A/n: Ok, everyone, I'm really sorry it's taken so long to update this. I just hope some of you are still following it. In apology, I've included some really gratuitous semi-naked Logan imagery.

If you want to thank someone for this chapter, thank jrfaninaustin. It was her email that was the kick up the arse I needed to continue this fic.

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Chapter 14: Renaissance

Alec was crouching in the shadows outside the National Guard's armoury, waiting for Max to signal to him and the four other X5s with them to move out. The transgenics needed as much equipment as they could get to mount their attack on the Conclave, and they needed it now. The only place they could get that volume of weapons from was their former adversaries at Terminal City. As Max had said, "after what they did to us, I figure they owe us a few guns."

Alec heartily agreed. The only part of the plan he didn't like was the fact they'd had to hide in the ruins of Terminal City itself and wait for cover of darkness. The area was being largely ignored by the troops now it had been levelled; there was no reason for them to patrol it.

Earlier that day, he'd been back to where he was four weeks ago, standing by the ruins of the command centre. The rain hadn't yet managed to erase the tracks of the crane that had been brought in to lift the girder trapping Logan. It was lying several metres from where he'd last seen it, and the rubble had been cleared to make a landing place for the helicopter that had lifted him out.

Max had stepped up beside him. "This is it, huh," she'd said.

"Yep. The last place I saw him. The last place any of us saw him."

"We're gonna get him out of there, Alec."

"You really think so? I mean really?"

"If we can't defeat them, we're going to take them with us. Either way… this time tomorrow the world's going to be a different place. It's not just a few perfect soldiers this time. It's all of us, the United State of Freaks."

"And if we win the war but lose Logan? What then?"

"Then it looks like you're going to be the one in charge of the survivors."

"Me? Why me?"

"Because you're next in the chain of command. This is going to sound weird… but… one time I gave Logan a blood transfusion. Saved his life, even though I knew it could cost me my freedom. After that, I always felt this… connection. Like a sixth sense, telling me if he was ok. It kept me strong all the time I was at Manticore, knowing he was alive and waiting for me. I still have it. If he died I'd feel it. I'd know he was gone. And it would destroy me."

"Now that's what I call true love."

"Yeah, I guess it is." They just stood there, staring at the debris for some time.

Alec spotted the brief flash of light that was the signal to move out and relayed it to Zack, Zane, Syl and Krit behind him. Quietly and efficiently, they knocked out the guards on the door and forced it open. They all took turns keeping watch and loading weapons into their truck. When the armoury was empty, the X5's climbed in among the ammo crates and drove away, to meet up with their troops at the rendezvous point, just outside Washington DC.

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Max sat on a pile of bullet proof vests near the cab of the truck, lost in thought.

Poor Alec. I wish I knew what to say to him. He's so quiet these days, not like himself at all. Then again, I've been so busy lately between worrying about Logan, Sandeman, White and Zack I haven't really had time for him.

It was good of Sebastian to let Lydecker and Sandeman stay with him while we're busy. No way could I let either of them near the battlefield. The last thing I need is some transgenic with a grudge killing them while my back's turned.

They really didn't want me to come on this mission. You're the only hope for mankind, we don't know how long we have before the coming, Logan could be dead before you get to him. But I had to. I have to lead my people into battle. Besides, that familiar bitch they've paired Logan up with needs her ass kicking.

Jondy made her way over to max from the back of the truck. "Hey, girl."

"Hey. How's Alec doing?"

"Same as you; just thinkin."

"Two years, Jondy. Since he met me, Logan's been shot twice, thrown off a building, kidnapped, almost died from the virus three times, had his home destroyed, been involved in another shootout at Jam Pony and then had bombs dropped on him. I can't lose him now. I can't lose him, period."

"I know. It's ok, we'll get him out. I want to meet this guy too."

"You feelin left out, Jon?"

"Hell yes. Everyone keeps saying what a great guy Logan is and I don't have any impressions of my own to draw on. I might think he's an ass."

"Hey! That's my nearly boyfriend you're talking about!"

"Exactly. How can I know what kind of brother in law he's going to be if I've never met him?"

"The kind who can score you sector passes, fake id, tryptophan and motor oil whenever you want any. And arrange pretty much anything else you need. And cook the best lasagne you have ever tasted in your life."

"You might have me on the lasagne."

"Maybe you and Alec can come over and have dinner with us one day."

"What do you mean, me and Alec? There is no me and Alec."

"Oh, come on, Jondy. I've been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. I've seen the way you look at him."

"He's an X5. Can you say eye candy?"

"I think the two of you would be a cute couple. Once Alec's back to his usual annoying self you can play pranks on each other and then have to make up."

"Eww! Max, you have a dirty mind."

"Funny. That's what I used to say to Cindy when she went on about me and Logan."

Zack, who was driving, braked the truck to a stop and called out. "We're here." The rendezvous point was a massive empty warehouse in a deserted industrial park just outside DC.

The six of them all climbed out into the warehouse, full of trucks and transgenics. Only mothers, babies and pregnant females had been banned from the battlefield; Gem was in charge of them back at New TC. Everyone else was here, preparing to fight the conclave.

A crowd rapidly gathered around the truck. Max jumped gracefully onto the hood to address them.

"Who wants some guns?" There was a great cheer, and a "hell, yes" from Mole.

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When Thula woke the next morning, she was confused to find herself fully dressed in an unfamiliar bed. It didn't help that she had a splitting headache. She focussed as best she could and realised she could hear the shower running. After several minutes, the water shut off and a damp Logan emerged from the en suite bathroom in a towel and a cloud of steam.

"What… what time is it?" She managed through dry lips.

"About eight thirty. Sorry, did the shower wake you?"

"No." She covered her eyes with her hand and peered up at him, despite her throbbing head, watching the path of a drop of water over his muscular torso. It travelled from the hollow of his collarbone down the valley between his well defined pectorals, meandering hypnotically over the taut flesh. The droplet curled to the left across his ribs and then dribbled slowly from one firm ab to the next when it reached his six-pack. It was finally absorbed by the towel wrapped snugly around his narrow hips. Her trance was only broken when he spoke again.

"There's plenty of hot water left if you're up to it. Might make you feel better, you were out like a light last night and you don't look too healthy this morning. I put some coffee on too, you want some?"

"Black, please, and some aspirin," she managed, still trying not to gape like an idiot at how incredibly good her breeding partner looked this morning. "I'll work my way up to a shower."

"Ok. I'll get my things and finish drying off in the other room so I don't disturb you. Ten minutes." He rifled through the drawers for some clothes and then left for the living room.

All Logan really wanted to do was run as far away as he could, find a phone and call Max.

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You may now drool. Or review, if you'd prefer.