A/N: Still not a doctor or a psychologist but I can say I do know what broken and dislocated bones feel like so yes it is really uncomfortable to lie on your side with broken ribs it can be done just not for long periods of time unless you're pain killers and asleep ... :-)

Taylor looked to the Doctors before him as Kate and Jim disappeared into the infirmary. He was not impressed with how his lunch hour was shaping out.

"In my office now, unless you prefer to talk out here with an audience" Taylor said to them in a patronizing manner as he was at the end of his patience since he was hungry and thinking of what he wanted to do with Alicia than dealing with the incompetency of the medical staff.

"I would prefer we not talk Commander as this was a one off situation that I'll admit got out of hand" Dr Hasting admitted though he didn't look the least bit repentant about it.

"How obliging of you to admit your faults but it doesn't excuse you from explaining to me what happened" Taylor said, he kept his tone professional and calm as he wasn't in the mood to shout and make a scene. It also learned that sometimes it was more effective to appear disappointed than show full blown outrage.

"Deputy Renshaw is an abrasive patient who disliked her current treatment and instead of discussing about it in a constructive manner she decided to be rude and leave the infirmary" Hasting explained to him it was the first time the doctor had ever spoken to Taylor in such a patronizing manner.

"Do I look like I came down in the last shower to you Doctor?" Taylor asked.

"No" Hastings replied.

"Then why don't you cut the crap and tell me what happened so I can go back to my lunch" Taylor said, he looked between the two wondering if they were both covering for one another as Elisabeth was not one to keep quiet when she felt like someone was being mistreated.

"I don't see why I should have to tell you more than I already have. I don't answer to you I answer to Dr Wallace" Dr Hastings said in an impertinent manner that truly rubbed Taylor the wrong way.

"Who answers to me but I'm sure he'll love hearing why you allowed his injured and very pregnant wife to leave the infirmary while hopped up on medication to wander the colony. Dr Shannon perhaps you'd care enlighten me" Taylor said looking to Elisabeth he was amazed at how much of a horrible liar the doctors were but knew Elisabeth would give him answers instead of beating around the bush.

"It is true Kate has been abrasive but then she has been quite ill from the side effects of the medication so it couldn't be helped-"

"I hate sticking my nose in this mess but I know she's asked repeatedly to be taken off the meds why haven't you considered a different treatment method that is drug free or medication?" Taylor asked as he realised that Elisabeth was trying to be diplomatic so obviously there was something wrong in the department. He knew Malcolm ran a tight ship but obviously the situation with the killer and Kate's stress levels in addition to her pregnancy were taking it's toll.

"Because of her unique physiology she's sensitive to a lot of our synthesised medicines. There's noth-" Dr Hastings started only for Elisabeth to interrupt.

"I've been researching the database and talking with one of the biochemists about synthesising a different medication for her this past week" Elisabeth said Taylor could see Dr Hasting's tight lipped expression that he didn't appreciate Elisabeth cutting him off.

"Is it ready?" Taylor asked.

"Not yet" Elisabeth lied, the truth was the medication was ready to go but Hastings had vetoed the idea as he felt it was 'too risky' she had thought he was over cautious but now she knew better he didn't care. He just wanted to make Kate suffer because of her past choices. It was wrong as Doctors were supposed to treat their patients without bringing their personal bias into the equation.

But she still had to work with him for many years to come so it would do neither of them any good if she ratted him. Instead she would try to maintain the delicate peace between them and figure out ways to work around him. Luckily for Kate her leaving the infirmary was her best move.

"Then get on it and Dr Hastings perhaps it's time you allow Dr Shannon to take over Kate's patient care." Taylor suggested but his tone made it very clear it was more of an order than a suggestion.

"You seriously thought you could walk home in your condition?" Jim asked Kate in a sceptical tone as they walked into the private room. Kate let go of his arm that she had been using to support herself on the walk back and moved to the bed. She still wished she had gone home but welcomed the bed as she needed to lie down.

"Just because I'm pregnant doesn't make me an invalid" Kate said as she slowly got into bed. She noted that the place had been tidied and her carafe of water refilled and the plex she had drowned was gone.

"I was talking about the broken bones not the current occupation of your uterus" Jim said as he lifted her legs up into the bed and covered her legs with the blanket.

"Hey nice memory recall" Kate said as it was one of her running jokes of being pregnant. She rubbed her stomach in a manner that was becoming habit to soothe herself more than the baby that was moving inside of her. It was still a very alien feeling to her.

"Yeah but I feel uncomfortable talking about your special lady place" Jim said making a face. He made sure she was comfortable before stepping back.

"My special lady place, I prefer uterus as it doesn't sound like a poorly named strip club or brothel" Kate said as she relaxed back into the pillows.

"All comfy now?" Jim asked her with a half smile. It was like tucking one of his kids into bed kind of moments except Kate wasn't his kid which he was glad for as he was way too young to be a grandfather and to have Malcolm as a son in law. Just the thought gave him shivers.

"You going to tell me a bed time story?" Kate asked in a mockingly sweet voice.

"It's nearly lunch don't you want to stay up for your miso soup?" Jim asked her in an equally mocking manner as they had donned some odd parent and child façade. Kate looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Hmm good point, which reminds me Malcolm isn't going to be happy with my little walk" Kate said as she sunk lower into the bed.

"If it helps I won't tell him about your little stroll" Jim said.

"Cheers but I'm sure he'll hear all about it from Dr Hastings" Kate drawled darkly, she wanted to continue cursing the doctor when Elisabeth came into the room with Malcolm two steps behind her.

"Hey you're back early" Kate said to Malcolm with a smile.

"Yes and I come bearing Lunch and Miso Soup" Malcolm told her as he came in with a bag. He placed the bag on her tray table and wheeled it over before he leaned over her and kissed her on the lips briefly in greeting before stepping back.

"I was just telling Malcolm that I was about to take out your IV line out" Elisabeth said.

"I'll get out of your way" Malcolm said as he moved to the other side. Elisabeth moved forward and much to Kate's surprise did as she said she would and took out the catheter and then applied derma spray to the site so it healed immediately.

"Thanks" Kate said feeling confused by what was happening, Elisabeth smiled.

"You're welcome. Just remember to keep up the fluids and if you need a dose of pain killer before dinner let me know" Elisabeth told her.

"Well I'm done entertaining here, how about you?" Jim asked his wife.

"Yes, you two enjoy your lunch" Elisabeth said and with that they left the room. Kate looked to Malcolm and smiled as she was off the IV and Malcolm was back early looking like he missed her. She had missed him and tugged on the pocket of his shirt getting his attention.

"Hey I missed you for those long hours you were off working" She told him with a goofy smile. Malcolm smiled at her.

"Really? Jim didn't entertain you?" He asked as he caught her hand and planted a kiss on the palm of her hand. He didn't miss the fact she looked exhausted and wondered if she was pushing herself too hard socialing with Alicia and her kids as well as Jim.

"He's not so good with the entertainment" Kate said with a shrug.

"Do I want to know what his idea of entertainment is? Actually don't tell me" Malcolm said as he pulled out the food from the bag and place it on the table.

"So you don't want to know how he did an interpretive dance of the colonisation of Terra Nova completely starkers?" Kate joked in an innocent manner as she picked up a fork. She wasn't hungry in fact she felt completely rotten but knew the food would help her feel better if only a little bit. Malcolm made a derisive noise as he pulled the lid off her miso soup.

"No, I don't need those mental images. Now drink your soup" he told her. Kate laughed as she took the soup from him.

Lucas looked down at the papers on his desk and the words, angry as he couldn't finish the calculations. There was no solutions, he felt like he was no better than a slave and all his hard work was for nothing. What was he getting? An upgrade in accommodation? So he went from rotting in one hole to another. This was not how he pictured his life going, he didn't want to die the brig and he couldn't live the rest of his life in the brig either.

He threw the papers down on the table and stood up from his chair. He started pacing as he went over how all his plans in life had led him to failure. He didn't even recognise the face he saw in the mirror when he was allowed to look. But he hated it. He wanted to rewind back to the Occupation and do it all differently. He should have destroyed the colony and hunted his father down instead of keeping trophies and waiting for his father to come to him.

He couldn't understand how he had failed so miserably. Memories of his discussions with Escher ran through his mind, he looked at the stump where his hand used to be and it tingled reminding him that his hand was gone. Yet another thing he wanted along with a haircut, a shave and privacy when he showered.

He still remembered the pain but he also remembered everything the man told him as he tortured him. He extracted information from Lucas that he had never told anyone. All because Lucas wanted the pain to stop, he was so deluded in thinking he was stronger but he wasn't. He looked around at the room at his life's work and realised that it all amounted to nothing. The realisation made him feel incredibly hollow and angry.

"I thought I was going have to eat without you" Alicia said by the time Taylor came back to the house.

"Looks like everyone's having lunch but us" He said as Alicia was placing Ella down for a nap next to her sister in the crib. He wished he had been home to help as he liked watching Alicia breastfeed the twins and holding his children even when they burping up milk. He loved any and every moment he spent with them as the impending doom he felt about being a father and rearing another round of kids who would end up like Lucas had disappeared the moment he first held them in his arms.

The twins and Alicia were like a precious gift he didn't deserve but he loved and accepted completely without question.

"I take it things took a little longer than usual" Alicia said, he noticed she had changed into a kaftan style dress that ended mid thigh. Her hair out loose it was enough to lift his mood and make him hungry for something other than a sandwich as he thought about those legs wrapped around his hips.

"And then some. Let's eat" he said as he kicked off his boots and moved into the kitchen. He pulled out the carafe of water from the fridge and picked up two glasses taking them to the table, while Alicia brought out the sandwiches she had made and moved to the table.

"Want to tell me what's got you in a grumpy mood?" Alicia asked him.

"Doc Hastings" he said sat down opposite her and poured out two glasses of water for them.

"Really?" She asked as she took her seat.

"I know he's the last man I expected to get up my craw but he did today" Taylor said before taking a long pull of his water.

"Are you drinking Kate's Kool-aid? Just because she doesn't like him doesn't mean you have to" Alicia teased him.

"He's lucky we have no lawyers otherwise I'm sure Malcolm would sue him for malpractice" Taylor said as he picked up his sandwich and started to eat it.

"Ok colour me curious. What happened?" Alicia asked as she took a bite of her lunch, she knew it had to be pretty serious since Taylor had to step in. She wondered where Malcolm was in on all this mess.

"Kate tried to go AWOL" Taylor said, that caught her attention. She looked at him pointedly and swallowed her food before she spoke.

"Seriously? I amazed she can even walk considering how the meds have been screwing her up" Alicia said, amazed barely covered it as Alicia knew Kate struggled with just sitting up and picking things up when the dose was fresh.

"Well when I say walking she was actually weaving on her feet like she had one too many. I'm amazed she didn't face plant onto the ground if she had it would have been a lot worse" Taylor said between bites of his sandwich.

"So what happened and where was Malcolm?" Alicia asked.

"I assume he was in the labs with Evan. As for Kate, I ordered her to go back to bed. Doc Hastings has wisely agreed to hand Kate's care to Doc Shannon considering they had more history with one another hopefully it will resolve the issue"

"And what about the main reason you left?" Alicia asked.

"It was fixed before we got there. A wasted venture" Taylor said before taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Shame, so do you have to go back to the office right away?" Alicia asked. Taylor perked up at her voice as it sounded like she had something in mind. He looked at his wife with raised eyebrows.

"Why? What do you have in mind?" he asked her as he licked his lips and waited for her answer. They locked eyes and he knew in an instant what she was thinking with one look. One look that made him go from zero to sixty.

"Well, someone did promise to have his way with me on the kitchen counter and since I'm so conveniently naked under this dress" Alicia said casually while her smile was playful. Taylor half groan and chuckled as his mind immediately filled with erotic images of her naked on the counter saying his name in that breathy and sexy way she did as she tried to stay quiet.

"Can I finish my sandwich first?" he asked as he knew he would need the fuel to do Alicia and his imagination justice on performing that sexual interlude.

"You're more yourself this afternoon than you have been since you woke up here" he told Kate. She seemed to be far more relaxed now the IV was out and no heart monitor strapped to her chest. He had to admit it was nice not having the vitals monitor making noise every second. He had been half reading his plex and watching Kate for the afternoon. She had been dozing on and off but now as dinner drew near she looked pleasantly awake than drawn as she had been for the past week.

"I just feel better" she said with a sigh as she turned her head to look at him. She smiled and grabbed his hand placing it on her stomach. He felt the movements through her stomach.

"He's very active in there" he said, he loved feeling his son's activities and had to agree with Kate that his movements had definitely perked up as much as Kate had now they were no longer on the IV drip and medication.

"Uhuh, the drugs have worn off" Kate said she winced slightly as she shifted in the bed and turned onto her good shoulder so she could face him.

"Do you want me to get Elisabeth?" He asked noting the slight pain etched on her face. She shook her head and the pain disappeared and he saw her leg appear from under the blankets and go over his lap as he was still wearing his 'day' clothing of a button down shirt and cargo pants while Kate was in scrubs. He wished she had a hospital gown on instead so there would less obstacles between them.

"No, I'm fine. It's really nice to be clear headed and a little frisky" she said with a salacious smile.

"Really? I hadn't noticed" he said mockingly as he caught her leg and ran his hand slowly up her calf muscle. She hummed in pleasure and Malcolm fought the urge not to laugh as how easily pleased Kate was at the most innocuous of touches.

"I'm not asking you to throw over a leg yet" Kate said her smile growing wide.

"Why would you when you've already have one over me" he said grinning in good humour at her. He placed the plex he had been reading to the side so he could give her his full attention.

"Maybe I just want a massage all this laying around is making me ache" Kate said with a slight groan that was partly from pain and pleasure. It was definitely time for her to have some food and medication.

"for many things?" He asked eluding sex and other intimacies they couldn't freely indulge in the infirmary.

"That and just plain muscle aches" She told him. Malcolm made an 'ah ha' expression. He turned on his side while he kept a hold on her leg.

"Tell me which muscles I should start with and I'll do my best" He said in a husky tone as moved closer to her pulling her leg over his hip, his hand travelling up her thigh. She grabbed the front of his shirt pulling on the buttons.

"You know it's not always about me" Kate said.

"But I like focussing on you" He told her.

"Maybe I want to focus on you for a while-" She stopped with grin when the door to the room opened up he immediately wished the door had remained closed so he could hear the rest of the sentence. Kate cleared her throat and looked over her shoulder to Elisabeth who came in with the nurse who had their dinner for them.

"I see you're both keeping yourselves entertained" Elisabeth said in a light and teasing tone.

"I had a leg cramp" Kate said making excuses but her smile said something entirely different.

"Obviously" Elisabeth said in a rich tone as she didn't believe Kate's lie for a second. Kate rolled onto her back as did Malcolm so they were both looking at Elisabeth and in a less intimate position as it was now dinner time.

"Here, I have your new medication" Elisabeth said handing Kate a small plastic cup with two small tablets inside. Kate looked at the cup and it's contents with a wary look.

"What is it?" Kate asked wanting more of an explanation than 'your new medication'.

"Low dosage of an alternative form pain medication and sedatives, enough to just relax you and hopefully not too much to make you unbalanced and you might not be completely pain free as this is experimental" Elisabeth said.

"Experimental how?" Malcolm asked after he thanked the nurse who placed his dinner tray on a table and wheeled it to him.

"It's different chemical map to the last medication but it's still safe for pregnant women to have. It's actually considerably lower than what I'd prescribe to a pregnant woman with broken bones but Kate's physiology is a little more sensitive as we all know. So when I say 'experimental' I'm really only saying that it's experimental for Kate not pregnant women in general" Elisabeth assured them both.

"I feel so special" Kate said dryly. Elisabeth gave a smile.

"I'm hoping you'll fair a little better on this medication. So take the tablets and we'll compare notes in the morning and see if we need to make more adjustments or change completely" Elisabeth told her in a patient and warm tone. Kate gave a nod and downed the two tiny tablets with water before handing the empty cup back to Elisabeth.

"Good, now I'll let you two enjoy your dinner and remember if you start to feel any adverse effects-" Elisabeth started but Kate cut her off.

"I'll holler or Malcolm will. Have a goodnight and see you tomorrow" Kate said with a smile.

"Willl do and remember the nurse will be back to retrieve the trays and night rounds are at 9 so try to remember you're injured and not to get up to too much mischief" Elisabeth said cheekily before she and the nurse left the room. Kate looked to Malcolm once the door was closed.

"She makes it sound like we are contortionists" Kate said rolling her eyes as she picked up her fork and used it to mix up her dinner.

"I don't know you are very flexible" he told her, she smiled as she continued to mix up her food a light blush gracing her cheeks.

Lucas paced the brig late that night, he just couldn't sleep as his mind kept reminding him of what a failure he was, his nightmares filled with Escher torturing him mixed in with memories of Kate. Sometimes it wasn't Escher standing over him but her. She looked down at him with her cold eyes and belittling him just as Escher did. Telling him that he was not the man he thought he was, he was a failure who spent so much of his life dedicated to destroying his father and only managed to temporarily knock the old man off his pedestal. It barely took his old man a fortnight to reclaim his throne.

The more he went over his time with Escher and then his experience with Kate. He couldn't understand how she never begged with exception of one time for his to spare her. No, she only begged when another life was on the line and it was Malcolm Wallace of all people. The sacrifice wasn't even worth it in his mind but then it wasn't like he had better taste. The one girl he flirted with shot him twice in the chest.

He survived, he didn't know how he kept surviving but it's not like his life improved he just kept on suffering it was like a bad joke. He looked around the room and it just made him snap. He moved to walls and started tearing them down from the walls.

"If you pick that up I will kick your ass" Alicia told him, she was wound tighter than a clock by Taylor and his teasing foreplay as he wanted to make love to her slowly. She didn't mind that in fact she loved it, in fact she had been 3/4 of the way to her third orgasm but what she didn't love was that he had stopped his ministrations when they heard his comm. unit buzzing on the coffee table. She could barely remember her own name with what Taylor was doing yet he was distracted by a bloody comm. unit.

"If I don't answer they'll come knocking and wake the twins" Taylor said he groaned pressing his forehead on hers. They both knew this was a fact and Alicia would rather he pick up the comm. than have the twins wake up especially since it took her a lot of effort to be quiet.

"Ok go" she told him, Taylor wished he had turned off his comm. unit when he came home for dinner. He didn't like being interrupted and here he was hard and to hilt in Alicia something he had been missing for months and only now finally being able to enjoy again only to be interrupted.

"I can't believe this" Alicia said as she gave a breathy laugh as she was still catching her breath. Taylor smiled and shook his head as he turned his head and kissed the knee of the leg he had over his shoulder. He slowly lowered it off his shoulder and gave her the most apologetic look he could muster as he felt more sorry for himself than Alicia.

"I'm lucky you love me so much" he said as he withdrew himself from her and the bed. He was sure any other woman would be completely offended but Alicia while he was sure was offended understood he had responsibilities that sometimes couldn't be ignored even for his own gratification.

"Damn right you are" She said laughing at the situation as she really couldn't be angry at him. Taylor pulled on his boxer briefs and turned crawled back over her.

"I'll make it up to you" he told her looking down at her.

"I know you will" She said, he captured her lips in a possessive kiss before he withdrew himself the bedroom to go answer the Comm. unit that was still buzzing in the lounge room. Alicia rubbed a hand down her face as she listed to taylor's voice as he spoke.

"Taylor here" Taylor said gruffly. Alicia pulled a sheet to cover herself as she watch him with amusement as he was looking down at his erection with annoyance.

"Sorry for waking you up sir but I had to inform you Lucas has been taken to the Infirmary" Guzman said over the comm. line. Taylor's head snapped up at the news.

"What happened?" Taylor asked.

"He attempted suicide, the doctors are working on him now" Guzman told him. Taylor cursed under his breath and winced as he had to go. He looked to Alicia trying to gage her emotions as he knew she wouldn't be impressed even if Lucas was in crisis there was too much bad blood for Alicia to be sympathetic. She had a passive expression but held his gaze, she was not giving him anything so he took it as a good sign.

"I'm on my way, Taylor out" Taylor said he closed the channel and moved back to the bedroom where Alicia was still lying on the bed with a sheet covering her. "I have to go" he told her. She gave a nod trying to be understanding.

"I know, I heard just promise me he has the bed the furthest away from Kate's room" Alicia told him as she watched him toss on his clothes. Once dressed he leaned over her again.

"I don't know how long I'll be. So don't wait up" he told her. Alicia gave a nod as she levered herself up on her elbows to meet him half way for a soft kiss.

TBC-Cya all soon!