Tales of the Abyss: The Price of Life

Chapter 2: Chances and Facts

There is always the slight chance that a mistake has been made... Is it?

"It can't be..." for about the tenth time in the last two hours the Necromance began his formula. "It just can't be... Unless" he shook his head, "It can't be..." However, it didn't matter how many times he tried to get a positive result, he always got the same: IMPOSSIBLE. There was no chance for that to happen. His mind gave birth to thoughts he wanted to keep away and once again he shook his head. "Tear would never..."

............

Tear's pregnancy was going on perfectly fine. As for Luke, the proud and protective future father and actual husband, Tear's health was more than a priority. He would act so nice and so caring it would seem impossible for him to be the same stubborn and immature teenager Tear had met for the first time. Luke himself would get Tear's breakfast to the bed and would always make shure she was always confortable.

The Oracle Knight (taking a break from her duties due to evident reasons) took the attention, at first as something cute. However, as her belly grow, so did Luke's concern for her physical state. Soon he wouldn't allow her to climb up or down stairs, which would be really annoying when visiting Guy and Natalia. He would carry her all the way up or down, which made Tear feel embarassed and as a burden. In spite of that Mystearica would not complain. She felt that all that concern was just a demostration of how much Luke loved her and their baby. Everytime her husband woul kneel in front of her and put his ear on her belly, she would softly touch his head and close her eyes. For Luke, Tear's future mother appearance was the most beautiful thing.

But the feeling of peace and happiness would soon be attacked by a discovery made by certain Necromancer, who, as fast as he could, had made his way to Baticul and was a few blocks away from the Fabre manor, trying to conceive a delicate way to state his point.

"Dutchess, you have a visit waiting for you at the hall" a servant anounced through the door. Tear raised herself from her seat and left the book she was reading in the table next to her. She walked slowly, her seven month pregnancy would not allow her to move a lot faster. Before she could open the door it opened itself, revealing Luke behind it. Since Mieu had returned to the Cheagle Woods for Tear Luke's puppy eyes were the cutest thign around, she smiled at the sight of them. "Sorry I took so long. You won't believe who it is. It's Jade!" he exclaimed happily.

Jade received them at the hall, with a somewhat strange gaze upon his eyes. It was not his usual cold and ironic expression wich he had brougth to them today. However, he did well in hiding it and the young couple paid no attention to what appeared as a minor detail. The Necromancer was touched by the scene in front of his eyes. Luke lead a pregnant Tear into the room slowly and smiling.

"Jade!" exclaimed Luke shaking hands with his friend.

"Luke, glad to see you haven't lost your touch" answered Jade, with his typical expression taking over his face.

"Colonel, long time no seen" said Tear. Jade's eyes looked at Tear directly. Something was wrong, it was evident in that same moment.

"Tear, you've grown" he joked.

An unconfortable silence invaded the atmosphere for a few seconds while Tear tried to guess what could possibly be wrong.

"Master Fabre, you are requested at the castle" a servant called.

"What could Guy want?" Luke looked disappointed "I'll be right back..." He began walking towards the door and suddenly turned to face Tear and Jade "Take care of her while I'm away" Jade nodded. Soon after Luke left, Jade's expression changed.

"Tear, it's time to tell you the real reason why I came to visit you" Tear looked ashtonished and the Necromancer felt the need to explain himself "I told Guy to call for Luke, I didn't wanted him to listen to this."

"Wha-What's wrong, Jade?"

"Not here, let's go somewhere private"

..........................

"Tear, how long have you been pregnant" he asked, as soon as they arrived to the study.

"Seven months" she answered, a little bit frightened.

"I did received your letter. The reason why I didn't answea was because there was something that didn't fit into what you said" The atmosphere seemed to turn colder and every word Jade mentioned incresead the levels of tension among the two indivudals.

"What do you mean?" Tear sounded scared, when Jade was serious he was scary, his red eyes were fixed in her face and his lips barely separated to talk.

"Luke, as you know, is a replica and replicas... Replicas can not reproduce"

"..." Tear froze, what was Jade trying to say..?

"The baby you are going to have, in theory, can not be Luke's"

"But Jade I haven't... Luke's the only one I have... I would never..." She stood up, trying to defend herself.

"I said in theory Tear, calm down. I don't want Luke to get mad at me. Remember the time Luke spent with Lorelai... or perhaps Asch's energy... I don't know. I've spent nights trying to figure this out but I haven't been able to..." Tear sat down once more and relaxed. No one would think she would cheat on Luke, rigth?

"What do you want me to do?" she asked, transforming back to her cold self, and looking directly into Jade's eyes.

"For now there is nothing to be done, but I thought you had the right to know about it. Do not tell anyone about this, not even Natalia and Guy and especially not to Luke. We don't want such news to spread, you know how people can be" Teaer felt unconfortable, to think someone could picture her as a woman of that sort.

"Understood..." she whispered lowering her gaze to the floor.

"I shall be leaving now Tear" Jade stood up and began walking towards the door, leaving Tear in her own sadness "Let me know if anything bad happens or when the baby is born, whatever happens first..." He opened the door and his expression changed to one no one had ever seen in his face, guilt mixed with sadness.

"Tear... I'm sorry" he whispered as he closed the door and listened how the Seventh Fonist began to cry, burrying her face in her hands as salty water emanated from her pale blue eyes, the young pregnant girl felt the baby kick and was not able to smile.

So I was inspirated and suddenly found myself at the end of the second episode. Soon the chapters will become longer, this is like the epilogue to the new adventure... REVIEW PLEASE!