Naz paced nervously outside the door, his stomach twisted in knots. He didn't know what to expect, but when Lynne had fainted out in the hall the older Orc had panicked. He was worried that something was terribly wrong with his partner, and his mind immediately went to a dark place. Bo, Jane, and Andistair sat on one of the benches outside Lynne's room, warily watching Naz's pacing, and Jane felt a great concern for Lynne as well as for Naz, who she knew must be going mad inside with worry.

It felt like an eternity passed, before someone finally opened the door, and Arngeir stepped out. Naz was on him like flies to honey, demanding to know what was wrong with his Lynne.

"Well, she's awake," the speaker for the Greybeard's replied calmly, unfazed by Naz's overbearing emotions. "Go in and see for yourself."

Arngeir sent Jane a silent look, and Jane's stomach lurched, but she stayed where she was between the other two men.

Naz rushed into the room to find Lynne awake and sitting up, a pillow behind her back, and she gave Naz a shaky smile.

"Hey, handsome," she whispered quietly, and the Orc sat down on the bed beside her.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice hoarse and shaking. He grasped Lynne's hand and gently stroked it, trying to keep his composure though it was hard. Knowing his love was sick tore him apart. Lynne looked fine from what he could see, other than a slight grey tinge to her pale skin and the exhausted look on her face.

"Naz…" Lynne replied, looking down at the sheets. She took a deep breath.

"There's something I have to tell you…"

Jane and Bo collapsed on the bed that occupied their room, the couple were looking forward to some rest. Andistair had been given the room across the hall after being thanked by Arngeir for delivering the supplies to them. He had been offered a room for the night since it was late in the afternoon. Andistair had gratefully accepted, the trek up to High Hrothgar had been more difficult than he expected and the Breton was looking forward to a bottle of mead and a hot meal. He wondered vaguely what was wrong with the Nord woman, from what information he knew it seemed like her sickness had come along pretty suddenly, and he hoped she was okay. While Andistair settled in to his room, across the hallway Jane was voicing her concerns to Bo.

"I feel bad for Naz, he is probably worried sick about her."

"He's strong," Bo replied softly, pulling the girl into his arms. He rested his cheek against her head and closed his eyes, trying to keep Jane from worrying as much as the Orc. "I think Lynne will be fine, when he came back out and told us she's resting he didn't look really upset." In fact, Naz looked like he had seen a ghost. Bo closed his eyes and his body relaxed. It took only a few minutes for the tired Orc to fall asleep, and Jane followed not long after.

"I thought you used protection," Naz spoke, rubbing his eyes. He felt like he'd been hit with a sack of bricks. "Potions, or whatever."

"I did… I… just not the last couple of times. I had run out but I couldn't resist you." Lynne's voice was barely over a whisper, and she had her knees tucked up to her chest. "This is all my fault."

"Fault? Lynne…" Naz reached forward and tipped her chin towards him. He captured her lips with his, and for a moment neither one of them said anything. "You're with child, our child."

"I know, It's just… horrible timing." Lynne's breath hitched, and she covered her face with her hands. "With Alduin wreaking havoc in Skyrim, and Bo needing out help. Now I'll be unable to fight."

"It's okay, love," Naz replied as softly as he could, gently wrapping his arms around the woman, he knew Lynne was clearly distressed but Naz was oddly calm.

"Things happened for a reason, I never imagined I'd ever be a father."

The way Naz said father made Lynne look up at him, and she looked into Naz's eyes for a long time.

"We're going to b-be parents," she whispered.

"I love you," Naz growled, leaning in for more kisses. Lynne clutched Naz close to her and kissed back, feeling many overwhelming feelings. Naz climbed under the covers and held Lynne in his arms, stroking her hair, until they both drift off to sleep. Both of them were faced with unusual dreams about children and parenthood.

Everyone re-grouped later that evening, after a small, well-needed rest. Lynne was given strict instructions to stay in bed, since the climb had exhausted her body greatly. She didn't need any more strain, now that she was carrying a 2-week old child inside of her. Andistair had been invited into their room along with Bo and Jane, and the other three were anxious to hear what had happened to Lynne. Once meals and mead had been served, and they had all settled around Lynne's bed, did Naz break the news.
"Lynne is with child," Naz grunted, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him. He blinked, and felt Lynne's hand gently squeeze his.

"Oh my God!" Jane cried, covering her mouth with both hands. Tears swelled in her eyes, and she quickly rushed forward to embrace Lynne. "That is so wonderful to hear!" The girl exclaimed, feeling incredibly relieved that Lynne was not in fact, sick, but simply pregnant and had strained herself too hard.

"That is happy news," Andistair spoke next, smiling warmly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Lynne whispered, unable to resist smiling. Jane's mood was infectious. "You're going to be an aunt, Jane."

Jane was sent into a happy babble at the mention of being an aunt, and Bo laughed at how happy Naz and lynne looked. He walked up to Naz and clapped the older Orc on the back.

"Congrats," Bo spoke to Naz, and was surprised when he noticed the tears slide down Naz's cheek. The Orsimer hastily rubbed at his cheek and glanced up at Bo.

"Thanks," he replied thickly.

The rest of the evening was spent in good spirits, nobody talked about what Lynne and Naz were going to do now that Lynne was out of commission for helping Bo, nor did they speak about the fact that the child would be of mixed race, and how the pregnancy might go.

When everyone was ready to retire for the evening, bellies full of mead and food, Bo finally brought up the important question.

"I don't expect an answer tonight," Bo started, looking between Lynne and Naz, "but we will need to figure out what Lynne's going to do, since she can't fight now. I don't wish to put her in harms way, but I'll definitely miss her skills as a mage. Think about it and come fine me tomorrow, okay?"

Andistair was looking thoughtful, and Lynne nodded, her expression serious. They said their goodnight, and went to bed. Tomorrow would be an important day.

A/N: Rejoice! Wow. This took forever to upload. Life definitely kicked me in the ass, I've been so busy lately. It's hard to adjust to going from no life and no job to a full time job all of a sudden. Things are quieting down, and I've finally finished moving. I'm sorry this chapter is so short! I promise a wonderfully steamy and longer chapter next :)