A/n: An update at last! And not even a cliff! Many thanks for all your reviews, guys. There's only the epilogue to come after this.

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Chapter 28: After All

The next day was a surreal one. For the first time since Manticore burned, Max had no urgent life or death missions to perform. No one was hunting her particularly, since the familiars were scrambling to try and cover their asses after the Eyes Only bulletin, and the virus was well and truly beaten at last. She hadn't realised how much that one problem had weighed on her until she could finally touch Logan and know he would be safe.

Max spent much of the day talking with Catalina, starting to get to know the woman who'd given birth to her at last. Logan, predictably, refused to stay in bed and went to work on one of Sebastian's computers, catching up with some of his Eyes Only contacts. For the first time in days, Original Cindy, Bling, Normal and Sketchy were able to go home and sleep in their own beds. The day was... peaceful, happy; the atmosphere only broken by various X5 volunteers checking in to confirm they'd completed their missions to distribute the cure into the air.

Just before dusk, Bling returned, discreetly slipping Logan a small black box.

"Any problems?" Asked Logan, quietly, not wanting anyone to overhear.

"Nope; favour that guy owes you must be big, he did the job right away," the tall therapist replied with a hint of amusement.

"Thanks, Bling," said Logan earnestly. "For everything."

"Hey, don't worry about it, man. I'm just glad you finally came to your senses."

"Me, too," Logan admitted with a smile.

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Once it was truly dark, it was time for Max, Logan, Krit, Syl, and Sandeman to head for New Terminal City. They said their goodbyes to their friends one by one, leaving Catalina to last.

Max pulled her mother into a long, emotional embrace. "I'm so sorry," the X5 said. "I really want to stay, but..."

"You can't," she replied sadly. "I know; it's ok. Your people need you."

"I'm going to come see you as soon as I can," Max promised.

"I'm looking forward to it already. Just... keep safe, Max."

"I will, mom; Logan'll make sure of it."

Catalina released her daughter and looked up to the man standing behind her. "You'd better," she said, mock aggressively; then her voice softened. "Although from the stories she's been telling me, you don't need anyone to tell you to take care of my little girl."

"Maybe not," Logan said, with a smile. "But it never hurts to be reminded." He stooped to place a kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad I got to meet you, Catalina."

"Not as glad as I am, Logan," she replied, on the verge of tears.

Bling had brought Logan's battered but faithful Aztec from its garage near the rubble of old Terminal City and the five of them climbed in, Max in the hiding place under the back seat, and headed out, complete with sector passes courtesy of Matt Sung.

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"What time did Max say they were getting here again?" Asked Jondy, as she sat in the lookout tree with Alec.

"The same as the last five times you asked, Jon; they'll be here any minute."

"Yeah, but they're late…"

"By a whole three minutes. Would you just relax? You worrying isn't going to make them get here any quicker."

"But Alec… mmph!" The hazel eyed transgenic had given up trying to get her to shut up any other way and kissed her. Jondy quickly forgot that she was waiting for her sister and concentrated on her boyfriend.

Some time later, they were interrupted by someone yelling up at them in true parade ground fashion.

"Hey! You two call yourselves lookouts?"

"Max!" Called out Jondy, somewhat breathlessly. "You're finally here!"

"We've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes," said Logan, with a wide grin. "Looks like you two had other things on your minds."

"Logan!" Alec leapt down from the tree, landing in a perfect crouch. "You ok, buddy?"

"Better than new, Alec. Turns out nanocytes are pretty useful things."

Jondy followed Alec down from the tree and hugged Max tightly. "Hey, Maxie; do I finally get my introduction now?"

Max rolled her eyes. "Logan, this is Jondy. Jondy, Logan."

"Hi," said Logan, rather bemused by her enthusiasm.

The blonde X5 gave him a measuring look. "You know, your picture doesn't do you justice," she said. Then she grinned and hugged him. "Hey, big bro."

"Um, hey?" He said, surprised and pleased.

"Cheating on my sister already, Cale?" Asked a familiar voice from the shadows. Logan released Jondy abruptly.

"Never, Zack," he replied firmly, eyeing the other man with caution as he approached. Two pairs of blue eyes locked onto one another like a laser beam.

To everyone's astonishment, Zack said, "Guess not." He stepped forwards and offered a hand to Logan. The two former rivals shook hands solemnly.

"Should I take this as you giving us your blessing?" Asked Logan.

"I've seen what happened to Max without you. I'm giving you a chance to prove you're worth it."

"Thanks," replied the taller man sincerely, with a hint of surprise.

Max hugged her big brother tightly. "Thank you, Zack," she whispered, before stepping back to clasp Logan's hand.

To their surprise, neither man felt more than a faint tinge of jealousy over her actions. Both had accepted that Max had chosen between them; and they both regarded her happiness as more important than their own.

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Max stepped up onto her podium to address her people, still holding Logan's hand as he stood beside her. At the sight of the couple the whole crowd broke out into cheers.

Max and Logan both smiled and blushed, hoping it wasn't too obvious in the flickering torchlight. After the noise had died down a little, Max began to speak.

"Hey, guys," she called out. "Tonight, I have the best news I've ever had for you. The volunteers have all completed their missions; they're on their way back now. The familiars' big party is gonna be rained off by my blood. They're so busy trying to get the ordinaries off their backs right now they're not interested in us any more. And without their influence nothing can stop us claiming our human rights." Her voice was drowned out by cheers and shouts.

Max let them have their moment of jubilation before continuing; after the battle at Highview, they deserved it.

"But!" She continued at the top of her voice. "But they've done a pretty good job of turning the public against us. It's going to take time, and hard work, but I've been in touch with a contact who thinks we have a shot."

"All right, Maxie!" Yelled out Zane from near the back.

"More good news; as you can see, Logan is back with us." There was another cheer.

"I can't thank all of you enough for coming in to get me," said Logan.

"We owed ya for Terminal City," called out Mole gruffly from behind his cigar. "Now we're even."

"'Sides, what are family for?" Asked Alec, drawing a pleased smile from Logan.

"Yeah, you've been officially adopted," said Luke. "Welcome to the family of freaks, bro."

"And there I was thinking I'd have to marry in," said Logan, looking across at Max.

"Oh, you're not getting out of it that easily, Mr Cale," she pouted.

"I wasn't even gonna try, soon to be Mrs Cale," he replied with a grin.

Max couldn't resist that smile; she pulled her fiancée in for a kiss, forgetting the existence of the crowd. So the couple both missed the moment of shocked silence that preceded the loudest cheer yet. After all, if a transgenic and an ordinary could fall in love as completely as Max and Logan had, maybe the two groups weren't so different after all.

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Later that same night, Max and Logan stood hand in hand on the top of the dam, gazing out at the vast starlit sky.

"Is it just me feeling major déjá vu?" Asked Max.

"No, I'm getting it too. Only the last time we were here we had to wear gloves," Logan replied.

The couple just stood in silence for a while, their tightly held hands the only evidence of their tension.

"There it goes," said Logan, as a brilliant point of light began to arc across the sky. "The beginning of the end of the world."

"Bet the familiars are gonna be seriously pissed when none of the ordinary population drop dead," said Max with satisfaction.

"Now that I'd like to see," agreed Logan. "Preferably from a long way away."

"Logan? I, uh, talked to Clemente this morning. You remember, the cop from Jam Pony?"

"Yeah? What did he want?"

"Nothing; I called him. Anyway, it looks like there might have been a sway of public opinion on transgenic rights. The higher ups are considering opening negotiations with us."

"Really? That's great news! Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I'm telling you now, aren't I? There's just one problem. They're scared of us. They aren't prepared to talk to a genetically enhanced killing machine. And they've heard about Psy- ops."

"Max, you know I never meant it like that..."

"I know. So, I suggested we use an ordinary to negotiate on our behalf. I don't know yet if they'll agree, but..."

"Max... Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

"I can't think of anyone more perfect for the job, Logan."

"No, Max, I can't. If I screw up... All those lives..."

"You won't. I trust you. We all trust you. You're good with words, you're smart, charming, persuasive... you even have the same background as any politician. There's no one else that even comes close to your qualifications for this." She gazed up into his eyes, pleading.

"Logan... if you could convince me transgenics are human beings, you could convince anyone."

Logan studied her face intently, seeing the truth of her statement in her eyes.

"We have to put it to the vote," he said uncertainly. "If a majority of the transgenics elect me..."

Max wrapped him in her arms, revelling in the feel of his warm skin against her own. "Thank you," she said, leaning into his embrace.

The couple just stayed like that for a long time, watching while the doom of mankind burned its fiery path across the heavens behind them.

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So, any thoughts?