Restive Nature
Rated: NC-17
Disclaimer: I in no way, shape or form own the characters of Dark Angel or X-Men or anything related to them. I simply like to play with them for a short while.
Timeline: This is a slightly AU story. It takes place more in Max’s timeline, with the pulse occurring. It begins after the episode ‘Blah Blah, Woof Woof" It doesn’t affect the X-men much, as Professor Xavier is affluent enough to afford the best in life. It also takes place after the first X-men movie, but as I haven’t seen the second one, I’ll leave that stuff alone.
Pairing M/L
Summary: Once again Max is on the run. But this time she is led to a safe haven.
Chapter Three
When midmorning rolled around, Logan had decided to sit in the lounge, perusing one of the many novels that were in the bookcase. Barely into the first chapter, he heard the low rumble of a motorcycle. ‘One-eye must be checkin’ his bike over, making sure I didn’t hurt the damn thing.’ As the roar subsided, he decided he was right and pulled his attention back to the book. He had read just a few lines when he heard a knock at the front door. Sighing, he threw the book down and rose to answer the summons. He opened the door to the foyer and heard another impatient rapping at the door. He yanked it open, easily losing what little patience he did have. He opened his mouth to blister the newcomer, but was stopped short by the lithe beauty before him.
"About time," she barked, pushing her yellow sunglasses atop her head. Logan gaped at the young woman, nearly the same height as he. "Well, are you going to let me in? I am expected, aren’t I?"
"That would depend on who you are," Logan finally managed. He stepped back and swung his hand out to gesture her inside. He inhaled slightly and his eyes widened. He could have sworn that he recognized her scent. But whatever had prompted that feeling was gone the moment her perfume entered the mix.
"Max Gueverra," she supplied, careful in her movements. She took a few steps, the turned and fixed him with a hard stare. "So, does my ass pass inspection, or should I turn around again?" Logan’s eyes jumped guiltily to her face. For the first time in memory, Logan could feel himself blushing. He wasn’t sure whether to be amused or offended. Then he recognized the name and puzzlement was added to the mix.
"We weren’t expecting you for another four or five days at least," he grumbled. She shrugged, disinterested in his curiosity.
"I was already on the move when I contacted my friend," she explained. "He gave me directions here. So who do I need to talk to about this dealio?"
"What?"
"You know, the man in charge… the guy who runs this show?"
"Oh, you mean the professor," he nodded towards the study. "He’s teaching class right now."
"In that case," she murmured as she moved further into the house. She turned to him again. "Do you have anything to eat? I drove pretty much nonstop to get here."
"That must have been your vehicle I heard a few minutes ago," Logan realized. "What do you drive?" he asked politely.
"Black Ninja 650," she replied shortly.
"I was right," Logan smirked. At her raised eyebrow, he said further, "I thought I heard a motorcycle."
"Oh, you ride?" she shrugged her denim coat off and threw it on the back of one of the lounge chairs. He nodded, grinning at the thought of showing her Scott’s bike. It was a little powerful for a woman, but he thought she might appreciate it if he offered to take her on a ride. She waited a moment while he appeared lost in thought. "So…food?" she prompted again. He started and smirked at her again. She shook her head in disgust He moved down a hallway and she decided to follow on the off chance that he actually was helping her out. After a few turns, he opened the door to the kitchen, surprising the housekeeper.
"Hey, our guest arrived," he explained. "She’s a little hungry."
The woman smiled at Max and introduced herself. She pointed to the refrigerator and told her to help herself. Max opened the refrigerator door and began removing sandwich fixings. She stepped adroitly around Logan, her arms full. She nudged the door shut with her foot. Ignoring both Logan and the housekeeper, she built a large sandwich. The food was put away and the counter cleaned before Logan could think of anything to say. Picking up the sandwich, she moved to the table and sat. Logan shook his head, wondering if this Max was a bigger loner than he was.
"I’ll be back that way," he muttered to no one in general, gesturing towards the lounge. He left the kitchen, wondering if he should interrupt Charles’ class to let him know that the girl was here. He decided to wait. Charles was probably already aware and she certainly wasn’t going anywhere. After settling down with his book, he found himself reading the same lines over and over. The little spitfire was capturing his thoughts and he wondered about her. The professor said she was AWOL. He figured that she had to be at least twenty-five, maybe older. She had a mature look about her that could have been the result of military training. He looked up from his book to see her making her way back to the lounge.
"Is it possible for me to get the lay of the place?" she asked swiftly.
"What?" Logan mumbled, increasingly aware that most of their conversation to this point had been her making demands.
"A tour?" she clarified, sighing and rolling her eyes. Logan’s ire began to rise as her manner started to grate on his nerves. "Can I get a tour of this place?"
"Might be better to wait for the professor," he replied, studiously turning his attention back to his book. He was fully aware of her when she shrugged and turned away from him.
"I’ll just figure it out on my own," she called as she moved towards the stairs.
"Good luck," he called back. "I’ll come find you when it’s time for supper."
"Whatever!" she called back. "I’ll see you for lunch."
She disappeared up the stairs. Logan set his book down and thought about going after her. This place was really easy to get lost in your first time. He’d had the guided tour and still now had to stop and think about his route. Then he remembered her abrupt manner and decided he wasn’t responsible for her. The professor could deal with her.
Forty-five minutes later, he felt a warm gust of breath on his neck. He jumped slightly, startled. He mentally berated himself that he hadn’t heard any footsteps. He turned to see Max, leaning over the back of the couch. "Cool jet," she smiled. "You fly?"
"Nah," he shook his head. "That’s Scott’s department." Then he realized the impact of her words. "How’d you find the jet?"
"I told you I was going to look around," she snorted, standing up straight and stretching. "The only room I wasn’t able to get into was the one with the corneal encryption."
"How the hell did you figure that out?" he demanded. She smiled at him and some of his earlier anger towards her dissipated.
"You could say that code breaking was a specialty of mine," she chuckled.
"I keep forgetting that Charles said you were with the government," Logan reminded himself. He turned his attention to her in time to catch the strange look on her face. "Which branch were you with?"
"Army," she replied shortly.
"How long were you in?"
"About eleven years." That really surprised Logan. He rapidly readjusted his guess on her age. His next question was obvious to him.
"How long have you been AWOL?" he asked, carefully watching her face and reaction.
"We’ve been AWOL, as you put it, for just over ten years," Max stressed the term with obvious disdain. It only further served to confuse Logan.
"Just how old are you?" he demanded. She smiled.
Chapter Four
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