A/N: I love reviews. My motive to keep moving and updating with a speed that would rival Superman. Hehe. I just look back to see that I've only been writing for little over a month and wow... I've come a long way. Two fics and about 100 reviews. –tears up- More than I would have ever though possible.

Sorry for the REALLY late update. I have been currently shipping my brains out and have been occupied. Excuse me. My focus now must shift back to my fic. Enjoy!

By the way... the scene in the park is sort of like the one I witnessed on vacation. I'm not making up any of the dialogue... people are really like that...

xoxoxo

Kitty in the Box: Oh my. Well, I've never seen Indiana Jones before so I wouldn't know about the big scary man... I got the name from a baby names site and thought it was cute. And Kallima just happened to mean Butterfly! And yes, Kallie is the Webber's baby. But it's slightly more complicated then that. They still don't have any records! –gasp-

Calico Avangi: Thank you, thank you. My pacing is all due to reviews like yours so thank yourself! Less sap in this chapter, sadly enough. I had to throw in some angst SOMEWHERE.

Neko Rinny: Aw, I never had a little sister. I have a little brother and he is nowhere as cute as Kallima is. But on! Updates, updates, updates... must release quickly to my waiting audience!

Jazz Cheetah: Yes, the title makes sense now! And I update as quickly as I can. As soon as I can without rushing the plot anymore. And I really loved Jim in the manga. So I decided to give him a little air time.

Goddess Iris: -cries- So happy you think it's better. And thanks for reviewing! I was curious as to what you thought of this one. And I see the banter between Drake and JJ key to their relationship. No one is all lovey dovey. Teasing is really sweet when moderated correctly.

Earthangel3: Yeah, I just couldn't stop smiling when I wrote about their car seat affair. It would be so cute to see them really do that. –huggles self- And you will find out the entire mystery later. I want to see if anyone comes up with a good guess.

Solistus: YAY! Thanks for reviewing. And wow. You make me sound really good. I'm not that great a writer yet... hehe. But it's okay if you're getting used to slash now. It's all part of my grand scheme. –snickers- YAY!

Doom Squirrel: Parenthood, the one curve Drake and JJ have not had yet. So I decided to use it. And Kallima is pronounced "Kall-EE-ma". Thank you for reviewing and I hope you continue to do so!

xoxoxo

Chapter 5:

The evening was fresh and crisp. The air seemed to bite the back of your throat as you inhaled, and the wind, which was always at your back, blew cool caresses into your hair. It was this weather right before sunset that was the most perfect for strolls in the park. Not hot enough to work up a sweat and not cold enough to turn naked fingers red. Just right. Soon the leaves would turn their various tones of gold and burgundy, but for now, they still clung to their branches, flushed a pale green.

This time of year, JJ and Drake made it their mission to spend every free moment outdoors until it became too frosty for comfort. There was a park nearby their apartment that provided an ideal place to walk with no destination, sometimes around in circles or sometimes up and down one particular path. It didn't really matter where they ended up in the end, as long as they were together. The habit was that they would usually hold hands, but that tradition was broken this year.

One of them had to push the stroller.

It had been about a month or maybe a month and a half since Kallima, lovingly referred to as Kallie, joined Drake and JJ's life. The change was forced and awkward at first, but day by day, they managed to pull through with less stress than the day before. Both had been reluctant to purchase anything "permanent", like a crib for example, but since Janet said she had about three thousand certificates to go through in her spare time, they ended up borrowing these items anyways. There were hygiene issues about letting Kallie sleep on the floor with October, not to mention that they wanted their furniture back. So, Marty had been supporting enough to loan them his son's old crib and stroller for their temporary use.

But where to put the crib... that was the challenge. Drake had taken the stance that the crib should be in the living room area while JJ had insisted it be in the bedroom with them. It would be much easier for them to hear her if something happened or protect her if someone attacked, from their bedroom. After all, her needs were to be first over their own for the time being. Yet, Drake absolutely refused to make love in any room with a sleeping baby just a few feet away. According to him it was morally unjust and could scar her for the rest of her life. JJ had to give up the crib in the bedroom, or give up sex.

Since he had already lost either way, JJ compromised with the use of a baby monitor and then everything was fine again.

Not in their wildest dreams did they ever believe that it would take this long to identify one person, but once again, destiny surprised them with the impossible.

"Drake," JJ whispered as he nudged his partner.

"What?" Drake asked as he continued to push the plastic stroller down the cement sidewalk. October's leash was tied to the side of the carriage, letting her trot along at their comfortable pace.

"The people over there are staring at us," JJ said out of the side of his mouth, attempting and failing to look inconspicuous.

"So? What's your point?" Drake replied as he stopped and leaned both elbows against the buggy's handle.

"They look like they are about to come over," JJ mumbled.

"Like I said, what's your point?" Drake scoffed back, "Who cares if they come over? We've dealt with stuff like this before."

"Not with a baby, no," JJ answered back hastily, "Let's just go home."

"Are you kidding? We've been here for, like what, fifteen minutes? It's not even dark yet."

Loud tutting sounds were coming from the bench that JJ had been previously talking about. Drake turned to see a middle aged woman and someone who he was guessing to be her husband, conversing in hushed tones with a disgusted look plastered to her face. To add insult to injury, she was openly pointing and shaking her head so that everyone in their vicinity could exactly what she found so repulsive.

"Fucking bitch," Drake hissed as he focused his gaze back at his worried lover. October had started whining in a high pitched whimper to show that she knew something was wrong. JJ bent down quickly to scratch the back of her ears to calm her while meeting the blond's stare.

"We're drawing attention," JJ pleaded, "I know you don't like backing down from a threat but it's not as easy with Kallie. We can't go shooting our mouths of in case one of us gets beaten up and puts her at risk."

"I know, I know, but I just can't do that... This isn't right..."

"Drake please don't do something-"

Too late. Drake had spun around to walk towards the park bench with the offending couple.

"- stupid," JJ groaned as he raced after the hot headed man.

"Excuse me, ma'am... would you please stop making such grotesque sounds? It's disturbing our baby," Drake stated in his low "no nonsense" tone.

"It's YOUR baby?" the woman sneered, not even trying to hide her prejudice.

"Yes, it's OUR baby and you loud, rude, obnoxious noises are upsetting her."

The woman's eyes widened and her fists clenched to show white knuckles, "How dare you! How dare you talk to me like that?!"

"I dare because you're making a scene," Drake retorted coolly.

"I'M making a scene?" the woman demanded as she pointed to herself, "You are the ones who are making the scene!"

"Really? How so?" JJ snapped from Drake's side, letting his arm link with his companion's.

"You're indecent," she shot back looking to her husband for support, "You shouldn't be allowed to raise children. Taking them away from their mothers..."

"Excuse us for walking out of our apartment without our pink triangles pasted to our foreheads!" Drake yelled, "It's people like YOU who absolutely nauseate me. Can't keep their noses out of everyone's fucking business."

"And if you'd rather have a baby with its mother, who is ODed on crystal meth, you've got a twisted sense of right and wrong," added JJ scathingly.

The woman gawked at them in shock, but quickly rose, dragging her husband away by his arm. Mumbling something along the lines of "brash queers" she stormed away, vacating the bench and leaving a horde of onlookers in her wake.

Drake seethed as he picked up Kallima, who had started to cry noisily when she had heard the raised voices. Sitting on the faded wooden bench, he soothingly rocked her back and forth, glaring at everyone who was still ogling them. JJ sat protectively next to Drake, cooing occasionally to their dog to stop the snarling. He refused to look up even when his name was called.

"Look, JJ," Drake began hesitantly, "I'm sorry about that..."

"I... it's... it's all right," JJ sighed, "I just wish you wouldn't have done that."

"Yeah, yeah. But I can't just take things like that lying down..."

"Nobody's asking you too. You just have to choose your battles wisely."

They both fell into silence. JJ with his hands folded into his lap, his eyes concentrated on the ground somewhere and Drake cradling the little girl with tentative affection that he had developed over the past month. The tension between them was awkward at best, neither of them knowing what to do next. They couldn't call their disagreement a fight, but it was more than just a small conflict.

Maybe I was a little to forward. Pondered Drake as he disappeared inside his own thoughts. But I can't stand people like that! I shouldn't have to except it. I've got a right to confront it. If JJ could only understand the unfamiliarity I have with this new narrow-mindedness. It's all happened so fast! First JJ and now Kallie...why can't we just walk in peace?

I should have just let Drake go at it. JJ considered as he rubbing the back of his neck with his palm, he's not used to this much attention. Even after a year or so it still bothers him when people glare. Why can't he just get used to it? Is it even right for him to get used to it? I don't know... He said "our baby" with such passion it made me feel so wound up...but it's not our baby. It will never be our baby.

"Are you angry with me?"

JJ jumped to the sudden question, "Wha? Oh... no... I'm not."

"I said I was sorry," Drake shrugged as he rested Kallima back into her stroller.

"I know... and I get where you're coming from," JJ exhaled quietly and lightly smiled, "Doesn't mean I think it was the right moment to fight homophobia... but I understand."

"Thank you," Drake said as he squeezed JJ's shoulder, "I think we've had enough excitement for one evening, don't you think?"

"I suppose so... Oy! You said I could push her on the way back," JJ cried indignantly as he reached for the buggy's crossbar.

"Was wondering if you were going to catch that..." Drake grinned as he shoved his hands in his jean pockets, "Okay, lead the way gorgeous."

The short, three block trip back to their condo was once again filled with light chatter about nothing in particular. This showed the bantering couple that they had mastered a skill that was rare among lovers, the ability to just let go of steadfast opinions in favor of cooperation. How lucky they were to put the past disputes exactly where in belonged... behind them.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Upon arriving home, JJ declared that he was going to give Kallie a bath then put her to bed since Drake had done the same the night before.

"Oh, I see," Drake joked, "You only pitch in on the FUN chores... ah..."

Playfully swatting Drake's backside he carried the infant off to the kitchen sink to clean her from the city's grime, "Don't complain. You're the one who wanted the relationship to be all or nothing sexy."

Drake snorted as he trod off to change his soiled clothes, "I just didn't know it would be all for you and nothing for me."

He quickly shut the bedroom door before a wet wash cloth whizzed out of the kitchen door, narrowly missing the center of his face.

JJ laughed as his returned to the brightly lit room. This space in the apartment was covered in white tile so the light from the luminescent bulbs reflected off of the ceiling, walls, and floor. Grinning to himself, he set to work, filling the stainless steel sink carefully with lukewarm water. Bath time was an activity that he had become quite fond of during the passing weeks for several different reasons.

For one, he loved how soft Kallima's skin was. The petals from a rose couldn't have had a more silken touch than a baby's back. The smell from the soap and shampoo was also enough to keep JJ coming back for more. Lavender was one of his favorite scents and the perfumed water was intoxicating to his sensitive nose. Another reason for his obsession with baths was much more personal however. It was time that he got to spend alone with the new temporary addition to their "family". He knew she didn't understand what he said to her, but it soothed a part of his stressed mind anyways. Thirty minutes of not worrying about his cases or about Drake or about his friend's problems. Simply, playtime with the cutest child he'd ever known.

You really are like a butterfly aren't you Kallie? He thought as he massaged shampoo into the little hair she had. You're so beautiful...you make me see what I was missing out on in a whole new light.

"AAAHHHHHH!"

JJ's head snapped to the direction of the living room. Detective instincts turned on full blast he scooped out Kallima, wrapped her in a towel, and put her in her car seat before sneaking into the room where he heard Drake yell. He was surprised to see nothing out of the ordinary except Drake heaving over the couch clutching his breath.

"Drake! What's wrong? What happened?" said JJ hurriedly as he sauntered over to where the taller man's face was buried in his arms.

"They... It's... I'm..." Drake muttered between deep inhales, clearly shaken.

"Please! Just tell me what's going on!" JJ pressed urgently.

Pausing a moment, Drake extended his arm slowly to touch the "play" button on their answering machine.

'You have one new message. Message One...'

"Hi, Drake? It's Stephanie. Sandra and I haven't heard from you in awhile and were really angry that you didn't tell us that you've moved. I had to call the precinct today to get your information. Oh well, Fred's on a business trip to New York and so I thought I would drop by. Catch up and all that jazz. Call me back at home before I leave... our plane takes off in three days. Love ya!"

'Beeep. End of Message. To delete this message press one now.'

"Uh... Drake?" JJ whispered softly as he looked suspiciously at the telephone, "Who the hell was that?"

Drake revolved gradually on the spot before coming face to face with JJ, "That's my sister."

A/N: OOOOHHH! Exciting! Stay tuned for more!

As always, please review. Tell me if you think my plot is deviating too much. I don't know. I really like it the way it is, but if you have problems. Drop me a line. –huggles reviews-