Lena burst into a huge grin as soon as she saw Nicky waiting for her by the baggage claim. Just as shereached him her cell phone rang. Answering it on the secon ring she said, "Lena Adalos speaking... Oh, Dr. Johnston. What? Oh, okay. Yes, thank you very much for calling me. I will. All right. No. Okay, I'll call you when I get back in town. Yes, I'll see a doctor here. Bye."

"So, what was that about? Are you sick? Galena what's wrong? You look really pale."

"I'm fine, the doctor just wants to do a little bloodwork. Now what have you been up to besides bein a genius?"

"Not much. I read your last book. It was great. I almost couldn't find a copy they sold out so quickly around here. Let's get your stuff in the car then I'll take you out to eat at my favorite place."

The two of them walked through the airport arm in arm making a strikingly beautiful couple with their caramel skin,black eyes, black hair, and tall slim frames. Nicky's hair was back in corn rows while Lena sported long glossy curls. Lena forced a smile to her full red lips and said, "Nicky, would you mind if I took a nap before we eat? I'm a little jet-lagged."

"No problem. I have a few errands I need to run anyway. I'll just drop you off at my place and get you settled in then head out. An hour should be long enough right?"

"Yeah."

Lena sat on the bed in Nicky's spare room with her knees up to her chest brushing her hair. What am I supposed to do now? I can't talk to Nicky he'd worry more than necessary. I've got to see a doctor, that's all there is to it. Oh God, why me? Laying down Lena fell asleep quickly only to have nightmares about someone chasing after her. She woke up screaming with Nicky leaning over her. "Oh Nicky, I had the dream again, only this time he was so close that I could feel his breath on my neck."

"Have you been having it a lot lately?"

"No, this was the first time since Mom's funeral." She leaned up against the headboard and grinned sheepishly. "Don't worry about me, I'll be okay. It was just a dream. It's not like you've been having it too, right?"

"No, I haven't had that dream in a long time," Nicky lied patting Lena's hand, "You just get ready for dinner." He's getting closer, whoever it is that's chasing us. We should have stayed apart, but I had to be selfish.

"This isn't your fault Nicky. It's been a long time coming and we both know it."

"Lena, I didn't say anything out loud. I was feeling guilty though."

"Yeah, you did. You were talking some nonsense about being selfish. By the way, you said you hadn't had our nightmare in a while. Why would you lie about something like that?"

"Oh come on Lena, we're not kids anymore. We don't tell each other evyrthing. You won't tell me why you're sick."

"I don't know for sure if I'm really sick. I just have some abnormal blood cells that's all. The doctor says it's probably nothing."

Nicky frowned and said, "I've recently discovered some abnormal blood cells of my own. I'm using them to help with my cure for Porphyric Hemophilia. I'm making quick progress too."

"That's great. Is that what you used to create your vaccine?"

"Yeah. I knew that we are carriers of the disease so I decided to see if I could seperate that one specific gene that carries this disease and use it to help with the cure. Instead I discovered some funky looking bllod cells that were few, but enough to be suspicious. Turns out they were exactly what I was looking for."

"That's amazing," Lena said grinning, and laughed when her stomach growled loudly. "I guess I'm hungry. I'm eating for two now you know."

Nicky's jaw nearly hit the floor as his eyes bugged out of his head. When he finally composed himself he sat at the edge of the bed and asked, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, that's what that phone call from earlier was partly about. My doctor said that I should see an OBGYN while I'm in town to make sure everything going okay. I'm just afriad that whatever's goin on with me might harm the baby."

"So you're keepin it then? That's awesome. I get to be an uncle. This is great."

"Are you really happy for me? I was so afraid that you'd be more worried than me."

"Who's the dad, and please don't tell me it's that jerk Craig."

"Lena lowered her head covering her face with her hair and said, "Yeah, it's his. I haven't told him yet though, and I'm not sure I want to."

Nicky frowned and said, "He doesn't deserve to find out. He's scum, and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a kid let alone allowed to raise one."

"You're right. I just don't want my child growing up without a father."

"Sis, you're a wonderful young woman with an outrageously gorgeous body. Any man would be lucky to have you in his life. You'll find that perfect man soon enough. You're kid probably won't even know that his real father is such an ass."

"Can we not talk about Craig right now? Your little niece or nephew and I are starving."

"How does Greek sound?"

"Great. I haven't had Greek food in a while."

Lena and Nicky walked out into the pitch black night and Lena said, "That was the best meal I've had in a long time. How'd you find out about this place?"

"My college roommate Alec is the owner's nephew. He brought me here a couple of times."

The two were headed for Nicky's car when a strong hand grabbed Lena's bare shoulder. "You need to leave," a deeply seductive male voice said in her ear, "you're not safe here. He'll find you just as I did."

"Back away from my sister," Nicky said his voice and eyes as steely as the gun in his left hand.

Lena turned to see who owned such a beautiful voice and found herself staring at the imposing figure of a strong blackman. Though he wasn't much taller than her something about this man sent chills down her spine. Recognition niggled at the back of Lena's mind,it was as if she knew him from somewhere. "Who are you?"

"I am Blade, and you are in danger."

Nicky pressed the automatic starter button for his car and said in that same steely tone of voice, "Well, Blade you can see that I'm capable of protecting my own sister now leave us alone." He cocked the gun and aimed it right between Blade's eyes. He grabbed Lena's hand and backed the both of them up to his car, still aiming his gun at Blade's face, when suddenly an explosion sent him and Lena sprawling forward. Nicky landed on his back at Blade's feet while Lena landed face down next to a dumpster after crashing into it. Standing up slowly and carefully Nicky headed over to check on his twin. "Lena, you okay? Lena get up. Come on, I can't lose you again. Think about your baby. Wake up."

"Did you just say baby," Blade asked frowning down at Lena's crumpled, unconscious form."

"It's none of your business. Go away!"

Blade shook his head softly and said, "I can't do that. They've found you both, and now there's another life on the line besides the two of you. You must come with me. I've got to keep the two of you safe until you finish your cure, and now until this baby is born."

"What are you talking about? What's your problem man?"

"I don't have time to tell you everything. All I can say right now is that... I'm your father. Your biological father that is, and there are people out there who want you dead because of it."