How's this going, guys? This chapter brings the first of the extended family's reactions. Please review, okay?

Cameron and Chase came in a few minutes after Aerith left, Chase pushing in another cart loaded with various instruments and a lab tray. Riku did not move from his place and both men eyed the arrangement with dark expressions. Neither one of them had any positive association with medical testing or procedures.

"Um…" Cameron glanced at the couple. "I know you're going to argue this but its better if Riku steps out for most of this."

"He stays." Cloud stated simply.

"However," Riku kissed Cloud and got off the bed. "I will get out of the way. The faster you guys can do all of this the better."

Chase was clearly in agreement as he was already putting on gloves and opening sterile packs of instruments. "Simply guessing by the ultrasound image, we estimate the pregnancy to be at about eight weeks. Obviously, that's assuming we're dealing with traditional growth rates and development."

Eight weeks… Riku pursed his lips. It had been around that time that he had gotten into one of his dominant moods. He had been the one taking Cloud for about three days; his semen going into his husband's body. That would explain how his DNA fit into the puzzle. "That's one question answered."

Cameron looked at him curiously. "Something happened around that time?"

"It confirms that I really am the father." At her even more quizzical look, he briefly explained with no embarrassment. "I'm usually bottom. Around then, I was going through a topping phase."

Chase lifted an eyebrow as he assembled a nasty looking needle and syringe. "I just assumed you were the father from the beginning."

"My mother always told me a good doctor never assumes."

"All theories start as assumptions." The accented blond countered. "They're just assumptions backed with evidence."

Riku shrugged. "Doesn't matter, I guess. Besides, people who don't really know us all seem to assume that I'm seme. I have no idea why."

"It's a body-size stereotype." Cameron noted. She was also donning gloves. She placed her attention on Cloud. "We're going to be taking some tissue and cell samples."

Riku frowned deeply. "You're not messing with the baby, are you?"

"They can do whatever they have to." Cloud declared. "If they want to do one of those amniostatisis things, go for it."

"It's too dangerous this early into the pregnancy for that." Cameron informed both men. "Eventually there will have to be tests on the baby but right now, we're more concerned with Cloud. We need to figure out how you were able to conceive in the first place and whether or not you can support a pregnancy."

"I only care about the how." Cloud eyed the needle Chase was preparing warily. "Do I want to know where that's going?"

"No." Chase stated in a flat yet sympathetic tone. Cameron was preparing a much smaller needle and syringe. "We're going to take samples from various lymphatic sites for biopsy and we'll also need a semen sample."

"You're not putting that thing anywhere near my balls."

The male doctor chuckled. "This is for the sample from your abdomen. We'll let you and your husband handle the semen sample."

"We're going to take from four different lymphatic sites and schedule a biopsy of your hypothalamus this evening." Cameron listed. "We'll also do some scopy work while you're under for the biopsy."

"Surgery?" Cloud said the word thickly. "I really don't handle sedation well."

"We have a plan for that." Chase informed him simply. He turned toward the spiky blond and glanced at Cameron. "You ready with the local?"

She nodded and spoke to Cloud. "I need to numb the sites. You going to be able to handle that or is this going to be a problem?"

Cloud focused his attention entirely on Riku. The young man smiled reassuringly at him, silently bolstering his strength. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to relax. "Hurry up and get this done."

--0—0—

The pair of doctors left two hours later. They collected their samples, took some more blood and left what was needed for the semen sample. Riku had remained on the far side of the room throughout the procedures and sent his husband as much quiet support as he could. Cloud had maintained his total attention on Riku and the silver-haired man had noted every wince, every silent cry, along with the haunted look that tried to take over those blue eyes.

Riku crossed back to the bed when Cameron and Chase left. The whole experience had been terrible to watch and he smoothed some of Cloud's hair. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, love."

Cloud shrugged minutely. "It's necessary. I'm more concerned with how I'm going to react when they try to sedate me."

"They said they had a plan. Maybe they're going to cast Sleep on you first."

"That could work." Cloud nuzzled into Riku's hand. "I just want all of this to be done so we can go home…forget about all of this."

Riku worried his lower lip. Cloud's denial of his pregnancy was really starting to concern him. If even after all of this he couldn't acknowledge it, they were in for some serious problems very soon. They were going to have to make a decision whether to keep the pregnancy, if there even was the possibility of keeping it. He really did not know how he would handle it if Cloud seriously refused to keep the baby.

"When did they say they were returning?" Cloud murmured into his palm.

"A half hour." Riku could not help but smirk. He recognized Cloud's behavior. "You're all for getting this semen sample, aren't you?"

"I know it's totally inappropriate…" Blue eyes cast up toward Riku's face. "But I'm aroused as all hell."

Chuckling, Riku thought to himself hormones and climbed up on the bed. He straddled Cloud's legs near the knees ad leaned forward, running his hands up his lover's hips. "You're really strange sometimes, Cloud."

"Get used to it." He retorted, sighing as Riku's fingers moved up his body, pushing his thin shirt out of the way. "Hormones are a bitch. Remember some of those swings Tifa went through?"

"Oh yeah." Riku brushed his thumbs at Cloud's nipples. He did not dare think that this conversation meant Cloud was going to keep the baby. "How do you want it?"

Cloud gasped softly. "It doesn't matter… whatever is going to be easiest."

Riku brought his body up and kissed his husband deeply, continuing to tease his nipples and carefully pressing his hips down against the shorter man's groin. Cloud was very obviously ready to go. He moved back down and tugged at the waistband of Cloud's loose pants.

Together they pulled the pants down enough to free Cloud's hardening erection. Riku wrapped his long fingers around it, earning a pleasured moan as he slowly worked his hand along the length. He was a little surprised how quickly the blond's body was reacting and was certain that this was going to be over very soon. Cloud was already writhing and gasping at Riku's steady rhythm.

Cloud made a noise and threw his head back, both telltale signs that he was close to cumming. Riku changed his grip slightly and speed the hand job up as he reached with his free hand for the empty storage container left for the semen collection. Moments after getting everything ready, Cloud came and Riku did his best to get as much of the milky jets he produced into the cup.

As Cloud relaxed, Riku sealed the specimen container and used a paper towel to clean up what he missed. "Well, that was easy."

The older male exhaled slowly, lightly freckled skin still flushed. "I don't know what you did but that was one of the best hand jobs I've ever had."

"I didn't do anything special." Riku set the cup back on the tray. He had read somewhere that pregnancy made sex more intense and pleasurable but he did not tell Cloud that. He didn't want to risk a bad reaction. "Guess I'm just that good."

"That and it's been a few days." Cloud straightened himself up. He settled in, sitting upright and folding his legs before him.

"Well you haven't been feeling well." Riku settled down across from him. "At least we know the worst of the nausea will pass soon."

Cloud visibly shut down again. "Yeah."

"Don't." Riku took hold of his knee and squeezed it. "Talk to me, Cloud. We have to deal with this together."

The blond glanced at Riku's hand. He really did not want to talk anymore about any of this until he had to. After all the tests were done, then he would think about his situation. He really wished Riku would just back off for a bit.

There was a soft tap on the door and Cloud and Riku frowned. They both could feel their visitor's presence and neither was very happy about it. This was not a conversation they were ready to have and they had to wonder who had called him.

Reluctantly, Riku called out. "Come in."

His brother did not hesitate. Sephiroth closed the door behind him and turned toward the couple. The Strife's knew just by looking at him that he somehow knew what was happening.

"I'm going to kill Aerith," Cloud muttered darkly.

"I haven't seen Aerith," Sephiroth said simply. "I noticed a few days ago that something felt different about Cloud. Demyx informed me of what happened at the meeting this afternoon and from that… the impossible pieces fell into place. I came to confirm the suspicion and your reaction did just that."

Cloud didn't seem nearly surprised as Riku that Sephiroth had figured out their situation. Blue eyes regarded his former nemesis. "Any clue how this happened to me?"

"A few." Sephiroth studied Cloud a beat before glancing at Riku. "Inform the doctors that Cloud is ready for his procedure."

The younger silver-haired man frowned. He was clearly being dismissed so that Sephiroth could talk to Cloud alone. This angered him and he fought back the urge to yell at his brother. This was his baby, his husband, they were dealing with. It was his family, not Sephiroth's.

He looked to Cloud and the anger faded into confusion and concern. It appeared that Cloud wanted him to go. The blond had his eyes adverted from Riku and Riku had the strong impression that he wanted to speak to Sephiroth alone.

"Yeah." Riku stood and his voice was tight.

Cloud suddenly reached over and took his hand. When Riku met his eyes, the older man smiled softly. "I love you."

"I know." Riku pulled away and picked up the semen sample cup. He passed his brother and opened the door. As he left, he threw a love you over his shoulder.

Cloud studied the door for a long moment. He knew that Riku felt like he was being shut out but at least for right now, he just couldn't talk to Riku about this. Riku wouldn't be able to look at the situation without his emotions influencing; what Cloud needed was an objective perspective.

Sephiroth spoke quietly, already knowing what Cloud wanted from him. "I'm uncertain that you should keep this pregnancy should it prove viable."

Cloud leaned back and turned his face toward the ceiling. "I don't think I have it in me to do this."

"Oh, I have no doubt that if you decide to see this pregnancy through you will come through amazingly well." The ex-SOLDIER spoke with certainty. "You have the determination to get through anything you set your mind on. However, there are other concerns and that is the heart of the dilemma.

"This will be an enormous physical strain on your body and there will likely be a great deal of procedures to keep you in proper condition. There are also the physiological changes which your body has already shown to not handle well. Even with that, those are minor compared to the largest issue."

Cloud knew exactly where Septhiroth was going because it had been the first place his mind had gone after the initial shock wore down. "I don't think I can emotionally deal with this. I've been… my mind won't allow me to accept this, Sephiroth. Right now, all I want is for them to abort the child and forget this happened. I don't even really care how it did."

"That's understandable." Sephiroth took a few steps closer. "Both you and Riku will have much to deal with as a result of this regardless of the ultimate outcome. Your relationship will inevitably change. Whatever you do, Cloud, don't shut him out."

"I don't mean to." The blond lifted his head and met his brother-in-law's eyes. "I just know that he's already decided he wants this baby if it's at all possible. He keeps stressing how it's our baby no matter how it happened."

"That comes from how he and I were created. Riku has always vowed that if he had children, they would never be treated with anything less than love and complete devotion no matter the circumstances of their origin."

"Yeah…" Cloud completely understood that and it didn't make the situation any easier. Desperate, he asked, "What do you think I should do?"

"I can't answer that for you." Sephiroth said in a soft tone. "This is one of the few situations where a simple 'follow your heart' will not suffice. My only advice; do not let fear cloud your judgment."

A single rap sounded before the door opened and Riku leaned his head in. He was still clearly upset about being sent out. "Cameron will be here in a minute to get you."

Nodding, cloud held out his hand. "Come here."

Riku did as requested, head hung down. As he passed, Sephiroth stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Riku."

Aqua-colored eyes barely looked at him.

"Sometimes, a person needs an outsider to give them perspective."

Riku took a breath and met his brother's eyes. "I know that. It doesn't stop me from feeling a little put out."

Something in Sephiroth's expression let him know that he understood. He moved the conversation forward, releasing Riku. "Since the most logical reason for this situation is some kind of magical influence, I assume that Aerith has gone to locate Merlin."

"Yeah." Riku continued to the bed. Cloud immediately pulled him to lie down next to him.

"Then I believe I shall assist them with their brainstorming and research." The winged man informed them.

Cameron entered the room with a wheelchair. In its seat was a new bag of IV fluid. "Are you about to leave, Sephiroth?"

"Yes, unless you need me for something."

"Do you know Sleep?"

Riku snorted despite the unhappy look on his face. "I wondered if that was the route you were going to take."

"Aerith suggested it since it's pretty much a given that Cloud isn't going to react well to us trying to anesthesize him."

"It'll work." Sephiroth confirmed, turning to face Cloud again. "Are you ready?"

Cloud closed his eyes a moment and centered himself. When he opened them again, he glanced at Riku. The couple shared a silent moment of communication, Riku reaching up to touch Cloud's face gently. Cloud squeezed his hand and kissed his knuckles. He then leaned back on the pillows and nodded at Sephiroth."

"Sleep."

Riku watched as Cloud's eyes instantly fell shut and his body relaxed. It took less than a minute for the spell to take full effect. Once he was completely asleep, Riku got up off the bed again and motioned for Cameron to come forward and do what she had to.

He stepped away and watched as she added the new bag to Cloud's IV drip. "That the actual anesthesia?"

"Yes. We should have had him get in the chair first. I'm going to need your help getting him into it." She finished with the bag and grumbled to herself. "We need to get those transport gurneys."

"I believe they're on the way." Sephiroth told her, observing Riku as he got his arms around Cloud's limp body. "Do you need any help?"

"I've got him." Riku breathed out, hefting his husband's weight and placing him in the wheelchair. "Damn, he's heavy."

"He's got a lot of muscle mass." Cameron noted. When Cloud was settled, she placed a strap around his chest to keep him upright. After he was secured in the chair, she got behind it and pushed him toward the door.

Riku was close behind her and as they approached, Sephiroth held the door open. Cameron took Cloud out into the hallway and Riku glanced at his brother in the doorway. They did not say anything but Riku understood that he had the elder's unwavering support. He took strength from that and some of his earlier resentment toward Sephiroth faded.

Aerith and Merlin were in the hall and the woman's green eyes widened in stunned surprise as they set upon Cloud. A haunted look came to them and she had to look away for a moment. "That's a condition I never wanted to see Cloud in again. At least it's obvious he's only asleep and not comatose."

Riku did not know what she was referring to but did not ask. Merlin was studying the sleeping man closely and Riku placed his attention on that. He hoped that the wizard could somehow just know what was going on with his husband.

"Oh my." Merlin adjusted his glasses. "Well this is interesting. You don't often see male pregnancy even in the magic world."

"Do you have any ideas?" Riku asked with a touch of hope in his words.

"A couple."

"Well, while you discuss it, I need to get Cloud to surgery." Cameron interjected.

"Yes, yes, of course." Merlin moved out of the way. Cameron took Cloud toward the operating room and he watched after her curiously. "Very interesting."

"What are your theories?" Riku pushed. Now that the old wizard was here, he felt a desperate need to get answers. "Is the baby going to be okay? Is the pregnancy even legitimate if it is magic induced? And what about-?"

"Hold on, boy, hold on. I'm going to need a bit more information before I can tell you all that."

Riku groaned in frustration. "This is insane! I can't…" He slumped against the wall and felt tears coming on. "I just need answers."

Sephiroth stepped beside him. "And we'll get them, Riku. Leave it to us to get this figured out. What you can do is support Cloud and seriously consider all of your options. Even when we have the answers, you and Cloud have several enormous decisions to make and you may not agree on them."

Riku regarded his brother for a long moment. He knew what he was getting at. "Cloud really doesn't want the baby, does he?"

Sephiroth was completely honest. "Currently, no. However, like you, he is reflexively reacting to a never considered possible scenario. Both of you need to take a step back and really think about what you want and what you're willing to do to get that."

Riku nodded slowly, taking in the older man's words. "Alright."

"Now, while Merlin, Aerith and I discuss the possibilities of what lead to this, I suggest you either go out to the lobby where Sora is waiting or have him come back here. Either way, I think you need some time to talk things out yourself."

The younger brother had no argument. "Can you send him back here?"

"I'll tell him." Aerith volunteered. She addressed the other two. "I'll meet you in the consult room."

Sephiroth and Merlin nodded. Together they headed for a location and Aerith gave Riku a brief smile before going for the lobby. Riku did not move from his spot and worked on centering himself.

He did not know what he was going to tell Sora.