When All Is Lost…

Chapter Eleven

"Wakey wakey."

Jess frowned and moved in closer to Quatre, drifting back off to sleep. She was warm, content and sleeping peacefully - was; why was a figment of her imagination telling her to 'wakey wakey'. Best to simply ignore it and go back to sleep. Besides, she'd spent the previous night alone. And it had made her realize how much she had grown used to sharing a bed with Quatre; that and she enjoyed falling asleep in his arms. She turned slightly, feeling her hips go over the edge of something. She was just opening her eyes to see when she fell off the couch with a loud thud, banging against something.

"Careful; almost spilled the wine." There came the sound joints popping softly.

"Let them sleep in peace."

"But Hee-chan, I come and find them sleeping together on the couch."

"At least that's all they were doing." Heero's reply was its usual monotone.

"Is that my merlot?!" Wufei's voice sounded outraged.

Jess opened her eyes, blinking rapidly to clear them. Her vision was still bleary, but she could see Quatre now sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Wufei was holding the bottle of wine with a faint look of loss in his face, while Heero simply stood and watched the spectacle unfold. And crouched down right in front of her was Duo.

"Duo!!" she squealed as she threw herself forward and hugged him tightly.

"Ack!" Duo gasped as he tried to pry Jess' arms off. "Need…to…breathe!"

"Just where have you been?" Jess demanded as she let him go. "Do you realize that you said two weeks and it's almost been five months; five whole freakin' months!"

"Um…I brought you stuff?" Duo offered.

"I'll take it, but it's not getting you off the hook." Jess crossed her arms. "You'd better start talking. Hope you have a damned good explanation and I don't want to hear a single thing about the flooding. Start talking buddy."

Duo's face was now pale as his mouth worked, trying to say something. Jess looked at him expectantly, repressing the laughter at his expression; he looked like a fish that had been thrown on land and was trying to flop back into the water.

"Jess," Quatre murmured as he leaned forward to talk gently in her ear. "I'm sure Duo has a perfectly reasonable explanation, but he just got back and would probably like a moment to settle in."

"All right, all right," Jess grumbled.

Duo looked relieved. He stood back up, running a finger around his collar as if it was suddenly too tight.

"Nice dinner." Heero said as he came back out from the kitchen.

Wufei, who was still mourning the wine, looked up at Heero's words before he promptly went into the kitchen. He came back out a few minutes later, his face flushed as he tried to think of what to say first.

"First my wine, then my silverware and then the linen. Winner, just what the hell did you two do for that week?!" Wufei demanded.

"We had dinner last night," Quatre said with a slight shrug. "We managed to keep ourselves occupied for the week. Oh, I hope you brought groceries with you. The fridge is almost empty."

"You cleared out the fridge?" Jess giggled as she turned around and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Nice one." She could have burst out laughing at the worried look in Duo's eyes.

"Don't you encourage him" Wufei scowled. "My good merlot…" he disappeared back into the kitchen.

"So Duo," Jess said as she hoisted herself back up onto the couch. "I'm-"

"Just how occupied did you two keep yourselves?" Duo asked.

"Well enough," Jess replied easily. "Where's my explanation?"

"Hey, did I tell you that Hee-chan is my good buddy now?" Duo said.

Jess snorted. "Must be; you called him 'Hee-chan' and you're still alive."

"So I push my luck." Duo shrugged with a grin.

"Speaking of which," Jess said with an impatient glare.

"All right, all right," Duo said as he came and sat on the arm of the couch. "I know I'm two weeks overdue; but that sonofabitch is hard to tack down."

Jess' brow furrowed slightly. "He gave you the slip?"

"Yeah," Duo's expression was a bit glum. "I caught up to him after picking up the trail in Kavacha. He led me on a merry chase through Russia and most of Europe. I lost him in Budapest."

"And called me in a panic," there was a slightly amused tone in Heero's voice, as he spoke. "Screeching like a trapped bird at the top of his lungs."

"Quit it Hee-chan!" Duo whined plaintively. "Anyways, Heero told me he was in Prague and from the on, it was me catching up with him. He's pretty slippery."

"Where did you catch up with him?" Jess asked.

"Scotland; it's very nice up the Highlands actually."

"I see." Jess murmured.

"So, being the nice fellow that I am, I took him up into the mountains. Some very nice scenery there; you should go someday."

"You took the bastard to see mountain scenery?" Jess choked out as her face flushed with rage.

"Yeah, I did," Duo glanced at Quatre who had taken Jess' hands in his; one bullet dodged there. "But I came back alone though. I did warn him about those mountain paths. And those drops…easy to fall off. I said it would be a real shame if he fell. He'd break his neck, kill himself and no one would find the body for a good many years. Imagine a kid running into the nearest town saying that his friend fell and he thinks he's dead. It made its way into the newspaper in Aberdeen. Tragic death and all…"

Jess didn't say anything as she stared at Duo for a few minutes. She moved closer to him and hugged him tightly, exhaling a deep sigh of relief. She drew back after a few moments. "So, did you see anything interesting on your trip?"

~*~

The early morning sun couldn't be seen, but the light was shining from the horizon, tinting the sky a pale orange yellow. It could be barely seen by the thick clouds that passed by in large clumps. Jess yawned as she pulled the blanket closer around her and cradled the mug of hot chocolate in her hands. It was almost five thirty in the morning and she was restless. Perhaps it was because Quatre wasn't sharing a bed with her.

She frowned as she took a sip. She knew her brother meant well, but he could start to pose a small problem. But Quatre didn't want to get Duo worked up and so he had gone back to his own bed; though she could see the reluctance in his eyes.

"That would be a sight," she chuckled to herself. "If Duo caught me and Quatre in the same bed."

She chuckled at the image before her mind drifted back to the yesterday. She had spent almost all day talk with Duo. Wufei had roped Heero and Quatre in helping him put back the silverware and linens. And just when they thought they had escaped, Wufei saw the truck; that had occupied the rest of the afternoon, which left her in Duo's company for the rest of the day.

A creak sounded from behind her. She looked back to see Heero coming outside. She gestured to the empty chair before taking a sip of the hot chocolate. They didn't say anything, gazing out at the mist shrouded hills and valleys.

"Does he ever shut up?" Heero asked suddenly, looking at her.

Jess blinked, startled for a moment. "Usually when he's eating or asleep…and that's if you're lucky. Otherwise, I don't know."

"Hn," his gaze returned to the landscape.

"If you don't mind me asking Heero," Jess said after a few moments. "Why did you come back with my brother?"

Heero didn't respond but Jess caught a faint flush in his face before it vanished away. Her brow furrowed slightly before she brushed it off as her imagination. Not much point in pressing it any further. They simply sat there in silence, enjoying the view. When she heard another creak, she glanced at her watch; six thirty.

"Morning Jess, morning Hee-chan." Duo's cheery voice greeted them as he came and plopped himself down in seat. "Nice day so far, huh?"

"It is," Jess said slowly. "You're awfully cheery at this godforsaken time of the morning."

"Best night ever!" Duo said. "I slept like a rock!"

"Well, at least some of us slept." Jess murmured.

"You didn't?" Duo looked at her surprised.

"No. I was up almost all night. I think got about four hours sleep, five if I'm lucky." Jess took a sip of the warm liquid. "I went to the living room so I wouldn't wake Quatre up with me walking around. The walls are kinda thin and the floors creak."

"Um, speaking of which," Duo scratched the back of his head. "Since when?"

"Since when what?" Jess asked as she took another sip; she knew perfectly well what he meant, but maybe she could get what she needed from this. And what Quatre wanted.

Duo scowled slightly. "Since when have you two been sleeping together? In the same bed." He quickly amended.

"What does it matter?" Jess asked with a shrug. "Like Heero said yesterday, be glad all we're doing is sleeping. I mean, it's not like we're having-"

"Stop right there! You made your point," Duo said. "There're some things a guy doesn't need to hear about his sister."

"All right, you broached the subject though." Jess murmured with a shrug.

"Don't remind me," Duo sighed. "Well, so long as you're only sleeping…"

"Just stick with that. I get the feeling that will help you sleep better at night." Jess looked into her mug. "Does that mean you don't mind if me and him share the same bed?"

"Well, I don't mind," Duo said. "So long as all you two do is sleep!" he waggled a finger in admonition. "I don't need to be worried about you and him…I think I'll stop right there."

Jess giggled. "Thanks Duo. I'll make sure to tell Quatre when he wakes up. I don't want to go to his room and wake him up."

"Wait, wait," Duo looked at her. "You mean you two didn't share a bed last night?"

"No," Jess looked at him innocently. "He slept in his own room last night. He didn't want to upset you. But now I can tell him that you have no problem with it."

Jess grinned impishly as Duo sank into the seat with a groan. She caught Heero glancing between the two of them before he looked back out at the landscape; it was as if there was amusement in his eyes. Jess smiled as she looked back out over the land as well too. The sun was starting to rise into the sky, shafts of light dancing down onto the rice paddies below. The stillness was broken yet again by the sound of another pair of feet that Jess recognized as Quatre's.

"Morning Jess," he said as he came and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Morning Duo, morning Heero."

"Morning Q-kun," Jess said after Duo and Heero had replied. "Guess what?"

"What?" Quatre sat in the seat beside her.

"Duo doesn't mind if we share the same bed."

Quatre looked between her and Duo, unsure of what to say. Duo sighed as he rested his elbow on the table.

"Yeah, she got it out of me before I even realized it. You were too good at that Jess."

She simply smiled slightly, sipping her hot chocolate innocently. "So, did you sleep well?" she looked at Quatre.

"As well as could be expected," He said. "Oh, before I forget."

Jess watched as he dug into his pocket and drew out a necklace; her necklace. "Is that-"

"It is. Here, I'll put it on for you." He said.

Jess smiled as she brushed her hair aside and let Quatre reattach the necklace. She smiled, holding the amber spider in the palm of her hand. "I was wondering where this disappeared to."

He smiled. "I kept it for you."

She smiled. "Thank you." She kissed him on the cheek and took his hand, lacing their fingers.

The silence returned, but didn't last very long as another set of feet came out onto the porch.

"Did no one hear the knock at the door?" Wufei asked as he stepped outside with a yawn.

"Obviously Wu-man," Duo said. "Otherwise, one of us would have answered it."

Wufei blinked for a moment at the sense of Duo's reply. "Sally's here."

He promptly turned around and walked back into the house, a door shutting loudly behind him. Jess sighed as she rose, folded the blanket and started back inside, the cane thumping as she went. Sally was there, setting up some things in the living room when Jess walked in. But there was one thing that drew her attention.

"Uh uh, forget it." She muttered as she turned around, bumping squarely into Quatre.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, peering past her to wave at Sally.

"Is there a problem?" Sally asked coming over. "Everything's ready over there."

"That massive thing's a needle?!" Jess pointed an accusatory finger at the syringe lying on the table. "What's that abomination for?!"

"For the amniocentesis," Sally said as she patted her arm. "It's a simple procedure with no pain at all. With all the injuries you took the stomach, I want to make sure that nothing is wrong with the foetus. You are under twenty and that can pose problems sometimes. And I doubt you were eating right when this child was conceived. Plus, with no father around, and no parents for you, we won't know if there's a risk for a genetic defect."

Jess scowled at her. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but what if you…stab the baby? By accident?"

"It is a risk," Sally looked at her stomach. "But with no ultrasound out here, I'll have to chance it."

"But with no ultrasound, how will you know where the baby is?" Jess asked.

"I did study a bit of midwifery. Never thought I would have to use it. I can feel for where the baby is and insert the needle away from it."

"See, there's that part again, where the needle goes in." Jess paused as she realized something. "Oh crap."

"What?" Sally asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"I drank wine. You're not supposed to do that when you're pregnant, are you?"

"How much did you drink?" Sally asked, holding onto the stethoscope around her neck.

"A glass; not even." Jess said quietly. "I can't believe I didn't think of that."

"I should have. I opened the wine." Quatre murmured.

"A glass won't do that much damage," Sally said, turning her head slightly, still looking at Jess' stomach. "But don't touch it again, understand?"

Jess nodded. "Is there a reason why you're looking at me like that?"

Sally frowned. "It doesn't even really look like you're pregnant. And you're near the end of the second trimester."

"Lucky?" Jess offered. "Are you sure you can't hurt the baby?"

Sally nodded her head as she guided Jess to the high back chair and made her sit down. "The baby's is about four and a half inches long at this point. So if you would sit in that chair," she pointed to the chair pulled from the kitchen and placed in front of the table. "I can get started."

Jess didn't say anything as she walked over to the chair and sat down a bit stiffly, holding onto her cane so tightly that her knuckles were white. She sat there, staring stonily at the wall as Sally poked, prodded, depressed and inspected everything she possibly could. When sally finally stopped and picked up a clipboard and started scribbling on it quickly, she glanced at Quatre. He gave her a smile that she returned a bit hesitantly. Quatre walked over and crouched down in front of her.

"It would be best if you did this," he said quietly. "For you and the baby; I don't want anything happening to either of you."

"You just had to go right there; you're blocking off my escape route." She tried to scowl at him, but it ended up as a nervous, wavering smile. "Just…don't go all right?"

"I won't," he murmured, taking her hand and standing up.

"All right then," Sally came over, carrying a small machine with a screen. "I'm just going to do a quick ultrasound to make sure, all right?"

Jess nodded and raised her shirt up. Even she was surprised to see her stomach for some reason. It was bulging, but not so much that it made her pants uncomfortable. She glanced at Quatre with mildly pleased surprise; she didn't even notice that it had changed that much. Maybe it was because she tended to wear t-shirts a bit too big for her.

Sally flicked on the machine and ran the small plastic end over her stomach. Chaotic black, grey and white images ran over the screen, but the must have made sense to Sally who was looking at them intently. After a few minutes, Sally stopped, and a mass of white and grey visible against the black screen.

"Good," she briskly flipped the machine off and placed it back in her bag. Then she plucked something from the table and held it up. She was holding a small jar. "I'm going to deaden the area of feeling with a topical anaesthetic first, and then the amniocentesis. I'm going to need you to raise your shirt a bit."

Jess swallowed and raised her shirt up. Even she was surprised to see her stomach for some reason. It was bulging, but not so much that it made her pants uncomfortable. She glanced at Quatre with mildly pleased surprise; she didn't even notice that it had changed that much. Maybe it was because she tended to wear t-shirts a bit too big for her. A shiver passed through her as Sally smoothed on the unguent quickly and turned back to the table.

"Why is it that most things doctors use, have a nasty tendency to be freezing cold?" Jess said in a dry voice.

Sally glanced at her, with a flash of amusement. "I really don't have a clue. It's been sitting in the room for a bit now. I'll need you to lie down on the couch for this."

Jess took a steadying breath and nodded. Quatre kept a hold of her hand as she walked over and lay down carefully. Sally came over and pressed her hand against Jess' stomach, searching for the baby. It was odd to feel Sally pressing gently in certain spots. Jess had no clue what she was feeling for where there was nothing. But when she felt a sharp, strong jolt against her stomach, she looked down puzzled. Sally, on the other hand, had a big smile.

"Well now, I don't have to worry about hitting the baby now. They just want to be left alone."

"The baby kicked?" Quatre asked.

When Sally nodded, Jess' eyes widened slightly. "That was the baby kicking? Man, I hope they don't kick any more. Is it even supposed to kick?"

Sally chuckled. "Since you are almost in the third trimester, I should say so."

She saw Sally bend over and pick something up. Her eyes snapped to the ceiling and her grip on Quatre's hand tightened. His hand grasped hers in response as he said something to Sally. She started taking slow and deep breaths, forcing herself to remain calm. The initial prick wasn't that bad, but it was the sensation of the metal moving through - no parting was more like it - her flesh made her feel slightly sick. It didn't help that the area was supposed to be deadened but she could still feel it in a strange abstract sense.

Her eyes drew out patterns in the ceiling as she felt the needle stop. There was Wing Zero with its buster rifle out and aimed. And just off to the right was Deathscythe, all cloaked, and Heavyarms with its gatling guns ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Now she could feel the amniotic fluid being pulled out by the vacuum created by the needle. She gritted her teeth a bit more. Sandrock was just off to the left, shotels crossed and ready to battle, while Shenlong was beside Anasai, the dragon claw and pikes brandished. She closed her eyes; she was so intent on not freaking out, those imaginary Gundams on the ceiling just might link arms and prance around in a circle singing some terrible stupid song. Then she felt the needle draw out slowly, taking the fluid in the glass chamber.

"And that's it. All done," Sally said as she rested the syringe on the table and applied a piece of gauze to where the needle has been. "One moment, please."

Jess exhaled rather noisily, looking over at Quatre. He had a slight wince on his face. She loosened her grip and relief flushed across his face. Her face went bright red almost immediately.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even realize I was holding on so tightly." She said.

"It's OK. I…think I can still use this hand." He said, inspecting his reddened hand.

"There. That wasn't so bad, was it?" Sally asked as she applied a piece of medical tape over the gauze. "That's so you don't have to see it."

"Thanks. Um…will Quatre's hand be fine?" Jess asked in a small voice as she pulled her shirt back down.

Sally nodded. "It's when you're delivering that he should be worried about."

"I beg your pardon?" Quatre looked up.

"I've seen cracked knuckles because some women held onto their husband's hand too tightly. And some men just couldn't take it when they didn't have cracked knuckles."

"Ah," Quatre said in the most polite voice he could muster. "I see."

"But that's not for another three months," Sally said, as she reached into her bag and took out strange metal spring thing that fit in the palm of her hand. "Use this to strengthen your hand."

"Thank you." Quatre said, taking it after glancing at his hand.

"All right," Sally snapped her case close and rose up. "Since it's Tuesday, I'll try to have the results by Friday, at the latest."

"That soon?" Jess asked.

"There's a medical lab in Shenyang, and a technician owes me a favour." Sally grinned. "I'll see you all later."

Jess murmured a soft 'Goodbye' as she looked at her stomach. It was important to know that the baby was all right, she couldn't deny that. The baby's health was inextricably tied up with hers and vice versa. But that had been the furthest thing from her mind. Yet, she had to start caring, with her delivery date looming in three months time. But starting to care would only serve to deepen any sort of maternal attachments that might arise; and that would only make it that much harder on herself when she relinquished the child.

It would definitely be better for the child to grow up in a home that could give them the unconditional love and support of others. All the child could expect from her would be a strange mixture of love and loathing.

Loathing because of what she herself would always see when she looked at the face.

And there was that love again; the attachment that she didn't want to have or even think about. And she was failing at that even; now it was just running though her head on a constant loop. Love leads to attachment and attachment leads to love.

"Damn it," she muttered as she rose. "I don't need this."

She rose and stomped off to her room abruptly, drawing a knowing look from Quatre. After closing the door, she curled up on her bed, clutching a pillow and staring out the window. A faint knock came from the door before it creaked open.

"Jess?" Quatre's voice was soft.

"Would you get him, please?" she whispered, looking back at him.

Quatre nodded and disappeared. A few minutes later, Duo's head popped around the door, brows furrowed slightly in concern.

"You OK?" he asked as he came and sat on the bed beside.

Jess nodded her head as she looked back out the window. "Just thinking…" she said a few minutes later.

"Quatre told me about the test thing." Duo gazed out the window as well now. "I'm sure the kid will be all right."

"It's not that I was thinking about." Jess paused as she shifted, resting her head on Duo's leg. "It's complicated and confusing. Hell, I almost confused myself thinking about it."

Duo didn't say anything as he started to stroke her hair slowly. "You're wondering if you really should really give up the kid, aren't you?" he said after a few minutes.

"That tiny part of me that's becoming a mother says I shouldn't. But I know that there' no way I'll ever forget. I know you won't."

"Hm," Duo murmured. "Jess, whatever you decide, me and Quatre will be there one hundred percent."

"I know that," she murmured. "I think I'm more afraid of these thoughts just worming their way into every facet of what I think."

"Heh, looks like it's already started." Duo snorted. "Pregnant women really are hormonal. First you weasel an acceptance of you and Quatre sleeping in the same bed from me and now, half an hour later, you're sitting here doubting if you should give up a kid you think you might hate with every bone in you body."

"Funny," she smacked his leg lightly. "If you didn't say such stupid things half the time, I just might believe there's a brain in that bone you call a skull."

"All part of the illusion, sis," Duo smirked and rumpled her hair. "But don't worry. I'm sure when the time comes, you'll know what to do."

"I sure hope so." She replied, pulling the stray strands from her hair.

"Oh hey!" Duo stood up suddenly, leaving her head to bounce against the bed. He gave a sheepish grin as she glared at him. "Before you go and get yourself all depressed again, I think I have the one thing that'll cheer you up!"

"Does it involve Quatre?"

Duo paused for a moment, before he shook his head, not wanting to think about something. "OK then, the next best thing. Wait right here!"

Jess sat up as Duo darted from her bedroom. Just what on Earth could he have been talking about? She waited patiently, seeing him drag back in a slightly bulging massive bag and box. She arched an eyebrow as he came to the bed and sat down, placing the things between them.

"Go on, look!" Duo said in a beaming voice. "Can't believe I forgot to give this to you earlier on."

Jess looked at him before she turned her attention to the bag and the box; it was simply a question of which would prove to be the least stuffed full of things. And at the moment, the box was winning. She picked it up slowly, noticing the grin that broke Duo's face. Whatever it was, he must have been really happy with it.

She took off the top of the box. Dark burgundy folds, with pale beige and dark green stripes greeted her. She glanced at him as she drew it out and snapped it open. It was a massive plaid blanket, the thickness of it blocking out the light. It felt like wool, but it was so plush and soft to the touch.

"Picked that up in Scotland for ya," Duo said. "Since you like huge blankets like this."

Jess gave him a grin as she folded it up and put it back in the box. "Thanks Duo. I don't think I even want to know how much you spent on it, otherwise I might yell at you."

"And that's why I ain't telling. Come on, next one! That's from me too…and Heero too…in a way. I had no clue what to get so he said he could find something that you would like."

Jess chuckled. "Heero? Shopping? I gotta see what the two of you got me." She tentatively reached into the bag and felt many square edges. Puzzled, she reached in, grabbed some and pulled them out. "Oh my God!" she squealed loudly as they fell out onto the bed cover. "Manga!!"

"I noticed that small collection you had at Noel and Akio's so-"

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she squealed as she hugged Duo suddenly and tightly. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Duo was coughing for breath when she rose and emptied out the rest of the bag on the bed. The shiny new covers gleamed up at her in the sunlight. She gave a little squeal of excitement as she looked between the covers eagerly. She didn't' even know where to start.

"What's with all the noise?"

Jess turned around to see Quatre, Heero and Wufei standing in the doorway. "You!" she practically ran over to the doorway and squeezed Heero in a hug similar to Duo's. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she barrelled back to the bed and sat down, looking at everyone with a huge smile on her face.

Wufei looked at her like she was crazy but after he glanced at Heero he couldn't stop laughing. "I believe that's the first time Heero's been hugged at all. Or that enthusiastically."

Jess looked at Heero, who had a plainly dazed and confused expression on his face. "Gomen, Heero." She said, biting back her own laughter.

Heero looked at her before he gave a slightly miffed sound and disappeared back into the hallway. Wufei and Quatre went after him, laughing their heads off. When Jess and Duo were left alone, Duo started laughing hysterically, tears running down his face.

"Man, the look on Hee-chan's face. I wish I had a camera on me."

"Now, don't get me wrong, it's nice having Heero here and all," Jess said. "But just why did Heero come along?"

Duo wiped his tears away as he attempted to look Jess in the eye. Already his shoulders were convulsing, probably from more laughter. "I made him. Do you really think I was about to carry that many books by myself?"

~*~

"What do you see?" Jess asked.

"I see a…duck." Quatre replied.

"Duck?" she tilted her head. "I don't see it. I see a swan."

"Hm, I think it's more stork-like now." Quatre murmured.

"It does," Jess said before she chuckled. "A stork attempting to jump over a fence."

"Yeah, it does look like it's doing that." Quatre agreed with a laugh.

Jess shifted slightly in the hammock, carefully so as to not flip it. This was a great way to spend the Friday afternoon. Everyone was inside, doing something else. She and Quatre had come out here to have some time for themselves. The days had passed by rather uneventfully, aside from Jess almost obsessively reading through all the manga that Duo and Heero had brought back for her while wrapped up in the thick blanket. Heero wouldn't go anywhere near Jess again, and so Duo and Wufei had tried to pry her from the room by themselves with no luck. But Quatre had simply knocked on the door and she left off reading to go to the backyard with him. They'd been lying here for almost two hours simply talking.

"Oooooh! There's an elephant!" Jess said, pointing eagerly.

"I don't see it," Quatre squinted slightly. "Looks more like a big blob to me."

"Oh come on; use your imagination." She smiled as she nudged him gently in the side.

"I have enough imagination, thank you." Quatre said in a prim voice before he broke into a smile.

Jess shook her head with a laugh and kissed him. "Imagination and silliness."

"Hey Jess!" Duo's voice echoed out from the house. "Sally's on the phone!"

She grumbled as she managed to get out of the hammock, much against her reluctance, and make her way to the backdoor of the house. Duo was in the kitchen, holding onto the walking phone in one hand and munching on a sandwich in the other. Taking the phone, she pushed him towards the table.

"Hello Sally," she said a bit brightly.

"Hi Jess. How are you today?"

"Pretty good, thanks for asking." She said glancing up as Quatre walked into the kitchen. "You enjoying this day too?"

"I wish I could be." Sally's voice dropped from the light banter to a more serious tone. "I'm looking at the test results now."

"And?" All the lightness dropped from her voice as well; and Duo and Quatre looked her way, hearing it.

"I think you might be carrying twins. You're MFPA count was right through the roof."

"Like I just understood the last sentence. No medical jargon." Jess said.

"OK. Do you remember how I was concerned that the injuries to your stomach?"

"Yes."

"There are indications that you will need to see a specialist."

"What?" Jess' voice went completely deadpan.

"Don't worry. I have a colleague, Dr. Acocella, who deals with this sort of thing. I've arranged an appointment with him for you in Los Angeles in two weeks time. That should give you enough time to make travel and accommodation arrangements."

"Yes, but you're neglecting one important fact; just why would I have to fly to Los Angeles?" she could feel Duo and Quatre's worry intensify.

"You have polyhydramnios." Sally said after a few minutes. "I am not qualified in any manner to treat that."

"I see," Jess managed in a quiet voice, despite her throat feeling like sand paper. "And if left untreated?"

"Any number of things can happen," Sally said. "The children could still die in the womb and you could suffer from postpartum haemorrhaging."

"Ah, haemorrhaging," feeling Duo and Quatre's worry shift into fear didn't help her much. "Could it be stopped?"

"No. Postpartum haemorrhaging in cases with polyhydramnios usually results in death."

Jess didn't say anything as she felt all the blood drain from her face. The last thing she remembered was the phone dropping from her hands as she felt a bit light-headed. Then she completely blacked out.

~*~

And because there's quite a bit of medical jargon and all that stuff, it's explained right....now:

Polyhydramnios - when the mother has more than 2000 mL of fluid in her womb at any time in her pregnancy. The normal amount is 1000 mL
MPFA Count - God, I feel like such an idiot. But I saw this information listed on quite a few sites while doing my research and this count indicates whether or not the mother will have more than one child in the womb. But when I went back to check this information a third time, I found I had misplced the URL...and before you asked, I also misplaced the other ones >.< Stupid me. ^^;;