A/N: Americans, don't forget to wish your dads a Happy Father's Day! Now, for the character a lot of old readers have been waiting for...

Rebel: Glad you can relate to Scout! She's the main focus now that it's next-gen so you'll see A LOT of her!

Saberin: I'll think about it. I've got some time before I have to commit to that :P

AER: Yep.

Aubrey: Is she just one of those people that hates to read?

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.

"This way, Talia," Kane whispered. He led his mother to his personal apartment. He had one spare bedroom. Most of his rank were of the age they were starting families. One day it would supposedly be for his children but for now he kept two beds in it for visiting family. He took Talia inside and motioned for her to sit on one of them. She eased herself down, curving her arm around her recently swollen middle as she did so. "Alright. Now we're alone. Tell me what's going on."

He'd been waiting for this chance since they left Iberion. He'd had to go against orders and take a more indirect path home so that nobody would know he had one of the liberated prisoners with him. It was against protocol on all levels for him to take Talia along but he felt obligated. When he'd discovered her in the group of prisoners he'd burned with curiosity. On the long trek home he'd noticed her gaining weight. It made no sense. They had shared his Royal Scout rations, which weren't much to begin with. Then her stomach took a more defined shape and he questioned her long enough to learn of a pregnancy. Other than that he knew nothing. The inevitable conversation was sure to take hours and they hadn't had hours during their journey.

Kane pulled out some dried meat and fruit and gave it to her. She was always hungry and, from what little Kane knew, she needed to eat. He found some nuts to add to the small meal. Thank goodness Gabby and his mother kept him supplied with basic foods. His meals generally came from a dining hall set up for soldiers. Every so often he'd get groceries for Gabby to make them dinner but, even though there was no blood relation, he inherited Halt's cooking skill.

"Mary's dead," Talia began as she hungrily ate. "She was taken by an archer. I was taken captive because I claimed I was Araluen. This uniform's outdated now and nobody remembered it as Hibernian. They looped me in with those you saw…I hate to ask more of you but is there anything else I can wear? My uniform isn't really…well, suited for my form right now."

Kane nodded. He went to his own room and brought her a tunic that was a bit too big on him. His birthmother naturally had a smaller frame and her middle had just recently taken the defined shape. He turned his back while she changed. When he turned again he nodded with approval. The tunic ran about three inches longer than her usual dress and seemed to be roomy enough for her bulge.

"Thank you," she told him as she sat back down.

"Go on with what you were saying."

"I claimed to be an Araluen traveler but after confiscating my weapons they decided I was more so I claimed I was a huntress. They let me go but said they'd keep tabs on me. I wasn't allowed to leave Iberion. As for this," she ran her hand over the bulge. "About a year ago I met an Iberion man whom I thought loved me. Your father raped me and I got you…this man played me and I've got this one. I just can't get it right."

Talia shook her head, as though trying to erase some memory. Kane swallowed hard. He felt bad for his birthmother. She seemed trapped. "Go on."

"He turned me over about five months ago and I was put in the prison for being an Araluen spy. That brings us up to when you found me. What were you doing in Iberion?"

"I was supposed to be rescuing a very important person's family but instead I find them and a whole horde of Araluens."

Talia shook her head and ate the last of the food he'd given her. "I'm so sorry about this Kane. I don't want to burden you. If you could get me a few days' supply of food and some herbs I'll be on my way."

"No," Kane said firmly. "You're not my mother but you did give birth to me. I want to help you."

"A young Royal Scout is going to house an outcast and her bastard child? How will that look?"

"I really don't care." Kane ran his fingers through his hair. "Should you see a midwife or something? I can go get my mother and see what she's got to say. Queen Cassandra might…"

"Don't get the queen for my sake."

"Well then…what about Jenny?"

Talia turned her head. "Jenny…that's the chef?"

"Yes."

"She's better than the queen."

"I'll return soon."

Kane went to Gilan and Jenny's apartment but they weren't there. After a quick run to her restaurant he learned they'd gone to Redmont to welcome Scout. Unwilling to return without someone to help his mother, he decided to try his parents but soon learned they was gone as well. Of course…if Scout were passing through Araluen then his father and mother would be the first to welcome her back.

Kane sighed and decided an actual healer or midwife would have to do. It was best anyway but he could already hear Talia's objections. He went to the medical wing. Of course, his favorite physician's assistant tilted her head up when he opened the door.

"Yes?" she asked in a loud whisper as he walked towards her. Three sleeping patients lay in their beds.

"You're on night shifts now?" Kane whispered back. He felt warmed by the smile that spread over her face.

"Kane! You're back!"

"Shh…listen, is there a midwife on duty?"

Gabby frowned. "Of course but why are you coming for one? Is it Jenny? I thought she was at Redmont."

"It's a…a friend."

"A friend?"

"Well, family but a friend…"

"Family friend?"

"It's complicated."

"Your family tends to be."

"Gabby she needs a midwife. I…"

"Is she in labor?"

"No but she's over halfway along and hasn't had any attention."

Gabby reached out for him. He took her hand and kissed it before guiding her fingers to his arm. She got her cane and a basket that sat waiting at her feet before completely attaching herself to him. "That's for me then. Good thing too because Midwife Helga is on duty tonight. She's a nightmare."

"Are you sure, Gabby?"

"I'm sure. The three patients here now are fully independent so I'm just on duty for emergencies. Lead me to her."

Kane kissed Gabby's cheek and began walking. "There's probably something I should explain first."

"Go for it."

"This woman…she's my birthmother."

Gabby tilted her head slightly and her steps slowed. "Your birthmother…do Ranger Halt and Lady Pauline know about her?"

"Yes they both know her. She drops in unexpectedly from time to time but I just rescued her by accident in Iberion…don't ask that's a long story. Anyway, she started, um, taking shape so to speak on our way here. We just arrived back a couple of hours ago. Do you know what you're doing?"

"I know how to give the initial examination. She'll have to choose a midwife after this but I can determine the general health of mother and child."

Kane sighed with relief. He stole another kiss off her cheek as they walked.

"I missed you, Gabby."

"I missed you too, Kane."