So if anyone has any ideas or story they want an X-mas chapter of, now would be the time to speak (since there have been nada in the way of X-mas challenges proposed). For the record though, no Embedded (it does already have two X-mas chapters and it's only in like late feb/march in its current chapter), this story is also only in Feb so doing a chapter for next year would totally give away the rest of this story and Remnants would just not be a happy x-mas story. Or if there's something totally non-xmas related now would be the time to speak up for your wish list. :-P (Yes yes, Embedded, there WILL be a new chap of that up by X-mas I promise).
Just a warning: Lots and lots of talking/chatter this chapter. It's more than a little different in feel from the past chapters due to that.
Side note: totally had to throw in a twist of lilmouse's review into the chapter.
And what I thought was the Tony/Logan moment was when he was in close to her saying, "Trust me, you were responsible." I could so see Tony and Kate or Ziva in that moment. Guess I was alone. :-P
I hope you enjoy, thanks for reading and the great reviews from the last chapter (you guys always make me like the chapter more than I originally did).
Into the Insanity
"Comments?" she asked walking down the stairs with Logan trailing behind, glances coming their way at not only the new arrivals, but the arrivals that came with food.
"Uh," he chuckled slightly as his mouth remained open, "not sure what you're looking for here Max."
What was she thinking bringing Logan Cale to a dive messenger bar? Bad idea, dumb, stupid. "You know what," she said turning as she reached the bottom step only to connect with the pizza box into her chest.
"Sorry," he apologized still smiling.
"No biggie," she answered with a shake of her head as she looked up with confused eyes, "Why are you smiling?"
"You're freaking out," he gently laughed, amused at the situation.
"Why would I be freaking out?"
"I don't know," he shook his head not quite sure. "You afraid of them or me?" he asked with a crooked smile.
"Little of both," she nodded with mutually worried and amused eyes.
"Well might I suggest not making a big scene," he gestured at their position blocking the stairs from others.
"I knew that," she nodded and turned back.
No one was here yet aside from Sketchy outdoors that had to be a good sign, right? Aside from he was already starting to make an ass out of himself for a girl and it wasn't even 7.
"Just drop it," she nodded at a table, "I'll go grab us a pitcher."
"I've-"
"First one's on me," she shrugged it off knowing what he was going for, "back in a sec."
She was barely at the bar for a minute as she waited for Dave to finish up another order, debating just how much trouble she'd get in for leaning over and doing it herself, when she heard, "Logan, what a shocker seeing you here."
Max turned to see Kendra flinging off a zebra print coat as Logan stood to greet her.
Run Max! the inner voice called out.
"Well Max talks about this place all the time," he shrugged. "It's nice to see you again," he smiled.
"So you decided to see what all the fuss was about and that was your only reason?" she feigned innocence poorly.
"I wouldn't say my one and only," he smiled turning on the charm that Max didn't doubt resulted in many a lead.
"And you've come bearing food?" her eyes wide as she looked down and then up.
"Help yourself, Original Cindy was supposed to join us for dinner, she got delayed."
"You invite OC and not me?" she pouted.
"Stop it," Max ordered approaching them, resisting the urge to have the full pitcher of beer slam down on the table.
"What?" Kendra once more asked innocently.
Logan laughed and sat back down.
"Don't encourage her," Max instructed.
"I still don't know what I did," Kendra shrugged and sat down.
Logan opened the box for her as Max glared.
"When'd she call you?" Max asked sitting.
Logan chuckled as Max grilled her friend and started pouring the beer, realizing Max desperately needed it and he could certainly understand its appeal at the moment.
"When you were shaving your legs," Kendra answered before taking a bite.
"Why is me shaving my legs such a big deal?" she asked yet again.
Logan looked a little interested in that one as he handed her a beer.
"Thanks," she said taking a sip.
Kendra laughed, "Don't ask me, she's the one who called and then she called again when you hadn't come home by Saturday afternoon, I think she thought you were dead last night."
Max gave a slightly apologetic look as she took a small sip of her beer. Wasn't her fault she was doing better things than calling her girl.
"So how's Walter, Kendra?" Logan asked concealing his grimace over the sip of beer he'd just taken, wanting to get the focus off of what was going with him and Max before Max changed her mind.
"He's good, I tried to talk him into coming tonight, but he says he feels weird being around the people he's patrolling every day." She turned to Max, "You have no idea how out of control cop bars can get, everything we've ever said about them," she nodded, "true. They're pigs."
"No shit," Max said knocking her beer towards her girl for a clink.
"Isn't it wrong to judge the entire-"
Both girls turned to him and in unison, "No."
"Okay," he drawled looking elsewhere.
--
"Why are all women evil?" Sketchy asked walking over with a glass he'd just snagged from the bar. He started to pour from their pitcher.
"Sure Sketch," Max sarcastically began, "help yourself."
"See," he pointed, "evil."
"Problems?" Logan asked.
"Yea," Sketchy said grabbing a seat and pulled it towards the table, turning it around and straddling it, "they're crazy."
Logan chuckled, "That seems to be the general consensus on us as well."
Sketch turned to Max and then back to Logan, "Uh huh."
"Hey!" Max said with a frown.
"Oh please Max," Sketchy said from his position in between her and Kendra, "right now I'm in a crazy sandwich."
"You know you're drinking my beer right?"
"Ugh," he groaned and let his head slam forward on to the chair, "I miss Natalie."
"Yea I heard about that, nice hitting on her friend," Kendra said with a pitying eye roll.
He looked up with large eyes, "Who the hell gets new friends 2 years into a relationship?" He looked at Logan, "That is weird right?"
"Uh I don't know. I somehow doubt it's that uncommon. Ever consider not hitting on other women when you have a girlfriend."
"Oh no," Max corrected, "she was a fiancée."
Logan let out a brief nod.
"Hey no, don't tell him that, he doesn't know all the details," Sketchy defended.
"What details does he need to know," Kendra laughed, "that you cheated the entire two years?"
"It wasn't the entire time!" he exclaimed. "Then I have one minor little slip up and she breaks up with me."
"Hey Logan," Max asked turning back, "you cheat on Valerie when you were engaged?"
"That would have been a feat since I think we were engaged for less than two days before we were married," he calmly answered wishing the other man had never dragged him into this.
"Fine when you were married," Kendra took over, "you ever cheat?"
He shook his head, "I left that to her."
"Ooh," Kendra made a face.
"What about Daphne?" Max asked.
"Who's Daphne?"
"The first fiancée."
Logan grimaced.
"Oh," Kendra nodded remembering, "the one who liked Original Cindy."
Sketchy suddenly looked a little interested in the conversation and looked at Logan with hopeful eyes.
"No," was all Logan said.
"No what?" Max asked suddenly clueless.
"No Logan's never had a threesome with her," Kendra explained.
Okay how had she missed that part of the conversation?
"Weren't you answering a question?" Kendra asked.
"What defines cheating?" he asked.
"How far did you stop before you had sex with the person?" Kendra amended knowing what he meant.
"Not far," he admitted.
"Really?" Max asked surprised by that.
"I was nineteen," he explained.
She looked at him with awaiting eyes, how old was she?
"Times were different then," was all he said.
"Can't imagine-"
Max was cut off by Original Cindy's greeting of, "Thank god pizza, I'm starving."
--
Max was lulled into a false sense of bliss by full mouths.
Cindy had mumbled her thanks with a full mouth.
Sketch decided to console himself with a cheesy slice.
Max decided with a smile she might as well join in as Kendra chatted nearby with an old flame who was actively bemoaning her loss on the singles scene.
It was a couple bites in for Max as Sketchy was filling Logan in on a Lakers/Bulls game he'd missed the previous night when Max turned her pizza in Logan's direction, offering him a bite when Original Cindy in an attempt to not laugh sucked her pizza in quicker than advisable as Logan was taking a bite of the slice.
She quickly turned red coughing and hit Sketchy when he wouldn't stop patting her on the back.
"You okay?" Max asked as Cindy's coughs quieted.
"Yea," she struggled to mutter, "went down the wrong pipe."
Max frowned looking at her friend who was actively trying to avoid looking at her and Logan and the forgotten slice in Max's hand. She suddenly started to piece it together as she started looking at the things her friend was failing to avoid. Another moment before she realized what had caused her friend's choking episode.
Logan and Sketchy continued to look completely confused by the girls interactions, silent looks and non-looks.
"You're horrible," was all Max said.
"Sorry girl," Cindy coughed, "just kind of threw me."
"What threw her?" Sketch asked Logan.
"I have no idea," he answered.
"Nothing," Max frowned at her girl and tossed the slice back into the box. "Table's clear," she nodded at the pool table, "anyone want to play?"
"My ego can't take anymore. Girls have been kicking my ass enough lately," Sketchy said tearing off a bite of his pizza.
"Not in the mood," Cindy nodded.
Max turned to Logan.
"Is this going to be like chess?" he asked dejectedly.
"Most likely," she nodded.
He sighed as he stood.
--
"Max stripes or solids," Kendra asked walking over with a perplexed face.
"It matter?" Cindy asked.
"They're even," she stated in shock.
"Ya don't say," she laughed.
"Are you letting him win?" Kendra called out to Max.
"No," Max snapped.
Logan laughed.
"We need a camera," Sketchy said taking it all in, "this is history in the making."
"We're even," Max pointed out, "I haven't lost yet."
"She tryin to hustle him?" Kendra asked.
"Claims she's not," OC replied.
"How the hell are you keeping up with her?" Kendra asked as Logan was standing at one of the table staring at it, seeking divination.
"Pool table in my house growing up and every single person I knew," he answered never taking his eyes off the table; he walked to the corner, searching for a shot along with something to make hers more difficult.
"You ever done it on a pool table?" Max whispered in his ear as he was going to take a shot.
He momentarily paused, but followed through, sinking the shot. He straightened and turned to her, "Was that an offer?" he asked with a smile.
"I like him," Kendra smiled, not being positive about what Max said, but pretty sure she'd overheard correctly.
Logan turned towards her, "Thank you."
"Stop being a show off," Max muttered, all of her companions laughed.
Logan missed his last solid and flinched knowing he was never getting to get another chance at the table in this game.
Max meanwhile smiled like a spoiled brat and proceeded to nail her shots despite the awkward angle Logan had set them up at.
"Try to distract her," Sketchy suggested.
"Something raunchy," Kendra offered.
"No," Cindy shook her head, "this is Max. Personal."
"Losing isn't that big of a deal," Logan laughed. He could certainly imagine spending hours teasing her as they played. But not today. Today was a kid gloves day.
"He for real?" Kendra asked Original Cindy.
"Oddly enough," she gave him a skeptical look, "I think he is."
Logan let it slide off him good naturedly as he watched Max sink her final shot. She looked over with a beaming smile. He loved that smile.
"Nice game Max," he nodded.
--
"This is just not my day," she near cried as she was leaning on the bar talking to Logan while waiting to get Dave's attention.
He looked down confused.
"Give up now man," the voice called out and Logan turned to face Darren.
Logan looked over at Max, was he supposed to have any idea what the guy was talking about?
"Get lost Darren, I'm not in the mood for your bs tonight."
"Hey I'm just trying to be a good guy. He looks like a decent enough fellow; I was to save him the time and trouble."
Logan nodded at the bartender pointing at their empty pitcher as he continued debating getting involved; somehow he wasn't sure that wouldn't make Max angrier.
"I think he's old enough to make his own decisions."
"A lot of folks are fooled by a pretty face."
Max bit her tongue; last thing she wanted was for Logan to witness a petty squabble between her and Darren.
"Something I should know about?" Logan finally asked once their word play paused.
"No," Max snapped.
"Then it was nice meeting you Darren," Logan said handing over the cost of the pitcher plus tip to the bartender and grabbing the pitcher. Max stormed ahead of him.
"Ooh the creepazoid," Kendra said upon their return, seeing Darren in the background.
"I'm missing a story here," Logan said as the pitcher was snapped out of his hands by Sketchy.
"Cheated on Max," Sketch clarified, "he claimed emotional distance from her."
"Ah," he nodded.
"Oh man, she was pissed," the words drawled out of Sketchy's mouth as he remembered.
"Really?"
"Yea, though I got to be honest I don't think she actually liked him. I think she was more pissed that he cheated on her."
Logan let out a short chuckle, "I can see that happening."
"You can see what happening?" Max asked walking over after a brief convo with Kendra.
"You winning, everything," he nodded with a smile.
"Ah I see your intelligence finally made a return," she nodded. "Beer me," she said holding out her glass as Logan went to fill his.
He looked at her briefly with raised brows before he went on to continue filling his and then moved on to hers and he looked down at the near empty pitcher.
"Your turn next Sketch," Max smiled.
"What about Original Cindy?" he asked. "She hasn't gotten one yet."
"Well one, she hasn't spent half the night whining and two, you can buy one in 10 minutes or 20, your call."
"Yea still," he nodded sloshing his beer around in his cup, "I'm going for the twenty minutes."
"Yea how much you wanna bet he's gonna be gone by the time it's time to buy his second round?" she asked.
"Ooh, hey Logan," Sketchy said extending out a hand to slap Logan in the middle of his chest, "come be my wingman, I've been trying to talk to this girl all week."
"Hey," Max snapped before the very amused and confused Logan could respond.
"Oh come on," Sketch pleaded, "he just needs to stand there. Make pleasant conversation with the she-beast she's friends with."
"I think I'm going to pass."
"Come on Max, he'll be ten feet away," Sketch pleaded, knowing she was who he had to convince. He hated Mondays! Nearly everyone except the girls were too broke to be out. Great in theory, except you couldn't infiltrate that damn girl clique without help! "Come on, we'll go to the bar, I'll buy you a shot, it's the perfect in."
Logan's lips twitched up in amusement, "I don't think so."
"Oh come on, go with the boy, never turn down Sketchy offering to buy a round," Original Cindy said coming up on the conversation. "Give me some time to catch up with my girl, you had her all weekend."
Logan just smiled at Max over Original Cindy's statement.
"Okay I'm gonna hurl soon, so go," OC ordered.
Max turned with a pout a moment later as the boys had left, "You just sent Logan off to flirt."
"Sent him off for some male bonding," she corrected, "while we get some girl time in. Like I said earlier, I missed you this weekend."
"Couldn't have achieved that without sending Logan off to flirt?" she asked trying to casually look over at Logan's actions.
"Cheesier than the pizza," Cindy muttered and shook her head.
"Am not," Max said snapping her attention back to her friend.
"Uh huh, vacant all weekend without a call, then came to work late, ran and saw him mid-day and he picked you up from work?"
"Well I know you're not talking about Max," Darren said coming up behind them, "because Max won't stay the night, even if it's her place."
"Ever consider that was the company I was keeping?" Max asked, unable to stop herself. Unable to simply walk away. He's right you know, that voice called out, anytime there's something halfway decent you screw it up.
"I tried Max, I just think you should try to be fair this time around and warn the guy upfront."
"You know thanks for the warning," Logan said coming up from behind the other man, one eye having always been on Max. "Feel proud of yourself that you've accomplished your civic duty for the day, you can go about your way now."
Original Cindy smirked.
"Hey I'm just trying to-"
"Warn me," Logan nodded, "yes we all got that. Once more thank you, now I really think it'll be in your best interest to return to your friends and leave us alone to enjoy our night because after all if you were involved with Max, you should know her patience isn't really up there and I have a feeling at the moment you're trying it." Logan the entire time kept his voice firm and in control with the occasional flicker of amusement.
Darren studied the other man for a moment, just slightly taller and broader than him, educated, not really Max's anything for a minute of amusement type of crowd. "So you speak for Max do you?"
"I'm pretty sure I'm just repeating what she's already said," Logan offered a smile to ease off the tension.
He turned to Max, "Since when do you let others fight your battles?"
"Since I know they're capable of it," she gave a suddenly sweet smile.
"Fine," he nodded, "I did my duty, warned the guy. The Miss Independent in you is a little too ingrained for this happy little girlfriend act to actually take, I hope you remember that."
"He's approaching stalker soon," was all that Cindy said as the other man left.
Max just nodded annoyed with the new flood of thoughts Darren had unleashed in her.
"He's kinda hot when he's all take charge," Kendra whispered walking over to Max before going to play Cindy in a game of pool.
"I could have taken him," was all Max said as Logan finally approached.
"I don't doubt that," he reassured before leaning in close to her ear, "it was the room full of witnesses I had concerns over."
She forgot she was slightly ticked as she heard that husky whisper and the warm breath on her neck. "Hmm," she murmured back, he did have a point.
"So," he asked pulling back to look at her, still with a lowered voice, "am I forgiven or do I have to go back over there and flirt some more," he turned and gave a quick look over at Sketchy floundering without him, "and by the way that guy is seriously off his game."
"Cause you're so on the game?" she asked with eyebrows lifting.
"He is still talking to them isn't he?" Logan nodded.
She turned and sure enough a slightly more comfortable conversation was emerging between the parties. She turned back to Logan.
"Informants and women," he explained, "same process applies, develop a rapport."
Max just nodded with a smile, genuinely entertained. "That fails you break into their apartment?"
Damn, she hadn't forgotten. He tenderly smiled, "You throw the game plan out the window."
"Can't make it easy for you," she cocked her head.
He chuckled, "That you don't. Certainly keeps life interesting."
"Then I've succeeded in my life's goal," she smiled.
--
You don't buy beer, you rent it. The phrase coursed through his mind as he fought the urge to curse. He seemed to be going every hour and it was starting to get annoying. Maybe it was the inferior quality of the beer; then again he tried to remember the last time he'd had a constant flow of beer going down his throat, while he was used to drinking the more refined beer, he hadn't consumed this much of it in years. He wondered how much longer his body was going to keep up.
He spoke the words he had become used to in the past three and a half hours, "I'll be back," and controlled his urge to say it like Arnold, the once again governor of California, he didn't blame people for re-electing him, they were all looking for a hero to save them, albeit even if it had only been done before on the big screen.
Max smiled and popped to her feet, "I'll join you."
Cindy let out a short sound of acknowledgement along with a head bob, "I should not be this wasted on a Monday."
"Work's gonna be a bitch," Sketchy agreed at the same time he was lifting up his shirt sleeve the study the digits written on his arm.
Kendra gave a throaty laugh, "Sucks for you losers."
--
He was leaning against the wall as she walked out, his head turned and he greeted her with a smile.
She gave him a dirty look as she moved in front of him, "So two things you can beat me at."
"Going to the bathroom and getting dressed, always what I strived for," he smirked.
"You'd have thought Manticore would have-"
He raised a finger, "Max the only thing that would aid this is not something I want to imagine."
Her turn to smirk.
The alcohol in him made him forget he was trying not to push her, trying to play the casual friend instead of the man who had barely been away from her for two days. He missed her touch. His hands came to rest on her hips, simply resting there not daring to do anything else.
She looked down, but a flicker of her eyes went up first along with her lips.
Encouragement enough for him. He pulled her in close.
A cat-like sleek grin as she looked at him, "What did I say about PDA's?"
"I don't hear you complaining and they can't see us," others could, but not her friends, they were tucked just out of sight.
"Well that changes everything," she smiled some more.
"It does doesn't it," he murmured right before kissing her
She quickly realized she didn't care about any of the strangers watching them or even the regulars, hell she wasn't even worried about a friend making a trip to the john. No. Being near Logan for five hours without touching was ungodly.
It didn't take long for her to say, "I've had enough beer how about you?"
"I'm good."
Yes he was. "Feel like bouncin?"
"Does that mean I passed my first visit to Crash?"
First, wow she liked the sound of that word.
"Still got the walk home," she reminded.
"I'm looking forward to it," he smiled.
This is the end of the story for now. We leave our tentative couple to face the world together.
Thanks for reading!