Author's Notes: Filler chapter with the bad and not-so-bad guys. Forgive the shortness.

In Life and Death
Chapter 13: Stepping Stone

Veera was sitting on the couch in the living room of their small, shared apartment when the front door opened. Her eyes were on her notebook, scanning over various scribbling she'd made concerning her very special patient. She needn't lift them to know who came in. "Zing. Where have you been?"

Zing spun around at the voice, surprised to see her there. "Veera! What are you doing here?" He crossed the room to stand over her. "You're late for work!"

"I called off today." Her eyes were still on her notebook.

"Called off?" He yelled. "We can't afford for you to screw this up. Not when I'm… we're so close. I swear, Veera, if you fuck this up…"

"Oh come off it Zing. I can take a day off. It happens all the time." She closed her notebook and raised her gaze. "Zing… you look awful."

"Gee… thanks." He walked around the couch and headed for the kitchen.

She rolled her eyes and followed after him. "You seriously look awful Zing. Like you've aged ten years since I've last seen you?" It sounded more like a confused question than a mere statement.

He smiled. "Not quite, but close."

"What?"

"Bah." He waved her off.

She studied his face for a moment, shaking her head. "I swear Zing…" She shook the thoughts from her head. She knew she'd never get a straight answer from him about anything anyways. It was best to drop the subject. "You didn't answer my question."

"And what question was that?"

"Where have you been?" She threw up her arms. "I haven't seen you in over a week. You're either never here or you're locked in that damned room of yours."

"I've been busy."

"Doing what?"

"I've called you numerous times."

"Yeah… but… you're still never here when I get home." She felt like she was repeating herself.

"You just worry about Sora. I'll worry about me."

She sighed and slunk down in a chair by the table. "Fine."

He poured two cups of coffee and sat down opposite of Veera. He pushed one of the cups towards her. "Now… when was the last appointment?"

"Yesterday."

"And how far along are we?"

"Twenty two weeks."

"Is that all?"

She rolled her eyes and leaned back. "Zing… I have checkups every two weeks. On the same day. Exactly two weeks apart. How hard is that to keep track of?"

He took a sip of his coffee. "I lose track of time when I'm working."

"Working?" She repeated. "On what?"

"None of your concern."

She rolled her eyes again. "I'm only your partner in crime. Sure. Keep me in the dark."

"Don't be so dramatic, Veera. Need to know basis. When you need to know, you will. For now it's best that you don't know. But enough about me. Tell me about the progress."

"I assume you're asking about Sora's progress. He does have a name. You don't have to keep referring to him in ways that make him sound like…"

"An experiment?" He interrupted.

"Well… frankly… yes." She snapped.

"He is one. Ah. Whatever." He waved her comments off. "Just tell me."

Veera shrugged. "Normal. Or as normal as he can be. The babies are fine and healthy. He's told the other two involved now."

Zing started laughing. "Oh that's great! How did the other little faggot take it?"

Veera glared at him but continued. "As expected. He screamed and stormed out. But don't worry. Sora called me earlier this morning, saying everything's alright now. Riku will not be telling anyone."

"That's none of my concern."

"It's not?" She exclaimed. Zing was always commenting on the secrecy issue. Hadn't he done it just a few minutes ago even? "But if people find out... we could get caught."

"If anyone finds out, we'll simply move the kid here."

"What? Kidnap him?" Her mind raced, thinking for some excuse to give. She didn't want Zing to get his hands on Sora anymore than was necessary. "While you might think that would be more convenient…" She said slowly. "Even with the proper equipment… there simply isn't enough space. Plus a few other doctors around would set me on ease."

Zing shrugged. "Whatever. Doesn't matter as long as I get my hands on those babies. But that does bring up another concern. What equipment will be needed for the birth?"

"Don't worry about it." She said, lifting her coffee cup to her lips for a sip. "Everything needed is at the hospital."

"I'll need a precise list." Zing insisted sternly.

"But I just…" She sighed. Of course she knew better than to argue with him. "Why?"

"Because Veera. When he's ready to pop, we're going to have to keep it very quiet. We'll probably have to take over the hospital, block out one of the wings."

"Take… over…"

Zing nodded. "I'm working on it as we speak."

"How?"

"Need to know. Now, you mentioned other doctors. How many will you need?"

"Uh… I supposed whoever is on duty."

Zing shook his head. "No. See… when we take Sora in for the big show, you'll never get to see or converse with the hospital or anyone there. See… we'll sort of be fugitives after this. Or at least you will." He laughed. "Which won't matter long once I have control over the universe." He mused, smiling.

Veera shook her head slowly. She should have figured she wouldn't be working at Landic forever. But still it seemed sad. She had gotten used to it. "In that case… I don't trust anyone you'd bring in. I'll do everything myself. I guess we'll just need whoever you need to keep the place locked up. Though keep in mind that Sora will probably have his two friends tag along. And it'll all have to seem legit. And we'll have to send them all home quicker than normal."

Zing nodded. "Good. I'll see to it that we take over your wing. I assume that would be easiest. You work there. No one would suspect it. Make sure to get all appointments canceled. Maybe something can be arranged where the other doctors in that wing are gone."

Veera thought for a second, drumming her fingers on the tabletop. "Well if you can pull off taking over a hospital wing… we could fake some important conference. Have the whole wing supposedly out."

"Now that's my girl."

"Ugh." She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Don't say that again. Ever."

He laughed again. "Next is I'll need a list of equipment we'll need to transport the babies."

"Transport? To where?" She asked, taking another sip.

"Off planet."

"Off planet?" She spat out the coffee she had been about to swallow.

He reached across the table to grab a handful of napkins from the dispenser. "There's that damn echo again."

She ignored his comment. "We can't transport newborns off planet safely. Especially in this case. It would be best to keep them here…"

"For someone to find? Veera… the hospital has this address. The kid can ask for it. If they came looking…" He drug a finger across his neck.

She shook her head. "Couldn't we just lay low for a while somewhere close by?"

"Certainly not." He shook his head. "We will be leaving as soon as you can get rid of the kids. Last matter." He didn't stop. "We will have to dispose of those in the hospital who have had contact with Sora."

"Dispose of… you don't mean…"

"Of course not. Too much work." He said, shaking his head. "I mean… they'll have to be… relocated. Somehow disassociated with the hospital."

Veera nodded. It made sense. Zing demanded secrecy. "In that case… Nash Baxter and Blake Trippin."

Zing nodded again, seemingly for the millionth time since they sat down. "Okay. Get me those lists as soon as possible and I'll take care of everything."

End of Chapter 13. Stay tuned for Chapter 14: Possibilities