Thanks to those who are reading! You are lovely! DRAH-MA ensues. :)

RT, Knox was being a bad kitty, but I'm glad he reminds you of your little Max. Aw, kitty love.


Lance had helped Daisy into his bed and put a trashcan by her, in case she threw up again. Knox was craning his neck to peer in, but finding nothing but a plastic bag, he departed for some other part of the apartment. So much for getting any rest tonight, Lance thought grimly. Daisy didn't look feverish though. Her brown hair was splayed out on the pillow in a pretty arc. She stared into space.

Lance was half lying down next to her, stroking her head and whispering words of comfort.

"It's ok, Lance I'm not sick," she insisted.

"Daisy, you threw up," he said, marveling at how silky the brown strands of hair felt between the pads of his fingers.

"I mean, I don't think I have the flu." Daisy closed her eyes briefly. "I'm late."

These words did not compute for Lance. "You're…"

"My period, Lance. I'm almost a week late. I might be pregnant." She turned on her side away from him, as if she could block out this potential reality by eliminating Lance from view.

This was a shock. Lance lay fully down and put his arms around his little girlfriend, who began crying silently. His body melted into hers, filling in the space between. He was frightened…but also felt happiness. Elation, almost. He wanted a baby?

Lance didn't speak but just held her, processing his own emotions. He heard the flapping wings of a pigeon outside his window. He felt oddly grown up. The force of his love for this woman had seemingly multiplied tenfold at the prospect of her carrying his child.

Daisy broke the silence, "I'm not ready for this, Lance! I can't do this! I have so much more to accomplish in my career. I can't go and be a mother. I CANNOT DO THIS. Do you understand?" She was pressing her hands over her eyes.

What was Daisy suggesting—an abortion? Lance cringed, his brown eyes watery.

"Daisy, we don't even know if you're pregnant."

She scoffed.

"You could just be stressed out. You've been killing yourself on your dissertation lately, and well, I've been causing you a lot of stress this past month, while you've been questioning my fidelity. It's a lot to bear."

She shook her head.

"It's true, Dais. Look, if you feel well enough to be alone, let me go over to CVS and get a pregnancy test. Maybe it can put your mind at ease, or we can begin to discuss real options."

Daisy rolled over and said, "An abortion is a real option, Lance." His girlfriend was so easy to read. Her hazel eyes told him she was panicked.

Lance took her face in his hands and kissed her long and hard.

Very close to her face he whispered, "I won't desert you, Daisy, I'm going to be here no matter what. I love you so, so much. I know it may not seem like it lately, but God, I'd do anything for you. Ok?"

She nodded, tears streaming down and turned back on her side.

"I'll be right back from the drugstore."

The whole way to and from the drugstore, Lance was contemplating this potential development. Daisy had known all day that she might be pregnant—had known when he'd confessed to cheating on her. Lance almost wanted to call Booth, but he knew it wasn't appropriate. Yet Booth had been through this with Rebecca. He might have some advice if Daisy turned out to be pregnant. Still, calling him at 1 in the morning was not an option.


Lance galloped up his stairs with the small package that might decide his fate. It was now 1:30 in the morning, but he was no longer sleepy.

Daisy was sitting up in bed. She had put her hair into a characteristic high ponytail and was looking composed. He sat down next to her, and they read the instructions for the test together, as he rubbed her back. Daisy finished the instructions far before Lance and looked impatient as she waited for him to catch up. This was a tradition whenever they read anything at the same time.

"Ok, you ready?" Lance asked her finally.

"Yes, Lancelot, I've been ready."

He was glad to hear the return of his nickname and kissed her neck affectionately. She didn't respond as well as he'd have liked, but she didn't push him off either. She simply shuffled off to the bathroom to pee on the stick, as so many women had done before her—an age-old ritual of modern society.

After a moment she called Lance into the bathroom, and they began to wait. Lance hopped up on the counter, and Daisy sat on the floor leaning against the tub.

"Lance, if this is positive…I can't. I'm just not ready. I want to be like Dr. Brennan. I want to be a famous anthropologist. I've worked so hard."

"Daisy, I want you to have everything in life that you want. But this is my potential child, too. Can't I have a say?"

"Lance, you deposited some sperm in me and it fertilized an egg. Don't make this more personal than it has to be!" Daisy spat.

"More personal?" Lance shook his head in disbelief. He tried to keep his voice steady, but he was instantly angry. "Daisy is that what making love to me is for you? Me…depositing some sperm?" He was incredibly hurt.

Daisy pulled her knees up and put her head on them. Lance could no longer see her face. He didn't want to. He couldn't believe she was suggesting they abort a child without even discussing other options.

She spoke but her voice was muffled. "No. Of course not. I'm just scared."

This made Lance's momentary ire lift a little, but he suddenly wanted to know the answer to the question that had been weighing on him all day. "Daisy, have you ever cheated on me?"

Daisy looked up at him, her eyes widened. "Are you serious? No! I've..." she shook her head from side to side. "Are you asking me this because you can't believe I'd forgive you?"

Lance was ashamed. His cheeks flushed. He hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

Daisy continued, "My affections may have strayed once or twice, but I've never acted on anything."

"Oh, I thought maybe…even Booth thought…"

Daisy inclined her head sharply toward him. "Booth?" she asked with disgust. "God, It's so hard for you men to…" She sighed. "Look, Lance. You were attracted to someone else. You didn't follow through. I may or may not be pregnant with your baby, so can you just focus on this right now?"

Lance was a little horrified at his own behavior. He slumped down off the counter and sat by her on the ground. He put his arm around her and leaned his head on her shoulder. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he didn't even care if they fell.

Daisy reached over and wiped a tear that had slid down Lance's cheek. They waited.