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The man spoke quietly to his son, who disappeared through a side door. Then, the pharmacist crossed the room and threw open the double doors at the back. He gestured toward the open doors, stepping back to let them pass, said, "Welcome to my little home."

The wide steps led down to a lush courtyard garden. Rows of rich tiles cut orderly paths through swaths of green grass. Trees thick with mangoes, papayas, and other fruits Max couldn't name lined the paths as a few birds wove in and out among the branches. Around the edge of the garden stood several small cottages, painted in the same bright colors as the tiles underfoot. Max and Logan followed the elder Mr. Koonikorn around the courtyard to a long table under the trees. The boy reappeared with a servant who brought a cart with a platter of fruit and glasses of pink liquid.

Mr. Koonikorn began to peel and slice one of the mangos, chatting brightly, "When our pharmacy business started doing well, we gradually pushed the drug dealers out of this village and took over this house. I began to grow fruit trees. Also, I do a radio show where the people can call me to ask questions about their health. I started adding on to the house so that my friends could stay with me. My son has always been interested in computers, so when we moved here. He gradually learned more and more. We have a satellite connection here," he added proudly.

"We write regularly to my brother and he has told us all about Eyes Only in Seattle. We have seen many of your cable hacks, not live, of course."

"He's a regular Oprah." Logan whispered to Max, who stifled a laugh.

Presently, Mr. Koonikorn paused to take a breath. He smiled knowingly at Logan.

"I was going to ask you to join me for dinner, but I see that you are tired. I am sure you and your lady friend would prefer a more private evening. I will see you tomorrow."

Before Logan could stammer out a reply, their host rose and motioned for them to follow him. Pointing them toward an opening between two trees, he bowed deeply and repeated, "I will see you tomorrow."

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The sloping trail led to a bungalow sitting on low stilts on a narrow strip of beach. The deep blue water stretched out to the horizon. Logan backed up against the steps.

"Bling taught me a new trick, but maybe you could just make sure I don't end up with my head in the sand," Logan said awkwardly. He reached back to grab the railing as high up as he could with one hand and tugged at his wheel with the other. He inched up the two steps, pushed open the door and rolled into the tiny cabin. The bedroom held just a bed and an even tinier kitchen was just beyond the bedroom.

Max had cleaned up first before Logan made his way into the bathroom. The hours of travel along the dirt road had covered him with a fine coat of dust and sweat. Without really pausing to think about it, he stripped off his clothes. Lifting his feet off the footrests and leaning forward to put his hands on the ground, he lowered himself to the tiled floor. Resting his head against the wall, he let the water stream over him.

Ten minutes later, Logan emerged from the bathroom. He had shed his dusty clothes and was now wearing only the loose pants and T-shirt he had bought when they had landed in Bangkok. To Max, they made him look boyish. He felt awkward with his bare feet resting on the footrests, but they had left Seattle without even a change of clothes and he was lucky he had any clean things at all. Max lay stretched out on the bed. She had thrown open the windows so that she could look out onto the ocean from where she lay.

Logan swiveled his chair around neatly next to the bed.

"Is this the kind of adventure you had in mind, Max?" Logan smiled at her and felt suddenly shy. For months, they had shared late night meals and endless games of chess. At time, when Logan had laid his hand on Max forehead or touched her arm, he had felt a heat that seemed unbearable. But he had never allowed himself to think that Max might see him in that way, that she might burn with the same desire. Now, thousands of miles away from home in this steamy, dizzy, mysterious place, anything seemed possible.

Max moved over to make room. Logan slid himself up onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows. Max settled herself against Logan. Suddenly, without pausing to look at him, she kissed his hands tenderly, pressing them to her cheeks. Logan smiled and wordlessly wrapped his arms around her body.

They watched the sun slowly setting over the smooth sea.

"This is exactly the kind of adventure I had in mind."

Marcus's requests:

1) Sibling complications/rivalry – not Zack!
2) Logan and Kendra in a compromising position.
3) Max acting jealous (and denying it).
4) Someone sees an EO hack somewhere beyond Seattle and recognizes Logan.
5) A trip abroad (ie not Canada or Mexico).