DISCLAIMER: I am not in any way associated with any of the characters or parts of PR SPD.

Just as I begun to drift off into a peaceful sleep, my ears picked up a rustling around the entrance to my hiding hole. Immediately I sat bolt upright, the hairs on the back of my neck beginning to stand on end. I could feel my limbs stiffening, ready for attack and the growls and spits rising in my throat – although I knew I was safe, I knew nobody would try to hurt my daughters. But that's just the way it is when you're a new mother.

The flat, heavy thudding excuse for footsteps told me who it was long before the intruder called out my name.

"Kat!" Doggie called out as he approached through the tunnel. "Kat, it's me." I didn't reply, and I heard him shuffle uncertainly on his feet.

"It's ok Doggie, you can come in." When I spoke I made sure my voice sounded brisk and professional, as always, so he wouldn't pick up on how tired I was, and to an extent, how heartbroken I was.

I didn't look up as he came in through the opening, scared of what I might see in his eyes. Love? Maybe. And seeing that really would be the icing on the cake.

For a moment or so there was just silence.

His huge frame cast a shadow over me, and I picked up Soara, comforting myself.

"Congratulations." he growled. For once in his life the great dog seemed lost for words. I suppose I should have expected that. We'd known each other for what seems like a millennium; until recently, neither could imagine the other with children.

"How is Isinia?" I still did not look up, and pretended to be engrossed with feeding my child, who was squirming for food. I noticed out the corner of my eye that my boss graciously averted his gaze.

"Doing well, Kat, thank you." Cruger begun to explain. "She woke up from the anaesthetic only an hour ago. As I am sure Felix explained to you, she had to go into theatre. There were two, and our species are not made to have twins. Isinia had not been administered the correct drugs to ensure she'd be strong enough to deliver them both."

"How come?" I decided to ask as many questions as I could, then I could get a clear view of the story my brother had spun the Cruger family, and comprehend it.

"Well according to Felix the smaller pup was hiding behind the eldest when they were in the womb. So he was not picked up on."

Good excuse, I thought to myself, all good doctors know that in the rare case of multiple pregnancy, in any species not built for twins or triplets, the smaller hides behind the elder. I didn't say this of course. I just nodded, allowing Cruger to rumble on: "There is a male and a female. We named the eldest, the girl, Rachel, and the male is named Mitchell. "

Mitchell. I contemplated the name for a moment or so before nodding slowly. Not that it was any longer my business, but I approved the name. "Congratulations." I whispered.

"And what of your twins Kat? What are their names?" Cruger was still keeping his eyes averted, much to my relief. It was one thing him being the father of my daughters and not knowing it, but it was another him seeing me top naked shortly after.

"I have two girls." I spoke softly. I already knew just how much I loved them, and I wanted it to show. "My eldest, she is the one with the fair eye brows – I think she will be blonde – is called Zelda. And the youngest, who will be more like me judging by her hair and face, is named Soara."

"Listen Kat, I hate to say it, but what exactly are you planning on doing about your job?" Cruger asked. He sounded wary of my response.

"My job?" I repeated slowly. He nodded. "What about it?"

"Well, you can't take two children into the lab and work just like you did before. I mean its ok for me, I can continue as I used to. But you… it would be nigh on impossible, and a breach of safety regulations." Cruger sighed. "And we need you right now. The city thieves and burglars are taking advantage – they seem to think that after Gruummn's defeat we are in turmoil and can't be bothered to catch them.

In all my honesty I hadn't actually thought about it. "Babies of our species can be left alone for a long time without being fed. They have each other and their reflex reactions when under attack are better than any other species." I swallowed, suddenly thinking of my murdered daughters back on Felle. "So if I have a project I can leave them asleep in my room next to the labs. At any other time, Boom will take over."

Cruger shot me a doubtful look. I gave him the 'don't you dare disagree with me' look in return. He knew it all too well, and he nodded slowly with a sigh.

My stomach turned as he bent down and stroked the side of Zelda's face with one of his huge claws. He really did have no idea what he was in these two children's lives. Anger started to burn deep inside my chest and I tensed. Soara sensed it and squirmed.

"Aren't you going to come into the infirmary?" Doggie asked, suddenly, standing up. "It's much more comfortable than in here. And you could see my pups. Isinia could really use the advice you know. The pair of you could become good friends."

I stifled a growl of reproach. I didn't want to be her friend. Not now, and not a million years from now either. I just shook my head.

"I need to spend some time by myself to bond with my daughters. Isinia and you should do the same." My words came out through gritted teeth. "On Felle, nobody but the mother used to go anywhere near the babies until they were two days old, because otherwise…" I clamped my lips shut. I didn't want to bring my past into this.

"I see. That's fine, doctor. But Felix won't have you in there any longer than you need to be. So when you're ready, there's a bed for you on our ward." I flashed a defiant glare at him behind his back.

"Thank you, sir." I said the words slowly, carefully, so I didn't sound too angry. "Now if you wouldn't mind." I indicated to the tunnel through which he'd come, gesturing for him to leave.

Doggie turned and looked at me. I studied the emotions in his eyes. My suspicions were instantly proved correct:

Where one might have expected to see eagerness to get back to his new family which he loved very much, I saw pain and regret instead.