Sky walked the silent hallways of the SPD Academy on his weekly night patrol. Everyone was in their quarters silently sleeping and he felt a great sense of pride in knowing that because of he and his friends and their efforts that the world was safe; a safe world for everyone, including his future child.

The thought of becoming a father brought a smile to his face. Sydney was nearing the fifth month of her pregnancy and everything was great. He loved feeling the child inside of her growing stomach move when he placed his hands on her… or him.

His family had been elated when he and Syd told them the news, though his father still claimed he was too young to be a grandfather much to the amusement of his Uncle Wes. The thoughts of new kids entered his mind again and he thought to Bridge and Z's impending twins… then his mind came to rest on his own twin.

If he ever got his hands on Jack he was literally going to tears him limb from limb. Jack had made a promise to him not too long after he and Ani had started dating. He promised never to hurt her, and now Sky was ready to cash in on his end of the deal by hunting him down and making him pay…

A sudden sense of extreme nervousness snapped him out of his thoughts. He concentrated on it and knew that it was Ani. The feeling was strong, so she must be nearby.

As he followed his senses he found her sitting in her lab staring blankly at the computer screen, tears in her eyes.

Upon hearing him enter, Ani turned and Sky instantly hugged her.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently. Ani wiped her eyes and handed him a printout. Sky looked at it strangely and handed it back. "Are you sick?"

Ani shook her head, no. "Sky… I'm pregnant," she whispered as more silent tears fell.

Sky furrowed his brow. "Are you sure?"

Ani nodded. "I took a home test a few hours ago and I just ran my blood through the scanners…" Sky held his sister as she took in his silent comfort.

Sky was at a loss. There were no words he could offer to her that would help. All he was thinking about was destroying Jack for leaving his sister like this.

"I just don't see how this could have happened," she said softly. "We had been trying for months Sky… now he leaves and I finally get pregnant? It just doesn't make any sense."

Sky ran his hands up and down her arms and tried to console her. "Ani… after we got back from the mission… were you and Jack… you know…" Even after over a year of being married, Sky still had a hard time picturing his sister and Jack together.

Ani's eyes widened and it all hit her at once. "Yeah… oh my…" she stuttered. More tears came as she realized what had happened. "His powers were stalled… it all makes sense now."

Sky's back went straight. "It doesn't make any sense what he did to you," he said bitterly. "If he ever decides to show his face around here again I'm going to make sure he feels as much pain as you are right now."

Ani wiped her eyes and laughed a little. "Schuyler, I know you want to beat him to a pulp… but he's not the only one to blame here. We both said things that we didn't mean… he just chose to leave and I chose to stay."

"So you're still defending him? After all this?"

"I love him Sky," she said gently. "Just like you love Syd. I know that if you two ever fought like this you'd be doing everything possible to make things right."

"I would… but Jack should too. He's a coward."

Ani sighed. "He's just trying to figure out what he wants. You and I had the luxury of having things in front of us… Jack was constantly trying to find his way."

"I don't care Ani. He's a jerk for running away from his problems."

"Please Sky… stop. I know he's a jerk… so am I after all this… but now," she motioned to her stomach where her hands were resting. "We're having a baby."

Sky smiled slightly at the thought of a niece or nephew. "Are you going to be alright with all this?"

Ani sighed. "I don't know… it's still kind of sinking in… I don't know how to find him to tell him…"

"Do you want to find him?" Sky asked carefully.

Ani thought for a few moments. "I… I want him to come back because he wants to… not because he's obligated by the baby."

"Are you saying you don't want to tell anyone?"

"Not until I have to… you understand that don't you?"

Sky ran a hand through his short hair. "I understand it, but I don't agree with it. I think you need to at least tell Kat… make sure you don't over do it."

Ani nodded her head a little. "I will… but you have to promise not to tell anyone Sky… please," she just about begged. "Not even mama and pop… not until I'm ready."

Sky again thought about the great secret he was being asked to keep. Of course his parents would want to know what was going on as well as his brothers. Not to mention the endless friends and relatives…

"Promise me Schuyler," she asked again. "You know I wouldn't ask unless I was absolutely certain that I knew that I was doing."

After much thought Sky finally agreed. "I promise, but you have to promise me that you'll take care of yourself… and my nephew."

Ani smirked. "Or niece." Sky smiled then and nodded. "You're the best little brother a girl could ask for," she said as she hugged him.

"Only by ten minutes," he said. "And don't worry, I won't tell Collin and Lucky." Ani laughed a bit then before deleting her files and taking her readouts.

"I'm going to head to bed," she said at last. She kissed Sky's cheek and silently made her way back to her apartment, leaving Sky debating whether or not he should have agreed to keep her pregnancy secret…

Three Months Later…

Z lay in her hospital bed as Bridge handed her the first of their newborn twins, Daniel Bridge Carson.

Not six hours ago, Z had undergone a C-Section and was now healing wonderfully and had a little boy and a little girl to call her own.

Looking down at her son, Z saw that he had deep brown eyes and dark hair just like her father had.

"Hi Danny," she cooed as the baby in her arms yawned and fell back to sleep. Bridge sat next to her with their daughter, Melina Sydney. Her hair and eyes were nearly identical to her brother's with the exception of her skin being a bit lighter.

"They're perfect," Bridge said as he kissed her. Z just smiled, still not believing that they were really hers.

Tears came to her eyes as she thought about the one person besides Bridge that she wanted here with her.

"Have they found Jack yet?" she asked. Bridge sighed.

"Nothing yet, but I'm sure he'll come once he hears," he said softly. Z had expressed wanting Jack there as soon as she scheduled her C-Section, and Bridge had begun the search.

No one in the city had seen him, so they claimed. But as he walked down the streets of New Tech one afternoon he was certain he picked up on Jack's aura nearby. He had searched and searched, but nothing had come up.

"I really miss him Bridge… how could he have just left like that? I know I'm being selfish here, but I want my brother back."

Bridge kissed her forehead. "I know… he'll come back when he's ready. You're the one that told me that," he said smiling. Z nodded and smiled when she heard the door open.

A very pregnant Sydney waddled in with Sky and Ani in tow. "Is it ok to come in?" Ani asked. Bridge and Z both nodded and walked into the room fully.

"Oh Z, they're beautiful," Sydney gushed as she looked at the little girl in Bridge's arms. "Hi Lina," she said smiling. The little girl gurgled and fell asleep, much to everyone's amusement.

Sky looked over to his sister and saw the sadness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry Jack wasn't here," Ani said softly. Everyone in the room went silent before Z spoke.

"I know… I am too," she replied. There was an awkward silence before Syd stumbled a bit. Sky easily grabbed her.

"Syd are you alright?" Sky asked nervously.

Sydney sat down. "Yeah, I think so," she replied. A few moments later she flinched in pain.

Bridge instantly read her aura and grinned. "Um Syd… I think you're going into labor," he said.

"That's not funny Bridge," Sky said threateningly. Syd's eyes widened.

"I don't think he's kidding," she said as she held his hand. Sky's face went white and Ani almost had to laugh at him.

He had been preparing for this day for weeks and now all his well laid out plans were completely going out the window. Her ever-efficient brother was literally freaking out… she could feel it.

Bridge too was ready to laugh at his best friend. "Go to the nurse station at the end of the hall. They'll help," he said slowly.

Sky nodded and helped Syd stand as carefully as possible.

"Schuyler Meyers if you're going to treat me like I'm going to break I'm going to kill you," Sydney muttered as they walked out.

Everyone burst into laughter as they left and Ani had to wipe the tears coming out of her eyes.

"I don't think I've ever seen Sky so scared!" she burst out laughing. Z and Bridge too joined her.

'Ani,' Sky said to her telepathically. 'I need you to call-'

'I'm already there Sky,' she said calmly. 'Go be with Syd.' She felt Sky leave her mind and called her parents.