A/N: GhostWhispererFangirl here! I'm ready to shake things up. Enjoy :) xx Mariah

It had been hours since anyone had heard anything. Katie and Mackenzie were both in surgery. Ned was being stitched up in the ER and Scott had gone to talk to him, hoping to calm him down, but the man was getting restless not knowing anything about his wife and their unborn child.

Melinda couldn't sit still either, and she had begun to pace the halls. Aaron looked on worried at her from where he sat but he was also reassuring Delia that Ned was fine, that Katie would be okay, and so would the baby.

No one had been able to get ahold of Mackenzie's boyfriend either. At first, no one thought anything of it but as the hours of waiting droned on and Chase still didn't show up, they all started to resent him for it but especially her.

Just then the double doors that lead out into the ambulance bay opened to reveal Chase. The red-haired and six-foot-four man graced all of their presence dressed in a Grandview Electric jumper.

"Good, you're here," she said, standing up.

"What do you know?" Chase cleared his throat, looking around at the family. "I was on a job and my phone was in the van..." He looked down at the small device. "I'd left it in there because we had this big fight the other day and I didn't want to hear my phone buzzing all night if she was texting me... if I had known..."

"We don't know much besides that Mackenzie is in critical condition with a head injury. Just have a seat and try to stay calm. I don't care about your petty drama with my daughter," she scoffed, moving past him to go see about an update at the nurse's station. "You should be worried about her not that. We'll all be here a while still."

She spotted her husband before he made it to her and nearly ran down the hallway to him when she noticed that sullen tired look on his face. The one when something bad happened during surgery. But which one?

"Hey, Katie's out of surgery and on her way to recovery. We just came from updating Ned. Let's go tell the others," he said as she embraced him.

Delia stood up as they approached, coming over to hear any news. Aaron was huddled close as well, wanting to hear whatever news he could about his older sister, his hand on his mom's shoulder. Scott was lingering in the back now that Chase had arrived.

"How did the surgery go?" Delia asked. "We're you in there?"

"I could only observe. As head of general and chief of staff, I wanted to make sure she had the best care along with Mack. Katie lost a lot of blood during surgery and Dr. Turner was able to set her leg, and it should heal with the right amount of physical therapy and rest. She'll likely be wheelchair-bound for a bit but then on crutches by the time she leaves the hospital. Her head injury ended up being a little more complex than a concussion, but everything is under control." Jim explained, sighing. "That was when she bottomed out. We hadn't realized she was bleeding into her abdomen and nearly lost her for a minute or two but were able to find the bleeder and bring her back. She isn't through the woods yet, but should make a full recovery."

Melinda held onto her the people around her, her heart relieved. Katie would be okay. Would the baby? They all knew that was slim after the story that had just been told to her, but she had to ask. "And the baby?" She whispered, saying another prayer. "That is the first thing she's going to ask about. You know it is."

Jim didn't answer, but that was reply enough. Dr. Turner stepped in. "Unfortunately, no. The pregnancy was awfully premature to survive this kind of stress on the body, especially considering the abdomen trauma," the doctor said as he looked over the chart, pulling a paper up and then dropping it. The emotion this man lacked was startling, but she also knew most doctors tried their best not to show any emotion in front of a patient's family. Even their chief of staff apparently. "We weren't able to save the baby and I'm very sorry about that. You can see your daughter now in room sixteen-fifty while awaiting the news of Mackenzie. I'll have a charge nurse try and get you an update as often as we can."

She nodded as Delia wept into her shoulder, and with a side-glance to her son, Aaron went to call and update any family while she took care of Delia. It took everything in her not to lose it right now, but they would get through this. "Go to Ned," she whispered, pulling back. "I need to see my daughter while I wait for news on Mack and then Ned needs to be the one to talk to Katie when she wakes up."

Delia sniffled and wiped away her tears. "I know." Her friend sighed. "They don't deserve this kind of pain again."

Jim led her through the hospital even though she knew the layout like the back of her hand from him working in early every part of it over the years. They were at the door of the hospital room in no time but he stopped her short of going in. "Hey, come here. I know tonight has been rough on you," he said, kissing her forehead. "But you should know Katie may be a little groggy if she is awake, if not, she should be awake soon."

As much as she loved him, she didn't have time for this because if she got caught in her emotions she would break down. "I know. I need to see her," she said and it was like a dam broke when she saw her firstborn intubated, cut up, bruised, and drowning in a hospital bed.

Her daughter may be all grown up but she wanted to wrap her up in her arms like she was a toddler again, and make everything better. "My sweet girl," she cried, walking over to her bedside and running her hand through Katie's hair. She pressed a kiss to her cheek before pulling up a chair to her daughter's bedside and cradling her hand. "You are going to be okay."

That was all Melinda kept telling herself about both of her children.

Things had gone semi-smoothly with Mackenzie as well, but that was the least shocking news. The middle Clancy was nearly three months pregnant and the baby had miraculously survived.

Ned had been discharged with only minor injuries, but he hadn't left his wife's side. He needed fifteen stitches to close up his cheek and ten stitches to close up his forehead, and his shoulder had been dislocated, but that would all heal as long as he took it easy and he had no objection or trouble in doing that because he wanted to be nowhere but with his family right now.

But once the fateful news everyone had been waiting for was known, most went home after they got a chance to see their loved ones. However, Ned, Chase, Melinda, and Jim stuck around. Scott had too and watched through the window as his partner held his wife as they grieved the loss of another child. He'd only heard the story of their firstborn after asking what the significance behind his partner's phone password was, and never dared to ask again.

Scott could also see Mackenzie still asleep in the next bed over, Chase holding her hand as he cried. Praying that she'd be okay while he apologized over and over again. One thing he'd learned while he was here was that Mackenzie and Chase fought, a lot, about little things, stupid things, and it usually ended with one of them storming out of their apartment.

"Scott," Melinda yawned as she walked up to him, startling him slightly and pulling him from his selfish thoughts. "You're still here?"

"I just wanted to check in on Mackenzie, but Chase is in there. I didn't want to overstep my welcome so I have been waiting for a chance to sneak in there when he leaves for a break, but he hasn't," Scott sighed and sat down in a chair. "Have you gone home yet?"

"You know me better than I thought you would," Melinda chuckled. "But I wanted to check on Katie and Ned and give Mack a goodnight kiss before I go home. Jim's just finishing up some paperwork."

"That's good, Melinda. You're a great mother. I am a detective so I do have some skills," he smiled at her. She reminded him of Mackenzie in so many ways, but not in the ways Katie reminded him of Melinda, and that shocked and comforted him in so many ways. "But how are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm... I'm managing. Thank you for asking." Melinda squeezed his forearm, holding back how she really was feeling. "How are you doing, Scott?"

"Still a little shaken up," he answered, shrugging. "I don't think I've ever driven somewhere quicker than today. I don't know what I would've done if we would've lost any one of them today."

"Me either, but Scott, I didn't get to thank you for being there for me earlier," Melinda said smiling at him. "I wouldn't have been as level-headed if it weren't for you. The least I can do is keep Chase occupied so you can see Mack for a minute or two."

"You'd do that for me?" He stood up and she hugged him.

"Of course, then you can stop in to see Katie and Ned." Melinda took a sip of her coffee, or at least that's what he presumed it was because it was a little after midnight, and waved him to follow her. "Come on." She slid the door open, going over to Mackenzie's side of the room, the curtain pulled between them.

Scott walked over to the other side and saw his partner lying close to his wife in her hospital bed, and they looked to be asleep. However, after a moment, Katie's head moved from out of the crook of Ned's neck and she glanced up at him sleepily.

"Scott, hey," Katie whispered, yawning. "I thought you would have left by now."

"Hi, Katie," he said and kneeled down next to her, seeing Ned was still asleep. That man could sleep anywhere. Even in the squad car on a late-night shift if he tried hard enough. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. My pain meds kicked in so I'm all fuzzy and warm inside. It helps that this hunk is laying in bed with me too," Katie sighed, sinking into her husband. He could tell she didn't want to feel like that. Not at a time like this. "I feel so lucky that Ned wasn't hurt as badly as he could've been, but I'm devastated that we lost another baby. It's too many at this point."

Scott hadn't known to the extent of what had happened to Katie, but he had known before today that she was pregnant. Ned had been too overly excited to keep the secret from his partner, who he had sworn to secrecy, and to know what happened now hurt his heart even more.

"Katie, I'm so sorry." He touched her hand, holding it, squeezing it momentarily. "Do you need anything?"

"Water would be nice," she nodded, touching her mouth. "My throat is a little dry."

He quickly stood and poured her a glass of water as she turned the television on, startling Ned awake as she pressed the bed up a bit.

"Hmm... Scott? Hey, man," Ned yawned and pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek, then moved to sit up and greet him. "What are you still doing here?" The man glanced at his wristwatch. "It's almost one in the morning, dude."

"I came to check up on you two," he answered, holding the cup to her.

"And Mackenzie," Katie hummed as she took a sip of her water.

"Maybe," he blushed. "Melinda is over there."

"Oh, mom. Of course. Chase might still be around here somewhere too," Katie said, setting the cup on the table in front of her. "He hadn't left her side the last I paid attention to Mack's side of the room. It's probably because of the baby though. Part of me hopes it's for her and not that but I've never really liked him. I do like you for her, Scott, and she does too."

As honest as the Clancy's were, that was definitely the morphine talking. "Yeah, I bet," he sighed, not believing it.

"I sent Chase to get something to eat in the cafeteria. That was the one great thing your dad did when he became Chief. He made the cafeteria twenty-four-hour service," Melinda said as she walked over to their side, nudging Scott. "You can go see her now."

"Thanks." He hugged Melinda again before the woman went to her daughter, embracing her tightly, and then waved goodbye to Ned and Katie. "I'll see you guys soon."

"Mom," Katie crumbled as her mother hugged her and Scott looked to Ned, who nodded to his partner as he pulled the sheet over for privacy.

Scott's heart broke for Katie. Too many, she had said, and God he wished there were no more. He loved that woman. She was like a sister to him. She'd taught him how to cook, even if he still needed guidance, and Ned was his brother. His best friend. He always had his back, no matter what.

Then he saw Mackenzie, the one good thing he'd had in his life. Even if it was for a small period of time.

He hadn't seen her in over a year, but last time she'd looked so radiant. So beautiful. She'd just returned from a week-long vacation with her family at their summer cabin. Not that she didn't look beautiful now, she did. She'd just lost so much weight, and looked so fragile and pale, especially if she was having a baby. Her hair was in a thick braid, most likely done by her mother when she came in check on her.

"Mackenzie," he whispered as he walked over to her bedside, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry." He felt helpless. He wanted to help her in any way. He hated that he hadn't seen her long, that he'd only have another few brief minutes. "I wish I could tell you that I loved you when you were awake."

Except she had a boyfriend.

He wondered if Chase was going to stay with her through it all and if they would get married. Be that couple.

He wished he'd been man enough to get through his issues with the hostage situation. That he would have answered the door one of the times when she was there. He should've opened the door, and hugged her. Let her help him heal.

"Scott, you should go home. Get some rest." Melinda said, touching his shoulder. "You can come back in the morning before work and see her. I'll see to it."

"Alright," he looked back at her. "Just let me say goodbye."

"I'll be in the hall to make sure no one comes in," Melinda's hand lingered on his shoulder momentarily before he bent down and kissed her forehead again.

Mackenzie's eyes opened and she grabbed his hand, struggling to breathe because of the tube in her throat. She tried to say something, but he pressed the nurse button as her BP dropped and she clawed at his hand.

The breathing tube was still in her throat. She couldn't breathe. She held onto him, her eyes desperate as she looked around. He knew in situations like this car crash victims don't know where they are after surgery. They are still very groggy.

"Hey, Mack, it's me. It's Scott. just try and stay calm," he said softly, kissing her hand as a nurse ran in a quickly helped disconnect the tube so she could breathe on her own. "You're at Mercy General. You were in a car accident with your sister and Ned. Everyone is alive, but you just got out of surgery."

"There there..." The nurse said as she pulled the tube from her mouth. "You should be able to breathe now, just keep this on." She mentioned the piece in her nose and Mackenzie slowly nodded. "Alright. Try and get some sleep."

"Thank you," Mackenzie whispered, touching her throat as she turned to look at Scott. It had been so long since they'd been face to face. She made him feel so many things. "Scott."

"Hey," he said, smiling at her. "It's good to see those eyes of yours open."

She squeezed his hand again, but then looked past him. "Mom," she struggled to speak as Melinda came to her bedside.

"Hi, sweetheart. I'm so glad to see you awake," Melinda whispered, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Get some rest. Your dad will be in to check on you soon before we go home for the night. I love you so much, Mackenzie."

Scott was going to sneak off while he had the chance, but when Mackenzie's hand grabbed hold of his again, he turned to see her looking over at him, wanting to talk to him. Even after everything that had happened tonight. "Don't talk. It'll only hurt," he instructed, smiling at her as Melinda stepped away to give them another minute. "I have to go soon and you aren't nearly strong enough to be talking yet. I'll be back in the morning, okay? I promise."

She nodded, her eyes so distant from him even as she gazed at him with a smile. He knew she wanted to be happy, but something was holding her back. He wished he knew why.

Chase stepped into the room as he turned to leave. The man hardly noticed him once he saw Mackenzie was away.

"Baby...?" Chase called out and ran to her side, practically shoving Scott out of the way. "You're awake. God, I'm so sorry for this morning. I didn't mean to yell at you. I love you so much. I'll quit smoking. I will."

"Come on. I'll walk you to your car." Melinda smiled, looping her arm around his before he stared for too long. "I'm on my way to start the truck anyways." He smiled and she walked him to the squad car, which he needed to return to the station before going home. "Sleep well."

"Try and get some sleep yourself, Mrs. Clancy." He nodded at her as he walked toward the driver's seat.

"Scott, I think it's time you just call me Melinda." The woman laughed, smiling at him. "I have a feeling you'll be around."

He nodded and hopped in the police car, driving away.

Mackenzie laid there quietly, keeping her eyes closed, matching her breaths to the beeping of the machines that surrounded the bed, the only indications of her heartbeat, her existence.

Her legs were numb and she was trying to avoid a conversation about how she was feeling with her sister. Curiosity slowly pried open her swollen eyes to meet a dismal view of a magnolia colored hospital room, the door a navy blue. She slid her eyes sideways to see her IV and medication wire, she was instructed to press a green button every time she felt pain as long as it wasn't within the same two hour time frame. Short cuts ran along her arms, beyond was her chart.

Mackenzie Andrea Clancy

Status: Stable (for now)

Admittance: 9:27 pm

Cause of Admittance: Two car collision, threw from the car approx. 20 feet

Diagnosis: Suffered a subdural hematoma, fracture skull and broken nose and three broken ribs, several contusions and lacerations

Other: Fourteen weeks pregnant

Duration: Unavailable for now

"Hey, sis, you awake?" Katie asked and smiled when she turned her head over to look at her. "You are... I haven't seen you awake since two nights ago, but dad said that was normal since you had to have another surgery. How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts, but that's acceptable," she muttered and groaned in pain.

"Yeah. You nearly died almost a dozen times," Katie said and then threw a cup at Ned. "Wake up! I'm hungry babe."

"What the?" Ned groaned and then smiled at Katie. "Hey you... I heard the word hungry?"

"Welcome back to the world," Katie said and motioned for him to come closer. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything for you," He whispered as he stood up and kissed her. "What's up?"

That's what Mackenzie wanted. What Katie and Ned had. What her parents had. A man who loved her unconditionally and looked at her like it was the first time he'd ever seen a beautiful woman. She knew it took work, but even she was smart enough to know that working ten million years on Chase wouldn't make her love him more nor the other way around.

"Go get me something to eat? I'm starving." Katie said with a pleading smile. "And some orange juice, I love the juice from here."

"Oh alright," he said and his hand touched her face one last time before leaving. "I love you."

"I love you too," Katie kissed him and he walked to the door. "Hey Mack, want anything? It'll be good for the baby."

She wanted to throw something at him now too. "Pizza," she asked softly, clearing her throat and her head vibrated in pain. She saw black spots around the edges of the room and winced. She pressed the green button and laid back against her pillow. "Pizza sounds fucking amazing."

"Pizza. Got it," Ned smiled as their dad walked past him, closing the door.

"Alrighty. I have an ultrasound to give to both of my daughters," Jim said walking in. "Who wants first?"

"At least your being enthusiastic dad," she chuckled as she rubbed her head.

"I have to be or I'll go crazy." He sighed pushing the equipment in and walking over to Katie's side of the room. "How's your leg?"

"Painless as of now with these meds so I'm quite comfortable." Katie sighed, smiling sadly "but after everything? I miss my kiddos. I need to see them soon, but I don't want to scare them with all the bruises. I don't look like their mommy right now, at least not the one who left them home with Hannah a few nights ago."

"Hey, just be thankful they weren't with you in that car." He reassured her as he set up the machine. "And I know this is ore of just a confirmation, so should we just get it out of the way?"

Katie nodded, and to change the sad subject away from her sister's miscarriage, she asked the question on her mind. "A few nights?" She looked over at them.

"You were out of it all day yesterday. I told you," her sister explained. "Muttering little things in your sleep and you even said Scott's name. Kind of a creepy."

"We see ghosts Katie," she laughed and winced, touching her head in pain.

"So?" Katie laughed. "I still get creeped out by things."

"Alright. You know the drill baby girl," he said squirting the gel over her abdomen, and turned on the machine. "Is Ned getting you orange juice?"

"Of course!" Katie smiled. "What else am I going to drink?"

"You've been drinking it since you were little so I don't know," he said pressing the wand to her stomach. "Alright let's see..."

"I should be a mother of six you know," Katie said softly, wiping away a fallen tear.

"Bug I'm sorry." He said looking to her.

"Yeah." Katie settled back into bed, turning on her side away from everyone. "Everyone always is."

His hand touched her back softly and he lingered there, whispering something for only her to hear. "Your turn," he said wiping away his own fallen tear. "How are you feeling?"

She couldn't be pregnant. She didn't want to be pregnant. Katie deserved to be pregnant. Not her. Not yet at least.

This wasn't her plan. She'd wanted to settle down with the right person, someone who really loved her for her because she needed to be able to tell them about her gift.

Because she couldn't lie to that person for the rest of her life. She wouldn't settle for normal, her mom didn't and Katie definitely didn't. And eventually she'd be ready to have a baby with him, if he accepted her and didn't run away like that one guy did from her mom. She'd find love even as a single mom though, wouldn't she?

"My head hurts," she said softly and lifted her hospital gown up to her stomach, a blanket covering from her hips down. "You're not mad at me?"

"No. I love you and if this is what God planned then it's going to happen no matter what I think," he said squirting the gel onto her stomach and pressing the wand against her. "There we go. Wanna see?"

"Sure," she answered softly, putting on a smile for him, but it felt real once she saw the screen. The fetus was bigger than she'd thought, usually this was the same time her mom would've started sharing ultrasound pictures. She must've not realized her missed periods in all of chaos.

"Definitely still pregnant. Strong little baby you've got in here, much like you were. You were born so early that we were all so worried about you for those first few days," he said pointing to the screen. "This isn't my specialty, but having five kids myself you look to be about seventeen weeks along. That would put conception sometime in October. Does that sound right?"

It flashed back to her. Being shoved into the chalkboard and her skirt being pulled up. October 26th. Yes, that sounded right. She'd also had sex with Chase that day. It was the fucking anniversary.

"Are you alright Mack?" He asked, reaching over to wipe away her falling tears. "I know this can be emotional. Especially on your own. Did you want to call your boyfriend and do another exam with him?"

She shook her head. "I don't deserve this baby," she whispered, looking at her sister. "I don't want this baby."

"Everything happens for a reason baby girl," he said and kissed her cheek as he turned off the machine. "There's a reason your baby survived, Mack. But it's your choice. You still have time. I have to go do my rounds. I'll be back soon. I love you."

"I love you too," she sighed, glancing over to see her sister turn on the tv and flip through the channels. "Katie, please don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad at you?" Katie muttered and settled on some crime drama.

"Because I'm pregnant..." She replied.

"And I'm not?" Katie laughed out loud. "Oh Kenz, that's a good one. Thank you."

Mackenzie was confused. Why would that be funny. "Are you sure you're not the one with the head injury?" She asked.

"Hey, just because I lost my baby doesn't mean it's your fault or that I would hate you. Hannah had Jace when I didn't have Charlie and Emma was born just a few days after he died, but did I take it out on them? Of course not. Everything that happened to Charlie was my fault, I shouldn't have put so much stress on myself. Everything else just wasn't meant to be." Katie explained and wiped away her tears. "It hurts like the hell every time, but I have two beautiful children at home who love me and Ned and I will try again. We always do, and it's the time you don't plan when you get pregnant. There is not a reason for me to be mad at you. I'm your sister and you've been through hell. I wish I could comfort you right now. I know what dad said brought some things back... I know how that can be, but you can always talk about it with me if you need to."

"Nothing that has happened to you is your fault. You didn't do anything to deserve what happened to Charlie or the others," she explained. "I need you to promise me something..."

"Anything," Katie smiled.

"Will you help me through this because I'm not ready to mom alone. I have to tell Chase the baby might not be his and I don't think he's going to take it well," she sighed.

"I'm here for you one hundred and fifty percent. You need to do something for me though," Katie told her. "You need to report that bastard. It's going to be hard but for the greater good. I will be there with you every step. I promise."

"I can't... it was over a period of weeks Katie. I just kept thinking it wouldn't happen again," she sighed.

"One question," Katie said sitting up. "Did you say no?"

"Yes. I said no and I fought him... every time but that-" She sighed.

"No means no Mackenzie. No consent means it was rape," Katie interjected and grabbed her crutches. "No doesn't mean convince me. However you dress, wherever you go. Yes means yes and no means no. We are putting this bastard in jail. Especially because of who he is."

Her sister was right. She had to do this.