A/N: You know where to look for the disclaimers. Warning: there's swearing in here. And a bit of a rollercoaster. Hang on tight.

Funky: Welcome and thanks for the review. Lane: Nice to see ya! See what happens when you wander. Well, I wandered too, so we're even. Although, I have yet to put in my final review on your fic. Loved it, by the by. Soccer-B: TYK. FlackLover: New tag, eh. Good to see you here still. RS: Heh, heh, heh. Glad to see I can still throw you for a loop.

Hope this next bit lives up to what you expect.

Don glanced at the clock on his dresser as he came out of the shower, toweling his hair. Tess would be here any minute. Maybe he should slow down. Then he'd have to greet her in just a towel. He grinned to himself. His stomach growled. Don shook his head and got dressed. He was pulling a polo shirt over his head when the first knock sounded. He padded barefoot out to the living room and opened the door.

"Hey, Sweetheart. Right on time," he grinned down at her.

Tess avoided his eyes and held up the bag. "Hope you're hungry. I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I brought extra."

"Ya know me. Always hungry." Don pulled Tess into the apartment and shut the door. He took the bag from her and set it down. He wrapped Tess into a tight embrace. "I've missed ya so much."

Tess allowed herself to settle against him. Tears pricked her eyes. She snuggled closer. "I've missed you too."

Don traced his hands over her shoulders and down her sides to her hips. He kissed her temple and then her ear. He pulled back a little and tilted Tess' face up. He thumbed away a tear that escaped the corner of her eye. "Maybe ya should just move in with me. Then it wouldn't matter what our schedules were." Tess' eyes went wide. Her knees refused to support her weight. Don felt her slipping and slowly lowered her to the ground. Tess' brought her knees up to her chest and worked at controlling her breathing. Don leaned on her knees and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "That wasn't exactly the reaction I was expecting." Tess looked back at him, gulping air like a dying fish. Don frowned. "Tess, are ya gonna be sick?" Tess took a couple more deep breaths and shook her head.

"No. I just…."

Don smiled, picked up her hand and kissed the palm. He folded her fingers over and held her hand still. "I know we haven't been datin' long and all that. Let's eat and ya think about it for a bit. We can keep talkin'. Okay?" He carefully helped Tess up. She was still unsteady on her feet and her face was creased with worry. Don reached out and pulled her close again. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I didn't mean to spook ya. Okay?" Tess nodded. Don kissed her hair and let her go. "Why don't ya set the table?" Tess nodded again and went to go get plates. Don picked up the bag of food and felt it. Still plenty warm. He set the bag in the middle of the table and headed for the fridge. "So do ya want a beer?"

"No," said Tess, carefully reaching down plates.

Don started to rummage through the fridge. "Okay. I think there's still some of that wine you like buried back here. It'll take a bit to get up to room temp."

"I don't want any wine. Thanks."

Don nodded and grabbed a beer for himself. He set it on the table and turned back to Tess. "What you need something stronger to think about things?"

Tess shook her head slightly and refused to look at him. "No. I'll just have a water."

Don frowned hard. "Just have a water. What's up with ya?"

Tess stood stock still. "Nothing," she whispered quietly. She stared down at the plates.

"Tess?" Don reached out and touched her hand. Tess jumped and the plates hit the floor, shattering. Tess dropped to her knees and started picking up the pieces. Don squatted down beside her and reached out for her wrist. Tess gripped the shard of plate tight in her fist. Don looked from her panic stricken face to the piece plate in her hand and back. He looked down at her hand. A small dot of red appeared at the end of the broken plate. Don gasped and started to pry her hand open. "Jesus, Tess. Let go, Sweetheart. Come on. Let go." He got Tess to drop the piece of plate. He stood up and ran his hand over his hair. "It was just a suggestion. I didn't mean to…" He looked down at Tess. Her shoulders were shaking hard. "Jesus." He grabbed a napkin off the table and held it to her palm. Don coaxed her up and over to the couch. He pulled Tess down next to him and into his arms. "I didn't mean to spook ya, Sweetheart. Jus' forget I said anything."

Tess started to shake her head hard. "You don't understand," she mumbled into his shirt front.

Don pushed her a little away, so he could see her face. Tess looked down. Don traced a hand over her cheek. "No, I don't think I do."

"I went to a clinic today," whispered Tess softly.

"You went to a clinic." Don frowned at her. "Tess, what's wrong?" Tess looked up at him. The anguish in her eyes stabbed his heart. He cupped her chin in his hand.

Tess closed her eyes. She took a deep, shuttering breath. "I'm…"

"Yer what?" Don tried to get Tess to look at him. "Married? Engaged?" he teased. Tess didn't react. "Dying? Pregnant?" Tess' eyes flew open. Don's hand dropped from her face. He searched her eyes. "Yer pregnant?" Tess' eyes flicked away. "Ya went to a clinic before you even…" Don slid away.

Tess shook her head. "I just needed to know for sure. I took three tests this morning, but I just needed to know for sure." Tears started to stream down Tess' face again. She dug at her cheeks with her fist. "So, really, I'm fine. Just pregnant."

"With my baby?" Don caught the burning glare she shot him. He held up his hands. "That didn't come out right."

"You think?" Don flinched a little at the tone of Tess' voice.

"It ain't like I've heard that before." Tess glared at Don again. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was thinking of movin' in together. Which is a pretty big thing and ya hit me with this. I jus' don't know what to say, Sweetheart."

Tess brought her knees up. She closed her eyes. "I know. Believe me I know." She stood up suddenly and wrapped her arms around herself. "Maybe I should go for now."

Don looked up at her. Tess almost burst into tears. He looked as lost as she felt. "Yer jus' gonna drop a bomb like that and leave." He held out his hand. "Don't leave, Tess."

Tess looked up at the ceiling and bit her lip. Tears started running down her cheeks. "Maybe we both need to think about this. What we're going to do."

"Ya can't think with me here?" Tess winced as his voice cracked a little. "We need to think together, Tess." Don stood up and pulled Tess close. Tess melted against him, rocking slightly. "Are ya as terrified as I am right now?" Tess looked up at him and smiled slightly. She ran her hand up his chest and touched his cheek.

"This from the guy that was blown up."

Don gave her a weak smile back. "That was easy. I was out cold." Don ran his hands along Tess' sides, touching her lightly. "How…I mean what made you think yer pregnant? We've been careful."

Tess closed her eyes and shook her head. "Antibiotics. They interfere with the pill."

"But I wore a condom," he insisted.

Tess shook her head again. "I kept telling myself that too." She sank down on the couch and looked at a spot in front of Don's feet. "I kept turning things over in my mind." She shook her head. "We weren't always careful. Almost, but not always." Don looked at her in confusion. Tess took several deep breaths. She didn't want to bring it up. Don had just started to settle things on that front. She didn't want to dredge it up again. "I'm seven and a half weeks pregnant." Tess waited for Don to put the date together in his mind. She heard his quick intake of breath and looked up. Her heart broke at the look of pain etched into his features.

"I gotta go." Don turned.

Tess reached out to grab his hand. Don shook her off and stomped away. "Don? Please." Don jammed his bare feet into a pair of shoes. He grabbed his wallet and jacket.

"I'm sorry," he said, not looking at Tess. "I jus' gotta go. I'm sorry." He bolted out the door. Tess made no move to go after him.

Once Don was outside, he slammed his hand hard into the wall. He leaned his head next to his hand. He had talked about consequences over Truby's arrest with Mac. In his wildest dreams, he never considered this would be one of them. Don glanced at his apartment door. He shook his head and headed down the hall.

Danny raised his eyebrows as Don slipped onto the stool next to him. Don ordered a shot and a beer. He downed the shot and ordered another. Danny watched him knock back that one too and start on the beer.

"Fight with Tiger Girl?"

Don shook his head and took a long draw on his beer. "Nope. Asked her to move in."

"A little soon, dontcha think? So she turned ya down?"

"Nope." Don took another long drink. "Didn't answer me on that."

"So yer here why?" Don didn't answer Danny. He looked at the beer in his glass. "Did she jus' walk out?"

Don shook his head again. "Nope. Far as I know, she's still sittin' in the apartment."

"You walked out?" asked Danny incredulously. "Ya asked Tess to move in wit' ya and then ya left her there?"

Don drained his beer. "Yep." He set the glass down heavily.

"Yer crazy." Danny shook his head.

Don looked over at Danny. "Tess is pregnant."

Danny choked on his beer. He wiped his sleeve over his mouth. "What the heck did ya jus' say?"

"Tess is pregnant." Danny started to open his mouth. Don pinned him with a fierce look. "Ya'd better not ask that or I'm gonna smack ya."

Danny rolled his eyes. "That didn't cross my mind. I was gonna point out that yer not a couple of teenagers. Ya both know how these things work."

Don called for another beer. "No, shit. Thanks for pointin' that out ta me." Don took a drink of his second beer and flashed Danny a bitter smile. "I didn't tell ya the best part yet." He took another gulp of beer. "This is the kicker. This is why I'm sittin' here. Guess when I knocked 'er up?" Jus' guess." Don watched Danny intently.

"I dunno. On her birthday."

"I didn't know Tess on her birthday."

"And yers is comin' yet." Danny thought a minute. "Shit. I dunno. When?"

Don looked away. "The day Truby was busted."

"Fuck."

"Well, yeah. That's what we did."

"That's not what I meant."

"'Bout sums it up though, doesn't it?" said Don morosely.

Danny just shook his head. "What are ya gonna do?"

"We didn't talk about that."

"No, yer girl told ya she was pregnant and ya walked out on her."

"That was stupid."

"Ya think?"

Don glared at him. "I said it was stupid. But when she told me when…" Don shook his head. "I screwed up, Danny. I love Tess. God knows I do, but this…this…"

"Don, Tess told ya about the biggest thing yer ever gonna hear and ya walked out on her. That's screwin' up." Danny took the rest of Don's beer out of his hand. "Go an' track Tiger Girl down. Beg her to forgive ya for walkin' out. Talk ta her and figure out what to do next."

"Oh, and yer such an expert on this. How many girls have you knocked up?"

"That ain't the point. How much deeper ya gonna dig yerself?"

"It ain't that easy, Danny."

"I didn't say it was. What I said is that yer an idiot for walkin' out. What the hell do ya think Tess is thinkin' right now?"

"That I'm an asshole."

"I told ya ya weren't stupid. I'll take care of yer tab. Get out of here. Find Tiger girl. Talk to her. Ya don't have to plan out the next twenty years tonight. Ya jus' have ta talk. Block things out and yer gonna screw up even more. Now, go on and git outta here." Don nodded and stood up.

"Thanks, Danny," he mumbled.

"Not a problem. Jus' name yer kid after me."

"Not a chance. I ain't gonna saddle them with that handicap."

Don left the bar. He reached for his cell and cursed. It was back at his apartment. He looked around for a pay phone. He finally spotted one and went over. He dropped in his money. Damn, these things have gotten expensive. Don dialed Tess' number. It went to voice mail. Don leaned his head against the partition.

Tess, sweetheart. I'm sorry. I'm a total ass. I'm gonna find ya. We…we… I dunno. I'm jus' gonna find ya. We'll go from there. Ya can't call me back. I left my cell back at my place. I'll jus' find ya. I love ya and I'm sorry." Don hung up the phone. He headed for the subway.

A bleary eyed Peter opened the door. Don looked at him sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry ta bother ya. I was upstairs. Tess wasn't there. I was wondering if Bette knew where she was." Peter nodded and shut the door. A little while later, Bette opened the door.

"She was supposed to be with you."

"I know."

"Ya have a fight?" Bette yawned.

"Not exactly. Did she talk ta ya?"

"Not since this morning. I have no clue where she is. I'm not gonna have ta beat ya up am I?"

"Can I take the Fifth on that?"

"For tonight. I'm tired. I'll kick your ass another day."

"Thanks for the reprieve."

"Do you need to get into the apartment?"

Don looked down. "I don't know. She might be in there and not talking ta me."

Bette nodded. She disappeared and came back holding a key. "When you're done just shove it under the door here."

"Ok. Thanks, Bette."

Bette nodded and yawned. "Sure thing. Jus' remember to remind me to kick yer ass."

"Um. I'll do that," replied Don. Bette nodded, yawned and shut the door.

Don bounded back upstairs to Tess' apartment. He opened the door. The apartment was dark. Don flipped on a light and looked around. Tess wasn't there. Don turned around a few times trying to decide where else to look for her. He turned the light back out, left and locked the door.

Don opened the door to his apartment. It was dark here too. He sighed in frustration and pounded the door frame.

"You're going to hurt your hands if you keep that up."

"Tess?" He flipped on the light. Tess sat up blinking.

"Who else would be sitting in your apartment in the dark?"

Don went over and knelt down in front of her. "You've been here the whole time?" Tess nodded. "I looked all over. I called ya."

"I know."

"Ya didn't answer."

Tess raised her eyebrows. "You really expected me to?"

Don looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry. I'm an idiot."

"Yes, you are," agreed Tess.

Don reached out and took her hand. "I love ya, Tess."

"You don't have to say that."

"I'm not. I've told ya that before. This doesn't change that. I shouldn't have walked out. That was stupid." Tess started to say something. Don cut her off. "Ya don't have to agree with me again. And I really meant what I said earlier about movin' in."

"Don, I don't…" Don placed a finger over Tess' lips.

"Don't say no. Think on it. I had already asked you. It's not about the baby. Okay?"

"I guess."

Don looked up into Tess' eyes. "I wanna kiss ya. Will ya let me?" Tess nodded slightly. Don pulled her down into his lap. He traced his hands over her face and kissed her lightly. Tess kissed him back. Don threaded his fingers into her hair and held her still. He leaned his forehead against hers. "What if I wanna do more than jus' kiss ya?"

Tess smiled. "Isn't that what got us into trouble in the first place?"

Don pulled away slightly and gave Tess a shocked look. "Ya mean it ain't jus' from kissin'?" Tess punched him in the shoulder and Don kissed her breathless. Tess shifted until she straddled Don's legs. She rocked against him. Don closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath.

"Are you still going to want me like this when I'm as big as a house?"

"Yer not gonna get as big as a house." Don kissed her again.

"Want to bet?"

"No. That's the last thing on my mind right now."

"Well, it's going to become an issue."

"I know. An' we'll deal with it when it comes. Not tonight." Don slid his hands slowly down Tess' body. She arched against him. Don leaned back, pulling Tess to the floor on top of him.

"You have something else in mind for tonight?" asked Tess, leaning down and kissing him.

Don raised his hips under her. "Whatdaya think?"

"I think you might."

"Not just might."

"I could go along with that."

"Jus' could?"

"More than just." Don grinned and kissed Tess soundly.