Arrival
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WON'T BE HERE IN TIME?!"
"I'm sorry, but we won't get back until Kat's well into labor. If we're lucky we can get back for the birth but you and Z will have to help her through most of the delivery," Felix sighs at Syd's face on the monitor.
"Um, hello, WE CAN'T DELIVER A BABY!" Syd blares at him.
"You'll have to, Syd," Felix sigh again. It doesn't help that Doggie is frantically pacing behind him. "We'll be back as soon as we can—"
"Let me talk to Kat!" Doggie barks from the background.
Syd goes over to Kat, who is being tended to by Sky, Jack, Bridge and all three Zs. She hands the woman the communicator, "here you go."
"Kat," Doggie sees the sheen of sweat on her brow.
"Doggie," Kat pants a little as Bridge dabs her forehead, "don't worry, you'll make it."
"I'm sorry, Love," he sighs and turns for a moment, "our shuttle's here, I'll be back as soon as I can. Try to hold on."
"I will," she promises.
"I love you," Doggie whispers discreetly to his wife and mate.
"I love you too," she giggles at his shyness of affection.
"All right, I'll see you in two hours," he nods and signs off.
"Okay, two hours, that's manageable, right?" Jack asks nervously. He has never been so scared in his entire life, including the times he thought death was certain.
"It should be—" Kat lets out a feline yowling sound as a contraction rips through her. When she gets to five centimeters she'll have to lie on her side and begin the gentle labor.
"Okay, Kat, breathe," Sky encourages, holding her hand tenderly, though he can feel her strength nearly crushing it. "Syd, a little help here would be nice."
"Here," she grasps the rubber band in her palm, turning her hand to rubber (an idea given to her by Kat). She doesn't feel anything as Kat begins gripping it like a vice.
"Breathe in, breathe out," Bridge encourages from beside her, doing the same.
"Okay, you're doing great, Kat," Z nods, while her two copies nod silently and massage her shoulders.
"Yep, just, try to relax until DC gets here," Jack wrings his hands.
"Okay, I've got blankets and hot water and some stuff Dr. Felix told me would help," Boom rushes in. He immediately pops the vile and hands it to Kat, who drinks it readily.
"Serum that helps dull contractions," Kat answers his unasked question. Another rips through her and she growls, "dammit!"
"Can't we do anything else for her?" Boom asks helplessly, entirely distressed at Kat's obvious pain. "How are we doing?"
"It won't be long until we have to lie her down and start the gentle labor. Felix said it could take up to six hours but it could also be as little as three, and we're at the half–hour mark already. He and DC better hurry the hell up." Z huffs in frustration as Kat lets out another cry.
"How far into it is she?" Boom asks uncomfortably.
"How should I know?" Jack guffaws.
"Do we...do we check?" Sky shifts uncomfortably.
"None of you are checking anything!" Kat barks at them through the pain.
"The time between them indicates centimeters, you dummies," Syd smirks at all of them, then her watch. "I'd say we're approaching five centimeters."
"Felix says we have to start delivering at eight, no matter what," Z says deeply.
"I don't know if this is a good idea," Jack shifts beside an equally terrified Boom.
Syd grunts as Kat crushes the bones no longer in her hand, "we won't have a choice."
"Guys, we can't do this," Jack insists, still freaking out.
"Calm down!" Sky smacks his friend on the arm, "this is about taking care of Kat."
"Good goodness," she hisses.
"I think we're coming down to the wire, here," Syd shakes her head, checking her watch again. "We've got to lay her down."
"Okay," Z nods, while her duplicates aid in the repositioning. Sky lays a blanket over her worriedly. Two Zs hold her top half up, Syd, still offering her hand.
"Do...do we..." Jack trails off, even more freaked out than before.
"You don't do anything from this point on," Syd and the original Z both snap at him.
"Okay," Z breathes nervously. She positions herself by the foot of the couch.
"What, uh," Boom also finds himself at a lack of words.
"We're on our way," Z cringes a bit, "there's some blood, but Felix said that's normal."
"Has he crowned yet?" Syd asks.
"Not yet, but I'd say he's almost there," Z responds as evenly as she can; "dilated six."
Jack faints, caught by Boom, only before they both collapse to the ground.
"Oh, great, seriously?—Sky, please, help them," Syd pleads to him, exasperated and literally with her hands full.
"On it," he nods to her and drags them both off to the side, "bunch of babies."
"Placental matter comin' out," Z announces, "birth canal should be clearing."
Sky doesn't hesitate to lean over the garbage and vomit; "I'm okay."
"Wusses," Syd shakes her head at Z.
"Each and every one of 'em," she agrees.
"Hey," Bridge mutter, from where he keeps a careful read on Kat and the baby.
"We're almost ready," Z says, worried.
"Eight centimeters," Syd nods.
"Where are they?" Bridge looks at them both anxiously.
"We have to start without them," Syd sighs, "ready?"
Z nods at her friend and elevates Kat's left ankle gently, "ready, Kat?"
"No, Doggie's not here," Kat growls out, clearly in pain and holding back.
"Kat, you can't wait any longer. He'll be here, I promise, but you have to start pushing, now. Argos is here," Z affirms seriously. Kat lets out another frustrated yowl but grunts. "Okay, good, 'atta girl, Kat, push."
"You're doing great, Kat, he's coming," Bridge smiles encouragingly, tracking their auras.
"This is not exactly how I pictured this moment!" Kat huffs with irritation.
"Same here," Syd nods.
"Heard that," Z huffs as well.
"I didn't picture myself in this at all, so," Bridge mutters but trails off instead of rambling.
"Push," Z urges Kat again. "Okay, I think he's gonna start crowning soon. Once he does, I'm going to need lots of towels for the blood."
"Here," Sky hands them to Z, though the blood already on the couch makes him turn away queasy again.
"Once his ears are out we need to get as much of him out as possible, at least to his shoulders, so he can breathe," Z and Syd nod at each other.
"Doggie," Kat moans, seeking her mate in distress.
"Dammit, she's bleeding more," Z grabs a towel and tries to stop the flow, but Kat's worry has increased the rate at which it comes.
"Kat, you've gotta calm down and try to relax," Syd strokes Kat's damp forehead.
"Doggie!" Kat pleads again, less than coherent.
"Are they here yet?!" Z turns frantically to Sky (the only helper conscious).
"They just got in!" Sky announces as soon as he gets the page.
"Get them!" Syd commands.
"On it!" Sky dashes off.
"See, Kat, he's here, but you've gotta push," Z pleads as gently as possible.
"Dammit!" Kat screams as a particular surge of pain shoots through her body like lightning.
"It's okay, Kat, you're doing great," Z encourages.
"How is he?" she pants between screaming and pushing.
"He's fine, Kat, just keep pushing," Bridge also urges gently.
"Kat!"
"Doggie!" Kat feels a huge breeze come in, and in an instant she sees her mate in front of her face. Through her sweat and teary eyes, she smiles and pants. She draws her claws from the couch cushions and strokes his cheek, "you're here."
"Of course, Kat," Doggie kisses her hand in his signature form of affection for her. "I couldn't miss the birth of our son."
"How are we?" Felix asks near panic as he rushes in.
"We're almost there," Syd says as she and Z stand back, making way for Doggie and Felix. Instead, they take their place by Kat's other side, holding her other hand in support.
"Here we go," Felix says to his friend as he prepares to deliver, "push!"
Kat screams again from the strain of delivery.
Doggie's ears lower, not only from the pain of her screams but also from how awful it is for him to see her in this kind of pain; "you can do this, Kat."
"You're good, Kat, just a couple more," Felix coaches.
"Doggie," Kat whimpers weakly, in terrible pain.
"I know, Love," is all he says, licking her face to comfort her as best he can.
"Push!"
"Almost there!"
"It's okay, Kat."
"Just a little more."
"Keep going... "
"Almost there... "
"One more!"
"You can do this."
"He's coming!"
Kat lets out one last scream of absolutely shattering exertion before it goes silent. The room in the air comes to a standstill and everyone holds their breath except for her. She pants and lets her tears fall, completely spent.
A canine whining is heard, intermingling with the humanoid cries of an infant. Felix wraps the mass in a towel, clearing away the little blood that clings to him. He wraps him in a blanket and comes up to Kat.
"Felix," she whispers as Doggie strokes her forehead.
"Meet your son, Argos," Felix whispers down to her.
Argos is tiny, but also seems large at the same time. He has the peachy skin of Kat, but with blue scales dotted about where Kat would have speckles patterned. His ears are shaped more like Doggie's. As he becomes more aware of his surroundings he begins searching for his mother's comfort, blindly.
"Argos," Kat is sat up against Doggie's body and accepts her pup. She holds the light bundle in her arms and cries happily, "hello, my baby boy."
"He's perfect," Doggie nuzzles her and gazes at his son in amazement. He has never felt this kind of happiness or pride. He reaches a paw to stroke his son's cheek, who responds.
"Oh, my," Syd chokes on her tears, gazing at the little pup.
"Goodness," Z finishes, also misty in the eyes.
Kat rocks her son and nuzzles his tiny form, at which her emits a low vibration, like a canine purring sound. It's so much like the rumbling Doggie makes in his chest when he's content. "You're just like your daddy, little one."
"He looks more like you," Doggie chuckles deeply, "which is good."
"Oh, your muzzle is plenty handsome," she sighs and nuzzles her loving husband and mate. More tears of happiness escape as she purrs. "I can't believe he's ours—our son."
"I know," he whispers into her cheek affectionately.
"Mm," she sighs, "will someone wake up my bigger boys so they can see my little boy?"
Syd smiles and goes over to them, nudging them with her foot. "Wake up, wusses, the real baby is here."
"Hm?" Boom is the first to jump awake, nervously.
Jack, startled awake, also jumps a little. "What's going on?"
"The baby's here," Bridge says in a hushed voice, gesturing to be quiet. He reads the aura, tiny and pulsating with new life. A gentle aqua shade wafts about like mist, glowing vibrantly.
Jack, Sky and Boom scuffle over sheepishly. As they come into view they see Doggie standing guard over his family. Kat sits upright, holding a bundle of cloth. When closer, they can see it's Argos, the little Cruger pup.
"Holy," Jack murmurs, staring at the baby in awe, "you're gonna be a li'l ass kicker."
"Seriously, you're gonna swear in front of a baby," Z scolds him with annoyance.
"He's so cute," Boom interrupts their banter. True, the pup holds traits of his father, but he looks mostly like Kat. Overwhelmed with emotions Boom hugs Kat gently, so as not to upset the little one. He has no words for the moment, but he hopes his mentor and friend understands what he's trying to say. He loves her, and her baby, and is fond of her husband in a friendly sense.
"Hey there, little Argos," Sky coos to the baby, offering his fingers. Argos follows the movement with his nose, eyes still shut. "Welcome to the world, little legacy."
"Hi, mini–Cruger," Bridge greets as well.
"Those are your uncles, Argos," Kat whispers to her pup. As he stirs she brings her nose to brush his softly. He purrs into her again and nibbles on the tip of her nose fondly, though he doesn't really have teeth yet. Feeling his mother giggle he lets out a kind of yipping noise. While squirming, his eyes slide open, revealing stunning orbs of green, filled with flecks of blue. As he sees his mother and father over him he yips in pleasure, reaching his arms around. "Well, hello there, handsome."
"Wow," Jack, Syd, Boom and Z all join in the crowding around to see his eyes.
"Welcome to the world, Argos Cruger," Felix smiles gently. He brings out a piece of paper and holds it up. "You need to sign his birth certificate."
"Doggie," Kat says before handing Argos to his father, who enjoys clawing at his large, dark, wet nose. She signs the paper crisply, in spite of her exhaustion. Doggie holds Argos in one arm and signs with the other. "You're really ours, little pup."
"How do you like that, my boy?" Doggie chuckles deeply as Argos continues to paw at his nose, laughing at the sensation of wet.
"Welcome to the family," Bridge smiles. "May I hold him?"
"Of course, Bridge," Kat hands him to Bridge, who is vigilant in holding him correctly.
Once Argos is settled in his arms Bridge smiles, "hi there, Argos. You don't know me yet, at least, not officially, that is. I'm your Uncle Bridge! I'm not related to you by blood, I mean, but that's not important, especially since our whole family is kind of unconventional. Still, it's totally awesome to have you here."
"Give him here, before you talk his ear off," Z smiles at her chatterbox friend and takes Argos easily. He stares up at her innocently, not unhappy to see her, "hey, Argos. I'm your Aunt Z. I'll be the coolest of your uncles and aunts, you see."
"Excuse me," Syd takes Argos just as gently, "I beg to differ, little guy."
"What about us?" Jack gestures to himself and Boom.
"You two knuckleheads will just be a bad influence," Sky smirks teasingly. He takes the baby from Syd easily and brings him close. "Hello, little guy; you don't know us yet, but we're your family. We'll be your uncles and aunts but your mom is also our mom, so we'll take care of you just as well as your blood family."
"That's right," Jack takes Argos, building up his nerve. "You've got an awesome mom and dad, but you've got us too."
"Totally!" Boom takes Argos as well, but in the process of taking him the young one begins to cry. Alarmed and just plain guilty, Boom cringes, "no, no, I'm sorry!—what did I do?"
"Nothing, Boom," Felix chuckles and takes Argos from the young man and back to his mother, who sat up worriedly at the sound of her child crying. "He's a pup, and to be away from his mother's arms for more than a few minutes will be hard for him for another two months."
"Momma's boy," Doggie smiles, though he does love seeing Kat receive their son and immediately nuzzle him in comfort. True enough, the pup calms immediately as he's settled into his mother's calming grasp again.
"Hush, little babe," she purrs into his tiny cheek. He calms and she's relieved to relieve her son's distress. She can't believe the love she feels, overwhelming her heart and being. "My precious baby boy, you're just the most darling pup I've ever seen."
Argos nuzzles his mother back in love and affection.
"I agree," Doggie licks Kat. He will hold his son later, when Kat is resting. He knows, though, that pups are more attached to their mother in early life; he'll have to get used to being held by Doggie little bits at a time. "He's as perfect as you are."
"Sentimental old dog," Katherine whispers to her husband. "I love you."
"I love you," he whispers. All eyes turn to Kat's arms, "and I love you, Argos Cruger."