Disclaimer: I do not own any of the fever series books. They belong to Karen Marie Moning.

Chapter Two:

The streets of Dublin remained busy with the tourists flying back to the country once more. The dark zone was being recovered by the city council. They were recreating it as a living and shopping district. Barrons Books and Baubles stood in one piece as it had before the war. More customers entering and exiting as the day commenced.

Mac stood behind the counter as she waved good-bye to the customers exiting with their new purchase. As the doors closed Mac let out a deep sigh. This is becoming harder. I'm getting more exhausted. Mac was feeling more sluggish as the days went by. It had been two weeks since she had returned from Ashford. It was 2:30 so she let her eyes close for a second as she sat in a chair near her. Closing her eyes she drifted into a deep slumber...

As Mac was dreaming, her lake came to her. It was frozen over. She was standing at the edge peering into the darkness in front of herself. She kept looking across, having no idea what she was searching for. As she was about to turn away, a shadow appeared across from her. The shadow looked as if it was reaching towards her. It was a small shadow and for some reason Mac wanted to reach back out to the shadow. Then, suddenly, the Sinsar Dubh came into view. It stood behind the shadow, smiling cruelly. A sense of urgency came to Mac. All she could think was she had to get the shadow away from the Sinsar dubh although she had no idea why. She stood frozen in place against her will.

"Mac. I missed you. I almost thought you never going to com back. I've been waiting for you." It smiled wickedly. It looked back at her with cold gaze that chilled Mac's spine. It crept closer, leaving the shadow behind.

Mac let out a relaxed sigh. He was away from the shadow and for some reason she felt happy. "What do you want? I didn't come back because I wanted to and you know it." Mac retorted, hatred burning in her eyes. It was because of this thing that the world almost got destroyed. She almost lost her parents because of It. It had no heart, It was deep darkness and evil.

"But Mac come closer, why are being so strange. It's not like you can hide anything form me, after all we are the same. I live within you and as long as you live, no, even after death I will be with you. You are apart of me and I am apart of you." He crept closer. Mac was glued in place unable to move. As if with some warning the Sinsar dubh looked sideways. A sour expression crossed it's face. "Sadly, I'm out of time for today. But, I'll be back Mac. I always will be back." It smiled and waved as it disappeared into nothingness.

As Mac looked across the lake even the shadow had gone. Was it my imagination? Mac asked herself in question. She felt like she was being pulled away from the lake...

"Mac?" Dani looked at her with a worried slowly opened her eyes, light blinded her. "What the hell, I thought you were dead. I mean you weren't even moving!" Dani exclaimed as her accent kicked into her English.

"Dani?" Mac readjusted her eyesight. Everything was fuzzy. "What's going on? What time is it?" She looked across to a clock: 4:15. "I've been asleep for more than an hour and half, really?" Mac was puzzled.

So instead of questioning her sleep further, she went and turned on some lights outside, hey, habits are hard to get rid of. She waited forty-five minutes as Dani re-arranged some of the books and did some of the odd jobs. After closing the store at 5 pm. Dani and Mac headed to the rear lounging area to talk. Dani had to get to the abbey by 6pm some business to attend to. Mac and Dani sat talking about the future plans that the abbey had to make sure the Sinsar dubh never got out. They talked about how the world was recovering from the 'Dark Age.' They talked about the newest in Life. Mac got around to give Dani her long awaited and long overdue talk about teen activities as they say.

"Mac, you worry like a mother sometimes. But, I have never felt this before because...well... you know." Dani looked away as she repressed the old memories from if noticing the time Dani looked at the watch, "I gotta go some business to take care of. See you Mac!" she yelled as she freeze-framed to the entrance. And with a wave Dani disappeared into the busy streets of Temple Bar.

Mac smiled as she watched Dani leave. Feeling sluggish Mac got a book and curled into a ball near the burning fireplace. She felt to lazy to get a cup of steaming coffee so she opened the page and began to lose herself in the world of the book.

Mac felt as if she was being carried, her reflexes kicked in fast. She struggled as she tried to punch her kidnapper. "Let me go." her eyes were still shut. She couldn't open them even if she tried, they felt as if they were glued shut.

"As always, fast reflexes Mac." Jericho said. It sounded as if he was smirking. Mac relaxed herself. "You were sleeping so I brought to our bedroom, well, I'm still taking you. You're a deep sleeper you know that?" he let her on the bed with the black silk sheets. "Are you okay?" he put his forehead to hers, "You're burning up."

Mac knew he was getting worried. "I think it was something I ate. I've been sluggish all day as if I was going to throw up, so don't worry. Probably just a cold." Mac told him to get him from worrying. Finally, opening her eyes she looked around the room. She looked up to Jericho, he was looking at her as if to see if she was okay. "I'm fine." she said to reassure him. His eyes told her otherwise. Mac got up and walked to the bathroom. The world was spinning to her. She felt as if she was going to fall down any second. She managed to change into her pink night gown to see Jericho had also changed into wearing just black silk pajama pants leaving him topless revealing his abs. Amazing, she thought. As she neared the bed she felt a wave of dizziness, her knees gave in and the last thing she heard was Jericho yell out 'MAC' and all went black...

Mac came to. Jericho was leaning over her. She was atop the bed once more. The sheets pulled up to neck, warming her entire body. "Mac. Mac?" Jericho was panicked. "What the hell, Mac?" He looked frustrated.

Mac looked up to him. "I'm fi-"

"No, you are not! I tried not to notice but for the past few days you smell way different. It's not normal." Jericho's hands were fists.

A wave of nausea overcame Mac, "What's that smell?" Mac said as she tried plugging her nose.

"It's jasmine and lilac. Why? I thought you would like it." Jericho looked confused.

In a second, Mac jumped off the bed and rushed to the bathroom. She vomited her previously eaten food and water. She vomited everything in her stomach. Finally, clutching her stomach, Mac rested on the tiled floor, leaning her head against the cool wall. What is going on? I've been sluggish. I have heightened sense of smell. She remembered her talk with Dani and began to count the days. No, no this can't be...Can it? She hadn't had her period in while. It was well over late.

Jericho came into the bathroom. "I threw out the candle. Now, what's wrong Mac?" He sat beside her and rested his chin on her head as he cradled her body in his arms.

"I think I might be pregnant." Mac whispered.

A/N- Been a while. I'm praying for all those in Japan to be alright. I couldn't update in while...I've been so busy. This is the newest chapter, ENJOY! So how will Jericho Barrons react to his I wonder. hehe! ^_^ \/