DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters
-apologies to MA fans, but this is the necessary ML chapter!

Chapter 17: I Want You

Max had a horrible knot in her stomach as she knocked on the door. She felt guilty, which made her uneasy. She'd ignored Logan's note and never bothered calling him back. She had made sure to look her best before coming over. She actually wore a dress. Maybe that was why she felt so uncomfortable right then- yea, that must be it. She didn't like wearing it, but she knew Logan would appreciate it, and she felt like she owed him, so she'd just bare with it for the night.

Logan opened the door but didn't say anything, he just had an odd look. He was clearly taken at the sight of her, but he remained silent. He had been planning on focusing on business this evening. Max hadn't contacted him for over 2 weeks now, and he didn't want to push anything upon her. He couldn't pretend like she hadn't hurt him, but seeing her standing there, looking absolutely beautiful, he didn't quite know how to react. He was going to try not to speak much. He didn't want to get so attached to her, but he feared he already was.

Max nodded with a warm yet awkward smile. Well, he sure isn't making this easy!, she thought. She had called him earlier from a pay phone but he didn't answer. So instead, she'd just put on a dress and her best smile and come right over. "So, I decided to actually knock this time," she tried to joke. "Can I come in?"

Logan finally found his voice again. "Of course," he said moving aside so she could enter. What was she doing exactly? Not talking to him for 2 weeks then coming like this? Logan wasn't good at reading Max lately, he wanted to be hopeful, but wouldn't allow himself to. He decided to stick to business in spite of what his heart wanted right then.

"I assume this is about the note?" he asked, walking over to the computer to gather some of his files.

Max frowned. He hadn't even reacted. It wasn't like she wore a dress out of the sheer pleasure of it.

He came back with some files, not even looking her in the eye. "It seemed there was a Manticore team in town for the past several days. Actually, the day I last spoke with you is when I first heard about it."

"So why didn't you tell me sooner?" Max asked.

"I wanted to be sure about it this time."

Max couldn't help getting annoyed. Why was he still so concerned with his false tip? He clearly had learned his lesson, they both had. Max was definitely over it. What, did he think fixing that mistake would somehow bring them back to the way they used to be? "You know, it's not a big deal, Logan. That was over 2 weeks ago. I really am over it." When exactly was he planning to comment on her dress? She thought she would at least get a smile out of him.

Logan ignored her last comment and kept to his business. "I am certain that Manticore had a team here for the past week and a half. However, just when I was getting good information about their numbers and ranks, they disappeared. I believe someone took care of them. Manticore wouldn't exactly give up, so I don't think they left by choice."

"So what are you saying?" Max asked. If he was going to go into his theories with her right now, he could at least get to the point.

"I think one or possibly 2 of your X5 family is here, or was within the past few days. There is a good chance they are still here." He paused, "Of course, I wasn't going to tell you until I knew more. But since you are here, I might as well fill you in. There have been thefts going on that seem to be the work of an X series. I don't know whether the thieving and the Manticore team are connected."

Which means he knows nothing, Max thought, just the usual unconfirmed reports. She sighed. She really didn't feel like going over this with him. She smiled, and tried to get him to quit talking about Manticore for once. She stepped closer toward him, and grabbed the files, making him stare at her. He still was silent. Now she was getting upset.

"Is this all you have to say?" she asked without raising her voice.

Logan took a moment. He had a lot more he wanted to say. But he didn't want to just make things worse. "What do you want, Max?"

Max couldn't believe he was asking that. She was here wasn't she? She had gotten all dressed up, hadn't she? She tossed the files to the ground and then brought her attention back to Logan. "What do you want Logan?" she asked. "Why is it that 2 weeks ago you brought up going out, and yet I'm standing here, and all you can bring yourself to discuss is more theories about Manticore? You know, I am not just some X5 series experiment from Manticore, Logan. I think it's clear what I want. What do you want? Is it just an errand girl to chase after your theories?"

"Max, I've spent the last 2 weeks trying desperately to search for your brothers and sisters, giving you space, trying to give you whatever you needed. Things were good with us, I don't know what happened. I haven't changed."

"Are you suggesting I have?" Max asked. The thought scared her.

Logan didn't answer. He didn't know what to say that wouldn't set her off.

"You didn't answer my question," Max pressed, "What do you want?"

Logan didn't want to say it. He'd been trying to think of Max as a business associate, he thought it was what she wanted. He didn't want to admit that he needed her, that he was vulnerable to her. He knew if he opened his mouth, he wouldn't be able to stop. He would go on about how she was the best thing that ever happened to him, how he couldn't imagine his life without her, how he missed her desperately even if she was only away for a couple of days, how he admired her passion for others, how he saw how beautiful she was inside and out, how his life before her all appeared meaningless looking back on the time spent without her.

"Well damnit, Logan, I want you." She allowed herself to say it, she willed herself to say it. She said it more for herself than for him. She told herself she wanted him. She had to want him. She couldn't bare the thought of not wanting him, it would mean he was right- that she'd changed somehow.

Logan couldn't contain himself any longer, he took Max into his arms and kissed her, showing her his passion for her.

Max was relieved, finally he was responding. Why had he been fighting it? She felt his gentle lips against hers, it felt right. As he wrapped his arms around her, she found herself enjoying the moment. She felt his warm, gentle, touch. He grabbed her arm gently, and moved his hand from her shoulder to her hand. He took a moment to be a gentleman, grabbing her hand, and kissing it. "Max," he began.

Oh, Logan, Max thought, don't ruin the moment! It had to be coming. The relationship talk. She had been lucky to even get a kiss and embrace out of him before he slipped it in there.

"I really care about you," he admitted. He finally allowed himself to smile. "I am so sorry that my insecurities got in the way." He reached out toward her, and she found that he had touched a spot that still had a bruise, fresh from last night. She shoved the thought of Alec aside, and continued to focus on Logan, as he kissed her again.

As he opened his mouth, she held her eyes shut, and kissed him back. Yes!, she thought, finally! She was so glad she'd escaped the relationship talk, although she knew it would come later. As she felt his tongue, she found herself remembering another kiss. Through her enjoyment, she was remembering Alec, as if she were kissing him again right then. She was shocked. She backed away from Logan. Why was she thinking of Alec right then?

Logan stared into her eyes. He had screwed up. They were moving too fast. After not speaking for 2 weeks, of course Max would need some space and time before they went further.

Max suddenly looked unsure of the situation, and looked apologetically at Logan. "You know, I have somewhere to be."

"Is that why you're all dressed up?" Logan asked jokingly.

"Yea, it's this party OC is having," Max lied. Suddenly she didn't want Logan to know she'd gotten dressed up for him.

Logan nodded. "Well, I guess you better get going then."

"Right." Max nodded with a smile. She took a moment. She wanted to give Logan something so he wouldn't still think something was wrong with the 2 of them. She picked up the files off the floor and handed them to him. "So, I need a new cell phone, Alec broke it."

"Alec?" Logan asked. While he had told Max everything he knew, she hadn't filled him in.

"Ben, remember. I said it wasn't Ben. His name is Alec."

He nodded.

"Logan, keep me posted about this thieving going on. Even if it's not one of my brothers or sisters, I want to know who is behind this."

Logan agreed. He was relieved. It seemed they were back to normal- better than that even. But Max couldn't help that she was incredibly busy. At least she'd taken time to straighten things out with him. He smiled toward her, stroking her face gently. "I'll be on it, Max. And Eyes Only may have something else in a few days."

His touch felt awkward toward her, but she didn't show it. Right now they both needed to know that things were normal again between them.

As she turned to leave, he finally said it. "By the way, Max. You look beautiful."

After Max left, Logan couldn't help still smiling. She had looked amazing. He kept hearing those words go through his head, it was more than he had hoped for. Logan, I want you.