WARNING: Childbirth contained in this chapter. It's not too graphic but it is (somewhat) medically accurate. If you're squeamish feel free to skip down to the very end section of the chapter or just skip this chapter altogether.

Three long and boring weeks had passed since Gavin had been shot in the line of duty, and the wounded detective was making a full, albeit slow, recovery the comfort of his own home. After spending a single full week in the hospital with Abby and Tina keeping him company and helping him with his overall recovery process, Gavin had been cleared by his doctors and ordered to take it easy for a full month before even attempting to resume his usual workout routine regarding his healing core or even try to return to the precinct to work. Even so, he'd have to remain on mandatory desk duty for another month before he'd be fully medically cleared to return to the field again due to the grievous nature of his injury.

During that time Chris had the honor of catching the shooter and the fool was promised a long stay behind bars for the assault and attempted murder of a police officer. The shooter's punishment would be swift and heavy, and it seemed no one in the precinct had any complaints against it. One less potential murderer on the streets was a good for everyone.

At the precinct Connor, Hank, Chris, Jack, Tina, Lance, Sarah Lee and Ben all had the responsibility of picking up the slack with Gavin out of action, and Captain Fowler himself decided to handle a few of Gavin's cases as well to help lighten the overall caseload. The abundance of volunteering officers and detectives didn't make it any less difficult to keep up with the work or not think about how one of their own had been so close to death.

Connor had little difficulty in keeping up the hectic pace as the cases piled up, but Hank was tired from all the extended and additional shifts. The man was happy to finally take the day off to lay around and do nothing at home. Unfortunately, it seemed Connor was still unable to fully grasp the concept of a proper day off and refused to just sit idle.

After enjoying his ability to sleep-in that morning, Hank awoke to a quiet house being pelted with a fresh spring rain and absolutely loved the sound of the expansive nothingness. Walking out of the bedroom Hank strolled down the hallway in the livingroom just after noon and let out a deep sleepy yawn as he ran his right hand over his face. As he set foot inside the kitchen he found Connor sitting at the kitchen table with a small shoe box sitting before himself and Sumo curiously sitting on the floor beside Connor with his tail wagging rhythmically.

"Connor?" Hank had no idea what was going on and was still too tired to really care, but he had to ask anyway. The deviant was behaving less machine-like and far more human with each passing day. "What're you doing?"

The deviant looked up at Hank with a touch of worry in his soulful brown eyes. "Did I wake you?"

"No. You were completely quiet." Crossing his arms suspiciously over his chest Hank just gave the deviant an odd look. His paternal instincts were practically shouting at him to figure out what Connor was up to. "And as a parent who had raised an extremely energetic toddler and a puppy at the same time, I can say with certainty that quiet typically means you're doing something you don't want me to know about."

"Or I was being quiet to allow you to rest."

"Also true." Stepping closer to the kitchen table Hank dared to peer inside the box in front of him. "What's really going on?"

"Nothing illegal." Tilting his head a little Connor finally answered with a curiously guilty voice. "...This morning when I let Sumo outside, he went to the fence where the neighbor's tree branch leans over the property and started barking loudly."

"Aaaaaand?" Hank pressed somewhat impatiently for further details. "What about it?"

"And... Sumo had found a baby robin."

"And you brought it inside." Hank peered closer at the box and sighed. It didn't take long for him to identify the little creature protected inside the box in front of Connor. Huddled down in a pile of shredded tissues was a small, partially feathered baby bird that was staring up at Connor as if trying to understand why the deviant had brought it inside the house. "Why?"

"Sumo tried to eat him."

"So you brought it inside instead of putting it in the tree again?"

"It is also raining."

"Man, if you were human, you would've been that kid who came home with a new pet every damn day because they 'followed you home'."

"Interesting." Such an idea made Connor's eyes light up hopefully. "Do animals actually do that?"

"Connor," doing his best to not lose his patience and not laugh Hank put his hand over his mouth to hide his smile. "you can't keep it."

"I'm aware." Looking back down Connor looked at the little bird as it remained shrouded in the warm paper and stared up at him. "But I did not want to leave him on the cold, wet ground unattended."

"As soon as it stops raining put it back in the tree and make sure there aren't any more little birds in the yard." Despite his fear of pigeons Hank couldn't bring himself to tell Connor to toss a defenseless baby bird out to the elements without a chance of surviving. "Sometimes more than one chick can fall out of a single nest."

"Hank," noticing the senior detective's wary demeanor Connor asked a question of his own. "do you still dislike birds?"

"Only pigeons. They're disgusting and covered in disease."

"Robins are okay though?"

"Yes, son. All other birds are okay by me, but again, you can't keep it." Walking past the kitchen table to get to the coffee maker Hank turned around quickly and tagged on another thought. "AND no more pets in general. I don't want you bringing home a parakeet or a parrot or something. Your aquarium and Sumo are enough."

"I understand." Connor gently ran his fingertip along the little bird's back as if he needed to comfort it, when in reality he was running a thermal scan to ensure the little creature wasn't too cold or too warm in its makeshift nest. "I won't bring home any additional pets."

"Good. Once I wake up a little more, I'll check in with Fowler at the precinct on whether or not they found a temporary replacement for Gavin yet."

"And I will go to Skye Tower to check on the new volunteers." Satisfied that the baby bird was safe Connor focused on his other tasks for the day. "Joel is taking over Abby's shifts as the night technician for the next six months to ensure she can have a proper maternity leave."

Loyal and stubborn to the end Hank wasn't surprised that Connor decided to spend the rest of his time off at Skye Tower to ensure that everything was still functioning as it should. He also knew that Connor was going to personally show Joel around the facility to ensure that Joel was entirely familiar with the tower's layout.

"Right." Nodding a little Hank acknowledged the deviant's plans and pulled the now hot pot of coffee from the maker and pulled his usual mug down from the nearby cabinet. "Make sure you park that Corvette BEHIND the tower when you go, too. I don't want some idiot smashing into it because of the slick roads or something else just as stupid."

"That is a wise precaution." Connor nodded and looked out through the kitchen window as the rain finally stopped, and the sun's warm rays tried to break through the thick cloud cover overhead. There was no sign of a second rainstorm in the forecast for another two days. "I will place the bird outside now."

"And wash your damn hands afterward."

"I thought only pigeons-"

"Connor." Hank poured his coffee into his mug and disappeared into the livingroom to sit down and relax. "Just do it. It's the sanitary thing to do."

Arching his brow slightly at the weird comment Connor carefully picked up the small box and carried it through the backdoor to get to the tree where Sumo had initially found it that same morning. Reaching up to the low hanging thick branch of the tree Connor carefully picked up the little bird from the box and placed it down on the branch without harming it or upsetting the other birds in the area.

"Safe."

Stepping away from the tree Connor placed the no longer needed cardboard box in the recycling bin beside the driveway and returned to the house through the backdoor. Giving the small bird in the tree branch one final glance as the mother bird quickly reunited with its offspring with loud singing chirps Connor let out a somewhat upset sigh at the otherwise heartwarming sight.

"If only it were that simple to keep everyone we care about safe and happy."

It was already seven in the evening and the city was getting dark. The previous winter was finally beginning to ease into a much warmer spring much to everyone's relief. Fresh rain soaked the streets and many drivers failed to compensate for the slick surfaces, which meant more accidents and more commotion in the streets in general. The cool early spring rain had stayed away for most of the day, but a few random showers caused traffic disruptions and made navigating the city slightly more troublesome than usual. Taking Hank's advice Connor parked the dark blue Corvette behind the tower and proceeded to make his way to the sanctuary through the front entrance just in time to see the morning and afternoon shift volunteers leaving for the rest of the day.

The evening and night staff were slowly filing in as each person showed up for their own shifts right on schedule. While the evening rush set in on the streets outside many of the volunteers had also taken their leave for the night as those who had sought shelter at the tower had already been tended to and were resting in their private rooms or moving on with their lives for the better. Having warm food provided by the kitchen volunteers guaranteed a good night's sleep.

Stepping into the lobby of Skye Tower Connor greeted the deviant receptionist, Pamela - the same deviant receptionist for the precinct - and in turn she informed Connor that Joel was already on the second floor waiting for him. Connor was more than happy to meet with the trusted precinct technician and was grateful for his assistance in many ways. It didn't take long for Connor to meet up with Joel on the designated floor and give him a tour of the emergency repair bay.

"Wow, Connor. I'm impressed." Joel complimented as he checked out the emergency repair wing of the tower and noted everything that the deviant had installed at the tower to double as both a shelter and an emergency care facility. "You didn't overlook anything."

"That was my intention. If it becomes necessary, can you aid and repair damaged deviants here as you would at a standard Android Emergency Care Facility?"

"Most likely, yeah." The technician knew the heavy responsibility that came with having a properly stocked inventory, and he knew that all it took was one missing tool or crucial component for anything to go wrong. "I mean, if you have spare biocomponents and blue blood, that is."

"We have a few spare biocomponents and limbs in storage." Motioning to the storage bay in the rear of the emergency repair bay Connor confirmed that the necessary supplies were already in stock. "As well as a large supply of pure Thirium that won't expire for a full year."

"Not bad. What time do you need me to show up tomorrow?"

"If you can arrive by noon that would be beneficial, but since you are a volunteer-"

"I may not be getting paid much," the technician knew where Connor was going and wanted to reassure him that whether he was clocking in at the precinct or volunteering at the tower that he was loyal all the same. "but that doesn't mean I don't have the right to show up whenever I feel like. Noon it is."

"Thank for you help."

"No problem." Joel sincerely reassured Connor as he stepped back into the elevator to take his leave of the tower. "I'll see you tomorrow. At noon."

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you again for assisting us."

Not quite ready to return home Connor set about walking through the rest of the tower for a simple inspection. It was unnecessary but it helped the always thinking deviant collect and control his racing thoughts. Running a cybernetic inventory of the overall stock and supplies of the tower Connor was satisfied that everything would be substantially adequate for another six months without any hindrances in aiding those in need. That didn't stop him from preemptively putting in an order for a full restock.

As he finally stepped into the main lobby of the tower to take his leave for the night the sound of car horns honking outside and a metallic, thunderous 'crunch' sounded off from the street just outside the front entrance of the building and the building itself shook as if caught in a tremor. Shortly after the 'crunch' echoed through the area, loud voices began shouting over the commotion and tension began to build in the air.

Curious about the sound Connor stepped outside to investigate and readily located the source of the sound. A construction crane at the end of the block had failed due to the extreme weather over the past few months and, of course, neglect. As a result, it dropped the massive load of metal support beams being used to construct a neighboring building before the crane itself tumbled over onto its side next to the dropped metal supports.

The mass of metal debris and machinery had cut off traffic as it fell over the street, but fortunately none of the cars passing under were damaged or trapped under the crushing weight. The shouting voices were of frustration, not violence or pain.

"Damn it." Connor cybernetically reported the accident from where he stood and watched as traffic came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the city. Sending a message to Hank via cybernetic communication Connor also informed the man that he would be delayed in driving home due to the accident. "I'm glad I'm not attempting to stick to a schedule at the moment."

'I already found the accident on the news. Guess it's either a slow night or there's a lot of nosy people in your neighborhood.' Hank replied with a text that Connor read over as he continued to check over the tower externally to ensure the building hadn't been damaged by the nearby collapse. 'Looks like four construction workers were pretty badly hurt when everything fell through. Sounds like the hospital will be busy once clean-up crews get to them.'

"Correct." Connor agreed out loud as he used a form of 'voice to text' to respond to Hank's message. "I imagine Dr. Wilson and the nurses will not arrive for their night shift until much later. I will remain here until they arrive in the event of an emergency."

'What about Joel?'

"He and the other human volunteers have already left for the evening. I will contact New Jericho and ask for additional assistance if anyone can be spared and get through the traffic if it becomes necessary."

'Good plan. By the way, Gavin is doing fine.' The update was a positive form of news that Connor so desperately needed to hear as his lingering depression was still making socializing somewhat difficult and his willingness to leave the house less and less prevalent. 'He's pissed off about being stuck inside all the damn time,' Hank explained casually over text. 'so that means he's recovering.'

"Good to know. I will see you later tonight."

'Yeah, see you later, son.'

Checking through the interior of the building to ensure that no one seeking help had been unintentionally neglected and found the private rooms on the third floor vacated and clean, Connor breathed a small sigh of relief. The same could be said for the recovery wings for humans and androids alike on the second floor, as well as in the kitchen, community room, and the counseling rooms on the ground floor.

The sound of car horns continued to fill the congested street with a chorus of angry and impatient drivers as Connor proceeded to finish his overall examination of the tower. Still at the receptionist desk, Pamela was keeping meticulous records of everyone that entered the tower and where they had gone while the deviants working in the kitchen continued to clean and prepare fresh meals for the soon to arrive night shift.

"Is everything still running well, Pamela?" Connor asked politely an in a low voice as he stood before at the desk. "The tower seems calm."

"Yeah, everything is operating at optimal parameters." She confirmed with a small smile as she looked up at Connor standing beside her desk. "There will be a mass of construction workers out front to take care of the accident in the street, but otherwise there will be no other hindrances."

"That's good to know. Thank you for the update."

While speaking with the receptionist the doors to the tower slid open rapidly allowing the chaos of the streets to sound off even louder for a moment before the doors slid shut again as Abby herself strolled inside. She was visibly annoyed and holding her hand against her lower back and her other hand over the front of her almost due pregnant belly.

"Abby?" The technician's arrival confused Connor as he approached her warily. "You are on maternity leave."

"And I was struck in traffic and couldn't get back home to enjoy such a leave." She sighed with an exasperated breath. "I abandoned my taxi a block from here."

"There is no one in need of medical or technical attention, but you are more than welcome to wait here until the traffic to thins out."

"That's why I'm here. I also need to use the restroom."

"...Ah." Connor knew better than to delay a pregnant lady's need to use the restroom. "Don't let me hold you up."

"Let me know if the traffic gets moving again, I want to get back home to Gavin as soon as possible."

"Will do." Connor nodded as Abby disappeared around the corner to reach the ladies restroom, then looked to Pamela with a somewhat empathetic glance. "She is very uncomfortable in her condition and the weight of the developing baby is putting pressure on her body in a most unfortunate way."

Pamela, who had spent a great deal of time with human females thanks to her role as a receptionist, gave Connor a sly look. "I suppose that is one of the few benefits that android bodies have over human bodies. We don't have to deal with gestation cycles reeking havoc on our systems."

"Perhaps." Empathetically Connor tilted his head a little as he pondered the idea of being able to have children himself someday. "I suppose that also depends on your personal concept of what is beneficial over what is detrimental."

Slowly Abby returned to the lobby and looked incredibly tired. As she ran her hand over her face, she let out a deep breath and Connor walked up to her to try to make his friend feel a little better.

"I have been informed that Gavin's recovery is progressing well."

"Yeah, he's fine. Just sore." Rubbing her opposite hand up and down her lower back Abby gave Connor a pleading stare. "I know how he feels."

"If I may ask, what were you doing in town when you became caught in traffic?"

"I was coming back from errands and a prenatal check-up. Perfect timing, huh?"

"It's rather late for a doctor's appointment, is it not?"

"When you're thirty-nine weeks and four days pregnant, no. Doctors will see you at all hours of the day if you scream at them loud enough." Whether or not she was joking, no one could say for certain. "Especially if your husband is also a cop who got shot a few weeks before."

"...You were screaming?"

"Well, talking loudly. And when you start having contractions when you're across town from your husband because for whatever reason his prescription for pain medication and antibiotics gets sent to the pharmacist furthest away from your house, they really listen."

The comment made Connor's soulful brown eyes widen with mild concern as he ran a biometric scan over Abby's body instinctively; her vitals were all stable and well within normal expectations.

"Are you experiencing contractions?"

"Braxton-Hicks. Not to get too graphic or cross any boundaries, but I'm only two centimeters dilated."

"Here, come with me." Connor offered Abby his arm and proceeded to guide her to the community room to rest for a moment. Discreetly he ran another biometric scan over Abby's body and found her body readying itself for the inevitable delivery. She was three days away from her due date and after all of the stress she had been through, it looked like she'd go into labor at any minute. "You should rest."

"I'm fine." Awkwardly she lowered herself down onto the soft leather cushions and breathed deeply. Her body language and the current position of her belly told a different story. "Just tired. This is a huge kid and I've been asked four separate times If I'm expecting twins."

"I don't mean to pry, but from what my scanner has indicated you are in fact in the very early stages of labor. The baby is in the proper position for delivery and has begun descending. It's also visible that your belly has in fact dropped considerably to accommodate such descent."

"Why the fuck did I bother with all those ultrasounds if I just had you to check on things for me?" Abby gave Connor a somewhat annoyed grin and her discomfort continued to mount. It wasn't a personal comment, just one she couldn't keep contained. "I promise if anything happens that I'll just cross my legs and do my best to hold it in. Okay?"

"You do what you believe is best." Connor knew she was being sarcastic and also knew better than to question her comment or even address it. "No one beyond the volunteers in the kitchen are in the tower at the moment, which includes a properly trained medical staff. However, I will remain with you as a precaution." Motioning to the couch that Abby was currently sitting on Connor made sure that she knew she was safe with him. "You can rest without disturbance right here."

"Yeah, right. Spoken like someone who's never had a tinier version of themself kicking them in the stomach, ribs and bladder all day long."

"...That is true." The deviant admitted in a somewhat shy voice. "I have not. Nor do I have such anatomy to experience such a phenomenon in general."

"Well, thanks anyway." Laying clumsily on her side over the soft couch Abby tucked her arm under her head and closed her eyes to get some sleep as she rubbed her free palm lightly over the side of her swollen belly. "I'm really glad this tower is here."

"As am I." Slipping off his leather jacket Connor draped the garment over Abby just as he had done three weeks prior after she fell asleep in Gavin's hospital room lying next to her husband. "Rest for as long as you need."

Leaving Abby to sleep Connor returned to the receptionist to ask for a favor in a low voice without causing an unnecessary alarm.

"Pamela, will you keep an eye on her for me? I want to go check on the flow of traffic to see if it's safe for her to travel home."

"Of course." Pamela had grown to admire Abby and trusted her to aid herself and their people without question. "I'll stay close to her."

Stepping outside the tower once more Connor eyed the stopped traffic and estimated the overall time it'd take for the street to clear to be at least another two hours. The collapse of the crane as well as the support beams strewn over the road was going to be a timely clean up on its own. For the traffic to actually begin moving again at a steady pace would take another three hours minimum. Even with the swift and stead work of deviants to keep things under control, the traffic situation was going to lengthy and slow.

"This is not good."

Connor sent another cybernetic text message to Hank, this time keeping much quieter as he didn't want to draw any unwanted attention from those who don't understand how deviants can send text messages just by speaking.

"Hank, there could be a problem."

There were only a few seconds of a delay before Hank responded. 'What's going on?'

"Abby is at the tower because she had been stranded in traffic. I suspect she is going to go into labor soon."

'Can you handle it?'

"I'd rather not, but if it becomes absolutely necessary I will."

'And where's Gavin?'

"Home. Abby was returning from-"

Pamela's voice cut in cybernetically asking for Connor to return to the tower and with that message Connor knew it was happening. 'Connor, Dr. Grayson is experiencing a very powerful contraction, and she's asking for you."

"Correction." Connor sounded a little nervous but in control as he gave Hank another update. "Abby has in fact gone into labor."

'All right, you take care of her, and I'll find a way to get Gavin to the tower.'

"Shouldn't I take her to the hospital?"

'In that traffic you'd never get here there in time. AND with that accident the staff is going to be overwhelmed with the injured construction workers and backed up because of the traffic possibly interfering with ambulances. She's better off staying with you for the time being.'

"I understand. I will contact Dr. Wilson and inform him of what's happening as I monitor Abby's progress."

'Right. You do what you can for her, and I'll take care of Gavin.'

"Thanks."

'Sit tight, kid. I'm on my way.'

Returning to the tower Connor found Abby sitting upright on the couch with both of her hands over her belly and breathing in slow and deep cleansing breaths. Pamela was sitting next to her and keeping her company as Abby endured her first real contraction and gave Connor an annoyed glance from where she sat as soon as she spotted the returned deviant.

"Don't say anything."

"I am not the type to gloat." Kneeling down beside Abby so that he could examine her again Connor took back his no longer needed jacket and threw it over his shoulder as he ran another biometric scan and gave her a somewhat alarmed glance. "This is not false labor."

"No." Abby sighed in defeat as the pain mercifully ebbed away. She was clutching her impressive bump with both hands as she took in a second deep cleansing breath to try to settle her nerves. "It's not. This is it. Showtime..."

"Pamela," Connor turned to look at the receptionist with a calm demeanor. "inform Dr. Wilson of what is currently happening. He and three other nurses will be reporting for their night shift later than usual, but they can still help if they can get to the tower as soon as possible."

"Right away."

"In the meantime, you need to be moved." Returning his attention to Abby as Pamela returned to the receptionist desk while remaining entirely calm Connor stood up slowly. "Can you walk, or should I carry you?"

"Where are we going?"

"To the second floor."

"Whoa, whoa... I just started having serious contractions and-" Abby winced and looked somewhat embarrassed she felt her water break. Leaning forward a little where she sat, she took in another slow breath and ran a slightly shaking hand over her face again in stress and mild embarrassment. "...I think I can walk. Just give me a minute."

"Okay. When you're ready to move let me help you."

"F-Fuck..." As Abby felt another contraction already burning through her belly she took in a slow and deep breath to ease the pain as she decided she didn't have time to wait to move when she felt slightly better. "Nevermind. Let's go."

Wrapping his larm around Abby's shoulders Connor helped her to stand up and let her lean against him as he helped her to walk over to the elevator to reach the medical wing on the second floor. As the elevator ascended to the appropriate floor Connor sent another cybernetic message to Hank to update him on what was going on and to ask about Gavin's location.

'I'm about five minutes from their house.' Hank confirmed as he received Connor's message. 'I take it things aren't clearing up out there any time soon.'

'Correct.' This time Connor kept the messages solely cybernetic and nonverbal to ensure Abby remained as calm as possible. 'She's experiencing her second contraction, and her water has broken.'

'Keep me posted and I'll keep Gavin calm.'

'Will do.'

As the two reached the second floor Abby groaned and breathed through her third contraction. Her hand grabbed onto Connor's hand with a crushing grip that the deviant quietly endured her pained reaction without any protest. Once the pain eased Abby was able to take another step forward with Connor's much appreciated and needed assistance.

"Oh my God..." Abby stated between her deep breaths as she realized how quickly her labor was progressing. "This kid is definitely going to be an only child!"

"There is a well-stocked O.B. kit in the emergency maternity ward. If it becomes necessary-"

"It better not!"

"...If it becomes necessary," Connor continued on as he helped Abby to walk into the medical wing and then proceeded to lift her up into his arms and gently place her down onto a relatively comfortable table designed specifically for proper childbirth and delivery. "I can aid you in every way that you'll require."

"Yeah?" Abby rubbed her hands over her laboring belly and sighed with great irritation and fatigue. "You've delivered babies before?"

"I had assisted Hank in a delivery two years ago. And I have since downloaded all of the required information in performing such a task if it were to become necessary in the event of an emergency situation where I am alone." As he helped Abby to position herself more comfortably on the table Connor shrugged his shoulders a little as he told her about that morning to try to ease her mind. "I had also rescued a baby robin and kept it safe until the rain passed this very morning."

"That's sweet. Well, I guess that's better than-" Abby let out a sharp gasp of pain as yet another contraction already began tearing through her body. Once more she crushed Connor's hand as she endured the intense pain through deep, panting breaths and a steeled mental focus. "Shit!"

"Focus on your breathing." Connor very gently lifted up Abby's blouse to expose her swollen torso and placed his hand down on her now bare contracting belly. He used light palpation to count her contractions and the current position of the baby. "You're experiencing a *precipitous labor."

"O-Of course it would be." Abby sighed again and leaned back against the table as she continued to breathe rapidly through the pain. "Lucky me."

"I don't want to be intrusive, but-"

"Trust me..." She sighed again and focused on her breathing to try to take the edge of her pain. "After nine months of being examined and tested by dozens of hands poking me everything and prying eyes checking my more intimate anatomy, I'm used to have someone else 'checking' on things for me. I have nothing left to hide."

Helping Abby to sit upright in a more appropriate position for delivery Connor folded his jacket and tucked it behind her lower back for some support, then draped a sterile sheet over her legs. Abby herself awkwardly pulled up her long skirt under the sheet and waited for Connor to leave the room to gather more supplies before she removed anything else to ease the shy deviant's mind.

"I'll update Dr. Wilson and I will be in contact with him cybernetically." Connor tried to sound confident, but he knew that Abby was anxious about the birth of her first child and there was very little he could say or do to calm her any more than she already was. Looking down at his bare hands Connor knew he'd need to wash and put on sterilized gloves to prevent infections to either mother or baby. "I will be back with supplies in a moment, and I'll be able to assist you in your delivery."

"Y-Yeah. Sounds good." Watching as the deviant took his leave of the room Abby shouted at him as she took a moment to relax between her contraction. "I'll be right here!"

The thick traffic was proving to be an annoying obstacle all over the city courtesy of the accident downtown. Even the most skilled drivers were struggling to just get from point A to point B that evening. Having been informed of what was happening in Skye Tower at that very moment, Gavin was restless as he sat in the passenger seat next to Hank and began messing with his phone to send poorly spelled texts under his trembling fingers to Abby. As he dropped his phone on the floor beneath his feet he swore loudly and tried to bend down to pick it back up, but when he leaned down quickly the seatbelt restrained him firmly and made his still sutured chest ache with a raw pain from the sudden constriction.

"Ah! Fuck!" Closing his eyes Gavin leaned forward as best as he could to try to curl around himself while he rubbed his palm over his pained chest. "...Shit!"

"Sit still, damn it!" Hank scolded as he watched the nervous detective press his palm to his chest over the still healing incision. Gavin was clearly in pain, but he still made an unsuccessful grab for his phone at his feet. "We're almost at the tower."

"I can't get a hold of her!" Gavin nearly shouted in panic. "Something's wrong!"

"She's safe and she's with Connor. It's fine."

"But she's NOT at the hospital!"

"There's no way she can get there, and from what Connor's been telling me there was no chance she would've made it there in time anyway."

"Fuck!" Gavin then snatched Hank's phone from the dashboard and scrolled through the string of text messages he had been exchanging with Connor after Abby arrived at the tower. "Son of a bitch! This is-"

"Gavin." Hank interrupted and lowered his voice as he spoke firmly to the shaking and still recovering detective. Moving at a snail's pace and being stuck in the car with a panicking person wasn't an ideal situation to be a part of. "Calm down. You freaking out isn't going to get us to the tower any faster."

"I shouldn't have let her go across town alone!"

"You aren't medically cleared to drive just yet, AND she would've gone regardless of what you said to her."

"Oh, come on! She was three days from her due date!" Unable to calm down Gavin continued to argue and try to focus his anger somewhere. "Someone should've been with her while she was out!"

"Like I said, she's with Connor and he is her friend. He won't let anything bad happen to her or the baby."

"...Fuck." Grabbing onto both sides of his head Gavin began to pull at his hair with mounting stress. "I'm the one who should be with her!"

"Maybe it's a good thing she went into labor at the tower. With the way you're acting right now, I think she would've spent more time calming you down than anything else. Wives love it when their husbands are emotional wrecks."

"How in the hell did you handle it when Cole was born?! This is BEYOND stressful!"

"By freaking out on the inside and staying cool for Barb's sake. Get your shit together, Reed!" Hank saw a fine line of blood beginning to seep through Gavin's dark blue t-shirt as his elevated blood pressure and frantic movement caused his sutures to tear slightly. "Calm down and think of Abby and your baby, okay? They'll need you to be in control of yourself, otherwise you'll be completely useless to them."

"Okay, yeah... Yeah, you're right." Gavin dropped his hands from his hair and tried to breathe slowly as if calming himself after enduring a panic attack. He hadn't noticed his bleeding suture and continued to think solely of Abby. "H-How close are we?"

"Once I turn this corner we'll be on the right block. We'll have to walk the rest of the way to the tower."

"Walk?!"

"Traffic, remember?" Hank needlessly motioned to the stopped flow of cars lined up before them in the street. "That's why she was at the tower to begin with!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... Right. I can do this." Gavin breathed deeply again and sighed as he forced himself to maintain emotional composure. "I can do this... I can handle this. I can be a good husband and I can be a good father."

"Damn right. Just breathe, get your shit together and keep it together."

"You're right. Abby and our child need me to be calm, to be strong. I can do that." Looking at the glowing neon blue of the sign on the front of Skye Tower in the shrinking distance, Gavin found a type of strength he hadn't felt for a very long time. "I can do it for them."

The events regarding Abby's labor were progressing very quickly. Connor let Abby continue to grip his hand as she endured one strong contraction right after the other with virtually no chance to breathe in between them. As her labor progressed rapidly, painfully, and against anyone else's control, Connor monitored Abby closely and did everything he could to keep her as calm as possible. Using Dr. Wilson's cybernetically obtained guidance as well as his own training and the detailed information he had downloaded to guide his every movement and decision, Connor informed Abby of her swift progress and prepared everything on her stead when it was time to deliver the baby.

With purple latex gloves on his hands and the clean blue scrub top over his t-shirt, the deviant looked as professional as he was calm about handling the emergency situation. Having to peer under the sheet over Abby's legs to monitor her progress directly Connor confirmed that she no longer had any choice in the matter.

It was time.

"You're fully dilated." He stated as he stepped back from the table and gave her a determined look. "You'll need to push on the next contraction."

"G-Gavin isn't here!" Abby wiped her hand over her sweaty face and brushed a stray lock of her brunette hair from her forehead. "He needs to be here!"

"The baby is in position and descending rapidly." Connor confirmed in a somewhat glum manner. "I'm sorry, you have to push."

"Fuck! I don't-"

"Abby?!" Gavin's voice suddenly filled the area as he charged through the medical wing with his hand pressed to his sore slightly bleeding chest as he looked all over for his wife. "Abby, I'm here, babe!"

"Gavin!?" She almost whimpered as she heard his voice and replied as loudly and clearly as she could. "It's happening! Fuck! I need to push!"

"I'm here!" Rushing over to Abby and all but sliding across the linoleum floor, Gavin took hold of her hand in time for her to clamp down as hard as possible as the next contraction hit her without mercy. "I'm here for both of you! I'm here for you and our baby! I won't go anywhere..."

Hank joined Connor in the room to instinctively try to help as much as he could, but after seeing that Connor had the situation well under control, he patted Connor's shoulder and stepped out of the room to see if he could find out where Dr. Wilson was and if he was anywhere near the tower yet. "You got this?"

"Yes." The deviant nodded at Hank as he noted Abby's current stress levels. "I can help her without assistance."

"All right. If I see Dr. Wilson, I'll let him know what's going on and send him your way." Before he left Hank leaned over and gave Gavin's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and helped smooth some of Abby's hair from her face. "Good luck you two, I'll be outside."

Within seconds of Hank leaving the room the labor progressed to its peak and there was no more waiting.

"Push." Connor stated firmly as the relentless contractions tore through Abby's body, not that he needed to tell her what to do. As a former E.M.S. Abby was well aware of what was happening to her and how to handle it properly. "Keep going as long as you can, you're already making good progress."

Gavin hugged Abby with one arm as tightly as he could as she bore down and pushed with all her strength. She was leaning into Gavin, and Gavin was supporting her entirely on a physical and emotional scale despite his own physical pain and lingering weakness. "I love you so much, Abby!"

"The head is crowning." Remaining entirely focused on his task at hand Connor monitored Abby very closely and made sure the baby's oxygen level was remaining steady. Blood made its presence known as the baby neared its impending arrival. "Take a deep breath and push again."

Abby didn't have time to rest between contractions as her rapid labor didn't give her such a window of opportunity. Holding her breath, she pushed again as Connor assisted her every second of the delivery while Gavin stayed with her and remained a literal rock for her lean against.

"You need to stop pushing long enough for me to ease out the head as it turns." Stern yet calm Connor stated the fact with a hint of apology to his voice. "Breathe slowly to ease the pain and push again when I say. I don't want you to tear."

"Fuck!" Abby swore again as she had no choice but wait and breathe through the pain. Tightening her hand around Gavin's hand she squeezed so hard that her fingernails began to dig into his skin and draw some blood. "Gavin! When this is over, you're getting a vasectomy! And I'm going to be the one to do it!" There was a new burning pain and she screamed again as she didn't have a single worthy painkiller to rely on during her rapid labor as the baby continued to crown at a painful pace. "FUCK!"

Tuning out Abby's pain induced comments Connor remained unfazed as he supported the still being birthed newborn's head in his palm. Blood was beginning to stain his gloved hands and run along the table as the physically taxing process began to take its horrible toll on Abby's exhausted body.

"The head is out, push again."

"Ow! Shit!" Abby pushed again and crushed Gavin's already throbbing hand in the process. "Fuck! How big is this kid?!"

"Approximately nine pounds, fourteen ounces." Connor stated with a factual tone as he gave Abby a literal answer with a simple scan. "Very healthy weight."

"Fuck!" The impressive size made total sense and yet Abby didn't agree with the high numbers. "A ten-pound baby is a fucking crime against nature!"

"Stop push. The shoulders are stuck." The deviant informed her in a cool tone of voice as he proceeded to move his hands accordingly to help guide the rest of the baby out. "Gavin, let Abby lean against you and pull her legs back as much as possible without injuring her."

"What?" Gavin was keeping his voice level, but it was evident he was getting scared. Taking a hold of Abby's right leg near her upper thigh Gavin did as he was instructed and help Abby move into a more proper position. "What's going on?"

"The baby is-"

Abby cut Connor off impatiently as she endured another painful contraction. "Fuck! The baby is a little too big for my hips and pelvis..." She held her breath and groaned in pain as she leaned into Gavin heavily. "I need the room to push, or I'll have to have an emergency c-section. This will help make more room."

"Oh, shit..." Gavin kissed Abby's cheek as he held tightly onto her and helped her hold her legs back. "You can do this, babe. I got you!"

Steadily and carefully Connor managed to adjust the baby accordingly and loosened the first shoulder without harming Abby in the process. The deviant's scanner was proving invaluable at the moment as he was able to see every detail that was crucial for a successful delivery and his skilled hands managed to deliver the baby without accidentally injuring it or the mother during the difficult delivery.

"I have one shoulder free." Connor announced as he continued to support the baby in his palms. "Lightly push to deliver the second shoulder."

Abby bit her lip and did as she was instructed and felt a strange pressure lessen up as the second shoulder passed through at long last.

"The shoulders are both out." Connor announced as he kept one hand under the baby's small head, neck and shoulders. "One more push."

Gavin kissed Abby's hairline as he held onto her tightly and rubbed his hand up and down her arm affectionately. "Almost there, babe! You got this!"

Abby held her breath and pushed as hard as she could and didn't stop until all the pressure and weight in her pelvis finally relented. Falling back against the table and against Gavin's arm she let out a loud panting sigh of relief and wiped tears from her eyes as the pain finally came to a merciful end.

"The baby is out." The deviant confirmed as he finished helping Abby deliver her first baby. "You can rest now."

"See?!" Laughing with relief, joy and genuine amusement Gavin kissed Abby again. "I knew that you could do it!"

Connor held the squirming newborn in his hands and proceeded to clear its airway allowing it to finally cry. Once the shrill cries filled the room Connor felt an odd sense of pride and relief at the same time despite having no relation to the child. The new life being brought into the world filled Connor's heart with a warmth that he couldn't explain. It was a feeling that helped to push away the crushing chill of having lost his bondmate and reminded Connor of what Abby told him months ago when she pressed his hand against her belly for the first time and how she promised to help him move past his pain of losing Skye.

As Connor tied off the cord he looked up at Abby and Gavin as he gently handed the newborn to Abby to hold against her chest and held out a small pair of medical scissors for Gavin to cut the cord.

"It's a girl." The stunned deviant stated with a controlled joy in his words. "Would you like to cut the cord?"

Abby began weeping tears of pure love and happiness as she pressed her newborn daughter against her chest while Gavin accepted the scissors with a shaking hand. It was as if all of her pain had melted away and gave her the chance to enjoy the life changing moment at long last.

"...I have a daughter." Gavin began to happily weep as well as he snipped the cord and looked down at the tiny baby that he had been waiting nine full months to finally meet. In that instant any doubts Gavin had about being able to love and care for his own child vanished. "And she's beautiful. Holy shit. Abby, we made another life! And she's ours... Our daughter."

With his phone in hand Hank received word from the head nurse at St. Mercy Hospital that Dr. Wilson was assisting in emergency surgery for one of the construction workers injured in the accident, and that he would be delayed in arriving at Skye Tower for several hours. While Dr. Wilson was made aware of what was happening at the tower the good doctor couldn't leave and had already asked for an available ambulance to transport Abby over to the hospital as quickly as possible. There was nothing more that could be done until the streets were cleared, and a doctor was available. It seemed that Hank was right to tell Connor to keep Abby in the tower for the delivery after all.

"Well, that sucks. Hopefully he won't be stuck at the hospital for too long."

The sound of the newborn's shrill cries drew Hank's attention away from the phone and over to the maternity area behind him. A proud smile appeared on his face as he resumed the conversation with the nurse on the other end of the line and felt his shoulders slump with his own relief.

"Uh, tell Dr. Wilson the baby has already been born. I'll call back if there's any problems."

Ending the call Hank tucked his phone back into his coat pocket and watched anxiously as Connor exited the ward after a few minutes and slipped off the blood covered purple latex gloves from over his hands to place in the medical waste disposal bin against the wall. It was all over, and Connor looked like he was ready to go home and sleep.

"Well?" Hank asked somewhat impatiently as he put his hand on Connor's shoulder in a supportive manner. The deviant was standing tall and proud as he stood before the senior detective with a blank expression on his face. "How'd it go?"

"Everything went well in spite the onset of precipitous labor and of the baby being larger than anticipated." Giving Hank a nod of approval Connor motioned back toward the ward where Abby, Gavin and their newborn daughter were gathered together. "Mother and baby and doing well. It's a girl."

"That's great." Hank was beaming with pride on the deviant's behalf upon hearing the good news. "Well, welcome to the club, son."

"Club?"

"You helped a woman in labor and delivered your first kid all alone. That's a rite of passage in the precinct."

"That's a very strange club, but I'm honored all the same."

"You should be." Laughing at the comment Hank held up his phone for Connor to see as he fished it back out of his pocket. "I left a message for Dr. Wilson at the hospital to let him know that the baby was born. I still have no idea when the ambulance will get here to take them over to the hospital."

"I've attached a cardiac monitor to Abby as a precaution and she will be monitored closely until she can be transported to the hospital. She is doing well but is exhausted and may still yet bleed despite having successfully delivered the afterbirth and having suffered no complications."

"Yeah, after everything she's been through, I can't say that I blame her for being exhausted." Leaning a little closer to Connor Hank lowered his voice and asked him an unusual question. "Did I hear right? Abby is going to give Gavin a vasectomy?"

"I believe it's safe to say that they will not be having any additional children." Connor's brow furrowed slightly as he received a cybernetic communication from Pamela downstairs in the receptionist area. "The paramedics have just arrived and are on their way up to see to Abby and the baby."

"Great timing on their part." The elevator doors opened as if waiting for their cue and a team of paramedics set foot on the floor and followed as Connor and Hank guided them in the right direction. "Come on, let's give them room to work and see that new baby."

It was just past nine o'clock at night and everything seemed to finally calm down.

At the hospital Hank and Connor stayed outside the recovery room that Abby was resting in with her newborn daughter swaddled in her arms and Gavin hovering protectively over both of them as if ready for a fight. Friends to both parents stopped by the room to congratulate the couple while also dropping off flowers, balloons, cards, some blankets, stuffed toys, formula and a dozen boxes of diapers. As the group of well-wishers slowly dispersed after saying their piece to the happy young couple and new parents, Gavin and Abby were left alone to bond with their newborn daughter much to the delight of the entire precinct as well New Jericho Tower and Skye Tower.

"Connor, Hank." Tina excitedly stepped out of the room after dropping off a massive stuffed teddy bear for the baby (and to once again annoy Gavin with the oversized toy) she addressed her fellow officers with a gentle smile on her face. "They want to talk to you."

Stepping inside the room as requested the two detectives were met with warm smiles from both parents as Abby motioned for Hank to hold the baby. Accepting of course, Hank held the small newborn carefully in his arms while Connor watched with intense interest.

The baby was the perfect blend of her parents. She had Abby's fair skin and her nose, while she had Gavin's dark hair and his ears. In time her blue eyes would surely turn the same shade of gray-hazel as her father's eyes as well, or they'd be a darker shade of hazel to blend between Abby and Gavin. She was sleeping peacefully as Hank held her and she seemed to be perfectly content with her arrival into the bright new world.

"Connor," Gavin addressed the deviant with a sense of newfound respect that neither had expected to come to pass between them. "I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done. And I really mean that. Thanks."

"You don't need to thank me for doing the right thing." The deviant remained humble as he addressed the new father professionally. "I am-"

"Look, I know I've been a really huge fucking asshole to you over the past couple of years, and it was... It was uncool." Running his hand over the back of his hair nervously Gavin made a sincere but timid apology to the deviant and admitted he was being inappropriate. "So, I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. I understand why you-"

"Actually, I do have to apologize." Gavin was steadfast in making amends to Connor. "So I have. And thanks for saving my life. I didn't say anything then so I'm saying it now. You saved me from a bullet, a fire, poison and cardiac arrest." Pressing his palm over the still healing incision in his chest Gavin was very aware of how close he had been to death and would've succumbed to his wounds if it hadn't been for Connor's intervention. "And now you helped my wife and helped bring my daughter safely into this world. Thank you."

Remaining humble Connor accepted the apology and the thanks with a soft tone of voice. "...You're welcome."

Abby lightly grabbed onto Connor's hand and pulled him closer to her. "There's one other thing." She was smiling and glowing with maternal pride. "You remember how I told you that I had made some plans with Skye and that my way of honoring her memory was to follow through with those plans?"

"Yes." Such a conversation was now very vivid in his mind. "I remember."

"Well, my plan was to ask her and to ask you to be the baby's godparents."

"M-Me?" Connor was genuinely shocked and flattered by the revelation and had no idea how to react. "I don't... Why me?"

"Simple." Gavin replied on Abby's behalf as he gently took back the baby from Hank for a moment and smiled down at his tiny daughter. "You're the type of guy who'd lay down his life to protect someone else, even a total stranger. You're honest, you're kind, you're also pretty damn fearless, generous and you're way more forgiving than anyone else I know." Holding the baby close to his chest, close to his heart, Gavin stood before Connor confidently. "My own family is screwed up and Abby's family is gone. We only have our friends to be our family and you're the type of person I'd want to look after my daughter if anything were to happen to me or... you know, even to Abby."

"I'm... I'm honored."

"Is that a 'yes'?" Gavin asked as he passed the newborn over into Connor's arms to hold. Instinctively Connor knew exactly how to support the newborn in his arms gently but securely. The baby remained asleep as she was passed over to the deviant and was being held in strong, supportive arms. "You better say you'll do it because we don't have anyone else in mind. I don't want Tina to spoil her into a little princess..."

"Gavin, Abby..." Connor looked down at the tiny newborn in his arms with deep contemplation in his heart. Taking on a baby was a huge responsibility and even though he wasn't going to be her primary guardian he was still wary of bearing such a massive weight on his shoulders. The deviant still had so much to learn about humanity, emotions and healing after enduring relentless heartache. "I don't know what to say."

Hank just stayed quiet and waited for Connor to make his decision on his own. This was one decision that Hank couldn't help him with or give his opinion on for that matter. It was all up to Connor to choose for himself and decide what he wanted to do and who he wanted to be in that child's life.

The tiny newborn made small noises and squirmed about gently in Connor's arms as she finally woke up from her nap. Her dark blue eyes were looking up and searching Connor's face as if she too was waiting for Connor to answer the all too important question.

Moving his hand upward toward the baby's hand Connor watched as the newborn's tiny fingers wrapped around his pinky finger and held tight. After a moment of deep thought and remembering what Abby had said about wanting to honor Skye's memory and how Skye wanted to have children of her own someday, Connor finally made his decision and let it be known with a confident answer.

"Yes." The answer seemed somehow very simple as he looked into the baby's eyes. "I will be her godfather."

Upon hearing Connor's acceptance Hank gave the deviant a proud smile and watched as he held onto the little baby with the utmost care that any parents would give to their own child.

"Thank you!" Abby beamed as she tightened her hand around Gavin's hand and the two felt a modicum of relief in knowing their daughter would be safe if anything were to happen to them. "That's what we were hoping to hear."

Connor's brow arched as he looked at Gavin with an important question of his own. "What is her name?"

"Aria." Gavin replied in a soft tone of voice. "It was my sister's middle name."

"And her middle was almost 'Robin', since that story you told me earlier was so damn sweet. But we decided on a more appropriate middle name given today's unusual circumstances." Abby smiled as she told Connor the baby's full name. " Meet Aria Connie Grayson-Reed."

The deviant's brow arched a little as he then gave Abby a strange look. "...'Connie'?"

"Yeah, 'Connie'." Gavin cleared his throat a little as he explained their choice with a faint blush on his face. "It's also the only good family tradition I can remember from my side. Always name the firstborn after the person who helped to deliver them. And as it turns out for Aria, that person was you, Connor."

"You named her after me?" A faint shade of pale blue blossomed on Connor's face as he blushed with flattery and embarrassment. Smiling a full broad smile that he rarely showed he gently ran the side of his index finger down Aria's soft cheek to caress it Connor knew he had made the right choice. "...I've never had anyone name anything after me, let alone their own child."

As Connor smiled, truly smiled, Hank felt a massive wave of relief wash over him. It was so rare to see the full smile on Connor's face, and after Connor lost Skye, the man feared he'd never see it again.

"Does it bother you?" Gavin asked somewhat embarrassed about the admission. "I mean, it's not too late to change it."

"No... Not at all. It was just unexpected." Sitting down slowly on the edge of the bed next to Abby, the deviant moved slowly as he passed Aria back over to her mother's arms to be tended to. The tiny newborn relented and let Connor's finger go as she was gently placed back in Abby's arms to be cradled once more by her very tired and very proud new mother. "I'm flattered and honored."

There was a knock at the door as a female nurse poked her head in and motioned for Hank and Connor to leave the room. "Sorry, gentlemen. Visiting hours are over. You can come back at nine tomorrow morning."

Nodding slightly Connor rose from the bed and joined Hank as the two detectives left the room as requested. "We'll come back tomorrow for another visit."

Hank shook Gavin's hand firmly and gave Abby a small hug before he took his leave of the room and returned home with Connor. "Congratulations you two. Everything you know is about the change forever, but it'll be for the better. Trust me."

"Yeah..." Gavin agreed with a broad grin of utter pride and love as he dropped his hand from Hank's hand and sat back down next to Abby. Wrapping his arm around Abby's shoulders he smiled down at his newborn daughter in Abby's arms and held Aria's tiny hand gently between his fingers and gave it a light squeeze. "I know it'll be great."

Connor gave Abby one last nod of respect as he and Hank took their leave of the room. "I'm very happy for both of you. Take care."

"You do the same. Thank you for everything." Abby smiled brightly as Aria let out a small noise, and Gavin tightened his hug around his wife's shoulder. "Aria says 'thank you', too."

Walking down the corridor of the hospital side by side Hank casually put his hand to Connor's shoulder again and gave Connor a sly grin as the deviant's own smile, though not as big, remained on his face.

"Makes you want a kid of your own, huh?"

Connor continued to smile as he thought about the idea of having children without saying a word of confirmation to Hank. Having a child seemed like such a wonderful prospect and Connor now knew why Skye had undergone the necessary upgrades to bear a child of her own before they we were even bonded. In Connor's mind it didn't matter how a person was brought into the world as long as they were loved, and deep down inside Connor knew that having a life to take care of would be as fulfilling as he and Skye had dreamed about.

"You know something, kid?" The senior detective gave his son a broad grin as they strode down the corridor together to leave the hospital and head for home for the night. "That's the first time I've seen you smile in literal months."

"I guess it's been the first time in those many months that I finally have a reason to smile." Connor lightly pressed his hand to his warm face as another wave of embarrassment made his cheeks turn a pale shade of blue all over again. "I now have a goddaughter to care for."

"That's a damn good reason, too."

Putting his arm around Connor's shoulders Hank pulled him in for a light hug as the two stepped out into the parking lot of the hospital and toward their respective cars to depart from one another for only a moment as they drove home. It seemed as though Connor finally found a reason to be happy again and with that happiness Connor completed his new year's resolution and kept his promise to Skye.

"For what it's worth," Hank continued on as he watched Connor beaming with honor and genuine joy. "I'm very proud of you, son."

"Thanks, dad." Connor's humble blush faded, and his heart seemed to finally begin to heal at long last. "I'm glad that I was able to help my friend when she needed it the most. Gavin, too. I guess he's technically a friend now."

"He is, son."

Thinking about that idea made Connor smile again as he opened his car door slowly.

"And I was able to help their daughter. It felt good." Such an acknowledgement brought a sense of healing to Connor's heart as he imagined how Skye would've reacted on that memorable day. "Helping other people made me feel good. It made me feel... happy."

-next chapter-

Fun Fact: A *precipitous labor is defined as giving birth in less than three hours after initial labor begins. I imagine it's as fun as it sounds...