A.N. Sorry it took so long to update. My computer has been acting up lately. As always, please review, even if it is negative or constructive. Reviews encourage me to update sooner.

Cry Another Day

-Elisabeth Carmichael-

When Jordan walked into her office the next morning the first thing her eyes noticed was a poorly wrapped brown package sitting on the edge of her desk with a pink carnation nestled between the twine used to tie the package together. Her eyes raised inquisitively as she lifted up the unmarked parcel and felt it limply flop in her hands. Decidedly, she ripped off the brown paper to expose an envelope sitting on top of a small stack of clothing.

Jo

Renee and I picked this out last night while you were watching Emma. She won't tell anyone. My hopes are that you wear this when you tell Woody tonight. Don't worry, my taste in clothing is not that bad.

Garret

A small tear ran down Jordan's cheek as she folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope. Carefully, she picked up the shirt. It was a simple black sleeveless with a low cut square neckline, finished off by a sweet pink ribbon which outlined the neck, sleeves, and hem. She scanned it closely to find how it differed from regular clothing, finally noting the empire waist and the looser bodice. The skirt she then picked up came in a deep vintage denim with three modern darts running along the front. It had a slight a-line cut, and a well hidden maternity waistline.

She wouldn't have to look like a mother-to-be, just dress in clothes made to fit her changing body. As she went to throw the package out, she noticed a small note scribbled in Renee's handwriting attached to a simple Tiffany's heart necklace:

Wear your hair curly. Good luck!

-R.

Jordan carefully refolded the clothes and placed them under her desk. She then attended to the Tiffany's necklace, basking in its simplicity and significance. Her fingers deftly fastened it around her slender neck where it hung perfectly.

"Oh!" she let out a startled cry as she looked down at her stomach.

The baby had given her a sound kick to which she quickly responded by placing her hand soothingly on the spot and rubbing gently.

It's real. It is really happening. I'm going to be a mother. There is an actual baby growing inside of me.

Despite her previous fury at the prospect of being pregnant, Jordan could not help but feel a twinge of excitement knowing that she would soon be a mother. With a rejuvenated smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, Jordan headed into Autopsy 1.

"You look great Jo," Garret smiled as she walked into his office wearing the outfit he had given her.

She had allowed her hair to dry in bouncy curls, which nicely complemented her fuller figure.

"Thank Gar," she smiled as she rubbed her hands over her stomach protectively, "It really means a lot to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He grinned, "You'd be unemployed."

"Good point," her laughter was reminiscent of the old Jordan, "I would be, wouldn't I?"

He tilted his head towards the floor, "Jordan, if he…if for some reason Woody is a jerk tonight," Garret paused, "Or anything, if anything, you know that I'm here for you. If you need a shoulder to lean on or to cry on, or a person to talk to, I'm there for you, Renee is there for you, and you can come over anytime. I just don't want to see you hurt."

Jordan took a deep breath, "I know." She smiled slightly, almost comfortingly, "I know."

Taking a moment to regroup, Garret placed a hand tentatively on her stomach and then to her face, tenderly, "Go get him Jo. It'll all work out."

Woody looked up from his hospital bed to see Jordan dressed the nicest she had been in the past few months. Her clothes seemed to actually fit her as opposed to stretch over her or hide her. He groaned slightly.

"Who's your date?"

Jordan tentatively walked forward with her hands at her sides, "Date?"

He gave a weak yawn, attempting to seem nonchalant, "Yeah, you're all dressed up."

"Oh," she smiled slightly, "Then I guess it's you."

His cheeks had stubble from a week of neglecting to shave, "Haha. So then what is the occasion?"

Her heart leaped ahead, "Uh, oh, nothing. I just, well…" she blushed slightly, "Garret got sick of me wearing my old clothes. I'm just trying to keep the boss off my case."

"You?" he chuckled, "Wow, you really have changed."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

His sapphire blue eyes bore into her whiskey colored ones, connecting for an instant before dropping away, "I don't know."

An uneasy silence drifted between them for what seemed to be hours before he motioned for her to sit.

Jordan removed her jacket, placing it on the back of the chair and pausing to study the wall clock so that Woody received a view of her from the side. When she finally sat down, her hands went protectively to her stomach, still small but noticeable.

"Um, Woody, I need to talk to you for a minute."

He stared at her incredulously, "Okay."

Her short nails ran through her hair in a frantic frenzy.

"What, Jordan?"

She looked at him briefly before turning away, "Uh, just forget it."

"Alright. Well, in that case, I need to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Remember a few days ago, that case with the young virgin who was pregnant?"

Jordan nodded sullenly.

"When Roz called I asked about the case and she had no clue what you were talking about."

Jordan knew this was it. Her chance had come to tell Woody whether she was prepared for it or not. And if truth be told, she was quite a bit relieved not having to actually initiate the conversation.

She nodded slowly, "Um, yeah, I kind of need to talk to you about that Woody…" her voice lingered on.

"Were you lying to me Jordan? Did you make that case up just to appease me?"

At the corners of her eyes tears started to form, but she stubbornly kept them inside, "No," she shook her head, "No."

"Then what? What Jordan?" he looked furiously at her before turning away and running a frantic hand in his hair, "Oh my God, Jordan, it's you. You're pregnant, aren't you?"

She nodded slowly, "Yeah, um, three months. I'm going to be a mom."

As Jordan rose from the chair she placed her hands gingerly on her stomach, "And you're going to be a dad."

"I…I don't think I…Jordan we are hardly even friends right now. How can we have a child together?"

"Because you'll make a great father, and I'm slowly adjusting to the idea of being a mom. Look, Woody, we don't have to get married or date or anything so long as we are friends and parents. I know you don't want a relationship with me. But I want you to have a relationship with our child."

Woody turned his head away, "When did you find out?"

"The other day."

He turned back to face her, "And you two are okay?"

She smiled, "Yeah, yeah." Her hands were rubbing gentle circles on her stomach when she let out a delighted squeal, "Oh, oh, quick Woody, it's kicking. Quick put your hand here," she took his reluctant hand and pressed it to her stomach.

His face briefly lit up before he looked away from Jordan, "I can't do this Jor. I just can't."