Chapter 25: Labor Pains

The baby was coming.

With her heart thundering, Mira watched Natsu race off to intercept the Love and Lucky men. She prayed he would find Laxus before anything catastrophic happened. Sighing deeply, she rested her head against Elfman's shoulder as the big man carried her toward the barn.

Breathe.

The cramps started again.

It almost felt like bad gas. Of course, the pain was not centered in her stomach like gas would be but radiated into her thighs and up her back. The girl cradled her stomach even as she tried to curl into a ball around Elfman. A goofy smirk adorned her face as she thought about what Laxus would say when he returned home to her holding their son or daughter. Or to her in labor pains. He probably would bawl his eyes out as she crushed his hand, blaming him for knocking her up. Even though he tried to pretend to be tough, he was a big softie on the inside.

Mira stole a glance to Elfman's jaw. The girl knew her brother meant well, but she didn't want to leave the property. At this very moment, it would not be wise to leave the house unattended. She wished she could just send Elfman into town alone to fetch a healer.

Squinting at the bright sun, Mira was glad when Elfman finally carried her into the shade of the barn even though her eyes took a second to adjust. He set her and her rifle down on the wagon's bench to hitch the horses, Queen and Charla. Happy nickered at them, wanting to be let out too.

Her brother frowned at the blue horse, "We will soon put you to work boy but we need Natsu's permission." The animal whined in irritation. Elfman apologetically scratched his chin before pulling his hand back suddenly after Happy tried to nick him.

Mira tried to rest against the cushion of the wagon but her mind raced. The pain was starting to lessen so she was able to move easier. Swinging her legs around, the white haired mistress propped her feet over an arm rest. She listened in vain for the return of the men, knowing it was false hope. The only sounds to reach her were the occasional whine of the horses.

"Natsu just left." She whispered. There was no way he would have been able to get to Phantom S yet. Gradually she began to drift in and out, unaware of her surroundings. Rolling a bit, she began to flex to get a better, more comfortable, position.

Immediately, Mira was seized by a muscle spasm in her calves.

She wasn't even aware she was making a sound until she heard Elfman's voice, "Mira!"

Warm arms somehow appeared around her. Only then did she noticed she was again cradled in his arms.

Through the new tears, she mumbled, "My leg"

He stood her up, letting foot take some of her weight before prodding it gently.

"I'm taking you to Reverend Atlas." He said as he massaged the tense muscle.

She smiled through the salty tears, "I need a healer not a priest, Elf. I am not possessed, just pregnant." The pain was still unbearable but somehow knowing he was there, helped soothed her enough to fight the pain.

He winced in surprise at her bad joke before replying, "I don't think you're possessed. Reverend Atlas has Juvia with him who has had a child before, and Flare is practically a midwife at this point. You know that quack doctor we have is barely medical trained. At the very least, you will be closer to town while I go and track the doctor. And you won't be uncomfortable in the wagon for too long."

Mira was impressed by his plan. Not that Elfman wasn't smart. She loved her brother but usually he followed what other people said before doing anything of his own.

"But if you are going to do that. You might as well leave me here and go fetch the doctor. That way we wouldn't waste time. Plus someone would be here to defend the ranch."

Elfman stopped his ministrations to glare at her. "You can't expect me to leave you alone? What kind of man would I be?"

"It will be fine. I am a big girl who can take care of myself."

"One who has been in pain for days and could give birth at any time? Plus with nobody here, there is nothing to defend. The important thing isn't the property. It is the people inside."

"That's untrue. We have the hoses and the cows. Plus all the valuables in the house."

"Items and animals can be replaced. Family can't." The big man said firmly leaving no room for argument.

His sister said, "Ok but let me go back to the house to leave a note in case Lucy or Levy return. Or if the boys come back and can't find me. They may think another female has been kidnapped."

"Can you walk?"

The demure female placed more weight on her leg and flexed. Mira smiled the pain was a lot less. "And I am not hurting right now. It comes and goes so I should be fine."

"I will run in once we start to leave."

"I can do it now." Mira walked a bit wobbly.

"You can't do that!" Elfman shouted running to her side. "I said I will run in once we start to leave."

"I can walk perfectly fine."

"But you couldn't five minutes ago."

Mira's nasty stubborn trait began to emerge as soon as she was told that. "Really Elf, if I can't walk there and back, do you think it's safe to travel over all the hills and rocks we travel though before reaching town? What you think is I might sneeze and have the baby. A bump might make the body pop out."

Elfman broke out in a cold sweat. The female almost giggled at his rising panic.

"Don't worry so much." She patted his arm good naturally. "If he or she is coming, it won't happen for a while."

"But you have been having this pain for days."

His sister slumped while whispering, "I know." Staring the worried man in the eye, "But we might be gone for a bit. Let me run and when you get the wagon fixed, come get me. It will save time and stop confusion"

She could read his expressions very easy as he debated with himself. Her foot started tapping in order to add that little bit of impatientness to the silence. He finally seem to arrive at a conclusion when he gave a nod.

"Love you little brother."

"Hey," He called after her as she darted through the doors. "I am bigger than you."

"All in your mind." Mira hid her grin. Now that the pain was gone, she felt practically good as day again. Inside the house, she hurried to find parchment and ink before writing a note. She decided not to say directly she was at the Reverend's house, in case unsavory characters read the note, but instead talked about how Elfman was taking her to seek guidance through an old family friend and his daughter. They should know that meant Atlas Flame and Flare.

Her eyebrow twitched. A habit she had developed from being around Laxus when she was uncertain.

"Unless the boys think it meant Gildarts and Cana." She muttered to herself. But then why would she ever go to Gildarts for guidance? Scratching the note out, she rewrote a new message that she felt better about.

"I need something to drink and oh blanket and a pillow." Mira mumbled to herself, also listing anything she needed for the trip. She started roaming the house to find the items when Elfman barged into the house, the screen banging shut before he closed the door.

"Mira? You done?" He shouted, not seeing her ready. His voice shaking the shambles off the roof.

"I'm coming! Keep your voice down! You'll scare the dead. Just getting a few things."

He started searching for where her voice was coming from.

"Women! Never ready to go. Even when they are in labor." He folded his arms finding her digging in a cabinet.

"Oh hush up and take this. It's probably not real contractions, but false ones." She handed him her stuff. Strolling to the front door, the two siblings froze when they heard a loud scratch came from the door. Eflman dropped the blanket on the floor, reaching for his gun. He motioned for Mira to hide. She went to the fireplace to grab a pistol, having left her rifle outside in the wagon. She ducked behind a rocking chair, aiming the gun at the door.

Slowly her brother lined his body up the wall.

Motioning one. Then two. His hand reached out toward the knob before ripping the door practically off its hinges.

The door swung open to find a bloody lion. His front paw slightly raised with a claw caught on the screen

"Loke!"

The cat yipped, falling over. He yowled at the two who raced forward to check his injuries. Shock penetrated Mira's body as she registered his condition. There was so much blood.

"What happened to him?" Mira questioned, not really expecting an answer, as her hands ran along his body. She petted his fur only to have black blood, already starting to congeal, coat her fingers.

Elfman shook his head at loss for words.

They noticed the maggots festering in his wounds. Whatever had happened to Loke had been some time ago as the wounds had insects starting to "raise camp." Flies also flew around his body. Mira rushed to the kitchen for water and a towel. Bile rose in her throat but she kept it down. She would not embarrass herself by puking. She had seen worse wounds over the years.

"We best bring him to the Reverend too. " Elfman stated calmly getting down on one knee as Mira tried to clean the lion.

"Don't touch him!" She cried as she failed to stop the bleeding. At least she got to rinse the wounds although new blood soon replaced the old when she wiped a bad area, "I have to make him better before he travels."

"Mira, get a sheet. Let's wrap him up and drag him to the wagon so you won't get your clothes all dirty. I don't think I can carrying him out and load him alone. We drag him together."

"You think you can load him once we are outside?"

"He's not that much heavier then when Taurus got attacked by wolves and I had to load him into a cart."

Mira ran to retrieve a sheet. Once Loke was moved on it, sh balled her hand into a fist. Punching the floor she yelled, "Dammit!" Her eyes grew hot again as she added, "I'm so fucking useless."

"No you aren't." Elfman took her hand. "Everything will be ok, Mira."

They worked together to get the spread over the porch and down the steps gently. The cat only yowled once Elfman grabbed him. He tossed the cat into the back.

Mira clutched her brother as he boosted her into the wagon seat.

"Do you think he will surivive?" Mira asked in horror.

"I don't know."

Silence permeated the air as Elfman snapped the reigns of the wagon. The group headed out. Mira noticing something interesting as the ranch flew past her.

"Look. Loke left a blood trail." Mira grabbed Elfman's sleeve. "Maybe Jellal or Sting can track it?"

"Probably. Even Natsu can track it."

"Then we have a way to find Lucy and Levy!"

Mira made the sign of the cross with a small "thank you," before putting her head on his shoulder and falling asleep.

Elfman made quick time of getting his sister and Loke to the doctor. Aware of every bump that caused the lion's wounds to bleed afresh or wake his sister, he tried to take the smoothest route. He swore he almost hit a couple of people in his haste.

Reaching the pastorium, Elfman hopped off the carriage before it had even stopped moving. The man ran up to the door, pounding and yelling for someone to open up, startling Mira awake. She turned in time to see Flare round the corner in her overalls and braided pigtails.

"Elffie, what is wrong with Miryy?" The preacher's daughter dropped her pail, rushing over to unlock the door as Elfman fetched his who groaned at having to be moved. He didn't carry her this time, merely helped her out of the vehicle and up the porch steps to Flare's awaiting hands. They both took Mira to lead her inside. Juvia crepted out of the kitchen, keeping an interested look toward the going-ons.

"My dad is gone right now." Flare explained wringing her hands, "He had to go council one of his flock. What has happened?"

Elfman answered hurriedly, "We think she is in labor. I am going to get the doctor."

"We don't just have her. Our lion has been hurt as well."

After dropping Mira on the couch, Elfman went to get Loke. Flare and Juvia helped to drag him into the living room.

Juvia's son ran over to Loke, "Kitty!"

"Slate, come here. You met him the other day but he might not remember you. Keep away while he is hurt."

Mira's eyes twinkled, "He should be fine. Loke is a very well natured animal."

"But he is hurt and animals, even pets, do crazy things when in pain. Plus he's filthy. I don't want Slate getting blood. Slate come here." Juvia clapped her hands but the boy didn't listen. He hopped up and down trying to wake the lion up.

"Kitty asleep!" He twisted around with a wide eye, innocent stare.

"Come here Slate, Momma won't tell you again."

Slate patted the lion's nose. Perhaps the only slightly clean place on his body before running to his mother and Mira. He slowed when he saw Mira, hiding behind Juvia's legs before sucking on his fist.

"He's shy"

"I remember."

"Do you think there is anything I can do for Loke?" Juvia asked clearly wanting to help. Mira shook her head, unsure of what to do. She was not an animal expert. Juvia had Slate move away from her before reaching her sewing kit. She was going to try and stitch the openings.

The blue haired mother frowned worriedly at Mira. "Will he bite me?"

"He shouldn't but wounded animals act different. Maybe you should let someone hold him down first?"

Flare came back with her stethoscope.

"I finally get to use this. Mira lay down." Her friend did as she was bid. She rolled unto the couch with Juvia helping ease her down. Mira smiled gratefully as Flare moved closer. Slate stood behind Juvia with his fist in his mouth.

Slate yelled, "Snow!" He pointed to Mira.

Fare raised an eyebrow as she put the hookish of her instrument into her ears, "Snow?"

Juvia glanced at Mira with a small laugh, "He thinks your hair looks like snow. Because it is white. Slate likes ice and snow. Just like his dad." She rubbed his head fondly before he squealed and ran out of the room. He bashfully peaked at the girls from around the couch causing each to giggle at his antics.

Flare just rolled her eyes before reaching down with her stethoscope to Mira's stomach. "He's such a show stealer, the little ankle biter."

The pregnant girl ignored the redhead's prodding as she struck a conversation with Juvia until Flare squealed. Something about her alarmed reaction made Mira ask, "What's wrong?"

Silence.

Then…

"I don't hear a heart beat."

AN: Sorry it took so long to post the new chapter. Due to the unpredictable nature of my schedule, I no longer have an exact update schedule. I don't really know when I will be posting the next, but I will be. Thank you reviewers! I would reply to each and every one of you now but I don't have the words since I am struggling with a bit of depression. Mira and her baby? She just can't seem catch a break. This chapter also gave some character to Mira and her brother's relationship since I started hating that Elfman was becoming background scenery in the story. Also Juvia and Slate reappear. And Loke? He is alive. Maybe? His wounds are really bad, but he also now has left a trail to where Levy and Lucy were. The place Levy shot Azir. So now the good guys have a way to track the girls. I would like you to know that we are a few chapters away from some good Nalu. Remember that Lucy had her arm broken by Jacob. And how do you think having a wound like that in the West without medical care would be like? Then think of Natsu finding the group. What would his reaction be if he saw Lucy like that?

Next chapter: Natsu vs Irene