Fragility of the Mind

Leana was sitting on her bed, clenching and unclenching her jaw. Then she received the mental call from Videor and scowled.

'You take care of this, I'm too pissed off.'

She stood up and stretched, opening her tired eyes and making her way to TK's room. Ariel knocked on the door and walked in.

"You needed me?"

Ariel looked down, unsure of how to start. But she knew that TK would see through any bullshit she could come up with so she decided to just tell the truth.

"I'm tired and a little upset, but otherwise fine," she answered. "If you want Leana's answer then she can tell you herself another time. I'm not letting her out for a while." Then she quietly added, "Though I don't think she wants to."

Ariel sighed and hugged TK back.

"Yeah..." she replied with a sigh. "I was practically screaming for her to stop but you know Leana..."

Ariel glanced at Videor before looking at TK curiously.

"And what would this, "big thing" be?" she asked.

Raine's stomach churned as she watched Leana leave, not getting a word of farewell. The young woman turned, walking swiftly away from where she was. She happened to hear Gabrielle's voice, along with Udo's and Raine followed the sounds.

She came to the room they were in but she suddenly felt very wrong standing near the door, like she shouldn't be there, and be somewhere else. She suddenly felt her feet taking her past Udo's room and to the room where Leana had disappeared into. Raine kicked open the door like a treasure hunter searching for priceless goods* and she happened upon TK, Videor and Ariel.

Raine leaned against the doorframe, one red booted foot crossing another. Her bangles chimed together as she said dully, "Looky what I've found."

Ariel's jaw fell to the floor when she heard what TK said.

'What? Pregnant?'

'Hey, I'm just as surprised as you are, Princess.'

"But...how is that possible?" Ariel asked, shocked. "You're... We're all sterile. Except Raine of course, but still!"

Raine smirked, nodding her head as if in congratulations to the father, mother and grandmother.

"Thanks," she started, clearly enjoying the situation, "but, you know, my grandma always said premarital sex would deform babies. Hope yours doesn't follow that old bat's saying 'cause you two are just too darn cute." she walked further into the room untill she was nearer the other four.

"And what's all this about France? I love me some baguette and boys."

"I was one of the fourteen survivors," she said slowly. "Only those at the very back had time to react. Fourteen out of three-hundred and thirty three."

She looked down. "And then I just pretended it never happened."

Swallowing, the young woman continued. "After I found out I could control shadows, all these things happened at such a fast rate. I mean, I didn't participate very much, but I was there. And then we fought the Woman--TK's mother. That isn't related to France. Somebody else can tell you about it better."

There was this thing at the back of her mind. She didn't know what it was, but talking to Udo about it, somebody she actually hadn't known for a very long time, made her oddly... surprised. "After the fight I stayed at the base for three years before leaving for LA. My uncle who I had thought dead came looking for me and brought me back to France. He blackmailed me, really. And I don't want to tell you what he told me."

"He was an Alpha, too. Umbrakinesis runs in the family," the words were spoken quietly, as if she were trying to keep a secret. "And damn it, I picked up some documents left over from my dead parents with a lot of unfavorable information. You see, my uncle doesn't want me in America. But I can't stay in France because of him." She hoped Udo wouldn't kind if she didn't elaborate. It was too soon. The confidential information was indeed of an I'm-dying-or-going-to-jail-if-I-tell-you importance. She couldn't risk her life for that.

"But that's classified. Let's just say that I'm not looking forward to getting caught. Like I said, I don't feel safe in France. Most of all, I don't feel safe with only TK."

Raine smiled grimly from hearing TK mention Alevon. She crossed her arms over her chest, the leather of her jacket crinkling slightly.

"Well, whatever happens, I'm not getting anywhere near that weasle. I'd rather dine on french waiters and artists." She smiled though, walking toward TK and placing her hand on her stomach.

"How does it feel? Motherly?" Her last word was a joke but she did want to know how TK felt about everything. A baby was a big deal.