Chapter 23: The Next Hit

When they arrived at Max's apartment, they were unfortunately not alone. Original Cindy was there, as it was her apartment as well. She had an idea that Max had some heavy stuff going on, but she never asked Max or pried. She couldn't help, however, eyeing Max, taking note that both were all in black, and that this was yet another guy. The last guy OC had seen Max with was the one from Crash a while ago, who OC couldn't help but admit was pretty damn good looking, even if he was a man. This guy as well looked above your average Joe. Of course, Max was a gorgeous woman, Cindy wouldn't have expected anything less for Max. She wondered if she should ask questions, or take a moment to leave.

As Max stared at Cindy not sure what to say, while the guy just stood there, OC decided for them. She would head out, but hoped that Max would fill her in later. "Max!" Cindy said, greeting her. "Now I was just about to step out, wanna introduce me before I go?"

Max nodded, "Hey, sorry I didn't warn you ahead of time. I thought I was gonna be out for a while tonight. This is Zack." She gave Cindy a nod.

OC smiled, "Nice to meet you. Original Cindy will have to chat with you later." With that she walked out the door, noting the look Max had given her, so that is the boy Max has been looking for.

Max frowned at Zack once Cindy had left. "Zack, you could have said hello. She's a friend of mine."

Zack was surprised. He didn't realize Max had made friends here. Of course, it made sense. It explained why she wanted to stay at the increasing risk of exposure. "Max," he spoke, trying to get to the point. He knew he would react this way, upon seeing Max this close. It didn't matter how much time they'd spent apart, she would always cause him to need a moment.

Max looked slightly different than the last time he'd seen her up close, even though that was not too long ago. She looked like she had a better handle on things. She had gone about that raid fairly well, the only reason Zack knew about the hidden 2nd system was because he'd been watching that house since last Friday. He'd seen them install the system the night before.

Max handed him a mug. "Coffee?" she offered.

Zack accepted gratefully, "Thanks. Sorry for being rude with your friend." He meant it. Although he didn't trust anyone easily, if Max wanted him to be polite, he would be sure to do so if he came across that girl another time.

Max smiled at his apology, and took the moment to figure out what was going on. She'd also made up her mind that she wouldn't let Zack leave this time, she would be stronger, and demand some information about their siblings. "So," she spoke softly, "Why are you stealing from houses in Seattle? Are you that low on cash?"

Zack stared for a moment in shock, "You think I'm the thief?"

Max noted the look on his face, it definitely wasn't him. "I didn't think it was you. But if it wasn't, I mean, what were you doing there?"

Zack explained, "I knew that was the next location. I'd been covering the area for a week."

"You've been here all week and only just now contacted me?" Max asked, slightly hurt. "Or did you have no choice when I set off the alarms and happened to ruin your cover?"

Zack didn't meet her gaze. He knew she was hurt, but he was only acting for her best interests. "I told you when I left that I was going to check on the others. I was just keeping watch like always."

Max worked hard to not let her emotions overtake her again. She knew Zack was clearly in charge of his own, if he had any. She spoke calmly, but firmly. She needed to know. "So have you been in Seattle this whole time? You never left?"

With anyone else, Zack wouldn't have answered, he would have been cold and to the point. But he cared about Max, and he could see she was hurt, even beneath the strong front she was putting up. "Max, I did leave, just like I told you. Really, have I ever lied to you? I don't understand why you wouldn't trust me after everything."

Max stared at him slightly ashamed. He was right. She did trust him, always. She just had to get used to living alone, and she needed to be strong enough to get some answers. At his words, however, she let go of her agenda, and hugged her brother, allowing herself to be completely sincere, as she always had been with Zack. She knew he had done everything for her, more than anyone else in her entire life, and he would do it again without question.

Zack felt Max brush against him, he wrapped one arm around her, the one that still was human. Her scent surrounded him. Moments like these were bittersweet. Max was all that he wanted, he would have loved nothing more than to be with her and devote his life to making her happy. But she didn't think of Zack in that way. He would have given anything for her to look into his eyes differently, but she would never see him as more than a brother. He had accepted that, he could live with that, if it meant Max was safe and happy. He couldn't allow his own selfish desires to come through even at this most tempting moment. He had to stay on task.

He pulled away, noticing a tear in Max's eye. He moved to brush it away for her, but she quickly did so herself. She was the one who brought them back to their conversation. "So, what is going on, then. You aren't the thief. Do you know who is?"

Zack shook his head, "No, but we need to find them immediately."

Max stared at him with a look of worry. "Is there some type of danger?"

"Besides exposure if this thief gets caught, they've already gotten the attention of Manticore. This puts you in danger, Max. That's something I have to stop. I don't think it's one of our siblings. I told them not to do something like this, in the spotlight. This person has been following a predictable pattern, even that owner knew he was next. He just had a 2nd system installed this week, due to the reports."

Max felt her heart sink. Zack didn't think it was one of their Unit. Max also felt that he was probably right. "But they are drawing attention to Seattle." Max realized.

"Yes, and the longer they keep this up, the bigger chance that you will be discovered. Are you sure you don't want to go to a different city?" Zack didn't know why he was asking, he knew what the answer would be.

Max actually considered it. She had so many other times. But she had friends, she wasn't just starting to consider Seattle a home anymore, it actually was a home to her now. She found her thoughts coming to Logan. He would surely feel guilty that once again he hadn't covered all his bases, though this time, Zack didn't seem upset.

"I can't leave," Max admitted, slightly embarrassed. She knew she was putting her own selfish desires above her own safety. She knew how much her safety meant to Zack.

Zack nodded. "Then let's find this thief!"

"How? We just ruined the hit tonight."

"Then the perp will be onto the next one." He gave Max a knowing look. They both knew who was next on the list. Logan Cale. Max stared at her watch. The thief could be there at that very moment!

sorry that these updates have been sporadic and not much! this is the last i have for the moment... i will need some time to work on this and get back in the groove, so to speak. right now i am just too busy, but i still want to see this go where i'd planned all along. thanks again for reading, and sorry to leave this w/o more of a cliffer or more emotion! the next time i update, i really hope it is worth the wait. thanks for sticking around. Peace Out.