DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters
If you've forgotten the story, I'll give you a quick update. There's a thief in Seattle, hitting up with a pattern, and Logan is next on the list. Zack is back in town after disappearing, and he and Max are going to tag team to get the thief, who they believe is a transgenic.
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Chapter 24: The Thief
Max made her way to Logan's faster than she ever had before. Zack knew that it would motivate her to move quickly- the thought of Logan being in danger. Zack felt a pang of annoyance, he wondered if she would move as quickly if it were him in danger, or if Logan would if the situation were reversed and Max were in danger. It doesn't matter what he would do, Zack thought to himself, he wouldn't be capable of helping in any way. Of course, Zack had to admit that sometimes Logan did prove some use to them. He had a great network of sources that Zack would never be able to acquire with the need to keep hidden and off the radar.
Max made a signal to Zack. It was soldier hand signals. Zack responded accordingly just as he would have done in Manticore.
They really were a great team. Zack missed working with Max- she was probably the best soldier, equal only to himself. It was too bad she was wasting away in Seattle. They really could help out their family if they worked together more often.
Max paused to look in. She felt slightly awkward, she'd never exactly broken into Logan's. Well, except that one time. She remembered the first time she'd met Logan, she'd been eyeing a certain valuable of his. If she hadn't been so curious, she would have gotten away without him ever knowing.
Max, thinking of the past, realized she really was different now. She didn't know what caused the change, but Logan was right. She really had changed. But that didn't mean she didn't at least care about Logan. He was the closest person to her, and she wouldn't allow anything to happen to him.
Max liked working with Zack. It was too bad he had to go and bail all the time, even if it was to protect their safety. Max watched Zack the soldier, feeling separate from him for the first time. He finally showed up, after she'd wanted him most. She finally faced the image of herself from days before, seeing herself and really how weak she must have looked, standing on the needle, desperate for another set of shoulders to put some of her burden upon.
And who had come? It was Alec.
"Max," Zack whispered, "It doesn't look like anyone has gone inside yet."
Max nodded. She was glad to avoid the thought of Alec. That was something she didn't need to deal with then, with how confused she already was over where she and Logan were right then.
Max stared at her watch. If the thief didn't show within 10 minutes, they'd be going against their usual pattern. Did they realize that people were catching on? "Do you see anyone from Manticore?" she asked her brother.
Zack shook his head. "Not since I got rid of them a few weeks ago."
Max gave him a questioning look. Not since you got rid of them?, she thought. Zack was always so protective of her, he didn't want anyone to even hurt Max, yet he was willing to get rid of anyone that he saw as a threat. Sometimes she wondered if he took things too far.
"You know so much about Manticore," Max couldn't help but bring up. "Do you keep an eye on the place?" She herself couldn't bare to come near it. She knew it would just bring bad memories, not to mention the risk factor. She didn't want to know what Manticore was doing anymore, she just wanted them to stay away from her.
"Yea," Zack admitted, "Not routinely, but I have to know what's going on. Know your enemy, Max."
Max nodded. He was constantly the soldier. She saw her training flash before her eyes, all the words they had plastered on their walls that made their way into their subconscious, one standing out above the rest- know your enemy.
"So, are they all still out?" Max asked. She needed to know. If Zack was keeping tabs on the facility, he would surely know.
Zack gave Max a disappointed look, "I already told you, Max. I can't compromise that information." He turned his attention to Logan's pad. "Not even to you."
Max frowned. What was the big deal? Would it really put everyone in danger for Max to know if Ben was trapped or not? "Forget it." Max said, as she stood up, leaving her position.
"Max, what are you doing?" Zack asked her quietly but with force. She was going to ruin their stakeout.
"Well, I don't want to compromise anything by being here, knowing too much." Max answered before starting to walk away.
"Max!" Zack called, still in a whisper.
She kept walking.
Zack shook his head. Why was she so stubborn? And yet, that was part of the beauty of Max. Zack appreciated everything that Max was, all of her. He knew her completely, and he accepted her and loved her for each facet of her personality and physique. He wasn't surprised or upset with her reaction. Maybe she was right. It was clearly bothering her.
"I'm not giving in to you," Zack began, motioning for Max to come back, "But I'll tell you what you want to know."
Max walked back cautiously. Would he really tell her? Maybe he would just lie. It's what Manticore would do. It's what the perfect soldier would do. Wasn't that what Zack couldn't escape from?
"Where's Ben?" Max demanded.
Zack was surprised. He wasn't expecting that name. Was that really the one she was most concerned with? He thought for a moment. Where had he last seen Ben?
"He didn't follow his orders," Zack said dismissively.
Max stared, waiting. That couldn't be all he had to say. "Well, what is that supposed to mean?" She demanded.
Unfortunately for Max, both their attention was averted, as suddenly, another figure crept up to a window with the speed and skill that only a transgenic would possess.
Max moved quickly, Zack matching her speed. She followed his lead as they came upon the thief.
Once Max was close enough to see the face, she almost stopped dead in her tracks. The recognition hit her at the core and she found herself staring, shocked and yet she felt she'd known all along.
Zack leapt first, catching the thief by surprise. Max was still unseen, and as Zack fell to the ground, it was Max who finally stopped him.
Upon the sight of Max, his face changed. She could see his regret and shame. He hadn't wanted her to see this.
"What the hell are you doing?" Zack asked the thief, furious at who it was.
Before they could continue, Logan opened his window, at hearing the noise. "Is someone out there?" he called down, not seeing anyone.
Oh, nice, Logan! Max couldn't help but think sarcastically. Leave it to him to come to the window like a would-be hero. What would the handicapped man do exactly? Stare the thief into stopping the burglary? Or maybe invite the thief to golf or an art show.
"We're going to Max's" Zack decided, avoiding Logan and needing a place to get some real answers.
"Forget it!" replied the thief, attempting to leave.
Zack reinforced his grip. "We've got you outnumbered. You're coming with us. That's an order, Ben. And this time, you don't have a choice to refuse."
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a/n: Wow! It's been a while! thanks for reading! I'll try not to wait so long for the next update (haha!) Feel free to review, tho I know not much happened this chapter. (btw, it is slightly wierd/difficult working on 3 stories at once, tho I kno many of you do it often and well, but I am going to try and trade off and not abandon altogether any one in particular). See you guys next ch!