AN: I want Tony to have a little taste of the life he didnt choose, so he's not waking up or having any revelations anytime soon. But he 100% will never waiver on this life not being what he wants

Chapter 3

"Major Healey," Jeannie exclaimed, surprised to find him waiting for her just outside the bathroom door.

"I just wanted to make sure you were alright," He offered her the small paper cup he held in his good hand, motioning her toward the chairs further down the corridor. "You need to make sure you keep your fluid intake up."

Tony would never forgive him if he let something happen to Jeannie, to their child, so he would do everything he could to keep them safe until Tony woke up.

Even when she protested.

Insisted that she was fine.

"I am fine, Major Healey. Do not worry about me. We must focus on Anthony."

"They're running some tests on him, and then we can go in," He motioned for her to sit as they reached the chairs. "You need to keep up your strength. Growing a child is hard work."

Jeannie starred back at him, eyes wide. "You know? How?" She asked nervously, sinking down into the chair behind her.

Roger shrugged, taking a seat next to her. "Good guesser," He shrugged, "I'm so happy for you. Congratulations."

She nodded slowly, and cast a quick glance down at her stomach.

They had not planned to have a child so soon, and she was struggling to process the news. "Thank you, Major Healey. It is happy news."

There was worry in her eyes and her smile was soft, hidden in the worry lines on her face.

"Happy news, it's incredible news. You and Tony are going to make beautiful, smart…"

"Half genie children," She finished voice soft, words barely audible.

"That too," Roger nodded, holding the paper cup out to her again. "You need fluids. I can find you something to eat while we wait to see Tony. And then you can go in and tell him. He's going to be so happy."

"He is going to spend the whole pregnancy worrying about whether or not the child will be a Genie or Djinn."

She took the cup and sipped some water, hoping it might help settle her stomach, her nerves.

Her morning sickness was unrelenting and unending. The added stress of Anthony's accident had only exacerbated her upset and she was struggling to hold herself together.

"He will," Roger confirmed, "And then she'll be born, he'll take one look at her and be so lost to her, none of that will matter."

"She?" Jeannie asked through a weary smile, watching Roger nod confidently in reply.

"I always saw your first one being a girl. She'll look just like you. Have Tony wrapped around her little finger."

"Oh, what a wonderful thought," She cast him a grateful smile. "He will be a wonderful father."

Roger nodded this time, eyes drifting down the hall, toward Tony's room.

Why was he still unconscious?

"Why has he not woken?" Jeannie asked, echoing his thoughts.

"I don't know. But I know Tony and he wouldn't be away from you a moment longer than he needs to be."

"Perhaps he does not wish to wake up."

"Never. He would never leave you," Roger told her quickly, confidently. "This is the same man who commandeered his own jet, disobeyed orders, risked Court Martial and spending the rest of his life in the brig, just to get to you. Be with you. He was going to be beheaded rather than live without you. He's going to wake up, Jeannie."

If there was anything the last six years being their best friend had shown him, it was that there was nothing and no one who could keep Tony and Jeannie apart.

"I cannot do this without him," Her voice cracked and she fought back tears.

"Hey, hey don't cry. He will wake up, Jeannie." He put his good arm around her, and squeezed her close.

"Thank you, Mayor Healey."

They were lucky to have such a wonderful best friend. Secret keeper. Protector.

They didn't deserve him.

"Roger. We're family, Jeannie."

She cast him a quick glance and then looked down at her stomach. "Uncle Roger."

"Uncle Roger," He repeated excitedly. "You wait here for the tests to finish and I'll go find you something to eat."

He was on his feet instantly, headed for the hospital cafeteria.

She leaned back in the chair, eyes drifting shut.

Anthony had to come back to her.

To them.

She wasn not sure they would survive if he did not.

"Doesn't a week in Paris appeal to you at all?" Melissa asked, confused by the blank expression painted on Tony's face.

"Oh yes of course," He nodded, despite his utter confusion.

Was this a dream? A hallucination? Was this really his life? Had he dreamed her? Dreamed his life with her?

He wanted to go back to his dream. Wake up. Whatever he had to do to get back to her.

"I'm not sure Dr. Bellows will give me any more time off."

He tried to sound convincing. Pretend he understood.

"Don't be silly," She smiled up at him, "You know you're NASA's favorite Astronaut. Even Roger knows. Dr. Bellows will give you whatever you want."

Roger. Roger would know what this was. Where Jeannie was. How he had ended up here, how he could get home.

"We better get ready, you can't be late for a reception in your honor," She leaned up to kiss him. "I love you, and I am so happy we have this life together."

She smiled over her shoulder at him as she headed for the bedroom.

He waited until her back was turned, until he was sure she wouldn't turn around before he ran his sleeve over his lips.

Whatever this was, he understood that she was his wife and that this was an acceptable show of affection. But his heart wasn't having a moment of it, screaming at him that this would never do.

He would never love her, or any other woman the way he did Jeannie.

He pushed out a few steadying breaths, deciding to have a quick look around the house before going to change.

Her bottle had to be somewhere in the house?

Didn't it?

TBC