The Heartbeat

"That's the heartbeat!" The ultrasound tech pointed out, as Jane & Lisbon looked at each other, faces alight with wonder at the rhythmic, churning sound - looping quickly in 3/4 time - over the speakers in the obstetrician's office.

"He or she sounds strong, and both they - and you, Mom - seem healthy and good to go! In a month or two, we should hopefully be able to ascertain the 'he' or 'she' part for sure!" The tech smiled.

"Thank you so much!" Lisbon gushed, with misty eyes and more relief in her voice than she'd expected to feel. Despite being absolutely over the moon about carrying Jane's child - THEIR child - she had recently found herself harboring more and more worry about the health of the baby and the viability of her pregnancy. There had been no signs of trouble, but in her mind she knew that complications were more likely when the mom was older. She prayed thanks to God everyday, that she'd been blessed with a chance to give Patrick this gift. She saw joy in his every smile and heard it in his every laugh since he'd been aware of the baby's existence. But what if she wasn't able to keep the fetus safe long enough? She knew women who hadn't seen their pregnancies make it past the first trimester, and Stan and Karen had struggled early on, before their other children had come along. Her mind had started looping scenes of Jane mourning another loss. So hearing the heartbeat, and being able to celebrate the wonder of that with him on this morning had loosed the dam of her pent-up emotions.

The two clung together, laughing joyously and studying the grayscale screenshot the radiologist had printed for them. At this early stage, Little Jane was just barely shaped like a human in fetal position, looking more like an elongated kidney bean. Or maybe an alien life form - big head and small body, with even tinier arms and legs barely sprouting. Even so, like many a parent before them, the doting couple were already convinced that Little Jane was exceptionally beautiful, and started pointing out physical traits they saw in the grey cloud formation that reminded them of one another - giddy with the positive news that all was well with Baby and Mommy.

Jane quickly shoved-aside a brief moment of panic, thinking of what may have happened if Erica Flynn had tased his wife instead of him. He immediately regained control of his overdriven brain, though, and henceforth refused to allow anything but joy to sift through his synapses.

"Please, Teresa. Do you think it's okay if we tell our friends and families now? I don't want to add any stress, my love, but I feel I might burst soon if I can't tell people our amazing news!"

Still smiling, and glowing joyfully from the music of their healthy child's heart, beating like a holy promise, Lisbon couldn't help but agree. "Absolutely yes! I can't wait to tell them - AND they'll wonder why I want a desk-transfer otherwise!" She leaned into the crook of his arm, excitedly whispering the last part.

"Excellent point, my dear!" He smiled, pressing a quick kiss to her temple as they giddily walked toward the office exit.

Cho and Wylie were impatiently waiting for the US Marshal tasked with delivering Marcus Pike to them at Bergstrom airport. His instincts on-point, Inspector Slocombe had guessed correctly, and his counterparts at Interpol had captured Pike in the act of assassinating (or at least attempting to assassinate) a key rival of Jan Nemec's in The Sudan.

Wylie was amped to be in on the transfer detail, but was doing his best to tone down his boyish glee - especially with Cho watching.

Cho was all business (as usual), but had privately decided that he'd be fine with it if Pike 'accidentally tripped' on the way to the car, or got mouthy and needed more physicality than normal to get from the plane to their waiting FBI van. Kimball had been shocked to discover Pike's involvement with Flynn, but was absolutely furious to know that Pike had both used Lisbon AND shot Jane. Not only did he feel great loyalty to both of his coworkers and friends, but he also had been quite hard on himself in recent weeks, replaying conversations with Marcus and wondering how he could have missed a con this big. (Granted, Jane had missed it too, BUT he was personally affected by Pike's relationship with Lisbon. And personal involvement always threw a monkey wrench into his supercomputer-of-a-brain…).

Just then, Pike and his escort came into view. Cho snapped his thoughts to attention, and greeted the Marshal. "Marshal Powers, how was your flight?"

"Cloudy with a chance of bad cop." The marshal quipped. Pike pretended to ignore the barb, but Cho could see a small twitch in his eyes, as he signed off on the transfer paperwork accepting Pike to FBI custody.

"Marcus Pike, you are hereby remanded to FBI custody." The Marshal spoke with authority.

"Thank you, Powers. I look forward to spending some quality time with old friends there." Pike glared in retaliation for the Marshals earlier remark.

"Shut up, Pike," Cho barked, "You don't have any friends at the FBI. Let's move." With a not-so-subtle shove, he started moving Pike toward the ground transportation that awaited them. Wylie didn't speak, but followed behind Pike, looking as fierce as was possible for him (which was decidedly not all that fierce, despite his best efforts).

Meanwhile, Jane and Lisbon happily made the rounds, announcing their good news first to the Lisbon brothers (who freaked out in an impressive fashion), then officially to Danny (who'd already known weeks ago, but was glad to know he could stop being secretive about it), then to the Rigsbys (sending Grace into tears and sobs), Minnelli (who promised to come out with May and meet the new bundle), and finally their current FBI coworkers (Cho had already been suspicious, based on Lisbon's recent, uncharacteristic proclivity to tears and emotional outbursts. Wylie lit up with excitement at the news, and was looking forward to eventually spoiling Little Jane with top-of-the-line video games).

Dennis Abbott nodded knowingly as the news was shared. Not only had he just approved Lisbon's request to transfer to an analyst/desk job, he had also noticed her recent changes in behavior. Not to mention a change in the way Jane acted around her. Fewer tricks and messes for her to clean up, and more acts of service and honor. Historically, when the consultant had offered his help or tried to treat her with softness in the office, she would shut him down, arguing her independence and the importance of maintaining a business-like atmosphere. But lately, Abbott had noticed her allowing Jane more leeway with his affectionate gestures, and with her own, as well. Abbott couldn't wait to tell Lena about this - she was going to be ecstatic! Maybe she'd make a special trip home from DC?

As luck would have it, Marcus Pike was being walked through to booking, right as the couple's happy news was being shared in the bullpen. He stopped, in cuffs, and glared at the happy crowd - sending an especially searing stare into Jane. Then he went further, harassing Lisbon in passing as he was led to a holding cell. "Are you sure that baby isn't mine, Teresa?" He leered at her slightly distended belly, causing her to instinctively cover her navel with her hand, protecting Little Jane.

Lisbon's eyes sparked and narrowed then, her protective instincts combining with the fury she'd been harboring for weeks after discovering Pike's false pretenses in their so-called relationship. Not to mention the murderous rage that pulsed within her, knowing that he had attempted to kill the love of her life. With shoulders back, arms pushing into tense fists, and feet planted, she began reading him the riot act - including the fact that his allegation was not only chronologically impossible, but that she'd taken steps to ensure without doubt that a pregnancy would never happen while they'd been together. "Guess my subconscious knew all along that you were a lying snake, Marcus!" She tore into him. "Enjoy your stay in the pen, you bastard!"

Then she turned sharply, and marched away, making it clear that he meant less than nothing to her (and refusing to let him see how shaky she felt after the emotionally exhausting altercation). At the same time, Cho had stepped in between Pike and the rest. "Get him outta here!" He ordered.

Jane had been sending his own daggers into Pike as Lisbon spoke, his face sending the message that Pike was entering dangerous territory, and that Jane wasn't about to tolerate any threats to his wife or his child. As Lisbon steamed out of the room, he jumped quickly into step beside her.

"Normally, my dear, I would joke with you about letting our child hear such harsh words, but in this instance I must say I'm in full support." Jane whispered as they walked briskly down the hallway side by side. "What's more, I'm a little turned-on by watching you get all authoritarian with that slime-ball."

Shaking her head, rolling her eyes, and trying hard not to smile, Lisbon slapped his arm as they walked. "Not now, Jane. Honestly!" She laughed.

(authors note: I know that the Pike from canon isn't really such a bad guy (although who knows...) but he irks me... he's irksome... so I enjoy making him a villain lol! Only a chapter or two left in this story!)