Setting: Fogle Towers Penthouse; 3:41 AM

Max sneaked into the penthouse, closing the door silently behind her. She slipped down the hallway, expecting to find Logan asleep in his room; prepared to wait a few hours until he roused. She figured it would give her more time to figure out what to say.

Should have thought that before you got here.

Spontaneous is more romantic.

Oh, for the love of Mike! You see, you've driven me to quoting Normal

Shh! Some one else is here! Max heard the flutter of paper. She tensed immediately. Then she heard the unique strokes of Logan's fingers on his keyboard. This triggered an unwilling flashback of the presence of those same fingers at the base of her skull, the back of her neck, pulling her closer as she stood bent over the door of his car, their lips locked, delicious sensations shooting through her.

Max battled herself momentarily, then decided to continue, once again ignoring every rational instinct within her. She continued on her way down the hall, taking slow, deliberately silent steps, unconsciously maintaining her anonymity, keeping the option of turning back. But there was no turning back for her. She stopped in the doorway of the computer room, silently observing Logan from behind as he concentrated on his task. She stood stock still, her Fight instinct and Flight instinct battling once again. After about a minute, Logan sensed her presence. His head jerked up from the file he was currently reading, his eyes being hit directly with the white glare from the computer. He turned his head, and glanced at her from out of the corner of his eye. Without taking his eyes off of her, he swung the chair around so that he was facing her. He moved slowly, warily, as if any he believed sudden movements would send her bolting for the door.

"Hey," he said, his voice hid his wariness under his casual tone; as if she showed up at quarter to four in the morning on a regular basis. Max gulped, then returned his greeting.

"Hi." How the hell do you manage to make your voice tremble for a single syllabic word? Why do you have to make yourself so vulnerable? Max had no response for the Voice this time.

"So..." Logan began, obviously trying to skirt the issue, trying to make this easier for her. For them both. Max couldn't help but think he was sweet for this. But she knew that if she didn't make things right now, this would linger in the back of her mind forever.

"I'm sorry about-about earlier," she stumbled.

"Max, it's okay-"

"No, it's not. I majorly overreacted. I had no right to- to-" Try as she might, she couldn't say it.

"To slap me?" Logan supplied. "Max, I have to admit that I was surprised that you did, but, to be honest, I was also surprised that no one did it earlier. I know that I've been awful to you over the past few weeks--"

"Logan, it's fine-"

"No, Max. You gave me this huge gift, and even though it didn't last, I don't want you to think for a second that I'm not grateful to know that you'd be willing to risk so much to help me." Even though he knew that this sounded mushy and lame, he had to say it, and he knew that Max would understand. She flashed him a sheepish grin, which he returned shakily, hoping that she wouldn't notice the blush that was rapidly devouring his facial complexion. Then he noticed that her eyes looked unusually shiny and moist, so he figured that they were even in terms of embarrassing moments.

Max drew in a deep breath, and, deciding that the mushy moment needed to end... now.

"So... bygones?"She asked hopefully. Logan gave a short laugh, nodding.

"Good. Now, one of us needs sleep." She said with a tone of pushiness in her voice. Logan laughed again, surrendering. He turned back to the computer, saving his work and shutting it down. He switched off the desk lamp, and wheeled himself past Max, and out into the living room. Max followed silently, flopping down onto the sofa. He looked back at her over his shoulder.

"You're staying?" She knew it was meant both as a request and a statement. She nodded, feeling suddenly exhausted both physically and mentally by the day's events.

"Well, the guest room is made up. You can stay in there." He said, then added. "Please?" Max nodded again, and Logan held out his hand to help her haul herself up off of the sofa. They continued on down to their respective rooms.

After changing into the t-shirt and pair of boxers Logan had left out for her while she was taking advantage of his hot water supply, Max sank slowly into the layers of soft, cool sheets and fluffy blankets, enveloping herself in their Logan-y scent of fabric softener and time. As she drifted off, she thought how nice it was to have their comfortable friendship back, even though it wasn't necessarily what she wanted, but there would be time for that later. Right now, they were exactly where they were best.

THE END?

FIN?

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