"One Night"
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I don't have ownership of any of these
characters. They belong to their respective creators, including Cameron/Eglee
Productions and 20th Century Fox Studios. The story is not for sale or resale
it is written solely for Dark Angel fans. No money is being made from
the use of these characters.
Summary: Logan goes to a Manticore doctor for help.
Spoilers/Timeframe: Occurs after "Designate This".
Rating: R
A/N: Thanks Kiki for all your reviews, you don't know how much they do
for me. :o)
*****
There was not one star in the sky. Everything was dark, gray thick clouds banished the moonlight. Below silent angry black waves crashed over jagged rocks, as they broke they created masses of white foam. High above it all was Logan, suspended in a glass sphere planted on the side of the cliff face. Inside his prison orb, the air was warm but the scene below was enough to send a chill down Logan's spine. He shivered, dark thoughts sending him reeling. What if the glass broke, when would he run out of oxygen, would someone come to his rescue? He closed his eyes, his body quaking with fear and he let his forehead rest against the cool glass. It was his last gesture, almost accepting this horrible fate. He would die alone, high in his fragile globe.
As he leaned there, trying to close his mind to his present situation, his thoughts drifted to his angel. She still didn't know how truly special she was. Max would always be his angel and he loved her more that life itself. He had to laugh at his pathetic life; it seemed predestined that everything he touched or loved would die, leaving him alone. Well at least now, Max was safe and maybe she would be better off without him.
Just when he was about to surrender all hope, a voice pierce through the haunting silence. "Trust me, Logan, let go of your fear and trust me."
Eva's voice was so comforting, it seemed to seep into his body and sooth all his ragged nerves. He had complete faith in her abilities and without thinking he sat up and let his body fall back against the surface of the sphere. The glass shattered upon impact and even as he felt the wind and heard that roaring sea, the panic never came. He didn't felt the rocks digging into his flesh, nor did he hit the water. Logan drifted into a peaceful blackness once again.
The heart monitor settled to a steady beat and the muscles spasms ceased. Both Bling and Eva breathed relief. It had been a scary episode.
Eva set up her equipment again ready to resume the treatment. As she put on her glove, she glanced up at Bling. "I'm almost done, start praying that doesn't happen again."
"Do you think that he heard you?
"I'm not sure, but if he did it seemed to have the right effect."
"I know that Logan has faith in you. I believe you can do this, too."
Eva gave Bling a grateful smile and then focused her attention on Logan's back. She pulled on the laser's trigger and continued working. It wouldn't be much longer now. She hoped that the rest of the procedure would go on without interruption.
******
Logan lay on a narrow bed, above him an old lamp hung casting a dim glow about
the room. Warn looking curtains adorned the window and the walls were bare. As
soon as the operation had been completed, Eva and Bling had transferred Logan
to a stretcher and piled into a borrowed van. They wanted to move Logan to a
more comfortable bed, a sparsely padded laboratory-operating table wouldn't
make much of a resting place. They had headed straight for Eva's small home in
Montana.
In exchange for the used of the lab, Eva had made a deal with the board of directors. She would film the procedure for Naturalist Labs and give them her research regarding the new treatment.
They would in turn provide her with all the material and equipment she required to treat Logan. Thinking back now, she realised that she'd taken a huge risk. Years ago she had been working on the same project and someone was bound to recognise it but she'd went ahead with everything anyway. She knew the risk but her heart was telling her it was worth it. Eva knew the story behind Logan's accident; she had Max tell her all about it. She also knew that Max, Logan and Bling were keeping a secret from her. With her keen intelligence and super genetic eyes, she figured out Logan's alter ego almost immediately. She smiled to herself, let them think that they still have their secret. It didn't bother her anyway. As she trudged back from the van to the labs entrance, she pulled the folds of her wool overcoat tighter together. If she got any bigger, she would need to buy a larger winter coat.
Bling entered the small bedroom to check on Logan, he found him still asleep. "I've never met anyone who loves sleeping as much as you."
Logan stirred and blinked slowly. "Why do I feel so stiff?" His words came out slurred and whispered. All of a sudden, shudders wracked his body. As the spasms subsided, he groaned and dropped his head deep into the pillow.
"It will be okay, your muscles are cramped and you haven't moved for a few hours. Eva says you're doing fine." Bling moved toward Logan and helped him sit up by stuffing some extra pillows behind him for support. "How do you feel?"
Logan looked down at his legs, two unmoving limbs beneath a thick wooden blanket. He tried his toes and felt the first sensation, the softest feeling of the bed sheet brushing across his big toes. Like wild fire, his nerves came alive. He felt the rough mattress cover under his legs, the sheets brushing across his skin and moving against his hairs.
Bling did have to ask what he was feeling, it was written all over his face. "It's happening, isn't it?"
"I can't believe this, I can feel everything." Logan made a move to get up off the bed but Bling was at his side in a flash.
"Not so fast partner, it's a bit soon for that. It will happen, I promise. We have to go easy."
Logan settled back and resigned to being patient, for now. He was grinning with the satisfaction of all the sensations that were racing over his body. He leaned back against the pillows and pulled his arms up behind his head, he smiled at big boyish grin at Bling. "So where is our miracle worker?"
Bling avoided Logan's cheery gaze and looked past him to the window. Outside the trees where all dusted white and the wintry mist was still in the air. He'd been hoping that particular question go unasked for at least a little time longer. He rocked on his heels uncomfortably. It was obvious that Logan hadn't noticed a change in Eva. He'd been too wrapped up in his own excitement to really concentrate on anything but his operation. However, Bling had been watching Eva and he'd noticed the changes in her. She was a lot more reserved than before and even a little distant. Bling had had his suspicions at the lab but her oversized white coat had concealed most of her figure from view. It wasn't until they were transferring Logan to her home that his suspicions where confirmed. Eva was pregnant. She hadn't been overly large but her round belly couldn't be hidden, even under the thick bulky sweater, she'd been wearing. Who was the father, he hadn't the guts to ask. Nevertheless, the curiosity was starting to nag at him. She had left after making sure that both Logan and he were comfortable. Eva had told him that she would have to go back to the lab. Something about having to meet with the board and discuss the treatment she used. She wouldn't be back. She passed on all the instructions regarding Logan's care for the following months and asked if she could be updated on his progress. Bling took the subtle hint. She wasn't anymore comfortable about the situation than he was. It was obvious she wasn't going to discuss her condition with either of them, so he just kept his mouth shut. But it never crossed his mind until now, just how was he going to explain her absence to Logan.
"Bling?"
Bling snapped out of his reverie. Logan was sitting there, looking curiously at him. He would hate keeping this from Logan but he didn't see another way. It was Eva's responsibly and she would tell them if she wanted to. Even as he spoke, he was kicking himself.
"She had to go back the lab, and we'll be outta here before she gets back." At Logan's raised eyebrow, he ploughed on. "She's got a heap of work to finish and she's left us all the details you need regarding your recovery. We can head back as soon as you feel up to flying."
Logan's brain was ticking over time. Something wasn't right about all this but he was itching to get back to Seattle, so he held back from pressing Bling. Eva had her reasons for doing what she did and he'd have to catch her another time. He'd be forever grateful to her for all she'd ever done. The minute he got a chance, he'd make sure she knew just how important she was to all of them.
******
As they stepped through the door of Logan's penthouse neither Bling nor Logan had
a chance to say a word before Max all but pounced on them.
"Where the hell have you been?" Max ignored Bling and was holding herself back from strangling Logan. She had almost lost her mind with worry. He hadn't told her he was going out of town and the whole time he was gone, he'd been unreachable. The first time she'd called his cell phone she got his answering service and she hadn't been to pissed but by the fifth call, she was trying to keep her panic in check. She tried Bling but as she'd guessed Bling had gone, too. Staring at the both her eye's blazing she realised Logan was in his wheelchair. She moved closer and dropped down in front of him.
"Never do that again, I'm so sick of killing myself over you. Do you have any idea of how worried I was?" She searched his eyes begging for regret or something. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"
Logan avoided her hurt expression and slowly manoeuvred away from her. Bling stayed by the door. He knew better than to try to get involved. Stay silent and invisible, it was the safest course of action.
"I went to see Eva."
"You went without me!"
Max had to plant her feet to control the urge to go and tip him out of that wheelchair. Sometimes he could be so insensitive. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since Eva had left, she would have loved to go and see her sister. Logan had left her behind, knowing how she felt and he'd done it anyway.
Logan let her seethe. Whatever had made him think that he could keep this from her? He'd wanted to surprise her, yep, him and his bright ideas. He looked up at her; she'd started pacing his kitchen. Her face held a stormy expression, as she caught his gaze she turned and marched over to the window, her back facing him. Well, he'd better explain or she'd be unbearable for the next few weeks. Despite everything that had happened between them, it seemed that nothing would ever change. Since the threat of the virus had been obliterated, Max had still kept her distance both physically and emotionally. Whether she was protecting herself or him, he couldn't quite figure it out. At the present moment, he could feel her moving further away from him with each passing second. He knew what she was thinking and he wanted to halt that train of thought immediately. He knew that her trust was fragile and he need to reassure her that he would never hurt her or keep anything from her.
"Max…"
She turned at the sound of his voice, silent tears were streaming down her face. Her voice came out choked as little sobs were threatening to erupt. "It's never been about you walking, not for me." She turned away from him and resumed her pacing. When would he understand that? All she wanted from him was…what? Love was a weak emotion, it clouded your judgement, made you vulnerable. Look at her now, she was a snivelling mess but no matter how hard she tried to fight it, the tears kept coming.
"Max, I need to try, any opportunity offered I would take. I have to walk again."
He paused at glanced over at Bling. With that one look, Bling understood and he moved quietly to Logan's side, capably he helped Logan to stand upright. Max had ceased her pacing and stood staring out into the night but in the glass, she caught Logan's reflection. He was standing, Bling was offering a supportive arm and with slow, careful steps Logan made his way to her. She didn't turn around and pretended not to notice his progress. With her enhanced hearing ability she couldn't make out the distinct noise the exoskeleton made. So, he got his wish but how long would it last? He'd been offered his dream once before, only to having it unravel before his eyes. She wanted to have hope but in her experience home never amount to anything. To put faith in hope was to set yourself up for a fall. The disappointment it could bring hurt a lot, much like being in love. Yes, she'd admit it; she loved Logan and if she'd spend most of her life worrying about him and saving his ass, well so be it. Because she just couldn't help loving him, that smile, those clear blue eyes, everything about him made her feel weird inside. Like, she would die without him. Just thinking about it she didn't want to remember how she felt when she was away from him. No matter how much it hurt at times, she knew she would never stop loving him. A gentle touch brushed her shoulder.
"Max?"
She turned around and found herself inches from him. His eyes locked with hers, a silent apology written in their depths. She'd forgiven him the moment he'd walked through the door. He was alive and he'd come back to her that was enough. At that moment his legs buckled, both Bling and Max caught him.
"I think that'll do it for today." Bling helped Max guide Logan to a chair, Logan taking slightly unsteady steps. "It will all come with time. If you ask me, it's all a little to unreal. For someone who was paralysed, you've come a long way." He smiled at both Logan and Max, he slapped Logan on the shoulder. "And I'll see you in the morning. Bye, Max." As he left, Bling chuckled to himself. It had been a long couple of days. He wondered just how Logan was going to explain himself out of this one.
******
"So you can walk again." Max leaned her head on Logan's shoulder. She
had huddled herself between Logan and the corner of the sofa.
Logan wrapped an affectionate arm around her small frame. He bent his head to breathe in her hair, it was soft and sweet smelling under his nose. He chose him words carefully in reply.
"Eventually, I should be better than before. All the nerve, muscles and tendons good as new."
Max looked up at him and put a tentative hand on his thigh, she felt the muscles bunch at her though. Her surprise showed in her eyes.
Logan chuckled, "I can feel everything, but I'm still a little weak in the knees." He saw as smile tug at the corners of her mouth and he grinned. She could never resist that smile, those lips. He saw her eyes smoulder and where their attention was focused. Closing the distance between them, he touched his lips to hers and for that moment, the world and all its worries dissolved.
Max was drowning in the sweet assault of Logan's mouth when a tingling pulse ran up her spine. The sensation hand nothing to do with the current emotions sweeping her body. Nor was it a warning for oncoming seizures. This was very different and a feeling of apprehension chilled her blood, something was very wrong.
"Max? What is it?" Logan stared at her, she had a distant and worried look in her eyes. She had broken their kiss all of a sudden and now he could feel her tensing in his arms. "Max?" He shook her gently, begging her to break out of her silence and tell him what was bothering her. She always felt that that she had to deal with all her problems on her own. He desperately wanted to be a part of her. She accused him of keeping things from her, well majority of herself was locked away from him, too.
"Can you contact Eva?"
Logan looked surprise but nodded. "Her number is speed dial number six."
Max launched herself off the sofa and grabbed the phone, dialling she waited impatiently for the call to connect. Eva's voice greeted her, "You've called me, I'm not in, please leave a message." Her ear perked, she could hear voices. They were distant, maybe outside the house. She wasn't sure but she kept quiet and trained her ears to pick up the conversation. "Are you sure this is her house? We have wasted enough time as it is. She and the dog seemed to have just vanished. This is our last chance. We don't get her today, they'll take us off the mission and deploy the X7." Max wanted to hear more but the tape ended and the call disconnected. The phone hung in her limp hand. She'd didn't recognise the voice but she didn't have to, he was sent from Manticore and she had to get to Eva.
Logan read her features, there was trouble and for his sake, she tried to hide her expression but she failed. Eva was in trouble. "I'll get us on the next flight."
Max looked up and locked eyes with him, it was then that he knew that the situation was worse than he expected. "We're too late. They're already there."
Logan was stunned. How could they have possibly found her? These people were unbelievable, nowhere was safe. He'd sent Eva to Alaska feeling absolutely confident that they wouldn't find her. She gave him more than he could ever repay and this is what he did for her in return. He cursed himself, this couldn't be happening. Why, why now, why them? He struggled to get up but his legs just wouldn't support him. Max got his chair and wheeled it over to him and for once, he didn't fight her offered help.
All the while they prepared to leave Max kept telling herself that Eva would be all right. She was a well-trained soldier, she was smart and she could take care of herself. But something kept nagging her, making her feel nervous. The sooner they got to Eva, the better she would feel.
