Title: Genetics
Author: Shannon - shannyfish
Disclaimer: I do not own "Eleventh Hour" or its characters, CBS does. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A new group is out to create superior new life.

Chapter 2 – "The Gift"

Author's Note: Okay, this is my first "Eleventh Hour" fanfic...I've mostly stuck with "Bones" lately...though I am still working on my epic fanfic. Since we don't really know much about the world of "Eleventh Hour" (where Jacob & Rachel live, the exact nature of Alex's family, and such...) I'm going to be making some things up. Normally, I'll pick locations that are unique to the exact area. FYI. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

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Saint Mary's Hospital

When Rachel and Jacob finally made it to the hospital and finally up to the maternity ward where the nursery was, Rachel was starting to feel fatigued. She really had needed a nap and just general rest, which she didn't get. She sighed and ran her hand through her blonde hair, which she had down. Rachel had started to leave it down since she'd been off the job. "It's this way," she told him as they approached the viewing window. Hannah being moved from neonatal to just the standard nursery had felt really good after her having in the hospital for such an extended period of time.

Jacob took in all of the plastic basinets propped up on individual basinet holders. It wasn't until he'd scanned each row for a nameplate with Rachel's surname that he spotted his sister. Alex was in a rocking chair in the back with a bundle in her arms. She hadn't spotted them yet, but he noted the bright smile on her face. She looked so happy. His focus was on his sister with his daughter. It still seemed odd. Hannah was his daughter, his own flesh and blood. A child was something that he hadn't imagined. Not since his wife had died.

"Jacob?" Rachel spoke up. She'd been forcing herself to refer to him as Jacob rather than Hood. It seemed odd since they weren't on a case. Though, it felt natural at the same time.

"Yes?" he asked as he turned his head to face her.

She smiled, "Do you want to meet her?"

Jacob nodded once. He was actually extremely excited inside. He had actually felt a twinge of jealousy with Alex with his daughter. He'd missed so much. Jacob felt bad enough that Rachel hadn't been spared from The Genesis Group. He'd also missed the pregnancy that he'd promised her he'd help her through. That wasn't all he'd missed. He could have given his kidney to Hannah. He was fairly certain that if Alex was a match, that he would have been an even better match for his own daughter. So much had been missed and he found himself not wanting to miss another minute of Hannah's life.

"Come on," Rachel encouraged and put her arm through one of his in order to lead him to the door to the nursery area, which was around the corner. "They'll let you hold her." She smiled, "If you're really lucky, they'll even let you feed her."

Grinning, Jacob smiled. "Hopefully I've arrived at a good time then."

Gently, she pushed the door open. "Go on in," Rachel said as she held the door. She waved politely to one of the nurses on duty.

"Aren't you coming in?"

"I should probably see if Doctor Cahill is in," Rachel admitted. "See if I can get an exact date for Hannah's release."

Jacob stopped and turned to her. He did want to meet his daughter finally, but he was also curious about Hannah's condition. "Do you mind if I go with you? I'm interested in the doctor's findings. I'd also like to see Hannah's medical files," Jacob admitted and then added after a moment. "If that's okay with you."

Smiling, Rachel nodded. "Of course it's okay with me. You probably understand it far better than I do. I always end up Googling it later on." She waved to get Alex's attention. "We'll be right back," she said somewhat quietly.

He noticed the surprised look on his sister's face. He waved as Rachel had. "Hi," he said as quietly as Rachel had been. "We'll be back and I'll explain everything," he added with a smile. He was sure that his sister had questions for him, but that would have to wait for now.

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Saint Mary's Hospital – Nursery

Hannah looked a lot like Rachel, Jacob thought as he smiled down at his tiny daughter in his arms. Her hair was golden, just like Rachel's, though it could still change. Hannah's eyes were a bright blue-green and seemed to smile up at him. It was still odd for him to conceive that this small child was his daughter. "Hello there," he whispered down at her.

"She's more and more beautiful every day," Alex commented as she stood with Rachel off to the side.

"She seems to be getting bigger, too," Rachel commented with a smile. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched Jacob with her. Hannah seemed to like him just fine.

Alex looked down at her watch and then back at Jacob. It was about time she went home to her own baby, though Owen was much older than Hannah. The truth was that she enjoyed the time with her baby niece. It was something she missed. It was seemed like Owen was growing up so fast. She wished there was a way to make him stop. "She's a gift is what she is," she said as she looked directly at her brother.

"She is," Jacob agreed without looking up.

"You look exhausted," Alex commented as she took in Rachel. She knew that Rachel was having problems trying to obey doctor's orders with bed rest, but it was for a reason.

Rachel sighed and looked over at Alex. She knew. Great. "I am, but I'll make up for it tonight."

"Did Doctor Cahill say when Hannah can go home?" Alex questioned.

"Friday," Jacob said with some enthusiasm as he looked up at the two women.

"That gives you three short days to get that nursery ready," Rachel commented.

Alex nodded. "See, I knew we kept him around for something," she teased with a smile. "Though I suppose your genetics did help in creating this beautiful child."

"She looks just like Rachel," Jacob said with a smile. He liked Rachel. Though they weren't involved romantically, that didn't mean he didn't care for her. He did. It was hard to care about anyone really after his wife had died from cancer. It was hard to let anyone in after that, especially to open his heart to another in fear that he may lose that person. Rachel and his family were the ones that he cared for the most...now Rachel was family, though. Rachel and Hannah.

Rachel smiled. "She'll probably be a scientific genius," she commented.

"Oh, have fun with that," Alex teased with a laugh. She got serious, "So, Jacob. I expect you to spend the next three days preparing that nursery and making sure that Rachel stays off her feet. Because when this baby goes home, Rachel's not going to get as much sleep."

"I can help with her," Jacob argued as he held Hannah closer. One of the nurses had promised him that he could feed her. He knew that time was coming up soon. He knew the practical idea of it all, but he figured that having actual experience in it could help as well. He figured that the least he could do was to help Rachel with Hannah from here out. Jacob wasn't there during Rachel's pregnancy or through Hannah's birth...or even though the time that Hannah had spent in the hospital in neonatal. Being there from here on out was the best thing he could really do.

"The F.B.I. is going to want you to do something, I'm sure," Rachel told him.

"I'll just tell them that I'm unavailable," Jacob said matter of factly.

"What exactly are you going to tell them? You're on vacation?"

"I'm on sabbatical?"

"Maternity leave," Alex suggested. "They do have that for men now."

Rachel just laughed quietly to herself. "I'd love to see the F.B.I. when you tell them that. I'm sorry, but I can't come and solve your random epidemic problem because I'm on maternity leave."

Jacob shrugged lightly. "They'll just have to deal with it."

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Agent Rachel Young's Residence

Once they were inside, Jacob guided Rachel to the couch. "I promised Alex that I'd make sure that you rest," he told her. "I intend on keeping that promise."

"I'll be fine," Rachel told him as she sat down and faced his general direction. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll just get some dinner and then watch TV until I fall asleep."

"Let me make you dinner," he offered.

"No, I'm fine."

Jacob frowned, "How about, I'm going to make you dinner?"

Rachel laughed. "Fine. Make me dinner."

He felt like he had a lot to make up for and he was slowly compiling a mental list of things to do. "Do you want to take a shower or something while I cook?" Jacob asked knowing that she needed to relax. A hot shower was always something that easily relaxed muscles.

"I probably should," she conceded and stood up. She wasn't used to him being there though; it wasn't because she didn't trust him. She did. It had just been so long since Jacob had been in her life. "You won't burn down my apartment while I'm gone, will you?" she teased lightly.

"I'll try not to," Jacob told her honestly. "I think I can manage putting it out though if I happen to catch something on fire."

"Only slightly comforting," Rachel said. She smiled and then headed back to her bedroom and connected bathroom.

Jacob turned once she had disappeared and started to go through the refrigerator and cupboards in order to figure out what he could make her for dinner. He knew that he should make sure that it was something highly nutritious. It would help in her recovery. He also planned to try to put a couple things together in the nursery. He really wanted to just go all gung ho on putting the nursery together tonight, but he doubted Rachel would allow it.

It didn't take him too long to throw some stuff together and get dinner in the oven. He went into the nursery and examined the items in boxes. There was a crib, wardrobe, dresser with changing table on top, swing, highchair, and stroller. There was also bedding and clothes that were in bags along with the painting that would have to be done. He knew that the paint though would leave a lasting scent in the house. He'd have to find a way to cut the severe scent.

He started to move the boxes out one by one into the living room area and carefully setting them against a far wall where he figured that Rachel would not mind them. Once that was done, he returned to the room and took a good look. Jacob looked through the painting supplies that Rachel had set in one corner. Everything he needed was there. Opening the small closet, he set all of the items inside before removing the plastic that would cover the carpet in that room. He carefully started at the far wall and started to systematically lay the plastic out.

Taking the time to examine the white molding around the bottom of the room, he noticed that it didn't need to be repainted and neither would the door frame. Next, he removed the blue painter's tape from the closet and started to not only tape the plastic in place along the molding, but also to cover the molding itself. He hadn't tried out his room painting skills in some time, but he figured it was better to be safe. He was about halfway through when the scent of the meal started to permeate the nursery.

Jacob rose from his position and then went to check on the dinner. From the smell, it seemed like it was ready. It hadn't quite given him enough time to finish getting the room set up, but he figured that it wasn't all going to happen in one night anyways. He'd have to work at it. The painting alone would take a day, especially the drying and the coating. But he'd get it done. It would be perfect when Hannah finally could go home with Rachel. He had no idea how Rachel had to have been feeling...before Hannah was even born, but then after too.

He'd be there. He'd try to keep them safe. He'd try to protect them...it was ironic...Rachel was usually the one doing the protecting, but right now...he felt the need to be the protector.

*~*~*

TBC...