Burden of Gifts
Chapter Ten
Note: I do not own Power Rangers RPM and I do not make any money writing this story.
Timeline: A/U "Three's a Crowd"
Genre: Drama/Romance/Angst
Rating: Teen (Minor Language, Suggestive Themes)
Authors Note: I've researched the development and real life situations of pregnancy to write this story. Some of the things I'm twisting for dramatic effect. But not all, but if you don't understand a concept or term? Look it up.
"Now Doctor K, I know this is nearly an impossible concept to understand but you are to avoid stress."
"Do not speak to me like I'm an invalid just because I have trouble controlling my blood pressure."
"I do not mean to offend you," her Doctor said, sarcastically. Doctor K sighed and shook her head.
"No of course not, please, insult the way I behave and put more pressure on my shoulders."
"Doctor K…" the Doctor shook her head.
"Don't worry Doctor, I will keep my eye on her." Scott assured the doctor as he wheeled her from the hospital to his car that was waiting outside.
"Good. You two do have my number, I will be available twenty-four seven for you."
"Thanks Doctor Aubrey." Scott said as he gently helped K into his car.
"You're welcome, Scott. Drive safe."
Scott climbed in and instead of stomping on the gas as he would, he drove gently, making sure that he didn't do anything to upset K.
"Scott, I'm not intimated by your driving. You may drive faster, in fact I would prefer it, I want to go home." Scott smirked at K and promptly hit the gas. He saw a flash of excitement cross her face and he laughed.
"Like driving fast? The excitement won't overwhelm you will it?" he asked, judging how they were warned against anything that may bring up her blood pressure and heart rates.
"It is not overbearing, besides if I didn't like excitement I wouldn't be running Project Ranger would I? I would let your Father have the honors."
"Which you should sometime soon so we can focus on our Daughter."
"We will figure that out when the time comes, Scott."
"I just don't want to see you in the hospital again. Do you think I'd be able to do anything if it wasn't for you? You trusted me, you gave me power, you gave me hope, a team, and above all else you gave me a daughter and your love. I cannot lose you."
"I'm touched,"
"I'd hope so."
"Don't be a wise ass."
"You're cute when you swear." Scott said with a smile as he pulled into the Garage. To his surprise, his Father and Hicks were waiting with the others in the main Garage. The Twins were bouncing around happily upon the sight of Doctor K.
"Doctor K! Welcome-"
"Home! How are you-"
"Feeling? Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine Gem, Gemma. I appreciate your concern."
"What about the concern we've been showing all along?" Ziggy asked.
"Colonel, what may I ask brings you here?" K asked, changing the subject. Then the girl let out a squeak as Scott unexpectedly swept her into his arms.
"Off your feet." He stated simply as everyone just stared.
"I'm here because as my Son just announced, you're confined to bed rest. You are unable to get up so we have decided to make some adjustments to your lab that would suit your situation better."
"…if my lab is in any disarray…"
"Blood pressure, Doctor K," he wisely warned as Scott carried to K to her lab and he could feel her stiffen at the sight of the lab. A large bed was now in the middle of the lab. Her computers were now structured around that bed.
"Yay! Now I can fit into bed with you! No more dead arms!" Scott rejoiced, he saw K stare up at him like he was crazy. "What? Sharing a twin bed is not easy with two full people."
"That bed is too large for two adults, what are your reasons for the size, I know there are some."
"Of course, as you say, Doctor, there's a reason for everything. I figured since you are unable to get up, and it would be best for the team to see you on something other than a computer screen that you could hold your meetings here."
"Yay! We can have a pajama party!" Ziggy cheered, causing all eyes to look at him. "What?"
Dillon just shook his head, and the Twins exchanged glances.
"We really-"
"Like that idea-"
"Lets go get-"
"Our jammies!"
The five Rangers, Colonel Truman and Corporal Hicks looked at them like they were mad, though it was clear on some levels they were. But they were thrown off when Doctor K laughed; her body was shaking with mirth in Scott's arms.
"I think this is the first time we've ever heard you laugh, Doctor." Colonel Truman said, tilting his head as he looked at her.
"I have very little to laugh about but having Gem and Gemma back, hearing their excitement and joy brings such happiness to me. They are the only family I've ever had and I've missed them terribly. Granted whether my other Rangers realize it or not I do consider them my family as well."
"Awwwwwww! You love us!" Ziggy said.
"Yes, Ranger Green, I have a fondness for each of you and what you bring to the team and later if you'd like, I will explain further."
"Even me?"
"You're starting to wear out my patience, Ranger Green."
"I'll be quiet now."
"Good answer." K said, as Scott helped her get into the middle of the huge bed. "It's certainly going to be challenge trying to get out of this thing." She laughed softly as soon as she comfortable lay down, propped up against the pillows so she could see everyone, the Twins were right at her side, snuggling her.
"We've missed you Doctor K." They said as one, clutching her gently.
"I know, I must admit, I had given up hope that you two were even alive. I saw so many bodies as I tried to escape, I was sure you were gone."
"No we found-"
"Tunnels that lead-"
"To an escape hatch."
"We did, however-"
"Ensure no one else-"
"Made it out, before-"
"We were found by Venjix-"
"And placed in a work camp."
"He has work camps out there?" Colonel Truman asked.
"Yes, they are facilities to help-"
"Make grinders, weapons-"
"He may hate humans but-"
"He knows what use he has for them."
"We will research this new information further, and will expect full cooperation from you two on this matter. But for now, I want all of you to watch over Doctor K. She is your priority. As you know, the Rangers are not the only people watching over Corinth."
"Yes sir!" Gem said, with a salute. Colonel Truman just blinked at the Gold Ranger.
The Rangers took this time to crowd onto the bed, Scott was sitting at her side and the others were crowded around her feet.
"I'll leave you guys be for now to become situated. Please do not hesitate to call me. And I am relieved that you are alright and that the baby is fine."
"Selene. I like the name Selene." Scott arched his eyebrows at her.
"Anything else you'd like to tell me?" he asked.
"Her middle name is Noelle."
"Doctor K…that's so thoughtful…"
"What? Why is it thoughtful?" Dillon asked.
"That was my Mother's name." Scott said softly, placing his hands on her stomach.
"Oh Doctor K! That's so sweet!" Summer cooed.
"I felt that since Scott lost his Mother that it would be good to carry on her memory some way."
"Was your Mother named Selene?" Ziggy asked, and watched as Doctor K's face went blank and the twins exchanged looks.
"I do not know. If I knew anything about my life before Alphabet Soup, I would be…well I don't think it would change anything except my name." Doctor K was very aware the entire room was now looking at her. "What?"
"You don't know your name?" Ziggy asked.
"No. I was designated "K" from the moment I stepped into Alphabet Soup when I was only 4 years old. I turned 5 one year later."
"You have no idea at all what it is?" Summer asked.
"No."
"Not at all?" Flynn asked.
"Asking me over and over will not change my answer. I have no identity outside of Doctor K."
"Are you even a real Doctor?" Ziggy asked.
"…To be honest, Ranger Green, I have no idea. After I turned 10, they required me to take test upon test in just about every field of I can think of and I was assured I passed them all and earned the title Doctor. The tests themselves were official; I read every word upon the paper. Whether or not I was in the system before Venjix took over and wiped out the information systems I do not know."
"Doctor K, you've had a severally messed up life, haven't ya lass?"
"You could say that."
"So you have no identity?"
"No."
"Well no better time to get a new identity, I mean, look at Dillon!"
"How about we don't." Came Dillon's reply.
"No, Ziggy has a point." Summer said, she looked up at Doctor K, placing her hands on the girls feet. "Doctor K, Alphabet Soup is gone and you're a whole new person. You're going to have a baby! Selene as to have a name for you other than K! Granted once she learns alphabet it will be easy but do you want to be an initial to your child?"
"You bring up a compelling argument, but at this moment, I really do not care. It would add more stress, which I do not need. I do wish to rest, however," All the Rangers shuffled out except two, Ziggy and Scott remained. "Everyone, including Gem and Gemma took the hint, Ranger Green. Why haven't you?"
"I just want to ask you a few things, nothing to add stress or concern I promise."
"What is it?" she asked wearily.
"That song you play on your violin when you're upset, that fast one…did you write that or did you learn it?" He watched her fall silent for a few moments.
"I do not know. I've just always seemed to play that when I couldn't think."
"Ok then. Well I'm heading to the store, would you like anything?"
"I compiled a list while I was in the hospital of foods I would like, it's in one of my bags."
"One more thing."
"It will be, Ranger Green."
"I know how much music means to you and there's this song…my Mom used to sing it all the time when I was little…it used to keep me calm. I figured you may like it. I have it here if you'd like to listen to it." He said, holding a small computer chip. With that he left, the lab doors sealed closed.
"Put it on Scott, I'm curious now. I doubt our tastes in music even remotely alike but he seemed sincere." Scott maneuvered one of the computers to him and put in the small chip. Finding the file, amongst pictures of the Rangers from when Dillon first became a Ranger, they found a small music file.
"I was not excepting this…"
A soft piano melody began to play and as the woman began to sing, a music box like melody joined the piano.
"When I was just a little girl, I asked my Mother, what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here's what she said to me. Qué Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see. Qué Sera Sera. When I was just a child in school, I asked my teacher what should I try? Should I paint pictures? Should I sing sings? This was her wise reply. Qué Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see, Qué Sera Sera."
The song flourished into a grant melody with the piano, music box and now trumpet and harp. The full arrangement appealed to Doctor K, as well as the lyrics.
"When I grew up and fell in love. I asked my sweetheart, what lies ahead? Will there be rainbows? Day after day? Here's what my sweetheart said. Qué Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see, Qué Sera Sera."
"That was…wonderful."
"I was expecting that either, so I'm glad you like it." Scott said, as he pushed away the computers and snuggled in beside her. "And thank you…for considering my Mother, and my feelings. I just didn't think you would have named our child without me."
"I decided it shortly after I became hospitalized, it really hit me, what I had to lose…"
"Don't think about that. Think about us. Think about this." He said, and stroked her face as she placed her head on his shoulder. "Want me to shut off the music?" Scott asked, as the song started up once more.
"It's ok. Leave it on…just stay with me?"
"Of course, I could use a nice nap. But before I sleep…how's Selene?" he asked and gently touched her stomach.
"She's fine, she seems to be enjoying herself right now. You may be pleased to know, she's 1lb and practicing breathing."
"That's very good to know. Sleep well, K."
"Thank you Scott," she said, nuzzling in close and letting the melody lull her to sleep, relishing the feeling of safety in his arms.
---Read and Review---
Note: The song that Ziggy gifted to Doctor K was "Qué Sera Sera". The version I adore and used for this story was the one by Pink Martini from their album Sympathique. I recommend this song be listened to feel the emotions that K tried to express.
If you've ever seen HBO's "Dead Like Me" and can recall the pilot episode when they were taking the little girl through the woods before she went to her lights, that was the song that was playing.