Slade stared at the infant before him, studying every inch of his face. Every since Ebony had told him about her and Jay's night in Liberty, he had doubts about Thunder being his child, though given the time of the birth he knew he was indeed the father.

Still that didn't prevent him from observing the child's features. Thunder had Ebony's eye-color, though they held Slade's shape, and he had Slade's hair, nose, and though it was too soon to tell, it was safe to guess he'd have Slade's complexion. The child didn't look like Jay in the slightest way.

"Why are you always staring at him like that?" Ebony asked entering the room.

"I'm still fascinated by his existence…I mean you're his mother."

Ebony looked at him crossly, "What's that supposed to mean?"

He chuckled, "Still hormonal?" he asked jokingly, but she gave him a sharp eye that shut him up. "I only meant that did you ever picture yourself being anyone's mother?"

"I guess you have a point there," she sat on the bed, staring at her son who opened his eyes a wink and smiled at her.

Ebony couldn't help but smile back, which caused Slade to smirk. This parenthood thing was probably going to be the best thing that happened to Ebony, and she thought this to be true as well. Though unlike Slade, she wasn't thrilled about it, she was still quite terrified.

Slade seemed to read her mind, "I am scared too."

"But you're a man, you've got it easy right? I mean I am dealing with changes to my body both physically and mentally. And my breasts are sore!"

Slade thought of cracking more jokes, but he could tell by the solemnity on her face now was not the time. "You're right, you basically did all the work."

"Basically? Slade I carried him inside me for nine months, gave birth to him, and the little booger owes me new pants. Aside from all that since you can't breast feed I am the one up all night every night while you sleep well…like a baby."

"Alright, alright," he threw up his hands, but given our different anatomies it's biologically impossible for men to do any of the hard work. But I am here now aren't I?"

Ebony smiled, "Yes you are, but would it kill you just wake up once during the night? Sometimes all he needs is a diaper change."

"And miss precious hours of beauty sleep, let me think about this one…"

"Slade!" she growled.

He pulled her into his arms, "I am kidding. Look we're in this together, he is our son. Tonight just wake me when he's being fussy and I will see what I can do."

She relaxed into his arms, sighing. This was going to be a challenge. Not just waking up Slade from the dead of sleep, but making sacrifices and compromises for her son. Thunder's existence was a bit like an unexpected earthquake, and raising him was going to have many aftershocks. At least for now she had Slade there by her side, supporting her. But would he always be there?

~*~

Trudy and Brady splashing in the water brought a smile to Mikhail's face as she relaxed in a chair taking in the sun's rays. She was glad the rainy season was generally over, she had missed her sunshine. Besides she loved to see the children playing, especially Brady. The little girl was so full of life and had a smile that could warm your heart.

Khail rubbed her protruding belly as she let her mind wander back to the first time she had been pregnant. The changes to her body hadn't been thrilling neither had been pregnant, but when she had given birth she didn't care about the bad things anymore.

When the nurse held up her little girl tears instantly began streaming down her face. She was so tiny and beautiful. Mikhail had fallen instantly in love. It still broke her heart that she had abandoned her little girl. She could still hear the piercing cries of the infant; It broke her heart.

"Oh gosh, a little one will wear you down," Trudy came and sat in a chair next to her.

"How old is she? Three or four?"

"She'll be four soon."

"The same age as my daughter Addie would be."

"You have a daughter?" Trudy questioned.

"I was young, stupid, and the virus hit. She was too much for me to handle. I walked right into the hospital and handed her to a nurse, never looking back. But watching you with Brady makes me think I was foolish."

"Believe me, it wasn't easy for me either, especially knowing who her father was. If I didn't have Bray, Salene, and some of the other tribe members, I probably wouldn't even be alive right now."

"Bray's not her father?"

"Oh no! Zoot was her father, but I couldn't very well name her after him, though Martina was an option since his name was Martin. But Bray, he was there for me. A very good friend, and I sort of had a crush on him."

"At least you had somebody on your side. I had my Nana, but she died as soon as the virus hit. I had to go home to my mom, and well to her I was just a scarlet letter. She was no support at all, especially not after my step father died."

"Are you worried about having this child?"

Mikhail bit her lip. Of course she was worried. She had been given a second chance and she wanted to make things go right this time. But she was also worried that again she would crack under pressure, and this time there was no hospital or nurses.

"Between you and I, I am terrified. I want to make things right this time, and I want to make Ryan a happy man."

"If Ebony can do it, I know you can. And you have support this time. You've got your sister and Ryan, and if you want you've got me."

"Thank you Trudy," Khail sighed, "I will certainly keep that to mind."

"No problem. I've been where you've been, scared, insecure, but with so many people around willing to help I have been able to make it this far. It's only fair that I share what I've been dealt."

Khail thanked her again smiling as she closed her eyes. She felt a little relieved. Trudy was right, there were people surrounding her willing to help out in any way they could. And from what she heard about Ebony and observed, if the other woman could raise a child, she surely could do a good job herself.

~*~

Rayne found it exhausting trying to catch Darryl's eye. The Mallrats had been on Fleur Isle for months, and Rayne had tried everything to put a spell on the strangely attractive Darryl, yet he didn't seem too interested. He seemed interested in being friends, but he didn't give into her feminine wiles. Some days she felt like Sammy chasing after Gel.

"Your face could get stuck like that, and I'll finally be inclined to put a bag over your face," Lex joked.

"Ugh, what do you want?" she rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry do you own the beach now?"

She scowled at him, and continued to draw in the sand with her finger.

Lex could tell she was upset about something, and he wasn't the best person in the world to talk to, but he hated seeing her like this. For days she had been walking around gloomy. It was wrong for her character seeming how she was like Gel, always in an upbeat attitude, though Rayne was not the one to play a ditz.

"Alright, what's eating you?"

Rayne bit her bottom lip, contemplating letting Lex into her personal business, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"How long have you known Darryl?"

"I don't do chick talk, I should've known this was over a guy."

"Hey you opened the can of worms, so start talking."

Lex shifted in his chair. He had only known Darryl for the past year, and they weren't exactly best friends. He found the Zoot impersonator quite odd.

"You like this guy?" he asked Rayne.

She blushed, "Yes, and I've tried everything to get him to like me, but he doesn't seem to be picking up the hints…I can't even believe I'm talking to you about this, but Lex I'm desperate…I really like this guy."

Lex smirked, "I've always found my friend quite odd…something off there…now I think I understand…"

"Well?" she cried, "What can I do!?"

"Raynie, take it from me, he's just not that into you!"

"Well do I have to become Amber or something to get the guy to notice me?"

"Maybe not Amber…but if your name were say…Ray he'd be all over you."

Rayne stood up, "Are you trying to tell me he is gay?"

Lex shrugged, "You're a pretty girl Rayne, and you've got a good head on your shoulders. You're bright, funny, and any man would be lucky to have you. If Darryl isn't picking up on that…well then that is the only explanation."

"You're wrong!" she balled her hands into fists storming off.

Lex sat there shrugging as he watched the water lap at the shores of the beach. He had never questioned Darryl's sexuality, but now that he thought about it, he'd never seen Darryl show interest in women. And Rayne had been trying exceptionally hard to get his attention. There could really only be one explanation.

~*~

"We need to talk," Rayne approached Darryl. She had found him in the hotel lobby.

"Ah Rayne, just the woman I wanted to see."

"Really?" Rayne huffed, "Because I feel ignored and avoided."

"About that…"

"Yeah about that…" she crossed her arms.

"Ah don't be mad at me, you know guys are slow to pick up on things."

"There's no excuse, I've been making a fool of myself here Darryl, practically throwing myself at you, and well I fear Baby Bray could pick up the hint better than you."

"I know, let me make it up to you…say over dinner tonight?"

"Privately?" Rayne's face suddenly lit up.

"Just the two of us."

"You really mean it?"

"Cross my heart."

Rayne hugged him quickly and began going on and on about something, but Darryl tuned her out. He had other things on his mind. Like the real reason he had just made a date with her.

Darryl had never really questioned his sexuality before. Growing up he had crushes on women, and he had even had girlfriends. But he had never really felt like himself before. Not until he met Mega.

In his first week as Zoot, he found himself attracted to the other man. He loved how smart and assertive Mega had been, and standing close to the other man had always made his heart beat faster. He loved the way Mega's glasses fit his face, the curve of his smirk, and the very smell of him. Loving Mega had made Darryl feel alive, and more like himself. Nobody, man or woman, had ever turned him on more. But Darryl had suppressed his feelings, telling himself he couldn't possibly be falling in love with his boss. He had been eternally grateful when he had been fired and the Technos attempted to murder him because then he had a reason to think badly about Mega, and it was easier to hide his true feelings. And he had taken it equally personal as Slade when Josh had died, but nobody knew that was the reason he was moody or cried at night on the boat.

He was aware of the fact that he would have never really had a chance with Mega. For one, Mega was openly heterosexual, and two, Darryl was still ignorant to the fact that he was gay.

Yes he had felt comfortable in his own skin for loving Mega and it had felt completely right, but he wanted to believe that he preferred women to men. Maybe that is why he did the extreme thing and went ahead and gave Rayne the time of day.

The girl had been stalking him daily, trying to be his friend and more. But he had always put up the roadblock. But how would he ever know if he was truly gay unless he gave women a real try?

"So I'll see you tonight?" Rayne's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

He hadn't been listening to a word she said, but he knew from experience just to smile, nod, and say, "Yes."

He watched her go, a bounce in her step with a smile on his face, hoping tonight something would ignite in him and scream, "You like girls!"