Phoenix felt the baby move and looked down at his large belly.
He had grown so much in the last few weeks that he looked like he was smuggling something to the young officer visiting the Vessel Torchwood. He had stopped Phoenix at gunpoint and demanded he drop his load with no idea what he had just set in motion.
As Phoenix's spike of fear alerted his mate on the Bridge that he was in danger it also alerted the baby who responded by pushing back.
Phoenix had never felt pain like it.
He grunted and started to bend over as he hugged the baby in his belly. The young officer saw him move and interpreted it as a threat so he pulled the trigger.
It was only a stunner. Would take a man down for a short time, giving the shooter time to restrain the offender. Of course you NEVER use it on a pregnant humanoid.
So instead of stunning Phoenix into submission it stunned him into labour. Extreme, severe labour.
Jack felt the pain and fear thrumming as he ran. There had been no time to speak, warn or ask for help as he exploded from the Bridge but the sight of their other "Captain" running the length of the ship with wild eyes immediately had everyone worrying about Phoenix.
This meant the doctor reached the couple quickly as Jack tried desperately to get Phoenix to answer him.
The young officer lay nearby and the Doctor wondered if Jack had killed him, then decided that he really didn't care. Protocol dictated all new or visiting crew report to him for examination and their boarding packs all included a brief explanation of Phoenix and his condition.
Another examination of a now panting Phoenix had the doctor hoping he was dead because Jack as going to tear the kid apart.
"Jack" Doctor Maney tried to sound calm but Jack's eyes widened anyway.
"The baby is coming" he whispered to Jack as Phoenix's moans turned to shallow barks.
But it's too soon, he's only eight and a half months along" Jack hissed back.
"He's still in the fucking room Jack!" Phoenix snarled through his grunts.
"It's OK baby, it's going to be OK. Daddy's here" Jack soothed the stomach under his palm that was now rock hard.
"Oh, Jack! Help my baby" Phoenix wailed as another strong contraction hit.
"Boys. This is a situation we need to deal with. Phoenix is in full labour. He is not ready." The doctor decided to be blunt as Jack usually responded better to facts rather than emotions, "His body has not fully formed the birthing canal so Baby cannot come out naturally."
Jack stared at the doctor for a full minute while his mate twisted in his arms then Jack closed his eyes in defeat.
"Caesarean. Can it be done here?" Jack was quiet but Phoenix was listening all the same.
"Yes. There are risks to both Phoenix and the baby but leaving them to nature's order will not lead to a solution. If we cut we may lose one or both. If we do nothing they will both surely die!" the doctor informed them both.
"Get him out, save my baby." Phoenix gasped, clutching at Jack's shoulders.
As the doctor led the way, Jack carried a crying Phoenix who cried out with pain as each contraction tore at him.
Crew left their posts and long term passengers came from their berths as word spread that Phoenix had been forced into early labour. The offending officer had been taken with extreme force (and with several suspiciously rat like bites) to the brig as others started a prayer vigil in the local chapel.
Mrs J was allowed into the birthing room and she cried out with shock when she saw Phoenix's condition.
Learning that he had been shocked sent her into overdrive and her screams down the secure line to the Board of Directors was chilling.
Phoenix called to her with his hand held out and he allowed her to touch his belly, feeling the baby move. Satisfied that they were OK she made a stormy exit, no doubt to the brig where Eep and his company of ship's rats were more frightening as Jailers than those on duty who did their best to ignore the fury hellions snarling at the men's feet and spitting into the cell where the young officer cowered with fear.
Jack was in full panic mode, even trying to contact the Doctor via his VM but was not surprised when the Tardis didn't answer.
Phoenix was soothed by the gas the doctor had provided via a mask and has stopped crying which in turn calmed Jack enough to reassess the situation.
There was another option. One he thought he would never use.
Jack watched his Love struggle to breathe as their baby slowly died inside him and Jack knew he was out of time.
Jack had barely pressed the emergency beacon when the only Time Agent listed in it appeared.
John's sneer faded to horror as he took in the room, he rushed to Phoenix's side and placed a shaky hand on the undulating belly.
"Shit eye candy, you are in trouble" he moaned as he looked up at Jack sitting opposite.
"I don't know what to do Johanty!" Jack sobbed with despair.
"Yeah? I do!" John Hart disappeared then was back in the blink of an eye with a huge Sontaran that stared at Jack with recognition.
"Hello Captain" the potato head boomed.
"Hello Strax" Jack replied was relief.
"Is this your mate? He appears to be in premature labour Captain" the huge head swivelled to face Phoenix who stared back then answered in Sontaranian.
The Sontaran widened his eyes then surged forward to assess Phoenix with huge yet gentle hands.
"Oh dear, baby is quite early Captain's Heart. I'm going to have to do an emergency C-section I'm afraid" he informed Phoenix who nodded through his tears.
"Do it. Save my child. I command you!" Phoenix growled and to Jack's confusion the large creature bowed deeply to Phoenix then reached back for the bag Hart was hugging against his chest.
"How did you know that I call Phoenix my Heart?" he asked the Sontaran who turned and faced him.
"He told me. The prince is quite fluent in the language of my people." Jack was informed.
"Prince? What is happening here?" John was reaching for Jack's arm.
"Young Prince Firebird. He is of the Fenque royal bloodline, you can tell by the flecks of gold in his eyes." John was told.
Jack and John both stood with their mouths open as the monster started to wipe Phoenix's belly with a red liquid.
"It seems young Johanty and old Jax there are not going to help us much so you will need to be strong for me your highness" he soothed Phoenix who gave a bark of laughter.
"I am a purchased and kept whore of the good Captain who happened to fall in love with me, much to my undying relief as I have fallen in love straight back Nurse" Phoenix was calm and in control of his emotions as he blocked Jack's fear from his mind, "I do not think my Father's family really want his bastard love child born and bred in slavery to be acknowledged. Just Phoenix will do."
"No your highness, I cannot allow myself the insult to your good bloodline. I do believe you are of the house of Nero. You smell like one I knew once. I owe him a life-debt. I repay it to you" he nodded and Phoenix groaned as another contraction squeezed his baby. Phoenix was sure he could hear his baby crying and was desperate to save him.
"Save my son! He carries the blood as well as Jack's. Save our Son!" Phoenix begged.
"Son?" Jack gasped.
"Yes my Heart's Keeper. A son calls to me" Phoenix smiled through his pain as Jack burst into tears.
"Commencing the extraction now!" the blade was calmly swept across Phoenix's belly as an opening was made to welcome the baby into the arms of his shaking father.
As the small but perfectly formed baby was pulled from his Tad's belly he took his first breath and used it effectively to let them know that it was about time.
As Phoenix sighed with relief and reached for the bundle Jack was frantically rubbing with a towel the nurse silently removed the afterbirth and placed it in a bowl before cleaning and dressing the wound.
As a sonic scalpel closed the wound John couldn't help but ask why it wasn't used to extract the imp.
"It is tradition that a blade welcomes a warrior to the light young Johanty." The Sontaran explained as he gently took the bundle and placed it on Phoenix's chest.
"May the blade welcome you to the light,
so you may be guided in the dark of the night.
May your heart sing with the fire in your blood,
and your aim be true to spill your enemy's in a flood.
May your nose pick an enemy nearby
And your knife's blade with truth doth fly.
May your soul know Love of a good mate
And the Gods always choose a long life'd fate."
Phoenix whispered the blessing of his people as the nurse boomed it with pride.
Blue eyes stared from his Tad's arms up at the nurse who tenderly touched a cheek with his finger.
The little head turned, strong for a new-born and found his father tearfully grinning back.
"Welcome to the world Bennu Harkness Jones" Jack whispered as his son yawned.
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The Bennu is an ancient Egyptian deity linked with the sun, creation, and rebirth. It may have been the inspiration for the phoenix in Greek mythology. Its name is related to the Egyptian verb wbn, meaning "to rise in brilliance" or "to shine". Yes, I will be calling him Ben for short.