Zydrate Baby

Disclaimer- I do not own Repo! The Genetic Opera or its characters.

Plot Summary- Graverobber gets Shilo pregnant; both are unsure if it's ethical to bring a baby into their world.

As soon as they hit the ally way not far from the GeneCo medical ward, Shilo knelt down on her hands and knees. Her baby didn't seem to very much like the idea of its mother running and was making it's discomfort known.

"You alright?" Graverobber asked. Shilo shoulders shook. Her throat clenched as it tried to force the vomit down. She hadn't felt this terrible since being weaned off her father's 'medication'. "Look, we'll get you home and have that one doctor check you out, okay? She can tell us where to go and…"

Shilo started coughing violently and crawled over to a nearby trashcan. She pulled herself up and vomited in the trashcan. That battle was lost, now she had to fight the dizziness. Graverobber, feeling guilty he had lost his cool and made the girl run, walked over and pulled her hair away from her face.

If she wasn't so busy throwing up, Shilo might have started sobbing. After reading about the procedure in her book, she tried to see like any other surgery. The logical part of her could understand how the situation wasn't easy to begin with and how in a way, it was unfair of her to bring a child in this messed up world. But hearing Dr. Wilson so easily cast her feelings aside as well as that of the life that she felt inside; Shilo didn't feel like they were on the same side. Despite the doctor's numerous insults to her, Shilo was upset that he had threatened her baby and seemed not to care.

The choice was clear then. No matter how unhappy or unprepared she was, she couldn't bring herself to terminate the pregnancy.

After she finished vomiting, she whispered. "I want it, Graves."

"What was that, hun?"

"I said I want the baby." Shilo stood up tall, if wobbly and faced the shocedk drug dealer. "That doctor—he pissed me off, but it was because he was so cold about the situation. I realized that I just can't do it. I have to have the baby. With or without you. I'm…I'm sorry."

Shilo's voice cracked with the last word. Tears pooled at her eyes and Graverobber could see just how much this tormented her. For the first time in years, he could feel his heart breaking. Whether that was for her, or his former lifestyle, it didn't matter now.

"Let's just go home, okay kid?" He wrapped an arm around her so he could help her get home.

()

"The fucker broke my goddamn nose!" Dr. Wilson whined to Amber. She was less than interested in how one of her least favorite doctors had finally gotten taken down a notch. If he hadn't stomped in her office threatening to sue the company (and if Luigi hadn't, unfortunately, been absent from the office) she wouldn't have even entertained him.

It was a shitty nose job at best anyway, Amber sneered. "So have a surgeon fix it."

"The security around here is shit, Amber. Those psychos got out of here before the guards could even be bothered. I've never seen freaks like those two…"

"Mhm." Amber was at her limit. She was getting ready to throw Dr. Wilson out when he said something that caught her attention.

"The girl looked like she never had a surgery before. Features were too sharp, breasts were too small. And the guy—fucking prick. Probably twice her age too."

"Twice?" Amber repeated. She veiled her face to cover the thoughtful/angry expression. "Were they rich?"

"They didn't look it." The Wilson answered cautiously. "Guy had long hair, odd color too. Could have been tri-colored, his hair was pulled back so it's hard to say. The girl, shit all I could see was her face but she was all made up. She seemed familiar. They went by Smith but I think that was just a cover-up since they were there for an abortion."

Amber didn't move from her desk, her heel tapped against the side. Dr. Wilson became scared; this was never a good sign. This was usually the way Amber Sweet was right before she fed someone to her crazy brother.

She touched a button on her wrist-phone. "Pavi, have one a surgeon fix Dr. Wilson's nose—"

"But-a sister…"

"And have one of the genterns, whatever one you're not fucking, send the previous two hours of security video of exam room –"

"499" He whispered under her glare.

"499 to my computer. And no, it can't wait. It needs to happen now!" Amber switched off her wrist-phone and turned to her computer. "We're done here. Unless you want to take it up with Luigi."

"N-no, that's perfectly alright. Thank you, Ms. Sweet for handling this. Thank you." Dr. Wilson backed out of the room like a frightened dog. Amber waited for the gentern to transfer the video.

It came up about ten minutes later. She rewound the video until see got a clear shot of the couple. She hit play and backed-up her chair as the hologram extended from the computer screen.

Without the make-up and with the glasses, he was convincing. He might have fooled anyone else but Amber could never forget his face, even if she was high most of the time she saw him.

And if she wasn't mistaken, it was little Shilo Wallace he was with. It was hard to see with her hood up, but there was only one person in this entire city who had 'never had a surgery'. Besides, she had heard somewhere on the streets Graverobber had warmed up to that little ragdoll.

She smirked. An abortion? So he had knocked little Shilo up? The jealousy that turned inside was only matched by the pleasure of knowing how much he must have hated what was happening. She hadn't seen him since the night he spurned her for Shilo once and for all. Her heart didn't break; but her ego did.

But, somewhere inside, part of her would have liked to have been the one to trap him. Not that she actually wanted to be pregnant (the idea of being fat was enough to make her sick) but rather the idea that he would forever be in her grasp and there for, could never reject her. A little weight would be worth that.

It didn't surprise her Graverobber had escaped Wilson's grasp. But Amber wondered if he could escape the dread of fatherhood, or her taunting for that matter.

She'd have to see.

()

"Ms. Wallace?" Dr. Kellis rang from outside the gates. Graverobber pressed the button to open them up and opened the front door for her. The doctor stepped in like a swan in mid-flight. She startled when she saw Graverobber. "And you might be?"

"A friend." Graverobber said simply. Dr. Kellis eyed the exhausted Shilo sitting on the couch, curiously. The young girl nodded. Yeah, that's him.

Dr. Kellis checked Shilo over as she explained what had happened tonight. Graverobber stayed for the first half before exiting with a mumbled excuse before Shilo could say. "So…I didn't have the abortion. And—I'm glad I didn't."

"So, you've decided to have the baby then?" Dr. Kellis said while checking Shilo's blood pressure. "And you're 'friend' is less than pleased about it?"

"Neither of us are. I wish this hadn't happened and I still don't want to be a mom. I just don't see another option if I don't want an abortion." The device beeped and Dr. Kellis's eyes widened.

"Your blood pressure's low. It's a bit early in your pregnancy for that to be happening" Dr. Kellis detached Shilo from the small monitor and placed it back in her purse. She took out a small note pad and started writing. "I want you home for a few days. No school, no strenuous work, and certainly no running around GeneCo. I'm writing a note for your professor to explain your absence for the next few days, but considering your health problems and choice in this matter—I'd highly recommend taking a semester or two off after you finish this one."

Shilo cursed silently. She had about a month and a half left this semester, and had been working hard to get ahead of her classmates. Now, all of the sudden, she had to let herself fall behind.

"Also, I'll be sending some prenatal vitamins and a few other medications you might need. You'll be fine Shilo, but it's not enough to say 'I'm having this baby'—you have to mean it. Take care of yourself, and try and be happy about it. Being miserable will screw both you and the baby up."

Dr. Kellis cleared her throat and stood. "Now, just rest…I'll leave the rest of the directions with your 'friend'. Remember—"

"Yeah, yeah." Shilo sighed, but smiled. "No running around GeneCo anymore."

The older woman smiled back. "And get that crap off your face—you're too pretty for it."

Shilo curled up on the couch and closed her eyes. She still felt terribly sick, still felt a bit of pain. And she had learned long ago sleep was the best deterrent to pain.

Dr. Kellis entered the kitchen where Graverobber was very slowly picking at a sandwich. It wasn't even half eaten.

"Is she going to be okay?"

"She'll be fine, Graverobber."

Graverobber looked up; his eyebrows furrowed. He was completely speechless. Was she a friend? Or a foe? "They called me Ashes back then. You probably don't remember, but I was one of your regulars."

Friend it would appear.

"You don't say? Fantastic." Graverobber said in a low voice. "I guess I fucked you too?"

"Not that I can remember, but that was a long time ago. I think you were just starting then. I haven't used Z since Mag made me quit."

"Right, you knew Mag too?" Graverobber asked in an amused tone. Dr. Kellis nodded.

"I did. I was her personal doctor. How do you think I came to know Shilo? It was her last wish that I look after her medically, if possible, because she didn't trust any of the other doctors." Dr. Kellis took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. "So now, because of that promise, I have to ask. Was Shilo one of your customers, or does that poor girl think you're someone you're not?"

The accusation didn't offend him; it did however, piss him off. "Listen Ashes, you have no idea what's going on here."

"Do you have any idea what she's been through?" Dr. Kellis heels stomped across the tile as one long fingernail directed itself at his face. "Now she has to carry a baby fathered by a known man-whore, and she doesn't have a clue that you're gonna high-tail it out as soon as you possibly can!"

"I'm not leaving Shilo. And she's worried enough about it, so don't say things like that and scare her shitless!" Graverobber eyes glared right through her. The look was one Dr. Kellis had never seen from him. She had seen him turned on, angry, indifferent, and maybe even sad. This look was different—she couldn't say what it was, but she lowered her finger.

"You better mean it. The next 8 months are gonna be hell on her, so I'm making it hell on you too. For starters, no more stress. No going to GeneCo, and if your sleeping with another women you better damn well make sure she never finds out. And she's decided she's having a baby, so even if you can't stand the idea, smile through your damn teeth and deal with it. Secondly, I'm still waiting for blood test results, but…"

"But?" Dr. Kellis bit her lip.

"If Mr. Wallace's poison is still somehow in her body, it could be a huge problem. I've seen cases where a toxin has entered a person's system and they never know until something like this happens and it makes their body weak." Dr. Kellis crossed her arms and shot him a sympathetic look. Had he made an emotion even he wasn't aware of? "We're walking on pins and needles here, Graverobber. Whether you like it or not, she's having the baby. So you have a choice; either step up and be a dad, or get out her life now when she can survive the pain. I'll be sending her medicine."

Dr. Kellis left. And he was stuck somewhere between feeling nervous, and feeling like an asshole.

()

Another few days had passed. Shilo was still feeling weak, but her attitude was changing slightly. She was less than glowing, but she no longer felt that it was the end of the world.

Graverobber, however, was more miserable than ever. He simply was good at lying about it. He was glad Shilo was showing some improvement, but was angry she was starting to show a tiny bit in the stomach (at least he swore she was). The only refuge he could find was in his job.

And even that was about to change.

"Well, well…Mr. Smith was it?" Leather-clad boots tapped against the pavement and stopped suddenly. Amber Sweet put her hands on her waist, and a smile crossed her face. Graverobber busied himself with his zydrate gun.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said simply. Pity, she had expected more of a fight out of him. She didn't like this defeated Graverobber.

"So, what's the matter, Graves? Got tired of fucking little girls, so you decided to knock her up and make her a natural woman?"

"Like you, Sweet?" And there he was, boxing gloves on once more. He liked feeling Amber's glare to the back of his head. He missed stepping on her toes. "What are you doing here, anyway? Just to rub it in my face?"

"That and…" Amber moved the sides of her coat aside and revealed one blemish free leg—as well as her lacy lingerie. "Was wondering if you wanted to give me a hit for good old times."

Graverobber narrowed his eyes, even if his mouth watered a bit. "You can refer to our last meeting for the answer to that question."

Amber chuckled. "Does Preggo even know about that?"

"What's there to say? You started a fight with me because I told your skank-ass, sex was no longer a payment option? Yeah, I'm sure she'll be awfully disappointed in me. " A woman with money hanging between her fingers slowly walked over. Graverobber loaded his gun. "Now, buy a hit or get out of here."

Amber stood straight, but had a smug arrogance about her. "Believe me Graves, after a few months; you're gonna get tired of playing hubby to that fat, pregnant cow. And once that happens my skank-ass is gonna look a whole lot better."

Amber turned and walked away one heel at a time. Graverobber pushed her from his mind and focus on delivering his Z. He wasn't in any hurry because Shilo would be long asleep before he got home, and she'd be the only reason for him to go home.

()

The hall wall was dark. Shilo had to feel ahead just to maneuver through. The only thing truly guiding her through was the loud screams of a crying baby.

Shilo hummed quietly. She tried to keep herself calm but was ill prepared to face this reality. As of yesterday, a decision hadn't been made about the baby, now all the sudden it was here?

The crying lead her to room, not so dissimilar to her bedroom. There was a bluish glow seeping between the cracks. Shilo swallowed her fear and pushed against the door. She could hardly believe her eyes.

It was her mother. Not actually her mother, but rather, a hologram-disassembled version of her. One not so different from the vision Mag had shown her the night of the Opera. Her mom sang softly but couldn't be heard over the tiny, weeping baby in her arms.

Shilo couldn't explain it, but a fury grew inside her. She didn't like that Marni was holding her baby. "Let me see the baby." Shilo said. Her mother didn't even raise her head. She continued to sing softly to the small bundle. "He's just crying more, let me see him!"

Shilo stomped over and snatched the baby from her mother's arms. The baby stopped crying instantly. The victory was so sweet; Shilo couldn't help but smile.

She looked back up only to find that her mother was gone. A repo man looked down on her, his eyes cold behind his visor.

His hands reached out and grasped around her throat. The air was being squeezed out of her and all she could do was hold on to her baby.

Shilo barely choked out. "Stop…Dad."

Shilo was jarred slightly awake by a hard shake. She could only smell the rustic smell of dirt and see the glow of his make-up. Why was he carrying her?

"Hey kid, sorry to wake you." He murmured softly and continued to climb the stairs. Shilo leaned her head back to escape the dizzy sleepiness.

"Where was I?"

"On the couch with your book open and a pen in your mouth. If nothing else, the imagery was nice." Graverobber laughed at the way she nuzzled her head against his chest. After being at the opera and now carrying his seed, how could she still be so innocent looking?

"Graves?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"Are you mad at me? For wanting the baby?" Not that it made much of a difference now. She still had to know.

He frowned while managing to push open the bedroom door with his foot. "No. I'm not mad at you. I'm mad myself for doing this to you."

Shilo smiled, which made him smile a little bit. He laid her on the bed carefully. "If I recall—the sex was consensual."

"And how." Graverobber chuckled, watching as she drifted back into sleep. He leaned over to kiss her forehead. He was such a sap for her; the annoying kind too. Why couldn't he just sleep with Amber like he use to? Why was he here playing guardian to her?

It was unexplainable. And he wouldn't have done it for any other woman.