1A/N: ah, okay - I know, I know - you're thinking what the hell is taking me so long. Suffering from writer's block here . . . and back to school shopping. I go back to school in five days and to answer your question, no - I have not done any clothes shopping. So are you wondering why I'm stressed out? Chapters will now become slower since school . . . sorry to say.

Thanks go out to: Bite Beccy, Bail's Other Daughter, Steelo, Starryeyes10, Kitty X, martini1988, QueenOfAces, froggy0319, alix33, mjag, moonlight, nursejay80, AnMaDeRoNi, snugglebug, jaggurl, Anne, ficchic, dansingwolf, Radiorox, cbw, wishwaters, Rocket Rain, sgcgirl52, tlk29, JJScottishGirl, Blueangel, aj, French-navy girl, Marge, Jane, Tina Frank, highplainswoman, mac AND harm fan, Ali Baba, super ducky, tumblebuttons, AB, Abigiale, macandharmlover, jazzy, vhosek malacath, Britainy, MartiniMac, HighHeel Shoe Lover, Sirus 745, Fan, Pissed off Poet 1, southernqt, BrittanyLS, sugar230, K, Ilovemyselftoday, eggy weg, xobabygurlxo, Reni-Maniac, Cille, ForensicsFreak1988, HMtogether4ever, MaritzaCarmichael, Lara783, janessab, tizy, June, vrbinkaCZ, Cherise, DD2, Bekka, Lani-LoveNPain, Dessler, mommie, daisymh, Laura, confused, basketball babe8, Strawberry Kittens, rainydays502, S, Broesel, ady, Kristie, writingismything, TV Angel 711, TaTe.ArI.Obsessed.Writers, MiDushiNoSushi, Basketball Babe8, Alex, Angie, Toplesslemon, Jules, prinnie, CJKS, ninjagirl987, Brontesgirl, Jules, Angie Capriatti, lance corporal boils, freezepops, FoxyWombat, Lauren, and Syraë for your wonderful reviews!

Dedicated to: Strawberry Kittens . . . especially Julie, who was dying for this chapter.

Life's Traumas

0352

Mac and Jake's Apartment

Mac's POV

"I'm not pregnant." Vera's words resound hollowly, magnified by the weight of the incredulity of the moment. She stared at the stick, her eyes flashing almost fearfully. "I'm . . . not pregnant."

"What?" I asked, leaning behind her and looking at the stick.

"I'm not pregnant," Vera whispered again, suddenly looking very lost. "It says I'm not pregnant."

A moment of silence falls between us as Vera leans forward, holding the stick sort of awkwardly. Weight pulls against the air between us. "Vera, I'm so sor –" I begin but Vera cuts me off.

"No, no don't be," Vera suddenly stands up from the couch and begins to pace. "I mean, this is for the better . . . what would I do with a child? I couldn't . . . care for it. I'm away on my job all the time . . . it never would have worked out . . . it's better this way." She's rubbing her eyes furiously now. "I mean, my job's dangerous . . . so is Clay's . . . how could we be there for . . . him or her? It would be impossible . . . and . . . it's just better this way."

I stared at her compassionately. "Vera . . ."

And then she broke down, sobbing almost uncontrollably on the couch leaving me to solely bare the responsibility of comforting her. I sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her. "Vera, it's alright . . . there'll be other times."

Vera shook her head wildly. "No . . . no, there won't be . . . that's just it . . . this was my only hope, Mac. My only hope." She rubbed her eyes, grimacing as tinges of red seeped into her cheeks. "God, I don't even know why I'm getting so upset about this! I mean, it's not like I even wanted to be . . ." She cast a long look at Hunter. "But now that I know I'm not . . ."

Vera bit her lower lip and I felt my heart completely go out to her. "Vera, I don't know what to say . . ."

But Vera cut me off. "Just . . . don't say anything. Let's . . . let's have a fun weekend without the guys." She flashed me a watery smile. "Deal?"

I smiled in return. "Deal."

Same Time

The Admiral's House

Harm's POV

I grinned wildly as Clay pulled the van up to the Admiral's drive way. Today's events have been eventful . . . to say the least. A nineteen year old just conducted an operation which included my former CO sprinting down the halls of CIA headquarters, my old college roommate as his partner in crime, the roommate of the woman who had my baby practically charming the pants off the woman at the Special Ops guarding gate, Clayton Webb hitting his former boss over the head with a metal filing cabinet drawer, AND winding it all up with locking everyone inside Headquarters while we make our grand escape. Do you wonder why I'm speechless?

"Dude," Shapiro drawls as he stares out the window as Webb gets out to unlock the doors. "This is one hell of a wicked house."

"Thanks," the Admiral replied stiffly.

"So, we crashing here or what?" I asked

Jake grinned at me as he hopped out of the van. "You'd prefer heading back to the house?"

"God, no," I replied, jumping out after the Kid exited. "I haven't been out of that house in the last nine months."

Sturgis clasped me companionably on the back. "Hey, it's all for a greater good."

I glared at him.

"Alright, Sturgis – one side of the room, Harm – the opposite," the Admiral mumbled as he opened the door with his key. "Make yourselves at home . . ." His eye caught Shapiro's. "But not too much at home."

Shapiro grinned in response.

I flopped down on one of the couches, sighing wearily. Today had been one hell of a day. The Admiral eased himself into the large leather armchair in the corner while Jake and Shapiro were content with lying down on the floor. Only Teddy did not seem to find an afternoon nap attractive. But then again, he's a kid . . . and we're old worn men.

There's a rap on the door.

"Someone, go get that," the Admiral ordered, muttering as his eyes remained firmly shut.

The knocks persisted. No one moved. And then . . .

The door creaked open. "Sir!"

My eyes snapped open. "Bud . . . ?"

And I could only watch as all the color drained from Bud's face as he fainted and fell to the floor . . .

Same Time

Mac and Jake's Apartment

Mac's POV

"What do you want to watch?" I asked, easing myself into the couch with a large bowl of popcorn, shoving it over to Vera who promptly filled her fist with it.

"What movies have you got?" Vera asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know . . . they're all Jake's. And he's an —"

"Old movie buff," Vera replied nodding. "I know . . ." she shrugged as I opened the large box that Jake had appropriately named 'Movies'. "But he's also one of those timeless classics buffoon . . . you know? Gone With the Wind, the Sound of Music, I've even watched Anne of Green Gables with him."

I grinned at her, "you're kidding."

"Nope," Vera replied, shaking her head and laughing. "On our first date we played Life while watching Anne of Green Gables. I'd never seen the movie and Jake was addicted." Vera shrugged. "It was fun."

Knock. Knock.

I got up, turning to Vera. "You go ahead and pick a movie while I answer the door."

I opened up the door, and surprise lit my face. "Harriet?"

"Hey, Mac," Harriet sighed. "Well, the kids are away at their grandparent's house and . . . well, this weekend it was supposed just Bud and I but . . . he just called me and told me he needs this weekend for work, the Admiral's called him away or something . . ." Harriet trails. "You think maybe I could . . . sleep over? Help you out with Hunter?"

That nagging little voice in the back of my mind says 'Jake away . . . Clay away . . . Harm away . . . Bud away?" I turned around to Vera who was watching us now, "Is this sounding just a little more than a coincidence to you?"

Vera just stared. "I think you'd better come in," she said to Harriet.

Harriet looked at Vera. "Who are you?"

I sighed, sharing a long look with Vera. "That's what I'm about to tell you . . ."

Five minutes ago

The Admiral's House

Harm's POV

"I can't believe it," Bud whispered, as we sat him up in one of the kitchen chairs, having just poured water all over his face. His eyes kept zoning in on me. "You've alive."

"And I'd say better than ever to go with the whole phrase," I said almost wearily. "But that would be a straight and outright lie."

Bud stares at me. "How come . . ." he trails, staring around at everyone. "How come they all know? How did - when did everyone find out? And why are you . . . how did you . . . ?"

I don't blame him for being perplexed. It's confusing as hell. I sighed, looking at Webb who - reluctantly - nodded. I took a deep breath, "Bud, what I'm about to tell you is extremely confidential, with . . . I don't know whose lives at risk, but mine . . . maybe Mac's. Maybe Hunter's. Maybe all of ours. But Bud, I want you to know – right now, you can walk away from this and you will have never seen anything. Not me, not any of us . . . and you can go on living life just as you have been. But if you do choose to involve yourself, I can't guarantee your safety."

Bud stared at me for a long moment. "You know I don't have a choice."

I returned his gaze. "You always have a choice, Bud."

"No, I don't," he rebutted strongly. "If you need my help, then I'm there. No choices, no questions, and most of all," he draws level to me – which, considering my height, is no small feat (pardon the pun) – "no regrets."

I stared at the younger man for a long time, his eyes a shade darker than I remember them, but still radiating the same strength and force that had laid hidden within him for so long. I clasped his hand strongly, trying to keep the emotion from seeping into my voice. "It's good to see you again, Bud."

Bud grins at me waterily. "And it's good to see you too, sir."

I smiled back at him, looking almost nervously around me. "Well . . . where should we begin?"

"With you calling Harriet," Webb said almost immediately. His eyes caught mine for a second before averting. He handed Bud the telephone. "You won't be home tonight."

"But," Bud began before almost immediately eating his words. "I will."

"You don't have to do this, Bud," I reminded him lightly as I watched him slowly punch in the numbers.

Bud looked up at me. "With all due respect, Sir . . . you're in no position to call that shot."

And as I watched Bud talk to Harriet – albeit briefly, I felt something change inside of me. At first I couldn't place why . . . his hair was a little lighter, he'd lost a little more weight, but other than that, there was not much of an external difference in appearance. He was older, yes, and wiser . . . but he was still the Bud I'd always known. And that was just it – the Bud I'd always known. The Admiral who'd always been there to chew me out, to yell at me, to save me, to yell at other people on my behalf. The Sturgis I'd always known, needling me for things I'd rather ignore, the playful buddy I knew I would always have by my side. The Webb who still to this day annoys me to death, but I know would and has risked his life to save mine. And little by little, I realized – I was getting my life back . . .

Same Time

Mac and Jake's Apartment

Mac's POV

"He's alive?" Harriet echoed incredulously. There's something about the expression on her face, the off note in her voice that reels my memory back to when I'd found out Harm was alive . . . But that's not the same, my inner voice exclaimed angrily. You know it . . . you never had time to heal, time to settle the score . . . you were torn in and torn out again. But was that better? Was it better not to have made peace? If I had accepted Harm's death, wouldn't it have come as all the more hard a blow to find fifteen months later that he was in fact, NOT dead?

Maybe . . . but I'll never know.

I watch as tears suddenly sting her eyes as she fervently wipes them, smiling painfully at herself as she did so. "And . . . but how . . ." she took a long sweeping look down at my son who laid curled in his crib. "Hunter . . ." she whispered.

I nodded, as tears suddenly stained Harriet's cheeks and for the oddest reason, I feel my own eyes beginning to blur. Harriet's emotion was so much like mine . . . the initial shock and then . . . the instant relief. Like a gigantic relief had suddenly been lifted from your shoulders . . . it was overwhelming.

Suddenly Harriet and I are hugging, and she's sobbing in relief and happiness, and me – though I thought I was over it – am apparently not, and I'm smiling and crying and laughing and everything all at once. Even Vera – who has not experienced the great Harm's Death epidemic is looking emotional. Or maybe it has to do with her non-pregnancy . . . maybe it's everything combined.

Somewhere, some little voice in my head reminds me I'm a marine, and that I'm now crying over a guy that I seem to be completely hung up on. And I tell my voice to shove it. Because this is what matters right now . . . my life. My son, and Harm. My family. The words sting me, suddenly seeping into my mind, infectious with significance. My family. Harm and Hunter . . . they're my family.

I introduce Harriet to Vera, with the sudden profound implication that over this one weekend, we are all going to become friends. Bonded by life's traumas, we stand together – three smart and independent women. Rubbing my now red eyes I turned back to the couch and the gigantic box of DVDs, and baby Hunter who lay sleeping in his crib. "He's definitely Harm's."

Harriet smiled waterily. "Can I . . . you know, see him?"

"Oh yeah," I replied quickly, suddenly struck by the fact that the only other time Harriet's seen him was when he was behind a glass wall. Slowly – very slowly – I lifted Hunter up out of his crib and placed him very gently in Harriet's arms, where Hunter promptly rolled over, opening his perilous blue eyes with a long yawn.

"Oh . . ." Harriet sighed, smiling at Hunter as he immediately fell back to sleep. "He's got his eyes."

I grinned, "tell me about it."

I turn to look over at Vera and am suddenly caught by the distress in her eyes, that lost lonely feeling . . . the one that became me every day before Hunter. . . and before Harm. "Vera, this will happen for you . . ." I trailed reassuringly. "It will . . . maybe not today, but some day."

"What?" Harriet asked in confusion, gently placing Hunter back into his crib.

"Vera . . ." I trailed, "just took a pregnancy test and . . . it was negative."

Harriet looked up. "Only one?"

Vera looked almost startled by the question. "How many does it take?"

Harriet grins at her, "Well, when I had AJ – my oldest son – the first pregnancy test I took said negative . . . even the doctor said I wasn't pregnant. But I tried again, and then got a positive sign. Sometimes it doesn't always happen on the first try."

"But . . . but I don't have another one," Vera stuttered almost dazedly. "I . . . I only bought one."

"There's a Shopper's Drug Mart down the street," I said quickly, throwing Vera and Harriet their jackets. "Come on, let's get there before it closes."

"But," Vera begins.

"No buts," I rebutted quickly, lifting Hunter out of his crib and holding him to my chest, as I turned around to face Vera, opening the door as I did so. "We're going to do this, Vera. YOU'RE going to do this." My eyes take in her dark scared ones, and I smile encouragingly. "We're here for you."

Vera hesitates, Harriet and I just stare at her. There's a long pause and then . . . Vera nods. I grab my car keys off the counter and we all jump into my car, on our ways to what would soon become a life changing experience.

Same Time

The Admiral's House

Harm's POV

We all sat around the table, each one of our faces sporting an etched-in-stone kind of expression. Webb rolled out the blueprint to Ballando Il Teatro dell'opera Leggero. Dancing Light Opera House. Clay carefully sketched everyone's positions, using numbers, and we all paused, our eyes scanning the blueprint, our voice silent, the thickness in the air baring down in the most suffocating of ways.

I ran my hands through my hair. "What are we looking at here, Webb?"

Clay sighed heavily. "Our plot . . . this is where we're catching Abbas."

A few eyebrows rise, but none quite as high as mine. "In an opera house?"

Clay shrugged. "It's big, it's abandoned, we've got easy cover, easier surroundings . . . plus, it won't look as though we're setting him up. We're trying to cover someone – why not let them live in an abandoned opera house? Out of the way . . . no one goes in there . . . Abbas will come after you, and we'll get him."

"Clay, you and I both know it's never that easy," Jake said solidly. He looked around the room, "In fact, I think everyone here except for The Kid knows that." His eyes are penetrating. "Abbas has never been caught . . . what makes you think this time is so different?"

Clay turned back to the map, his grey eyes clouded for a moment. "Because he's starved . . ." he looked up. "Abbas is a hunter . . . a wild animal. He feasts off others lives, very literally. He's paid to kill, and he does it well. I imagine he was paid quite a lot to knock of Harm, and the fact that it's taken him over fifteen months to do so must be very aggravating . . . it's a craze to him. To Abbas – nothing can defeat him. Nothing's over his head." Clay turned to us. "We can't let it go on."

"You didn't answer my question," Jake pointed out deftly.

Clay was silent. "If we set it up just correctly . . ." His eyes flashed amongst the group. "I'm not going to lie – there is a leak within the CIA. We know someone's passing information to Abbas, and we can't figure out who." He looks drained. "As hard as we try, the snitch's past is buried deep – too deep for us to get to it. And that's why our team can't be made of CIA agents. We need people we can trust."

"You two are CIA," Shapiro pointed out. "And so's the chick."

Clay glared at him. "'The chick' won't be coming with us."

The Admiral leaned over in interest. "If I know Vera – and believe me, I do – she would not be kept out of this." The implication behind this statement was clear.

"She doesn't know," Clay said quietly.

"And, may I assume by the facts in this statement that Mac also does not know?" Sturgis asked.

"And that's how we're keeping it," I finished quickly, glaring at Sturgis. No way was I getting Mac into this . . . she'd been put through enough already.

"Same goes for Harriet!" Bud called out. I clapped him companionably on the shoulder. My feelings towards Mac were very much the same as Bud's towards Harriet.

"Alright, gentlemen," Clay's voice overrides all of ours. "Please. I am not undermining Vera or Mac – I know them both and believe me, they are more than up to this task but . . ." his voice catches. "I think they would be of more use to us . . . here."

Everyone in the room knows it's an outright lie, but no one says a thing.

"So . . . when do we start on this plan?" Teddy asked, his first question all meeting.

Clay checks his watch. "I guess . . . tomorrow morning would be best." He casts a weary look at us all. "I think most of us a little . . . worn out from today's events."

To say the least.

Slowly everyone left the table, taking seats on the couch or lying on the floor, some moving up to the Admiral's spare bedrooms. I flopped down on the black leather couch off in the corner near the fireplace. Everyone bone in my body ached wearily.

"Sir," Bud asked, approaching the Admiral who was once again back in his arm chair. "Do you think I could call Harriet and the kids? Just to say good night?"

The Admiral motioned to the phone. "Of course, Bud."

"Hey, you think I could call Mac?" I asked suddenly, rising from the couch. "I mean, the call would be from YOUR phone . . . and there's nothing suspicious about a CO calling one of their senior officers . . ." I rattled.

"And could I call Vera?" Clay suddenly shot. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jake's face suddenly grow ominous. That's been happening a lot lately – reminds me more of how I used to be around Mic and Mac. God, that was the world's biggest joke. Mic and Mac? I kept think of Tic Tacs.

"You can all call your . . . various others," the Admiral said wearily. "As long as you let me sleep." He got out of his arm chair. "I'm going up to my bed."

"Good night," Jake murmured from the couch opposite to me. The reflection of the fire caught in his eyes, glowing darkly. His gaze fell upon Clay who was watching Bud as he bade goodnight to Jimmy and AJ, a look of pure delight upon his face. And I don't believe – that at that very moment – there was one person in the room who didn't envy the man.

"I love you too, Jimmy," Bud whispered, this light in his eyes that I've only seen when he's around Harriet or his precious four. "Yeah . . . kiss Hallie for me, okay? And Harm . . . yeah, sweet dreams . . . I miss you too. Night night, Jimmy . . ."

He hung up the phone with the contented sigh of a perfectly happy man. He looked back at me and smiled, his eyes shining in an almost wise way. "I'm just . . . going to call Harriet," he said, knowing I was next in line and I nodded patiently, smiling as I did so. God dammit, he was so lucky . . .

Bud hung up on the fifth ring. "I guess she went out."

I was passed the phone, feeling the once again familiar exhilaration of dialing her number. My fingers tingled, her image flying fleetingly before my eyes. Her and Hunter. I felt my heart swell, almost immediately numbed by the hollow ringing that echoed in my ears – repeatedly. I hung up. "I guess she's not there . . ." I shrugged. "Maybe she's out with Harriet."

Clay picked up the phone then, dialing the house number, only to be greeted with the same fate as Bud and I. He put the phone back down, sighing as he did so. "I guess they are out together . . ." He gestured impassively. "I wonder what they're doing . . ."

Same Time

Shopper's Drug Mart

Mac's POV

"Which one do I try first?" Vera asked, the pressure creeping onto her stricken face. Harriet and I held out about three boxes a piece. "We're not going to buy them all!"

"You're right . . ." I said, trying to keep my breathe slow and steady. "You're right . . . we'll buy however many it takes to get a positive answer."

"Mac!" Vera hissed, obviously distressed by the idea.

Harriet smiled, however. "Don't be stressed, I've been through this four times . . ." Vera's eyebrow cocks up. "It's true," Harriet defended. "You can ask Mac – she's their godmother."

I nodded to collaborate the story. "She speaks the truth – if any one of us would know, it would be Harriet."

"Now, go into that bathroom," Harriet said, motioning to the 'Employees Only' door off to the corner of the store. "And pee on that stick."

"But it says – " Vera begins but Harriet cuts her off.

"I don't give a damn about what it says, I do, however, care if you're pregnant or not," Harriet said urgently, passing her the first box. I looked on in amusement as Vera looks at Harriet as though for the first time, and then smiles in . . . consent?

Vera opens the door and closes it behind her. I pace, Harriet leans against the wall trying to be calm. My foot taps against the floor, Harriet begins to whistle. We both trade nervous glances. Three minutes . . . it's as though she's been in there three millenniums. I'm anxious, I'm excited, I'm everything all rolled into one.

And then . . . the door opens.

Vera walks out, a look of absolute incredulity etched up on her features. "I'm pregnant," she whispered tightly. "I'm . . . pregnant."

A/N: LOL, I did prolong the pregnancy thing a bit too much . . . oh well, better late than never! So . . . please review and tell me what you think. And be brutally honest. I appreciate honesty. So, for all those who did review last chapter . . .

Pissed Off Poet 1: who says she won't end up with Jake ? LOL, and who says it's Clay's? I'm sorry, I know I'm evil for posing so many questions . . . and again, the ending is coming up. Ah, my goal for this summer was to finish this story before the end of it! So much for that idea . . . hmm, maybe I should try for Christmas holidays? LOL, just joking . . .

Lani: lol, yes . . . Harm and Mac were my role models for Jake and Vera. Always there but never quite . . . you know, going the extra step.

Radiorox: lol, I do keep going back and forth on that, don't I? Vera . . . pregnant . . . or not. But you must understand, it's just not like me to give a straight out answer . . . and as you pointed out, especially when Webb's involved.

MiDushiNoSushi: I was laughing when I wrote them running down the hall. Honestly, can you imagine the Admiral doing that? Funny enough, I think I can! And Webb – when he turned around and hit Kovac with the filing cabinet . . . I thought that was totally Harm. Oh, okay - and now to the Jake/Vera/Clay triangle – I think this is the first time I have ever written any sort of romance triangle and the really hard part about it was that I love all of them. You know, Vera and Jake are . . . mine. It sounds weird, I know – but . . . I created them from scratch, you know? But then Clay's just so complex . . . he's brilliant. I mean, don't get me wrong – I'm no Webbie. Never forgave him for Paraguay, probably never will . . . but it always just seemed to me that Clay's character was too good to waste. I dunno, when I resolve the triangle at the end of the story, please tell me what you think. You seem to have very good insight on it all.

Syraë: heh heh, nice being worshiped, isn't it? I just can't honestly picture someone staying in front of a screen and reading MY story in two days. I mean . . . honestly, it's not even the time thing but - did you get bored? A chapter once every two or three days, I can see but . . . you didn't find yourself losing interest? Cuz if you didn't . . . again, I worship you!

TV Angel 711: lol, thanks . . . I honestly don't deserve this praise, but nonetheless, I'm enjoying it!

Brontesgirl: thanks, glad to know someone's enjoying it. Hope you liked this chapter!

Vhosek malacath: you don't mind reading long chapters . . . but I have to write them! LOL, not that I particularly mind . . . as soon as I get into them, I could write forever!

Toplesslemon: lol, brilliant! Glad you're enjoying it . . . I love writing it. I still can't believe this is actually MY story . . . like, I keep thinking 'if I wasn't me, and someone else was . . . I'd like this story' and that fact keeps me laughing, cuz very often lots of people like what I write but I'm not particularly fond of it. This story . . . it's different.

MarineJAG: lol, no cliffhangers this round! Actually, I would have written one in . . . except my dad's downstairs and I'm not supposed to be up this late - I have to wake up early tomorrow - but that's the good thing about computers in your bedroom . . . the parents don't know if you don't type too loud!

Snugglebug: lol, yeah . .. I always pictured AJ good with kids . . . and Harm.

Froggy0319: lol, well now you know! Just to end all that worrying . . . seriously, don't build up stress. Ain't good for you. And don't worry - Harm's thing will turn out fine. Just trust me.

Daisymh: thanks!

JamieAKAaclassyone: yeah, well . . . I'll make Clay reliable just for me. LOL, he had a good character on JAG . . . till they ruined him with Paraguay. Honestly, like HE'D ever have a shot with Mac! Especially when Harm's around . . . LOL, I bought a t-shirt just yesterday that said 'Don't give me your attitude . . . I have one of my own'. I loved it - I collect those t-shirts.

Dansingwolf: wow, that was a long review! And I'd write a long response except it's really late, my dad has this thing about not being up this late when I've got to go to some . . . show thing of his early tomorrow where he can parade me around like a little trophy while I just get to nod like the idiot I am. I know, when I was writing that Admiral scene I was laughing my head off . . . I can picture him doing that too. What's more, I can picture Webb turning around and hitting the head of CIA right on the noggin with a metal cabinet drawer! Ah, and when I write my sequel . . . you'll get to know Hunter a little more. I know, I'm already anticipating the sequel and I'm not even done this story yet . . . as for your debating thing, well - be optimistic. I went to my debate tournament having only debated once in class, having no formal experience, and the youngest one there by a mile. Wanna know a secret? You know Teddy in this story? The Kid? I named him after me . . . that's what everyone called me. I was young but good, I was 'The Kid'. On the board for rankings, cuz my name is too long they seriously just put 'The Kid'. Kinda sad, I know, to be proud of a name like that but all I could think of was 'they gave me a NAME!' And at least you've got a common Indian last name. Mine's twelve letters - five syllables. Try and figure that out. And I've got two middle names - thirty letters in total, twelve syllables in total. It's crazy . . . but it's unique. You'll never find another me in this world. Seriously, never in the whole history of human kind, has anyone had my first and last name put together. That's cuz my mum gave me an American first name and I took my dad's unusual Indian surname . . . it's an interesting combination and, I know I said to myself I would write you a short reply but what can I say? I got carried away . . . oh, okay, my dad just paused in his snoring . . . please don't wake up, please don't wake up . . .

Freezepops: lol, well . . . now you know Vera's pregnant. As for who she ends up with . . . you'll have to read to find out! Heh heh, I hate it when writer's say that. Used to annoy the heck out of me . . . I'm proud to be able to carry on the tradition!

FoxyWombat: you updated! Yay, okay - I did read you chapter, but haven't reviewed yet cuz my STUPID computer would not let me! But as soon as I can, I'll switch computers and review! I was so mad . . . I must have clicked the review button a million times before giving up. I'll review tomorrow but as a preview: great chapter!