Chapter 7

"Pregnant?" Alex repeated in a near whisper as she moved her hand over her stomach.

"Yeah, I think so," Rachel responded and then gave Alex a moment to let her assessment register. "I guess it would be safe to assume that Nick is the father? This probably happened during…" Alex quickly nodded her head to Rachel's assumptions, not really wanting to hear the truth of it all yet.

"What do I do?" Alex finally spoke after several moments of silence. She looked up at Rachel with questioning eyes, which were now filled with fright and tears.

"First, we need to make sure, I mean this could be just a bug going around. So, we'll make you an appointment tomorrow."

"No! Make it now," Alex demanded. "I can't wait that long to know for sure, please Rachel. I need to know," Rachel gave Alex a sad smile and then nodded.

"Ok, sweetie if that's what you want, I'll go downstairs and make the call you get cleaned up a bit and then come down, all right?" Rachel said as she now moved Alex's long curly locks from her downcast face. "Do you want to tell the others…Nick?"

"I don't know? I think he should know, but I don't think I can face him, right now."

"Well, we can tell him and the others when we're sure one way or the other. How about that?" Rachel suggested.

"Ok, thanks," Alex replied as she gave a small smile and then looked down at where her hand still rested on her stomach. Rachel stood and walked out of the room, she was greeted in the hallway by Nick and Derek who stood outside awaiting news.

"How is she?" Derek was the first to speak.

"She's ok, resting. I'm going to go try to make her a doctor's appointment for her, now.

"If she's ok, then why does she need to see a doctor?" Nick inquired.

"Just to make sure, that's all, Nick. Alex is ok, really. She just needs rest I'm sure."

"Can I go see her for a second, just to lay my mind at ease?" Nick asked.

"I don't know if you should Nick, she may be sleeping."

"If she is, I won't wake her I promise, I just need to see that she's ok. After all she's been through, I need to know she's ok," Rachel smiled at the young man and nodded her approval.

"But don't stay to long, and if she's up let her know I'll come get her in a little while for her appointment," With that Rachel and Derek made their way back downstairs and Nick softly knocked as he slowly opened Alex's bedroom door. Alex was sitting up in the bed in the same position that Rachel had left her in, still grasping her stomach. She looked up to find Nick standing in her doorway, and suddenly her tears came rushing from her eyes. Nick quickly moved to her side.

"Hey, what's wrong, are you in any pain? Do you want me to get Rachel?" Nick began rambling at a loss for anything else to do. Alex just shook her head and moved her hands to cover her face. "Well you think you're going to be sick?"

"No,"

"Because I'll help you to the bathroom," He offered.

"I'm not gonna be sick, Nick, but Rachel thinks I'm gonna have a baby," Alex blurted out.

"A what?' Nick asked stunned by Alex's words.

"I take that back," Alex said as she quickly stood with her hand covering her mouth. "I think I am going to be sick," She said as she pushed past Nick who just sat dumbfounded, as she made her way to her bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. On the other side of the door, she could be heard gagging and spitting up.

Sometime later, in the study

They both sat at the table awaiting news, neither speaking nor looking at the other, but both had the same on their minds. Rachel entered the room and both Nick and Derek stood on their feet.

"How is she?" Nick was the first to ask. Rachel sat in an empty chair at the table, and Derek and Nick, taking her cue, followed, taking their seats again.

"Very weak and dehydrated, all the vomiting. But as long as she gets plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids, she'll be fine."

"And…and the baby?" Nick questioned further.

"Well, we still don't know positively that there is one," Rachel began but then took notice of the doubtful, pained look in Nick's eyes. "I think the baby's fine, Nick," She answered with a soft smile.

"When is her doctor's appointment again?" Nick asked looking at his watch.

"At three," Rachel answered. "She's got a couple of hours to rest, and that's what she should do," She added and Derek just sat quietly, thinking.

"I guess I have missed out on a lot while I was away, I didn't even know Alex was seeing anyone," Derek said. Rachel and Nick looked at each other knowingly.

"Uh…well, Derek, there was something that we both left out of our reports. The one about the possession," Nick began and Derek just sat silently waiting for him to continue. "Something that happened while I was possessed…I…I raped Alex," Nick said unable to look at neither Rachel nor Derek as he spoke the words, as shame filled him.

"Nick why in the world would you and Alex withhold that…" Derek began to rant only to have Nick cut him off.

"Believe me it wasn't my ideal, I was ready to be put under the jail for what I did," Nick stated point blankly. "I hurt Alex, the person I love most in this world, don't you think I hate myself for that?" Nick closed his eyes tightly as the thought of his actions came flooding back to him. "I raped her. She doesn't see it that way, and yeah, I know I had no control. But it was still my body being used, and if she's pregnant it's my seed that did that to her," Derek stared at the man before him with hardened yet sympathetic eyes.

"Like you said, Nick, you had no control," Rachel came to his defense. "And you can't keep blaming yourself, you were possessed. Alex knows that and she doesn't blame you, none of us do," Rachel added as she cast a look to Derek seeking his support.

"Of course not," Derek spoke out to his young protégé. "We've all seen first-hand, and unfortunately, at times have been personally affected by the dark side."

"Yeah, I know, but that doesn't change the fact that it happened, doesn't matter the circumstances. My sperm was put into her against her will, and that baby growing in her right now it's mine. A constant reminder of what was done to her, and that's not fair to Alex."

"Well, at least we now know where the spirit went to," Derek said bluntly causing both Rachel and Nick to stop their banter and stare at him. No one saw that Alex had entered the room and now stood in the doorway.

"What do you mean?" Alex asked and all eyes fell to her. "Where did it go, what are you saying?"

"Alex, sweetie you should be resting," Rachel said as she stood and moved to Alex's side.

"I couldn't sleep, bad dreams," Alex said avoiding Nick's gaze, not needing to let on what the bad dreams were about. "You were saying something about the Miner, his spirit, you've found it?"

"Why, don't you come have a seat Alex?" Derek offered. Alex watched him suspiciously but took a seat across from Nick, and beside Rachel. "I've been doing research on the matter of possession, and I've found that there is only one way a spirit, such as this miner, can stay within our realm," Alex listened intensely. She looked to Nick briefly but he avoided her eyes.

"Well, what is it?" Alex asked after Derek's long pause.

"They need an unborn child, still within the womb of its mother," Derek finished. It took a moment for realization to hit Alex, when it did, she stood abruptly from the table.

"Are you saying," Alex stuttered over her words. Derek and Nick both watched her warily. Rachel moved to her side again, but Alex wrenched her arms free whenever Rachel grasped at her. "Saying that thing is in me? Again?" Alex asked now with wide frighten eyes, which instantly filled with tears.

"Alex, we don't know that for sure sweetie," Rachel attempted to console her.

"Yes, he knows," Alex said as she stared directly at Derek. "It's in me right now, isn't it?" Alex asked as she shook her head and stumbled back a little. Rachel braced her afraid she would fall. "Oh God," Nick just sat and closed his eyes. He did not want to see Alex's despair due to his actions.

"Honey, we should make sure you're pregnant before jumping to any conclusion," Rachel stated. Alex looked at her and again yanked her arm from her grasped in a rage.

"Come on Rachel I was raped, there was no protection, I'm late, and I've being puking non-stop all day, of course I'm pregnant," Rachel opened her mouth but Alex cut her off. "And don't you dare say I could be late due to stress. This is what he had planned from the beginning, he used Nick to rape me and waited to see if it was a success."

"Yes, that's my suspicion as well," Derek finally spoke.

"Oh, I'm gonna be sick," Alex said as she rushed from the room with her mouth covered. Rachel followed her out, leaving Nick and Derek.

"I don't know if congratulation is in order," Derek said.

"It's not," Nick cut him off short. "Don't congratulate me for what I've done," With that Nick stood and left the room.

Sometime later out in the Garden

He knew she was there without even turning to address her. He cursed himself for coming here he knew it was her favorite place to come to think. He stood motionless, leaning against the tree, and he heard her as she sat on the nearby bench. Neither one spoke for what seemed like an eternity, and finally she broke the reverie.

"I was thinking of Rose," Alex said. Nick turned then to face her, still leaning on the tree. "What do you think?"

"I think it would be easier for you right now if she were here," Nick asked causing Alex to look at him confused.

"I was speaking of names, for the baby or monster, whatever the case maybe," Alex said calmly as she leaned back in the bench and looked up at the flock of birds flying overhead. "If it's a girl I was thinking of Rose, if it's a boy… Well, Lucifer would have been idea, but that's already taken," Alex attempted a joke with a small sigh. She then looked to Nick who was now watching her aghast. "I'm kidding Nick," She admitted with a groan. Nick smiled slightly as he moved to her and sat next to her waiting quietly for her to finish. "I feel so helpless and alone. And I'm so scared, Nick," Alex cried as she dropped her head in her hands. Nick placed his arms around her and pulled her closer.

"You're not alone, you've got me, and you don't have to be scared. I'm right here with you and we're going to get through this together. You and me together," Nick declared as he began stroking her hair.

"I don't think I can do this Nick," Alex whimpered into his neck as he continued to stroke her hair. "He's inside me again, except this time it's not gonna be over so quick. He's now possessing my baby, our baby, and I hate it. I don't want it inside of me not if it's giving him life," Alex lifted her head to look into Nick's eyes. "I have to get it out of me. You understand right, you see why I have to get it out of me, right," Nick nodded as he stared off into the sky. "Will you help, Nick? Please, I have to get it out and I don't know if I have the strength to do it by myself."

"Of course," Nick answered now looking directly at her. "I'll help you every step of the way. You have an appointment, right?" Alex sat up abruptly at his words.

"Oh, you're right," Alex said as she looked to her watch. "And in about forty minutes." She said standing quickly.

"Come on I'll take you we'll get you there on time, I promise," Nick said as he moved to leave the garden.

"You don't have to take me, I'm sure Rachel can…"

"Hey, I told you I'm gonna be here for you, all the way, ok?"

"Yeah," Alex said with a relieved sigh and a smile. Part of her wanted, needed Nick there with her. "Once we find out for sure that I am pregnant, I want to get it out as soon as possible," Alex said as she hurried out of the garden, Nick just nodded as he followed behind.

Later at the clinic

Nick and Alex had arrived with ten minutes to spare. "Just how many laws do you think you broke getting me here?" Alex asked sarcastically. Nick chuckled a little.

"We made it here on time, didn't we?" Alex smiled and rolled her eyes as they made their way to the nurse's desk. "Good morning, I'm Alex Moreau I have an appointment with Dr. Michaels," The nurse smiled brightly at them as she looked over her appointment book.

"Ah yes Miss Moreau, I have you right here. So, you're here for your first ultrasound, right?" The nurse asked with a burrowed brow, as she looked at Alex. "Says here you're here to take a pregnancy test, I guess someone made a mistake, I'll fix that right now."

"Ah no that's no mistake that's why I'm here," Alex spoke up and the nurse stared at her confused.

"Well, Miss Moreau it looks to me like you're about four maybe five months along," The nurse stated.

"What the hell are you talking about, I'm not even…" Alex began as she placed her hand on her slightly swollen abdomen. She looked down in shock as Nick too followed her gaze. "Showing yet. Oh my God," Alex said as she looked to Nick in horror. "What's happening?"

"I don't know," Nick said in slight shock. "We should get back to the house," Nick said not waiting for a response from Alex he just maneuvered her to the door.

"Wait, what about your appointment?" The nurse called after them but they were already out the door.

Sometime later, back on the island

"Well, I guess we know for sure now that Alex is in fact expecting," Derek spoke as he stared at Alex's belly, which he could have sworn grew in the few minutes she and Nick had arrived. Rachel was kneeling before Alex, listening to her heartbeat and checking her pulse.

"Then we need to set up an appointment for an abortion now," Alex announced causing Rachel to stop what she was doing and look up at her.

"Alex sweetie, you're too far along now honey."

"What are you saying?"

"Well, I want to do an ultrasound to determine exactly how far along you really are, but from looking at you I'd say you're seven months along."

"Yeah, he's growing fast, he's gotten bigger since we've arrived back," Nick interjected.

"I too noticed that," Derek added.

"All the more reason to get it out of me now," Alex said sternly.

"We can't, there are some doctors who will abort into the second trimester, but I have never heard of one doing so in the third trimester. Some deem that as taking a human life and it's illegal," Rachel stated.

"Seeing that this baby isn't human, there should be an exception, right?" Alex said through gritted teeth. "I'm not having this baby, I can't."

"I'm afraid you are sweetie and at the rate it's growing I'd say it's gonna happen sometime soon," Rachel countered.

"NO! Get it out of me now!" Alex demanded as she turned her attention to Nick who stood by silently. "Nick, you said you'd help me, please, I have to get it out," Alex pleaded and Nick looked to Rachel for help.

"Alex…" Nick began hoping to calm her.

"NO!" Alex said as she stood, which she found to be a task now that she suddenly had extra weight on her lean slender frame. "I'm not having this thing, even if I have to cut it out myself."

"Alex, I don't think there's much to be done, but to bring this child into the world. My guess is if this spirit is forcing this sudden quick birth it's because it knows we're trying to kill it he's not going to allow anyone to harm the child. I think we just need to let it happen," Derek stated as Alex frowned at her mentor.

"Oh, shut the hell up Derek, when you're carrying some demon spawn inside of you, then you can just let it happen. This is my body and this thing is not coming out of me. Ahhhggg!" Alex screamed as she crumbled to the ground, both Nick and Rachel were at her side to support her. "Oh God, I think that was a contraction."

"Ok let's get her back on the couch," Rachel said and then her and Nick went about lifting Alex. Alex was finding it difficult to breathe, and began to gasp and pant. "Alex, sweetie calm down, you're gonna make yourself hyperventilate breathing like that."

"It's hard to breathe," Alex said through pants. "This can't be happening."

"Honey, you may not be having contractions. Your water hasn't broken yet, so I think we're safe," Racel tried to console her.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Alex managed through a groan as another wave of pain hit her.

"Well, the bag that houses the baby, it has to rupture before the baby can come out."

"Uhm, if that happens, we'd know because?" Nick questioned.

"There'd be wetness, Alex would be wet," Rachel answered as she noted the look of horror on Nick's face, as he slowly lifted his dripping wet hand. "Oh boy."

"Oh boy what?" Alex asked as she continued to pant.

"We need to get her upstairs where she'd be more comfortable," Derek suggested.

"Don't you think we should get her to a hospital?' Nick asked nervously.

"No," Derek answered. "I think we should keep this in house. I mean we don't know for sure that this baby's…" Derek cut off the statement at seeing the glares coming at him.

"That this baby's what?" Alex huffed out. "Not green with horns?" Alex stated sarcastically. "Ahhhh!" She ended in screams from the pain stabbing her womb.

"Ok we need to get her upstairs now!" Rachel demanded and her and Nick lifted Alex to her feet. Nick supported most of Alex's weight, as Alex leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Mhhhgg," Alex grunted and groaned causing Nick to look to Rachel in desperation.

"Aren't these contractions supposed to come in spurts? I mean isn't there a resting period in between?"

"Ahhhggg!" Alex screamed as she nearly crumbled to the floor. Nick and Rachel held her steady.

"It depends on how close the contractions are, the closer they are the more frequent the pain."

"And what does that mean, the closer the contractions?' Nick questioned further.

"The baby's coming, and soon."

Later, upstairs

"Mmmmm," Alex groaned as she rocked around the bed and the pillows she rested against. It was now obvious by the swell of her belly that she was full-term and ready to have the baby. Nick moved to her, sitting next to her on the bed and offering his hand, which Alex held firmly in her grasp. Nick took a rag and dipped it in the basin of cold water, and then wiped Alex's face with it. "Ahhhh…God!" Alex screamed as her face contorted with pain.

"It's ok I'm here, Alex, I'm here. Just breathe through like Rachel showed you to. Come on breathe."

"I'm trying," Alex whined through the pain. "But it doesn't help," Her voice began to calm and level out which told Nick that the contraction was over, and he dipped the rag again and again wiped her face. "It hurts Nick, it hurts so much. I think it's trying to kill me."

"No honey, it's just a part of the process. It'll be over soon, I promise," Nick said in a comforting tone.

"You promised that an hour and a half ago," Alex huffed out, feeling another contraction coming on. "Oh Jesus! I want it out, NOW!" At that moment Rachel entered the room.

"How's she doing?" Rachel asked as she moved to see how dilated Alex was.

"Well, a little frustrated, tired, ready to push…"

"And lying right here," Alex interjected. "So stop speaking as if I weren't."

"Sorry sweetie," Rachel said as she moved and sat beside Alex, stroking her sweat-drenched hair. "But I have good news for you."

"Really, what, are you gonna give me drugs now, huh?" Alex asked with a relieved smile.

"No, but you're ready to have this baby," Rachel said with a wide smile as she noticed the relief in Alex's eyes at the news.

"Really, I mean are you sure?" Nick asked nervously. "Maybe we should wait a little longer."

"Nick, shut up!" Alex yelped as another pain hit. "All right, what do I do, what do I do?" Alex asked, eager to get things started.

"You do exactly what you feel," Rachel said as she put on gloves and moved down between Alex's legs. "You PUSH!" Alex didn't need much coaxing as she sat up, one hand in Nick's gripping, the other glued to her knee.

"Agggggggg!" Alex growled through gritted teeth as she pushed with all of her might. After a few seconds of pushing Alex relaxed, lying back against the pillows as she panted for breath. Nick sat in a trance as he watched and offered Alex his hand in support.

"That's good Alex, that's good now give me one more sweetie. A big push."

"Ugggggahhhhhhhh!" Alex yelled as she pushed.

"Whoa, what's that?" Nick asked wide-eyed as he leaned forward and stared between Alex's open legs.

"That's your baby's head," Rachel answered with pride.

"Oh, wow," Nick responded stunned but still watching.

"Ok Alex hon, I just need one more push, can you do that for me? Come on PUSH!"

"OooooKKKKAAAYYY! Alex wailed as she pushed down as hard as she could before collapsing back against the pillow spent. After a few second an infant's cry pierced the silence of the room.

"It's a girl!" Rachel announced happily as she cleaned and wrapped the baby in a blanket. Nick slowly moved to her peering over her shoulder to get a better look.

"Everything looks ok?" Nick asked. "Ten fingers, ten toes, no horns?"

"She looks perfect. Here, you want to hold her, daddy?" Rachel asked as she extended the baby towards Nick.

"No! I might drop her," Nick said hesitantly, shaking his head as he backed up some.

"You're not going to drop her. Besides, you should be getting used to this for all those late nights you'll be getting up with her for her feeding," Rachel said as she moved to Nick and gently placed the baby in his arms. Nick nervously cradled the baby, his baby as he smiled down at her.

"Look at you," Nick spoke softly to his daughter. "You're gonna be a heartbreaker," A smile of pride stretched across his face.

"Yeah, good thing you look like your momma, little one," Rachel joked over Nick's shoulder. Nick just shot her a smirk and then stared lovingly back down at his daughter who was staring silently back up at him.

"Speaking of your momma, wanna go say hello?" Nick said as he took the baby over to where Alex lay curled up on her side, with her back to them. "Hey, Alex there's someone here who wants to meet you."

"Take it away, I don't wanna ta see it," Alex cried out as she buried her face further into her pillow.

"But Alex…" Rachel spoke.

"I said take it away, GIT OUT!" Alex yelled causing the baby to cry.