DISCLAIMER: again, i don't own these characters
still Max/Zack-ish for now. But if you read the summary, you'll know it's not going to be like that for much longer!
Chapter 2: Peaceful Sleep
Max felt some relief come over her as her eyes reflected his smile. It was an action that was rare even for the old Zack, something that made it mean that much more whenever the sight graced his face, as it was right then. It gave her a warm sense of comfort, knowing that he at least still knew what it was to smile.
Max didn't want to press him any further, but she couldn't stop herself from staring intently into his eyes with a look of expectation as she awaited some sort of answer.
Zack unfortunately didn't answer her anxiety, and instead turned to start walking in the direction of the cottage. "I think I'm gonna take a shower, and then get some rest. Keep watch for me, will you?"
Max nodded, "Of course." She paused for a moment to keep her frustrations hidden. He deserved some rest, certainly. But she couldn't help feeling disappointment that he hadn't answered her question. It seemed after all their waiting, she would have to wait longer still to find her answers.
It was like he could hear her inner thoughts and read her face without looking. As he was walking toward the cottage, Zack turned back for a moment to stare at her and assess the woman that she was. A light grin came onto his face as he admired her figure and spirit. "We can talk tomorrow," he offered before turning his view again to his destination.
As he disappeared into the cottage, Max had a moment to gather her thoughts. If only she could put a name on them. Everything was disarray in her mind, a mixture of pleasure and sadness at seeing him again, distance and intimacy, hope and despair. Max wasn't quite sure what to think or where to begin. He didn't seem to remember everything, or else, he was working hard to ignore it all.
Thankfully, her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of her cell phone. Max looked up at the hovering satellite nearby, giving her signal in this remote area. Logan had it specially designed so it could not be detected, or traceable. It was expensive, but then again, money wasn't really an issue with Logan. He'd insisted on her bringing it, as they both knew she could be in the middle of nowhere for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
"Hey," she answered with a light grin.
"Hey yourself," came the low voice on the other end. She could almost hear him smiling. He couldn't help but be happy when he was talking to her. "Max," he said, his voice letting on concern, "How is he?"
Max sighed, "I really don't know. I mean, he seems okay. He's strong, in good shape, you know. But he's rather… standoffish right now about everything. We haven't gotten to talking about where he's been this whole time."
Logan laughed lightly, and made a comment to ease her tension and worries. "Well, he's never been the most open guy," he joked casually.
Max returned the light comment with a smile that made her voice sound happier as she answered. "No…," she admitted. "But he's never been so silent around me." That was when she realized. The unknown bothered her, of course, all of the questions that needed answers. But she was also troubled that he was acting so distant from her, barely accepting an embrace.
"He's probably still adjusting," Logan offered an explanation. "Which won't take him long. I hear he's got pretty good genes."
Max let out a laugh, but it felt empty. Logan was great, as always, but he couldn't shake the worry completely. "I just wish I knew more about what he's been through."
"I wish I could say I had something for you, but we were lucky as it is to just find out how we could reach him. I never was able to get any information on where he's been or any other specifics. All I know is that he's been moving, and a lot! I chased that signal for 3 weeks, and kept losing the trace just when I was getting close."
Typical, Max thought to herself, not sure if she should be happy or not with the news. Always the clever soldier. Zack was the one who always told them how important it was to keep moving, never get attached to any place- or any one, for that matter. She and Logan had gotten a lucky break finding him at all. Max shuddered silently as she recalled some of her worst points throughout the search. There had even been a time when part of her thought he was dead.
"It's cool," Max finally answered. "Right now we're fine."
"Well, I'll give you guys some space. I know how tough family can be."
Max laughed slightly, "We have this whole island to ourselves, I really don't think any more space is needed right now."
Logan returned with a lighthearted tone, "Okay, I guess you're right about that. But I'm still gonna let you go for a couple days. If I find out anything more, I'll give you a call, okay. Ring me up if anything changes."
Max smiled, "If I can remember your number." She of course had a better memory than almost anyone, but that wouldn't stop her from teasing Logan a little bit. She could always count on him to give her the strength to smile in spite of her troubles.
"Seriously, Max. Good luck. I'll be in touch."
He was always so serious! Max pocketed her phone and took a moment to scope the island again and make sure no one was going to interrupt their private getaway. After a few scans with her enhanced vision, Max had her answer, and sure enough, they still were alone on the little island.
Max decided to check on Zack next. She made sure to be very quiet, like only a transgenic could be, as she entered the cottage. She wandered inside until she saw his sleeping form. His body was sprawled carelessly on the bed.
His steady scent danced in the air around her, and Max knew he must have taken a quick shower before making his way to the bed. It looked like he'd collapsed as soon as his feet had brought him to the mattress. He hadn't even taken the time to wrap himself with covers. They came loosely over his lower half, but it didn't look like he'd made any effort to use them. And his hair was still wet from the shower.
Max couldn't help smiling at the sight. She'd never seen him so vulnerable before. He'd never allowed himself to be without full alert around anyone. Even in his most intimate moments, he still managed to keep a cover up, something Max had always scolded him about, being too much soldier and not enough free man.
He was certainly a soldier first and foremost. But as his eyes were held shut and his chest rose and fell with the steady, peaceful rhythm of sleep, he looked more relaxed than she thought possible. Finally, he could enjoy a moment of true peace.
But then Max's sights took in more than his beating chest. She noticed something that made her heart constrict. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and the thin cover that barely came to his abdomen left his chest completely visible, every single aspect of it, the defined ripples of his muscle, and the scar that brought a knowing sting to her heart.
Max crept toward him, and laid down next to him, careful to be silent in the action. Her brown eyes were like saucers as she studied him while he slept. She stared intently at the deepest scar on his chest. That was for me, she thought sadly, a guilt creeping over her again.
Zack had suffered so much. He deserved to feel happy. He deserved to feel comfort. But nothing seemed to make him feel that way. He was always so defined by his childhood, always the soldier, never leaving room for emotions, a sign that to him indicated the worst example of weakness.
Except when it came to Max.
She absently put her hand to his chest as she could only imagine what it must have felt like Her thoughts raced with her heart as her fingers grazed his scar. She slowly and gently traced her hand along it.
He woke up with a start and grabbed her hand gently, all in one immediate action, which startled Max and brought her out of her wandering thoughts.
The pair was briefly frozen as each gathered their thoughts. It was difficult to think, given how close they were and what had just happened. Max looked like a child who'd just been caught. The only action she seemed able to let out was to stare out of shock. Zack returned the awkward look with one of his own, unable to do anything more than stare back.
Max finally found her muscles obeying her again, and she attempted to move her hand away from his body, but Zack held it in place, his silent way of asking her not to stop the comforting motion that sent an electricity racing through him.
Max blinked once before trying to save face. "I'll get up, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to wake you…," she started, but Zack didn't let go, holding her hand firmly, but gently, in place. "No, Max. Stay. I know you checked the area. I trust you. We can both rest."
Max found herself unable to deny the quiet conviction in his voice. He's asking me to stay. Zack never asked anyone for anything. There was no way that she could say no to the vulnerable request.
Max moved her hand around his back, and traced circles onto his bare skin in a comforting action. She rubbed his back gently in an effort to draw him back to the sleep that she'd interrupted. "Okay," she whispered softly with a smile.
Max knew that she probably wasn't going to get any sleep. She had shark DNA, and didn't need to rejuvenate herself as often as the rest of the transgenics. But resting for Zack was the least she could do if that was what he wanted. It's the very least I can do, she thought, remembering all that he'd done for her.
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When Zack opened his eyes to Max, he couldn't move. He didn't want her to move, either. He only wanted that simple moment to go on forever. He really did trust her with his entire being. She was the only person that he trusted. She was the only person he would take so many risks for, if only to light his eyes with the sight of her one more time. She was the only person he would die for.
When she touched his scar, it was like he could feel it happening all over again. He felt all the pain rush back to him. Not the pain of the bullet as it punctured his skin, sending a hole gaping through him, or the nightmares that warped his mind, sending him into near shock at the distorted images that the foreign liquid induced as it was implanted into his bloodstream through a shot from PsyOps.
As excruciating as those experiences had been for him, nothing hurt like the pain felt in losing Max, just the thought of it. In that moment, when he'd realized that Max could be lost to him forever, he offered himself.
His regard for Max went outside of the rationale of a good soldier. His love for her was more powerful than the will to survive. He'd known in that moment when he saw her life flash before his eyes that his was not worth living in a world that knew her absence.
He still knew, as her form lay beside his, that he couldn't live without the hope of seeing those brown eyes full of life, or the dream, of having her laying right there beside him.
But it wasn't a dream today, as his eyes rested upon her in front of him. The knowledge made his heart swell. He couldn't recall a time when he'd felt more complete.
He stared at her one last time, taking it in with every one of his senses, just how gorgeous she was, the intoxicating scent that he'd held in memory and was now colliding with his own. But mostly, as he felt his every heartbeat while he stared at her, he realized again just how much he cared for her. This woman truly was his everything.
When he didn't have the energy to revel in the moment any longer, he surrendered to his exhaustion and rolled over to succumb to sleep once more. His eyes fluttered shut as he allowed peace to settle over his bones again, feeling safe and comfortable for the first time in two years.
a/n: This chapter was updated 4-10-07! hope you find it improved and more enjoyable now. As always, thanks for reading, and any thoughts are much appreciated!