Masquerade

(This is dedicated to neesie-pie and weavingdreams: thank you for your support, and I hope if we have duplicate ideas, you'll write your stories anyway!)

Chapter One

Steve picked Jaime up in front of her house in DC. "Ready for another fun-filled round of charades?" he asked, somewhat bitterly.

Jaime rolled her eyes and tried to smile at him. "What did Rudy want that was so urgent?

"No idea," he replied, pulling away from the curb and into traffic. "All he said was that he needs to see us in his office right away. Together."

"You didn't ask?"

"Of course I did. he said he'll tell us both when we get there."

"Sounds ominous," Jaime observed.

"Yeah, well, you never know with Rudy." They rode the rest of the way in silence, both mentally preparing for the act they'd perform - again - when they reached the clinic.

Rudy Wells waited eagerly for them to arrive. This time, he'd actually get to deliver good news for a change. Usually, when they came to see him, they were scared, in pain or both.

Steve parked the car and looked at Jaime. She seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Jaime? You ok?"

"Yeah," she sighed, sounding anything but ok. "I wish we didn't have to keep putting you through this, though."

"We can talk about that later, if you want. But you need to throw it off for now."

Jaime took a deep breath. "Ok - I'm ready. Let's do this."

Steve walked to the passenger side, opened the door for her and swept her into his arms for what appeared to be a long, loving kiss to anyone outside their circle of two. "We've gotten pretty good at this," he noted.

"Comes with lots of practice." They remained entwined in each other's arms all the way to Rudy's office.

"What's up, Doc?" Steve quipped in greeting. He gave Jaime one more fast but tender kiss before they sat down, still holding each other's hand.

"Well, you're smiling," Jaime said nervously, "so it can't be too major or terrible."

"It definitely isn't terrible," Rudy said with a grin, "but it is pretty major..."

"Rudy, what is it?"

"You two have always been my favorite Dynamic Duo...now - you're about to become a trio!" Dead silence. "You're pregnant!" Rudy was so thrilled with the news that he didn't notice the Oh my God - what do we do now look that passed between them.

"Are you sure?" Jaime asked.

"I'm as positive as your test, Honey."

"Wow," she said without smiling.

Rudy was puzzled. "This...is good news, isn't it? I thought -"

"Of course; it's wonderful!" Steve forced himself to gush happily. "We're surprised - stunned. Rudy, it's the best possible news." He looked at Jaime, who was failing in her effort not to cry. He reached over to brush away her tears. "Hormones already, Sweetheart?"

Jaime faked the best smile she could manage. "I'm...just...so happy..."

Steve glanced at Rudy. The two men smiled and in near-perfect unison surmised "Hormones."

"Perfectly normal and ok," Rudy assured them. "I'll need you both to see Linda before you go, so she can take some blood samples."

Steve had to think quickly. "Would it be ok if we came back tomorrow? We'd really like to spend today alone, letting it all sink in."

"Of course; tomorrow's fine."

Steve stood up, helped Jaime to her feet and gave her a hug of 'happiness'. He was alarmed to feel how hard she was trembling. "Rudy, thanks for everything. See ya tomorrow."

"Steve -" the doctor began.

"Don't worry,"Steve said, his arm around Jaime to lead her from the office. "I'll take good care of her."

"I know you will." Rudy walked them to the door and sat back down at his desk, still smiling from ear to ear.

Steve helped Jaime into the carand stood at the open passenger door, looking down at her fondly but with grave concern. "Take some nice deep breaths," he told her. "You look like you're gonna pass out."

Jaime didn't say a word until Steve pulled the car away from the curb. "Steve, what am I gonna do?" She looked and sounded one step away from hysterical.

"First of all, you need to calm down," he said gently. "This isn't good for you. Or for your baby." He waited, driving silently, until she got a partial grip on her emotions before continuing. "Second, we're gonna find your husband and let him know you're going to be parents."