As expected, Shady did not react well to the news that her husband was going to be another month in London. The time passed slowly for her, marked only by the trip to the doctor's office for her checkup and sonogram. Once again, Barney accompanied her. As soon as the nurse prepped her, Ross and the ever-energetic Doctor Spencer entered.
"So are you ready to see the first picture of the baby?" Spencer asked the soon-to-be mom.
Shady answered, "All the same to you, Doc, I'd just as soon get it over."
Barney cleared his throat and then thumped Boots on the head, "My niece is a little disappointed that her husband isn't here to share this."
"Sorry, Doctor Spencer, just feeling sorry for myself," she smiled and then glared playfully at Ross. "I thought it was okay for a pregnant woman to have mood swings."
The doctor laughed in response, "It does happen." And he drew the tool over the young woman's belly to begin the procedure. He made small talk, explaining what the two were seeing on the screen. And, then Doctor Spencer asked the question, "Do you want to know what you're having?"
Shady smiled, "No, thanks, Doctor. That is one thing my husband and I did talk about. We'll wait until the delivery. Although," she glanced at Barney, "I find it hard to believe a man like Lee Christmas could father anything but more alpha-males."
Barney nodded in agreement as the Doctor laughed again and turned off the sonogram. "So, the nurse will get you cleaned up and draw blood again just to make sure we're good there. Any other issues or questions?"
"I do have a couple of questions," Shady stopped him. When the doctor motioned for her to ask, she launched in, "So you're not seeing anything troublesome?"
He shook his head, "No, Mrs. Christmas, you've got a relatively uneventful pregnancy working here. Your weight is normal for this point of your confinement. Your blood pressure and issues with your blood type are all good. The fetus shows proper development for this stage of the pregnancy. You're in great health. You're fine."
"Alright, then, thanks, Doc," Shady smiled.
Barney Ross was instantly on guard. His female Expendable was up to something. And, knowing Boots, she'd play her hand soon enough.
Ross didn't have to wait long because, once back in the gym, Shady turned on the team lead, "I'm going home."
"That's what you're up to," he answered knowingly.
"You heard the doctor. I'm fine. The baby's fine. There's nothing out of the ordinary with the pregnancy."
"Except that your husband wants you here," Ross countered.
Shady's temper finally surfaced, "And I don't give a good tinker's damn what he wants. He hasn't called in over three weeks and I'm tired of waiting around. I want to be in my house. Sleeping in my own bed. Lounging on my own furniture. I'm going home."
Barney nodded. He couldn't blame her and, quite frankly, he'd been expecting this explosion for some time. "Who's going to take you?"
"I'd hoped you would but, if not, I'll call one of the guys."
"You really think they'll go against Christmas?" Barney countered.
"Fine, I'll ask Megan or Dilly," Shady named two of the bar's employees that she had hired. "But, one way or another, I'm spending tonight at home." And she exited into her bedroom to finish packing.
Barney knew he'd lost this battle. He began gathering up the things that belonged to the dog. After all, Shady was spending tonight in her home.
Lee Christmas had been on a plane for thirteen hours. He'd spent another two coming through Customs. All he wanted was to get home, take a shower and sleep in his own bed with his beautiful wife. It was closer to two in the morning when he strolled into the bar. Barney Ross was sitting at a table, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. He looked up over his glasses when his second in command entered.
"You don't call?" Barney chastised.
"Don't you start on me. I'll have enough of that with my wife when I go wake her up," Lee responded as he headed towards the gym.
"She's not there."
Christmas froze in mid-stride and wheeled back around, "And where would she be at two in the morning?"
Barney pulled the paper back up in front of his face, answering, "Sleeping in her bed at home would be my guess." And he counted in his head…one…two…three…
"What the hell is she doing at home?" Lee yelled, "I told you I wanted her here so you could watch her. Protect her."
Ross still didn't drop his paper, "You haven't called or checked in. You've given none of us anything concrete as to what the threat might be. No reason to think she can't stay at home alone."
Lee was across the room and hauled Barney up by his shirt, "What the hell are you thinking?"
"What are you?" Barney asked back, his handgun at Lee's head. Christmas froze, eyes closed, knowing he'd screwed up. "Do you really believe, for one moment, I'd leave her unprotected?"
And when Lee released the team lead's shirt, Barney lowered his gun. Lee blew out a breath and answered, "Hell, I don't know what I believe. I just know that I came here expecting to get my wife and find out she's nowhere around."
"Then, go home," Barney said. "Get some rest. Sleep with your wife. The guys are rotating the watch on your house, so everything's good."
Lee nodded and did as he was ordered. Problem was, the longer he drove, the madder he got. He understood Barney was giving Shady the space she needed and was still doing what Lee had asked – protect his wife and unborn child. But, his wife should know better. He'd given her express instructions to stay put and let him deal with this issue. He'd told her he needed to handle this situation his way and his wife had agreed. But, here was Shady "Boots" Powell at her stubborn, headstrong, pain in the ass best. Well, two could play this game.