In the small examining room, Lilith almost wished that she hadn't come. She'd never made a doctor's appointment with such haste before and even her physician and close friend Dr. Angelia Morris seemed surprised.

"This isn't like you, Lilith." Angela said with a smile as she popped the plastic coated thermometer into Lilith's mouth. "Usually I have to practically send you a personal message to entice you to make a routine appointment."

"It's not at all like me." Lilith mumbled. "And I've missed two days of work. Something's wrong and I want to make it right as soon as possible."

"Of course." Angela replied, removing the thermometer. She glanced at it for a second but Lilith was unable to read her doctor's expression.

"What is it?" Lilith asked.

"Nothing yet. Lie back on the table for me, all right? Now, aside from the nausea, have there been any other symptoms?"

"Well, come to think of it, yes."

"Tell me about them."

"Oh you know, fatigue, insomnia, stomach issues, headaches..."

"Really…" Angela's flat voice caused Lilith some annoyance.

"Yes, really. Do you think something is wrong?"

"Probably not, but it's best to be sure. Most likely it's nothing more than the flu but we can't be too careful."

"But I am careful." Lilith protested. "That's what I don't understand."

"Any missed periods?"

"Are you kidding me? Are you forgetting how old I am? I haven't had a period in, well, since I can remember."

Angle laughed. "You aren't that old, Lilith, trust me."

"What's going on? Is there something you're not telling me?" Her voice in octaves.

"Try not to worry all right? We'll just run a few tests and-."

Lilith looked up sharply. "Tests? What sort of tests?"

"Routine tests, but they'll give us an answer pretty quickly, although I think I already know what the situation is."

"What? What is the situation? There's no situation, I promise."

"Everything will be fine, Lilith. I assure you."

Lilith tried to smile but it was impossible. How could she even pretend to be happy when Angela insisted on running more tests? That was never a good sign. Suddenly she wished that Bryan was there with her, as crazy as it sounded. But knowing Bryan, he was most likely with the man he'd fallen in love with. The man who had played a huge part in the destruction of their marriage.

An unexpected sob escaped and she covered her mouth with her hand in embarrassment, but then breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that Angela hadn't noticed. And if she had, her friend and physician made no mention of it. Still, the emotional breakdown caused Lilith to feel even more self-conscious.

Angela turned to her and covered Lilith's hand with her own. "Lilith…"

"I-I don't know what's wrong with me!" Lilith said, allowing the tears that she'd kept at bay to unleash themselves. Although it was an embarrassing sight, the release felt good. It felt very good. "I-I'm never like this. You know that! I-."

"Life can be stressful and even the smallest things can take their toll. Tell me, has anything of importance happened recently? Anything life-changing?"

Lilith laughed and blew her nose into the tissue that Angela handed her.

"Thanks. Life changing? That's putting it mildly. Frederick is just entering his teenage years; he's in junior high now; God help us all. And my husb- I-I mean my ex-husband left me for another man!"

Angela gasped. "Oh Lilith, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"No one knew. No one except…" Her mind went back to her trip to Seattle and how she'd confided in Frasier. It was the most difficult thing she'd ever had to tell him.

"No one except whom, Lilith?"

She shuddered, pushing the memory from her mind. "Never mind. It's not important. It's all very embarrassing to tell you the truth."

"No need to be embarrassed. It's not your fault."

"How can you say that when you don't even know the details? I never-."

"Because I know you, Lilith. I've known you for a long time; even before Frederick was born. Now you mustn't blame yourself. Doing so will only make things worse. I'm going to send you down to the lab for some blood work and we'll run those tests, all right? I'm sure that it's nothing that a few medications and some rest won't fix."

Lilith nodded, feeling a bit better. "Thank you, Angela."

Angela smiled. "It's my pleasure. Just relax and in a little while we'll have our answer."
(Later)

After returning from the lab, Lilith sat alone in the same exam room and looked around. She did her best to think positively, telling herself that Angela was right. It was probably nothing more than the flu. But the truth was that she couldn't make herself believe it. It was so easy to assume the worst; that this… whatever it was might be serious. Oh God, what would happen then? How would she tell Frederick? And Frasier?

Once again her chest hurt and it became almost impossible to control her emotions. But she took a deep breath, determined to remain strong. As she often told her patients, it did no good at all to crumble before knowing what the diagnosis was. However, when it came to the reality of the situation, it was far easier to panic than to heed her own advice.

The piece of medical tape that covered the small cotton ball on her arm served as a reminder of why she was there. As though she needed to be reminded.

Her mind was racing and she closed her eyes, doing her best to concentrate on her breathing. It was a technique that Frasier had encouraged her to use during the many trials and tribulations of their life together, but now the simple act of breathing proved to be difficult.

The door opened unexpectedly and the sound nearly caused her to jump out of her skin. If her heart had been racing before, now it was moving at a dangerous speed.

"All right Lilith I have your test results here."

She studied Angela's face for any sign of what she was about to learn, but her expression was unreadable.

"What is it?" Lilith asked, choosing not to beat around the bush. "God, please tell me it's the flu. Because if it's more than that-."

Angela sat down in the chair and opened the manila folder that she held in her hands. "Lilith, you and I have been friends a long time and-."

Lilith's head began to ache. "Angela, please, whatever it is, I have to know. Just tell me, all right?"

"Well, it's not the flu."

The news caused Lilith to sigh with relief. "Good. But if it's not something worse, can I go back to work tomorrow? I'm really behind as it is."

"I don't see why not. Most women work right up until the last few months."

Lilith's eyes widened. "The last few months? Oh my God, what are you trying to tell me? A-am I dying?"

To her horror, Angela began to laugh.

"What in the hell is so damn funny? This is serious! I-."

"You're not dying, I can assure you."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound unprofessional, but I find it funny that you don't seem to understand what's happening here."

"I don't, so unless you want me to seek another opinion, I want you to tell me honestly. What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing's wrong with you. Nothing at all. Congratulations, Lilith. You're pregnant!"