Sorry for delay again... RL gets in the way!

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 13

Beth woke up, feeling drowsy. What happened? She thought. Did I take a nap? Suddenly she remembered what had happened and drowsiness gave away to panic and fear. She reached to touch her stomach, fearful of what she might discover. She sighed in relief as she felt her heavy, swollen stomach still there. But… is she okay?, she thought, new terror starting to take seed.

She sat up gingerly to get a better look at her surroundings. She was in hospital, that was certain. She looked around for a button to call the nurses and then heard the door go. Rio entered carrying a cup of coffee.

"Elizabeth!" He gasped. He hurriedly set the coffee down on a nearby table and then rushed to her bedside. He looked pale, drawn, worried. His eyes were moist and puffy.

Has he been crying?!, thought Beth.

"Rio", she said with a croak, "what happened?!"

Rio grasped both her hands and kissed them. "You collapsed and were rushed to hospital. They said your blood pressure was through the roof. You had some contractions… but they stopped it. I'm so glad you're awake" his voice cracking.

Then Beth asked the question she was dreading, "…and the baby?"

Rio's smile melted away the worry on his face "she's fine. She's strong. A fighter. Just like her mama".

Beth stifled a sob, covering her face with her hands.

"Hey, come here" said Rio with a voice soft and full of concern. It only made Beth sob harder as she felt his strong arms hold her shaking body. He held her for a long while, until the worst of the shaking subsided.

Beth heard the door go, it was a nurse. She looked a little awkward and embarrassed at the sight of the embracing couple on the bed.

"Err… Mrs Boland?" she said, cautiously.

Rio sat back and Beth wiped the tears from her face. She cleared her throat and replied "yes" as firmly as she could.

"Your, eh, sister is here with some of your belongings and… your husband?" the last word was posed as an awkward question.

The color drained from Beth's face. "Erm, can you stall them for five minutes or so?" she asked cautiously.

The nurse gave her an uncomfortable smile. "of course", and then left the room.

Beth turned to look at Rio and wished she had more time with him. But she had to get rid of him. Fast. "Rio…" she began and then faltered.

Rio raised his eyebrows, clearly expecting a dismissal. "You want me to leave" he said, with a wry smile.

"I haven't had a chance to tell Dean yet", Beth replied uneasily. "I don't think now's the time".

Rio nodded. It clearly bothered him, but he didn't want to make waves after the drama they'd just been through. "I'll go. I need to check on the Turner situation anyway." He stood up, looking into her big blue eyes and moved that same errant curl from her face. "Look after yourself, Elizabeth", he said, with an earnest voice. "Keep me in the loop".

Beth reached up and grasped his hand and to Rio's surprise, kissed it. His eyes lit up, just for a moment. "I will do" she replied.

And with that Rio walked to the door, turned around and winked at her "look after our girl" he said. Beth smiled "I will".

Beth could feel her heart racing. He had that affect on her. Moments later there was a knock on the door. It was Dean.

"Beth!" he exclaimed. "I came as soon as I could. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" he rushed to her bedside and grasped her hands.

Beth smiled "yes, I'm fine. I must have been overdoing it a little. I think the doctor is coming in to speak with me shortly. Don't worry", she said with a smile.

When Rio left Beth's room, he pulled up his hood, narrowly missing Dean who came striding down the hall. Rio turned his back as Dean walked past, pretending to read a poster on the wall. As soon as Dean had entered the room, he made his way down the corridor towards the elevator.

He pressed the button and waited for it to arrive, cautiously checking Dean hadn't come back out again. The doors opened and he came face to face with Annie, carrying a bag of Beth's things. Annie's expression darkened at the sight of Rio, and she reached out and dragged him into the elevator with her.

Rio was initially shocked but thought he'd let it slide. After all, her sister had just been rushed to hospital. "Annie," he said with a grin, "you seem happy to see me".

Annie pressed the close door button and hissed "I oughta slap the gangsta outta you".

"Hey, I'm just the guy that got her to the hospital, you know, saved her life, but please, do go on", he said dripping each letter in sarcasm.

The doors opened again, and an old lady stood staring at them, confused.

"Wait your turn, lady!" yelled Annie, and pressed the button to close the doors again.

"While I'm thankful for that" continued Annie, "you're probably the reason she needed the hospital in the first place. And I don't know what your game is, but it will not involve this" hissed Annie, shoving a small velvet box at Rio.

Rio looked down at the box in puzzlement, and when he looked up, Annie had stormed off out of the elevator.

The old lady croaked "I'll take the next one".

Rio's face hardened as the elevator doors closed again.

Annie burst into Beth's room. "Hey sis" she said with fake cheeriness. "You know, you'd do just about anything for a little attention" she smiled a brittle smile.

"No", replied Beth, "that would be you", smiling and holding her arms out to embrace her.

Annie rushed forward and gave Beth a hug. "Don't do that to me, sis" she said in a hug-muffled voice.

Annie turned to Dean "can you get us some drinks, Deano? I need 5 mins with my sis, here" she smiled brightly, gently pushing Dean towards the door.

"Oh… okay then" replied Dean, clearly feeling a little flustered. Smiling awkwardly.

Once Annie was sure Dean had gone, she sat down on Beth's bed urgently. "What happened?" she said, looking worried.

"I had been feeling twinges all day, luckily Rio was there", replied Beth, in no mood to relay too much of that conversation.

"I just saw him" spat Annie. "Arrogant prick."

"Hey…", began Beth, reproachfully.

"I just don't like the way he waltzes back into our lives and everything gets turned upside-down again!", she interrupted. Annie sat sullenly, seeming to mull something over.

Beth attempted to start talking again but Annie interrupted once more.

"And I can't believe he had the nerve to propose to you like – what – you're gonna marry him?! Play happy families or something?! Mr. and Mrs. Gangsta?!"

Beth froze. "Wait, what… what do you mean Annie?" she said, slowly.

Annie looked up abruptly. "Don't try and lie to me about this, Beth. I saw the ring!"

"You… you saw the ring, huh?" replied Beth, feeling a pit of dread grow in her stomach.

"Yes!" cried Annie. "Don't you worry though, I took care of it", she said, looking very pleased with herself. "I threw it in his gangsta face".

Beth closed her eyes "oh no", she sighed.

A few miles away Rio was in a gym, pounding a heavy punching bag. A couple of his crew stood in the background, watching cautiously. He punched, grunting in frustration. Sweat dripped down his face, his arms and chest glistened, covered in a light layer of sweat. He suddenly stopped and motioned his trainer to hand him a towel. "Dags, can you get me a drink" he commanded, rather than asked, unlacing his boxing gloves.

Dags shuffled off in search of a drink and came back a few moments later. "Here boss", he said gruffly.

Rio took the glass "thanks". "Now everyone leave", he barked, without looking up. He drank deeply from the glass, staring at the floor. The room emptied quietly and cautiously.

Rio walked over to a nearby table and set the glass down. He took out the small velvet box from his trouser pocket. He hadn't wanted to leave it lying around. He opened it, picked up the engagement ring and looked at it against the light, then put it carefully back in the box, snapping the lid shut. He gazed at the small box, eyes narrowing. Finally he took a deep breath and returned it to his pocket and reached for his glass, draining it. He seemed deceptively calm, but his eyes betrayed him. They were on fire. With a scream he threw the empty glass against the wall.

Another few miles away at Detroit Metro airport a man in his thirties arrived and made his way to the car rental desk. He flashed the young woman there a smile.

"Good evening, sir", she greeted him.

"Good evening" he replied, amicably.

"How can I help?" she asked, customer service oozing from her every pore.

"I'd like to rent a car, for a week. Initially", he added.

"Certainly sir," replied the woman. "We have a special deal currently, if you book a minimum of a week, there's ten percent off our mid-size selection".

"That would be great", he smiled.

"Do you have drivers licence, sir?" she asked politely.

"Sure", he said, spilling his pockets on the desk to reveal his wallet, some gum and a warrant card.

"Oh", she smiled, "FBI, huh? Special Agent…?"

The man smiled, " just call me Noah".