A/N: Thank you all so much for the feedback from last chapter. I don't think I will do any fore future!rangers one-shots, but I *may* write a separate story with future!rangers... That probably wont happen for a while because I am very busy with my Merlin ideas right now. XD

Anyways, here is the next one shot. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice.

22. Mother Nature

"Come on, Colin! We haven't got all day you know!" Will cried down to hallway of the cabin, his foot tapping impatiently on the hardwood floor.

A small head peeked out of the room to his left, brown hair disheveled. "Is it time to go to Grandpa Halt's house?" the boy asked excitedly, his blue eyes lighting up.

Will nodded, a small shadow of a smile on his face. "Grab your practice knives so you can show Grandpa what you learned."

"Ok, daddy." The boy's head disappeared for a moment and Will heard a few slamming noises coming from the room. Colin appeared, a pair of small, weighted sticks in his hands.

Alyss was waiting for them by the horses, her blonde hair blowing out in the wind like silk. She smiled radiantly when she saw the two approaching.

"Ready?" she asked.

Colin nodded excitedly. "I'm gonna show Grandpa the moves I learned!"

Will lifted his son onto his horse, turning to Alyss, who was frowning.

"I wish you wouldn't teach him how to fight just yet," she muttered.

"I know... But he needs to know how to defend himself," Will replied, his hands traveling to her face and pulling her in for a kiss. He brushed his lips gingerly on the side of her cheekbones, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

Their next kiss was interrupted by Colin groaning. "Ewww, Mommy. Stop it, you're spreading germs."

Alyss laughed, pushing her husband away and climbing onto her horse, one hand pressed gingerly over the small lump of her belly.

Will mounted behind Colin, holding the boy so that he wouldn't fall out of the saddle when they started riding.

MOTHER NATURE

They arrived at Halt's cabin later that day, the sky a dark pink as the sun set behind the trees. Will quickly rubbed down the horses, leading an excited Colin and a tired wife into the welcoming cabin.

Halt was sitting by the fire, glancing up as they walked into the room.

"Grandpa!"

The grizzled man was suddenly hit by a blur of color, a pair of small arms wrapping around his waist.

Halt patted the boy on the shoulder, before turning to his former apprentice. "He takes after you, Will," Halt growled.

Will grinned, nodding. The cabin was silent for a moment as Halt pried the small arms off of him.

Colin only let go when he remembered the practice knives that were tucked into his belt. The boy grabbed the knives quickly, turning to Halt. "Look, Grandpa! Look what I can do."

Halt watched amusedly as the boy brought the sticks up, holding them in a shaky, ready position. The boy brought them up, trying to twist his body around and slash behind him as he threw one of the sticks at the wall. It clattered to the ground, and Halt briefly remembered trying to teach Will that move long ago, when he didn't have his golden oak leaf.

"Very nice, Colin. Next time, spread your feet out a little more for balance," Halt commented.

Will smiled in thanks at his former mentor as Colin tried the move again. "How is retirement treating you?" Alyss asked politely.

Halt grimaced. "It's too quiet... dull. Never grow old, Will."

Will grinned. "I never intend to."

"How's the baby doing?" Halt asked.

Alyss rubbed her stomach. "Good. The doctors say I am doing really well... the baby is healthy and strong. We are hoping for a little girl."

Colin was watching the exchange, his knives discarded on the floor. He strutted over to Halt, plopping himself on the old man's lap.

"Halt?" he asked suddenly, his wide, blue eyes staring up at the retired ranger admiringly.

"Yes, Colin?" Halt responded.

"Where do babies come from?"

Will snorted and Alyss covered her smile as Halt visibly paled. Silence filled the cabin, the young boy staring expectantly up at the grizzled man.

"Yeah, Halt? Where do babies come from?" Will prompted. "Explain to him about the birds and the bees... Mother Nature, you know? Alyss and I will go make some coffee." Will dragged his wife out of the room hurriedly, and Halt could just make out the laughter coming from the other side of the cabin.

He turned to look at the small boy in his lap, swallowing. "Well..." He coughed once. "When a woman and a man love each other very much..." He paused and Colin nodded seriously.

"...a bird called a stork flies from up in the sky and drops the baby at the mommy and daddy's doorstep for them to find."

Colin nodded. "My mommy is expecting the birdy to come. She says I'm getting a brother or a sister!"

Halt nodded, feeling confident that he had diverted the young child's question.

"Grandpa?" Colin asked again, and Halt's stomach dropped.

"What?" he growled.

"What if the parent doesn't find the baby on the door?" Colin asks.

"Then the baby dies," Halt said without thinking.

"Oh," Collin replied, his eyes widening. He looked down at his knives for a moment, the sight of the small sticks being enough to distract him from his question. "Teach me a move! Daddy says I gotta know how to 'fend myself!"

Halt sighed in relief, standing up to help the boy.

MOTHER NATURE

"Daddy?" Colin asked on the ride home.

"Yes?" Will replied, one hand on the reins, the other stroking his son's soft brown hair.

"When my brother or sister is dropped of by the big birdy, make sure you find him on the porch. Grandpa says he will die if you don't," Colin said, swinging his legs as they rode.

Will stared down at his son incredulously. What had his mentor done?

A/N: That was so much fun to write, you have no idea. XD I hope you enjoyed.

Please review and tell me what you think! I love to hear from you guys.

Next up is 'Cat'. Any suggestions?

-Dawn