Disclaimer: Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman and the B.P.R.D. are owned by Mike Mignola and Dark Horse for the comics, and by screenwriter/director Guillermo del Toro, Revolution Studios and Universal Studios for the feature films. Only the story events are mine.
"This is dreadful!" mourned Dr. Nina Samarand, "So very sad!" She turned her sightless eyes to his position at the conference table, to give Tom Manning the full effect of her tragic expression. The assembled agents of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence waited for their director to answer.
"Doctor, the Bureau is formulating a plan to locate the victims. Agent Sapien will soon be sent to Ireland to consult with Celtic Druid masters."
Abe Sapien spoke up. "With all due respect, Director, you are mistaken in supposing that the upcoming Sanhaim observance has any cause for blame in the disappearance of infants."
"That's for you to find out," Manning replied dismissively. "Our information suggests that the children being collected are specifically from endangered populations. This has happened on our continent in the past two days – eight newborns have simply disappeared from the birth hospital, right before the eyes of the staff. One was taken even as it was being delivered from its mother."
Hellboy hissed his disgust. Seated by him, Nina startled at the cutting sound. She understood why he was particularly sensitive to the subject.
Manning read, "These infants were born to the now few descendants of the native American tribes who lived around the mountain known as Shasta in northern California, centuries before the white man."
"My study of the area," Abe put in, "postulates that this mountain, long sacred to the indigenous tribes, may hold portals to other spirit dimensions. The surrounding mythology is ancient and extensive."
"That's where Hellboy will be investigating." Manning announced.
"You want me on the west coast, now?! Hellboy exclaimed, "when Liz will be delivering our own babies?! I need to watch over her. No kids will be more 'endangered' than mine! How good is this information?!"
"It's a lead, so we investigate, like always," Manning said, his tone casually final.
Hellboy turned to the doctor. "We'll put extra security on."
"Dr. Samarand will accompany you," added Manning.
"No! She's here to take care of my wife!"
"She's an expert on paranormal birth and whatever extends from it, so she goes."
Hellboy stood up explosively, careening his chair to crash against the wall behind him.
"You're sending away everyone I trust to protect Liz!"
Trying not to be shaken by Hellboy's mask of pure danger, Manning was grateful for the presence of others at the briefing. He didn't want to back down from the demon agent's rage to hurt him, but something else was needed...
"Red, ... we have hearts. I promise that no harm will come to Liz. But this is your job."
Barely under control as he glared at Manning, Hellboy touched Nina's shoulder. She stood and took his arm. He led the blind woman from the briefing room and along the corridors.
"Please, Mr. Bruttenholm, not so fast?" laughed Nina, nearly tripping as she failed to keep up with his agitated stride.
"Sorry, Doc, I should have realized." Hellboy stopped while Nina rearranged her shawl. She smoothed back her gray hair and smiled up at him, ready to resume their walk. "Would you just call me 'Red'?"
"Very well. I surely understand how it upsets you to be away. But Liz is due to deliver two weeks from today."
"Are you ever wrong?"
"About this, no," she soothed.
"I'm not worried about the rituals of Samhain," he explained, "but on the same day, first of November, occult forces we'd been fighting came covert-like into the Bureau and murdered my father."
"I know", she said sadly, "and I'm very sorry. But does it comfort you to know that your children will be born after that date?"
Hellboy patted her arm, holding his, to relay his confidence in her abilities. It had taken Abe Sapien some time to find the best paranormal obstetrical practitioner to oversee the birth of the most unique infants ever gestated, conceived by the most unique parents.
"The briefing – I didn't want Liz there, to hear the details," he said quietly, as they approached the couple's quarters.
"She knows," Dr. Nina replied, "Do you not think she asks questions when she knows you've been called to an investigation?"
"I need to talk to her. Come with me?" He guided Dr. Nina inside and seated her.
Liz, moving slowly these days, made her way to the couch and lowered herself to sit beside Nina, with the support of her husband's hand. She gave him one of her deep, secret looks before turning to Nina. "I'm glad you're here."
Hellboy knew automatically that it was his job to make tea for Nina. After serving the women, he took his own chair close by. "Got all our baby clothes put away?"
"Red," Liz purred, "Don't look so nervous, my Man."
"I never had more reason to be nervous."
"Abe wouldn't tell me much, said not until it was all right with you."
"So you found out anyway..." Red looked downcast.
"You have to go. You have to help and get those babies back to their families! I wish I could be with you."
His golden eyes lingered with fond tenderness on Liz' heavily pregnant belly, then locked with her sure gaze. "You know I will."
He could hardly concentrate on her conversation with Nina, but he felt their forgiveness.
Later, walking Nina back to her room, he tried to feel calm. He knew after weeks of being around her, how she could read him and others psychically, even the babies within Liz.
"Doc, I'll keep you away from trouble, no matter how I need to do it. Sid London is a steady guy. He'll stay with you at all times."
"I'm quite looking forward to it, Red," Nina smiled. "Imagine, at my age, being a temporary deputy agent with the Bureau!"
Hellboy had to give her props for her good cheer.
Red didn't want to sleep through the last of his hours with Liz. Though she needed her rest, she resisted, too.
"Any idea what to do in Mt. Shasta?" she asked, holding him tight.
"The sacred mountain – maybe it's a starting point. It's all new to me, Babe."
"Like this?" she whispered, carrying his hand to her belly. He felt the stirrings of the tiny lives they had created. Uttering a low moan, he grazed his lips across hers.
On the morning of departure, Hellboy was desperate to see Abe alone, and couldn't hide his displeasure to find that Manning was there before him. Hellboy took insult from the curt gesture when the director held up his hand to silence him.
"Manning, I've got minutes!" he gritted.
"When I've finished my conflab with agent Sapien -" Manning warned.
"A little con? A lot of flab?!" burst Hellboy without restraint. "What can't you say that includes me?!"
"I'm sending Abe to Ireland because I need a diplomat, and that isn't your strong suit by a long shot!" Manning's mouth firmed, and he exhaled slowly. "I know you're a big mess of nerves right now – but getting pissy with me won't help anyone."
"And?"
"What I said at the briefing stands."
Hellboy took a breath. "All right."
Abe watched silently, folded his fingers into his palms and waited, glad to have no part of the flare-up. Manning held out a folder to Abe, then turned to leave with a flat, "Have a good trip."
Red stepped closer to Abe. "I wasn't going to argue about who's going to Ireland. I'd like it anytime but now."
"My job will be nothing that Manning expects," Abe answered. "I won't be guided by this propagandist information." He offered the folder.
"I have one. I'll open it on the plane. Thanks for researching." He shifted his hands to his hips and paced. "This could be the saddest mission ever, Blue. If we don't find those kids alive and well, wherever they are -"
Abe extended his hand to Hellboy's shoulder. "You'll find the way, Red," he encouraged, "as I must. It will work." The merman moved closer. "And when we return, I'll be pleased beyond imagining to see your children."
Feeling more than grateful to absorb Abe's peace, Hellboy looked open-heartedly at his friend.
"Thanks, Brother. I needed that."