Author's note: Me thinks me loves you all!!!!

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Chapter 25: Trips to far far away land and trips to the… doctors?

Ryan groaned and shook his head stubbornly. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Well, you're going!"

He dropped his bag by the front door and turned to look at Hayley. "Shouldn't you be the one telling me NOT to go??? You're eight and a half months pregnant! I can't leave you here alone!"

Hayley rolled her eyes at him and sighed. "We've had that conversation a million times, Ryan. I'm pregnant. Not handicapped. Besides, I've got a phone and close friends who are going to be there if anything happens."

He shook his head, frowning. "I still don't like it." He really REALLY didn't like it.

"Come on. Capt'n' Crunch is here to protect me."

Ryan glanced down at the orange cat, which was sprawled at his feet. "It's just a stupid cat, Hayls. All it does is eat, sleep and stare at me."

She snorted at him. "You're such a liar. You love that cat as much as I do. I heard you talking to him the other day."

"Maybe. I was probably telling it to get out of my way." He pulled a face and shook his head. "Anyway, stop trying to change topic, Hayls. I'd really like you to go stay with someone while I'm gone."

She shook her head and crossed her arms over her stomach. "Nope. I'm staying here, and that's final."

Ryan let out a long irritated sigh and scratched his eyebrow. A series of murders had been committed in a small town outside Miami, and Horatio was sending him and Natalia to investigate. The only problem was that this town was at a four hour drive away from Miami. This meant they would have to stay in a hotel for a few days while they processed the crime scenes.

He had tried exchanging places with Calleigh and Eric, but it had turned out impossible. Calleigh's expertise was needed for a case they were working on in Miami and Eric was off for a few days and was leaving the city.

Horatio had understood his anxiety and had assured him he wouldn't be gone for more than three days. Ryan had had no choice but to reluctantly agree, but still hated the idea of leaving his eight and a half months pregnant girlfriend home alone.

"What if something happens to you?"

"Ry, all I do is pee, sit on the couch and eat disgusting food. What do you think will happen to me?"

"What if… you go into labor? What if I'm not there for the birth of my baby? Because that's what happens in all the movies. The guy leaves his pregnant wife for a few days and BAM! The baby wants out!"

She rolled her eyes at him. "We still have two weeks before he's born, maybe more." She sighed and gave him an encouraging smile. "You can call me every half hour if it makes you feel better, alright? I won't scream or be mad at you."

Ryan pouted and reached for her hand. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't laugh at me…"

Hayley gave him a playful grin and kissed his chin. "I just love laughing at you." She lifted her face up and kissed his lips softly, before pulling away. "Now go. Nat is waiting for you."

He sighed and grabbed his bag before opening the front door. "Alright, I'm going. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

Hayley lifted her hands up in defeat and shook her head. "Hey, I was just about to go sit in the living room and maybe take a nap, but I'll try to behave myself."

Ryan rolled his eyes at her and shut the door behind him.

XXXXX

"Hayley?" Alexx frowned and walked in the kitchen. She put her purse and the take out bags on the counter and went searching for the redhead. She had knocked at the front door and rang the bell at least three times before letting herself in, using the key the young couple had given her. Hayley's car was in the driveway so she had to be in the house.

Getting slightly nervous, she made her way towards the master bedroom. "Baby? Where are you!" She opened the door and peeked inside, rolling her eyes at what she saw. Hayley was lying on the bed, her earphones plugged into her ears. She had managed to fall asleep listening to punk music. The volume was so loud; Alexx could actually hear the fast beats from the door.

Alexx smiled and walked up to the bed. She sat next to her, careful not to make her jump, and laid her hand on her shoulder. Hayley opened her eyes and looked up at her, quickly pulling the earphones out of her ears. "Alexx! Hi! I didn't hear you come in!"

The black woman lifted her eyebrows at her and shook her head. "I don't know why. Maybe it's because of the fact that you've probably destroyed your eardrums by now."

Hayley snorted and slapped at her friend's leg. "My hearing's fine." She put her Mp3 player on the pillow next to her and extended her arms. "Now help me roll out of this bed before I wet the sheets and have you clean it."

"Yes ma'am." Alexx stood up and helped her stand up. "Baby, you're so big, I don't know how you still manage to stand upright."

The redhead laughed and shook her head. "I know. But I feel great!" She laid her hands on her huge stomach. "This kid's just really heavy, and I get tired easily. But after a quick nap, I'm up for anything!"

Alexx grinned and put an arm around her shoulders. "Are you up for some food? I brought Chinese, just like you ordered!"

"Have I ever told you how much I love you Alexx?"

Grinning, she winked at her. "I think you told me once or twice."

Hayley went to the bathroom and Alexx went back to the kitchen, where she had left the food. She opened the bags and set everything on the table. "I'm so hungry!" Hayley sat heavily on her chair and dug into the food happily.

"When is Ryan due back?"

Hayley lifted her eyebrows and swallowed. "Tonight. He called me a couple of hours ago and told me Nat and him would make it back in Miami some time during the night. They'll have to stop at the lab to drop the evidence first."

The two women kept on chatting all through supper, which didn't last long, since Hayley pretty much swallowed everything without even chewing it. After they were done, the redhead stood up and brought the boxes to the garbage. "Oh!"

Hayley put her hand on her swollen stomach and cringed. "Alexx?"

The older woman finished cleaning the table and turned around to look at her. "Yes?"

"Something's happening."

Alexx smiled at her. "The baby's kicking hard again?"

She shook her head slowly, not really liking what she had started feeling. "No, something different."

Alexx frowned and walked up to her. "What is it?"

Hayley opened her mouth to answer her question but stayed quiet as her eyes grew larger. "Oops." She looked down, frowning.

"What?"

"I think… my water broke. Thank God I'm wearing pants, or I'd have to wash the floor."

Alexx gasped and put a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Your water broke? Honey, don't tell me you're having the baby!"

Hayley shook her head in disbelief. "No no no, it's too early! I still have two weeks to go!"

She put her hand on Hayley's cheek and gave her an encouraging smile. "If the baby decided it's time, you don't really have a say in this." She waited for the younger woman to smile before continuing. "Now, I've got to get you to the hospital! And you have to call Ryan!"

Hayley took Alexx's hands in hers, shaking her head. "No! Don't call Ryan! If he finds out I've gone into labor, he's going to drive like a maniac to come back to Miami. It's too dangerous." She breathed deeply, trying to keep herself from panicking. "He'll be back in a few hours. I could be in labor for HOURS before I have the baby. He'll just have to join me at the hospital when he comes back."

Alexx raised her eyebrows, still uncertain. "It's your call, baby. But I still think we should tell him!"

The redhead shook her head and thought for a few seconds. "I know what we'll do! We'll call Natalia and tell her. She'll tell Ryan when they get in Miami. Trust me, I know Ryan, he's gonna freak…. OW." She stopped and grimaced, putting a hand over her stomach. "That's what a contraction feels like?"

Alexx took her elbow and guided her out of the kitchen. "Alright, we'll call Natalia on our way to the hospital. Is your bag ready?"

Hayley shook her head. "No! I still had two weeks to do it, remember! I'll go make one right now!"

"I'll give you a hand."

"Alexx, I'm so happy you're here!"

"You shouldn't be alone for this, Hayley. Now let's get you prepared."

XXXXX

Natalia glanced at her watch for the thousandth time in the past three hours. They had been driving back to Miami for an hour when Alexx had called her on her cell. In a few words, she said Hayley had gone into labor, but didn't want her to tell Ryan. She had asked her to wait until they were in Miami before telling him about it. Clearly, they didn't want him to start panicking, which she was thankful for. She WAS the one in a car with him…

Right after she hung up the phone, Natalia had made up a little lie and told Ryan to drive a little faster, telling him she wanted to get back to Miami early to see a friend who needed her help.

She let out a long relieved sigh as they finally entered Miami.

Ryan lifted his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I can't wait to get back home, sleep in my own bed."

She nodded, keeping her eyes on the road as she followed the way that would take them to the hospital. "Yeah, me too."

"Promise me we won't spend too much time at the lab, alright? We walk in, leave the evidence, and walk out."

"Right… But you know what? I'll do it. You have to get to the hospital."

"Huh?" he looked out the window and realized they were driving the wrong way. "What are you doing?"

"Ryan, it wasn't my friend who called me in the car… it was Alexx. She didn't want me to tell you before we got back in Miami but… Hayley's at the hospital. She's gone into labor." Here it goes…

"WHAT??? SHE'S HAVING THE BABY AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME??!?!??"

Natalia rolled her eyes. She had expected that reaction, so that's why she had taken the wheel halfway to Miami. "What would it have changed? We didn't want you to start driving like a maniac to get back here! Alexx told me she would call if anything happened, and she hasn't. Hayley's at the hospital, waiting for you to join her."

Ryan moaned and put his head in his hands. "I knew it! I knew I should've never left her! That kid just couldn't wait for me to be there. Noooo he HAD to choose the only time I wasn't there to come out."

"Ryan, we'll be there in ten minutes. Relax."

But he didn't. The moment they finally reached the hospital, he was out of the vehicle, running inside the building.

XXXXX

Alexx winced and glanced at Hayley, who was lying on the hospital bed. "Do you hear that?" Loud horror-movie-like screams could be heard coming from another room.

Hayley nodded, grinning. "Yes. My GOD it sounds so painful."

The black woman shook her head, pointing towards the door. "That's someone who hasn't taken any drugs."

She grimaced. "I don't know how some women do it. Without the epidural, I would've already hung myself with the I.V."

"HAYLEY!!!!"

Both woman looked up and smiled as Ryan finally made it inside the room, looking as if he had just run a marathon. "Hey, Ry!"

He quickly crossed the room and grabbed her hand, panting. "What's going on where's the baby are you in pain do you want me to get a nurse?"

Hayley giggled and shook her head. "Breathe, Ryan. I'm fine."

Alexx laughed and gave her one of her looks. "Yeah, she's okay now that she's had her epidural. You should have heard what was coming out of her mouth before she got the drug." She stood from the chair she was sitting on and offered it to Ryan.

Ryan took it but was way too nervous to sit on it. "What now? We wait?"

Hayley nodded and took his hand, smiling. "Yep. We wait. My water broke a little more than four hours ago. Everything's been going pretty slow so… sit down and relax."

He breathed deeply and kissed her softly on the lips and sat down next to ger, holding her hand.

Hey!!! The baby's coming!!! But I won't describe the delivery in the next chapter… I just don't feel like it. Anyway, I'm sure you can all imagine how it would go!!!

Review the chapter please!!!