To the Reviewer who asked: I don't hate the Max/Kenny relationship, I just thought they were more interesting as friends than as a couple.


John & Max- Present

"You good?" he said, as they sat in the station parking lot together in his car. "You still with me?"

Pregnant, she thought, I knew I was. The tests, vomiting, how off I felt, but now…I'm having a baby. John's baby. The love of my life. Baby. Moving in together. I'm going to be a mom. "Yeah. Um, I'm good. Pregnant and good. Are you?"

"We're having a baby," he said, breaking into a grin. "The first of many?"

She smiled back at him. "Can we start with this one? John, I'm so excited but…it's…god, I'm going to be a mom."

"Kara asked me if she could call you Mommy."

Max looked at him with that. "Really?"

"She loves you."

"She's going to be an amazing big sister," Max trailed off. What will our baby look like? It doesn't matter…we made it together. We'll love and raise it together. "I need to go to work."

"You need to stay off the streets and let Jimmy know you're pregnant."

She looked at him again with that. "I know. I can't abandon Kenny on this case."

"The kids in the woods? The ones that called you Mama? Are they going to kidnap you and drag you to their cave in the woods?"

"Really?" she asked dryly. "I want to help them."

"You wouldn't be you if you didn't. You have to tell Jimmy, Max. It's going to be obvious eventually."

"I know. I will. Will you love me when I'm fat?"

"Do you need an assist? Not fat. Pregnant and growing our kid."

"Only if it's you. I'm wrapping my head around the fact I can grow a person in me."

"You're going to be great," he said, leaning across the car and kissing her. "I need to get to court. Don't get kidnapped."

She kissed him back, smiling as she did. This is so right. "I'm probably working through lunch. Dinner?"

"Kara has a sleepover. You and me? Adult time? Alone?"

"It's a date."


The Woods - Present

"The children have chosen," Solomon said, standing above his family. "We will take her tonight."

Laila shuddered. Ten years, eight children…I can't escape. I can't leave my kids here. Solomon…I cannot leave him either. The world out there…I barely remember it. Don't bring another.

"Laila," he smiled, holding his hand out to her. "You will welcome her when she arrives."

"Yes, Master."

"Come, lovely Laila. We must prepare. Go hunt, Children. Prepare a feast for your new mother."


Rome – Kenny and Kimberly

"They need to know."

Kim sighed, and adjusted the sheet around herself. "You know how they're going to react, Kenny. It doesn't matter that I'm 19…my Dad isn't going to accept it."

He slid in next to her, handing her a cup of coffee. "We're adults. It isn't like when you were in high school."

"No one will accept it."

That's what Max thought, about her and Littleton, Kenny thought. They ignored it all, and she's moving in with him. This doesn't have to be any different. "I don't want to hide this anymore."

Kim bit her lip. We're adults, it's been six months… "Okay. Tonight?"

"Tonight."


The Woods - Present

The feast, Laila thought, looking at the pile of dead animals in the clearing. The children skinning them with their teeth and knives. For her…the one they chose to be their mother. The one in the car, driving to and from her boyfriend's house. Almost too old, but…it won't matter. She'll stay…no one will ever find her here. She'll be one of us.


Rome- Kenny & Max

"You okay?" Kenny asked, seeing her pale and grab onto the chair. "Max?"

She looked up, forcing her nausea away. It's the size of a peanut. It isn't going to control my life. I can do this. "I'm good. Sorry. Just stood up to fast."

"You're not okay," Kenny stated, catching her arm and forcing her to sit. "You were throwing up the other day. What's going on?"

My partner and best friend…how do I not tell him? It's too soon. We're supposed to wait until the first trimester is up. No, this is different. This effects our work and…he and Jimmy need to know. What is he really going to think? He likes John, of course he likes John, he's supported our relationship, even if he was surprised by it. "Can we not here?"

He gestured to the break room and she stood slowly to follow him. Tell him. He's going to be overprotective. My baby. With John. We're building our family…moving in. How I love his gentle hands, kind heart, what a wonderful father to Kara he is, our long talks, his mind, integrity, that smile that makes me weak in the knees…the sex. How he doesn't let me get away with stuff. We're going to have an amazing baby.

"Max?" he pressed, shutting the door. "What's going on?"

"I just," she started, not quite looking at him. "I thought, we did it at home, but I was too freaked until today and…Ah, Kenny, I'm eight-weeks pregnant."

"Pregnant? You two are having a baby?"

Max broke into a grin at that. "Yeah. We're having a baby."

"You and Littleton."

"Of course, with him."

"When is the wedding?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No wedding. One thing at a time. I need to wrap my mind around being a mom."

"Please, you've been his daughter's mom for two years. That girl loves you. Max," he said. "Congratulations. This kid is lucky to have you as a mom…and Littleton as a dad."

"We're not telling people yet. You're my partner and you need to know. I need to tell Jimmy too. We're making Kara a big sister and oh, it's a lot. We're moving in together…we were doing that even before the pregnancy. He is a great dad, he really is such a good man…I didn't think I could feel this way."

"Are you getting sappy on me?"

"Yes. Let me be emotional for a few minutes because I'm pregnant."

"Get it out of your system. The kids are saying more. We need to get to the interrogation room, Mom."

"John called me that too…Oh, it sounds weirdly good to me."

Mom, he thought, just looking at her. She'll be his wife soon enough…and they'll have a houseful of kids. This is what she's always wanted underneath it all. A family. Ah, Max, she's glowing, smiling, she's going to be a mom. "You're going to be great."

She touched her stomach and smiled at him. "Thanks. We should go."


John & Max- 2 Years Ago

"You're pretty."

Max looked up with from their coloring project. She is sweet. "So are you."

Kara giggled and handed her the purple crayon. "You were kissing Daddy."

I love kissing him. He makes me feel things…and smile. Laugh. I can tell him things. I really want to do more than kiss him. Don't think about that while I'm coloring with Kara. "I guess I was."

"Daddy really likes you. He lets me have extra ice cream and he only does that when he's really happy."

Max paused at that. "What kind of ice cream?"

"Chocolate chip. He gave me three scoops and no veggies."

"Ice cream is better."

"Will you eat ice cream with me too?"

Oh, this kid, how does John resist caving to her every demand? She's totally melting my heart. "I do love ice cream."

Kara nodded. "Daddy! Can Max and me have ice cream for dinner?"

Max looked up, seeing him watching them from the kitchen archway. I've never seen that expression before…something in his eyes when he's looking at me.

"Are you pulling Max into you battle for dessert for dinner?" John said, smiling at her. "Max don't fall for her cute act. This kid is a sugar junkie. She'd sell you out for a candy bar."

"Daddy!" Kara laughed, hugging Max and climbing in her lap. "I like Max. Don't tell her I'm bad."

Max froze for an instant at the four-year-old in her lap. Hesitating at John's surprised look, she hugged her back. "Nah, I don't believe you're bad for a minute, Kara. I think your dad is teasing you."

She's good, John thought, even with Kara jumping her. Smiling at my kid, who wrapped her arms around the woman who I think is becoming my girlfriend. "She has you snowed, Max. Kara, you're not making Max your accomplice in a cookie heist."

Kara giggled and hugged Max tighter for a long moment. "Daddy is silly."

Max shot him a grin at that. "I see that."

Achingly pretty, John thought, and looks perfectly content with Kara in her lap. "How about it you two? Dinner? Ice cream if you eat your vegetables, Kid. Go wash up."

"That sounds like a fair deal," Max admitted, as Kara scampered toward the bathroom. "It smells good."

John held his hand out to her and pulled her up. "She likes you."

"How do you resist her?" Max asked. "I'd give her gallons of ice cream."

"Stay strong," he smiled, pulling her close for a long moment. Pressing his lips to hers, he didn't let go of her. "I've had four years to fight back against her cuteness. She'd eat a roll of cookie dough if I let her."

Feeling content and secure under his arm, she snuggled in closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Why did I fight him on this? I'm so falling for him. "She's a great kid. With a great dad."

He kissed her again with that. Ah, Max, he thought, I didn't see this soft side of you coming. "Stay with me tonight."

She nodded, ignoring her racing heart, as he kissed her again, as Kara came running back in. "I'd love to."


Rome- Present

"Stunted development?" Max repeated. "They're obviously malnourished, they don't really speak and…who…how?"

"And they called you Mama," Kenny stated. Pregnant. I can't believe she's pregnant. She is glowing.

"They did not call me Mama. They were calling for their mom. Who for all we know is out there too."

Not through or searches, Jimmy thought, it's like the kids appeared out of thin air. "You've both heard the stories."

"About the kids in the woods?" Max asked.

"A madman kidnapping kids and raising them like wild animals? Every town has an urban legend like that," Kenny stated, looking at Max again. They called her Mama. No way, she isn't… "Kidnapping women and forcing them to bare his kids?"

"They called you Mama," Jimmy said, looking at Max.

She held her ground at that. "Isn't it always teenage girls that vanish? I'm almost 30. That's too old and…no. If this is…they won't want me."

"Over the last 25 years 15 teen girls and women have vanished on the outskirts of these woods," Jimmy said. "Never to be found. We're running these kid's DNA against the missing women. If they're targeting someone new…Max."

"No," she stated again. "I'm too old. I can't have…he can't…Jimmy, I'm pregnant. I'm the last person to be dragged off by a lunatic wanting to knock someone up."

"You're what?"

"I'm eight-weeks pregnant. We just had it confirmed this morning."

"You and John are having a baby."

She broke into a grin at that, really warming up to the idea. "Yes. It was a surprise, we really aren't telling anyone yet, but we are."

"Will it matter if these kids chose her?" Kenny asked. Stubborn, hardheaded, refusing to believe it. "Will it matter if she is already pregnant?"

"This isn't about me. It's about those kids."


Rome – Kimberly

Damn, she thought, pulling her car over to the side of the backroads. Climbing out of the car, she frowned at her four flat tires. Jumping up, as she saw the wood with nails in the middle of the road. Someone did this…

"Hello Kimberly."

She whirled on her heel to see the man in rags towering about her. "No."

He smiled at that, blowing her blows as he held the rag to her face. Lowering her gently to the ground, he kissed her forehead gently. "Strip and destroy her car. Take what we need."

His wives nodded, as he chained his newest acquisition to the ancient van. Perfect, just perfect.


John and Max – 2 Years Ago

I can't move, she thought, laying wrapped around John. I don't think I ever want to leave this spot. Sighing, as he squeezed her tightly to him. "Hmm."

He nuzzled her neck, as she rolled over to look at him. "Hey there."

What is he doing, she thought, enjoying his roaming hands. "That feels good."

"Where did you learn to do that?

She tilted her face to his and kissed him again. I don't want to kiss anyone else. I cannot be falling this fast for him. I love spending time with him. Talking to him. Oh, this is real. "Will you think less of me if I say I've had a lot of practice?"

"Only if you're still practicing with other people."

She smiled at that, content in his arms, as she listened to his heartbeat. "Are you?"

"Max, do you want to go steady?" he teased.

She giggled despite the sweetness of his words. "Will you hold my hand at the ice cream shop too?"

"Yup. One shake, two straws. Stay."

She snuggled in closer to him. "I couldn't leave if I wanted to."


The Woods – Present

"Where am I?" Kimberly cried, struggling against the restraints on the cavern walls. "Help!"

"Ssh, ssh," Laila whispered, wiping her forehead. "You're fine. You're home now."

"Who are you?"

"We're sisters now."

"No…please, this was a mistake."

"Leave us, Laila," Solomon said, taking in his new wife chained to the bed. "You are perfect, Elena."

"That isn't my name."

"It is your name with me. You are my wife now, Elena. I'm going to make you mine, you are joining our family."

"No, please. Let me go. I don't belong here."

"You are too perfect," he smiled. "You will bare my children and accept your life with us. Tell me you will, Elena."

She shook her head. "No!"

"Oh, yes, Elena. Yes."


Rome – Present

"They can't be gone."

Kenny glanced at his partner, trying to get a read off her. I can't believe she's pregnant. "They're kids, they were supposed to be watched. The door locked."

"They weren't prisoners, Deputy," the shelter director said. "We were well aware of their problems, we had a watch on the room…you need to see for yourself."

Max gulped, as they peered into the empty room. "What…"

Kenny took in the bent bars ripped from the windows. "They couldn't have done this."

"We lost power, a transformer blew," she continued. "When it came back on, the window was torn out. Someone planned this."

Max gulped. They did. Those kids came here for something…then were picked up. The question is for what. It wasn't me…the Mama comment aside. If not me, who?

"Come on," Kenny said, taking in his pale partner. "We need to call this in, Max."

She nodded, ignoring the shiver running down her spine. Someone is gone.


Kim & Kenny – 6 Months Ago

"Kenny," Kim sighed, as they broke apart from the kiss in the empty Sherriff's station. "Kenny."

He held onto his shaking boss' daughter. "I should probably go."

"No," she sighed, stroking his cheek. "I'm not a kid."

"No, you're not," he agreed, as they just stood there not touching. "You're still…Kim, we can't."

She kissed him again. "I'm 19, you're 30, it isn't…We can."

Kenny kissed her back, weakening a bit at her closeness. Why can't we? I let my attraction to Max go, she's made it pretty clear with her relationship with Littleton where her heart lies. I can be happy too. "We should go get a drink."

She smiled at that. "I'm not old enough, Deputy Lacos."

"I won't throw the book at you. Come home with me. Not to…to figure this out."

"I'd love to."


Rome – Present

"What are these tracks?" Max asked. "They seem really wide and…are they different widths? It's like they slapped four un-matching tires onto a car and yanked out a window."

Kenny looked at her. Damn, I want to protect her from this one, it doesn't feel right and not because she's knocked up. "We have their DNA, we can find out who they are."

Max gulped, her senses prickling a bit. "Someone did that to them, Kenny. They were neglected, low functioning, and whoever did that…they had to do this and take them back. We could have helped them, saved them and…now they're back where they started."

"Do you believe the people in the woods theory?"

"I don't want to. Women, girls, they went missing all around there. It could be…Do you?"

"Those kids called you Mama. Don't give me that old and pregnant crap. They chose you."

She shot him a look. "I'm still here, Kenny."

"I don't like it, Max," he trailed off. I don't want anything to happen to her. She's my very best friend, even if she's wrapped up in her new life and I haven't told her about Kim yet. We let each other go. "Be careful."

"You sound like John," she trailed off, crouching down and nodding. "Do you see this?"

"Paint chips?" Kenny asked, looking at the broken chain covered in rusted blue chips. "Whatever they used to pull the window out broke off?"

Those kids, Max thought, those neglected kids. We have their DNA, we can find out who they are…We can save them. We will save them.


John & Max – 2 Years Ago

"You can stay."

"Oh," Max said, as he kissed her in the doorway the next morning. Kara, he needs to talk to Kara first. "I need to go. You have ballet."

"Kara has ballet. I have take out coffee. Open invite, Honey."

She smiled at that, tempted despite herself. "I think you two need some time together."

For me to talk to her, John thought, about Max. To let her know Max is more than my friend, and that it won't change anything. Ah, it's hard to let her go. "I'm taking her out for a daddy-daughter day, to talk to her about this. How about tonight I get a sitter and we go out? Here, Max, make this public."

She smiled at that. "You want to go out with me in Rome? Public?"

"Are you ready for that?"

She broke into a grin. "I'd love that."


Rome – Present

"Littleton is your ride?"

Max looked up. "Yeah. I'm going to take a cruiser home because Kara is already in bed."

"Forget it. I'll give you a ride."

She shot him a look. "You don't need to coddle me."

"Tough. You are my best friend."

She felt herself soften at that a bit. "Are you going to be like this for the next seven months?"

"And beyond, Mom."

She groaned at that. "I'm still me, Kenny."

He opened up his truck door for her. "Which is why I'm driving you home. It doesn't feel right, Max, and I know you don't think…I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Nothing is going to happen to me."

"I've heard that before."

She let out a long breath at that. "I like to think I grew up. I'm not going to do anything to hurt my baby, Kenny. Can we talk about anything else? How about you?"

"What about me?"

"I've been a terrible friend, wrapped up in my own stuff…What's going on with you?"

"No one says that about my best friend, even her."

She smiled at him in the darkness of the trucks cab. I have missed this. "We should hang out again, I miss it."

Her with Littleton, my thing with Kim, Kenny thought, we haven't…this is so easy with her. "I'd say a beer and pizza night, but I'm guessing water for you?"

She groaned at that. "John ordered pizza the other night, and the smell made me vomit. I barely made it to the bathroom. Nothing but water, oatmeal and plain toast for me lately."

"I'll take you out for toast then," he said, pulling up in front of Littleton's house. "This officially your home yet?"

It is, she thought, most of my stuff in his basement and the rest coming this weekend. It really has been for a year and half now. "Saturday."

"Max are you okay?"

She broke into a grin at that. "Yeah, I am. It's a lot of changes, Kenny. Ones I'm ready and excited for."

He looked up as the porch light flicked on and Littleton opened the front door. "I'm holding you to a water and toast day, Mom."

She paused at that. "Name the time and place."


The Woods – Present

I can't, Kim thought, struggling against her chains, as he redressed himself. Where am I? I can't…My dad will find me. Kenny will realize something is wrong when I don't call him back or show up tonight. They'll find me.

"My lovely Elena," he smiled, combing through he tangled hair. "No harm will come to you here, as you are my wife now."

She shook her head, pulling back from his rough fingers. "I'm not your wife."

He stroked her stomach. "Soon you will be growing our child and you will be part of our pack. You belong here, Elena."

"Stop calling me that."

He smiled slowly at her, before backhanding her across the face. "You will learn your place here, Elena!"


Kim & Kenny – 6 Months Ago

"Wait," Kenny said, as they ducked into the doorway. "Look."

Kim smiled, as she leaned back against him. "Do you really think they would say anything?"

A relationship I still don't get. They have nothing in common…and Max is head over heels in love with him. Ah crap, he's kissing her. "They never hid it."

"That's different. You know my father. He won't… He already tried to fire you before…We can't tell them."

"We're adults," Kenny started, watching as Max kissed him back before laughing at something he said to her. She's happy, why can't I be? "I do know him. We're not doing anything wrong."

Kim frowned, glad he couldn't see her face. "I know that. It's just…you know how he gets. He won't let it go. How long was he angry at them for when they came out with it?'

Kenny smiled as he watched Littleton open the car door for her and broke into a grin with whatever she was saying. He doesn't want to let her go, they haven't taken their eyes off each other. Max is giggling, she doesn't giggle, forget it. We both moved on from whatever there was. She's been clear about how she feels, and I can to. "He was angry because he's the D.A. and she's a deputy, and it was really obvious that they had been together awhile before they outed themselves. You're his daughter. We need to be honest with him."

Kim grimaced, following his gaze to Littleton and Max. They made a controversial relationship work, so can we. "Can we figure some things out first before we…tell him?"

Kenny nodded, taking her hand in his. "That I can handle."


Rome – 2 Years Ago

"Daddy," Kara sighed, as he handed her an ice cream cone. "Is Max coming too?"

He sat down next to her on the park bench. "Do you like Max?"

She nodded. "Is Max your girlfriend? Is she going to be my mommy? All my friends have mommies, Daddy, can Max be mine?"

Max who I have been dating for…six weeks? "Slow down, Kid. I'm glad you like her because I like her too. I want us all to spend some more time together. I know she really liked coloring with you too."

"We traded pictures. She said she'd hang mine up in her house. Can we go there and see it?"

John nodded. "I'm sure we can. Why did you like her?"

"Daddy," she said seriously. "She made you happy and smile. She colored with me. She's pretty and fun."

John nodded, studying his four-year-old for a long moment. So much like her mom, that same spunk. The mom that she won't ever remember or know… "So, you want her to come over again?"

Kara nodded. "Are you going to kiss her again, Daddy?"

"I think I will. Finish that up, Kid, and I'll drop you Molly's."


Rome – Present

Kenny looked at his phone and back to the clock ticking past midnight. Where are you, Kim? It could be anything. School fell asleep, she wouldn't just bail out on telling her parents. No accidents, nothing on the scanner…I would know. She didn't want to tell them, she didn't want her father to know. She just left me instead…she wouldn't. She did. I thought this was different, that we…this isn't fair. None of this is fair.


The Woods – Present

"There, there," Laila said, washing her down with the sponge. "You don't need to be sad or afraid, Elena."

Kim shuddered, pulling back from her the best she could in her shackles. "Stop calling me that."

"It's who you are now. This is your home."

"My name is Kimberly Brock."

"You are Elena. You belong to us," she smiled. "It is better to accept it. The children chose you as their new mother, and soon you will contribute to our pack. No one leaves, Elena. No one will find us."

Kim stared at her, the horror of baring that monster's child chilling her. Dad, Kenny, they'll know, they'll find me. They know I wouldn't just vanish. They'll find me here. I can't give up.

"You will be in the chains until you give birth. The Master will guide you. He will love you, Elena. You will enjoy being his wife and a mother."

I'm going to be a doctor. I was getting serious with Kenny, I have a future with him…I don't belong chained in this cave. "Who are you?"

"I am Laila."

She shook her head. "Before. How long have you been here? How many of these kids are yours?"

"My life didn't start until I was here. The children…once they are born they belong to all of us. You are their mother now, Elena. They need you. Your life is beginning now too. Do not be afraid. You are here because you belong here. Your chains may lengthen as you accept your life here. You must accept it, Elena."

Kim stared at her. I'm not Elena. They'll find me.

"You must tell him who you are. You must accept him as your master.

Never. I won't have his baby. I will get out of here.

"Laila, leave us," Solomon said, staring at his new bride in chains, clad in torn rags and animal skins. "You look lovely, Elena."

No, Kim thought, no. Run.

Solomon smiled at her, running is fingers through her matted hair. "It is time again, my love. Tell me your name."

"Kimberly."

He slapped her again, as Laila shuddered at her defiance. "Tell me your name!"

She moved back as far as her short chains would let her. "No."

He pressed his arm to her throat and pinned her to the cave wall. "Do not make me hurt you, Elena!"

Kim sobbed, as he climbed on top of her and her head hit the cold stone. I can't…I don't belong here. I can't move…I need to run. I need to… "Elena! My name is Elena!"


TBC