Chapter Thirty One: Error Proof Test
Author's Note: Alright, no excuses anymore, I've got some real catching up to do.
Okay, this chapter has a strange title…and as this story is kinda coming to a close, this will be the last bit of humor and warm fuzzies for awhile…so, hope you enjoy it.
Mina nervously folded her arms across her chest, and pensively chewed on her thumbnail…a habit picked up from childhood that, in nineteen years, hadn't been able to quit. Jamie found it cute, she found it repulsive.
Quickly, she realized that the habit might be a little disgusting for others to see her do, so she quickly stopped, and wiped her hand discreetly on her pants.
Last tournament, when Jamie had come back to school, he had become a sort of campus celebrity (even more so then he already was); and Mina was proud of him.
No matter what negative things had happened to him, Mina knew that he had gotten one good thing out of it; the ability to break out of his brother's shadow.
Prior to the fifth Iron Fist Tournament, Jamie had been known simply as "Justin Parker's kid brother", Justin, being the skating legend that he was…it was sort of difficult to create one's own identity.
Mina didn't have anything against her boyfriend's brother…he was a sweetheart; he was always kind to her. One time, Jamie invited her over for dinner (this was when they had first met) and Justin had found out that she was lactose intolerant, he quickly ran to the store and made sure that they had plenty of special ice cream for dessert.
It was little things like that which made him such a likable guy, and Mina was glad that Justin had taught these little things to her boyfriend as well.
She sighed and flipped her red streaked hair back…she was fighting in the mall's parking lot today. There was something about two chicks duking it out in the parking garage of a mall that seemed sort of trashy to Mina…but Jamie and Jin's brother Kyo chuckled, and Jamie replied tactfully "That sounds kinda hot".
What is it with men and two chicks doing…well…anything together…I gotta remember to ask Christie about it later…I mean, it's not like I care to see two guys doing anything…
Lately, during late night girl talk sessions, Christie had become some sort of guru on the way a man's mind works…sometimes afterwards, Mina would look at Jamie while he played his video games, or listened to his I-pod, or whatever he was doing and wonder if he really honestly thought like that?
"So…it's about to be a girl fight huh?" A voice called from behind her.
"Huh?" Mina asked quickly as she spun around.
The pretty, young Korean girl found herself staring into the face of Christie herself.
"What're you doing here Christie? I thought Kazuya was-"
"Going over battle plans yeah," She yawned and stretched her perfectly tan arms. "But you know me…I've never really been one for book smarts…all I know is that when the time comes, and if Anna attacks, I'm fittin' to choke a bitch…anyway, I'm here to take notes so technically, I'm not doing anything wrong." The Brazilian said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh right…whoever wins this fight will go on to fight you." Mina said, remembering how the Tournament Roster went.
Christie had had a truly wonderful winning streak this tournament. Anyone who used to think of her only as eye candy now, would have to seriously reconsider. Christie had beaten out Julia, and some other heavy hitters in the tournament, and it was truly inspirational to watch her work so hard.
Mina had barely made it by with the skin of her teeth, Jamie begged to differ;
What's so hard to believe baby? You're a great fighter, you've beaten me down before…stop talking about being so lucky all the time…it's all skill with you.
"You vs. Xiao huh; that's going to be a good match."
"I dunno," Mina replied nervously. "She's really good…I mean, I used to love her when I watched these tournaments on tv…it's going to be so weird fighting her…I think my time as a competitor is going to officially be over," Mina pulled her hair back into a fashionably messy bun, before nervously undoing it and shaking her hair out again.
"Don't ever say that Mina; just because you're new doesn't mean you don't deserve to be here…you've worked just as hard as any of us." Christie said seriously.
"Yeah well tell that to Anna…and Lili…and Grey…and Heihachi…and whoever else has said it; y'know, at first I didn't let it bother me to much…I mean, Anna's a bitch, Lili likewise, but after hearing it over and over again I just get so sick of it!" Mina said heatedly.
"Listen to me," Christie put her hands on Mina's shoulders. "You'll do fine…besides all the girls and guys that actually matter in this tournament have got your back…now go out there and do your best because," Christie glanced behind her. "Looks like your opponent's here."
Quickly, Mina turned to see Xiao walking towards her…her stomach full of butterflies, Mina walked to Xiao…to the center of the ring…where the fight would go down.
New Scene…
I'm not scared…I'm not scared…I'm not scared…I can do this…I can do this…I mean, I'm wearing my Nike Shock shoes, they're cute and sensible, I'm wearing my relaxed jeans, and a top that if it rips or something then I won't care…I'll be okay…just be calm, stay focused and-oh crap! Why isn't Xiao smiling! She always smiles…she's always so nice and-
"Mina…" Xiao tried to smile, but faltered suddenly.
Immediately, the nervousness of the fight went away, and she felt the desire to rush over and find out what was the matter with her friend. Lately, Xiaoyu had been acting different…she stayed in her room often, and didn't train nearly as frequently as Jamie said she did in the last tournament.
She came out with the group often…but not often enough…Jin said she was tired.
"Xiao; What's wrong?" Mina asked, she quickly moved to embrace her friend, but the tournament official came between them.
"Sorry Ms. Sueng, but you can't lay a hand on her until the fight commences."
"But-" Mina began.
Too quickly, the announcer called the fight, and both girls dropped into their stances. Xiao looked like she had tears in her eyes, and she seemed to be in more of a defensive stance then an offensive.
Mina didn't know what to do, so once the fight was called she did just that…she let loose a right hook, mostly to test Xiao…if something was wrong then she needed attention immediately…maybe Mina could gage a reaction from the fake blow?
Quickly, Xiao grabbed Mina's hand and flipped her to the ground…Xiao continued to hold Mina in a wrist lock, but the attack didn't hurt…the Chinese girl hadn't pinned Mina hard, and she could easily get out…but Xiao moved down to speak to her friend.
Mina didn't catch it all over the noise of the crowd, but she caught the immediate gist of it.
"…think…pregnant…"
New Scene…
Xiao had let Mina win the fight…well, the three time Iron Fist alumni simply forfeited…stating plainly that she'd had the flu for the past couple of weeks. Mina, Christie, and Xiao herself sat in the back of the limo talking the whole way.
"I…I…I dunno…I mean, I'm late…I'm always hungry…and I've been thinking…that maybe…I could be…" Xiao said dreamily as she stared out the window.
"Do you know for certain? I mean, how late are you?" Mina asked a little too quickly.
Suddenly, both Christie and Xiao stared at Mina with mildly shocked expressions.
"I…we…well, me and Jamie…we're always very careful…but once well…I was late for a day…it was kinda weird…" Mina sputtered as her face turned as red as her hair.
"It's okay Mina don't worry," Xiao said with a smile. "You're like my sister, you're secrets safe with me."
"Steve and I are always really careful…and besides, my man is satisfied enough without having to go all the way every night." Christie said sagely.
"Well…Jin and I are married now…so we really aren't so…careful…anymore." Xiao interjected.
"Have you two talked about it? Kids I mean."
Xiao nodded. "We want them; we both want them to have the family life we never had…I just don't know if he wants them…y'know, like now."
"Hey," Christie said. "Jin's a good guy Xiao…he'll understand…and if he starts complaining you'd better tell him how he certainly wasn't when he placed the order!"
The moment brought a little bit of laughter to the small group and Mina stared out the window for a second…her eyes focusing on a small convenience store close to the hotel.
"Driver," Mina called politely. "Stop please."
"Wait…why here?" Xiao asked.
"Look, Xiao…we need to buy you a test…I mean, you have to know for sure right? You don't even have to take it now…but…it might be good just to have it on hand. Maybe tonight you can sit Jin down and take it." Mina said calmly with a smile.
Xiao looked a little scared for a minute until Christie reassured her.
"Don't worry, we're going with you...we'll try to help you pick out the best ones."
New Scene…
"Ah the feminine hygiene aisle…I can never get Steve to come down this far…he'll only go as far as the condoms so he can silently brag to everyone and anyone about the size we buy." Christie said.
"Jamie'll come down here with me, he doesn't care…he says that they're obviously not for him, so what in the hell is the big deal about it." Mina replied.
The aisle itself seemed to stretch on forever, it was located on the drugstore side of the grocery store right in front of the doors…an express lane with a rather bored looking cashier dotted the otherwise nondescript and depressing atmosphere of the store.
"Well…here we are…" Xiao said with a fake smile. "Y'know…I was so worried during this fight Mina; I don't even know if I'm pregnant or not but…but…I already love this baby…and I'm gonna protect it with all my might…and if that means forfeiting the tournament then fine…and even…even if I'm not well…" Xiao smiled genuinely this time. "I'm honored that you're continuing to fight."
Mina was shocked…at the words, and tears started to roll down her eyes…she had always looked up to Xiaoyu and now these words that were coming from her well…
"Hey," Christie interrupted. "I found this one…it's called The Error Proof Test, and it's 99.9 percent accurate."
She handed the box to Mina who wiped her eyes and read the directions aloud.
"Blue if pregnant…Red if not…okay, sounds easy enough."
"Mina…if I give you money…would you…it's just that Jin and I come in here sometimes and,"
"Don't worry about it, I got this; this is my first time in this establishment and I don't mind to have my reputation tarnished." Mina said with a grin.
Meanwhile…
Hwoarang let out a loud, audible sigh as he stood in the…feminine hygiene aisle looking disgustedly at the various assortments of products.
"Okay," He grumbled into this phone. "Do you want the slim fit? The one with the wings? This ones called Tampax Pearl…what in the hell do you need pearls for? Is it some kind of sexual thing?"
"I will not have this conversation with you over the phone," Julia said as if addressing a five year old, Hwoarang could tell she was embarrassed…but why? He was the one down here, not her. "I told you what I needed before you left. Maybe if you weren't staring blankly at that idiot box with the other boys you'd remember."
"Well…why couldn't you have gone?" Hwoarang countered.
"Because I'm almost done getting rid of the firewalls on this disk…just one more, and we can actually find out what's on this bitch and finally figure out what Heihachi's planning…you were just playing that stupid video game with the other boys while Jin, Kaori, Kazuya, Asuka and I were actually working!"
"Hey, Halo is not a stupid game, and I was doing fine until Steve shot me in the face! Now my highscore probably went down and my character is just standing there waiting to get shot at."
"Then hurry up…seems like both of us need your sorry ass back here immediately!" Julia shouted, finally losing her cool.
"Okay, okay," Hwoarang said. "Here, I'm getting these; their the cheapest ones," He looked at the box and found a yellow coupon sticking to it. "Hey, it says here that if you buy this brand you get a free pack for heavy days; do you-"
"Just come back please…" Julia said with a frustrated sigh.
"Okay…I'll be back, y'know I really do love you to be doing this." Hwoarang said.
"I know," Julia said, her anger melting away. "And I really appreciate it…I love you too."
The two said their good-byes and Hwoarang began to make a dash towards the express lane, but stopped dead in his tracks; all the way at the other end of the aisle stood Xiaoyu, Christie, and Mina.
They were talking in low voices, while Christie handed Mina a small box. Xiaoyu pointed at it, and muttered something to Mina who nodded. Hwoarang looked at her, and noticed that she had tears in her eyes.
Mina went to the register to pay for the item, but not before Hwoarang saw the box.
"Error…Proof…Test…hm…OH GOD!"
Back at the hotel…
"Ha ha…look, at Hwoarang's character…let's push him off the cliff again." Jamie Parker said as he looked at the tv screen.
Steve, Kyosuke, Peter, Robbie, and himself were involved in a pretty intense game of Halo. With three X Box's connected via X Box live, the game had gone on for about an hour and a half.
In that time, Jamie's shattered knee cap had mended itself from a crippling wound, to a minor ache; he now walked with a slight limp that would be gone completely by the morning.
"What're we going to do if Kazuya finds out you guys?" Peter asked, worriedly checking the door.
"I'm healing remember? You guys just came to check on me." Jamie said, as he managed to successfully push Hwoarang's comatose character off the cliff.
"Dad's probably just gonna sigh and yell at us to come back." Kyo responded as he snuck up from behind and shot Robbie's character in the face.
"That's what I'm a little afraid of." Peter said, as he managed to clip Steve's character pretty good with the assault rifle.
"You worry too much Pete…honestly, what's he gonna do…we were all bored to tears before Jamie came back anyway…I think he sorta expects this outta us." Steve added.
"Yeah," Jamie responded. "I have a feeling that really showing my potential with that guy could reeaaalllly cut in to my sittin' around time." He finished.
"But…the demons…and vampires…" Peter sputtered weakly.
"Relax Pete; I'm just kidding," Jamie smiled. "I'm very focused…in fact, it's kinda all I can think about right now…but what good can a Nephilim be with a broken knee cap anyway? Just think of this as a little 'study break' we all kinda needed to unwind…after this game we'll probably make our way back."
"We will? I'm the friend here…remember, no super powers or martial arts talents to speak of." Robbie added.
"Shut up Robbie don't think that just 'cause you're normal you'll be getting outta this." Jamie said with mock anger.
"Can we please not talk about this anyway?" Kyo asked as he shot Hwoarang's character with the sniper rifle…once again, he slumped over dead.
"Where did Hwoarang go anyway?" Peter asked.
Suddenly, he burst into the room, with his little bag of tampons in hand…he looked like he had run the whole way back.
"Jamie…" He gasped. "Mina…grocery store…hygiene aisle… Error…Proof…Test…"
"What!" Jamie asked. "Hwoarang, what're you trying to say?" The Nephilim asked as he limped towards his Korean friend.
In Christie's Room
"We'll do it in here…as long as they're playing that stupid video game I think we'll be alright." Christie said as she nervously checked down the halls.
Luckily no one else was in the room…Christie roomed with Steve, and he, like most of the other boys were locked deep in an intense Halo battle.
"Now…are you sure that you want to do this now?" Mina asked Xiao.
"I do…I really do…I gotta know." She said with a smile.
"Do you need us to come in with you?" Christie asked.
"Thanks," Xiao began. "But if I'm going to embarrass myself by peeing on a stick I think I'd prefer to do it behind closed doors."
So, Xiao closed the door, leaving Mina and Christie to wait in the threshold.
"Well…" Christie began. "Looks like you'll be fighting me tomorrow…try not to kick my ass too badly alright…I need this pretty face for my job."
"I won't…but you'd better not beat me too hard either." Mina countered.
"Oh, and I've been meaning to ask you…I know it's random but I keep forgetting," Christie began. "Right when I got my invitation they wanted me to do some hip hop dancing at the after party when the tournament's over…I was wondering if you'd like to do it with me?"
"Really?" Mina asked in a shocked voice. "You want my help?"
"Of course I do, the other girls can dance okay…but you…you're awesome…in fact, I can pull some strings and you could be a part of the Pussy Cat…"
"Thanks…but I think if I was in it, my dad would kill me." Mina said with a chuckle.
"I understand." Christie replied with a smile.
"You guys," A voice called from behind the bathroom door. "Set the timer, we gotta wait ninety seconds."
Meanwhile…
"WHAT!" Jamie asked.
"Look…I'm just telling you what I saw alright." Hwoarang said calmly.
"Wait…no…I mean…it can't be…we just…no…" Jamie nervously began to pace back and forth across the room.
"Well…are you sure…did the rubber break or something?" Steve asked.
"What?" Jamie asked panickedly. "I don't know…but I mean, she's on the pill too even if it did."
"There's no real way for safe sex Jamie…except for abstinence." Peter said gently.
"Peter not now alright!" Jamie barked a little too harshly. "It's not like I sleep around or anything…she's the first girl I…I mean…the only one I ever wanted to…" Jamie trailed off and sat on the bed.
"What're you gonna do if it's positive Jamie?" Robbie asked.
"I…I guess I'll do what needs to be done I'll be a man about it that's for sure…I could never leave her in that situation." Jamie replied.
"Listen, these kinda things happen all the time…and she's probably not even pregnant just scared…that's all." Hwoarang said.
"It's not that you guys," Jamie sighed. "Look, Potential Nephilim are taken from birth and raised at headquarters…and y'know, they're taught to live alone, die alone, and all that…they have these things called the Three Cardinal Sins that they teach the kids…one of which is that love, other then the love for humanity, and all things in God's creation is evil. And that to love another on an intimate level is the highest act of selfishness a Nephilim can create…they never document it…but I know that Nephilim have had children before…and they just…disappear…if Mina's pregnant…then…then I'd have to get her and the baby to safety…I don't know what the VDA does to the baby, but I don't want my kid to have to find out!" Jamie said.
Silence entered the room for a moment…before Peter said softly.
"I'm sorry Jamie…for what I said…I know that you and Mina love eachother very much."
"It's okay Pete." Jamie replied with a smile.
"Well, the VDA better watch it's ass…'cause that secret society's gonna have a pissed off Australian to deal with." Robbie said.
"And a whole slew of awesome martial artists." Hwoarang added.
"Yeah, guess it doesn't hurt to have the middle weight champion of the world as an uncle huh…I am going to be an official uncle right?" Steve asked.
"Yeah…" Jamie chuckled. "Of course you will be…all of you…and the girl's will be aunts…that babies going to be loved goddammit."
Jamie sighed and stood up, walking to the door. "Guess I'd better go get the verdict…how do I look by the way…do I look fatherly enough?" He asked gesturing to his tanktop and shorts.
"Hey, my adoptive dad practically lived in those wife beaters." Steve replied.
Jamie laughed as he walked out the door…the others waited for a few seconds before Hwoarang got up and walked to the door.
"Wait…where are you going?" Kyo asked.
"C'mon, I wanna know if Mina's preggers or not…you coming with me?"
Wordlessly the other boys got up and walked out of the room…as they walked Jin stepped out of the conference room that the group had been using as a research area.
"Wait what's going on?" He asked.
"Mina's pregnant c'mon!" Kyo replied.
"WHAT!" Jin asked, following the group down the hall.
New Scene…
"Well…is it blue or red?" Mina asked excitedly.
"Um…it's…pink…" Xiao crinkled her nose.
"What? What's pink mean?" Christie asked.
"Wait…let me see it." Mina said.
She gingerly took it and walked out of the bathroom, holding it to the light.
After several seconds, the pink turned into a light blue…then darker…and darker…until it finally became an azure blue.
"XIAO…YOU'RE PREGNANT !" Mina screamed.
At that instant, the door busted open with Jamie…and the boys standing in the threshold.
"Mina…I…" Jamie sputtered.
"Jamie…what's the matter you look like you've seen a ghost." Mina asked…he did look terrified.
"I…know that you…bought the…test…and I need to know if you're pregnant or not because…"
"Jamie." Mina interrupted, unable to suppress her laughter.
"Let me finish." Jamie said gently. "I wanted you to know that I'll do the right thing and take care of this baby with you…no matter what the Via de Angelus says…I'll quit fighting demons if I have to and we'll…"
"Jamie…what…are you…"
"I saw you buy the test Mina." Hwoarang replied gently.
"Wait a second." Christie giggled. "Mina bought the test for-"
"For me!" Xiao added.
"Wait…then that means that…" Jamie began, relief flooding his features.
"No…not me…Xiao!" Mina replied.
It took a second to register, until everyone wanted to know what the test read for Xiao. Jin stepped forward…his face calm and cool.
"Well…Ling…what does it say?" He asked.
"Jin…it's positive…I'm pregnant!" Xiao said with a truly happy smile.
"What? I'm gonna be an uncle?" Kyo shouted.
"Jin I wanted to tell you but I didn't know." Xiaoyu began.
"It's alright, I'm so proud of you…of us…" Jin said as the two embraced and kissed.
"Alright alright people nothing to see here," Christie began. "Let's move along!"
And they did…to give the newly discovered parents their privacy.
Later that Evening…
"Wasn't it sweet the way Jin reacted when he found out?" Mina asked.
"Mmmhhmmm," Jamie responded through a mouthful of toothpaste from the bathroom.
He quickly spit it out, and walked towards the bed.
"They've been talking for awhile now…I hope everything's okay." He asked as he hopped under the covers.
"Everything's fine. They just need some alone time that's all." Mina said serenely.
In the eight hours since the incident, everyone found out about Xiao's pregnancy, everyone was ecstatic, Kaori and Julia were even crying! Even Kazuya seemed a bit choked up by the news.
The lights were off in Jamie and Mina's room…and immediately, the Nephilim began to doze off…Mina however, was still awake, staring into the darkness contemplating.
"…Jamie?"
"Hm?" He asked sleepily.
"Did…did you really mean what you said to me earlier? Y'know, when you thought it was me who was pregnant?"
Jamie sat up now, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Yeah…I mean, of course I do…I…I want kids with you."
"Really?" Mina asked.
"Well…yeah…but I want them planned y'know? I mean, me and my brother are so far apart in age all of my parent's friends used to joke around about how I wasn't planned…and it always used to bother me. See, my parents loved me, and Justin loved me and it never bothered me until people kept making jokes about it."
"So…you want to actually plan to have a kid?" Mina asked.
"Yeah…that doesn't sound too lame does it?"
"No…" Mina said with a smile. "It sounds beautiful."
She kissed him softly on the lips.
"Just…not right now though, just so we understand each other."
"Of course!" Mina laughed.
Suddenly, the lights turned on and Hwoarang entered the room with his eyes shut.
"You guys aren't naked are you? If you are then hurry up and get dressed!"
"Why? What's going on?" Jamie asked.
"Julia's cracked that bitch disk wide open…c'mon hurry up!"
"We'll be right there." Mina said in an all business tone.