Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Unit characters

Chapter 4

"Liz!" exclaimed Kim, hugging her. "Come on in, everyone just got here."

Liz smiled weakly. "I feel like I don't belong. I'm just the nanny."

"This is for friends, not wives. There are girl friends here too, if that makes you feel better."

She sighed. "A little. Am I dressed, all right?"

"You're fine."

Liz sighed pulling up her brown suede boots. She had on a white skirt and a pink blouse.

"Want me to take your coat?" she asked. Liz nodded, taking off the long pink peat coat. "God, I wish I still had fashion sense," teased Kim, smiling and trying to get Liz to relax. She knew what it was like to be the outsider and not quite sure of what was going on.

Molly walked into the kitchen. "Kim, is the coffee ready?" She saw Liz and smiled. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Well, when Melanie volunteered to take the girls riding. I couldn't think of any plausible excuse to say no."

"Don't be nervous," said Molly.

"Oh, I'm not." She rubbed her arms. "I'm just anxious."

Molly smiled. "Has it been difficult handling the girls by yourself?"

"It's been interesting and you've all been so great, just like Mack and Uncle Tom said you would."

"So much for your one week trial, huh?" said Kim, handing Molly a pot of coffee.

"I knew after a day it would be fine. The trial was just to ease Mack's concerns."

"Oh, and Jonas gave me this to give you. I think it's a credit card from Mack and your first pay check," said Molly, smiling.

"Shopping tomorrow?" asked Kim.

Liz laughed. "Maybe." She stuffed the envelope in her purse and walked into the room with Kim's arm securely around her.

"Everyone, this is Liz. She's the Colonel's god daughter and she's been taking care of Mack's kids," said Kim.

"Hi," said Liz, waving slightly.

Molly smiled and took her around, introducing her to everyone. Liz tried to remember their names, but she was so nervous it felt like her brain was blocking her long term memory. The crowd cleared by noon and the last dish was away shortly after. Kim was sitting on the couch taking a nap when Molly and Liz came back in.

"Kim," whispered Molly.

"Oh, sorry. Is everything done?"

"Yep, it looks like a bomb never went off in there," said Liz.

"I'm sorry. I feel like all I do lately is sleep."

"You're pregnant. I think we'll forgive you," said Liz.

"Just this once," said Molly.

"They loved you," said Kim.

"Mmm… last time I had to meet a women's club it went worse. I ended up crying in the bathroom."

"What? Where was this?"

"My fiancé's mother took me to her society club, and they pulled me apart. My outfit, my butt, my thighs, my smile, my hair color, my nails, anything that was wrong with me they critiqued until I had to leave." She sighed. "When I told Matt what happened, he told me it was true and that I should just toughen up. That's when I gave Matt my ring back and transferred down here."

"Oh sweetie," said Molly, hugging her. "No wonder you were so nervous."

"It's all right, really. I just can't seem to get him to understand that its over and part of me doesn't want it to be over. I'm scared that I'll never get anyone else."

"Oh honey, you're too gorgeous not to," said Molly.

Kim held her hand. "Any guy would be lucky to have you."

She sighed. "Melanie had to be the bearer of bad news. She caught Matt with another woman a few months ago and didn't have the heart to tell me. He kept her on the side in Barbados." Liz felt her breathing become slightly erratic. "I just won't be looking for a new relationship for awhile."

"Oh, it's all right," said Kim holding her while Molly went to get tissues and tea. "You just cry."

Liz laughed. "I can't."

Kim laughed with her. "Then we're here if you want to vent."

"Oh I've spent so long doing that."

"We're here for whatever you need," said Molly.

"You've all been so kind. I'm just a stranger to you, yet you've treated me like your daughter," she said smiling at Molly "And a sister," she said to Kim.

"You are like a sister," said Kim.

"And you've been no more trouble than my own daughter," said Molly handing her a cup of tea.

"If he would leave me alone I could move on, but I still feel tied to him," she said.

"It just takes time," said Molly. "Broken hearts mend only by the doctoring of time. My mother used to say that."

"I suppose it's true," she said, sniffling.

Sitting with the women around her she let herself breathe and feel what she had feared for so long.

***

Mack didn't come home as planned and a month quickly went by. In that time the girls had bonded to her quite fiercely and had become avid equestrians. On weekends they went horseback riding with Serena. Kim had insisted on going shopping for post maternity clothes now that she was three days past her due date. The shopping spree was success and they started loading the bags into the back of the car when Kim gasped.

"The baby?" asked Liz.

Kim nodded. Liz opened the door for her and ran around to the other side. "Do you have the doctor's number in your phone?" Kim nodded and Liz took the phone, calling ahead to the hospital.

"Oh my God, the contractions they're so close. I felt some small ones in the mall, but now its- ugh," she screamed.

"The hospital is only a little bit from here. Try to breathe. I'll go as fast as I can."

"Hurry!" screamed Kim.

Liz flew into the entrance of the hospital and opened the door for Kim. A nurse quickly pushed her inside leaving Liz to fill out the paperwork. Bob was on a mission and the only other person she could think to call was Molly.

"Are you Liz?" asked a nurse.

"Yes, is she all right?"

The nurse smiled. "Yes, but she's asking for you. She wants to know if you'll stay with her. But you have to hurry. Her labor is progressing quickly."

"All right," said Liz her voice shaky but confident. The nurse helped her change and then led her into the room. The doctor was all ready checking on Kim.

"You skipped the first stage, Mrs. Brown. This baby is coming whether we're ready or not."

Liz held Kim's hand. "You can do this."

"I want an epidermal!" she screamed to the doctor.

"Its too late, I'm sorry," he said.

Her eyes narrowed and she screamed in pain. "Fuck you!"

Liz was shocked at Kim's blunt words, never had she heard her speak so profanely or harshly.

"Kim, you can do this. If anyone can, you can," said Liz. "You did it before and you'll have your baby in your arms within minutes. I promise. Just push OK?"

"All right."

The doctor told Kim when to push. "All right last push, come on you can do it."

"I can't," she panted.

"Yes, you can. Think of how hot you're going to look in that dress. You can't wear it unless you push. Come on sexy, push," said Liz, smiling.

Kim gave her a look and screamed as she pushed, "That's what got me into this fucking mess in the first place. Errr!" The sound of a baby's cry soon followed.

"It's a girl," said the doctor as the nurse quickly worked on it cleaning it up. Liz watched them clean it. The nurse handed her the baby.

Liz smiled. "Oh she's beautiful." She walked over and sat on the bed with Kim, but realized she was unconscious.

"Kim!" she exclaimed.

"BP and heart rate dropping," said a nurse.

"We're losing her," said the doctor, trying to stop the hemorrhaging.

"Kim, oh no, you don't!" exclaimed Liz. "You will wake your lazy military no good housewife self up. Maybe normal moms are allowed to quit, but you aren't. You are a wife, a UNIT wife!" she screamed. Liz heard the doctor yell for the paddles. "Damn it, Kim, don't let Bob down. Wake up," she slapped her hard across the face and Kim's heart rate started to increase the more she screamed coinciding with the affects of the drugs working through her blood, which was actually the cause she didn't care. Scared to do anything different Liz continued to scream at her and challenge her.

"Liz, stop screaming," whispered Kim.

Liz sighed releasing a smile. "Then don't die."

"All right."

It wasn't till late the next morning that they finally declared Kim stable and ready for visitors. She was better but still weak. When the nurse said Molly was there with the children, Liz settled the baby in Kim's arms then opened the door for Molly and the girls. Teddy was in Molly's arms, waking only when he heard the new baby cry. Kim smiled.

"Everyone I would like you to meet Jane Brown," said Kim, smiling.

"What's her middle name?" asked Serena.

"Daddy gets to choose that pumpkin," said Kim as Serena climbed up on the hospital bed.

"When are they discharging you?" asked Molly.

"I was hoping you could get them to move it up to this afternoon?" asked Kim.

"I'll see what I can do," she said, walking off to find the doctor.

"Molly, our constant advocate," said Kim.

"She is pretty persuasive," said Liz, chuckling. "So what do you think girls? Isn't she beautiful?"

Jenny hopped up on the bed too. "Can I hold her?"

"If you sit down in that chair," said Kim.

The day went by quickly as they got Kim settled in. Lissy and Jenny volunteered to have a sleep over at Kim's for the next couple days so they could help with the new baby. It took some convincing, but Liz convinced Kim it was the best idea. The next week was in the least overwhelming for Liz as she managed five children, plus a still recovering Kim. Molly came by during the day as often as possible to help, giving Liz some time to study. When she came back with the mail Kim was on the couch feeding Jane. Liz opened a letter and sighed as her engagement ring dropped from the envelope. She picked it up and slipped it on her finger. Kim gasped as she stared at the ring.

"Lord Almighty what is that four karats?"

"It's just carbon," said Liz, taking off the ring and slipping into her pocket. "Without the symbol it is just a crystallized form of carbon." She felt something burning her eyes so she excused herself, not hearing Molly come in.

Kim sighed. "The fiancé sent her back the ring."

"Should I?" asked Molly. Kim nodded. "I'll be right back. Do you need anything?" Kim shook her head, kissing Jane's head. Molly sat down on the bed next to Liz. She saw her wipe her eyes quickly although she wasn't sure if she had any physical tears to wipe away because her hands were dry.

"May I see it?" asked Molly. Liz handed her the ring. "It's beautiful. Loses something once the meaning is gone though, doesn't it."

"Yes." Liz sighed. "Honestly, Molly I'm fine. I just need a minute to compose myself."

"All right." Molly got up. "The team will be coming home tonight."

Liz nodded. "That's good."

Molly nodded, closing the door. A more composed Liz returned to the living room five minutes later.

"So I think I'm going to go to the store and pick up some steaks for dinner. Is there anything you need?" asked Liz.

"Would you pick up some beer?" asked Kim.

"Sure. I'll be back."

"Can I come, Auntie Liz?" asked Serena.

"Me too!" exclaimed Jenny.

"If you promise to be good," said Liz, grabbing her car keys.

The girls helped her pick out a cake and then helped her cook dinner. Kim and Molly decorated the place. This hadn't been the long mission the men had been on, but it was one of them. The place was full of pictures and banners the girls had drawn.

"Thank you for cooking dinner," said Molly, leaning against the kitchen counter.

Kim came out of the bedroom with her hand on her head. Jane was in her carrier on the counter sleeping under Liz's watchful eyes. Kim had been checking that the girls had gone to sleep.

"Thank you for doing this. The girls loved the idea," said Kim, smiling.

"Well I can sympathize with them. My father always came home past my bedtime and no matter how early I woke up he was always gone or on his way out."

"That must have been hard on your mother too," said Kim, sitting down.

Liz smiled, wishing she didn't have to remember the past. "My mother left when I was real small and a couple years later we found out she had been killed on a private airline flight to Naples."

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn'tve-," said Kim.

Liz silenced her with a shake of her head. "You didn't know and it was a long time ago. I was raised by my grandfather and Uncle Tom."

"Not too much female influence in there," said Molly with a kind smile.

"I had etiquette classes," and Liz laughed "a female counselor who my grandfather made me go to when I was twelve. He had no idea how to handle female issues."

Molly and Kim started laughing. "Men never do," said Molly, opening a bottle of wine. "You look tired."

Liz sighed. "We're all tired."

"You've been pulling more than your own weight. Go take a shower, freshen up." Molly looked at her watch. "The men won't be here for another hour at least."

Kim smiled teasingly. "You can go put on one of your new outfits we bought today."

"Only if you do too," said Liz, unfastening her apron.

"You two go on," said Molly swatting them with a towel.

They hurried off giggling slightly as they stormed the bedroom. Liz showered first and then Kim got in the shower. Liz did her hair and then waited while Kim finished hers.

"I want you to wear this," said Kim, passing her the brown sweater dress that Liz had bought.

"Fine. Then, you have to wear this," said Liz, passing her a red long sleeved dress that cut off above the knee.

"Deal," said Kim, smiling.

They changed quickly and Liz pulled the zipper up her purple suede boots before looking in the mirror. They dress had airy knit punches and was fully lined with light brown cloth. It was tight fitting and she felt slightly uncomfortable in it, but Kim looked just as sexy. The red dress had a wide ballet neckline and flared out as it went down from a tight empire bodice.

"Don't we look hot," said Kim pulling on some silver heels.

"You do at least especially considering not too long ago you had a baby."

"Thanks, I'm glad you made me buy it. It camouflages my stomach perfectly." Kim studied Liz and sighed. "Your waist is nonexistent. Even when I'm not pregnant my waist isn't that tiny."

"It just looks tiny because my hips are so big. Come on. I gotta check on the appetizers."

"All right, but for the record I think you're crazy."

Molly smiled as she saw the two of them walk out, talking intimately. Kim had become the seasoned Unit wife who was breaking in all the newcomers. Things had come full circle.

"You two look gorgeous."

Liz blushed and Kim beamed. "Don't we?" said Kim, laughing.

Liz checked the oven. "Everything's all set."

"Then ladies-," said Molly handing them a glass of wine "Let's relax."

They sat down on the couch laughing and telling stories. Jane was colicky and before Kim could protest Liz had gotten her god daughter and walked towards the window next to the couch and stood swaying her hips. Kim was still weak even though she wouldn't admit it. The doctor's were amazed she had made it. She had suffered severe hemorrhaging and had recommended that she not have anymore children. As a slight woman her body had maxed out. Liz listened as they discussed the issue of the Christmas party. She walked towards the front window and sang softly to Jane who was falling asleep slowly. She saw headlights pull into the driveway.

"They're here!" she said, rushing back into the room. Molly helped Kim up and then Liz handed Jane to Kim as the men walked in.

"Welcome home," said Kim, walking towards Bob. He beamed with pride as she settled his daughter into his arms. "Now don't go waking her up, Liz just got her to sleep."

Mack watched as Jonas lifted Molly into his arms. Liz had disappeared into the hallway and he saw her go into Serena's bedroom. Three girls came running out of the room in slightly crinkled dresses and mussed hair with pretty headbands.

"Daddy!" screamed Jenny, leaping into his arms. He picked both of his girls up and watched the way Liz's hips swayed as she walked back out with Teddy in her arms.

"Oh I've missed you two," he said kissing the tops of their heads. "Have they been good?" he asked Liz, still holding onto the girls.

"We've tried," said Lissy.

"They have been wonderful," said Liz, rubbing Teddy's back.

"So gentlemen we're doing dinner backwards," said Molly, turning on some lights. "Dessert first and then the meal."

"Girls, why don't we go get the cake ready," said Liz.

Bob tussled Serena's hair before she ran off to help with the cake.

"So Mack what do you think?" asked Molly, when she saw him watching Liz help the girls put the candles in the cake. "Are you going to keep her?"

"If she'll stay."

"She will," said Molly.

"Mack what do you think of your new god daughter?" asked Bob.

Mack turned around and picked up Jane. "I think it's a good thing she looks like Kim because she's beautiful."

"I think she's got Bob's eyes," said Kim.

Mack studied the baby and shook his head. "Nope they're too pretty to be his. Matter of fact, you sure this is your kid?"

Bob smacked him across the back of the head. "If I didn't owe you my life, I'd kill you for that," he joked, taking Jane back into his arms.

Kim laughed. "Thank you. Bob told me what happened and thank you." She hugged him tightly.

"Daddy, Uncle Mack, Uncle Jonas come see!" called Serena.

The group walked over and saw a sparkling cake lit by trick candles.

"Try to blow this out!" challenged Lissy.

After several unsuccessful attempts by Mack and Bob, Jonas stepped in. "Let the pro handle this," Jonas blew the candles out and laughed.

"Always showing us up," said Bob.

"I know," said Mack.

The men put the kids to bed and by then the table was reset and appetizers were steaming on the table.

"More food," said Jonas. "You've outdone yourselves, ladies."

"The food is Liz," said Molly. "Kim and I were in charge of decorating."

"It was nice not to cook for a change," said Kim.

They sat down and ate their meal.

"You don't look Italian, but you cook like one," said Bob.

"That was exactly what we've been dreaming about the past weeks," said Mack, smiling. "Thank you."

Jonas raised his wine glass. "To our chef for the night."

They all raised their glasses and toasted Liz. "To the men who protect us all," said Liz, raising her glass.

Jonas and Molly went home soon after. Liz stayed and cleaned up. Kim tried to help, but Liz told her to go to bed that she had it. Mack helped her dry the dishes and they worked silently for awhile.

"You must be exhausted," said Liz.

"I slept a little on the plane ride," he said.

"I always say sleep on a plane doesn't really count."

He smiled. "Especially when it's an army issued one."

She cringed. "Sounds comfy."

"You get used to it. So you and the girls have been staying here?"

"Kim's strong, but she had a real rough time of it. The doctors thought it would be best if she had someone with her. Bob was too deep to come home. So I volunteered, well the girls did first, but I was happy to commit."

"Bob appreciated it."

Liz laughed about it. "It was like a big sleepover. We all had fun. It was a little cramped, but we managed. Teddy was a little out numbered."

Mack smiled. "The men of the Unit always are."

"Why's that?"

"For some reason Unit wives have more girls than boys."

"Interesting," said Liz, putting the last dish away.

"I'm going to head back home. Are you sleeping here?"

"I'm not really tired. I think I might just go for a walk." She grabbed her coat from the chair.

"In those heels?"

She laughed. "I've done five hours of shopping in these heels before."

He shook his head. "Don't stay out because of me."

"I wouldn't, but I think I will change." He helped her with her coat and then opened the front door.

"Smart move."

They walked across the street, stride matched for stride. Liz unlocked the door and turned on some lights. She watched as Mack looked around. "Is it good to be home?"

He didn't answer at first, but then let out a sigh. "Yea, yea it is."

"Want me to take your coat?"

He smiled. "Thanks," he shrugged off the leather aviator jacket. She saw the blood on his shirt.

"Come here," she said, walking into the bedroom. "Sit on the bed and take off your shirt." She went into the master bathroom and came back with a first aid kit. Mack was taking off his shirt. She saw the scars and then the new holes in his body. "Didn't the army doctors take care of these?" She knelt behind him on the bed analyzing the severity of his injuries.

"I would have had to stay overnight and I wanted to see my girls."

She took out the bedadine, expertly cleansing the wounds.

"Where'd you learn how to do this?"

"My Aunt Dana was an ER nurse and she made me work in the hospital every summer since I was eleven." She shrugged. "I was in a pre-med program for awhile."

"Is there anything you don't do?"

"Cook," she said with a smile.

"That's a lie that dinner was amazing."

"Its one of two things I know how to cook. You had the other one the first night I was here." She smiled. "I hate to cook. I feel like everything is out of my control because even when I follow a recipe to the letter, the food can come out tasting like a baked shoe."

He laughed. "I can understand that."

"Does this hurt?" she asked, rubbing some antibiotic cream over his shoulder blade.

He tried not to react to the feeling of her fingers massaging his skin. It was painful but the intimate contact felt invigorating. "No," he whispered. His voice was deep and husky yet at the same time barely audible.

"I'd say you boys should fight with rubber bullets," she whispered, taping a white gauze pad onto his shoulder blade. "And leave the knives to cooking," she said seeing another slash on his clavicle. She took the antiseptic and reached over cleaning it. "Why don't you lie down? It'll make this easier." She moved back so he could lie down on the bed.

He looked at the pristine white brushed cotton bedspread. "I might get your comforter ruined."

"Shout'll get anything out. Just relax." She shook her head. "Why do you keep going back? I mean I understand the whole honor and duty. But aren't you terrified and tired?"

He let out a deep breath. "Tired, yes, but I trust my team. And after awhile you start to realize that you can die doing anything."

Liz sighed. "I suppose that's true. I definitely believe in the whole when it's your time it's your time. There have been so many riding accidents I've been in that I should have been killed, but I didn't. Weirdest thing when you think you're going to die, isn't it? Everything slows down even though everything is going so fast." She smiled. "I remember one time I was on this beast of a horse named Herman. Herman the German I called him and I was going by a jump standard, they're like these wooden stakes that hold the jumps up." He watched her use her hands to help describe the tall jump standards, it made him relax and forget that she was cleansing out some deep wounds. "And he threw me. I missed the stake by inches and then I saw Herman running towards me." She smiled. "When you have twenty five hundred pounds of wild animal coming towards you and there's no where to move," she sighed "all you can do is flip over and pray he misses you."

"Did he?"

She pulled down the zipper of her dress and showed him a curved scar on her back. "He tried, but he hit me. Everyone ran to me. They thought I was dead."

"Was that your worst one?"

"Oh God no." She saw his horrified expression. "But I want you to let your daughters ride so I'm not telling you my worst one." She shook her head. "This one needs, stitches," she said touching one gingerly on the side of his abdomen.

"It'll be fine."

"Would you let me do it?"

He looked at her skeptically. "You can suture?"

"I'm not the best, but I'm better than nothing." She looked at the clock. "I've got a friend at a clinic near here. I'll be back in a half hour." She got up and stood in the doorway. "Don't go anywhere."

He sighed, closing his eyes, not wanting to sleep, but finding it impossible not to.

Liz smiled when she came back and saw him sleeping. She put the suture kits down. Her outfit had worked in her favor. Mike, a classmate, gave her an extra one and some extra thread for future incidents. She hadn't told him why she needed it, just that she needed it and he had given it to her happily, teasing her that she was probably a nurse for some mobster. He asked her out and she said maybe, walking out with a mere thanks.

"You're back," said Mack, opening his eyes.

"Can't leave a soldier in distress, can I? This is going to pinch." She took out the needle and numbed the area directly around the wound carefully, placing the needle on the nightstand. She threaded the needle and sewed up the gash carefully. "You're lucky that I have connections."

"You didn't tell him who it was for right?"

"I don't tell anyone anything that isn't their business. Mike gave me what I wanted without asking. He knows me." She shrugged. "Does this hurt?"

"It's fine."

"Next time there won't be anything to numb it. So be more careful, all right?" she asked finishing.

"I'll try." He looked down at her handiwork. "Not bad."

"Thanks. I guess those embroidery classes paid off."

"How about that walk?" he asked, sitting up.

"Why don't you just relax," she said pushing him back down gently. "I'm going to get you some ibuprofen for the pain."

He nodded. "And a beer?"

"You need something to wash it down with, don't you," she said over her shoulder as she headed to the kitchen.

He smiled closing his eyes again. Liz came back and handed him the pills and a beer.

"All right, good night, soldier."

"Wait," he paused grimacing as he shifted in bed. "Please sit. Tell me what the girls have been up to."

Liz sat down next to him and told him about the first time she took the girls to school.

"You made her go to school in her pajama shirt?"

Liz smiled. "Yea, I warned her."

"You make me look like a softie."

"You are," she said, smiling.

He took another sip of his beer. "What about horseback riding, Jenny was talking a mile a minute, but I heard her say something about some horse name Dakota?"

"Yea, I'm working for an old family friend, riding his rogue horse, who only likes me. So he bribed me with ponies for the girls." She smiled. "I take Serena, Lissy, and Jenny riding with me when I go ride Tor."

"Is this horse dangerous?"

"He's not without risk, but I like risk. Maybe you can come with us on Saturday for a ride. I'd put you up on a real gentleman I promise."

"I'll just watch."

She laughed. "So I found something you're scared of."

"Not scared, I just have a healthy respect for those monstrosities."

"Sure." She smiled resting her head on the pillow.

"You haven't asked, yet," he said, setting his beer down.

"Asked what?"

"Why a clerk has gotten all these holes in him."

"It's none of my business what you do," she whispered.

"What has the Colonel told you?"

"That you're invaluable to him and that I shouldn't ask questions because you shouldn't answer them. I'm not actually a member of the Unit. I'm a guest, remember," she whispered.

He sighed. "I think you're more than that."

She yawned. "For now, I'm a guest." She closed her eyes.

"For now," he repeated.

***

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