An Early Morning

A/N I intending for this to just be a one-shot but I had a few people with an interest in seeing a bit more. So here you go. I hope you like this little addition to this fic.

BTW I don't have a beta for the Dark Angel genre of fics would anyone be interested in taking up the job...feel free to contact me if you'd like to beta any future max/logan fics thanks :) nicole

Logan downed his fifth cup of coffee and smiled to himself. The sun was just beginning to peak out over the horizon. Morning had arrived...not that he'd ever went to sleep.

He watched as Max slowly began to stir. She stretched, her back arching like a cat, a very beautiful cat. Then her eyelids started to flutter, until they finally opened and focused on his ceiling. She seemed to be confused for a moment, her eyes traveled sideways stopping when they reached his face.

"Logan."

"Right here."

She processed the situation for a moment then he saw the light bulb click on. "Oh yeah." She seemed a little embarrassed.

"Yeah." He smiled warmly. Much to Logan's delight she returned the gesture.

Max's hands drifted upward and she began to fiddle with her hair. "God I must look like the walking dead."

"Nah. You're perfect."

"Yeah. I bet." She turned to study him. "Logan, have you been up all night?"

"Yes." He held up his mug.

"You didn't have to do that. You must be exhausted," she seemed flustered.

"Caffeine keeps me going. Don't worry I can sleep a few hours today."

"No but-"

"Max, it's no big deal. Besides I told you I wouldn't leave."

Her eyes widened and she seemed unsure how to react. "But I didn't really think..."

Logan reached out and without thinking touched her still slightly trembling hand. "I promised."

"Most people would have left," she whispered.

"I'm not most people."

That got her attention. "No, no you aren't."

He shrugged and pulled his hand back.

"Thanks Logan." Max said rather shyly as she untangled herself from the blanket he'd given her. She held it in her hands for a few seconds before setting it at the foot of his couch. "For all of this."

"Anytime. What are friends for?"

She seemed to relax a little.

"So," he tried, "How are you feeling?"

"Better...fine." Max stood and her posture told him that they were done with this conversation. He could actually see her pulling away, becoming the tough, self reliant, and independent woman he'd become accustomed to seeing. Only now it was different. Logan knew the truth. There was much more to her, she just hid it very well. Somehow just knowing that, made him feel closer to Max. So he just let it drop.

"Want some breakfast before you go?" Logan went for the good old standby subject change. Food.

"Nah. That's okay." Max brought her hand to her mouth as she yawned and cringed. "I'd love to take a shower and maybe bum some mouthwash though. I might loose my job if I go to work smelling like a garbage dump."

Logan laughed. "The bathroom's all yours."

"Thanks."

Logan heard the door close, followed by the sound of running water. His mind threatened to wander to naughty places, but he quickly told it to "shut up" as he went back to brewing another pot of coffee.

Those type of thoughts were unrealistic. Max didn't see him like that and never would. She could have any man she wanted. Why the hell would she want a cyber geek who couldn't even walk? Logan took a long drink of the suddenly stale tasting coffee and tore his mind away from the pity party he was throwing.

He wheeled over to his sanctuary and began to dig into his "eyes only" work. He'd been staring at the same screen for about five minutes when he felt more than heard Max come up behind him. She leaned onto his desk, her still wet hair clinging to her bare shoulders.

"Busy?"

"You know me. Helping the downtrodden."

She shook her head, a few drops of water landed on his glasses.

"Oops, sorry." Max grabbed his glasses off his face before he could react. "It's the least I can do," she said while drying them off with her t-shirt.

He allowed her to place them back on after she was finished. It was kinda nice, having her so close. She adjusted them several times before stepping back and placing her hands on her hips. "Better."

"Much."

She beamed. "Well, I gotta get going. Banks to rob, people to harass."

"Busy day then huh?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "What about you? You got any big plans for today?"

He turned his gaze back to his computer monitor. "The usual."

"Well if you get bored...or decide to cook up another of your masterpieces...beep me."

He smiled up at her. "I might just do that."

"I hope so," she said while slipping into her jacket. After she finished Max flashed him a grin and headed towards the door.

"And Max." She stopped and turned. "If you need anything ever...don't hesitate to call me."

She stared at him for several long moments. "Right back at you Logan." And then she left.

Logan sighed and reluctantly turned back to his work. He had a long day ahead of him in his suddenly very empty apartment.

Logan felt a smile forming as his gaze drifted towards his kitchen. There was always dinner and he had been dying to try out one of his mothers more difficult recipes.

"Yep. I think a masterpiece is definitely in order for tonight."

He held onto that thought as he began to work.

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