Hello,

Once again all relative disclaimers apply.

RedLion2 ~ Thank you for your reviews, they are greatly appreciated.  But I have to tell you, it sometimes frightens me, it's almost like you can read my mind  ;-)  Now would I leave a loophole that big in the plot?  I was going to wait to post this chapter, but I wanted to address your comment about Lance allowing a stranger into their lives, I hope this explains it satisfactorily.

QuickerKookie, Queen Merla, and everyone else, thank you so much for your reviews!  I really do appreciate them and the fact that you are enjoying my story.

Enjoy,
Failte

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Lance found his way to the hospital wing.  Dr. Gorma and his nurses were busy seeing to the four guards who had been injured. 

Nurse Jewelia greeted him from the desk, "Hi, Lieutenant, what can I do for you today?"

He leaned against the desk and smiled at her, "Hi, Jewelia.  I had spoken with Dr. Gorma earlier, there should be a file or something for me." 

"Of course, I'll go see if he has it for you."  She stood and disappeared into Dr. Gorma's office.  A moment later the door opened, "He would like to talk to you, Lieutenant."

Lance grinned and winked at her, "Thanks."

Dr. Gorma looked exhausted.  He rubbed his eyes and sat back in his chair, watching as Lance entered his office.

"I know how busy you are, Dr. Gorma, thank you for seeing me."

"It's no problem, Lieutenant, the care of my patients is the most important thing there is to me and I understand your need to talk about Sgt. Barlow."

"Then you know what I want to talk to you about."  Lance sat in the seat across from him.

"Yes," Dr. Gorma pushed a file across the desk to him.  "Here are copies of all the information I have collected on the Ttechkan plant and Planet Gunnel, just as you asked for."

Lance took the file and flipped through it, it was disturbingly thin.  He closed it and set it on his lap, leaning forward, "I know you are the best doctor in the galaxy, but there is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind."

Dr. Gorma smiled knowingly, "This medicine woman on Gunnel, how can we know for sure we can trust her."

"Exactly."

"Kadmus came to see me before he left…"

"No one saw him leave."  Lance interrupted.

Dr. Gorma nodded, "He sneaked out in the middle of the night saying he didn't want a fuss and that he had business to see to.  He still feels bad that he didn't come sooner.  He was the one who told me about the medicine woman on Gunnel.  He had actually planned on giving us her name before we found out Sgt. Barlow was pregnant to see if she could help, but he hadn't been on the side of this galaxy in a while.  He told me all about this woman, her description is in your file there, she has been practicing homeopathic medicine for nearly one hundred years.  Kadmus has known her personally for quite a few decades and swore to me she was safe.  He also assured me that Haggar is going to be too weak for a while to pursue anything as elaborate as this last plan of hers."

Lance chewed on his lower lip, a habit he had unconsciously picked up from Darcy, and flipped through the file on his lap until he found the sheet.  Her name was Gadara, aged 109.  It went on to list the various plants she was familiar with as well as a short biography and history of her people.

"You have to know, Lieutenant," Dr. Gorma continued.  "I would never knowingly put any of patients in danger."

"I know that, Dr. Gorma.  I do trust your decision and Kadmus."  Lance muttered, perusing the paper in his hand.  He looked up at the older man, "And please don't take this as meaning I don't trust you, but this woman will have a guard on her at all times and Darcy will not be allowed to be alone with her at any time."

"I understand."

"And I want to meet this woman before Darcy does."

"That shouldn't be a problem."

"When will we know if she's coming?"

"I'm expecting to hear tonight.  I sent Pvt. Latham with a message and a communicator.  He is to stay until he gets a response and contact me as soon as he has one."

Lance stood, the file in hand, "Thank you very much, Dr. Gorma, for all your help."

"It's the least I can do.  After what happened with Fatina…"

"That wasn't your fault."

Dr. Gorma sighed, "Let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you or Sgt. Barlow."

"You can come to our wedding next Sunday."

Smiling tiredly, Dr. Gorma assured him, "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Lieutenant."

*****************************************************

Darcy stood in front of the mirror on the back of her closet door.  She had pulled her shirt up, exposing her stomach, trying to determine if she was actually showing or if it was just her imagination. 

The pain would come and go and it scared her.  According to her intrascans, the baby was progressing just fine, but it was the marks on her womb that frightened her.  What were they?  Why were they growing and changing shape.

She felt her lower lip tremble and her throat and head began to ache as she tried to hold back tears.  She didn't want Lance to worry any more than he already did, so she tried to keep her fears to herself.  Here they were, both excited about getting married and starting a family, but what if it was all for nothing?  What if she lost the baby anyway?  What if the baby was born with something wrong?  What if something happened to her?  It wasn't that Darcy was afraid to die, she knew that it could happen at any time, but she didn't want to leave Lance and their baby, she wasn't ready to.

Tugging her shirt back into place, Darcy turned and crossed to her desk.  She had met with Nanny who was excited and stressing out about a wedding in just over a week.  The royal seamstress was going to start on her dress the next day, she would stop by in the morning to get Darcy's measurements and show her the available fabrics.  Nanny wanted her to write down what she wanted for the wedding.  They had already decided on wildflowers from Allura's garden and a simple meal.  Darcy was afraid Nanny would make a bigger deal out of this than she wanted.

The pad in front of her stayed blank as she stared at the wall in front of her.  Darcy's mind wandered from place to place.  How were things going on Pollux?  How was Pidge holding up?  How were Rankin and Rainger doing?  She still needed to call her family and let them know she was getting married next week, oh, and that she was pregnant.  Would they be able to get the nursery ready?  Would Hunk be willing to move?  He's been in that room for over five years.  Was she ready to be a mother?  Well, it's too late to worry about that now.  Would the baby be alright?  Was she tying Lance down to early?  What if Lotor came after her or the baby?  And who was this woman Dr. Gorma was inviting here?  Lance told her not to worry about that, he would look into it.  She knew that if he had any doubts at all, he wouldn't let this woman anywhere near here.  But they had been tricked before, could it happen again?

Darcy was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear her door slide open or Lance enter.  She jumped when she felt his hands fall onto her shoulders, gently massaging.

"What did Nanny say?"  He asked her.

She let her head fall back and sighed as his hands worked out the knots of tension that had formed.  "It shouldn't be a problem getting the dress.  She wants me to make a list of everything I want for the ceremony."

Lance glanced at the pad on her desk, "Huh, looks like this will be a simple ceremony."

She looked down at the pad, "I guess I had other things on my mind."

"Like what?"

Darcy shrugged, feeling silly about all the thoughts that had been running through her head.

He lowered his lips to her throat, smiling when she moaned and tilted her head to give him better access, "It does me no good to tell you not to worry, does it?"

"I try not to," she murmured.

He slid his arms around her neck, "I know."

"We have to call our families.  Let them know what's going on."

Lance looked at his watch and did some quick calculations, "We could do that now, its early evening of tomorrow there."

Lance's parents were thrilled, but a little disappointed that they wouldn't be at the ceremony.

"Give us a few weeks, Ma, we'll let you know when we're having the reception."

"But why the hurry?"  Felix Collier asked.

Lance and Darcy exchanged glances.  "Well, we have some more good news."  He told them.

"Oh?"  Mrs. Collier raised her eyebrows.  She had idea of what was coming next.

"Well, I couldn't help but notice how lonely Chelsea and Sabrina seemed, like they needed a cousin…"

"Lance," Molly's face turned pink.

"We're having a baby," Darcy blurted out.

"Oh my God!"  Molly yelled.  "When?"

"February."

"Oh Lance, Darcy," Molly's eyes teared up. "Oh, I am so happy.  Oh this is wonderful!"          

Felix put his arm around her shoulders, "This is certainly unexpected news."

"But it's good news, Dad."  Lance said.

"Where are you going to live?"

"We're staying in the castle for now, until the threat from Doom has passed.  Then we're going to find a place of our own."

"On Arus?"

"Yes."

The elder Collier slowly nodded, obviously not happy with what he had just heard.

"What is it?"  Lance asked stiffly.

"It just seems to me that you're rushing things a bit, son."

"Well, Dad, she's pregnant, nothing is going to change that.  I was hoping you would be as happy as we are about this."

Felix sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Of course we're happy, son, I just…do you realize what you're getting into?"

"No, Dad, I have no idea but I am looking forward to it."  Lance's voice became more strained.

Darcy took his hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

"We're happy, darling, really," Molly spoke up.  "We're just a little surprised."

"Yes, well, now you know.  We have to call Darcy's parents." 

"Okay.  Keep us posted, honey," Molly smiled.  "Congratulations you two."

"Goodnight Mom, Dad." Lance said.

"Goodnight," Darcy called before Lance closed the connection.

Lance stared at the dark screen a moment.

"Lance?"

"Ready to call your parents?"

"In a minute.  You need to calm down.  What's wrong?"

He turned to look at her, "Did you hear him?  It's like he doesn't think we can handle this.  We've fought Doom I think we can raise a kid."

"It's going to be a little different than that."

"I know that!  What?  You don't think we can handle this either?"

"Of course I do.  But, come on, Lance.  I'm terrified about becoming a mother, there is so much we don't even know about.  He was caught off guard, is all.  Why are you behaving like this?"

He sank into the chair beside the console and rubbed his hands over his face.  "I don't know, I guess I'm just being too sensitive.  I just wanted them to be happy for us, not lecture us."

Darcy laid a hand on his shoulder, "They are happy, Lance."

Putting a smile on his face, Lance looked up at her.  "I know.  I'm sorry, I'm just tired.  Let's call your parents and get this over with."

The call to her parents didn't go any better.  Of course they said they were happy, but they too were disappointed they wouldn't be there for the ceremony and Mr. Barlow was just downright angry.

"You're pregnant?"  His voice rose and neck turned bright red.

"Yes, Dad, I am."  Darcy stuck her chin out defiantly and glared back at him.

"Of all the irresponsible, immature…"

"Dad!"

"No, young lady, you should never have gone off to that planet.  You allowed yourself to be…to be taken advantage of by this…"

"Oh no!"  Darcy yelled.  "No one took advantage of me!  I can't believe how you're reacting!"

"Don't raise your voice at me young lady!"

"I don't believe this!  Why can't you be happy for me?  I'm marrying Lance and we're having a baby.  This is the happiest time of our lives!"

"You're too young and too far from home!"

"I am home, Dad!"

"Alright!"  Lance's voice cut in.  "Enough of this."

"I wasn't talking to you, Lance."  Howard Barlow turned his angry gaze on his future son-in-law.  "If you had kept your zipper closed…"

"Dad!"

"No!"  Lance put a hand out and stopped Darcy.  "I won't have you upsetting her."

"I can talk to my daughter…"

"Yes, you can talk to her, but I won't let you yell at her."

Darcy watched as her father's face got bright red and he began to shake with anger.

Lance spoke calmly, "We're very excited about our wedding and our baby.  We had hoped you would be happy for us.  Darcy is in a delicate condition and I won't let you upset her."

Mr. Barlow continued breathing heavily.

"Of course we're happy," Mrs. Barlow spoke up.  "We're just a little surprised."

"We're going to have a reception in a few months to celebrate, will you come?"  Darcy asked.

"Yes, of course.  We wouldn't miss it for anything."

"We'll, uh, we'll let you know when it will be."

"Thank you, dear.  Go get some rest."

Darcy nodded, "Goodnight, Mom, Dad."

"Goodnight," her mother smiled.  "And make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.  Let me know if you need anything."

"I will."

"Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Barlow."  Lance said.

Mr. Barlow turned from the screen.

"It'll be alright dear," Mrs. Barlow assured them.  "Give him some time to get used to the idea of being a grandpa.  Goodnight kids."

Lance closed the connection and turned to Darcy.  She looked up at him with wide, wet eyes.

"I'd say that went well," Lance commented dryly.

"He's really mad."  Darcy muttered.

Lance pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her, "He'll get over it."

"I just imagined telling them all and they would get excited and I could talk to our mothers about being a mom and you could ask our fathers for advice.  My mother would crochet a little sweater and blanket, excited about being a grandmother for the first time."

Lance smiled, "You always imagine a sunny outcome to every situation and then you're crushed when it doesn't turn out that way."

"I wouldn't say I was crushed."

"Alright, disappointed."  He tightened his arms around her kissed the top of her head.  "They'll come around."

"I hope so."  Darcy pulled back and looked at him, tears threatening her eyes.  "I'm hungry."

"Poutine?"

She shook her head, "I want a hamburger, no, a cheeseburger.  With ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, turkey, ham…oh…a club sandwich hamburger.  That sounds so good.  Do you think there's any bacon?"

"Well," Lance slid his arm around her waist and steered her from the room.  "It looks like Hunk might just have himself an eating buddy."

Lance watched as Darcy attacked her new burger creation with relish.  He made himself a plain cheeseburger and joined her at the table. 

"Have you heard from Keith?"  She asked through a full mouth.

"No and I don't want to contact them unless there's an emergency.  I don't know what they're doing now and I don't want to interrupt them."

"Have you learned anything about this medicine woman from Gunnel?"

"Her name is Gadara and she comes highly recommended by Kadmus."

Darcy nodded and took a swig from a glass of milk.

Lance smiled at her, "I told you I would take care of it.  I want you to stop worrying and just relax."

"You think she's safe?"

"We've known Kadmus for years.  He was friends with King Alfor and would never do anything to put Allura or any of in danger."

"What about Haggar?"

"Kadmus said she was too weak to do anything big…" Lance reached for his communicator as it beeped.  "Collier."

"Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Dr. Gorma."

"I just received a communication from Pvt. Latham.  She has agreed, but she needs to bring her grandson."

"Why?"

"For protection and because she doesn't speak our language, he acts as her translator."

"When will they get here?"

"Tomorrow evening."

Lance thought for a moment.  "I want to know who her grandson is, how old he is, anything you can find out about him."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Is there a way to contact Kadmus?"

"We can try."

"I'd like him to be here when they arrive."

"I'll do what I can."

Lance nodded, "Thank you Dr. Gorma, for everything."

Dr. Gorma nodded, "Anything I can to help."

Lance snapped the communicator shut and looked up at Darcy.  She had finished her meal and was staring at her empty plate.  "You okay?"

She nodded.

"What is it?"

She shrugged, "I just feel like I'm causing too much trouble."

"You're not trouble, Darcy.  Lotor and Haggar are trouble.  This is all their fault, not yours."

Darcy stood and took her plate to the sink, "I think I'm going to lay down."

"You alright?"

"Yeah, just tired."

"Okay," Lance stood and went to her.  "I want to check how things are going in Castle Control and make rounds real quick, then I'll be in."

She nodded and turned to wrap her arms around him, "I love you, Lance."

"I love you too, baby," he tightened his arms when he heard her gasp.  "What is it?"

She shook her head, "Nothing."

"Come on, I'll help you to your room.  Can you take some medicine?"

"Mm hm," she whimpered through pursed lips.

"Darc," he whispered as he supported her.  "I'm excited about getting married and having the baby."

"So am I," she gasped.