Stranger Happenings

Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters. I do however own my O.C. so with that said on with the story.

I sat at the computer doing the research that I had been relegated to since I had returned to the states seven months ago. I absently rubbed a hand across my swollen belly, my child safe for the moment since I had Michael and the rest of the agency believing that I had met a lover while I was on assignment in Japan. My thoughts again returned to Michael and how he had acted once I had returned.

Sighing I leaned back in my chair and rested both hands across my belly. He still was seeing the bimbo human woman but he made sure to stop by and check on me several times a week, I could also sense the animosity between him and Kagome. No love lost between those two. Speaking of both of those two I heard raised voices in the living room and cocked an ear in the direction it come from.

"Will you please stop coming by all the time and hassling Stormy. She is meeting deadlines and completing research assignments on time so why are you on her case constantly." I smiled at the irritation evident in her voice, Michael was used to only one other woman challenging his word and I stifled a giggle.

"Just tell her I am here and waiting for her on the porch, plus a little fresh air will be good for her in her condition." I heard the front door slam and Kagome's soft footsteps coming towards the office. I met her at the door and shook my head with a smile directed at her.

"I take it you heard the loud mouth egotistical jerk?" I nodded but didn't speak yet because I didn't trust myself not to burst out laughing. Finally I managed to speak, "Yes I heard him but I am due for a break and I need some fresh air. This little devil is kicking up a storm."

I stepped out onto the front porch, the cool autumn air turning nippy with the first breaths of winter made me hug my light sweater closer to me. The weather seems to be changing. I sat on the porch swing facing Michael over the table that sat between us. "Kags will be bringing us out some warm tea; I hope you don't mind the fact that I only have chamomile." He nodded that he didn't mind.

He waited until Kagome had brought the tea and then went back inside before he spoke. "She doesn't care for me does she?" I shook my head and sipped at my tea, enjoying the warmth of the cup in my hands.

"She is very protective and concerned for my health. She has had some mid-wife training but she is worried because we will be closed off this winter when the baby comes."

He leaned over the table and traced a thumb across the top of my knuckles, an intimate gesture I used to find comforting but now just made me want to jerk away as I remembered the mating mark on my shoulder. "I am concerned as well, I know you do your best work alone, such as in Japan, but you really should move into the city until after you have the baby."

I smiled coldly at him, "Thank you for your concern Michael, but I am perfectly capable of caring for myself and my child alone. You didn't seem concerned with my health or feelings earlier this year did you?"

He made a barely discernible grunt before sitting back in his seat and I got a bad feeling because I caught a glimpse of rage for just a moment in his eyes before it was gone. Maybe I was imagining it? Surely he cannot know the truth? "Why are you still so angry about it?"

I gazed wide eyed at him in surprise, "Seriously Michael? I am not angry at you anymore but it was wrong what you did." He chuckled patronizingly at me before placing his tea down on the table and moving to sit beside me on the swing, taking my cup and placing it beside his. My mouth went dry and I started to stand up from the swing and move away. He caught my hands in his and looked at me deeply.

"Stormy, just because we cannot have a relationship like you are wanting doesn't mean that we can't continue the physical part of our relationship." I did jump up and forcefully remove my hands from his.

"How dare you Michael, how dare you! I am not a whore and I refuse to destroy another woman's heart the way you destroyed my heart. Our relationship is fully professional now; you no longer mean anything to me."

Again I caught a glimpse of the deep smoldering rage and this time it was there for certain. He stood and I was struck by how twisted his once handsome face had morphed as he brushed his long black hair from his face. "Well I am sorry you feel that way but you will no longer have as much leniency within the agency as before if I have any say; unless you are willing to give me what I want."

I watched him stomp off the porch, get into his car, and drive away. Kagome came outside and immediately placed her arms around me when she saw me trembling and I could no longer contain the tears that flowed silently down my face. "I am alone Kagome, we both are so alone." She nodded her head slowly and continued to rub my arm and shoulder comfortingly.

"No Stormy, we are not completely alone. We have each other and we have this new baby that will be joining us soon. Now what did that horrible man say that has you so upset."

"I don't want to talk about it right now Kagome. Everything will be fine and I cannot express how grateful I am to you for your help around here." I turned to go inside and finish the last of the research I was doing before going to take a hot shower and relax for the evening; knowing Kagome would never be far.

Later that evening after supper I lay in the bed, still pondering what type of threats Michael could actually carry through with. I tossed and turned restlessly, my body and mind refusing to slow down because of the threats made and the baby was moving a lot tonight.

Kagome tapped tentatively at my bedroom door and I called out for her to come in. She came into the room and sat behind me on the bed and grabbed the brush from the dresser. This ritual had been going on since she first came back with me and I realized that it was something that was comforting for her as well as myself.

I carefully removed the charm from around my neck and sighed as I felt the familiar tingle rushing through me. Kagome began pulling the brush gently through my silver streaked hair being careful to avoid my sensitive ears. "It started to snow while you were taking a bath; I have been watching it while I was doing the dishes. It really looks as if it is coming down seriously."

I nodded thoughtfully and glanced sideways at the sheet of white falling outside my window. It really was snowing more than what I thought it would. I felt a familiar twinge and I knew that it wouldn't be long before the baby came; my calculations had been off a bit. "Kagome it won't be long now." She made a noise in her throat that I assumed was reassurance.

Suddenly I jerked forward, the pain ripping through my stomach and I doubled over; gasping for breath I turned to nod at Kagome as I felt something warm flood the sheets. "It's time, it's happening now!" Kagome calmly but quickly helped me lay back against the pillows of the bed before leaving to get the supplies she was going to need.

I breathed heavily through clenched teeth as she reentered the room with the supplies she needed before helping me sip a slightly bitter brew in a cup. Making a face I asked, "What is that?"

"It is an herbal mix that will help dull the pain." I relaxed back against the pillows again and let her help me remove any unneeded clothing in preparation. She murmured soothingly to me as another contraction hit, this one was far worse.

It seemed like forever and yet too fast as the contractions came closer and closer together. "Kagome, he is coming fast." She nodded and patted my arm in reassurance. "Shh it is going to be alright, just breath. This little prince is ready to make his entrance it would seem." I clenched my teeth hard and pushed with the next contraction.

After another eternity I felt a pressure release and the pain stopped. My ears flickered in alarm because there was silence. I jumped as a loud wail cut through the room and Kagome approached me with a squirming bundle and I could see a patch of silver hair. I reached for my child and held him close to nuzzle him. I inhaled his warm slightly bloody scent before placing him against my breast and to my surprise he latched on greedily.

I gave a tired chuckle and glanced up a Kagome, "He is so perfect." She returned my smile before running a hand against his cheek, "He is so tiny, hair like his fathers and those lavender eyes like his mom. What are you going to call him?" I thought hard and long before answering her.

"I believe that I shall call him Taisho; for his grandfather." She beamed happily and clapped her hands together, "That is a perfect name. Now why don't you just lay back and rest now." I leaned back against the pillows and closed my eyes to rest for just a moment.

I awoke sometime later with my child snuggled against my chest and noted that the bed and my clothes were clean and dry. I shook my head and wondered how it was that such a tiny young woman was so efficient. I looked down at my wonderful son and sighed in contentment. Oh my mate, I wish you could see our beautiful son and watch him grow into a young man.

Suddenly my nose twitched and I caught the familiar scent of the last person I wanted near my child now that he was no longer safe inside my body. The truth would come out and I would be hard pressed to protect my child. My entire body tensed, my tail twitched angrily, and I pinned my ears back and bared my teeth. Suddenly I heard Kagome in the other room.

"Just who do you think you are, you jerk? You cannot be here right now and she is in no shape to see you anyway. Hey where do you think you're going?!" Suddenly I heard a thump and an odd whimpering sound from Kagome. I struggled to stand while holding my child safely in my arms.

The door burst open and there in the door way stood my former friend, lover, and boss and he was holding a weapon leveled at my chest. Son of a bitch! Sesshoumaru, where are you; I need you!

A/N: I seem to be rushing things a bit but if and when I have time and can add more I will edit the chapters but at the moment my elusive muse has visited and I am currently working to put chapters out for all my currently active stories after my lengthy absence.