Author's Note: Here is the second.

Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to anything from the show, only my own work and creations. Mostly just Dr. Telares, Dr. Gering, Dr. Marks and the accolo-nexum. Oh, and the Oolues, and the Serpiente insecto, which don't actually exist, even in myth.

Survival of the Fittest

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Part Six: Things Bound

/\ Magnus' POV-

Helen tried not to flinch as Elio penetrated the soft skin on the inside of her elbow with the sharp needle. Her skin felt extra sensitive and heated, like she had been sitting out in the sun for a little too long. She also felt restless. Simply sitting still for the amount of time the doctor demanded was proving to be an incredibly difficult feat. She had eaten a large bowl of the delicious soup Wilhelmina had made for her almost two hours ago. Will and Henry had vanished over an hour ago after both of their cells rang almost simultaneously, though they refused to tell her what was going on. They had even cited the need for her to stay put, as well as the fact that she didn't need more worry in her life right now. She had almost snorted at that.

It had been nearly five hours since she had slipped from the habitat. A shower had made all the difference in the world for her mood. Kate had brought her another change of clothing from her closet, something equally easy to maneuver in, and had told her fervently to get better soon, before hightailing it out of the room.

Her old friend had brought her extra tea set to the lab, so that even though she was here she still had access to its soothing contents.

Will had brought an old photograph of Ashley.

She wasn't sure how she felt about that. Normally, she tried to keep the pictures of her daughter in a secret, safe place. One where she could take them out and gaze at them, like taking a box of her emotions from a shelf and at the end placing it neatly back in its place. With the picture in the observation room they had half-converted into a temporary living space while she had slept, she kept catching sight of it at odd intervals, unexpectedly wrenched from her own time and space back into that of her memories. A sort of pandora's box, if you will. A place where everything seemed frozen in time and the pain biting and fierce. Where her daughter might have died an hour ago rather than all those many months previous.

Elio finished taking her blood and disappeared out the door.

Helen occupied herself during his absense by examining the other side of the room. It had been changed into a video and electronic analysis center by Henry before he had left. She could see the inside of the habitat from many angles and all in different hues of color. One appeared to show the heat signatures of the occupants as well as gauges that monitored the intensity. Another was set in such vivid purple she couldn't imagine what it could be for. She turned her attention to observing the accolo-nexum. They still seemed indifferent to her absence, for which she was grateful. The last thing she needed now was them hurting themselves again just because she stepped out of their sight.

Only Montague kept a vigil at the glass, his eyes focused singly on her. He had been sitting there for the past hour and showed no signs of rejoining the others as they stalked the habitat.

She returned her eyes to her knees. For some reason, she felt hungry again. Her metabolism seemed to be effectively set on overdrive. It had already become clear that she got tired more easily. Just the walk to the observation room seemed to have sapped the strength from her limbs. Never in her life had she ever felt this... ravenous. It was the only word for it.

Elio returned, carrying a tray of tea.

With a smile of gratitude, she took the cup he offered her, deciding to ignore her hunger for the moment in favor of something more soothing. There was absolutely nothing better than a cup of tea, especially since she hadn't had one in far too long. She took a delicate sip. Finding it to her liking, she took another. Elio Gering largely let her be as he took readings. It wasn't long until the cup was empty and the hunger was back to gnawing at her insides. The feeling was making her uncomfortable.

Through the door, strode Will, looking hassled. "Okay, the file on the that pig-rat thing that lives in Africa. Where the hell is it? I can't find it anywhere."

"Why on earth would cause you to require that?"

"We got a call from the Sanctuary in- You know what? No. You don't get to know. Just tell me where it is, so I can be prepared. Come on."

Amused, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you look under Z?"

"The things name starts with a V." Will said for an answer, confused.

"The common name, yes."

Will slapped a palm to his forehead, then ran his hand through his hair. "You put it under its scientific name, didn't you? The one no one can pronounce."

"I can pronounce it quite well, thank you. Z-"

"You don't count. You can pronounce too many things I swear the human mouth isn't capable of formulating. So, Z. Alright, got it." He paused and looked her up and down. "Anything I can get you?"

"Could you possibly get me some food? A fair amount, please." She asked, making a grand gesture to fully explain the scope of her request.

"You're hungry again?" Elio asked, finally turning round and examining her with a critical eye.

"Starving." She answered with a bit of a laugh. "It's starting to make me feel nauseous again." Which was the truth. The sensation was one she had once heard Ashley colorfully refer to as 'her stomach trying to eat itself'.

"Okay. I'll grab something from the kitchenette down the hall."

"Something with meat in it, if you would!" She called after him as he left the room. Normally, she wasn't one to eat a great deal of meat. In her line of work the line between animal instinct and sentience was often too blurred to make it a comfortable action, but she craved it right now.

"You must be needing more nutrients for the little one. You're body might need iron or protein if you're craving meat." Elio posited.

Helen simple nodded in agreement. Her eyes strayed over to the habitat, expecting to meet Montague's green-eyed gaze and she was not disappointed. The accolo-nexum saw her looking and licked the glass. She managed a small smile. However, she wasn't feeling well enough to try and return the gesture. A chill ran up her spine. Shivering, she out her arms around herself and hunched over a little. When that didn't help enough, she gathered the blanket from the end of the bed, drew her knees to her chest, and threw the thin material around her shoulders.

Elio turned to watch her, but she didn't notice.

Her shaking was getting worse and the slight stomach ache was quickly morphing into sharp, jabbing pains. A moan escaped her lips.

"Helen. Are you feeling alright?"

The blood pounding through her head and rushing in her ears was making it impossible to hear even her own breathing. "My head is swimming and my stomach hurts." A light shined in her eyes. She withdrew quickly. Her senses were being thrown off so much she could no longer tell what was around her.

/\

/\Will's POV-

Blowing on the piping hot chicken soup, Will entered the observation room and almost dropped it.

Dr. Gering had Magnus leaning against one shoulder and was frantically checking her pulse.

All the color regained had drained from her face. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused. Her breath was rushing in and out shallowly.

"What's happening?" He asked desperately.

Magnus' eyes focused a little and she reached out toward him. He met her hand with his, but she pushed it away and seized the bowl he had brought. Without any of her usual manners or finesse, Magnus brought the edge of the bowl to her lips and began to chug the broth.

"Whoa, easy, it's hot!" He tried to warn.

She ignored him and instead reached for the utensil he had brought with him.

Will gave it over without protest.

After she had spooned several bites of the meat, noodles, and vegetables into her mouth, Magnus finally slowed down. She took several deep breaths and at last, looked up at them. "Well. That was interesting."

"Do you feel all right now?" Dr. Gering asked.

She nodded. "Yes. A little light headed, but I seem getting used to that."

"I don't understand." Will said helplessly. "What just happened?"

Dr. Gering gave a gentle squeeze to Magnus' shoulder. "I'm not entirely sure. However, Dr. Telares and I have already accepted the fact that we have no idea what complications could arise from Helen's current condition. From the tests I have performed, I know that the young one's growth patterns have rapidly increased, possibly due to something the accolo-nexum have done. Whether it's the manipulation of her EM field or the effect the sounds they are making have had, is for Dr. Telares to discover. My concern is that the little one seems to be absorbing nutrients and, basically life, from Helen so fast that we might have our hands full trying to keep ahead of it."

"That theory would correspond with the effects I have been feeling as of late." Magnus replied, pausing for a minute between bites.

Dr. Gering nodded and turned back to Will. "Dr. Telares is currently working on fixing a special energy drink. We believe the extra nutrients might stabilize Helen's condition."

"Anything I can do to help?" Will asked uncertainly, eying the way Magnus was finishing the last of the food.

"Visits seem to cheer her. If you're not to busy still." The tone Dr. Gering used was slightly disapproving.

Will felt sheepish. Yes, he was busy, but he had been avoiding spending too much time in this lab. In truth, Magnus' strange and unpredictable behavior was disturbing to him. Kate didn't like hanging around people who were ill, so she hadn't been here long enough to really notice. He suspected Henry had spent all of his time here on the electronic system rather than with Magnus. The Big Guy was the only one who seemed to feel as unnerved as he did.

He took the bowl from Magnus and set it aside. " How are you feeling now?"

She just shrugged one shoulder.

"Feel up for a walk?"

A small smile rose to the surface at that. He helped her down from the bed and held an elbow out for her to take. That earned him a real smile. As she threaded her arm through his, Will's skin tingled. He could feel the edge of her ribs as they began to walk, heading outdoors, and he was struck once again by how thin she had gotten.

She bumped him a little once they got outside into the sunshine. "You're staring Will." Her tone was amused rather than offended, but he still quickly averted his gaze. "Do I really look so different as to so thoroughly captivate your attention?"

"You're always captivating, Magnus. Only now, I can't help but worry, which is why you catch me staring."

She looked away. "Yes, I suppose you would be worried."

"So you're not mad?"

She chuckled good-naturedly. "That my friend is concerned enough to stare? No. I assure you, were our positions reversed and you were feeling poorly, you would catch me staring at you as well."

"Dr. Gering seems optimistic about your condition."

"I'm improving faster than anyone could have hoped. Perhaps it won't be long before I can return to the Sanctuary."

"Hallelujah." Will gushed. "You would not believe how much that would be appreciated."

She gave him a knowing smile. "Especially if I decide to turn my attention to the paperwork that has no doubt stacked up in my office."

His expression turned sheepish. "If you wanted to."

That made her laugh. "Well, I doubt it would be a good idea for me to return to active participation in retrievals, so I might just have to do that."

Will laughed too.

When Magnus' expression switched to serious, he sobered immediately. "And my patients?"

"Not fairing too badly. Big Guy's doing a good job of looking after them."

"I should be there."

He scoffed. "Magnus, you are the patient in need of care for once. They all understand. Besides, you're even more famous than you used to be."

She tilted her head with a bemused smile. "And how would that be?"

"Word gets around. You're risking your health and life to bring about the birth of a rare abnormal in your own body. I mean, it doesn't really get more dedicated than that. People tend to overlook all you do, but this is kinda hard to avoid noticing." Her blush made his grin widen.

"Really, Will. What have you been telling people?" She admonished.

"Hey, it wasn't me, but I swear Big Guy can't keep a secret."

Magnus shook her head and laughed.

Man, he missed this. Simply getting to walk and talk with her. They had all been rushing back and forth for months now. He missed having actual conversations with her. Will realized he was staring yet again and went to look away before she noticed, but stopped. He stopped completely, causing Magnus to turn towards him in confusion. Without saying anything, he squatted down to be level with Magnus' stomach and pushed the cloth of her baggy shirt against her skin. What he had glimpsed was right. There was already a slight bump.

"What's the matter Will?" Magnus asked softly.

"I didn't notice. I-I didn't think... I mean, this isn't like a normal pregnancy."

"No, but it's not so different from one. Did you really think I wouldn't start to show the signs?" "No- I mean yes- I mean-" He was stammering and he knew it. He forced himself to take a deep breath, then continued more sedately. "I didn't think it would show so soon."

"Shorter gestational period, remember? You honestly haven't noticed till now?"

"Well your clothes don't exactly show it off." He answered, standing up. "Besides, I swear it wasn't there before you went into the habitat."

"In that you would be correct. Elio did explain that the growth of the accolo-nexum has increased rather drastically." She added, giving him an annoyed look.

"I was paying attention, I swear. I just... wow."

Magnus pressed her lips together and looked away.

"Hey." He backtracked. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's quite alright, Will." She started walking again and he hurried to fall into stride beside her.

For several moments, there was silence between them. He struggled to analyze her reaction while they walked. "It-It must be hard." He finally said.

She didn't even acknowledge that he had spoken at all.

"Does it...I don't know, feel the same as you remember it?"

She glanced at him. "In a sense. Though with Ashley, I don't remember ever almost passing out when I went for a few hours without eating."

"Yeah, there's that." Will decided not to push the subject. She was probably feeling vulnerable as it was, she didn't need him prodding her. She was a mystery he wanted desperately to understand. He couldn't imagine having lived so long, or what it must be like to have seen all that she had, but he liked to think he knew her. He could almost feel the heartache behind her words, like a sharp dagger to the gut. Unconsciously, he got closer and put a hand on her arm. Physical contact might not make the pain she was feeling go away, but it was all that he could offer. She accepted it.

Once they returned to the lab, there was no howling noise like the last time. Entering the observation room, he could see through the monitors that the accolo-nexum were sedately roaming their habitat as though Magnus had never left.

"I should probably go back in. I've never slept so much in my life, but I'm still tired enough to fall asleep on my feet." Magnus said. "Thank you Will, for the walk."

"I'll make sure to come back more often."

She smiled. "Don't forget, it's under Z." She reminded him, grinning maliciously.

He groaned. "Can't believe you put it under Z."

Magnus chuckled.