Sometimes I wonder if I would ever be able to really love
someone. I've never had a mother to teach me the basic
things in life - enjoyment, happiness, love. I was trained
to be a soldier, a warrior, a killer. Killers don't think of
or feel love, they just need their job to be done, leaving
no place for feelings or emotions. I don't think I can be
involved in a serious relationship anyway. How can I?

Max was standing nearby her locker when she heard Original
Cindy coming closer, mumbling something to herself. "Morning
sunshine. Wanna share?" Max asked grinning. "What is it with
women? Can't any of them appreciate a good thing when they
have one?" Max looked at her half surprised. "What
happened?" she asked nicely. OC started explaining "Some
bitch at the Crush. We started to hang out together and last
night she told me she was strait. She also said she's not
sure about her sexual tendency. Speaking of last night,
where were you Max? We said we'd all meet at the Crush, but
someone didn't show up!" Original Cindy was looking a bit
worried and disturbed at the same time. Now Max recalls she
promised them she'd come, but she didn't call to cancel.
"I'm so sorry OC, I had to do some thinking".
Meanwhile at Logan's penthouse, Logan was searching the net
for a corrupt politician, who bribed dozen of people. He
also threatened to foreclose the families' property if they
didn't give him the money. And so he did. Of course Logan
transmitted it before on Eyes Only, but still no one could
find him. After Logan gathered all the information he'd
needed, he paged Max.
Max looked in her pager. "Got to bounce" she said and
started heading to the entrance of Jam Pony. OC screamed
"Again, ditching us for your rich boyfriend". "He's not my
boyfriend!" Max replied. "Fine, whatever" said OC, grinning,
"keep living in YOUR dreams, gurl..."
"Hey, it's better be good. It is bad enough that I didn't
meet my guys last night as I promised. I'm kinda beginning
to get sick of all those responses I get after ditching
them" Max said to Logan, who was sitting in his wheelchair
in front of his computer. Max took her coat off and got
closer to Logan. She looked at the screen when Logan turned
to look at her. Look at her Logan. Look at her face,
probably the most singularly beautiful face you have ever
seen. Don't you afraid you may lose her at some time? You
have to tell her how you feel, or it'll be too late.
However, now it's not a good time for telling her that. You
paged her, remember? Suddenly Logan realized Max was there
all the time waiting for his answer. "Logan, are you
all-right? You look dazed. You paged me, but if it's not a
good time, then I'll come back later". Logan gently grabbed
and said softly "don't go, I paged you because it's
important. I don't think it can wait". Max's expression
turned into a really serious one "Well, what is it, Logan?"
"Do you see the man in that little picture?" Logan asked,
pointing on the right top of the screen, then he opened a
folder and started explaining. "See, this guy's name is John
Halliwell. He's a senior politician and he's very powerful,
and also has a very stained record; convicted for attempted
murder, bribe, evacuation against families' will. This is
his assistant, Austin Callahan, who was convicted for
assault and arson. From reliable sources, I know that these
two are up to something, something deep. All I need to do
now is to track them down. Once I traced them, you get into
the picture. One of my sources found a document about
Manticore, which contained these two guys' names. I assume
they were at Lydecker's command, maybe recently, maybe years
ago. So I checked their personal records more deeply, and
found a file which contains money-pouring schedule.
Halliwell transmitted Manticore approximately 10 million
dollars". Logan stopped for a moment and realized that Max
was 100% attentive. He felt her pain. "Apparently this money
was used for the advanced technology or the lab equipment"
Logan continued. Max looked at him through her warm
chocolate-brown eyes, and Logan could tell she was about to
cry. Logan gave her a comforting look and said, "Max, my
sources are working on it. We'll catch them".
Logan glimpsed at his wristwatch and noticed it was late.
Although Max always claims she doesn't sleep, Logan didn't
want her to leave. So he looked back at Max and said "It's
late Max, you're welcome to stay here. I would really like
you to stay here". Max gave him a little smile and replied
"Thanks for the offering".
Max didn't really know what she wanted. It was late and she
felt a little uncomfortable to leave Logan alone at his
penthouse. He's so kind and nice to her, so she thought
'heck, I'll stay'. Max went to the kitchen asking Logan if
he wanted something. Logan said he's ok, and added "feel
yourself at home". She glimpsed at Logan and took a glass of
water, then she went to sit in the living-room. Logan rolled
his wheelchair and stopped next to her, thinking that now
would be a good time to tell her how he feels.
"Max, I want you to know something, and I find it very
difficult to say, but I hope you'll understand me".
"Logan, is something wrong?"
"No, Max" Logan smiled. "The thing is, that I haven't been
able to get you off my mind ever since that incident with
the statue a few months ago. I think about you every minute
of the day. I don't know what I would do without you, I
can't let myself lose you. I just can't. And I don't know
what are your feelings for me, I'm not reading minds, or
hearts. I've always wished that you felt the same. I know
there is something between us, I just don't know exactly
what it is. I love you Max, but... Do you love me?" Max
obviously didn't expect that, and just a few nights ago she
thought about her feelings and emotions. Max though there's
something between her and Logan, too, however, she didn't
know what, and she wasn't sure what her feelings towards
Logan.
"Logan, a few nights ago I thought of something. I wasn't so
sure how I feel about us. You know, I didn't have a mother
and I was trained to be a warrior, an advanced infantry
soldier. We couldn't tell if it was love that we felt, we
never thought there's such a thing. I wondered how would it
be, to feel love". Max stopped for a moment and saw that
Logan wiped a tear, she continued. "Logan, I want you to
know that I really appreciate all you do for me, and I love
the way you treats me, you're considerate, caring..." At
this moment Logan could not hold himself. He got closer to
Max and kissed her softly on her lips. Max didn't seem
reluctant. She caressed Logan's face with her gentle palms
and cooperated with him. Their kiss was soft and long, and
Logan felt just as he thought it would feel. Logan put his
arms on Max's shoulder, giving her a warm embrace. Max put
her head on Logan's chest and then, she fell asleep.
"Good morning angel. How did you sleep?" Logan grinned at
Max. He was in his kitchen, making Max and him breakfast.
The light was dimmed, since he didn't want to wake Max. "You
know? After I woke up I looked at you, waiting for you to
wake up, but you didn't. You are so beautiful, Max". Max
gave Logan a smile and said something like "thanks". Logan
took the two plates and placed them on his legs. Then he
rolled over and put the plates on the table. "Bon-Appetite".
Logan looked at Max and realized she was confused. Before he
could ask her what's wrong she started talking. "Logan, I'm
sure you remember our conversation from last night. And I
want you to make no mistake. Before I fell asleep I thought
of something. Although I never knew what love is, now I
think I know. Logan, you want to help me, you never decline
any favor I ask. I love to hang out with you. Last night I
realized that not only do I love hanging with you, but I
also love YOU". They looked into each other's eyes. The eye
contact now meant so much, for both of them. But then the
phone rang.
"Logan Cale... Good morning... Are you sure?... Ok...
Yeah... Thank you". Max gave Logan a questioning look. "It
was one of my sources, the one who found the document about
Manticore" he explained. "He informed me that our dear
Halliwell apparently owes Lydecker some money. We're talking
here about approximately 150,000 dollars. Some deal they
made. Halliwell probably couldn't pay his debt. He is
threatened, and so is Callahan. So they hide somewhere".
"We need to find Halliwell and ask him a few questions. I
have to. Do you have his location?" They were about to look
for some more information, when they heard the Newsflash.
"Two politicians were found dead this morning at some
underground apartment. The senior politician, John
Halliwell, was found dead in his bed. The medical crew
report he died out of a heart attack. Outside the apartment,
Austin Callahan, was found lying on his back, covered with
blood. He died out of a sniper's gunshot. The sniper escaped
and haven't been found". After hearing this, Max looked at
Logan, not so surprised and said "Lydecker. But why would he
kill him if he owes him money?"
"Lydecker found Halliwell dead, so he knew he wouldn't get
his money. He was more afraid that Callahan would extradite
Lydecker and reveal what has been done in the lab. He didn't
come up with a better plan to keep him silent except from
blowing up his head". Logan always estimates the situation
according to the circumstances. He always sees what would
come and why. Max always felt safe when she was with him.
"So, I guess another door will stay open" Max said,
disappointed. Logan came next to her and gave her his warm
embrace, the same one that makes her feel relieved.

I didn't feel bad after I told Logan I love him. Actually,
I felt kinda relieved. He is so sweet and caring, I know he
would never lie to me. After all, we both felt that
something was going on between us, I guess someone had to
say something sometime, someway. And although no one taught
me the basic things in life, I'm able to learn them by
myself. It feels good to explore new things, new feelings,
new emotions, that I never knew about. I'm really glad I met
Logan a few months ago, he gives me strength. I don't know
what I would have done without him.