Silver
Chapter 6
AN: For any of you who are confused about the rabbit, yes, it is entirely true. In the old days (ca 1920's), when pregnancy tests had not been invented, if a person wanted to find out if she were pregnant, she would go to her doctor. He would take a urine sample and inject it into a rabbit. (yeah, I got that one wrong in the story, maybe I'll fix it." If the person was pregnant, a specific hormone present in the urine would make the rabbit's ovaries swell up so much that it would die. If she were not pregnant, nothing would happen to the rabbit. If you're curious about this, search "The rabbit died" in any search engine for the history of the pregnancy test. That line, the rabbit died, was the equivalent of today's "It's positive" or something along those lines, indicating the sign on the at-home pregnancy tests. Sorry for any confusion. I am an avid reader, and I pick up a lot of really weird information. Someday, my curiosity might get me in trouble. On with the show…
Wanda felt horrible all day. She couldn't keep anything down until after dinner when she tried eating some rice. Thankfully, that seemed to agree with her and she perked up after dinner. Ian wasn't convinced that she needed to be swimming around after dinner, but he couldn't deny her mood was much improved, so they made their way down to the bathing pool hand in hand.
Somehow, Wanda had lost all shyness around Ian. They were currently stark naked together in the bathing pool, and she had absolutely no problem with that. She giggled a little, splashing Ian, getting him back for a prior assault. Really, they didn't do much floating. It was more just enjoying the warm water and playing around in it, like kids. She was having such a good time, she even forgot about the rabbit issue. She still had no idea how it all worked, but hopefully, the rabbit wouldn't hold a grudge. What she really wanted to know was just how Doc got his hands on a desert rabbit. Those things were fast!
Her reverie was broken, however, when Ian suddenly gathered her up against him, lifted her up above the warm, flowing water, and without warning dropped her into the water again. Wanda came up sputtering and flailing, aiming for Ian. The darkness aided his get away.
"Hey!" she cried, while laughing, "I could be in a delicate way!" She finished without thinking. Silence greeted her for a brief moment before Ian wrapped her up in a gentle embrace.
"Wanda, I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I didn't think!" he said, voice full of concern.
"Of course I am, you oaf! I was joking!" she replied, laughing and pushing him away. "I don't think we have anything to worry about just yet." She swam away, making sure she kicked water right in his face. Ian laughed and dived after her.
Sadly, when their turn for the pool drew to a close, they gathered their things, dressed and left. Wanda was tired out from the splashing around, and leaned on Ian as they made their way to their rooms. She squeaked when Ian surprised her by picking her up bridal-style and launching her on the bed when they got there.
"Oof—Hey!" she protested when she landed. She hated it when her body did anything un-graceful.
Ian laughed and sat down next to her on the bed. He gazed down at her and took her face in his hands. "Will you even be able to sleep tonight for wondering?
"No. I'm too curious. And I'm worried about the rabbit. Does it really have to die?" she asked.
"For the last time, yes, we have to know! If the rabbit dies, Doc will send it to the kitchens, and Jeb will have a nice dinner. It won't be wasted." He said, faking exasperation.
"Ew. I can't believe Jeb would even look at a cooked rabbit."
"Come on, Wanda, it's late. Let's get some sleep," he said and he kissed her on the lips. All thoughts of sleep fell from her mind as she enjoyed the feel of Ian's lips on hers. Enthusiastically, she responded, throwing her arms around him and pulling him down onto the bed.
Ian finally pulled away, nibbling on her ear as he sat up. "Come one, babe, let's go to bed. We'll probably need our wits about us in the morning."
Wanda nodded and turned off the blue light next to their bed and snuggled against her partner's chest. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on top of her head. Both stayed awake for quite a while that night, questions keeping sleep at bay. Finally, however, sleep took them both.
The next morning, Doc found the two eating breakfast. Well, Ian was, Wanda just looked at his plate, a green look on her face. He smiled at that. She would be feeling a lot of that for a while. He hurried over to them, leaning over to speak quietly with them. "The rabbit died. Congratulations," he whispered so no one would hear. Wanda's squeal of excitement, however, spoiled any secrecy for them. Heads turned as she bounced in her seat, a look of sickening love in her eyes directed right at Ian.
One of those not excited about having a "worm" in their haven spoke out. "Go somewhere else if you're going to make those god awful goo-goo eyes at him"
Before anyone could find the identity of the speaker, however, Jeb strolled in, rifle in hand. He sent a scathing look in the direction of the speaker, and that was that. No one messed with Jeb and his rules. "What's so exciting, kid?" he asked as he sat down to a plate of French toast. Wanda, still bouncing in her seat, looked up at Ian for permission.
"Go ahead, it's not really my secret to tell, is it?" he asked, a smile on his face. Before she could open her mouth, however, Jeb spoke.
"Stars above. She's pregnant, isn't she?" he whispered, leaning over towards them. Wanda nodded enthusiastically, forgetting she had been feeling ill at the sight of food only a few seconds ago.
"Hey!" Ian protested as Wanda attacked his bowl of oatmeal. Her innocent look silenced him. He pushed the bowl toward her, disgusted with himself, and went to get another bowl for himself.
