A/N to Kristen: I just wanna take the quick moment to thank Kristin (you) for her/your glowing reviews! I just wish this movie had it's own category, girl! You, me, and Kendall would probably dominate it! ;) Keep 'em up and spread the word, Goddess of the Trivia/Criminally Insane (those of you who read this and say WTF, go to The Breakfast Club forums, and then read/review everyone's stories, damnit! LOL! Enjoy more!

Before anyone knew it, it was late February, and Leslie was five months along. Kevin and Alec were both true to their word, and both men were protective and supportive of Leslie. For a pregnant woman, Leslie certainly looked the part now. Her abdomen was now visibly swelling and her posture was shifting to accommodate the added weight. Leslie had to cast off her old designer blouses in favor of maternity clothes (Kevin had taken her shopping), and Leslie constantly whined that she was looking fatter by the day (to which everyone replied "No you don't!"). Leslie also began eating more and her waves of nausea ceased. Kevin and/or Alec would come by the apartment each day to check on Leslie when Jules wasn't around. Leslie was also scouting for apartments, but no one was vacant this time of year (as a result of a lot of couples marrying on Valentine's day and just now getting back from their honeymoons, they were buying up all the apartments). So Leslie had to stay with Jules until accommodations could be made.

Tension still existed between Kevin and Alec, despite them both putting on smiles for Leslie. Alec still had the gut feeling the baby was Kevin's, and Kevin still had the gut feeling Alec still had feelings for Leslie, no matter how much he denied it.

The last day of February, 1986, was a light snowy day. Leslie was lounging on the sofa drinking a bottled water while Alec , who was "on duty" today, sat next to her looking for job/apartment ads in the Classifieds.

"I'm not seeing much action on the real estate front, Les," said Alec. "There's a place up near the Minoa Countyline but of course that's too far away from here. There's another 2-bedroom flat on the west side of Ridgemont Heights, be we all know what THAT neighborhood's like!" He informed. "Before long you'll go into labor and have to give birth out of a refrigerator box! These prices are outrageous too. Reaganomics my ass. I always knew I'd rue the day I went right wing…"

Leslie just sat back and sipped her water, listening to Alec's advice, jokes, and mentions of every available place. She just loved the way his big nostrils flared when he got pissed off that a place was taken. Alec had almost had a change of heart since their confrontation three months ago. He was almost…well…fatherly.

"Did you hear that Kevin gave up smoking for me?" Leslie brought up.

Alec looked at her. "What? I thought he wasn't puffing was because he ran out of cash for his pack-a-day policy!"

"No," Leslie said. "He did some research, and he said second-hand smoke was dangerous to growing babies, so he quit cold turkey just for me!" Leslie grinned.

"Imagine that," Alec muttered. "The human chimney finally stopped huffing!" No one generally approved of Kevin's dirty habit. Alec would smoke when he was extremely stressed out, but he never really liked the taste or the nasty smell. He preferred drowning his sorrows as opposed to gassing them. "The bonehead had to see the light sooner or later. That stuff smells like campfires!" Alec hated camping.

"Yeah, it won't just benefit me!" Leslie said. Alec nodded and crossed off both apartment ads.

"Maybe now he'll be smart and take up boozing!" Alec joked.

"Don't even joke like that. I've gone without alcohol for five months, and it's been the most—" Leslie suddenly jumped to a sitting position with a small yelp. She suddenly felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. It's was a startling feeling, and not very pleasant. It didn't exactly HURT, but it took Leslie by surprise. Leslie clenched her swollen belly and moaned. Alec leapt to her aid.

"What? What happened, Les?" Alec said, suddenly panicky. No way, it was too soon for the baby to come! "Is it a contraction?" asked Alec. Leslie smiled tenderly and shook her head.

"No. It's something else…" said Leslie.

"Well, what is it? You need something?" asked Alec.

"I think the baby just kicked!" Leslie said. Alec stepped back with an odd look.

"Isn't it too soon for that too?" asked Alec.

"Dr. Standish said it was about time I should start feeling things inside me. We should find out next appointment the sex of the child too, by the way," said Leslie. Alec nodded. "But, may I please have an apple?" Leslie asked. Alec, still silenced, went to get the apple.

While in the kitchen, a million things ran through Alec's head. Leslie's child was kicking. It was almost like finding out about her pregnancy all over again. It was almost surreal. A while ago, when Alec joked about Russian Roulette, he really was joking. Alec didn't see himself settled with little ones until at least 30. But even now, he might not be the father. It could be Kevin's offspring jigging around in Leslie's womb, not his. Alec had almost come to realize he wanted the kid as his. Or was it Leslie he wanted as his? It wasn't fair. Alec was so damn confused. He'd graduated from Georgetown University magna cum laude with a degree in political science, and here he was confused over a baby. Did Alec want the baby, or did he just want Leslie? Alec grabbed an apple off the top of the basket of fruit and headed back out to Leslie on the sofa. Leslie took the apple and bit into it immediately.

"How does it feel, Les?" asked Alec.

"Why don't you tell me?" responded Leslie, taking Alec's hand in hers and placing it on her belly. Alec shivered as Leslie moved his hand around like his palm was on of those sensors on a sonogram machine Alec saw when he went in with Leslie to her appointments with Dr. Standish (Kevin rarely came along…some friend, Kevin's excuse was he didn't like doctors using their fancy machines to advance and corrupt what was meant to be a 100 percent all natural process that cavewomen could pull off without so much as a real bed). Leslie smiled as the baby within her chose to deliver another punch. Leslie cringed. "I can't believe I have to learn to get used to that in the middle of the night!"

Alec smiled, wanting to feel it again. The combined feeling of Leslie's flesh, and the small bumps he could feel occasionally gave Alec a feeling of awe. Leslie could tell Alec was awed. Leslie in turn was awed by the fact that she'd managed to make the famously dominant Alec Newbury shut up for five minutes of his life.

Looking into her eyes, Alec became increasingly entranced. Leslie looked back up at Alec, getting a sense of almost admiration from Alec. Not just for the kid, but for her as well. Leslie felt her spine tingle as Alec subtly leaned in closer to her, his hand still on her abdomen. Leslie leaned in closer to Alec, expecting him to say something. Tension was building.

Suddenly, Alec couldn't take it anymore. He gently pressed his lips against Leslie's. Leslie didn't struggle against him. She felt something she hadn't felt in a damn long time. She'd forgotten the way Alec kissed. This wasn't even a wet kiss. Alec just moved his lips over hers, making Leslie wrap her arm around Alec's shoulder in return. Alec was surprised at his old boldness.

After nearly a full minute kissing Leslie, Alec suddenly pulled away from Leslie. Leslie looked at her feet. Alec cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. Leslie, again, didn't push him away and instead relished the kiss. But a minute later her senses came back to her, and she finally managed to shove Alec away long enough for her to struggle to her feet and head for her bedroom.

"Alec, I can't. I'm sorry. I want to remain neutral until the paternity tests are in," she said. Alec nodded, seemingly understanding.

"I'll call you tonight if I see any vacancy signs," Alec said. Leslie nodded awkwardly as Alec grabbed his coat and steadily walked out of the apartment. Leslie collapsed onto her bed with a loud, woeful sigh.

Neutrality, that was the key. It was only fair for Leslie to remain neutral until the end.