Rainbow Connection Chapter 4: Something For The Pain, a dark angel fanfic

RAINBOW CONNECTION

by Newly Human

Synopsis: There's something different about Kaia, and Logan finds out exactly what it is. Friendship, intrigue, action, and most importantly… hope.

Timeline: The following takes place in between seasons 1 and 2.

Disclaimer: Besides a few names of prescription drugs everything medical has been plucked from my imagination so please, don't try it at home. Dark Angel the series and all it's characters belong to Fox, Cameron/Eglee Productions and other respective owners. I don't mean to infringe so please don't sue. Kaia Kilbourne and the plot are mine.

Authors Note: Lots of dialogue and speeches at the moment. I just want to get the big back story out of the way before we get into the real plot. It's coming soon, I promise. Plus, a HUGE thankyou for all the reviews. I have an urge to answer some of your questions about the upcoming storyline, but I think I'll be evil and string you all along a bit more. Thanks for reading this far! --Newly Human

CHAPTER 4
Something For The Pain

"Are you okay?"

Logan heard the voice behind him and turned. It was Kaia. Her hair was tucked back behind her ears and she looked like she was feeling better. Logan however, was clutching his head in pain. The throbbing would not stop.

"My head." He managed to groan.

In a second she was by his side. "Here, sit down."

She led him to the sofa and made him lie down. "Let me see."

Logan put up his feet on his expensive leather couch (it hurt that much), and allowed Kaia to inspect his head.

"You were hit pretty hard." Kaia said absentmindedly.

"No kidding," He mumbled.

She hardly heard him, her professional nature taking over. All that needed attention was the head wound. "There's a small split on your skull, it's gonna need a few stitches and you've probably got a mild concussion. Do you have any medical supplies? Antibiotics? And pain killers would help with the throbbing."

He pointed to the bathroom. "There's some in the medicine cabinet, and the First Aid Kit's under the sink."

Kaia disappeared into the bathroom and was back within 30 seconds carrying everything she needed plus a glass of water.

"You've got a lot of stuff in there." She observed, putting it all on the coffee table and getting to work. "Neurontin, Demerol, OxyCotin. These are pretty strong pain killers. What are you doing with all of these?"

"They're for my legs." Logan explained, "Every so often they act up and the pain gets pretty bad."

"Your legs?" Kaia asked, not understanding. "What's wrong with your legs?"

"I'm partially paralysed from the waist down."

Kaia raised her eyebrows at him. "Funny, you don't look paralysed. Half a minute ago you were walking around the apartment."

"Titanium alloy exoskeleton." He said, pulled up part of his pant leg to show her the metal frames. "With the help of a microchip they enhance the little feeling I have left in my legs up to 30 percent. It lets me walk again."

"Wow, that's great." Kaia let out a breath. "Because for a second there I thought you might be crazy."

He chuckled, which of course caused his head to throb faster, and harder.

"Here," Kaia took out a combination of pills and handed them to him, along with the water. "Drink as much as you can."

He drank it all. She put the glass back on the table and went back to stitching up Logan's head.

"So, Kaia… At 16 you were already walking down dark alleyways with a medical kit, treating the wounds of strangers…" Logan started, hoping to get more out of Kaia's history.

"Both my parents were doctors." She continued for him, "I started learning when I was young and I guess I was smart for my age, because I picked it up quick. I was trying to do what I could for the crumbling community we live in. Not everyone can afford licensed doctors. Or even unlicensed ones for that matter. "

Kaia paused, "They're both dead now."

"I'm sorry," Logan apologised instinctively.

Kaia smiled at his courtesy. "Don't be. It was a long time ago."

"How did it happen?" He asked softly.

"My mother was sick for a long time. She spent the last ten years of her life in some research hospital. Soon after she died my father passed too. I guess he just couldn't live without her." She cut the final thread and started to clean up. "I'm done."

"Thanks." He said sincerely. Logan moved into a sitting position, he was feeling better already. Kaia finished putting away the supplies and sat in the sofa opposite him.

"There was something I wanted to ask you." He started cautiously.

She noticed his grave face and began to worry. "What is it?"

"It's probably nothing." He reassured her. "But last night, the others said something happened outside of Manticore."

Kaia's gaze immediately shifted to her lap.

"When we were at the van." He clarified, but he got the feeling that she knew exactly what he was talking about. "You can tell me." He told her.

Kaia looked at him. She stared deep into his eyes and after a full minute, she knew that she could trust him.

"I have this gift." She stated plainly. "My family's had it for generations."

"What kind of gift?" Logan enquired.

"It's hard to explain," She began, "But I can feel things. Other people's emotions. I feel them all the time. Random bits of feeling from strangers. When someone is angry, hurt or in pain the feelings are stronger, and harder to ignore. With Zack…" Her voice trailed off. "Both my parents were gone and I felt like he was the only one I had left. Somehow, especially in this past month, I could feel him all the time."

"And you could feel his presence last night." Logan concluded.

Kaia nodded sadly. "Logan, you don't understand what it's like..."

"What do you mean?"

"To be able to feel him. To feel his passion and commitment and determination, right up until the end." Kaia swallowed, "To feel him die..."

They sat silent for a moment. Then Kaia suddenly spoke.

"Do you mind if I take a shower?"

"No, of course not." He got up to gather a towel and some clean clothes for her. "Take your time."

She whispered her thanks before disappearing into the bathroom.

Logan watched Kaia close the door. He did understand. He had watched as Max's life slowly slipped away from her. He had watched helplessly knowing that he couldn't do anything about it. He had watched her and never got the chance to say the words they've wanted to say to each other for a year.

Logan shook his head violently, refusing to allow himself slip into something he knew he wouldn't be able to overcome. Max isn't gone, Max can't be gone. Max isn't gone, Max can't be gone… He chanted those words in his head for the rest of the day.

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That night, Logan and Kaia were seated on the floor playing Scrabble, a board game Logan had found from pre-pulse days. The sombre mood from earlier had lifted with the setting sun. In conversation they talked about Logan's job working for Eyes Only and the places that Kaia's medicine took her, anything but what they were each actually thinking about. Kaia and Logan were both trying to distract themselves from less joyful thoughts and in the end Scrabble seemed the way to go. Unfortunately for Logan, Kaia had beaten him every time.

"Sorry, Logan." Kaia moved her last letter into place. "I win again."

"Damn." He smiled. "In my defence, I do have a serious head injury."

"Sure…" She chuckled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Suddenly, a burst of pain seized through her stomach. She grabbed it and groaned as wave after wave of agony gushed through her.

Logan leaped up to help. "Kaia, what's wrong?"

"I don't know." She gasped. Then without warning the pain subsided. Her face softened and she began to breathe normally again.

"What was that?" Logan asked, a worried look still on his face.

"I think…" She thought for a moment, then unexpectedly turned her pale green eyes to the front door. Something was coming.