Disclaimer: I do not own Dominion, its locations, characters, plot, etc. I do own this crazy idea and a love for angels, and a few characters thrown in...
Summary: Six weeks post 1x04 The Flood, AU. Ever since Michal returned to Vega after being stabbed, some of the Corps soldiers noticed he wasn't always the stoic, aloof archangel Vega's known for years. And Alex is about to find out why. Also...William Whele has a secret to tell about a night that went normally to everyone else but was actually something much bigger.
To SpenceFTW: Thanks for the faves and follows!
To SpenceFTW: Michael and Alex are hilarious together, most of what happens between them are accidental...lol Connors was another writing accident. Mine too, I'm a writer, not a sketch artist...though I do dabble in paint...Yup! Luci's an asshat, and yeah Michael's been pretty bummed about that picture being lost, plus Dr. Carlisle not giving him even a glimpse. Who knows...red-heads...lol anyway Cassiel had her reasons, kinda like all of them do with Michael. Dr. Carlisle is so not the favorite huh? Michael already knows about the vision, he was there in the room with Alex, the others might or might not, interpret that as you will, but Alex knows he will do anything and everything for Michael when it comes down to it. Thank you!
To Mina: Thank you!
To PamAttillaTheNun: Yes he will, eventually, here's another chapter! Thank you!
To wiccawoman: You're welcome and guess what another fast one! Thanks!
To manidefromsac: Hi! Well here's another update! Honey French is awesome and any reviews are awesome, if you want to leave it in French I'll fire up a translator and respond accordingly. Merci! This has been rough on him huh? As for his siblings not coming, Ariel though he was dead as did many of them, leaving hurts them now because of the fence and not like Vega communicated very well either. Raphael came looking for him after the rumors got bad enough through William and Jeep came back to Red Ridge. No one dared come too close so Vega didn't shoot them. As for Unit Six, they are amazing huh? Can't say anything more, spoilers. And you're welcome, she's a sweetie huh?
Ok wow...very insightful idea...wow...yeah Alex and Michael need to have a talk, not for awhile just yet though. Small blue knife? What? What is it with people thinking girl? Not saying either way but that seems to be vote. (Noma is not an angel in this, correct.) Very interesting plot line you have there...(god daughter hmm?) Nice name pick! lol very nice! No need to apologize I like ramblings! What is it with people wanting Becca to die? Spoiler: Michael will fly again. Greetings from the USA and thank you so much!
***Note: It has been discovered that logging on through Face-book (minus the dash) has increased your odds of getting an account, who knows why but for those interesting in further conversations with me via PM, you are welcome to try and I'm happy to chat!***
Chapter Fifty Three
Xxx
Outpost Delta
River Marker #23
Xxx
Alex stared at the river, trying to determine just how in the hell the black horse had managed to get himself down the slippery riverbank without slipping and getting hurt.
Better question was how in the hell they were going to get the stallion out.
Gabriel was off to the side laughing, playing with his own black stallion named Chronos, the horse had already untied his reins from the fence twice now, so the archangel was stuck holding him personally since the mount had chased Ethan over the fence the second time.
No idea why…
Or possibly, Alex had a reason, like why Kate's stallion was in the river...war horses were trained and bred for strength, that and they had serious attitude problems. Only liking one or two people and refusing all others. Chronos had claimed Gabriel over another angel, going so far as kicking his former rider if they came to close. That had been funny to watch…
Unit Six's day was turning out to be rather productive, as much as Michael needed them...they all needed their space sometimes. The drive to the outpost had been silent, everyone trying to either collect their thoughts, or in Alex's case calm down. Arrival though, Kate had jumped out to help Derek try to catch her wayward horse while Gabriel had introduced the rest of them to one of his younger brothers, a higher angel named Joel...in reality his name was Jehoel and he was Ariel's second in command, Heaven's mediator they had once called him, now he was Raphael's assistant in working with blades and weaponry.
The dreadlocked archangel worked both areas, the hospital and armory since Lucifer was a commander, Ariel was politics, and Cassiel was a pacifist…(Alex had laughed long and hard at that)
But...this changed now, Gabriel was within his right as a second commander and wasn't backing down from keeping both his siblings, and the people of Red Ridge, safe. That, and Michael was Heaven's Weapons Master, while not physically able right now, Raphael had fully admitted he'd rather his brother take over when he was able to. The Healer would rather help those in need after blades had been drawn and then sheathed.
Kate still hadn't dragged her horse up the bank yet when Joel sent them over one building to Noah, Alex suspected he was another higher angel, but he was pretty weird...Noah was the armorer, and checked them all over for either modifications to their gear from Vega, or in Alex's case upon Gabriel's orders, new armor entirely since the Chosen One needed gear that was more flexible and could still cover all of the tattoos as needed. Getting fitted for new gear was really awkward since Noah twitched like crazy...
Now...Alex was climbing down into the river to try and either catch Kate's horse, or herd it up the bank back the way it had come.
Instead he face planted into the really cold mountain water just as Kate launched herself onto the black's back.
"Tada! Oh shit…"
Alex spluttered, accepting Derek's hand up the bank as he tried to wipe the water from his eyes while Kate rode her stallion up further down.
"What the hell is wrong with that thing?!"
"Kate named it wrong!"
"What?"
Derek chuckled, "Horse's take after their names, name a colt 'firecracker' and he goes nuts, name 'im Turtle and you won't have a problem."
Gabriel snorted, starting to laugh uncontrollably as Joel checked the horse's legs, "Oh father...Kate named her horse-"
"Jib!"
"What?"
Joel laughed, stepping back as 'Jib' stamped impatiently, head bobbing as Kate crooned to him softly, "Jibra'il, it's Hebrew for Gabriel...no idea why that's the name that stuck, but Jib here has been stuck with it for years. All the power house mounts have names like that, Titan over there got his name from being unstoppable in a fight, still don't have a rider for him."
Smirking, Alex glanced over at the horse in question, this stallion was also black, as seemed to be the theme in the war mounts, but Titan's coat shone with a blue tint that rivaled anything Alex had seen...scratch that, he knew exactly what the horse reminded him of.
"I'll give it a go."
Xxx
Michael grimaced unseen as he stretched out on the exam bed, refusing to let Jeanette help him lay back as Raphael fired up the ultrasound machine. The doctor Audrey was trying to find was in the middle of rounds and the Lady of the Ridge was off looking for her while Michael went through a basic exam, which was a cover for Raphael playing catch up since they didn't exactly have Michael's medical records, besides for the couple pages of test results from Dr. Carlisle. Jeanette played middle person, asking polite questions of Michael when he was paying attention, and focusing on Raphael for the exam since she had basically assigned herself to the pregnant archangel and wanted to know everything she could.
Raphael's brother remained mostly quiet, letting the Healer do his job without interruption, especially for Michael's sake the exam was much needed, that and after adjusting the clarity, Raphael had turned the ultrasound screen to face the exam bed, letting Michael watch unhindered. Well, mostly, right now the archangel was focusing more on other things instead of the fetus, but that was more for medical purposes and Michael trusted him.
Until someone knocked on the door and Jeanette stepped out that is, that made Michael tense in confusion as Raphael paused completely and pulled the wand off his brother's swollen stomach.
Jeanette's voice rose outside, sounding irritated before another cut her off, "Just trust me on this! Please? What harm can asking do?"
That made Michael sit up, and good thing he did since Jeanette huffed loudly but let the newcomer lean in the doorway a bit.
"I knew it! Hi Michael!"
"Roxi!"
Nurse Fields was almost squealing as she jumped into the room, immediately accepting Michael's hug with a laugh before he jerked back.
"I'm getting you covered-"
"Oh pssht...I'm a nurse, I've had a lot worse on me than this gel crap, but come on...Hi! It's good to see you!"
Michael accepted the second hug much more willingly, relaxing instantly at the nurse's vibrant attitude and compassion as she helped him lay back again when Raphael cleared his throat softly.
"Do you two know each other?"
Roxi snorted, "No sir, we just happen to read each other's minds in a split second to pull off the ultimate joke, April Fools!"
Raphael almost scolded her, instead he froze as Michael laughed...full out laughed to the point he couldn't breathe and curled partially onto his side as he heaved for air, still chuckling as he tried to calm down and failed every time he looked back to the nurse. Even Jeanette was amused from her place at the door, arms crossed as she watched the pair. The Healer archangel waited until his brother could function, shaking his head slightly before glancing at Roxi, "So you must be the volunteer nurse Abraxos brought in from that refugee truck, how many of you made it from Vega?"
"Six of us."
Michael tensed slightly, eyes locking on Roxi when she glanced at him in concern, "Were…"
"Yes?"
He had to pause, swallowing thickly, "Were any of them AAC soldiers?"
Now she visibly cringed, sighing as she shook her head, "I'm sorry Michael, no soldiers other than an army corporal, I haven't seen any of your unit since the last appointment, definitely not since the attack."
Swallowing again, Michael nodded in understanding, looking away for a moment as Raphael shifted on his stool, "Appointment? You assisted with Michael's care in Vega?"
"Yup! Was right alongside Dr. Rogers from the surgery on, tried to help before that even but Michael hadn't allowed it yet so yeah."
Michael stared at Raphael, trying to get him to understand what he wouldn't say, his brother narrowed his eyes a moment but nodded, looking back to Roxi in all seriousness, "Mind assisting still? Dr. Carlisle isn't one for newcomers but I'd rather have someone my brother knows."
"Hey what am I chop liver?" Jeanette whined, earning a laugh from Roxi as she subtly let Michael take her hand in reassurance, shifting on her feet to cover it.
"No, you're my new awesome gal pal who can show me around this place so I'm not a bumbling idiot, and teach me how to deal with Doctor Douche."
The blonde chuckled, nodding in agreement as Raphael just huffed, returning to his exam and now asking Roxi questions as he went along. In a lull in the makeshift interrogation, the former Vega nurse tightened her grip on Michael's hand, smiling warmly when he looked to her again while his brother repositioned the ultrasound wand against his side where the scars were.
"Hey you…"
His weak grin earned a softer one from her, and Michael tried to relax a little, "How long have you been here?"
She shrugged, "About a week, a friend's dad drove us out here in his truck, he moved from Red Ridge to Vega about fifteen years ago, maybe sixteen, but he figured it was safer than Helena and last he knew they needed medical staff so I tagged along. Heard Dr. Carlisle and some woman arguing about you yesterday so I've been hanging around waiting to see if the rumor was true. Guess patience won out."
Michael smiled a bit, "Was the woman tall, pale, silver eyes and black hair?"
"Yep, and a mean ass temper."
Now he chuckled softly, "That's my sister, she mentioned she was coming back to 'discuss' things with the doctor."
"Ah that's why she's got a creepy familiarity to her. But anyway...how are you? I didn't think I'd see you again after we got the notice you'd evacuated via Helena's choppers."
Hesitating, Michael started to speak and failed twice, finally sighing faintly, "I...don't know…"
Roxi understood anyway, thumb rubbing the back of his hand gently, "That's better than other answers you've given me to that question."
"Name one."
"Second time I came to check your vitals after the epidural came out, you told me to 'fuck off and shove my blood pressure cuff up my ass' because there was 'no way in hell' you were going to roll over so I could work."
Michael wanted to chuckle and agree, instead he flinched.
"Ow!"
"Whoops...sorry brother."
"Liar."
Raphael snorted, shaking his head without looking away from the screen, shifting the wand again so he did at least stop hurting his brother.
"Oh! There you are...damn you're cute."
That made Michael turn to see the screen finally, having ignored the images when they were of his other organs since it didn't interest him in the slightest.
Now, he was glad he was paying attention.
His brother was right, the fetus was cute, the same angled cheekbones and sharp eyes Michael had seen nearly a month ago hadn't changed, only enhanced with time. Only instead of sleeping, the tiny body was shifting slowly, hands opening and closing out of little fists, and mouth working as if to make noise.
Well, cute wasn't the word Michael would use, he wasn't able to describe the weight on his chest as he stared at the image, free hand moving automatically to the screen as the other tightened on Roxi's. It wasn't until she squeezed back that he realized he was smiling, full blown joy on his face that he couldn't retract now as Raphael shifted the wand only to keep the face on the screen.
Raphael let out a low whistle, "Damn...just from this I swear it looks just like you...adorable brother. And healthy...growing beautifully at thirty-two weeks."
"Still looking like July 12th?" Roxi asked, winking quickly when Michael glanced at her briefly. "That's the estimate Dr. Rogers had."
Jeanette nodded, "That's what Carlisle has been saying too, but his bet is on earlier though."
Grunting, Raphael nodded, "I wouldn't put it past him to be correct, the growth is steady and development strong, a few days ahead of the due date wouldn't hurt anything at all, hell Michael...If you went into labor next week I would say there shouldn't be too much of an issue, a little time in an incubator to ensure everything's working, but I can say you can relax a bit on that front."
The sigh he let out seemed to let Roxi know so much more about Michael than Raphael picked up on, and she squeezed his hand tighter when he tensed a little as Raphael moved the wand again after pressing several buttons on the screen.
"Jeanette go grab those prints will you?"
"Sure."
Once the door was shut again, Raphael was interrupted with a beeping noise, his pager that he glanced at quickly.
"Looks like Audrey found Lisa, they'll be ready in a bit to show you around, figured while you're here you might as well see the suites and delivery room."
Michael nodded, brow furrowing as Raphael hesitated, "What is it?"
His brother paused as if to think through how to word his response, finally meeting Michael's gaze after a long moment as he tucked the wand away for a bit, "You are in agreement a C-section might be the best option for your safety correct? Audrey has filled me in some and from what Nurse Fields here has shared, it might be the safest for the fetus as well, but I need to know, and need you to know the dangers of both delivery paths."
"I'm aware."
"Have you also considered keeping…"
"Keeping what?"
Raphael chuckled, "Have you considered retaining this ability? You never know...down the road you may want another-"
"Raphael!"
"What? It's an honest question!"
Michael groaned loudly, covering his eyes with a hand as he grimaced, "There is no way in Heaven or Hell I will ever want to do this again, please...for the sake of...whatever...I am never doing this again...how in the blazes would I possibly conceive in the first place? I don't even know how I did it this time!"
His brother laughed, holding his hands up in surrender before idly brushing down his blue scrubs, scratching at the back of his neck with a gentle sigh, "Alright-alright, I only spoke it in jest brother, but in all seriousness, that does mean a rather extensive surgery to remove everything and try to get you back to...well whatever qualifies as normal for you."
The look on Michael's face used to instill fear in Raphael, now it made him grin impishly as he went on, "If you go in for a C-section, we can just have the surgeon and I do everything then, Dr. Carlisle is a gifted OB/GYN and will assist no problem. Otherwise, I'd rather you wait a bit after delivering, more for your sake so you can recover a bit. Knocking you out right after delivering would probably end in some bleeding issues if this ultrasound is anything to go by."
Roxi shifted, "But workable issues, the MRIs all showed nice neat attachments on nerves and blood vessels, and the extra muscle development wasn't necessarily in need of being classified as obsolete if/when anything else was removed, Michael just might not have a flawless six-pack ever again."
Chuckling, Raphael grinned, "Exactly, plus it's not like I nor Cassiel can't stop the bleeding with a feather and lighter, that would probably be better than stitches anyway since bending needs to be a bit of a priority soon after-"
"No."
"What Michael?"
"I said no," Michael snapped, forcing himself to sit up as Roxi stepped back to let him speak on his own, "You can't use a feather, you'll kill me."
"And how in the bloody hell will I do that? I've done it before brother, not like it's poisonous to you-"
"Because it is!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"I don't have any grace!"
The shout echoed in the small room, to the point it made Michael's ragged breathing almost quiet in comparison as he glared at his brother. Raphael stared back, having stood up in anger and was now struck still.
"You…"
"There is nothing left Raphael, the blood tests have been done for months now and it's gone, all of it...that's why I can't heal, that's why I can't hear, that's why I can't...why I…" He choked slightly, breathing hard as his hands gripped the edge of the bed with all he had.
"Why didn't you tell me this? Michael, you-"
"You didn't ask! You think I wanted this?! I would give anything to have it back, but if I do the fetus dies!"
"What are you talking about?!"
Michael snarled, "You know it is human, you've seen the test results. You really think an archangel's blood would be compatible? The differences were too much and it was killing me and the fetus and there was nothing anyone could do to correct the problem!"
"Ok so right now you're not up to par, that doesn't mean it won't came back later. Michael the hormones-"
"Stop it!"
"-Are driving you crazy, just listen to me. If you start bleeding out on the table, in the operating room, I will be damned if I don't do anything and everything I can to keep you alive!"
"And if the baby dies I'll kill you!"
If Raphael was going to reply, he didn't get the chance, that's because Roxi got in between them and shoved the scrub wearing archangel, "Get out. Now."
The fact that he complied meant he was pissed, but Michael was seeing red anyway as Roxi wet a cloth and began to wipe the gel off his stomach, getting pushed aside with no little amount of frustration.
She ignored it, still trying until Michael actually brought his arm up to shove her. Instead Roxi grabbed both of his arms, keeping him still even as he thrashed in her grip.
"Get off-"
"No."
"I said let go of me-"
"And I said no Michael."
"Why-"
"Cuz you can't fight me off!"
Now he froze, staring at her in shock and confirmation, he couldn't fight her off, couldn't even flex his arms and break her grip let alone pull out of it. He choked, trying to hold back the angry tears and failing, shutting his eyes against the hot drops as he tried to slow both his breathing and his heart down since now he was being punished internally for yelling. Michael's hand moved to his side as Roxi stepped back for a second, and he didn't care if the gel got all over as he tried everything in his power to fight off the mood swing. Mainly because Roxi didn't deserve this, she was too good to have to deal with him right now as his mind raced and raged unseen.
Roxi didn't leave him alone, returning to her task before using a dry cloth to finish up, fingers gently pulling his shirt back into place with a soft sigh.
"Why?"
"Hmm?"
Michael swallowed thickly, wiping at his eyes irritably as he sniffed, "Why did you stay?"
"Because that's first time I've heard that, and I bet the first time period."
"That what?"
She smiled gently, her never ceasing compassion and understanding making Michael relax a touch more.
"That you've not said fetus and replaced it with-"
"What?"
"Baby."
Xxx
The tour of the maternity ward, while slightly faster than intentional due to Dr. Marci needing to get back to her rounds since Dr. Carlisle was in the middle of delivering her next patient, was informative. That and the longer Michael was on his feet and moving around, the better he felt since Roxi hadn't left once Audrey had arrived. It was quickly agreed that Jeanette and Roxi were Michael's nurses, between now and the big day, Nurse Rivers would teach Roxi about the ward so she would be ready to take over as the night nurse while Michael was staying, aka where to find things.
It was also agreed that Dr. Marci would be the pediatrician, while Dr. Carlisle remained the OB/GYN with Raphael assisting. Cassiel was...ok Michael had no idea what Roxi had called her, but it was considered necessary by Audrey so the archangel nodded along as he was lead past the nursery.
Dr. Marci had picked up immediately she needed to stop there when Michael had paused at the window, eyes locked on the clear walled cases and the handful of incubators tucked along a wall of monitors. One was occupied with a tiny form that could barely be told apart from all the wires.
"That little boy was born at Twenty-Seven weeks, he's making progress, his mother was able to hold him yesterday for the first time and he didn't have any issues. All the incubators are mobile and can be used in the private rooms independently for about an hour if medically able, then the systems have to be reconnected to the mainframe wall there. There's also a side door," The doctor had gestured across the nursery, "There, the room is environmentally controlled so any babies out of the incubators go from one small safe cell to a full safe room. I've had parents stay overnight in the nursery so no worries there, but the cribs are fully mobile, most have heart rate pressure pads, so baby is on it and the vitals are being monitored immediately. All this has been redone with the last year the best we could, and someone is in this room at all times." Dr. Marci concluded by waving to Cassiel now sitting at a desk, earning a smile from the female angel before she glanced at Michael, that grin had been a bit sheepish, but her brother nodded in return, accepting the half-ass apology.
Now, Michael was examining the LDR suite, as Audrey had called the private room, while the Lady of the Ridge and Dr. Marci looked over something Michael had no clue about, nor did he want to, verbally consenting to let Audrey handle it and read it afterwards. Roxi was exploring the room as well, poking into the cabinets and learning the basic supply layout as well as muttering under her breath as she examined the bathroom and...tub...the one in the middle of the side wall of the room...with jets…
Michael's faint smirk caught her attention, and she moved across the room as he stared out the window absently.
"You do realize you're supposed to be the one filling out that paperwork Lady Anderson is right?"
He nodded, "I'm aware, though since most of it makes no sense I'd rather get it over with and ask later."
Roxi snickered, "Don't blame ya, it's all security measures anyway, such as if you will have guards at your door and whose allowed access, and who to call in emergency or for notifications, that way you go into labor ahead of time, the phone starts ringing for the right people. The terminology is stupid considering you and I both know military codes better, but I bet someone will catch you up later."
The archangel nodded again, this time shifting his gaze around the room to take it all in once more, eyes resting on the neatly made bed for a moment. "Why is the abbreviation 'LDR' for this room?"
"It's short for 'Labor-Delivery-and Recovery', the full package suite, you start in here and are discharged from this room too. Vega had one of these, but it was booked up to eight months in advance oddly enough. There you would have been admitted to a delivery room, and then a few hours afterwards moved to a private recovery suite for as long as you needed. In this case, less moving and less stress, the giant tub over there has a solid cover that locks on so it makes for more table space as needed, or you can use it as you please. The room is entirely functional as everything but an operating room, which is down the hall actually if necessary."
Michael nodded again in understanding, puffing out a breath as his hand moved to his side instead of his back, pressing against where a foot was shoving back, funny how even a few days ago he couldn't tell a foot from a fist, and now knew exactly what he was feeling.
Roxi smiled, "Still really active huh?"
"Ridiculously,"
Audrey snorted loudly, "Oh don't get me started on that, Kate put me into false labor twice with how active she was."
That made Michael snort himself, "How about four active starts that each had to be medically stopped?"
She winced, humming in sympathy, "Ok yeah, you win that one...anyway...come sign this, you're agreeing that only the people you list, verbally or on paper will be allowed in the room, and you have full rights to have someone removed instantly."
"Including you?" Michael teased, earning a light sneer as Audrey passed him the pen when he came over.
"Yes including me you smart ass, you also need to pick one or two people to have the badges given to, they'll be the only ones with permission besides you to remove the baby from your room or the nursery other than medical staff. You don't have to decide now, but by the time you're admitted the doctors and your picks need to be informed."
"I can do so later this afternoon." He replied, signing off the names instantly and without hesitation, Roxi smiled as she read them upside down from where she was standing nearby.
Sgt. Alexander Lannon
Sgt. Noma Banks/SSGT. Katherine Anderson
Dr. Marci smirked, "Ok, pregnancy brain aside, she said two names, not three."
Michael nodded, "Sgt. Banks has requested to assist the nursing staff if she is physically able, the fracture in her arm may heal in time, but if not her name is first choice."
"With Katherine's being secondary," The doctor concluded, nodding as she picked up the paperwork, "That I can work with, let me get copies of these, and the other forms for you to take and fill out. Just have someone run them up here when they're done, no rush...unless you go into labor tonight so I suggest you at least read through them soon."
Shaking her hand as she left, Michael leaned back against the counter for a moment, rubbing at his side a little.
"You good for now or want to stop?" Audrey asked, crossing her arms casually over her blouse and blazer, while most of her outfit was professional, Michael could still see the mud stains on the bottom of her suit pants and her leather boots were completely coated. "I have one more room for you to see if you want."
He shrugged, "I'm fine, surprisingly not hungry, or I might be but-"
"There's not much room for food huh?"
"No, not at all."
Roxi chuckled, "You're measuring at thirty-two weeks, no more big meals for awhile now, remember how I said you were carrying high?"
"Yes."
"Well you're pretty normal by now and everything's pretty squished, welcome to the next two months of snacking every couple hours!"
Audrey laughed, "You sound way too enthusiastic for that."
"Meh...I try…"
Michael chuckled and stood up straight, pressing his hands against his spine to keep his balance.
And nearly fell forward when he hunched over.
"Oh god no…"
"Michael?! What's wrong…"
"Labor."
Roxi was counting something under her breath as she and Audrey made him back up to sit down on the stool the nurse yanked out from under the counter, Michael was more trying to remember her past lessons and how the hell to keep breathing.
"...eighteen...nineteen...twenty…"
With that the pain disappeared and Michael let out a breath he couldn't earlier as he looked up at Audrey in shock.
"All over or just one side?"
"What-"
"Answer me, pain all over like those false starts, or just one side like front or back?"
Michael had to think that through, still on edge, "For one thing those were not false starts at all, and another I...just my back...actually…"
She hummed, rubbing his shoulder gently as he leaned against her a little, "Welcome to Braxton-hicks contractions, totally normal and a total bitch. But that's a good thing in the long run."
"Hurts like hell."
Roxi snorted as she answered her beeping pager, "That's another good thing, some people don't even feel them so actual contractions go unnoticed for much longer. In your case, strong is great since that tells me the muscles are functioning well and you'll be well aware of actual labor starting. Anytime that happens, count and breathe through it, anything longer than 30 seconds, twice in and hour, or all over pain...you need to let someone know immediately. And sadly now if you'll excuse me...I have a new little boy to go see and care for. Good to see you Michael, I'll be around for your next appointment."
Xxx
Audrey's fiery smile didn't leave her face as she drove to the main lodge to meet up with Unit Six, nor for that matter did Michael want her to lose her good mood. Content to let the atmosphere remain light as he idly read through some of the paperwork. After Roxi had left, Audrey had stopped into an empty OR theater, showing Michael one of the possible rooms he might end up in if he had a C-section, honestly that was a very wise idea, seeing things ahead of time that is. Michael hadn't realized just how on edge he was until his mind got a chance to take it all in, once he'd gotten a sense of his soon to be surroundings, it was almost as if some of the weight on his chest had been removed, not a lot considering he'd gained over thirty extra centimeters around his waist line...
"Audrey."
"Yes dear?"
"Really?"
She cackled, smirking even wider without taking her eyes off the road, "Sorry, anyway what's up?"
"May I ask what you had for a birth plan?"
That earned a softer smirk, this one faintly reminiscent and lost in thought, "My original plan? Deliver Kate in a water birth and get to hold her in the water until she was ready to be moved. Reality was she came early and my labor was so fast they worried she might not start breathing on her own right away so I was on monitors the whole time, she was fine, came out screaming worse than a banshee…"
Michael nodded absently, letting his gaze drift out to the trees in thought.
"Michael?"
"Hmm?"
"May I make a suggestion for your plan though?"
"What?"
Audrey sighed a little, "For your safety, and the baby's, might I suggest you elect to wait...let the nurses take the baby immediately and wait to hold it for the first time until later. You've said stress has been a big issue, and labor is seriously traumatic, if there's a concern for bleeding, it might be wise to give both you and the baby a few minutes to settle down. Then baby is breathing and cleaner and more active, and you've gotten a chance to catch your breath and everyone will know that you are doing ok too."
He hesitated, but nodded, fully accepting the reasoning behind her idea, "That...would be wise...as would someone else cutting the cord."
"Think you're going to be too shaky?"
"I know I will, and I doubt I'll be able to let go at that point if I do."
"I can believe that." Audrey paused, glancing at his face, "Whatcha thinking?"
"That this is happening fast...went from barely discussing this with Dr. Rogers, to counting down the weeks after racing for my life...I don't know what to think."
Smiling, Audrey gave him a reassuring look, "I'm not surprised."
"You're not worried?"
"I'd be worried if you did know everything, I mean...hey you coached Charlie through delivering Alex, but assisting a birth and actually going through one is entirely different. The best laid plans can still go astray, but having an idea in place is better than winging it."
"Mhm...you mentioned supper?"
"Hungry?"
"A bit, but I was interested more in the timing, I would rather have this back to Dr. Marci sooner rather than later. I...just have a feeling it will be needed soon."
"Even if that's true, don't worry Michael, everything will be fine."
"I hope so...though I am not sure if I am more eager for this to be over...or to…"
"Or to what?"
"See him or her…and not on some screen."
She smiled again, "There is truly nothing like that first time Michael, you'll never forget it."
The archangel chuckled, "I doubt I will ever forget this."
Laughing, Audrey pulled the truck into the yard, then snorted at the sight of Unit Six's guys and Kate brawling on the grass while Noma was on the porch laughing, "I don't think you'll forget this either."
Michael huffed, "Unfortunately, it's all so normal the fights just blur together now...they were not chosen for their patience."
"Ah so that explains why Kate fits in so well."
Michael glanced at her briefly, turning back as Ethan yelped when Kate dragged him down again, "More than that…"
He didn't continue as he stepped down from the vehicle, grimacing at the strain in his legs that caused, if he wasn't careful the muscles would start cramping again as had become the habit every other night. By now Kate had been caught, and Connors and Alex were holding her upside down by her ankles while Ethan pinned her hands to her side and tried to get her gun belt off, and her knives…
Honestly, he didn't know what was funnier, the fact that the guys could safely hold her like that even with all her squirming, or that Kate had managed to be caught in the first place. Either way, he slowly climbed up the stairs to lean against one of the archway's columns, crossing his arms and letting them rest on his stomach. Now he was admitting to it…
Kate couldn't break out of the guys' hold, even when she managed to bite Ethan's arm when it got to close, he simply jumped back and moved behind her, pinning her arms that way and out of range of teeth.
Audrey was chuckling as she joined the archangel, helping Noma up as the sergeant struggled to speak, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Noma?"
"Yeah...boss…?"
"Are you alright?"
"I...I...I can't breathe!"
"Oh?"
The Lady of the Ridge shook her head, pulling a small flat device out of her pocket, "She's laughing too hard."
Michael snorted, watching Kate buck again and nearly shake out of Alex's grip, if she did-she'd be free...and would fall head first to the ground…
"Oh man I wish I had a camera!"
Now that Michael agreed with, humming softly in response as Noma groaned in complaint.
"No worries, I gotcha." Audrey replied, already snapping pictures with the black device in her hand.
"How in the world do you still have a cell phone?"
"A what?"
Michael shook his head at Noma, staring at the touch-screen as Audrey bit her lip so her laughter didn't shake the device.
"Had it years ago, the towers and satellites obviously don't work, but the camera function does, just gotta hook it up to a computer and pull the pictures off. Hey guys! Smile!"
All three obediently did so, Ethan going so far as to let go of Kate's arms and peek through her legs cheekily, the next picture was perfectly timed as Kate put her hands on the ground when Alex and Connors released her, jumping back as her legs clamped on Ethan's neck and she twisted down.
His impact was rather impressive…
"Tada!"
Alex high-fived her when she bounced to her feet, laughing as Ethan just groaned when Connors tried to pull him up, instead going completely limp.
"Ow…"
Noma whistled, "Can we say Kate is part of Unit Six now? Please?"
Michael chuckled, "Sure why not."
Cheering stupidly, Alex grabbed Kate in a hug and spun her around, making his mentor sigh in a mix between amusement and resignation. But Michael was smiling as the four of them went right back to being total idiots, now their sparring morphed into tackle-tag, not that anyone could catch Kate except maybe Ethan…
Until they ganged up on her, then she was caught again in a flash and pinned between them.
"Tada right back atcha! Welcome to Unit Sex-I mean SIX...shit…"
Now Michael truly laughed, shaking his head a little as Audrey nudged Noma to join her unit mates, "C'mon guys, hold still for a second!"
They tried to form up, failing miserably when someone poked someone else and started a tickle poking contest.
Alex huffed loudly, squirming out of Ethan's reach after a minute, "Michael! Get over here!"
"Why?"
"Uh duh...you're part of this too…"
"Please?...Pretty please?"
"The physical appearance of the please makes no difference." Michael replied, but did start moving down the stairs slowly. It took his unit about ten seconds to catch up, and then completely lost it, howling to the point they all were just about in tears.
"An...an archangel...who quotes...Despic-able...Me…best job ever!" Kate shrieked, rolling on the ground for another minute. Michael halfway ignored them, pressing his hands against his spine as a counterbalance now that he didn't have the column to lean against.
By the time the five soldiers settled down, the archangel was glad he could lean on them for this, Connors and Ethan right at his sides with their arms behind his back as he held onto the shoulders. Kate and Noma were on either end while Alex went down on one knee in front.
Audrey laughed, "Alright...going to take two shots so...One...Two...Three!"
"I think I blinked." Connors griped, earning a chuckle from Michael as he remained looking at Audrey on the steps, she gave them a thumbs up briefly, chuckling to herself and having to pause a moment.
"Ok! Last one...One...Two...Three!"
Michael wouldn't see either photo for several weeks, and that way he couldn't demand a redo. While the first one was fine, the soldiers standing nicely with him and smiling professionally...the second…
They had to have planned this, and their barely bit back sniggering would make a lot more sense once Michael saw the photo. Same line up with Connors and Ethan on either side of the archangel, but while Michael's expression hadn't changed from a relaxed grin, All five soldiers looked decidedly excited and happy. And all were pointing at Michael's still growing baby bump.
He would later smack them all for it...but for right now it was a pleasant surprise he would never see coming.
Xxx
"Ok so...who wants what for supper, I didn't exactly plan this out." Audrey remarked as she walked alongside Michael into the lodge, arms wrapped casually around each other's shoulders.
"Good going mom."
"And for that you get to do the dishes."
"Aw!"
The archangel chuckled softly, lightly rubbing the woman's...his friend's...shoulder as she turned to gripe at her daughter again, earning a soft hum as Audrey relaxed back against his side, arm lightly squeezing him. Jeep was already in the kitchen waiting for them...with Morgana who yipped as she saw Michael and bounced up from hiding beneath the counter. Moving to one of the island stools, Michael let her shove her head against his hand, ruffling her soft fur while the soldiers filed in relatively well behaved for once, even though immediately both girls and Ethan hopped up on a counter.
Only Ethan was smacked to get down.
"How about...hmm I've got a bunch of salads in here...some soups...oh hey there's that sandwich…"
Jeep chuckled, "Do you want me to cook?"
"No!"
Michael wasn't sure what was funnier-Noma's, Connors', and Ethan's mutual confusion...or Audrey's, Kate's, Alex's, and Michael's sharp denial.
"Hey! That was uncalled for, especially from all of you."
The archangel ignored how the man's gaze settled on him last, snorting in amusement as he caught the water glass Alex slid to him when the blonde had gotten drinks for everyone else, alcoholic for all but Michael. "Jeep, you can burn water...I'd rather not get sick off of your cooking, I've done enough of that as it is."
"What, getting sick or food poisoning from Jeep?" Audrey sassed, still half buried in the fridge as she pulled out random containers and passed them to her impromptu assistant aka Connors.
"Both."
Alex paused, leaning on the island in confusion, "Ok...how in the hell did you get sick from his cooking?"
"I made the mistake of eating it when you were younger, to this day I still can't eat parmesan cheese without wanting to throw up."
"Ha! So even archangel iron stomachs aren't invincible."
"Audrey."
"Yes?"
"Do you ever shut up?"
"Nope!"
Michael sighed, rubbing at his eyes but not in frustration, an amused grin stretching across his face without him doing so intentionally.
The Lady chuckled, "Looks like leftovers it is…"
"Oh hey! Gimme that!"
Alex passed Kate a large bowl obediently, snagging a different one after Audrey opened it to inspect the contents, the blonde was content to move to another corner of the kitchen and devour the...oh...now Michael understood why he was guarding it. The Chosen One loved cold spaghetti.
And Michael had absolutely no idea why, nor a single desire to compete for the leftovers. Especially since he could see something else that would taste better as Audrey continued sorting through the massive refrigerator.
"Mm! Man you've got to try this!"
Noma chuckled as she grabbed a piece out of Kate's bowl, popped something red into her mouth, and just about melted as she chewed.
"Oh wow! This is amazing!"
"Can I try?"
Kate passed the bowl to Ethan, sighing dramatically as she did so, she did however laugh as he hummed in appreciation, sliding the bowl down the island for Connors to try as well.
"What is in this glaze?"
"You'll never guess," Kate replied, snagging another piece before shoving the container back to her mom. Michael still had no idea what it was as the bowl was passed to Alex and Jeep by Audrey briefly before the Lady of the Ridge finally slid the bowl to Michael.
"NO!"
So...it was amusing that in the process of trying to jump at him, Ethan slipped and fell to the floor, hand snagging the offending bowl and sending it shooting back down the island at Connors who luckily caught it.
It was not amusing that the brief four or five seconds the vessel had been in front of Michael was all it took to ruin his good afternoon as he gagged.
The archangel was on his feet and out the back door before Audrey could even ask what was going on, let alone ask why simple fruit salad had just about made Michael turn fifty shades of green.
Xxx
Alex lunged out the back door, not even caring whether or not his half throwing the spaghetti bowl actually succeeded in it landing upright on the counter. Michael as already at the deck railing, partially hunched over and struggling to breathe as Connors followed half a second behind him. The archangel gratefully let them take over in keeping him upright, still heaving for air as one of his hands now moved to his stomach.
The low moan that slid from his throat didn't sound as bad as some he'd let out before, but Alex still didn't let go, gently rubbing his mentor's back when he leaned into his touch.
"You ok?"
Michael nodded a little, "I...think so...just the smell got to me…"
Connors grunted, "The glaze is fruit based too, took me a bit to recognize it, damn I should have grabbed that faster."
"Not your fault…" Michael muttered, squeezing his eyes shut, Alex could just about see the nausea still threatening to break his control, "I didn't exactly tell Audrey-"
"Tell me what? Michael honey are you ok?"
He let out a soft noise instead of responding, nor did Alex move as Audrey and Noma stepped outside as well after turning off the deck light so it didn't bother the archangel more. Cast in shadows, Michael didn't look much better, but he had stopped squinting at least.
"Michael hasn't been able to eat any kind of fruit for months now, makes him sick the point we've almost hospitalized him a couple times." Noma explained, standing off to the side slightly as Alex helped Michael straighten up a little.
"Oh sweetie...no wonder, I'm so sorry."
The fact that Michael was able to nod in response when he looked up meant he wasn't as bad as he seemed, still uneasy though as he didn't turn around just in case, "Not your fault...I should have asked what was in the bowl before you passed it."
"Yes, but I should have known there had to be something that would make you sick like that, happens to everyone, and I still vividly remember putting people through hell over tomatoes." Audrey's remark earned a faint chuckle, "But still, are you ok? I know the boys here can move the couches if you want to lie down for a bit."
"No...I'm fine...I need to eat...just not that salad."
Alex relaxed a little as Michael managed to chuckle a little with that last bit, a bare grin sliding over his face and replacing the green tint.
"Ok then, come sit in the living room, I don't want to risk any smell still being in the kitchen and I'm not sure what's in the rest of the bowls."
Xxx
"So Alex and I get the other badges then?" Noma asked, sitting curled up next to Michael on the couch, picking at her plate of leftover spaghetti she'd managed to steal from Alex.
"Mhm." Michael swallowed his mouthful of lasagna, "Pending your cast change in a few weeks, if you're on the medical staff it won't matter for you anyway, Kate steps in in that case."
"Oh cool, thanks."
The archangel nodded, glancing habitually at the rest of his unit, Alex wasn't paying any attention except to his food, Connors was just as content, but Ethan had a weird look on his face.
"What?"
He shook his head a little, "How come new chick gets first dibs on holding the baby?"
Michael scoffed, "Since when have you retracted your statement that handing you anything younger than an eight year old is a good idea?"
Ethan smirked, "I'm not! Just asking! Me and kids are a bad idea, but hey why not Connors."
The red-headed soldier chuckled, sipping at his beer, "Because I asked not to ever be on that list, I'm better with bullets than babies. Besides, someone's gotta be the bouncer at the door."
Kate chuckled, "You guys are missing out, kids are awesome."
Audrey snorted, "As if you would know."
Alex set down his plate, "Ok, I'm going to the rude one this time and mention the elephant in the room…'specially Audrey since you said there's no law and Connors couldn't stop staring all afternoon."
"I was not!"
Noma choked on her food, "You were too! Totally got the hots for Jess and everyone knows it."
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh!"
"Sergeants."
"Sorry boss…"
The chosen one nodded gratefully to his mentor, glancing at Kate again, "Ok you and I talked for what...an hour about Nephilim…"
"Yeah?"
"And you're dating the Devil?"
Michael growled, "Alex!"
Jeep held up a hand, eyes narrowing slightly so Michael would settle back against the couch cushions after sitting up abruptly.
Kate huffed, "What's it been now...three years ago, yeah Alex you're right that would be a problem. That's why Luc never responded to me literally hanging off him. Then I went to Vega…"
"The stabbing." Noma muttered, already catching on, Michael was two seconds behind her as Audrey stiffened up.
"Exactly," Kate nodded, "The blade was tainted, the poison got in my bloodstream and by the time I got back to Red Ridge the infection had started up again. I'll never have kids, like at all there's nothing internal anymore….well...ok sex is still on the table but-"
Audrey clapped her hands, "Yeah no, not listening to this part, you're still my daughter and I can still rip Lucifer's balls off if he even thinks about it. You remember our agreement."
"No fun time until there's a ring…" Kate moaned.
"And?"
"And a ceremony...dammit…"
The Lady of the Ridge, huffed, leaning back in her chair satisfied, though Michael could still see the drifting of worry in her eyes, the parental drive to always protect.
Connors cleared his throat, "Ok so that just simplified life for you two, but c'mon Nomes, me and Jess?"
Finally Jeep spoke, "It doesn't work in reverse, she'll never get pregnant."
"What?"
The former prophet shifted in his chair, rubbing at his eyes like both Alex and Michael had seen him do when he was frustrated with the tattoos.
"...And the Sons of God lay with the Daughters of Men, who bore them great offspring of great power and beauty, to that which rivaled-"
"-even the stars and the moon and the sun, for they were the Nephilim, the monsters of the angels The forbidden gift." Alex finished, staring blankly at the floor.
Jeep nodded, glancing at Alex as he spoke, "Pretty much, found that in some history book years ago, but I have never found where a female angel has bore a child, celestial birth control if you will, anyway...Alex?"
Alex was still staring at the floor, completely spaced out, even when Ethan waved a hand in front of his face. Jeep stood up and almost grabbed his shoulder, if it weren't for Noma stopping him.
"The tattoos burn people if they're not careful."
Nodding, Jeep crouched in front of Alex anyway, hands lightly resting on his shoulders as he tried to catch his adopted son's focus, when nothing happened, he lightly tapped Alex's cheek before snapping at him.
Michael wanted to kick himself for not being able to understand the Hebrew, but still sat up a bit more as Alex blinked dazedly, finally looking directly at Jeep.
Again the man spoke in Hebrew, only this time Alex's blinking lead him to focus, actually shaking his head to clear it, "What?"
"Couldn't understand me?"
"Not a bit."
"Good," Jeep stood back up, clapping Alex's shoulder reassuringly, "Those damn things have a tendency to get you stuck in your mind, get too far and you'll pull at memories to compensate and it's almost like a...a switch being flipped, you forget something so basic...like English, and replace it with something else entirely. Hebrew seemed to be my standard...Audrey's had to snap me out of it before."
She snorted, "Only because you walking around, drunk out of your mind, and muttering in another language was driving me nuts. Though in hindsight, knocking you out with the frying pan might not have been the best way to handle the first time you snapped."
Michael chuckled softly, looking Alex over and catching his gaze, the soldier nodded slightly when the archangel's eyebrow rose in question, he was alright...mostly…
"That's not the worst to happen," Alex muttered, rubbing at his eyes, "But I'm not looking forward to the headache later."
"You've been getting those too?" Jeep asked.
"Yeah," Alex groaned softly, "Off and on depending on what I've done, visions are the worst, but even just zoning out, tattoos or not, I get headaches within a couple hours."
Now Michael grimaced in sympathy, wishing there was something he could do to ease Alex's pain, not that there was anything, but it made it easier that Alex wasn't complaining about things, just stating facts like he had accepted things a long time ago.
He truly was the Chosen One if he could handle this…
Then again, Michael thought to himself, throw in the archangel and everything...wasn't exactly easy for Alex to fulfill his 'destiny' or whatever at this point...nor was Michael entirely sure just what he was supposed to do.
In all the centuries and throughout all his traveling...Michael had never seen a book or scroll or anything…
No one had ever written a manual on "How To: Save Mankind in Ten Easy Steps."
Xxx
Alex glanced over at Michael in the passenger seat as the blonde drove back to their cabin, for once he wasn't thrown into a flashback or put on edge at the sight of the archangel slumped against the window as he slept. This time, the breathing Alex heard was deep and peaceful, not gasping and forced, throw in Michael's abdomen wasn't bleeding...it was much easier to drive than the last time the two had been like this.
Shouldn't really surprise Alex his mentor had gone out already, considering the last two weeks had been rather dull (or as dull as the days could be with a pregnant archangel) today had been long and busy. Throw in Alex was pretty certain Michael had been seriously coming off of some let down of relief by late evening, the archangel had hit his limit for sure when Cassiel had stopped in with a small folder. She'd handed it to her brother in trade for the paperwork Michael had completed after eating, leaving with a knowing smile and nothing else while Michael had dug into the small pocket.
Apparently Kate's information about the keepsake tradition had been extremely vague, it wasn't just a print out of an ultrasound image. Michael pulled out a pocket watch on a chain, the inside cover holding the picture. Audrey had explained that was only because everyone got lockets, and it was agreed unspoken that might not have been the wisest choice in this case.
After allowing it to be passed around, and for Connors and Ethan to actually look at the image considering they nor Jeep and Kate had seen the unborn baby yet, (Audrey had been the one to pick the final print out, having to choose the best angle that also gave the most clarity) Michael hadn't let go of the watch the rest of the night. Even now Alex bit back a chuckle at how Michael's hands were placed, one in a loose fist to hold the keepsake, while the other was splayed out around his middle, likely feeling the kicking without waking up.
Eight weeks to go...they could totally do this...
Review Please!
Tada! Hey if you guys ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me and ask! I love chatting with readers!
Wow long chapter...my bad...
