Author's Note: So first let me start by saying thank you all for your awesome reviews I'm always glad for them. Also this is an emotional chapter, I wrote it over a week ago but I just kept reworking it and then adding more to it. I finally found a great place to stop it, I hope I did good... and I sincerely hope you all enjoy. ~ Pari
The Hightower-Komora case hadn't turned out the way that both Reese and Finch had anticipated. Some things that finch uncovered lead them to believe that Zaria Komora aka Grace Hightower was a political refugee who had escaped the atrocities of Sierra Leone. She was the daughter of a political family who seemed to be trying to stop the pillaging of the diamond mines and the rape and murder of the local people. Finch discovered a sleeper cell in New York with ties to Militias in Sierra Leone, and he found communications that told of an attempt that would be made on Ms. Hightower. This sleeper cell managed to grab Ms. Hightower but Reese was able to track them down at the airport where he discovered that the kidnappers were not a part of some terrorist cell. They were the survivors and the family members of the victims of the Sierra Leone civil war. They showed proof that not only was Zaria Komora's family supporters of the war, but she herself had been with some of the parties that raided the local villages and had even pulled the trigger herself to make examples of and set fear in the people. Finch was able to find rock solid evidence that confirm that Grace Hightower wasn't the victim at all. Finch referred to her as an evil monster, which was enough to get Reese to walk away as the sleeper cell forced a pleading Zaria Komora on to the plane headed back to Africa.
He had gotten in later than he had thought. This time he used the door since he had the keys he had to turned off and then reset the alarm. He made his usual rounds; he headed for the third door on the left at the top of the stairs.
"You should be in bed," John's tired voice spoke in a whisper to the young man who was still up playing video games.
"Oh hey John," Taylor Carter replied back as he graced the man standing in his doorway with a glance, before turning his attention back to the zombie video game he was enthralled in. This was a nightly routine, on those nights that John stayed, which was most nights. Taylor had discovered that John was spending nights within the first week, he and John had had a talk about John's intentions with his mother, and Taylor gave his approval and Carter had been none the wiser about any of it. "It's the weekend, no school tomorrow so mom lets me stay up late."
"Not until three in the morning. So game off after you finish that round, and I will be back to check after my shower." John stated.
"Ok, but don't tell mom I was up this late please." Taylor begged as he paused the game and turned to face John head on.
"Don't make me have to," John said with a smirk. "Game off after that round."
"Yeah, yeah dad," Taylor mumbled jokingly but the term struck a chord within Reese and he couldn't stop the goofy smile that spread across his face as he closed the door and made his way back up to the first door on the left, which was Carter's bedroom. He quietly opened the door and then shut it behind him. Jocelyn's bedroom would be flood with light whenever the moon was high, as it was right then. He moved to the foot of the bed where he stood and watched her sleeping form, which lay in a supine position in the bed. He let his eyes linger on her beautiful face for a moment before they moved downward to settle on and belly. Again a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. After a quick shower and another check up on Taylor, who was in bed and already asleep, John made his way back to his sleeping beauty. He gently crawled in the bed beside her and curled up into her.
"Mmmm," Jocelyn moaned as she pressed her backside more firmly against John's front side and grasped his strong arm which was coiled tightly around her waist. John burrowed his nose up into her thick tresses, and then took a deep breath to soak in her scent. He placed a soft kiss upon her left ear.
"I love you Jos," John whispered and then drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
Carter was having a crap day she had been late to work because he had to spend a large amount of the time she would usually use to get ready, in the bathroom vomiting. So when she got a call from Finch asking to meet her at 'their' favorite diner for lunch she wasn't in the best of moods.
"Thank you for meeting me Detective." Finch greeted from the booth he had been waiting at for the past 30 minutes until Carter had arrived.
"What's up?" She asked as she waved a waitress over. The waitress arrived with a steaming pot of coffee and a cup, which she set before Carter and filled with coffee.
"Did you want your usual, Jos?" The waitress asked but Carter shook her head.
"No thank you, Leann. I don't think I can stomach anything but the coffee this morning." Leann nodded and smiled as she walked off to see to the other patrons. "So, how can I help you today Finch? I've told you all I know on the Hightower case."
"No this isn't about the Hightower case, Mr. Reese closed that case last night."
"Really, he didn't mention…" She started but quickly stopped herself from indulging too much. "Ok so you have a new case you need help with?"
"Of sorts," Finch said purposely being vague as he tried to find the best way to approach the subject with Carter.
"Ok so who is it?" She inquired.
"It's Mr. Reese," Finch finally admitted and Carter suddenly became fully awake and worried.
"John…what…is he in some kind of danger?"
"No. Nothing like that at least I don't think so. His number didn't come up I've just been noticing that lately he's been acting strangely, and yesterday, every time I saw him he was…smiling." Finch stated and Carter regarded him for a moment thinking that he must have been joking but then she laughed at seeing the genuine concern on his face.
"You're concerned because John seems to be happy?"
"When have you ever seen him happy before?" Finch asked but instantly regretted it and held up a hand to Carter. "Besides those…intimate moments," He added. Her giggling continued until she noticed the two suits that had entered the diner and was heading right to where they sat. She knew that they were the goons looking for Reese but she wasn't sure if they were from the CIA or the FBI since they all dressed relatively the same way.
"Good morning Detective Carter," One of them greeted though she had never met with them before.
"Who are you?" She replied while Finch remained silent and avoided eye contact with either of the men.
"My name is Agent Jones and this is Agent Jovovich. We're here about rogue agent John Reese and one of our agents, Agent Snow, who is missing. We found Agent Snow's partner Agent Evans at a hotel across town dead, and we believe that Reese had something to do with it or knows something about it."
"Then shouldn't you be out there looking for this Reese guy, I'm not working that case anymore. Sorry but as I've already told you I can't help you," Carter stated putting on a brave front even as her mind began raising concerns about Reese's involvement.
"Det. Carter, we know that you've been in contact with Agent Reese and if we find out that you are helping him in any way that will be the end of your career." Agent Jones threatened.
"Don't you threaten me you pompous son of a bitch." Carter said in a menacing tone that had the three men before her all taking a step back. "I've already told you guys and the FBI that I'm no longer on that case. I don't know where this Mr. Reese of yours is so I can't help you. Now if you don't stop following me and harassing me I will have to file a report on you. Now please get out of my face." The two agents threw Finch a glance and in turn he again averted his eyes away, and then they exited the diner.
"Do you really think that was the best course of action, from what I've heard about those guys they're not people you'd want to mess around with." Finch said.
"They don't scare me because if they had something they wouldn't be asking for my cooperation; no they'd haul me in for an interrogation. They're all talk and just mad because they can't find their Mr. Reese. Look sorry but I have to go," She said as she placed some money on the table and stood. "And as for John being happy, just go with it and enjoy it." She said with a smile that turned to a look of confusion at the expression on Finch's face.
"Uhm, Detective," Finch spoke softly as he pointed at the front of her pants. Carter's eyes followed his gaze and saw that the crotch area of her pants was covered in blood. A panic filled her as she protective placed a hand over her belly.
"Oh God the baby," She gasped out and Finch's eyes widened as he stood and moved to her. Finch coaxed Carter to sit back down because he could tell that some sort of shock was setting in.
"We need an ambulance here now, and let them know there's a pregnant woman who's having internal bleeding!" Finch commanded his voice booming throughout the small diner. He stood beside a crying Carter while he held her hand and watched as the waitress followed his orders. Carter wouldn't relinquish Finch's hand when the ambulance finally arrived, and so he rode to the hospital with her and tried his best to reassure her. It wasn't until the ER nurses pried Carter away was Finch finally able to step away to call Reese.
"Finch, I told you that I needed this morning to myself I have some personal matters to attend to," Reese spoke out as soon as he connected the call. His attention was focused on the book he held called, 'What to expect when you're expecting…the expectant father's handbook'.
"I'm sorry Mr. Reese but this is important, it's about Det. Carter…there's been an accident." Finch announced and Reese dropped the book right on the floor and rushed from the book store.
"What happened, where is she?" Reese demanded as he rushed through the crowded side walk even though he had destination set.
"I…I don't kno...know," Finch stumbled over his words not sure if he should tell Reese the truth over the phone.
"Finch, you don't want to lie to me about this…not about her." Reese warned.
"I met Det. Carter this morning to discuss a…side project that I'm working on, and…John she started bleeding and she said something about being pregnant, so I got her to the hospital and called you."
"Where is she?" Reese asked his rage and helplessness making him feel like his skin was on fire.
"She's at Lincoln, not the hospital I would have chosen but it was the closest and given Carter's state I figured we needed to get her to the closest facility." Finch said but only got silence in reply. "Mr. Reese?" Finch realized that Reese had disconnected the call. "This is not going to be pretty." He mumbled to himself as he made his way to the waiting area that was just across from the room that they had taken Carter into.
5 mins later
"Finch," Reese voice filled Finch's ears and the smaller man jumped a bit in surprise at seeing Reese looming over him.
"Mr. Reese," Finch greeted as he stood from his seat.
"Where is she?"
"They took her in there a few minutes ago." Finch pointed to the closed door and Reese turned and hurriedly moved to the door, which he opened and entered. Finch moved behind him but stood just outside the door.
"Sir you can't be in here." One of the nurses stated as she grabbed Reese's arm to stop him. Reese turned to her with a deadly glare that caused the nurse to release him and stumble back a bit.
"I'm the father," Reese said and then moved to the left side of the bed, when grasped Carter's hand she looked up at him startled. She had been so lost in her fears and worries she hadn't paid attention to anyone else in the room, she was totally focused on praying.
"John," She cried out as fresh tears spilled down her face. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."
"Shhh, hey you don't have anything to be sorry about." John reassured.
"I said that I didn't know if I wanted this baby, and whe…when I found out I was pregnant I said to God, just let me have a miscarriage and it will make it all easier. Why did I say that? I asked for this this is my fault. I didn't think that I could have this baby, there was a part of me that thought I didn't want it, but I do. I want this baby John but now I'm going to lose it." He could only close his eyes, swallow down his own tears, and tighten his grip on her hand.
"Ms. Carter," The young doctor who was attending to her called her and gained her attention. "Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort?"
"No," She answered as she shook her head slightly.
"Ok," The doctor then placed his hands over her belly and applied pressure. Reese quickly shot his free hand out and stilled the doctor's movements.
"Should you be doing that?" Reese questioned, concerned that the doctor's actions would do more harm than good.
"Yes sir it's a part of the examination, it won't harm the embryo if it's still viable." At those words Reese released the doctor and let him finish the exam. "Ms. Carter do you feel any pain when I put pressure here?" He pressed down and she simply shook her head no. "How about here?" He moved his hand and pushed down in another spot on her midsection and again she shook her head no. "Good," He stated and then moved to the ultrasound machine that had been brought into the room. He grabbed the tube of gel off of one of the shelves attached to the machine and moved to Carter and lifted her shirt. "This might be a bit cold," The doctor said as he squeezed the gel on her belly, he then pressed the ultrasound wand against her abdomen and moved it around, he watched the monitor closely as did John and Jocelyn.
"Why didn't you do this when she first got here?" Reese asked his irritation showing in his voice.
"Because seeing this can sometimes be upsetting to parents especially if they don't see this," The doctor tapped the screen and enlarged a image. On the screen the only thing that they were able to clearly discern was a pulsating movement. "That is your baby's heart beating." Jocelyn burst into tears of joy and John again swallowed his impending tears along with the lump that had formed in his throat as he watched the little heart beating.
"So the baby's ok?" Carter asked.
"Yes your baby is fine. I want to keep you for a little bit run a couple of tests, but I think this was a Subchorionic Hemorrhage, which is medical jargon for a small blood clot, they will usually bleed and then dissolve."
"Oh thank you God," Carter exclaimed as she finally rested her head back against the pillows and closed her eyes.
"Your friend did good getting you help so quickly, there are some things that can cause bleeding in the first trimesters of a pregnancy but the main cause is still a miscarriage, so always see a doctor when there's any bleeding. One of the nurses will come in and help you get changed into a hospital gown and them we're going to turn a few routine test, but you should be out of here in a couple of hours." The doctor said as he patted Carter's leg and then exited the room. John grasped the wipes the remaining nurse held out to him and he began to wipe away the gel that was on Carter's belly, as the nurse left them alone. Carter opened her eyes and graced him with a smile.
"I want our baby John, I'm just sorry it took all of this happening to make me realize how much I want her." She said and Reese smiled at her.
"Her, what makes you so sure it's a girl?" He teased using her earlier words against her and Carter smiled back in return.
"A friend of mine told me that he had a gut feeling that it's a girl, and I've come to trust his gut." She replied with a smile. Reese smiled too but his smile faded from his face as he stared at her and she bunched her brow up and frowned slightly at the lost look on his face, "What…" She started to ask him what was wrong but her words ended by his words.
"I thought I lost you, both of you. That can't ever happen…"He said as he placed a protective hand over her belly. "I love you Jos," He announced as he looked into her eyes, and held her gaze for a second before he continued. "I didn't plan to, didn't want to, and tried hard as hell not to, but….there it is." Carter didn't know what to say. She was so touched by what he said and also scared by it, before she could respond the nurse re-entered the room.
"Ms. Carter we need to get you changed and upstairs to take some tests." The nurse spoke. "She'll be upstairs for about 3 to 4 hours," The nurse directed to Reese and he released Carter's hand and answered the question her saw in her eyes.
"I'll be here when you're finished and then I'll take you home." He said and she inwardly sighed in relief and tossed him a smile. Reese exited the ER room and moved to the waiting room where Finch still sat.
"How is Det. Carter and her baby?" Finch asked from his seat as Reese took the seat right beside him.
"Jos is fine and so is 'our' baby," Reese replied emphasizing his claim on the baby.
"That's good and I suppose congratulations are also warranted."
"Thank you. What happened, walk me through it step by step." Reese said still unsettled by everything that happened.
"As I said I met with her at the usual spot, the diner, then some of your CIA buddies stopped by, questioned her about you, she told them off, they left and then…well you know the rest." Finch spat out in one breath.
"Snow?" Reese asked through clinched jowls. "No, an Agent Jones and Jovoich I believe, they were actually looking for Snow. Apparently someone took out Snow's partner and Snow's gone missing. Of course you're the number one suspect and since they can't get to you they came at Carter." Finch stated and then had an epiphany. "Do you think that they upset Carter and caused this?" He asked as Reese stood.
"I don't know but I do know that they'll never approach her again." Reese proclaimed. "Carter will be upstairs for about 4 hours, I'll be back in about an hour. Can you stay?"
"Of course," Finch affirmed.
"Thanks," Reese said and then turned to leave.
"Mr. Reese," Finch called out to him and Reese paused and looked over his shoulder to gaze at the smaller man. Finch had set his mouth to try to sway Reese from what he was sure would be a violent act of vengeance, but the determined look on Reese's face deterred him, so instead he said, "Be careful, you might be walking right into their hands."
"Don't worry Finch, they may not have any trace on my whereabouts, but I know their every move." Reese said and then walked out.