Caitlin flew into Cole's cheap apartment already in a towering rage. He sat on the end of the bed and calmly listened to her tirade. Eventually she would get to some information he could use. "My goddamned parents are trying to have another baby. What are they thinking? Neither of them are going to live long enough to raise it even if they get pregnant,"

It was like a light going on in a dark room. Threats on Olivia might have just made Gregory angry, but threatening an unborn child would certainly send him over the edge. "How do you know she's not already?"

Caitlin sank to the edge of the bed neat to him, her anger fading into a sick feeling of betrayal. "She can't- They wouldn't-" In desperation she turned to Cole as she realized he was right. "Why wouldn't they tell me?"

"Probably wanted to keep me from knowing about it." Cole decided with a self-satisfied grin. He pulled up his knee to his lap and looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. They needed confirmation. He would deeply enjoy showing Gregory that nothing was sacred. No secret could be kept from him.

"You said you left when your mother got a nosebleed?" He remembered in a flash of inspiration. "We've got to check your house." He lifted her from the bed as he pulled on her arm.

"Yeah, blood just started running down her face, daddy forgot I was even there." Caitlin reiterated glumly. "What could you possibly want from my house?"

"Blood." Cole said with a wicked gleam in his eye. "I'm betting good old Gregory won't take the time to clean up. He'll take your mother up to bed, probably sit and talk sweet to her. Giving us enough time to find something with Olivia's blood on it."

"Eww." Caitlin couldn't understand why he wanted blood. "Why do we need blood?"

Cole sighed in mild exasperation. The next time he took a lover, he wanted someone a bit more intelligent. "Because blood has all kinds of useful information in it. Even hormones that will tell us wether or not there's another Richards brat on the way."

Cole proved to be entirely right about her father. The house was quiet on the first floor. Gregory must have taken Olivia upstairs, just as he predicted.

Caitlin pointed towards the kitchen, a trail of browning droplets on the floor lead to the door. "They went in there." Following her hand, they crept into the kitchen. She felt a little odd sneaking around her house, but hell itself would come to claim her if her father knew she was helping Cole.

His eye for detail found the smudge of blood on the edge of the sink. Leaning over the edge, Cole found exactly what he wanted. Gregory's blood soaked handkerchief, carelessly left in a ball in the corner of the sink. "Jackpot." He whispered excitedly to Caitlin. "Find a plastic bag."

She looked at the bloody mess in the sink in disgust. "That's gross."

Taking the bad, he turned it inside out picked up the handkerchief with a smile. The neat monogram was still visible in the corner. Gregory's own handkerchief would carry the means of his undoing. "It's necessary." He retorted as he sealed the bag. "Now we take a little trip to LA to meet a friend of mine."

"How long is that going to take?" Caitlin asked with annoyance.

"We'll know by tomorrow." He replied with his typical arrogance. "If this turns out to be positive-" Cole nearly laughed in delight. "Your parents won't even know what hit them"

Upstairs, at the foot of the bed Belle lifted her large brown and white head to listen. Her mistress was asleep in the bed above her, and the man who kept his distance from her was sitting on the bed calmly reading his book. He looked up when she stood and scratched at the door of the bedroom.

Gregory put his bookmark in and left the book on the pillow as he got up carefully. Olivia stirred slightly when the bed creaked as he stood. He touched her shoulder. "I'm just putting the dog out. You don't have to get up Liv."

As soon as he opened the door of the room, Belle bounded past him towards the stairs. "Dogs." Gregory muttered to himself as he followed her down to the living room. "One minute you're sleeping, the next minute you need to be outside like the house is on fire."

But she didn't head for the outside door, like he suspected, instead she raced into the kitchen and started barking.

Caitlin shut the kitchen window behind Cole, sighing in relief just as the huge mutt Sean had gotten for mom cornered her. The dog barked once before pulling back her lips and baring her teeth. Yelping in surprise, she jumped up onto the counter just as her father entered the kitchen.

"Belle what's going on? What's in here?" Gregory chided in annoyance. "Outside isn't this way." He reached for her collar, only then looking up to see what she was growling at. "Caitlin? What are you doing here?"

"Trying to stay away from that beast." She lowered a foot off the end of the counter and Belle pulled out of Gregory's grip to snap at her. "God dad, she's vicious."

"She's never done this before." He put both hands on the collar and pulled the dog back. "Belle sit, down. Belle down." Reluctantly the St. Bernard sat at Gregory's feet. Still not taking her eyes off of Caitlin or the partially open window. "She doesn't know you. Maybe you should just stay up there until I get her outside."

"Why do you even keep that beast around?" Caitlin folded her arms over her chest, pouting as she slid to the back of the counter near the window.

"Sean feels better with her around." Gregory explained, agreeing with Belle's low growl. "And now that he's gone, it's more important then ever to honor his wishes. He worries about his mother, he cares about her. Something you don't seem to be capable of anymore."

"That's not fair daddy." She argued with a childish tone. "It's not fair at all."

He rubbed Belle's soft head thoughtfully without even realize he was on the same side as the dog. "Isn't it? Young lady, you terrified her. You had no right to do that. She's been upset enough lately, with the sniper and the car-" His hand on Belle's head quieted the growling in her throat. " I understand you're just trying to protect her, but leave that to me. Your mother is my responsibility Cate and I'm going to keep her safe. No matter what Cole throws at us."

Leaving his daughter with that thought, he took Belle and lead her away, pleased when she fell into step next to him. Once they reached the living room she trotted right past him and stopped at Olivia's side a few feet from the door, wagging her dangerous brush of a tail. "For all you try to hide it, you are the sweetest man I've ever known."

Beneath his tan, Gregory blushed slightly. "You are supposed to be asleep upstairs."

She left the bottom step and smiled at him, disarming his concern. "I'm feeling better." Weaving her arm into Gregory's she pointed towards the door to the garage. "You haven't showed us the new car yet, and as the ladies of the house, Belle and I have a responsibility to give you our honest opinion."

Chuckling he let her lead him out to the new Jaguar. As he expected, Olivia gave him a confused look when she looked it over. "I thought you were going to get another convertible."

Opening the passenger door for her, he shrugged innocently. "I liked this one."

Sliding into the dark leather seats, she giggled and placed her hand on the gear shifter as he got in across from her. "Don't tell me, it's some kind of super-powered monstrousity under the hood,"

"I liked the color." He said softly as he lowered his hand over hers. "It was reminded me of you." Pausing, he moved to kiss her, preventing her from commenting on his weakness for the blue of her eyes. Besides, we needed a back seat. Dammed impossible to fit a car seat in the convertible."

"You bought the car for the baby." Olivia realized as she sat back in her seat. "You passed up another shot at the convertible for our baby. You are getting soft."

Gregory ignored her comment as he started the car. "We'll take it down the shore and watch the stars come out." He reached around his seat to open the back door and let Belle into the back. "I think you learn to adapt to the hard top. This sunroof is amazing."

Belle stuck her head between the seats long enough to lick Olivia's cheek before settling down with her head out the window. Shaking her head, she tried to figure out if she had ever heard of a man getting gentler during a midlife crisis. "I love you, I just do."

That Wednesday was Casey's first day back and Gregory was relieved. He hadn't let Olivia schedule anything that took her out of the building while Casey had been gone, and she was getting restless. Leaving her responsibilities at the radio station to her CEO didn't make her very happy and she'd been relentless in her complaints about his overzealousness.

Of course his nagging suspicion that Cole had been quiet because he had been planning something terrible was just a gut feeling, just his overprotective mind at work.

Casey stopped in just before nine as he had requested. "Good morning." He started with a cheerful smile. The sling was gone, and though his left arm seemed stiff, it took Gregory's detailed perception to notice it.

Looking up from his computer with a grateful smile, Gregory pointed at the chair across from his desk. "Olivia and I came in early this morning, so I'm sure you'll find her with quite a list of things for you to do today. Don't let her wear you out now."

Casey chuckled easily. "I promise to keep an eye on my limits. I'm glad Mrs. Rich-" Gregory's look reminded him of her request. "Olivia," he corrected, still feeling a little nervous addressing her by her first name. "Is doing so well."

Straightening some loose papers, Gregory looked down at them instead of making eye contact. "She touches her face."

"I'm sorry?"

Lifting his eyes to Casey's honest face, he repeated his concern. "When she's tired, or not feeling well, Olivia touches her face. I'd appreciate it if you could watch that for me. I think it goes without saying that we need to keep her condition as quiet as possible."

"Of course." Casey agreed quickly, then he paused, thinking for a moment. "Should I say something in particular? Some kind of code word?"

Gregory stood and turned to the window. "If you're out of the office, think of an excuse to get her back. If you're here, suddenly remember there's something I need her for. Olivia believes she's less transparent then she is. If you can get her in that door, I'll be able to get her home."

Standing in response, Casey nodded. "I'll keep an eye on her."

"Good." He had his hand on the door when Gregory added. "And Casey- I know Alex would be proud of you. "

As Olivia finished up the press releases for the week she stopped mid-sentence and put her hand to her forehead, taking a moment to clear her head, she smiled and continued as if she had just forgotten her place. Without Gregory's warnings this morning, he might have missed the significance of the gesture. Instead, he watched Olivia's every movement.

After only two minutes, Casey realized Gregory was as exact in his interpretation of his wife's idiosyncrasies as he seemed to be in everything else. While he observed her, Olivia read the same passage three times without seeming to see any of it. She reached for her cup, but set it down without taking a drink. Touching her forehead again, Casey watched her swallow uncomfortably before he interrupted.

He wasn't good at lying, and he hoped she wouldn't notice. "I almost forgot, but Gregory asked if you'd be willing to go over his interview with him before tomorrow."

Olivia took a moment to realize he was talking to her. "He did?"

"He did." Casey replied easily, realized that she seemed to be buying it. "I can finish these up if you want to help him with that now."

She handed the papers over to him without argument. Helping Gregory with his interview would require less reading, and the words were just making her head spin. "Okay. Thanks Casey."

He waited for her to shut the door behind her before he touched the intercom. "She's headed over." Taking the papers she'd left, Casey settled his chair and wondered what he'd know about Heather after twenty years of marriage.

Gregory had his briefcase open on his desk when she came in. Olivia paused with her hand on the door for support. "Casey said you need to talk to me about your interview?"

Smiling when he looked up at her, Gregory knew to start filling his briefcase just by looking at her eyes. She had that distracted look she invariably got when she wasn't feeling well. "I think I just need a little more coaching."

"You're always brilliant darling, I don't-" She paused, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to regain her equilibrium. "I don't see what you need from me."

Gregory came out from his desk, crossing his office before she reopened her eyes. His sudden presence at her side surprised her as he took her arm in hand. "Is something bothering you? You seem a little distracted."

Olivia shook her head mechanically, not bothering to answer more then that.

Sliding his hand down her arm, he stopped when he took her hand in his. Her fingers were cold and the palm of her hand was sweaty. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"I don't want to cause you trouble." She protested weakly as he lead her to his desk.

Gregory laughed as he sat her down in his chair. "It's all right to cause a little trouble now and then. I married you to keep my life interesting."

Olivia brushed some imaginary lint from the lapel of his jacket. "I didn't know taking care of your sick wife was all that interesting."

His heart jumped sympathetically when she admitted she felt sick. Kneeling down in front of her, Gregory rubbed her knee gently. "Anyone who believes that must not be married to you."

Laughing, she forgot for a moment how nauseous she felt. Olivia's stomach reminded her and she put her hand over her mouth.

Running his hand over her head, he stood up and returned to his briefcase. "We're going home." Gregory decided with a firmness in his tone that denied any argument.

Olivia stood up to tell him to stop being overprotective, but the act itself was a vicious reminder that her head was swimming. Gregory dropped the papers he was tucking into his briefcase and took a step towards her. Waving him off, she had to sink back into the chair to take the weight of her legs that suddenly felt like water. "I'm sorry darling, but I think you're right."

"Don't apologize," He corrected as he snapped his briefcase shut. "Casey's more then capable of finishing your press releases. Emily's always bothering me to take more time off anyway. Did I ever tell you I have almost three months of vacation to use?"

Lowering her head for a moment, she looked up as he lowered himself to her eye level. "Good, you can be pregnant instead." Gregory chuckled softly as he lent his arms to help her to her feet. "I'm serious." Olivia continued as she tried to steady her eyes. "You're never sick, it would probably be easy for you."

He out his hand to her chin, staring into her eyes after the discomfort she was hiding. "I can't imagine what you're going through Liv, nor do I think I can tell I you how much it means to me that you are willing to carry our child."

Turning away from him towards the door, she sighed heavily. "Not that you left me much choice."

She couldn't know about the fertility drugs he had used on her. There was no chance, only Roger knew and he would take the secret to his grave. "What do you mean by that?" Gregory wondered aloud as he brought his hands to her waist.

Olivia leaned back against his chest, letting his hand cradle her not-yet rounded stomach. "I can't say no to you. When you want something, I can't resist you. I've never been able too."

Resting his head on her shoulder, he kissed her neck."I didn't mean to force you into this." The part of his conscience that insisted he tell her the truth was silent.

"You didn't force me." She retorted quickly, wondering why he had such rediculous thoughts. "You just put the idea in my head. If anything I forced it when I had Roger give me those fertility drugs. What was I thinking?" Pulling away from her arms, Olivia took a few steps and turned around to face him, suddenly exhausted. "Caitlin's right, we're just fooling ourselves."

"No." Gregory interrupted, disgusted with how much his daughter's careless words had gotten to her. "Don't even think about what she said."

Swallowing the knot in her throat that was either nausea or emotion, Olivia returned to his arms because she was starting to wonder how she was keeping her balance alone. "I didn't know I even wanted this baby until you did."

Gregory kissed gently, exploring her mouth and taking the time to compose himself before he spoke. "I wouldn't be able to do this without you."

"You could find another woman." Olivia suggested with surprising humor as she kissed his chin. "I'm sure I am not the only one who would fall victim to your charm."

"Olivia, there is no other woman." His quiet candor turned her teasing smile and brought her heart to her throat. "I couldn't have children with anyone but you. Imagining that is even harder then imagining myself pregnant."

Stopping before she replied, Olivia sagged in his arms. Her symptoms were catching up on her. "I'm taking you home."

Nodding weakly, she let him put an arm on her lower back to guide her. "I think if we stay here much longer it'll be bad for your new car."