*grins sheepishly* Sorry guys for the long update. I was struggling to get this Mokuba/Rebecca story written for a contest. Unfortunately, I waited too long and ended up missing it. Oh, well. In other news, I finished the Sacred Cards. Yay! Tristan called me a "man". Boo! *grumbles* Sexist pigs….

Don't have much to say other than this chapter is a lot longer than my others. A little Seto/Serenity interaction here! ^.^ If you don't like heavy lime (explicent make-out scene but not necessarily sex) please leave.

Disclaimer: Sorry, lost the lottery that decided who got to own Yu-Gi-Oh!

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Chapter 4

Broken Blood

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Feeling dazed and day-dreamy, Rebecca awoke the next morning, stretching lightly. The sunbeams seemed to rain upon her face as they invaded from the window, indicating it was still a bright morning. She realized she was naked beneath the blankets, and her lips formed into a smile upon remembering the overwhelming bliss she had been swept into the night before.

Mokuba was still fast asleep beside her, several strands of raven hair falling over his face, full lips slightly open as he slept on his side. She could see his bare chest rising and falling lightly with each breath he took. She snuggled next to him, delighted that he was still as naked as she. He sighed in sleep, and Rebecca cradled him in her arms, careful to be absolutely still so his dreams wouldn't be disturbed. Not that she really needed to worry about waking him up. Mokuba didn't sleep; he fell into a coma.

Rebecca sighed as she slipped into daydreams, thinking of how wonderful it would be to wake up like this every morning for the rest of her life. She kissed Mokuba's forehead, breathing in his scent, shivering from the memory of being joined with him. How many children would they have? Though she was good with kids, realistically, maybe they'll have three or four, but Rebecca wanted many with Mokuba. Perhaps it was only natural that a girl would want to have dozens and dozens of children with the man she loved, though after the first pregnancy, she finds herself saying "Never again!"

In the midst of her mind fantasies of her future with Mokuba, Rebecca happened to glance at her hands, instantly snapping into reality. Her fingers were empty; naturally, because Mokuba hadn't even proposed yet. Her emerald eyes went sad. It was wrong, she knew. She had been raised to wait until after marriage before giving up her virginity. And she understood now why those goody-two-shoes at school were so insistent upon it. She was emotionally and physically bond to Mokuba. Symbolic and quite literally, they were now a part of each other, forever and forever. That ring was the symbol of that bond, the promise to never let go.

Was she afraid he would leave her?

Yes. Deep down, she was really afraid.

***

It was a mistake coming here. She knew that the moment she stood in the front of the colossal iron gate, staring up at the huge ivory edifice known as the Kaiba Mansion. It took a long moment of uncertainty before Serenity chided herself for acting like a nervous school-girl and pressed the intercom button on the wall by the gate. Besides, Kaiba probably wasn't here anyway, and if he was, probably asleep seeing since it was only 9:30 that morning. Though it was Serenity's day off, and normally she slept until well past noon, she woke up soon after Malik left for work, realizing she couldn't go back to sleep. Her encounter with Kaiba last night kept playing over and over in her mind. She needed to confront him face-to-face and put an end to these childish games once and for all.

Upon receiving no answer, Serenity pressed the intercom again. Both relief and frustration flooded through her. As much as she would love to avoid Kaiba whenever possible, if she didn't talk to him NOW, he'll just keep mentally harassing her. Damn Yami for giving him that Rod in the first place! Of all people, the ancient pharaoh should've known Kaiba would've pulled a stunt like this! Aside from Mokuba and Serenity herself, Yugi was the only one who knew Kaiba the most.

She sighed. Looks like Kaiba wasn't going to give her an answer anytime soon. No matter, she thought as she shoved the sudden sense of disappointment back down to her subconscious. She'll just have to find a way to ignore Kaiba. Perhaps the next time he tried to mind communicate with her, she could slip on a pair of headphones, turn on really loud music, and blast him out of her mind. Sure, it might make her deaf in the process, but given the circumstances, she would count that as a blessing.

But when she turned to head back home, there was a loud beep and the gate parted in half, both sides swinging open to allow her passage. Deciding she had come too far to back out now, Serenity entered, the gate-halves swinging shut as soon as she was completely inside. She took a deep breath, throwing her shoulders back and swinging her ponytail back in confidence, and began her long hike to the front door. She didn't understand what need a person could possibly have to live in a house that could be room enough for a hundred people other than a simple show of power and wealth. She growled to herself as she climbed up ten steps to simply reach the front porch. Perhaps the world economy wouldn't be in such bad shape if the wealthy took up only the space they needed. Really, how much room could a teenager and his older brother possibly be in dire need of??

Feeling slightly winded, the door opened once Serenity approached it. She was greeted by a straight-backed middle-aged man who looked like a Kaiba Corp. guard, but was actually the butler. "Master Kaiba will see you in his office on the third floor," the servant announced tonelessly. She raised a brow as she entered. Master Kaiba? How pathetically tasteless. Even Mokuba settled for just plain "mister" or "sir". But master? Considering Kaiba's increasingly abusive displays of power, she wondered what in the nine hells ever made her fall for the guy.

Fall? Whoa, did she just think that?

Okay, attract. That was far more accurate and a lot less dangerous sounding.

Looking upon the moderness of the mansion and the vast wealth that had poured into it, Serenity was actually surprised that there were no elevators here; even an escalator should have been expected. Instead she was forced to climb three flights of stairs to Kaiba's office. The ironic normality of it all in such a technology-infested place seemed to mock her with each step she took. Now she was really was winded as she finally reached her desired landing, though the stairs continued for another two flights. She looked around and realized just how much of a labyrinth just the third floor itself was, and she wished the butler had at least given her a map so she could figure out where the hell she was going. Shit, how was she supposed to get out of here!?

Not that a quick escape would be necessary, but knowing Kaiba, it was safest to have one.

For about ten minutes, Serenity meandered through the halls of the third floor before she finally gave up. She was lost, and now she couldn't even find the stupid stairs. And the mansion's navigation looked so simple from the outside, too! Her ever idealistic mind began to take the mansion in a philosophical sense, that it was so complicated because it symbolized Kaiba. He seemed to easy to figure out, yet the deeper one dove into him, the more complicated he became.

She laughed to herself. Now, that was just messed up. Even after all these years, she was still thinking like a radical, seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, believing there was good in everyone. Kaiba was not complicated. He was an asshole, a perverted asshole plain and simple. There was nothing complex about him.

"Lost?" came a voice.

Serenity blinked as she was jerked out of her private thoughts, looking up into the face of one of the guards who worked for Kaiba. She recognized him as Roland, the guard that worked on the Battle Ship six years ago. She nodded, feeling foolish, blushing softly with embarrassment.

He did not smile but there was still a calm expression on his face, perhaps out of his employment or maybe he was polite like that, and replied, "May I inquire as to where you are heading?"

"To see Mr. Kaiba."

"Are you here on business?"

"I am his brother's secretary."

Roland nodded and proceeded to walk down the hall. Having nothing else better to do, Serenity followed. Two lefts, a right, and a sharp left later, he led her to a vast pair of mahogany doors. "That would be Mr. Kaiba's bedroom, though he prefers that we call it his 'office'," Roland announced.

"Thank you," she replied as she watched him walk away. He turned his head, eyes inquiring as though he had never been thanked before, and continued on his way.

After a few seconds of trying to gather her wits about her, Serenity knocked softly on the door. "Kaiba?" she called.

No answer. Like she expected him to. So, the only thing she could do was try again. "Kaiba, I know you and I didn't get off to a really good start," she continued. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, and wondered if we could put this behind us."

Again, no answer.

Serenity was starting to get frustrated. She figured the best way to end this was by using the friendly approach, a concept Kaiba would probably never fully grasp, but it was a lot less stressful. She had even worked herself up into this good mood by drinking Starbucks cappuccino, listening to her favorite music, doing her nails, taking a scalding hot shower, lots of things to make herself feel better. And chocolate. She had just finished a Hershey bar on the train on her way here.

But Kaiba had a knack of making all of that in vain. She couldn't decide which was worse, his dominating rudeness or his stubborn silence. Growling in her throat, she began banging on the door, nearly yelling, "Kaiba, give me a break will you!? I came here to apologize, and that's not good enough for you!?! Open this door or I swear I will burst in and kick your skinny ass!"

She couldn't believe it but once again, Kaiba made no answer. Oh, that bastard! She'll kill him! In her frustration, she grabbed the door handle and jerked it open. To her surprise, the door gave way and she wanted to bang her head against the wall.

Kaiba wasn't even in the room.

Though the room was quite spacious, the four-poster bed about as large as her own apartment room, that bed, a desk, and a tall dresser were the only occupants. Unlike the rest of the house, when it came to personal purchases, apparently Kaiba was not one to lavish upon himself. She was about to leave, when she heard the sound of water running from a shower-head. It was then she noticed the door to the adjoining bathroom. Ah, so that's where he was.

Serenity approached the bathroom door and knocked. Best to make her presence known now. Seeing since this was his bedroom, for all she knew, he would prance out in the nude once he was done. Not that she would mind...wait, yes she most certainly would!...would she??

"Kaiba, it's me, Serenity!" she called. "I know this is rather embarrassing, but I just wanted to let you know that I was...out...here..." She trailed off as another sound met her ears. Moaning? She flushed at the instant naughty thought that popped in her mind while contemplating why Kaiba would be moaning.

But then another moan was made, a little louder this time, and Serenity realized her mistake. That wasn't the moan of a guy getting it on with his hand or anything like that. It sounded as if Kaiba was in...pain. "Kaiba!" she cried, banging on the door as loud as she could. "Kaiba, what's wrong!? Kaiba, answer me!! Seto!!"

All that replied was the soft moaning of someone undergoing extreme physical discomfort. Throwing all common sense to the winds, Serenity jerked the door open, and had to subjugate her scream at what was revealed.

Blood. The entire floor closest to the showerhead was covered with crimson water seeping out of the small opening in the shower door. Through the distorted glass, she could see Kaiba's outline hunched over on the floor in the fetal position, hear his whimpers of agony. Alarmed, Serenity took a couple steps to help him but his soft voice stopped her:

"Serenity, get out of here."

"But...you're hurt..." Her voice came out quieter than she thought it would have, but the shakiness of her tone betrayed her horror.

He released a tiny, pain-filled laugh. "It's not as bad as it looks, kid. This has...happened before...many times. I know what I need to do. Please...wait for me outside."

The fact that she had never heard Kaiba say "please" before for the whole time she had known him must've what made her leave the bathroom, otherwise she would've been determined to stay. Nervous and afraid for him, Serenity began to pace the room because there was nothing else she could do, and she was too overcome with anxiety to sit still. At last, Kaiba finally emerged from the bathroom. Serenity had to avert her eyes to keep from blushing, to keep from admitting to herself how gorgeous Seto looked, skin and hair glistening and dripping wet, wearing nothing but a meager white towel wrapped around his waist...or even better, how he would look should the towel "accidentally" fall. She fought desperately to ignore the bright blush on her cheeks and the infectious itch as her body begged for Seto's. Even so, should Kaiba try anything, Serenity's purse was armed with pepper spray.

But Kaiba didn't look like he was even thinking about doing something offensive...for once. In fact, the pain never left his azure eyes. He stumbled, almost blindly, to the bed and fell onto his stomach, not caring that Serenity was in the room and he was as naked as the moment he was born under the towel. Serenity's hand flew to her mouth as she stared in horror. Deep gashes interlocked completely over Kaiba's back, nasty and bloody. Scars, they were, scars that refused to heal properly, scars that would crack and bleed at a moment's notice.

"Serenity," Seto suddenly groaned.

She was at his side in an instant. "Yes?"

"I have some peroxide in the medicine chest above the sink in the bathroom," Seto panted softly. "And the wash-rags are in a small basket next to the tub. Be sure to make sure the wash-rag is damp when you bring it back."

Her compassion for him made her move quickly, finding the items she needed exactly where he had described them and returned. Seto was sitting up now, still not bothering to express modesty, but then again, in his agonizing state he probably didn't care. His breathing had steadied somewhat from that heavy, painful panting he was giving earlier. She settled behind him, then realized how awkward this would be. "I think it's best if you laid down," she pointed out. "I can't really that much peroxide on if you're sitting up."

"That's the point for the wash cloth," Seto replied, voice shaking. "Pouring too much can make the infection worse."

Pouring some peroxide onto the cloth, she gently placed it on the ugliest looking of the scars, yet Seto hissed through his teeth, returning to panting pitifully. "D-don't worry about me," he gasped. "J-j-just keep doing what I told you to do."

She continued with her ugly duty, feeling guilty from the way Seto was gripping his sheets, his white knuckles revealing the state he was in. She also didn't like prying into his business, but she had to know: "How did your scars get infected?"

He didn't respond. She expected as much. She almost forgot about her question, until he finally released a soft, bitter laugh. "I was twelve. Just twelve. Over ten years ago. So long ago, and yet it seems like a minute. I had failed one of my subjects during my formal education. My step-father, Gozubaro, home-schooled me all the way up to the eighth grade. But the tutors he hired were such a bore. If I didn't have my intelligence, I don't think I would've passed any of my subjects. But this one, it was just too hard for me. I received a big fat 'F' in my grade. Gozubaro was so pissed. A few nights later, he jerked me out of my bed and dragged me into his room. Turns out that night he had found out I was trying to take over the company. He shoved me onto his bed and proceeded to beat the shit out of me with a leather strap. I couldn't stop screaming, so he would beat me harder until I finally did. By that time, I was dizzy with blood loss and on the verge of unconsciousness. But he was not done. He then climbed onto the bed by me and began to--"

"STOP!" Serenity exclaimed, cutting him off as she struggled not to cry. "Don't say anymore, Seto. Please, don't say anymore! I shouldn't have brought it up."

His blue eyes narrowed as he turned his head to look at her. "Then why did you?"

"I'm sorry."

He sighed deeply. "Well, to make a long story short, the wounds became infected because my beloved step-daddy refused to give me my antibiotics for it. So the scars never healed properly." He turned his body until he was completely facing her. "Does this sort of thing scare you? Or are you disappointed that I'm not as perfect or invincible as everyone else would like you to believe? Don't worry. You won't be the first. The scars are very ugly indeed. I'm surprised you haven't ran out of here yet, screaming your pretty head off."

"Oh, Seto," she sobbed quietly, and before she could stop herself, gently touched his shoulders and nestled her cheek against his chest. He was so warm. How she missed that warmth.

Seto's breath quickened, as her own was gently brushing upon his nipple. He could push her away, that would be the right and morale thing to do. Hey, since when was he ever morale!? Seto allowed his arms to wrap around her tightly, pulling her onto his lap. Desperate to maintain her grip on reality, she whispered, "What was that subject Gozubaro treated you so horribly because you kept doing poorly in it?"

A long pause. Then he chuckled, almost in amusement. "Math. I hate all forms of it with a passion."

Considering the amount of math one had to do in his type of career, Serenity's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're kidding!"

"Nope."

Trying to see if he was telling the truth, Serenity looked up at Seto, wondering if he was sincere. Big mistake.

Their lips brushed ever-so-softly against each other, a butterfly caress that caused them both to still, staring deeply into the other's eyes, amber stirring with sapphire as their gazes interwoven with mutual pain, regret, and want.

Who was the one to make the first move was undecided as they both closed the gap between their mouths. Seto's tongue instantly sought for her warmth and she gave him passage. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she pulled him closer, flicking her tongue across his own and shivering with delight as he groaned. He gripped her hips and began to grind into her. Damn, but she had forgotten how hard and huge he could get, and she wanted more of it. He might as well be naked for all that towel was worth and for all she could feel. Her stomach tightened with pent-up emotions she had been hiding for the past seven years as their kiss grew hungrier. Seto continued to devastatingly ravish her mouth like a parched desert traveler on a long journey, raising a hand underneath her shirt, her bra, to toy with a breast with his palm. Serenity found herself panting with pleasure as his thumb and forefinger pinched the small nub, making it hard and red for him.

Serenity pulled away, releasing a groan of loud protest from Seto. She smiled and lifted her shirt over her head, tossing it over the bed, soon followed by her bra. Heavy breathing having returned, this time for a different reason, he dipped her back a bit, allowing his gaze to drink in her bare tits that he had yearned to see for so long now, then closed his eyes to place a gentle kiss in between them. "I've missed these," he breathed, before claiming one in his mouth, teeth grazing the nipple teasingly.

"Seto!" she groaned, gripping his cinnamon hair as he suckled with greedy, longing hunger. But she wasn't going to sit by and do nothing. Caught up in the moment, before she could talk herself out of it, she reached underneath the towel that hid him from her, and gently brushed her fingers against his hard length. She stroked the underside, teasing the tip, and in return, he sucked her breast harder, thrusting his hips into her hand.

Quickly, his mouth returned to hers, their tongues instantly competing for domination. "I want you, Serenity," Seto gasped over and over. "I want you, I want you, I need you, I want--AAAH!!!"

Instantly, Serenity leaped back as Seto fell forward, gasping desperately, sapphire eyes wide with agony. In the midst of her pleasure, Serenity had accidently allowed her hand to drift to his back, consequently touching the extremely sensitive wounds on his back. Seto bit his lower lip, blood welling beneath his teeth, as he struggled to keep from crying with the pain.

"I'm so sorry, Seto. I wasn't...I didn't..."

"Serenity..." he began softly. "You were right. You've been right all along. Please, just leave. Go home."

At first she refused to budge. "Seto..."

"I SAID TO GO THE FUCK AWAY!!!"

Never had he used such a tone with her, and struggling to keep her own tears in check, she threw on her bra and shirt, grabbed her purse, and ran out of the door. She'll find her own way out somehow. Meanwhile, Seto allowed the pain to drive him to unconsciousness to which he sank into dreams of Serenity's embrace.

***

Seto's scars healed within time. A few weeks passed, and they were back to normal. He was taking the antibiotics he was supposed to, but all the doctors at Kaiba Hospital insisted that it was probably too late, that the scars will never heal properly ever again.

Humph! Bunch of quacks.

It was during that time, Seto noticed his little brother, who was no longer all that little, was acting more quiet and depressed than usual. When he was not at work, Mokuba stayed at home, moping about like some dead spirit bond to the mansion for eternity. Usually, Mokuba had the fridge cleared within a week. Two had passed, and most of the food was still intact.

Unable to take anymore, because TWO Kaibas sulking around their lair was just unacceptable, Seto resolved to consult Mokuba. He found the younger Kaiba slunked (the only word Kaiba knew how to describe the position) in a leather couch in the living room, staring at a blank TV as if the most profound movie was playing on the wall-sized screen. "What's up with you?" Seto demanded gently sitting beside his brother.

Mokuba sighed. "Seto, what all happened between you and Serenity?"

The question caught him so off-guard that Seto forgot his own. "What do you mean?"

"I know something happened between you two on Battle Ship besides that kiss Malik dared you two to do. And it must be something drastic, because Serenity has been a wreck ever since you came back from the States."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "So what all did she say about her and me?"

"So far that you two kissed, you expected more, and so she left." Mokuba stared deeply at Seto. "But I know better. She told me that all you two did was that simple kiss, but you completed the dare, didn't you? You and Serenity had sex that night, didn't you?"

Seto took in a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. "Yes...yes, we did."

Mokuba sat up straight, eyes suddenly sparking with interest. "What was it like?"

Seto laughed. "Mokuba, I KNOW you are not a virgin."

His younger brother blushed a bit. "Yeah, but I want to know what your thoughts are on this matter."

He leaned his head back a bit on the couch, smiling widely. "It was beautiful. The most wonderful feeling I ever had. Because of her, I began to feel again. Live again. She filled me completely, consumed my heart and soul. I became scared to death. So fucking scared. I did the only thing I could do when faced with such a feeling. I tucked my tail between my legs and ran. And because she didn't want anybody to know about us, I thought she was ashamed of me, so that just made things worse. I can't believe how fucking insecure I was! Still am." He leaned forward, staring at Mokuba. "But enough about me. Wasn't this conversation originally about you?"

Mokuba lowered his eyes. "It's Rebecca," he whispered. "She won't talk to me."

Seto's eyes flashed, almost in disbelief. Those two have been going at it like rabbits in spring time for the past two years! "What do you mean?"

"Exactly that," he confirmed. "She won't call me, she ignores my calls, she pretends she's out whenever I come over, and I haven't spoken to her for the past two and a half weeks!" He finally looked back up at Seto, blood-indigo eyes wide and pleading. "What am I going to do, Seto? We were just fine a few days before. We had made love, and spent the whole next day together, and we were great."

"So she just stopped talking to you, huh?"

"Yes!"

Seto looked confused, but a hearty laugh from the housekeeper as she brought in thier lunch made them both look up. "Something amusing, Cynthia?" Seto demanded.

Cynthia, having never given in to Seto's demands for she had been working at the Kaiba Mansion long before Seto even graced the grounds with his existence, simply smiled. "So she has stopped talking to you, huh, little one?" she declared, placing the tray of food on a table. "Tell me, has Miss Rebecca been sick at all?"

"Well, now that you mention it, her grandfather did tell me once when I called over there that she was throwing up, especially in the morning." He glared at her. "But what does that have to do with anything?" He glanced at Seto, who just sat there looking completely clueless.

Cynthia rolled her eyes in disgust. "For all the intelligence you two possess," she remarked as she departed the room, "it is quite amazing how extremely ignorant you are."

Seto and Mokuba exchanged incredulous expressions. What was THAT supposed to mean?

***

Because he was the only person she could really talk to, Rebecca found herself entering the Kame Game shop. ::Uh-oh, trouble,:: Yami announced in Yugi's mind-link. Yugi rolled his eyes, mentally gave Yami a good thawk on the head before stepping around the counter to greet Rebecca with a warm smile. "Hey, Rebecca, how's it going?"

Rebecca nodded but when she did not return his smile, Yugi knew something was wrong. "Rebecca, what is it?" he inquired, large crimson eyes growing with concern. Even Yami listened intensely, though Rebecca sort of scared him.

"It's about Mokuba," she answered softly.

::Ah, Kaiba trouble. Who would've thought?:: Yami remarked, and Yugi had to, reluctantly, agree.

Deciding it was best to discuss this in more private accommodations, Yugi led Rebecca into the living room and set her on the couch. "Would you like anything to drink?" he asked. "Milk? Kool-Aid? Coke? We don't have much; Grandpa just left for grocery shopping."

"A Coke, please," she replied, her voice soft and almost scared-sounding.

::Told you telling Kaiba how to use the Shennon Rod was a bad idea::

::Hey! YOU were the one who gave it to him in the first place! And quit blaming him for everything that happens!::

::Don't blame me if he becomes just like Yami no Malik::

Yugi sighed deeply. ::Will you relax? Kaiba doesn't even have a yami::

::May we all be put out of our misery and execute the fates if he does!::

::You're just pissed because you haven't dueled anyone worth dueling in forever::

::That too!!!::

Yugi rolled his eyes as he brought out two glasses of Coke, one for Rebecca and one for himself. "So, what's wrong between you and Mokuba?" he inquired slowly sipping his drink.

Rebecca simply stared into her glass, as if she found her reflection comforting. "Nothing, really. I mean, we haven't fought fought or anything like that."

::Fought fought?:: Yami inquired.

::Meaning Rebecca yells at Mokuba and Mokuba actually yells back::

::Oh, that'll be the day!::

"So what's the trouble?" Yugi prodded gently. Rebecca really did seem to be in a mess, a state he never saw her in before. For once, she was not her usual confident, bratty self, but actually scared and unsure of what to do next. She set her untouched drink down on the table, and he followed suit, suddenly not very thirsty himself. Finally, she turned her huge emerald eyes to him.

"You know how intimate Mokuba and I have been as of late, right?" she began.

Yugi nodded, suddenly starting to understand where this might be going, but wanting to hear it from her anyway.

Rebecca hesitated, not sure how to break the news. She couldn't believe this was happening! And she was just barely sixteen! Holy shit, how was her grandfather going to take this!? And even though Mokuba would probably never leave her...

...what if he did?? What if he decided he was bored with her? Even though they had been each other's firsts, Mokuba was a wild, spirited buck, and he was bound to get sick of Rebecca's rants and fits sooner or later.

Yugi and Yami both instantly became alarmed when Rebecca burst into a flood of tears. Sobbing violently, she flung herself on Yugi, holding him tightly. "Yugi," she cried admist her tearful rage. "I love Mokuba! I don't want him to leave me!"

"Why would he leave you?" Yugi blinked, sincerely confused.

Rebecca choked, barely able to force the words out of her throat. "Because, Yugi...I...I'm pregnant."