Okay, I know this chapter isn't as good as other things I've done but it's killing me at the moment. My sudden desire to get chapters up as soon as possible to satisfy my delightful readers (All of whom I love very much and am very grateful to) has caused my brain to shrivel up. So I sincerely apologise if it sounds like it's been written by a five year old but it's the best my head will allow me to get out. Anyway, hope you likes.

'Van Pelt? Van Pelt, wake up..'

Grace stirred and lifted her head off her desk. Her red hair was plastered to her sweaty forehead and a trail of dribble stuck to her chin. She wiped her mouth and brow hastily and rubbed her eyes.

'Van Pelt, if you can't stay awake at work, then do yourself a favour and don't bother turning up.'

Lisbon folded her arms and glared down at the young agent. She was worried, yes, but she didn't appreciate her agents falling asleep at work. She didn't want to lecture her friend but she, as the boss, had an image to keep up. Letting something like this pass wasn't an option. Obviously, Grace being two months pregnant gave her a little leeway but this couldn't be ignored any longer.

'Sorry Boss..'

'My office in 5, please..'

Grace nodded and looked at her computer screen. The half finished report she had up seemed like an impossible task right now. Well honestly, how was she supposed to concentrate now when her boss and friend was mad at her? She hated to get on the wrong side of people. She had had her fair share of bullying as a child and had always done her best to get along with anyone she came into contact with to avoid the same thing happening again. Didn't rock the boat, didn't cause a fuss, didn't make enemies. Now the only thing she could think of was doing everything she could to regain the respect of her boss.

After the longest 5 minutes of her life, Grace found herself standing outside the office of Teresa Lisbon. She'd done this plenty of times before but she was not normally so nervous. She knocked lightly and on hearing Lisbon's instructions to enter, did so.

'You wanted to see me?'

Teresa looked up and nodded towards the chair. 'Sit.'

Grace did as she was told, exhaling slowly. She felt dizzy and sick, especially as the smell of strawberries in the office was getting to her. She usually loved strawberries but recently even the thought of them had begun to make her feel ill.

'Grace, what's going on? You told me you were doing okay. I thought once you'd told me what was wrong, you'd be alright. I thought we had an understanding. You need to start talking to me Grace, or I'm going to kick your ass.. Well, I would if you weren't pregnant but you know what I'm saying.. Now, tell me why you're not sleeping properly.'

'I.. I just.. It's nothing. I'm more tired than usual because of this..' She gestured to her stomach with one hand, rubbing her head with the other.

'Grace, don't lie to me. Good God woman, am I really that hard to talk to?'

'No, it's not that. I just don't want to talk right now.'

'Come on, I'm trying to help here.. Look, take the rest of today off if..'

'No. I don't want to be at home, I have to work. I have to try and stay busy. Are you finished with me?'

'Not quite. I was wondering when you were going to tell the others. You know that Jane's probably already guessed? Not to mention the fact that it's not long before you're going to be showing. You can't exactly hide it for the next seven months.'

'I know, I know. I'm just waiting for the right time. Jane could probably guess himself, Cho.. Cho probably wouldn't be too fussed but Rigsby's going to have a heart attack when I tell him. I'm scared..'

'You have to do it..'

'I will,' Grace promised. 'I'll do it before the end of the week.'

'Promise?'

'I promise.'

'Good. Now you can go. But try to stay awake, hm?'

The redhead nodded and smiled. 'I will. Thanks Boss.'

Teresa sighed as her friend left. Grace was stubborn when she wanted to be and now the addition of rampaging hormones was making her worse. She put her head in her hands and tried desperately to think of a way to help things. When she finally glanced to her left, she saw the sandy haired consultant leaning against the doorframe.

'Jesus, Jane. You scared the heck outta me.'

'I know, sorry. You okay?'

Teresa forced a smile and moved her hands into her lap. 'Yeah, just a headache. I'm fine.'

'Strange, Grace has been saying that a lot too. A lot of headaches..'

'What's your point, Jane? Seriously, I'm not in the mood.'

'You know about Grace, don't you?' He flashed his irritating smile at her, the one she missed. She hadn't see him do it for a while and it pleased her, although it often meant something bad was coming.

'What about her?'

'You know she's pregnant.'

Teresa's eyes widened. 'How the hell do you know that?'

'It's obvious. She'd tired, her hormones are playing up more than they would do at her time in the month, which anyone who knows Grace could tell that she hasn't had. For a start, she hasn't thrown a plate at anyone. She's having mood swings, yes, but they're different mood swings. She keeps spending a penny and I have to say she's looking a little bigger.. You know, up top..'

'You're a jackass, you know that?'

'I know, but I'm a correct jackass. Why hasn't she told anyone?'

'Jane, she's terrified..' Teresa stood up, surprising herself at how frustrated his questions were making her. It was Grace's personal life and they had no right to be discussing it.

'Of Rigsby finding out, I presume? I'm not surprised, it'd kill him.'

'Well don't tell Van Pelt that. Seriously, don't. She's struggling and I don't want her to get more stressed out, it's not good for her or for the baby..'

'The what?'

Wayne Rigsby stood in the open doorway of his boss's office, the paperwork he'd been holding suddenly in a pile on the floor. Had the situation not been so serious, Teresa would have dearly loved to take a picture of the pitiful face. He looked like a puppy who'd just been kicked.

'Rigsby, I.. I didn't see you standing there.. It's not.. How long have you been there?'

'Long enough.' Despite the pathetic look on his face, his eyes were deadly serious. 'How far?'

'I can't.. For goodness sakes, it's none of your business.. That applies to both of you. She'll tell you everything when she's ready. It's not my place to tell you anything.'

'Boss, please. I love her. I love her more than anything else in the world. And she's grieving. She's shutting down and blocking us out. If she's having a baby.. Then maybe I have a chance..'

'A chance to take advantage of a young, vulnerable, pregnant woman who's having a really horrible time right now? Nice one Rigsby, that's smooth.'

His face crumpled at her words. She sat back down at her desk. God, she'd just made a grown man cry. Maybe all of their hormones were running on the same level as Grace's. Either way, things needed sorting. And they needed sorting quickly.

'Look, just go. Try to act normal around her, don't let on that you know. I'm going to sort this out properly.'

'How's that?'

'I'll think of something.' Teresa threw her jacket over her arm and headed out past the two men, heading to Grace's desk.

'Van Pelt?'

Grace looked up from her screen. 'Hm?'

'Get your stuff, you and I are going out.'

'Where?' Grace stood up and did as she was told immediately, desperate to please her boss.

'You'll find out soon enough, come on.'

Don't worry, I have plans for the next chapter. Once again, any requests or ideas welcome and I'll do my best to slot them in. I'll try and make the next one a bit more structured and less rambly. Sorry to those of you who wanted the Grace/Teresa but you'll get more of in the next chapter, I promise! Keep the reviews going please my dear readers.