's morning" Zack softly answered and Max nodded.

"Hold me..please" Max softly commanded

"Sure babe" Zack moved over as he lay next to Max and pulled her into his chest and carefully wrapped his arms around her. "You rest and i'll look after you" Zack whispered in her ear. Max rubbed her head against his chest and purred sleepily as Zack purred back and soon all three X5's were fast asleep..even the little one.

Love it? Hate it? Please let me know Kelly xxx.