AN: I messed up my already heavely damaged wrist and all I can say is that you people are lucky this story's already finished. Yeah, I was thinking about revising as I posted this but now I can't without a lot 'o pain.
Church opened his mouth then closed it again. He found he could not speak. After taking a few very deep breaths he closed the picture but noticed that Franz had added a second health meter.
"When did…?"
"You conceive?" Church nodded. There was a brief pause. "Five months ago. Do you want an exact date?"
Church shook his head. "No, that's fine." A shiver ran up his spine.
"You are scared." It was a statement. "Don't be. There is no reason to be."
"Franz, you know that no one in my family has done this and…"
"True. But are you going to abort it?" Church shook his head. "Didn't think so. There is nothing you can do save for staying as healthy as possible for the baby. That and tell Caboose."
Something about that last statement "Tell Caboose" just made Church sick.
"Why?"
"Why tell Caboose?" He knew Franz was not looking for an answer. "Well let's start with the fact this is also his child. Then there is the he will find out one-way or another. And you know that I am not above having Tex tell him. Oh yeah, then there is the whole part about him really wanting you to tell him things. Something tells me he just might want to know about this one. And if that's not enough--"
"Fine!" Church stopped Franz from continuing his list. "Fine. I'll tell him."
"When?"
"I don't know." He sighed. "Look I need to meet up with Tex and Caboose. We can talk about this—"
"Later? It's always later with you, Church. Oh and while you are telling Caboose about your child, you may want to mention me, the program, and—"
"The fact that I will not be able to help raise the baby… Yeah, I know." He sighed again. "I can't deal with this just now. Okay? I need time."
"Of course. But do remember – the sooner, the better."
Church made his way up the steps and the ramp to join Tex on the base. Tex was looking through the sniper rifle at the Reds in the canyon. Caboose and Tucker were there too. Church knew that Caboose wanted to embrace him but Tucker still did not know about them and Caboose wanted it to stay that way.
Without looking at any of them, Tex said, "They are looking for something." Church knew she was using her Special Ops training for that statement. "Anyone got any ideas?"
Church spoke up. "Let them find what ever they are looking for. Just don't let them get it." He couldn't see it but he knew that Tex was grinning.
"Okay boys. It's show time." And Church knew she wasn't talking to them. She took aim and fired off one shot. The Reds backed off bet when no more shots came the took a step forward. Tex shot off another one. It only took one more shot before the Reds ran for it.
She turned back and said "Well that was fun."
Tucker took a step closer and said, "They sure do scare easy." Then he did something that only Church and Tex noticed; he stole a quick glance at Tex as she slung the rifle over her shoulder. It was only because of their Special Ops training that they caught it. Church made no comment and Tex ignored it.
Tucker followed her down the ramp, leaving Church and Caboose on the top of the base. He didn't know why but he wanted to talk to Tex. He did not know why but he really wanted to. In silence he watched the freelancer lean the rifle against the wall.
She turned to him and waited from him to say something. As soon as he realized this, he looked down at his feet, glad of the armor so she couldn't see him blushing.
"Did you want something, Tucker?" She knew he wanted something, in fact she could guess at what he wanted but she wanted him to say it.
"No. I'm okay." His voice was quiet and he slowly walked down the steps, most likely to his room.
Tex shook her head and sighed.
"What was that about?"
"He wouldn't say." She looked up to see Church standing in the doorway. There was something about how he was holding himself that told Tex something was wrong. "Are you okay Church?"
He shifted his weight in a way that told Tex that no, he was not okay. "I'm fine."
"Do not lie to me, Leonard. Tell me what's wrong." Church instantly looked away and she knew it had nothing to do with her using his first name. He didn't say anything. "Church. I don't have time for this. Just--!"
A voice had started starting to speak to her over her helmet speakers. It was not Church or any of the Blues. It was Franz. "He's scared, Tex. He really wants to tell you but he's too scared."
On the same channel, she responded. "Why?"
"Because he's been keeping things from Caboose."
"What kind of things?"
"Me, the program, his family."
She inhaled. "Oh God. Don't tell me he's…"
"Five months. Remember that flu?"
She closed the channel with Franz and walked close to Church. "Franz just told me." Tex put her hands on Church's shoulders and he looked at her. "It's okay."
"I'm scared."
"I know." She pulled him close. "You are going to get through this. I'm going to be here." She pushed him back a little. "Do you remember back in training when that guy had tried to lock me in my room? Remember what happened to him?"
Church nodded. "They had to find a new recruit to replace him. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing. I just remembered it for some reason." They both laughed. She hugged him and said, "You'll be fine. Don't worry."
Church sighed. "I hope so." He looked down.
"Now what?"
"Caboose still doesn't know."
"About what?"
"Franz, the program or this…" he said finishing by touching his stomach.
"Tell him."
"I don't want to."
"Five months, Church. That's more than half way. He needs to know."
"She's right you know," Franz interjected. "This is going to effect him just as much as it has and will you. You need to tell Caboose."
"Fine. Just not now."
Franz sounded displeased. "Just remember, Church. The clock is ticking."
The sound of footsteps cut off any more discussion. Caboose stood at the door, looking at Tex and Church. It was apparent that he had walked into something he wasn't quite welcome in.
Church looked at Tex and turned back to Caboose. As he passed he pulled his lover along with him. Caboose fallowed him but not before he cast a glance back at Tex. She shook her head in a way that said 'not now'.
Church led him out of the base and to a small ace in the canyon wall. As soon as they were hidden in it, Church turned and took off Caboose's helmet before doing the same to himself. Once both helmets had been disposed of, Church pulled Caboose to him and kissed him. Church had kissed him like this a few times before and Caboose knew now what Church wanted. This kiss meant that Church wanted sex and he wanted it now.
But there was something different about this one. Something that told Caboose that sex was not what Church really wanted. In fact Church had been acting strangely for a while. Caboose was tired of being lied to and he was now going to find out what was really going on.
Caboose broke the kiss and sighed. "We need to talk Church."
Franz smiled. "Not as dumb as you had hoped, is he?"
"About what?"
Caboose was getting mad. This was the type of bull that he didn't want to take anymore. "You are keeping secrets from me. Not small ones either. Big important ones and it scares me. It scares me to see how this is tearing you up. I want to help you. Please just tell me."
Church shook his head. "I can't."
"Why not?"
Church's breathing became fast and shallow. Caboose watched as tears formed in his eyes. "You'll get mad…"
"No I wont."
"Yes you will. I know you." The tears started to run down his face.
Caboose picked up his helmet and sighed. "If you don't want me to be mad then tell me!" The Rookie's temper was now flared. Caboose looked back at Church and seeing him shake his head just made something in Caboose snap. He lunged at Church and knocked him back to the floor of the cave, his head just missing the wall. "Dammit Church! Just tell me!"
But Church couldn't say anything; not with Caboose sitting on his stomach and his hands so tight around his throat. Church started to feel light headed from the lack of air and the weight on his stomach hurt. His vision started to go black when he saw a bright flash then everything went out.
Caboose pulled back as Church's shields flared. They forced him to let go and almost sent him flying. His eyes were still adjusting to the light but under the darkness he saw Church.
Fear gripped him. Had he killed the man he loved? Quickly he checked for a pulse and breathing, both were there but weak.
"Oh my god… What have I done?"
Wasting no more time, he picked Church up and, leaving their helmets behind, left for the base at top speed. He raced through the base to the med bay. Carefully he laid Church on one of the beds, checked for breathing and a pulse again, then ran off to find Tex.
He found her on top of the base.
"Tex!"
"What?" Tex looked up.
"Something happened to Church." Caboose didn't know how to tell her how Church was hurt.
Tex paused before fallowing Caboose. All she could tell about what was happening was that something more than what Caboose was letting on. When they reached the med bay, Tex saw just how hurt Church was.
Church had dark purple bruises around his neck as if someone had strangled him to his state. Suddenly she knew why Caboose was unhappy. It wasn't because Church was hurt; it was because Caboose had been the one who had hurt him.
"Will he be okay?"
Tex looked up at Caboose's face. Tears had filled his eyes. He looked so young… Too young.
"He should." Tex knew if Church weren't … Well five months would put him in a touchy state…