The Child

Chapter 3-Pregnant?

Disclaimer: no jokes today. Sorry. The characters aren't mine, they are Tammy's.

A/N: before I start I'd like to just take time to talk to my reviewers. Unless you reviewed my story you can just skip this unless you're curious. Oh and if you just recently reviewed, it may not have shown up yet but I'll probably talk to you in the next chapter, so don't feel left out! :)

*Twinny: I know. . .much ikyness! And look! I'm writing more! Yay! Heehehehehe

*Googlepuss: yes, Alanna heard her scream, Thank you very much!, yeppers, Kel gets pregnant and you'll find out what it is in this chapter. . .i think.

*The Dark Angel Adrienne: good idea! *stocks up on grenades* thanks!

*Angel of the Storms: do they have Hell in the Black God's realms? And is that even where dead immortals go? Well, even if they don't, I agree with you!

*Karina: heh heh heh. . .*evil laughter* Cleon's reaction. . .mwahaha! (actually it's not that bad. . .i think. I haven't written it yet :P)

*LadyKnight: yay!!! *helps with some of her grenades*

*Rizka: yay! I got a long review! *feels special* hehehehe

*mandy: thanks!

*No Name: thanks! And it may take a while to finish it cuz I'm making a spin-off series about Kel's child *evil smile*

*jesusfreak7777777: yes Cleon shows up. Probably in the next chapter though…

okay now, down to business! I bet you can't guess what happens in THIS chapter! *rolls eyes*

Two days later, Kel had left the infirmary, but she was as jumpy as a rabbit. Alanna had concluded that only other girls could touch Kel without sending her into hysterics. And even then, girls who Kel didn't know well also got her stiff. At least she could be in the same room as men. They just couldn't touch her...

*~*~*

Kel had been eating the strangest food lately. Her favorite meal these days was cold jam on raw fish with warm milk on the side. Owen turned a nasty shade of green when he watched her eat that. "And she wonders why she's throwing up all morning," he mumbled to Neal one night.

"She's what?" he asked.

"Yeah, I can hear her all the way down the hall in my room! Vomiting from sun up to first morning bell." Owen left the table to clear his plate. He couldn't stand to see Kel eat fish and jam.

Neal bit his lip and watched Kel scarf her odd meal down. Normally he also couldn't stand to watch this, but after Owen said she threw up every day, Neal began to wonder…

"Kel?" he asked politely while she was in between bites.

She glanced up at him. "Hmm?"

"Can I check something?" When she nodded he moved to touch her. She jumped up and took a few steps back. "Kel, I really need to see something and I'm going to have to touch you," Neal said firmly, but kindly.

Kel was shaking slightly. "Does it have to be you?" she whispered.

Neal thought for a moment. "Well...no. I suppose Lady Alanna could—"

Kel cut him off. "Ask her to do it," she said quickly.

Neal sighed but nodded and led her to Lady Alanna's chambers. He knocked on her door. "Lady Alanna?" Neal called. "Please open the door. It's Neal and Kel. I want you to check something."

Alanna opened the door quickly, her violet eyes filled with worry. "What is it?" she asked, letting the two young knights pass. "Is something wrong, Kel?"

Kel shrugged. "Neal wants to see something but he has to touch me. I asked if you'd do it for him."

Alanna nodded and turned to Neal. "What is it?"

Neal glanced at Alanna then motioned her to follow him to the other side of the room so Kel couldn't hear. "Kel, I'd like to speak with the Lioness along first, okay?" Kel only shrugged, her face Yamani-blank. When Alanna and Neal were out of hearing distance if they whispered from Kel, Neal sighed and whispered "I think—I think that Kel is...pregnant."

Alanna's jaw dropped and she stared at Neal. Then she glanced at Kel, then back to Neal. "Are you sure?" she whispered back.

"I don't know! I think so...She's been eating really strange things lately. Things she either has never liked before, or things that just should never be combined. I remember when my mother was pregnant with my little sister she ate strange things too. And my mother also threw up all mornings. Owen of Jesslaw tells me he hears Kel throwing up in the mornings too. That's all I have to think she's pregnant but...I just have a feeling..."

Alanna nodded. "Kel?" she called. When Kel looked up from a book she was skimming through Alanna motioned for her to lay on the bed. Kel did so, however slowly. "This won't hurt," Alanna told Kel softly. Neal stood at the foot of the bed while Alanna stood next to Kel. Alanna placed purple-glowing hands on Kel's abdomen. Kel's whole body began to glow a soft tinge of purple. Kel's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't move. Alanna was right—it didn't hurt.

Alanna pulled her hands away. All purple light vanished from the room. She closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them she nodded slowly to Neal. Now it was Neal's turn to close his eyes and hang his head.

Now Kel looked worried. "What is it? What's wrong with me?"

Alanna chuckled and scratched her head. "It's not wrong precisely..." she started. Neal still had his eyes shut tight. "Kel, you're...Now, this will come as a shock. I already know you won't be too happy...Kel. You are pregnant."

The color drained out of Kel's face like water going down a drain. She stuttered, "I—I'm—what?"

"Pregnant," Neal and Alanna said together.

"No..." Kel said quietly. She got louder. "No, no, no, NO!" she screamed. "This isn't right! It's not possible!! I have a charm to ward off pregnancy!" She touched her neck. It was bare.

The centaur proceeded to rip off her tunic and shirt. Something fell away from Kel's neck.

"NO!!" she screamed again. She started to cry once more.

"Kel, Kel! KEL!" Alanna was trying to make her quiet down. "Shhh! Kel, it's okay! Kel!" A few minuets later Kel was reduced to sobs, but now she was livid.

"Get rid of it!" she said quietly, coldly. The look in her eyes made Neal take a step back.

Alanna bit her lip and didn't meet Kel's face. "I can't," she said just as quiet as Kel.

Kel's eyes flashed. "What do you mean you can't?! You have to! I know there is a spell that induces a miscarriage! I want it! Please?" Her eyes filled with tears and her lower lip trembled.

Alanna shook her head sadly. "The child is a centaur. An immortal. The spell you speak of would only kill you. I've seen that happen. I'm sorry Kel."

Kel, her chin quivering, got off the bed and ran from the room. She passed a long staircase. I wonder what would happen... she thought, walking to the edge of the top stair. She braced herself on either side of the railings. About to take a step off onto nothing, someone grabbed her around the waist.

She shrieked. Not only was the grabber male, it was the same way the centaur had grabbed her. When he let go she stopped screaming. She was yards away from the staircase, lying on the solid floor. A man leaned over her, worry in his green eyes. It was Neal.

"You didn't want to do that Kel." He said harshly. The tone of his voice kept Kel from arguing. He leaned back on his heals, giving her a chance to sit up. She struggled to keep her face Yamani-smooth, but sat up and calmly walked back to her own room.

A/N: the end! Of that chapter anyway. I didn't like this chapter so much. . .you can agree or disagree by clicking that lovely blue box down to your left. Yes. . .that's the one. Go ahead. Click it. I won't stop you!

PS it may take a while to get the next chapter up, just be patient.