Familiar

Chapter Ten

Bonding

Disclaimer: No own, no sue?

A/N: The muse has been getting side-tracked, oh noes!

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
...people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition
cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us
doesn't keep me warm
I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again
I've been trying to get down
to the heart of the matter
But everything changes
and my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

~Don Henley, Heart of the Matter

It was a month later, and Rachel had grudgingly accepted the cute maternity clothes Ivy had purchased for her, as well as the very chic clothes Ceri had brought over as 'hand-me-downs'. Her favorite right now were a pair of maternity jeans and a Juicy Couture hoodie with a brown shirt.

She was brushing her hair out when she heard Jenks zip by, "The appointment is in an hour Rache!, Tink's cross-dressing cousin!, this is an important one!"

Rachel smiled, "I know! I get to find out if I'm having girls or boys!"

Jenks latched onto one of Rachel's earrings, "Can I come?"

Rachel looked at him pointedly in the mirror, "These times with Trent are all I get, you promise to behave?"

The pixie nodded solemnly, "Promise."

Rachel gave a nod of her head, careful not to throw off Jenks, and ran out the door, "I'll bring home pictures!" she shouted to Ivy, on the other side of the house.

"Text me what you're having!"

Rachel beamed at the kitchen from the doorway and dashed to the driveway, plunking her keys in the ignition and smiling radiantly, "I get to know what they are!" she squealed excitedly.

Jenks could only snicker, "Try waiting for the birth to know what you're naming the kid, or kids..."

She pulled out of the driveway and began her drive to Trent's compound.

"You are home."

No, it wasn't home. But part of her was beginning to feel like Trent was home. It was only with him that she felt like she could be truly excited about the babies, about the shared discoveries. He pretended to be distant and emotionally away for it all, but she caught those little smiles and the extra few moments he would steal at the ultra sound. She knew part of him was there, rejoicing with her.

Jenks chattered on and on about how to take care of Pixie twins, how Madelina seemed to constantly have a baby at her breast and one on the way. He was proud of all of his kids and began to quote the ups and down of each.

"... Now Josephine, she's been the spoiled brat of the brood. Always someone to wait on her, tell her how cute and perfect she is. I swear, that girl is going to have a hoard of bucks around her that won't know what to do to impress her!"

Rachel laughed, "That's how my babies are going to be. Spoiled rotten... and with love, not money."

Jenks snickered, "Probably both."

She took the keys out and got out of the car, "Probably." she admitted. Though, if things worked out, she'd have to put her foot down with Trent.

She gave a wistful sigh, if things worked out with Trent.

Quen was there to greet her at the valet, "Sa'han is waiting, but I would like to speak with you."

"I like him papa!"

Jenks spun around to see a flutter come from Rachel's purse. "Josephine! I told you to say at home!"

The little pixie hovered hesitantly over Rachel's purse, "I wanted to see the babies..."

Rachel smirked at the pixie, only a few months and she was the equivalent of a fifteen year old human girl, though at a year and half, her rate of growth would slow considerably until she reached her ninth year. She wanted so much to be an adult and thought she was almost ready for it, but as the baby, Jenks kept her on a tight leash.

"Tink's ti--" he coughed, restraining himself, "Josie, you need to wait by the car."

Her sparkles turned purple in frustration, "But dad!"

"No 'but's! You park your butt by the car and wait for us to come back!"

Trent walked out in the parking lot, his head tilted in curiosity, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Rachel saw Josephine startle, the pixie's aura did something she had never seen before; it was sparking almost pure silver.

She could hear Jenks' palm hit his forehead, "No, don't imprint on him!"

Josephine hovered very slowly to Trent, who seemed nervous and took a step back. Josephine startled back as well and the two seemed to be sizing each other out.

Rachel looked at Jenks, "What's going on?"

Jenks' aura was slowly bleeding red into it, "It was supposed to be a story. But how in Tink's name was I supposed to know when the Elves vanished that this would happen?"

Quen raised an eyebrow at Jenks, "You can't be serious."

Jenks was nearly vibrating in rage, his sparks taking what Rachel imagined would be the color of fresh blood splattered on a light-bulb, "She bonded with him."

Trent's attention was focused on the little pixie who was hovering baby-steps to Trent. Surprisingly, Trent held out his shaking hand and Josephine landed on it. Trent's eyes widened, as he saw or felt something only Josephine could give him.

He licked his lips and gave a curt nod of his head, she perched on his shoulder quickly.

"No! He has one of my kids, he's not getting two!"

Josephine fluttered to her dad, emanating a green light, "He's my person, papa."

Jenks was changing into a yellow light, pleading, "You aren't even full grown, we'll talk about this at home."

"I am home dad."

"No!"

Josephine looked from Trent to her father and zipped back to Trent, waiting for his outstretched hand before landing gracefully on it, then zipping back to her dad, "Two days a week I live here, then I stay with you and mom till I'm grown."

Jenks zipped back as if slapped, "You're negotiating?!" He zipped between Trent and Josephine, getting redder and faster with each trip.

"You don't understand dad, you can't bond with Rachel and Ivy."

Jenks was vibrating with pure rage, "You're teaching my daughter to negotiate! You stinking, shit covered, son of a troll's whore!"

"Papa?" She bowed her head demurely, "I'll go back home, I don't want you mad at Mr. Kalamack."

Jenks buzzing wasn't as fast as it was, "I can't." he said through gritted pixie teeth, "I was the one who told Jariath the Elf stories he told you. I know just was well what will happen if I keep you locked up at home, where you belong."

Josephine gave a happy little chirp and settled companionably on Trent's shoulder again.

Quen looked at Trent, "Sa'han, I need a moment of Rachel's time to... make sure she understands the procedure she's going through."

Trent waved his hand and excused him as he walked back inside. Normally, he would have seen right through Quen's excuse, but he was fascinated with the pixie on his shoulder.

Rachel looked from Quen to Jenks, "What did I just miss?"

Jenks settled on Rachel's shoulder, dark blue light fell from his wings, "When a pixie bonds, they have an almost daily need to touch them. Without it, the pix--" his voice closed off for a moment, he continued in a softer voice, "The pixie dies without it. Silver is the color of bonding, it's only shown during mating rituals, and there are the stories of pixies who used to bond to Elves and become trusted advisers. But I never thought for a moment..."

Rachel leaned her cheek against Jenks carefully and used her finger to rub his shoulder, "She couldn't be anywhere safer."

Jenks gave a little nod, but said nothing else.

Quen coughed, "I'm sorry, but this is of some importance."

Rachel stayed leaning against the pixie but flickered her eyes to Quen, "What's up?"

"I have some information on Riley."

Her eyes widened, "What is it?"

Quen licked his lips, "I heard her talking with... the demon." From that tone, she knew it was Al. If anyone hated Al truly, it was Quen, "She knows you're having Sa'han's children, but she doesn't want Trent to know. She doesn't want you near him, but the demon is making sure you stay in the picture. It's a tight line, but I think letting Trent know this early would be disastrous. She thinks you and Trent were a one night stand--"

"--They were!"

"--and by keeping up appearances that you don't want him in your childrens life, will seem to calm her fears of you." he paused and licked his lips, "It's Maeve, a different form, but it spoke her name."

Rachel felt something cold wash over her, "This can't be possible! She's in Alcatraz!"

Quen looked around before settling back on Rachel, "A paper-trail is just that. I wanted to tell you, in case Riley comes around, you know how to treat my Sa'han. She cannot know Rachel, and everything my Sa'han knows, she does."

Rachel nodded her head, "I understand."

"Good." He paused, "We're going to run into problems with the amniocentesis you're having done today. I..." he swallowed nervously, "I broke into Sa'han's computer and found out that he's running a DNA cross check on the amnio fluid against all known Elves. He's going to know he's the father, and it's going to bring up questions and circumstances we are not equipped to deal with."

Jenks snapped out of his funk a little, "Josephine. Out of all my kids she showed the most promise for computer hacking." he frowned, "Or maybe I'm a parent who sees what he wants to see... She can help, and she'll understand why. But it's been hundreds of years since an Elf and Pixie bonded," he whispered under his breath, 'Go figure, with that shit eater...'.

"Jenks!"

He continued, "You need to ask her what the bond is." he frowned, "I heard a story about how the Elf king and his pixie advisor communicated too well."

Quen nodded, "I've heard the same, except it's worded they had a deeper understanding than any could understand." he paused and looked around, "We've been too long, we need to go." he glanced at Jenks, "You're daughter will be protected, and a valued member of our family. Ceri speaks highly of your brood, and I am honored we are worthy of her."

Rachel smirked, that was just enough honey for Jenks.

Jenks gave Quen a weary smile, "Thank you, she's a handful, spoiled."

"She will continue to be spoiled here as well. I will speak with her about removing the sticky silk from places she wishes to be."

"I can visit, right?"

Quen's scarred face smiled, "Of course, you are family here as well."

Jenks had taken Josephine into the waiting room to talk with her. Quen had seen Riley try to drop by, and had intercepted her by asking questions about the wedding; namely if she was going to be dropped off in a limo or in a carriage. Riley had squealed and begun to talk about horses and Trent went in to see Rachel, alone.

"So, which would you like done first? The big needle, or finding out about the twins?" Trent had asked with his characteristic coldness.

Rachel thought about it for a moment, "Let's do the big scary needle first, that way I can forget about it when I find out about my tadpoles."

Calling them 'tadpoles' seemed an easy way to get something of a smile out of Trent. He gave a sigh and looked at Rachel, "I was worried about a crowded room, now it's just you and me. I'm going to need a little help."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, "This is not a good sign."

"I'm going to find the spot and I'm going to need you to hold the wand so I can see what I'm doing. Not ideal, but I don't think it will be difficult."

Rachel swallowed, but nodded.

Trent wiped down Rachel's stomach and lay the sterile cloth pads down and took out the wand. It took him a moment and he found the right area. "Okay, hold that right there."

She grabbed the wand and kept it steady. Trent prodded her stomach for a moment and, content he had found a good spot, inserted the needle so quickly Rachel barely saw. He then placed the syringe on the needle and withdrew a watery substance. He pulled the syringe out, needle and all, and placed it on the small sterile table. He gave Rachel's stomach a final wipe with the rubbing alcohol and placed a small bandage on it. "All done."

Rachel blinked, "That was it?"

He nodded, "Fairly simple," he had begun to put the fluid in dark tubes and set them in a bin of dry ice*. The contents shifted and the tell tale smoke billowed off the sides for a moment. He took off his gloves and settled back down in his chair, "Now, the fun part."

Rachel put her hands on the wands for a moment, "Give me a sec."

He gave her a confused look.

"I've been calling them tadpoles. They aren't going to be tadpoles in a second, they'll have names."

Trent rolled his eyes, "Fine."

Rachel took a deep breath, and slowly blew it out. She looked at Trent, a nervous glitter to them. "Okay, I'm ready."

He gave a soft laugh under his breath and began to move the wand around. Rachel watched his face more than the monitor. She was enjoying the planes and angles of his cheekbones, the curve of his ear, the definition of his lips, and the perfectly straight nose. He paused, Rachel found herself lingering in the memories of the special moments they shared. She remembered being grabbed by the sheet she was wearing as if she was nothing and being pressed against Trent's body as he calmly ordered breakfast. The easy way he asked her to come back that evening. Then her sadness that it hadn't happened. But then, she remembered Trent's panic attack, and she snickered in spite of herself.

She caught Trent smiling, and something in her heart fluttered.

He coughed, and took a deep breath, "Sorry, I was thinking." he said. She saw the tips of his ears redden and knew he was lying, but she knew why; their bond had kicked in, and she was okay with that.

He lay the wand still on her stomach, it was a part she couldn't easily identify, but evidently Trent could. She was captivated by his face; He was smiling! A real smile!

"Congratulations Rachel, you're having a girl."

Rachel felt like all the air had been sucked out of her, "Oh, God! A girl! I have an Olive!"

Trent gave a gentle laugh, "You're naming her Olivia?" his ears were still red.

"I talked to her father, and he liked the name."

He smirked and laughed gently, "At least he has good taste. Well, let's see what else we have in there..."

He trailed while Rachel bit her lip. She was surprised when she felt the wand shaking on her stomach—Trent was shaking! She was worried when she saw that smile on his face again and nearly laughed. "Well?"

"And a son! I was wondering if they would be identical, but you're going to have fraternal twins." He leaned back away from the monitor, his face in pure awe and Rachel could barely breathe, let alone let the information sink in.

"A son..."

She reached over and took Trent's hand, he squeezed back, still staring at the monitor as if he could hardly believe it.

"Elric Montgomery." She said softly.

Trent looked at her, slightly confused, but smiling, "Elric? You're using my names."

Rachel stuck out her tongue at him, "They were good names!"

"What about Olivia's middle name?"

"I've been thinking about Alice..."

"Mariana." Trent said softly, "Olivia Mariana."

Rachel blinked, "I can't name her after me! Besides, that's Izzy's middle name!"

Trent gave her a puzzled look, "Why not? Men name children after themselves all the time. Besides, this will just make it an Elven middle name."

Rachel frowned, "Olivia Mariana..." She licked her lips and gave a slow nod, "It doesn't sound too bad, does it?"

He gave her a smile, "Not at all."

Rachel reached for his hand, and he took it. He squeezed her hand gently, "They're beautiful Rachel."

Rachel could feel the tears behind her eyes, she felt hopeful, and knew Trent had to feel that way. Her heart fluttered a bit, and as she watched him staring in awe at the monitor, she couldn't help but think maybe falling in love with him wouldn't be so hard. And if he didn't love her, he loved the babies! It was breaking through the spell, piece by piece...

There was a loud knock on the door, and they released hands as if they were burning each other. Rachel grabbed her shirt and began to change as Trent poked his head out of the door.

"Yes, we're finishing up." She heard him give a small sigh, "An antique limo would be fine. We can see what's in the garage."

Rachel stood up carefully, a beam of silver came in, and landed gently on her shoulder, "Are you okay Ms. Morgan?" Josephine chirped.

Rachel smiled, "I'm fine."

A blur of gold sparkled in, "Soooo?" Jenks drawled.

Rachel could only beam proudly, "One of each; a boy and a girl."

Jenks and Josephine zipped in the air and flew in happy circles, showering her with gold light. "I'm gonna be a grand-sire!" Jenks crowed happily.

Trent opened the door for her and gave her that small, private smile fleetingly before he turned back to Riley, "Did you get confirmation on the gown yet?" They went off and begun to talk about wedding arrangements which almost soured Rachel's mood, almost.

Quen came up after Trent left and smiled at her, "I hear congratulations are in order."

Rachel patted her stomach, "One of each! Oh, I gotta text Ivy! Oh, screw it, I'm calling!" She walked to a distant

corner and pulled out her phone, "Ivy! You'll never guess! ... One of each! I'm so excited...!"

Quen was the only one who caught Trent's glance at Rachel before he focused his attention on Quen, "Bring the samples to the lab, they'll let me know if I need to start inoculating Rach—Ms. Morgan."

Quen gave a short nod without emotion, "Yes Sa'han."

Trent gave him a questioning look, wondering if he had seen him glance at Rachel. He thought better of it and listened to Riley ramble on about table cloth colors.

*I used to work in a medical lab, I know a few things ;)

The next chapter has a couple surprises! I think most will be pleased with them :)