A/N: Many apologies I've been catching colds and working too much this week thus a three chapter update and it being late so you all can forgive me :-) As Always thank you for all the lovely reviews! and Oh I have to share I have seen Simone Kessell (A.K.A. Wash) in an advert for Jalna Greek Yogurt in Aus... it's soo strange hearing her not talk with an American accent! I know she's a Kiwi but still it's weird... Anyways ENJOY the update!

"What are you drinking?" Evan asked as he watched Kate pour herself a cup green lumpy liquid into a glass. Olivia and Sean were happily playing on the back verandah at the doors were open wide to let in the beautiful sunshine and fresh air. he had to admit he loved Terra Nova, the fresh air and sunshine and how well his kids were thriving and growing in the new environment.

"A green smoothie it is spinach, kale, apple, mango and blueberries with half a banana. it's delicious you want some?" Kate asked as she stood behind the kitchen counter with Evan watching the kids.

"You couldn't eat breakfast like a normal person? There are a couple of pancakes leftover" he told her as he packed away dirty dishes into the dishwasher.

"Already ate them, thanks" Kate said with a smile as she leaned her hip against the bench and drank her smoothie outwardly she looked relaxed even if her complexion was incredibly pale and dark circles marred under her eyes bespoking of lack of fatigue. She was more sociable too which he found a nice change as he was worried for her like everyone in her circle of friends.

"Then why are you drinking that and what is with all the pills?" he asked as she had five different shapes and coloured tablets on a plate on the bench. He picked up a tablet and looked for any obvious markings.

"Alpha lipoic acid, calcium, umm that one is a probiotic, Vitamin B and others I forget. 21st Century body requires a lot of upkeep" Kate said as she swiped the tablet from his hand and swallowed it along with the others in quick succession before Evan could get a closer look at the rest and figure out the tablet he was holding was Folic acid.

"Maybe if you slept more and exercised like the average person then you wouldn't need all of this" he said as he smelt the remains of the smoothie in the blender jug. He made a face as it didn't appeal to him.

"On average I exercise an hour and half daily that includes my yoga. Granted I have been a little excessive the last few weeks but I've been having trouble sleeping" Kate said looking despondent as she had tried to sleep last night but found herself tossing and turning only to end up sitting in the infirmary by Malcolm's bedside until about 3 am. She decided she'd let Elisabeth yell at her later, she laid in bed for a couple of hours then proceeded with her yoga practice while Evan and the kids went through their motions of having breakfast before she came in to make herself a green smoothie.

"I know, I hear you walking around at night and leaving the house. Light sleeper" he explained which was not entirely a lie. Yes he would wake up at a random noise but he hadn't heard her moving but he knew that the living areas didn't clean and polish themselves in the night or a number house chores that had done these past week. He'd make a note to do them on the weekend or on a half day only for the work to be done in the night.

"Anyway, I'm trying to find the balance again it's just a little hard with everything going on" Kate said putting the glass down and losing her eyes as she felt lightheaded.

"You ok?" Evan asked as Kate had paled considerably he was thinking she was about to hurf the green smoothie and wondered if he should be directing her to the sink.

"Fine, just a little woozy" Kate said.

"Probably the green stuff in this smoothie" he told her.

"Popeye ate spinach all the time and was perfectly fine" Kate told him with humour tiniting her voice.

"Popeye?" Evan asked as he had never heard of such a thing.

"1920's Cartoon Sailor, eating spinach made him strong" Kate said as she bent over and rested her head on the bench counter with a sigh.

"Why don't you sit down for a moment? you're not looking well" Evan suggested.

"No, I gotta go to work" Kate said as she straightened up and downed the smoothie. She washed the glass and placed it into the dishwasher before double checking she had her baton and gun. "I'll stop by the market and pick up some fresh fruit and vegies" she said, her head swooned badly this time she didn't argue as she was sure she was going to pass out and so she moved to the table slowly and sat down.

"I can do that. You know if you aren't well you shouldn't be going to work" Evan told her as he sat down at the table but on the side facing the veranda so he could keep an eye on the kids but also keep an eye on her.

"I'm fine just everything catching up" Kate said with a mumble as she was trying to make the room stop spinning in her head. She really didn't like being unwell and she had to keep reminding herself 'only another 8 months'.

She always thought she would be happy when she finally became pregnant but right now she wasn't enjoying any of it. It just made her feel incredibly lost and sad. She made a deal with herself to take it easy and while she couldn't have the joy and happiness she was going to make sure she was internally the healthiest she could be and follow Elisabeth's orders. She also told herself that the joy and happiness that she watched Alicia and Taylor have would come to her she just had to get through the current rough patch.

"Let me know if that smoothie is going to catch up with the table"

"Oh don't worry it's staying where it is. I just need a moment" Kate said.

"Ok-" Evan didn't get to start the sentence as Alicia came through the front door.

"Hello" She said with a smile as she came into house. Kate and Evan turned to her with smiles making Alicia immediately suspicious as to what they were talking about.

"Hey, how are you?" Kate said in greeting as she leaned back into her chair slouching comfortably. Only Kate would insist on a proper dining table with chairs that had backs. Alicia found it endlessly amusing since she was always

"Good, how's everything with you two?" Alicia asked as she took a seat at the table.

"Fine" Kate said while Evan simultaneously said "Kate's ready pass out".

"Snitch" Kate said giving him a dark look. It was nearly a perfect sibling moment except that Kate wasn't actually related to Alicia and Evan.

"Kate?" Alicia asked with a smile though inwardly concerned.

"Feeling a little washed out nothing more" Kate assured Alicia as she shot Evan a dirty look for telling Alicia. Alicia moved to Kate's side and felt Kate's forehead for a temperature.

"You're feeling a little warm. Maybe you should take the day off and rest" Alicia suggested as she moved to the bathroom for a thermometer.

"Oh no- where are you going?" Kate asked her.

"To get a thermometer from the bathroom, if you are 38 degrees or higher celcius then you are staying home." Alicia told her.

Meanwhile at the Shannon house,

"You want to tell me what is so interesting about that cup of coffee?" Jim asked as he sat opposite Elisabeth at the dining table.

"Sorry, what?" Elisabeth asked she had been completely distracted by her concerns for Kate and the future she didn't hear the question. Kate was a close friend of Elisabeth and her family and Elisabeth knew Jim thought of Kate as his little sister as he annoyed and teased her like one. As such Elisabeth worried about Kate as she was always pushing herself and yesterday the woman was an emotional wreck.

"You've been staring at it for past ten minutes you barely said goodbye to Maddy and Zoe" Jim commented.

"They are gone?"She asked amazed she hadn't registered her own kids leaving the house.

"Yeah, not like you what's going on? Is it Malcolm?" Jim asked.

"No" Elisabeth said shaking her head as she took a sip and made a face as the coffee was bitterly cold.

"Is it Kate? I heard she passed out yesterday, she giving you trouble?" Jim asked with a joking smile.

"I can't tell you" Elisabeth told him which made his mind click as he knew his wife was referring to Kate. He had heard Kate passed out but that was it though if it was Elisabeth would have just told him that. Though he was concerned about Kate she was wasting away not just physically but mentally she just wasn't there. It was like the lights were on but nobody was home.

"Oh so it's like that?" he asked as he knew they were going to play their little game of 'Doctor Patient confidentiality code breaking' game.

"Doctor Patient confidentiality" Elisabeth told him, and the game was on. They didn't play it very often but with good reason as half the time Jim learned things he wished never to know like Boylan having a tattoo on his ass. He didn't know what was worse knowing Boylan had a tattoo down there or that his wife had seen it.

"Damn why is it all the good stuff is covered by that?" Jim asked sarcastically.

"Not everything I know is good" Elisabeth reminded him.

"Ok is she dying?" Jim asked not wanting them to lose focuse and digress.

"Not for a very long time" Elisabeth answered.

"That's a relief. Ok well she wasn't quarantined so it's not contagious, I figured it was just fatigue that made her pass out but now I'm thinking more" Jim drawled as Elisabeth gave him the 'are you stupid' look when he said contagious.

"Are you?" Elisabeth asked innocently.

"Should I be looking out for her more than I usually do?" Jim asked.

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Can't tell you that"

"How much more should I be looking out for her?"

"Can't tell you that without breaking my confidence"

"You don't make this easy" Jim told her as he remembered the another one of many reasons why they didn't play this game and that was it took more than a couple of hours to figure out something that could usually take Elisabeth 5 minutes to tell him. It was definitely a waste of practical time.

"You're the detective" Elisabeth told him in a smart arse fashion.

"Ok, she's pregnant?" Jim asked in a joking manner as he figured it would be the last thing wrong with Kate but Elisabeth raised an eyebrow. "Oh" he said as he nodded comprehending he had just figured it out "You know I'm not feeling as surprised as I should be" Jim said Elisabeth smacked his arm. "Ow! What?! It was bound to happen with the way those two are. Lock the door is it so hard to do? I don't need these mental images scarring me" he said defensively.

"Jim!" Elisabeth scolded.

"Sorry?" he asked it earned him another smack in the arm. He laughed this time as he had done it one purpose.

"Honestly you can't tell her that you know because then she'll think I told you and she'll not trust me" Elisabeth said in a serious tone.

"Ok but she has to tell me soon so I can have her fill out all the appropriate forms and we work out a new schedule. I'll have to find a replacement for her and begin training said person-"

"Half days" Elisabeth told him and cutting him off from his rant about what he would have to do.

"So you two have talked about this?" Jim asked.

"Well I told her more than us talking. I think she's in denial and I'm worried she'll push herself too hard and I'm just worried about her she wasn't happy."

"Of course she isn't happy. It's not exactly the dream. Malcolm in a coma, she's pregnant and knowing her she probably feels completely out of her depth and alone. Yeah she has us and Wash and Taylor but it's not the same as having someone who'll be there around the clock to support her. Then she has all the what if's to add to that. It's not easy" Jim said Elisabeth was amazed at how insightful Jim could be "I really hope she doesn't vomit around me or on me" he added which made Elisabeth smiled as there was the Jim she knew and loved.

"37.9" Alicia said as she read the thermometer.

"Oh yeah I beat the thermometer! I'm off to work" Kate said jumping out of her seat, she stopped in her place as her head rushed. When her equilibrium returned she continued. "Ok I'm out of here. I have my comm. so if you guys need me just give me a buzz" Kate told them as she left the house.

"She's a little weird" Evan told Alicia after the door closed.

"Only a little?" Alicia scoffed in good humour as she placed the thermometer on the table.

"Alright anyway you sure you want to look after the kids this morning?"

"Why do you ask me this every morning?" Alicia asked him.

"Because I don't know if you noticed but you are pregnant with twins" Evan said mockingly as if it were news to Alicia.

"Oh my god, that explains so much" Alicia said in a equally mocking tone before they both laughed.

"But seriously I don't want my kids putting you into premature labour cause then it will all be my fault and I'm not ready for the responsibility" Evan told her, Alicia made a derisive noise and rolled her eyes.

"Please, your kids are tame in comparison to the little monsters that run free around this colony. Now go to work" Alicia said shooing him away as she was ready to look after the kids.

"What? I can't have some herbal non caffeinated tea with my sister first?" he asked innocently.

"You're not going to work" Alicia said as a statement than a question.

"You're right, I'm working from home" Evan told her, he didn't want to add that he was hiding from the overly friendly female scientists and colonists who made him feel like fresh meat.

"Who is she?" Alicia asked with a teasing fashion.

"Who?" Evan asked being obtuse.

"The woman you are trying to avoid?" Alicia drawled with an amused smile.

"Try women. Are there not enough men in this colony?" Evan asked. Alicia laughed.

"The men outnumber the women but who can resist a head turner like you" Alicia teased.

"I hoped since I have 'baggage' I'd be an unappealing prospect" he said as he gestured to said 'baggage' that were currently on the back veranda playing nicely together.

"Nope it's what women like to call an instant family plus if they ended up marrying you then they would be related to Terra Nova Royalty" Alicia said in a mocking tone. Evan laughed at her shaking his head as he felt Taylor was the furthest from Royalty one could get.

"You want to tell me something?" Jim asked Kate as they walked along the main pathway of the West Perimeter. Like every other day it was a quiet one where Jim spent most of his time doing paperwork or walking around with Kate maintaining a presence and also it gave them time to discuss security measures and other business. They had spent the last fifteen minutes walking in silence not for a lack of trying on Jim's part as he really didn't like silence unless it was after 11pm and all dirty whispering was exhausted between him and Elisabeth.

"No, why?" Kate asked.

"You are acting strange" Jim told her.

"I am? How?" Kate asked slightly worried she was already giving out flags of 'hey I'm pregnant look at me!'. She really didn't want anyone knowing she was pregnant as she could see the pity in a few of the colonist's eyes as they walked by or when they said 'hello' before passing them. It made her feel pathetic and wish she never left the Military side of the colony. At least the soldiers and sixers had better poker faces.

"You are …I don't know slower than-"Jim stopped as a loud crash and a scream sounded out in the direction of the construction site of the secondary research labs. When they reached the site they found Haynes shouting at Tuttle otherwise nicknamed Turtle who was the site manager.

"You have got to be kidding me" Kate said as it had been a waste of run since no one looked injured. She and Jim slowed to a walk as they reached Turtle and Haynes. It seemed every few days for the past few weeks Haynes would crop up with some problem or aggravating someone for some stupid reason. She also liked to yank on Kate's strings when she showed up trying to pick some kind of fight. Most of the time Jim stepped in and dismissed Kate before she got the itch to pull her gun and shot the woman.

"Hey!" Jim shouted waving a hand in front of Haynes. "What are you screaming about?" he asked cutting her off mid rant to whatever her problem was today. Haynes was singularly the most problematic person in the colony. Kate looked to Turtle who was a taciturn man by nature, he just stood in his place arms folded and gave a shrug to Kate that translated to 'not much I can do but stand here and take the abuse'.

"His workers nearly killed me" Haynes spat angrily as she glared at Turtle.

"It's a construction site Doctor. No unauthorised personnel should be on the site or did you miss the signage and the barriers telling you so on your way in?" Kate asked her as she gesture to said signage and barriers.

"Of course not" Haynes said, she went red as she realised what she had just admitted to her own stupidity.

"So you didn't miss the signage advising to wear a hard hat or any of the other safety measures advised to keep you safe?" Kate asked her as she knew she and Jim were breaking those protocols it didn't matter as construction had come to a stop to watch the scene.

"Please, I came to check on the progress to find they are building it wrong. When Dr Wallace wakes up he'll be incredibly angry" Haynes told them in an uppity manner.

"What's wrong with it?" Jim asked as he mentally kicked himself for asking but the words had already left his mouth.

"Nothing" Kate said looking at the building. "If anything it's incredibly sturdy with thicker crossbeams and posts. The structure had been reinforced it's better than before" She pointed out as she was not going to let Haynes bait her with the 'I know Dr Wallace better than you'.

"Exactly" Haynes said Jim and Kate along with Turtle looked at her perplexed as to why it was a bad thing.

"So you're screaming because they are making the building stronger and more stable than it was before?" Kate asked incredulously as she felt the last shreds of her patience flee her.

"It compromises the internal sizing" Haynes told them, Kate and Jim looked to Turtle who gave an exasperated sigh.

"It doesn't compromise the interior. We enlarged the floor plan to accommodate the new structure. Haynes screamed because Matty and Luke dropped some excess steel beams over the side. Well clear of hurting anyone and the crashing noise scared her." Turtle said matter of factorily.

"I wasn't scared" Haynes said folding her arms.

"Fine, so everybody is ok?" Jim asked them. Turtle nodded as Kate and Jim did a quick look around and made the same assumption as no one was groaning in pain or physically injured that would require medical attention.

"No one is hurt but I'd appreciate it if you remove Dr Haynes from the construction site as she is trespassing. I'd like to get back to work and have the current stage complete before sundown" Turtle said.

"Of course, Dr Haynes let's move this outside the construction site" Jim suggested gesturing for her to leave.

"You can't just make me leave. I need to oversee the reconstruction" Haynes said.

"Actually you're not qualified or authorised to be on a construction site. So if you don't move we can fine for trespassing and aggravating the peace. Now move it before I have a mind to write you up" Kate told her. Kate had no intention of filling out the 5 page formal report and paperwork to give Haynes a fine but figured it would get Haynes moving.

The brunette turned to face Kate head on with her hands on her hips and her face scrunched in the 'I'm your superior' look. It was indeed an unattractive look for her and amusing as the woman was 5ft 6 to Kate's 5 ft 8 height so she really had no way of intimidating Kate if she tried.

"Oh so now you have a gun and were deputised by Taylor you think you can order me around?" Haynes asked her snidely.

"I don't need a gun to make you move but I think it might be in your best interests to move on your own volition" Kate told her in a calm yet cold manner. Haynes slightly reared back at Kate's manner as usually Kate saw this game of wills as amusing but today Kate wanted nothing better to do than to lock the woman in with Lucas in the brig and forget about her.

"Well if you'll excuse me I should go and visit Dr Wallace" Haynes said with an indignant sniff.

"Visiting hours aren't for another two hours" Kate informed her.

"Dr Wallace is in a coma I seriously doubt visiting hours apply to him" Haynes told her in a patronizing tone.

"It's the consideration of the other patients and it is highly inappropriate for you to be visiting with him as you are his subordinate not someone of equal standing or personal affiliation like a friend or loved one" Kate told her. Jim and Turtle watched as Kate usually let Dr Haynes's comments roll off her like water on a duck's back but apparently not today.

"Oh because you know all about what's appropriate and what isn't. I wonder how Dr Wallace will feel when he wakes up to find out his fiancé is shacked up with another man and two kids in his home. I'm sure it won't bode well when he sees you're not wearing your engagement ring. Already thrown Malcolm over for another man" Haynes said innocently as she looked at Kate's left hand. Kate felt herself boil at the comment.

"Dr Haynes you are skating on thin ice" Jim warned Dr Haynes as he could see Kate was getting angry.

"I'm only repeating common knowledge." Haynes said mockingly. Kate stepped forward and used her height and steely gaze to intimidate Haynes as she was growing tired of being slandered by the woman. The truth was the words cut deeply and while she steeled her outward appearance inwardly she wanted to cry.

"Common knowledge is that it's mine and Malcolm's house, it's also common knowledge that I'm completely devoted to my fiancé and if he woke up and I wasn't there. He'd understand that I have responsibilities like everyone else. So stop pushing my buttons and go home or the labs I don't care just get out of my sight" Kate told her in the same calm and cold manner though it was easy to see Haynes had struck a nerve in Kate.

"Is that a threat? Did you hear her tone?" Haynes asked Jim and Turtle.

"I'm counting to three" Kate drawled, she barely lifted one finger in her count down when Haynes walked away without a fuss. Once Haynes was out of sight, she dropped her head and closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose taking a moment. Her emotions were completely out of wack, sure it had been like that for a week or more but taday she was struggling to keep a grip on them. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up and gave a weak smile to Turtle.

"Thank you, I owe you a drink. Now if you two could be so kind to get off the construction site so I can put these guys to work?" Turtle asked her.

"No problem" Kate told him with a mock salute. Kate and Jim walked out of the construction area and soon Turtle was shouting to the men to get back to work.

"You have to stop doing that" Jim told her once they were out of hearing range of anyone wandering around.

"What?" Kate asked innocently as she knew she had taken a clear step over a distinctly marked line in the dirt about being an upstanding officer and holding up the principles of a good role model but Haynes was a pain in her ass and Kate was too tired to play nice.

"Showing your scary colours" Jim said.

"My scary colours" Kate repeated still playing innocent.

"Yeah, what's going on? You are normally a lot more patience than that with Haynes and don't get me wrong she was baiting you big time. But should I be giving you time off?" Jim asked her, Kate dropped her head and gave a sigh before she lifted it up and looked at Jim throwing her hands up.

"I don't know" Kate admitted.

"I get Malcolm being in a coma is tough. No one would think less of you if you just took the time off instead of burning the candle at both ends. Obviously the lack of sleep is making you a little mental" Jim told her.

"Do you want me to take time off?" Kate asked him ignoring the mental comment.

"No, I find it really amusing to watch you scare away the annoying colonists but I'm a tad concerned you might be burning out maybe cracking it" he told her. Kate looked around noting there was no one in hearing range and glad he chose not to say this in front of others.

"I'm not cracking it" Kate told him.

"Really? Because that looked like a sign of the beginning of the end. I really don't want you to burn out and if you need a week off or more to sort yourself out and get your head on straight then take it." Jim told her.

"I'm exhausted, I'm not burning out or anything like that"

"Really?" he asked her sceptically. She felt something inside her tweak as he asked that question instead of letting the topic drop.

"Did your wife tell you?" Kate asked him getting suspicious as she felt he was trying to prompt her. Kate narrowed her eyes and assessed his reactions carefully.

"Tell me what?" Jim asked looking at her with the same look as if mocking her.

"Oh my god! You know!" Kate exclaimed disappointed in Elisabeth and equally annoyed that Jim wasn't a better liar. As she knew Elisabeth told him out of concern not for the purpose of idle gossip.

"I know what?" he asked innocently.

"Doctor Patient confidentiality my ass" Kate said disapprovingly.

"Hey, Liz has told me nothing" Jim told her.

"But you know don't you?" Kate asked.

"Know what?" Jim asked looking at her with confusion.

"You're the worst liar!" she told him.

"I don't know what you're referring to" he said being obtuse.

"Ok how did you figure it out?" Kate asked him

"Figure out what?"

"Jim!" She exclaimed frustrated he was being so obtuse when she knew that he knew about her being pregnant and now she needed to know how he found out.

"Ok fine I know, but Liz told me nothing" Jim assured her.

"Then how do you know? I only found out yesterday"

"I guessed, I have been through the experience three times I know the signs coupled with the fact you and Malcolm are quite amorous becaus-"

"Yeah you walked in on us that one time. Will you ever stop bringing that up?" Kate asked cutting Jim off. He grinned and she couldn't help but smile even though she was upset that her secret was fast becoming public knowledge.

"Hey don't get yourself twisted in knots about it. You vomiting that day after seeing Lucas tops the you and Malcolm having sex in his office"

"That's great to know" Kate drawled in a passive aggressive manner she felt like kicking Jim in the shin and being entirely petulant and cry.

"You should tone down on the negativity. It's not good for the-"

"Uh no don't say that word or any word related to that word if you like your limbs unbroken" Kate warned him.

"Ok, can I at least know how long you were going to wait to tell me this news?"

"Another 6 weeks when I clear the first hurdle. Don't tell anyone else please I don't need this getting around" Kate pleaded.

"Tell anyone else what?" he asked.

"Exactly" Kate said as she started walking.

"You want to go and get something to eat?" Jim said falling into step with her.

"It's barely 10am" Kate told him.

"In the civilised world we call it Morning tea" he told her with a grin.

"I've been to your world it is far from civilised" Kate scoffed.

Late in the afternoon,

"Ok let's see what's going on this week" Elisabeth said to Taylor and Alicia. She turned on the holographic display and proceeded to run the scans on Alicia who was lying on the biobed.

Elisabeth displayed holographic images of the twin girls and smiled softly as she really did love babies. She also enjoyed watching the parents get to excited over their baby or babies in this case. She turned her attention to the scans and readings.

"It doesn't get old" Taylor mused as he looked at the images being projected above the bed.

"No it doesn't" Alicia said smiling she intertwined her fingers with Taylor's as they were mesmerised by their babies.

"Well everything looks well within normal parameters. Babies and Mother are in excellent health but I still want to keep you on weekly visits just to be on the safe side" Elisabeth said after a few minutes of reading the scans.

"That's fine" Alicia said.

"I'll send a copy of the images to your plex but for now you can go out and enjoy the rest of your day" Elisabeth said as she turned off the bio bed the holograms flickered out of existence.

Alicia looked to Taylor and he helped pull her upright so she was sitting on the bed. "I can't wait for the next 10 weeks to go. I'm ready to have my body be unoocupied" Alicia said.

"Sorry" Taylor said as it was his genes that predisposed them to have twins.

"No you're not" Alicia told him with a chuckle.

"You're right I think we should have another baby" Taylor said Alicia gaped at him for a moment before she spoke as she was pretty sure after having twins she would be done for a while.

"Why don't we see how we go with these two first before anymore crazy ideas float through you noggin" Alicia told him as she slid off the bed and righted her maxi dress. "Will you be home for dinner?" she asked as she noticed Taylor looking at Kate who was sitting at Malcolm's bedside. Alicia wanted to sit with her friend but her body was begging for an afternoon nap and so she had decided she have a nap and come back knowing Kate would still be there.

"Yes, but don't worry I'll get the food and make it. I think I'm going sit with Kate for a bit" Taylor said. Alicia nodded.

"Ok, I'll see you at home for dinner" Alicia said before they gave each other a quick kiss goodbye. He watched Alicia move to Elisabeth to have a few words before he turned and moved toward Malcolm's bed.

"Kate" Taylor said as he dragged up a chair to the opposite side of the bed from Kate and drew the curtain closed behind him as he didn't want to be interrupted. He also wanted to be able to watch her reactions and emotions.

"Taylor" Kate said.

"Rumour has it you passed out yesterday"

"Yeah it happens, I just have to remember to eat and drink more" Kate said with a casual shrug. Taylor gave a wry smile as it was the expected answer to any further prodding to how she was looking after herself.

"How are the twins, I noticed you guys over there" Kate said as she held Malcolm's hand. She never spoke to him as she felt silly talking to him when he wouldn't respond.

"Healthy and growing strong" Taylor said.

"That's great" Kate said with genuine interest and joy at the news.

"It is. You know if you want to take some leave-"

"I don't want to go on leave. I need to something outside of this to keep me from going out of my mind." Kate told Taylor cutting him off. She couldn't sit by Malcolm's bed for long periods of time without it becoming incredibly painful.

"Copy that but I don't want you overextending yourself" Taylor told her.

"Jim has already been on my case about this and I appreciate the concern. I do but-" Kate was cut off when Haynes's voice spoke loudly in the room.

"Let me guess Deputy Renshaw forbade me and you're adhering to her wishes? She has no claim over him. She is not his wife and doesn't even have his power of attorney. So no matter how many threats she makes they are worthless!" Haynes said loud enough for the entire room to hear.

Taylor looked at Kate whose expression was a mixture of pain and anger but clearly the words had cut deeply especially the about her not being Malcolm's wife as she immediately touched her left ring finger where the engagement ring used to be before she had to trade it for medicine.

Taylor pointed at Kate getting her attention "You stay as you are" he told her in a low voice, he couldn't believe Haynes's had the power to draw tears from the redhead but obviously Kate was a raw nerve from the fatigue. He moved to the curtain and was careful to not open it too wide as he would deal with Haynes himself.