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 Chapter 3:  The Search

Timeline: Post "Kids are aiight" but before "Female Trouble"

Time to say hello to everyone, then hunt him down. Max thought as she got off the train at the Seattle station.

"Damn girl, where you been at? Original Cindy is about to lay the smackdown on your ass for nearly getting killed." Original Cindy said as she hugged Max.

"I was shot four times, that's why, I can't exactly dodge bullets." Or at least a shitload of them Max replied.

"Just tell me where we can find that international man of mystery so I can lay the smackdown on his ass for getting my boo shot up!" Original Cindy said as she pulled back.

"I don't know, his phone numbers are all out, no one I called seemed to know where he went, and he didn't leave me any contact number." Max said.

"The man feels he got you the bad karma, so he be running." Herbal said.

"Here I was thinking all this time you two were banging the gong, next thing I hear, you got shot doing some sort of job for him." Kendra said as she hugged Max, but she winced, one of the bullets that had hit her had left a particularly large hole, it was still bandaged.

"You still hurt there? I thought they fixed you back up!" Sketchy said as he hugged Max as well.

"One of the bullets got me good, it will take a little longer, just don't hit me on my right side or anything, are you sure no one here has anything from Logan though?" Max asked.

"Not a thing, I came to his place two days after I didn't hear from ya, and the place was empty, no notice, no nothing." Original Cindy said.

"He did leave, but why, why did he leave me alone in that hospital?" Max asked.

"Like Herbal said, he thinks it's his fault, which I think it is, he thought the best way to deal with it was to run away, he did that, but at least bothered to make sure you were OK. If that boy shows his face around here again, I am going to beat on his ass for leaving you all alone!" Original Cindy said as they all walked out of the train station.

"I don't know, maybe it was something else, he's made a few enemies with his articles on corruption and smuggling, maybe he had to leave or something." Max replied.

"Just coincidentally as you go in to a hospital after you do a favour for him that nearly get's your ass blown off!" Kendra said.

"It's a possibility, I'm going to go check on something though, I assume my baby is still around?" Max asked, referring to her motorcycle.

"It's there, I knew you would crucify us if anything happened to it, just take it easy, you did get shot you know." Kendra replied.

"I'm going to take it for a spin, I need to ride it again." Max said as they walked down the street back to Max's home.

"Shouldn't you take it easy, don't tell us you're going to go looking for the man who got you shot, you should learn to have better choice in men." Original Cindy said.

"Screw off! I'm going to find Logan because I want to know why he left, it's something I have to, I don't need lectures on this from you!" Max snapped back.

"Calm down girl, I'm beginning to think you've still got something going for him." Kendra said, a bit shocked at Max's outburst.

"It's none of your concern, now if you'll excuse me, I have to find a business partner that's hiding from me!" Max said as she went up the stairs to her home at tremendous speed. She got out her bike, and brought it back down to ground level, cutting off her friend's words, not caring. They deserve better than this, but I have to find Logan first, find out why he left me, maybe Bling is still in town. Max thought as she sped off on her Ninja, burning hard for Bling's apartment. She arrived, and noticed his name was still under the call button, could be a lazy super she thought, but best check.

"Bling, its Max, are you there?" Max spoke into the intercom.

"Max hey! I heard you were out, just a second, I'll be down in a minute." Bling said through the intercom.

"Alright, take your time." Max replied as she took her finger off the button.

"Good to see you back, what can I help you with?" Bling asked her, but he was sure he already knew the answer.

"Where is Logan, his apartment is empty, his contact numbers are dead, he never left me a message at that hospital in Vancouver, where is he?" Max asked, but the tone was demanding.

"He was in Boston, he moved there a day after the accident, made up some BS about people closing in on Eyes Only or something like that. He pushed himself hard through his therapy, he can move like everyone else now, but when I suggested he go visit you in Canada, he said it was too risky. I tried to push him on it, but all I got was static, and he eventually fired me after I put the pressure on him one to many times, so I came back here. I'm pretty sure he was just feeling guilty about getting you hurt, I couldn't believe he ran, I'm betting he ran again after he told me to get out, he's god knows where now." Bling replied.

"Great, just because that self-serving crusader thought it was all his fault he runs scared? The all-powerful Eyes Only is running because he got his leg-woman hurt?" Max said.

"He may have cut off from you, but he was calling that hospital on a daily basis to make sure you were alright, he cared far too much for you to cut you out completely." Bling replied.

"I don't care, he could have left me something, a one-sentence note, a phone call, a letter, I don't care, do you have any way of finding out where he is?" Max asked.

"No idea, he left Boston, I have no idea where he went next, are you going to look for him?" Bling asked.

"You're damn right, I'm going to have a word with that asshole about leaving friends alone in a crisis, men are such pigs." Max answered as she ran her hand through her hair.

"If that's the reason he left, why are you even bothering to go look for him, you've got your reason, so why are you going to go see him?" Bling asked.

"Because I want to hear the reason from his mouth, maybe he did have to run from a smuggler, I want to know, that's all." Max said as she turned around, and started walking back to her bike.

"He could be anywhere, it's kind of easy to disappear these days, you're looking for a needle in a haystack, especially if he doesn't want to be found." Bling called out.

"I'll find him, I don't care how long it takes, I just want to hear that dammable explanation he has all set out for me." Max replied why? It's not just friendship you feel for him, but he left you in a damn hospital all alone for three weeks with an injury he gave you with that damn job of his. He's playing the noblemen by hiding, trying to get me to move on with my life, I'm not giving up, I just want to find out the exact reason, then leave him to wallow in that crusader for the downtrodden shit. If I do find him, should I beat the crap out of him for leaving me, demand an apology, ask why, or fuck him? Jesus Christ, I just thought of it, me fucking Logan, it can't happen, I don't feel it for him, and that son of a bitch left me to rot in that hospital. Just remember, he's a self-righteous bastard on some endless crusade to save the world, forgot how handsome he is, forgot the smile, forgot his eyes, forgot the fact that he can cook like no other man. Fuck! I'm thinking about it, remember find him, ask, and demand an apology, maybe even get some money off him. Max thought as she rode out of Seattle, looking for Logan.

********

Damn, she's on the move, I should have known she would come looking for me, at least I don't look like myself, and she's looking for a needle in a haystack. Logan thought as he checked the phone tap he had running on Bling, it was not his nature to spy on people he considered or had considered friends, but he needed to know if he was divulging anything concerning his location. It was an innocent enough call to assure some of Max's friends that she was alright, and she was just going to look for him, but from what he head of Max's attitude, she was mad. Can you blame her? You ran away without as leaving as much as a blurb or apology, just keep low, and she'll miss you on her quest. She's mad, she'll end up funnelling that into her search, charging her up with determination, she won't give up for a month or two most likely. She'll give up, realise what a jerk you are, find someone who can take care of her, and live a happy life, not one where you subject her to mortal danger. You love her, or loved her, doesn't matter, you'll never see her again, that dark-haired beauty may have stolen your heart, but she'll end up fencing it, and you can get it back, eventually. Quit dwelling on it, just get your job done, he should be here soon. Logan thought as he tapped away at his keyboard, he had found a new bodyguard and assistant to interview. When military cutbacks ended overseas operations, the Army special forces, or as they were known Green Berets, were offered either military service or retirement, this man had taken retirement. He had talked to him the other day, he had been serving as a bouncer at some club, big muscle was welcome there always, but the pay was not to his liking. Logan had offered him a considerable increase in salary, and benefits, the man had agreed, and said he would be by the next day for specifics on the job. *Buzz* went Logan's doorbell, and he assumed it was Robert, the ex-army bodyguard he had just hired. What he got was a completely different view, a man was standing there with a silenced pistol, not Robert, but he recognised him.

"I see you're doing better, I thought you were dead." Logan said, it was one of the smugglers that Max had taken down for him, they were taking girls off the street and selling them on the black market, but Max had shut them down.

"Yea, well sometimes appearances can be deceiving, but yours will not, I assure you." He said, his finger started to close on the trigger, but another silenced shot was heard.

The man slumped to the ground, a round had gone clean through his head, Logan turned to look outside his apartment, Robert was standing there, holding an H&K USP Tactical, silenced, the gun smoking.

"You really have to see who you're letting in from now on, just opening the door is a dead give-away, pardon the pun." Robert said as he replaced the gun in his jacket and pulled the dead body inside Logan's apartment.

"Good thing you came by when you did, otherwise you would have been out of a job." Logan said.

"I believe in being on time, and being a damn good shot." Robert said as he picked up the mans gun with a gloved hand, inspected it.

"It's a Walther PPK, this guy must be a Bond fan, I've not seen one of these in a long time." Robert said.

"I suppose, I have a few contacts with the police, I'll get the body moved out of here soon enough." Logan said as Robert put the gun down.

"Getting back to why I came here, what would I do exactly here, besides shooting lone gunmen?" Robert asked.

"You'll serve as a bodyguard and assistant, meet my contacts, provide escort, pick up evidence, and so on." Logan replied as he motioned for Robert to sit down as he did.

"I see, what do you do for a living exactly, I have a feeling that some police or news job is not in your future looking at these surroundings." Robert said as he eyed the place.

"I guess I should tell you, I am Eyes Only." Logan said, hoping the man just didn't turn him in for money.

"I see, I'm a bit of a fan of your broadcasts, taking down those corrupt fucks in power doesn't bother me one bit after axing my unit. I'm fully trained in all forms of warfare, and qualified with six forms of hand to hand combat. I am certified at expert levels for all forms of weapons, including knives, sniper rifles, and basically anything I can bash your head in with. I can lift about 450 pounds, can sustain gunshots and keep fighting, stand 6'4", and don't care what you send me on as long as I get paid." Robert said, rattling off his abilities.

"I see, I won't ask you for assassination or killing, I put my last operative at risk, and they almost got killed, besides escorts, and simple things, that's it, I'm not putting my people in danger." Logan replied.

"I see, do you have any work for me now, or do you have to dig something up first?" Robert asked.

"Not right now, but one other thing, should you see this person, and they ask you about me, you never heard of me, my name is unfamiliar to you." Logan said as he handed Robert a picture of Max.

"She's cute, who is she anyways, ex-wife or something?" Robert said.

"Ex-girlfriend, wouldn't leave me alone, threatened to expose me as Eyes Only, so I skipped town, remember, you never heard of me." Logan said as he picked up his phone and called his contact in the local police.

"Will do, I'll come back tomorrow around the same time, just make sure you look before you open from now on." Robert said as he got up.

"I will, I'll catch you later." Logan said as Robert started walking.

"By the way, I know you're not telling the truth about that girl, but I won't pry, I believe a man should keep his personal life personal." Robert said as he left.

I didn't think my lying was that bad, ah well, it's not like she'll run into him and ID him as one my people, I changed my appearance enough to not draw her attention if she saw me. If she comes, I'll tell her some bullshit, offer her money, and when she does leave my apartment, run like hell for a new city.

Logan thought as he arranged for the body to be picked up, and sat there, wondering if Max would come, and what he would have to do if she did.

********

"Did you find anything?" Bling asked from a public phone, he knew Logan had a tap on his.
"Found him, he's in L.A., buzz her pager, tell her he's in L.A., say you got a tip from one of Logan's old friends." Robert said into his cell phone.

"Nice work, I just hope it works, I didn't waste 2000 bucks hiring you for those two to blow up in each other's faces." Bling replied.

"I've taken on a job as an assistant and bodyguard for him, I'll work that role, I gave you the location, my job is done." Robert said.

"You're not going to drop any clues to her or anything?" Bling asked.

"No, you hired me to find a man named Logan Cale, I did that job, you paid me, it's over, if I see Max, I'm following Logan's instructions, and play dumb or run." Robert replied.

"I can't believe this! I send you so I can put those two back on the right fucking track, not to just find each other to blow up at each other! You've got to help them out, they need each other, her friends all see it, I see it, we knew pushing with words of how he's a jerk would put her on the search. I sent you to find him, set those two up, and let it all work out." Bling yelled into the phone.

"I did the job, end of story, she can find him on her own, if she's as good you say she is, it won't be that hard. This is the end of our contract, if they get together, I'm happy for them, but I've found a steady paying job, let me know if you need anyone else found, you know my voicemail, let me know." Robert said, and turned off his cellphone.

Two-timing son of a bitch, he tricked me, and I paid two thousand, I just hope those two can work it out without outside influence. Bling thought as he hung up the phone and then called Original Cindy.

"He found her, but my man is stopping there, we just have to hope that it will come together without outside influence." Bling said.

"Damn straight it better come together! Those two are two steps away from getting it on. I can tell my homegirl feels for richboy, and if what you say about him is true, this may work out. Hit me back if you get any more news." Original Cindy said then hung up.

Well, the wheels are in motion, let's just hope nothing gets stuck in the gears. Bling thought as walked back to his apartment

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I know I used the name Robert again, that's my name in real life, and another trademark, I always put myself into the story.

Chapter 4