NAME: Kirk Baldridge

EMAIL:

TITLE: Sometimes You Get What You Need

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters, names, places, etc. They all belong to Kim Harrison, and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank her for creating them.

FANDOM: The Hollows

PAIRING: Rachel/Ivy

RATING: K+

SUMMARY: Several of Rachel's relationships are in jeopardy.

SPOILER: Sequel to You Don't Always Get What You Want and set sometime after Black Magic Sanction. While you don't need to read my previous stories to follow and (hopefully) enjoy this one, it would help.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I feel a little explanation is necessary. My Immortal and its sequel, Through Her Eyes, are a separate timeline from my other four stories, which-if you wanted to read them all-technically belong in this order. You Don't Always Get What You Want, Love and Vampires, Disturbing, and Sometimes You Get What You Need.

CHAPTER 16

"Rachel!"

Ceri nearly bowled the witch over the moment she walked into the bedroom, sweeping her up into a hug that threatened to crush the life out of the hapless redhead.

"It's so good to see you!"

Rachel, surprised by the exuberant show of affection, could only nod. "You too." As Ceri released her, the witch took note of Quen, who was by a crib with his hands clasped behind his back. He appeared to be standing guard. "Should you be on your feet?" She didn't know much about childbirth, but in witches and humans alike it usually took a lot out of them.

"Elves recover quickly," Ceri said absently. "Ivy!" She went to hug the living vampire, but in a blur of speed, Ivy twisted out of the way and came to a stop beside Rachel, looking rather sheepish. "Apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." Ivy shrugged. Finally, Jenks flew into the room, followed closely by Trent. "Ah Jenks, if only you were bigger."

"Don't even think about it." Smiling, Jenks landed in Ceri's outstretched hand. "Your aura is on fire, Ceri. Humans don't know how right they are when they talk about the glow of pregnant folks."

Ceri nodded. "It's good to see you." She looked around, smiling blissfully. "All of you." Her face fell. "Quen, come now, it's all right. You can spare a moment away from her to say hello to our friends."

"Forgive me, love." Glancing at the crib, Quen strode forward. "This is the first healthy Elven birth in my lifetime, but you are right. It is no cause to be rude. Ms. Morgan. Ms. Tamwood. Jenks. Welcome."

"Thanks. You have a beautiful home, Trent."

He inclined his head slightly, as if she was acknowledging something obvious. "I'm sure it must look different during the day, when you are at full size and not hiding from the sound of approaching footsteps."

'Jackass.' Rachel wasn't about to allow her rivalry with Trent, even if it was in a better place than it ever had been before, after she got the better of both him and the coven, put a damper on the occasion. "We brought presents."

Ceri's grin widened. "You didn't have to do that. Thank you!" She beamed at Rachel's gift, got a nod from Quen when she mentioned he would enjoy putting Ivy's together, and laughed when she saw Jenks'. Quen's plague-scarred face, as ever, was unreadable but Trent turned a shade of red that looked particularly odd with his complexion. "We appreciate the thought. All of you."

Rachel had a feeling that Ceri was, in fact, enjoying Trent's discomfort as much as they were, though she wouldn't say anything and he would never give Jenks the satisfaction of complaining openly. "Is she awake? Can we see her?"

"Quen?"

"I will check." Quen moved silently to the crib. "She is. Shall I take her, or do you wish to?"

Ceri came to his side. "Let me." She bent down and spent a few moments adjusting the blanket before carefully scooping her daughter up into her arms. Though still unseen, they could hear her coo happily. "Everyone." Quen came to her side and put an arm around her so he could both smile proudly and demonstrate his protectiveness. Jenks landed on Rachel's shoulder while she and Ivy moved closer, holding their breaths in anticipation. "May I introduce…Rea Lynn." The child was a wonder to behold. She had her mother's hair and eyes and her father's complexion. They were surprised to note she also had slightly pointed ears.

"Ceri, Quen, she's beautiful." Rachel couldn't help feeling a little disheartened by the fact she would likely never be able to have one of her own. The demons would come for it, and that was a risk she wasn't willing to take. "Hi."

Ivy leaned in close. Quen and Trent both tensed slightly, a subconscious reaction to a vampire being so near a helpless infant, but Ceri and Rachel knew she was perfectly safe. Vampires, living ones at least, became tender around sick people and babies, only the undead were ever a threat and there was a reason they were not allowed in the maternity ward of a hospital. "She smells like cinnamon and wine." She looked up. "I always thought it was just you Ceri, but Quen does too."

Ceri nodded. "It's our natural scent. It usually fades as we get older."

"Crap on toast!" Jenks' wings stilled at the sour expressions from all the elves. "Sorry. I've been trying to figure out a way to identify you guys." He flew closer to Trent and made a show of sniffing. "You don't."

"It's called cologne, insect." Trent adjusted his tie. "Can we get on with this, please? I have a meeting."

Ceri rolled her eyes. "Oh for goodness sake, just go, Trenton. Honestly. I don't know why you insisted on being here in the first place." She placed Rea Lynn back in her crib. "I think she's hungry. Quen, can you…" She stopped as she felt the ley line running through Trent's property surge, and a glance at Quen and Rachel told her they felt it too.

A moment later, the air shifted and a figure appeared on the other side of the room.

It was Newt.