Notes at the end of the chapter

1. In which some attempt of explaining happens

Rush walked down the corridor with a feeling of someone watching him. He turned his head. Nothing. With a sigh, he continued his way to his quarters. He wasn't sure if Lt. Scott had understood that he, Rush, didn't want to marry, any less to a boy like him. Rush hoped Lt. Johansen was discreet enough to not let his... problem slip. Then, he paused. Fuck. Fuck! What about the boy? Lt. Scott had a big mouth -he knew that very well, both literally and metaphorically.

Once in his quarters, with the door locked, he hit his head on a wall and moaned. This could not be happening. Not to him. He wasn't ready for any of this. Especially with all his workload with Destiny repairs. He felt his frustration increase when he saw what looked like a gift on his bed. That damned boy. When the hell has he entered his quarters? Without his permission, obviously. With another sigh, Rush took his radio, he needed to make things clear to that boy.

"Lieutenant Johansen, this is Rush."

"Dr. Rush, this is Lieutenant Johansen."

"Are you still in the infirmary?"

"Yes I am. Is everything ok?"

"Stay there, I'm on my way. Rush out." He switched off his radio and went to the infirmary again to find Lt. Johansen and a very worried Lt. Scott. Scott was pacing up and down the place asking questions without stop to breath, and what Rush could get before Lt. Scott went silent as soon as the scientist entered were some really weird and stupid questions.

Surely, the boy heard his call for Lt. Johansen and was there to know everything was ok. Exactly what he thought the boy would do. As soon as Lt. Scott recovered from his arrival, he ran to his side. But before he could make it Rush gave him a glare which made him freeze.

"Lieutenant Johansen, Lieutenant Scott." He said. "I need to discuss an issue I think might have been overlooked. I want both of you to be discreet about this... situation." He stopped. The blonde woman nodded, but the boy, he had a confused look on his face.

"Why?" If Rush was drinking at that precise moment, he surely would have spattered all of the liquid. Why? That damn boy didn't know why?

"Well, Lieutenant, this situation is very risky for me, and I don't want other people sticking their noses in my affairs. Surely you would understand that. I want to be left alone. Am I clear?" Lt. Scott was even more confused now.

"Yes, but. Why? Can't I tell this to Eli, or Ron? They are my fri-"

"Lieutenant." Rush's voice was sharp, and his eyes were still in Death Glare Mode. "You should first talk to your fiancee, miss Armstrong." The younger man went pale. Rush could hear him swallow.

"I'm with Dr. Rush on this, Matt. You should tell Chloe first." Scott looked at TJ in disbelief. "Oh! Come on, Matt. She loves you, you love her, you two are engaged."

"Ye- yeah. Sure. I love her." Scott looked from TJ to Rush and to TJ again. "But..."

"But? There're no buts here, lad. You go back to your lover and leave me alone with my life and everything would be perfect."

"No!" Scott was alarmed. And Rush felt really tired of dealing with him. "I mean. Yes, I love her and all but... Jesus! You are going to give birth to my second son -or daughter- and now I have the opportunity to be there to see it, to see him or her grow up."

His speech was so naive Rush felt like throwing up. TJ, on the other hand, seemed amused by all of this.

"Look. I know I'm not the most handsome man on Destiny, but if you let me, I can be more-"

"Stop! I don't want to hear any more. I want you two not to say a word to anyone. Are we clear?" TJ made a noise. Rush glanced at her. She was struggling, uncomfortable. "What?" His voice was low and steady.

"I... might have told something to Colonel Young." In the blink of an eye, Rush felt all his strength gone and his world spin. Scott was there before his body touched the ground. TJ was on him too, helping Scott get him on a chair.

"Wh-what? Why?" TJ looked at him, sad. His own voice sounded so weak.

"I had to. Dr. Lam ensured me she won't let this slip in H.C. But I need you to understand that I have to report every... illness on the ship. Not that you have one but your situation is uncommon, you agree whit that, don't you?" Rush blinked, slowly. He didn't take his eyes away from TJ's.

"Well... as long as he doesn't want me in quarantine everything is O-" the door opened, stopping him. Col. Young entered and then closed the door. Rush shuddered, but didn't look at the man. Scott and TJ straightened at once.

"Colonel" they said in perfect sync.

"Rest."

Then, there it was, the pause. One long and uncomfortable pause. TJ was looking at Scott, Scott at the Colonel, Young glanced at Rush and Rush... Rush just glared at the opposite wall with all his wrath.

"I need a word with..." Young started but stopped when Rush snorted. "Rush, we need to talk about..." another noise from Rush shut him up.

"Colonel, I need to talk to you, too." interrupted Scott. Three pairs of eyes focused on him. "I... ah. I wish to marry Dr..."

"Oh! For fuck sake! I'm nae gonna marry you." Rush stood up. " What I wanted to say had already been said. Not a word of this to anyone abroad the ship nor on Earth. Understood?" He was almost at the door when he turned and made eye contact with Young. "I don't want to talk about this. And won't talk unless it's with Lieutenant Johansen." He left.

"Well. Colonel, I need your approval to the marriage." Said Scott. TJ rolled her eyes in disbelief and the Col. frowned.

"I think you must convince him first son. You can't marry if you don't have the consent from the other party. Besides, weren't you going to marry Chloe?" Scott looked bemused.

"Yes, well. I love Chloe, of course, but I want to settle before the baby is here so... I think I must make a sacrifice."

Young shook his head.

"Clear your thoughts before you choose to do something Lieutenant. You may regret things later." Then, Young left. Scott glanced at TJ, who frowned.

"I'm not siding with you, Matt. I'm sorry, but I agree with Dr. Rush. You two... That's simply impossible."

Scott smiled at her. "Don't worry, TJ. I'll conquer him and we will be happy." He was about to leave when TJ took his arm.

"I don't think you understand, Matt. There is no way in hell Rush will like you in that way, so give up. Besides, what good do you think marring Rush will do? Nothing. Stop being so stubborn, let it be. Leave Rush alone, and he may let you stay with the child. You'll be with Chloe, you will have your child, and everyone's happy." Scott scowled and TJ sighed. "Look, if you insist I'll be forced to interfere. And you won't like it."

"TJ, I don't want to fight with you." TJ released him.

Rush was lying on his bed, one arm over his eyes, cursing and swearing. He always thought Lt. Scott was a little bit too traditional for his own good, but this, this. The boy was being extreme. He was fond of the boy, well, until that happened. And he quite liked Chloe. They made a good pair, and now all that was messed up. It was Scott's fault and that damned device's.

When he knew how, he was going to destroy that aberration. Goddammit! He wasn't prepared for all of this. He wasn't. He wanted a family, sure, but he already had one: Destiny crew. He was fond of all of them, except Volker, he hated Volker. Well not much, only a wee bit. That man always got on his nerves. And Greer. He didn't like Greer. If he stopped and took his time, he only truly liked a few abroad the ship. And if he thought deeply he knew his real family was- No! He wasn't going that way. Not now. He didn't want to think about it now. Maybe later...

"I want to wake up from this nightmare" he whispered hopeless.

Colonel Young knew. He knew. And he was likely to end up being locked up in quarantine. Even if his disease wasn't contagious. He took his t-shits off and glanced at his abdomen, still flat.

"So, now, I'm pregnant." One look at the watch. "Better to catch some sleep." Under the blankets, he let his mind wander around mathematical formulas. The sleep came eventually. Exhausted as he was, he wasn't aware of the door opening, nor the sigh of relief from the person who entered

He had a dreamless sleep and woke up at the same time he did every day. In the dim light of his quarters he could see someone on his couch, his or her breath steady. He or she was asleep. Rush frowned and let the last blur of sleep fade away before getting out of bed. Even without looking he knew it was Lt. Scott. Not wanting to wake him up, he dressed up quietly. Then, he took his blankets and covered the sleeping man with them.

The stupid boy looked like a pet, and he didn't felt so angry anymore. Actually, he preferred it when the boy had his mouth shut, or when he was with his girlfriend. It was not as if he was a bad man, but he felt bad for Chloe. Damn! They where made for each other, what was his role in all of this?

Ah! Yes, the couple breaker.

He left, dreading the moment the younger man decided to wake up. And he had a lot to do to catch up on his work. As always, he went to the mess hall. And same as the last few weeks he felt the irresistible impulse to spew his guts out. He hurried up to the nearest bathroom. He felt the dinner from the day before get out of his body just in time to be thrown up in the toilet.

Half an hour later, he was still bended over the W.C., gagging, sometimes spitting bile. He was found by TJ, who hurried to help him.

"Goddammit, Doctor! You should have called if you weren't feeling well." She said, stroking his back in gentle circles.

"How...?" He couldn't continue, another fit of nausea attacked him. She pulled his hair out of his face without stopping the massage on his back.

"Matt called me a few moments ago. He was panicking because he couldn't find you." She explained. Rush nodded.

They were like this for another couple of minutes, in silence. Scott called TJ on her radio, but she didn't answer until she was sure Rush could manage without her help. She told Scott everything was OK, he didn't need to worry, and she sent him to bed. Then, she helped the scientist up. Rush was slightly pale, but he wasn't trembling anymore. Her lips formed a tight line of worry.

"We are going to the infirmary." At the face Rush made she switched from medic to Lieutenant. "It's not a request, it's an order. I want to see what you can eat and keep in your stomach. It's important for your health as well as..." She did a vague gesture to his torso.

With a grimace he pointed at the open door. "After you, Lieutenant."

Eli stormed into the infirmary, waving his arms, making requests and not making any sense at all. TJ shut him up with a glare. The boy went still.

"What is it, Eli?"

"Is it true Rush is ill?" Eli looked concerned. The woman nodded.

"Yes. More or less. Why? Do you need him?" Eli fidgeted a little.

"Well... hmm... I had a short chat with Matt a few minutes ago..." The boy glanced towards a bed with curtains closed around it. "He told me that Rush is having aftereffects from some kind of device that attacked him a few weeks ago." His brown eyes were fixed on TJ's now. "Is he going to die?"

TJ couldn't help a laugh. "Heavens, Eli, no. It's not like that. He only has... a parasite." That didn't reassure the young man. "It's not as bad as it sounds. Right now we can't take it out of his body, so we'll have to wait until it's big enough."

"Ah..." Suddenly, Eli closed the door and approached TJ, adopting a confident tone. "Look, what Matt told me was really weird, and from what you are telling me I can only come with the most strange conclusion I have ever thought of, so I hope you'll tell me I'm wrong and laugh at it so hard Rush kicks us both out."

TJ was surprised by his words. "Whatever you mean?"

"I... I think..." He rubbed his hands. "Is Rush pregnant?" TJ went blank. What? Eli was saying... What? Why on Heavens did Eli come to that conclusion?

"Eli..."

"No. Just tell me." And before she could open her mouth he spoke again. "Better, tell me I'm crazy and that's impossible, as Rush is obviously a man and men can't get pregnant." TJ sighed.

"Even if it were true, which is improbable, I wouldn't tell you a word. Patient confidentiality, remember?" Eli nodded, worried again.

"So he is."

"Wha-?"

"Improbable, not impossible."

"Jesus! Eli, what the hell did Matt tell you?" TJ hoped Matt didn't tell anybody else. Eli made a face.

"Just... That some weeks ago a device turned on, and when he tried to investigate it Rush found him and it threw him to the floor." Eli stopped, and made another face. "Then, he was suddenly... attracted... to Rush, and then one thing led to another..." A shiver run over him. "He didn't say anything else, and I can imagine the rest."

TJ rubbed her face. This was getting so complex.

"Ok, Eli. Don't tell a soul."

"As if anybody would believe me."

"Yeah... But... Look, he is very upset, and I don't think stress is good for him. If Dr. Lam was here things would've been different, but she is not, and this is my first... time in a situation like this. So, I don't really know how to deal with this. And... Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?."

"Watch over him." She left. Eli was left there, without nothing to do except to stand on his feet. TJ came again. "And don't let Matt disturb him. He has this weird delusion of having his hand in marriage." Then, she left again.

Eli sighed, not sure of what to do. Hesitant, he went to where Rush was resting. At first, Eli thought he was faking, but then he could see the exhaustion on his face. If it wasn't for the movement of his chest, one could think he was dead. Eli took a chair and sat down near the bed.

Invariably his eyes were drawn to Rush's stomach. One lone blanket was over his legs, and his own hands rested on his abdomen. Feeling like a kid entering the haunted house of the town, Eli put his hands on the bed, and slowly he began to lift the t-shirts the man was wearing. Pausing only to be sure he was still asleep, carefully he brushed his fingertips over the now bare skin.

Suddenly, a hand griped his wrist, startling him.

"What are you doing?" Rush's voice sounded sleepy and he had only one eye opened. Eli felt his checks get hot.

"Nothing." He tried to take his hand back, but Rush held it still. "Um..." Rush's gaze was locked on his own. Slowly he fully opened his eyes.

"What?" Eli was uncomfortable, feeling his face flush further. He could feel Rush's heat from his grip on his wrist. The younger man opened his mouth a couple of times, not knowing what to say. His eyes flicked from Rush's face, to his hand to his bare abdomen.

"I... Can I...?" Eli thought that if he blushed further, then all of his body would end up red. He took a short breath before asking. "Can I touch it?" Rush released him then looked at him with curiosity.

"What do you want to touch? There's nothing to touch." Rush knew he knew, and didn't seem to mind.

"Uh... Yeah, not still..." Rush tilted his head a little, then leaned on his elbows. One of his hands pushed up his t-shirts to bare more skin. This same hand took one of Eli's and put it over his stomach. His skin was warm, his muscles firm and he couldn't take his eyes away from his body. He giggled nervously. "I can't feel anything".

"That's because it must be really small." Rush had had a chat with TJ and now was when he started to comprehend that he was indeed pregnant. And sharing the feeling with another human being was relaxing. Rush was searching Eli's face, not sure of what he was looking for. Maybe repulsion, fear, disgust. But Eli was in awe only looking at his body, as if it has a magical solution to all the problems of the entire existence.

Eli's hand was trembling under his, maybe with at least excitement. They both were so focused on their own thoughts that no-one heard the door open, nor Lieutenant Scott's yell. Their intimacy was broken when the Lieutenant threw himself on Eli, making them both go to the ground. With sharp, fast movements Scott pushed Eli to a wall, where he pinned him, making it impossible for the mathematician to move.

"Don't touch him. Don' .Him" Scott's face was only inches from Eli's. Eli could see blind rage on Scott's eyes, and that freaked the hell out of him.

"Shit! Matt, release Eli!" TJ came in running towards them. Scott looked frantic. Rush was startled, and had moved from the bed, away from the Lieutenant.

"He was touching him."

"I don't care. Release him." Without taking his eyes from Eli, Scott loosened his grip on the other and stepped back.

"You can't touch him" He almost cried.

"Why?" Eli thought he just signed his own death sentence.

"Because he is mine." The answer was possessive and childish. Scott looked at Rush now. "You are mine, aren't you?" Scott had tears in his eyes. To Rush, he looked like a puppy, crying in fear of being left alone. Rush rolled his eyes.

"You are a pain in the ass. Stop crying and make up with Eli before he decides to depressurize your quarters with you in there." Then, the scientist left growling something about dealing with kids.

Autor's Notes:

This fic was corrected by Kaworu who wrote the fic in which this one is inpired (Fate is a cruel bitch). You can find it in AO3

You could say this is a secuel. I wrote this with her help (she is correcting the chapters so I don't mess up things and readers can understand my poor english).

I think it would be better to read first her fic.

I rated it as mature by possible strong language and future sex. And maybe a really unpleasant scene in which some character is cut open :)

Expect some OoC

Also, I posted this first with my AO3 account (Yoyi). Yoyi-Yi's FF net and Yoyi's AO3 are the same person: me.